Revisited: Beadboard Garland for Fall

Here’s one of last fall’s projects—I thought I’d pull it out again for this year!

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I love the look of beadboard, and I’ve been using it for signs for months now (you can see some here), …but I also love the look of pennant banners, so I thought, “How about a beadboard pennant banner?”

Why not?

The first step is to draw out your pennants. There is no magic formula here, just do whatever looks good to you. My pennants are 7” long, and 5” wide at the top. I marked the top and bottom at 5” intervals, except I started the markings on the bottom after coming in 2.5” (because that’s half of 5). Then I just had to connect the dots!

Once my lines were all drawn, I used a table saw to cut along the lines. Note: You could also use a jigsaw if you don’t have a table saw!

Once you get the first piece off, you can use a fence to cut your parallelograms easily…


…but that’s not going to help when it’s time to cut the triangles off!

I ended up with ten little triangles. Rather than drill each triangle separately, I stacked them and clamped them together. Then I could drill five at once! This is a great time saver.

I base-coated all my triangles with Rustoleum Heirloom White spraypaint, but then I decided to get further color inspiration from candy corn! I used acrylic craft paint, and didn’t even worry about getting lines perfect or anything. Have you ever seen a perfect candy corn?? Another Note: OK, so now I know that candy corns are actually yellow-orange-white and not orange-yellow-white. Sorry! I don’t actually eat them! Bleah.

I used black acrylic paint to stencil on letters…

…and the next day I distressed and glazed all my little pennants.

I tied the pieces together with twine, and anxiously hung my banner on my buffet so I could admire my handiwork!

Whoops!

***blush***

Oh, that’s much better!

I like the little-bit-faded look the pennants have.

No tricks for me….just treats, please!

Want some other ideas for an Autumn banner? Well, how about a banner that just says “autumn”? The one below was actually the first one I made. For this one, I use vinyl as a “reverse stencil,” and sprayed the pennants with Rustoleum Summer Squash paint. You may notice that these triangles are all equilateral, so you can make any size/shape triangles you like!

This particular banner now lives on my sister’s buffet!
I like this little “fall” banner with the different fonts for each letter.

The possibilities are endless! What would you put on a banner?

(and if you don’t want to make your own…contact me through my Etsy shop and I’ll make one for you!)

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This project has been featured at Elizabeth & Co.

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Linking up here:

Domestically Speaking	Elizabeth & Co.
	The CSI Project
Friday Remodelaholic	2805
My Simple Home Life’s Simple Creations Friday
Funky Junk’s Saturday Night Special	The DIY Show Off Stone Gable
Beyond the Picket Fence	Someday Crafts
Knick of Time Mod Vintage Life	My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Perfectly Imperfect	{Primp}
Common Ground	My Repurposed Life
From My Front Porch to Yours	All Star Block Party A Little Knick Knack
Cowgirl Up! The Graphics Fairy	{aka} design Coastal Charm

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We have a winner(s) and more fun Fall

Yep, I’m late posting the winner(s) aren’t I – I know I said I’d draw the name today but I was down with a Migraine headache and it’s still there – it even made me sick to my stomach for most of the day so I’m really sorry – I imagine you are all on pins and needles!
But first…those ole Pumpkins just keep showing up at my door – this one is a large one made from an old Wool blanket. And I bought some more Bittersweet – the 3+lbs I bought form e-bay was wonderful but I still needed a bit more to fill in spaces.  I think I have enough now.
I bought it from THE CROW’S CORNER  http://thecrowscorner.blogspot.com/
Now tell me how I could pass this fella up!!! I didn’t measure him but he’s about 11 inches round.
Here you can get an idea of the size.  (I’m so unhappy with this hutch and what’s on it.  The shelves are so close together you can’t put anything of size on them so there are just piddly things on it. I’m hoping Doug can remove one of the shelves – not sure which one though)
This Bittersweet is much larger and a darker orange than the first batch…and the branches are thicker too. (this is $10 worth – I think they had a fantastic price on it)

Oh there I go again…forgetting to post the winner(s)…you read right…more than one WINNER!
I can’t express how pleased I was with the response to my challenge – I never expected to get so many.
48 ENTRIES!!
And the stories were wonderful – some were named for the obvious – some because of a family member – some from a street they live on…they all were inspired from something or someone in their lives.

This journey through blog-land the past 4 years has brought friends into my life I never would have made otherwise – never will meet most of them but reading about them, their families, their wishes, decorating, cooking – we even go through sadness and prayers together. What a wonderful family we have all become because of our blogs.

I hope you all learned something new from each of these bloggers and have made new friends to follow – I certainly have.
So on with the show so to speak.
Here’s the list of all those who participated – I hope if you haven’t visited them yet – please do so. They put a lot into this challenge.
1. Betty:   http://bettyjcrowe-throughmybackdoor.blogspot.com/2012/08/my-colonial-homes-challenge.html
2. Lori:  http://lori1971.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-beginning-of-frogs-lilypad.html
3. Sara:  http://salmonfallsprims.blogspot.com/2012/09/salmon-falls-primswhere-name-began.html
4. Heather:  http://thecountryschoolmarm.blogspot.com/2012/09/taking-challenge.html
5. Brenda:  http://therustythimble.blogspot.com/2012/09/its-all-in-name-and-my-celebration.html
6. Christina:  http://pendletonprimitives.blogspot.com/2012/09/my-colonial-home-blog-challenge.html
7. Cindi:  http://cindiscountrycorner.blogspot.com/2012/09/my-colonial-home-blog-challenge.html
8. Amy:  http://bumblebeelanecottage.blogspot.com/2012/09/whats-in-name-challange.html
9. Shannon:  http://bumblebeelanecottage.blogspot.com/2012/09/whats-in-name-challange.html
10. Cucki:  http://cuckistitchingcove.blogspot.com/2012/09/cuckis-blog.html
11. Vicki:  http://wwwoutmywindow.blogspot.com/2012/09/my-first-post.html
12. Tammy:  http://www.countrygirlathome.blogspot.com/2012/09/taking-challenge.html
13. Mildred:  http://maplelanehouse.blogspot.com/2012/09/blog-name.html
14. Tiffaney:  http://www.foldedgingham.blogspot.com/2012/09/how-my-blog-got-its-name.html
15. Gina:  http://catnapinnprimitives.blogspot.com/2012/09/whats-in-name.html
16. Stephani:  http://www.frontporchprimitives.blogspot.com/2012/09/why-my-blog-has-this-name.html#comment-form
17. Goedele:  http://gingerbreadgem.blogspot.be/2012/09/the-story-of-my-blog-im-participating.html
18. Wendy:  http://ravenwoodwhimzies.blogspot.com/2012/09/ever-wonder-how-i-named-my-blog.html
19. Lauren:  http://rugsandpugs.blogspot.com/2012/09/how-it-all-began.html
20. Donna:  http://dirtymartiniqueensmusings.blogspot.de/
21. Laura:  http://harvestlanecottage.blogspot.com/2012/09/why-i-chose-harvest-lane-cottage.html
22. Laura:  http://rhodescreations.blogspot.com/2012/09/taking-colonial-home-challenge-giveaway.html
23. Beth:  http://grammagaga.blogspot.com/2012/09/how-i-came-up-with-name-of-my-blog.html
24. Robin:  http://thecrankycrow.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-cranky-crow-chronicles-or-how-this.html
25. Laurie:  http://myhomefortheholidays.blogspot.com/2012/09/how-i-came-up-with-name-of-my-blog.html
26. Laurie:  http://inmydreamsisee.blogspot.ca/2012/09/a-new-friend.html
27. Camil:  http://primitivestars.blogspot.ca/2012/09/happy-hump-day-well-this-is-day-im.html
28. Linda:  http://simplycountryseasons.blogspot.com/2012/09/why-i-choose-name-i-did.html
29. Barbara:  http://nccabininthewoods.blogspot.com/2012/09/blog-names.html
30. Ruth: 
http://countrylogcabin.blogspot.com/2012/09/how-i-came-up-with-name-of-my-blog.html
31. Tammy:  http://aprimitiveplace.blogspot.com/2012/09/fall-decor-pt2-and-challenge-answer-why.html
32. Sue:  http://primsue.blogspot.com/2012/09/how-i-came-up-with-my-blogs-name.html
33. Kendra:  http://thestonehouseprims.blogspot.com/2012/09/its-all-in-name.html
34. Katie:  http://alltheseboysx5.blogspot.com/2012/09/karens-challenge.html
35. Marie:  http://www.primitivesbyoldeladymorgan.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-story-on-how-i-became-olm.html
36. Margaret:  http://tillysfarmhouse.blogspot.com/2012/09/how-i-got-my-blog-name.html
37. Felicia:  http://raggedycreations.blogspot.com/2012/09/my-blog-name.html
39. Angie:  http://berryhomespunprimitives.blogspot.com/2012/09/my-blog-name.html
40. Tonya:  http://myprimitivecreationsbytonya.blogspot.com/2012/09/karens-challange-how-did-i-come-up-with.html
41. Sandy:  http://hobnobbers-sandy.blogspot.com/2012/09/how-we-came-up-with-our-blog-name.html
42. Pam:  http://mabeljanes.blogspot.com/2012/09/mabel-janes.html
43. Denise:  http://thekrazykraftlady.blogspot.com/2012/09/how-i-came-up-with-name-of-my-blog.html
44. Linda:  http://adayatrememberwhenfarm.blogspot.com/2012/09/my-name.html
45. Pam:  http://primsbythewater.blogspot.com/2012/09/how-i-got-my-blog-name.html
46. Patti:  http://windingvine.blogspot.com/2012/09/whats-in-name.html
47. Annie: http://scrappalachia.blogspot.com/2012/09/how-i-came-up-with-my-blog-name.html
I want to apologize to Danice for omitting her blog on this list48. Danice:  http://homespunhannahblog.blogspot.com/2012/08/all-about-this-blog.html
IF I OMITTED YOUR BLOG IT WAS NOT INTENTIONAL, AND BECAUSE I DIDN’T RECEIVE AN E-MAIL WITH THE ACTUAL ‘POST LINK’
If your name is here in the WINNERS LIST please e-mail me with your full name and mailing address – I will get your gifts out to you just as soon as possible.
DOING A RANDOM SELECTOR HERE ARE THE WINNERS….

#28 – LINDA FROM SIMPLY COUNTRY SEASONS
#44 – LINDA FROM A DAY AT REMEMBER WHEN FARM
#40 – TONYA FROM MY PRIMITIVE CREATIONS BY TONYA
You each will be receiving one of my Mr. Jack Pumpkin Mats and a little surprise!

ongratulations ladies and thank you to everyone who entered. I
only whish I could give you all a gift for participating.
Karen

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Fall Porch

I have a confession to make.

Other than setting out a few pumpkins, I have never really decorated my front porch.

That’s a terrible thing for a blogger to say, isn’t it?

Well, that all changed this year (sort of).

A group of ladies came to see my house on a mini-“Parade of Homes” tour this week, and of course that sent me into a decorating tizzy.

Let’s just say I spent way too much money on pumpkins (that wouldn’t have happened if all my pumpkin plants hadn’t up and died on me this year).

The good thing is that my orange front door is right for the season!

I bought some new flowers for the one lonely flower pot.  The ones I bought in the spring were all dead.  I guess that happens when no one remembers to water them… (Yes, that’s a bike helmet in the background.  My apologies.)

I made my own version of this now-famous sign from Ella Claire.  I used different words (dessert, anyone??) and different fonts, but the idea came from her!

I nestled my sign, some grass clippings from my yard (the decorative kind…I really don’t let the lawn get that tall), and some pumpkins and gourds (the butternut squash and the acorn squash DID survive, despite their lack of water) along with some faux leaves in a cool old wooden box that I never know what to do with (usually it sits in a corner of my bedroom).

See what I mean about spending too much money on pumpkins?

Come on over for a visit!  I might even make some donuts!

This project featured at From My Front Porch to Yours 

and the All-Star Block Party.

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Linking up here:

Domestically Speaking	Elizabeth & Co.
	The CSI Project
Friday Remodelaholic	2805
My Simple Home Life’s Simple Creations Friday
Funky Junk’s Saturday Night Special	The DIY Show Off Stone Gable
Beyond the Picket Fence	Someday Crafts
Knick of Time Mod Vintage Life	My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Perfectly Imperfect	{Primp}
Common Ground	My Repurposed Life
From My Front Porch to Yours	All Star Block Party A Little Knick Knack
Cowgirl Up! The Graphics Fairy	{aka} design Coastal Charm

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The Laundry Room

I have a mental block when it comes to showing any project that has to do with my own home.  Furniture, signs, impersonal things…those are great.  But when it comes to a whole ROOM??  Well, that’s another story.

But the time has come to bite the bullet and show one of my summer projects:  the laundry room.

When we moved into this house, I was THRILLED that it had a dedicated laundry room.  In our first house, the laundry facilities were in an unfinished room in the basement (which was also slated to be another bathroom someday—didn’t happen while we lived there). 

In our next house, a rental, we had a laundry “closet.”  You know, where the washer and dryer are hidden away behind louvered doors in a hallway.

So this seemed like a big improvement.

Well, after 9 years in this house…I wasn’t so enamored anymore.

This is my real-life laundry room, folks—and with 8 of us in the household, I spend a fair amount of time in there!  Sometimes it makes me want to weep.

The biggest problem, as I saw it, was really idiotic planning of the electrical/water hookups and the dryer exhaust.  As you can see from the next photo, they are on opposite walls.  That meant that, in order to make the connections, the dryer had to sit about 8 inches away from both walls.  Ugh!

The washer also sat on a drip pan, which further limited it’s placement.  When I took the washer out, this is what I saw:

OK, so how often do YOU clean under your washer??

The churning in my stomach helped me to decide that a drip pan was unnecessary (there is still a drain under the washer).

Our wonderful contractor friend (the same one responsible for the workshop project) created a new dryer exhaust for me, on the same wall as the electrical hookup. 

The exhaust actually goes into the garage, where it makes an elbow and then exits the house (see above left).  Honestly, I don’t care about that little piece of pipe in the corner of my garage.  It bothers me FAR less than the wasted space in the laundry room.  And now there are two holes on the outside of the house, but I don’t care about that either!

We replaced the shelf with stock cabinets from Lowe’s…

And then…I BUILT SOMETHING!!

I had an idea in my head after seeing various laundry “dressers” online.  I didn’t have room for a dresser, so I built a laundry “tower.”  It is made out of 1x2 pine, and I used the Kreg jig I bought for Christmas for the first time on this project (yes, it took me 6 months). 

Want to see how it all turned out?  Step into my laundry room…

I used a can of “oops” paint (which I doctored a bit) for the teal-y blue color.  I have very little blue in my house, so this was a fun place to step out of my comfort zone a little!

I painted the cabinets white, and got some fun knobs from Hobby Lobby.

Here’s my beautiful laundry tower!  It works!  With the extra few inches gained from moving the washer and dryer over, there was suddenly enough room for baskets in the corner.  The tower allows me to stack them, but still use them for sorting.

I used chalkboard paper to label each basket for “whites,” “light colors,” “dark colors,” and “jeans & towels.”  Every Monday morning, the kids sort their own laundry into the baskets.  Then when I’m ready to do a load, I just pull the basket off the tower and dump it in the washer!  It’s brilliant, if I do say so myself!

I love the fact that I have some floor space in front of the dryer now.  And I love that I finally found a place to hang my first ever “Sunshine” canvas that I made last year!  (You may have noticed that I painted the laundry tower yellow to “coordinate.”)

Opposite the dryer, I hung a piece of pegboard, which I trimmed with some simple corner molding.  Now there’s a place for mops, a duster, extension cords, and a few things like a spare tape measure and scissors. (All of which the children have been threatened NOT TO TOUCH!)

The last touch…a cute rug from Target.  And now my laundry room doesn’t bring me to tears each time I look at it!

This project has been featured at Better After, Elizabeth & Co., Someday Crafts, and

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Linking up here:

Domestically Speaking	Elizabeth & Co.
Primitive & Proper	Thrifty Décor Chick
Friday Remodelaholic	2805
My Simple Home Life’s Simple Creations Friday	Miss Mustard Seed’s Furniture Feature Friday
Funky Junk’s Saturday Night Special	The DIY Show Off Stone Gable
Beyond the Picket Fence	Someday Crafts
Knick of Time Mod Vintage Life	My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Perfectly Imperfect	{Primp}
Common Ground	My Repurposed Life
From My Front Porch to Yours	All Star Block Party A Little Knick Knack
Cowgirl Up! The Graphics Fairy	{aka} design Coastal Charm

My entry into 2805's Potpourri Friday Party   
                   is sponsored by Appliances Online.

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Fall is here! Only 1 day left for challenge

YES….ONE MORE DAY LEFT TO JOIN MY CHALLENGE…so far there are 43 wonderful bloggers who joined.
Their stories of how they began their blog and came up with their names are so fun to read.  Some are the obvious and some we would never guess how they came about. 
On Saturday the 29th when I post the name of the WINNER – or it could be 2 WINNERS…I will also put a list of blog links to all the blogs who participated. 
This has been a fun challenge and I so appreciate all who joined in. BUT THERE’S STILL TIME….you could be a winner of something or some things…who knows what this girl will do or how many names I will draw…keep you guessing huh?
Here’s the link if you want to join in….http://mycolonialhome.blogspot.com/2012/08/a-post-challenge-that-will-have-winner.html
There are no rules to follow…just simply post how you got your blog name and then send me the link to THAT POST.
So on with my Fall decorating.  Still waiting until Sunday to find something to put the flowers in for the brick area at the back entrance – for now I just have it all sitting on the wicker chair and ground..not bad but not what I want either.  So wish me luck at the flea market on Sunday.  It’s the last one for the year so if I don’t find it there it won’t happen.
On with the pictures…
I still need to put the Witch sign on the twig wreath on the house – and put the tall can of dried flowers someplace. Not sure where they will land as of yet.
(click on photos to enlarge them)
This area WILL NOT stay this way – just need something for height here
See the Pumpkin in the corn stalks…he’s on a very long stake but Doug wouldn’t let me display him any place (didn’t even want me to buy it!) so I stuffed in down in the stalks and I guess I actually like it where it is rather than just stuck in the ground. Thanks Doug!!!  
I ordered some Bittersweet on E-Bay last week…3+ lbs. for $24.00 and is it wonderful.  They don’t cut it until they are ready to ship…very good quality too.  They give you a couple long vines, a few twisted ones and several small bunches. I’d order from them again.
Remember the Gooseneck Gourds from last week…I added some Bittersweet and now I like them so will keep them on the fireplace. Not sure what I’m going to do on top of the mantle…maybe nothing.See how plain they look here…
Much better now aren’t they?
I took double photos of some things showing the Bittersweet right after I put it out and then the next morning – all popped out!
I left some of the leaves on for some of my displays– I like it that way.

 
The grain box is on my coffee table with the gourds from last weeks show


Areas in the kitchen
I so love my fabric Turkey from last weeks show…and the corn – probably one of my most favorite purchases this year

Don’t care for this but not going to change it
Random pictures of the dining room 



 
 
 

 
 


That’s it for me today – hope you are having as much fun getting ready for Fall as I am. I’m finished I think (well, except for the outside thingy I want to find – but if not I’m not going to stress over it.)
The weekend is coming up fast and so is the end of September – didn’t it just start???
Enjoy and blessings
Karen

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