All Posts By

Fawn Rumfield

Home Decor

Sugar Mold Thanksgiving Styling

Can you believe it’s November already? This year is flying by, and I definitely have Christmas on my mind. (Christmas in first grade is a lot of fun, I have to admit). But before we get to Christmas, I have to at least give a little nod to Thanksgiving! I wanted to show you guys a cool piece I found recently and how I am styling it for Thanksgiving.

About a month ago, Ethan and I were shopping at Canton, our favorite place to go. I’ve shared about it before, but it’s a giant flea market in Canton, Texas. It’s one of the country’s oldest remaining flea markets, and it has a range of all sorts of things. Anyway, we were there and I totally had blinders on because I was looking for one specific thing. I don’t know about you, but I can talk myself out of almost any purchase. So I had my money that day, and because I was walking around looking for one particular thing, I didn’t buy anything for several hours. After maybe four hours or so, I realized I wasn’t going to find what I was looking for, and so I went into SHOPZILLA mode. That’s not a thing. I just made that up. What I mean is that after I gave up on that one thing, it was like my eyes were opened to so many more possibilities around me.

One of the things that I picked up that day was this sugar mold.

I paid fifteen dollars for it, although I had no idea how I was going to use it. I usually don’t buy things unless I have a plan for them, but this one time I broke my own rule. At the time that I purchased it, I didn’t really know what it was either. I know I had seen pictures of similar things on Instagram, but I didn’t know what the official name was or the history behind the pieces.

When I got it home, I didn’t know what to do with it, so I put it in the guest bathroom (arguably the least used room in our house) so i didn’t have to look at it. I was a little overwhelmed with how to use it, so I ignored it. Anyone else do that? No, you probably don’t, because that’s not normal. Anyway, while it was collecting dust in the guest bathroom, I did a little research on it.

Sugar molds started in medieval times and were used throughout the 19th century. Granulated sugar wasn’t really a thing until the 19th century so sugar was poured into these cone shaped molds to be sold. I never knew that, so when I was reading this, I found it super interesting! I’m a history nerd anyway, so random historical facts are totally my jam. The actual wooden mold has deep cone shaped grooves in the center (mine has six), which made it slightly difficult to style for me. While the origins of my piece are unknown to me, it’s becoming one of my favorite things. I’m sure it’s not an authentic antique, but I love it anyway.

When I finally pulled it out and decided to make it pretty, I was kicking myself for not doing it sooner! The little imperfections in the wood have so much character, and the piece is one of the more unique things in our home right now.

I used a bit of straw to fill in some of the depth of the molds, and then some fall vase filler. I got the filler items from Hobby Lobby (40% off of course). This little fall look was a quick and easy look to achieve, even though I was dreading it for almost a month! Just in time for Thanksgiving, and then I’ll be transitioning this piece into Christmas with some more festive holiday decor!

Do you have a sugar mold? I would love to hear about how you styled it…because it ha me stumped for a while! That’s it for today friends, I hope y’all have a fabulous day.

November 5, 2015 by Fawn Rumfield

DIY Projects, Tutorials

Dry Brushing – The Easiest Painting Experience

Hey y’all! I hope you’re doing well! It’s been dark and rainy here, so the weather is perfect for Halloween tomorrow! (Let’s not talk about the fact that I am going to be ~~running~~ walking a 5k on Halloween morning. Why do I do these things to myself?!) Hopefully the rain won’t deter Trick-or-Treaters though because Ethan and I love sitting on the front porch passing out candy.

Anyway, before the rain set in, I completed a quick little project that is quickly becoming my favorite way to do things! I wanted to share this painting trick with you that really does save time, materials, and requires minimal experience (I always say that, but this time I mean it). Have you ever heard of dry brushing? It’s new to me, but I’m already obsessed with it, and I want to dry brush everything in sight! Here are the steps:

First, you need to choose your victim (or in this little basket’s case, its lucky day because this thing about to get a serious makeover). I chose this basket because well, just look at it, and you can tell it needs a little help. It’s a vintage picnic basket that I found while junkin this summer, and although it has some damage, I think it just adds some character. What I don’t like about it is the orangey color it has. Plus the top has a weird uncleanable dusty look. But for six bucks, you can’t ask much.

You can also see the brush and paint I used in this picture. These little brushes are available at Home Depot, and they are awesome! The handle is rubber and so it’s really comfortable to handle while painting.

Dry brushing is a technique that uses a very minimal amount of paint and a dry brush (cleverly named technique, don’t you think?). When I do this, I find the stiffest brush I can find and I don’t dip the brush in the can. Instead, I just use the lid and dab a small amount on the brush. I try to keep the paint limited to the top part of the bristles and not the sides. Does that make sense? (I also apologize for the lack of clarity on some of these photos, I haven’t yet mastered the photography-while-painting technique).

I then blot the top of the brush on my dropcloth to take off any excess paint. You can see in the above photo just how little paint there is on the brush. If you don’t use dropcloths, a paper towel will do. Before you put the brush on your object, it should look something like this:

The trick is not to use too much paint. You can always add more, but once you have too much, it’s hard to get the desired effect.

When you’re ready to paint, you’ll want to use a short, side-to-side stroke. You’ll want to move quickly and paint lightly, as you don’t want too much coverage in one area. The look really lends itself more to a vintage, weathered look. Once you have too much coverage in one area, it becomes hard to fix it, so move fast! The awesome thing about it is that it uses practically no paint (I covered this basket just with what was on the lid of the can), and it dries super fast because it’s such a thin layer of paint.

Here is the finished product! I think this project took maybe thirty minutes (including dry time). It saves so much time, and also money because it’s such an effective use of materials. What more can you ask for than quick and cheap?

I placed this basket in the corner of my living room where I keep the coatrack and store blankets. This basket is pretty roomy, so it’s a good place to store odds and ends. I also really like how the white lightens up this space. The orange look definitely wasn’t doing itself any favors. She looks so much better now, don’t you think?

What do you think of this technique? Have you tried it before? I promise it really is easy – I’m not lying! I am thinking about dry brushing everything now…nothing is safe! Let me know what you think, and if you plan to try it!

I hope y’all have a great weekend and that you have some fun Halloween activities planned (hopefully not completing a 5k like myself)! That’s it for today friends, have a fabulous day!

October 30, 2015 by Fawn Rumfield

DIY Projects, Holidays

How to Make Your Home Feel Super Cozy

Hey y’all! I hope your week is going well! Fall has still not arrived here in North Texas, but we’re pretending. My students are busy making pumpkin crafts, and I’ve been drinking tea nonstop at the house. Even though it’s in the eighties every day still, I’ve broken out the boots for work. Call me crazy, but I’m not wasting my time when it comes to all things fall. #sorry #notsorry

Anyway, today I want to share with you something I like to do at home during the fall. And all the time, really, but during the fall it seems especially appropriate. I don’t know what it is about the month of October, but it makes me want to cozy up EVERYTHING. For me, cozy equals good smells. There’s nothing like a warm home that smells heavenly.

So here’s what I do. This isn’t even a DIY because it’s the easiest thing possible.

I like to take a few lemon slices, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and some cranberries (or in my case, dried cranberries, because that’s all I had on hand), and put them on the stove with just enough water to cover the fruit. I put them on a low heat and simmer alllllllll day long. Seriously, it is ah-mazing. I have to check and refill the water every once in a while, because the water will evaporate over time. Other than checking on it every now and then, there’s nothing else to it. It makes the house SO COZY. I kid you not. It puts me in a great mood, and the house just feels homey. Does that make sense? It might sound weird, but a house that smells good feels like home to me.

Fall makes me go into major nesting mode, and start doing lots of things around the house. This ‘recipe’ makes everything better. It just feels like fall. If fall is a feeling, this is it. If you try it out, I promise you won’t be disappointed. There are also other things that you can simmer in the pot like vanilla, oranges, lavender, pine needles, etc. Cranberries + lemon + cinnamon just happens to be my favorite combination. Find a combination that works for you, and run with it! I do this all the time and I cannot recommend it more. It’s the simplest of things and it totally makes me feel like Martha Stewart (even though there zero skills involved).

I hope you do try this out at home, it’s super easy. Have you already done something similar? I’d love to hear about it. Do you have a better recipe? I’d love to hear about that as well. Thanks for reading along. That’s all for today, friends. Have a fabulous night!

October 20, 2015 by Fawn Rumfield

Uncategorized

My First Experience as a Craft Vendor

This past weekend I had my first booth at a crafts/antiques fair. I wanted to share with y’all a little bit about my first experience doing this, since it was such a big deal for me. I worked really hard on my booth, and really hard on all the items that went into it. I definitely learned a lot this weekend, and I’m so thankful for it.

The biggest thing for me was at some point during that day, I realized I can do this. Having my items sold at a craft fair or market of some kind has been something I’ve wanted to do for a while, but never really thought I could. There were a million reasons why I wasn’t going to be able to do something like this, and so a few projects sat unfinished in my garage for a year or so. When this opportunity came along, I knew I couldn’t say no. The event was just one day, in our town, and I didn’t need to go through a lengthy application process, and wouldn’t have to take the day off from my real job. For these reasons, I felt like I couldn’t say no. The cards were stacked in my favor for getting my foot in the door to these types of things.

On the actual day of the event, I had so much fun setting up my booth. When I’m shopping at other flea markets and fairs, I enjoy but don’t really think deeply about the set up of the booth. It was like staging a mini room, and duh, what could be more fun?! I didn’t have a ton of items for sale in my booth, but I think I had just the right amount of stuff to accommodate my first attempt.

Here are some closeup shots of my booth:

The actual number of sales were pretty disappointing, and whether that can be blamed on the size of the event, the venue, the clientele, or whatever – it doesn’t matter. What does matter is that I got the first one down, and now I feel a lot more confident about applying for more upscale and prestigious markets. I got the self-assurance I needed to realize that this is something I really can do, and actually enjoy. I don’t feel so afraid of these types of events anymore, and the if I could only… thoughts are gone. This day was both disappointing and encouraging. I’m glad I had this experience, and I feel like this event is my jumping point for other things to come in the future.

I really feel like God was telling me this weekend (despite the disappointing number of sales) that the creative desires I have in my heart aren’t for naught. I know He has bigger and better things for me, and I can’t wait to see what happens in the future. I’ll let you know where you can find me next.

That’s all for today friends, have a fabulous day!

October 12, 2015 by Fawn Rumfield

Holidays

Fall Touches on the Front Porch

Hey y’all! Hope you’re having a great Wednesday! I have definitely been feeling that midweek stress level rising, but I relieved some of that stress the only way I know how…puttering around the house! Today I focused my attention on the front porch. I don’t know what it is, but for some reason fall seems like the season where you just have to decorate your porch. (Now that I’m thinking about it, people definitely do other seasonal things with their outdoor decor, but in my mind it seems more natural for the fall. Whatever.)

I wanted to show y’all a few details of our front porch. Our rental home has a HUGE front porch, which is a blessing. On one side, I have a little sitting area set up, and on the other is where you can usually find me painting something. It has enough space for large and small projects, and for that I’m thankful. I’ll definitely miss this front porch when we leave this rental. (See? I’m always looking for the positives in our living situation.) Anyway, now that I’ve gotten a little off track, how about I just show you some pictures?

I have a large planter on either side of our front steps. I replaced the totally dead flowers (my gardening skills range somewhere in the “I tried” to the “it’s hopeless” range) with hay and some pumpkins. These are the only two things I bought with real money for this little set up. I bought my pumpkins at Home Depot, which is the cheapest place I’ve found them so far. Pumpkins can get a bit pricey especially when buying multiples, but Home Depot had some pretty good sizes for a reasonable price. I got the hay at Hobby Lobby (with a 40% off coupon of course). I’m pretty sure these planters will last a bit longer than my attempted flowers. Maybe I’ll just leave this here until next year…

Here’s a peek of what the sitting area looks like…I added a blanket for a bit of coziness (never mind the fact that the weather is not cooperating at all), along with my Thankful pillow wrap. Can I just pause for a second and say that pillow wraps are the bomb? Like, how cool that you can seasonally change your pillows with minimal storage space, right?! Maybe I’m the only one who gets excited about these things. Maybe there are more of you like me out there. One can only hope so. This one was a gift from a sweet friend I met via Instagram. Everything else I shopped around my home or yard for.

My little bushel basket is filled with dried leaves, compliments of the backyard. Pinecones are a great fall piece…also free. I’m a fan of free. I actually got these from a lady who practically forced me to take them from her garage sale, but you could just as easily find some at a local park. In my book, free=no brainer. I prefer my fall pieces to be more nature inspired anyway, but these types of simple decor are easy on the budget. I can’t think of a simpler way to add seasonal touches. I have these things scattered throughout my home as well.

A few sources you may be wondering about in this post… the rocking chair is from Cracker Barrel (we have two of them and they are just as awesome at home as they are at the restaurant), and the rug is from Hobby Lobby. Everything else was found at garage sales or flea markets.

Do you decorate your outdoor area for fall? What are your go-to items? I’d love to hear about it! Fall decorating can be inexpensive and hassle free, so give it a try and get a little festive! That’s all for today friends, have a fabulous day!

October 7, 2015 by Fawn Rumfield

Uncategorized

Big Things are Coming!

I’ve backspaced this sentence probably twenty times, trying to figure out how to word what I’m trying to say. Today I want to get a little personal, and share a big announcement! I’ve been trying lately to embrace more creative lifestyle. That sounds pretty vague and trendy and dumb, I know. Hear me out.

Six months ago when I started this blog I had no idea what I was doing (I still totally don’t), but I knew I wanted to share how I felt and the things I was doing in my home. This blog still hasn’t really gone anywhere in the past few months, but it’s something that’s helped me find my decor style. And if that’s all that comes from it, I’m totally fine with that. It’s also helped me to find contentment in our rental home. This little blog has been a bit of an experiment for me, something that I’ve just kind of let go wherever it will. But, it’s caused me to want to get into other things as well.

I love my job (I really, really do), but there’s a part of me that needs to be making things, to be restoring beauty to things, and to find others who have the same interests and ideas as me. I love waking up early Saturday mornings looking for garage sales, sifting through the junk in the thrift shop, or looking at the neighbor’s trash piles on trash night. I’m a sucker for a good deal, and I love refinishing things to make them beautiful again. I find myself wanting to explore these things more and more in my daily life. Not that I’m quitting my day job or anything (hello, I’m not a lunatic), but I’m wanting to find new ways to embrace my hobbies outside of work.

That being said, I wanted to share something new with you guys that I’m super excited and super nervous about. Next month, I’m going to be a vendor in a handmade/craft/antique/resale event in town. It’s an outdoor event that’s held in downtown Waxahachie, TX. I’ve been working really hard the past few weeks with different projects, and I’m going to be selling a range of things from redesigned furniture to homemade candles. I will have lots of handcrafted home items (and a few vintage items). I’ll have plenty of little things that I’ve painted or redesigned, and a few signs from my etsy shop. It’s going to he a mix of things, but I’m super excited about it. This is going to be my first event of this kind, and I’m looking forward to see what could come out of doing these types of events. I want this to be something that I do regularly, and so this first event is a big step. Honestly, I’m nervous that no one is even going to stop by my booth or care about my stuff, but I’m trying to be optimistic.

If you’re local, I’d love to see you October 10th at the Junk ‘N’ the Trunk Sale in Waxahachie. If not, I’ll be adding more items to my etsy shop after the sale. This is a big new endeavor for me, so I will need a lot of support. I’ll update you all after the sale (with some pictures of my booth/merchandise too). Until then, I’ve got plenty of work to keep me busy in the next couple weeks.

Thanks for reading along (I know this post is more wordy and has less photos than usual), but it’s something I’ve really wanted to share. Here’s to new doors opening and seeing where they lead! That’s all for today friends, have a fabulous day!

September 22, 2015 by Fawn Rumfield

Holidays, Home Decor

Transitional Fall Table Setting

Hey y’all! I don’t know if you’ve realized this…but it’s September now, so that means when it comes to fall decor, it’s on! Here in Texas though, we’re still averaging temps in the nineties each day. I’m ready for fall, but the weather says otherwise! My response to that is a sort of transitional summer/fall decor theme around my house. I’ve put out pumpkins and pinecones, but my hydrangeas are still out as well.

Today I wanted to share with you a quick summer/fall table setting. Y’all know I’m all about cheap decor around here, so this table setting is a hodge-podge of thrifted, gifted, and found items.

My smaller plates were found at a flea market, and everything else has been bought on sale. I’m learning in decorating that there really aren’t many rules that can’t be broken. Seersucker and pumpkins? Sure, why not?!

(Is there a hand hidden in this picture? I’ll never tell.)

I wanted this setting to say both “summer” and “fall” without being too clashy. This eclectic mix of pieces works for me because it’s casual, easy, and it feels both summery and autumnal.

Just wanted to drop in and show y’all a little seasonal inspiration. I realize this is super quick, but it was easy! Set your table, I promise you, it’ll make you feel like you’re way on top of things. A pretty table inspires me to sit and eat dinner (and staying away from dinner on the couch…which NEVER happens at our house. *cough*).

Are you bringing in fall decor? Are you in full blown pumpkin mode, or are you more like me doing things slowly? I’d love to hear about it! That’s all for today. Have a fabulous day, friends!

September 2, 2015 by Fawn Rumfield

DIY Projects, Home Decor

DIY Console Table

Guys. School has started and this first grade teacher is T-I-R-E-D. #isitsummeryet? Despite my tiredness and all my extra beginning of the year school year work, I managed this super quick project.

Our house doesn’t have a formal entry way, so we’ve been living with a makeshift chair-and-coatrack-in-the-corner deal. I wanted to add a console table in our living room to fake a bit of an entry. This project was so easy, it took mayyyybe 45 minutes in total. I used an antique sewing machine base as the base for my new table. I found it at a flea market and I love it! I then added a wooden planked top, and BOOM! Project done. (Well not quite, but keep reading for the details.)

We had a bunch of salvaged wood from a home in our neighborhood. It’s probably about 80 years old and LOOK AT ALL THAT CHIPPY GOODNESS. I didn’t do a thing to the wood. I wanted it to be all chippy-rustic-like.

I laid the planks on top of my workspace and placed boards across them. I just used a hammer and nails because the wood is a bit fragile, and because it’s really a simple project.

After securing the boards together, I placed them on top of my base. (Total nonprofessional here): I didn’t secure the top to the base because I think I may change things up a bit in the future. I figured it wasn’t a big deal because this table won’t be getting a lot of wear-and-tear. But don’t trust me. I’m not a professional.

And here is the finished product:

I love the rustic element it has! This was a super simple project, I almost feel like it’s too simple to share, but whatevs.

Here’s a closer look at all that paint texture. And sidenote, a super cheap art trick I use is displaying handwritten phrases on clipboards.

I’m still having to re-adjust my habits when I walk in the door, since this is where our coatrack was. Other than that, I am obsessed with this little table! It was so easy! It’s one of those “why didn’t I do this earlier?” things.

Have you ever made something like this? I’d love to hear about!

That’s all for today, friends. Have a fabulous day!

August 18, 2015 by Fawn Rumfield

Home Decor

Flea Market Tips and Tricks

Do y’all shop at flea markets? It is one of my favorite things to do. I have to admit, it can be a bit addictive. I have found that shopping at flea markets can be great for decorating my home on the cheap. I decorate with TONS of items I’ve picked up from flea markets over time.

I wanted to share a few tips with you guys for navigating flea markets the smart way (and by smart I mean the way that allows you to bring home the most stuff. Which your husband will LOVE. Trust me.).

1. Separate your money and keep it in separate pockets.

When I’m shopping, I’ll leave my wallet in the car. It’s a hassle to keep in a bag and pull it out, and keeping it in your pockets can work to your advantage. I’ll bring as many different bills as possible, and put them in separate pockets. For example, I’ll have ones in one pocket, fives in another, etc. I also don’t fold them all together, I keep each bill folded individually. This way you can grab the exact amount that you want without having to dig around and look for it. It also keeps the vendor from seeing how much cash you have on you. If a vendor is asking $25 for an item, he is mostly likely willing to accept $20 if you pull a single bill out without flashing all your cash.

2. Sometimes it’s best to walk away.

If a vendor just isn’t willing to come down in price, WALK AWAY. One of two things can happen here. First, a desperate vendor might change his mind once you’re willing to leave the item behind. If he doesn’t: keep walking. Walk around, look at other vendors, see if you can find something similar somewhere else. If not, the second of two things can happen. Close to the end of the day, head back to the vendor and see if they still have the item (they may not, and that’s a risk you’ll have to take). If a vendor hasn’t been able to sell the item all day, they’re much more likely to come down to the price you want if you come back for it.

3. Have a list of items that you’re looking for.

This isn’t absolutely necessary, but it’s especially helpful if you’re like me. I hate to buy things without a list because I’m afraid I’ll find something better later on after I’ve already spent my money. When I go in with a list, I’m much more likely to pick up something I like and actually buy it. I won’t talk myself out of it for fear of finding something better later because it’s on the list.

4. Know where you’re going to put something before you hand over the cash.

Don’t buy something unless you know where it’s going to go or how it’s going to be used. If you don’t know, don’t buy it. Buying something just because it looks cool is a great way to add more unnecessary junk to your house. And let’s be honest, no one wants that. Don’t bring in more junk for no reason. Just don’t.

5. Start at the back.

Just like in any retail store, you’ll find the cheaper items in the back. At flea markets you’ll usually find that there are more organized, professional vendors toward the main entrances. Steer clear of these as they’ll be much more expensive. Head to the back where people are selling items that obviously came out of their van that morning. These people are much easier to haggle prices with, and you’ll usually find more interesting pieces. These sections are usually less organized, but so worth the hassle!

6. Be kind, friendly, and courteous.

A smile and a “hey y’all” goes a long way. Talk to the vendors, make polite conversation. If they feel like they know you, they may offer a lower price, or they may be willing to offer a second item for free along with an item you’re purchasing.

7. Ask questions.

There may be a really cool story about a piece that you might never know if you don’t ask. Ask where it came from or if they know how old it is. Some vendors can tell you a personal story connected to an item. They like talking about their stuff, and in my opinion, having knowledge of the history of the piece makes it more special.

I hope these tips are helpful for you next time you find yourself at a flea market. That’s all for today, friends. Happy flea marketing!

July 28, 2015 by Fawn Rumfield

DIY Projects, Home Decor, Tutorials

DIY artwork for cheap

Hey y’all! I hope you’re doing well! Summer is winding down over here, and I’ve been super busy with preparing things for my classroom this year. I will pick up the keys to my classroom next week to begin setting up for the school year. I’m excited for this school year, but I’m sad to see summer go! Since I’ve been so busy with classroom projects I haven’t been working on house projects too much lately. I did however, whip up a couple of these easy “art pieces” to use in the house.

I can’t even call this a tutorial because it’s so easy! More like an idea you may not have thought of. I have done this several times throughout my house, because it’s SO easy and SO cheap. I think for this project it cost me a total of $4. Whoop-de-do!

I found these old frames at a thrift store for $1.

Those ducks are so cute, aren’t they? Kind if a 90’s chic, if you will.

Literally all I did was spray paint the mattes and frames and replace the duck print with a cute printed paper. I got mine from Paper Source. I like to get papers from there because they come in 20×30 inch sheets, which is convenient for many different projects. They also have so many pretty papers! You could also do this with any gift wrap or scrapbook paper.

I used this spray paint because it’s what I had on hand. I spray painted them, and once they were dry, I added the new paper, and done. That’s it!

I realize this is kind of an obvious DIY. But it’s so so easy, you have to give it a try! That’s it for today friends, have a fabulous day!

July 16, 2015 by Fawn Rumfield

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