Finding rusty old junk is fun! Nevertheless, I have found that no matter how much "stuff" I find and collect, only God can fully satisfy my heart. Matthew 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Monday, October 7, 2013

Scarecrow Nouveau: Decorating Dress Forms For Fall and Halloween

                                                  Happy October morning to you all!


   Today's post is about creating chic "new" interior scarecrows using vintage dress froms. I will be showing you my favorite dress forms and how I have decorated them for fall. I had posted this earlier today under another title, but I got to thinking that dress forms can be employed as the new scarecrows used in interior fall decorating, so I changed the title to "Scarecrow Nouveau." Kinda catchy! I have seen some other really beautiful examples of dress from witches on pinterest that I love too. It's so easy to make them look spooky, but I wanted to do something a little different this year for my favorite dress from, so I went with more of a scarecrow look.

 As I was "dressing" her the other day and it hit me that maybe one of the reasons we are all so dress form crazy is because it's like playing dolls for us, or playing dress-up. At least it gives us an excuse to play with beautiful vintage clothes, jewelry, accessories and baubles and to use our creativity. I see no signs of the dress form craze dying down yet but since I don't really worry about trends, I know my gal will with be with me for a long time cause she is just so much fun!

A couple of years ago, I did a post about how I scored this particular dress form from a fellow antiques dealer at my booth as she was putting her in the TRASH!!!! I felt guilty and even offered her money for it but she wouldn't take any so I really did get this beauty for FREE! Absolutely love the bronze! Here she is decked out in vintage lace collars and junky jewelry. I recently made her a belt using antique lace, some cute skeleton key ribbon from  Hobby Lobby that I had in my craft stash, a broken picture frame for the buckle and a blingy vintage button for the center. It's fun changing her jewelry from time to time and trying out hats from estate sales.



 
Here she is, ready for fall 2013. I named her "Miss Autumn." This year I chose to give her a look that would last through Thanksgiving. She is dressed with my favorite fall scarf and cute cowboy hat embellished with some fall floral picks. I already had the jack-o-lantern and I just drew some eye lashes on with eyeliner. I did try a jean jacket on her but it really didn't stay on the shoulders and covered too much of that gorgeous bronze.
 

 
 
This beautiful owl necklace is just perfect for fall and Halloween, handmade by Amanda of Ruby's Pocket. I buy Amanda's jewelry just as much for decorating as for wearing!



Here she is last year, a.k.a. Miss "Jaqueline O' Lantern," Looking very chic in her vintage black velvet hat, crow feather boa and very vintage owl necklace.  Miss Jaqueline will be appearing again in an upcoming Halloween post, or at least her head will!
 
Check out that awesome $1 estate sale clutch purse in orange and black, perfect for Halloween parties! You can see more of my shabby Halloween from 2012 here:
 
I also want to show you my pumpkin gal in my booth at the Catlettsburg Antique Mall, located in Catlettsburg, KY. I have dressed her in layers of old petticoats and skirts, a vintage apron, jean jacket, oodles of pearls, and an adorable burlap and straw hat. She is definitely a junker! See her pockets full of little treasures?
 
 
 
 It's so much fun and so easy to dress up your dress form, and if you don't have one you can always make a traditional scarecrow look sassy and use her inside. Use trash bags to stuff a long dress (stuff sweat pants or pj's under the skirt and tuck the legs into some boots, making sure the skirt is long enough to cover the tops of the boots)  and place a cheap fake pumpkin on the top with your hat of choice. Use long gloves for the hands or tuck her hands behind a large handbag. Sit your gal down in a corner chair and there you go!
 
Miss Autumn is ready for a fun-filled October and so am I!
 
Hope you have fun playing dress up this month, whether it's yourself, your kids, or your dress form. It's Halloween time. Embrace it!!!!
 
Parties:
 
Monday 
 
 
Tuesday:
 
Wednesday:
 
Thursday:
 
Friday:
centerpiece/
Saturday: 
 
Sunday

Friday, October 4, 2013

Fall Decorating: An Autumn Afternoon In The Garden

 
 
Hello my beautiful blogging friends and readers! I am really happy to be able to post about my fall garden this evening because that means I have "finished" outside decorating for this year. I  guess I should say I am satisfied for now since I am always changing things! I am doing my best to refrain from buying any more pumpkins, but I have an addiction to pumpkins like some people have for shoes! I just can't get enough of them. I find them so intriguing and magical and I get so much enjoyment out of them from Sept. through the holidays. Despite all the negative things going on in the world and the devastating effects of modernization on nature, I consider it a blessing that we now have all kinds of beautiful new varieties of pumpkins and gourds that we never had access to in the past. I try to buy something new and create a whole new "ambience" each year.  
 
Last year I took you for a walk on an autumn morning, this year we will be walking in the afternoon.
 

I am always drawn to cool and muted pale tones which add a bit of mystery and magic to the fall and Halloween garden. With such a wide variety of pumpkins and gourds to choose from these days it can be overwhelming, but they are all so beautiful so anything goes! This year I chose softer hues to create a romantic-French Country inspired look.

At first I was a little disappointed when none of my local garden centers or nurseries carried the dark purple variety of kale. I had intended to create a similar display to the one I did last year which I based around dark purple plants that you can see below.

 
 
"An Autumn Morning In The Garden" is still one of my favorite blog posts. I hope you will click the link at the bottom of the page to see the full post with lots more pictures.


 In the past I have been able to find the darker kale at Lowes, but since they didn't have any I chose this new variety which has more gray/green with purple striations and that's how I got the inspiration for this new, softer palette.The same thing happened with the yellow mums. I normally would not use yellow in this area of the garden, but this particular hybrid has lots of coral tones in the blooms that led me to look for coral and peach pumpkins, which I thought would contrast nicely against greens and grays.
 
 
 This area is the first landing of a set of stairs leading to our front porch. I love to linger here because it makes me forget I am in Eastern KY near a busy main road. My imagination takes me to other  more serene places and I feel truly transported.  To me that is the true magic of decorating and gardening. Being able to change your surroundings by adding things that are beautiful to you and inspire your dreams.
 
Isn't this just the shabbiest little cutie?
 

 
Oooo! I went crazy when I saw this white fairytale pumpkin! It was the only one, meant for me! I have to share this for White Wednesday.
 
 
 
 
I really love how the patina of the small urn matches the white and buckskin pumpkins.
 
 
 
 
 I enjoy savoring every little detail of autumn beauty. If you look  you will notice a lot more purple on the underside of the kale. The striations in the pumpkins are similar. I think this picture almost looks like an oil painting. My husband is an artist and I think I am going to commission him to paint this, using homemade sweet potato casserole as his compensation.
 
 
 
 
My favorite urn jam packed with fall goodness



 View from the top level of our porch looking down to the first stoop.


 
 
It's definitely my favorite time in the garden.  Nothing compares to the beauty of fall!
 
If you enjoyed this post I really hope you'll check back soon, as I am hoping to post about my backyard garden sometime this week. Also don't forget to check out last year's post "An Autumn Morning In The Garden" here: http://junkaholicsunanimous.blogspot.com/2012/10/an-autumn-morning-in-garden.html

Enjoy your weekend!

I was Featured:
Be Inpsired Linky Party
 
Parties
Sunday:
http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2013/10/sunday-showcase-party-215.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed: UnderTheTableAndDreaming (Under The Table and Dreaming)

Monday:
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http://www.dwellings-theheartofyourhome.com/
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/
http://www.homemakeronadime.com/2013/10/last-creative-bloggers-party-hop.html?showComment=1381109037538#c8915242005071452665
http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/
http://www.tumbleweedcontessa.com/blog/whatd-you-do-this-weekend-36/
http://modvintagelife.blogspot.com/
http://betweennapsontheporch.net/goodbye-mildew-and-mold-hello-shiny-clean-porch/

Tuesday:
http://knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com/2013/10/knick-of-time-tuesday-107.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:
http://ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com/
http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/
http://www.kathewithane.com/

Wednesday:
http://www.timewashed.com/2013/10/blissful-whites-wednesday_8.html
http://elizabethandco.blogspot.com/2013/10/be-inspired-features-and-link-party-90.html
http://www.ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/
http://www.stonegableblog.com/2013/10/tutorials-tips-and-tidbits-68.html
http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/
http://www.mamabzz.com/
http://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com/cast-party-wednesday-112/
Thursday:
http://jannolson.blogspot.com/2013/10/share-your-cup-thursday-76.html
http://www.adelightsomelife.com/2013/10/home-and-garden-thursday-50.html
http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/2013/10/open-house-blog-party_9.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed: NoMinimalistHere (No Minimalist Here)
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http://www.justalittlecreativity.com/2013/10/six-blogs-one-great-party-lovely-ladies_8.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed: creativity4you (Just a little
http://www.craftberrybush.com/2013/10/the-inspiration-gallery-57.htmlCreativity)
http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/2013/10/home-sweet-home-140.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed: TheCharmOfHome (The Charm of Home)
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Friday:
http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/2013/10/fabulously-creative-friday-linky-party-2.html

http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2013/10/feathered-nest-friday.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FQoLtm+%28FRENCH+COUNTRY+COTTAGE%29
http://what-about.co/
 
 
 
Saturday:


Sunday
 
 
 
 

Friday, September 27, 2013

$10 Find: Antique Farm Table and Fall Tablescape

*This had been my most popular post on all forms of social media so I decided to share again for all the fun fall parties of 2015. We moved last year so I have a new dining room to show this upcoming weekend as well. I hope you'll check it out too!

Hello again all you fellow fall-loving friends! Today I am so excited to show you our fabulous yard  find, an authentic antique farm table! We only paid $10 for it! The top was covered with a cheap veneer and I was just going to get the table to use in our basement because it seemed like a solid table, but my husband looked underneath and noticed it had the big wooden planks. We tried not to do the happy dance right there in the stranger's yard and offered the seller ten bucks (she was asking $15). Sold! We brought it home and he immediately ripped off the veneer, sanded, and stained. When it was completely dry we used a paste wax to give it a nice smooth finish. The bottom part was ugly flat brown so he just chalk painted it and distressed it to match our buffet. At some point someone had chopped the legs just a bit to make it an odd height, but never fear, this junker keeps a stash of junk in the basement with several sets of vintage casters "just in case." We already had the paint, stain, wax and casters so it actually did only cost $10. Similar tables sell anywhere from $200-$1500. And this people, is why I am a proud junkaholic!
Here it is right after it was finished. It turned out stunning! Love the morning light coming through and resting on the table. We are really getting that blend of a farmhouse-cottage feel now and it's so
cozy. I hadn't really set a tablescape yet in this picture, but even unadorned it is beautiful. I had some
faux pumpkins so I stuck them on top with some leaves until I could get to the market for some real
pumpkins and gourds. So pretty for early autumn.


In my "Saying Goodbye To Summer" post I showed pictures of our white table for the last time. I was
a little worried that the farm table would be too primitive but actually it ties in all of the romantic
farmhouse style elements that I have working into the cottage, so it's pretty much perfect for our décor. And yes, we use it. It's sturdy and wonderful!

You can't help but wonder what meals and stories were shared around this well-worn table. I love the gorgeous depth and age of the wood.

I love coming down stairs and seeing the table first thing in the morning, especially now that it's adorned with autumn goodness!


I have been trying out some some different color combinations of pumpkins and gourds for the centerpiece and they all have looked wonderful. I have so much fun playing with pumpkins it  will probably continue to change and evolve through Thanksgiving.


While we are touring the dining room a bit I'll go ahead and show you my chalkboard. You can see it in the background of some of the photos but it's always a bit blurred.

I just came up with a quick free hand design for early autumn. My younger sister is a very talented artist who just graduated with a degree in graphic design and she loves hand lettering. She's coming to visit this weekend so I'm going to have her create something unique and spooky for Halloween. I'm so excited for her visit!

I digress easily. I get excited, it's fall! It's almost October! Okay, back to the table. For the center I used a very old antique linen runner topped by a few faux gourds mixed in with real gourds and
pumpkins, deer antlers and fall leaves. 







I found the awesome jute place mats at Home Goods for $2.99 each and they matched the Pottery Barn rug ($20 yard sale STEAL!) perfectly. Then I simply set out my cream plates and saucers with tiger striped pumpkins on top. I will add gold flatware, napkins, vintage amber glass saucers and goblets in November.






I have been playing around with different candles for the table. First I used one single pillar and it was nice. Then I used two primitive battery operated flicker candles and they were nice. Finally I 
settled on dollar store pillars that I embellished a little with twine, antique lace, fall leaves and old skeleton keys. Love them!








I am looking forward to many years of family meals and memories shared around this table. It's definitely a keeper!



If you enjoyed this post, be sure to check out my previous and upcoming fall posts too! 

Enjoy you upcoming "fall-i-days!"

Amber

 2015 Parties:

I've been  featured!:


Parties! 
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/
http://missmustardseed.com/2013/09/furniture-feature-friday-favorites-link-2/
http://www.timewashed.com/2013/10/blissful-whites-wednesday.html
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http://knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com/2013/09/knick-of-time-tuesday-106-giveaway.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:
http://www.justalittlecreativity.com/2013/10/six-blogs-one-great-party-lovely-ladies.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed: creativity4you (Just a little Creativity)

Friday:
http://www.redouxinteriors.com/2013/10/link-party-125-and-les-features/
http://elizabethandco.blogspot.com/2013/10/be-inspired-features-and-link-party-89.html
http://farmhouseporch.blogspot.com/2013/09/welcome-to-scoop-link-party-decor.html
http://www.commonground-do.com/2013/10/be-inspired-159-farmhouse-porch-decor.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed: blogspot/bCGJMl (Common Ground)
http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/
http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/2013/10/open-house-blog-party.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed: NoMinimalistHere (No Minimalist Here)
http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/2013/10/fabulously-creative-friday-linky-party-2.html
http://betweennapsontheporch.net/halloween-decorating-and-table-setting-ideas/
http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/
http://www.glamorousbride.blogspot.com/
http://romantichome.blogspot.com/
http://www.craftberrybush.com/
Saturday
http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/
http://www.shakentogetherlife.com/2013/10/whats-shakin-link-party-79-share-inspire.html
http://staceyembracingchange.com/2013/10/03/creative-inspirations-linky-party-55/
http://www.shabbynest.blogspot.com/2013/10/frugal-friday.html
http://www.sunnysimplelife.com/
http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/2013/10/fall-mantel-decorating.html
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http://startathome.blogspot.com/
http://www.bloglovin.com/frame?blog=4008383&group=0&frame_type=b&link=aHR0cDovL3Bvc2VkcGVyZmVjdGlvbi5ibG9nc3BvdC5zZS8&frame=1&click=0&user=0
Sunday
http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/
http://back2basichealth.blogspot.com/2013/10/welcome-to-creative-home-garden-hop-12.html
http://www.lifeonlakeshoredrive.com/
http://www.niftythriftythings.com/
http://www.itsoverflowing.com/
http://minettesmaze.blogspot.com/2013/10/diy-sunday-showcase_3.html
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http://www.homemakeronadime.com/2013/10/last-creative-bloggers-party-hop.html?showComment=1381109037538

Monday:
Mod Mix Mondays
http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/2013/10/inspiration-monday-today-were-inspired.html
http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/
http://homecomingmn.blogspot.com/
Tuesday:
http://knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com/2013/10/knick-of-time-tuesday-107.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FLnlBt+%28Knick+of+Time%29
http://mamaldiane.com/the-gathering-spot-72/
http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/
http://www.cozylittlehouse.com/
http://back2basichealth.blogspot.com/2013/10/tuesdays-with-twist-27-with-giveaway.htmlhttp://www.ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/

Wednesday:
http://www.freeprettythingsforyou.com/2013/08/pretty-wednesday-linky-party-2/
http://www.thethriftyhome.com/
http://www.mamabzz.com/
http://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com/cast-party-wednesday-112/
http://thestylesisters.blogspot.ca/

Thursday:
http://www.seven-alive.com/
http://thefrugalgirls.com/2013/10/chic-and-crafty-party-10-10.html
http://lavendergardencottage.blogspot.com/

Monday, September 23, 2013

Harvest Mantel And Woodland "Pets"

It's really fall now and I have completed most of my indoor decorating just in time for it's arrival. For today's post I would like to show you some woodland creatures who have joined our family for the season!

I have been so inspired by the beautiful posts this season featuring owls. Owls have always seemed a bit sinister so they are perfect for Halloween decorating, but on a positive note, they are gorgeous and also represent wisdom and knowledge. They display very will in fall  décor. I often find vintage owls at the flea market and yard sales and they are usually very inexpensive. On their own they do seem retro tacky, but worked into a vignette they add a bit of natural and mysterious beauty.

This year for my Autumn mantel I wanted to do something very simple that I could change out quickly for Halloween and use again with some tweaks for Thanksgiving. I literally just threw together this mantel chanting my latest decorating mantra: "Use what you have! Use what you have!" 
 
 First I covered the mantel with a burlap runner. I arranged an ironstone pitcher filled with fall foliage and berries and created a little "fall time" cloche with parts of a vintage watch displayed an old ball jar. I added a couple of ripe harvest fruits, and a vintage flea market owl and estate sale brass candlesticks ($5.00 for the pair). A stack of neutral-toned vintage books and small ironstone mini platters are topped with a vintage flower frog displaying a little monthly prayer book. I added the "Harvest" scrabble tiles (looks like a falling leaf has obscured the letters a bit) and a couple of my favorite white pumpkin soup tureens.  This is a much simpler and quicker mantel than I have created in the past due to my health limitations, since I just don't have the stamina to work on décor for days and hours. Nevertheless, I am pleased with how it turned out. I need to scoot that candlestick in a bit on the right though! I'll have to take another photo and edit the post later.
 
Whooooo's ready for fall? I am!
 

I have no idea what happened with my camera here, as it joined the two pictures together but I like it!

Moving on around the dining room...

I have to travel out of town for my doctor visits where there is a Home Goods and if I am feeling up to it we try to do a quick stop. Even though I have been sticking to my mantra and refraining from buying new seasonal décor, I did find this one owl I couldn't live without for only $7.99. I wanted to keep him for a pet so I brought him home and put him in my 1930's birdcage. Those big eyes just suckered me in!

I am starting to add just a little bit of Halloween touches here and there. I think this little bird cage display looks enough like fall to work without screaming Halloween, but if you look closely you can see "Watch Out" at the base of the owl. In October I will start lighting him up and he will look a lot spookier.
I filled the cage with Spanish moss and  realistic looking faux leaves. I added a tarnished silver plate tray for reflection and a vintage silver plate vase repurposed as a candle holder for a grubby primitive candle. I love this display!


  
Here is my fall buffet display which I will be creating a post for later in the week, but I wanted to show you the sweet little owl picture I found at an estate sale for .25. If you look in the basket you can see him peeking through his "cage."

Oh how I love quarter treasures! I stuck him in the basket with some leaves to add a bit of fall to the display and didn't realize until I took the pictures that I had inadvertently created another caged owl display. Magic! Don't you love how vintage junk just has a way of coming together?

Lastly I want to show you something "deer" to my heart. I purchased this deer lawn statue right after Christmas at an estate sale. I have been meaning to creating a post about her forever so I thought fall would be a perfect time to introduce her.

I buy what speaks to my heart and don't always know about what is trending in decorating. I sometimes get frustrated because I think I have an original idea, and then I see something similar pop up in a magazine a few months later. In this summer's Flea Market Style, there is a page featuring a similar deer which talks about bringing outdoor lawn sculptures indoor and it being a hot new trend. I have had "pet" deer inside since January!

She is a pampered pet, wouldn't you agree?

Well I don't know about you but I am just ecstatic about fall! September is my bloggerversary and it was fall decorating that inspired me to start blogging in the first place. I am looking forward to the next few months in blog land and seeing all of the gorgeous autumn and holiday displays!

Happy fall!!!!

I am honored that his post has been featured at these parties:
http://www.adelightsomelife.com/2013/10/home-and-garden-thursday-49.html
http://www.frommyfrontporchtoyours.com/
http://www.commonground-do.com/2013/10/be-inspired-159-farmhouse-porch-decor.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FbCGJMl+%28Common+Ground%29


Parties:
http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/2013/09/ironclad.html
http://www.commonground-do.com/
http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/2013/09/woodland-birthday-party-and-simple.html
http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2013/09/feathered-nest-friday_26.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed: blogspot/QoLtm (FRENCH COUNTRY COTTAGE)
http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/2013/09/open-house-blog-party-and-winner.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed: NoMinimalistHere (No Minimalist Here)
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/2013/09/time-travel-thursday-167-talented-time.html
http://www.adelightsomelife.com/2013/09/home-and-garden-thursday-48.html
http://elizabethandco.blogspot.com/2013/09/be-inspired-features-and-link-party-88.html
http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/09/183rd-inspire-me-tuesday.html
http://www.frommyfrontporchtoyours.com/
http://www.thejennyevolution.com/
http://shabbyartboutique.com/2013/09/shabbilicious-friday-link-party-24.html
 http://www.craftberrybush.com/
http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/2013/09/thrifty-things-friday-128.html
http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/2013/10/fall-mantel-decorating.html
http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/2013/10/fabulously-creative-friday-linky-party-3.html