Just Jack!!!

Monday, September 28, 2020

Happy Autumn Folks!

Nothing like being fashionably late to the party!

The Autumn party that is.

If you see any of my stuff, you know that I’m a huge DIYer. I love creating with the rustic side of things. I love most anything rustic! Concrete can be pretty rustic. I enjoy creating centerpieces for my dining table using the inexpensive to showcase a bit of obsession I have with flowers.

So I created a cement bowl using a plastic jack-o-lantern.

This was not my DIY idea but a borrowed idea from @toni_marianna.

You must check her out on Instagram.

This all began with a plastic jack-o-lantern candy holder from Walmart that I cut in half to create the mold. I cut the plastic pumpkin into two equal pieces, vertically from top to bottom, using yard shears and scissors. Following the steps from @toni_marianna, I taped the plastic jack-o-lantern back together on the outside. Using cooking oil, I greased the mold liberally and the plastic glass as well. I mixed my cement Quick-Crete in a small bucket, following the directions on the bag, and poured it into the plastic jack-o-lantern, about three quarters full. I then used a plastic glass to create the hollowed center.

I filled the glass with rocks to weight it down.

After about 2 hours I removed the plastic.

My pumpkin, when dry, has air pockets. Although I tapped the outside of the mold after the concrete was poured I still had the air pockets. It was recommended to use FastSet, All-Crete. You probably wouldn’t get the air pockets with this type of mortar mix.

I removed the mold after the top was dry and very firm. I recommend that you grease/oil up your mold and glass very well before using. The glass in the center did not remove as planned and I had to break the glass to remove it.

With my cement pumpkin complete and ready to decorate with… I bought some grocery store flowers. I recommend that you use a jar or vase to place in the hole to hold water. Notice that I have a plastic cup placed in the hole. Hardened cement will not hold water due to it’s porous surface and it will pass through it and will leave water marks on furniture.

A Table Centerpiece

Using my grocery store flowers I styled them the best way possible for my dining table.

This wasn’t an expensive bouquet just $12.00 in all. I picked this bouquet for the sunflower.

Sunflowers are happy flowers. They add warmth to a room. They really do bring such a warm smile to a room and even on their own- amazing.

Those orange- yellow, red, and white blooms are bright and sunny!

Just what my concrete jack needed.

Adding some candles for the ambiance…

Using my branding iron candle holders with orange candles, I added copper votives and some old found brown bottles with candles for a bit of a moody vibe.

Now if these branding irons aren’t a bit of rustic and refound! I wonder how much cow hide the scorched in their day???

I think it all worked well with my rustic Jack.

Now, this is my kind of autumn styling!

I hope you enjoyed my post. Thanks for stopping to check it out.

A little wild west stylin’ for some wild west livin’

Happy Autumn!

Adding Some Touches of Autumn

Saturday, September 19, 2020

Happy September folks!

With this month well under way and fall just being days away, I have to say that Fall is on my list of being maybe my favorite season. I love watching the leaves change. I love the cooler temperatures, and everything pumpkin.

Since moving into our new house, I have been getting impatient about working on adding those Autumn touches that include pumpkins.

Since I haven’t ventured out to find real pumpkins or baby boo pumpkins to add to my autumn decor. I improvised using what was on hand.

I added some Fall Kitchen decor on a budget.

One of my favorite ways to decorate is by using some of my own rustic and refound, like the rustic wooden pumpkin.

I wandered outdoors and foraged the natural element of dried grasses and added them to a white pitcher for contrast.

I think the golden color of the natural grasses adds to the autumn feel.

I added some copper votives and tossed in a plaid napkin for a simple look. (I might add that the copper votives are from Walmart in the bridal section. They cost around $12.00 for a dozen.) This is a very inexpensive way to add the fall look to your home. Leaves, apples, and grasses are great options to add around in your decor to make it cozy & homey.

Autumn in the Pantry

You might have noticed that I kind of lean towards the traditional colors of autumn. Those warm, rich colors of orange, rust, and the tones of copper. Yes, copper. I have fallen in love with the warmth that copper adds to that fall touch. I especially love decorating with copper in an all-white pantry. Copper really adds warmth and gives the space a pop!

Again, I added my rustic and refound wooden pumpkin, apples from the grocery store & remaining greenery from a bouquet of flowers sent to me a few weeks back.

I love to sprinkle a touch of those warm tones with the pale neutral colors.

I think that my pantry will become a favorite spot for styling dishes for the season. With it’s wide open space and many shelves, it will be big on charm and a great place to add loads of hidden character to the various dishes on display. For now, I’m loving the rich colors that copper adds to my collection of white serve ware.

So if you are a fan of copper for autumn like I am – it is so easy to incorporate those delicious tones in your decor. Checkout those copper mugs! I can’t wait to serve up some hot cocoa. I think those copper mugs might make a great vase for a few flowers too!;)

I just might be on the hunt for more copper to add to my collection.

I hope I’ve given you some inspiration for budget decorating for autumn and using copper in your own home!

Happy Saturday!

You Can Find Me In the Wild Flowers

Friday, August 21, 2020

“Your heart knows the way, run in that direction.” ~Rumi

Creating a simple summer gathered arrangement.

I love creating. Creating something is fuel for my soul.

Some weeks back I created a gathered/foraged arrangement without spending a dime.

Today, I spent a whole $ 4.99 on a few pink grocery store roses to add a bit more pretty and sophistication to my foraged arrangement.

This arrangement is similar to one that I completed a few weeks back.

Vegetation I used:

Russian Olive branches
Scotch Thistle
Timothy grass
Grocery store roses

First, Find fresh inspiration from colors you love.

I grabbed a large assortment of greens of large branches of the Russian Olive. I cut some different branches with variations of green.

Begin with the chunky greenery adding it to your bucket or container.

None of my florals were planned out. I used what inspired me.

I then added the second gathered element, the Scotch Thistle. I randomly placed the prickly stems here and there for eye appeal.

Adding the pink grocery store roses just added that extra punch of color and sophistication,

Mix it in to see how it comes out.

With just a little more personality…

To add a bit more character, I added some timothy grass. I love the way the dried grass contrasts with the soft green of the Russian Olive leaves, pink roses, and purple blooms of the Scotch Thistle.

Customize your arrangement to what’s available & to what you like.

It might look a little wild & wooly, but I like it!

I feel like these arrangements are a little like me – not so perfect & little unruly;)

I like the fact that not all the branches are even & the greenery is a bit off balance. Remember, that customizing your arrangement any way you would like is also key. Let your personality shine through.

Foraging for local, wild plants is easy and it’s free!

Anyhow, it was a treat to throw this together & I hope it inspires you to get creative during these unique times.

Out and About – Small Slices of Life

Tuesday, August 4, 2020

“Oh the things you can find, if you don’t stay behind!”

Dr. Seuss

Summer. Is. On and it’s been HOT!

When the mountains are calling…

To escape the heat we often take a trip into the mountains for a summer “stretch.”

My husband and I like to hike the mountains.

I guess my feet know where they want to go.

However a little more than a babbling brook.

I love listening to the relaxing sound of running water.

With beautiful sights and sounds to relax your senses…

Just follow your feet.

Happy Tuesday All!

A Few Favorite Things…

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

“Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.”

― William Morris

If you haven’t noticed, I don’t sell anything here.

I do make some things that are my style, “Go – to” rustic and refound.

Today, I just want to share some photos of items that may belong to some of my “Favorites.”

If I were selling you on something, I guess it would have to be on things you put in your house that you would find to be useful, and believe to be beautiful.

After much searching through some pretty famous & legendary bloggers who sell nothing but their beautiful photos, homes, finds, and life styles I thought I would just share some of my favorite finds.

A Little Wooden Stool

A favorite… I”m talking about little wood stools.
Painted, natural, or simple – You know the ones that come in all shapes and sizes. The ones that you can’t seem to get enough of and are absolute treasures setting nearly anywhere. The kind that Moves. All. Over. The. Place. The kind of stool that can hold some pretty yellow roses with a pink trim while I snapped a few photos.

Chairs, chairs, chairs… junking treasures.

Old chairs and roses, a couple of my favorites, just seemed to go together for photo snap.

Yep, I have thing for old chairs. Some of my favorites,

I love flowers! Roses, lilacs, peonies… the list goes on.

Both are beautiful!

A Little Rustic and Refound

Old galvanized metal and wood stirrups are another of my favorites. Holding napkins and charm for a fun table scape or on your kitchen counter.

Salvaged and repurposed for additional use.

“The true secret of happiness lies in the taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life.”

-William Morris

Moore Favorites

Flowers and candles…

Flowers serve to make us happy and candlelight adds the ambiance!

Oh, I have more. Without getting crazy…

Just a few of my favorite style elements.

I hope this inspires you to tuck some pretty and functional into your home.

Happy Tuesday!

A Rustic Foraged Centerpiece

Friday, July 17, 2020

Today it is all about ideas for creating a foraged arrangement.

You know I like most things rustic, even with brambles and blooms.

I’m all about simple beauty these days.

While out on a walk around my property I ran across some blooming Scotch thistle. It is an invasive plant that I’m not really loving as it grows in a couple of spots around the edge of my property. However, Scotch thistle has the prettiest purple bloom. Scotch thistle is covered in the most unfriendly prickly leaves.

This wild and prickly plant with it’s bright purple flower inspired me to create a foraged centerpiece.

Loving flowers as I do, I can’t always make a run to the grocery store just for flowers.

Taking my trimmers I headed out to the “back forty.”

The work began to look for something to accompany this prickly bloom.

I clipped and gathered an abundance of Russian Olive branches,

timothy grasses, and the Scotch thistle blooms.

Using the natural elements and a bucket I started to create a foraged arrangement.

A Little Shaggy, a Little Fun

They say that when it comes to foraged arrangements – anything goes. There is no specific foliage, branches, blooms etc to use- it is whatever you find and you can put together to enjoy.

However it all depends on what is in season, looks beautiful, and catches your eye.

Green Day

This arrangement is all about being “green” and using what you have on hand.

An abundance greens can be beautiful too – perfect on their own.

Today, I just added that pop of purple.

When it comes to creating an arrangement use what you find just outside your door.

Something fun too is to see how the trees and plants inspire you differently during the seasons and changes.

Sometimes it is the bare branches with nothing else that are perfect.

Other times it is flowers and trees in leaf and bloom.

Since I’m not a rule follower, I kind of like things a little more on the non-traditional side.

Anything goes- start looking outside in your yard or an open field for some greenery and flowers to make a beautiful floral arrangement.

Creating a foraged arrangement is a way to bring a little bit of nature inside without spending money on cut flowers or having to leave home.

Do you have a bush, tree, or flower growing in your yard or in a field near you?

So much fun gathering and creating ……the results are amazing!

Maybe in the future, I’ll be making a DIY foraged wreath or a garland.

Thanks for stopping for a visit!

Happy Friday!

Taking the Road Less Traveled

Saturday, July 11, 2020

Welcome to summer travels!

Moore Adventure

Since vacations out of state are limited we did take the fourth of July weekend to spend it visiting sights in our own state and area.

We took a road trip for a bit of adventure into the Jarbidge Mountains.

This trip was way overdue!

We have been isolated and cooped up for far too long!

This trip has become an annual adventure. So this year we added a tent, bedroll and some camping equipment.

Quite frankly I was ready to go!

With huge and majestic views the wilderness was relaxing and awe-inspiring!

Everywhere you looked your sights were full,

From grand Mountain views, lush mountain meadows, wild fauna,

to grazing sheep our trip was full of adventure.

While standing on top of a Nevada Mountain, we looked out into Idaho.

I literally stood and soaked up the sunshine and views.

Nothing like the health benefits of the fresh air and the great outdoors!

Camp

We set up our little tent in a grassy grove below some towering aspen.

At camp I spotted some pretty blooms,

and if you know me, you know I’m going to

stop for a photo.

Camp included this way cool fireplace chimney tucked in lush greenery…

and a full running mountain stream.

I wish I had asked the local mountain residents about the fireplace chimneys.

Is there a rich history of these stone structures?

I would like to have thought so.

Mountain Florals

The flowers were blooming away.

When I was a kid I called these flowers ‘cow cabbage.’

I remember cows grazing among the large leaves.

I don’t remember where I got the name for these wild flowers that look like yellow daises.

If you are looking for some great outdoor adventure and the mountains are calling,

I encourage you to go.

There are plenty of roads and natural beauty to see.

Take in the sights and soak up the beauty.

I would highly recommend going if you feel you would enjoy seeing it.

Happy Weekend!

Quite often you’ll find me where the wild things are.

A Junking Treasure

Saturday, June 27, 2020

What Happens When You Paint a Chair White?

Simple and sweet! That’s how I like it.

This vintage chair is another junkin’ treasure find.

It wasn’t painted in a great color red so I decided to paint it white. The first attempt to paint it with a latex paint failed miserably.

The white paint wrinkled and bubbled. Definitely didn’t like those results.

My second attempt was another type of paint using what I had on hand.

I began with a white chalk paint.

As I painted the white over the red, the red bled through

leaving my vintage treasure a soft pale pink.

Stepping back and giving it some thought…

Maybe this is what it was meant to be!

What do you think of this cutie?

I was working at getting the most for my money.

I had spent $20 on this beauty.

Now it is soft and subtle. Not white, but pale pink and pretty!

Have you ever had a dilemma as such?

Should I find another paint or leave it as is?

I think she will stay as is!

Then what do you do? How do you show it?

With flowers of course!

Well, take it out to the horse pasture for sure.

With a simple place to land…

Just a random summer chair with a bouquet of flowers!

Just a little fun and playing around.

Adding a favorite Navajo style rug and…

a horse.

Boomer photo bombs a photo session with my new model.

That’s okay. I just snapped away. Glad he came to check it out!

Added A Navajo Style Rug

That ole’ Navajo rug…

Things that last like an ole’ Navajo rug from thirty years ago(A wedding gift from my sister.)

and a pretty wooden chair.

Just some southwestern summer styling.

A mix of pieces and styles that just worked for me.

Some wild west stylin’ for some wild west livin’

I hope this you inspires you to think outside the box, mix some pieces,

and head out to where the wild things are.

XXOOs

My DIY Chicken Wire Flower Basket

June 21, 2020

Left Overs

Left over from the house stucco project was a pile of Chicken wire.

Chicken wire is one of those things that when you see it

you just want to build something.

It has so much potential. Original use: Chicken coops.

Such a versatile building material.

I’ve never used Chicken wire in home décor projects before,

but thought it might be interesting to craft with it.

So here it is!

My DIY chicken wire basket I put flowers in.

A cute partner for a pretty pink chair… a chicken wire basket full of pink lilies!

A little rustic and refound!

Such a simple project that maybe took 15 minutes and it’s complete.

Here’s what you’ll need: Chicken wire shaped to a cone.

I started with a square piece of chicken wire. Lay it flat and rolled it to a cone shape.

Using a pair of needle nose pliers, I wrapped the cut ends of the chicken wire around to fasten the cone shape in place.

You may have to close up the end of the cone as you might have some sharp ends remaining.

Simply tuck the lose ends inwards using your needle nose pliers.

Attach wire, ribbon, or even jute string for a hanger.

Wrapped newsprint around the bouquet. When hanging, use a little jar or a small plastic container to tuck inside the wire basket to water the flowers.

Add your favorite flowers and voila your project is complete.

To hang, I simply attached a bright pink ribbon.

Hang it on your front door, but if you don’t have a front door like me, right now…

Hang it from your garden gate or maybe an old squeeze chute out in the horse pasture.;)

I am loving it! You know I might make a few more!
Maybe a new obsession! Who knew!

A little wild west stylin’ for some wild west livin‘

XXOOs

Rustic Candle Holders

Some DIY Candle Holders

June 19, 2020

I’m a DIYer. Can’t say I love crafting too much, but when it comes to some things like candle holders…I like to make my own. I’m so inspired by beautiful candles all aglow. I love beautiful candle holders of most kinds. I like them chunky, beautifully tapered, metal, wood, glass and rustic is pretty cool too. Those with pretty patterns & details are just fine as well. Candle holders with candles are so perfect for lighting steps outdoors, for a little ambiance on your patio table and even for displaying with indoor vignettes.

I like rustic home décor!