I'm Out of Doors, You Know

I think I've established in recent posts that Fall is my favorite season. I don't fare well in the sun, or in the humidity we have here in the Washington, D.C. region. So when things start to cool off, and everyone else starts to think about nesting inside, I start to think about how I can finally go outside and enjoy the crisp, cool weather. I can wear jeans and a long sleeve tshirt and be comfortable - hooray! Several years ago I noticed these pictures in a real estate listing. We were not in the market for a home, since we had just bought, but I saved the landscaping pictures from this listing because they were so inspiring to me. Our property is not as wooded as these pictures, but this back yard is nearly perfect: wooded, hardscaped, and useable.

Now that I am motivated to go back outside and enjoy the autumn air, I went looking for Etsy items that let me enjoy the season to its fullest.

We need a new picnic table on our deck, as our current table is rotting. This picnic table with backed benches by jeffreypohan would make an excellent replacement.

How fun would Shugi's autumn-colored table cloth be on the table, welcoming guests to celebrate Fall?

Knives, forks, spoons, and napkins can come outside in this vintage metal wire basket by ayme123.

I want adirondack chairs like these from JSCar59 on the other side of the deck, looking out over our vast suburband lands...

Grainsack pillows resting on the adirondack chairs would make a cozy touch. These are made by lesliejanson.

When the weather is still warm, I will sip iced tea as a survey my lands, poured from buygollymissmolly's vintage metal water pitcher.

And as it cools, I will cradle GlazedOver's textured pumpkin mugs in my hands, breathing in the steam from hot apple cider.

This vintage metal wheel furniture cart from silknparachute would make a great footrest/coffee table/drink cooler cart.

I will need some planters for the deck, like this fantastic mosaic pot by annamadeitdesigns.

This deck rail planter would be a perfect addition. Find it at natureinspiredcrafts.

How about a fresh bouquet in a minnow bucket from polkadotHOME as the centerpiece on the picnic table?

I will need to restock the bird feeders, and might as well add another one to keep the birds coming back through the winter months. Gypsypottery makes these rustic ceramic birdfeeders.

We cannot forget lighting for the evenings outdoors. I love these lanterns by MidwestFinds. Babyfood jars make these the sweetest little lanterns I've ever seen, courtesy of ARemarkYouMade.

I would hang Lepelstat's Orion's Lantern from the low branches of the large tree in our backyard.

And since we're under the tree now, how about another picnic table from TheMonkeysFriend?

This Asian garden lantern by LagunaGardenworks would be a shot of understated eclectic flair among plantings in the yard.

Let's put the birds up in better accommodations than we enjoy - HarmonsCountryCrafts offers this magnificent birdhouse/nesting box.

We can't forget to take care of the local bats, either. They eat mosquitos and other bugs that put a damper on outdoor festivities. Check out this bat house by Debmarques.

I would also like to extend some hospitality to our pollinators with this bee nest block by andrewsreclaimed. I would love it if you would share your favorite outdoor autumn activities or decor. Inspire me!

Ode to Maple

Japanese maples photographic print by karolsvintageart. Maple leaf treehugger mug by onewintrynight. Maple hollow form vessel by thewoodenryno. Handpainted and woodburned gourd bowl by natskreations.

Japanese maple art quilt by TerryAskeArtQuilts.

Stained glass red maple leaf by theglassmenagerie.

Natural edge maple bowl by WoodAndGlass.

Sterling silver maple seed necklace by twigsandheather.

Maple tree fine art photograph by OlgaStudio.

Japanese maple box lantern by Geewillowkers.

Copper dipped maple leaf pendant by EnchantedLeaves.

Treat of the Day

Conducting Business

My marble coasters were on the front page this morning, as were my violin and grandfather's conductor's baton. Thanks to stylinstuff who compiled the group of items. In other news, I sold my brain today.

Long-Anticipated Autumn

Autumn is by far my favorite season. I love cooler weather. I love being able to wear jeans, boots, and a sweater. I love being able to carry a season-appropriate leather bag. I love the smell of wet leaves in the woods. I love curling up with a good book, a warm mug and a soft throw blanket. I love the spectacular colors of the leaves. I've collected some items from Etsy sellers to whet your appetite for Fall.

Vintage brown lace up granny boots by TXvintagebootsshoes.

1970s knee high boots at mellowdays.

Chunky heel boots by GoodEye.

Vintage brown lace up boots by kissesfromana.

Leather handbag with fox by moxieandoliver.

Laptop messenger bag by moxieandoliver.

Matte brown leather bag by zerkahloostrah.

Buckle strap bag by quejimenez.

Red Olivia bag by neikodesigns.

Chunky sweater by moocowhandknits.

Lucia sweater by designbynihan.

Boyfriend's sweater by designbynihan.

Bulut sweater by designbynihan.

Mug by Adornyourself.

Woodfired mug by khphillips.

Lidded mug by brookhousepottery.

Porcelain mug by DiTerra.

Howling wolf mug by claydogstudio.

Three soup bowls by LaPellaPottery.

Autumn soup tureen by splitfirepottery.

Cushion cover by handknittedthings.

Cable knit sweater pillow by napoleonquilts.

Bird pillow cover by Nuka.

Vintage European linen and cotton pillow cover by InStitchesDesigns.

Vintage Hungarian grain sack pillow cover by helkatdesign.

Wool throw by LinenMe.

Heathered red alpaca throw by gem43.

Fall Flames

While I was off gathering inspiration and questing for treasures at the local craft fair with my mom today, New Dominion Blues was burning up the web. My damask pattern Copper Leaf Slate Coasters made it to the Etsy front page this morning. I must say I admire all of the items I am grouped with; Etsy staff does a great job with picking items for these front page compositions. (Sometimes the front page assortments are done by Etsy users, other times they are pulled together by Etsy staff. It seems that I am picked more often by the staff.)

My Copper Leaf Tile Backsplash was also featured at the Home Workshop blog. I really admire the blog and encourage you to check it out. Lots of inspiration! I'll be checking back in regularly to see what else they post.

Meanwhile, I sold the medium backsplash and the ball and claw bitters bottles today. New Dominion Blues was on fire today! I'll be burning the candle at both ends late tonight and tomorrow to replenish the shop.

Slate Publicity

A set of my slate trivets made it to the front page of Etsy this morning. They promptly sold! The extra publicity also put me over 500 hearts.

It's a great collection of autumn-y goodness, isn't it? My new copper leaf tile backsplash was also selected as an alternate for the front page this morning.