Make This! Pinterest inspired craft.

What I love about this project is the pure ease of it! And the price. I had all but the dry erase markers on hand, a collection of old frames, some left over burlap. Did I not say this was simple?

I came across this nifty idea on Pinterest and immediately pinned it to my Crafty Ways board. Jill Ruth & Co. blogger has made several for her home and I just loved the simplicity of it. 

Autumn Pinterest Mash-up

I have a fondness for rainy fall days. There is a gentleness to the drops, and a magic to the light. I want to cook chili, take a hike in the woods, and afterwards snuggle under a warm throw and get lost in a good read.

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And sunny clear fall days fill me with energy. I love to explore the city to the countryside with my camera.

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The theme for fall food, definitely "comfort."

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Fall decorating is filled with the warmth of autumnal hues. I love the organic touches of distressed wood, burlap runner and bittersweet. Candles in jars would be a safer bet though. :)

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Welcome all! Don't you just love historic homes, and this one with it's whimsical railing is spectacular. I love how they have the wreath hanging on the door knocker. 

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Autumn is a wonderful backdrop for portraiture. This is one of my favorite candid shots of my daughter, taken at our family reunion a few years ago.

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Autumn is natures warm embrace before winters chill. To see more of my Autumn pins, check out my Autumn board on Pinterest.

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Summertime Mantel

I should be stripping wallpaper in our guest bedroom, but who can resist a Linky party for Summer Mantels? 

So, I immediately went about the house collecting items that fit the summer theme.

Although, it could be argued that this collection is summertime too. After all, many people escape to the clean cool streams and lakes of the mountains during summers heat. Robert Woods is the painter of both scenes, the larger of the two is from my hubby's parents home. He remembers picking it out with his mom and it held the place of honor above the couch in their basement family room. When my in-law's moved, it was regulated to storage. 

I'm a sentimental sort, from heritage gardening--those plant's that used to reside in my family member's yards--to simple things like pressed glass relish dishes. If it pleases me, is useful, I keep it. This carved Indian is in a whole other category, this guy was hand-carved by my dad. I guess you can tell he was crafted in the 1990s, this is when we used to do craft shows together. The rose color tips on the headdress give the decade away. :) 

I love cabins  by a lake or stream, and I love moose. If I could find a picture with both of them that would make my heart sing.

I'm always on the look out for a Robert Wood's print, but the mandatory cabin must be in the scene.

So, lil' bird...it's time you found a new place to nest, it's time for some seaside fun.

It's about time summer got its due, instead of an obligatory shell or two...

...I added a whole mess of them, filled a couple of vases to their brim with them and added my Nana's little shell box too (This covers that sentimental thing.) ;)

Propped a starfish against our photo at the Southernmost point in Key West and draped a string of shells for good measure.

Time to put some Chesney on, sit back with a drink in my hand...

No shoes, no shirt, no problems
Blues what blues..hey I forgot them
The sun and the sand and a drink in my hand with no bottom
And no shirt, no shirt, and no problems!
No problems

After some Chesney, maybe it was 'the drink in my hand' or the bare wall in the loft--the wall the lighthouse picture had hung--on that gave me yet another round of inspiration.

Yes, this one is the keeper. Allie agrees.

My pup's watching the mantel makeovers.

Since the loft looked so empty without the lighthouse painting. I snagged an unused mirror--vintage--and yet, another heirloom, as a backdrop for this beach inspired mantel.

Now for some Beach Boys.

See you at :

The Charm of Home

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

The Bell's will be Ringing . . . it's Christmas time again  . . .

The dining room is ready for Christmas. 

This hand-carved swan is my absolute most prized possession. My dad carved him just for me. Isn't it a thing of beauty? Each unpacked box of Christmas decorations hold so many happy memories. Make this promise, slow down a bit and take time to connect with those that are far and near. 

Silver, snow, berries, and twigs are all aglow. 

.

Both hurricanes are filled with snow, flocked bottle brush trees and a votive .. I'm careful to keep the flame  clear--A tabletop bonfire wouldn't do.

 Can't you hear Bob, Phil, Betty and Judy?

Snow, snow, snow, snow . . .

SNOW (From White Christmas) ~  Writer: GREANEY, MARK WILLIAM 


It won't be long before we'll all be there with snow
Snow
I want to wash my hands, my face and hair with snow

Snow
I long to clear a path and lift a spade of snow
Snow
Oh, to see a great big man entirely made of snow

Where it's snowing 
All winter through
That's where I want to be
Snowball throwing
That's what I'll do
How I'm longing to ski
Through the snow-oh-oh-oh-oh

Those glist'ning houses that seem to be built of snow
Snow
Oh, to see a mountain covered with a quilt of snow

What is Christmas with no snow
No white Christmas with no snow
Snow

I'll soon be there with snow
I'll wash my hair with snow
And with a spade of snow
I'll build a man that's made of snow
I'd love to stay up with you but I recommend a little shuteye
Go to sleep 
And dream 
Of snow

Wishing you a Merry Christmas, surrounded by those you love.

Shared here:


The Inspired Room

The Nester

A quick visit to Oma's Barn. Woodsy greenery, silver and white caught my eye here. I especially love this stone house print, notice the full moon and the shadows it casts on the snowy roof. 

At Three French Hens this Moose is one of my favs. Not sure if I would want this guy on my wall, but I do find him adorable!

Combine 3 compatible ribbons for a gorgeous effect. 

Trees and greenery at Three French Hens get the full treatment. Flowers, sparkle and ribbons. I love the lighted jars, must look up this frosted technique. Simply cluster a collection of bottles, using a string of lights, stuff a bit of the string in each. Plug in. Ta da.

I am so drawn to this woodsy nature type decor. Possible it reminds me of the hikes I take . . . only no moose sightings in Missouri. 

This victorian sleigh is bedecked with greenery, ribbons, present and St. Nick himself.

This was my first visit to Three French Hen's and I will definitely be back.

Autumn Florals

Some images from my Pinterest Creative Floral's Board.

Floral's tug at my heartstrings for they remind me of Nana. My grandmother was a buyer for a nationwide floral retailer and traveled to New York on buying trips and across country to train the companies florist. After she retired she held an annual open house in November which transformed her home into a floral utopia; autumn and Christmas arrangements, wreaths and sprays filled every corner. Nana always allowed me to pick out one smaller priced item--such a difficult choice! Ultimately I'd select a whimsical Santa Claus or reindeer among snow flocked holly and pine.Santa, Rudolf, snow and holly must wait . . . this post is all about the warm hues of autumn and floral's that share Nana's style. What was her style you ask? Several decades removed from those open houses, I'd say it is a timeless look. Hand selected floral's with organic touches: a birds nest, feathers, seed pods, berry's and nuts . . .

Here are some of my finds from Pinterest that have that Nana flair about them. Enjoy!

Feathers blend beautifully with the russets, creams and oranges.

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Acorns for a vase filler.

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Creamy whites with falls rich hues, see my previous post for another take on this color scheme.

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Magnolia leaves, bittersweet and pomegranates add natural texture. 

seasonal fruit, pinecone's and birds nest add interest here.

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An urn filled with leaves and gourds, so simple and classic.

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Feather's berry's, leaves and sparkly gourds.

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Corn husk and twigs are added to the mix here.

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Apples add interest and color to this vase.

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A pumpkin as the vase, beautiful.

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