Gilt Complex?

Metallics are a hot trend this Holiday season,

showing up in magazines, television decorating specials, and ads. 

 From copper and bronze to silver and crystal (which is sort of a metallic finish), they're everywhere. 

But the big deal this year is Gold!
It's the colour du jour in fashion and decor, adding warmth as well as sparkle to the season.

Over the years, I've included gold in the products I have made and sold, 

so I've pulled some images of those to inspire you as you decorate for Thanksgiving
and the coming winter Holidays.

It's simple to add a golden touch to your decor:

* try using metal photo frames and candlesticks [found at the thrift shop] on your mantel,  
as ornaments on the tree, and place setting markers at the table.

* adding a quick spray of glistening paint on a small piece of accent furniture or lamp
can give new life to an old, dated item
[check out some pics of stylish gold accessories from Michael at Inspired by Charm!]

* include your grandmother's costume jewelry on your tree and wreaths, 
as an embellishment on napkin rings and candles (rings slip right over tapers!)

* place a large gold crown on top of topiaries, or your Christmas tree, instead of a star!

 

* use a gold crown-like light fixture as a cloche or dome, over a nest

As I shared in my last post, it's entirely possible to transition between your Fall and Holiday decor
by choosing elements that work with your decor to 'bridge' the seasons.

The hand painted ornaments with autumn leaves on them shown in these images 
are a perfect example...
tucked into tiny nests made from day lily foliage, they add a natural touch
to Thanksgiving AND Christmas!

You can extend the gilt-y pleasures into your gift packaging, as well...
here, a handmade crown with vintage embellishment is tucked into a vintage gold embossed cookie tin,
also embellished with even more vintage trims!

[I think they call that 'Gilding the Lily' ...]

This weekend I am at the Remnants of the Past Antique Show

in San Luis Obispo, California,
helping my friend Adrienne with her booth design, setup, and displays...
I was a vendor at this show for several years, though, [with Retreat, our former business]
and one year, my booth featured a LOT of GOLD!

My booth was photographed by Jenny Malott, official Remnants photographer,

and later, some of her images were published in a story about the show:

Many thanks to photographer Jenny Malot for the gorgeous images
published in Where Women Create Magazine, Spring, 2012.

As you can see, it's not always a BAD thing to have a Gilt Complex!

$5 Fall Wreath Makeover

You know I love 'making do' with what's already on hand... 

here's another 'Fast, Cheap & Easy' TM project that does exactly that!
Follow along and I'll show you how to take an old wreath from flab to FAB
[and remember, these tips would work for ANY season]

 my mom had this fall wreath stored in the garage. she's used it for years, and it's okay.

she bought it on clearance at Target

[yeah, the nut doesn't fall far from the frugal tree around here!!!]

but i knew i could make it better, and look exactly like the ones we saw over at a swanky store. 

she was eyeballing those wreaths over there and i could tell that she wanted one...

so i simply MADE one for her instead, by making over the wreath she already had.

continue reading to see how EASY it is to freshen up an old wreath!

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]

8 'Black Magic' Halloween Ideas!

 As Halloween Eve creeps ever closer, don't forget about the simple SCARY touches you can add

to everyday items in your home!

The black chandelier above has a center that resembles a cage -

so I treated it like one, and filled it with some drippy spanish moss and one solitary black crow.

I wrapped the faux candles in black glossy paper,

and used clear low-wattage nightlight bulbs for a sinister glow.

Click here for another idea for embellishing your chandeliers!

These two photos show an elegant carved wood white mirror that has been spookified:

A length of black sheer fabric is tucked between the wall and the mirror,

with one end of the fabric hanging down below it and one end tucked into a 'hood' shape at the top....

shrouding the mirror in mystery...

 more ideas for spooky black decor:

Bewitched Mirror Trick


Glass Globe Crystal Ball

Mad Science

Big Black Spiders

Spellbound Photos 

Charming Little Scarecrows

 A VERY unusual element makes these charming little scarecrows 

a 'Fast, Cheap & Easy' project... and you won't believe what it is!

Years ago, my friend Karen made the scarecrows in the image above

for the porch decor at one of our client's Seattle area homes.
A few years later, I made a similar little scarecrow, 

and came up with my 'crazy but ingenious' plan for his support system...

a standard rubber bathroom plunger.

yeah, really!

I DO suggest that you get a NEW plunger from a home supply store for this!
['reduce reuse recycle' has its limits, you know?!]

This illustration shows the process - 

Look at it from the BOTTOM UP !

Basically, you are building the scarecrow OVER the handle/post of the plunger,
which is stuck to the floor of your entryway, porch, etc.
Generally when I hear a description like that, I nod my head and go 'oh, I GET it!'
but I know not everyone is like that...
so here are some basic 'how to' steps to follow if you need them:

#1: First you stick the plunger to the floor - in your entryway, on your porch, wherever.
It won't stick to concrete, though, unless the concrete is really smooth.

If you have an extra doormat, flip it over and expose the rubbery side - the plunger will stick to that!

This method will make small scarecrows...
but you can stick the plunger onto taller items to make the scarecrows appear taller:

a five-gallon paint bucket wrapped in burlap, a metal milk can, anything that the plunger will stick to!

#2: Take a pair of child's pants - jeans, cords, overalls - and do one of two things:

If you want the scarecrow to sit down, put a hole in the crotch

so that the plunger's handle will go through the pants.

If you want the scarecrow to stand up, just slip one leg of the pants over the plunger handle.
[You'll need to 'scrunch' the pants down a bit once stuffed,

 to allow the shirt & head to fit on the handle, too.]

Close the ends of the pantlegs with a rubber band, and cover with raffia.
Then stuff the pants - I use plastic grocery bags or trash bags.
Stuff them REALLY full, making the pants as firm as possible  - not squishy.

#3. Place a wire clothes hanger inside a long-sleeved child's tee shirt or sweater

then place the shirt over the top of the plunger handle,

with the handle coming up through the neck of the shirt.

Close the ends of the sleeves with rubber bands, and cover with raffia.
Tuck the bottom of the shirt into the pants - use straight or safety pins to hold them together.
Add a raffia 'belt' in the pant belt loops if you'd like.

Then stuff the shirt with more plastic grocery or trash bags - 

again, stuffing it VERY full so that it is firm and not squishy.

Bend the top loop of the hanger in the shirt up straight, 

and DUCT TAPE it onto the plunger handle - this will help to hold the shirt and pants upright.

Leave about 4 inches of the handle at the top for the pumpkin head to fit onto.

#4. Get a lightweight 'FUNKIN' pumpkin, a plastic pumpkin pail, 

a plush pumpkin, or even a Sweater Pumpkin!

Put a hole in the center of the bottom of it. 

Then slide the pumpkin onto the plunger handle and snug it down to the neck of the shirt.

*** The pumpkin has to be lightweight - if it's heavy, it will cause the stick to lean over ***

You can add stuffed socks or shoes to the ends of the pant legs,

a stuffed pair of mittens to the ends of the shirt sleeves, 

and a hat to the top of the pumpkin if you wish.

You could also use children's Halloween costumes for this project!

Try some from the thrift store, or maybe even use the costumes that your kids have worn in past years!
[If , like me, you kept them because they were just too darned cute to part with. 

Yeah, I was that mom ;) My daughters have 'the Costume Box' now]

Just think how darling your front porch would be 
with a gathering of little costumed 'Trick or Treater' Scarecrows!

That's Scary, Baby!

 I saw this incredibly CREEPY idea at the Roger's Gardens 'Night Gallery' Halloween House...

another stellar and original visual effect created by the RG visual team!

It's simply baby doll heads, painted in ghostly gray tones,

swathed in gauze or netting, 

and then plopped into glass canister jars.

Displayed en masse on dark shelves, they create a 'library' of ghoulish frights:

You could even use tiny doll heads in baby food jars, for a miniature version!