Burlap table runner

Thanksgiving is around the corner and I wanted a rustic table setting this year. I decided to make this very simple burlap table runner.

All I did was measure out the length of the runner by placing the fabric on the table and cutting it to size, adding approximately 1/4 inch for seam allowance on all sides.

Then, I hemmed the two long sides of the runner by just rolling over the edge with my sewing machine.

On the two shorter ends, I wanted a little fray so I pulled some of the threads out to give it the look I wanted.

I stitched a straight line along that frayed edge so that it doesn't continue to fray.

Voila! A very simple runner that adds a little color to my boring table.

It's simple and me.

I had extra burlap left so I decided that I would make the kids table a burlap table cloth.

I used my leftover outdoor paisley fabric for my runner.

I bought these little turkey placemats at Pottery barn several years ago even before E. was born.

I decided to replace the little pumpkins with some of kids lego creations they have made through out the year. I love incorporating a little bit of them into the decor. It is their table after all.

I'm ready for Thanksgiving, how about you?

Some fall for inside

So fall decor has never enter my home before until this year. I felt inspired to do a little decorating.

The mantle needed a new do. I had a frame that I loved and a mirror that I could do without so I decided to swap the two and make a new mirror with a different frame for my mantle.

I started with this gold frame.

I cut out the brown paper in the back and removed the mirror. I reframed it into my wooden frame and came up with this.

I wish I took a closer picture of the mirror.

I love the feathered wreath. My hubby, not so much, but I don't care. I found it at Jo-Ann's for only $12.00. It was 39.99 originally. I found the amber candle sticks at Hobby Lobby for 66% off for only $7.48 each.

I bought the garland for only $5.00 at Hobby Lobby and the pumpkin and gourds at Jo-Ann's for $8.00.

The rest of the items were found around the house to complete my mantle makeover.

I was also able to finally finish re-upholstering my kids side chairs. It just so happens to be fall colors. I bought these cute chairs at Target, but they were pink. I loved them so much that I had to have them. However, I don't have any girls in my household so they needed to be redone. I decided to re-upholster one in a chocolate and the other in a burnt orange.

I am definitely digging the fall season this year.

Fabric for my flowerbeds

Every year, I spend countless hours removing grass from our flowerbeds. It was so bad one year, I paid the guys that built my flower beds to do it for me, despite the fact that I am such a do-it-yourselfer.

This is what my flowerbeds used to look like. When doing our landscaping for our backyard, we lined our flowerbeds with some landscaping fabric and it has completely reduced the amount of grass to nearly none. I love the outcome so much that I needed to tackle our front yard the same way.

It was so much work. We had to spray the grass to kill it. Then, we dug up all the grass and weeds. We could have just tried to cover it up without all the prep work, but I wasn't going to take any chances this year.

We laid the landscaping fabric down, cutting out holes for our shrubs and trees. It's good to overlap any gaps and spaces as much as possible to prevent grass from reaching the surface.

Then we added a of couple inches of new mulch and voila! I simply cannot believe the difference.

I splurged this year on stained mulch. It wasn't too much more and if it could keep the dark color for a bit longer, I'm satisfied.

I cannot say how happy I am with the way it looks right now. The hours we spent prepping will definitely pay off in the long run. A few more things in our front yard to do and we are done for the season!

Sprucing the entry for the fall

I have never decorated for the fall, but this year I decided to spruce up our doorway with a little bit of it. I started with this wreath I found at Target.

It was $39.99, but I got it for only $4.98. Score!

I think it looks perfect for our place.

So here is my doorway with the new wreath. It's still a little drab. I wanted to update it a little so I went and bought some black spray paint to spray the urn and the shoe cleaner.

I was so ready to get rid of the "mossy" looking urn.

To match, I figured I might as well spray our little puppy as well. Why not? It probably took longer to clean and tape off the unpainted areas then it did to actually spray these two items.

I added some fall leaves to my little evergreen to make it look a little more fall.

This is what I ended up with. I repurposed a new mat from our backdoor. It is the perfect size to cover up the electrical cord. I've always wanted a black door, but I wasn't quite ready to take the plunge on that one just yet.

For a little spray paint, it looks a lot better. Total price for the door makeover is $10.39 ($4.98 for the wreath, $4.66 for the outdoor spray paint, and 75 cents for the fall leaves). That's not too shabby. Hopefully, it is a little more inviting than what it was before. I can't wait for Thanksgiving!

Goodbye October!

Did everyone have a good Halloween? We had a fantastic time. We usually dress up as one theme, but because of all the studying I was doing, I didn't have time to go out and buy any new costumes. To my surprise, my kiddos didn't care. They grabbed what they wanted out of the many boxes of costumes I have accumulated through out the years and this is what they came up with.

A.'s batman costume was only $1.98. I got it 90% off years ago. Surprisingly, it has been worn for four Halloweens! Now, that is what I call a phenomenal bargain if I say so myself.

Time to say goodbye to October and Helloooo November!

We love going to the pumpkin patch, don't you?

Barnes & Noble Kids Club

Barnes & Noble announced the launch of the B&N Kids' Club, a free loyalty and rewards program for Barnes & Noble parents and caregivers. The B&N Kids' Club is an in-store and online program that provides exclusive benefits along with savings and discounts on Barnes & Noble's selection of children's books and educational toys and games.

When customers sign-up for the B&N Kids' Club they will be welcomed with a 30 percent off coupon to use on a future purchase of children's books, educational toys and games, and adult games and puzzles. Kids' Club members will also receive a $5 coupon for every $100 they spend on children's books and toys up to four times per year. These coupons can be accrued and used either in-store or online at Barnes & Noble.com. Each child participant in the B&N Kids' Club will also receive special presents on their birthday: a free cupcake or cookie from the Barnes & Noble Cafe and a free digital book they create on Tikatok.com, an interactive website where kids write and illustrate their own books.