Sunday, October 2, 2011

Updating a Fall Pumpkin Topiary

The winner of the ugliest pumpkin contest...

Oh, did you miss that contest?
Well, if there would have been one
I would have been the winner, hands down!

(after makeover)

yep, I had some pretty uuuuuugggglllly fugly pumpkins.


A few years ago I made a pumpkin topiary for my entry.
I still liked it,
but the elusive "lumina" pumpkins have been my muse.

(before makeover)

so I grabbed my trusty paint brush and transformed those babies into, 
if not things of beauty...
well at least better!


Welcome to my laboratory!








A coat of this gray mixture slathered on all my projects as an undercoat...




The babies awaiting final touches...






multiple coats to look more dimensional...



I know I'm only about the 500th person to show their painted pumpkins,
but I really did enjoy giving them an updated look.





Say Hello to this fella below,
He was the culprit.
sorry,
no before photo...
too hideous...
Alligator skin syndrome...




at least now he's presentable...
blending in...
 hanging out with the others in the wagon on the porch.


And now everyone's back together again in the Entry Hall!

ta da!!



And for another of my Fall projects...

Fun vintage key pendant with some Fall flavor





I'm updating this post to join in for




Thanks so much for coming to visit.


What's New For Fall at the Petite Boutique


Just thought I'd share with you 
what I've been up to this last week.
Along with a few other Fall projects,
I've put together a few new key pendants for the Etsy Shop.



I have a little obsession with vintage keys,
and of late they've been adorned with vintage ladies' watchfaces.


Throw in a few rhinestones for some bling...


and add a few charms...


numbered zinc tags...


or a pumpkin and owl for good measure.


and little filigree crosses...


These come attached to a 28 inch silver plate ball chain,
that fits easily over your head,
and hangs just right, to layer with other pieces.
(I wear one of these everyday)

Drop by my other blog
the Petite Boutique to keep up with what's new.
You never know what I'll come up with next!

xoxo,

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Mini Design Challenge

 Jeanne over at Perfect Imperfections contacted me last week about doing a Mini Design Challenge concerning these great pieces of furniture that she has. Below is the blogpost she did earlier this week. Take a look and see what you think. Say Hi to Jeanne and leave a comment about what you might do.


Here's Jeanne "In her own words..."

I'm not really sure if these two pieces are what's considered Art Deco. But, I believe that's what they are called. I was really excited when I picked these up for a great price. But then I've been stumped as to what to do with them. So I thought I'd put it out there for all my blogland friends to help me with some ideas. I'm not sure how many will actually read this, but it's worth a try. Without further ado.......here they are:



Lots of great details that will pop with the right treatment!



Just a little close up of some of the details.


This vanity has wood wheels. How cool is that!


Should I try to save the design painted on the drawers?

I was thinking these might be my first Annie Sloan Chalk Paint projects, since I really don't want to sand and prime these babies! What do you think? Also, should I cut the back board off the vanity and leave it as is, or should I put a mirror there? What do you think of the drawers with the design already painted on it? Should I try to preserve that somehow? The details on the trim and legs really need to be highlighted. I'm not sure if just distressing will do the trick, or if I should try some other technique like gold leaf? I'm sure there are other questions I should ask, but that's all I've got for now.

So put on your creative thinking caps and give me some feedback friends! Thanks for your help.

Ready......Set.......GO!



Thanks everyone, let's see if we can give Jeanne some inspiration with these two great pieces of furniture. What would you do?

Friday, September 30, 2011

Vintage Inspiration Friday:# 57 Fall Front Porch Inspiration

I have to tell ya,
decorating my porch sort of gives me fits.
I'm not sure what it is that does it.
Shaded, wide steps, small porch...
whatever it is, I never am satisfied with the outcome.

Here are some inspiration photos from Pinterest that I love.
You can see I go for the more "natural" look of mums and pumpkins...










I'll take the house that goes with this front porch!!!
















I like this too, but I'd do "natural pumpkins" not metallic.




OK, so here's mine,
still a work in progress!

NEEDS MORE PUMPKINS AND MUMS!

WHERE'S THE LINE BETWEEN TASTEFUL AND TOO MUCH?

I'll be testing this hypothesis...

Click here to see more of my "porch-in-progress".

So now from last week's partiers:
Melinda from Alabaster Rose shows us that
decorating for Fall doesn't have to include orange pumpkins.
See her bedroom transition with this gorgeous ceiling tile and basket


shows us her wonderful Living Room with a Scripture wall.
Please run by and check out her complete post,
it's amazing!


decorates her favorite cupboard for Fall


Gail's Decorative Touch has a wonderful mantle shelf in her living room
love her use of black and neutrals for Fall Decor.



And Debbie from Confessions of a Plate Addict wows us again
 with her fab take-off on the Country Living pumpkins!!



I'm linking up with these great parties:







     


Hope you'll link up your Fabulous Fall Fun



Pretty Please, put a link back to Common Ground
within your post or a button picture with a link on the sidebar.
It's such a huge bummer to come visit and there's no sign of
this party anywhere on the blog!
thank you!!!

I'm having a terrible time leaving comments.
they keep disappearing.
I know I'm not the only one.
I get a notice that says my cookies are null for comment form resoration,
or something like that.
Any help would be appreciated.
(grrrrrrr....)

xoxo,
love you guys!









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