UNIQUE PUMPKIN DECOUPAGE

Hello TLB friends!

I was recently browsing other bloggers to see what they were up to in regards to FALL creative ideas! Low and behold I found a blog that is using the same idea that I used and published on my 9/10/14 blog!! It was such a fun project I thought I'd share it with you once again. 

HAVE A FABULOUS DAY!
Kathleen
**************************************************
9/10/14

I'm feeling a bit nostalgic today after completing this DIY. My girlfriends and I used to get together one night a month and make all kinds of craft projects. It always was such a great time and ended up being a great outlet for all of us Moms to enjoy some adult time.

One of the things we worked on was a decoupage project. Truth be told, at his moment, I couldn't tell you what I made, but as I worked on this project I remembered there were a lot of "sticky" fingers that night!

I decided to decoupage a faux pumpkin this year.Now what would I use to make this pumpkin beautiful?? I always have a good supply of napkins leftover from whenever we entertain. In searching through my fall stash I came across a stack of beautiful Caspari napkins with Bittersweet branches in gold, crimson and orange. They were just perfect!

I started by gathering the following supplies:

1.  Faux pumpkin (size is personal preference)
2.  1-container of Mod Podge (I used Matte finish)
3.  Sponge applicator or paintbrush
4.  Scissors
5.  Cut strips of napkins, paper, fabric in approx. 4 inch wide 
pieces.
6.  Cut squares in whatever width you like to act as a patchwork where needed. It kind of gives the final project a 3D appearance.

INSTRUCTIONS: 

1.  Clean the pumpkin making sure it is clear of  any raised imperfections.

**If you use Caspari napkins remove the white bottom layer of the napkin before gluing....you can see what happens in this photo with the white backing---the result is more wrinkles.

2.  Apply Mod Podge with sponge applicator working in lines from top to bottom of the pumpkin. (I applied glue to a 3-4 inch strip of pumpkin and it worked well.) 
3.  Cut out strips or squares of napkin/decorative paper/fabric. Size is personal choice. I liked using some strips in the beginning because the crevices of the pumpkin were easier to manage. Then to finish up I used a patchwork like look and applied squares.
4.  Smooth out wrinkles as best you can by lightly tapping with a dry sponge applicator. This helps especially in the crevices of the pumpkin. You will get some wrinkles.
5. When the entire pumpkin is covered apply one more coat over the entire surface area to seal the project and let dry thoroughly.

In the photo above the pumpkin is still very wet. The wrinkles and patches are much more prevalent. The final photo below is after hours of drying.

In next Monday's blog you'll see where I incorporated my pumpkin into the fall decorating at my house.

I hope you enjoyed today's blog. Have you ever decoupaged anything before? Do you think you'll give it a try?

Just remember, the final product doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful........beauty cannot be judged objectively, for what one person finds beautiful or admirable may not appeal to another.

Wishing you a beautiful day!

Kathleen

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FOOD AND FRIENDS

Welcome......

One thing that moving makes you do, is sort!! As I was perusing my old cookbooks, I came across a tattered, paper spiral bound cookbook, that was gifted to me in 1992 from "my Ohio bestie" Pam. 

We moved to Ohio from Western NY in 1988, and became neighbors with Pam and her family who had moved from Illinois. We were two of many transplants in Springboro that bound together, forming the greatest circle of friends, with many of us remaining friends to this day!

MOST DELICIOUS NUTELLA STUFFED COOKIE

Welcome to Foodie Friday!

Today I am announcing some changes here at TLB to help accommodate my ever changing personal schedule. Starting Tuesday, October 6th (Happy Birthday Amelia!), I will be bringing TLB to you each week on Tuesdays and Fridays. 

On Tuesdays, I will alternate Home Decor, DIY Projects and Travel Adventures, and on Friday's I will stay with my Foodie Friday theme. I'm making these changes so that I may continue to bring you the quality information that I believe has been the foundation for the continued growth and success of TLB.

On that note.....have I got a SWEET bit of deliciousness for you today!

Take a peek.....

PUMPKIN BREAD WITH DATES & WALNUTS

Welcome to Foodie Friday friends!

Since we've officially entered the Fall phase, pumpkin is always first and foremost

in my mind. I LOVE anything pumpkin. How about you?

CRUSHING ON MY NEW PUMPKIN COFFEE CREAMER

Good Morning Friends,

Hope you're enjoying your week!

This time of year I find myself craving pumpkin everything. How about you? Every weekend hubby and I hit one of the large coffee chains for an early Saturday morning coffee together.

You know that great coffee smell that hits you as soon as you enter the door? Well, in the Fall with all of the pumpkin signage that hangs around the store, the power of suggestion overtakes me and I find myself wishing for a taste of pumpkin anything in my coffee. 

I typically add just a touch of cream so my coffee is not sweet. Unfortunately, if I do want a taste of pumpkin in my coffee it comes in the form of a sugary syrup. Darn!

Have you ever wondered what was in that syrup?  I'm sure the ingredients are locked away in a vault somewhere.

In search of the perfect sugar-free Pumpkin Spice Coffee creamer I hit the internet. I found tons of recipes, but one in particular caught my eye. It's made with lots of spices that we associate with Fall, unsweetened Almond Milk (oh so good for you),heavy whipping cream, a couple tablespoons of pure pumpkin and a bit of sweetener in the form of Swerve or Splenda. It's also really easy to make........

Does that sound good?

Here's the recipe:

http://www.cutthewheat.com/2013/09/pumpkin-spice-coffee-creamer-low-carb.html

If you're in the mood for a bit of Fall Spices and pumpkin in your coffee, head to the grocery store, and grab the ingredients for this quick and easy creamer. It keeps fresh in an air tight container in the frig for up to two weeks.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Kathleen

UNIQUE FALL TABLESCAPE

Welcome to Wednesday!

Since we have gotten back from Florida we've had some beautiful sunny days, but our temps dipped to 33 overnight! As my husband says, "there was frost on the pumpkins!"

I've been busy trying to come up with a Fall tablescape that's really different. I came across a black and white striped runner that I made for my neice's bridal shower a few years ago and decided to use it as my foundation.

Did I ever mention that I love repurposing things? I always get a great feeling when I know what I'm making has the potential to be used mulitple times and in different ways. Also, I was able to recycle my gifted coffee table planter into what you see below. By merely removing the plants and placing them in new containers they look entirely different. The colors of Fall abound in all three of the plants.

I chose the purple linen napkins because purple is a nice compliment to the golds, oranges and shiny items I decided to use. (and I love purple Mums!)

By adding the Fall orange in the form of pumpkins and beautiful golden toned leaves, it began to look a little more Fall like.

Golden sprayed pinecones and gourds along with crystal votives and candlesticks gives a nice shiny appearance.

The only thing I purchased in the entire tablescape was the chargers. I had read about the new release of a Better Homes & Gardens collection in Walmart so I went to check it out. These chargers were a very inexpensive add to my tablescape and I just love all of the beautiful leaf and pinecone detail on them!

I hope you've been inspired to think "outside the box" for your next Fall tablescape. The colors of Fall are everywhere right now...while you are out driving or walking take notes, and go home and create your Fall masterpiece with God's creation of color!

Wishing you a colorful day!

Kathleen

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Pumpkin-Cranberry Muffins

 Fall produce is everywhere right now. The apples, peaches, squash and even pumpkins are looking so beautiful this year. Although I am no expert, my thoughts turned to all of the rain we had when I taste all of the deliciousness.

I don't know what it is about pumpkin, but as soon as I see it fresh, I have to bake......something, anything, and pumpkin muffins came to mind first.

My neighbor had recently loaned me her professional steamer so that I could steam my draperies and I wanted to "thank her." She is one of those neighbors that has been there for me since we moved in nearly two years ago. She is a fountain of information that has saved me many AOL searches (a plug for my youngest daughter) and trial and error in search of so many things in our new area.

It was my perfect opportunity to bake something....something that would make the house smell like Fall. I chose Pumpkin-Cranberry muffins and if you can imagine the smell permeating my house, the taste was even better!

I hope you enjoy this  healthy Pumpkin-Cranberry Muffin recipe(199 calories) taken from Cooking Light. SOURCE--(http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/pumpkin-cranberry-muffins-10000001673146/) 

I have to admit as soon as they came out of the oven, I sampled one just to make sure they were up to my standards for gift giving........

Do you have someone that might enjoy a little "thank you?" Why not give them a little Fall treat

or simply bake them for your family.

Hope you enjoy this little bit of Fall----------by the way our Sycamore leaves are falling like crazy already!