Bringing Fall to the Back Porch

October 7, 2019October 5, 20194 Comments

Good morning! I know I have been away for a bit and I am trying to get back in the swing of teaching and blogging. So far, teaching is winning out! 🙂 I have all sorts of projects spinning round in my head, but by the time I am done teaching, I don’t have much energy left. Thanks for sticking with me though. I will be trying to get a few more projects out to you all!

I was looking back through my posts from last year and saw this one. I liked this one so much, I thought I would share it with you again.

A few weeks ago, I bought a variety of pumpkins, both small and big. I had to buy them at the supermarket, since our pumpkin patches weren’t open yet. Lol.

I used them on my back patio. I actually see my back patio more than the front, and I wanted to be able to enjoy the fall decor all season.

I used little white pumpkins along with faux leaves and acorns in a glass container.

I added a couple more pumpkins to my potting bench too. I made my acorn garland a few years ago, using the acorns from the oak tree in our old backyard.

There are so many ways to decorate with pumpkins all over the house or outside. I like setting one on top of a terracotta pot for the different textures.

I hung up this old window from the edge of the patio. I love the chippiness and the charm it brings to my outdoor space.

A big orange striped pillow, a soft throw, and a few pumpkins make this a cozy place to hang out.

Aren’t these mugs adorable?! I found these at #HomeGoods. They had dogs on them, so I had to get them!

The dogs enjoy being out here too!

I kept things really simple. Just adding small touches here and there.

Tucking a small pumpkin into your potted plants is a great place to add fall to your decor too.

It’s so nice to look out the window and see touches of fall. Thank you again for stopping by!

Thrift Store Pumpkin Makeover

September 23, 2019September 22, 2019Leave a comment

Good morning! Now that’s it’s officially fall, are you experiencing fall weather? This week we have a few cool days, a couple hot ones, and then it cools down for the weekend. I do love the cool nights and being able to cuddle under the blankets!

I found this paper mache’ pumpkin at a thrift store this past week. I liked the size, but didn’t like the shiny finish on it.

I took the stem off and then used some of the chalk paint I had on hand. I used what I thought was a cream colored chalk paint, but it was actually wax. I thought I would try it and it ended up working out.

I used a couple of coats of the wax and I like the chalk look much better.

I used Waverly ‘Mineral’ and Americana Decor ‘Heirloom’ and used a small paintbrush to brush small strokes of paint all over the pumpkin. I made sure to add some in the recesses, to give some shadow.

I also painted the stem with the ‘Mineral’ and ‘Heirloom’ paint and then glued it back on the top of the pumpkin.

I added the pumpkin to my mantel along with a couple of lanterns and a large pumpkin canvas I painted last year.

Just a few touches bring fall into the room!

I also bought a new candle from Bath and Body Works, Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin. Mmmm! It smells so good!

I love when I can take a thrift store item and remake it to be usable again! I also love when I don’t have to spend a lot of money to bring something ‘new’ to my home. What items have you made over? I would love to hear about it!

Make Your Own Rice Bag Hand Warmers plus Free Printable

September 16, 2019September 15, 20192 Comments

Good morning! Glad you stopped by today! I have a very simple project for you to make for yourself or as gifts. The holidays are coming! I’m sure you have seen rice bags around and now you can make it yourself.

Supplies:

small pieces of cotton fabric
ruler
thread to match and needle
sewing machine or fabric glue
rice
funnel

I always wash my fabric before using it to make sure all the shrinkage is out. Then I cut my pieces into 4 inch squares. You need two matching ones for each hand-warmer, or four for a set.

Place your squares right sides together.

I sewed my squares together, but you can also use fabric glue. I sewed around the edge, about 1/4 in. seam, leaving about 1 inch open at the end. Be sure to back-stitch the beginning and end so the sewing doesn’t come undone.

Turn your square right side out, using the small hole you left open.

I use regular long grain rice to fill my bags. I also fill my bags over a large bowl to catch any overflow.

I placed the funnel inside the hole in the bag and used about 1/2 cup of rice for each warmer. You don’t want the bag too full or empty. When mine are filled, they lay nice and flat. There are no empty spaces and no bump in the middle.

Once the bags are filled, fold in the open edge and stitch, or glue closed, with coordinating thread.

I tied up each set with baker’s twine an added a small tag with instructions.

I’ve included a PDF so you can print your own tags too! There will be a link at the end of the blog post to click on.

You can warm these up in the microwave and then place them in your pockets to warm your hands. Sometimes I even place them in my bed to warm the sheets on a cold night. They can be used on sore muscles too. You can also keep them in the freezer for boo-boos or to cool you down when it’s hot. There are so many uses for these cute little bags.

Let me know if you have any questions and I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Hand Warmer Tag Printable

It’s Fall! 10 Reasons To Like This Season

September 9, 2019September 10, 2019Leave a comment

Good morning! Well it’s fall on the blog whether you are ready or not! I have never been a huge fan of fall, but I think it’s because I know winter follows. I don’t like the cold at all. But this year I decided to find things I like about fall and not worry about what comes after. So here is my list:

Pumpkins-I love all the different colors pumpkins come in now, especially the pastels! I love all the different shapes too. They are so fun to decorate with.

2. Cooler weather-not too cold. Around here, it’s usually still warm during the day and then cooler at night which is really nice.

3. Snuggling under blankets-Along with the cooler nights, comes snuggling with blankets and pups and not getting hot.

4. Cute jackets and pretty scarves- I like having some new things to wear other than tank tops and shorts, but not having to wear lots of layers just to stay warm. I am excited to pull out some of those jackets and other cooler weather items put away from last year.

5. Lighting candles- Fall scents are my favorite! Summer just seems too hot to light candles, so it’s nice to have a few lit around the house again, especially because they smell so good.

6. Crunching leaves- I love to see the leaves falling and hearing them crunching under my feet when I go for walks.

7. Holidays- I am looking forward to the upcoming holidays and the time spent with family and friends. We make new memories and remember times spent together in the past.

8. Sausage and corn chowder- Mmmm! Just typing it makes me hungry! This is so delicious and easy. It is the most requested recipe in my house.

9. Having a fire and roasting marshmallows-We have a fire pit, so it’s nice to gather around it and roast some marshmallows and make s’mores.

10. Festivals- There are several different festivals and activities held around here that signal fall. Apple Festival, Calico Festival, Hot Air Balloon Festival, county fairs, and the list goes on.

Whew! I found ten things! That should carry me through. I am determined to just enjoy the season I am in. How about you? Do you love fall?

DIY Spray Painted Striped Metal Box

September 2, 2019August 26, 20191 Comment

Good morning! Are you ready for another week? Do you have lots of plans? I hope it’s something fun!

I have my last camping post today and then it’s time to move on to fall! Can you believe it? I try to get ideas out to you a little bit early so you have time to try out some ideas or decorate before the season is over.

I showed you this metal box during my trailer makeover here, so I’m going to show you how I painted it. This box was a black metal box. I didn’t get the before picture, but I primered it a couple of times and then spray-painted it white. This is just one coat, but I painted two coats.

Painter Tape Rustoleum Primer Metal Box

I spray painted the inside of the box with Rustoleum 2X Ultra Cover Satin Aqua. Then I used painters tape and newspaper to protect the bottom part of the box and painted the top edge the same Aqua.

Here’s how one side turned out. It looked good…

This side not so much. I was in too much of a hurry and sprayed the paint too thick and then it dripped. I sanded it a little and was able to paint over it.

I placed the painters tape over more sections to paint another stripe. I should have used newspaper to cover the painted parts, because I tended to get overspray. So don’t do what I show you, do as I tell you! 🙂 Cover other areas with paper! It ended up taking more time than it should have.

I used all Rustoleum 2X Ultra Cover spraypaint. In addition to the Aqua, I used Real Orange, Navy Blue, Green Apple, and Sun Yellow.

Rustoleum 2X Real Orange Rustoleum 2X Navy Blue Rustoleum 2X Aqua

Rustoleum 2X Green Apple Rustoleum 2X Sun Yellow

I used these colors to match the shower curtain in the trailer, but it matches the whole makeover. I used it this past camping trip to store flip-flops in. This way it’s easy to grab a pair on your way out the door or place the shoes in when you come into the trailer.

It could also be used to store beach towels in. This way you don’t get the constant question, “Where’s my towel?”

Lastly, I used it to put dishes in to carry out to the picnic table. It helps to cut down on the trips back and forth.

I know this metal box will come in handy many times when we travel in our trailer. It can be used in many different ways. Okay! Next week, FALL! I can’t wait! See you next time!