Branch Arch Entry and Snow for Halloween!

Well it's been a rather interesting few days here in Pennsylvania. A freak snowfall created havoc for most of the area and of course around the property. Numerous trees fell (in safe spots thankfully) however one, large tree did manage to fall right across the entire road which is a bit scary to think about.

Numerous shrubs and decorative trees couldn't bear the weight of the heavy snow and succumbed, flattened and broken beyond "repair". My favorite crepe myrtle which I beamed about a few months back in one of my posts, split apart like a toothpick. Saturday evening the power went out and it was a cold night. It came back up surprisingly early around noon the next day, (compared to the 5 days it was out during hurricane Lee) however others nearby are still without power.

Sunday involved cutting many of the damaged shrubs way back. The property looks so open and I miss all the interest it had. Two large mulberry trees also fell and will surely be missed as they anchored the property so nicely. I have quite a bit of clean-up to do and will be getting on with it shortly. I did however want to share a small change I did amid the wreckage.

Guardians Standing Post At The Front Entry

The Lions Have Decided To Hibernate This Winter

I decided to take my entry beasts down.  The right one needs some repair and I knew one more Winter of freezing temps may do it in.  I took them down and replaced them with some colorful mums in the old concrete planters I used to have in their place.  I'm liking this "reverted look" again.  The large branch was a spur of the moment idea.  Adjacent to this location I had that branch standing upright from an old, hollowed tree stump with wild clematis growing all over it.  The snow weight brought the whole ensemble over.  I was going to toss the branch out of frustration but it is just too neat to not use some how.  I really love the way it heads my stone entry now.  I've since added another unique, smaller section to the center of that limb that is triangle shaped to make a keystone of sorts.  I have it jute-twined on.  Perhaps I'll snap a photo of it at some point.  For now I want the snow to melt and Autumn to return (what's left of it).

It was a bit sad to see children trick-or-treating last night in the snow; sidewalks not shoveled yet and just dangerous conditions, plus it was a bit cold.  Definitely a Halloween to remember! (or perhaps one I'd like to forget)

Empty Candle Jars For Frugal Fall Decor

 Empty glass candle jars are great items to reuse and repurpose for home decor.  I have mentioned many ways I've reused them before throughout the frugal website.  I recently stopped at Dollar Tree to pick up a few frugal decor accessories and was amazed at some of the things I found.

Some neat finds for a dollar.  I was especially impressed
with the moss roll which I have not used yet.  

I immediately knew the perfect container for many of these items would be some glass jars.  I had two old candle jars that I have been saving.  They however were not yet cleaned.  Do the following to help with your candle jar clean-out process.  Place your jars in the freezer.  I actually left mine in for about 5 days as this project kept getting pushed back further and further.  The wax will become brittle in most cases as any moisture within it freezes.  Once removed, cautiously break up the wax with a sturdy butter knife.  It's best to press down into the wax while the candle jar is on a secure and sturdy surface, such as wooden butcher block for instance.  It should pop out fairly easy in smaller pieces.  Tip:  You can save your old candle wax and melt it down and use old cookie presses to make wax molds for decorative purposes.  The wax can also just be simmered on a stovetop for a lovely light fragrance on a cold day - "Thanks for the "REUSE" ideas Mom." 

Jars Removed From Freezer

Cutting Out The Wax

Saving The Wax For Another Use (in an empty, clean, tuna can)

The Clean Jars, Ready To Go

You may also want to pop off the plastic lid retainer if you elect to use the lids.  It provides a cleaner, less "ex-candle jar" look.  Use EXTREME caution when removing them.  Slide a butter knife or wide-end, flat screw driver between the plastic ring and the glass and slowly pry it upward.  You can also slightly turn your tool in a circular fashion to start slowly lifting the plastic from the base.  This is a safer method and one I would recommend.  They sometimes come off very easy and other times may be problematic.  Please take your time.

Now clean your jar.  I first use a dry papertowel to remove any black creosote-type residue from around the inside of the jar.  Then use an old scubbie sponge with some dish detergent and warm-to-hot water to clean out the inside of the jar. ( I have a few old sponges dedicated for craft project clean-ups such as this.)

Allow the jar to dry and I suggest wiping the inside with a dry papertowel again.  The rough surface will help remove any waxy streaks you may have missed with the sponge.

Next, fill the jar with your chosen materials.  I used my Dollar Tree finds.  You could also fill them with birdseed, sunflower seeds with the shell, lentils, acorns, mixed nuts, various outdoor seed pods, various found tree nuts, found Pine, colorful tree leaves, long Fir Pine needles (I'm doing this as some of mine Firs have recently shed a  nice amount of needles in a burnt yellow-orange "Fall" color.)

Dollar Tree gourds, moss and Pine cones fill the large jars.
Small, fallen, colorful leaves fill the small jar.

Placed Upon The Coffee-table

Flat-bottom Pine cones placed on top of the lids as
Decorative Fall Finials

So, what do you think?  A pretty good "variation of theme" table display for a mere $4.00.  The jars could be considered free since they were repurposed from their initial use.  Do you have other ways to fill your candle jars?  Tell me about it!  It could be for other seasons or other home uses too! Visit my page on fall crafts for more, easy and frugal ideas.



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Simple Autumn-Inspired Pillows

While outside sweeping up leaves, I happened upon a nice, large oak leaf.  Often if I find a nice leaf I will bring it indoors to use in an arrangement for the holidays.  Perhaps frame it, place a few together on top of a book on the coffeetable, etc.  The uses are limitless.

For whatever reason, I immediately thought it would be a quick, festive addition to a few of my throw pillows.  I at first had simply tied the leaf on with a piece of jute twine.  I liked that minimalist look quite a bit.  I ended up experimenting with the ends of the jute twine to give them a bit more interest.  In keeping with the organic appeal and season, I chose to hot-glue some small pine cones and a few other dried berry elements found in some old potpourri.  I also went outside and found a small oak branch bundle and broke off a few of the tips where the acorns normally would grow.  They look like small twigs with a bud at the end.  All of the elements combined created a nice decorative touch.  If you decide to do something similar, look around at all the neat seasonal items you can apply to the ends of your jute twine.  Keep some of the pillows with plain jute twine (no embellishments) so as to achieve a more casual, less complicated look.  You could also experiment with hot-gluing leaves of different size or style on top of each other.  Just place a small dab or two on the back and  stick them together.  I may elect to do this and then tie it up with the plain jute.  A nice variation of theme.

Most of all, have fun!

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In My Own Style

Pumpkins and Jack-O-Lanterns - Ideas For Your Holiday Decorating

Whether you love a scary jack-o-lantern face or prefer a pumpkin in its unaltered state, visit the new Pumpkin Decorating Ideas page at the Frugal Interior Design website.  I have compiled a few simple ideas to get you thinking more about how you display your pumpkins, as well as some tips to help along the way.

I also mention a few child-friendly pumpkin decorating ideas so the little ones can safely help prepare for the holiday.  Of course a really fun adventure could simply be allowing them to pick their own pumpkins from the local pumpkin patch as my nephew is seen doing below.

"Wait daddy, this pumpkin is weighing down my wagon already!"

"Here's a good one!"

As always, have fun, be safe and Happy Decorating!

Inverted Tree Trunk Roots Display Pumpkins

I was trying to come up with a different way to display some pumpkins at my front entry.  I had done pumpkins on straw bales a few times before and toyed with placing a bunch of them inside large tin buckets (with some drilled drain holes of course).  I also inverted the buckets to place some on top and some around the base.  The look of the silver metal with the pumpkin colors was fine but I sort of wanted a more organic look.

While glancing around my property, I noticed one of the dead tree trunks I had previously dug out of the ground in the Spring and had placed strategically in a landscape bed as a decorative element.  I immediately got the idea to use the crooks of the roots to cradle the pumpkins.  Luckily for me I have two of these trunks/roots which I dug up.  Who knew they would become multipurpose?  I snatched that one from another landscaped area and messed around with their orientation until I had them setting just right to display the pumpkins.  I was quite pleased with the result.  I however wish they had more vertical height to get more pumpkins setting higher.  Regardless, the look is what I was after and has garnered positive comments by visitors.  Do you have any unique ideas for displaying pumpkins at your entries?    

My $2.50 Yard Sale Find!

Yesterday I stopped by a community "yard" sale being held inside an old abandoned building.  I saw a few items of interest but not as much as I was hoping.  Probably all for the best.  I really don't need anything else but I can never resist an old, vintage implement of some sort.  I happened upon this one.  Any idea what it is?  Perhaps something for a horse drawn wagon?  Whatever the case, it is a REPURPOSE item for home decor now.

I love the weathered wood and rusty chain.

Its current, new home - a top a vintage, wooden chest.

A view showing some of the other vintage pieces I have compiled in this room.
As you can see, other rusty and weathered-wooden pieces dot the space.

Do you like to repurpose found items or bring new life to old discards?  Visit my page on green decorating to see some of the other unique looks I've established for little cost!

Autumn In The Air!

Well, I woke up to a glorious day of sunlight dancing across the tree tops. A light breeze has random leaves falling and a cool, brisk morning of fresh air upon the face says Fall Is Here!

I decided to take a few, outdoor pictures to commemorate my favorite season of the year. I'm sure these will be the first of many to come. I love seeing the drastic changes from day to day and week to week during this time of year.

Upon walking outdoors, the fresh, welcomed, pungent smell of Witch Hazel blooms caught my nose. I'm lucky enough to have one growing near my entryway and always anticipate its odd aroma during the cooler months of the year. Its unique pom-pom blooms in yellow-green jump out as sharply as its fragrance. It is perhaps one of my favorite shrubs (more like a tree for me as it towers about 14-16 feet high).  I can look forward to its odd blooms again in late Winter as well; bright yellow against the white snow, except at that time, there will be bare, brown branches making the blooms more pronounced..

The intense, welcoming fragrance of Witch Hazel as Autumn sets in.

Leaves, leaves, leaves.  Yes, there will be a plethora of them in no time.  For now, they sure look pretty gathering along the edges of the walkways bordering the property.

Simple Beauty In Nature.

Late season Impatiens provide bright color as fallen leaves become the "new neighbors".

I hope you too have some welcomed signs of the season that you enjoy.  Tell us what you enjoy most during this time of year.