Pumpkin Ideas for Everything! + HM #206

Find pumpkin ideas for recipes, decor, crafts, DIY projects, and more! Plus, link-up at Home Matters. #pumpkin #PumpkinIdeas #HomeMattersParty

Pumpkin Ideas for Everything! + HM #206

I love pumpkins! You will find a lot of pumpkin ideas on Life With Lorelai (search pumpkin) for things like my amazing Pasta with Pumpkin and Sausage Recipe, a holiday favorite Pumpkin Pie Cocktail, my Pumpkin Carving Page with loads of my own carved pumpkins and fabulous tutorials, and for the kids a Pumpkin Prayer Halloween Activity. Plus, the gals of Home MAtters have put together some awesome Pumpkin Ideas for Everything!

Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkin Hand Pies from Issy & Ang @ Acorns & Custard

Roasted Pumpkin Quiche with Caramelized Onions, Gorgonzola and Sage from Kevin @ Closet Cooking

Pumpkin Pecan Slab Pie from Jessica @ Together As Family

Pumpkin Carving: Carving & Lighting Tips & Tricks from Lorelai @ Life With Lorelai

Pumpkin Ideas for Everything! Blog Hop

Click through all the Hosts and Co-hosts blogs to see the complete Themed Roundup!

Loading InLinkz ...

A Home Matters Themed Roundup

Last Week’s Theme: Halloween Ideas for Fun and Fright

Next Week’s Theme: Football Parties and Tailgating

Welcome to the weekly Home Matters Linky Party. A great place to come, share your blog posts, and make new friends.

We would love to have you visit our blogs and follow us on social media!

Hosts

Lorelai @ Life With Lorelai — Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Kristen @ The Road to Domestication — Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Co-hosts

Sahana @ Vikalpah — Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Nicole @ Mom Always Finds Out — Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Emily @ Domestic Deadline — Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Donna @ Modern On Monticello — Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Nina @ Vintage Mama’s Cottage — Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Ashley @ Sweetpea Lifestyle — Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Check out more posts from the Hosts and Co-Hosts on our
NEW Pinterest Board, All Things Home Matters!
And, please do follow…

Follow All Things Home Matters Board on Pinterest.

Each week, we like to feature some of the awesome posts shared at last week’s party. We hope you will be inspired by these creative and talented bloggers who share their best recipes, DIY projects, crafts, home decor, organization ideas, and more. Enjoy!

Check out this week’s features below.

22 Halloween Mocktails from Kelli @ 3 Boys and a Dog

PIN here

25 Free Fall Decor Printables from Caroline @ Caroline Vencil

PIN here

10 Easy Reclaimed Wood Projects from Vineta @ The Handyman’s Daughter

PIN here

Salty Honey Roasted Pumpkin Seeds Recipe from Dagmar @ Dagmar’s Home

PIN here

Chai Tea Latte Mix Recipe from Tracey @ The Kitchen Is My Playground

PIN here

Thank you to all who linked up at last week’s party. We look forward to seeing what you will be sharing with us this week!

Remember that every feature is shared on all Host’s and Co-Host’s blogs, as well as on the Home Matters Linky Party Pinterest Board! Don’t forget to follow…

Follow Home Matters Linky Party Board on Pinterest.

If you were featured this week, Please Grab our Featured Button to display proudly on your blog post, featured page, or sidebar! Share the joy…

<br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://lifewithlorelai.com/" title="Featured at Home Matters Linky Party" target="_blank"><img src="https://lifewithlorelai.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/HMLP-I-Was-Featured-200x214.png" alt="Featured at Home Matters Linky Party" style="border:none;" /></div>
<p>

Are you ready to Party?

The linky party starts when Friday begins and closes when Monday ends, EST.

We at Home Matters love meeting new people and discovering new blogs. Help us grow this party by sharing a link on your post or grabbing our party button for your sidebar or party page.

<br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://lifewithlorelai.com/" title="Home Matters Linky Party - Grab Button" target="_blank"><img src="https://lifewithlorelai.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/HMLP-Grab-Button-Sidebar-2015-200x200.jpg" alt="Home Matters Linky Party - Grab Button" style="border:none;" /></div>
<p>

Stop by and VISIT as many OTHER BLOGGERS as you can. Leave them a message, and share their talents on social media.

Be sure to Please USE our Registered Hashtag…

Home Matters Linky Party Guidelines:

We are thrilled that you came by to link up today! Here are a few rules that hosts and co-hosts of the Home Matters Party follow, and we ask that you follow them, as well.

Please link up no more than THREE posts each week–try to make sure that they are new links that you have not shared here previously. (Exception: Holiday/Seasonal specific posts may be shared once per year.)

Please take some time to poke around and visit some of the other links.

Please take some time to check out your hosts and co-hosts on social media.

We appreciate the variety of blogs on the www; however, the Home Matters Party is for links on matters of the HOME. Please link accordingly.

We ask that you do not add other Linky Parties, Blog Hops, or Giveaways–unless you begin the party with a new project, recipe or post.

On the same note, please do not add links of an extremist, political or strong controversial nature. (The hosts and co-hosts read each and every blog post linked and will contact you directly if you have linked something that does not fit into the realm of the party.)

With your help, we can continue to grow the Home Matters Party! Thank you!

Find pumpkin ideas for recipes, decor, crafts, DIY projects, and more! Plus, link-up at Home Matters. #pumpkin #PumpkinIdeas #HomeMattersParty Click To Tweet

Link Up!

By joining the Home Matters Linky Party you are giving permission for all hosts and co-hosts to use and share any part of your post, including pictures, for party promotion, as featured posts, in party photo collages, on blogs, and across social media, etc. All credits will be given to the original source. Also, you will receive a weekly email reminder regarding the new week’s Home Matters Linky Party.

Loading InLinkz ...

Thank you for joining in the fun and excitement at the Home Matters Linky Party. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do. We look forward to chatting with you in the comments.

Don’t have a blog, but want to Remember to Party With Us each week?
Forgot to leave your email while linking up your post?
You can still sign up for our Email Party Reminders. Click below for a form…

...

...

Share using our Hashtag!

Leave me a comment… I’d love to hear from you!

...

~Lorelai

Sign up today, and don't miss anything! Enjoy EXCLUSIVES, FREEBIES, and FUN.

...

Contact Lorelai at Lorelai@LifeWithLorelai.com

Halloween Decor Ideas – Spooky Elegance

Decorate your home in spooky elegance. Find easy Halloween decor ideas to create a ghoulishly delightful atmosphere. #HalloweenDecor #Halloween

Hello, friends, welcome to our home. I’d love to take you on a little home tour of our Halloween decor and all its spooky elegance. I hope you will be enchanted and beguiled and find inspiration.

Halloween Decor Ideas

Spooky Elegance and Ghoulish Delight

Our fireplace mantel is so fun to decorate since we did our DIY Mantel Makeover. It was an easy home improvement project for under $50! This year’s mantel is a mix of Halloween and autumn decor. I love combining the holiday and season as it makes for such an elegant feel, and bonus, I’ve got a start on my decorating for Thanksgiving once I remove the Halloween items.

Halloween Fireplace Mantel in detail…

A garland of fall leaves entwined with a strand of mini white twinkle lights lay along the mantel with miniature pumpkins placed atop black candlesticks. The black and deep purple wreath has fall leaves tucked inside to give the wreath some pop. Halloween tinsel garlands hang behind the wreath and fall across the mantel to the sides. And. black gauze lends a spooky touch draped across the front of the mantel.

Our glittery black cat hisses next to the colorful postcard of the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow chasing Ichabod Crane and the spider candelabra with our DIY Halloween Candles.

Candy Corn is a favorite for easy Halloween decor. You will see I have used it in several places. I have my frame that I swap out seasonal/holiday printables. This printable is a Halloween Quote.

When Black Cats prowl and Pumpkins gleam, may Luck be yours on Halloween. ~ Author unknown

The awesome black cat postcard is the famous Tournée du Chat Noir from Paris. Rory sent this to us from her study abroad trip to France this summer — perfect for my Halloween mantel.

Halloween Decor around the house…

Oh, I am in love with our latest project. I really like the versatility of vinyl art, but unfortunately, the space by my front door where I want to use it most has too much texture on the wall to allow the vinyl to adhere well. So, Luke and I put together a DIY Float Frame to make my dreams come true. This idea is even better than just simply placing the vinyl art on the wall — it provides the opportunity to add dimension and layers. I am excited to change this float frame up for the seasons.

My black lanterns with battery operated wax candles are perfect with candy corn. And a few little pumpkins add a nice touch.

A simple ribbon thread with glittery Halloween shapes decorates a plain lampshade.

Little mini pumpkins adorn the end table with the adorable placard signifying The Black Cat Pub in England — another of the treasures brought home from Rory’s summer trip to England. She couldn’t resist since we have two black cats of our own, Jinx and Josie.

A string of purple lights with black gauze and my Happy Halloween sign with an orange chiffon ribbon adorn my hutch with spooky style.

And, my favorite Halloween pillow.

Never Laugh as the Hearse drives by… for you may be the next to die.

I actually carved a pumpkin with this scene a few years ago. I love how it turned out, what do you think?

Click to see more of my Pumpkin Carvings and Tutorials!

Decorate your home in spooky elegance. Find easy Halloween Decor ideas to create a ghoulishly delightful atmosphere. #HalloweenDecor #Halloween Click To Tweet

I hope you’ve enjoyed the tour and my take on Spooky Elegance. Have a Happy Halloween!

...

Share using our Hashtag!

Leave me a comment… I’d love to hear from you!

...

~Lorelai

Sign up today, and don't miss anything! Enjoy EXCLUSIVES, FREEBIES, and FUN.

...

Contact Lorelai at Lorelai@LifeWithLorelai.com

Thanksgiving Tablescape Simple Elegance

At the busy holiday season, it’s nice to have some simple elegance. I’m sharing how to put together a gorgeous and easy Thanksgiving tablescape with the help of Oriental Trading Company who provided some of the items for my table decor. AD #ThanksgivingTablescape

Thanksgiving Tablescape Simple Elegance

Helping to make the busy holidays easy and beautiful

There is no escape. You can’t turn back now. The holidays are upon us. So, let Oriental Trading help you make this busy season simple and elegant, fun and easy, or whatever sparks your fancy. There is something for every decor style, craft idea, or DIY project.

This year, my Thanksgiving tablescape style is simple elegance with a rustic touch. Autumn is such a lovely season full of fall colors, delicious flavors, cozy moments, and family memories. Let’s celebrate!

The first thing I did was gather my supplies:

Ceramic White Pumpkin
1 – Wood Large Round Centerpiece (wood slice)
1 – Wood Medium Round Centerpiece (wood slice)
Silk Fall Leaves
Fall Burlap Pumpkins
2 – Battery-Operated Round Flameless Candles
Raffia Ribbon
Tape

Prep the Candles:

Candles

Lay individual leaves in a line, right side up. Make the line of leaves long enough to go around the candle.
Place a strip of Tape across the line of leaves to hold them in position.
Wrap the leaves around the candle and secure with an additional piece of tape.
Tie Raffia Ribbon around the leaves. I used two pieces of raffia ribbon for each candle.
Carefully remove the tape.

This #holiday season, create a gorgeous #Thanksgiving #tablescape – simple, elegant, easy. #decor

Click To Tweet

Building the centerpiece:

Stack the two Wood Slices (large and medium) in the center of the table. I turned mine so they didn’t lay exactly the same.
Then tuck some of the Fall Leaves under the edges of the wood slices. Add extra leaves to spill out across the table as desired.
Place the Burlap Pumpkins around the wood slices.
The showcase of my centerpiece is the gorgeous Ceramic White Pumpkin. It has a white glaze and a little gold detailing to make this pumpkin absolutely stunning. Place it on the wood slices.
Set the Candles on opposite sides of the centerpiece.

Tie your place settings in with your centerpiece:

Napkins

Fold napkins however you wish.
Lay a couple of leaves on the napkin.
Tie with raffia ribbon.

Water Goblets or Wine Glasses

Tie raffia ribbon to the glass stem.

So, what do you think of my Thanksgiving tablescape? It’s simple and elegant, right? And it certainly was quick and easy to create.

If you are looking for more ideas and inspiration, check out Oriental Trading for all your everyday and holiday needs.

Looking for an easy DIY project to spruce up your home before the holidays? Check out our Mantel Makeover!

Save

...

Share using our Hashtag!

Leave me a comment… I’d love to hear from you!

...

~Lorelai

Sign up today, and don't miss anything! Enjoy EXCLUSIVES, FREEBIES, and FUN.

...

Contact Lorelai at Lorelai@LifeWithLorelai.com

Halloween Mantel Decor Orange, Black, And Purple

I love this time of year — all the holidays inspire me. So, enjoy my Halloween Mantel Decor including a quick, easy, and spooky DIY project you’ll love! #Halloween #HalloweenDecor #HalloweenCraft

Halloween Mantel Decor

Plus a Quick, Easy, and Spooky DIY Project

It’s my favorite time of year! I absolutely love this season of holidays. From the rich colors to the heavenly aromas, to the yummy foods, and wonderful family memories in the making, I find it all heartwarming.

So, I’m kicking off the last quarter of the year by sharing my Halloween Mantel Decor. I have to tell you, I am in love with how this mantel turned out. Thanks to Oriental Trading for providing some of the decor items, and to Luke who made my dreams come true with the Mantel Makeover last year.

And, bonus, this little viewing comes with a spooktacular DIY project that is fun and creepy.

So, let’s get started…

Halloween Mantel Decor

Since Halloween is possibly my favorite holiday, I wanted to have something fun and festive with a simple elegance. And, I decided to stick with the traditional colors of orange and black with an added splash of purple.

The Black Metal Lanterns (above) are so pretty and how cute are they filled with candy corn? A variety of mini pumpkins on multi-level candle holders and lacy tin buckets in orange and black, and a glittery black cat to add some sparkle. Don’t you love the way the Halloween Mantel Decor turned out?

Black cats and pumpkins inspired me to make a printable for my mantel frame using a quote (source unknown) that I have loved for years.

“When Black Cats prowl and Pumpkins gleam,
May luck be yours on Halloween.”

Now, check out this Spider Web Candelabra! Isn’t it adorable? With all the spiders crawling on the candelabra, I knew I wanted to have some spidery candles. So, I decided to makeover some old candles that I had stored away — you know those ones you’ve used but there is a lot of candle leftover, and you know you’ll use them again sometime but you never do. Here is your chance!

DIY Spider Candles for Halloween

What You’ll Need:

Grab your used candles (or new ones if you must — LOL)
A Permanent Marker ( I used black for the white candles and silver for the purple candles)

How To:

Draw a spider web at the flame tip of the candle.
Draw a squiggly line down the candle and draw a black dot at the end. The black dot is your spider body.
Add eight legs to your spider body.
Create the look you want by adding more webs and/or spiders.

NOTE – For Halloween, using the old, perhaps discolored, candles make for a perfect creepy look. I had one that had a lot of candle wax dripped down the side, awesome. Also, with Halloween, you do not need to have your candles standing perfectly straight. So, if they teeter a bit in the candle holder or have a little curve to them makes it all the more spooky and eerie.

I hung my Halloween wreath above the mantel. It’s a piece I’ve had for years and is always fun to unearth each year.

Then, tying all the decor together is the amazing black Gauze Garland String Lights with purple bulbs — love it!

I draped the lights over and under the fireplace mantel and hung my Happy Halloween sign from the hidden hook beneath my mantel. It provided the perfect spooky touch to finish off my Halloween Mantel Decor.

Halloween Mantel Decor including a quick, easy, and spooky DIY project you’ll love! #Halloween

Click To Tweet

I hope you have enjoyed this peek into my Halloween Mantel Decor, and wish you a spooky and fun Halloween!

Be sure to check out Oriental Trading for all your Halloween shopping.

...

Share using our Hashtag!

Leave me a comment… I’d love to hear from you!

...

~Lorelai

Sign up today, and don't miss anything! Enjoy EXCLUSIVES, FREEBIES, and FUN.

...

Contact Lorelai at Lorelai@LifeWithLorelai.com

Pumpkin Kisses And Harvest Wishes

It’s Pumpkin Season, and I love it! Autumn memories are filled with all things pumpkin ideatumn memories are filled with all things pumpkin from trips to the pumpkin patch to tasty recipes, carving and crafting, and more. Get 44 ideas here!

You will even find my Pumpkin Pie Cocktail below! Plus, if you are still looking for more inspiration, check out my Pasta With Pumpkin And Sausage Recipe, Pumpkin Butter Crescent Rolls, or my Pumpkin Spice Syrup Recipe.

Pumpkin Kiss & Harvest Wishes

A Round-Up of Recipes, Crafts, Party, Pets & Beauty

Pumpkins make Autumn memories. Get 44 ideas for recipes, crafts, and more! #SoFabSeasons #Pumpkin

Click To Tweet

RECIPES

Wondermom Wannabe	Cinnamon Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Stacey Homemaker	Ginger Pumpkin Carrot Soup
For What It’s Worth	Pumpkin Flavored Stuffed Jalapeño
Caroline’s Cooking	Healthy Pumpkin Scones
Life With Lorelai	Pumpkin Pie Cocktail
Sweet Sensations	Cranberry Apple Pumpkin Bundt
Intelligent Domestications	Classic Pumpkin Pie
www.OatandSesame.com	Pumpkin Black Bean Chili
Julie is Coco and Cocoa	Pumpkin Spice Scones
An Alli Event	Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes
Home Maid Simple	Chocolate Pumpkin Fudge Bundt Cake
Noreen’s Kitchen	Pumpkin Crunch Pie
Creative Southern Home	Pumpkin Chip Cookies
Totally Tailgates	Pumpkin Spice Muffins
For The Mommas	Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake Dip
My Big Fat Happy Life	Frozen Pumpkin Pie Hot Chocolate
Little Blog in the Country	3 Ingredient Pumpkin Cookies
Morgan Manages Mommyhood	Pumpkin Spice Candied Pepitas
Being Tazim	Chai Spice Pumpkin Cinnamon Buns
Creative Cynchronicity	Pumpkin Hummus
Kitchen Concoctions	Pumpkin Pie Popsicles
MamaPlusOne	Pumpkin Pie Egg Rolls
The TipToe Fairy	Pumpkin Cheesecake Braid
Beyond Mommying	Whole Wheat Pumpkin Muffins
Bullock’s Buzz	Pumpkin Gingerbread with Spiced Glaze
Broken Teepee	Pumpkin Cheesecake w/ Bourboned Pears & Salted Caramel
Kori at Home	Baked Maple Glazed Pumpkin Spice Donuts
Joy’s Life	Homemade Pumpkin Dog Biscuits
Diana Rambles	Dutch Oven Pumpkin Pie Cake
To & Fro	Apple Pumpkin Baby Cookie Recipe
Basic N Delicious	Pumpkin Rolls
Rebecca Lately	Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

CRAFTS

Ava’s Alphabet	Tissue Paper Pom Pumpkins
Third Stop on the Right	Garden Scene Pumpkin
Happy Go Lucky	Pumpkin Flower Arrangements
Scrappy Geek	Halloween Jack O Lanterns
Real Girl’s Realm	DIY Pumpkin Clock
a paper arrow	How to Use Pumpkins to Decorate at Home
C’mon Get Crafty	Fall Decor with Pumpkins
Love Jaime	Crafting with Pumpkins

Party

Polka Dotted Blue Jay

Red and Orange Fall Dessert Tablescape

Pets

Girl in Betsey	Take Your Dog to the Pumpkin Patch
Joy’s Life	Homemade Pumpkin Dog Biscuits

Beauty

The Bandit Lifestyle

DIY Pumpkin Body Scrub

Can you believe all these incredible Pumpkin posts? Bookmark this page so you can come back and try out all the recipes, crafts, and activities with you and your family!

Check back next month when Social Fabric features posts with a cranberry theme. You can always search the hashtag #SoFabSeasons to find more of what you’re looking for!

...

Share using our Hashtag!

Leave me a comment… I’d love to hear from you!

...

~Lorelai

Sign up today, and don't miss anything! Enjoy EXCLUSIVES, FREEBIES, and FUN.

...

Contact Lorelai at Lorelai@LifeWithLorelai.com

5 Tips To Growing Gourds In Your Garden

Celebrate Fall in your garden! Here are 5 great tips to growing gourds in your garden, brought to us by regular contributor, Megan Wild.

Growing Gourds – Celebrate Fall In Your Garden

Get 5 Great Tips!

Tips for Growing Gourds

You’ve probably started seeing them in fall décor, and in the spring you might have seen them put out for birds to nest in. You don’t need to shell out money for these decorative staples: Did you know you can grow your own ornamental gourds as a fun project with your children, or just to have a surplus for decorating next season? While they have a long growing period before the gourds can be harvested, they are very easy to start from seeds.

Here’s how you can grow your own gourds and enjoy them from season to season.

Getting to Know Your Gourds

Gourds are a vining fruit that actually includes watermelons, pumpkins, squash, melons and cucumbers. There are three basic types of gourds that are grown for decoration or for crafts and utensils.

Vegetable sponge gourds (luffa) have an exterior shell that is removed after they are harvested. It is the center of the gourd that is used as a sponge. Once dried, the luffa sponge can be used as an exfoliating scrub when bathing. If you make your own soap, you can also slice a luffa and pour your homemade soap over it in a mold to make an exfoliating bar.

Ornamental gourds are typically the ones used in decorating. They can be unusually shaped and brightly colored. Small ornamental gourds can be dried and preserved, but large ornamental gourds will not be suitable for drying.

Utilitarian gourds will be green while they grow, but will dry to a brown color with a tough shell. These can be used for bird houses, crafts and if left to grow on the ground with a flat side, can also be cut in half to use for bowls.

Constructing Your Garden

Since gourds are big sun lovers, you should select an area in your yard that gets full sun with well-drained soil. You may also want to enrich the soil with compost or organic material. If you intend to use your gourds for decoration, you should construct a trellis that will support your growing gourds, unless you are planning to grow utilitarian gourds for bowls.

Preparing the Seeds

Gourd seeds can have a hard outer shell, which can cause them to take an extra-long time to germinate. To help speed up the process, you can scarify them by roughing up the surface with sandpaper or a nail file. You will need to gently rough up both sides of the seed. After you have done that, soak them in a bowl of lukewarm water for 24 hours, and then let them completely dry so they won’t rot before they sprout.

Caring for Your Plants

If you have a long winter, you can start your seeds indoors. Be sure to wait until all danger of frost is gone before planting them in your garden. Since gourds are a vine, they will need plenty of room in the garden if you will be letting them grow on the ground. If you will be using a trellis, make sure it will support the weight of your growing crop.

While they can be resistant to pests and disease, they don’t like weeds, so be sure to weed your garden regularly. If you are growing in a climate that tends to be extremely hot and dry, you will want to make sure your gourds get plenty of TLC and water.

Gathering Your Harvest

If you plan on drying, or curing, your gourds, you should start by leaving them on the vine as long as possible. Check them every few days to make sure they haven’t started to rot or have become a snack for wildlife. A good indication that your gourd is ready to cut is when the vine has turned brown. Curing gourds can take a while, so be patient and don’t try to rush them. You may want to plan on using your dried gourds the year following the harvest to give them sufficient time to dry.

If you are growing gourds for decoration, don’t seal them with any kind of varnish or shellac, since that will seal in moisture and cause them to rot. If you want them to appear polished, you can use a liquid floor wax instead.

Growing gourds for decoration and crafting can become a fun hobby for novice gardeners, bird lovers and children. It can also become a lucrative business depending on your creative skills and imagination. With so many different uses for gourds, as well as their various colors and sizes, the only limit to what you can make with them is what you don’t think of.

See what Lorelai does with her pumpkins. Click HERE!

~Megan

Celebrate fall with gourds. Get 5 Tips to grow gourds in your garden. #gourds #gardening #garden

Click To Tweet

…

Visit Megan at her blog, Your Wild Home!

...

Share using our Hashtag!

Leave me a comment… I’d love to hear from you!

...

~Lorelai

Sign up today, and don't miss anything! Enjoy EXCLUSIVES, FREEBIES, and FUN.

...

Contact Lorelai at Lorelai@LifeWithLorelai.com