MCT Designer Challenge: Fall Colors

Welcome to another Designer Challenge with My Creative Time. Today my fellow Design Team sister, Cheryl, has challenged us to create a Fall-themed project using Fall colors.

For my challenge project, I decided to create a sweet little tag that I can attach to a home decor project, batch of cookies or gift.

The tag was cut out using the Just Tags Dies and I stamped the pumpkin and sentiment from Piles of Smiles. The pumpkin was colored with my Copics and the wood grain background is an original design that I created on my computer.

Be sure to check out what the other designers have in store for you today on Emma's blog. While you're there, why don't you jump in and join us? You can submit your project on Emma's blog.

I hope you were inspired!

- Veronica

Harvest Decor: DIY Plaster & Pine Cone Garland

I've been flitting around my home decorating table tops and doors for Fall, but so many areas seem to go untouched. One of these areas: my windows. We have 3 large windows in our living room that let in lots of light (when we actually get light at this time of year) but they're kept pretty simple: white curtains and brown roman shades. This year, I decided to spruce them up for Fall!

I found a great idea on one of my favorite DIY blogs for plastering silk leaves and creating a garland. I'd never used plaster before, but it looked easy enough, so I bought a bucket and got to work. Boy, oh boy. Turns out - I'm not made for plaster. To be quite honest, the process wasn't quite as seamless as I had anticipated and I only completed 8 leaves before the plaster completely dried up on me. I thought the project was a failure and I was ready to throw in the towel. I took a deep breath, walked away from my project and did what any defeated DIY-er would do - I went on Pinterest!

While surfing Pinterest for more amazing ideas I could try, I came across this post. Pine cone garland, eh? I took a look at my 'failed' plaster leaves and decided they didn't look as awful as I originally thought. And maybe adding pine cones between each leaf would help to dress it up and take away from the not-so-perfect looking leaves.

I screwed small eyes screws (from a picture hanging kit I had on hand) into the pine cones (purchased from Michaels, but you could certainly collect your own) and hung them on the dollar store twine I was using for the garland. I tied the stems of each leaf in the garland (eye-balling the spacing) and voila!

The garland looks great hanging on the large windows in the living room and helps bring the decor off the table and into 'the light'.

Thanks for stopping by today! I hope you were inspired!

-Veronica

Harvest Decor: Open Back Clothespin Frame

Original Frame found on Pinterest

Have you checked out Pinterest? It's a fabulous website FULL of awesome, creative ideas shared by people just like you! Not only can you find ideas on there, but you can also 'pin' ideas to your very own pinboard to save for later use. It's like a virtual inspiration board right on your computer! I've been LOVING it since I signed up.

 It's so easy to 'pin' this and that, but sometimes it can be a challenge to actually get around to making something that I've pinned. *giggle* Well... I did it! I actually made something I pinned on Pinterest!

I was so inspired by this open back frame when I saw it. The twine "clotheslines" and clothespins give this frame a cozy, well-loved look without going too far in the rustic direction. I was originally going to make this into a Christmas card holder, but it really doesn't flow well with my other Christmas decor.

My version of the Pinterest Frame

Though I didn't have an exact purpose for the project yet, I purchased a similar frame from (non-other than) the Salvation Army for $4 (what a steal). To get the same look as the original, I drilled some small screws into the sides of the frame and wound some twine (from the Dollar Store) around them. The clothespins I had on hand weren't weathered enough, so I distressed them with some Tim Holtz Walnut Stain Distress Ink.

After letting my bare frame sit in my Creative Studio for a couple of weeks, it came to me: This frame would be PERFECT in my foyer with my Harvest Decor! I hot glued some glittery flourishes to the top corner, added a big, floppy Autumn bow and I was almost finished!

I have to admit, it was a bit difficult deciding what to hand from the clothespins. I didn't want the frame to be too cluttered. I printed "...And be thankful" off my computer (font: Nelly Script Flourish) and hung it on the top row. But what could I put on the other rows?

I really love the idea of having a bowl of "I am thankful for ___________" slips of paper in front of the frame and have guests fill them out and hang them up when they come over. But to be honest, we don't get too many visitors. Finally, I decided to keep it simple and hang some Autumn leaves from the clothespins and let them drape around the adorable pumpkin I purchased from Michaels (which sits atop a pedestal I purchased from the Salvation Army with the frame).

This project turned out to be a great 'first impression' when you walk into our home. It's welcoming and festive and is a great reminder for what this season is all about.

Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by today. If you're interested in seeing all the other fun projects I've pinned on Pinterest, you can follow me here. I hope you've been inspired!

-Veronica