Fall Mantle

This month has just flown by!  While I've been wrapped-up with Nursing School, I've managed to carve-out time for home projects as well.  I've decorated our Fall mantle, purchased & repurposed an antique buffet (we will use as our tv console in the family room), bought men's sweaters to make my sweater pillows, and replaced our old 'builder-basic' ballisters with beautiful wrought-iron ones.  I owe you tons of photos detailing these projects.  Some are still underway.  But here is my Fall mantle, and my pretty little pumpkin table centerpiece for now.

These are real pumpkins I got from the farmer's market this past weekend.  I spray painted them and added these decals I got from Michael's.  I love 'em!

More gorgeous pumpkins from the farmer's market.....

Fall is in the air....and I smell change a-brewing!

Fall is in the air!  I made homemade chili this weekend, and my 'famous' chocolate chip banana bread.  Mmmm....I also completed one of my sunburst mirrors that I blogged about last.  A second one will be started & finished today.  :)  I will post the results asap.

But I'm also getting antsy for yet another project.  And I've decided that it's going to be making sweater throw pillows!

I think sweater throw pillows are GREAT for Fall/Winter.  Plus, I've been wanting to change-out my throw pillows around the house for a little while now.  Want to see what I'm talking about?  Here are a few examples:

I also love those grain sack pillows, with the simple burlap & stripe look.  But I'm focusing on my sweater pillows for now. :)

Here's my plan: Head to our closet & convince Hubs to let me reincarnate some old sweaters that never get worn into some gorgeous sweater pillows.  Also, I REALLY want some with pattern.  Comfy cozy and men's-wear-looking.  I'd love some argyle & herringbone patterns.  So, to the Salvation Army I shall go!  I'm going to pick up some CHEAPY sweaters & turn 'em into gorgeousness to adorn my sofas & some beds. :)

Also, on another topic, I'm ready to replace the ugly, but utilitarian 'coffee-table-ottoman' that sits in our family room.  It's black fake-leather.  And it's really just a rectangular storage ottoman for all of my 2-year-old's "STUFF".  He rarely plays w/those toys anymore.  Come this winter, I'm going to clean out the closet by our garage entry (the garage entry/mudroom gets its makeover this coming Dec/Jan), & make toy space there for him, & so I'm getting rid of the storage ottoman from the family room asap.  I never liked it.  But it was CHEAP solution last Fall that we got for $20 at Meijer in the college section of back-to-school.  What I'd LOVE in its place is this:

This coffee table is actually topped with reclaimed wood.  It comes from Home Decorators Collection, and while the price tag isn't BAD at $343 (on sale from $429) & ships for a whopping $65, it's NOT in our budget WHATSOEVER.  I HAVE however seen the REAL thing in antique stores in the past (shoot me now for not jumping on them at the time).  So, Hubs & I are going to take a mini-excursion today & hunt for the perfect "coffee table" at antique stores.  You know what'll probably happen though....now that I'm LOOKING for it, it WON'T be found.  Anywhere.  *Sigh*  But I'm willing to give it the 'ole college try. 

Speaking of college....I got an A on my nursing exam last week. :)  The joy doesn't last long however.  It faded in about 3 seconds when I knew the next one would be 2 short weeks later & it's an exam that is notorious for people failing.  I'm NOT gonna be in that statistic!  I spent this weekend studying to say the least.  

I'll report back with my projects!  What decorating projects are YOU tackling for Fall/Winter?  Tell me about 'em!  

DIY Cedar/Driftwood Sunburst Mirror

I have to admit, I do enjoy these sunburst mirrors.  We've all seen them.  And admired them.  Those with money can actually buy them (<----not me).  Those of us without money can ADMIRE them.....or think up ways to hack the design & make them ourselves for FAR less money.  (Those who can't buy - MAKE!)

I was navigating Thrifty Decor Chick's blog, & stumbled across her own DIY hack of the sunburst mirror.  So, I'm here to say that I didn't come up with the 'how to' on this DIY project, but I am going to make it myself.  Here's the high price version ($349!) on Ballard Design's website:

Here is Thrifty Decor Chick's DIY version:

Now it's time for me to put MY skills to the test.  I should be able to accomplish this look for $10-$20 each.  I will let you know & post my pics!  I can study for my nursing exam this week all while the glue & paint dry!  Stay tuned......

New kitchen light

Continuing on mine (& Erik's) new obsession, we decided to MAKE another DIY-light for above the kitchen sink since we loved how the DIY chandelier turned out in the dining room.  We went with more light cages & Edison bulbs & hung our light semi-flushmount (it's barely a pendant), with 2 lights hanging down.  These got sprayed painted as well, and wired through some inexpensive lamp fixtures from Home Depot, in keeping with that "found" & industrial/vintage look.  Here is how the light turned out: