Halloween Ghost-Pops Treats - A sweet idea!

With Halloween being only days away, I wanted to share a sweet treat!  

Here's a fun idea for Halloween, Ghost-Pops treats.  Make these sweet treats to give to trick-or-treaters, or to share at a Halloween party.  This is from a previous post of mine from a while back and I thought it was worth re-visiting with Halloween being upon us.   

These are so easy to make and it doesn't cost much to make them.  Just a little of your time, a few items, and these come together quickly.  The kids can even help you make them!  They are that easy.  The kids will get a real kick out of these, or maybe a bit of a scare!

It's hard for me to call them scary, because I think they are so cute!  

This is all you need!

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Ghosts and Goblins, and Witches too.

When the trick-or-treaters visit, we get to yell...BOO!

These are my sweet Ghosts-Pops, they are too cute to be scary though!

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(Sorry for the bad image taken long ago before my blogging days!)

These Ghost-Pops are so simple to make and require only a few items.  I made these using Tootsie Pops lollipops covered with Kleenex and tied up with black paper cording.  I made the display using a styrofoam circle covered in wax paper.  I also added the orange jack-o-lantern suckers to my display and a Halloween Candle to the center.

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Ghost-Pops

• Tootsie Pops lollipops
• Box of Kleenex
• Black string - cut into approx. 4" lengths (I used paper cording/twine)
• Black Marker
• Styrofoam for display - Optional
• Wax paper/tissue paper to cover Styrofoam - Optional

Cover a Tootsie Pop with a Kleenex, center and gather just under the Tootsie Pop, tie with black string, secure with a knot.  Make eyes using the black marker to complete the ghost-pop.  Can be displayed in a piece of styrofoam covered with wax paper or tissue paper.  Great for Halloween parties too!

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BOO!

Have a Happy Halloween!...

Fall Door Decoration - My Fall Floral Basket

Although I do have a love for neutral colors and have chosen to use them more this year with my fall home decor, I haven't completely dismissed the orange or more typical fall colors all together.  In sharing my other fall decorating, I hadn't shown what's on my door at the moment.  

And, since my front door is white-(oh the color-lovers are shaking their heads at me now, I can just feel it!), I thought these fall colors that I chose to use in my tin basket would be much more visible and stand-out better on my front door, reflecting what is true outdoors for fall! 

The sun's afternoon glow adds to the vibrant hues of my fall arrangement.  Sunflowers always seem to make a statement no matter how you use them.  And, they always seem to look happy to me!

A gathering of silk fall flowers and foliage, simply tucked into my fancy tin basket gives a pretty 'fall' welcome on my front door!

Fall Mantel

The fireplace and mantel is a great focal point and it's the perfect spot to decorate.  I have a nice wide fireplace surround and mantel with ample space to work with.  I wanted to keep the fall decorating to a minimum in our family room, where the fireplace is located, giving most of the attention to the mantel and continue with more of an overall neutral look.  Less of the typical fall orange.  Warm tones accompany the creamy white with bronze, browns, rust and golds, and a hint of burnt orange.  

~ My Fall Mantel ~  

It was mid-September as I was contemplating the changes to my fireplace mantel.  I love magnolias, the flowers, the leaves, they are beautiful trees that are common around here in Georgia and they're stunning when in bloom.  The huge flowers are eye-catching, and the fragrance is one of my all time favorites.  I decided in late summer to do my mantel with a magnolia theme.  Making the transition to fall was easy by adding a few fall elements.

Here is what I started with, before adding some fall-ness (is that a word?).  This is a photo taken at night, and for some reason the only one I took after I completed this look for the mantel.  I had plans to photograph it later ...but, life happens and sometimes things just don't go as planned!

I had previously purchased some faux magnolia flowers from hobby lobby on one of those half-off floral days.  Love those!  And, since then I had already put together the two floral arrangements.  I then found a gold framed magnolia art print, and a set of magnolia bookends at the antique mall while shopping with my daughter.  She actually pointed out the bookends to me, saying "those look like you Mom!" and with all of the items being priced just right, of course I had to have them!  These would work perfectly with my floral arrangements and add to my magnolia theme!

The mirror was also found that day, and that's when the plan came together in my mind of placing the framed print over the mirror.  A sparkly golden, wire-edged ribbon suspends the framed print.  The ribbon was slipped under the mirror frame and over the mirror. A knot secures it.  A clever solution!  I attached a pretty bow at the top, and my go-to 'wall-tack' keeps it in place.  The wooden letters (from Michael's) rest on the frame and definitely say "FALL."

Later, upon putting it all together I got the idea to turn the bookends upside down and use them as sconces.  Hubby helped by putting picture hangers on the back of them so I could hang them.  It will be easy enough to still use them as bookends again later on.

I had put together the two floral arrangements to flank both ends of the mantel.  The beautiful urns were thrifty treasures found earlier from a local antique shop and I couldn't wait to use them for my magnolia arrangements.

I tucked in bits of fall by using wheat, grasses, fall picks with berries and pine cones, along with the other foliage and the beautiful magnolias.  The floral arrangements now had a new look, and were dressed for fall!

I dressed up my candles with gold sparkle ribbons and tiny pine cones.  That's one of those simple and easy things I like to do and it creates a different look for plain candles.  My little bronze pumpkin and more pine cones completed the look.

My pretty lantern siting down below, got a little fall dressing too!  Some leaves and a ribbon tied into a simple bow, along with a fall-colored candle inside gave it a touch of fall. 

Fall brings the desire for a warm and cozy feel, a feeling of come sit a while and enjoy the fire.  Calm and relaxing.  That's what I hoped to achieve with my fall mantel.  I believe I succeeded, beautifully.  I love seeing the magnolias.  And, I'm loving that I can carry this look through the Thanksgiving holiday!

Fall-bulous!

My Fall Kitchen - (ideas and inspiration)

Our kitchen is open to adjoining rooms, so I try to keep that in mind when putting a touch of seasonal or holiday decor in there.  First and foremost I want my kitchen to be practical and functional, but also it's fun to add a little touch of decor to change it up and make it less boring too.  I added little touches of fall by creating different vignettes around the kitchen.

Next to the stove are necessary condiments and utensils on-the-ready, with a touch of fall added.  Simply using Scrabble letters adhered with a bit of wall tack, along with mini pine cones, made a cute display sign on a small chalkboard.  Jute twine easily dresses things up for fall!  My pretty candle holder with faux candle, adds a nice glow here of an evening.

A fall wreath hung over a white plate, which I already had on the wall, adds a noticeable touch of fall.  The framed leaves, a project I put together last year, sits with sweet little pumpkins and a mini pine cone, adding more fall to this spot.

I've used this wreath in several different ways previously.  It can dress up a centerpiece, or table, instead of using it on the wall.

I used a pair of faux leaves and an inexpensive frame to create this simple fall photo.  Using what I already have always makes for easy decorating!  And, it doesn't cost a thing! 

Clear canisters make great additions to home decor, they can be found just about everywhere, often in various sizes and price ranges.  And, they can be used for so many different items.  Not just for edibles!  I like to change them out with different contents that reflect the seasons and the holidays too!  Doing so can add to a theme, or color scheme, as well.  I think I achieved a fall look with these!  Nuts anyone?

Even the top of my refrigerator gets a little attention with some fall decor.  I store non-everyday items in the cabinet above it, so I prefer to dress-up the top of the frig, rather than looking at the blank cabinet doors.  That area always seems to be *begging* for attention!  And, it's another blank canvas for me to work with.  Simple touches of fall in neutral colors gives it some attention.

This bar area is full of sparkle and shows-off some of my cut glass, and crystal pieces.  That's one of the things I love to collect!  I think the gold and glass go so well together, and I just love how all this sparkles, like jewelry.  I do love me some sparkle!

A little golden pumpkin that I painted recently, sits in my crystal bowl, and adds a simple touch of fall here, as well.

"An apple a day" as they say!  Apples don't last very long around here since I love them, but, in the meantime they easily add to the fall decor.  My 'apple' plate was a sweet find last year, adding the little chalkboard was an idea that I came up with while thinking of the phrase.  This is a delicious reminder to have my apple a day!

Over in front of my kitchen sink, I have this pretty view.  The flower arrangement is one of my favorites.  I like to add to it, and take away different items from it, in changing it's appearance.  And, it fits in well for most of my seasonal and holiday decor.  Plus, I love the bronze bowl I used for it!  The faux pumpkin is one I painted recently, I have it proudly on display.  I keep a candy dish sitting here on the ready for those moments when you're in need or simply must have a chocolate hug! ...'cause that's what chocolate is, it's a big ol' HUG!  The grands really like this candy dish, a lot!  Oh the lure of those "special treats!"      

This spot can be seen over across from my sink and is the entry to our family room, as well as the view from the stairs around the corner from the kitchen.  I used this tall vase previously on my fireplace mantel, one of a matched set, I added some items to the tall curly sticks giving it more of a fall look.  The feathers I found at hobby lobby, they were perfect for adding some fall.  A mini urn holds some fall goodies, and a trio of pine cones gave this area just enough fall detail.   

I hope you've enjoyed seeing more of my fall home decor, perhaps it will be a little inspiration, and will give you some ideas to use in your home.

I'll be back soon sharing my fall mantel!

Happy decorating!...

Fall Table Centerpiece

One of the inspirations for my fall home decor was my fall table centerpiece that I put together for my breakfast area table.  It set the tone for the direction I wanted to go with the overall feel.

I began with a pretty ceramic urn, a recent thrifty treasure purchase, I filled it with creamy faux hydrangeas.  I also tucked in other elements, the mini pine cones were the perfect touch to create a fall feel.  All of the items for my centerpiece I already had, with the exception of the sweet little green-ish cluster flowers.

A gold shimmer ribbon along with a brown contrasting ribbon also adds a nice touch, with both being tied around the urn, and into a simple bow.

I added a coiled-up pretty beaded garland to my favorite glass tray, and then placed the urn on the tray, centering it to make it the focal point.  I filled my glass tray with a combination of textures.  The natural texture of pine cones, leaves, corn husks, and pumpkins.

I just love those little faux pumpkins, and their color is just my style.  They came in a multi-pack of pumpkins in various sizes and colors from the craft store and purchased last year.  Although I didn't paint these I have painted several of the orange pumpkins either white or cream and now prefer their neutral appearance.  Painting some of my silk leaves with a wash of gold paint gave them a nice look and changed them from their previous bright orange.  And, they work well with the other faux leaves with the golden edges. 

Pine cones are easy for me to find, and collect, since I have them in abundance all year round in my yard.  The squirrels like to munch on them though, so I have to get to them before they're all chewed up.

The morning and afternoon sun fills this room with lots of light.  The pretty beaded garland adds a bit of sparkle, along with the glass tray, and as does the gold shimmer ribbon.  The light in the room adds to the sparkle!

My centerpiece was simple and easy to put together, it works well with the other decor in the room, and looks just right on my table.

Thoughts and Things - This week ... Travels, Food, Fun & Family Friday and TRAFFIC!

We had a little trip to North Carolina on Friday so we stopped on the way back to stay in Greenville, SC over night.  Some family time together with our daughter, son-in-law and the two grands!  And, we also took our four-legged furr-baby Aeon along with us, who enjoyed spending time with everyone, most especially the grands, and also their four-legged furr-baby Windsor.  

We had a fun evening with them on Friday night and also as we enjoyed watching them do home-made pasta.  They have a pasta making machine so along with using a home made dough recipe, they make fresh pasta.  The choice was fettuccine or spaghetti, and it was agreed by all that spaghetti would be the pasta they would make.  What a fun gadget!  Although this is not a quick endeavor, they have become quite good at the whole process, and are an excellent team working together to achieve what was a most delicious home dining experience.  They did an impressive job!  Some fresh spaghetti topped with a tasty homemade tomato sauce, garnished with grated parmesan cheese, served along with bread and herb/seasoned olive oil, and some red wine of course!  Everything was so good, and the pasta was so delicious!  Definitely my kind of meal, it's Italian!

Fall-2015 at Home

Today I'm sharing some of the changes I made to my home for fall.  Although I usually do love using lots of neutrals and naturals for the most part in my home decor, I have enjoyed adding in some warmer fall color.  I found a balance with using burnt-orange, rust, browns, bronze and golds.  I'll try to keep it short so you can enjoy the photos.



I made a few changes to our breakfast area.  So many of my favorite things on display here!

And, speaking of display, you may have seen my recent post for my "Fall Display Shelf."  I enjoy changing it up for the different seasons and holidays, too!

I dressed up my shutters below it by layering it with a framed, fall-colored flower photo, and a faux sunflower.  Try saying that fast a few times! ha!

My baker's rack is another of my favorites, and a favorite thing to dress-up with my favorite things!
The baker's rack is yet another place that I love to decorate.  Plus it plays back-up for storing items while not in use, bowls, serving dishes, trays, and so on.  It's  not far from my display shelf and the two can compete with each other, so I try to keep that in mind when accessorizing.

Over in front of the window is my side-table all decked out with more fall goodies of dressed-up pumpkins, a basket of apples, and some flowers.  Also two tall pillar candle holders, along with what I refer to as my "skinny demi-john" bottle, the three are recent thrift-store steal-of-a-bargain items.  Atop the candle holders are my dressed-up faux/battery-operated candles, they were an easy to do DIY project, and I just shared how to make them in this post a few days ago.

These lovely fall flowers and a pair of pine cones are front and center up on top of my baker's rack.

Pumpkins and golden acorns.  That says "fall!"

Some pine cones and a pumpkin over here, says "fall", too!

My Candlestick Lamp was a thrift-store find that I gave a much needed make-over using paint.  It goes so well with the fall colors!

Another thrift-store find was this bell-shaped candle holder, which I turned upside-down to create a cloche.  I sat it over a mini plant with pine cones, on top of one of my pretty gold rimmed saucers.

Family!  This is what life is all about, isn't it?  The best gift in life!  

~ Family like branches on a tree, we all grow in different directions yet our roots remain as one.~  A sweet sentiment.  I love it, too!  

Oh, and by the way, I found this framed picture at the dollar-store last fall, yep, just a dollar!

  

More pumpkins!  Sweet little pumpkins, and teeny, tiny pumpkins.  I painted the cream colored pumpkins last year with craft paint, they were 'bright' orange originally!

I also painted the little round box beneath the pumpkin, it was once a plain embossed cardboard box originally, I also have a little square one which I also gave the same chalk paint treatment.  I like them as lifts for small items.

And, guess 'whoo' was also here last year?  Mr Owl!  He is so perfect for my home, anytime of the year!

He was a 'must-have' that I got from the At home store.  

And, another sweet sentiment, this one is about friends.  They do fill our soul with sunshine and our hearts with love.  Another gift of life along with family, is good friends!  

And, this is yet another dollar-store framed picture goodie!

My sweet handmade pumpkin!  In my quest to not purchase any new neutral or light colored pumpkins last year, I painted some and made some!  You can see how I made this one here, it was so easy!  

A wish for those in my home, as well as for others, too!  I hope you are blessed with much love and laughter!  

And, I hope you enjoyed my fall home decor!...