Fall Decorating Ideas

I am so pumped about decorating for Fall. It's my absolute favorite season. However, I have yet to unpack my Fall items from our move this spring. So I am feasting on The Nester and her wonderful goodies, at least until I get mine unpacked.

{pic by: The Nester}

I just love her style! But really, who doesn't!? She has so many more ideas listed in her post. 

{pic: Martha Stewart}

In love with this! Must go dig out my urns, mine are black, but I think will still look nice like this.

{pic: Martha Stewart}

This could easily be re-created using any hurricane you have on hand. The supplies are free, just look in your very own backyard. Thank you God for creating such beauty!! 

 {pics: Martha Stewart}

I love using a Cornucopia in my Fall decor. I usually have a medium-ish sized one on display. But I think I may go smaller this year.

 {pic: Martha Stewart}

I am loving this too! Fall colors and pumpkins get me every time!

  {pic: Country Living}

 And what would Fall be without a little Halloween decor? These are just darling!!

 {pic: Me}

And this beauty? My first crafted Fall item of the season. I love it! 

Ok, I really have to dig my Fall Decor out of those boxes now! Have you begun your Fall/Halloween decorating yet?

 

Wreaths {I will not be making}

Since we are moving next week I am not really able to participate in much, ok any, decor decorating/creating. But I thought I would share with you all the ideas that are floating through my head. Oh how I wish I could create some this gorgeous eye candy. Well, here it is for YOUR eyes to feast upon. Hopefully some of you will be able to create this Christmas.

{photos: BHG/Country Living and last photo I can't remember}

My total favorites: The white and red berries, the newspaper wreath and the mini pine cone wreath. Enjoy, and PLEASE share with me your wonderful wreaths. They don't have to look like these here. I just really want to live vicariously through you all and your beautiful wreaths. Is that too much to ask?

Holiday Tablescapes

Now is the time to start planning and prepping for that wonderful Thanksgiving feast. Let's get started with tablescape ideas. This will help you when decorating the rest of your home. 

Harvest Candle Rings

Purchase or make small grapevine rings to use as a base, or bend a piece of coat hanger into a circle. Next, wire on small stems of berries, leaves, and flowers using thin wire wound tightly around the base. Use fresh flowers for a one-use decoration. Or find pretty silk blooms for a longer-lasting design.

Running in the Leaves

Create a table runner using camel-color wool flannel or felt, cutting to size with a pair of pinking shears. Lay coordinating ribbons along the center of the runner and secure with double-stick tape or a dab of fabric glue, if necessary. Set a compote or cake stand in the center and scatter leaves, mini pumpkins, and pears down the runner.

How Beautiful

What better way to celebrate the Thanksgiving harvest feast than by creating a centerpiece using gorgeous green vegetables. To make the asparagus and green bean wrapped candles, stretch two sturdy rubber bands around a white pillar candle, then insert vegetable stalks underneath the band. Cover the bands with a circle of satin ribbon and decorate the platter with a few white mums and coffee berry sprigs.

Bed of Leaves

One beautiful pumpkin resting on a bed of leaves is simple and sincere. Scale this idea up or down as space allows: a tall pumpkin would look lovely with just a handful of leaves at the base.

Individual Arrangements

Another view of the previous centerpiece shows the place settings, white tablecloth, and pewter cups filled with tiny white mums. Your guests will be enthralled!

Go Simply

Here's a no-fuss table arrangement that's simple and appropriate for many occasions. Rocks and bits of moss nestle around small candles in tiny flowerpots. And best of all -- no flowers to keep fresh!

All of these ideas are perfect to create an inviting atmosphere for the Holidays. Go shopping around your home and see what great ideas you can come up with! Email me your photos, I would love to see your Tablescape!

(photos & captions BHG.com)

Gourds Galore

I recently acquired these beautiful urns from a Friend at church. She no longer had any use for them so I took then off her hands. They were originally a pale cement color (I forgot to take before pictures) but now they are a perty black. They also housed a HUGE fake fern! Eeek! But now they look so perfect holding my gourds! And they look gorgeous on my front porch! Perfect for the season!!

Do you decorate with urns? Share your pictures and inspirations! I would love to see what you have for your Fall decor!

It's All About Acorns

During the Fall season I really like to decorate with items found outdoors. It's beautiful to look at and so cheap to do. And who doesn't like inexpensive decorating! My favorite thing this year has been the beloved Acorn. For some reason, I can't get enough of them. I have dragged my children outside everyday for the past 2 weeks collecting acorns. The first couple of times it was REALLY fun, then it was "Acorns?! AGAIN!?!". I just can't help my self. I have so many plans for those little guys.

With homeschooling and the 'usual' homemaker stuff plus Church stuff, I have been too busy to create my fun decorations. But I found some really great ideas that I think you would really enjoy. So take a look at the pictures and get inspired!!!

Acorn and leaf stamped pillow cases. Not only Incredibly Adorable, but also very cheap to do. Find some pillow cases and the thrift store and have fun decorating!

There is nothing better than snuggling up with a good book and a steaming cup of (homemade) hot chocolate. Why not take some of those too cute acorns and create a perfect seasonal page marker? This little bit of outdoor treasure is sure to make a big impact indoors for the season.

I love to bake. More than I do cooking. Which doesn't say much because I don't like to cook. But I REALLY like to bake. When I saw this ADORABLE mold, My insides clenched and I squealed with delight! No, really! I did!! How cute would these little acorn muffins look in a decorated basket on your kitchen table? These would be gobbled up faster than you can say "Happy Fall".

Another inexpensive way to add some color and season to your home is by embellishing something you already have, such as dish towels. These are the cutest things. These little button embellishments may be little, but they welcome fall in a big way!

This is my favorite idea! I saw this and knew that I was going to make it! I have plenty of acorns and ribbon and moss! I am so excited to make this one. Another idea I had was to make mini wreaths and hang them on the backs of my dining chairs. My children are very excited to make those ones. This is a decoration that can easily be carried all the way through Thanksgiving and into the Christmas season! How very versatile is that? And for mere pennies you can create this cute piece. All you need is some cardboard, acorns, moss, and ribbon. Oh, and your trusty Hot Glue Gun!

Speaking of which, I am interested to know. Does anybody out there name their hot glue gun? Nutty question, I know. But I don't think I could survive without mine and so I thought it would be appropriate if she were named (yes, she). Her name is Olivia, and I adore her! :-) She is pink too!

So tell me, have you named yours yet?

(photos: BHG, Country Living)

Lampshade Makeover

Could your lampshades do with a makeover? 

This is so easy to do and great for the seasons. Super Cheap too!!! :)

What You Need

• Kraft paper
• Tapered or bell-shaped lampshade. Ours is a bell-shaped shade 8 1/2 inches tall x 6 inches in diameter at the top and 12 inches in diameter at the bottom
• Fabric to cover lampshade (for ours, we needed about 1 1/2 yards)
• Measuring tape
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Iron
• Fabric wash-out marker
• Sewing machine and coordinating thread
• Hot-glue gun and glue
• 5 inches of grosgrain ribbon
• 5 covered buttons and assembly tool (look for a kit containing both)

What to Do

1. Place kraft paper on a protected work surface.
2. Measure the circumference of the top of the shade and add 4 inches for each pleat. We have five pleats so we added 20 inches to the 20-inch circumference of the shade, giving us a total of 40 inches.
3. Lay the lampshade on its side on top of the kraft paper.
4. Using a pencil, trace along the top of the shade as you roll it across the kraft paper, creating an arch. Complete two full rotations of the shade to equal the 40 inches.
5. Return the shade to the starting point, lining the top line up with the top of the shade and tracing along the bottom of the shade as you roll it across the kraft paper. Complete two full rotations of the shade, creating a second arch.
6. Connect the arches together at the ends by drawing a line from the top arch to the bottom arch.
7. Use scissors to cut out the band of kraft paper, adding 1/2 inch at the top, bottom, and each end.
8. Press fabric and lay wrong side up on your work surface.
9. Place kraft paper band on top of fabric and trace using a fabric wash-out marker.
10. Cut out fabric band and hem top and bottom using 1/4 inch seam allowance.
11. Secure on end of the band to the top of the shade using a hot-glue gun.
12. Begin wrapping the fabric band around the shade, stopping every 5 inches to fold in a 1-inch pleat, holding it temporarily to the shade with a clothespin or office clip.
13. When completely clipped in place, use hot glue to secure the band to the shade and to glue down each pleat.
14. Use grosgrain ribbon and a covered button kit to cover five buttons to hot-glue at the top of each pleat.

TIP: An all-over patterned fabric works better than a stripe.

(courtesy bhg)