Fun Fall Projects...Indian Corn Candle

Little bits of fall inspiration are starting to pop up around blogland and on Pinterest, so I thought I would share some of my most popular fall projects with you just in case you are trying to get a little head start on your fall decorations. This one is super easy and will not cost you a fortune! I actually made two of them and this is the third year that I have used them...gotta love that!

You don't need much in the way of supplies and everything is inexpensive. The cylindrical candle holder came from Dollar Tree for…you guessed it…$1.00! I found the miniature Indian corn at Kroger for only $2.99 for three ears and I needed nine…about $9.00. The rest of the items were already on hand…free! So the total cost of the project was about $10…not bad!

First, I put a rubber band around the cylinder and started adding the corn. I turned the husks up toward the ears of corn as I added them. I tried using some corn left over from last year, but the husks were just too dry. The corn bought this year was much more pliable. Of course, our co-host Baby Kitty had to inspect my progress!

Finally, I managed to get all of the corn securely tucked in behind the rubber band. Now I am ready for the next step!

I tied the ears to the cylinder, winding some twine around tightly several times to help hide the rubber band. I used jute twine because I like its chunky texture and feel.

I also trimmed some of the husks to give it a more even appearance and to get rid of some of the blackened areas. I  wanted to be sure that none of the husks were too close to the candle. You will want to use caution when lighting it, too. Just a note…be sure to pick it up from the bottom when moving it since the corn is not really attached.

And here it is!  I added it to the fall vignette on my entry table. I love it! And the best thing is that I can keep it on display until Thanksgiving! In case you are wondering, the pumpkin basket in the background came from Hobby Lobby on sale for an unbelievable $5.00! Cute, huh? And the candy corn is for my grandson who just has to have it…even in his Easter basket! lol

Here’s a final look at my creation! It was so easy and so much fun to make! And did you know that Indian corn can be kept for years? Just wrap it in a plastic bag and store it in a cool, dry place. Now I have a fall decoration that I can use again and again! Hmmm…maybe I’ll make another one!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed having a peek at my little fall project! Please visit these wonderful bloggers and their beautiful blogs to see what they are up to and to find a list of this week’s participants!
Under the Table and Dreaming for the Sunday Showcase Party
Thrifty Decor Chick for Before and After Monday
Boogieboard Cottage for Masterpiece Monday
Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
The Stories of A2Z for Tutorials and Tips Tuesday
Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
A Stroll thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday
Cedar Hill Ranch for Cowgirl Up! on Tuesdays
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Tuesday's Treasures
Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays
DIY by Design for Sizzle into Summer
The Shabby Creek Cottage for Transformation Thursdays
No Minimalist Here for the Open House Party on Thursdays 
DIY Showoff for the October'fest of Fun Party
Thrifty Decor Chick for the Easy Fall Decor Party 
Sand and Sisal for the Countdown to Fall Party
My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday   
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
2805 for Potpourri Friday
At the Picket Fence for Inspiration Friday
Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday
Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special
DIY Showoff for the Fall Festival Linky Party
See you next time! A la prochaine!

Fun Fall Projects...Burlap Table Runner

 Fall is in the air...in blogland and in Pinterest at least...so I am sharing some of my favorite fall projects! And...it never hurts to get a little head start on fall decorations! This is one of my all-time favorites and my second most popular post...my ruffled burlap table runner. Since I had several requests for directions for making one, I decided to do a tutorial. Even if you are accomplished at sewing, maybe the way I calculated my measurements will be helpful. That’s always the hardest part for me! Sooo…here goes…



This diagram is based on the usual 48 inch width of burlap. First, measure the length of your tabletop and add 14 inches. The extra 14 inches is to allow for overhang on each end of the table. You will use this measurement to calculate how much burlap to purchase. It’s good to buy extra, since burlap is sometimes not straight on the bolt. For my 68 inch table, I bought 2 1/2 yards and that was more than enough. The fold may not be at the center of the fabric, but unless it’s way off, that won’t matter. If it is, you will have to center it and press it.

• First, cut the fabric to the desired length…your tabletop plus 14 inches. You can use this cut to get a straighter edge on both ends.
• Next, cut along the fold, creating two lengths of fabric.
• Then make another cut so that you have a length of 17 inch wide fabric plus a 7 inch or so remnant. You now have two 17 inch wide strips and two 7 inch wide strips.

You will only use one of the 7 inch wide strips, so choose the one with fewer defects. (Burlap is just that way!) Cut the strip in half so that you have two shorter 7 inch wide strips.  Make a hem around three sides, using the selvage side and the two short sides. (Selvage is the edge of the fabric that has been finished so it will not ravel.) You will have to turn the shorter sides under twice to create the hem, pressing each time, but the selvage side will only need to be turned under once, since it won’t ravel. Repeat for the other strip. These are your ruffles.


Now you are going to gather the ruffles. Burlap is too heavy to use the machine for gathering, so I used a doubled thread to hand stitch. I used a contrasting thread here so you could see. Of course, you would want to use matching thread so that you aren’t having to worry too much if any of it shows. You will have to tie the thread at the end, rather than use a knot, as it will just pull through.


Gather the fabric on the thread, pulling as you go along.


Fit it along the short end of one of your 17 inch wide pieces, adjusting the gathers, and then tie your thread at the other end. Pin the ruffle in place. I found it helpful to press the ruffle at this point. The hemmed side should be facing up with right sides together. (There is no real right side for the 17 inch strip. Just choose a side with fewer defects.)


Be sure that you have left a seam allowance at each end of roughly 1/2 inch or so. Then stitch the ruffle to the 17 inch strip. Repeat for the ruffle at the other end.


Pin the corners of the ruffles back so that they will not get caught in your next seam…


…then pin the other 17 inch strip on top of the one you have been working on. Once again, you will want to put the prettier side down, if there is one.


Stitch all the way around the fabric, leaving a 12 inch gap on one side. You will use this gap to turn the fabric inside out. I always back stitch at the beginning and end of the seam so that it will not ravel. Be careful at the corners, making sure to sew right next to the ruffle edge along the seam allowance, not getting the ruffle caught in the seam. Now, turn it right side out, pulling on the ruffles at the corners to be sure that the fabric is completely turned.  Then press with a steam iron.


You will want to turn under and press the fabric along the 12 inch gap to give it a finished appearance. Finally, hand stitch that gap closed. If you wish you can top stitch the runner around the rectangular portion.


And here it is! Burlap does have a strong smell at first, so you may want to air it outside for a while. Mine has been on my table for a couple of weeks now and has virtually no smell. It cannot be washed, but can be dry cleaned, so watch out for that cranberry sauce! I hope this tutorial was helpful! Let me know if you try it and tell me how yours turns out!

Remember to pin it!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed a little peek at my project! Please visit these wonderful bloggers and their beautiful blogs to see what they are up to and to find a list of this week’s participants!
Under the Table and Dreaming for the Sunday Showcase Party
Thrifty Decor Chick for Before and After Monday
Boogieboard Cottage for Masterpiece Monday
Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
The Stories of A2Z for Tutorials and Tips Tuesday
Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
A Stroll thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday
Cedar Hill Ranch for Cowgirl Up! on Tuesdays
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Tuesday's Treasures
Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays
DIY by Design for Sizzle into Summer
The Shabby Creek Cottage for Transformation Thursdays
No Minimalist Here for the Open House Party on Thursdays
Sand and Sisal for the Countdown to Fall Party
DIY Showoff for the October'fest of Fun Party 
My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday   
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
2805 for Potpourri Friday
At the Picket Fence for Inspiration Friday
Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday
Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special
DIY Showoff for the Fall Festival Linky Party
See you next time! A la prochaine!

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Favorite New Thrifting Finds!

Woo hoo! Someone at all of my favorite thrifting spots knew I was coming and put out stuff that just had my name on it! Really, though, as my friend Linda at Nina’s Nest will tell you, we have discovered that it’s all random. There are days we come home empty-handed…but not today! No siree!

I  guess I am the last one to board the vintage spindles train…but I could not pass these by at my favorite junque store! I got all seven of them for $4.75! I love that they are in a variety of colors and styles. And don’t they have a wonderful patina?

Baby Kitty says he does not see what the big deal is. They are, after all, just sticks!

I also snatched up this vintage-looking  cow faster than you can say boy howdy! If I keep finding these little ladies I’ll soon have a miniature herd! And for only $8.00 I was not passing this one up since it is the sister of…

…the sheep I showed you last week! I waited and watched for two years before I bought this one since it was out of my usual price limit. I finally threw caution to the wind and splurged when it went on sale a bit. Sooo…that $8.00 cow was going home with me for sure!

And just in case you think you are seeing double…you are not! Here’s my new cow with the one that was starring in my vintage cow centerpiece a few weeks ago! I guess she has a mama now! Funny…I bought the smaller version because I couldn’t find the real thing…and then it shows up just a week later!

Another great find was this fabulous mossy candlestick on sale for $12! Woot woot! I had been wanting one of these but was not willing to spend the $35 they were asking elsewhere!

Ever since I found this great lamp…which most of you voted should stay green on my Facebook poll…I have been hunting for pops of green to add to the living room.

So this mossy candlestick just did the trick in my rustic coffee table tray! I think it’s the perfect addition!

And one final favorite…a pretty lilac wreath found at Goodwill for…get ready!…$2.00!! I went straight home and put it on my back door. Love it! It’s a pretty vestige of the fading summer days. I will leave it here as long as I can hold out before putting up my fall wreath! lol I don’t want to rush the season, but I can’t wait! Are you chomping at the bit like I am? When do you put up your fall decorations?

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed a little peek at my thrifting finds! Please visit these wonderful bloggers and their beautiful blogs to see what they are up to and to find a list of this week’s participants!
Under the Table and Dreaming for the Sunday Showcase Party
Thrifty Decor Chick for Before and After Monday
Boogieboard Cottage for Masterpiece Monday
Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
The Stories of A2Z for Tutorials and Tips Tuesday
Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
A Stroll thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday
Cedar Hill Ranch for Cowgirl Up! on Tuesdays
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Tuesday's Treasures
Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays
DIY by Design for Sizzle into Summer
The Shabby Creek Cottage for Transformation Thursdays
No Minimalist Here for the Open House Party on Thursdays
My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
2805 for Potpourri Friday
At the Picket Fence for Inspiration Friday
Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday
Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special
See you next time! A la prochaine!

Fun Fall Projects...Découpage Pumpkins

That late summer/early fall feeling is beginning at my house! The cicadas are singing and my ginger lilies are beginning to bloom...always a sign that fall is on the way! And I have also noticed that interest in fall is beginning to pick up around blogland and on Pinterest, too.  Hey...you need a little lead time to create your fall decor! Sooo...I decided I would do a little series of posts on my most popular fall projects for those who may have missed them or who are new to my blog. And first on my list are these...…my Country Living inspired découpage pumpkins! I knew this would be my next project when I spied...

...this on the cover of their October 2011 issue! Isn’t this simply gorgeous?  I love the way the pumpkins look as though they have been covered with fabric even though it is actually paper!  Sooo...the magazine hopped in my cart and went straight home with me! Next, I went right to work assembling what I needed. And, as luck would have it, just about everything was half price at Michael’s…including the cream faux pumpkins!

I decided that a few things about my pumpkins would be different from those in Country Living. First, I chose a damask pattern rather than toile for one of them. There’s already so much toile in my house and I wanted these pumpkins to stand out. And then, I also decided that I would use the cream pumpkins just as they are rather than paint them white. That just fits better with my decor. Other than that, for the most part, I followed their instructions, found online here.

For the damask pumpkin:  
1. I chose a fabric with a simple damask pattern that would be easy to work with…Premier Prints Avery in Greenage…and bought just enough to have one repeat of the design. I scanned and printed it, making several copies. Remember…you are working with paper copies of fabric…not fabric!
2. Next, I cut them out and spaced them according to the design, taping them to the pumpkin.
3. I removed the tape and attached each piece of the design to the pumpkin one by one, using matte finish Mod Podge…my new BFF. (Mine was a 25 cent yard sale find.) The process requires some finesse and patience and, quite honestly, it helps if you have some experience with découpaging  spheres.
4. Give the pumpkin a thin all-over coat, let dry and you are done!
This was the easiest one, so if you only want one, I suggest this one!

The calico print pumpkin was a little harder:
1. I couldn’t find any fabric that would do, so I bought scrap booking paper and scanned and printed it since scrap booking paper is too thick and hard to work with.
2. I cut lengthwise pieces about  1 1/2 inches wide, working within the pattern. I attached them with Mod Podge as before. It helps to cut alternating notches about 1/3 of the way in to allow for the curves of the pumpkin.
3. Eventually, the strips got off a little and I had to straighten them back up by piecing in a few odd shapes. Here, you can see an empty spot I am about to cover.
4. Once again, I finished with another final all-over coat of Mod Podge and…taa daa! It’s not perfect, but all of the pumpkins seemed to have at least one really good side…thank goodness!

The vintage-y pumpkin quilt design was downloaded from Country Living’s web site. I followed their instructions and measured and calculated the size and number of designs I would need and adjusted. A program such as Photoscape…free to download…was really helpful here, since I had to adjust the color a little also.  I found it helpful to make small pencil marks on the pumpkin for the top and bottom of the design.  The little yellow lines are perfect places to cut in some notches to allow for the curve of the pumpkin. If it’s not perfect, it’s OK since you can’t see all sides of the pumpkin at once!  A final coat of Mod Podge to the whole pumpkin and you are through!

I didn't have a suitable stand for the pumpkins, so I made my own by painting a small flower pot and a larger saucer and hot-gluing them together. They were also half-price at Michael’s! I used an ivory spray paint since my pumpkins are cream.

Baby Kitty says his favorite pumpkin is the one with orange patches…I wonder why!

Here are my pumpkins in their copy-cat magazine pose…work it, girls!…not exactly alike, but just what I wanted for my house! What do you think?

And...as a footnote...I am excited to say that I was contacted by Country Living and invited to show off my pumpkins in a letter to the editor in the December 2011 issue! Woo hoo! Hey...it was about as big as a postage stamp, but I am still excited!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed a little peek at my project! Please visit these wonderful bloggers and their beautiful blogs to see what they are up to and to find a list of this week’s participants!
Under the Table and Dreaming for the Sunday Showcase Party
Thrifty Decor Chick for Before and After Monday
Boogieboard Cottage for Masterpiece Monday
Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
The Stories of A2Z for Tutorials and Tips Tuesday
Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
A Stroll thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday
Cedar Hill Ranch for Cowgirl Up! on Tuesdays
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Tuesday's Treasures
Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays
DIY by Design for Sizzle into Summer
The Shabby Creek Cottage for Transformation Thursdays
No Minimalist Here for the Open House Party on Thursdays
Sand and Sisal for the Countdown to Fall Party
Thrifty Decor Chick for the Easy Fall Decor Party  
My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday   
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
2805 for Potpourri Friday
At the Picket Fence for Inspiration Friday
Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday
Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special
See you next time! A la prochaine!

Antiquing Again...Plus a Little Touch of Fall

My friend Linda at Nina’s Nest and I are heading out to do a little antiquing. Want to come along? We are also hoping to get a little bit of fall inspiration. I am ready for pumpkins and Indian corn…well, almost! We are going to our favorite antique mall…the Queen of Hearts in Alpharetta, Georgia. Sooo…rob your virtual piggy bank and join us!

Oooh...and right away there are little signs of fall! Or...I should I say big? Don’t you love these giant acorns? Their caps are made up of actual acorns! Clever, huh?

And look at these white fabric pumpkins with twigs as stems! It’s hard to tell from this picture, but these guys are huge!

It looks like antlers will be big again this fall. Good…because I have a growing collection of sheds…dropped by the deer as the new ones grow in. I just can’t do the other kind!

Also still big...chalkboard paint! Gotta love these tags! Do you see what they are made from? Old laminate samples…the perfect size!

Of course, there were Union Jacks…all the rage…like this great burlap-covered stool with its hand-painted version. Love it!

And you know I’ve got to have some frenchiness…and this is the real thing! Love these vintage salt and match boxes!

And…wow!…do you want these fabulous French headboards as much as I do? Gorgeous!

Sheep just look so French to me…reminding me of Marie-Antoinette’s perfumed sheep in her little hamlet on the grounds of the Palace of Versailles.

Speaking of which…here’s a frenchy pillow advertising poultry food from Versailles.

I was excited to see this little pillow! If it looks familiar…

…it’s because I made my own version! You can see how I did it here.

I love these frenchy chairs and table! I know it’s the rage to paint them, but I love the warm look of the wood. It just says French farmhouse to me.

Just look at the detail on the chairs…unusual!

It reminds me of this urn that I showed you last time…which was still there, by the way. Wouldn’t it be pretty on that table?

I always try to leave with at least one inspiration and this is it for me this time…a basket lined with burlap and filled with lids…in blue and white, of course! 

And here is my version! The basket came from my mom’s house and was there as long as I can remember. I suspect that it was handmade.

I added a frenchy vintage tag to echo the one on the inspiration basket…although theirs is a price tag! lol

And there you have it…our little virtual shopping spree and my antiquing inspired basket! I hope you had fun and found a little something to buy with your virtual money! Baby Kitty says Excuse me, but I would like some cat food…and not the virtual kind! Looks like I’ve got to go! See you next time!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed our little shopping trip! Please visit these wonderful bloggers and their beautiful blogs to see what they are up to and to find a list of this week’s participants!
Under the Table and Dreaming for the Sunday Showcase Party
Thrifty Decor Chick for Before and After Monday
Boogieboard Cottage for Masterpiece Monday
Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
The Stories of A2Z for Tutorials and Tips Tuesday
Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
A Stroll thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday
Cedar Hill Ranch for Cowgirl Up! on Tuesdays
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Tuesday's Treasures
Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays
DIY by Design for Sizzle into Summer
The Shabby Creek Cottage for Transformation Thursdays
No Minimalist Here for the Open House Party on Thursdays
My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday   
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
2805 for Potpourri Friday
At the Picket Fence for Inspiration Friday
Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday
Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special
See you next time! A la prochaine!