Fall Potting Bench

Yesterday, I was out in the gorgeous fall air playing on my potting bench. Potting benches and autumn go together for me like ice cream and hot fudge. There's nothing better than a pumpkin or two sitting on a potting bench waiting to be carved into jack-o-lanterns for Halloween, or a basketful of just-picked juicy apples ready for making caramel apples.

My husband made this potting bench for me last year out of pallets, and it's been so handy having it close to our little vegetable garden on the side of our house.

I brushed off the dirt, made a few quick and easy decorations for a fun fall display, and added some things from the garden shed.

My felt leaf banner embroidered last year was inspired by the talented Lisa at Lil Fish Studios.

Turquoise mason jars are topped with one of my prized thrift store finds, a set of heavy zinc lids. The wood tray is also a 75¢ thrift store find that was one of my first chalk painted projects. The apple cider label was simply printed onto card stock and taped onto the side of the tray.

The leaves haven't quite turned their fall colors here in Boise yet, so I picked these pretty colored ones off some inexpensive craft store stems.

My apple sign was painted by hand onto a piece of scrap wood. It was adapted from a cute sign with printable template shared by Cristina at Remodelando la Casa. 

Remember my old faux painted milk can? It makes a perfect pumpkin perch. 

Fall mums fill an old wooden crate. 

My French Flower Pot is a galvanized bucket with a graphic from The Graphics Fairy transferred onto fabric. 

When I searched my stash yesterday, I couldn't find a large picture frame for a chalk board, but I did have an old painted artist canvas I didn't want anymore. I have to say, it made the easiest and quickest chalk board I've ever made. I literally just slapped two coats of chalkboard paint on the top and sides with an old brush, let it dry a few hours, and primed it with chalk. Works great!

   

It was so fun decorating my fall potting bench. Wouldn't it make a great spot for serving a buffet for an autumn party? I better get busy carving those pumpkins and dipping those apples into caramel!

Enjoy another great fall day!

Let's Party!

Rooted In Thyme
The Charm Of Home
From My Front Porch To Yours
Anderson & Grant
French Country Cottage
Craftberry Bush
My Repurposed Life
The Cottage Market
One More Time Events
Elizabeth & Co.
  The Inspiration Exchange

Fall Leaves Felt Bunting

  

Yesterday, I looked out my window and noticed the tall ornamental grass in the back yard is starting to ripen into plumes.

It's still summer hot here, but this is a lovely sign that autumn is just around the corner!

  Fall is by far my favorite season here in Boise. The name Boise comes from the French word for woods. When French trappers first traveled through the desert and saw the green trees along the river, legend has it that they shouted, "Les bois, les bois!" The woods, the woods! 

Any day now, les bois will begin a spectacular show of fall leaves like these from last year.  

 These saturated fall colors and soft fuzzy warm felt go together like peas in a pod, don't you think? Last year I came across this photo on Pinterest of fall leaves made from felt.

Lil Fish Studios

I tracked the source down to Lisa of Lil Fish Studios who made these leaves for coasters out of handmade felted wool from sweaters and coats. Lisa also makes and sells adorable handmade felted acorns in her Lil Fish Studios Shop. When you visit Lisa's blog, be sure to also click on her Flickr tab to see her gorgeous photography. What a treat!

I was inspired by Lisa's leaves to buy some felt squares at the craft store and spend a few fall evenings in front of the TV last year embroidering this simple fall bunting. I sewed the top edges to some twine and hung the leaves from my hutch. I love the way the bright autumn colors stand out against the black hutch. 

Pinterest

If you're starting to feel like fall, too, hop on over to my Fall and Thanksgiving Pinterest Board for tons more autumnal pinspiration.

Thanks for coming, and have a great day!

I'm partying over at these great parties this week!

Rooted in Thyme
Common Ground
My Repurposed Life  
The Charm of Home
Craftberry Bush