Decorating With Nature

Well, it's that time of year. The fall decorations are out and about everywhere we look. I have a bit of a problem with the traditional colors of fall. My home is decorated with a lot of pinks, and cream. Orange just isn't an option for me. One of my dear friends, Shari, over at http://mycottageofbliss.blogspot.com/2009/09/fall-decorating.html had this lovely picture on her blog. It says autumn without using orange. I just love the warm glow of candles, and nuts and acorns I can do. Simple yet elegant. This is what I came up with. I went to Walmart and picked up the globes inexpensively. Their vanilla candles are great. They give off a great scent, and they are not even lit. Not far from my home, I remembered a big tree with hundreds of acorns all for the taking. I gathered up a bunch and put them in with the candles. The gold stand I found at a thrift shop. I was going to paint it white, and never got around to it, so it's perfect for this display. Behind our local Friendlies Resturant, I had discovered a while ago, a pine tree with the tiniest little pinecones. Perfect for crafting. So, I gathered some of these too. They are so cute, just about 1" big. I filled the smaller container with these around the candle. (Click pictures to enlarge)

I also just love dried hydrangea. Not far from my home, I discovered a house with a HUGE hydrangea bush. Couldn't hurt to ask the owner for a few stems. The owner obliged, and told me to take all I wanted! Oh my, I was in heaven. The perfect colors for my home too, pale green, and pink! Just plop them in a vase, and no water needed. They dry beautiuflly, and will last long time. The blooms are very fragile though, so be gentle with them.

This little cherub statue, I found for $2 at a garage sale 2 yrs ago. I just love its chippy paint. I love the hydrangeas in here too.

This watering can, I found in Home Goods, and these flowers were perfect. So, look around your yard and see what you can use in your vases to decorate with. Grasses, nuts, goldenrod, all look so nice, and most of it is free. Thanks again Shari for your inspiration. Please stop by and visit her. She has a beautiful cottage home with lots of pink and white. :)

Debbie