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Seasons of Life & Fall Decorating

October 3, 2015 by Patti 30 Comments

Fall decor indoors 112

“I may look old on the outside but I still feel like little Charlie on the inside.”  My dad’s observation on growing old.  He’s been gone for 28 years now but I clearly remember his words and I’m experiencing the same surprise when I look in the mirror.

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Next month I will turn SIXTY years old . . . I know, right?  As I enter this Autumn season of life I wonder, where DID the time go?  Sometimes I’m amazed when I observe the lines on my face, the crepey skin on my arms and legs, and the way my skin shifts on my bones!  It can make me thankful that my eyesight, and my husband’s, isn’t as good as it used to be.

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Standing outside chatting with a friend after Bible study on Wednesday we talked about the reunion I attended last weekend with my husband, and the stress I felt over meeting his former classmates and their wives.  I wanted to make my husband proud to be married to me.  I already know he’s proud of who I am on the inside but my outside isn’t exactly what it was when we married.

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Now before you say to me, “You look great!”, realize that “great” is a matter of perspective.  I’m getting older and I know that I don’t look or feel as great as I did when I was younger.  Growing up my family placed huge import on looking good so it’s natural that I filter everything through that upbringing.

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Getting ready for the reunion it was fun to put on a fancyish dress and pretty heels with hopes of stunning Mr. OTN with my beauty (LOL!).  It was a slimming black dress, shirred around the middle to (almost) hide the lumps and bumps that characterize my midsection.

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Dressing up became a little less fun when I put on my hose (something I haven’t worn in ages) and realized that my slippery silk stockings caused me to walk right out of my high heels.  We made a quick detour on the way to dinner to pick up some anti-slip shoe inserts.  While at the store I also picked up a pair of L’eggs pantyhose to replace my more expensive stockings that had a fight in the car with the velcro on my camera bag!

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That was just the beginning of the evening which I survived by not walking around too much (the anti-slip inserts failed), taking my shoes off under to table (to relieve the blisters that quickly bubbled up), and making light of my advanced age with the wives that were clearly younger versions of me – the doctor’s wife – or, if not younger, were married to the plastic surgeons in the group!  Okay yes, there were some wives who were right there with me in this beautiful Autumn season of life and they looked great!

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Anyhoo, back to my friend in the parking lot at church.  As we talked she shared with me that she absolutely loves this season of life.  This spunky and vibrant new friend of mine (who is a little bit younger than I am) has chosen to enjoy life right where she is.  I admire her attitude as I see so many in our baby boomer age group fighting hard to retain our youth.

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Most of the time I’m fine with where I am in life . . . especially in jeans and a pretty top.  It’s the form fitting dresses that remind me of the changes in my body, and the uncomfortable high heels that hurt like they never did when I was young (how does Katie Couric pull that off?) that really get to me and don’t seem to mesh with my more youthful state of mind.

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There is so much that is good about this time of life.  This Autumn season brings me into a quieter life than I once lived.  The striving that went along with a career and raising a family is gone, I have more time to pursue the things that make me happy, I can pour more into my relationship with my husband now as we explore new places together, and I’ve learned some life lessons that I can hopefully pass on to others . . .

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. . . and though I have a few more aches and pains in my body I am committed to staying strong so I can enjoy this season of life to the fullest.

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I Thess. 5:18 says it is God’s will that we give thanks in all things, even growing older!  So in spite of a little kicking against this aging thing that’s happening to me, I am grateful to God for this path we’ve traveled together.  Sometimes, to be sure, I’ve stepped off His path for me yet He’s stayed beside me nonetheless.  I can honestly say that I’m thankful for the rough patches of my life (Mr. OTN always says he’s thankful for everything . . . eventually) as they’ve made me who I am today.

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Proverbs 31:25 says of the godly woman that she, “is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.”

Wow!  I like that.  We can’t change the seasons of our lives so we might as well do our best to enjoy them . . . or laugh about the things we can’t enjoy so much.  Frankly, all them there wrinkles deserve a good laugh!

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Ageing is one of those things we simply cannot change and I believe that acceptance and thankfulness are keys to living happy in any season of life.  So, in this Autumn of my life I will choose (from inside my home) to relish the rain that runs in rivers down my window panes, the breeze that blows golden leaves in circles round my yard, and the chill that makes it a pleasure to sit today beside a warm fire.

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Haha!  The forecast is changing on Tuesday and we’ll be back to sunny and 70’s, which I LOVE, so it is actually pretty easy for me to make the most of today 🙂

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Tell me now, what season of life are you in?  What do you do to make the most of this life you’ve been given?  And what are your favorite things about the Autumn season?

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Blessings y’all from your young on the inside and (a little) old on the outside friend,

My SignatureKelly's Med School Reunion 001

I’ve been known to link up to the following great parties!!!
Sunday:
TheDIYShowoff, LifeOnLakeshoreDrive, NiftyThriftyThings, SilverPenniesSundays, SundaysAtHome
Monday:
 IShouldBeMoppingTheFloor,  ModVintageLife,  TheDedicatedHouse, HuckleberryLove, CarrieThisHome, Dwellings, AnExtraordinaryDay,
InspireMeMonday, BetweenNapsOnThePorch,
Tuesday:
HomeStoriesAtoZ, AStrollThruLife, Elizabeth&Co, CoastalCharm, CozyLittleHouse,  NaptimeCreations, CedarHillFarmhouse, KatheWithAnE,
VMG206, TuesdaysAtOurHome,
TwirlAndTakeABow, TheWinthropChronicles,
Dream.Create.Inspire.Link
Wednesday:
SavvySouthernStyle, IvyAndElephants,
TheBlissfulBee, Posed Perfection,
Thursday:
NoMinimalistHere, ImpartingGrace, EmbracingChange, HaveADailyCupOfMrsOlson, MyRepurposedLife, FromMyFrontPorchToYours, ADelightsomeLife, AKAWeekendRetreat,
KatherinesCorner, PrettyPreppyParty, YourTurnToShine
Friday:
FrenchCountryCottage, MissMustardSeed, ThirtyHandmadeDays, CommonGround, TheShabbyNest, TheCharmOfHome, RootedInThyme,  TheDedicatedHouseAnythingBlueFriday,
 DIYVintageChic,  ShabbyliciousFriday, TheCreativeCollection,
Saturday:
FunkyJunkInteriors, It’sOverflowing, 
OneMoreTimeEvents,  SaturdaySparks,
TheInspirationGallery

I have been know to link to the following Inspirational Parties:

Mondays Making Your Home Sing Mondays The Beauty in His Grip What Joy is Mine/Monday Musings A Proverbs 31 Wife Darling Downs Diaries The Art of Homemaking Project Inspired
Tuesdays MeCoffeeAndJesus Rich Faith Rising Unite Linky Teaching What is Good Time Warp Wife Solo Deo Gloria Sisterhood More of Him Testimony Tuesday Cheerleaders of Faith Tell His Story Titus2Tuesday

Wednesdays A Wise Woman Builds Her Home Wednesday Prayer Girls Woman to Woman Word Filled Wednesdays A Little R & R Whole Hearted Home So Much at Home Mom’s Morning Coffee Women with Intention Coffee for Your Heart Capture Your Journey
Thursdays Serving Joyfully/Thriving Thursdays The Deliberate Mom/Shine Blog Hop I Choose Joy  Live Free Thursday Thought Provoking Thursday Imparting Grace
Fridays A Look at the Book Christian Mommy Blogger Fellowship Fridays Blessing Counters Missional Women Faith Filled Fridays Faith & Fellowship Bloghop Grace & Truth Linkup Grace&TruthSharingRedemption’sStories Dance With Jesus The Weekend Brew
Saturdays Still Saturday The Weekend Brew Saturday Soiree Recommendation Saturday Make My Saturday Sweet
Sundays Spiritual Sundays Sunday Stillness

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Filed Under: Fall Decor, Home decorating, My Home, Southern Living, Tablescapes, Thrift Store Re-purposing Tagged With: Ageing, Dried Hydrangeas, Fall Decor, Home Decorating, Painted Pumpkins, Table Arrangements, The Autumn of Life, Velvet Pumpkins

Favorite Tips for Creating Gorgeous Velvet Pumpkins!

October 2, 2014 by Patti 25 Comments

A brand new mini dress with psychedelic swirls of hot pink and lime green . . . my big sister “ratting” the crown of my new short haircut and sealing it in place with Aqua Net, the cement of hair sprays . . . a little bit of mascara (shhhh . . . don’t tell mom) . . . a touch of white frosted lipstick and I was out the door. 

But OH, how I was shaking in my hot pink heels.  You see, it was my first day of Junior High and I was so afraid that I wouldn’t be sophisticated enough to fit in.

All my worries were for naught . . . as most of our worries tend to be.  I found a new best friend the very first day and went back to my normal mode of dress from that day forward, realizing that 7th graders aren’t very sophisticated after all.

5-Velvet Pumpkins & The Secret Garden Tea Room 001THAT is one of the memories of Fall that sticks out in my mind.  It is a good memory and a somewhat traumatic memory all at the same time!  I think it taught me a thing or two about trying to fit in though.  Flash forward to today . . . some (EEK!) 46 years later and remember . . . authenticity is always best.

So what about you dear readers?  What memories do you have of Fall?  What is the happiest memory you carry?  What is your favorite thing about this time of year?

2-Entry Hall & Fall Decor 069I don’t suppose you have to ask me what my favorite thing is because it is pretty obvious that I have a passion for decorating and making my home a welcoming place to be, each and every season.  It is especially fun this year to be decorating a brand new (to me) home.

9-Velvet Pumpkins Tips

I promised you in my post A GRAND FALL PORCH that I would be back to share with you my absolute best method for creating gorgeous velvet pumpkins.  I learned by trial and error so you don’t have to!  So lets get started:

2-Velvet Pumpkin Tute 002First of all, the Old Things New part.  I hit the thrift stores last Fall and searched out velvet and velour fabrics in pretty “Fallish” colors.  My pumpkins were made from old pillows, dresses and blouses.  You can make a whole LOT of pumpkins out of one woman’s full length dress, which is fun because then you’ll have some to give away to friends.  They will be delighted!

I created several sizes of pumpkins, using different sized plates as patterns.  The smallest pumpkin was traced from a salad plate and the largest from a serving tray.  I suppose you could have a REALLY big pumpkin if you traced it from something like a big aluminum snow sled!  How fun would that be?!

4-Velvet Pumpkin Tute 005Anyhoo, these are the “ingredients”:  White beans, Poly-fil, a couple different varieties of moss and dried pumpkin stems . . .

NOTE: For the pumpkin stems, you can dry stems taken from your own pumpkins OR, if you want a lot of them (like I did), you can walk through local pumpkins fields just after harvest and pick up what’s left behind (I actually did that . . . with permission of course).  The problem with that was I wanted to make velvet pumpkins . . . and I wanted to make them NOW!  So while my collected pumpkin stems were drying I ended up buying stems from an Etsy shop.

E6000 Lastly don’t forget the E6000, the absolute best crafting glue I’ve found . . . and I think they should pay me for saying that!

Begin by hand basting around the edges of your fabric circle with some extra strength thread.  Then pull the thread to gather the edges together, leaving just enough room to add the filler.

Now for my tried and true tips:

Tip number 1:  Add some beans to the bottom of the pumpkin, filling it about one third of the way.  This will give your pumpkin stability so it won’t tip over.

Tip number 2:  Be careful not to stuff your pumpkin too much.  Add polyester filler until your pumpkin is about three-quarters full, then pull your basting thread tight and tie it off.  Stuffing the pumpkin too full will make the pumpkin stems will look like they are sitting on top of the velvet pumpkin, rather than growing from it.

1-Velvet Pumpkins 002Tip number 3:  THIS tip is why I call this the BEST way to make velvet pumpkins. Attach the stems with E6000 and then scrunch the pumpkin up around the stem and rubber band it in place until it dries.  Overnight is best.  Remove the rubber bands and voila . . . gorgeous velvet pumpkin!

8-Velvet Pumpkins & The Secret Garden Tea Room 011But what if you have a mess up and it doesn’t look so gorgeous . . . like if you accidentally glop glue on top of the velvet, or you stuff it a bit too much and the stem doesn’t sit down inside the velvet nicely, or if your stitching shows, or whatever . . . ?

6-Velvet Pumpkins & The Secret Garden Tea Room 002Simply add a little moss to cover up the goofs!

Velvet Pumpkins 038And here you have it . . . a pumpkin redeemed!

7-Velvet Pumpkins & The Secret Garden Tea Room 005I like grouping my pumpkins together, some with moss and some without.

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Velvet Pumpkins 069I also like mixing them in with real pumpkins and gourds.

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3-Entry Hall & Fall Decor 080One of my most viewed posts was this display of pumpkins contained in my junky chicken wire cloche.  To see more pics and to view the cloche tutorial you can link back HERE

4-Entry Hall & Fall Decor 106Finally, another cloche filled with pumpkins.  The Chevron patterned one was made from an old pillow cover and the little pumpkin on top was made from drop cloth fabric.  Aren’t they darling?  These pumpkins have a whole different look and were shared in a tutorial by the amazing Shannon over at AKA Design.  Head on over to her place to see the “how to” and while you’re there check out the rest of her blog.  It is packed with creative and inspirational goodness!

An added NOTE:  Jonni at Minnie’s Milestones made some of her own velvet pumpkins after reading this post and she has come up with a few extra tips that are extremely helpful. Head on over to her blog to see her pretty pumpkins and get some additional ideas!

So what’s next?  So far I’ve shown you the front porch of my new house.  Next I’ll be taking you inside where I’ve added a little more Fall decor.  I hope you’ll come back and join me.  I’m off now to find a Starbucks so I can savor one of my other favorite things about Fall, Pumpkin Spice Lattes!

Blessings,

My Signature

I’ve been known to link up to the following great parties!!!
Sunday:
 UnderTheTableAndDreaming, TheDIYShowoff, TheTablescaper,LifeOnLakeshoreDrive,
ThreeMangoSeeds,  NiftyThriftyThings,
SundaySoiree,
Monday:
 IShouldBeMoppingTheFloor,  ModVintageLife,  TheDedicatedHouse, UncommonDesigns, WestFurnitureRevival, BoogieboardCottage, HuckleberryLove, CarrieThisHome, Dwellings, AnExtraordinaryDay,
InspireMeMonday,
BetweenNapsOnThePorch
Tuesday:
HomeStoriesAtoZ, AStrollThruLife, Elizabeth&Co, CoastalCharm, CozyLittleHouse,  NaptimeCreations, CedarHillFarmhouse, KatheWithAnE,NotJustAHousewife, 
VMG206, TuesdaysAtOurHome,
TwirlAndTakeABow, TheWinthropChronicles, WeCallItJunkin’
Wednesday:
SavvySouthernStyle, IvyAndElephants,  DIYByDesign, TheStyleSisters, AdornedFromAbove,
SomedayCrafts, GreenWillowPond, Fishtail Cottage,  TheCityFarmhouse
Thursday:
NoMinimalistHere, ImpartingGrace, EmbracingChange, HaveADailyCupOfMrsOlson, BeyondThePicketFence, AllThingsWithPurpose, MyRepurposedLife, FromMyFrontPorchToYours, ADelightsomeLife, AKAWeekendRetreat
Friday:
MyRomanticHome, FrenchCountryCottage, MissMustardSeed, ThirtyHandmadeDays, CommonGround, TheShabbyNest, LizMarie, Redoux, JenniferRizzo, TheCharmOfHome, RootedInThyme,  TheDedicatedHouseAnythingBlueFriday,
 DIYVintageChic,
ShabbyliciousFriday
Saturday:
FunkyJunkInteriors, SixSistersStuff, It’sOverflowing, BeDifferentActNormal,
OneMoreTimeEvents,  SayG’DaySaturday
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Filed Under: Cloches, DIY, Drop Cloth Projects, Fall Decor, Home decorating, Thrift Store Re-purposing Tagged With: Cloches, Crafts, DIY, Fall Decor, Home Decorating, thrift store repurposing, Velvet Pumpkins

OldThingsNew

I am Perfectly Imperfect Patti, daughter of the King, wife to the amazing Mr. OTN, mom to two grown daughters, a great son-in-law, and companion to two spoiled dogs. At Old Things New I share DIY’s, budget friendly home transformations, as well as posts about how God transforms our souls. I myself have been made new and I love to share what I’ve learned through WRITING and SPEAKING. To view a short Vimeo of “Our Story” (Mr. OTN and I) please follow the link at the top of the page.

Disclosure: Old Things New is a participant in the Amazon affiliate advertising program, which is designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com . . . or, in other words, Shopping through my links helps Old Things New keep the lights on!

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