Enjoy reading through our November newsletter below, where you will find inspiration and creative ideas for making others feel special this time of year.

Fall gets us in the mood for warm comfort food, and this recipe for Creamy Autumn Butternut Squash Soup is a healthy way to satisfy that craving! Making this recipe requires minimal prep work and yields a velvety, comforting bowl of fall flavors. 

Below you will find the full list of ingredients, with the two main ingredients being butternut squash and sweet potato. There are only four steps to preparing this recipe. Enjoy!

We believe that beginning your handmade Christmas gifting projects in October gives you plenty of time to prepare for a meaningful Christmas. Your handmade gifts may become keepsakes for the recipients, so you'll want to start early enough to avoid stress, stay on budget, put your heart into your work, and create special things that will make the season bright! 

For me, I love listening to cheerful Christmas music in my crafting area so I can get into the holiday spirit, reflect on memories with the people I love, and create things with joy in my heart as I focus on the details of my work. Of course, we crafters don't really consider it work when we love what we do and who it's made for. We're just living the dream, right? 

Some of my favorite October crafting projects, which I'm currently working on, include crocheting gift bags and mug cozies. I have also been working on handmade gift tags and gift toppers because I enjoy the creative aspects of gift wrapping and curating an elaborate gift presentation so much! Soon I will begin making handmade ornaments, too. I can hardly wait! 

Below you will find our October crafting tips that include holiday gift ideas that are handmade, and some motivation for you to get started on those Christmas gift projects! 

Happy Crafting!

If you have been decorating your home for fall, we have a great idea for you! Bring a lovely touch of nature to your home with pinecones. Here we share instructions of how to prepare your own cinnamon-scented pinecones to add to your fall table as a centerpiece. 

Cinnamon-scented pinecones are a quick, budget-friendly type of autumn decor. This crafty project with pinecones will make your home smell like the comfort of the fall season for weeks. 

During my years working at a craft store, my favorite thing about going into work in the fall was walking through the entryway where they stored the cinnamon-scented pinecones they had for sale. At the time I hadn't realized how easy it was to scent your own pinecones. Now that I know how it's done, I want to pass the information along to you. Now you may enjoy this memorable experience in your own home.

For this project you will need: 

• Clean Pinecones (foraged or store-bought) 
• Cinnamon Essential Oil 
• Craft Glue or Mod Podge 
• Ground Cinnamon (optional, for extra scent) 
• A Large Resealable Plastic Bag or Spray Bottle (choose a method as shown below) 
• An Oven (for baking, to prepare your project) 
• A Dark Storage Area (for curing) 

Below you will find the specific directions for adding a cinnamon scent to your pinecones. This is an activity you may choose to do with your children, but adult supervision is required.

Whether you are new to the art of sewing, or if you have been stitching for years, these four simple tips are designed to help you master your sewing projects so they turn out with professional quality results. 

In the images below you will:

• Learn the value of preparation for your sewing projects. 
• Discover the importance of pressing every seam. 
• Find out why you should respect the grainline of your fabric. 
• Keep in mind how often you should replace the needle of your sewing machine. 

With implementation of these four helpful tips, you will advance in your efforts to master the quality factor of your sewn pieces

If you love to sew and want to keep up with the maintenance of your sewing machine, we have tips for cleaning and maintaining it. With just a few supplies, you can keep your sewing machine clean and well-tuned for regular use. 

Gather your supplies:

• Sewing machine oil 
• A small machine brush 
• A lint brush or small paint brush 
• A screwdriver 
• A soft cloth 

Follow the instructions in the images below to:

1. Prepare your sewing machine for cleaning
2. Clean your sewing machine 
3. Oil your sewing machine 
4. Put your sewing machine back together 
5. Wipe down your sewing machine 
6. Test your sewing machine
7. Helpful tips for sewing machine care
8. When to seek professional sewing machine servicing