Keep Your Colors

 I've been saying for years that there's no reason to completely change your colors

 just because you're decorating for a holiday.

Embrace your taste.

Your house can still have the flavor of the season.

 My mother does not believe me.

Let's prove her wrong.

Trust me, that's just as much fun at 51 as it is at 16.

 Let's take my bar.

White and aqua lamp, black surface, oiled bronze fan, green walls, black shelves.

 First, let's add a splash of orange in the form of a runner.

This will pull the arrangement together with a landing pad, and it coordinates with 

the other runners purchased for $6 at Dollar General.

(I need to lay off the BHG, huh?)

We'll add a white painted pot pedestal and glass cloche,

then fill it with aqua mini pumpkins with a touch of silver glitter.

Pop a really large resin pumpkin in white with oiled bronze 

accents to match the fan.

 Some smaller pumpkins make it a collection.

 Grab a little more glitter to keep with our over all glamor theme;

we'll give this large black pumpkin a silver cake stand for some height.

The Fall napkin scrunched under it makes it softer and more stable.

Add a squat little glittered gourd so you have a pair.

 Now that you have the basics, start arranging.

I still have a few tweaks needed, but that's a good start.

 Now, in our home, there are 15 Feline Overlords.

You heard me.

 This takes some consideration.

 Especially since the above pictured member of The Clowder

has staked out this area of the bar as prime napping territory.

One good unsure-footed scramble, and the whole mess goes flying!

 As a precautionary measure, we'll put a couple of orange headed quilting

pins through the runner and into the bar.

This will keep it securely in place. 

 Why is this kind of thing always leaping to my mind?

Why do I try to prepare for the preposterous?

Because in my house...

......being prepared for just about anything is imperative.

(Three pound toad not included.)

Put Your Shades On.

Admit it.

There are times...

 ...when almost anything you own could use a little recharge.

Not that anyone ever "owns" a cat.

But there could be a lampshade in your life that's just, well...

...dull.

Strike when the iron is hot.

While getting paper goods at Dollar General, I spotted these 

watered gray shades with a soft sheen.

On clearance for $3?

MINE.

 In the stash, I had several packages of beaded trim, also acquired on clearance 

from Walmart, with just this use in mind.

 The slight difference in this trim ribbon?

 It's self-adhesive.

That's right.

If you've been hesitating on adding a little sparkle to your life,

now you have no excuse.

 So unwrap your lampshade.

 Peel off the backing on the trim...

 ...and just press it into place!

No mess.

No fuss.

No tools other than scissors.

No excuses either.

 How easy is this?

That burgundy background is my duvet cover.

I'm doing this in bed, in my pajamas.

Fuzzy bunny feet not included.

 Go back and smooth the ribbon flat.

 There we go.

 Good-bye, tired, discolored, damaged, uninteresting shade.

 Hello, you little flirt!

 It's also a little more substantial and grown up, all for $4 a shade.

 Details count.

 And I like my details to sparkle!

If you have thumbs, you can do this.

If you love your shades and just want an update, go for it.

Then just point and smile, declaring,

"Oh yes, I made that too."

Who's going to know how easy it was?

Officially, October

Mini vacation is over.

 Back to reality.

And it's now officially October!

 But even while playing, the blogger/crafter in me did a little reconnaissance

at Z Gallerie after a sumptuous lunch with my friends.

See?

I was still thinking of you.

 Glimmering golden branches in a high vase.

Stark and glistening, they do set a mood.

I think there's some sticks in the yard.

 On the left, we have LED string lights that would add a subtle glint of 

light, like magic happening as you watched.

On the right, glitter crusted foam smiles.

We can totally do that, can't we?

 I showed you these luxe little velvet pumpkins earlier.

There's one thing I didn't count on...

 ...they AREN'T little!

I really had the impression these were much smaller.

Challenge accepted!

 And this little ice scene under glass...

the owls are spooky, and the crystal gives it a frosty appeal.

Easily, this could remain on display in your home through January.

I don't think you'd need an expensive vase, either.

In fact, I have a plan...

 First, however, there's something else I should deal with.

 Something that the pets are all hinting at...

 ...walking past in disgust...

 ...glowering at in utter disdain.

My patio fountain, better known as 

The Feline Overlord Drinking Fountain.

split in two and is in immediate need of repair before a riot ensues.

Riots include "surprises" in your shoes and "demonstrations of displeasure"

on the floor.

No one wants that.

Not to mention I still have to try out the recipe for an all-edible 

Flying Spaghetti Monster!

So we'll be back tomorrow with a few new projects for you to try...

or laugh at, screaming, "WHAT was she thinking?!?!?"

Either way, I'm doing 'em!