Showing posts with label diy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label diy. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 6, 2026

Decorating My October Home

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 When I decorate for fall, I start with my front door. I have several inexpensive Temu signs for fall and Halloween that I enjoy. Above is September's door, Hello Fall. Below is October's door, Home Sweet Spooky Home.

 

 

 


 

 By the front door is a coat closet and my House Blessing which I've had for almost 30 years. I've had it by the front door of each home since its purchase.

 

 

 

 

 A House Blessing

 

Bless the corners of this house.

And be the lintel blest; 

And bless the hearth, and bless the board,

And bless each place of rest; 

And bless the door that opens wide

To strangers as to kin;

And bless each crystal windowpane

That lets the starlight in;

And bless the rooftree overhead

And every sturdy wall;

The peace of God, and the peace of man,

The peace of love on all.

      Arthur Guiterman (1871-1943), American writer & poet

 

By the House Blessing is my painted small chest.  I've shopped my home and rotated art. Instead of my father's painting of a landscape scene, I brought out of the bedroom a hand-painted treasure from my late friend, Mary.  It is sunset on the Florida keys, and the colors are perfect for autumn. On top of the chest are faux flowers and 2 wooden rabbits.

 

 


 

 Across from the chest is my TV area.  In September, I continued with my summer pillow on the loveseat in my TV area by the front door.

 

 

 

 

 For October and November, I'm adding more vibrant fall color with a fox pillow cover.

 

 


 

 In the area by the dining table, is my grandmother's old wooden side table. Again, I rotated art from the bedroom and placed a wall art of a fall fox. A small wooden framed photo on the table is of my sister's family with a small pumpkin. 

 




 

Now for the dining room.

 


 

 

Living in Florida, I don't really get to see colorful fall leaves in autumn. but I still like to decorate for October & November with some warm colored faux leaves. Several years ago, I crafted  rings of faux fall leaves for autumn decorations. The rings are sized for Dollar Tree chargers to enhance my place settings as well as centerpieces or other decorations.

 

 

Photo taken 2023 in my home


  

 


 

I used Dollar Tree leaves and a needle and thread. You could also make the ring using a hot glue gun.  With my arthritis, I do better with a needle and don't get burned.  You can buy a pack of individual leaves or use left over bunches of leaves on stems.  I had leaves from previous years I used.

 

 




 

I used a wire cutter to remove each leaf from the stem. It's much easier to just buy packs of individual leaves, but I was trying to not buy anything and just make do.

 1. Collect individual faux maple leaves

2. Measure diameter of plate or charger to determine size of ring needed 

3. Lay leaves in circle around plate or charger 

4. Add 2 leaves together on the edges using needle & thread or hot glue gun

5. Add a 3rd and then a 4th leaf adjusting leaves to form a circle

6. Periodical check the growing ring to be sure of leaf placement and flatness of ring

7. Continue adding leaves until circle is complete

8. Repeat for number needed if desiring to encircle your dinner plates

 

I made mine large enough to edge Dollar Tree chargers  or a centerpiece on the table. If food is spilled on a leaf, you can easily wipe it with a wet sponge.  I can pack it away with fall linen in my chest of drawers.  Easy Peasy. I really shouldn't call it crafting as it is so simple.

When I started to decorate for October in late September, I immediately reached for rings of fall leaves. I started with a slice of wood on the dining table. I added a faux leaf ring on top of the wood. I bought a new ceramic off -white pumpkin which I love and added a small faux flower arrangement to the vignette.

 

 


 

  



 




 

 Thanks for the visit!

 

 

 

 

This post was shared on these fabulous link parties!

 



 

 

Monday, June 1, 2026

Ideas for a Backyard Shady Spot

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It gets really hot here in Florida; not like regular summer up north. Summer here is a hot, steam tent. When I lived in my house, I enjoyed listening to my neighbor’s children at play in the backyard. I like the sound. Then I started thinking, are they wearing sunscreen? Are they going to burn? As a fair-skinned child, I sunburned easily and had freckles on my face.

Do you make shade for your children’s play – a little place for them to read and get away? I’m a natural-born collector, here are a few ideas I’ve found to help make a shady spot.

 

A. Put A Sheet On A Clothesline

I remember when I was a little girl in Tennessee, we had a clothesline for drying clothes. I used to help hang them up and bring them in.  An old sheet and a few rocks made a tent over the clothesline. 

 

 

  Photo via Crooked Brain

 

 

B.   If You Don’t Have a Clothesline

  

If you don’t have a clothesline, hang up a cord, rope, or long string for an easy teepee.

 

 

 Photo via Mommyish

 

 

 

 Photo Alanna George

 

 

D. Use Big Trees

 

On Facebook, I found a lovely idea for yards with big trees. Again, original source is gone.  Grab some rocks and make a special place.

 

 

 Photo via Facebook

 

 

E. Use an Umbrella

 

Insert an umbrella into a large cable reel for a shady spot.

 

 

 Photo via Habanabel

 

 

F. Make A Little Shaded Beach 

 

G. Use a Swing Set or Frame

 

Let’s think of a beautiful place for parents and the whole family. If you have a tent or yurt, just set it up. Otherwise…..

 

 

J. Make an adult special spot complete with recliners

 

  

 

K. Hang Saris From A Tree For A Beautiful Tent or Yurt 

 

 

 

L. Buy a Tent on Etsy

 

 

Etsy 

 

 


Tent For Glamping on Etsy

 

 



M. Create a Family Social & Dining Area

 




 

 

 

 

 Photo Instagram
 


N.  Build A Wooden Frame & Add Sailcloth For Backyard Glamping