autumn fall decor

I’ll Be LIVE! Google+ Hangout featuring Homemade Thanksgiving

This is going to be an exciting week! ”A Homemade Thanksgiving” is happening! In short, it’s a week long LIVE event filled with tips & tutorials from some of your favorite craft and décor bloggers.

Here’s the Line Up (All times are Pacific Standard Time):

Monday – November 5

12:00 pm - Five Printable Placecard Options - Kristi B of Creative Kristi

2:00 pm - Using Natural Elements from Your Own Yard to Create Fall Displays - Barbara Garrett of The Everyday Home

Tuesday – November 6

11:00 am - Decorating on the Cheap - 5 Trending Hometalk Projects - Hometalk.com – with guest Heather Patterson (At The Picket Fence)

12:00 pm - Table Centerpieces - Aimee Lane of It’s Overflowing with guest Emily Morgenstern (52 Mantels)

1:00 PM - Creating a Fall Mantel - Barbara Garrett of The Everyday Home

Wednesday – November 7

11:00 AM - Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids - Amanda Formaro of Crafts by Amanda

1:00 PM - Thanksgiving Crafts - Amber Price of Crazy Little Projects

2:00 PM - Turkey Cookies with Your Kids - Natalie Dixon of A Turtle’s Life

4:00 PM - Embellish with Paint - Colleen Jorgensen of Just Paint It!

Thursday – November 8

10:00 AM – Fall Garden Flag from Dollar Store Items - Brittany Bailey of Pretty Handy Girl with guest +Sandra Powell (Sawdust & Paper Scraps)

11:00 AM - Hand Crafted Thanksgiving Home Decor - Shannon Fox of Fox Hollow Cottage with guest +Debbie Manno (Debbiedoo’s)

12:00 PM – Tips and Tricks for Hosting Your Family and Not Going Bonkers! - Nellie Bellie with guests Jessica Kielman (Mom4Real) & Jen Marrs (Four Marrs & One Venus)

1:00 PM – Creative Kids’ Thanksgiving Ideas - Amy Bell of Positively Splendid

3:00 PM - Decorating with Natural Elements - Sharon Hines of Mrs. Hines Class with guests Ann Drake (On Sutton Place), Colleen Jorgensen,(Just Paint It), & Jane Windham (Cottage at the Crossroads)

4:00 PM - Quick Thanksgiving Crafts - Angie of Country Chic Cottage& Carolina Moore of 30 Minute Crafts

Friday – November 9

11:00 AM – Thanksgiving Placecards - Karen Watson of The Graphics Fairy with guests +Gina Luker (Shabby Creek Cottage)

2:00 PM – Ways to Personalize Your Thanksgiving Table - Kim Demmon of Today’s Creative Blog

Are you excited? Did you happen to catch Thursday? At 10 AM PST? I’ll be sharing how to make a fall flag using materials from the dollar store with my friend, Sandra of Sawdust & Paper Scraps. We’ll be doing the live video for you to view right here on the blog!

I’m used to creating solo videos, but I wanted to get y’all involved this time. I hope you’ll drop in for my first LIVE tutorial! I’m going to show you how to make this pretty fall flag:

If you want to be ready to craft, gather these materials beforehand:

Materials:

Dollar Store placemat
Brown, orange & red thread
Sewing Machine
Silk leaves
Glitter paint or glitter glue
Stencils
Optional: hand sew or hot glue if you don’t have a sewing machine

If you can’t drop everything and make it Thursday at 10 AM PST, you can still watch later on my YouTube channel at your convenience. (That’s the really nice thing about Google+ Hangouts On Air – they’re recorded onto YouTube for viewers to watch at any time.)

What do you think? I know I’m really excited, not just for mine, but also to see some of my favorite bloggers too! This is really a landmark event – to have a group of bloggers broadcasting like this. I hope you’ll join me and Sandra. That girl cracks me up, so be prepared to pee your pants ;-D.

3 Comments
Filed Under: arts and craft, autumn fall decor, Fall Leaves, Landscaping, Video

Make a Rustic Farm Crate Sign

24 Oct posted by Brittany Bailey

Last month, I was a little nervous to try a new power tool. I know…I know…shock and disbelief! But, y’all came to my rescue and helped share all your tutorials for using the Silhouette and other craft cutters. You really have to see all the wonderful projects that were linked up, like Atta Girl’s Tricycle Chair:

And Vintage Revival’s Wood Grain Lamp:

and I yelled “Stick a Fork in Me I’m Done Procrastinating!” when I laid eyes on All Things Thrifty’s Knife and Fork curtains:

After reading all your project tutorials, I was able to get a handle on my fear of the unknown and try out the Silhouette. [Read more...]

4 Comments
Filed Under: antiques, arts and craft, autumn fall decor, dark wood, distressing, Do It Yourself, graphic letters and numbers, silhouette, Trash to Treasure, Tutorial

Fall Mantle and Autumn Décor

7 Sep posted by Brittany Bailey

You got a peek at my living room fall décor when I showed you how to make the book page oak leaf garland. As promised, I’ll let you see the rest of the room and how I decorated for Fall.

Before I invite you in, I have a confession to make. [Read more...]

11 Comments
Filed Under: accessories, autumn fall decor, decor, Fall Leaves, Holiday decorating, Home Decor, Home Tour, mantles

Make Your Own Terrarium and Save Hundreds of Dollars

7 Oct posted by Brittany Bailey

Terrariums are making a comeback in home décor. Gone are the octagonal mirrored terrariums. They have been replaced by sleak apothecary jars, tall cylinders and lidded glass vessels (to name just a few shapes.)

Twig Terrariums has an amazing array of beautiful ready made terrariums or DIY kits for sale! Some of them have stunning details, right down to a little miniature person inside the lush world. The terrarium below sells for $200.

If you want to create your own version that is a little more budget friendly, it isn’t hard to do. In fact you can get some plants from a local nursery or as close as your own backyard!

Materials:

Glass container (with or without a lid)
Small decorative pebbles or pea gravel
Potting soil
Live Moss
Terrarium plants (small shade loving plants)
Potting shovel
Water

1. Clean your glass container with soap and water and dry it.

2. Add a layer of gravel or decorative pebbles to the bottom of your glass container.

3. Add a layer of potting soil. No need to level it.

4. Collect your plants and think through the plant placement in your head.

5. Gently remove a plant from the pot.

If it is root bound (all the roots are wound tightly around the bottom) gently tease some of the roots free and break apart the roots at the bottom of the plant.

6. Insert your plants into the soil.

Put taller plants at the back and the shorter ones in the front so you can see all the plants.

7. Cover the soil with moss. You can cut or tear pieces to fit flush with the edge of the terrarium.

8. Fill your terrarium and let the water soak in. The water should reach the top of the rocks. Check the water level a few times a week and be sure to refill when the water gets low. If your terrarium has a lid you won’t have to water as often as a lidless variety.

9. Add any decorative embellishments like these faux mushrooms (tutorial HERE)…

…or my sons’ favorite, a little plastic dinosaur!

Terrariums make the perfect year round accessory. I have them prominently featured in my living room along with some other natural elements.

This version was made entirely with plants that I have growing in my shade bed. Small ferns, arugula and creeping ground covers. Plus, I added a few round pebbles for visual interest.

I might pick up a tiny person or two at a hobby shop next time I’m near one. Anyone seen any that look like the characters in “Land of the Lost” heh, heh, heh!

In the meantime, I’m loving my cost effective terrarium. Yes, terrarium singular, because the cylinder terrarium was a gift for our friends who dog sat for us.

I almost wouldn’t be surprised to see a fairy take up residence in one.

I’ve been busy working on some more projects to show you, so hang tight and check back soon! In the meantime, I hope you have a fabulous weekend and are enjoying Fall!

22 Comments
Filed Under: accessories, autumn fall decor, Birthday Gift, Crafts, decor, DIY, gifts, Plants, Terrariums, vignettes

Fall Mantle Decor and Vignettes

26 Sep posted by Brittany Bailey

Fall is here, fall is here! Finally the cooler temps are near!

I’m not sure about your area of the world, but this summer seemed a little too hot for my liking. My husband told me about the term “Global Weirding“. It seems fitting for all this nonsense Mother Nature is throwing at us lately.

Luckily fall seems to have come just on time. Fall is my favorite time of year. Maybe it is the painter in me that loves all the colors. Or maybe it is the nature lover in me that longs to be outdoors in the fresh crisp air. Whatever it is, I love FALL!

I spent some time this past week putting out some autumn inspired décor. Although I’m definitely self conscious about my decorating skills, I tried to abide by my words from last year about not striving for perfection. So, now I’m taking a big breath and pressing the publish button to share my home looking warm and cozy (in my opinion.)

Antique books are my go-t0 decorating objects. I love books and I love those old linen covers. Even a torn and tattered book looks nice lassoed together with some friends.

Sometimes, even an open book can look warm and inviting.

I was so happy to bring my Ballard knock off painted pear out of storage. He really looks handsome with the autumn colors.

I love all the colors in this photo! I can’t imagine having a monotone autumn mantle.

Of course, Mr. Gourd looks handsome too. (Shhh. I don’t want to hurt his feelings, but I do love the pear more.)

Yes, I’m still switching things in and out like a high school football coach. I actually like the gourd, so he’s back in but the chicken wire basket is out. However, I wanted to show you the vintage map lampshade I made. The tutorial will be served up before you know it! Hopefully I’ll have a new lamp by then. This one is just a substitute for one on injured reserve.

You may have noticed this little terrarium on the side table. I was inspired by some insanely expensive versions here. Never fear, I will have a tutorial so you can make your own soon!

A full view of the mantle decorated. It is hard to believe that in a few months the stockings will need to be hung.

I had fun with this little vignette. A crow in an antique corn grinder? Now that is pretty silly. And another terrarium that makes me smile.

Quoth the Raven “Nevermore”

The acorn jar was an afterthought. It was just a quick little hot glue craft. Speaking of which, if you haven’t read my post about hot glue gun safety, it is a must! Your fingers will thank me.

It is fun having another surface to decorate. The top of our armoire (also known as the family command center) has some pretty purples and greens.

My Pottery Barn knockoff lantern makes a re-appearance.

Beautyberry and Orange Peel Cestrum from our yard.

The dining room has a simple centerpiece made with corn kernels and a candle.

But, I might be switching it out once I get this beauty back from my friends at the Habitat ReStore. Can you guess what it used to be? I’ll give you a hint: Hollywood glam never looked so good.