14. oct. 08

it's that time. my favorite time. halloween.  it always amazes me, that with so many interesting and beautiful pumpkin choices, i still  - eek, dare i say see- plastic pumpkins along with flannel-bearing  scarecrows and (sigh) phony yellow police tape plastered across front doors.  why people why? i think we can do better. so,  i've scoured the internet for modern, sophisticated halloween decor and projects to inspire you. let's start with pumpkins.

flourish stamps...easy breezy.... and well...kinda cheap.  an entire set of clear fourish stamps at michaels is about $12- $14. i am horrible with linoleum cutters, knives, etc. i also am prone to losing my patience. so i'm always looking for other opportunities.

always hydrangeas...i have hundreds of hydrangeas all over my house.  now is the perfect time for cutting and they dry naturally.  i carry cutters in my car because you never know what you'll see on the side of the road.  just in case. hydrangeas are great fillers and complement all types of harvest items.  personally, i like the delicateness they provide. a nice balance. and of course...old rusty urns. i am forever changing out the contents of the urns in my house.

when in doubt...vignettes.  a vignette is a small picture. for me, it's like frosting on a cake- vignettes provide a little something extra.  and you can incorporate what you already have.  small squash and pumpkins under cloches, old rusty keys, and moss would be interesting grouped on a table.  maybe add an old photo or two or pair of old lace gloves.  spookey without the yellow caution tape!  other items i'm using this fall include shells, empty picture frames, ripped lace, tea- stained cheesecloth, old victorian shoes, branches, and moss...

 for those blessed with amazing patience and skill...ala martha stewart... carve away.  gorgeous 18th century lace patterns hand carved into these beautiful muted shades...elegant.