There’s not a ton we do around here for Thanksgiving but here’s a few little things we have to get us through that lull between when the spider webs comes down & the Christmas tree goes up!
Let’s start with the pumpkins
Whether your hosting Thanksgiving dinner or just want a little something special to tide you over until you can pull out the Christmas Decor these little babies could be just the ticket. Our dining room table is the first thing people see when they walk in the door & is also what I see every morning when I walk down the stairs. Since we never actually eat in the dining room I have to admit, I usually neglect the whole tablescape decor, I’m loving the way this looks so much however I think I’ll have to change my ways…
I’m not going to lie to you, painting chevron stripes is a pain in the arse. Period. Painting it on a rounded surface & it’s even more annoying. The saving grace with this little one is I actually was going for an imperfect rustic feel with the paintjob. I will also say this, even though it took a bit of effort it is definitely the focal point of the table & since it’s a foam pumpkin I’ll be able to pull it out year after year. My vote, go for it. Oh, let’s not forget about the glittered little one either, I don’t have step by step photos because that little guy was the epitome of quick & dirty. Mod podge, glitter, repeat, DONE. With both pumpkins after they were fully dry I took them in the backyard & gave them a quick spray of a polyurethane sealant to keep the glitter from getting everywhere & the chevron paint from getting nicked. The other two pumpkins came the way they are above, all are from Michaels.
Here’s what’s going on in the step by step photos above, using a sharpie (I used black for demonstration purposed but please use a lighter color when you do it, covering up the black with white paint…not fun.) you’re going to mark out all of the top & bottom points for the chevron angles. First I went around the pumpkin making dots that were 2″ from the stem & 3″ apart. Next in between those dots I marked a dot that was 3″ from the stem. I planned out the rest of my zig zags by marking a dot 2 & 1/2″ (or whatever you want your stripe width to be) down from each dot I had previously marked. After that you’ll have a mostly perfectly spaced chevron outline & all you’ll have to do is fill in your stripes. I gave mine about 3 coats of white & then 3 coats of gold paint. That’s it!
Another Fall decor piece that was a cinch to throw together & I’m utterly in love with is this scarecrow art piece that Sophie Monster made in school. I have to hand it to her teacher, that lady comes up with the BEST art projects that are not only fun for the kids but are really nice to hang up! I found the cheap 11×18 black frame at Michaels for $10, I gave it a quick once over with some gold spray paint, roughed it up with some fine sand paper (always scrub more around the edges & corners, places that would naturally wear, to give it a more subtle, natural look) & wah-lah! Thanksgiving art!
I had high hopes for blogging last week but Soph came down with a sinus infection. She was fine during the day but man alive were the nights brutal! Literally coughing THE ENTIRE NIGHT. Misery for her of course but is it just me or does life just stop & go into survival mode when you go more than two nights without any sleep?? She’s doing much better & we had a nice weekend spending time just the four of us. P & I decided to make a new goal where we take the girls to some sort of DC museum (smithsonian, zoo, aquarium, whatever!) once a month. People literally travel from around the world to visit our nation’s capital, we live her & never experience it. Tisk Tisk! We started off this weekend & took the girls to the Air & Space Smithsonian. Sophie is still a little young but man, for being such a girly girl who knew Sam would be SO into planets & space travel?! Just like her daddy. Sophie ran in circles singing random nonescense pretending she was spaceship. I’d say it was a good weekend.
I feel the same way about the area I live in. I don’t ever feel like I get to experience all that little towns and bigger cities have to offer, and always try to make it a goal to get out more and make some new adventures.
Is that a vintage Kenwood?! I adore it, and the colour! Matches the fox! Love the pumpkins and pictures, you have some very artistic daughters! I love fall, for sure the best season!!xx
Love the chevron striped pumpkins! I have been thinking about other ways of dressing up pumpkins this year. This looks perfect. Great post!