Falling for Fall

I cannot deny, I am falling hard for fall this year.  Maybe it is the melancholy feel of this season, maybe the dream of cool, crisp air and the ability to be outside without melting!  Whatever it is, I love it and love to see the touches of fall in my home!

This weekend I have been working on a couple more fall decorations.  Today I want to share a couple of these projects.  Clearance and the dollar store are rampant in these projects.  I really do think I have a problem.  I swear my car just goes there on its own (oh, that and the dollar store is right next door to my grocery store).  And really, who can go shopping without checking out the clearance rack or area?  Not me!  I love a bargain.  I also love transforming something very simple, into something amazing.

My first project this weekend was this awesome mini-pumpkin topiary.  It was just $4 for the vase and 3 pumpkins.  Alone, I have to say, the pumpkins looked a bit cheap.  However, using this fun topiary idea, they really look more expensive and maybe even a bit more realistic.  I actually would love to try this with some real mini-pumpkins once I start seeing them in the grocery store.

This project started by taking a plain, footed plastic vase from the dollar store and spray painting it with oil rubbed bronze spray paint.  (I love this stuff.)  Since I was just going to use this plastic vase for a "dry" arrangement, I didn't worry about priming it with a spray paint for plastic.  I probably should have but, well frankly, I wanted to make this project and I didn't have any paint specifically for plastic.  I went for it and after a couple of light coats it turned out great.

Then I used a wood skewer and pierced it through the pumpkins and laid a few fall leafs between them to fill the space and give the topiary some depth.  Then I simply placed a small piece of Styrofoam into the vase and pushed the skewer down into it.  I love the height of the vase and the topiary.

To continue with my love of oil rubbed bronze spray paint, I transformed a summer lantern that I picked up on clearance at Lowes into a great fall centerpiece.  After a quick coat of paint, I added a candle and some candy corn. 

BEFORE

Boring and a bit dusty!

AFTER

Rich and delicious!

Tomorrow I will share the wreath I am revamping for the front door. 

DON'T MISS OUT!!!!  There is an awesome add for Michael's on my blog for the next 10 days!  Check it out for some awesome savings!!!!

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