CRAFTING AND HOME COMFORTS IN AUTUMN

Good Morning Kindred Spirits..
my thoughts are now turning to the holidays
that will be upon us in the blink of an eye....
I am planning my menus and ideas for
table settings.....
I love using natural elements in the fall season
and have found my inspiration for
the Thanksgiving farmhouse table....

It's simple and natural.....
a burlap table runner, apples, seeded eucalyptus and white candles...
what a lovely way to welcome family in for Thanksgiving....

 

Start the morning with hot biscuits and jam
on a pretty autumn plate......delightful....

Autumn is THE season for making homemade soups and stews...
our kitchen smelled amazing with this delicious
Lasagna Soup simmering on the stove...

I stocked the pantry with fresh baking supplies so today was the day
for baking a vintage plum cake with buttermilk glaze...divine!

Layer your furniture with soft and cozy autumn throws.....
it's spending time with someone who makes you feel good......

I love the soft glow of candlelight in fall....makes for a cozy
feel of pure contentment.......

Okay, this might be a craft that you may be interested in....
I like to engage in activities that keep your brain sharp
and are not too taxing.....meaning something I have no talent for....
and also an activity that in the end, will be a beautiful keepsake....
my recent discovery in "Sticker by Number Books!"
So far, I am loving these beautiful images and spending
time creating  a lovely picture....

Customers find the pictures pretty, vibrant, and happy.
They say the activity is relaxing, soothing,
and a great stress reliever.
Readers also describe the book as
 fun, engaging, and addictive. 



There are many, many themes and styles from which to choose,
so I think this is going to very enjoyable to do...

These would also make a lovely gift for someone special...
I found mine on Amazon

I have such gratitude for the gift of the Autumn season...

FALL FLORALS IN A PRETTY AUTUMN MUG

Happy October to each of you!
The weather is on schedule to finally turn into cooler fall days
this coming week which should help bring on the joy of the season.....
I decided to do a bit of a DIY this afternoon,
after a trip to the grocery, and finding a beautiful fall mug
and a lovely bouquet of fresh florals.....
I call this BLOOMING IDEAS

Isn't this mug just beautiful?
It's large enough to create a lovely little arrangement...
let's get started.....

Beautiful fresh florals.....a mere $12.00!

Miss Lucy was right there in the middle ..
just like Mae Mobley used to be.....

Whether you prefer neutrals, earth tones or the deep hues of Autumn,
find your inspiration for your next centerpiece....

I love the size of this centerpiece....this can serve as
the star of the vignette...or....

    

Perhaps an addition to the mantel...either way,
I feel that fresh florals can lift the spirit and reflect the warmth of the fall season.

DRIED CINNAMON APPLES AND THE CAMPING TRIP TO END THE SUMMER SEASON

We made it!
We all got through those hot summer days and we have
now turned the page to begin the fall season...OH HAPPY DAYS!

 

The fall catalogs are beginning to arrive and it does
make my heart sing.....

Here is the very first DIY of the season....let's dry some
apples slices dusted with cinnamon!

This is a great way to use apples that are a bit too old to eat
or use for baking......
I love doing this for the holiday season!

Slice the apples thinly, dust with cinnamon
and bake    at 225 degrees for two and one-half hours!
Your kitchen will smell amazing!!!!!

This is a truly enjoyable, inexpensive way to transform
your home into the fall season...hope you give this DIY a try!

School in Atlanta was back in session
as of August 9th....the beginning of 7th grade!

It has become tradition to end the season
with a camping weekend and what fun they have on
these little excursions!

Gotta love camping....HUMID and HOT as blazes...
Almost finished setting up the campsite,
when the thunderstorm hit...torrential downpour
along with lightening...
thank goodness the YURT was cozy with the
AC running.....and cocktails help too!

The campfire is always the best part of camping trip!

This is the back deck to the Yurt...how about
this campsite?

Getting back to nature.....

A very humid  hike, but the waterfall
is well worth the struggle!

REDESIGNING A SUMMER BASKET INTO AUTUMN SPLENDOR

The first Fall DIY is now complete!

I had shared a few posts back,

that I had a very old worn out summer basket

from Valarie Par Hill.

I almost tossed it, when I decided to rethink that idea

and redeem this into Fall!

The first task was to remove all the old foliage which

was no easy task......

I had one jar of chalk paint in my craft cupboard

and since I love the color gray for Fall, then

this is what was the first step in making this new again......

Now the BIG PROBLEM....was the big watermelon

in the center of the basket...it was NOT GOING ANYWHERE!

So.....why not turn the watermelon into a pumpkin...

just needs a little imagination....

add an acorn and some pretty fall leaves

around the darling stem...and viola....

we have a pumpkin ladies and gents....sort of.......

When designing a vignette..texture is so important...

I just love the orange burlap pumpkin with

the cute metal leaves.....

You all know I am a lover of beautiful ribbons

and this particular one stole my heart....

I think it's absolutely beautiful...so this

was what I used to accent the basket...

perfect for not only Fall, but Winter also!

The sweet burlap pumpkin is new from Hobby Lobby

I think Owls are simply magical for the Fall season.....

And of course, there is a single sunflower...

Seasonal elements are perfect for these types of arrangements...

pinecones, berries, leaves, eucalyptus, acorns and tiny gourds..

just have fun with it and enjoy making it yourself....

the more imperfect, the better.....

HANDCRAFTED AUTUMN WHIMSY

Hello all my fellow home bound loves!

How have your days been.....ours have

been flowing from one ordinary day into the next...

with triple digit heat I might add!

So, I have been cleaning, organizing and getting ideas

for the fall season!

Maybe these few items will lift your spirits...

My current favorite candle...PARIS CAFE...

Notes of Rich Roasted Coffee, Sugared Brioche and

Vanilla Creme....just absolutely divine!!!

Yes, I did a bit of online shopping at Hobby Lobby.....

I dismantled my fall apple wreath from last year and plan

to remake it into something lovely for this season!

Now let's look at a fun DIY craft project......

Fall is the perfect time to start a craft project!

I chose to use my Felicity-Jane scrapbook papers

and wooden pumpkins to see what I could fashion 

into something whimsical and cute!

This is the first creation and I just love it!

Embellishments are a big part of scrapbooking art
and they can add a perfect touch to your project.

Pumpkin number 2 is about falling in love with Autumn.

The best part of a craft project is just enjoying
the creative process and being pleased with your results.
It need not be perfect.

Halloween decorating is the best part of fall.....

The pearl button was an extra one which
was from a former wool blazer I used to wear.....

We love Halloween and it's so fun
to make something handmade for the home!

A harvest vintage vibe....
I used a single art deco earring for the center of the bow...

Say something that's meaningful....

It's fun to display your crafts in unexpected ways.....

This was a fun little project and I love the results.
I now want to think of one more......you
will probably see these in a few vignettes around the kitchen!
Tell me what you enjoy about crafting and art projects!

Oh yes....we did sneak in a family get-together

to celebrate July birthdays.....