pumpkins Archives - Linda Nelson

GONE PUMPKIN PICKING!

September 24, 2016

I was hoping to go pumpkin picking in my own back yard this year, but between the squash borers and squirrels, I’ve had my share of competition. However, they were were kind enough to leave my crop of butternut squash alone.

So, what have you been making lately? While making my ropekin, I found that the paint stiffened the rope, and the look was to my liking. I used the same “technique” to make this little autumn rope wreath. I may end up making a big one; if I do, I will certainly share my creation with you!

©Linda Nelson 2016

Do you like my rustic little door? I would love to have a front door that looks just like this one, but it wouldn’t work with the style of my home, and would require quite a bit of reconstructive surgery to make it work. Anyway, I made this one from a deconstructed dresser drawer, and it will have to suffice as my dream door.

©Linda Nelson 2016

Five little pumpkins sitting in a row…….

©Linda Nelson 2016

These canvas and driftwood pumpkins are awaiting their debut at an upcoming fall fair I will be participating in. I love their simplistic and raw look; I hope shoppers will too!

©Linda Nelson 2016

By the way, happy fall! I hope your weather is just as gorgeous as my weather.

Now, go get creative.

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HERMINE…..HISMINE…….YOURMINE……

September 4, 2016

…….this tropical storm is Ourmine if you live on the east coast, and it’s steadily making it’s way to the south eastern region of NY. Some of my family members were planning to visit this weekend. Clamming, swimming and BBQing were on the itinerary; however, we elected to cancel this annual affair. Instead, I spent the afternoon lightly preparing for expected 35mph winds, dragging some things into the garage, flower staking and yard work, and harvesting a bunch of tomatoes. A quick trip to the grocery store and gas station rounded out the day.

I hope this leggy gal is ready for Hermine. She’s been hanging out in suspension in between my basil plants for a few weeks. She started out as a tiny little waif, but not so anymore.

©Linda Nelson 2016

I did a double take when I spotted this pumpkin. Sadly, I lost all of my green zucchini plants and first crop of pumpkin plants to squash borers. The second crop of pumpkins took off successfully, and, so far, I’ve been rewarded with this one little guy. Of course, the squirrels would have to mar it with their menacing nibbles. I hope my caging effort will protect it while it matures.

©Linda Nelson 2016

A few of my Pattypan squash vines managed to survive the borer infestation. Boy, I think I they’re tastier (the Pattypan, not the borer) than green zucchini. They have a slightly nutty flavor and maintain a nice texture when cooked.

©Linda Nelson 2016

Isn’t this front porch simply charming? It belongs to one of my clients, and I just think it’s the epitome of the perfect little porch.

©Linda Nelson 2016

In addition to their flower pots, I planted up a vegetable border for them – tomatoes, peppers, string beans and cucumbers. Newly installed this season were some blueberry bushes, a perfect accompaniment to their existing raspberry patch. There’s no need for me to bring lunch when I’m scheduled to work here 🙂

©Linda Nelson 2016

To you folks who are also awaiting Hermine, stay safe. I’m going to hunker down and get creative!

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HARVESTS FROM THE CRAFTY PUMPKIN PATCH

October 19, 2015

I didn’t grow pumpkins in my garden this year, but that doesn’t mean I was without harvest. No, I grew mine in a crafty sort of way, and my bounty was quite the menagerie.

I grew a distressed leather pumpkin……….

©Linda Nelson 2015

an ultra-suede one………..

©Linda Nelson 2015

a chenille one, and some velvet ones, too.

©Linda Nelson 2015

And, for my friend, I grew some furry, glitzy and glamorous ones.

©Linda Nelson 2015

Not too shabby a harvest, wouldn’t you say? They were very fun to grow. I love all the pumpkins you crafty folks have been growing, too. There are so many fabulous posts out there. Very, very pretty!

The pickings are slim with regard to harvesting the remainder of my summer flowers, but I managed to throw together this little arrangement; I’ll enjoy it for as long as I can.

©Linda Nelson 2015

My garden tchotchkes have all been stored away, save for a few things here and there. I always keep this little bistro set out; it looks so pretty surrounded by snow, especially when the birds come to feed.

Happy harvesting!

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THE NESTING INSTINCT

October 6, 2015

I don’t know about you, but when we get bouts of consecutive rainy days I go right into craft, clean and purge mode. Nope, one does not need to be an expectant mother to take on the nesting instinct. In addition to hormones, rainy days and the change of seasons can trigger it, too. I’ll bet that many of you can identify. Anyway, after some tidying, laundering, scrubbing and tossing, I broke out my crafting paraphernalia.

To start, I whipped up two decorative pumpkins, one from a remnant piece of plush velour, the other from a zebra print upholstery fabric sample. These diva-worthy pumpkins are for my friend; she loves glitz and glamour. I think she’ll love these, too.

I also began production of select items I designed, which will be offered for sale at our town’s local(and fabulous!) garden center come November. If you happen to live near the east end of Long Island, NY, or will be visiting the area this coming holiday season, be sure to visit Lynch’s Garden Center.

Aren’t these mushrooms darling? They’re perfect for fairy garden aficionados or anyone who appreciates the cross-pollination of the natural with the surreal.

Yes, I will be making my painted pine cones, too. And, lots of them!

They’ll be available in ornament form………..

as well as clutched in little, one-of-a-kind handmade nests. Did you know that finding a bird’s nest in a selected Christmas tree was once symbolic of luck and good fortune? This traditional belief is said to have originated in Iceland or Germany. However, I don’t think one needs to be a traditionalist, nor from one of these countries, to appreciate such a “lucky” find, or to simply see the beauty of a perfectly nestled nest amongst tinsel, garland and baubles.

There you have it.

I’ve been creative.

What about you?

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