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?

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Hey there Sweet Friends, do you love painting old furniture like I do? Old Vintage Furniture can be repurposed easily with a nice paint job. It’s fun and a lot less expensive than purchasing brand new pieces.

This buffet was my grandmother’s and is over 100 years old. I remember as a little girl seeing it in her home. This buffet is stained in a dark Mahogany and if I tried to paint it, there would be bleed through. I don’t have plans to paint this piece as it has been well cared for and does not need a paint job.

How To Stop Bleed Through When Painting Furniture!

When painting a piece of furniture that is stained in Mahogany or Cherry, there will almost always be bleed through. Bleed through is where the stain seeps through to the top of your paint. So, if you paint a piece of furniture in a light white color, you will see brown/black splotches all over the piece. This problem can be expensive (more paint coats) and annoying!

I painted these tables in A Maker’s Studio Rescue and Restore Paint in the color Hissy Fit and Blessed. I love the glimmer that the Metallic Gold Wax gives the pieces. I also used A Maker’s Studio Cerusing Wax on the white part of the table to ensure a sturdy top coat. I love the distressed look and how the wood shows off. #EnjoytheBraggingRights

Now these two tables were a bit of a challenge, as the wood was stained Mahogany. I used Zinsser Shellac and sprayed the tables with two coats.

In the “Sewing Cabinet Turned Desk Transformation and a Night I was Stood Up on a Date!” project, I dealt with bleed through and the issue was resolved because I used Boss by Dixie Belle.

I’ve got a super fun playlist on you Tube, “7 Furniture Makeovers with Story!” Most of these furniture makeover’s I dealt with bleed through on.

Eliminating Bleed Through on painted furniture is easy. There are a variety of products on the market, called “Stain Blockers” that you can use to eliminate Bleed Through on Painted Furniture. Here are some of the products that I have used. All of these products work, but I don’t love using all of the products, just fyi!

How To Stop Bleed Through When Painting Furniture with Stain Blockers!

1. Zinnser Shellac
2. Boss by Dixie Belle
3. Salvation Solution Wood Stain Blocker by DIY Paint Co.

My Bad Date Furniture Makeover was a fun project where I did not have to deal with Bleed Through. The bleed through probably happened but because I used a black paint color, the bleed through spots did not show up.

The Two Little End Tables refurbished using A Maker’s Studio Rescue and Restore Paint is also a video on You Tube.

They make great bedside or couch tables. #CraftaBeautifulLife

Little End Table x 2 = A Blessed Hissy Fit!

You can watch my videos for more of my personal opinions on the three product – Stain Blockers” that I have worked with. I’m certain there are many other Stain Blocker products on the market. I hope this inspires you to paint a furniture makeover where you know you will have bleed through. It’s really an easy solution to correct and the end result is usually worth it.

Make it a great day! Now go out there and Create Something.

Cynthia

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It’s that time of year, Sweet Friends, where you constantly see Flag and Patriotic decor and I’ve been a little remiss at doing many Patriotic projects.

I’ve been kind of itching to work on some crafts but life gets busy. This weekend, I went all red, white and blue and boy oh boy was it fun!

Today, I am joining some blogger friends on the June Pinterest Challenge! My Sweet Friend Erlene from My Pinterventures, is the host behind putting this party together. Thanks Erlene.  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 Summer and Fourth of July projects. The pin I chose was here.

You might wanna pop on over to my Pinterest page and check out all of my 4th of July and Patriotic Craft projects that I pinned. There is so much fun inspiration on Pinterest.

Create With Cynthia is a place where I share ideas and inspiration on DIY Home Decor and Furniture Makeover projects all with a season flair.  I love to share about my family of five. I’m grateful for my two teen boys and my two pups. I love to share our adventures in and around our little town in Northern California. You can follow me on my website or You Tube channel to create these projects.  You can purchase the products or my completed handmade goods, on my online website CreateWithCynthiaShop.com.

This is my fifth go round on the Pinterest Challenge and if you want to go back and check out my other projects here is the round up.

In January my project was on organization and I chose to turn an Old Ladder into a Bathroom Storage Idea. In February I created Spindle Carrots for the challenge, as Valentine’s Day had passed and Spring was approaching. In March I created Drop Cloth Bunnies for the Spring challenge and in April for another Spring project I created the Carrot Wreath.

May came and went and I just got too dang busy for the challenge. Now we are into June and I’m so excited about my Patriotic Wreath.

MATERIALS NEEDED TO CREATE A PATRIOTIC WREATH:

1. Embroidery Hoop
2. Wood Stars
3. Patriotic Bow
4. Paint and paint products

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.

For this project you really can use any paint products. I wanted to use what I had on hand and so I chose DIY Paint and Rustoleum Top Coat. After doing the project I realized Rustoleum Spray Paint would have made the project super easy.

Today on the blog is a video and tutorial on how to make a Patriotic Wreath. You can watch my  video on You Tube on the project.

DIRECTIONS FOR CREATING A PATRIOTIC WREATH:

Step one:

Paint the embroidery hoop and stars white.

Step two:

Divide the stars into sizes first. For my project I had three sizes of stars.

I kept enough large size stars in white to line the embroidery hoop.

Step three:

From the remaining stars, I divided them in half and painted half of the stars red and left half of the stars white.

Step four:

I then took six to ten of the smaller size stars and painted each blue.

Step five:

Once the stars were painted, I allowed each to dry. I took my paint brushes over to the sink and washed each. I used Dr. Jacobs Naturals Pure Castilles. This natural and organic soap is specifically formulated  and safe for sensitive, dry and even eczema-prone skin. It’s gentle enough for the whole family, even your four pawed kids.

Purchase Dr. Jacobs Naturals Pure Castilles online and use code Createwithcynthia25 and receive 25% off.

This post is written in collaboration with Dr. Jacobs Naturals Pure Castilles. All opinions are my own. Please see my Disclosures page for more information.

Step six:

Now the fun begins. Assemble your Patriotic Wreath by using a glue gun and adhering each star to the embroidery hoop.

I used the large stars first. I began by layering the largest stars around the hoop.

I then glued the blue stars to the upper top left of the wreath.

I then intermingled the red stars onto the wreath. No rhythm or reason, just create and have fun.

Step seven:

The final step is to add a Matte Clear Coat Sealer to the paint. If your paint already has a sealer you can skip this step.

Step eight:

Add a bow and hang your Patriotic Wreath on the wall. I picked up a bow at the Dollar Store, since bow making is not my favorite thing to do. I also layered my wreath atop a wicker wreath for a little more pizazz.

If you’d like to recreate this project, I’ve added below links to all of the items. Keep in mind when I created the project, I used the paint and paint products that I had on hand. There are many paint and paint product options when doing this Easy to Make Patriotic Wreath.

Which do you prefer, the Patriotic Wreath paired with a wicker wreath or alone? Leave me a comment and let me know.

I hope I’ve inspired you to go out there and Create Something.

Cynthia

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Let’s face it, I love decorating for the holiday’s. You can check out my post from last year, “5 Elements for a Radiant Rustic Fall Porch.”

In years passed, like, over 5 years ago, I really didn’t decorate for Thanksgiving. I’d put the cornucopia on the table and hang a wreath on the door and call it a day. But this year, I decided to shake things up just a little bit.

It all started when Chloe from Celebrate and Decorate invited me to join the Thanksgiving Blog Hop. Did you see all of the Thanksgiving Tablescape Ideas from my blogger friends?

Now, you might be wondering why I have new Turkeys on the buffet….

Well, that’s a whole different story, I’ll have to tell you later. The Turkeys on my Thanksgiving Tablescape were actually Hens and it stirred up a little bit of controversy in blog land.

So, let’s get to the story about how I plan to transition from Fall Decor to Christmas Decor in my Home.

Remember in October when I traveled to Texas for the Inspire Workshop? You can read about the workshop and “My Favorite Shops in Waco, Texas.”

At the workshop, we talked and ate and talked and ate and admired KariAnne’s home. It was amazing, just like she is and the kitchen……

Well it was truly amazing. I mean isn’t the Fall Trees with the Leaves and Pumpkins just adorable, not to mention the old Red Truck?

When I was at the workshop, the kitchen decor gave me an idea that I wanted to take home. Today, Sweet Friends, I am sharing it with you. I’m giving a big shout out to KariAnne of Thistlewood Farms and Barbara of Gasthaus On The Meadow. Those two were behind all the inspiration and ideas that I will be using in my own home for years to come.

The transition from Fall to Christmas Decor is always tricky for me. But now, I have a plan and I think it’s grand.

Fall Christmas Trees!

Are you wondering what my plan is?

This year, for Thanksgiving, the usual cornucopia on the table, and my fall wreath on the door, get some friends. This year, I decided to do things a little different.

This year, I pulled all the Christmas Bins out early, and after I finished the Thanksgiving Blog Hop and made the Pinecone Wreaths I turned the Christmas Trees into Fall Trees.

I like big Christmas Trees and little Christmas Trees and I like them all over my house. In my Holiday Home Tour 2018 on You Tube last year, I had Five Christmas Trees. Check it out if you missed it.

This year I started with the buffet decorating. I took my three baby Christmas Tress and turned them into Fall Trees, added some turkeys and pinecones and bam….

After Thanksgiving, my decorating will be so easy because I’ll just remove the Fall Leaves and Pinecones and Turkeys and make room for the Ornaments and Santas and Reindeers.

I started with the baby Christmas Trees, but the big Christmas Trees will be decorated this week, just in time for Thanksgiving. Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram and Facebook to see all the photos.

Note aside; next year my Fall Trees will be up on November 1st, I’m just a few weeks behind this year. I was kinda dealing with the hens…

Note aside; those colorful Turkeys are chocolate so you probably won’t see them next year.

Just in case you wanna get started on your Fall Trees, here area some of my favorite products.

For Christmas Trees check out the 2 feet Christmas Tree, 3.5 feet Christmas Trees, 5 feet Christmas Tree, 6 feet Christmas Tree, 7 feet Christmas Tree

You will also need leaves and these are two good options; Autumn Leaf Garland and Maple Leave Garland.

Don’t forget the Scented Pinecones.

And a tree is not a tree without a collar. Which do you prefer, a White Tree Collar or a Galvanized Tree Collar?

So that’s how I plan t o transition from Fall Decor into Christmas Decor. Do you have a plan? Now go out there and create something.

Cynthia

Note: This post contains affiliate links.  Please see full affiliate disclosure here. Purchasing through any of my blog links and/or side bar buttons, helps to keep this blog running.  All reviews and opinions of any items shared on CreateWithCynthia.com are of my own opinion and are not swayed by sponsorship or collaborations. Thank you for your support and for continuing to follow along!

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Of course, these little turquoise chairs were the perfect spot for my 3 year old little friend.

I remember ten years ago when my sweet boys used these same chairs to enjoy their snack. Luke would pull up, as close as he could, to the table. He’d wait patiently for me to bring him his snack and turn on his favorite show Calliou on the television.

Now, Luke is playing football in high school. He takes command of the field, he leads the others and makes touchdowns. Last week when the scoreboard reached 20 to 6, and his team was in the lead, he sat down on the bench, proud of his team’s efforts, staring at the scoreboard.

And this Proud Mama sat in the stands, quietly watching #33, feeling so proud.

#33proudmama

Where, oh where, has the time gone….

I’ll snap my fingers and he’ll be in college and off making a name for himself.

Last month, Rustoleum asked me to share a project I did using their paints. I thought of the upcoming visit with my girlfriend and her 3 year old daughter and the chairs came to mind.

The chairs were siting on the patio, holding plants and looking a little chippy and old. 14 years old to be exact. I brought the little chairs into the house to give them a good cleaning and a new paint of coat.

Here is the DIY on how to create these cute little chairs.

1. Clean chairs with soap and water.
2. Paint chairs with Rustoleum Painters Touch 2X Ultra Cover Paint-Primer in Satin Aqua. TIP: Prior to stenciling ensure you are using a paint that includes a top coat or apply a top coat. This allows you to remove the stencil easily if you make a mistake.
3. Using A Maker’s Studio Adhesive Stencils in Alphabet 3, stencil chairs.
4. Remove mesh stencil from white backing and adhere on surface. TIP: The Stencil Pack comes in a 9×12 size. Cut each stencil so they are easier to use.
5. Using A Maker’s Studio Chalk Art, color I Reckon and A Maker’s Studio Scraper, apply white chalk art onto the stencil.
6. Scrape the Chalk Art so that it seeps through the mesh and onto your surface. TIP: You can remove part of the stencil to ensure the chalk art is seeping through. Be careful not to remove all of the stencil until you are ready.
7. Remove stencil. TIP: Use the corner of the scraper to assist in removing the stencil from the surface, if needed.
8. Soak stencil in warm and soapy water. TIP: Once stencil is clean let air dry, sticky side up on a paper towel. TIP: Once the stencil is dry place stencil back onto white backing.
9. Use the tip of a pencil eraser to apply the dot to the No. 2.
10. Allow chair to dry.
11. Paint chairs with Rustoleum Clear Matte.

These little chairs bring back so many old and new memories.

A big thanks to Rustoleum for allowing me to feature their paint on the blog. All opinions are my own.

If you’d like to read about some of my other Rustoleum projects, you can read about Painted Pumpkin Ideas or Faux Pumpkins Turned Blue.

Now, go out there and create something.

Cynthia

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.

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I’ve been to Texas before and you can read about that trip here. The boys stayed with their Dad and the Pups; Oreo and Sofy went to my hometown in Lodi to stay with my parents.

Inspire Workshop!

The Inspire Workshop is hosted by KariAnne Woods of Thistlewood Farms. It is for any blogger seeking assistance on helping to build your blog or helping you create a framework on how to build a successful blog.

Note aside: If you don’t remember KariAnne, you can read my posts about her here.

The trip to Texas was a combination of work and visiting old friends. I signed up to attend the “Inspire Workshop” with KariAnne Woods of Thistlewood Farms and of course, factored in some additional time for shopping and visiting one of my best friends.

My Favorite Shops in Waco, Texas!

As I sat nestled, shoulder to shoulder, in the center seat, on my flight to Austin, a thought entered my mind.  “What is the next chapter in this book of my life?

Will the Inspire Workshop provide me the answer?

With trepidation and excitement I think of the upcoming workshop.  Seeing KariAnne and meeting the other women bloggers creates a bit of fear, but I tell myself, “I got this!’

As the plane begins it’s decent from the sky, the women next to me shifts in her seat.  She seems nervous.  As the pilot lands the plane onto the runway, the women in the seat next to me, gasps in fear and positions her hands in a prayer position. She calls out to her higher power in a language I don’t speak. 

Tears of empathy and understanding fall from my eyes.  My hand touches her shoulder to reassure her all is fine.  As I sit, wiping away my tears, I felt her fear, I had my own. 

I believe we are all fearful, but we all must embrace the suck. I’m reminded of these words over and over again as Brené Brown writes them in my favorite books.   As I sit I’m feeling hopeful, I click over to Audible for my daily does of inspiration and I reflect on what I will embark upon this weekend. 

The women’s hands forming a prayer position, reminds me to stay encouraged, to reach out to my Higher Power and to continue to believe that we are all amazing.  “RockStars”, as KariAnne says!

Once I arrived in Austin, I rented a car to drive to McKinney, Texas. Of course, on the way I made time to stop in Waco to visit some of my favorite shops. 

I thought you might be curious about my favorites as this is my third trip to Waco!

My Favorite Shops in Waco, Texas!

Here is a list of my favorite shops in Waco, Texas:

• Magnolia Market and the Silos
• The Findery
• Harp Design Co.
• Junque in the Trunk
• Spice Village
• Junky Monkey
• The Little Shop on Bosque

On Sunday morning I woke and drove back to Austin to spend time with my BFF and her daughter. 

The Inspire Workshop has been present in my thoughts since the day I left McKinney. I learned some amazing lessons and met some incredible women. KariAnne is an amazing woman and I am so thankful for her lessons. The food and it’s amazing decor of old trucks and evergreen trees trailed with fall leaves and little pumpkins was quite the show. It was all compliments of Barbara from Gasthaus on the Meadow. Don’t forget to check out her website here.

Leaving my home and family of five behind for an inspiring and fulfilling trip put a tad of guilt on my heart.  Balancing my family of five and work always comes with a price.  This trip was a necessary thing for me to do and I am so grateful I had the opportunity.

If you get the chance to visit Waco, be sure to check out My Favorite Shops in Waco.

Now go out there and create something.

Cynthia

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