. -->

view ALL Christmas decor themes! click here

10.25.2022

happy MAHALOween!

i read that term - happy MAHALOween - on a tiki bar's website.
when this fun phrase gave me a way to incorporate my love of
tropicana decor and tiki culture into October celebrations, i was IN!

(truth is, i'm not really into Halloween anymore - fall, yes. pumpkins, YES!
the 'scary horror bloody zombie creepy clowns and witches' kinda' decor? nah.)

since i have NO intention of dressing up in costume, 
 i simply decided to give a pumpkin a costume. with a tiki mask!

continue reading for the details and an easy paint tutorial...

10.18.2022

coco fiber planter liner pumpkins

fall,pumpkins,DIY,diy decorating,seasonal,tropical style,boho style,beach style,coastal style,rustic style,re-purposed,up-cycling,coco fiber planter liner pumpkins,natural material diy pumpkins,tropical pumpkins,boho pumpkins,crafting with natural materials, tutorial
i spied this item one day at Lowes - do you know what it is?
in my endless search for things i can turn into tropical decor for our home,
i'm always looking at textures and colors that work - on the cheap - 
and this looked for all the world like a giant coconut to me!

turning it into a pumpkin was easy-peasy - 
so much so that creating the tutorial for this post took me MUCH longer
than actually MAKING the pumpkin!

have you figured out what i used yet??
continue reading to see the answer... plus a few variations!

10.11.2022

coconut tiki mug pumpkins!

fall,pumpkins,re-purposed,up-cycling,tropical style,DIY,diy decorating,tiki style,home decor,coconut pumpkins,coconut tiki mug pumpkins,tropical pumpkins, tiki style pumpkins,use what you have decorating,tutorial.

i was cleaning our indoor tiki bar the other day,
and as i moved some of the tiki mug collection off of a shelf to dust it,
i sat the two ceramic coconut mugs upside down on the bar top.
my hand stopped in mid-air as i looked at what i had done
and an idea came to mind...

 yes, i turn a LOT of different things into pumpkins!
first it was plates. now it's mugs. 
and it's so easy it's not even funny!

continue reading to see the details...

10.04.2022

let's make plate pumpkins!

pumpkins,tutorial,re-purposed,up-cycling,trash to treasure,fall,tropical style,boho style,beach style,woodsy style,crafting,,DIY,diy decorating,gift wrapping,palm leaf plate pumpkins,pumpkin decor, pumpkin decorating,diy pumpkins,eco-friendly crafts.
this project was hatched when i started to throw something away...
and then thought twice about it!

my 'thing' is to embrace the 'trash to treasure' approach
to life, decorating, crafting, etc -
using up stuff from the recycle bin and the waste basket,
stuff like junk mail and empty containers. and sometimes, even bonafide trash. 

why? because it's cheaper, it's easily accessible, it's good for the planet
AND it makes me stretch my creative muscles to use what i have.

that said, you don't HAVE to use 'trashed' plates for this project.
there are many possibilities and permutations - any kind of plate would work!
(check out the ones i made using ceramic plates the end of this post)

continue reading to see them all...

9.27.2022

NEW! faux painted bamboo pumpkins

fall,pumpkins,painting,faux finish,DIY,diy decorating,tutorial,neutrals,tiki style,coastal style,beach style,Halloween,boho style,re-purposed,home decor,fall home decor,autumn home decor,painted pumpkins,pumpkin decorating,faux bamboo,bamboo decor,bamboo pumpkins.
my penchant for tropical decor and tiki culture inspired this new pumpkin project...

our So Cal home is filled with tikis and bamboo and leafy palm fabrics,
because during the pandemic lockdown we had to cancel our trip to Hawaii
and decided to just make HOME feel as much like Hawaii as we could.
and we love it!
so, i like to create seasonal decor for us that coordinates with that theme.
pumpkins that look like they are made from bamboo are a perfect fit!

continue reading for my paint tutorial...

9.20.2022

pumpkins + mushrooms = 'shroomkins!

fall,pumpkins,painting,tutorial,home decor,colorful home,DIY,diy decorating,decorating,re-purposing,mushrooms, 'shroomkins,pumpkin mushrooms,fall home decor,autumn home decor,diy pumpkins,diy pumpkin decor.
last spring, when i created my new Original Sweet Sweater 'Shrooms,
i ALSO had the idea for this project. i just ran outta' time to make them!
 and forgive me, but i gotta' be honest
and say that they are one of my FAVORITE creations ever!

since mushrooms are still having a moment,
and pumpkins are my JAM, i combined the two
to create these whimsical fall decor pieces
that i'm calling " 'shroomkins"

continue reading to learn how to make these -
from cheap styrofoam pumpkins and a pool noodle!