autumn ready: faux leaf fall banner

boy howdy honey, fall better get here! it's been 100 degrees and i have about had it. the bugs and humidity and heat all need to melt away into gorgeous, breezy days full of autumn color.

i've been readying myself for fall. a friend (thanks Val!) gave me some apples like last year - an almost overflowing copy paper boxful! - and I've been peeling, slicing, mashing and inhaling heavenly scents these days.

there were only two in the whole box that were supermarket-worthy and I loved that! they were oddly-shaped, but organic, healthy and free! besides, why does fruit need to be uniform? i think the variations are gorgeous. but, I digress.

I've also put out - all four of - my fall decorations to let the world and weather know that I. Am. Ready. (I'd also love a good, spicy fall candle. Any recommendations?) I came across some faux fall leaves from last year and decided to autumn-ify my living room shelf - it's kind of like my mantle, you know, changing with the seasons.

And this was an excellent project for {Ladybug} to be involved in! She did great and took it so seriously. Can you tell?

supplies needed: faux leaves, twine, tapestry (blunt) needle, hole punch, scissors and thumb tacks. 

Just punch, thread and hang! I punched several leaves at a time because they were so thin - it worked much better that way.

(Someone was excited!) I hung the twine on the back of my barnwood frame between thumb tacks. Fluff leaves until you're happy.

And voila! Fall. What do you think?

A perfect toddler activity! (As long as she is careful with the needle, of course.)

shop update {september}

This is the time of year when beefing up your Etsy shop tends to pay off. It seems like November and January have been the biggest months in sales for the past 2 years. We'll see about this year!

Here are some of the new pieces. Find them in the shop HERE!

And some sweet patterns. 

:-)

setting the table: a Montesorri approach

Ladybug wants to be very helpful in the kitchen these days and usually I try to let her help "cook" (as far away from the heat as possible), set the table and empty the silverware.

I've been looking for a used, cheap placemat to try out a Montessori idea I came across several months ago. I didn't want to use one I liked, so I waited and finally found one at a local thrift store.

It's not the prettiest craft in the world, but I was more concerned with function over beauty this time around. I used a black permanent marker and traced the utensils and a small plate for the middle. A little cup for a circle and she caught right on!

A little practice and she'll be setting it better than I do most days. :-)

"EAT" sign - DIY distressed kitchen sign

I had a hankering for a new little sign in the kitchen - and it came to me one day. So I used a piece of scrap wood (leftover from THIS project) - then stained it, painted it with Annie Sloan chalk paint and distressed using sand paper and the vaseline distressing trick (see it HERE). I used graphite paper to trace a really simple font and painted it with black acrylic.

it is now perched over my kitchen sick (where there is little else to look at) flanked by two happy green/red/yellow vintage potholders.

40th anniversary *established sign*

I know, I know, another one.

Ha! I can't help myself. This one was already in the works (in my head) when it was requested. How could I refuse?!

(See my other ones here and here.)

Supplies used: Dark Walnut stain, white and dark blue acrylic artist paint, clear furniture wax, 2 D-rings.

40th anniversary cabin adventure

A couple of weekends ago we celebrated my in-laws 40th anniversary at a cabin in a national forest in southern Illinois. We played games, it rained, I read, we hiked, we talked, we cooked, lit a fire, and fought mosquitoes and flies. It was a fun time, relaxing but a bit too short.

Thanks for the good time, Ohio Shunks!! We really enjoyed it ... and happy 40th (again!) We love you. 

* a CHEERIOS birthday party *

My sister and brother-in-law threw a fantastic party for their new one-year-old last weekend. (My baby nephew is one!?!) It was way too fun not to share.

They hunted all around for just the right touches - yellow ribbon with white polka dots, napkins, etc. Above: a cheerio box banner, cheerio hearts (strung on pipe cleaners) and also strung cheerios for a table swag.

Above: Asa's SMASH CAKE! (see recipe below). 

Cake (and cupcake) recipe found HERE! (She subbed half the veggie oil for applesauce.)
Topped with a yummy buttercream frosting:
1/2 c crisco
1/2 c butter
5 c powdered sugar
2 Tbsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla 

Punch (found on Pinterest):
1 c. lemonade mix (like country time)
2 c. water
46 oz pineapple juice
24 oz Sprite

She said, "We froze ice cubes of the lemonade and pineapple juice to keep it cool and cut lemons for decoration. It got so many compliments!"

Above: the birthday boy cheesin' it! And with Mimi and Papa, there to celebrate.

My brother-in-law (a.k.a. the amazing spray painter, painter and artist) spent some time making this photo prop - hand-drawn and painted on yellow foam board.

And they used the heart cut-out as the "guest book". Talk about using what you have!

They also put together a banner of pictures from months 1-11 with "cheerio" like labels for the month numbers. So cute!

We love you Asa!! Happy birthday!

Theme colors: red, yellow
Food shown: cupcakes, chocolate covered cheerio bars, cheerio/white chocolate covered pretzel/M&M mix, lemonade/pineapple punch
Decor: red, yellow and white polka dot balloons, cheerio box pennant banner, cheerio hearts from pipe cleaners, and a cheerio table swag.