After dropping the kids off at school this week; I drove to the old area of our little town, and took some long walks. I needed a change of scenery from my neighborhood walkabout. And what glorious scenery there was to see right now!
I think my favorite things about fall are the brilliant colors, front porches decorated for Halloween; how excited my kids are for trick-or-treating, and their endless costume planning. And candy corn, of course.
Love the old Grandma houses in this neighborhood...
And all the pumpkin decorated porches.
The methodically decorated houses.
The sparsely decorated houses.
And the porches which seem to suggest lots of children living there...
I'll bet the Rodgers family lives here, what do you think?;)
And so with all that delicious, autumness inspiring me-- I got busy. I've wanted to try and make a fall garland out of recycled wools and fabrics for a long time, so I did. (I know I said I'd do the ornament how to's this week, but ornaments can wait a week, right?) Fall is wonderful right now...I'll do a giveaway too, we haven't done that in ages. Next week for sure!
I thought it would be really cool to make chains from the wool. I was really wrong. After ten chains; my eyes glazed over. After twelve chains; my eyes rolled back into my head. I nearly had a seizure. Ridiculously TEDIOUS, I tell you!
I then had a much better idea: strips of garland. Yes, strips are good, and a garland happens in no time. But I still didn't want to sew all those strips together.
Best idea so far: garage sale scrapbook brads! I had a whole tin of them sitting by me, just waiting for a new purpose in life:)
Strips now mixed together with those tedious chains. Much better...
Leaves brad-tacked on, and mantel draped. I think it makes my dated family room mantle really perk up, and say fall la la la la! (Sorry.)
Well, we're off to buy our pumpkins at our favorite patch-- our porch is currently pathetic. And I'm stopping at the fabric store to buy one of those quilty template things to use with my cool, new rotary cutter. I have strips to cut, and more garlands to make!
Have a great weekend. xoKelly
Kellie, I did it, got signed in to comment, so easy, didnt realize, now excited to comment on yours posts that I love reading so much.
This one cracks me up...love the Jolly Rodgers porch.
And your honest attempt at fall garland...glad it turned out really nice, for a minute I thought it was going in the garbage.
Fall la la la la to you too, creative girl!
Posted by: justabedofroses.blogspot.com | October 23, 2009 at 10:26 PM
Such a pretty neighbourhood! I can see why you were inspired to come back home and create! Love the garland and your family room mantle.
Posted by: Deb | October 24, 2009 at 07:25 AM
Your pretty and festive garland looks great draped across the fireplace and has so much character and interesting texture!
Love the neighborhood porches. The homes have more personality than a lot of neighborhoods in my neck of the woods. Was fun to see!
Posted by: Julie | October 24, 2009 at 10:54 AM
thanks for the morning walk. i enjoyed it. love all the pumpkins on the porches.
Posted by: traci | October 26, 2009 at 07:32 AM
Those porches and flowers are amazing. Lots of caring people living there I'm sure. Your garland came out really pretty on the mantle, in my opinion. :)
Posted by: Maria | October 26, 2009 at 02:06 PM
kelly,
what a great garland idea!!fall has to be my favorite season...and is it just me, or are the colors extra special this year??!!??
love the porches!
meleen
Posted by: meleen dupré | October 27, 2009 at 07:38 PM
Hello,
I also love looking at houses decorations. Love what you did with your mantel.
~ Gabriela ~
Posted by: Gabriela | October 30, 2009 at 06:39 AM
I love the front porches you photographed. There's something special about a front porch.
Love reading your posts and enjoying your humor.
Love the garland. You need to write a book filled with all your creative ideas.
Happy Halloween to you and your family!
Posted by: Jeni Carlson | October 30, 2009 at 10:31 AM
!!Love your fireplace:) and craftyness...
Happy Halloween to you too!
We are missing my oldest away at school but we will see him for Thanksgiving.
Darling scary cute homes,
Smiles,
kayellen
Posted by: kayellen | November 01, 2009 at 06:51 PM
I really liked your pictures and the decoration you made! Halloween doesn't belong to Finnish tradition (although some celebrate it) so it was really nice to see the different porches! They looked nice and perky!
Posted by: katilein | November 04, 2009 at 10:20 AM
Great post, thanks for visiting my blog. I've made some felted wool garlands too.
Posted by: Homemadeoriginals | November 04, 2009 at 11:08 PM
Cute! Your mantle is too adorable. And the chain/banner is the perfect fall touch!
-c
yapping cat
Posted by: Cindy | November 08, 2009 at 08:10 PM