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Simple Halloween craft: add painted ghosts to thrifted art!

Posted on September 26, 2023 by Janet

You know those crafty/DIY posts where I pretty much say up front… I can’t really call this a tutorial because it’s literally two steps?

Yeah, this simple Halloween craft is one of those! It reminds me of that old Monty Python sketch from the 1970’s: “Hello and welcome to ‘How to Do It’ – this week we’re going to show you how to play the flute. (Picks up flute) So, you blow in here and move your fingers up and down here. Next week, Alan will be over in Moscow showing us how to reconcile the Russians and the Chinese.”

Seriously, the hardest part about this project was remembering to save the “before” pictures that I took. Sadly, I did not remember to do that step so you’ll have to just look at my little print and imagine it without the ghosts. But I mean, isn’t it adorable??

I do struggle with Halloween decor… it’s not a holiday I really celebrate, and I am not a fan (at all) of blood, guts, and gore. I’m more of a haunted house person – but, a Disney’s Haunted Mansion haunted house. A “The Ghost and Mr. Chicken” haunted house. I go for quothing ravens and wax-dripped candlesticks rather than chain saws and bloody knives.

So anyway, what you’re doing for this particular Halloween craft is buying an inexpensive art print from a thrift store (mine was $1.49) and painting ghosts directly on it using acrylic craft paint.

For me the secret to this was using a very small brush. The print I chose was only a finished size of 5×7 inches and depicted a stylized New Orleans French Quarter street scene, with fancy wrought iron railings on the balconies. The small brush allowed me to paint a couple of my ghosts behind the railings, even if I didn’t bother to fill many of the details back in.

I used watered down white and gray paint to create the ghosts, and a bit of watered-down black for the eyes. If you aren’t confident in your ability to paint a ghost, have fun practicing on another surface first. I literally did an outline in white, filled in with white, and then added a tiny bit of shading in gray where the “folds” would create a bit of shadow. (But I mean, now that I think about it… would ghosts really appear as translucent bed-sheets hiding in doorways and floating along the sidewalk? Probably not – I have to think they would take more of an actual translucent human form – but I think this type of ghost makes the project infinitely more do-able for a person of my limited skills and still looks appropriately haunty.)

As a finishing touch I used my tiny brush and a bit of black paint to add a couple of bats flying around. Again, virtually no detail… just the suggestion of bats. REALLY SIMPLE!

Here’s my “altered art” all framed up – I’m actually on the lookout for a frame that could be made to look appropriately spooky, but this one is suitable for now.

Please, please, PLEASE (I’m begging you) try this project! It’s super-simple, and best of all doesn’t have to be perfect to be fun!

Here’s an image to Pin if you want to save this project for future inspiration!

Posted in DIY & Crafts, Holidays | 2 Comments

My Top Ten Favorite Autumn Activities

Posted on September 23, 2023 by Janet

At this writing there’s still a full week left of the unofficial “fifth season,” Faded Summer… but it’s also the first day of Autumn so it seems right to mark the occasion!

We got a preview of Autumn this past weekend, when Greg and I traveled to north central Iowa on a little roadtrip for my birthday. The soybean fields are a beautiful golden yellow-orange color in that area now. With the bright blue sky as a backdrop my home state is absolutely beautiful – and will be even moreso as the leaves really start to turn!

So, while I have been savoring every day of summer, the calendar and our weather have convinced me it’s time to usher in Fall. I do have a short list of Autumn activities I can’t wait to dive into! My list for this year includes a couple of things that sound like work (but to me are actually quite satisfying and even relaxing), and several more that are just for fun.

Not ranked in any particular order (because who can choose an absolute favorite?), here is my list of Top Ten favorite autumn activities!

1. Garden clean-up: digging out spent annuals, cutting back perennials, changing the containers over to seasonal displays, putting away some of the smaller garden decor items… I hope to have this all done before November.

2. Garage clean-out/organization: Oooohhhh this one’s a must this year – I need to do some serious purging in the garage! I honestly feel like I could just hire someone to come in and throw nearly everything away and I wouldn’t even miss it. Until I needed it, of course, then I’d be cursing – which is why I won’t “just hire someone” to do this job.

3. Woods walk/trail hike: It’s been five years (!?!) since I took a walk in the woods – WHAT?? This year for sure! I’m even ready with my new hiking boots (affiliate link – if you make a purchase, I earn a small commission but it costs you nothing extra!) – now I just need to find a nice easy trail.

4. Leaf-peeping road trip: We get gorgeous Fall color in Iowa, and contrary to our reputation for being a flat state, we have beautiful rolling hills that allow for amazing views! In another month it will be at its peak in my part of the state, and I want to plan a little jaunt to see it!

5. Attending an outdoor flea market: One of my all-time favorite things to do in Fall, and conveniently, the What Cheer Flea Market takes place just about 90 minutes from me in early October.

6. Putting out velvet pumpkins and other Fall decor: My collection of handmade velvet pumpkins grows every year, and I plan to continue that tradition. (Pro tip: purchase your real mini-pumpkins for outdoor decor in the Fall based on the shape of their stems – then dry and use the stems for next year’s velvet creations!)

7. Planning/setting Fall tablescapes: I’ve already started this with a very simple French Country-esque table shared recently, but I will be doing a few more including (of course) Halloween and Thanksgiving.

8. Visiting my favorite “city-fied pumpkin patch”: I’ve been visiting Pumpkin World annually for the past 7-8 years. It offers a HUGE assortment of locally grown pumpkins, mini-pumpkins, specialty pumpkins such as Blue Moon, and other Fall Decor like straw bales, Indian corn, and corn stalks. I never miss a year, even if I have to go in the rain!

9. Planning for Thanksgiving and Christmas: My Thanksgiving meal is usually a small gathering with Greg and I, plus my daughter and her beau. I’d like to come up with a new menu this year. Also, the “year of COVID” put an end to my recurring Christmas cookie exchange parties and I’ve never resumed them. I’m wondering if it’s time to do just that, so I’ll be giving that some thought and looking for ideas.

10. Comfort cooking: Ahhh a return to all my favorite seasonal meals: roast turkey and chicken, homemade cavatelli or chicken and noodles, beef pot roast, apple crisp… I might even try a few new things this year!

Now it’s your turn – leave a comment on this post and tell me YOUR favorite Autumn activities, traditions… even seasonal chores. What is on your must-do list this Fall?

Posted in Thinky Thoughts | Leave a comment

French Country Fall tablescape

Posted on September 20, 2023 by Janet

Because I didn’t blog much in 2022, I never shared this sweet little French Country tablescape. The more I use those taupe dinner plates (I used them in a couple of Faded Summer tables this year!), the more I really like them for their versatility and pretty petal-inspired border. So I thought I would share this one now in honor of the first day of Autumn, which is coming up Saturday, September 23 – because, you know, those pumpkins!

French Country tablescape for autumn — I didn’t have my matching dining chairs yet when I set this table, but I think these dear mis-matched friends are perfect for this casual setting!

The inspiration piece for this Fall tablescape was the tablecloth – I found it while thrifting on a Saturday and brought it home only to realize I didn’t have much to go with it. But I really felt it had French Country potential, so I went out again the next day and happened to find the perfect dinner plates at another thrift store.

Here’s an overview of the (very simple) place setting:

I liked the layered look of the red placemats… the overall red, tan, and blue scheme reminds me of “primitive country” Americana crafts that use deeper reds and blues, and tea-stained fabric.

The centerpiece is also simple: a rattan charger with a couple of the cutest little pumpkins ever – look at those fanciful stems! I added brass candlesticks and my favorite little ceramic cow. Doesn’t she look French to you?

I’m fairly certain the blue glassware is by Libbey – I love the deeper color, and stemware just always feels special. Flatware is my treasured “Chandelier” by Oneida, handed down by my grandmother and great-aunt. (This flatware has been in daily use by my family for over 50 years – 30 of those in my personal possession!)

Now here are not one but TWO sad, sorry secrets about this sweet Fall tablescape: one, I neglected to take my usual “put-away shot,” where I show everything gathered up together waiting to go back into the cupboards. And two: I actually re-donated this tablecloth at the start of this summer, so I no longer have it. And after going through these pictures, I really wish I hadn’t done that!

Here’s an image to Pin for my French Country Fall tablescape, in case you’d like to save it for future inspiration:

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Meet Boop – my new cottage cat!

Posted on September 17, 2023 by Janet

Every cottage needs a cat. When my sweet long-time companion Lily passed away last month, I knew I wouldn’t last long without having another cottage cat. Little did I know I wouldn’t even make it a week!

I went along for a few days, but I just couldn’t get used to not having another living creature in the house. I didn’t like come home to a house devoid of life (sorry, houseplants…). A few days after she passed, I found myself wondering… is it too soon? Do I need time to see if maybe I wouldn’t need (or even want) another pet?

Ha!! The fact is, I had already made a few proclamations about my next cat: it was going to be a chubby senior, and its name was going to be Boop. And I couldn’t stay away from the Animal Rescue League website, so it wasn’t long before I spotted this pretty girl:

Belladonna (Boop) in the shelter — Belladonna’s shelter photo.

Her name at the shelter was Belladonna. Eight years old, 13 pounds… a tuxedo cat! They didn’t have much info on her – they said she had come in as a stray. But they had done a complete exam and some labs, and she apparently had no health issues.

Greg drove with me out to meet Belladonna on a Wednesday… adoption papers were signed almost immediately… and within an hour of being at her new home, she was out of hiding and going around to try out a few potential napping spots.

Boop's first day — Boop spent her first few hours exploring, finding the bathroom, and trying out a few napping spots. Within a couple hours she decided we could be friends.

Seriously, this cat owned me AND my house within 24 hours. She immediately became Boop, a.k.a. Boopers, a.k.a. Miss Boop or Miss B.

She is very sweet, prone to long naps, and only occasionally spicy. She also loves to play with her little stuffed ball and catnip fish kick-toy. On her second day, she discovered the work-from-home arrangement. She takes her managerial position in the office very seriously, even if the employee lounge is a little small.

Boop is a work from home cat in a managerial position. — Working from home – she didn’t realize she had a supervisory role at first!

Her ONLY vice… and she is a cat, after all… is that she likes to sharpen her claws on the carpet. I got her a scratching post to no avail. I noticed where she was scratching and put down a little throw rug that she could pick at to her heart’s content… but she changed spots. I have a few other ideas we’ll be trying so hopefully she’ll soon have a favorite spot to scratch that isn’t the carpet.

Meanwhile, she can sleep in her little bed in the office while I’m working, or sleep on the big bed at night with me, or sleep in the rays of sunshine out on the porch. She has tried out several spots throughout the house…

Other spots around the house — Trying out all the observation spots. The office is best for birdwatching; kitchen or porch for outdoor cat-watching; and the dining room table for dinner-watching.

This spot, in the crook of the arm of the couch, is her favorite unless we are working in the office.

Favorite napping spot outside of office hours.

Happy to say that Boop has found – and commandeered – her forever home. She is officially the cottage cat of Lynnwood Cottage!

Posted in Thinky Thoughts | Leave a comment

Beach themed tablescape for end of summer

Posted on September 13, 2023 by Janet

In 2021, at about this time of year, my sweetie and I got to take a really unique vacation – we drove from Iowa down to the Gulf area of the US, and thanks to a friend who owns a business is Gautier, Mississippi we took a tour of the Pascagoula River and connected swamp channels. One of our little “side-jaunts” on that trip was a morning drive over to Pensacola, Florida, where we spent a few hours on the beach. I hadn’t been to the ocean for several years, and it always makes me cry when I go, and so our stops at Gulfport, Biloxi, and Pensacola – though brief – were (and are) very special to me!

Pensacola Beach, September 2021 — Pensacola, FL Beach – September 2021

This year my “beach vacation” took the form of a beach-themed tablescape, set at the end of summer as a bit of an homage to our trip and to late-summer beach visits in general. I really love the way this turned out, especially since I didn’t have to purchase anything new for it – everything was already in my stash, including all the centerpiece elements.

Because we’re still in Faded Summer, I stuck with more muted tones as suggested by the Pier 1 salad plates – no beach balls or pink flamingos this time!

Here’s the full place setting, including the taupe dinner plates I’ve been using for most of the Faded Summer season, the Pier 1 melamine salad plates, and straw placemats in “Sea Green” over a champagne-hued tablecloth.

Flatware is my handed-down “Flair” silver by 1847 Rogers Brothers – the curved handles not only serve as a hint for which side of the plate each piece goes on, but they also are a bit reminiscent of waves.

Glassware is what I consider to be one of my luckiest finds ever – I found four of these gorgeous blue and green “Bahia” tumblers by Bormioli Rocco, $1.99 each at a consignment store. Pristine condition, perfect for this color scheme, and STUNNING in person! The wave motif where the stem joins the glass is just artistry.

I paired them with Cristal D’Arques “Longchamps” goblets – also a thrift-store find, and I love the sparkle these bring to every table!

The napkin and ring were also thrifted finds in appropriate beach colors. The napkin itself works so well with the taupe plates, and the ring is a pretty sky blue without being too bright for this Faded Summer version.

I did a runner-style centerpiece for this table, using my hand-painted “Beach” sign as the base and a bit of faux fish netting found in my stash of shells. The candleabra provides a bit more silver sparkle, and you might notice a couple of ocean themed “conversation starters” if you look closely. (And no, I don’t mean my sweet new feline friend, Boop, the tuxedo cat – more about her in a future post!)

Did you see them? Maybe I didn’t show the right angle yet – it’s these two sweet little vintage “Wade’s Whimsies” ceramic figures: a sea turtle and flowing-finned fish! If you want a new collecting obsession, just check your favorite vintage re-selling sites for Wade’s Whimsies!

Here are a couple more views around the table.

And a couple of shots in candlelight!

Here is the put-away shot – sorry to see this one go back into the cupboards, it feels like I’m saying “Summer’s over,” when of course there is still warm weather to be enjoyed!

And here is an image to Pin in case you would like to save my Faded Summer Beach themed tablescape for future ideas!

Of course I will be sharing this post for Tablescape Thursday over at Susan’s blog, Between Naps on the Porch! Click through for more tablescaping inspiration! I hope you are inspired to enjoy the remainder of summer and – if possible – visit your favorite body of water before the season is over!