Giveaway Alert!

A generous bloggy friend, Liz at Savvy Seasons, is offering five chances to win $100!

If you'd like $100 (and who wouldn't!), head over here.

My Fall Mantle

I don't think I have ever decorated our fireplace mantle in the family room  for Fall before.  I've seen such a plethora of inspiration here in blogland, I just knew that I had to give it a try.

Everything that I used came from my stash with the exception of one thing that I'll talk about later.

It just occurred to me this would have looked much more inviting if I had started a fire!

I wanted to add as many natural (or at least natural looking) elements as I could.

The sticks in the green urn came out of my backyard.  Then I hot glued fishing line to some faux leaves and hung them from the branches.

On the other end of the mantle is a lantern that I've had for quite a while.  I filled the bottom with some preserved acorns, set a candle on top of them and added a few little berries.

I tied a strip of burlap and some raffia onto the handle for added interest.

I've had these pumpkins for years and don't even remember where I got them.  I like that they are made out of straw.  I added a few faux leaves to perk them up a little.

I just layered and layered and layered.  Faux cedar, magnolia leaves and tree leaves.  Then I wove strips of burlap through it all and layered some more.

The one new element is the garland of wooden beads.  I totally copied this idea from Becca at Adventures in Decorating.  I've had it pinned to my Seasonal Decor board on Pinterest for quite a while, just waiting for a chance to use Becca's idea.

I purchased a box of wooden beads from Michaels (around $4), strung them on fishing line and attached them to the bottom of the mantle using white tacks. 

This last view is from the upstairs landing - kind of a bird's eye view.

Good grief, my wall is not that gold.

Hope you enjoyed seeing it as much as I enjoyed putting it all together!

I'm sharing at these fun parties:

Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

Motivated Monday at Be Colorful

Making the World Cuter Monday at Making the World Cuter

More the Merrier Monday at DIY Home Sweet Home Project

Savvy Homemade Monday at Home Savvy A to Z

Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Tutorials and Tips Tuesday at Home Stories A to Z

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style
Fall in Love With Your Home at Decor to Adore

Sunday Showcase Party at Under the Table and Dreaming

Addicts (not so) Anonymous on Friday at Addicted 2 Decorating

Inspiration Friday at At the Picket Fence

Saturday Nite Special at Funky Junk Interiors

It's A Party on Thursday at A Creative Princess

Show and Share on Thursday at Southern Lovely

Open House Party Thursday at No Minimalist Here

Share Your Creations at Kristen’s Creations

Hookin’ Up With Houseof Hepworths

 Fall Mantle Party at The Lettered Cottage
Fall Decorating Party at Hooked on Houses
Autumn Arrives Party at Savvy Seasons by Liz
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm 

Preparing for the Gathering

Anytime there is something to celebrate, my house is usually the place where we all gather together.  Thanksgiving is one of those times and I adore being surrounded by family and friends.

Norman Rockwell

  

I know that Thanksgiving will be right on top of me before I know it.  Over the years I've learned to do as much as I possibly can ahead of time to take some of the stress away and allow me to enjoy being with everyone.  I even go so far as to label my serving pieces with post-it notes.  Ms. JB (my daughter) just rolls her eyes at me!

 Martha Stewart


In the last couple of years I've started setting the table two or three days ahead of time. While I'm in the process I invariably think of something that I wish I had done - make a tablerunner, make/buy napkins, placemats and on and on and on - but by then I don't have time to do anything extra.

my table last Thanksgiving
 
    My table setting has improved over time, but it still isn't where I'd like it to be.  I want to do a better job of planning and preparing ahead this year, so I'm looking for some inspiration.  What better place to look than two blogs that are near and dear to so many of us?

Both of the ladies that we're going to visit are well known for their lush tablescapes.  I always marvel at their imagination and creativity.  They are experts at layering and combining elements to create the perfect atmosphere.  No detail is overlooked!

Our first visit is with Susan at Between Naps on the Porch.  In addition to creating her own gorgeous tablescapes, Susan hosts a linky party every week called Tablescape Thursday.  Lots of inspiration and eye candy all in one spot!

The weather is still quite warm during the day in Geogia.  But with cooler evening temps, Susan is all set to welcome us onto her lovely porch with some yummy hot apple cider or hot chocolate. 

Now, I'm just sure that there's some nice warm chili waiting for us in these cute little pots!

Thanksgiving is finally here.  I just know we're going to enjoy a cozy, intimate dinner at this elegant table.

Now let's travel farther north to visit Yvonne at StoneGable.  In addition to creating beautiful tablescapes, Yvonne hosts a weekly menu party called On the Menu Monday.  I promise your mouth will water just reading what is on her menu every week.

The weather is just perfect in Pennsylvania for a leisurely walk where we can collect the most wonderful items to create a woodland tablescape.

After spending the morning raking leaves, I'm ready for some hearty Beef Barley Soup for lunch.

At long last, the harvest has been completed.  I'm ready to celebrate and give thanks with everyone who is dear to me at a cozy, inviting table.

These tablescapes are just a very small sampling of all of the goodness and inspiration you will find at Between Naps on the Porch and StoneGable.  You'll be treated to home decor, tutorials and all sorts of other features.  If you aren't familiar with them already, I urge you to head on over and introduce yourself to these talented and so gracious ladies.

Thank you so much Susan and Yvonne.  Not only for allowing me to feature your lovely tablescapes, but also for the beauty and inspiration you bring into my world with every blog post that you publish!

Sunday Worship

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 19:14 NIV

Adding Texture to My Living Room Bookcases

I made a small change to the bookcases in my living room.  I wanted to add a some texture and a little punch of color.

I've been on the lookout for a faux boxwood wreath for a long time, but they're usually pretty pricey.  I was thrilled when I found a nice, lush one for only $12!

I simply took a strip of burlap that I already had...

...and used it to hang the wreath from.

I added a torn strip of some leopard print fabric that I already had for a touch of whimsy.  I think the torn edges add another bit of texture.  Plus I like the look of the rustic with the refined.

Before

After

I'll be linking to these fun parties:

Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

Motivated Monday at Be Colorful

Making the World Cuter Monday at Making the World Cuter

More the Merrier Monday at DIY Home Sweet Home Project  

Tutorials and Tips Tuesday at Home Stories A to Z

Savvy Homemade Monday at Home Savvy A to Z

It's A Party on Thursday at A Creative Princess

Show and Share on Thursday at Southern Lovely

Open House Party Thursday at No Minimalist Here

Addicts (not so) Anonymous on Friday at Addicted 2 Decorating

Keep It Simple

My bloggy friend, Barb, over at Grits & Glamour has a brand new linky party starting that you won't want to miss.

It starts this Thursday, Sept. 22nd and will be all about simple projects that are completed using just a few basic supplies.

And...to kick off her party, Barb will be having not one, but two giveaways for all of you participants!

So plan to come on over to Barb's on Thursday.  There's bound to be plenty of inspiration.

Hope to see you there!

Sunday Worship

Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or are hungry or cold or in danger or threatened with death? (Even the Scriptures say, "For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.")  No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.  And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away.  Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8: 35-39 NLT

Up to My Eyeballs

I am up to my eyeballs in all of this stuff!

I'm struggling with my mojo trying to do some fall decorating.

There's little bits of stuff all over the floor.

Diva Dog told me she wants you to see her favorite toy.  See it right in front of the chair?  She and Ferocious Guard Dog fight over it all the time.

This isn't anywhere near all of it.  I forgot to take pictures of the stuff spread over the living room, dining room and kitchen.

I've been working on my mantle for two days and I still don't like it all that much.

The only little vignette I've completed is on the chest in the foyer.

The only reason this one is completed is because all I did was add the fall leaves on sticks and the little pumpkin box.

I hope to have more to show you next week.

I want to know - am I the only one who tears up their house to decorate?

The Master Bedroom - Getting Closer

Well ya'll...I'm getting closer...getting closer to finishing my bedroom that is.  I spent the last few days sewing whenever I had a little time and energy.

Remember the sitting area?  Messy, boring, blah... very embarrassing.

I knew that I wanted to make a tablecloth and I wanted something different than just a plain round one.  Here's what I came up with.

It's a boxpleated tablecloth with banding added to the bottom.  The banding is made from the same fabric that I used for banding on the draperies.

The tablecloth needed to fit the table like a slipcover.  So I cut the fabric for the top to fit exactly (plus seam allowance).

I measured the circumference of the table and calculated how large I wanted the boxpleats to be.

Sewed the banding to the skirt.

And sewed the skirt to the round piece for the top.

I recommend that you add a liner anytime you use a tablecloth for decorative purposes.  I don't line the actual tablecloth itself because the lining can shift during fabrication or shrink during cleaning causing the tablecloth to pucker and pull.

I made my liner out of white drapery lining, but you can use a sheet or any other inexpensive fabric.  You can even just throw the sheet or fabric over the table without hemming it to size - just fold the extra fabric under and push the excess fabric to the back.  Once the tablecloth is on, you'll never see it.  This works wonders for ready made tablecloths.  Try it - I'll think you'll like the difference it makes.  One other thing - if I were using silk or faux silk to make a tablecloth, I would probably use flannel interlining to make my liner.   

I also recovered the chairs.

I'll probably make a little kidney pillow for each chair.

Here's one last look.

Next up on the agenda (and the last large project) is this...

This wall unit sits directly opposite the foot of the bed and needs several minor repairs.  You can see the bed's reflection in the glass.

Of course, I'll be wearing my Barbie shoes.  Ahem.

I couldn't believe my ears last night when these words came out of Mr. Worthing's mouth while we were watching HGTV's Showhouse Showdown - "I believe that a master bedroom should be more feminine than masculine.  You women like to spend so much time in there so it only makes sense."  He didn't even crack any pillow jokes.

I'll be linking to Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style  and Debbiedoos Newbie Party in addition to the other fabulous parties on my sidebar.