Halloween is in our Midst

Howdy there. I know that, yet again, it has been awhile since I have shown myself, but now I have an I Phone. Hopefully this will help me get back into blogging on a truly regular basis... Let's hope. 

Okay, for today it's all about this years Halloween decor. I haven't created anything new for this year, at least not yet. It will probably come after the big church event on the 18th. 

I have several " mantels" in my house. I have the real mantel.

Those little owls were inherited from my amazing Aunt Melmer earlier this year. 

The top of my awesome thrifted hutch. 

I love this vignette! And including books is a must. Each section has a book, and here's one of our faves: the anniversary edition of The Nightmare Before Christmad

The top of my kitchen buffet. 

The crawling spiders are adorbs, and Archer Farms spice jars are great for making "poison".

And the top of this sideboard in our living room.

Some little crafts from Target are featured here (saved from last year). Plus, you cannot resist the lovely owl warmer from Scentsy. 

There are also many staggered levels of cradles and a lovely apple basket which my late father handmade filled with some Starbucks goodies ( and Barbie).

There are some other touched throughout the house too. 

My Missoni for Target platter and a newly squired vintage candy jar are among items adorning the dining room table. Plus, I couldn't resist the owl Trick of Treat basket; I placed my utensil canister in it for the season. 

We haven't decorated outdoors yet. I am waiting until the Cuban Cowboy has time to help with that, which will hopefully be soon. 

We also need to do a cool countdown. 

Okay, so that's all for today. My you have a blessed autumn. 

Little Owl Shower

A few weekends back my cousin had her baby shower.

I was lucky enough to have the opportunity 

to help out in the planning.

My role was mostly to make the center pieces.

The shower was owl themed,

and I sure do love anything owls.

Roly Poly even had an owl birthday at the end of July

which I have yet to share.
I promise it will come eventually.

Anyway, here's a glimpse at the little projects that 

I put together for the shower.


For the centerpieces I wanted something a bit whimsical
like candy bouquets.


I purchased rock candy in pink and yellow, 
strawberry milk shake whoppers, lemon heads,
Giant pixie sticks to turn into pin wheels, 
and mini whirly pop lollipops.


Here is the result.

Each pinwheel was made from custom paper 

that my friend from Bella Artista 

designed specially for me.

I then hand sewed the pinwheels closed using

 vintage buttons for the centers.

I love how they look spread across the tables in the restaurant.

My aunt scattered pink and green swirly candy sticks 

and kisses on the tables, 

as well as confetti with the babies name.

In addition to all of this,

we placed paper straws in pink and yellow at each place setting.

You can see them in the photos above.

Each has its own mini pinwheel.

Here is a closer look.

I loved using these special straws in my drink.
I used tiny brads to hold the pinwheels together. 
Then I took the clear mini hair rubber bands 
and wrapped one twice around each straw.
I slipped each prong through one loop of the rubber band.


Buzz Lightyear liked them too.

The final project that I made was also part of my gift.
When Bella Artista created the invitations and the paper,
I also requested that she make a sign with the babies name.
It is RIDICULOUSLY cute!!!

I had it matted and framed.
We set it out at the shower and
decorated it with a mini-pinwheel garland from the matching paper.
I also laid a chain garland in front of it.

Okay, so that is all the fun stuff 
I got to gift to my cousin and her shower. 
It was such a blessing to work on this event.


Now, I want to show you some of the 
other lovelies that were there,
like the cupcakes and cake.

My cousins MIL made these. 
I loe when everything matches so perfectly.


So does Roly Poly who enjoyed the shower 
and the candy that I let him eat while there.

He can't wait for his new baby cousin to arrive.


Aren't baby showers so much fun,
especially when there are no games.


If you would like to check out this paper design 
or any other please visit my friend Melissa
from Bella Artista on Facebook and ETSY.

Early Preparations

I am starting some early preparations for Roly Poly's first birthday party,

which isn't until the end of July.

I know that you might think I am starting too early,

but really I bought the first party item in OCTOBER!!!!

Yes, October.

In addition to this,

I already have the invitations.

My friend Melissa who runs an awesome company called

BELLA ARTISTA

designed them.

I will be sharing them with you sometime soon.

However, today I want to share with you the little cloche that I made.

Yep.

Do you remember this cloche from my Spring Centerpiece Vignette?

Well, it has now been altered.

This was ALWAYS the plan when I purchased it.

I took the cloche and, well, I actually think it was some sort of drinking glass
because a candle could never have fit in it, and married them.

First, I spray painted each item with KRYLON Jade spray paint;

it matches the other decor that I have planned.

Then I used the trusty old E-6000 to adhere the "glass" to the bottom of the cloche.

Now it was a lovely pedastool.

Then I roughed up the trays edges with some sand paper to give it a more distressed look.

VOILA!!!!!!!!!

Pretty cloche in which the Roly Poly's smash cake will be displayed.

I am actually unsure about the distressing that I did.

I don't think that I did a very good job.

What do you think?

Should I repaint it so that it is all uniform?