No Carve Jeweled Pumpkins

October 10, 2019 By Linda 3 Comments

No Carve Jeweled Pumpkins – Glam Pumpkin Craft Idea.

No Carve Jeweled Pumpkins - Rhinestones on Pumpkins - Bling Pumpkins - Glam Pumpkins - Painted Pumpkins.

My front porch is sad. And empty.

It’s naked.

I really, really want to decorate it. I really, really want to put my terracotta pumpkins out there. I really, really want to purchase some unique pumpkins in various colors, sizes and shapes from Trader Joe’s. Along with some mums.

But I’ve been holding out.

And now the neighbors are showing me up. Big time. They’ve pulled out their A game this year …

You see, I decided early in the summer that this is the year I’d give my porch a refreshing coat of paint.

It’s chipping. And looking pretty run down.

But as the summer progressed, I progressively came up with excuse after excuse of why I need to wait until next week to paint it.

It was too hot.

It was too rainy.

It was too close to our vacation and I didn’t want to potentially leave the project half finished.

It was too close to taking Molly to college and I was distracted with all that entailed.

It was too expensive so I’ll just wait for a Sherwin Williams sale/coupon.

And next week turned into months …

… and eventually a whole new season!

All too soon my next week excuses will include a) it’s too cold and; b) it’s snowing!

But I’m going to be totally serious here: NEXT WEEK I’ll be painting that front porch.

And when it’s dry, I’ll be decorating the bejeezes out of it!

Watch out neighbors.

In the meanwhile, I’ve been having some no carve pumpkin fun. Remember those little orange pumpkins I used for my orange, black and white table setting (see here). I decided to dress them up with some crystals, pearls and roses …

How to Make No Carve Jeweled Pumpkins

Materials*

Pumpkins (found mine at the grocery store)

Paint – White, Off White/Cream, Gray – I used Rustoleum Chalked Paint

Stick-on Rhinestones

Stick-on Pearls

Mini Ribbon Satin Bows

Small White Beads

Glue Gun

Tweezers

*includes some affiliate links.

Tape stems and give your pumpkins two coats of paint. I used chalk paint because a) I like the matte finish and; b) it dries quickly!

Remove tape. At this point I was going to spray them with matte sealant but I forgot. Ah well. Since these pumpkins are real, they’ll be tossed soon!

Grab your stick-on rhinestones …

and start sticking on! I just eyeballed spacing.

The Jersey in my is loving the glam!

Now grab those stick-on pearls …

and start sticking on!

Reminds me of my pearl necklace!

Which reminds me, when is that cardigan and pearls style trend coming back? I think it’s time for a revival!

Next up are the silk mini roses and pearls. I used to sew these onto the collars of onesies for my nieces to dress them up!

You need a hot glue to apply these.

For the little pearls, I used hot glue and tweezers to affix them.

I then I need to do a little paint touch up!

So cute!

If only these were waterproof, I could put them on the soon-to-be-painted-next-week-pinky-swear front porch and really razzle dazzle my neighbors!

🙂

Pin It!

You Might Also Like:

Fabric Stuffed Pumpkins

Jute Twine Mini Pumpkins

Fall Table Setting in Gray, White, Neutral, Jute

Fall Table Setting in Gray, White, Jute, Neutral

October 8, 2019 By Linda 12 Comments

Fall Table Setting in Gray, White, Jute, Neutral – Thanksgiving Table Setting Ideas.

Fall Table Setting in Gray, White, Jute, Neutral - Thanksgiving Table Setting Idea - Pumpkin Centerpiece Idea - Pumpkin Table Setting Idea

The weekend before last I returned to New Jersey.

Thanksgiving Table Setting Idea - Pumpkin Centerpiece Idea - Pumpkin Table Setting Idea - Fall Table Setting in Gray, White, Jute, Neutral -

And, yes, I can hear your moans and groans about New Jersey. The snarky “poor you.” And the “why would you?”

But can I defend my birth state for a minute here?

Fall Table Setting in Gray, White, Jute, Neutral - Thanksgiving Table Setting

Sure, Jersey conjures images of the stinky New Jersey Turnpike. Or crime-addled Newark. Or those Jersey Shore folks from MTV (who, by the way, are not from New Jersey!)

But New Jersey actually has some really, really pretty parts.

Fall Table Setting in Gray, White, Jute, Neutral -

Stop laughing!

Jute Pumpkin DIY - Jute Crafts for Fall - Fall Table Setting in Gray, White, Jute, Neutral - Thanksgiving Table Setting Idea - Pumpkin Centerpiece Idea - Pumpkin Table Setting Idea

Our adventure began at Newark Airport. It’s quadrupled in size since I last flew in/out of that airport. And stepping off the plane onto one of the new concourses was mind melding.

Seriously.

I thought we may have landed in Tokyo. Or Singapore.

The concourse was super, duper high tech. Tables with iPads at each and every seat replaced the traditional benches you typically see outside gates. The center of the concourse was a giant bar/restaurant with an iPad at each chair.

Did I mention it was mind melding?

You could use the iPads to order food. Or drinks. Or go online. Or shop. Or, or, or …

a hundred other things you could explore based on all the apps loaded on each one.

After we finally figured out (with some airport personnel assistance) how to find the rental car, we hit the road.

And it didn’t take long … as we headed north west to the destination of my niece’s wedding … for me to realize that New Jersey is actually pretty lush.

Lush!

Seriously, stop laughing!

Living in the Midwest for so many years I’ve become accustomed to everything being flat. But New Jersey? Well, at least the northwestern part of New Jersey is hilly. And lakey …

yes, I said lakey as in we were in a region with lake communities.

On the afternoon before the wedding, we joined my sister and her husband for at a lovely (and very Pinteresty) lakeside restaurant. The day was gorgeous. The views spectacular. Yes, the views in New Jersey were spectacular …

I can still hear you snicker …

and the wedding was beautiful. A Pinterest dream. At a remote historic site with multiple barn-esque structures for the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception.

The bride was beautiful. The groom beamed. And my brother (the father of the bride) was filled with such pride and joy!

And me?

It was so wonderful to reconnect with my family — all together in a single space — after such a long time apart.

And it was wonderful to reconnect with my birth state and remember that New Jersey has some really beautiful parts.

Oh, and we actually caught some early fall foliage in those lakeside towns.

Beautiful!

You can stop laughing now. 🙂

Pin It!

You Might Also Like:

Jute Twine Mini Pumpkin DIY

Jute Wrapped Mason Jar Craft - Easy Fall Mason Jar Craft - Easy Jute Twine Craft Ideas

Twine Wrapped Mason Jar DIY

Fall Table Setting in Orange, Black, White

October in the City

October 5, 2019 By Linda 14 Comments

Fall Front Porch with Pumpkins and Mums – Chicago Front Porch for Halloween.

It’s the first Saturday of the month and you know what that means …

okay, so you probably don’t know what that means since it’s only the second month I’m participating in this blog hop.

But for future months it means it’s time to for me and some of my blogging friends to get all warm and fuzzy for the upcoming month by sharing … well … things that make us warm and fuzzy about the upcoming month! It’s part of a Cozy Living series organized by the fabulous Jennifer at Town & Country Living. You’ll find the links to my fellow Cozy Living bloggers at the end of the post.

There are some years when October is right up there as one of my favorite months of the year: those years when October delivers the most amazing Indian Summer. Perfect crisp-but-not-too-cold temperatures requiring only a light jacket or sweater or hoodie. A month when you can swing open the windows and let all that fresh (city of Chicago) air inside!

And then there are the years when October does me wrong. When it’s day after day of gray skies and rain. When light coats and sweaters are covered by heavier waterproof jackets and rain boots.

But either way … whichever October decides to show up … my all time favorite part of this month is dressing up the front porch for Halloween!

And I gotta tell you, Chicagoans takes dressing up their front porches for Halloween super seriously.

Olympic level serious.

Some with much bigger displays than any Christmas lights show.

Some go super, duper spooky.

Some go super, duper cutsie.

And some (like me) some try to strike a balance in-between.

I’ve changed things up over the years (though the mums & pumpkins combo on the steps has pretty much remained a staple). Like back in 2012 when I had bats flying across the door.

More recently, at my daughter’s insistence — I’m thinking she’s siding with the super duper spooky folks — we’ve recently added some skeletons to the mix.

Our front yard was pure dirt last October (thankfully there is some nice lush grown-from-seed grass out there now). But last year we placed the bones in the yard, and after a few heavy rainfalls, the skeleton looked like it was just unearthed …

and ready for an episode of Bones! 🙂

Be sure to visit my Cozy Living blogging friends to find out what gives them the warm and fuzzies in October!

Duke Manor Farm / Creative Cain Cabin / Sincerely Marie Designs / Town and Country Living

Vinyet Etc. / Finding Silver Pennies / Hymns and Verses / It All Started with Paint

Twine Wrapped Mason Jars

October 3, 2019 By Linda 8 Comments

Twine Wrapped Mason Jars – Jute Mason Jar DIY.

Twine Wrapped Mason Jars - Jute Wrapped Mason Jars - Mason Jar Crafts for Fall - Easy Fall Crafts - Twine Craft Ideas - Jute Craft Ideas

I’ve adopted a new mantra this year: K.I.S.S.

And, no, I’m not talking about the crazy costumed and make-upped 70’s metal band.

I’m talking Keep. It. Simple. Stupid.

And the Stupid is me … not you. Not ever, my dear readers! My wonderful, smart friends!

It’s a reminder to me (the Stupid in K.I.S.S., that is) to stop overthinking and over-complicating things. Because I can be the queen of overthinking and over-complicating things …

In fact, this whole blog started with my overthinking and over-complicating. With paint chips that were taped to wall for months … okay, years … on end as I contemplated the subtle differences between four shades of sage green.

Yes, sage. That’s how old this blog is. Sage was still around. Albeit, on the way out. But still around!

And every project I contemplated (back in time before Pinterest) included notebooks with pages ripped from magazines. And those pages would linger in those notebooks for so long that when I would revisit to add yet another ripped out magazine page, I couldn’t remember what it was I liked in those older ripped out pages!

Sigh.

But I’m done with my drag-my-heels-overthink-over-complicate-things approach to home decor and diy … and even crafts. Yes, I overthink crafts!

Hot glue vs. Mod Podge? Paint brush or Spray paint? Sew it or hot glue it?

Okay, maybe I’m not 100% done overthinking. More like 95%. 😉

Today’s twine wrapped mason jars is the epitome of K.I.S.S. In fact, this project is so K.I.S.S. that I debated if I should even create a tutorial …

How To Make Twine Wrapped Mason Jars

Materials*

Regular Mouth Quart (32 oz.) Mason Jars

Jute Twine

Hot Glue Gun

Scissors

*includes some affiliate links.

Start with a dab of hot glue.

Add end of twine to hot glue. Press down (but be careful! Don’t burn your fingers).

How To Make Twine Wrapped Mason Jars DIY - Easy Mason Jar Craft for Fall

Keep wrapping twine around the jar. About half way through, add another dab of hot glue.

Press in place. Carefully!

Keep wrapping until done.

Add dab of hot glue.

Cut twine and press in place.

And you’re done!

See? Super duper K.I.S.S. 🙂

Pin It!

Twine Wrapped Mason Jars - Jute Wrapped Mason Jar Craft - Fall Crafts with Mason Jars - Easy Fall Crafts - Twine Craft Ideas - Jute Craft Ideas

You Might Also Like:

Sock Vase - Sweater Vase — **Sock Vases**

Jute Twine Pumpkins

September 26, 2019 By Linda 4 Comments

Jute Twine Pumpkins – No Carve Pumpkin Craft Ideas.

Jute Twine Pumpkins - No Carve Pumpkin Ideas - Fall Craft Ideas Using Jute - Fall Craft Ideas for Pumpkins

Not that I’m counting — I’m soooo 1000% counting! — but this is my sixth craft project using what I already have at home.

I’m so amazed at myself!

And, yes, I’m 1000% patting myself on the back!

I seriously didn’t think I could keep this up. That after a project or two I would ultimately give in and dash off to the craft store. But no. I’m really pulling this off.

And, yes, I’m 1000% humble bragging!

Total aside, I’m seriously saving so much in gas money too!

But aren’t these little jute twine pumpkins just glorious?

And when was the last time I ever used the word glorious on this blog? I’m thinking 1000% never.

I’ve been watching some YouTube videos (and when I say watching, I mean binging) of a travel Vlog from a couple who live in Wales. And they generously use the word glorious.

And lush.

And posh.

And delightful.

And I 1000% love all those words and need to incorporate them into my vocabulary. Stat.

In the meanwhile, I’ll just share how you can make your very own delightful, glorious, lush and posh jute twine pumpkins.

And they’re 1000% easy to make!

How To Make Jute Twine Pumpkins

Materials*

Jute Twine

Ruler or Yardstick

Tape

Scissors

*includes some affiliate links.

How To Make Twine Pumpkins - DIY Jute Pumpkins - Fall Craft Ideas with Twine - Fall Craft Ideas with Jute

Cut a length of twine that is slightly larger than 12″

Tape down both ends to ruler.

Tape a new length of twine to ruler (I didn’t cut this piece and just un-spooled as needed from the twine spool).

Wrap twine around the ruler (not too tight or it will be impossible to remove from ruler!).

Continue to wrap until you have a little over 9″

Gently remove from ruler (make sure to first untape all ends and to keep hold of the original 12+ inch length of twine taped to both ends of the ruler.

Like so.

Tie a knot using the two ends of the original length of 12+ inches of twine. Pull tight.

Also tie a knot using the two loose ends of the twine used to wrap the ruler. Don’t pull too tight when knotting to keep the pumpkin “loops” a consistent size.

Use fingers to shape the pumpkin.

Find a stick in your front or back yards and cut a length for the stem.

Hot glue gun in place.

And you’re done!

The finished pumpkin – made using a ruler – measures about 2.75″ to 3″ in length.

I also made some using a yardstick. These little pumpkins measure about 3.5″ to 4″ in length.

I’m 1000% excited to dive into my craft stash to see what else I can make using what I have!

🙂

Pin It!

You Might Also Like These No Carve Pumpkins Ideas:

Fabric Stuffed Pumpkins

Dollar Store Pumpkin Craft with Mod Podge

Fabric Scrap Dollar Store Pumpkins

Bats Flying Across Pumpkins

Sock Vases

September 24, 2019 By Linda 3 Comments

Sock Vases – Sweater Vases.

Remember when sweater vases were all the rage?

No?

Well, I guess that’s not too surprising. Because if you weren’t living and breathing in the bubble that is home decor and crafting blogs, you probably missed it.

And if Anthropology or West Elm or Pottery Barn – or even Target – didn’t sell a line of cozy sweater wrapped vases, it probably never even entered your orbit.

Honestly, besides the few sweater vases I made for my home — using thrift store sweaters — I never, ever saw a sweater vase in the homes of friends and family.

But I’m thinking sock vases have the potential to catch on beyond the blogoverse.

I know what you’re thinking: There’s something about socks being elevated above your feet dwelling floor and placed atop your table tops that makes you go eew. I get it. That whole stinky feet/stinky socks thing is extremely unappealing.

As an aside, I can assure you these socks were fully laundered before cozying up to those vases.

But hold on a minute. Here me out …

First, who among us doesn’t have a missing sock or two? Who among us hasn’t lost a sock or two while doing laundry?

And where in the world do those missing socks go?

Then you’re left standing there with one sock that doesn’t match any other. And unless you’re Dobby — or my daughter — most people want socks that match.

So what are you suppose to do with that single sock?

Second, what about this scenario: holes in socks. Are you suppose to keep wearing that sock with a giant hole in it’s heel? Or are you just suppose to toss them to languish in a landfill (along with that single sock)?

Ah, see. You didn’t even see the environmental side to this project. It’s my own personal Green New Deal idea. 🙂

Seriously. This idea might just be genius! Two bird in a hand level genius.

P.S. Can we also take a moment to admire those little white pumpkins on sticks?

Aren’t they just the cutest? I’m not even sure what they’re made of but they look like felted wool.

And guess where I found them?

In my grocery store’s floral section! Just $4.99 for a bunch of four.

Score!

🙂

You Might Also Like:

White Painted Pumpkin Mason Jar

Fabric Pumpkins

Easy Fall Wreath

Fabric Pumpkins

September 17, 2019 By Linda 9 Comments

Fabric Pumpkins – Neutral Gray, White Stuffed Pumpkin DIY.

Fabric Pumpkins -Stuffed Pumpkins - DIY Fabric Pumpkins - How To Make Fabric Stuffed Pumpkins

Dear Michaels and JoAnn’s Fabric and Craft Stores,

I would like to extend my deepest apologies. Especially when you see a sudden and shocking drop in sales at your Clark Street (Michaels) and Elston (JoAnn’s) stores in Chicago.

You see, I’m on a mission to craft with what I (mostly) have. Because I’ve (mostly) gathered lots and lots of craft supplies over the years. From both of you. But, sadly, too many of those supplies that have remained dormant for years and years and years (as I explained here).

So when made that lofty statement a few weeks ago about how I’m going to refrain from running to the craft stores and first see what’s in my current stash of craft stuff, I figured I was setting myself up for an epic fail.

I mean, we are entering the height of craft and decorating season. Surely I would abandon that manifesto the first time I walked into Michaels and/or JoAnn’s and caught sight of all those fun, seasonal crafting goodies!

I mean, it assaults you the minute you walk in the door!

But I’ve been putting my blinders on. Aside from a quick peek at the dollar section, I traverse Michaels like a woman on a mission …

a mission to not buy anything that is NOT on the list.

To make this patch of fabric pumpkins, I had the fabric and burlap and thread and embroidery needle and thread left over from other projects (or potential projects that never quite came to be). But …. I did need to pick up one thing.

Batting.

I first toyed with deconstructing an out-of-use pillow from down in the basement to keep this project craft store shopping free. But I wasn’t sure what kind of batting (or what, for that matter) I would find inside those basement pillow.

Annnnnnd … I did have a 40% off coupon at Michaels. So it only cost me about $3.99.

Score!

Fabric Pumpkins -Gray White Fabric Stuffed Pumpkins - DIY Fabric Pumpkins - How To Make Fabric Stuffed Pumpkins

Not too shabby a price for this fun and easy(ish) to make fabric pumpkin patch!

How To Make Fabric Pumpkins Tutorial

How To Make Fabric Stuffed Pumpkins - Gray White Greige Fabric Pumpkins DIY

Start with a length of fabric (mine measures 7″ x 14″). Rule of thumb is length should be double the width. Iron out wrinkles.

Fold in half and pin right sides together.

Sew using a 1/4″ seam.

Press seam open.

Thread a large eyed needle (also known as needlepoint needle) with embroidery thread. I actually used string my daughter had to make friendship bracelets.

You’re not sewing the two halves together but instead making spaced out stitches all along the top opening.

Like so.

Then pull the thread to gather the fabric.

Like so.

Use the needle to stitch the two sides together. I gave it multiple stitches in multiple directions. Don’t worry about it looking messy.

Turn it inside out so that the good side of the fabric is on the outside now.

Add stuffing. Pack it pretty full, but leave about 1/4 of fabric on top edge.

Like with the bottom, use the embroidery needle and thread to make large stitches and gather the fabric as you go along.

Like so.

Use the embroidery needle and thread to stitch the top closed.

Now you’re going to take the needle and thread and stick it through the center of the pumpkin, and out the center of the bottom of the pumpkin. (Make sure you create a knot at the end of your thread).

I actually used pliers to pull the needle out of the bottom of the pumpkin.

Now you’ll take the string on the outside of the pumpkin and thread it through the top to the bottom again. Pull tight.

Repeat this process seven more times (giving you 8 pumpkin “slices” separated by thread). I first made two halves of the pumpkin. Then made even quarters. And finished with eighths.

Like so.

For the stem, I cut a length of burlap that measured a 1″ x 12.”

Roll tightly together.

Add hot glue to the end and press (be careful not to burn your fingers like I did!).

I also did some trimming of errant threads and to make sure the length worked for the pumpkin.

Fix the stem in place with hot glue.

Like so.

Rinse and repeat! 🙂

The smallest pumpkins used 5″ x 10″ lengths. The largest used 10″ x 20″ lengths.

I know sewing tutorials can be tough in picture form, but you can find a fabulous video tutorial at this link — though I skipped the whole cutting the fabric on the bias part.

Now I’m going to pat myself on the back for completing two projects using my fabric and craft supply stash! 🙂

Pin It!

You May Also Like:

Fabric Scrap Covered Pumpkins

White Painted Pumpkin Mason Jar

Paper Pumpkins

Embroidery Hoop Wreath

August 15, 2019 By Linda 1 Comment

Embroidery Hoop Wreath DIY – How To Make Embroidery Hoop Wreath With Faux Eucalyptus & White Roses.

For the next four years I’m going to try and spend as little as possible on craft supplies. Let me count the reasons why:

#1 – College. While my first child graduated from college in the spring, my second (and last) child starts her freshman year next week. And with the start of college comes the tuition bill. And this time around the bill is bigger. Gulp. So I’m going to be scrimping, scraping … and praying that nothing big decides to malfunction around the house. Fingers crossed.

#2 – Random Craft Supplies. I have boxes and bins and drawers and shelves filled with various crafting supplies. Things that I thought I wanted to make but never made. Supplies for things I thought I wanted to make, never made … and now can no longer remember what I wanted to make! There’s extra supplies from things I did make. And then there are craft supplies I bought with absolutely nothing in mind; I just thought they were cute.

#3 – Ad Revenues. I’m not sure what’s going on (and it’s probably because I’ve taken a couple of very extended breaks from blogging over the past year … or perhaps things are just slow in the summer and I never noticed before), but my blog ad revenue took a nose dive these past few months.

#4 – College + Ad Revenues. Did I mention college? 🙂 And did I mention ad revenues? Because those ad revenues are what I use to cover that college tuition. And when ad revenues are down … well, my stress levels go up! Fingers crossed (I’m doing a lot of that lately) things will pick up for the upcoming holiday season.

#5 – Recession? I haven’t fulled recovered from the last one and I feel like I’m always looking over my shoulder for signs of the next one …

So I’ve decided I’m going to be much more frugal. I’m going to dig through those boxes and bins and drawers and shelves and (for the most part) craft with what I have. And what I don’t have, I’ll spend as little as possible to acquire.

Take this embroidery hoop wreath craft.

I picked up those hoops years ago. One of those I can’t remember what I wanted to make left over craft supply. The faux eucalyptus leaves were purchased in the spring, long before I started panicking about college tuition! The faux roses are from the dollar store; again picked up years ago. The only ‘new’ craft supply purchased for this project are the faux eucalyptus stems. They were a very frugal $3.19 (link in materials list).

How To Make An Embroidery Hoop Wreath

Materials*

Embroidery Hoop

Faux Eucalyptus Stems

Faux Eucalyptus Leaves

Faux Roses

Florist Wire

Floral Tape

Wire Clippers

Jute or Rope for Hanging

*some affiliate links included.

How To Make Embroidery Hoop Wreath With Faux Eucalyptus & White Roses.

Attach eucalyptus stems to bottom of hoop using florist wire.

Cover wire with floral tape.

Strip the rose stems of the plastic coating. Then remove the wire.

Use florist wire to replace the original faux rose wire.

Make a little loop thing at the end so the wire stays put.

Attach roses to hoop.

Add a jute loop and bow and hang.

Pin It!

You Might Also Like:

Entry Refresh

spring wreath ideas using hydrangeas in greens and blues and whites

Hydrangea Wreath

You can find all my craft projects at this link …

Succulent & Seashell Mason Jar Planter

August 8, 2019 By Linda 2 Comments

Succulent & Seashell Mason Jar Planter – Mason Jar Planter Ideas.

Every few years, I like to try my hand at growing things. Again.

Translation: Every few years I contract a bout of amnesia and forget I do not have a green thumb.

And this year is “every few years.”

I started on my “I Can Grow Things” spree with my front and back yards. My track record of growing grass is not … well … not strong. So this year I decided to try again. For the umpteenth time.

Translation: When I say I’m trying again to grow grass in my front and back yards that means I doled out a ridiculous amount of cash to a landscaper to try and take back my yard from the weeds and plant grass seed in the front, and sod in the back.

The experiment is still in the early stages, but I have to say there is quite a bit of green going on around here!

Translation: There was quite a bit of green going on until (1) the dog peed on the sod out back and; (2) the city of Chicago finally got around to trimming my (technically their) tree out front and left a 6 foot pile high of branches on the newly-seeded-and-growing parkway grass for the weekend.

But before the dog and the city’s Bureau of Forestry decided to test my resolve, I felt empowered … emboldened … to try my very own hand at planting some succulents. In a mason jar. With seashells.

No large sums of money were doled out for this project. 🙂

How To Make A Succulent & Seashell Mason Jar Planter

Materials*

Pint Size (16 oz) Mason Jar

Pea Gravel or Aquarium Gravel

Seashells

Potting Soil

*affiliate links.

Add pea gravel (or aquarium gravel).

Add seashells.

Add potting soil and succulent.

Water.

I also made some using sea glass that I shared on the other blog, Mason Jar Crafts Love …

Pin It!

Easy Distressed Terracotta Pots

July 30, 2019 By Linda 5 Comments

Easy Distressed Terracotta Pots – How To Age Flower Pots Tutorial

Easy distressed terracotta pots - how to age flower paints with paint and sandpaper

Let me set the scene for you:

It’s a gorgeous summer day. Like a day you wish each and every day could be like. Like a day you want to retire to … and a day that has you wondering exactly what city, what state, what country, what island you could you move to that would guarantee you a full year of days just like this day.

Or at least 300 days out of 365 like this day.

It’s sunny (of course). Temperatures are in the mid-70’s. There’s a slight breeze; just enough to rustle a few leaves. Absolutely zero humidity.

Am I right? Did I not just describe the perfect day.

I’m out the back porch working on this easy distressed terracotta pot project, listening to the sounds of the city around me.

Birds are chirping. I can hear the garbage truck working it’s way down the alley. The dogs next door start barking when they see me. Across the alley I hear the little voices kids playing out on the second floor balcony.

In the distance, I hear a drumbeat. And not the tom tom kind. But a full on rock and roll riff.

And as I “paint’ these terracotta pots … and I use the word paint very loosely because I’m basically just dry brushing and cross hatching away … that rock and roll rift picks up speed and volume. So I start dry brushing faster and faster along with the beat.

And the little voices across the alley on the second floor balcony hear the drums too. And they call out for the drummer to stop.

But I’m digging it. It the perfect background music for this particular project. And in no time at all, I’m done.

And the music ends.

But now the little kids with their little voices on the second floor balcony across the way call out, “hello person.”

Are they calling out to me? Perhaps another neighbor is working in their back yard too?

I wave. And they wave back.

So yes, they were calling out to me! The perfect icing on the perfect day.

End of scene.

P.S. I add a little drum riff tune to the video tutorial to help set the mood for you too!

Easy Distressed Terracotta Pots Tutorial

Materials*

Terracotta Pots & Saucers

White Chalk Paint

Chip Brush

80 Grit Sandpaper

*includes some affiliate links

Start with paint. I prefer chalk paint because it’s easy to work with and dries incredible fast. But you can use an acrylic paint too. Just use a matte finish.

Using a chip brush, dry brush on pot in cross hatch pattern. Don’t worry, you can’t make a mistake.

Keep painting until you get your desired look. I went a little heavier on the paint, but made sure some terracotta color still shows through.

Don’t forget to paint the saucer too!

Optional: Distress with 80 grit sandpaper. I just hit a few of the edges around the top rim and bottom.

Easy distressed terracotta flower pots - age flower pots with chalk paint and sandpaper

Just add plants to finish them off!

Now back to finding the perfect city/state/country/island where I can find the perfect day, day after day …

I’d also like someplace that I can enjoy the sounds of the city in the background …

and little voices calling out “hello person.”

Rock and roll drum riff optional.

🙂

Pin It!

Easy Distressed Terracotta Pots - How To Age Flower Pots with Chalk Paint - DIY Aged Terracotta Flower Pots

You Might Also Like:

Succulent Place Card Holders

How To Paint & Distress Mason Jars

Cabana Gray & White Stripe Envelope Pillow Tutorial

Cabana Stripe Envelope Pillow Tutorial

Succulent Place Card Holders

July 23, 2019 By Linda 10 Comments

Succulent Place Card Holders – Gold Dipped Terra Cotta Pot Planters

I created a video!

I know, I know. No big deal, right?

Nothing to jump up and down about, right?

Nothing to phone home about, right?

I mean, let’s get real here: people have been making videos for decades. Just look at the success of YouTube. Not to mention all the videos flooding Instagram and Facebook feeds.

People have actually gained fame … and fortune … for their video creations.

As the saying goes, you can’t swing a dead cat online without hitting a video!

So my little video is really not a big deal. But then again (for me) it feels like a pretty big deal.

You see, I noticed some blogs started featuring “My Latest Video” videos as part of their blog posts. And I wanted to get in on the action. Only problem?

Where to start!

What I did know: I didn’t want to actually shoot video footage. Instead, I wanted to use still images from my blog posts and turn them into a video slide show with music and text.

Now, many years ago, I recall working with Windows Movie Maker with the kids on school projects. But, alas, Windows Movie Maker is no more.

After much Googling and watching many, many how to make a video tutorials, I settled on the Microsoft Photo app (which I used on my laptop, not phone). There are limitations when it comes to fonts and font size and font placement. And you need to find your own free music sources …

perhaps one day I’ll offer my own video tutorial on how to turn a blog post into a video slide show using Microsoft Photo app …

but at the end of the day. I’m pleased.

For the most part.

And if anyone has a better program or app I should look into, please let me know! Preferable something free that offers more flexibility with fonts and font placement!

For my first video, I turned my how to make a succulent place card holder tutorial (below) into a slide show with music and text (above) …

How To Make A Succulent Place Card Holder

Materials*

Potting Soil

Painter’s Tape

Alphabet Rubber Stamps & Ink Pad

*includes affiliate links

Succulent Place Card Holders - Gold Dipped Terracotta Pots Table Setting

Step 1: How To Make Gold Dipped Terracotta Pots

Use Washi tape (which is more flexible than painter’s tape on these mini pots) to tape off area to be gold “dipped” (which means spray painted).

How to Make Succulent Place Card Holders with Mini Terracotta Pots Gold Dipped

Use painter’s tape to tape off the top of the terracotta pot.

Spray with gold spray paint. Remove tape when dry.

How to Make Succulent Place Card Holder Table Setting

Step 2: Plant Succulents

Add a little bit of potting soil to bottom of mini terracotta pots.

Add succulent. Water lightly.

Using Craft Wire to Make Place Card Holder Succulent

Step 3: How To Make Custom Place Cards & Place Card Holder

Wrap light gauge craft wire around end of pencil three times.

Squash the rings together (yes, my very technical “squash” term is used here!

Use card stock paper and mini stamps to make place cards.

Slip into craft wire holder.

Add to succulents.

And that’s it!

And it feels like (to me) that I made two projects in one!

Pin It!

Succulent Place Card Holders - Gold Dipped Mini Terracotta Pots Place Card Holders - How to Make Simple Place Card Holders for Summer Table Setting

You Might Also Like:

Summer Nautical Place Setting & Party Ideas with Paper

Cabana Stripe Gray & White Envelope Pillow Tutorial

July 18, 2019 By Linda 5 Comments

Cabana Stripe Gray & White Envelope Pillow Tutorial – How To Sew A Pillow Cover

I love me a Cabana Stripe.

Doesn’t it just scream summer?

And not just any old summer. The cabana stripe is so not the Seaside-Heights-Atlantic-City-of-Jersey-Shore-fame summer. It’s more like a Saint-Tropez summer. Or a Cannes summer. Or a Martha’s Vineyard summer …

in my mind’s eye, I envision lots of cabana stripes on the Kennedy compound, back in the day.

Cabana stripes can even be a Spring Lake, NJ summer.

In fact, I’m pretty sure I spotted a few of those distinctive wide stripes on an awning or two back when I was a Jersey shore beach bum.

I haven’t yet found the Midwest equivalent of the cabana stripe summer. But I’m pretty sure I could find some cabana stripes along the North Shore (just north of Chicago where our many of our local high society folks call home). I can’t confirm since I’m still awaiting my invite to a summer soiree at one of the many mansions dotting the lakefront. 😉

And Lake Geneva in Wisconsin seems ripe for a wide cabana stripe or ten.

All this talk of cabana stripes has me thinking about how different stripes can conjure different emotions.

Take pin stripes. They can either go buttoned-up corporate business suit …

or a carefree day at the ballpark cheering on your favorite team with a hot dog in one hand and a beer in the other.

Candy stripes remind me of my sister’s Candy Striping days.

And zebra stripes are … well … a whole different kind of New Jersey summer. One you would definitely experience in Seaside Heights and Atlantic City! 😉

But back to cabana stripes. I typically think of them in nautical colors (like the navy and white my screen porch sported last year) or summer yellow and white. But I think my new gray and white cabana striped pillows offer a similar summery vibe …

Cabana Stripe Gray & White Envelope Pillow Tutorial

The fabric used in this tutorial is Premier Prints Indoor/Outdoor vertical stripe in gray and white, with 3″ wide stripes for a 6″ repeat. You can find the fabric at this affiliate link ….

Let’s just start this envelope pillow tutorial with a disclaimer: When it comes to making pillow covers, I just wing it. No patterns used. Just me, my tape measure, my scissors, my pins, and my sewing machine. Oh, and thread too!

I start by measuring the length and width of my pillow form. I’m using a 20 x 20 Ikea down pillow inseert (click here for Ikea pillow insert found on Amazon).

So I cut a piece of fabric 21″ wide x at least 50″ long.

Now fold the fabric around the pillow insert (with right sides of fabric touching the pillow) and pull tight(ish) for a snug fit. On the back side of the insert, overlap the fabric at least 5″ and then fold back a layer to create a clean seam. Pin in place.

Carefully remove fabric from pillow form, keeping it folded in thirds. Lie flat, right sides together.

With right sides of fabric together, adjust your folds until the center piece of the fabric measures 19 1/2″ in total length. (I like a tight fit slip cover when using a down pillow insert, so I sew the seams a 1/2″ smaller than the pillow insert dimensions).