Cowboy Boot Decor

Before buying a pair of boots I always examine the design of boot top. I love tops that are brightly colored and have a one of kind designs. You can see my latest pair here, I am so glad I made this purchase last summer. Why does it matter what the top of the boot looks like, it's not like anyone sees this part? I guess it's just reassurance they look good just in case anyone would happen to see them. Kinda like not being able to leave the house unless you're wearing match bra and undies:)
At the National Western Stock Show I found out why it is important to buy boots only with good-lookin' tops. When your boots have been seen better days and resoling is no longer an option, cut off the tops and turn them into a mirror frame. 

Also a little peak of the vintage boots I was wearing.

Maybe you have kids that growing likes weeds and you can't stand to part with giving away their first real pair of cowboy boots. This would be a great way to display them. I've also heard of people planting flowers in their old boots. What uses have you found for worn out boots?

N.Starr

Pumpkins, paper and mod podge

What do these things have in common?

My life. For the month of October anyway. We all have hobbies. Mine consist of cattle, shopping, wine, spending time with family and friends and pumpkin decorating. Yes, there's nothing saying hobbies have to all jive together. Last year I got into decoupaging pumpkins, it was such a hit that I decided to go for year two. If you passed this on 41S every Sunday during the month of October, why didn't you wave? It was me, heading back to the city with a load full of pumpkins.

The pumpkins are so much cheaper back in my hometown. Can you believe people pay over $8 for a big ole' pumpkin?
And yes, someday I will trade in my new car for a turquoise truck. Now this rig has a lot of miles under it's belt and can tell stories I'm sure.

 

What does a crazy lady who works in an office all day do with a truck load of pumpkins? Switching gears from working at a laptop to tuning up my sponge brushes I'd get the pumpkin factory (operating only on the night shift) to work. At times the mod podge fumes would get quite intense, however maybe that kept my creative side energize, so I guess it was all worth it.  

Last year's instagram post: Excited by selling two pumpkins and wanting to shipping around the country. This year I actually had people asking for them faster than I could crank out.

 

The pumpkins didn't ship across the country, however one was sold to a friend in Illinois. I'll consider that a big win!



 And because this is one of my favorites I couldn't leave it out. I just had to share the purple, my favorite color for fall.

 



On this Halloween eve, I'm happy to announce that I made it through season two. They're aren't any pumpkins left in my apartment, the sponge brushes have been put away, and most importantly I don't have mod podge stuck in my hair or underneath my fingernails! Relaxing and celebrating pumpkins season 2012 with a glass of Merlot. Here's the breakdown:

Graph generator doesn't lie. Fifteen pumpkins went out the door glazed in mod podge and graced with a print requested by my fine customers! Thank you to all my coworkers, family and friends who purchased a pumpkin. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoy making them (and spending my evenings sniffing mod podge)!

Happy Halloween (Can you believe this is my least favorite holiday? Shocking, but true!)

N.Starr

Birthday Wish #4--> A house that's MINE

For the Home I Don't Own.


If you follow me on Pinterest you may have see my board titled "For the Home I Don't Own". Still being somewhat young and renting, at times I haven't moved out of that college transitional housing mode. Ya know? Someday I hope to have a big farm house and can decorate it, for now Pinterest will have to do. However I am having fun getting some ideas, and hey a girl can always dream...

Unfortunately I'm having troubles inserting the pictures of my dream house... Please check out my board to see today's birthday wish! One item i repinned from my friend, Holli Hatmaker, she has a great blog called From Paris with Love.

I think my Vera Bradley bags would fit in nicely:)

You can follow me on Pinterest by searching for nstarr.
N.Starr

How to JAZZ up a pumpkin

Decoupage pumpkins

First I have to give credit where credit is to. While at a gas station during a road trip my mom and I had about a month ago, we eyed the decorative pumpkins on the cover of the September issue of the Country Living magazine. We HAD to know how they did it! I had never even heard of decoupaging, but over the past couple weeks I've become quite the pro. My little Brookfield, WI pumpkin factory has been just a cranking these pumpkins out to get ready for the Shawano Farmers Market last weekend. With Halloween only a couple weeks out I wanted to share with you the decoupage technique.

Buy yourself a small/medium or pie sized naked pumpkin.

The bigger the pumpkin the longer it takes.
Small pumpkins are more decorative anyway!

Print out 4-5 color copies of your favorite pattern (make color copies of fabric or find your print online). This is my new favorite pattern. And cut into 1 inch stripes like this:

A straight edge paper cutter comes in real
handy during this step

Apply mod podge with a sponge brush to the back side of the strips (one at a time) and vertically place onto pumpkin. Rub the center of the strip and work your way to the edges to avoid wrinkles (we hate wrinkles!) Keep placing the strips onto the pumpkin an inch an a half apart and then go back and fill in the empty space. This tactic works best since you're dealing with a round pumpkin. It may not make the most sense but trust me on this one!

Pour the mod podge into a bowl for ease

Once completed apply a thin layer of mod podge to the entire pumpkin to completely seal the paper to the pumpkin.

And ta-da! A completed pumpkin that looks like this! This pumpkin will be going on my desk at work, but these would also make great center pieces for Thanksgiving.

With a little raffia this will be a great fall desk decor.

For more design styles check out the far right tab, Domestic Side.

N.Starr

Friday Flare: Short Scarf

Knitting

I'm sure you think I'm falling off the deep end with all this domestic-ness! But week-life here in Brookfield is quite simple, I have lots of time on my hands without sale/show cattle to work on, cows to check, lawn to mow, etc (#CountryLife). So I've been occupying my time with fall decor (Pumpkins, Handmade soap) and now knitting!
My GREAT Aunt Jo is a knitting machine and has been my teacher. So glad to be learning from a pro. The scarf started in early September and on Wednesday I finished it up while she was visiting her daughter, Karen. TA-DA finished product see below.... This will be added to Domestic Side tab. We'll see how fast I can whip these things out and maybe it'll be my next item available for sale.


Wrap around your neck, ruffles on the edge. Cute accessory for fall/winter.

 A short scarf to keep your little neck warm, held together with a smashing button. How cute:) These "short scarves" need a name. Any suggestions?

Happy Friday!
N.Starr

7 things you didn't know about pumpkins

Celebrate Fall

By now it's pretty apparent how much I do like fall (even though I love hot summer days!). I will admit there's so many fun decorating ideas you can do in the harvest season. Be sure to check out my blog tab and recent post for details on the fall items I've made and are available at The Flower Pot (Manawa, W) and The Lily Pad (New London, WI). My fall items will also be featured in Crosscut Solutions booth this Saturday at the Shawano Farm Market.

Now on to something interesting.. I came across this in my state of pumpkin design brainstorming and thought it was appropriate to share.

7 things you didn't know about pumpkins....

1. Pumpkin pie wasn't always sweet. During the colonial period, it was "normal" to fill pumpkin with milk, spices and honey.
2. Pumpkin used to be a medicine. Got a snake bit or freckle? Pumpkin will clear that right up!
3. Jack-o-Lanterns weren't always pumpkins. Turnips, potatoes or beets were originally carved.
4. Pumpkins come in over 50 varieties (I guess the cattle term here would be breeds)
5. The largest jack-o-lantern weighed more than a horse. A New Yorker (2010) carved a 1,800 pound pumpkin.
6. Pumpkins are grown all over the world.
7. They're mostly water. 90% water to be exact.

Happy Fall! What are you doing to celebrate the fall colors?
N.Starr

Friday Flare: My Domestic Side

An Additional Tab

Happy Friday! I don't know what the weather is like where you are, but in Wisconsin it's windier and ranier then ever! Definetly feels like October... Speaking of October, earlier this week I talked about the Signs of Fall. To follow that I would like to introduce you to a new tab: Domestic Side. It's a page on my blog dedicated to showing off all my Becky-Homecky projects. Take a peak I know you want to! Items are for sale at The Flower Pot (Manawa, WI), The Lily Pad (New London) and by contacting me. Move that mouse to the upper right-hand corner and see what I've been crafting up this week. Continue to check the tab for updates and new items.

Here's a teaser....

Great fall decor....

20 Signs of Fall

Where did the summer go? All I know is that summer 2011 went down as one of my favorite summers. My family won the Junior National Hereford Expo with our cow/calf pair (Miley), we welcomed the next generation of the Starr Family and we all got to spend every weekend together in Manawa. A few months ago I did the 20 signs of spring, with the changing season I thought it's be appropriate to do a 20 signs of fall.
20 Signs of fall (in no particular order)

• Farmers are gearing up for their busy harvest season
• The corn is starting to dry down (turning brown)
• Attending a fall market is a great way to spend a Saturday morning
• Starbucks, et al., is selling pumpkin spice latte, mocha and coffee (yummy)
• It's the best time of year to make that homemade apple or pear dessert (will be making apple crisp)
• Packer gear is normal/acceptable attire for Sunday church. Go Pack!
• 80* days are becoming less frequent and the days are getting short (sad face)
• Pumpkin and mum sales are in full swing! I love fall decor, it's the best. I've actually been working on a few fall items.... stay tuned
•  The WI Beef Expo was this past weekend. A sign of the start of fall
• It's sale season! Our mailboxes are full of sale catalogs from breeders across the country having production sales.
• My family is getting our sale consignments ready for the MSU Fall Fest, held in November.
• I start wanting to end my days at the office with a little relaxation... aka a glass of wine!
• Fall grilling/bon fires are the best... it's fun to get all cozy warm and still be outside
• While summer is my favorite season, I always think the fall clothes in the stores are irresistible
• Calves are weaned and it's exciting to walk through the pastures looking for show heifer prospects
• We finally can enjoy the crops harvested (pumpkins are so fascinating to me) and squash tastes soo good with alittle brown sugar baked in.
• Get your lawn ready for winter.... lawn mowed and leaves raked
• Sunday football gatherings with friends and family. Love all the food!!
• It's time to get out that favorite chili recipe... In WI we put elbow noodles in our chili
• The leaves are turning beauteous shades of reds, organes and yellows. The trees in the woods almost look like Popsicles

What things do you look forward to seeing or doing in the fall? Agriculture is at it's prime, farmers are busy getting crops off the field. I enjoy spending every minute outside before it gets too cold.

N.Starr

Friday Find---> Seasonal Flare

Scraves

Around my birthday I touched on this a bit and it's becoming a new fad on mine!! These little scarves have completly taken my heart away!! According to Coach they are ponytail scraves. The clerk at the Johnson Creek Outlet mall showed me a fashionable way to tie these scarves onto the strap of your basic yet classical purse for a little "Seasonal Flare" as I like to call it. I plan on adding a few to my lonely 1 collection to suite my fancy for  mood I may be in:) Switchin' things up a bit never hurts! Generally these are about $38..... a fun little treat!

Check out the variety!

And if you need a little plaid in your life!

My ultimate fav! This Poppy collection is fun for summer:)

N.Starr

Wish-List Countdown Day 8

Day 8 is a bit Inpractical, but you'll have that every once in a while!

I love Hereford hide, and deep chocolate leather couches. And even better... couches that are as comfy as your favorite work jeans. Let me tell you these couches are E) All of the above!
Someday I hope to be able to have comfy couches with a touch of Hereford in my future dream house. Lucky for me I will just enjoy them at my parents house until I'm an official grown-up.

Make sure to check back tomorrow to see what day 7 brings!

N.Starr

There's a Cactus in my Boot

Is this not the coolest thing you have ever seen? I couldn't believe my very own eyes when I walked into The Flower Pot (a cute little shop in Manawa) with my mom in December. Since Christmas was around the corner I couldn't buy it, but I definitely dropped the hint while ooing and aauuing and saying how great it would look in my office space. At the time the pot was empty and I had no idea what I would put in it.

Santa (aka sister and brother-in-law, Lindsay & Brad), was good to me and it was wrapped underneath the Christmas tree. Giddy as a little girl on Christmas morning I was thrilled to receive a present off my list to Santa; however I still had no idea what I was going to do with it.

Finally in the dead of January it hit me: A Cactus! What a excellent way to play on the whole cowboy boot/southwestern look! While doing a little shopping in the Brookfield/Wauwatosa area I scoped out a plant store having a 20% sale, jackpot; While even talking the high school clerk into giving me FREE Spanish moss to cover up the orange cactus pot.

Tomorrow I will proudly carry in my cowboy boot into the office, can't wait to hear what everyone thinks of it.

Currently I'm head over heels in love with the western theme look and can't wait to have my own place to beautify. What theme do you have going in your apartment/home or office??