Another decoupage pumpkin, this time with polka dots!

I went on a quest for orange tissue paper in Center City the other day and it turns out that few places have it.  I also looked for patterned tissue paper, and even less places have anything that fits that bill (including Paper Source).  But I found something to my liking at Papyrus of all places.

You may recognize it from my earlier post about pumpkin decorating parties.  

I used this tissue paper in a modified way to make this:

The color didn't change...the lighting did.  The first picture was shot under flourescent bulbs, the second in sunlight.  What a difference a little natural lighting makes!

To "modify" the design of the tissue paper, I cut out small pieces between the multi-colored confetti and glued it onto a papier-mache pumpkin, again using Aleene's Tacky Glue.  I had to overlap the pieces quite a bit, making the polka dots a little haphazard and some cut in half.  

For the stem, I painted it with Folk Art Acrylic paint (another favorite product of mine) and when it was dry, covered it with more Tacky Glue for a glossy finish.

When I get around to it, I'd like to spray the whole thing with a varnish to protect it from UV rays and drastic fading.

Very simple... and I have to give credit where it is due.  I was originally inspired to do this project by The Smith Family blog, with its leopard print pumpkins.  I'd love to show a picture, but her website doesn't allow linking to pictures.  

Ideas for Pumpkin Craft Parties

When I was little, my nickname was Pumpkin.  Maybe that's why I have such a love for the round, orange squash.  I've realized lately that decorating pumpkins, eating pumpkin foods, and making pumpkin crafts are great ways to celebrate the fall without subscribing to any beliefs or holidays, which seems to be more and more problematic in our politically correct society.

In this case, I have no problem with this "no holiday" rule, since pumpkins are awesome and need no lofty reason to be celebrated.  Bonuses: you can do pumpkin crafts any time between Labor Day and Thanksgiving and no one has to wear a costume.

Here is an "easy" craft to make at a pumpkin-themed party, if you don't want to go the traditional route of painting or carving real pumpkins.  I mean, how passe!

Hit the "Read More" link for this project's materials, tips, etc.

October Philly Etsy Roundup

If, for all intents and purposes, autumn is made of three months (September, October, and November), then October is the best of the three.  In September, I am still mourning the loss of summer, clinging desperately to the hopes of one more trip to the beach, especially when the weather can be so tantalizingly warm.   But by October, I finally embrace fall and effortlessly enjoy the wonders of the season.  Also, it helps that my birthday and Halloween both fall in this month!

My favorite jewelry color combo: pink and gold.  I've never seen a pink opal!

Pink Opal Earrings: $35

If you have a Halloween party, why not thank your guests for coming with these thank you cards?  Reasonably priced, too!

Set of 10 Note Cards: $15

Another great part of the month of October: trees in our area begin to change color!  These coasters seem to embody all the lush hues starting to appear along the Schuylkill.

Rich Tapestry Stone Coasters, Set of 4: $32

Football season is well underway, and for the newest Eagles fan in your life, you can have a football hat custom made with green and white ties.

Football Hat for Babies: $18

And not to go crazy on the baby items this month, but I adore this hourglass quilt.  If only I could have/afford a queen-sized one for my guest bedroom!

Orange Hourglass Baby Quilt: $78

South Philly Fall Fest - October 21, 2012

I love East Passyunk.  I love handmade and vintage items.  And I love October 21, because it's my birthday!  So the South Philly Fall Fest, presented by Sweet Jane and Lucky 13 Pub, is possibly the most perfect combination of things possible.

For more info, check out the Facebook page, or Sweet Jane Vintage's website.  

PS: While you're there, check out the awesome handmade-ness of the following stores: 

• Nice Things
• Nicole Rae Styer Boutique (and studio/workshop!)
• Fabric Horse

And also get some homefries at Chhaya...some craft beers at the Bottle Shop... some gelato at Capogiro.... some vintage housewares at Era Atomica... Good lord, I've already spent about $300 in my head, and it's only Thursday!

Upcoming Event: Go West Craft Fest

I saw a postcard for this event in the South Street Whole Foods.  

So here are the details, in case you can't read my phone's snapshot:

Saturday, September 29, from 11-5.  

At the Woodlands (http://www.woodlandsphila.org/)

I'm very excited, since the Perseverance Jazz Band will be performing at noon!  Crafts and New Orleans jazz, just south of Penn's campus.  Sweet!

knitting my way into autumn

Now that it's unofficially autumn, with Labor Day behind us, I feel much more excited about the prospect of the cooler months.  Months filled with hot cider, pumpkins, and of course, lots of yarn.

I've announced a personal moratorium on buying new yarn until my stash starts to dwindle.  That means finishing up projects I already started as well as using small balls of yarn, not even half a skein big.

Here are two small yarn projects so far: a knitted bangle bracelet and a crocheted collar.

Both had their ups and downs.  For the collar, I was working without a pattern, which is what crochet is great for.  However, it also means ripping out a stitch here, a few more there, and then constantly trying it on to make sure the size and shape work.  

The upside?  I now have an awesome accessory following one of fall's coolest trends, IMHO.  Collars are everywhere this year!

Felted Square Collar from Anthropologie

Kate Spade Necklace from Nordstrom

Modeste Bib Collar from Anthropologie

The bangle bracelet was a little simpler, but also more boring.  Each row was 12 stitches of knitting, followed by a row of 12 purls.  Back and forth.  Over and over.  Luckily I got it done in one night, or I would have dropped the project, like so many others.  

Oh, and just to be clear, there is a wooden bangle under the knitting.  It had a crack in it since the day after I bought it, so I never wore it, but kept it anyway.  I also have another matching bangle, so I'm going to cover it with a variegated yarn this time.

Oh, and in case you are wondering, there is no special reason I'm using a double point knitting needle for this project.  They are the only needles I have in that size (I think a 5?) and since the piece is narrow, I can use these without the knitting falling off the other end.