Idea House – Part 4

Idea House Part 4   grandparentsplus.com

This is the fourth and  last post for the Fall Idea House. It is  a mixture of fun, unique ideas! You’ll find lots of inspiration for fall decorating and entertaining. Some ideas are easy to do and others take more effort in finding just the right piece. Nevertheless, it will open your eyes to some new ways of looking at what some consider “junk”.

 

I loved this little squirrel sitting  at each place-setting with lots of wooden acorns.

Idea House Part 4

In this next table-setting, notice the metal piece used under the centerpiece. Take an interesting metal wall hanging and use it for a great look on the table!

 

Idea House Part 4 table setting grandparentsplus.com

Love the simple texture that the industrial piece of white plastic gives under this glass-topped table!

Idea House Part 4    grandparentsplus.com

 

Ever thought of using old frames to accent a place setting? These were each painted a different color and each one was a different shape .Idea House Part 4 grandparentsplus.com

 

Idea House Part 4   grandparentsplus.com

Notice the different colored glasses, too!

If you have a fireplace that is not in use, try this extravagant look!

Idea house part 4 grandparentsplus.com

Looks beautiful with all the lanterns lit!

This next arrangement has  3 different heights of glass pieces. Add a few fall decorations and you have a great looking arrangement for your coffee table or use as a table centerpiece.

 

Idea House Part 4 grandparentsplus.com

My copycat version is this……

Since I didn’t have a large silver tray, I used a mirror and laid it flat on top of the table. My pieces are scaled down a bit for the size of the mirror, but the idea is the same. The key is three varied heights for the main pieces.

Idea House Part 4   grandparentsplus.com

Now, this is unique and different! Collect old wooden ironing boards and put together for a one of a kind shelving unit! Don’t think the Buddha fits in this vintage collection, do you?

 

Idea House Part 4

Don’t just think that small stools are for the floor or shelf somewhere. Place them on the wall and use them as shelves!

 

Idea House Part 4 grandparentsplus.com

I don’t know the name of this next item, but it probably sifted something. Adding a dried arrangement changes its look into a special wall hanging.

 

Idea House Part 4

Adding a glass top to an unusual metal laundry basket makes a great bedside table! I love how so many things are repurposed and made new again like the headboard, too!

 

Idea House Part 4 grandparentsplus.com

Idea House Part 4

 

Decorated lanterns make a wonderful display, too. Here is their version….

Idea House Part 4   grandparentsplus.com

 Here is mine using the same mirror as an accent……..

Idea House - Part 4

Finally, some pictures of fall outside arrangements!

 

Idea House- Part 4    grandparentsplus.com

Idea House - Part 4    grandparentsplus.com

 

Idea House - Part 4

Did you see some ideas that you could do?

I always get inspired by other people’s creations and then make them my own!

 

Hope you enjoyed this four-part Fall Idea House Tour. I’ll be back with the Christmas Idea House Tour, too!

Phyllis

If you missed them, go to Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3

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Advent Devotions for Young Families

Advent Devotions Young Families

 

 

With my background as a Children’s Pastor for 14 years, I love finding things that help families focus on the real meaning of Christmas. Doing Advent Devotions  as a family is fun and takes some of the commercialism out of the season and focuses on the gift of Jesus, God’s Son. As a family, set up a special time each night to do these Advent devotions.

Some of the best devotional and activity books for Advent that I have found are from Creative Communications.   On their site, they have both a Protestant and a Catholic version. Each booklet has  short readings with activities, crafts and game suggestions.  There are several different books to choose from and they add more each year. Order a different one for each year or order several and use one each year just to  save shipping costs. They are very reasonably priced! It also makes a wonderful gift to give to other families. Some churches order in quantity and give to their preschool and early elementary families!

Hope this gives you some ideas for your Advent Devotions and on how to focus on the real meaning of Christmas!

 Here’s the link!

This is merely a recommendation and I receive no funds for this post. I’m posting this early so you can order and be ready to start at the beginning of Advent.

Hope your Christmas focuses on Christ!

Enjoy!

Phyllis

 

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Country Church in the Fall

I just had to post these pictures of a beautiful little church in the country with fall color surrounding it! We took a drive out to see it! Beautiful Sunday to thank God for His colorful creation!

Country Church in the Fall

 

Country Church in the Fall    grandparentsplus.com

 

Country Church in the Fall

 

Not my usual post, but Enjoy!

 

Phyllis

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Idea House – Part 3

 

Idea House Part 3    grandparentsplus.com

This is the 3rd in a series of posts highlighting the Idea House, a house decorated with loads of creative ideas.  In each of these posts, you will find inspirational ideas for all areas of your home. There are so many ideas presented, you may just want to pin them so you have them for future projects. In this Part 3,  you’ll see a masculine office theme and some unusual ways of indoor and outdoor gardening!

First, have you ever thought of using leather belts as a decorative feature? Well, this room is very unusual using belts in all sorts of different ways.

For instance, there’s the valance!  It makes a great statement and is not very hard to do! A glue gun does wonders! Wait! There’s more…..

Idea House Part 3 grandparentsplus.com

Highlight the lamp with a simple leather belt!

Idea house Part 3    grandparentsplus.com

 

Now,  the desk chair……. just add a few belts!

 

Idea House Part 3 grandparentsplus.com

Finally, there’s an information board!

Idea House Part 3   grandparentsplus.com

How many belts did you count?

 

Next….. to indoor gardening….. Have you thought of something like this?

 

Line a vintage  suitcase to prevent water soaking through and make an indoor garden with a variety of  small plants!

 

Idea House Part 3   grandparentsplus.com

I’m sure you’ll get lots of compliments on this garden! I guess you could “pack it up” and take it with you on vacation if you’re gone for an extended time. Might be just the ticket for the snow birds that head south!

 

and last , but not least, some outdoor gardening ideas…..

Got an old dresser? Try this……

Idea House Part 3   grandparentsplus.com

Idea House Part 3

 

Idea House Part 3    grandparentsplus.com

 

Idea House Part 3    grandparentsplus.com

Now that’s an unusual garden! It would be fun to try with a piece of furniture that you’re ready to discard! As  you can see in the picture, it is set against the wall of the house with landscaping  all around it! I’m sure things would freeze out in a harsh winter climate or…..perhaps close the drawers for protection? You’d have to try it and see!  It certainly was a show stopper and generated lots of comments!

Part 4 will be coming as the last post of the Idea House with a mixture of fun ideas.

Hope you enjoyed the tour of these unusual and decorative ideas!

 

Phyllis

 

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Fall Centerpiece

 

 

 

PicMonkey Collagepm1

 

I have an old tool caddy with 6 openings. By stuffing a few decorations here and there, it becomes a fall centerpiece for a long table. I used sphagnum moss as a filler, small pumpkins (real or artificial), 2 candles, 2 small antique oil lamps (you can replace these with more candles), berry picks, small artificial gourds, and artificial fall leaves.  There is a trick that I’ll share with you for getting just the right height for items in your fall centerpiece.

 

Fall Centerpiece   www.grandparentsplus.com

When putting together, if something isn’t at the right height, just do what I do. I place a small can or jar underneath and cover with dried material and then set the item on top.

 

Fall Centerpiece

 

FAll Centerpiece    www.grandparentsplus.com

 

Fall Centerpiece

 

 

Keep adding and arranging until you like it. Stick in the fall leaves. Nothing in my arrangement is hot glued. I want to use it all again perhaps in a different arrangement and I don’t want glue on the wood or the materials. The sphagnum moss hides a lot! Just make sure the candles don’t touch it and never leaves candles burning without being around.

You’re done when you’re satisfied with the outcome!

Fall Centerpiece   www.grandparentsplus.com

On my table…….

 

Fall Centerpiece   grandparentsplus.com

Fall Oblong Centerpiece   grandparentsplus.com

Hope this inspires you to try an oblong centerpiece for your long table.

Thanks for stopping by,

Phyllis

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My Turn for us

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Oma and Opa Camp 2013

Oma and Opa Camp 2013

Another successful Oma and Opa Camp this year with 7 grandchildren ages 4-9! We were wondering how the two new 4 yr. olds would do, but they had a great time and were very excited about coming! The theme was a “Western Round-Up”! I planned games, crafts and food around this theme.

 

By the way, Oma and Opa are the Dutch and German words for “grandma and grandpa”!

Oma and Opa Camp    www.grandparentsplus.com

When they first arrived, I took “Wanted” pictures of them dressed in a cowboy hat, stick-on mustaches for the boys and a red bandana. They chose what they were to be “wanted” for and the amount of ransom money. The next morning, I had the wanted posters displayed on the sliding glass door! Here are a couple of examples! For complete instructions on how to make these, go to the post on Western Crafts below.

Western Crafts

 

Western Crafts www.grandparentsplus.com

Wanted Posters

Field Trips:

The first of the two field trips was a visit to a horse farm. A friend of ours was “Cowboy Gene” and he took the kids on horseback rides, showed them around his farm and even sang a cowboy song for them. I took pictures of each one on the horse and used those pictures for the Western Frame craft.

The second field trip didn’t have much of a Western Theme as we went to the Mall of America’s Aquarium. It did have “sea horses”, though! HA!  Not every field trip is around the theme. We just want the kids to have fun! They loved both places that we went for Oma and Opa Camp!

The rest of the time is spent around our place with Western games, food, and crafts along with swimming and lots of “cousin fun”!

Games:

I had a bunch of Western Games ready, but used only a few. The weather was absolutely wonderful so the kids spend a lot of time down at the beach! I go into detail about each game idea here. They included:  Snake Tic-Tac-Toe, Snake in a Boot, Yee Haw Slide, Rattle-Ski-Daddle,

Western Game Ideas

Western Games here

 

 

Crafts:

The Western craft ideas were: Western Bleached Shirts, Western Frames, Rope Coasters and Snakes. I always overplan in case of bad weather, so I had other ideas to do, too! Check out all the craft ideas on the link below.

PicMonkey-Collage-Western-Crafts-10-1

Western Crafts here

Western Food Ideas:

I like to have food ideas that go with the theme and some that the kids can help put together and make. There was Cactus Juice, Nuggets, Armpit Ice Cream, Cowboy Pizza Pockets, Cowboy Bedrolls, Little Doggie Roll-ups, Cowpies, Western Omelets and Wagon Wheels!

I posted all the food ideas on my site here….

Western Food Ideas www.grandparentsplus.com

Western Foods here

Songs:

This year,  Gospel Light had a VBS curriculum called SonWest Round-Up. I found a church that was done with their VBS and they loaned me many things that I could use. They had some great songs that the kids loved so I used them during the week as well. They particularly liked: “SonWest Round-Up Theme Song”, “He Will Provide”, “Stronger Than Anything” and I ordered their reproducible CD and made copies for each grandchild to take home.

Go here for the link…

Bible Story:

We had a “Round-Up” time right after dinner for a Bible Story.

I followed the Gospel Light Curriculum and told the story of Moses and how God told him to go to Egypt and “round-up” the Israelites and lead them to the Promise Land. Just as Moses saved the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, God sent his son, Jesus to save us from sin. Jesus, God’s Son, is the only one that has the power to save!

Each child received a horseshoe nail cross to remind them of our Western Round-Up and how Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins. By accepting Jesus, we can have Eternal Life!

I found the horseshoe crosses here.

Horseshoe Nail Cross   www.grandparentsplus.com

It was a fun-filled, busy time, but so worth the effort. The connections with the other cousins were  great to see along with just spending time with them ourselves. Needless to say, we were very tired, but we survived and revived.

Another blessing is talking about the Bible with the kids and learning how they are understanding God’s plan for salvation! The memories are sweet, too! Of course, I make an online photo book for each child and send it a couple weeks later with all the pictures and memories of our time together. Go here for a free book.

Whatever you do or plan with grandchildren, you make great memories and lovingly give a wonderful positive influence on their lives that they will remember!

Hope this gives you some ideas to do with your grandchildren!

Phyllis (Oma)

 

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Idea House – Part 2

Idea House Part 2  grandparentsplus.com

 

This is the second post from the Idea House.  Hope you enjoy the tour. There are so many great ideas in this room. Perhaps, they are just what you are looking for. Seeing other people’s creativity always gets my brain going and spurs more ideas for future use. Does it do the same for you?

 

Idea House Part 2    grandparentsplus.com

The black and white decor really makes a dramatic impact!. When you walk into this room, you say, “WOW!”

The window valance is merely a board covered with black fabric. On the board are metal black wall decor flowers. The white silk artificial flowers are added to each side. This makes a stunning valance and accents the vintage screen doors used as a headboard. Great pillows and a spread complete the look!

 

Idea House Part 2    grandparentsplus.com

A black painted antique highboy, makes a great statement opposite the bed.  Over the highboy is a black framed mirror.    Using green glass gives just the right pop of color.

Idea house Part 2   grandparentsplus.com

An outdoor bench painted black makes a perfect accent alongside the bed. The pillows and throws give more texture and design to the room. Notice the detail of the pillows. For those that sew, these would be easy to make. If you can sew a button, you can do this!

Idea House Part 2    grandparentsplus.com

The side table and lamp looked great alongside the bed. Again, a fabric accent for the lamp is easily done!

Idea House Part 2

The jewelry board is assembled from terra-cotta clay pots painted black. A small round mirror is glued inside for a little sparkle! The pots are glued to the board and provide a place for hanging necklaces and bracelets. Try this on an old shutter!

 

Idea House Part 2 Here is a side view….

Idea house Part 2     grandparensplus.com

I loved this next idea! Almost any object would look good highlighted with a frame. The delicate black wire baskets really stood out when framed.  The baskets are attached directly to the wall. Idea House Part 2    grandparentsplus.com

 

 

Idea House Part 2   grandparentsplus.com

This bedroom was very small in size, but made a big hit with viewers.

Which idea did you like best?

 

While these ideas were not my own, I hope you enjoyed the tour of the Idea House’s Black and White Bedroom!

Thanks for stopping by,

Phyllis

If you missed Part 1, click here

More ideas from the Idea House to come in Part 3

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Dried Hydrangea Ideas

 

 Dried Hydrangea Ideas:   Using dried hydrangeas is an inexpensive and easy way to decorate for fall. If you have hydrangea bushes in your landscape, you have access to wonderful dried material to use in so many ways. Let me show you a couple dried hydrangea ideas to use in your decor for this upcoming season.

Dried Hydrangea Ideas

First, (in case you don’t know), let me show you how to dry these beautiful blooms. I have both Annabelle and PeeGee Hydrangeas. The Annabelle hydrangea turns a light shade of green when  it’s ready to be dried. Don’t try to dry them when they are white as it doesn’t work. They just wilt.

The PeeGee’s turn from white to a combination of pink and green. It is at the pink and green stage when you dry them. In our climate, we don’t have the beautiful blues, pinks or purple hydrangeas so I don’t know if those dry well or not!

Using Dried Hydrangeas in your Decor www.grandparentsplus.com

 Annabelle Hydrangeas

Cut them after they have turned green leaving a stem. Strip all the leaves off.

Using Dried Hydrangeas in your Decor   www. grandparentsplus.com

I use rubber bands to group and hang my hydrangeas. Group about 4-6 together.

 

Using dried hysdrangeas in your decor   www.grandparentsplus.com

Now, hang upside down (very important) in a dark area of your basement or garage. I pound a nail in and use the rubber bands to hang them over the nail.

 

Using Dried Hydrangeas in Your Decor   www.grandparentsplus.comDried Hydrangea Bunches

After about a week or so, they are ready to use in your arrangements. They will feel very much like  paper and the stems break easily.  Now the fun part starts…..

Use as a dried hydrangea bouquet……

 

Dried Hydangeas in fall decor   www.grandparentsplus.com

 

Dried Hydranges in you decor   www.grandparentsplus.com

 Or….

This next dried hydrangea idea I saw in a very upscale, designer floral store. I had the hydrangeas and tall glass container so I purchased the little dried pumpkins. Any dried contrasting colored material works, too! (pinecones?)

I recommend doing the assembly outside as the dried hydrangea blooms make a bit of a mess when you’re working with them!

Dried Hydrangeas Ideas  www.grandparentsplus.com

 

Fill 1/3 of the glass container with the dried hydrangeas and place 1/2 of the artificial pumpkins toward the outside of the glass container. Don’t waste putting them in the middle as they don’t show there.

Dried Hydrangea Ideas

 

Repeat the pattern and end with the dried hydrangeas on the top!

Using dried hydrangeas in your decor.    www.grand

 

And the final product!!!

Dried Hydrangea Ideas

 

And a smaller version……..

 

Dried Hydrangea Ideas

Now, go and find some hydrangeas before it’s too late! If you don’t have any, drive around, find a bush, and ask a neighbor if you can cut some! They don’t last outside through the winter anyway!! You are not hurting the bushes by cutting them!

Toss them out when they are faded! You’ll have more next year!

I also use them on my Christmas tree as a filler between branches. It gives the tree a great look. I’ll post that later!

 

Thanks for stopping by…..

 

Have fun with your fall decorating!

 

Phyllis (Oma)

 

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Decorating with Apples!

Besides the leaves turning, one thing that I look forward to in the fall is APPLES! I eat, cook and decorate with them . Decorating with apples is easy, especially if you have an apple tree. If not, use artificial apples or mix artificial and real together. When decorating with apples, use different types and  sizes. It helps fill in spaces and gives interesting color variations.

Decorating with Apples

I found a cute wheelbarrow at a shop and could see the possibilities for fall.   Some of these artificial apples are on small tree limbs with leaves. It gives a nice contrast to the display. Using different sizes and colors fills in the spaces and adds colorful interest and texture.

 

Another look using the same  materials….

 In this display,  a green depression glass compote dish gives a wonderful contrast to the red of the apples.

Decorating with Apples

 

 My wheelbarrow now adorns my coffee table in our great room.

Decorating with Apples   grandparentsplus.com

 

 Do you use apples in decorating for fall?

Thanks for visiting and come back again.  I appreciate your wonderful comments!

Enjoy eating the apples and decorating with them!

Phyllis

 

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Idea House – Part 1

Idea House    grandparentsplus.comThree times a year, there is an idea house open in our area with wonderful creative decorating ideas. I thought I’d take you on a little tour and show you  how I am incorporating some of these inspirational ideas.

The place settings are always fantastic and for sure there is no shortage of dishes! Of course, everything that is  shown in the idea house is available through their store. That’s why there is an  “overload” on the dishes!

It was great to see several simple ideas for napkin rings that weren’t expensive to do. Here they are….

idea House Napkin Ring grandparentsplus.com

Another one…..

Wrap the napkin with burlap ribbon and secure a burlap leaf topped with a raffia bow!

Idea House Tour - Napkin Ring    grandparentsplus.com

And another…….

 

Idea House Tour Napkin Ring    grandparentsplus.com

 

 

My napkin accents look like this….

I’ll be adding a raffia bow, too!

Idea House   grandparentsplus.com

 

The idea house is an  old house and has a small enclosed front porch. The windows were decorated so cute!

Here they are…..

Idea House Porch Windows   grandparentsplus.com

Behind the decorative metal pieces, they secured a length of burlap. The burlap comes as a Deco Poly Mesh 21″ x 10 yards. It has finished sides  so there are no threads hanging. It makes such a great screen of textured material behind the  unique metal sculptured wall pieces. The burlap is also used as a table runner as you will see later in this post.

Notice the plants in front. They used plain old sticks found in your yard and glued them around the terra-cotta pots and finished it off with raffia, burlap leaf, and a burlap flower!

Here’s a better picture of the pots!

Idea House Tour - grandparentsplus.com

The other windows on the porch were decorated like this….

Idea House Tour     grandparentsplus.com

Using the same Burlap Deco Poly mesh, they folded it up and gathered it together, tying it off with twine and accented with a burlap-type sunflower along with the burlap leaves. So easy and cute! I also like this idea to put on your front door instead of a wreath.

Idea House Tour    grandparentsplus.com

 

The table centerpiece was tastefully put together and made a big impact with color  It is another idea that is  very easy to do for your own home.

Idea House 006pm

The supplies used are: one mum plant, a smaller green plant, 1 bunch of candles tied with raffia or twine, artificial pumpkin and seed pods all in a wooden box.

 

My copycat version is this….

Idea House - Part 1    grandparentsplus.com

 

On top of the blue placemat was a plastic sunflower mat! Doesn’t it add a lot to this tablescape?

Idea House part 1   grandparentsplus.com

 

Notice the burlap table runner. It, too, is from that same burlap material that I mentioned above. With so many dishes, it is a bit hidden.

On my table it looks like this ….

Idea House Part 1  grandparentsplus.com

 

Idea House Part 1    grandparentsplus.com

My harvest table is narrow so I decided not to use placemats and hide the runner. I wanted it more visible and liked the textured look against the wood.

Perhaps you’ve come across some ideas for your home, too!

Which idea do you think you could incorporate in your decor?

Phyllis

 

More highlights from the Idea House to come in Part 2.

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Featured on….

 

Life on Lakeshore Drive

 

 

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