Starting to Fall (for Fall)

Hi Everyone!

It seems like fall decor is everywhere lately, and I have definitely gotten the fall bug to start fluffing things up around here for the upcoming months.  That's to say, I've been thinking about it...but it is just a little too early for me to start really fall decorating. Realistically, Labor Day weekend I will start the "fallify."

In the meantime, I did decide to make a new fall wreath for our front door.  Once I take out all of the annuals (which are looking quite dead tired lately) and add in the fall mums in to the porch pots, I will have my wreath all ready to rock n roll.  For now, it waits in the hall closet.

I've looked at a few pre-made wreaths and really,  the cheaply made ones are over the top expensive - even with a coupon! Let's not even talk about a high quality wreath.  I was feeling much thriftier and decided to make my own.

I started with a grapevine wreath I already had laying around, a length of burlap ribbon that was half off ($3.50), and a half off fall garland ($12.50). So for an investment of $16.00, I was all in for crafting my own.

I simply wrapped the burlap ribbon loosely and imperfectly around the wreath - I wanted some of the grapevine to show through. I secured the ends with a drop of hot glue.  Easy so far (and I have at least half of the burlap ribbon left for something else)!

Then - even easier - I simply curled the garland around the wreath (about two times), securing with floral pins and the occasional glue dab.  I added an oversize burlap bow made from the same ribbon and presto change-o - my fall wreath was done!  Easy stuff.  I like the bow a little off kilter to the side.

If I had to purchase the variety of faux florals that are in this wreath, it would have cost far more to make it.  Now when I've tired of it and want a change, I still have a great fall garland to use with something else, and of course, the grapevine wreath.

A close up of the different floral varieties - so pretty.  Loving all the texture.

That's it for me today.  Looking forward to fall, but hanging on a little longer to the beautiful summer!

Thanks for stopping by,
Jane

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Easy DIY Cord Cover

Hi everyone!

Hope you all have had an outstanding weekend!  Ours was pretty low-key, but we did go to a wonderful graduation party for my niece who recently graduated from college.

Today I woke up feeling kind of "yuck," but I hated the idea of wasting my whole day doing nothing - so I went on the search for an easy "sit in the chair" kind of project to do.  Here's what I came up with:

Earlier this year, we removed an upstairs hall closet and turned it into a little "nook," which I shared with you in this post.  We installed a wall lamp for this area, which left us with a dark brown cord sticking out like a sore thumb on our creamy white walls and wainscot.

What to do? What to do? Since Hobby Lobby is closed on Sundays, I couldn't run out and buy a cord cover.  So, I looked through my ribbon stash and found a bolt of cream colored burlap ribbon.  Perfect  - no $, no car trip, and just what the doctor ordered for a cord cover.

Now, I briefly entertained using hot glue - which would have been quick and easy.  I was worried, though, the glue would make the seam quite stiff and not allow any "scrunching" of the cover.  I also could have used fusible hem tape, but remember - I wanted to do this while lazily sitting in the living room, watching Love It or List It!  Out came the old needle and thread and away I went.  All told, it took about 20 minutes.

Here is the final result!  A little larger than those sold at Hobby Lobby, but still a big improvement over the ugly brown cord and also, it was free!!! I actually like the texture against the wall.  I just loosened the screws on the lamp, and tucked the ribbon every so slightly behind the lamp and tightened up again to hold the cover up.

Anyway, that's what I've been up to this lazy summer afternoon.  How about you?

Thanks for stopping by,
Jane

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