That's right! Fall at The Drayer means many, many things. First and foremost, all things pumpkin. And I do mean ALL things! Cookies, waffles, pancakes,.....wait for it, wait for it......english muffins! OHMYLANTA!!! Have you all been as blessed as us to discover these seasonal little rounds of bread heaven? Well, if you haven't don't go looking for them. It only means more for me!
Anywho, back to fall. The cool, crisp, air immediately brings on my nesting instinct. And given the fact that nearly every third night this summer has felt like a fall evening, it's amazing I haven't burned through a case of harvest spice candles. Who's with me on this one?
So the nesting thing? It's serious. It immediately requires that I change out all chajtkes in the house. Goodbye all things summer, zesty, happy, sunshiney, bust-me-up-outta-this-house-been-cooped-up-all-winter so I must put out gerbera daisies and vibrant color garb that inspires me to garden. No hard feelings, but it's time to GO!
It's like a Miracle Mile Christmas Display window change out around here. There's planning and designing. No two years can be the same. There's perusing and sifering on design and style. One minute it's summer in here, the next minute The Drayer is seven layers of Harvest Paradise. Up from the cellar basement come the totes of packed away knickety knacks that make you want hot cider and the urge to dunk your head in a bucket of water to come up with an apple. What? No? You don't feel like that when you see fall leaves, smell apple goodness-ey candles? That's just me? Whatever. Just whatever.
Ok, back to the nesting thing. Pretty much you can also bet the farm that fall requires me to take on some sort of new craft. Sometimes these are nice and easy, slap some hot glue on a dried flower, tie a bow on it, call it a day projects. Other times....well "Woe unto those that reside at The Drayer!" Sometimes, shall we say, I might get a little over the top. [typically, this type of craft tend to comes around Christmas and revolves around the annual Sister Christmas Craft. Or as my brothers-in-law lovingly refer to it "Christmas Crap". A post for another day, but let's just sum it up with it's all about the competition].
And what did this year's creative juices bring forth, you ask? Nothing to crazy or creative, but I'm pleased nonetheless. Basically, I reproduced an idea I snarfed off Pinterest. I had everything on hand so it was easy peazy and not one single breathing being steered clear of the creative aura I was exuding. [happy thoughts this year!]
I've had this Ikea easel gathering dust in the basment since our wedding reception. [Yes, I inherited a gene from my grandmother that requires me to keep anything, and I DO mean anything, that might result in an opportunity to use it creatively in a craft. My grandma used to keep the stryofoam tray from her hamburger meat. And guess who learned how to sew on those trays? Yep, yours truly. Mom, that may explain my really, really incompetent sewing skills! Epiphany!!!! But those trays also came in really handy as paint trays.] I digress.
Said easel.
I decided to chop off the legs to use the chalkboard over the mantel. [Sweet Sarah would insist that SHE chopped off the legs using the compound miter saw. She LOVES that thing. Of course, who doesn't?]
Here it is with no legs and the first seasoning treatment. I had forgotten how messy chalk is! After two seasonings it was a fairly decent chalk board.
Then I chalked this.
It turned out pretty cute. But when I put it on the mantel against our yellow walls the frame looked awful. Sweet Sarah suggested I paint it gray. So down to the Michael's store I went. And by Michael's store I mean the basement where there may or may not be enough crafting materials and chajtkes to outfit a store.
Ahem.
I didn't have gray, but a quick mixing of what I had on hand and Voila! Gray-ish.
Here's the finished mantel. Looks cute and I'm excited to have this handy little chalkboard to use after fall too!
Gotta go! Chocolate chip Pumpkin Cookies in the oven!!
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