Wednesday, September 28, 2011

You Better Be*Wreath* Me ...

Happy Day! 

Well, it appears that I'm adding "adventures in custom wreaths" to my craziness!  What started as a few close friends asking me to make wreaths for them has now grown into something fun that I wasn't expecting!  I thought I'd share a few orders I recently completed:

My sweet friend ordered a "bridal room" wreath, which, even though I live in the South, I've never heard of one(!).  So, here's my version ... thought I'd incorporate the colors of the wedding. 


Had to brainstorm to create the centerpiece:


"Happy Fall" to a great family who is, hopefully, enjoying this wreath.


"Go Noles" ... ordered by my sweet friend, Melanie, at Southern Comforts in a Northern Life:


My son insisted I make a Halloween one for our door:



Mr. Spider slowly creeping his way around the wreath:


I created this for my friend's fabulous insurance company "Beach Benefits:"


"Go Packs" ... ordered by another sweet friend:


And, we can't forget USC Gamecocks, which another friend is proudly displaying.  Actually, she's not too happy about these as she is a Clemson fan ... her husband ordered these without her knowledge.  LOL!


This Fall wreath is on its way to Maryland:


And, "Go Steelers" ... this one is now on a friend's front door in VA:


Needless to say, I'm so excited that I've gotten several more orders for Fall and Christmas wreaths, and, as soon as I complete them, I hope to open an Etsy store ... got lots of wreath ideas swirling in my head and can't wait to bring them to fruition!  

Linking up to:

Kristens Creations/Share your Creations
2805/Potpourri Friday

French Country Cottage/Feathered Nest Friday
At the Picket Fence/Inspiration Friday
My Romantic Home/Show and Tell Friday


Thanks for stopping by,




Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Our "I Give Up" Fall Mantel ...

Happy *official* Fall Y'all!  Deep rich colors are popping up alllll over blogland now, and I.love.it.  Too bad it's still hot out!

Okay, after our mantel from last year was selected to be featured on Better Homes and Gardens website (BHG.com) as part of this year's Fall inspirational slideshow, admittedly, I found myself thinking "no WAY" will my creative juices be flowing this year.  So, after tweaking ... and tweaking ... and tweaking, I gave up!  Alas, here is our "I give up" Fall mantel:


I have to give the initital *shout out* to the bee-you-tee-ful iron piece that stands center stage on the mantel ... what can I say(?), Home Goods rocks!


I added lit branches to this simple arrangement in a cream pitcher (which I also wrapped twine) ... LOVE how they glow at night.  And, I found this handsome birdie at Hobby Lobby ... I was instantly attracted to his beautiful warm colors:


This "Welcome Harvest" sign was also purchased at HL ... and, the garland below is much like last year's, except I removed the lights and added larger pumpkins:


This cloche, containing lots of smaller pumpkins/leaves, is perched on old books, which I turned so that the pages are facing out:


I hot glued an apothcary jar to this tall candlestick ... threw in some corn, a battery operated monogrammed candle and large bow (with Fall sprig) and call it *a day:*


Down below, our chair now has a coral pillow and simple cream pillow, which I added a burlap bow:


And, woohoo, I discovered this vintage tool box planter hiding at Tuesday Morning (my apologies to whomever hid it to come back and purchase later ... you see, I'm one of those sneaky "hide while I think about it" shoppers, too ... do NOT hide items like this ... I will find it.)  LOL !!


Annnnnd, lastly, a simple white pumpkin topiary sits atop a grapevine wreath, raffia and leaves:


Oh ... and, I did bring back the wooden bead garland that I made last year:


I can't wait to see everyone's mantels!  I'm linking up with:

The Lettered Cottage

Dittle Dattle/Amaze Me Monday
A Stroll Thru Life/Tabletop Tuesday
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia/Tuesday's Treasures
Coastal Charm/Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Savvy Southern Style/WUW
DIY by Design/Fall into Fall
2805/Potpourri Friday
French Country Cottage/Feathered Nest Friday
At the Picket Fence/Inspiration Friday
My Romantic Home/Show and Tell Friday
No Minimalist Here/Open House Party
Savvy Seasons/Autumn Arrives Party

Thanks for stopping by!


Monday, September 19, 2011

Fall Sitting Room

Come on in to our *Fall* sitting room! 

Soooo, I've recently changed things up a bit in here to welcome the new season.  For starters, I painted one coat of Old White on top of my recently painted bookcase (BM White Dove).  I then distressed it and added clear wax.  I also removed the ottoman and replaced it with a super inexpensive higher table, which I then covered in drop cloth and then added a piece of burlap on top of that:


A simple Fall floral bunch sits in the red pitcher on the table:


I also added a bit of warmth and contrast to the bookcase by lining it with craft paper that I had on hand (pretty pumpkin courtesy of Pier One):


A super inexpensive pillow from years past was added to the white slipcovered sofa to spread a bit of warmth over there, too:


A leaf married a book page ... moved into a frame I had on hand and now they lay comfortably on an itchy piece of burlap:


In my IKEA pots, I replaced the greenery with pumpkins and raffia, and then I painted little discs "AS Old White," hot glued glittery brown numbers on them and then hot glued those onto the pots:


Love the afternoon sunlight streaming in:


And, off in the background, two leaf placemats (purchased a few years ago from Home Goods) have been attached to my mirrors:


And, LOOKIE, at my new piece de resistance!  I've been looking ... and looking ... and LOOKING for a mirrored chest, withOUT the expensive price tag.  So, I was more than thrilled to have recently spied this beauty at Tuesday Morning, at an affordable price ... couldn't get it home fast enough! 


Isn't she perty ... angles and all(?) ... bounces the light beautifully!


And, there you have it ... for *now,* anyway.  LOL!


Thank you so much for stopping by!  Come party with me:

Dittle Dattle/Amaze Me Monday
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia/Tuesday's Treasures
YATTM/Linky Party
Savvy Southern Style/WUW
No Minimalist Here/Open House Party
French Country Cottage/Feathered Nest Friday
At the Picket Fence/Inspiration Friday
Savvy Seasons/Autumn Arrives Party

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Fall Drama ...

Folks, apparently, there is Fall *drama* going on in our sitting room ...
 
My IKEA pots *broke up* with the cute faux greenery once in them and now have new companions:


A ripped out page from a book has married a leaf:


And, this beautiful new piece of furniture from Tuesday Morning somehow just snuck in here!  *Gasp*


Oh, and the dish ran away with the spoon.  LOL.

I look forward to sharing more of crazy Fall *goings-on* in here!


Have a great day,


Monday, September 12, 2011

A Fall Vignette

Happy Monday!  Hopefully, everyone had a fabulous weekend, although I know that we all had difficult moments yesterday as many of us watched the 9/11 tributes.  I can't believe it's been 10 years ... our thoughts and prayers will continue to go out to all of the families and friends who lost loved ones on that tragic day.

Back to decorating ... I thought I'd share a Fall vignette that sits on the buffet in our great room.


I loved decorating it with its new AS Old White chalk paint attire. 


Starting on the left ... I raised our lamp up just a smidge by placing it on a small cream pedastal, which now helps to balance the cream in the vignette, as well.  Our initial "B" was on a lamp in the bedroom ... not anymore!  I then added a basket from Michael's, turned it on its side and "spilled" pumpkins, guords, pinecones and leaves from it.


Love all of the different shades of Fall in here:


I bought my handsome Mr. Roo at Pottery Barn last year ... thought he'd be a fun Fall addition to the buffet!


And, over on the right ... my cream fleur-de-lis vase, filled with natural elements, serves as a backdrop to the "must have" lantern.


I had leftover burlap, so I nestled this pretty leaves candle inside.  Love that it's battery operated.  Such a pretty glow ...


Speaking of glow ... how about an evening shot:


I'm sure I'll tweak this a bit more, but here it is for now!  Thanks for stopping by ... I'm off to join these fun parties ... come on along!

Dittle Dattle/Amaze Me Monday
BNOTP/Metamorphosis Monday
A Stroll Thru Life/Tabletop Tuesday
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia/Tuesday's Treasures
Savvy Southern Style/WUW
2805/Potpourri Party
The Inspired Room/Fall Nesting Party


Saturday, September 10, 2011

I'm a Tease!

LOL ... tweaking away in my dining room!  I'm LOVING the look of mercury, cream and brown in here this year.  And, totally loving raffia strewn about, too!  Here's a little peak!  Let the decorating continue ....


And, thanks to my sweet and super talented bloggin' buddy, Debbie Debbiedoo, for kindly giving my cute little chalk paint pumpkins a shout out (here)!  I can tell you that she's decorating her beautiful home for Fall this weekend, and it will be fabulous ... don't miss it!  I'm hoping I see a few Duck Egg Blue pumpkins show up in her decor!  Thanks, Debbie!

Have a wonderful day, everyone ... hope you're splashing Fall around, too!