Category: Autumn


Oct
2023

Brown Paper Leaf Garland

categories: Autumn, Crafts, DIY

With the season changing I have been pulling out and dusting off all my decorations for fall and Halloween.

I wanted to add something new to my collection of white jack-o-lanterns this year, so I tried a project I have seen on many Pinterest posts, brown paper leaf garlands.

You just need brown paper from bags, wrapping paper, or cardstock, a hot glue gun, scissors, and wire, I used grapevine covered wire I found at Michaels.

I started by making two size oak leaf templates, which I traced on the brown paper.

The next step was fun for me because of my love as a child of cutting paper and paperdolls.

My box of paperdolls brought me so much joy.

Did you have paperdolls?

A wonderful childhood memory for me.

I cut several leaves out at a time, while watching TV, until I had a pile of about 30 or so.

My next step was to glue each leaf stem to the wire with my hot glue gun until I had the length I wanted.

I placed the garland on my family room mantel, and added my white jack-o-lanterns.

How cute!

Not my usual fall colors, but I love the neutral look

I glued a few leaves to some branches from my yard to fill in around the jack-o-lanterns.

If you didn’t want to make a garland, branches with paper leaves glued to them, could be used in many places around your home.

Of course, the little girl in me loved this project, hope you all did too!

Happy Friday!

Love and blessings to all.


Oct
2023

DIY Colorful Chunky Pumpkins

categories: Autumn, DIY

It’s that beautiful, colorful, time of the year, the change of seasons.

Fall is here!

Cool weather came this past week, and the leaves are beginning to fall in my area.

Today I would like to share a very simple DIY fall project using Dollar Tree pumpkins, and chunky yarn from Hobby Lobby.

I purchased the yarn at 40% off, less than $5.00 each.

Look at the wonderful colors, the colors of fall mums.

I started by cutting a hole in the top and bottom of the pumpkin using a knife, removing the stem.

Please take care when cutting.

Start by wrapping the yarn in and out, around the entire pumpkin.

When I started, I secured the beginning of the yarn with a little hot glue inside the pumpkin.

You will need to guess how much yarn you will need to cover the pumpkin, and cut it from the bundle of yarn.

Once the entire pumpkin was covered, I cut some stems from a stick in my yard, and also added some twiggy curls and a leaf.

I love them!

They are like pots of fall mums around my home.

There is enough yarn in each chunky bundle to make at least three pumpkins.

Spread some fall colors around your home, and try this simple project.

There is no way you can mess this up, seriously, it is that easy to do.

Hope you all are beginning to enjoy this beautiful season of the year, it is truly a gift from God.

Happy colorful fall!


Oct
2021

Decoupaged Pumpkins

categories: Autumn, Crafts, DIY

Sunday was such a beautiful day.

I sat on my back porch, no shoes, with the warm sun on my feet, just relaxing after returning from several days away with my family.

Any amount of time I spend with family fills my heart with joy.

There were lots of routine chores that needed to be done, but not on that day.

I decided to set up shop on my porch, so I could enjoy the day, and work on a fall project that has been on my list, decoupaged pumpkins.

I found these beautiful fall napkins at TJ Maxx. They had the perfect colors and floral images I was looking for to try this project.

Using faux pumpkins I purchased at the end of the season last year, I painted the pumpkins with white chalk paint first. I used chalk paint but you can use any craft paint you have on hand.

While my pumpkins were drying, I cut out images from the napkins.

You will need to separate them from 2 ply to only 1 ply to decoupage.

Apply a thin coat of Mod Podge to the pumpkin, large enough for you image, apply and smooth out with your fingers.

Smoothing out all the wrinkles can be tricky, but remember it doesn’t need to be perfect.

I continued adding the tissue pieces all around the pumpkins.

When dried, I added a coat of Mod Podge to each pumpkin to seal.

They turned out so good!

The colors are so bright and I feel I added just the right amount of cutouts.

Simple, not so cluttered.

I am looking forward to using them in my home each year.

Hope you all are doing a bit of fall decorating and crafting.

Enjoy these beautiful fall days before they are gone.

Blessings, until my next post.


Sep
2021

Fall Artwork and a Special Request

categories: Autumn

Tomorrow is the first day of Autumn.

All of the stores are loaded with fall pumpkins, colorful mums, and fall home decor.

I found some really simple leaf prints online that I loved, but unfortunately they were $90 for a set of four, a bit much for me.

So, I think you all know what I did, I made my own!

I searched Pinterest and found some similar prints that I was able to print out on my home printer.

Black and white prints, plain and simple.

Could not find four frames just alike at the thrift store, so I searched Amazon and found a set for less than $5 each.

They are wood grain with a small permanent narrow white mat.

Love that I can reuse them for other photos or prints for other seasons.

Before framing I decided to add some words to each print.

Words of fall.

“Snuggle Up“, when the cool nights move in, “Embrace Change“, from one season to the next, “Breathe In“, the crisp fall air, and “Be Grateful“, for all that the season brings.

Love the look of the prints after framing.

There is a small table in my upstairs hall, these prints are perfect hung just above.

Hope you all love them as I do.

As I end, I would like to share a bit of personal news.

Life is so good isn’t it, but sometimes it just hits us hard.

Unexpected events come into our lives that stop us completely.

That happened to my family in the past few weeks.

My husband has been diagnosed with cancer.

Fighting this will certainly be a challenge given his advanced age and the fact that he also suffers from Multiple Sclerosis.

We believe, and we know that prayers are powerful, I am asking for yours.

Thank you with love in my heart.


Nov
2020

Fall into Thanksgiving

categories: Autumn, DIY, Flea Market Finds/Thrifting

After working with my Sister on hosting two showers, and decorating for an outdoor wedding, things have calmed down a bit in my life.

All those celebrations turned out wonderful!

Well worth all our hard work, for those we love.

I now had time to add some simple fall touches to my home without breaking the bank, using what I have.

Not many, but just enough to take me into Thanksgiving.

Used the same front door wreath I have had for years. I have found nothing I like better for the season.

As I do every fall, I placed fall branches in my balloon vase, the look is simple and beautiful.

Used the pumpkin pillows I made from placemats in the living room, love them!

See the how to here.

Added some orange to the back porch.

Brought out my oil can jack-o-lantern, see the DIY here.

Placed a few mums and pumpkins on the front porch, and the fall wood sign I purchased at the Country Living Fair in Columbus, several years ago.

It was such a fun and memorable trip with my Sister, a trip that had been on my “bucket list”.

Needed a little something for the dining room table so I used several fall picks, and a $2 thrift store basket, to make a simple fall arrangement.

The old thrift store basket needed to be cleaned and I also decided to darken it a bit with stain.

Gathered some fall picks left over from the outdoor wedding centerpieces.

Turned the basket on its side, and filled it, including a small battery operated candle.

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I love the small candle nestled inside the basket.

It’s just simple, full of fall colors.

Looks like I am ready to fall right into Thanksgiving, and then on to Christmas!

Oh my, Christmas!

Hope you all are enjoying the fall season with all its beauty.

Love you all who take the time to read my blog.

Thank you, with love.


Sep
2020

DIY Multi-Purpose Beverage Server

categories: Autumn, DIY, Home Projects

Hello, on this first day of autumn.

What beautiful weather we are having, cool and sunny, afternoons in the 70’s.

Today I thought I would share my last outdoor project of the season, a multi-purpose beverage server.

Made with two, 2″ x 2″ x 8′ pieces of wood, for only $2.48 each, some wood screws, wood glue, several pieces of scrap wood, and wood stain.

That’s it!

To assemble, I cut 4 pieces at 29″ long for the legs, and 6 pieces at 12″ long for the sides.

Not a difficult project, but patience is needed when gluing and screwing the pieces together, one section at a time.

The top slats were made using some scrap wood, 1″ x 2″ x 15″ pieces glued to the top.

Stained the piece with a light wood stain to finish.

Not only can it be used for holding galvanized tubs, it makes a nice plant stand.

Or an outdoor side table.

Only $5.00!

The rustic look is perfect for outside on my crooked back porch.

Love it, and I made it!

Hope you all are enjoying the weather.

Beautiful fall days, created by God, for us.

Hope you all are gathering your fall pumpkins and mums, adding God’s fall colors to your home.

Enjoy this season.

Love, till next time!


Oct
2019

DIY Dollar Store Fall Pumpkin Sign

categories: Autumn, DIY

As I mentioned in yesterday’s blog, today I want to share an easy, so easy, DIY fall pumpkin sign.

I recently had lunch with a dear friend and she took me to a fairly new Dollar Tree store in my area.

How happy I was when I spotted this pumpkin foam piece!

I had seen this project on Pinterest and thought it would be simple.

I searched my cluttered garage for some wood pieces I might use for the sign.

Found four rustic pieces I had purchased at Hobby Lobby some time ago for 50% off. This is something I do if I have a bit of extra money, knowing down the road I would use the wood for some project.

Laid out the four pieces, and then added two scrap wood pieces vertically to the back, to hold the pieces together. I used wood glue and also some wood screws to secure.

I sanded some of the rough spots, placed the pumpkin stencil on top, and spray painted the entire piece with white spray paint.

After two light coats had dried completely, I removed the stencil.

The results were so good!

I now have an old, rustic sign for my front door area.

How nice it looks surrounded by the pumpkins and mums I bought yesterday.

Once again let me say, “I love it”!

It was so simple, seriously, any of you could make it!

I guess I am a country girl like my Momma at heart. This old farmhouse look is what I love.

Hope you all have your porch or front door decorated for this special time of the year.

My husband is waiting for me on our back porch to enjoy some of this beautiful weather, so see you all next time.

Tomorrow we will be married 50 years, unbelievable!


Oct
2019

More Fall Pillows From Placemats

categories: Autumn, DIY

Finally, cooler weather has come to my little bit of this world.

Yesterday afternoon was wonderful, so sitting outside on my crooked back porch was the perfect time to get back to my blog.

Working on a 50th wedding anniversary party for my sister and brother-in-law kept me busy for weeks, coming up with decorations and planning every detail with my nieces.

Our hard work paid off the gathering was wonderful!

I also just returned from our annual family visit to Brown County, Indiana. We had a great time in a beautiful setting that we love.

Today I want to share a really simple fall project. Pillows made from fall placemats.

A couple of years ago I shared another fall pillow project from placemats, but this one is quite different.

I saw this first placemat at Big Lots for $4.00 with 25% off.

I loved it, it was the last one so I had to have it!

It has been probably 10 years since I stopped at Big Lots. I was pleasantly surprised by many of the fall items.

I also used a plain tan pillow cover from Hobby Lobby for 50% off, which in the end, was less than $4.00.

The next step was to stitch or glue the placemat to the front of the pillow.

I used my hot glue gun, placing a pad between the pillow cover layers so the glue would not bleed through to the back.

I added a pillow form from another pillow I had, and the project was complete and simply beautiful.

So many spots in my home I could use this pillow, but I think on my crooked back porch will be the best.

So pleased with the way it turned out, so pleased.

I also found another placemat I thought would work as well, again on sale for 25% off.

This one is a bit different.

I cut the pumpkin off from the rest of the placemat. The edges were finished so raveling was not an issue.

Using the same application on another pillow cover, here is how it turned out.

Sweet and simple.

I love it!

Today is another beautiful day, a perfect day to go shopping for a special placemat to make into a fall pillow for your home.

Hope you all enjoyed this project.

I think I will have one more cup of coffee and go out and buy some mums and pumpkins for my front door area.

Tomorrow I will share a simple fall pumpkin sign.

Hope you all will stop by!

Love to all on this beautiful fall day!


Oct
2018

Junky Pumpkins!

categories: Autumn, Crafts, DIY

My goodness, I cannot believe it is almost November!

I feel as if I blinked and missed September and October.

Today I want to share a fun wood project using various 2 x 4 pieces.

“Junky Pumpkins”.

My son cut the 2 x 4 we had in our garage, I sanded, painted all orange, using a sponge brush and simple craft paint.

Now the fun begins!

I gathered up all the small junk drawer pieces I could find, buttons, tacks, screws, washers, handles, knobs, to create whimsy, quirky, and maybe a bit scary, faces.

Played with all the pieces, moving them from one wood piece to another, until I found just the face I loved.

Simply glue the pieces in place, using wood glue, or in some cases, for the heavier pieces, E6000 glue.

Here they are, my “Junky Pumpkins”!

As I say when sharing most of my projects, “love them”, so much fun to put together!

These two are my favorites.

Just simple!

I used thin wire, curled, a knob, and also a stem from an old plastic pumpkin, on the tops.

Love the smile made by using an old handle.  So cute!

What a great project for older kids on a cold rainy weekend day.

Just a happy simple project!

Have fun with your junk drawer finds!

Love you folks!

 

 


Oct
2018

Painting Faux Pumpkins

categories: Autumn, Crafts, DIY

Just love the simple look of white pumpkins in the fall!

I especially love using the mini ones here and there throughout my home.

My preference is to use faux pumpkins inside, and real ones outside.

Unfortunately, really nice faux white pumpkins can be a bit pricey, so this year I tried painting my own.

Found these foam type mini pumpkins at Walmart for 98 cents each.  Two cents cheaper than the dollar store, and the selection was really good, so many different shapes.  Every penny saved is a good thing!

I did splurge for a larger one at $1.98!

Using my favorite paint for the look I love, Rust-Oleum, Linen White, chalk paint, I simply removed the stems and painted each with several coats, using a foam brush.

Replaced the stems, after painting each one with a dark brown craft paint, to finish this simple project.

Love them!

Quite a difference, don’t you think?

So lovely in a wood bowl with a bit of greenery.

Also love the farmhouse look in my thrift store wire basket.

White pumpkins can be mixed with others, like these grapevine ones, surrounded by traditional fall leaves.

Love that I can just pack up my painted pumpkins and use again next year.

So many ways to display this time of the year, and into Thanksgiving.

Cute to place one on each plate at Thanksgiving.

Just a fun, simple, project!

My pumpkins may be faux, but the joy I received from putting this project together was real!

So thankful for you folks!