I'm not sure how all of you keep track of decorating ideas you have, but this is my system. Believe it or not, I've actually gone from three file boxes to one and here's how it works. Again, I don't have a real craft room but I'm hoping to rectify some of that problem this fall.
When I see an idea I like in a magazine, on the internet, a picture or whatever, I put a copy in one of these files. I've got a file for each season, craft ideas, specific rooms in the house, gardening and Mary Emmerling (my personal decorating guru) has her own special file.
I started this file back in the 70's and cleaned it out as styles changed along the way. I guess you could call it my inspiration file.
As you can see, I've pulled out the Halloween/Fall file to get ideas for autumn decorating. If I see something in a catalog that I think I can make, like the ghost below, I pull it out. Especially if I think the grandkids will love it!
My family hates to let me go into any store that has magazines to pick up one item. They know by now that I'll peruse the magazine section at least once before I leave that store. Mr. Bird Nest just glares at me at Home Depot and Lowe's when I throw a magazine in with his manly nails, wood, etc. Hey, that's the only reason I go with him to those places sometimes.
The only magazine I save are my copies of English Home. It's one of my favorites.
These are a few items I purchased this week.
Yesterday I went to Wally World to look for a plaque and a letter to do Joys $5.00 project from http://joysofhome.blogspot.com/. They didn't have any plaques or letters but I did find these big pears for $.98 each. I've placed them on a Waterford Crystal cake plate on my table. My last boss gave me this plate when I went to another department. I loved him. He was without any doubt my best boss ever. He and his wife gave me great presents for everything occasion.
These two little pumpkins I got at the Dollar Tree for.......... $1.00 each. I already have some larger ones and these will look really cute with them.
The plate underneath I bought at Michael's for $3.50 on sale. I think I may need to go back and get the larger one too. They just say fall to me.
This weekend I want to try to make candy corn. No, not to eat. I want to make it to add to our Autumn decor. I don't know if I've ever done paper mache (sp) but there's no time like the present. Wouldn't that be cute? I'm thinking I'll use some kind of styrofoam to get the body started and then cover it with strips of paper. When it's all dry, I'll paint it and post it on here. This is my inspiration:
Well, I hope I've inspired you at least a little bit this week and given you some ideas for the weekend. Make it a great one and please know that I really appreciate everyone who reads my blog and comments.
The last few years have been rather tough ones for me. I had some very serious jaw surgery and now have a titanium jaw. I lost my best friend in SC 7 years ago this December when she died after having an asthma attack. She and I were the same age and did everything together. I miss her every day. The next day my daughter-in-law went into labor and gave us Nicholas. What a blessing he is and was! I lost my youngest brother to melanoma three years ago, then a year ago I found out that I have Rheumatoid Arthritis. I had pretty much cut people from my life because I just didn't think I could take a chance on losing someone again.
I really think blogging is the best thing I could have done. You wonderful girls and women have welcomed me and helped me and I may even venture out to meet some of you someday. That's just how much you all mean to me.
Thanks for reading,
Gretchen
