Fall Table Decor (Part I)

I feel like you guys get tired of hearing from just me.....so I asked several friends to share their fall table decor here on the blog......and you know what???? They said yes! So today is part one of some of my talented friends giving all of us a peek at how they do fall table decor.  Are you excited....I am!!!

First up, my sweet friend Melanie was one of the first to respond.  I was impressed that she already had it all together and was able to just snap some quick photos and send them to me. Take a look at her table

Yes, I definitely want to eat here.

I love the mix of plates and the candle variety giving the varying heights.  These are the things that bring interest....and that sweet little turkey guy sure doesn't hurt.

But here was one of my favorite things about her table.....the striped runner over the floral table cloth.  I've already told her I am borrowing this idea.  She obviously has an eye for pattern mixing.

 And she completed the room with continued fall decor on the buffet in the room.

Excellent job, Melanie!!!!

Next up, we have a table that is done with what I would call a dramatic heirloom piece.  I can only imagine that when every family member who has dined at this table thinks of this time of year they think of this beautiful piece

This is Ann T.'s beautiful table.  When she sent me this picture I said tell me all about that Turkey.  She found him several years ago at a shop in Fayetteville.  He is about 17 inches tall and resin. Here is a close up of the big guy

 You know what I love about this?  She bought it and has enjoyed it for years.  I would have seen this and thought - oh that would be fun to have and then talked myself out of it.  But not Ann.  She committed to it and now has had several years of enjoyment from owning it.  I absolutely love it and the classic taper candles.....just perfect.  I also love that she added the decor to the mirror in the room.  Ann, you have inspired me.....if I ever run into a great piece like this....I am taking it home with me.  Love your table!!!

My sweet cousin Juana also shared some photos of her fall decor with us.

She put together this fun fall arrangement for her table.

It is absolutely brimming with fall florals and leaves.

And here is my favorite part of hers......words.  I do love the incorporation of some meaningful words woven into decor.  I think this picture really sums up where her heart is

She also did a little decor in her entry way

She shared with me the whole thing was a family affair......her husband made the table and wooden box, she did some stenciling and her younger daughter did the writing.  It turned out just lovely and all the more special because of all the hands that helped make it possible.

And now look how cute my friend Lindsay's table turned out

Now take a closer look

Here is the thing.  When Lindsay and I started talking about her table she said this vine appeared at the very back of their yard.  She remembered thinking that it was a pumpkin or squash vine.  They just left it alone and it produced these tiny little pumpkins.  What? Who else would have a magic pumpkin vine at their house......only Lindsay!!! She said they got over 36 pumpkins.  I just think that it incredible.  They are just the cutest family and you can read about them on Lindsay's blog.  But just be prepared for tons of cuteness and creativity.  She rocks!!!

To wrap up today, I am going to show a little something I put together on my kitchen table

I bought my wooden box at a craft show

I just used some burlap I had on hand, filled my box with whole coffee beans, nestled in a few candles and pumpkins.  Some of the pumpkins are artificial and from the dollar spot at Target.  I mixed in a few mini- real pumpkins too.

I hope you found a few or half dozen things to inspire what  you want to do in your home this fall season.  

A huge thank you to Melanie, Ann, Juana and Lindsay for sharing their creations with us.  Come back on Friday and see round two of more great table inspirations.

See you then.

Columbus Day

I am off today and literally on the couch under a throw.....but here are a few sales if you are interestedin doing some browsing or shopping

Anthropologie has an additional 40% off sale items - no code needed

Colleen Rothschild has $25 off a $100 purchase - use code COL25

Neiman Marcus Last Call has an additional 35% off of sale prices

Pottery Barn offers 20% off your purchase - use code FRIENDS

J. Crew has 40% off your purchase with code BIGSALE

LOFT has 40% off with code FALLFEST


I hope you have a wonderful day.

I will see you back here on Wednesday .......don't miss it.  I have gathered fall table inspirations from several of my friends and I am going to show you the first of them this Wednesday.  See you then!!!

Making Velvet Pumpkins

Ok, a couple of years ago, I visited a friend's home and she had the prettiest little velvet pumpkins.  I have been on a quest to have some of my own ever since.  I searched on line and found several but a little pricier than I was interested in.  Then I searched Pinterest and You Tube and found several people making these little guys.  So I thought I would take a shot myself.

Here is my finished product

And here is what you need to make them: A bag of stuffing, needles, thread, fabric, dried pumpkin stems and a glue gun.  When I went to the fabric store, the real velvet was still more than I wanted to invest.  So I went with this fabric that looks a lot like it but is much less in price.  The fabric is called Panne.  I got a yard of white, rich gold and olive. But there are several color options so you could choose what you like best.

I bought these longer doll needles because you need one that has some length to it.

And I ordered these real dried pumpkin stems from Etsy.  There is a really big market for these and lots of options out there.  Just search Etsy for dried pumpkin stems.  

Once I gathered all the supplies here is how I put them together.

First, cut yourself some circles out of the fabric.

I just free handed these.  Real pumpkins are far from perfectly round so I thought it was safe to just cut out some random circles.

Then thread your needle with your thread.  Make sure it is a strong thread because we are going to be tugging on it pretty hard and we do not want it to break.  I used a heavy duty quilting thread.  Then I made big loose stitches all the way around the circle

Once I had all the stitches in, I started to  pull the thread tight and it gathers up into a nice little pumpkin pouch

Then stuff it with the fiberfill

And pull the thread until the hole completely closes.  Then make several stitches thru where you pulled it closed to secure it.  Tie a couple of knots to make extra sure it is going to stay.  Then cut off your thread.

Put a small amount of hot glue where you want your stem to go.  Because these are real stems, they have very unique crooks and hooks. So before you glue test out which one works best for the size pumpkin you just created.  

Hold the stem in place for a few minutes to allow the stem to completely set.

It took me about an hour to make all of these

I still had a little fabric left.  I could have made 2-4 more but I was all out of stems.

I loved the way they turned out.  And next week I will show you how I am using them in a great table setting.

Make yourself a little colorful pumpkin patch.  The possibilities are endless.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Fall Porch Decor

I always look forward to picking out some pumpkins and mums for the front porch.  I mean honestly, aren't fall colors just the best.  So here's what is going on outside my front door.

I showed you guys this wreath and new door mat I bought on my skip day. So now they are greeting visitors and UPS delivery guys

I don't have a huge porch but I wanted a little something to add interest.  I found this chair at Funky Monkey on Hwy 72.  

To say that it is chippy is an understatement, 

but since I am up on my tetanus shot I felt like I could bring it home.  I love how it looks with the pumpkin and mum.

I then just finished the steps with more pumpkins, mums and gourds.

And put out my fall flag.

Last week there was plenty of rain EVERY DAY but this week I have to remember to keep everything hydrated.

I hope you are embracing this fall season in whatever way makes you happiest.

See you back here on Friday with my latest fall craft.....I think you are going to love it.

Oh but before I go two quick bonus things to share

1) Oct 4th is Taco Day - treat yourself to tacos in some form.  We will be having taco stuffed baked potatoes.

2) Frye will be on Hautelook at 10:00 am Central time on Thursday.  If you think you might want anything be sure and check out Hautelook.com.  If you aren't signed up with them yet, feel free to use my referral link by clicking here.  It only takes and email to sign up.

See you back on Friday!