9/28/12

Fall Vignette: Easy Ideas for your Decor

After working on my mantle last weekend, I decided to move a few other things in my home around. Isn't that how it always works? Once you 're-decorate' one area, then you realize another spot needs some attention too. It's kind of like pulling a thread on a sweater... once you start, you can't stop.


So with carrying on the theme of pumpkins and simplicity used in my mantle, I set my sights on the hallway dresser.  Remember that my fall mantle was decorated with pumpkins and items from around my house.



I did the same sort of thing with the dresser. I rearranged the items, brought in a few things from other rooms and created a little fall vignette. And by calling it a 'fall vignette'- it made my simple collection of items feel a bit fancy :) After all, vignette is just a fancy word to describe an arrangement of items. So whether you know or it or not, your home probably has a few vignettes. (Table tops, dressers, shelves etc)
I brought out my fall printable from last year, stacked some books, brought my hydrangeas in from the dining room, and nestled a pumpkin among my sea shells.




I like how it looks. Do you have a spot to create a little vignette for fall? Grab a pumpkin the next time you are at the grocery store and pair it with a cute printable. Done and done!

Have a great weekend! 

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Linking up here: Centsational Girl, Home Stories A to Z, Serenity Now, Tatertots and Jello, Positively Splendid, and Too Much Time on My Hands, The Lettered Cottage, The 36th Avenue, 
Thrifty Decor Chick 

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9/26/12

Crafty How-To: Fall Mantle 2012

It is Officially Fall
As much as I resisted decorating for fall while we still have summer weather, I finally caved in.
I decorated my mantle and made 2 new wreaths.


 My downfall was the orange burlap I found on-sale at JoAnn's a few weeks ago (if you follow me on facebook, you might have scored some on sale too!)


 So on Saturday, armed with my orange burlap, one child napping, and the other happily playing in the yard, I sat on my driveway and made a wreath. When cutting burlap, working outside is preferable because it is messy! I ended up making 2 different types of fall wreaths, but today I will just show you the one I did for the mantle. (Come back later for the other one!)


My mantle wreath is based on the 'infamous' burlap wreath from last year. But this season, it is *new and improved* because instead of regular brown burlap, I used orange!


Burlap Wreath Tutorial
So if we weren't bloggy friends last fall, or you missed the tutorial, here is how it is done:
-Grab one wire hanger and untwist the top.
-Then shape it into a circle using your hands.
-Finally weave strips of 3 inch wide burlap on the hanger by poking the hanger through the middle of the burlap.

Tips for success

1. The more burlap, the better. Last year I only used 2 yards of burlap and it wanted to sag. So this time around I used 3-3.5 yards of burlap.

2. Create 'tension' in the burlap by twisting and flipping the burlap as you weave it back and forth on the hanger. The more twists and turns, the fuller the wreath.

Shop Your House

With my new wreath in hand, I decided it was time to spruce up my mantle. I cleaned everything off and started with a blank slate. Since my fireplace is painted dark brown, I think it looks best with contrasting decor. So, I added white pumpkins, candle sticks, orange pumpkins, books, white raffia orbs, and some mercury glass. You could also use vases, plates, bowls, candles or anything that complements your color/design scheme.


Everything on my fall mantle is from my house. I like to 'shop' my other rooms when decorating for the holidays- no need to go out and buy a bunch of themed items. I'd rather use things I already have and can use again. I think it keeps holiday decor looking a bit more chic!


Have you decorated for fall? Has the arrival of fall inspired you to craft anything new?

More fall decor ideas can be found on my 'tutorials' page at the top of the blog. Click here to see


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Sharing my fall mantle at: Centsational Girl, Home Stories A to Z, Serenity Now, Tatertots and Jello, Positively Splendid, and Too Much Time on My Hands, the 36th Avenue. 
the Inspired Room

All photos and text on craftytexasgirls.com are copyright protected. You may not copy entire articles or posts (even with a link) without my express written permission. Email any requests or links used to craftytexasgirls@gmail.com.

9/24/12

Cowgirl Up #34

Welcome to Week 34
at
The Cowgirl Up! Link Party!
1 Party, 4 Blogs
Hope you like our "new" look!  Anita at Cedar Hill Ranch revamped the Cowgirl Up! banner and buttons, so that we have a more stream lined, easy on the eye look.  Plus, we added new photos of ourselves . . . who doesn't like to look pretty?!?!?  Thanks for all of the hard work, Anita!
You Host this week is . . .
Not only did Cowgirl Up! get a makeover, but The Ivy Cottage Blog did too!  If you haven't seen my serene green style, stop by and check it out.  Plus, the lovely lady who did my makeover, Jennisa of Once Upon A Blog, is offering YOU a discount on a blog makeover as well.
What is it about the fall that just makes you want to take a deep breath?  Our hot Texas temps are starting to drop and there seems to be a cool breeze in the mornings.  My kids are off at school and we are attending open house next week . . . already!  Today, we picked up some lovely containers of mums, coleus, and purple fountain grass as well as a few pumpkins.  The front of the house is felling like autumn and I will be sharing a unique door decoration this week.
With that said, here are the features for this week!
My jaw dropped when I saw the Fall Rag Garland by The Creek Line House.  So beautiful, easy, and a great idea for recycling old fabrics.
This frugal pumpkin creation by Posed Perfection would be a great project to try with your kiddos!
In my head, I could be a great seamstress . . . just getting there is the issue, but I love this sketched artwork pillow by About Blogging Time.
Wait til you see what Ashley from Domestic Imperfection does with this old piece . . . she actually creates two amazing pieces!
This little girl's room is stunning and dreamy!  Check it out over at Shabby Soul!
These custom ribbon fring curtains are to die for over at Beyond The Screen Door!
Fall Apple Jars by The Enchanting Rose . . . A MAZ ING!

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We are looking for the latest and greatest projects, tutorials, ideas, crafts, recipes, decor, and inspiring stories. Anything that you are proud to show off.

9/21/12

Helium Balloons: Going, going, gone?

We headed out to get a few balloons today, I wanted to take some photos of Maisy at the park-- I thought the balloons would be a fun prop. But when we got to the floral counter at Tom Thumb, we saw this sign. Is Helium really 'gone'?


 Party planners and small children might be out of luck, according to the "Washington Post", the US helium supply is dwindling. You can read all the details here, but basically, helium is a non-renewable resource. The Washington Post reports, "Party supply stores are already feeling the pinch, as recent helium shortfalls have driven up the price of helium-filled balloons. But it’s not birthday parties we should worry about. A severe helium shortage, experts say, would cause problems for large swaths of the economy, from medical scanners to welding to the manufacturing of optical fibers and LCD screens."

Clothing by Samantha Conner Designs

The florist at Tom Thumb said that even Party City is sending their customers away empty handed and referring them to local grocery stores. But now even those stores are unable to fill the orders.

Clothing by Samantha Conner Designs
 So, we settled on balloons filled with air and attached to a stick. They turned out to be super cute. But could it be possible that future generations of children won't know the joys of a balloon on a string? Who would have thought?! 

Have a great weekend and if you happen to come across a helium balloon- enjoy it!



PS- Maisy's photo shoot is part of a new project I am working on-- "Samantha Conner Designs" is expanding to include a new line of girls clothing! Stay tuned--more details to come:)

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9/19/12

The Quest for a "Thrifted" Bed

WANTED: One Big Girl Bed

My little baby Maisy is getting closer to her big birthday and now that she is potty trained, we have decided she is ready for a 'big girl' bed.

Potty Training Tips and Musings about Motherhood-- here
 When Afton turned three, we re-decorated her room with a beautiful bedroom set from a local furniture store.

Yes- that is a disco ball :)
But since Maisy already has a lovely dresser that belonged to my hubby when he was a boy, I set my heart on finding her a great vintage bed to go with it. Sounds like a great excuse to go thrifting doesn't it?!

 So over the past month, I hit up my favorite places for thrifted furniture-- Goodwill, Vineyards Anitque Mall and Graceful Goodbuys.

Thrifting-- a fun way to spend a Saturday
Tips for Thrifting
When thrifting for a particular piece, it is best to make a list of exactly what you are looking for, that way you don't loose sight of your goal. I knew I wanted something with a good shape. Color didn't matter-- paint can always be applied. I was also looking for wood and either a double or queen.

I felt a bit like "Goldilocks and the 3 Bears"- every bed I found was either too big, too small, too old, too new, or too expensive (if you call something 'antique'-- the prices automatically go up!)




But after 4 trips out looking for a bed, her crib is now in the garage...


and this came home with us- for $20!


I do love thrifting! 
Have you come across any great deals lately?  Stay tuned, more details and photos to come.


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9/17/12

Cowgirl Up #33

Welcome to Week 33 of
Cowgirl Up! Link Party . . .
the party with a cowgirl can-do spirit!
1 Party, 4 Blogs




With Your Host

Linsey from The Farmhouse Porch


     If ever there were a time of year I longed to be back in New England it's Fall. I'm not sure if I ever told you but I was raised a Navy brat. The daughter of a sonar officer, we moved every 3 or 4 years until my senior year of high school. People always assumed this was a sad thing, but it wasn't for me. I loved the adventure of starting fresh in a new city. I learned how to make new friends easily and how to road trip like a pro, beagle and pesky little brother in tow. And it created in me a wanderlust spirit that I still have to this day.
      I was able to live in Japan, one of the greatest experiences of my life. I also lived in Charleston and near Seattle. But my favorite place of all was Connecticut. Specifically...Connecticut in the Fall.

             
 
     I am yearning to see my breath in the crisp morning air and shuffle around a snapping fireplace in my dad's Eddie Bauer fur lined slippers, sipping mulled cider fresh from the cider mill. But I live in Houston,TX. And as my daughter likes to say "Yeah...THAT'S gonna happen."

     So I will live vicariously through all of you and your wonderful fall projects, pics and tutorials. If you live in New England, feel free to send me some apple cider and a few of those gorgeous autumn leaves. :) Here are my favorites from last weeks party...














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