A TOUCH OF AUTUMN

Autumn is a time of stunning natural beauty with decorating ideas just waiting to be discovered. I could spend many happy hours gathering the best in Autumn decor and decorating ideas. From lustrous gourds and breath-taking Autumn foliage to pine cones, birch bark, dried leaves and twigs, it’s easy to  create a stylish, cozy and memorable setting for your home. Nothing is as inspiring as the fiery colors and inviting textures that Autumn captures. If your feeling particularly artistic Create a stunning centerpiece with gilded pumpkins, soft candlelight and hand blown hurricanes filled with dried pomegranates, nuts, cranberries and leaves. Vintage wood trays can be loaded with various sized pine cones and fall foliage. Fill empty spots with a striking array of Autumn leaves. Fill the table with earth-tone serving pieces and linens with Autumn inspired napkin rings. Use wreaths and other holiday decor throughout the home. Mix formal and rustic to create a relaxed yet elegant setting. Chase away the chill with cozy accents that warm the soul and invite relaxed and easy conversation. Finish the warming effect with soft throws in subtle harvest shades from wheat to cranberry.

This arrangement is all fake branches from Hobby Lobby 

This simple but rustic centrepiece will last through to Winter

Decorate pumpkins.... paint them any colour to suit your decor... add glitter touch of gold or just plain white

Pink Pumpkin Story

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• Large pumpkin
• Assorted pinks, reds & cream flowers
• Sharp knife
• Bottle of acrylic paint
• Medium flat paintbrush
• Heavy duty wire cutters

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cut off the top of the pumpkin.
2. Paint the pumpkin white.
3. Arrange artificial flowers on pumpkin, cutting off ends to create desired height.

Pink Glitter Pumpkin

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• Any size pumpkin
• Bottle of baby pink paint
• Medium flat paintbrush
• Bottles of glitter, gold & pink

DIRECTIONS:

1. Paint the entire pumpkin using the baby pink paint.
2. With the paint still wet, shake gold and pink glitter on just the top portions of the pumpkin. Allow to dry.

Pink and Gold Dipped Pumpkin

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• Pumpkin
• Bottle of gold acrylic paint
• Bottle of baby pink acrylic paint
• Medium flat paint brush

DIRECTIONS:

1. Paint the entire pumpkin pink and allow to dry.
2. Paint the bottom half of the pumpkin gold. Allow to dry. Repeat this step.

Floral Arrangement

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• Large pumpkin
• Assorted pinks, reds & cream flowers
• Sharp knife
• Bottle of acrylic paint
• Medium flat paintbrush
• Heavy duty wire cutters

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cut off the top of the pumpkin.
2. Paint the pumpkin white.
3. Arrange artificial flowers on pumpkin, cutting off ends to create desired height.

Jeweled Embellished Pumpkin

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• Large pumpkin
• Bottle of oatmeal chalk paint
• Medium flat paint brush
• Assorted adhesive jewel embellishments
• Jolee large soft pink flower

DIRECTIONS:

1. Paint the entire pumpkin using the oatmeal chalk paint. Allow to dry.
2. Place the adhesive flower in the middle on the side of the pumpkin.
3. Arrange the assorted adhesive jewels in scroll patterns on either side of the large pink flower, mixing up the different jewel tones.

Glitter Gourds or mini Pumpkins

To take the creativity factor one step further, this idea doesn't involve any carving. Take these glittered pumpkins: A great centerpiece, an unexpected Halloween decoration and a charming wedding favor. Better yet, these sparkling gourds can be made weeks in advance without shriveling up.

The process is pretty straightforward: Just brush the pumpkin with glue, then sprinkle with glitter. But to ensure success, follow these editor-tested tips:

Elevate the pumpkin. To reach trickier places with ease (and allow excess glitter to settle), create a "pumpkin platform": place an old cooling rack atop a baking sheet lined with wax paper.

Let the glue dry beforehand. In this craft, tacky is good. For maximum adhesion, let glue dry for 30 seconds to one minute before applying glitter. -

Use nice glitter. There's nothing wrong with standard glitter, but it can be a little chunky. For the most sophisticated sparkle, try a finer glitter. I like Martha Stewart Glitter.