Dining Room for Fall

Gosh, it's been months since I've posted photos of our dining room.  To be honest, it can be a dumping ground for clutter (all the mail tends to multiply in here) and it's where our children work on art and homework.  Yesterday was a sunny day, perfect for cleaning up and taking pics of the fall decor.

As you enter our home, the dining room is to the right:

A pot of aged music sits on the radiator:

I love this ornate side table I found many years ago at a thrift store:

Our mahogany buffet presides over one wall.  It is quite a statement piece, and I sometimes struggle with toning down its' formality.  But I do love its' lines and detailing...

Tarnished silver and brown pieces are displayed here for fall:

A sweet figure of our Blessed Mother with just the right touch of my favorite blue:

The corner by the buffet is also an area I struggle with.  Ideally I'd like a tall white dresser or cabinet here for much-needed storage, but for now - this chair and shutter fill the space.  The baskets hold our table linens:

This white cabinet has been with me for years, even in my previous condo, and I've always loved it for storage and display.  The vignettes on these shelves are often changed out for each season, while the closed doors hide the childrens' art supplies. 

Some recent ironstone finds have made their way to this shelf, holding my knitted acorns.

Hope you enjoyed this little fall dining room tour.  I've just started the Creatively Made Home e-course, and am looking forward to getting terrific ideas on decorating - especially with challenges like this room. 
The course started this week, and so far I'm loving everything it has to offer! 

Recent Thrifting Finds

Lately my errands seem to conveniently take me near my local thrift store, which always deserves a visit.  Sometimes I leave empty handed, but there's always the chance for a great bargain to be had.  I also love that the thrift store is a non-profit which serves the community.

Some recent finds include this pile of china for a mere $4.  I already had 4 cups/saucers to match, which I had found at Brimfield Flea Market.  I love this pattern!

Here is a beautiful framed print of Little Madonna.  This image is also referred to as 'Our Lady of the Streets'.  More information about the history of the portrait can be found here.  I find it compelling, especially the angelic image of the sleeping babe. 

Some pink pretties were also found thriftin':

The colors in this paper lantern are soft and pretty.  I got 4 of these for $1!  They'll be terrific for garden parties next spring.

This paper fan with reproduction Victorian images is adorable:

It's hard for me to pass up pretty bowls such as this one:

The thrift store can be hit-or-miss, but lately it's been more hits! 
I'll be sharing these with Debra's Vintage Inspiration Friday and Courtney's Feathered Nest Friday.

Crate Liner and Wings Update

Back in August, my inbox contained the most gorgeous photo of prettily-lined blueberry crates available from Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Couture.  I loved the idea of lining these rustic old crates with pretty fabrics.  Recalling an old box I salvaged from a spring thrifting trip, I decided to make my own pretty liner for it using an old Ralph Lauren pillowcase. 
Here's the result:

And here's the original photo from RASC in my email:

I just adore the look of this garden, with our Blessed Mother statue, the paved stones, gravel and of course ROSES!  I love how the crates are stacked.  Wish I had more wooden crates to play with, because this one was fun to embellish...

The other thing I've been up to is making more wire angel wings.  I listed some in Etsy recently and all 3 sold right away.  This week I finished 3 more which will be listed soon.  I have two large sized wings ($45 each) and one small sized wings ($15) available. 
I know some of you fellow bloggers have been interested in the wings, so I thought I'd let you know.  I can reserve a pair on Etsy for you - first come, first serve - just let me know.

UPDATE - 10/14/12 - These latest 3 wings have sold, but I'll add more to Etsy this week.   

Thanks so much for your interest!

Pettengill Farm Visit

Two weekends ago I had the pleasure of attending a Vintage Bizarre Fair at the nearby Pettengill Farm with my family.  It was a kid-friendly event with music, food and plenty of shopping!
Sweet Karen of A Shabby Moment in Time joined us on the glorious fall weather day.  As we posed for this photo, the observant lady behind us bought a neat old vintage bottle carrier I was eyeing.  You snooze, you lose!  :)

The owner if this vendor space was Martha of Tara's Treasures in New York.  She graciously allowed us to photograph her displays here:

neat old fleur-de-lis tin panels!

pillow from old ticking fabric

vintage mercury beads

wreath made with lovely vintage Christmas finds

Here's Karen shopping at another fabulous tent by Tracey of The Cozy Nook.  Tracey made some cool outdoor lanterns from fence posts:

I was a terrible photographer that day - too busy chatting with Karen!  Hopefully she'll post some of her photos of the event so you can see more. 
It was a fun New England fall day and I didn't even mind so much that I came home empty-handed.  Sometimes it's just good to browse. 
I'll leave you with a photo of this pretty old house on the property:

Sharing with Debra's Vintage Inspiration Friday. 

WINGS WINNER!

Good evening friends!  It's late here, but I just pulled the winning #11 (using random.org) for my giveaway.  The winner is none other than Kathleen from Faded Charm!!  A big smile spread across my face when I discovered the winning comment was Kathleen's.  As many of you know, we recently said goodbye to our beloved White Wednesday link party that Kathleen has graciously hosted for quite a while.  She has inspired so many of us through them all.  I know the friendships and love of white that blossomed from her weekly gathering will continue to thrive. 
Thank you Kathleen - this is quite an honor to bestow the appropriately colored white wings on you! 

Thanks so much to the rest of you for joining in the fun.  Not to fear...I was diligently sewing up some more wings as I watched Dancing with the Stars tonight.  They'll be in my shop soon.  :)

Sweater Pumpkin Tutorial

I saw the most adorable sweater pumpkins on DustyLu Interiors blog recently.  Did you see them?  Here is the link for it:  www.dustyluinteriors.blogspot.com/2012/09/velvet-sweater.html

After gasping at these beauties on Lulu's gorgeous dining room table, I practically ran to the thrift store for old sweaters to make my own. 
Here are the sweater pumpkins I made, sitting pretty on my table with last year's 'glittered' white faux pumpkins:

They were so easy to make, I thought I'd share a tutorial with you.

I found two old sweaters at my thrift store.  This one was J. Crew size XS and made with wool.  Much too tiny to fit anyone, I rationalized:

First I cut the neck off.  It conveniently formed a tube, which is the shape you want to begin with.

Next, turn the tube inside out and gather one end together by basting.  I hurriedly basted with twine and a large needle, but you can gather loosely on the sewing machine:

Pull and fasten the threads together tightly to gather the end, then turn the tube right-side-out.  This gathered end will form the bottom of your pumpkin:

Next stuff your pumpkin with filling from the open end, leaving some room at the top:

Squeeze the top of the pumpkin together, then fasten it with an elastic band.  I also tied some twine at the top:

Lastly, wrap the twine evenly around your pumpkin to form the grooves, then wrap more twine around the 'stem'.  You're done!

I also followed these steps using the body of the same sweater as a 'tube' for my large pumpkin.  Here you can see I simply cut straight across under the sleeves:

I initially gathered the rough edge for the bottom of my pumpkin, then used the finished edge as a nice stem:

Hmmmm...now what to do with those left-over sleeves of my sweaters?  Perhaps I should take a cue from my stylish friend Michelle and make these cozy leg-warmers (see her post about them here):

(photo via PetiteMichelleLouise)

Hope you give these projects a try.  Let me know if you do! 

Sharing this tutorial with White Wednesday. 
Don't forget to enter my giveaway for a pair of angel wings and a Somerset Life magazine!

UPDATE to this post (9/28) - folks, I just heard from none other than the creator of the amazing sweater pumpkins on DustyLu Interiors blog, where I got my inspiration!  Her name is Deb Kennedy and she has been designing these 'Sweet Sweater Pumpkins' for years.  You should see all the variety of gorgeous pumpkin creations she makes! 
Run over to her blog www.HOMEwardfounddecor.blogspot.com to take a look.  She also offers a tutorial of the pumpkins here: www.homewardfounddecor.blogspot.com/2012/09/tutorial-sweater-pumpkins.html
which is easier than mine because it's no-sew! 
Thank you Deb - these are perfect for fall!

Wanna Win Wings? - GIVEAWAY!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.  THANK YOU!

Hello friends!  The end of September marks one year since I opened my Etsy store.  It has been quite a pleasure to design, create and sell handmade items in my little shop.   The time has flown by!  To celebrate this anniversary, as well as being published in Somerset Life magazines recently, I'm hosting a giveaway here. 
These decorative angel wings have been the most popular item I've sold in my Etsy shop, in both large and small sizes.  They are handmade by me, carefully sewn with lovely chantilly lace.   
I'm offering a pair of the large wings as part of this giveaway! 

Here are some photos of the giveaway wings on display.  They tilt inward for a dimensional effect:

The winner will also receive a copy of the latest Autumn issue of Somerset Life magazine, which hits newsstands October 1st.  It includes my winter wonderland styrofoam Christmas tree as well as spectacular designs and ideas from talented artists.  See more details here... 

For one chance at winning this giveaway all you need to do is leave a comment on this post. 
If you would like more chances to win feel free to blog, facebook or twitter about the giveaway and leave a separate comment for each of those ways you spread the word.  You can copy the giveaway image from this post (1st photo) or my sidebar. 
I will randomly draw the winner next Monday evening October 1st.

Thanks so much for all your encouragement and support this past year.  Good luck!