September Pinterest Review

 

Pinterest is a useful tool for bookmarking all your favorite things. You can categorize all your inspirations and tutorials in one place. It’s been so handy for me and I’ve posted about that before, but there’s another bonus that’s equally as good.

It drives so much more traffic to your site! Trust me it does! 

Want to see how many of your images are pinned and  repinned?  Type in  http://pinterest.com/source/your blog name here, put in your own blog name.

At over 88 pins in September, my burlap pumpkin came in as my number one pin for the month.  #2 is the twig wreath at 55+ pins, #3 is the ruffled shade vignette at 30+pins and #4 at 22+pins is the burlap wreath I made last Christmas.

That’s a lot of pins and repins and I‘ve seen a tremendous jump in traffic. Let’s just say that when I checked my stats, my jaw about hit the floor.  

I’d love to see your most pinned in September and think I’ll have a monthly recap every month. Would you like to join in? Maybe a monthly linky party? Are you interested? If you’re not using pinterest just ask me for an invite and I’ll send you one.

With all this pinning going on, don’t forget to watermark your photos, it’s important.

Added to Pinning and Singing at 5 Minutes just for Me.

Debbie (((xx)))

Autumn Front Porch

Welcome!

For Autumn, I’ve hung my twiggy wreath on the front door and added  twigs and natural elements to the vintage wicker planter. I’m into twigs this year. Just call me tree hugger!

I started building this arrangement by laying branches and twigs in the planter, then I added faux pumpkins and hydrangea.

 

The pretty tassels are from a grass plant in the back yard.

To help them appear more real, the pumpkins got a brownish color wash.

The burgundy colored leaves are fake too, everything else was snipped from the yard. I think the gold and deep red feathery stems are Amaranth. Not sure, anyone know?

 

 

They reseed every year  in a bed beside our mailbox.  Guess I should try to dry some and see if they keep their pretty color.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It can’t really be Fall with flowers like these still blooming, can it?

So that’s my Fall porch, can’t wait to see yours!

 

Added to,

It’s Fall y’all linky party at Southern Hospitality.

Primp your stuff Wednesday at Primp

Wow us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Transformation Thursday at Shabby Creek Cottage

Debbie (((xx)))

Autumn Mantel 2011

Mantel or mantle, this always confuses me. I googled it and it seems that mantel is correct. Mantle is a cloak, a covering, jacket or a layer between the earth’s core and crust.
Okay, now that we have that out of the way, let’s get to the Autumn mantel in the family room, which still has that once famous Laura Ashley gold on the walls. I do have the new paint color picked out though.

The white frame was a yardsale find that I’ve had for a long time. All the twigs and branches were cut from our yard. The thin stems are actually a clematis vine that I cut down. All the leaves and pumpkins are faux and the larger ones holding the leaves are ceramic. I added in a few pinecones on the ends.

The beautiful yarn wreath is the star of my mantel. My hand ached for days after making it but I love the way it turned out.

Tucked in are a few berry stems from an old wreath.

Making the flowers was so much more fun than wrapping and wrapping and wrapping and wrapping. I just used yarn I already had and wrapped , wrapped…….

First I spread the clematis vines on the mantel and then added in the other elements, tweaking over and over until I liked it.

I like the vines hanging loosely over the edge of the mantel.

So there it is! Fall is such a pretty season, ENJOY!

Linked up to the Party at The lettered Cottage. I can’t wait to see all the mantels!

Whatever wednesday

 

Debbie (((xx)))

Inspiration, 12 ways to use natural elements in your Fall decor

Summer is officially over and the cool air signals the turning of leaves. Autumn is such a beautiful season with the colors and smells of wood fires and cinnamon and mother nature puts on her brightest clothes. Let’s enjoy Fall before winter arrives.

Source: google.com via Bungalow on Pinterest

 #1 Indian corn
Dried Indian corn and jute twine wrapped around a candle create a simple and pretty Autumnal display. 

Source: mommahenscoop.blogspot.com via Bungalow on Pinterest

#2 Old wood, pumpkins, corn and leaves
An enamel basin filled with pumpkins, corn and leaves in an old chair is a unique display that really catches your eye. I can see this on the front porch of a big old farm house.

Source: us.mc659.mail.yahoo.com via Bungalow on Pinterest

#3 Sticks, leaves and twine.
I’d describe this mantle as crisp and I love everything about it! The bright color of the leaves, white pottery, the banner and of course the twigs and twine wrapped candle sticks.

Source: texascottage.blogspot.com via Bungalow on Pinterest

#4 Bittersweet.
This wheelbarrow welcomes you with pumpkins and bittersweet. I sure wish I could find some bittersweet growing in the wild. I don’t even know where to look!

Source: bhg.com via Bungalow on Pinterest

#5 White birch limbs, pinecones and berries.
White birch limbs and pinecones. Wow, what else can I say? I see pumpkins, berries, moss, gourds, pinecones and sticks.

Source: bhg.com via Bungalow on Pinterest

#6 Miniature Indian corn and wheat
Centerpiece and place cards made from Indian corn and wheat. Elegant, simple and inviting. Wooden handled utensils too!

Source: blog.builddirect.com via Bungalow on Pinterest

#7 Chinese lanterns, vines, bittersweet and gourds.
This colorful grouping would look great indoors or out. I can see this on a foyer table.

Source: bhg.com via Bungalow on Pinterest

#8 sticks and pinecones

I just plain love sticks in décor!

Source: stylemepretty.com via Bungalow on Pinterest

#9 Apples

Can you see these on a buffet table, tucked around lifts and levels of food?

 

Source: pinterest.com via Bungalow on Pinterest

#10 Sticks
Sticks again. A great idea to display Autumn’s fruits like apples or pears.

Source: blogs.babble.com via Bungalow on Pinterest

#11 And more sticks
Ok, so it’s a bit of overkill with the sticks, but look how versatile they are. The addition of flowers is a colorful accent.

#12, my twig wreath.
I hope this inspires you to bring some of the beauty of Fall indoors.  

Happy Fall y’all !






Debbie (((xx)))

Pioneer Woman’s Chicken Scallopini

You’ve heard of Pioneer Woman, right? 
Well, duh!
That woman can cook! Now she has her own cooking show.
I decided to try her recipe for Chicken Scallopine and it did not disappoint one bit! I loved it. 
From her site, she says this about her recipe, “If you’re looking for a classic, no modifications, authentic recipe for Chicken Scallopine/Scallopini, this probably isn’t it.  If you’re looking for a dadgum delicious pasta dish that’s perfect for either family or company, you’ve landed in the right spot.”
The chicken is sizzling in butter and oil and I can almost smell it right now.

  A perfect accompaniment for this dish were the last of our garden tomatoes. Colorful too.


Just look at it. Can you imagine how delicious it was? Tender chicken with a bit of a crisp edge, lots of mushrooms in a buttery sauce, Parmesan cheese and a very generous amount of capers are in every dadgum delicious bite, just like she said!

This recipe is a keeper, for sure. I will definitely make it again.    

Now HERE’S the Pioneer Woman’s recipe.   Enjoy!
I spotted her on this Country Woman magazine too.
A huge blog, book, children’s book, tv shows, magazines….she gets around. And we ♥ her!











 Added to Foodie Friday @Designs by Gollum




Debbie (((xx)))

5 Minutes to craft a pumpkin with plastic bags & burlap

**Step 1:
Gather up a bunch of plastic bags, stuff them all into one bag and tie shut. Find a piece of fabric, preferably square, but I used an oblong shape because it was all I had. Burlap looks cutest when it’s finished.

*Step 2:
Pull corners together and tie tightly to form a stem.

*Step 3:
Tuck in any ends and forget about them.


It should now look something like this. If you’re thinking, “what the what,” just keep going.

*Step 4:
To create the pumpkin shape, wrap with twine/jute, sort of like wrapping a gift with ribbon.
The bottom should look like this.

It’s still not looking like much, just wait…..


What step is this?
Wrap stem with same twine/jute, wrapping tighter as you go up the stem and bend to the side. The stem, bend the stem to the side.


Last step:
Adjust the sections to your liking, squish into shape and most importantly, don’t be too fussy.


Voila! Here’s your 5minute-plastic bag-burlap-pumpkin! She’s such a cutie!  
Embellished or not, she’s all ready to be added to your Fall mantle or décor.

Linked up to  Tutorials and tips Tuesday at Home Stories A 2 Z
Primp your stuff at Primp
Savvy Southern Style, Wow us Wednesday




Debbie (((xx)))