I thought I’d update y’all on the happenings with my little family of five. Boy oh boy has it been a summer. We were fortunate to take a few short day trips, including this beach adventure in Northern California. Most of my Summer was spent house looking.

As I sit here writing this post, it almost feels surreal. The home buying adventure started in June and here we are September 1st and I finally have the keys to my new home. If you follow me on Instagram and/or Facebook (which I hope you do) you know that I offered on this beautiful home about a month ago.

Back in June, I just new it was time to relocate out of the San Francisco Bay Area to the Central Valley of Northern California. With aging parents my goal has always been to help them age gracefully.

What seems like not a long time…three months…felt like a very long sailboat ride.

This house, my new Home on Northwood, was the third property I offered on after viewing about a dozen homes. It was really my favorite home, but when I walked in to view the property it already had five offers in the queue. I honestly never thought this home would become mine, but “someone” had other plans for me.

There were so many reasons this home felt like my forever dream home. My son Troy loved the home, it was walking distance to my parent’s home, and all of the features in the home were exactly what I needed.

Of course, I wish I could have found a newly remolded home. But at this point the home met most of my needs.

I thought you might enjoy this video I made on the Home Buying Adventure. It’s Watch Me Wednesday, Episode #7.

The Home on Northwood is actually in really good condition, it’s just cosmetically not pleasing to me. This home has great bones but it does need lots of cosmetic TLC and updates; flooring, paint, popcorn ceilings, etc. etc.

I’m over the moon excited to be sharing with you today my NEW HOME NORTHWOOD!

I’m over the moon excited to be sharing with you some of the UGLY INTERIOR photos. LAUGHLING OUT LOUD!!!

The bathrooms are a flashback to 1970! Oh My. Linoleum on the floor in that beige marble, goodness gracious previous owners!!!

And how about that shower door. Obviously the previous owner was an older person and needed bathroom assistance, hence the metal holders on the wall.

I can’t deny that it just looks ugly inside. I grew up with Popcorn Ceilings and I’m 50 years old. They have GOT TO GO soon!!!! I love my new entryway, but those ceilings, ugh. The disappointing factor is the previous owners painted over the popcorn ceilings so scraping those is not an option. My thought are Shiplapping the Ceilings or Texturing over the Ceilings. The remainder of the house is not painted so those will get scrapped. Let me know what you think? Shiplap or Texture?

I am lucky enough to have a two car garage but I’m not exactly thrilled about having the laundry in the garage. I’m hoping to fancy up the laundry area to create a room environment. That’s just one of “my long list of” upcoming projects!

A a fixer up!  The home is actually in really good condition, it’s just cosmetically not pleasing to me.  I’m not a fan of carpet or pine wood floors or even dark brick.  I prefer lighter, more neutral tones as I believe it opens up the space to appear larger. My plan for this beautiful fireplace is to do a Faux Schmear finish. I’ll be sure to take you along on that DIY project.

The ceilings in my main family room are all wood and I absolutely love the look. The dark brick and dark ceilings make the room a bit dark, which is why I plan to Faux Schmear the fireplace soon.

I’m not sure if I am more thrilled with my spacious backyard, or the pups. The yard is full of beautiful green grass, flowering trees, fruit trees and a corner with a bird bath and trellis. Wisteria covers the trellis and I am really looking forward to seeing it bloom. I think Wisteria blooms closer to October and November, but I am not sure. Behind the Wisteria is also an Avocado Tree. Orange, Lemon, Lime, and Grapefruit Trees are just some of the fruit trees in my yard. There is a large patio up against the house, as well. I’m super excited to design and decorate the spacious patio.

BACKYARD WISH LIST!

Here’s what I’m dreaming about for my backyard! It’s a pretty clean slate and I’m really excited to get some seating out there.

DISCLOSURE

Many of the links on this blog are affiliate links. CreateWithCynthia.com receives a small commission when certain items are purchased, but the price is the same for you. Thank you for your help in supporting my little space on the internet.

I hope you’ve enjoyed hearing about my new home.

Now go out there and Create Something.

Cynthia

The post Summer Adventures and Buying a New Home! appeared first on Create With Cynthia.

Hey there, Sweet Friends, today I’m showing off some cute little pumpkins I made with old jars and left over pumpkin tops and twigs.

It’s time to decorate for Fall. Have you begun decorating? Pumpkins can take you from August through November and they are a great staple in my Fall home decor bin.

Today is the monthly Pinterest Challenge hosted by Erlene from myPinventures.  I’m excited to share the fun and crafty creations of over a dozen other bloggers. If you are visiting from “Elle Marie Home” Welcome!

Easy Fall Decorating with Old Jar Pumpkins!

It’s time for the August Pin Challenge! The purpose of the Pinterest Challenge is to motivate us to not just pin, but to make it happen! This month’s challenge is all about Fall projects. The pin I chose was “Dollar Tree Candy Jar Pumpkins from Katie of Little House of Four.

I haven’t pulled out all of my Fall Home Decor because I’m still in a state of moving. As I shared on Instagram earlier this month, I bought a new home in Northern California and am anxiously awaiting to move in. My move in date is expected to be Early September and I’ll have lots of Fall Home Decor photos coming soon (I hope!).

These cute little pumpkins I created last year. I was Pinterest-Inspired to create these pumpkins and of course they were so easy. All of the items I already had at home.

In years passed, (this picture was from the year 2008) every year we went to the pumpkin patch on the coast and brought home pumpkins. After the pumpkins dried up I was always sure to save those pumpkin tops. It’s the DIY Crafty Girl in me. I always knew I’d need the pumpkin tops for future projects. My boys are getting bigger and visiting the pumpkin patch is not there thing.

Now let’s get to the tutorial on how I created these cute little pumpkins.

Materials needed to create Old Jar Pumpkins:

• Old Jars
• Paint
• Twine
• Material
• Pumpkin Tops or Twigs
• Glue

Directions to create Old Jar Pumpkins:

Step one: Gather your supplies

Step two: Paint your jars.

Step three: Turn jar upside down and glue pumpkin top to bottom of jar OR fill the jar with material and stick a twig in the center.

Step four: Decorate with your pumpkins.

For more Pinterest inspired projects from this month’s Pinterest Challenge hosts, check out the links below ↓

Now head on over to all my friends posts for some fun Fall Decorating Ideas.

My Pinterventures  •  Cookies Coffee and Crafts  
Farm Girl Reformed  •  Slices of Life
Decorate and More with Tip  •  Purple Hues and Me
Life Beyond Kitchen  •  Mom Home Guide
 •  Our Good Life
Pretty DIY Home  •  Elle Marie Home  •  Create with Cynthia

Check out my other Pinterest Challenge Projects:

In January I took an old ladder and created, “Old Bathroom Ladder Storage Idea!” In February I took old spindles and created “Spindle Carrots!” March was all about “Painted Drop Cloth Bunnies!” In April, I took the tasty orange vegetables and created a “Carrot Wreath!” June was all about the patriotic season and so there was the “Easy to Create Patriotic Wreath!”

I hope I have inspired you to find some old unused items in your home to create some pumpkins. Don’t forget, after your visit to the pumpkin patch and once your pumpkins are soiled, save those tops.

Now go out there and create something.

Cynthia

Looking for more Fall Home Decor items to purchase for your home?

CreateWithCynthia.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

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Hey there, Sweet Friends, happy day. I cannot believe that we are half way through August and almost to September. It’s really not Fall yet, but lots are getting ready for Fall. Today I am sharing Fall Decor Ideas.

Fall Decor Ideas!

Today on the blog is all about Fall Decor Ideas! Welcome to the Fall Home Tour Blog Hop. A BIG THANKS to my Sweet Friend, Andrea from Design Morsels for coordinating the Fall Home Tour Blog Hop. If you are stopping by from Birdz of a Feather, a big welcome to you. I just love all of the projects on her site.

I’m going to be sharing with you the Five Things that I use to add a touch of Fall Decor to my home.

When I think about Fall Decor Ideas I think about what reminds me of the Fall season!

When I think about Fall Decor Ideas I think about what makes me happy!

What does Fall remind you of? Leave me a comment, I’d love to hear.

Fall Decor!

There are FIVE things I use to add Fall to my home.

• Pillows
• Blankets
• Pumpkins
• Acorns, Leafs, Twigs
• Flowers

Pillows and Blankets for Fall Decorating!

I love pulling out my Fall Pillows at the end of September. Decorated Pillows and Blankets for each season are a very easy way to say hello to the new season. They are easy to stash away and use year after year. As the cool and crisp temperatures approach extra blankets are essential.

Pumpkins, Acorns, Leafs, Twigs and Flowers!

Y’all know, I love walking the pups and I also love picking up the acorns, leafs and twigs that fall to the ground. They are great scatter on your coffee table and even fun as filler for jars! Nothing says Fall more that the items that fall from the trees.

Flowers are a must in my home and if my budget is tight then picking flowers from the yard or using artificial flowers is a great option. I like to work with all three options year round.

Today, I’m joining my Sweet Blogger Friends on this Fall Home Tour. Don’t forget to visit all of the links to check out their Fall Home Tours. I’m certain you will be inspired.

Design Morsels

Celebrate And Decorate

BlueSky At Home

Calypso in the Country

My Hubbard Home

Zucchini Sisters

Chas’ Crazy Creations

The Painted Apron

Birdz of a Feather

Create With Cynthia

I hope these ideas have inspired you to set up Fall in your home. Don’t forget to check out all the other links above and say hello. There is nothing more rewarding than stepping back to see your decorated home.

Now go out there and create something.

Cynthia

Are you ready to decorate your home for Fall?

CreateWithCynthia.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

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Decorating the front door is a great way to say hello to your guests, Sweet Friends. It sets a warm welcome to those that arrive at your home. I enjoy decorating my front door for each season, do you?

Basket Wreath for the Door!

Wreaths come in all shapes and sizes. I’ve seen many types of wreaths on Pinterest and thought it would be fun to create a Patriotic Wreath for the door. You can check out all of my wreath inspiration on my Pinterest Boards.

You can also check out all of my seasonal wreaths on the blog by searching for wreaths or clicking here. You’ll find a Patriotic Wreath with Stars, a Walnut Wreath, a Yarn Wreath called Happy Feet, a Drop Cloth Wreath and many more.

I love decorating with wreaths because you can put them on your door or hang them on a wall. For this project I started with this basket handbag. The boys and used to take it with us when we went to the beach. The basket handbag was a little worn, but I knew it would look so lovely full of flowers.

The Dollar Store is the perfect spot to pick up faux florals and seasonal decorations like these signs and sticks. My Dollar Store even had floral foam. This project cost me under $20 but could easily be transformed by swapping out the patriotic style for a summer or spring style.

Now, let’s get to the tutorial.

Materials needed for the Basket Wreath:

• Basket that hangs
• Floral Foam
• Faux Flowers
• Seasonal sign or stick decor
• Ribbon (optional)

Directions for creating a Basket Wreath:

Step one: Prepare basket by cleaning it.

Step two: Cut your floral foam to size and stick it into your basket.

Step three: Remove tags from faux florals and stick florals into foam.

Step four: Add seasonal decor to your basket wreath. I had a few sticks with stars and a cute Americana sign.

Step five: Hang your basket wreath on the door and enjoy.

Don’t forget to check out all of my Patriotic Decor Ideas on You Tube.

The basket wreath is such a fun and versatile decor piece for your home. I hope I’ve inspired you to create something beautiful for your front door.

Now you probably notice that the Basket Wreath is not on my front door. I’m currently in a home transition mode, but will be discussing my forever home with y’all soon. If you don’t follow me on Instagram and Facebook, you’ll want to follow me there for a peek at the new house.

Cynthia

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Sweet Friends, Air Dry Clay is so fun to use. I have created a variety of projects using Air Dry Clay and today I wanted to share them with you. Most of these projects are on the Create With Cynthia Blog and You Tube Channel. If you are inspired to create your own projects, you can shop my online store CreateWithCynthiaShop.com

Iron Orchid Designs Air Dry Clay easily adheres to any surface with glue. You can create and craft any sculpure, design or image and then just let it dry. The clay dries over night and then it is paintable.

Iron Orchid Designs has also created Decor Moulds and Stamps to be used with the clay. The possibilities are endless. On the wine charms above I used the BirdSong Moulds. I added a wine charm and then once the moulds were dry I painted the birds with paint.

The bird wine charms add such a beautiful decor piece to tablescapes. Just attach them to the bottom of a glass to add a pop of color. You can see how I created these beauties on my You Tube Channel.

You can also take clay and adhere it to furniture. The Nightstand Furniture Makeover came out very unique with a one of a kind look. On this project I used DIY Paint Dark Wax to get into all the crevices of the moulds. I then finished it with a coat of White Wax.

Iron Orchid Designs Air Dry Clay used with the Decor Moulds can create beautiful pieces of art like this Mermaid Mobile. I used clay to create a handful of mermaid with the Mermaid Mould. Then I attached the mermaids with clear string to an embroidery hoop.

The project ideas really are endless when it comes to using Clay. On the Furniture Makeover Dresser below I created a vase with a rolling pin and then stamped using the Iron Orchid Designs French Script Stamp onto the clay before it dried. I used Golden Ticket which is a paint product from DIY Paint and a Iron Orchid Designs Decor Transfer of florals to finish off the look. I’ve got a blog post and a video in my Iron Orchid Designs Clay Project Playlist that you can watch for the full tutorial.

During the different seasons I love to incorporate the use of clay into my seasonal projects. The wood eggs were created during the Easter Season. I really enjoyed creating baskets and trays full of these gorgeous and colorful eggs.

I hope I’ve inspired you to try using Air Dry Clay in your Home Decor DIY projects. I’m certain you’ll be satisfied with your creations. Now go out there and Create Something.

Cynthia

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Happy Day, Sweet Friends. I’m still working on Patriotic Decor for my home. These Fabric Balls, also known as Rag Balls were so easy to make. What I love most about this project is that they can be made for any season.

For this project I used Dollar Store Items and it cost under $5.00. It’s such a fun project and adds just the right amount of decorative elements to your home.

There are so many places to add DIY Fabric Balls to your home. They can be placed on a bookcase, dresser or table and even inside a bowl or tray.

If you are like me and love decorating for the seasons, you can make these Rag Balls for each season. I can see them at Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter and even Thanksgiving.

DISCLOSURE

Many of the links on this blog are affiliate links. CreateWithCynthia.com receives a small commission when certain items are purchased, but the price is the same for you. Thank you for your help in supporting my little space on the internet.

CreateWithCynthia.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

I purchased all of my supplies from the Dollar Store, but just in case you don’t live near a Dollar Store or if you just prefer to shop online, all the links above allow you to make these cute and simple Decorative Balls.

MATERIALS USED ON THE DECORATIVE FABRIC RAG BALLS:

• Fabric – I chose a Patriotic Scarf and a Red Bandana
• Balls – I chose Swim balls from the Dollar Store
• Glue Gun
• Fabric Glue Sticks
• Scissors

Step One:

Prepare your balls. I used swim balls and removed each of the tags.

Step two:

Prepare your fabric. I cute the fabric and then also tore the fabric. I liked the frayed edges and found tearing the fabric created this look. I chose to cut/tear my fabric in a variety of sizes, 1/4 inch, 1/2 inch and 1 inch.

Step three:

Use your glue gun and glue sticks to adhere the material to the balls.

Tip: Enjoy the process. There is no rhythm or reason for how you complete the project.

Warning: Be careful because the glue gets very hot.

You can watch my video on You Tube which shows you how to create the Fabric Rag Balls. Don’t forget to subscribe.

I hope I’ve inspired you to create some seasonal decor for your home.

Cynthia

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