GONE PUMPKIN PICKING!

I was hoping to go pumpkin picking in my own back yard this year, but between the squash borers and squirrels, I've had my share of competition.  However, they were were kind enough to leave my crop of butternut squash alone.

So, what have you been making lately?  While making my ropekin, I found that the paint stiffened the rope, and the look was to my liking.  I used the same "technique" to make this little autumn rope wreath.  I may end up making a big one; if I do, I will certainly share my creation with you!

©Linda Nelson 2016

©Linda Nelson 2016

Do you like my rustic little door?  I would love to have a front door that looks just like this one, but it wouldn't work with the style of my home, and would require quite a bit of reconstructive surgery to make it work.  Anyway, I made this one from a deconstructed dresser drawer, and it will have to suffice as my dream door.

©Linda Nelson 2016

©Linda Nelson 2016

Five little pumpkins sitting in a row.......

©Linda Nelson 2016

These canvas and driftwood pumpkins are awaiting their debut at an upcoming fall fair I will be participating in.  I love their simplistic and raw look; I hope shoppers will too!

©Linda Nelson 2016

By the way, happy fall!  I hope your weather is just as gorgeous as my weather.

Now, go get creative.

MAKE A "ROPEKIN"

Thought I'd share this quick little crafty idea with you.  It's a little rope pumpkin, or......... a ropekin!

©Linda Nelson 2016

I grabbed some scrap cushion foam and jute rope, then whipped up my little creation.  I stacked two pieces of foam together and trimmed them with scissors to get an overall rounded form, this one being roughly six inches in diameter and about four inches high.  The tomato mashing dibble was the perfect tool for creating a nice big hole in the center.

©Linda Nelson 2016

I wrapped one end of the rope (I used 36' of rope for this project) with some duct tape, and fed it thru the "doughnut" hole all the way around.  When I reached the end of my rope (no pun), I simply made a little knot and tucked it up into the hole.

©Linda Nelson 2016

I then thought it would be neat to slap a coat of paint onto my little ropekin and add some embellishments; so that's what I did.

©Linda Nelson 2016

Okay, now you make one!

MAKING A MESH

In a previous post published earlier this summer, I mentioned that I was having new windows installed.  I love my new windows, and hope my purse will feel a difference with regard to saving on utility costs.  I held on to a few old screened frames to use as drying racks for my lavender harvest and for drying flower heads for saving seeds.  The remaining old screens were awaiting my hauling them to the scrap metal yard, but I'd eye them now and then to see if a repurposing idea would come to mind.  So, I saved the screening as well as some other "notions" from the scrap pile.

©Linda Nelson 2016

Alas, the "aha" moment struck, and I was moved to make a creative little mess mesh.

Does not every home need a window screen tussie-mussie?  I believe so, and my home was without....... until now.  I cut the screen into a circle, folded it in half, rolled it up into a cone shape and simply slipped it into an old bed spring coil.  I used one of those cone shaped treat bags as an inner sleeve to hold water.

©Linda Nelson 2016

And, when you stare through a window screen, do you start thinking about origami?  It happened to me, and that's how I made this wall basket.  You don't need no stinkin' paper to do origami; just use old window screens.  I followed a random "paper cup" folding instruction tutorial.

©Linda Nelson 2016

I'll redo the decorative embellishments at another time; but for now, it's filled with cuttings from plants that have gone to seed.

©Linda Nelson 2016

See?  Staring through window screens can be very inspiring.

Now, get creative.

HERMINE.....HISMINE.......YOURMINE......

.......this tropical storm is Ourmine if you live on the east coast, and it's steadily making it's way to the south eastern region of NY.  Some of my family members were planning to visit this weekend. Clamming, swimming and BBQing were on the itinerary; however, we elected to cancel this annual affair.  Instead, I spent the afternoon lightly preparing for expected 35mph winds, dragging some things into the garage, flower staking and yard work, and harvesting a bunch of tomatoes.  A quick trip to the grocery store and gas station rounded out the day.

I hope this leggy gal is ready for Hermine.  She's been hanging out in suspension in between my basil plants for a few weeks.  She started out as a tiny little waif, but not so anymore.

©Linda Nelson 2016

I did a double take when I spotted this pumpkin.  Sadly, I lost all of my green zucchini plants and first crop of pumpkin plants to squash borers.  The second crop of pumpkins took off successfully, and, so far, I've been rewarded with this one little guy.  Of course, the squirrels would have to mar it with their menacing nibbles.  I hope my caging effort will protect it while it matures.

©Linda Nelson 2016

A few of my Pattypan squash vines managed to survive the borer infestation.  Boy, I think I they're tastier (the Pattypan, not the borer) than green zucchini.  They have a slightly nutty flavor and maintain a nice texture when cooked.

©Linda Nelson 2016

Isn't this front porch simply charming?  It belongs to one of my clients, and I just think it's the epitome of the perfect little porch.

©Linda Nelson 2016

In addition to their flower pots, I planted up a vegetable border for them - tomatoes, peppers, string beans and cucumbers.  Newly installed this season were some blueberry bushes, a perfect accompaniment to their existing raspberry patch.  There's no need for me to bring lunch when I'm scheduled to work here :)

©Linda Nelson 2016

To you folks who are also awaiting Hermine, stay safe.  I'm going to hunker down and get creative!