Halloween Tricks and Treats!

'BeWitched', my very own 'Great Pumpkin' creation, and I would like to wish you

Happy Halloween!

Tonight, after the cute little trick or treaters have been tucked into bed,

the ghosts and ghouls here on our street will gather for a dessert party!

Some very simple ideas and materials were pulled together in about two hours

to create this fun party decor...

One roll of orange wrapping paper forms a backdrop AND the center stripe on the table.
found at Marshalls for $2.99

[ disclaimer: the 'happy Halloween' writing was added in my photo editing program - 
it's NOT printed on the paper on the wall ]

One package of vintage-look crepe paper fringed garland frames the center stripe on the table

and forms a short swag above.
found at Salvation Army for $1.99. NEW!

The large plastic chargers (and other containers) await the food...

found at Walmart for $2.49

A gathering of apothecary jars (from elsewhere in the house) is filled with decor items

like plastic eyeballs, spiders and candycorn from WalMart.

The last snippet of the fringed garland tucks inside one jar.

You could fill yours with candy for guests to actually EAT...

but we have so many goodies, we didn't need candy!

continue reading to see MORE easy party decor ideas!

Who Knows? SHEknows!

I am pleased to share with you an article on the SHEknows.ca website, 

a DIY resource for a largely Canadian readership. 

Writer Jessica Padykula contacted me a few months ago, and asked me to contribute

some of my creative ideas 

for decorating with pumpkins AND decorating pumpkins... 

I was happy to oblige!

Click to read 5 Creative Ways to Decorate with Pumpkins

Thank you, Jessica, for creating a great story with my content,
and for sending your readers here to my blog. Welcome, girls!

I invite you to peruse the tabs up above and the links on my sidebar,
which will take you to the most popular posts and projects that I've shared here,
as well as to creative decorating ideas for every season of the year!

I've shared even MORE content on my Pinterest boards and Facebook Page -
come on over!

Here at HOMEWARDfound Decor, it's ALL about using what you have on hand ;)
[You'll find more about that philosophy, and me, on my 'Start Here' page]

One LAST Sneak Peek!

 I was very surprised to learn that my Original Sweet Sweater Pumpkins 

have been published in the November issue of Romantic Homes Magazine!

[and no, that red oval announcing my pumpkins' inclusion is NOT on the actual cover!]

I'd like to offer my gratitude to writer Beth Livesay and photographer Susan Frick,
for including my lil' product in this issue.

Now, on to
 that super dooper sneak peek   of my BRAND NEW PRODUCT for the Holiday season
that I promised to share with you today!

 I am thrilled to share these new creations with you...
They were inspired by my pumpkins

and some Christmas decor that my daughter Bethany and I made together [SEVEN years ago]

and a few nudges from my mom... she kept suggesting this idea, and I repeatedly balked at it.
  
"I don't want to be a one-hit wonder and just make things from SWEATERS!"

was my constant argument.
I finally (wisely) got to the point where I realized
"Oh, for Heaven's Sake, Deb... when life hands you sweaters, USE THEM! "

... and I did:

Made with vintage and vintage-inspired components,
 these Original Sweet Sweater Snowmen will warm up any room...
I'll have all of the snowmen, women, and babies shown PLUS a few MORE
[ some are tiny, some are HUGE, and they are all one of a kind! ] 

Creating Vintage Charm Autumn!

The Autumn 2013 Issue of Creating Vintage Charm Magazine is here!

I am honored to be a regular contributor to this lovely publication, 

produced by a gracious and creative spirit, Sonia Cardona Crouse.

There is beautiful inspiration in each seasonal issue,
with ideas and projects from many incredibly talented designers, decorators, and photographers
... and autumn is packed FULL!

My contribution this season is a soft, warm, natural-themed tablescape,

perfect for any autumn day - and especially Thanksgiving.

[and yes, that's a peek of one of my Original Sweet Sweater Pumpkins from the issue!]

I'll share more images of my story after the magazine has been out for awhile...
for now, here's a beautiful slideshow preview of this issue that Sonia put together:

 visit the Creating Vintage Charm facebook page!

my top 5 pumpkin tutorials!

Sweet Sweater Pumpkins . Glass Globe Pumpkins .
Embellished + Painted + Clay Pumpkins

 Deb's Original Glass Globe Pumpkins

Homemade Clay Mini Pumpkin Tutorial

One-Step Pumpkin Makeover

Couture Pumpkins: Playing Dress Up

Deb's Original Sweet Sweater Pumpkin Tutorial

Fall Decorating 'Top Post' Roundup!

With Autumn officially arriving over the weekend, 

everyone is finally ready to decorate...  and to get you started, 

here's a roundup of my all-time 
TOP FIVE POSTS on fall decorating!

Front Porch Fall Decor from the Garden Shed

Fall Mantel: from Still Life to Real Life

Five Top Tips for Seasonal Decor & Displays

Decorating with my Original Sweet Sweater Pumpkins

Five Simple Steps to Warm & Cozy Fall Decor

I'm in the Bloglight!

Welcome to my guests from hometalk and the blogtalk group on facebook -

Thank you, Miriam Illions for featuring me and HOMEWARDfound today!
 hometalk is a FABulous community website where you can share, discuss, learn, and be AWED
by EVERYTHING having to do with creating & keeping houses. It's AMAZING!

I'm Deb and I'd like to welcome you to my blog!
 I'm a retail and home stylist, designer, and published writer.
[more on my 'Start Here' page]

Sweet Miriam Illions had this to say in the Blogtalk post:
"This week, the beautiful & graceful Deb Kennedy of HOMEward Found Decor is in the Bloglight!
Deb's story is inspiring and uplifting. She applies her creativity and fresh perspective 
not only to design & decor, but to all aspects of life. I am honored to feature you in the Bloglight today, Deb!"
[wow! she really makes me sound much better than I am!]

Miriam also asked a few questions to help you get to know me, 
so let's get right to those:

continue reading...

'as seen in BHG!'

 A few weeks ago, I received a very nice message from LuLu Tapp,

owner and photographer extraordinaire from DustyLu Interiors & Photography in Los Angeles.
She let me know that my little pumpkins were going to appear

in the feature on her lovely home

in the Better Homes & Gardens Halloween Tricks & Treats 2013!

After I picked myself up off the floor, I thanked her. Profusely!
And I've been on the lookout for the issue ever since.

Monday, she messaged me "Hey Deb!!! Its out its out!!! On newsstands now!!!Woot woot!"

At nearly the same time, a friend sent me the cover shot shown above,

then another friend sent me an interior image that includes my 2012 Harvest pumpkins:

This is one of Lulu's photos of her gorgeous home from the magazine... LOVE!

Being able to use the words 'As Seen in BHG' is just a dream come true -

I am so very thankful for the opportunity.
I originated this design, and have been making and selling them for many years,
and it's nice to finally be 'noticed' this way.

I saw a comment that Lulu made on Instagram and it made me do backflips:
"Better Homes and Gardens editor was flipping over the pumpkins and botanicals  -
I think she wanted to take them!!! Lolol"

Lulu discovered my original Sweet Sweater Pumpkins last fall, at Kymberley Fraser's store 'A Beautiful Mess'.

They looked like this in her display:

Thank you again, Kymberley, for your support!

Pumpkins on Parade!

I spent Thursday on the road with a van full of Sweet Sweater Pumpkins,

 delivering them to two of my FABULOUS local retailers here in Southern California - 

let me share them with you!

 One was A Beautiful Mess by Kymberley Fraser, located in Agoura Hills.

Her daughter took one look at the orange pumpkins and declared that the front window needed one...

I think she found the perfect place for it!

[although if it were ME, I might have tucked the pumpkin under his ribcage, in the place where his heart would be....'cause, well, these babies are the heart of my business right now!]

Kymberley's store is beautiful, and the neutral pumpkins fit perfectly

with all of her soft, warm, colors and the elegance of rustic industrial style.

I love how she has them displayed in this old wooden goat cart on a harvest table...

Kymberley has a selection of pumpkins in a neutral palette in sizes from mini to Extra Large
[the Extra Large size is ONLY available from these two retailers]

and now, she has some very special pumpkins made from Angora and Cashmere sweaters!

I delivered 12, and half of them sold before they even went into a display!

I so enjoyed meeting Kymberley's husband and daughter,

her store manager Amy,

and her really sweet customer Heather and daughter

(thank you so much for your enthusiastic support of my little product!)

_______________________

I want to let you know about a VERY special event this weekend

over at Julie O'Keefe Home & Garden in La Canada

[um, that's pronounced "Lah Can-yah-dah" for those not from the Southland. It has nothing at all to do with our neighbors to the North!]

Julie is hosting a party on Friday & Saturday, and Sweet Sweater Pumpkins were invited!
She's all stocked up and even has some new colors and sizes to offer,

please click HERE for information about her event.

Her shop is as lovely as her booth at the Remnants of the Past show was... 

speaking of which, here are a few photos from last weekend!

 Julie is an incredible floral designer with applause-worthy original ideas,

like these darling vintage linen flower pockets...

I can just see this on a doorknob, a doorknocker, an armoire handle, 

or filled with flowers as a sweet hostess gift for ANY season!

 The Limited Edition 'Luxe' collection Cashmere & Angora Pumpkins were very popular,

and perfectly presented some one-of-a-kind artisan button bracelets...

The regular Sweet Sweater Pumpkins nestled into several displays, 

showing how they coordinate with many kinds of decor:

 All of the vintage linen accessories you see here are handmade by Julie...

beautiful lavender sachets, cell phone purses, tote bags, aprons, flower pouches,

pillows, tea towels, tree & gift package ornaments.... I don't think Julie ever SLEEPS!

I am just so very grateful that Julie had my pumpkins in her booth at this wonderful show, 

and allowed me to come and be her booth helper.
We had so much fun working together to set up the booth, and then during the show!

This is the very best part of being in business - 

the amazing people I meet, the support I can give AND receive, 

and the wonderful experiences & opportunities that come my way.
______________________________

and just think...

it all started with a pumpkin ;0)  my grandpa would love that! 

I've been collecting pumpkins my whole life, and I love to decorate with them in fall.

my grandpa used to call me, his first-born red-headed granddaughter, his 'Little Pumpkin Eater'.

his nickname for me started a collection that my mom and I have been adding to for decades.

that's what seasonal decorating is to me: meaningful.