. -->

10.29.2020

screen dome pumpkins & leaves

fall home decor, fall decor, fall decorating, pumpkins, decorating with pumpkins,  junk pumpkins, junking, trash to treasure, Dollar Tree crafts, Dollar Tree hacks,  mesh pumpkins, diy, diy decor, diy home decor, painted pumpkins, faux pumpkins,  pumpkin crafts, crafts, crafting, mesh food covers, repurposed, upcycled
rummaging through a cabinet one day, i rediscovered four screen food covers.
they came from Dollar Tree and to be honest, i don't think we've ever used them.
so.... me being me.... it was time to turn these unused items into something else.

continue reading to see how easily i transformed them into pumpkins!
(i feel a bit like the Fairy Godmother in reverse.....)

10.25.2020

diy wood slat shade / privacy screen

fall, fall decor, fall home decor, outdoor decor, outdoor furnishings, fall patio decor, porch swing, wood slat privacy screen, wood slat shade screen, neutral fall decor, pumpkins, pumpkin decor, diy, diy projects, diy home decor, repurposed, woodcrafts, boho style, boho decor, farmhouse style, farmhouse decor, rustic decor, rustic style,
living here in the semi-desert of Southern California means we get a lot of sun.
for four years, i've been struggling with - and have tried - many ways to block that sun
so that we can enjoy our patio and backyard in the late afternoon.
but along with the sun is wind. Santa Ana winds and strong daily afternoon winds.
those winds have torn down every umbrella and shade cloth and curtain i've hung.

finally a bright idea dawned on me - make it wood!
the simple solution was to repeat another element of our landscaping
and create a wood screen to withstand wind and block the afternoon sun.

the best part of this project? it makes use of a pre-made element available at Lowes.
paired with an item i already had, it became the perfect shade screen for us - 
and would work as a privacy screen, as well!

continue reading to see how simple this outdoor diy project is...

10.22.2020

painted 'autumn leaf' pattern pumpkins

fall, autumn, fall decorating, autumn decorating, fall home decor, autumn home decor, thanksgiving decor, painting, painted pumpkins, pumpkins, pumpkin decor, pumpkin decorating, no-carve pumpkin decor, vintage style, farmhouse style, vintage jewel tea china, vintage hall china, fall leaves, diy, diy home decor, entertaining, thanksgiving.
inspired by the blue and white 'chinoiserie' pumpkins i've seen online recently,
i came up with a similar idea that reflects both an autumn palette AND our family history.

a few small ceramic pumpkins from my collection were refreshed with paint,
replicating the pattern of some china that has been in my family for generations...

made by Hall China in Ohio for the Jewel Tea Company from 1920 to 1980,
this lovely 'Autumn Leaf' pattern is perfect for fall decorating and entertaining - 
my Mom's Mom, my Grandma Ward, used these pieces even before my Mom was born.
Mom has used them every fall for as long as i can remember.
and i've used the pieces that she passed down to me!
they make an appearance every autumn, especially for Thanksgiving.


continue reading to see more of our collection with my new matching pumpkins...

10.19.2020

salvaged fan becomes a backyard table!

fall, outdoor decor, outdoor fall decor, salvaged, upcycled, repurposed, junk makeover, industrial style, trash to treasure, orange accent color, firepit area decor, backyard decor,  use what you have decorating, farmhouse style, DIY, DIY decorating, DIY project, salvaged metal industrial fan becomes outdoor table
this big old orange thing might just look a bit familiar to you...
it's the industrial fan housing that i grabbed right outta' my neighbors' trash can
and turned into a pumpkin in a previous post.

honestly? the pumpkin project was an afterthought.
THIS was the reason i grabbed it before the trash truck arrived...
to make an accent table for our backyard fire pit area!
it was a simple assembly, using things i had on hand already
and it makes a world of difference in this area of our yard.


continue reading to see how just three simple elements created this table...

10.15.2020

faux terra cotta pumpkins + tutorial

art class, color, color palettes, crafting, crafting with kids, decorating, DIY, diy decorating, fall, painting, pumpkins, re-purposing, up-cycling, tutorial, painting tutorial, faux paint treatment, faux terra cotta paint tutorial, painted pumpkins, fall decor, front porch decor, october decorating, farmhouse style, boho style, rustic style, cottage style, faux terra cotta pumpkins, use what you have decorating, autumn decor, Halloween decor
the decor is simple on our porch this year...

just a few select elements combine to give our entryway a fall mood.
(no, that's not a photo of our porch! i'll probably share that on Insta) 
however, real pumpkins are not an option when it's still over 100 degrees.

my solution to that dilemma was to gather up the pumpkins we have on hand
(plus the new-to-me 'Funkin' faux pumpkin that i found at a thrift store
and used in my recent fall harvest scarecrow project)
and give them a cohesive look... 

and i did that with paint, of course!
art class, color, color palettes, crafting, crafting with kids, decorating, DIY, diy decorating, fall, painting, pumpkins, re-purposing, up-cycling, tutorial, painting tutorial, faux paint treatment, faux terra cotta paint tutorial, painted pumpkins, fall decor, front porch decor, october decorating, farmhouse style, boho style, rustic style, cottage style, faux terra cotta pumpkins, use what you have decorating, autumn decor, Halloween decor
continue reading for my easy 'faux terra cotta' paint' tutorial...

10.11.2020

boho lace pumpkins

fall, autumn, fall decor, autumn decor, pumpkins, decorating with pumpkins, fabric pumpkins, no sew pumpkins, lace pumpkins, boho pumpkins, boho decor, boho style, macrame, soft scultpure pumpkins, neutrals, neutral decor, neutral fall decor, home decorating, diy,  diy decor, diy home decor, fabric crafts, repurposed, upcycled, vintage style.
i am always trying to find new ways to create pumpkin decor to enjoy in the fall...
i'm game to try anything to see if it will work.
i recently came across some photos of this past project, never shared here on the blog,
and thought i had better do that before the window of opportunity for fall decor closes!


these are a fun way to create pumpkins with a bohemian style vibe,
perfect in combination with the neutral hues, macrame' accents, and wood textures
in the 'of the moment' boho modern fall decorating.


continue reading for details on how easy these are...

10.08.2020

fall flip: guest room update

fall, fall home decor, fall decorating, home decor, bedroom decorating, fall palettes, room makeover, no-cost makeover, makeover, boho style, boho decorating, diy, diy home decor, color palettes, colorful home decor, rustic style, farmhouse style, decorate in a day, succulents
back in August, i shared the no-cost makeover i created in our guest room - 
a cool, refreshing boho mod style in tones of greens and accented with succulents.

no one has come to stay with us since then, but i've just updated the decor...
and even though there isn't a pumpkin or a leaf in sight,
adding the color orange really works to to bring in a 'fall' mood.
(it's still hot here. but it's October now, so i have to accept the inevitable!)

continue reading to see how a few small changes made a BIG difference
 in the way this room feels...

10.04.2020

fall harvest scarecrow

fall, fall decorating, fall home decor, scarecrows, pumpkins, pumpkin decor, Halloween decor, decorating with pumpkins, farmhouse decor, rustic decor, garden scarecrow, diy, diy home decor, diy projects, thrifted, faux pumpkins, Funkins, repurposing, upcycling, wire tomato cage crafts, in the garden. on the front porch, front porch fall decor, rusty metal, pumpkin head scarecrow.
an unexpected find of a two dollar faux 'Funkin' pumpkin at a local thrift shop
was the impetus for this quick, easy fall decor project... perfect indoors or out!

(and no, i wasn't shopping. or, rather, i didn't PLAN to be shopping! i went to the thrift store to drop off three bags of used books.
but the door was open... and i was weak... and so.... i came home with a pumpkin. and three MORE bags of books. but i digress...)

that lightweight foam pumpkin became the head of this cute fall scarecrow.
made with items already on hand - including grass trimmings from our yard -
he came together really fast.

continue reading to see what's holding him up!

10.01.2020

make a tiered tray the easy way!

fall, fall decorating, fall home decor, tiered tray, tiered tray decor, styling a tiered tray, pumpkins, pumpkin decor, decorating with pumpkins, painted pumpkins, paper pumpkins, ceramic pumpkins, fall leaves, paper leaves, color, colorful home decor, diy, diy home decor, diy projects, use what you have decorating, tabletop decor, kitchen island decor, home decor diy
the decorating trend of the moment seems to be tiered trays!
they make arranging a selection of small items a breeze, 
pulling them all together in one display to make a big impact.

i've seen loads of great styling ideas shared all over social media,
but i came up with an approach for the tray itself that i thought might inspire you...

that tiered tray in the image above? not a tray. i didn't buy it.
i made it - using some things that i pulled out of cabinets & cupboards,
and a few drops of hot glue.
not only was it an easy project, it will come apart when i am ready for it to.

continue reading to see my easy way to MAKE a tiered tray...