round up: favorite fall decor

As you might already know, I love fall. I think one of the reasons I love it so much it that it’s a great excuse for folk art. Something draws me to primitive folk art for some reason. It’s simple, rustic, and unique I think that might be why. My husband would make out apartment a haunted house if he could, but I would make it a folk art haven!

Here are some of my favorite fall decorations this year:

{Skunkboy Creatures}

{merritthyde}

{twoinspireyou}

{treasuredprimitives}

{indigotwin}

{Dream Home}

Happy Decorating!

My husband is nesting.

About two weeks ago Marc did what a lot of people thought he would never do; he sold his truck. His beloved 2004 Red Dodge Ram 4x4 now has a new loving owner. This relationship lasted for six years and his truck saw him through a lot. Unfortunately it was unrealistic for us to bring it to Phoenix with us, so it stayed in Pittsburgh. I’m very proud of his decision to sell his baby to someone who really needed a truck. For a while he went through the five stages of grief, and almost bought another truck. We came to the discussion to wait until we could really buy something worth it, something big, beefy, and manly.

I think my lovely photography work really helped it sell ^.^. Well, that and it's an awesome truck.

So, Marc moved on to something else, the living room. I am completely thrilled with the fact that he decided the best thing we could do was buy some furniture for our bare living room. Before he started his nesting period all we had was a recliner, that was completely chewed by the dog, an end table, and the TV and TV stand. Now, we have a couch, a love seat, a coffee table, two end table, two lamps, AND a 50 inch flat screen TV. The TV will soon have a new home in a beautiful entertainment center. We got an amazing deal on the furniture at The Room Store here in Phoenix, and the TV was practically free with the deal. We’re fancy now!!!!

This photo doesn't do it justice, I'll update with a better one later. I'm just so proud. Who knew I could get so excited over furniture!

Needless to say, Marc can nest anytime he wants to. Maybe a new kitchen table will be next!

Happy Sunday anyone!

Adventures in Craftiness: Mini Wreath Ornament

I have been kind of obsessed with ornaments this year for whatever reason. You may have seen my past two Do it yourself darn it! Take One and Take Two and this is my contributions to your holiday DIY festivities. This could be great as last minute hostess gifts or perhaps a craft for the little bit older kiddies to do during holiday gatherings.

Things you’ll need:
*Floral wire
*Wire cutters
*Your favorite adhesive (I like E600)
*Ribbon or Yarn
*Scrapbooking goodies, buttons, stickers, feather or whatever your decorating heart desires.

Cut a length of floral wire to your desired amount. The more wire the thicker it will be. You can free hand the circle you’ll be making for your mini wreath ornament or you can use of cup to guide you.

Next start wrapping your wire around itself until you get reach the end of your cut wire.

When you have wrapped all of your wire cut off any excess that you don’t need and it should look something like this:

Wrap your desired yarn or ribbon around what will be the top of your wreath. Make sure to leave some some length to create a loop for hanging your mini wreath.

Now comes the really fun part! Decorating! If you needed a great way to keep some of the older kids in your life occupied during holiday celebrations you could pre- make the wreath and let them decorate like crazy! I picked out a really great scrapbooking flower and sticker (A for our last name Amelio). I also sewed two buttons together with embroidery floss. Play with your decorations until you get them where you like them and glue them down.

Let dry and TADA! Your very own holiday goodness!

Have fun with your design too. Make it as colorful and unique as you are!

Happy Reindeer Trails!

Holiday Decor

We’ve always tried really hard to decorate for the holidays with a tree and lights and all the little things but this year I’m extra excited about our tree! In honor of living in warmer climate this year we decided to do something a little different with a tree. We want to Ikea and got ourselves a palm tree to decorate! I have to say I love the way it turned out!


Our Tree!

Marc and Piston helped so much with the decorating ^_~

Doggie and Aurora safe ornaments

This is one of my favorite holiday decorations. If I ever own a coffee shop I'd want it to look like this.

I also had to make a new yarn wreath for our front window! If you’d like one of your own check out my tutorial and make one yourself: Adventures in Craftiness: Yarn Wreath.



There’s a lot more I wish we could but up but with a dog who will eat anything in reach and a two year old who is… well a two year old it seems better to leave it simple this year! Here are some items that I’d love to add this holiday:

zime.

3rdlife.

The Cupcake Girls.

ara133photography.

Candy Bandits.

bird from a wire.

I hope everyone else is fun getting ready and enjoy this holiday season! Even here is sunny AZ we're having a blast!

Happy Trails!

pumkin pie anyone?

I’ve been so excited for the Christmas and holiday season I almost completely forgot about Thanksgiving! One of my favorite holidays is just around the corner. I have great memories of visiting friends and family and eating way to much of my Uncles Cajun turkey! This year we’re going to be tackling the task of cooking dinner ourselves. I most defiantly plan on documenting our journey because I think it’s going to be very entertaining. The good news is that we got a free turkey from our local grocery store! The bad news is I have absolutely no idea what to do with it! It should be exciting!

Well to get us in the Thanksgiving mood I found some really great decorating ideas on Etsy that I’d love to share!

Jenn Matthews

Janice Cordeiro

Dining Out

By Dan

Vintagies

Silky Creek Gallery

Bits and Barley

Happy Trails!