I enjoy creating holiday specific tablescapes when hosting celebratory meals.  However, I don’t elaborate on “decorating” for holidays, Christmas being the exception.  My home’s decor consists of an era-mixed acquisition of items and furnishings, drizzled with subtle hints of the season at hand.  I rarely purchase accessories from home decor stores, preferring to work with hand-me-downs from family members and curious finds from thrift shops and yard sales.

Where is this topic leading to?  The pumpkins.  Yes, all those pumpkin tutorials and pictures I posted in the past month.  You didn’t think I was making them just for your viewing pleasure, did you?

©Linda Nelson 2014

Now, I must apologize in advance for the less than ideal light source in the photos, as my living room faces west.  It’s shadowy in the morning, garishly bright in the afternoon, and I don’t bother using photography studio paraphernalia.

Anyway, I just thought I’d let you see where my patch of crafty pumpkins ended up.

©Linda Nelson 2014

First of all, I love books, especially coffee table picture books.  I will never want an electronic book.  Ever.  But, see how these pumpkins are casually sitting on the book?  Like they snuck into the room and just nonchalantly placed themselves there.  That’s my style.

©Linda Nelson 2014

That mason jar?  It has a stash of “readers” in it.  Decorative AND practical.  And well, what do you know?  Another little pumpkin snuck into the room.

©Linda Nelson 2014

Above are my industrial pumpkins.  They’re keeping the okra seed pod company.

©Linda Nelson 2014

The nest of pine cones was a nest of seashells throughout the summer, and during the spring, a nest of little blue eggs.  I love these pumpkins because they don’t scream Halloween or Thanksgiving.   They could sit there all year long and fit right in.  That’s the way I like it.

©Linda Nelson 2014

See the dental mold mixer in the right-hand side of this photo?  That’s my halloween decoration.  Because going to the dentist is scary, right?  And the railroad spike makes for the perfect weapon in a horror flick.  By the way, I pressed those Dusty Miller leaves almost one year ago.  They maintain a slightly brittle, yet leathery sort of existence.  Give pressing some a try, as they make great natural embellishments for crafty things.  They’re not very scary, though.

©Linda Nelson 2014

I made this scrap linen and feather pumpkin for a friend who owns a little beachy boutique.   I think it will look adorable perched at her register counter.  I hope she likes it.  Until then, it will sit amongst some of the others I’ve made.

©Linda Nelson 2014

I hope you enjoyed viewing my handmade pumpkin patch as much as I’ve enjoyed viewing all of the wonderful pumpkins created by so many talented people from all over the map.