Studded Pumpkin Towers

I like to make nailhead pumpkins because when they’re finished and I walk by,  I can greet them: “Hello, stud.”

This year, I had a request for more studded squash from a reader and came up with these towers — a fun and fast project.

You need pumpkins and nailheads. I like to use faux pumpkins for this because nailheads are expensive, and this way, your time and investment can live a long, happy life. In Arizona, you can find piles of nailheads at Fabric Depot on Cave Creek and Bell Road in Phoenix, one of my secret sources for all things fabric, upholstery and decor. This site also has a good selection. Also try Mesa Sales or Tempe Sales.

They even make rhinestoned nailheads these days.

Next, cut the stems off your faux pumpkins, and stack them up, using hot glue to secure. (In my family, we call this Hot Fear, because that what baby Rome used to call it, and when the stuff gets on you, there is cause for fear indeed. Ow.)

Start adding nailheads. I like to mix and match sizes and finishes. They go in really easily. This whole project took me 20 minutes.

Mine have a permanent home outside my front door — where they can greet guests and I don’t have to worry about them wilting in the heat.

P.S. Remember my other nailhead pumpkin, the original? See it and a pile of other nailhead pumpkin ideas here. (Monograms! Addresses!)

 

 

By |2012-10-25T05:21:58-07:00October 25th, 2012|DIY + Projects|3 Comments

Halloween Inspiration at Roger’s Gardens

This summer, my sisters and I sneaked behind some curtains and crept into the annual Halloween manor under construction at one of the most inspiring stores anywhere — Roger’s Gardens in Newport Beach/Corona del Mar, California.  It was worth getting kicked out over — and yes, we did.  “Blackstone Manor” is a crystal-studded, bone-laden, black-painted, scary-eyed tingle fest. Helpfully, I have a few photos and Roger’s Gardens has more. It is worth a plane ticket/gas money and many happy hours in the car with your sisters to go and experience the splendor.

Behold:

Now hunting for vintage dress forms to copy this genius idea above. And below — just — WOW.

A close- up from my day behind the curtain – still under construction:

Clearly, I STILL need more black paint.

This  photo gallery  will have me in antique stores for weeks, scouring those sad discarded photo bins for women in black dresses and buns.

Up close:

Pretties for sale:

 

For a party, I’d hire a spook to sit at this piano and stare at people, while pretending to play with his hands hovering above the keyboard (and music creeping out from elsewhere).

I know. You’re on Southwest.com pricing plane tickets right now. Helpfully, there’s a YouTube video to tide you over — it shows how it all came together, and there’s a walk-through at the end. Turn on your computer sound and fair warning: plane ticket panic will increase tenfold.

 

 

 

 

By |2012-09-20T08:05:29-07:00September 20th, 2012|Parties|3 Comments

Title

Go to Top