My mom, a.k.a. Oma, has been faithfully tending to her seasonal pumpkin crop since the Spring Harvest was posted almost four months ago. The softer hues of those earlier stuffed pumpkins have grown into the stronger colors of mid-summer. I’ve watched her choices of fabric change with the seasons as well, with a batch of floral damask and a yellow cotton bumblebee print making their appearances.
But what hasn’t changed is that she continues to only use what she already has on hand, which appears to be endless. In addition to cutting up old sweaters and drapery material, she’s dipped into a stash of miscellaneous ribbons and trims—many one-of-a-kind and a few that I’m sure could fall into the “vintage” category—winding them around the pumpkins and finishing off the tops with vine-like topknots. And as always, they are stuffed with fabric scraps and cut up sweater parts. My mom generates virtually no landfill waste from her sewing room.
A comment from Mary, a return customer to OmasPumpkinPatch:
Oma’s Pumpkin Patch has developed hybrid, unseasonal pumpkins. This enables the buyer to live the best pumpkin patch life ever in a variety of colors. I think the Spring pumpkins are my favorites. I purchased the Joseph, Technicolor Dream Coat edition, a beautiful lavender pumpkin, and a soft sage pumpkin with purple accents. Everyone should be so lucky! Thank you Oma, for your creative and whimsical spirit.
Summertime flowers adorn many from this seasonal batch, with carrots on a couple of them. The carrots are actually growing out of the one pictured below right. Going up to say hi to my mom (who lives next door), often gives me a smile when she shows me her newest pumpkin. It’s not uncommon for her to say, “I couldn’t sleep so I was up at 3am with an idea for finishing up that pumpkin!”
If you feel inspired to comment on Oma’s efforts, or just to say hi, please do so in the comments below, or in her OmasPumpkinPatch shop itself. And thanks, she intently reads every one of them.
I know I mentioned this in the first Pumpkin Patch post, but our family has long ago realized not to leave any stray clothes within my mom’s reach—like something that needs a little mending or a button or two—since it’s likely to become a pumpkin if it sits around too long. But a month or two ago she did it to herself with the pumpkin you see below. At one time she made pieced and quilted jackets to sell and there was one left, ready to assemble….
Not any more.
Dear Oma,
Your creativity is boundless!!! I love, love, love seeing your pumpkin patch! I’d love for you to share some secrets with us about how you get your ideas for creating these beauties. Maybe you can whisper it to us? We promise not to tell anyone else! : )
Sending big hugs to you!
I love these pumpkins and while I know that the United States Postal Service delivers them, I believe that Charlie Brown and Snoopy are out there on the Maine shoreline sifting, sorting, and packaging them while looking for the best, great pumpkin.
Dear Oma,
You are such a delight. Love your creativity and your smile. The pumpkins you create have such personality & charm. I purchased some for myself last fall, and they look great by my kiva (fireplace in SW). I just ordered a few for gifts – my grand niece has a nonprofit, GloryB, and her symbol is a bee, so of course, i had to order the bee pumpkin. The other two will be gifts for friends who appreciate handmade creations. Keep harvesting these lovely pumpkin creations. And please keep smiling – you brighten everyone’s day.
These pumpkins are so beautiful, and an inspiration to reuse fabrics!
Dear Oma, I enjoyed reading this post about your pumpkins so much that I also re-read the previous ones that tell the story of your creativity. Susan gave me one of your pumpkins in October 2017 when I was in Portland for a class, and it is still a treasure. I love to visualize you making these beauties and choosing just the right fluffy trim for each. Keep on creating!
Hi Martha! Always nice to hear from you! My mom says hi and she’s certainly keeping on creating!