Pumpkin Posy!

 
I love pumpkin carving but there's nothing better than doing something different with your pumpkin for Halloween. These stunning pumpkin posy's are great for party centre pieces, they really give that wow factor and are sure to make your friends green with envy!
 
Here's what I used to create my pumpkin posy:
 

Pumpkin

Carving Set

Pen

Flowers

Green Stub Wire

Black Wire

Floral Foam

Floral Knife or Kitchen Knife

Scissors

Decorations

Bowl

Water

 

 
I began by using a bowl and a pen to trace a large circle on top of my pumpkin, this has to be big enough to allow the floral foam to fit inside the pumpkin. Once I carved the top I scooped all the gooey bits out and discarded them and the lid, this won't be needed.
 
I wanted my pumpkin posy to have a mixture of Autumn colours with a touch of spookiness. I chose Gerberas as my focal flower and Carnations and Hypericum Berries as my filler. When using Gerberas with floral foam it's important to prepare them properly. Their stems aren't as sturdy as other flowers and tend to bend when inserted into the foam. To stop this from happening, I held the head of the Gererba with my thumb resting lightly on top. With my other hand I pushed the wire through the back of the flower head. If you can see the wire poking though the front of the flower, push it back a little. I then wrapped the wire around the stem of the flower. This will give you more control over the flower and stops it from snapping or bending when you're inserting it into the foam.
  

  
 
Using my floral knife I cut the foam to fit inside the pumpkin. When you are buying floral foam make sure you choose wet foam, it's usually darker in colour than the dry foam. Wet foam is used for fresh flowers. I placed my wet foam into a bowl of water. It is important not to move the foam much while it's absorbing the water as the middle may stay dry. Once the water had soaked through the floral foam I placed it inside the pumpkin.
 

I spaced the Gerberas apart when inserting them into the foam, this is to ensure they don't appear too heavy on one side and to allow room for the filler. Always make sure to cut your stems at an angle, this gives the flower a larger surface to drink from. I randomly added the Carnations between the gaps and finally added the Hypericum Berries to any remaining spaces.
 
 
  

 

I used cinnamon sticks as they add to the autumn feel and little Halloween bows and black diamante feathers as they add a touch of spookiness to the posy's appearance.

 

 

I also wanted to add something different to finish off my pumpkin posy. I came across a similar idea on Google when I was browsing for pumpkin stencils. Instead of carving the words BOO I used black buttons and wire to attach them to the pumpkin, to give it a 3D look. I bought my buttons at my local haberdashery store, they had all different shapes and sizes. I was tempted to buy some of the pretty pink ones but I knew they would have looked out of place. I chose black to keep in with the Halloween theme. I thread black wire though the little holes in the buttons and twisted them on one side. This will ensure they stay in place and wont wobble around when they're stuck on the pumpkin. I trimmed the wire to make sure the ends were the same length, and with a little pressure pushed the buttons into the pumpkin to form each letter.

 

 

 

Finally, I sprayed my pumpkin with hair spray, this gives it a lovely shine and slows down the wilting process.

 

 

Now I'm all prepared for Halloween! The sweeties are in, the decorations are up, just waiting for my first trick or treaters to arrive!

 

Boo! Happy Halloween!

 

Pumpkin Carving!



Pumpkin carving is a Halloween must and a great past time for the whole family. Whether you design your carving free hand or by using a stencil, they all look mystical. This is my favourite time of year, the kid's don't get to have all the fun! 

Last year I used a stencil for the first time to carve a pumpkin, Oggie Boogie. I would definitely recommend using a stencil when carving your pumpkin. It'll wow the kids and make your neighbours jealous!

Oogie Boogie from Disney's The Nightmare Before Christmas.

 

 

After browsing Google for unusual stencils, I came across Creative-Type Dad's Blog. This blog is amazing and provides free stencils for pumpkin carving. I browsed the list of stencils and once I saw the Evil Queen stencil my heart was set on using it!

Most of us know how to carve a pumpkin but for those of you who might not have much experience, follow my basic, easy steps.

What I used: 

Pumpkin
Carving Set
Stencil
Sticky Tape (optional)
Pen/Marker
Tea Light & Matches

 

Using a pen I drew a circle on top of my pumpkin, this will be the lid. I carved the top at an angle using my carving set, you can find the same set here. I carve the top at an angle as it stops it from falling through as the pumpkin wilts. After carving the top you may have some visible pen lines, use a wet cloth to gently wipe them off. Using the scoop from my carving set, I removed the inside of the pumpkin, this is the gooey bit that kids love!

 

 

I cut my printable stencil to size to make it easier to trace around. Sticky tape is ideal for children as it makes it that little bit easier to keep the stencil in place. I traced over the stencil with a pen and a little pressure. When the stencil is removed you'll be able to see where you will need to carve. If you want to be a little more creative or there's more than one who wants to carve, you can purchase a party carving set here.  

 

Using my knife I carefully carved the lines that I created with my stencil. I lit a tea light, placed it inside my pumpkin and put the top back on! It's as easy as that!

 

 

 

Before I put my candle inside I was quite worried that this didn't look like the original stencil, I even thought I might scrap it and try again! But I persevered and I'm glad I did. Maybe it could look a little neater, but I'm not a pro carver! Maybe next year i'll be a little more adventurous! 

 


Evil Queen from Disney's Snow White.



 

Always be sure to supervise children when using sharp objects and candles.

 



 

 

 

Shabby Chic Plant Stand Up-Cycle.

This was my very first up-cycle project, a tall mahogany plant stand. Unfortunately I don’t have an image of how it looked before I painted it, but this stand is very similar. (Right)

I used Annie Sloan’s Emile Chalk Paint. I used a thick 100% bristle brush to apply one thin layer of paint, which was slighty diluted with water. Then using sand paper I lightly rubbed back the areas I wanted to distress, allowing the wood underneath to show through.

Once the paint dried I used a thick and sturdy bristle brush to apply clear wax to finish the Plant Stand. I used dark wax in the grooves to give this piece of furniture an aged look. I then removed any areas of unwanted dark wax with a cloth and a small amount of clear wax. After allowing the wax to settle, I used a clean lint-free cloth to buff, making the wax appear shiny.


My final touches. I wrapped a cream rose garland around the stand and placed vintage accessories on top. A plant stand doesn't always have to be used to display flowers, be bold!

 

 

Quick fix for a dull sofa.

 

 

Growing tired of the same surroundings can happen so easily, but it's not so easy and cheap to change the decor or to get a new sofa. Sometimes all you need  to do is to add a new colour, throw in a few different textures, shapes and sizes and hey presto! A re-vamped sofa that will look and feel brand new.  

Here I have made a collage of some cushions with a throw with a Vintage French feel. I chose to base these around the colour blue. Every time I think of France, the colour blue always pops into my mind, without fail. Maybe it's their beautiful blue skies or that Belle, from Beauty and the Beast, wears a blue dress. (My favourite childhood movie!) 

There's never a right or wrong when it comes to deciding how many cushions you want on a sofa, sizes or shapes. It all depends on your own personal taste. Different textures and sizes will add interest meaning you'll find it hard to get bored of them, and friends and family will be naturally drawn to your sofa! Using different tints, tones and shades of the same colour will tie the scheme together making it look appealing and welcoming.

Click on the links below and they will direct you to the website I sourced the items from!

Navy Fleece Throw   Bow Cushion   Daisy Chain Cushion Poste France Cushion   Postcard Butterfly Cushion   Cat Cushion   Home Sweet Home Cushion   Vintage Postcard Cushion   Love and Hope Bird Cushion

Magazine Holder Up-Cycle

     

I came across this magazine rack in a second hand store. I wanted to paint something different, but something that would be on show and could also be used daily. This was perfect.
 
This little piece was a joy to paint. I mixed a tiny amount of Annie Sloan Original Chalk Paint with Annie Sloan Emile Chalk Paint, to soften the colour slightly. I gave this unit two coats of paint. Once the paint dried I used fine sandpaper to gently sand back areas of the paint, to give a distressed look. I then used a clean, dry cloth to apply a generous amount of wax.   
 
Tip: Once the wax has had time to dry, use a different clean, dry cloth to buff the wax. This gives it a beautiful shine and finishes it off nicely.

My little haven

This is my Shabby Chic bedroom. It’s a converted attic which is small and cosy. It has a tiny little Shabby Chic en-suite to match. There are two slim skylights which provide a great amount of light for such a tiny room.

The main feature wall is painted with Dulux Javan Dawn 1. The remaining 3 walls and ceiling are painted with Dulux Gentle Gold 4. I have two cream French bedside tables, one either side of my bed and another to support my television (which cannot be seen in this photograph). With a built in wardrobe and little space I have no other storage units.

You can find a similar JellyCat Owl plush here and the blue floral cushions can be found here.

This is a monochromatic colour scheme as I have used different tints, tones and shades of blue. A bit simple some may think but through using different textures it creates contrast and interest. 

It’s my perfect little hideaway, a little on the small side but I wouldn't change a thing! And when my bed calls, I can't wait to get cosy!

Telephone Table

Telephone tables seem to be a thing of the past. I don’t know anyone who has one. Maybe they’re in storage? If they all looked like this, I probably wouldn’t have one on show! It’s boring and plain. This is how it looked before I gave it some tender loving care!

I prepped the table for painting, washing off any dust and grime, checking if every thing was in working order. My choice of paint for this table was Annie Sloan Old White Chalk Paint. I wanted the paint to dry thick so the bristle strokes could be seen, so I didn’t dilute the paint with any water. Although if you want a smoother look add a little water, too much and the paint will dry with little bubble marks, meaning you’ll have to paint a second coat. Be careful!

Once the paint dried I applied clear wax. Then using fine sand paper I distressed the unit. Lightly add pressure to areas that you want to “look old”. I used dark wax to emphasis the curvature of the legs and to give the table an aged look. I find it best to remove excess dark wax by going over it with clear wax. Remember to seal the areas you have distressed! Give the wax a few hours to settle and then using a clean cloth, buff the table using circular motions to give it a beautiful shine.

I was inspired by the classic French look so although the table still looks old, it’s a vintage classic, quite plain yet sophisticated!

An old fashioned rotary dialing telephone would look perfect on this table!

Mirror Up-Cycle

I came across this little gem in a second hand store, dusty and sitting behind other mirrors and picture frames. I instantly knew it had heaps of potential, all it would need is a lick of paint and some tender loving care.

 

When starting a new project I like to imagine what the piece of furniture will look like once it’s painted. The main question I ask myself is would it be something I would buy if I saw it in a shop? With this mirror I went with my gut. I was going to paint it pink but I wanted a colour that would really stand out, so I changed my mind and went with Annie Sloan’s Persian Green Chalk Paint.

I gave the mirror two coats of paint and once it had dried, I took a damp cloth and began to rub the paint off the detailed areas. For the smaller grooves I used a damp cotton bud. I done this on all the areas that I wanted the gold to show through. I decided not to use gold leaf on this mirror, it can be time consuming and this way is just as effective, cheating some might say.

Using clear wax and a waxing cloth, I sealed the entire frame. I used a thin bristle brush to wax the grooves and the areas which were harder to reach. I would usually let the wax dry before continuing but I immediately applied dark wax to the gold detailed areas of the mirror, and wiped off any excess wax using a cloth and clear wax.

Dark wax really makes the details stand out whilst making the piece look aged, it creates the perfect shabby chic look. I buffed the wax before it dried, something which I don’t normally do, however it gave the paint a beautiful shine.

This has to be one of my most prized pieces. Its magical French/Beauty and the Beast feel is definitely a show stopper! And my answer is yes, if you’re wondering. If I saw this in a shop, I’d be walking out of that store as a very happy customer!

How to take care of your Roses

Roses are usually the first to droop in a bouquet of flowers. This is because of an air bubble in the head of the Rose. This stops water from reaching the head and so begins to droop. To stop your Roses from wiliting all you need to do is follow these simple steps.

1. Remove all packaging and any string that is holding the bouquet together. Prepare a vase to display your flowers in. Remember to add the flower food supplied with the bouquet.

2. Cut 2-3 centimeters from the bottom of the stem at an angle. It is important to cut flowers at an angle as this gives the flower a larger area to drink from.

3. Using a different vase or cup, place the Roses in boiling water for 30 to 60 seconds. This bursts the air pocket at the top of the head.

4. Place Roses in the prepared vase. Keep any foilage out of the water as this creates bacteria that can also cause your flowers to wilt.

Remember to supply your flowers with fresh water and cut the stems at an angle at least once a week!

Gruesome Vampire Cocktail

It's that time of year again, trees have that beautiful golden glow and the morning air is bitter. Halloween is approaching fast and there's no time like the present to begin some decorating!

I rarely see Halloween decorations in peoples gardens or windows, unlike my favourite Halloween movie Hocus Pocus, where the houses are lavishly decorated. I never decorate my home, maybe a pumpkin here and there, but this year I'm pulling out all the stops.

It's usually around this time of year, when it gets dark early and its nippy outside that I love going late night shopping to my local Asda superstore. It's quite satisfying being able to shop when most people are at home with the kids tucked up in bed. I recently went on a late night shopping trip to Asda and when I came across the Halloween isle, I couldn't help but fill my basket with decorations and treats. I came across a Gothic Goblet at a bargain price and I just couldn't resist. I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it and couldn't wait to begin experimenting. This is what I ended up with, a Gruesome Vampire Cocktail!

It's the perfect little decoration if you’re throwing a Halloween party on a budget or if you fancy being a little creative.

What you will need;

Red food colouring
Water
Oil
Stones
Goblet
Plastic Spider

Extras. (These are not essential);

Turkey baster
Green food colouring
Glitter

Begin with adding a small handful of stones to the bottom of your Gothic Goblet or your choice of glass. If you choose to use the same Gothic Goblet as I have, the stones will give the illusion of there being teeth at the bottom of the goblet. Fill your glass or goblet half way with water. Add a few drops of the red food colouring, or the colour of your choice. I chose red as it looks like blood. Give it a gentle stir to make sure the food colouring has mixed properly. Using 2:1 ratio add the oil, this will settle above the water.

To finish off your Gruesome Vampire Cocktail drop a plastic spider into the oil. I used a small Spider which I got as part of a Spider Web set from Asda. The spider will float in the oil.

Extra

If you want to add some extra touches, mix a little oil with some green food colouring in a tumbler. Give it a good stir to allow the food colouring to fuse with the oil. Using a turkey baster, let the mixture slowly drip on top of your Gruesome Vampire Cocktail. I think it looks like frog spawn, adding to the Halloween feel. It will settle at the top, floating above the water. If you're a lover of glitter, sprinkle a small amount of on top for final touches.
 
 

I would advise not to consume this Cocktail and keep out of reach from children.

Enjoy making your Gruesome Vampire Cocktail!