Fall Festivities - Visit to the Pumpkin Patch

Fall is in full force. Leaves are changing colors and falling. Raked piles invite children to play. Recently we visited a local pumpkin patch for an afternoon of fall fun. We found a family farm where they have a corn maze, petting zoo, pony rides, tractor hay rides and plenty of fresh crops!


We started our visit with the hay stack fort where children can explore inside and climb outside. Next we took a hay ride to the corn maze where we got only a little lost. In the corn maze we "discovered" a castle where the kids can climb to the top and go down a long slide.


Then to the pumpkin patch to find the "perfect" pumpkin. My daughter enjoyed riding in the wheelbarrow. After all of this fun we enjoyed a snack of cinnamon oatmeal scones they bake and sell along with many other goodies.


Then time to load up with other harvest fruits and vegies. We left with 2 large pumpkins, half a dozen apples, an acorn squash, strawberries, and 2 small gourds. The afternoon was fun for all and we left with some delicious food for later.

GIVEAWAY!

I am sponsoring another giveaway here on my blog in celebration of a new line I am introducing in my shop: http://shabbynchic.etsy.com

You can find a number of these great paper gift boxes in my shop. I love making them and currently have 2 sizes and quite a few different designs. They are great for party favors for:
- wedding showers
- baby showers
- dinner parties
- birthday parties
- stocking stuffers
- just because

The winner of this giveaway will receive 3 small gift boxes and 2 bonus envelopes - just the right size for business cards and gift cards. Just in time for the gift-giving season!

RULES:
1. U.S. and Canada residents only.
2. Post separate comment for each entry.
3. Enter 3 ways: comment on your favorite item in my shop, follow my blog (and let me know), tweet about my shop or this giveaway and put the link in a comment. This is a total of 4 potential entries into the giveaway.
4. Giveaway ends Friday, October 30th at midnight. Winner will be notified via e-mail the following weekend so please be sure I can locate your e-mail in your profile or comment.
5. Winner chosen at random from qualifying entries.

Good luck!

Buffet Redo

Another find that needed some work - a buffet! I bought this for $20.00 at an estate sale over 2 years ago and finally got to it last week. My husband is thankful that there is one less piece in the garage. Little does he know that I see it as space for my next project!

So it was a varnished piece with significant damage in the form of water rings. I sanded the top down and re-stained it. Unfortunately it didn't help. I love wood and prefer to refinish quality wood furniture without painting if possible. It was not possible and the next best color to me was white!

The "Before" pictures are after I sanded the entire piece. It took about 6 coats of paint (and a coat of primer) and a span of about 5 days in our cold, damp weather.

I also re-used the original knobs, simply painting them silver. (They were bronze.) Very excited to have new, attractive storage in our kitchen. It is currently empty, but know it will definitely come in handy with this upcoming holiday season full of family get-togethers. Can't wait!

ReUse Tip for Spray Painting

Often when I am spray painting I like to elevate the item I am painting. One reason is that the piece being painted can end up stuck to the paper or cardboard beneath. I use the cap from the spray paint can itself to elevate the piece.



Usually 2 caps are enough, but you can use more as needed. Simply spread them out to the edge of where you will be placing to item to be spray painted, then place the item on top and paint. Once it is dry, turn it over and spray paint the other side.



*I have even used these under the corners of furniture to be able - to paint to the base of a table, chair or dresser. It works great! Happy painting!

Final Blooms of Fall

Sadly, summer has come to an end and we are now seeing some of the final blooming flowers of Fall here in Oregon. Excited to have these beautiful pictures up on my blog so that I can look at them through the Winter which can be depressing here where the skies are grey for months straight.

Beautiful blue skies and the sun shining today, along with these beautiful blooms inspired me to take some pictures which I may print and frame for a special place in our home.

And Fall is here: the leaves are changing - gold, yellow, orange, red, and some still green. The beauty of the season is everywhere this time of year.

(Please excuse the yard - we are redoing our lawn.)

*I own rights to all pictures in this post.