the most wonderful time of the year

it's my favorite time of year at last!

crisp fresh air, vibrant leaves, comforting smells, layering clothes, pumpkin treats in their many forms, and all things harvesty.

yay for autumn!

we don't go too crazy over holidays, but i definitely like harvest and halloween season best of all.

even better than christmas.

it's a wonderful time to remember blessings, spend time with loved ones, and eat candy.

and all without the stresses christmas season often brings.

so, to get into the mood,

(and occupy myself while caleb is away every weekend this month),

i created some projects.

budget bookshelf montage:

there are so many fun ways to take on halloween.

i tried to go with a little creepy but modern look.

i wanted to do colors that weren't the norm. and i wanted to use my crackle medium.

crackle seems to be an automatic qualifier for shabby chic.

dollar store pumpkins were cheap, but because they were already glazed, my crackle and acrylic paint didn't do too good.

but like i said, they were cheap.

so were my vases and crows.

caleb finds the staring crows a little creepy.

i love birds in any form.

i sprayed the branches and painted some spider rings.

the bird house was 40 cents.

the splurge was on that gorgeous chandelier.

i don't usually like things with hanging jewels, but i fell in love.

and it can be versatile.

(that's what i told caleb) 

and i had a coupon, so really, it wasn't bad.

next project,

fall wreath and banner:

again, on a budget, dollar store leaves and cheap fabric.

to create an easy inexpensive wreath with no sewing or icky plastic stuff, try wrapping fabric or yarn over a straw wreath.

i used burlap, because it screams fall, is fun, and there are lots of burlap project ideas floating in the blogging world.

i created some rosettes using more burlap and some cheap burnt orange material i found on clearance at walmart.

previously, i'd made about 30 rosettes using random fabric i had, but never could decide what to do with them. they are just fun to make.

the banner is more burlap, jute, and fabric. my cricket machine came in handy for freezer paper stencils.

i really wanted something more like "autumn blessings", but that was just way too many letters.

again, so cheap, easy, and fun. just how i like it.

so, what are your plans for fall? any projects, parties, or costume ideas?

sending autumn blessings your way!