Outrageously Elegant White Autumn Pumpkins

Even though it's summer, I'm getting ready for Fall!  Pretty Fall, that is... not much spookiness here...what can I say?  I just like to make pretty things.

Gorgeous vintage gowns are my favorite supplies!  I use them to make these lovely elegant pumpkins.  I collected the pumpkin stems  last October.  Cloroxed and dried them; most stay intact.  Some don't...I toss those out.  Most dry quite nicely, much like a gourd dries and becomes quite sturdy.  Last year, I got lots of requests for white, so I gathered as many white beaded gowns as I could find this year.  But I had one more crazy idea.....hmmmm....

  

Ready for my crazy idea?  Fur pumpkins!  Yep!  Fur!  My husband and kids gave me some crazy looks when I announced the idea.  I REPURPOSED two fur coats to make pumpkins!  I didn't quite know what to expect, but listed them for sale in the Spring, just slowly getting ready for fall.  Well, they sold within a few days ---- and that was in the Spring, when I thought no one would be shopping for fall stuff.  I was just listing things slowly so I wouldn't be rushed in the early fall...Hmmmm, I said....crazy imaginations have their uses! 

 

 Here's the original set.  Rhinestones and Crystals and Fur, OH MY!!

Yes, indeed...rhinestones!  And the roses -- I made with smaller pieces of the beaded gowns.

Here is the faux fur set.  For this one, I made silk chiffon roses for embellishments.  

Such a delicate look.

Since the fur sets sold, though, I had to make some more fur pumpkins!

 Must have BLING.....

Lots of silk chiffon roses on these.  I sit and make them on long car trips, while I watch my son play long baseball tournaments, while I wait for my daughter's dance classes.  Always bring a project bag wherever I go!

When I  got to the turquoise fabrics....I went a little bonkers....

What's life without a little imagination and creativity?  Make something imaginative today - it's fun!

Happy creating, everyone!

Hugs, Catherine

Sharing with these fun linky parties:

Amaze Me Mondays at Dwellings

Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House

Made by you Monday at Skip To My Lou

Inspire Me Monday at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Table it at Rustic and Refined 

Anything Blue Friday at The Dedicated House

Friday Linky Party at Funky Junk Interiors 

Feathered Nest Friday at http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

It's a Hodgepodge Friday http://itsahodgepodgelife.blogspot.com/

Frugalicious Friday http://decormamma.blogspot.com/

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

Cottage Style Party at Lavender Garden Cottage

Thrifty Things Friday http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/

Fabulously Creative Friday at Jennifer Rizzo

Simple and Sweet Fridays http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

The inspiration Gallery at The Craftberry Bush 

Shabbylicious Friday http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com/

Flaunt It Friday http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/

The Friday Flea

Fridays Unfolded at Nancharrow

All Things Thursday Blog Hop at All Things With Purpose, Glamorous Affordable Life, Posed Perfection, and Posed Perfection

Pearls and Lace Thursday at Faith Grace and Crafts

Inspire me Tuesday at A stroll through life

The Dedicated House for Make it Pretty Monday

Knick of Time Tuesday at Knick of Time Interiors

Boutique Tuesday at Prodigal Pieces

Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House

Transformed Tuesdays at PJH Designs One of a Kind

Tuesdays at our Home at Our Home Away From Home

You're Gonna  Love It (Tuesday) at Kathe with an E

Tutorials Tips and Tidbits at StoneGable

Blissful Whites Wednesday at Timewashed

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Centerpiece Wednesday at The Style Sisters

Strut your stuff Saturday at Six Sisters

Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper

Share Your Cup Thursday at Jann Olson BlogSpot

Saturday Sparks Linky Party at Pieced Pastimes

Share your Creativity (Saturday) at Welcome To It's Overflowing

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

 Pink Saturday at How Sweet The Sound

Fabulously Creative Friday at  Jennifer Rizzo

Pin me Linky Party at Diana Rambles

What to do weekends at Crafts a la mode

  Share it one more time Sunday at One More Time Events

Outlander Watching Party

Do you have a favorite book series?  My own personal favorite is the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon.  The premier of the series was last Saturday, so I hosted a viewing party for a few friends.

It's a series based in Scotland, so some Gaelic wording and some kilts were in order!

Some scones, short bread cookies, and Scottish jam....

Yep, that's a kilt around that chip bowl!  (sort of...it's really a my hubby's shirt!!) 

 Real men wear kilts, aye?

 

 A few mantle decorations...

Some wine charms in the outlander theme....one of the friends in attendance had given these to me as a gift.  They were from Etsy.

The party printables were dowloaded from Professional Fangirls.

The season premier was well done, stayed true to the book,

 and we're looking forward to this Saturday!  Tulach Ard!!

Sharing with these fun linky parties:

Amaze Me Mondays at Dwellings

Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House

Made by you Monday at Skip To My Lou

Inspire Me Monday at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Table it at Rustic and Refined 

Anything Blue Friday at The Dedicated House 

To Grandma's House We Go at Abbots At Home

Friday Linky Party at Funky Junk Interiors 

Feathered Nest Friday at http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

It's a Hodgepodge Friday http://itsahodgepodgelife.blogspot.com/

Frugalicious Friday http://decormamma.blogspot.com/

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

Cottage Style Party at Lavender Garden Cottage

Thrifty Things Friday http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/

Fabulously Creative Friday at Jennifer Rizzo

Simple and Sweet Fridays http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

The inspiration Gallery at The Craftberry Bush 

Shabbylicious Friday http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com/

Flaunt It Friday http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/

All Things Thursday Blog Hop at All Things With Purpose, Glamorous Affordable Life, Posed Perfection, and Posed Perfection

Pearls and Lace Thursday at Faith Grace and Crafts

Inspire me Tuesday at A stroll through life

The Dedicated House for Make it Pretty Monday

Knick of Time Tuesday at Knick of Time Interiors

Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House

Transformed Tuesdays at PJH Designs One of a Kind

Tuesdays at our Home at Our Home Away From Home

You're Gonna  Love It (Tuesday) at Kathe with an E

Tutorials Tips and Tidbits at StoneGable

Blissful Whites Wednesday at Timewashed

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Centerpiece Wednesday at The Style Sisters

Strut your stuff Saturday at Six Sisters

Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper

Share Your Cup Thursday at Jann Olson Blogspot

Share your Creativity (Saturday) at Welcome To It's Overflowing

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

 Pink Saturday at How Sweet The Sound

Fabulously Creative Friday at  Jennifer Rizzo

Pin me Linky Party at Diana Rambles

What to do weekends at Crafts a la mode

 

Book Spine Flag USA

So, I was inspired by the book spine Christmas trees that I've seen on Pinterest and in bloggie land.  My imagination meandered about with book spines as a creative muse.....how about a flag?

The background is foam board decoupaged with antique book pages from a bible dated in the 1840's!

This bible was filled with family records of baptisms, births, weddings....it was so sad to see it at a flea market with no one to honor its history.  I bought it, and have created a few projects from it including this cross.

The edges of the cross are decoupaged with pages from the 1840's bible.

But back to the book spine flag.....

I had no idea that white/beige book spines were so difficult to find!  I ended up using tan/kaki book spines for some of the white stripes....check out some of the titles on the blue part...."Fathers of the Constitution," ...."American Government,".....quite appropriate!   The "stars" are rhinestone buttons -- so fun!!

Then, of course, I had to bling it up a bit!  The silver beading between the stripes and around the flag are from a vintage beaded gown....Then I added rhinestones on the sides!  Aaahhh!  I LOVE IT!!!  The rhinestones are from vintage necklaces.....so pretty!

Well.....then what?  Crystals and chains and keys, OH MY!!  I added three swags of chandelier crystals, chains, and a vintage key at the bottom.  How cool is that?  Not your every day kind of flag, but it's so very interesting to look at.....(oh, my, I just ended a sentence in a preposition...)

Next post I'll share some patriotic banners I've made with vintage patriotic book covers!

Thanks for visiting this little corner of bloggieland!

Hugs, Catherine

Sharing with these fun linky parties:

Amaze Me Mondays at Dwellings

Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House

Made by you Monday at Skip To My Lou

Inspire Me Monday at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Table it at Rustic and Refined 

Anything Blue Friday at The Dedicated House 

Friday Linky Party at Funky Junk Interiors 

Feathered Nest Friday at http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

It's a Hodgepodge Friday http://itsahodgepodgelife.blogspot.com/

Frugalicious Friday http://decormamma.blogspot.com/

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

Cottage Style Party at Lavender Garden Cottage

Thrifty Things Friday http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/

Fabulously Creative Friday at Jennifer Rizzo

Simple and Sweet Fridays http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

The inspiration Gallery at The Craftberry Bush 

Shabbylicious Friday http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com/

Flaunt It Friday http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/

All Things Thursday Blog Hop at All Things With Purpose, Glamorous Affordable Life, Posed Perfection, and Posed Perfection

Pearls and Lace Thursday at Faith Grace and Crafts

Inspire me Tuesday at A stroll through life

The Dedicated House for Make it Pretty Monday

Knick of Time Tuesday at Knick of Time Interiors

Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House

Transformed Tuesdays at PJH Designs One of a Kind

Tuesdays at our Home at Our Home Away From Home

You're Gonna  Love It (Tuesday) at Kathe with an E

Tutorials Tips and Tidbits at StoneGable

Blissful Whites Wednesday at Timewashed

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Centerpiece Wednesday at The Style Sisters

Strut your stuff Saturday at Six Sisters

Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper

Share Your Cup Thursday at Jann Olson Blogspot

Share your Creativity (Saturday) at Welcome To It's Overflowing

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

 Pink Saturday at How Sweet The Sound

Fabulously Creative Friday at  Jennifer Rizzo

Pin me Linky Party at Diana Rambles

What to do weekends at Crafts a la mode

 



Is it Spring yet?

How early do you start decorating for Easter and Spring?  Are we ready yet?  Personally, I'm looking forward to sunshine, warmer spring weather, and blooming flowers!  Since I was in a spring like mood, my latest project is an Easter banner/garland.

Lately I'm fascinated with antique book covers...I've made several banners from them for Christmas, but these lighter more pastel colors seemed more suited to Easter.

First I found book covers similar in size and color.

Then I sewed laces and crochet pieces together and gathered them to fit the books. 

Added glittered letters...

Then...no project is complete without a little jewelry!!

Pretty butterflies for Spring happiness!

And Voila!

A pretty pastel Easter Garland!

I've also done a bit of embroidery work while recuperating from a minor surgery...here's what I've been working on...

Not sure what I'll do with these pieces yet...maybe put them on a purse or tote bag...

Hugs, Catherine

Linking up with these fun parties:

Amaze Me Mondays at Dwellings

Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House

Made by you Monday at Skip To My Lou

Inspire Me Monday at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

 Anything Blue Friday at The Dedicated House 

Feathered Nest Friday at http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

It's a Hodgepodge Friday http://itsahodgepodgelife.blogspot.com/

Frugalicious Friday http://decormamma.blogspot.com/

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

Cottage Style Party at Lavender Garden Cottage

Thrifty Things Friday http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/

Fabulously Creative Friday at Jennifer Rizzo

Simple and Sweet Fridays http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

The inspiration Gallery at The Craftberry Bush 

Shabbylicious Friday http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com/

Flaunt It Friday http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/

All Things Thursday Blog Hop at All Things With Purpose, Glamorous Affordable Life, Posed Perfection, and Posed Perfection

Pearls and Lace Thursday at Faith Grace and Crafts

Inspire me Tuesday at A stroll through life

The Dedicated House for Make it Pretty Monday

Knick of Time Tuesday at Knick of Time Interiors

Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House

Transformed Tuesdays at PJH Designs One of a Kind

Tuesdays at our Home at Our Home Away From Home

You're Gonna  Love It (Tuesday) at Kathe with an E

Tutorials Tips and Tidbits at StoneGable

Blissful Whites Wednesday at Timewashed

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Centerpiece Wednesday at The Style Sisters

Strut your stuff Saturday at Six Sisters

Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper

Share Your Cup Thursday at Jann Olson Blogspot

Share your Creativity (Saturday) at Welcome To It's Overflowing

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

 Pink Saturday at How Sweet The Sound

Fabulously Creative Friday at  Jennifer Rizzo

Pin me Linky Party at Diana Rambles

What to do weekends at Crafts a la mode

Teacher Appreciation

Don't we all appreciate the fantastic teachers who teach our kids?  My own mother was a French teacher and then a school librarian at a French Immersion school.  So when the PTA asked for someone to help with the teacher appreciation luncheon - I was all in!  I chose a book theme for this luncheon.

I had found an old home teaching book from the 1920's at an antique store on one of my usual jaunts.  So I used some of the pages to make a background for the buffet table.  Then I used more of the pages for the half-wreaths that say "thank you."

The vintage pages were used on the centerpiece vases as well.  I used a black velvet ribbon with vintage rhinestone jewels around the vases.  Most of the flowers were from my yard.

I used apples, vines from my yard, and confetti made with the vintage paper and a cute little paper punch!  All of the books were just from my bookshelves at home.

I made a few paper flowers from the vintage paper.

Easy paper garland with glitter letters.

I used 3-tiered stands to add more books, greenery and apples.

I even stacked more books way up high on the shelves!

I just couldn't resist making a paper chandelier with the book pages and a lamp shade!!

I love to use the ceiling as a place to decorate.  This time I hung black books from black ribbons.

Here is the vintage home-schooling book that I found in the antique store.

Show your teachers some love this year!!  Hope this inspires you!

Cheers,

Linking up with these fun parties:

Amaze Me Mondays at Dwellings

Brag Monday at The Graphics Fairy

Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House

Made by you Monday at Skip To My Lou

Tuesdays Treasures at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

 Anything Blue Friday at The Dedicated House 

Feathered Nest Friday at http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

It's a Hodgepodge Friday http://itsahodgepodgelife.blogspot.com/

Frugalicious Friday http://decormamma.blogspot.com/

A Crafty Soiree http://www.katiesnestingspot.com/

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

Cottage Style Party at Lavender Garden Cottage

Thrifty Things Friday http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/

Fabulously Creative Friday at Jennifer Rizzo

Simple and Sweet Fridays http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

The inspiration Gallery at The Craftberry Bush 

Shabbylicious Friday http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com/

Flaunt It Friday http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/

All Things Thursday Blog Hop at All Things With Purpose, Glamorous Affordable Life, Posed Perfection, and Posed Perfection

Pearls and Lace Thursday at Faith Grace and Crafts

Inspire me Tuesday at A stroll through life

The Dedicated House for Make it Pretty Monday

Knick of Time Tuesday at Knick of Time Interiors

Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House

Transformed Tuesdays at PJH Designs One of a Kind

Tuesdays at our Home at Our Home Away From Home

You're Gonna  Love It (Tuesday) at Kathe with an E

Tutorials Tips and Tidbits at StoneGable

Blissful Whites Wednesday at Timewashed

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Centerpiece Wednesday at The Style Sisters

Strut your stuff Saturday at Six Sisters

Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper

Share Your Cup Thursday at Jann Olson Blogspot

Share your Creativity (Saturday) at Welcome To It's Overflowing

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

 Pink Saturday at How Sweet The Sound

Fabulously Creative Friday at  Jennifer Rizzo

Pin me Linky Party at Diana Rambles

What to do weekends at Crafts a la mode