Fall Mantle 2012

As I was looking through Pinterest, I came across this image.  I absolutely loved the color scheme so I grabbed the handy dandy Chip It function and used this photo as my mantle inspiration.

As I mentioned yesterday, I knew I wanted to incorporate a bunch of mums into my display.  I just had to collect some things that rolled into the color scheme and go from there. 

Remember my paint chip pumpkin garland from last year?  I draped that over the mirror for my pop of orange.

Here's a close up of the coffee filter mums I made.

I think I ended up achieving the look and feel of that inspiration image.  I'm loving the simplicity of this display this year!

Here's a collection of fall'ish items in my built-ins.  I picked up the wood display case, loaf pans and wooden spools from a local antique mall.  Love my fab finds!!

Happy Fall Y'all!

XOXO

Linking Up To:

Weekend Bloggy Reading @ Serenity Now

Pity Party @ Thirty Handmade Days

The 36th Avenue




Tuesdays Treasures

Coffee Filter Mums

I love fall.  It is by far my favorite season - from the pumpkins, to the crunchy leaves, to the crisp air.  One vivid childhood memory I have of fall is the huge gold spider mums that we used to wear on our sweaters during Pop Warner cheerleading.  We would sell them on game day as a fundraiser, and wear them pinned to our sweaters throughout the game.  Those memories come back through one glance at that bright gold color, almost as if I opened up a bottle of nostalgia.

I wanted to recapture that feeling in my mantle this fall.  I originally had the idea to do a large display of homemade paper mums using tissue paper.  I had a change of plans, however, after a trip to the dollar store.

I had read some different instructions online on how to make similar flowers, howeer all of them called for crepe paper.  I didn't have any crepe paper, though as I waled through the dollar store I decided that the tissue paper would be too thin and would tear easily.  I decided that coffee filters would have a similar feel to crepe paper.  I picked up a package of those and some food coloring.  Then, I picked up some floral tape and scoured the store for some dowel rods.  I came up empty, until I hit the kitchen aisle.  I found a pack of wooden chopsticks - the perfect stem.

I started by pouring about half of the yellow food coloring into 1/2 cup warm water.  I then just soaked the filters, wrung them out and hung them to drip dry.

Once they were dry, I layered and folded three at a time.

I then just atarted cutting pointed strips (almost the shape of a picket fence) until I had cut the whole "triangle" section.

Finally, I just twisted the base of the flower until it kind of fluffed out and then wrapped floral tape all the way down the chopstick.

That's it!  I made about 19 of them and put them in a basket on my mantle.  I'll share that with you soon!

XOXO

Linking Up To:

Pity Party @ Thirty Handmade Days

The 36th Avenue

Tip Me Tuesday @ Tip Junkie

The Inspiration Board Link Party @ Homework

The Cowgirl Up! Link Party! 

Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays

Too Cute Tuesdays

Ooh La La - Bridal Shower Invitations

A few months ago I had a customer order some bridal shower invitations.  Yes, I am just now posting these... (I'm terrible at blogging lately).  These invites were a challenge - which I am always up for. 

She told me that the color scheme had to incorporate navy, but the other color was my choice.  She also asked me to incorporate some kind of lingerie theme - but in a sexy (not slutty) way.  We agreed on pink as the second color, and I searched and ultimately decided on this pretty corset image.  

I laid everything out, but still felt like the design was lacking something.  It needed more pink and...LACE.  Yes, lace.

I told my client that I would design two comps for her to choose from.  I felt like this was the clear winner, and she agreed.  I think this may be one of my favorite designs to date!

Just a glimpse into what I've been up to lately.  Hope you are all doing well!! 

XOXO

Where I've Been - Part II

At the end of July, I took the kids on our annual summer trip to NJ to visit my family.  I look forward to this trip all year long - there is nothing better then the Jersey Shore in the summertime!  This was Morgan's first ride on an airplane, and although I was extremely nervous, he did great!  We arrived on a Tuesday evening and left on Sunday afternoon - it was a quick trip for us as we usually stay for a week and a half.  We squeezed a lot in in a short amount of time - these pics are only a portion of our trip!

Naturally, our first stop was the beach - we were blessed with some great weather on our first day.  I love Long Beach Island!  The kids had a blast and got to spend some time with their Mimi, Aunt Nicole and cousin Brooklyn.

We attempted the beach again on Thursday, but by the time we carted everything onto the beach and sat down, we were being whipped with sand and decided it was too miserable to stay.  Not for loss though since I really wanted to take Addison down to the Barnegat Lighthouse (aka Old Barney).  It turned out to be the best idea - she loved it!  So, I was nominated to take her up to the top - all 207 steps of a winding old staircase.  Not gonna lie, my knees were knocking and about half way up I asked Addie if she was SURE she wanted to go to the top.  Of course she was - so up we went! 

They have a lookout pier, so once we were back on the ground (I was relieved), we took a little stroll.

Just down the road, there's a little shopping area - complete with souvenier shops, beachy decor and clothing, and a pretty amazing antique store.

This boat (which appeared to be from an old boardwalk ride) was sitting outide of the antique store.  We took some pics of the kids in it, as we got STARED down by one of the employees.  I guess they didn't want us in the boat, whoops!

One night we loaded into a few cars and drove on down to Beach Haven to go to a children's amusement park - Fantasy Island.  I love taking the kids there - it was one of my favorite places to go growing up.  So awesome that my kids and I will share some of the same summer memories.  When we arrived, the sky opened up and there was a pretty big storm.  We just hunkered down in the arcade until it passed.  Addison hit the jackpot on the faux slot machines - enough to win herself a prize!

There are many more photos to show, but I will spare you the rest.  You're probably sick of seeing my family vacations.  I will, however, leave you with this.  We went up to visit my older sisters and their kids in North Jersey - they all got to meet Morgan for the first time.  His aunts and cousins loved him, and dressed him up in a Mickey Mouse outfit that they bought for him.  We have his Halloween costume!

All in all, it was a great trip - looking forward to next year!!  Once we got back, it was time to get Addison ready to go back to school.  She started last Friday.  That brings us to now.  That's where I've been over the past month.  Relaxing, and getting things back on a schedule around here.  Looking forward to fall, and some projects and orders that I am dying to share with you.  Coming soon...

XOXO

Where I've Been - Part I

As you may have noticed, I have been a wee bit absent lately.  I have spent the last month traveling and spending some quality time with the family.  We took a few quick, but much needed vacations.  I finally got my beach time in for the summer - yay!  Addison started school yesterday, so I am hoping (fingers crossed) that things will return to somewhat normal around here.  Aren't schedules wonderful things?

First, we took a weekend trip to Hilton Head, SC for a weekend. Addison decided this year that in lieu of a birthday party, she wanted to go to the beach for the weekend instead - music to my ears!  So, the four of us and my sis-in-law and her three kiddos drove to Hilton Head a few weekends ago for one fast and furious vacation.  We had a great time though.  I had never been there before - boy is it beautiful!  I think I may have found my retirement destination.  The kids had a blast!

Get ready to be bombarded with photos - I had some fun with the camera! 

The Birthday Girl in her Glory on the Beach
 

Addie and her Sister Cousin Rowan

Addie and her cousin Rowan like to tell everyone they are sisters.  Don't tell them otherwise or you may have a huge debate on your hands!  :)

Addison had a field day playing in the sand.  Since she was a baby (when she actually ate fistfuls of it), she just seems so at peace and happy when we're at the beach.  Like mother like daughter I guess!

Little Morgan wasn't as happy as his sister that day.  I think all of the traveling wore him out.

 

On our last day we took a ride on a dolphin cruise.  We say some dolphins AND Addie got to take a turn as Captain!

All in all, it was a fabulous trip.  Next time we stay for a week.

In other news, I entered my Paint Chip Pumpkin Garland into a Talent Scouting party over at WhisperWood Cottage.  The winner gets a feature in Cottages & Bungalows Magazine, and guess what?!?!  I am a finalist!!  The winner is announced on Monday - wish me luck!

XOXO