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Colorful Fall Front Porch

September 17, 2015 By Erica Deuel 5 Comments

Disclaimer: The paint I received for free. Thank you Modern Masters for so generously gifting it to me. All opinions are very much my own.

Fall is here. With the new season comes change, fresh starts, and lots of color.

As much as I love the simplicity and beauty in white, clean, and simple, my heart goes pitter-patter for color. It always has. It should be no surprise then that fall is my favorite season. The change of weather, the colorful layers of clothing, and the brilliant leaves have me looking forward to fall all year-long.

Last year, we kind of missed fall with our move from Georgia. We moved before Georgia’s fall and after Indiana‘s. I was robbed, which made me all the more excited for it this year. I started prepping my fall porch mid summer.  Let me give you a little before preview, so you can see what I had.

There is nothing horribly wrong. It’s actually pretty simple, clean, and neutral.

I don’t think any of those words describe me though. I have big dreams of expanding the porch and replacing the white columns with thick wood ones, but until that day comes, I did a few more inexpensive changes to make the front entrance of my house feel a little warmer and colorful.

One of the first things I did was brighten up the light fixtures with a fresh coat of spray paint. Next, I stuck a few flowering bulbs into my plain wreath to give it a little life and fun color as well.

natural_fall_wreathI bought a few new things like a metal mail box, rug, and yellow chair to add some fun textures and color to my space.

magnolia_market_fall_decor

front_porch_decorAs fall came, I added some mums to my hello pots and got some pumpkins.  I feel like my front porch is one of the few decorated for fall (let alone with a pumpkin out front) in town. I joked with a friend that this southern girl’s style may stick out like a sore thumb up north. She assured me fall decoration is done up here, it’s just that no one wants to admit fall is here because that means the snow is coming.

fall_flowersThe biggest change was switching out my front door paint. I needed color. I have never lived in a red brick house, so I was not sure which direction to go. I knew I did not want to choose the wrong color and have to do this project more than once, so I turned to my friends for help. I got lots of helpful opinions in a poll on Instagram. Navy, Yellow, Mint, and (my pick) purple were the top runners. I wanted to use Modern Masters Front Door Paint and lucky me they have an app to help. I was able to try these different colors on my front door by just taking a picture in the app of my door.

picking_front_door_paintI had a lot of fun with the app (available for both iPhone and Android) and landed on purple. I love how it adds a fun pop of color, yet it is not as out there as the yellow.

Modern_masters_front_door_paintI love how it turned out! I liked the look of the yellow against the red brick (just not for the whole door), so that it why I ended up using lots of accents for my porch in yellow.

I was a little nervous when I painted the first coat. It was so bright. I wondered if I would regret my decision, but I pressed on.

painting_a_front_door

painting_front_door

purple_doorI realized the color I was using was such a dark color and contrast to the white-it just needed several coats. I ended up doing three coats, and it was worth it!

purple front doorI only have good things to say about this paint! Your front door is the one of the most important elements on the exterior of your home. Let it express you and say welcome. Modern Masters has created 24 beautiful colors inspired by the emotional color wheel. My purple is actually called Spiritual. Which may not be a surprise.

Their paint is water based, quick drying, and contains non-fading technology that allows you to paint and close the door all in the same day.

Available at HomeDepot.com, selected Lowe’s stores nationwide, and the Modern Masters online shop.

pumpkins

colorful_fall_porchPainting your front door is easy, quick curb appeal. Don’t be afraid to try something new and bold! If you would like a more detailed tutorial on how to paint your front door, watch this one minute video.

Fall is so colorful with the beautiful leaves and now so is my front porch. It felt like the perfect time to share this little makeover with you.

There is one little addition to this porch makeover that I did NOT contribute. Did you catch the beautiful chalk heart behind my yellow chair? That was created by my Jeremiah because he “loves me”. I have not had the heart to wash it off, although he did get a little “please keep chalk on the driveway” from now on talk.

Do you have any fall projects on your list? I can scratch painting my front porch off mine. It’s time for another project.

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DIY Pumpkin Embroidery Hoop

September 18, 2014 By Erica Deuel Leave a Comment

DIY_Pumpkin_Embroidery_hoopI am excited to share with you two things I love today. My love for fall and my love for embroidery hoops have been combined in one post.

Pumpkins are everywhere in the fall. Why not make some flat ones to sit on your mantel or place on your wall? Let me quickly show you how to make your own embroidery hoop pumpkin. I started with some basic supplies I had on hand.

pumpkin_craft_suppliesI used a left over square from my bed’s rag quilt. I liked the orange and purple flowers. It was a fun pattern with fall colors. I placed it in my hoop in a way where I could use the sewn lines. I liked that extra touch.

pumpkin_hoopI hand stitched the word fall above one of the lines. I then twisted a green pipe cleaner around the screw at the top of my hoop to look like a vine.

fall_embroidery_hoopI cut some little leaves out of cardstock, punched holes in them, and fed them onto the pipe cleaner.

pumpkin_sewing_craftI then twisted a brown pipe cleaner in half and around to look like a stem. Next, I cleaned up the back of my hoop by following this tutorial, and then my hoop was done!

pumpkin_craft

fall_pumpkin_craftI still haven’t decided if I will pull out all my fall decorations, since we are tying to move. It might just be simpler around here this season, but I will for sure use the fall decor I create and share with all of you. If you would like to see last year’s mantel, you can see it here.

fall_mantelI think a collection of these pumpkins with different patterns and sizes would look so cute. It would be like your very own pumpkin patch. If you want to make these, but the embroidering step intimidates you-you could skip that step. It would be a simpler design, yet it would still be so fun! You could even paint your design on instead of embroidering.

There are lots of possibilities, if you use your imagination! I’d love to see your pumpkins! Please tag me “ericadeuel” on instagram with your pumpkin pictures!

Thank you so much for stopping by!

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Fall Essentials

August 18, 2014 By Erica Deuel 7 Comments

Disclosure: I received these items from Duluth Trading Company for free to review, but when I swoon and say I love them…that is all me. I love this company!

adventure_awaitsThe weather is getting cooler, the nights are getting shorter, and everywhere you look you see back to school signs, pictures, and reminders that summer is over. It went too fast. I love everything about summer, but I must say fall is my favorite.

It may be because I am a November born baby and live in Georgia. The trees turn the most beautiful colors around my birthday and I can’t help but yearn to be in them. You may remember my birthday hike last year where I wore my new favorite flannel from Duluth Trading Company.

As crazy as it is to think about, it is that time of year again! Fall is here! I wore my Free Swingin Flapjack Flannel just about everyday last year. I loved it. I found that it was so warm, cute and could cover my bed shirts in a fashionable way as I grabbed it quickly when leaving the house.

I was so excited when giving the opportunity to try more of Duluth Trading’s awesome products.

duluth_trading_companyAs a busy mom of three, that homeschools and wants my kids around me constantly, I am guilty of not taking care of myself. When there is money to spend I would rather buy my kids new jeans than to do something for myself. I am often tired and have gray hairs because of it. Can you relate?

perfect_messenger_bag

Duluth_trading_messenger_bagThe older I get though, the more I am aware of quality and wanting to live simply. In my younger years, I loved to buy all those clearance shirts and items that I may wear one day for that perfect party, dinner, bridal shower, etc. Now that I have a few years of unworn items in my closet and experienced wearing amazing-ness all last fall in my Duluth Flannel, I so would rather have a few quality items that I love and hold up to my crazy life.

messenger_bagThat is Duluth Trading Company. They make amazing products for the everyday use. They are not intended to be worn once or twice on a beautiful model, but to be used daily, worn well by real people. They are made to last and are incredible. I can honestly say, my flannel from last year (that I wore everyday), looks as good today as the day I originally pulled it out of the box.

This year, I am excited to put my new Crosscut Flannel Tunic to the same test. I love how soft it feels, the pockets, convertible sleeves with snaps, extra length, flexibility to move as life requires, and it is still so cute. I mean, look at that turquoise. Is it me or what?

fall_flannelI am also ecstatic to try their Lifetime Leather Messenger Bag as well. We all know as busy moms we continually have items floating around in the car. I feel like at any one item I am trying to carry like thirty items with me as we load in the van. Often there are books to finish up school at a park or waiting room, change of clothes for my stubborn three-year old (who doesn’t mind having accidents in her car seat), packages to mail at the post office, my calendar, snacks, etc.

Fall_clothesThis bag is beautiful, and it will be my go to-to help carry all those items as we leave the house.

When my Duluth Trading package arrive, I literally pulled out my bag and held it up to my nose to smell. You can see the quality instantly. It is made of thick, supple, oiled beautiful cowhide and will last for years. Duluth Trading has said it has “old world quality and attention to detail.” Which is a big deal. You can read more here, but they test their products out on real people living life months before the product ever hits the market. They take in feedback, tweak their product and release a perfect product. I know this bag will grow even more beautiful with use.

duluth_trading_messenger_bagI love how this bag has a front flap that secures with an antique brass hardware and hidden magnetic closure. The inner pockets allow for some organization to be able to grab items quickly and easily, and the adjustable strap with padded shoulder grip makes this a comfortable bag. I foresee using it often.

I am especially excited to use it to hold my craft supplies that I take on just about every outing that we will be in the car for longer than 3o minutes (which is often in Atlanta).

fall_essentialsI wouldn’t share this company with you unless I meant it when I said they are awesome. I know I will use these items all the time, and now that I have them-I believe they are fall essentials. I am so excited to have something that I love and will help this tired mom feel a bit more just like a girl. Go indulge browsing Duluth Trading and get something for you (or your man) while preparing for the fall. You won’t regret it.

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The “No Mess” Preschool Fall Craft

October 18, 2013 By Erica Deuel Leave a Comment

quick_kids_fall_craftI love a good mess. There is something that is comfortable about it to me. Paint and little cuts of paper are a pretty normal sight around my house. BUT, every other week or so I do have an OCD melt down where I clean it all. We then create it again. I love crafting in a clean house. So weird.

There are times though, where I want a quick, no mess craft. I have found that having some of these on hand can change-up my day and even help entertain my kids on days where I am needed something. I whipped this little picture frame craft up for my J this week, and he loved it. And I loved that it was a no mess craft, as we were headed out-of-town the afternoon he created it.

Here is what you need:

  • Paper mache picture frame (an old cheap frame could work or even cutting your own out of cardboard or paper) You can also buy them in a bulk party pack for a birthday party, thanksgiving craft, school activity, etc.
  • Fall foam leaf stickers
  • Picture (for these types of things I just print out the picture at home on normal cardstock paper)

fall_preschool_activityMy J loves stickers, and we are constantly working on building a little more confidence and independence in him. This simple craft was something he could do on his own, have fun, create, and make something he was proud of.

I printed off two pictures (different sizes) to find the best fit for the frame. I cut the one out I liked best and stuck it in the frame for J. He then picked up leaves, pulled the sticker back off, and placed them on the frame. It was that easy. I loved that he mixed up shape and colors of the leaves. So, although it was pretty basic, it still shows his creativity.

fittin_picture_to_frame

No_mess_preschool_fall_craftThere was no glue or paint to clean up. We simply threw away the sticker backs, and his frame was complete. Side note: Peeling sticker backs off can be a task for a preschooler and really practiced his eye hand coordination! The teacher in me had to say that ;).

Proud_preschoolerHe made something he was proud of, and I hope built that little self-confidence up while having a blast. I love how the natural background looks with the pop of leaf color. You could always paint it, wrap it with string, or create a paper collage on your frame to make it a little more intricate and a step harder. Another idea is to use this idea for a card rather than a picture frame and write a message inside. The possibilities are endless to stretch or use this technique!

Kids_fall_decorI hope you are having a great weekend and are getting to use your creative juices!

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