Halloween Gift Bucket

This adorable Jack-o-lantern bucket is going to be a hostess gift.  It will be filled with goodies like the pumpkin spice candle pictured, a bag of popcorn, and a bottle of wine.  I knew it had potential when I saw it on a recent trip to Canton.  It was a little lost without the black tissue paper or the illumination of a candle at night.
Right?

What a difference a little black tissue paper and some bittersweet make.  Hope you are having a wonderful day.
Be sure to enter my bracelet giveaway!

Let's Help Women Out of Poverty and a Jewelry Giveaway

Last weekend, while wandering around our church's Multi Cultural Festival, a beautiful glass bead necklace caught my eye.  Full Disclosure:  I am hosting an online party for Trades of Hope.  If you make a purchase through any of the links in this post, I will receive Trades of Hope merchandise as compensation. Back to the necklace, it is perfect for dressing up my typical black or white t-shirt and jeans look.  At 50 inches, it can be worn several different ways. I was pleasantly surprised by its price, just $24.00. Amber, whose booth it was displayed in, went on to explain Trades of Hope to me.  Then I got really excited.   The company is founded on fair trade principles. The items they sell are made by women around the world living in difficult circumstances.  Some have been rescued from sex slavery, others are living in war torn countries.  The women become artisans with means to earn a living wage.  Trades of Hope offers a market for the goods they make through a home party model meaning the artisans can put food on their table, a roof over their head, get medical care and education for their children. The artisans are paid 100% of their asking price.  They set the price they feel is fair for their product.  Only then does Trades of Hope price a mark-up on each item.  Trades of Hope purchases inventory from their artisans. What an amazing concept - buying pretty jewelry and feeling good about giving women around the world a much needed opportunity.
So, I also ordered this sweet little ring. And I'm thinking I need these earrings. Trades of Hope also sells scarves, decor items, and bags.  All the items are created by small businesses.  The company focuses primarily on women becauses when you help one woman out of poverty, on average she in turn helps four others out of poverty. As soon as I'd completed my own purchase, I wanted to tell more people about Trades of Hope.  It occurred to me that this blog would be a great way to spread the word.   I am ordering a lovely piece made in Haiti to giveaway.  You can read more about this bracelet below.

Product Details:  This bracelet features beads of earthen clay from Haiti's mountains and upcycled cereal box beads on an elastic cord. Approx. Measurements: 3.5" Materials: Paper, clay, & glass Colors: Earth tones, powder blue & tan Artisan Information:  Haiti had this century’s worst natural disaster and is home to almost 500,000 orphans. The majority of the orphans have not been orphaned by parental deaths or natural disasters, but by parents who gave them up simply because they could not feed them. The group we work with is an "un-orphanage" and is helping with the orphan crisis by providing parents with sustainable business through creating products. Purchase this piece and empower a woman in Haiti Every product has variations as a part of the artisan-made charm!

To enter this giveaway, simply visit my online Trades of Hope party, look over the beautiful choices in the online catalog, and comment below about which one(s) are your favorite.  One winner will be chosen at random from all the comments.  Please be sure that I have a way to contact you through the comment in case you are the lucky winner.  Entry is limited to residents of the U.S. who are at least eighteen years of age. If you purchase something from my online Trades of Hope party, it will be shipped directly to you.  The shipping is a flat $5.95 whether you order one item or many, so you may as well find gorgeous gifts for friends and family while you are there!  Each item comes with a little drawstring gift bag.  This party will close on October 24, 2017.  More good news: Trades of Hope ships items very quickly, even before the party closes. Here's a link to Amber's Trades of Hope website if you would like more information about the artisans, hosting a party, or even becoming a Compassionate Entrepreneur. Blessings,

 

Joining: Friday Favorites Grace at Home

Make a Wooden Tic Tac Toe Set for Ten Dollars

Welcome to Ten on the 10th for October.    I've been admiring wooden tic tac toe sets for a while now.  Mostly, I have been thinking that they are a bit pricey and I would like to make a set instead of spending a lot on one.

The darling one below was found at Bits of Vintage.

In the past, The Dollar Tree sold wooden shadow boxes that would be just perfect for this project. Unfortunately, they don't seem to be carrying them (now that I want one...)  

But there is always a way.  In this case, that way was to buy these wooden snowflakes in the holiday crafts department at Hobby Lobby.

The wooden box that they came in was perfect for this project.

The box sells for 4.99 but with 40% off, came to 2.99.  Now I just have to find something to do with the cute little wooden snowflakes.

Here's the label on the back of the package.

These 1 1/2 inch wooden cubes fit nicely in the box.  They come six to a package for $3.99.

Again, with a 40 percent coupon or the right sale, they cost around $2.40. Since nine blocks are required, I purchased two packages.  This project would be more cost efficient if you made two sets. Then, three packages would yield 18 cubes, or two sets of nine.

I found these Adhesive Stencils irresistible.  They were just the right size and worked really well.  I blew another three bucks on these, but I plan to use them many times.

I painted the cubes and the holder with white chalk paint that I had on hand. Once they dried, I used Greek Blue ASCP for the letters.  The important part was to put one X and one O on each block.

Then I went to town with the sandpaper.  I wanted the blocks to look worn and used, so I really attacked the edges and corners.

This simple project would be perfect to work on with kids.  They could be involved in making a gift for a grandparent. So.... I spent around three dollars for the frame, 4.80 for 12 wooden cubes, and three dollars for the stencils.  The paint and sandpaper were already on hand.   The total spent on this project was $10.80. Be sure to visit the rest of today's amazing Ten on the 10th links!

Exquisitely Unremarkable The Purple Hydrangea Patina and Paint White Spray Paint Blue Sky at Home Poofing the Pillows

Joining these parties: Inspire Me Tuesday The Scoop Amaze Me Monday Met Monday Make it Pretty Monday Wow Us Wednesday Feathered Nest Friday Foodie Friday Grace at Home

Fall Sweet Fall

Welcome to the third day of the Fall in Love with Texas Blog Tour.

The first two days have been wonderfully inspiring.  Be sure to check out any stops that you have missed!

Day 1

Poofing the Pillows

Botanic Bleu

Decor To Adore

The Aspiring Home
Kitty's Kozy Kitchen 

Day 2 

Let's Add Sprinkles

Just Plain Jilly

County Road 407
The Dedicated House
Estelles

Around here, early fall is more of a state of mind than a guarantee of cool weather or colorful trees.  While waiting for nature to kick in with a serious cold front, I enjoy creating an autumn atmosphere in and around our home. 

  Come on in. Let's start in the dining room.

This round mirrored tray was purchased at a silent auction a few months ago. Honestly, I didn't expect to win it.  I thought it was too formal for our home. Happily, I was wrong.  It has been fun to style different things in it.  For a fall look, it is filled with a faux pumpkin and wired garland found in Canton.

The mantel in the family room is one of my favorite spots to change out for the seasons.  The cotton wreath is from Kirkland's.  I was afraid it would disappear if I hung it on one of the windows.  The wood pallet piece offered some contrast and solved my dilema.

This chalkboard usually says HOME sweet HOME and hangs by the back door. It got a little edit and a chance to sit on the mantel for a bit. Chalk is so adaptable.  You have to love it.

Ten little pumpkins, anyone?

I shared some more areas of our home during last year's fall tour.  Last week I faked fall on our patio.

Wait, was that a squirrel?

Back to this year's tour...

Outside, my flower market sign found a home among a variety of autumn blooms.  Months ago I made this at a gathering of blogging friends.  I promised to share this sign in a future post.  Who knew it would take this long... but here it is.

These flowers are happy under the shade of the porte cochere over our back door.  It's easy to remember to water them daily, since I see them every time I come or go.

Speaking of coming and going,

this garden center is walking distance from our home.  So tempting.

"Honey... I'm running to the store for some milk and a couple of things...."

"I'll be right back."

As a matter of fact, two of these three colored mums came home with me this morning.

They are in the pots outside the front door.  I'm so looking forward to seeing them open!

Have a wonderful fall day and be sure to visit all the beautiful blogs on the tour!

My Thrift Store Addiction

Bluesky At Home

Our Home Away From Home

Ash Tree Cottage

Hyacinths for the Soul