Autumn Rake Project

Today I have a little craft project to share with you.  I won't go into a lot of detail on this post as it is being featured at Old Fashioned Living.  Please click here for all the supplies and instructions.

 

This old 24" metal rake was spray painted with a textured paint in desert bisque.  I love the way the texture looks and feels.

I added some white Chinese lanterns, purple berries and fall leaves to the metal tines.  These items I picked up at Michael's for 40% off, plus I had a coupon  :-)

Raffia ribbon finish it off for a natural look.  I just love the way it turned out whether I lean it against the fence or on some cornstalks.  It is such a simple and easy project for autumn.  So turn that old rake into something wonderful!

Have a great weekend!

 

Today I am joining ...

 

Nifty Thrifty Sunday @ Nifty Thrifty Things

Sundae Scoop @ I {heart} Nap Time

Sunday Showcase Party @ Under The Table & Dreaming

CraftOManiac Monday @ CraftOManiac

Inspire Me Monday @ Create With Joy

Masterpiece Monday @ Boggieboard Cottage

Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

 

Autumn Garden & Decor

Happy Fall Y'all,

Things are starting to wind down in the garden. Are you ready for an autumn garden stroll and some outdoor decor? 

I should warn you there are a LOT of pictures!

Asters are blooming in my two favorite colors!  These are 'Pink Yomagic' and 'Purple Yomagic'.

This bee didn't even notice I was photographing it.

Ornamental kale adds a splash of fall color with its foliage.

A hydrangea bloom ready to be picked and dried.

This spider screams Halloween to me!  He looks a little creepy, don't you think?

 

Dendranthema 'Cool Igloo' has a gorgeous raspberry color.

 

One planted in the garden and another in a white urn.

 

 

A bumblebee clinging to a butterfly bush flower.

I have several varities of sedum scattered around the gardens.

My Virginia Sweetspire bush is starting to turn.

Its leaves filled with varigated colors - a real beauty.

 

Northern Sea Oats has unique flat seed heads which are starting to change to a light tan color.  The dangling panicles last for three seasons.

Solidago rugosa 'Fireworks' is in full bloom near the pond.  The long arching stems hang over the rocks.

Calamagrostis 'Overdam' has sand colored seed heads.  You may recognize this plant as variegated Feather Reed Grass.  Swaying in the breeze it looks pretty through the window.

Japanese Blood Grass 'Red Baron' has striking red blades and shines when backlit by the sun.

 

A frog posing for the camera.

 

 

Orange dahlias still going strong.

 

 

A raven statue nestled in a bed of daylilies.

The gazebo is ready for autumn.

 

 

 

A decorated garden rake I created leans up against the side. I will show you this craft project in another post.

 

Please come inside and have a seat ...

 

 

Metal pumpkin lanterns add a nice evening glow.

 

 

Urn planters are filled with 'Rosy Igloo' chrysanthemums.

 

 

The patio has a few fall decorations too.

 

 

This Jack-o'-lantern planter is too cute to spook!

 

 

 

  

 

Thank you for strolling with me today.  I'll be showing you more as the leaves start to change.  Don't forget I am having a giveaway starting on October 1st.

This week I am joining ...

Kick Off Your Fall @ Southern Hospitality 
Macro Monday @ Lisa's Chaos
NF Inspiring Photography @ NatureFootstep meme
Bloomin' Tuesday @ Ms. Green Thumb Jean

Garden Tuesday @ Sidewalk Shoes

Outdoor Wednesday @ A Southern Daydreamer

Thursday Favorite Things @ Kaherine's Corner
Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have a daily cup from Mrs. Olson
Cottage Garden Party @ Fishtail Cottage
Home & Garden Thursday @ A Delightsome Life
Fertilizer Friday @ Tootsie Time
Flower Art Friday @ Photos by LeAnne
Floral Friday Fotos @ Floral Friday
Flowers on Saturday @ Blueberry Craft & Hobby
Today's Flowers on Saturday @ Today's Flowers
Strut Your Stuff Saturday @ Six Sisters' Stuff 

Pressed Flowers

Today I thought we could share a cup of tea and my way of savoring the beauty of nature.  For the past several years I have been using a Gardener's Press to preserve various flowers from my gardens.

The art of pressing flowers was popular during the Victorian Era.  You can call me 'old fashioned', I don't mind  :-)

Pressed flowers and leaves are nice accents to journals, scrapbooks, cards, bookmarks and gift tags.  Creations using pressed flowers allow me to appreciate the beauty all year long and share my gardens with others.

 

 

If you don't have a press you can always do it the Girl Scout way!  After picking your fresh flowers or foliage arrange them on a piece of wax paper and cover them with another piece of wax paper.  This will help prevent them from sticking or staining your book.  Be sure to pick your flowers when they are completely dry and free of moisture.  Next, place the sheet of flowers in the middle of a phone book or encyclopedia and wait approx. two weeks.  You may want to add additional weight depending on the size of your book.

 

Over the summer I came across this wonderful book entitled 'The Nature Notes of an Edwardian Lady' written in 1905 by Edith Holden.

 

 

Edith's watercolour paintings are exquisite.  The book is filled with flowers, plants, birds and butterflies.  Her thoughts, anecdotes and writings are interspersed with poetry.

 

 

A time when the only way to capture the close up of beauty was through paint.

 

 

This book beautifully evokes the peace and tranquillity of Edwardian England.

Thank you for having tea with me today and for letting me share my flowers and book with you.  I'm planning a giveway for October 1st.  It will be for a very good cause, so please stop back for a chance to win a beautiful scarf.

Today I am joining ...

Tea Time Tuesday @ Rose Chintz Cottage
Tea Cup Tuesday @ Martha's Favorites
Tea Cup Tuesday @ Artful Affirmations
Tuesday Cuppa Tea @ Antiques and Teacups
Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner
Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have a daily cup from Mrs. Olson
Time Travel Thursday @ The Brambleberry Cottage
Home & Garden Thursday @ Delightsome Life
Open House Friday @ Bernideen's Tea Time
Show & Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home