It’s still a little over a month before Autumn officially arrives, but we took our middle son back to his college over the weekend, and that means that summer is basically over for my family and we’ll get back to our usual schedules and work now. I’m sad summer is coming to an end, but I do love autumn.
It’s a season so rich with wonderful smells, beautiful sights and yummy things to eat.
When you think of autumn, what images immediately pop into your head?
When I was a kid, we would host a bonfire and cookout at our house. My aunts, uncles and cousins would all arrive, bringing side dishes to share. We would roast hot dogs around the fire, and we all wore our warm flannel shirts.
When my kids were young and we lived in New Mexico, our homeschool group would have a hayrack ride. We’d drive through the beautiful little village that we lived in that sat right at the edge of the Rio Grand River. It was a beautiful evening ride that would end with hot chocolate and s’mores around a fire.
Living in Illinois again, autumn means harvest time, when we share the road with lots of farmers on tractors, driving back and forth from their fields, harvesting in their crops.
I think of colorful leaves, pumpkins, fresh apple cider, warm quilts and going to Harvest Festivals. There are just so many things to love about autumn.
I created a stencil with words that represent some of my favorite things about autumn.
I used the new stencil to create a framed sign with coat hooks. While we were out of town, I stopped at a thrift store, specifically looking for a flannel shirt, but the only one I found was a child’s size, but I loved the colors, so I bought it anyway. I’ll probably repurpose it into something else later, but it was perfect to hang on the hooks.
To make the sign, I started with a salvaged piece of pine board.
I painted it antique white, then used a variety of colors to paint the words on the stencil.
I added bronze coat hooks on each side of the frame to hang coats, scarves, etc. on.
My husband put the frame together the same as he did for my farmhouse cabinet. I love making signs that serve a dual purpose, like coat racks, and I really love how it turned out.
I love your site! Wish I didn’t have to wade through so much commercialism to see your creativity. Thanks for sharing your gift with us.
My apologies if the ads bother you, Martha. Unfortunately, they are a necessary evil and are my source of income, since I blog full-time. I hope you understand and can overlook them and enjoy my work. 🙂 Thanks!
angie
cute sign! I have very fond memories of those rural hayrides from my own childhood and then my children’s too. personally, I don’t mind the ads at all and don’t see them as a distraction….
Cute!
We used to have a Hay ride…but is was haunted and nearer to Halloween…everyone out here on the prairie where we live would come, dress up and participate in the activities. Sadly, no bon fires…most years, it’s too dry and they have a burn ban. But it would be fun!
I don’t live in the country but sometimes i wish i did. I love your sign and i am ready for fall. Have a great day Angie.
Awwww, this is soooooooo pretty…I love all of the colours you’ve chosen for the words and love the stain of the wood, too! I am a big fan of fall…the temps suit me perfectly and I love that crisp, cool air! I don’t have many exciting childhood memories of fall other than going back to school (which I actually liked…yes, I was a crazy kid!) and Halloween. But autumn makes for the best walking weather and you can go back to wearing cozy sweaters, too! 🙂
I hate to see summer end, too, Angie, but I do like fall a lot because the hot, humid weather we have here in Michigan finally becomes cooler, less stifling. The only down-side is that winter is not far behind and I really don’t like cold weather and the darkness. I have always tho’t that I would like to be like a bear and sleep all winter somewhere warm and cozy. I sure would hate to wake up in the spring with new babies, tho’!!
Anyway, I try to appreciate each day for itself no matter the weather. I’m not always 100% successful, but I do believe focussing on the present and its possibilities makes life richer. I like your stencil sign and scarf/hat/purse or whatever hanger. You are a clever lady. I enjoy your blog a lot and always wonder “what will Angie be up to today?” It’s amazing the number of ideas you have!