Pumpkin Painting 101

If you're tired of your jack-o-lanterns shriveling too soon after Halloween, try pumpking painting insead. If your artistic talents include Pictionary-esque stick figures at best, here's a great way to cheat...

1) Print out a picture of the image you want to paint. TIP: Look for downloadable "coloring pages" on kids websites like SesameStreet.org.

2) Color the BACK of the entire image with a pencil, crosshatching (scribble left to right, then up to down) until you have no whitespace remaining on the back of the image.

3) Carefully tape the image to the pumpkin and use a pencil to trace the image. (Since you covered the back of the picture with pencil, the pressure from your tracing will "transfer" the image onto the pumpkin.)

4) Remove the paper and paint your image using acryllic craft paints. TIP: You only need to buy red, yellow and blue (to mix your colors from) and black and white (for darkening and lightening colors). Paint the lightest colors first and the darkest colors last. A small square of foil makes the perfect disposable palate for mixing your colors. Finish by using a tiny brush to outline your image with black paint.

5) Once your paint is dry (it doesn't take long) spray your image with a clear coat protectant, available at any craft store in the spraypaint section. I prefer a matte finish, but you can use glossy too. TIP: Make sure you follow the directions on the can EXACTLY. This is NOT the place to cut corners! If you cheat here, the clear coat can get funky and peel off in spots, and it will peel the paint off your pumpkin with it!

6) Once your clear coat is dry and cured (usually overnight), proudly display your pumpkins outside. A word of caution: these make great gifts, especially for kids, but don't be surprised if you get special "orders" in the coming years!

Create a Shabby Chic Table for Entertaining

For your next "girls night," make your table look like a million bucks on the cheap. Start by covering your table with a great printed shower curtain (fabric NOT vinyl). Target has some amazing ones in their Home and Shabby Chic collections. This will get you away from the inevitably crappy selection of fruity table coverings typically found in the tablecloth section.

Next, purchase mismatched plates and bowls from your local thrift store. (I prefer florals or anything with metallic detailing.) Collect a variety of sizes (dinner, dessert, etc.) and look for plates with a decorative rim so the design will be visible when you stack the place settings.

Next, wrap your silverware in crisp white cloth napkins. Fashion your own napkin rings using a bit of grossgrain ribbon and a vintage brooch (also available for $1 and up at your favorite thrift store).

For your centerpiece, fresh flowers are a must! Get a pretty thriftstore teacup for a vase, and buy some carnations (I love the cream-colored confetti carnations with the pink edging). Cut the stems short so a big pouf of flowers is just above the teacup's rim. Stack your mismatched dessert plates in the center of the table beneath your teacup of flowers. Voila - a perfectly pretty table!

TIP: Start shopping for your dishes well in advance, because it will take awhile to get a nice collection going. Don't be tempted to settle for so-so patterns because you're in a hurry! The effect will be much nicer and more personal if you only buy the pieces that you truly love.

Keep in mind that saucers can work as dessert plates too. Nobody will care about the divot in their dish when there's a giant slab of chocolate cake on top of it!

Bedazzle it!

80s fans rejoice! For an easy update, try bedazzling a simple mirror with black gems. Gluing these on is very tedious, but the end result is tres chic!

Add impact with an art wall...

This was a great solution for displaying the mish-mosh of artwork I had stored in my basement. I chose black & white and color photographs, original artwork by yours truly, and added a painted letter "P" for dimension. The frames are a mixture of black, silver and dark wood tones.


Tip: Don't be shy about putting it all out there! Eclectic is in, and a good layout will make mismatched pieces work in harmony. Trace each piece onto some posterboard and move your "templates" around on the wall until you find a layout that's appealing to you.


And ignore your husband's cries about putting a million holes in the wall; when your friends start gushing about your gutsy decor, he'll forget all about the holes!

Recycled furniture - chic on the cheap II

Here's an old bedroom dresser that I repurposed as a dining room buffet. The original piece cost $35 at Goodwill. I painted it, changed the hardware and had a custom glass top added. I added the monogram letter "P" in the center to cover up a really ugly engraved heart design.

The drawers hold all of my nice dishes and serving pieces, and when I entertain I can put all of my appetizers and drinks out on top of the "buffet."

And yes - the plates on the wall were also collected from Goodwill for about $1 each.

Recycled furniture - chic on the cheap!

Transform a Goodwill bargain into a one-of-a-kind conversation piece! It's amazing what a little paint and creativity can do; this entire piece cost just $43.

Tip: When bargain-hunting, look for details in the wood that will stand out when painted. Here, I was seduced by the pyramid-stud shapes across the bottom and down the sides. I added ornamental mouldings to the doors for a more expensive look.

A primer for glossy surfaces will save you from sanding; have it tinted if you're painting in a dark color like black.