Friday's Fancy

Have a Very Scary Halloween!!!

Cute Little Fabric Pumpkins

Hi All! We are at full autumn mode in my house. Decorations are up and I have been crafting like a crazy person... I love it.  Velvety Pumpkins are all the rage these days, but I am not a fan of velvet. While trolling around Pinterest I saw many varieties of DIY pumpkins, some made out of fabric. Well this craft was for me and I couldn’t believe how easy they were to make, once all the supplies were gathered. I mean really easy, the kind of craft I like doing while catching up on all my recorded shows!

Supplies Needed: 

• Fabric (your choosing, you can even use crushed velvet) 
• Scissors 
• Needle
• Thread 
• Sticks or Stems from Real Pumpkins 
• Glue Gun & Glue Sticks
• Beans 
• Stuffing (tissue paper, plastic bags, poly-fil, basically whatever you have on hand) 
• Optional: Item to decorate pumpkins (ribbon, raffia, leaves, etc)

Instructions:

Cut a square of fabric (it does not have to be exactly perfect, these pumpkins are very forgiving). 

I then folded in half, then half again (fold into quarters). 

I then cut an arch from corner to corner of the non-folded size. Don't worry it does not have to be perfect. 

Unfold and there you have a circle (see mine came out somewhat oval). 

Now thread your needle. Using a running stitch sew all along the outside of the circle. No need to knot the end, you are going to leave string hanging, so when you are finished you can pull both ends and tie off.

Now its time to stuff it. I used pearl barley & tissue paper for stuffing. The barley/beans help put a little bit of weight in the fabric so they wont fall over. My tissue paper was from items I bought at the Christmas Tree Shop that they wrapped (I'll say it again, Don't You Just Love a Bargain...lol). 

Now taking both ends of the string pull tight so the fabric comes together and there is almost no hole, tie tight. Now for the glue. How you glue is up to you. You can do it in glue dots on your stem or around the fabric opening in a small line. I myself glued a line all along the edge of the fabric and the pushed the stem into the pumpkin. 

On a side note, getting real pumpkin stems are probably the hardest part of the supplies needed for these pumpkins. If you have a pumpkin patch close to you, you might be able to find some there. I found mine at the bottom of the big box of pumpkins outside my grocery store. There are also dried pumpkin stems available to buy on the Internet, but I rather hunt for mine and get them for free! This is why you can also use sticks. I also wound twine around a stick to give it a more country feel. Anything goes when crafting.

When you’re done with the gluing of the stem, you might have to play around with your fabric a tad, so the pleats will look even. Another words, fluff & puff those cuties. Now if you like you can add some decorations (tho, they will look fine as is).

Real Pumpkin Stem

The hardest part of this project will be finding real pumpkin stems (if you choose to go that route). Everything else is easy peasy. You can make them in whatever size you want. Anything goes, because trust me – they will turn out simply darling!

Stick for a Stem

Have fun crafting your own pumpkins!

 

Jack-o-Lantern Mason Jar Display

Hi Folks! I hope you had a great weekend. I was busy, lots for crafting on Saturday and Sunday.... my first trip the Elephants Trunk Flea Market in New Milford, CT. I will tell you all about it in a later post. Let just say I will be heading back there.

About a month back I showed you how to make Jack-o-lanterns Mason Jar (see here for tutorial). Today I am going to show you the display I created with them. 

I purchased a salvaged plank of wood from Urban Miners. Formed out of a commitment to environmental and social sustainability, Urban Miners salvages building materials and household goods to pass on to people who are rehabbing or repurposers, like me, at affordable prices. You could spend hours in this shop. The doors, oh the doors, from newer to one you don't see everyday. Same goes for their collection of windows and wood. From boards to decorative beams it really is a feast for the eyes. 

Back to my build, I bought a decorative knob from Hobby Lobby and attached it to the top for decoration. Next, using hose clamps, I spaced them out and attached with screws. My Hubby made a drill hole in the hose clamp first. Once attached I painted them orange so the wouldn't stand out. 

Now it's time to attach the jack-o-lantern mason jars. This is so easy, just slip the jar into the hose clamp and tighten the screw. 

Once all 3 were attached I put in flameless votive candles in each jar. 

Here is how it will look in the day. 

And at night. 

Ohhhh So Scary..... 

Check back later this week to see how I used this in my outside fall decor. The best part is you can change out the mason jars to fit the season. I already have thanksgiving ones ready to go (see how I made those here) 

Have you used mason jars for crafting? If so how? 

   Have a great weekend. 

Friday's Fancy

I came across this quote on Pinterest and I instantly thought of my Hubby.

"We are all a little weird and life’s a little weird, and when we find someone 

whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and
fall in mutual weirdness and call it love."
~ Dr. Seuss 

He is the one that got such a kick out of me seeing Tigger for the first time 

and hugging him so hard I practically popping his head off 

(He mentioned afterward he thought he heard the person in the costume go "UGH")

He is the one that makes me laugh so hard I cry

He is the one that calms me down when I am fretting

He is the one that laughs at all my crazy quirks

He is the one that protects my heart above all

He is the one that fell in love me (all of me)

For this I am truly blessed

Adding Warm Fall Touches to the Mantle

Hi All! I hope your week is going smoothly. The Hubby and I did some yard work this weekend. Even though we live in a condo I always like to straighten up and decorate my front yard. I am not an avid gardener so my body is still recuperating. In a later post I will show you how the front yard turned out.

Today's post is about how I love to decorate my mantle according to the season. Tho, when you work full-time it can be hard to find the time. With not having much storage in a condo, it is hard to keep lots of season specific items on hand. I have come to realize you don't have to go crazy redecorating to add a touch of fall to your mantle. Keep it simple, with just a few touches you can have a spectacular fall mantle display.

Here is what I did. 

I basically left everything I had on my mantle except for a wooden sign (center) and the flowers in my bucket (left). 

BEFORE

AFTER

The small sign in the center of the mantle was replaced with a metal pumpkin that I have had for a few years.

The white flowers in the bucket were swap with mums and wheat grass. (Bucket was a score from the Dollar Tree in the spring which I use a lot in decorating)

The lantern, a purchase from Pier 1, and the 2 red candles I had on hand. The ball and pillar I made by wrapping twine around a Styrofoam ball and a Styrofoam cylinder. 

Next, I added a garland of fall leaves that was weaved through the items on my mantle. Last but not least I added a wreath to my mirror. 

See, simple touches for a high impact fall mantle.

 

 What touches do you add to your home when decorating for fall?

Sharing with

Cozy Little House

A Stroll Through Life

Savvy Southern Style

The Cottage Market  

Return of the Pumpkin People

October brings the Return of the Pumpkin People to the town of Jackson and North Conway, N.H. This annual, fall celebration is celebrating its 27th year which features area businesses and residents going beyond the standard jack-o-lantern, by creating pumpkin characters based on popular culture, literature, and seasonal themes. It is a local tradition and contest to create Pumpkin People with a pumpkin for its head and body like a scarecrow. It is a self-guided tour that takes you to participating locations throughout Jackson and surrounding towns in Mount Washington Valley. There are nearly 75 participating businesses and organizations all of which create some amazing displays. This event runs from October 1st – 31st. 


Can I just say “WOW!” the creativity of some of the business was outstanding. The Hubby and I had a fantastic time looking for the Pumpkin People. In the town of Jackson we were able to walk the small town, as most of the businesses participated. Even when we had to drive to the next location it was great because the scenery around us was spectacular. If you happen to be in the area during October it is so worth a visit.

Come tour the Pumpkin People with us...

This Little Piggy by Design Bungalow

 

Rapunzel by Divinity Salon

 

Don't Feed the Bears by Badger Reality

 

Caddy Shack by North Conway Country Club
Second Place Business Conway Area

 

Cinderella's Ice Bucket Challenge by Story Land

I used to watch this show every year as a kid, nothing said Christmas is coming...

Charlie Brown Christmas by Snowflake Inn

Flossie's Sugar Shack by Flossie General Store

 This was beautiful and had us pause and reflect on a man's life...

Robin Williams Remembered by Nordic Village Resort
Third Place Business Area Jackson

A Christmas Carol by S'kimos Ski Club
Third Place Business Area Jackson

 OK, this one I did a dance when I saw it. It is my all time favorite Christmas show...

A Christmas Story - Part 1 by Christmas Farm Inn & Spa
Second Place Business Area Jackson

A Christmas Story - Part 2 by Christmas Farm Inn & Spa
Second Place Business Area Jackson

The next one, tho morbid, was amazing. The detail and set design really showed the hard work they put into it.

Funeral for the Old Man in the Mountains by Jackson Historical Society
First Place Business Jackson Area

Take Me to Your Innkeeper by Inn at Jackson
Overall Business Winner All Communities

 Now this one was a little risque...

Pole Dancer by local Gas Station

 This one won Funniest, we though it was hysterical but a little disturbing....

Where Pumpkin Pies Come From by Parkaview House
Funniest Jackson Area

Well I hope you enjoyed our tour of the Return of the Pumpkin People as much as we did. 

Tho, now I feel like my undecorated pumpkins are pretty lame... lol

Have a great week!

Friday's Fancy

Autumn Rain

There is something magical about the autumn rain. Maybe it's the way the rain hits the leaves making them dance or the hypnotic rustling sound like the beat of a song. I enjoy the way autumn rain gives you permission to stay inside and relax. 

“Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass... It's about learning to dance in the rain.” 

 ~ Vivian Greene 

Have a wonderful weekend!

A Scary and Exhilarating Drive

Hi Folks! Today I am going to share with you an adventure we did on vacation... Mt. Washington Auto Road. If I were to sum up our drive up Mt. Washington in one sentence, it would be this: "8 miles of nail biting driving with breathtaking views".

It is way more than just the “This Car Climbed Mount Washington” bumper sticker. It’s about a new experience at every turn. Even if you’ve already driven the Auto Road, you won’t have the same drive twice. Weather, foliage, views…they’re always changing.

Due to its remarkable location, weather, and history, the Mt Washington Auto Road is unlike any other driving experience in the Eastern United States. Constantly-changing weather adds to the allure and mystique of the famous peak, often allowing visitors to experience high winds and dramatic cloud formations. With an average grade of 12%, one mile of gravel road (usually hard packed) at mid mountain, and tree-line at only 4,000 feet, this is one of the most spectacular drives you can partake in. If you are a first time visitor who is not comfortable with heights, narrow mountain roads without guardrails, you may enjoy a comfortable guided tour rather than driving your own vehicle.

  

Our good friend and her son joined us for the weekend. So we all decided to be brave and conquer the auto road. The day we drove the auto road the weather was sunny with a few clouds and a temperature of 56º. By the time we made it to the top we were in the clouds with a wind chill temperature of 11º.

As we started the climb up the mountain the sky was bright and sunny. The tree lined road was full of beautiful color. 

As we made our way up our ears started to pop and each mile we climbed was marked with a post. We all cheered as we hit each mile. Then the trees started to become more scarce. 

We pulled over at about 3 miles up to take pictures. The wind was strong here and at times almost pushed us around. You can see I am bracing myself against my Hubby.

As we climbed up further, we noticed the sheer drop off on the side of the road. The only thing between the road and falling off was a boulder. The road is a 2-way road, that just about fits 2 cars passing. At times we had to stop to let cars pass, some areas were too tight to fit 2 cars. It was hard to look down and I found myself starting to lean towards my Hubby (sorry no pictures, was too scared). Our friend has her eyes closed at time, she is afraid of heights.

Then we noticed the weather start to change, clouds starting rolling in. Then before we new it we were driving in the clouds/fog. It was so dense that we could barely see 5 feet in front of our car. The picture below was just at the start, once we were in the thick of it I was too tense to take any pictures. (seems to be a theme going here... scared = no pictures!)

Now I have to say this helped with the fear of heights since you could not see any of the drop offs along the side of the car, but now you couldn't see in front of you. My Hubby, tho, was relentless, driving up that mountain, nerves of steel. We finally made it to the top with a sigh of relief. We parked and got out of the car. WOW, was it cold. The fog around us caused frost on our jackets.

To get to the peak, we had to walk up a staircase. Here is our friend and her son climbing what is named the "staircase to heaven".

At the top, there was an old bunk house that we toured. 

There is also a cafe where we relaxed and had lunch, soup in a bread bowl, just what the doctor ordered. The vistas in the cafe was unbelievable, a wall of glass. While we were there the clouds started to clear, at times, offering spectacular views. The way the clouds moved over the building was amazing, like waves on the ocean.

The trek down was less scary, as we knew what to expect. The clouds had cleared and we were able to enjoy the ride down. My Hubby truly earned his bumper sticker.

What a great experience, one I will soon not forget.

Here are some Facts and History about the Auto Road:

• The Tip Top House, still standing, was erected in 1853, and in that year, the New Hampshire State Legislature granted Gen. David O. Macomber of Middletown, Conn., the charter for the Mount Washington Road Company. The grand plan envisioned horse-drawn omnibuses on the Road, a massive hotel and observatory. Not all that came about, but work on the road began in the summer of 1854.
• The nearest source of supplies was eight miles away, and all transportation was by horse, oxen or on the backs of men. Dynamite was unknown. Black powder was the explosive, and blasting holes were all drilled by hand. There was no machinery to handle the countless tons of rock and gravel that had to be moved. Even in Mount Washington’s bad weather, laborers worked 10-12 hours a day and lived in primitive shanties or tents.
• Work progressed until the fall of 1856, when the halfway point was reached. Then money ran out, and the effort was halted. But, a new company, the present Mount Washington Summit Road Company, was formed in 1859. The next year, work resumed, and the first tolls were collected for passage to the Halfway House.
• The gala opening of the Road to the summit took place on August 8, 1861, with many local dignitaries arriving at the summit in a Concord Coach. But, the honor of driving the first horse-drawn vehicle to the summit went to Col. Joseph Thompson, then proprietor of the Glen House. 
• After the Road was opened to the public, its business doubled every year until 1869. 
• The very first motorized ascent was by Freelan O. Stanley, of Stanley Steamer fame, in 1899. There were more steam-powered ascents during the next three years, and then in 1902, the first two gasoline-powered cars reached the summit.
• In recent years, more than 45,000 vehicles have driven the Auto Road each year.

      For more info on the Mt. Washington Auto Road, visit here.

If you get a chance to drive the auto road, it really is worth the experience