Halloween Fun...Easy Duct Tape Pumpkins

 I really had fun with this project…duct tape pumpkins! Can you believe all the wonderful colors and patterns this stuff comes in now? And there are even special ones just for Halloween! A couple of trips to Michaels armed with coupons and I was armed with a selection of styles.

As usual, I was assisted by my handsome co-host Baby Kitty who was hoping for a  mouse-themed pumpkin…maybe next year!

It was really simple! Here’s what I did:
1. I started with a faux pumpkin from Dollar Tree and painted the stem to match my tape…in my case, black.  Then I covered each side with a section of tape to give a it a straight start.
2. Next, I added a second length in the middle each of the four empty spaces, smoothing it out as I went.
3. I finished it off by adding strips that were cut in half, thus half as wide. You really only need to start a cut and then tear the rest. (Please ignore my co-host's tail in the photo!)
4. Finally, I gave it a good smoothing all over. I should say that there will be wrinkles no matter how hard you try. It just has to be part of the “charm.”

And here is the final product! I think will enjoy these…really different from my other pumpkins!

Then I had to play with them a bit using Picmonkey’s Halloween effects!   
Spooky!

And here’s a final look. I think I really like the candy corn pumpkin! It just looks like Halloween! Hmmm…all of a sudden I’m craving a treat!
What about you?

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
Jennifer Rizzo for the Fabulous Fall Party

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays
DIY by Design for Fall into Fall
Thrifty Decor Chick for the Easy Fall Decor Party

The Shabby Creek Cottage for Transformation Thursdays
No Minimalist Here for the Open House Party on Thursdays

Stone Gable for Tutorials, Tips and Tidbits 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

Craftberry Bush for Happy Hour on Saturdays

Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special

Debbiedoo's Power of Pinterest Party on Saturdays
See you next time! A la prochaine!

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How to Make a Dried Corn Garland

 I am excited to show you something new that I added to my fall decor…something that I have been planning for a whole year… 
my dried corn garland!

It hangs over the door on my front porch for a little something different this year! I love the way it looks with my fall basket!
You know I must love it if I have been thinking about it for a year!
So where did the inspiration come from?

It came from this photo by Honey at 28O5 when she told us about her trip to Quebec in the fall last year. Her post was filled with beautiful photos...you should go check it out for a little virtual vacation!  But this one really jumped out at me. I knew I had a plan for  my front porch this fall and pinned it immediately! It’s Le Lapin Sauté…a restaurant in the Petit-Champlain district of Quebec. Don’t you just love the corn garland? Thanks so much for sharing it with us, Honey!

So when corn was on sale at the end of the summer this year, I stocked up! I actually bought about 40 ears for the garland and to add to my door basket since it will become quite a bit smaller when it is dry.
First, I pulled back the husks and secured them with a rubber band.

Then I let them dry for several weeks. My patio table was a good location since the air could circulate around them. They will mold if they do not gets lots of air! Hanging them is another good alternative if you have the space.
So now we wait…

…while the staff entertains themselves with a little catnip…

…and then two weeks (or so) later (said in my best Sponge Bob frenchy narrator voice), here it is! It has dried to a nice golden color!
Now to make the garland!

I start by cutting a length of rope to fit over my door and the sidelights. Then I cut off the rubber bands and tied each ear to the rope using jute twine.

Don’t worry too much about placement since you will be able to slide the ears along the rope if you need to move them a bit. I used a 70 inch length of rope and approximately 30 ears for the garland.

Finally, I tied loops of twine on the ends and along the rope in several places and attached them to the door frame. I adjusted the spacing a bit to get it to hang the way I wanted it to, although I didn't want it to be perfect.

And here it is on my front porch for fall! I love it…so fun and different! And it was not expensive, either. I spent about $14 for the corn and I already had everything else on hand! I don’t think it will last anther year, so I will put the ears out for the squirrels when winter comes…a tasty bit of fall decor on a cold day!

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 Fall into Fall
Thrifty Decor Chick for the Easy Fall Decor Party 
The Shabby Creek Cottage for Transformation Thursdays
No Minimalist Here for the Open House Party on Thursdays
Stone Gable for Tutorials, Tips and Tidbits 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
Craftberry Bush for Happy Hour on Saturdays
Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special
Debbiedoo's Power of Pinterest Party on Saturdays
See you next time! A la prochaine!

My Front Porch for Fall

Fall is finally here and it has arrived on my front porch! I can’t wait for you to see it because it includes  something different that I have been planning for a year now. Do you see it?

Here’s a look at my porch…pumpkins, lanterns, mums and…yes, that’s it!…a dried corn garland above the door! I am so excited! But first…there’s another little surprise hiding in the photo. Do you see her? Look in the sidelight to the right of the front door…

  …and you will see my co-host today…Miss Kitty! She is keeping an eye on me and making sure everything is in its proper place.

This year I wanted to use as many natural elements as possible with more muted fall colors…softer shades of orange and gold on the door.

 

I used a basket that I found at Goodwill several years ago and filled it with leaves, pyracantha berries, little pumpkins and ears of dried corn.

And strung above the door…a garland made of more dried corn. Click here to get the details on what inspired me and how to make it!

On one side of the door…traditional orange pumpkins …

…and a stack of tiger pumpkins filling a lantern. Love their colors!

And on either side, a pumpkin-shaped pot that I found at Lowe’s last fall filled with pansies in my favorite color combination…yellow, purple and white.

On the other side, more of the same…

…except that the lantern is filled with wheat…perfect for fall!

  I also added these wonderful mums with a variety of colors in one pot! Love it!

And here it is…my front porch for fall! But I do have a little confession…any leaves that you see are faux! lol It’s still waaay too warm here for any changing leaves! Hey…whatever it takes to set the mood for fall until the weather catches up with the calendar here in the South! What about you? Are you seeing any signs of fall?

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed a little peek at my porch! 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 Fall into Fall
Thrifty Decor Chick for the Easy Fall Decor Party  The Shabby Creek Cottage for Transformation Thursdays
No Minimalist Here for the Open House Party on Thursdays
Stone Gable for Tutorials, Tips and Tidbits 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
Craftberry Bush for Happy Hour on Saturdays
Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special
Debbiedoo's Power of Pinterest Party on Saturdays
See you next time! A la prochaine!

$50 Giveaway from Details!...French and American Farmhouse Decor

This giveaway is now closed.
Woo hoo! Are you ready for a fabulous giveaway?  My friend Barb at The Everyday Home has generously offered my readers a $50 spending spree at her amazing online shop...Details! What a wonderfully generous offer! What can you expect to find in her shop? I’ll let Barb tell you…

"Details!"  - a shop featuring a line of Home Decor which was lovingly selected during my travels abroad in Europe, as well as, unique items which have been purchased and are being offered online.  It's all about the "...details!"

This fabulous French linen Belle Jardinière pillow is just an example of her beautiful selection of French farmhouse pillows and accessories!

In the mood for American farmhouse? I love these wonderful vintage-y buckets sporting a numbered burlap patch! And you will not believe her prices…so very reasonable!

And my head is spinning at the thought of all that you could do with this French script ribbon! Gorgeous!

So how do you get in on this amazing giveaway? Easy! You can win in five ways:

• Head over to Barb’s shop Details! and check out all of her wonderful products, then come back and leave a comment telling me what you love best!
• Help spread the word by posting the giveaway button on your sidebar, then come back and leave a comment telling me that you did.
• Blog about the giveaway and leave a comment saying that you did.
• Post the giveaway on Twitter and leave a comment saying that you did.
• Post the giveaway on Facebook and leave a comment saying that you did.

Do just one or all five if you like! The more you do the better your chances to win! Please be sure to leave an email address where I can contact you if you do not have a blog. The giveaway will close September 30th at 5:00 pm Eastern daylight time and the winner will be chosen at random.

Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to get in on Barb’s generous offer!

Natural Elements and Textures...My Fall Mantel

The cooler temperatures and the arrival of the first day of fall have finally put me in the mood to decorate! I don’t know about you, but it’s my favorite season! I love all of the fall colors and woodsy smells!

Miss Kitty agreed to help, but spent most of the time supervising from the empty storage boxes as I worked.

I wanted a very textured natural-looking mantel…with all the elements coming from nature. Well…improved nature since much of it is actually faux! I am trying to spend less by mixing up what I already have, so nothing on the mantel this year is new. But…I really like the result!

The garland came from Hobby Lobby several years ago. I love its chunkiness…

…and generous helping of pumpkins, berries and gourds!

The frenchy urns were purchased at the same time at half price. I topped them with twine pumpkins from last year. I love the laurel leaf swag…

…and the lion’s head with a ring in his mouth…fabulous!

I have had the wreath for quite a while. It normally stays on the inside of my front door in the fall, but once I held it up to the garland, I knew it had found a new home…like they were made for each other!

It is trimmed with fun lichen balls and flowers made of pine cones…the perfect touch!

And finally…here it is…my fall mantel for this year! I had fun combining things I already had to create it.

And I love all the textures and natural elements! They just say fall to me! Now…bring on those really crisp days, falling leaves and hot chocolate by the fire!

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
Centsational Girl for the “It’s Fall Y’all” Mantel Party
Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays
DIY by Design for Fall into Fall
Thrifty Decor Chick for the Easy Fall Decor Party   
The Shabby Creek Cottage for Transformation Thursdays
No Minimalist Here for the Open House Party on Thursdays
Stone Gable for Tutorials, Tips and Tidbits 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
Craftberry Bush for Happy Hour on Saturdays
Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special
Debbiedoo's Power of Pinterest Party on Saturdays
See you next time! A la prochaine!

Halloween Fun...Jack-o-Lantern Pillow with Interchangeable Faces

I am so excited about Halloween this year since my little grandsons will be old enough to appreciate what is going on! Sooo…with them I mind, I created a Jack-o-lantern pillow with faces that they can change! I gave it a very simple and uncluttered look…just a pumpkin with lots of interchangeable parts.

 Just look at all the different faces we can create! Won’t this be fun?

Even our seldom photographed CEO Ozzie wanted to try it out! She likes to make a few appearances this time of year since her beautiful fur coat just lends itself to the season!

1. It’s really easy!  I started with a simple pumpkin template printed at 8 x 10 size.
2. Next, I applied Heat n Bond to an 8 x 10 square of orange burlap, following the directions on the package. Then I pinned  the pumpkin pattern to the square and cut it out…leaving out the stem. Next, I repeated the process on a little piece of  green felt to create the stem.
3. Finally, I applied the two to the front of my pillow pieces, once again following the directions on the package. 
4. Now you are ready to create the face parts! I found a downloadable pattern here, but there are oodles of patterns available for free on the Internet. I cut them out of black felt and added the loop (softer) part of the Velcro tabs to the backs.

The pillow is a simple one made of drop cloth with an envelope style closure…tutorial here. I added the little stick-on Velcro tabs in the places that I wanted to put the face parts…making sure to put the hook part of the tabs on the pumpkin face. I’ll explain why in a moment. You will need to give them a few stitches by hand to be sure they stay in place since they don’t seem to stick to burlap very well. However, they adhere very firmly to the felt face parts.

Here’s a view of the back of the pillow with the envelope-style closure. I also added a little pocket to hold the parts that are not in use. Using the softer loop side of the tabs on the face parts allows you to handle and store them without having them stick together.

And here it it is! It was practically free...just one square of black felt and a package of Velcro tabs since I had everything else on hand! I think we are going to have fun with this pillow for many years to come!

  

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 Fall into Fall
Thrifty Decor Chick for the Easy Fall Decor Party The Shabby Creek Cottage for Transformation Thursdays
No Minimalist Here for the Open House Party on Thursdays
Stone Gable for Tutorials, Tips and Tidbits 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
Craftberry Bush for Happy Hour on Saturdays
Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special
Debbiedoo's Power of Pinterest Party on Saturdays
See you next time! A la prochaine!