Liberty Original: Home Decor

You are gazing upon the true and final version of my soon- to-be niece’s bunting. I thought I was finished 2 times before this, but was sadly mistaken.

No more tweaking, I promise!

This is my first attempt at making a bunting, although I have admired them for… my whole life I think. I’m not a scrapbooker AT ALL, so this project was a bit overwhelming for me.

As always, the planning phase took as long as the execution phase. I made my own pennant template (5x6) and then used a variety of of pink and green cardstock prints to make each pennant unique.

I set each letter on a pennant, switched the order of the pennants about 20 times, and finally decided on the placement.

I wanted a layered embellished look. Another trial and error process of picking/changing shapes and prints ensued. My goal was to make each pennant unique. With 9 letters to incorporate, it was quite a task!! When everything resembled the vision in my head, I used that double sided sticky foam stuff to secure the fabulousness in place.

To attach the pennants, I sewed double sided bias tape across the the top. To make sure the pennants stayed an equal distance from each other, I ironed little strips of steam a seam connecting the pennants to the bias tape. A time consuming process, but it definitely made the sewing step a walk in Central Park!

After I sewed the letters together (and thought I was finished), things still just didn’t seem right. It needed something else…

For the third time, I played around with prints and shapes. At 12:30 am last night, it FINALLY came together!!! I have never been more thankful for my stash of clearanced-have-to-buy-because-I-might-need-some-day crafting supplies as I was last night. After I layered the flowers, my non-scrapbooking self had no idea how to finish them. I scurried off to my small “scrapbook embellishment” bin in my sewing room and found these little perfect matching glittery green brads. I secured those babies like a pro if I do say so myself!

SUCCESS!!!!

I’m sure there is an easier way to make these, but I’m happy with the outcome. I will blushingly admit that it took me 3 days to complete this project. I blame it on my perfectionism.

As I am typing this, I am cursing the thing in my basement called an elliptical. I really need to reduce the proportions of my backside AND I need/want to get back to blogging. Two birds with one stone? We shall see…

Linking up to a few of these parties!! Check out the fabulous inspiration if you get a chance.

As much as I love fall, these past three years I haven’t had the energy to decorate for my favorite time of the year (what a coincidence… Finley is 3). Since I’ve been spending so much time pining at home decor on Pinterest (if you haven’t checked it out, you MUST) I decided to go crazy and just go for it.

Emily and I ran out a couple of weeks ago and spent all afternoon picking out just the right decor… scarecrows, hay bales, mums, pumpkins, lanterns, and new swags for the front door. We picked out a scarecrow for each member of the family (didn’t plan it that way at first and ended up having to go back out and get one more). The kids had fun picking out which scarecrow represented them. :)

Here is Finley.

Here is Emily.

Here are Jack and Max.

Lanterns are absolutely beautiful!! I found all four of these at Marshall’s for a total of $50 instead of the $24-$119 price tag on similar lanterns at Pottery Barn. I was EX.CI.TED to say the least. :)

This little guy is even solar powered. I have candles in the other lanterns. At night time, my front steps make me smile. :) Wish I had a good picture, put I haven’t been able to get one.