Friday, October 22

Inspiration Friday/ Haunted House

 Welcome to my little museum of natural science,
otherwise know as my Autumn house.
There are few things more beautiful to me than 'Stuff' that has past it's prime.
Nature always inspires me, living or dead.
It's the cycle of life, right? 
So for my Vintage Inspiration Friday post, I am showing you what inspires my Halloween decorating.
Vintage nature!
My mantle holds a couple of my Round Top treasures.
Like this gigantic sunflower head, I bought from Sweet Pea Gloria.
Remember I showed you this pretty lace panel?

For now it's living over my mantle.

It's so long!
Beautiful old naked books.

Pages from a German nature book.

Lots of little pumpkins.
See the brown cloth pumpkin? Well, it was the beginning of a whole new obsession.
I just had to make some of these for myself.
So the first step......

Gathering!
My poor family was mortified at the pumpkin patch last week. I asked the owner if I could pick up any orphan stems.  I looked like a true bag lady walking around digging on the ground for these babies.
Kevin kept saying, 'don't you have enough?'
Silly boy.

One down, 50 to go!
The leftovers make an interesting still life.
Meet the family pet ....not really!
Around this time of year we are most defiantly more
Addams Family than Partridge Family.

(It's eyes are not red, bad photography)
Last year at Marburger I bought this stuffed duck from Judy Hill.
I carried him around all day like a new born baby, scared to death he'd get bumped or damaged.
Of course my family thought I'd finally crossed the line into insanity with that purchase.
Due to controversy & molting he only comes out a couple of months each year.
 Anne asked me if my Halloween style included blow up monsters in the yard.
Whadda you think?
So there you go, a little tour through my house of horrors.
Now if I could just figure out why the kids have so many nightmares in October!

I have to show you my new love! 
I saw this amazing purse on a blog awhile back but passed on it when I saw the price. Most of my bags are either homemade or from Target. But when I saw her at Lonestar Antique Mall I could not resist!
Isn't she purdy?!
I just saw Tracey has featured this same bag today.
They are available in her French Larkspur blog-shop!
Make sure you go visit Debra at Common Ground for a look at more vintage inspiration!
Hope you have a great weekend. Lily & Daddy have an Indian Princess camping trip, so it's me & my boys!
~Lisa

44 comments:

Rhonda said...

Oh, this purse is perfect! Seems like I've seen one like it somewhere. The color is beautiful and that writing and the striped lining, to die for!

Sweet Magnolias Farm said...

I'm in love with the purse !!!!

And I love your quirky and fun halloween displays ..makes the holiday so much fun !!!

Blessings ..Sara

Anonymous said...

LOVE that vintage bird cage and the way you've decorated it for Halloween... very creative! LOVE that purse, too!
Have a great weekend!
~ Jo :)

Jodie (everything vintage) said...

Hey my little cooky friend who loves all things dead...
(that bird is really freaky)

I love all of your deco!
(except that bird)

That rat looks SO real!
(but that bird is creepy)

I bet someone is going to steal your cage out front...mark my words!
(but you don't have to worry about anyone stealing that bird)

I love your mantle...looks so pretty with that vintage curtain. I'm so happy you bought it!
(unlike that devil bird)

And that purse...yep...has your name all over it!
(what possessed you to buy that bird?)

Have fun with the boys this weekend!!! Kevin must be feeling better to take Lily camping!!!
(hope they don't come home with another bird)

Geez Lisa Marie...I'm really freaked out by that BIRD! That is indeed ONE thing I won't steal when I go to your house!!!!!!

trash talk said...

Nightmares only in October? Sure!
Debbie
P.S. Was Jodie giving you the bird?

The Feathered Nest said...

I LOVE IT ALL! You are so good at putting things together Lisa and the lace looks just like I imagined it would....and I love the tiny punkin!!! Now I have to make one...I love small things so much ~ the cage is gorgeous btw, and is oh-so-creepy with the crows!!! And if that purse ends up missing in a few weeks, you'll know why :) hugs and love, Dawn

Debra@CommonGround said...

I really identify with your Autumn Style! Love the pumpkins, birds, old books. really gorgeous! And the purse is just over the top fabulous!!
Thanks for a great post, Lisa! Always love that you link up to VIF!!
xo,
Debra

Karen Valentine said...

Yes, I agree... that purse is pretty FABULOUS!!! I love your Halloween decor too. I am on the lookout for some crows to add to mine. No luck yet.

xo,
Karen

Vicki said...

I love your naked books (that just doesn't sound right lol). Really, I love all this quirky Halloween stuff. The lace garland looks great! The rat is a little creepy. I love the crows in the birdcage though!

Tami said...

Love the mantle Lisa, so adorable as always! I've so missed reading your blog, it is great to be back reading and blogging again.

Love the purse I was just shopping her site this morning thinking the same thing as you...so cute!!

Have a beautiful weekend!!

Tami said...

Love the mantle Lisa, so adorable as always! I've so missed reading your blog, it is great to be back reading and blogging again.

Love the purse I was just shopping her site this morning thinking the same thing as you...so cute!!

Have a beautiful weekend!!

Dede Warren said...

Can you post info on the purse... like who sells it, and or what blog you saw it on?

Thanks!

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Hi Lisa,
Gosh it must be fun around your house!! I just love your Halloween decorations. Love that rat in the cage and those pumpkins are adorable. Only you would think to use real pumpkin cores!! LOL!

The purse is 2die4 and I can see why you had to have it!

hugs
Sissie

Diane said...

Love those punkins Lisa! 50 more to go and counting.....

Anne Lorys said...

For what it's worth, I think your spooky, dead stuff is much less offensive than big Halloween inflatables in your front yard. I have a friend that does that, and it looks like something from one of the Vacation movies. Remember those?

Naaaah, I think your Museum of Natural Science decor is actually pretty darn cool!

XO,
Anne

P.S. Thanks for your help with my secret project :-)

Unknown said...

WOW Lisa you go all out with Fall decor...such creativity...it looks fantastic!!!!!!!

That was really, really sweet of you to add my shop for where to buy the canvas purse...a big THANK YOU!!

Have a great weekend!

Hugs ~

:) T

Irma@CosasBellas said...

Hi Lisa! I am so excited! I can't believe I hadn't come across your site before, where have I been?
I absolutely LUV your blog, and by the number of followers you have I can see I'm not alone.
I am now your newest follower and will come visit ofter!!!

Blessings from Southern California!

Home and Heart said...

Oh so clever! I LOVE that bag too!!

Sue said...

Your decorating is fabulous and what a great idea using actual orphan pumpkin stems on your fabric pumpkins.

LOVE your new handbag!

Sue:)

Linda Kinnaird Jewelry said...

Lisa -- love all of your Halloween goodies, especially your mantle -- if you need more wasp nests (less the wasps!) - I've got two more for you!

Jodie (everything vintage) said...

Hmmmmm ....
Notice NO ONE above is talking about that BIRD!!!!
;)
just sayin'...

Sherrie said...

I love your Adams Family style approach to decorating. I think you might need the skull that I showed awhile back, it would definitely fit right in. It all looks amazing.

June said...

Unlike Jodie, I love the bird, but HATE the rat!!! You have such a knack with vignettes (of deceased things) my friend. I want to spend Halloween at your house Lisa! Oh first I need to ask...what kind of candy are you handing out? That will determine how long I stay.hehe
Oh I think daddy daughter camping trip is so sweet. I hope they have a good time, and you with your boys.
have a great weekend sweetie,
Hugs

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

Your decoration looks great, Lisa! I love that lace panel. Now you're surprised, right ;-)? I kind of doubt that the rat lives in your house. If it would the cage would be cream colored like the bird cage outside, lol. I don't mind looking at your duck. I'm just not sure that I would want to have one myself.
Have a great weekend making more pretty pumpkins :-)
Big HUGS to you, girl
Julia

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

Loooooove the new bag!!

Your decorations are wonderfully spooky! Much better than neon blow ups!!

Lori @ Katies Rose Cottage Designs said...

Awesome awesome Lisa !!
I love your fall decorations
and your new bag ~
I was thinking about heading
to Lone Star today so I am
even more tempted now :)

xoxo
Lori

Anonymous said...

LOLOLOLOL! Too funny! My friend the bag lady collecting dead stuff off the ground! But hey, I GET IT!! And the pumpkin you made looks terrific!! I had to laugh too at the rat in the cage. You could shake up some folks with a rodent phobia with that one if you carried it with you on Halloween when you go Trick or Treating in lieu of a bag. Just stuff the goodies into the cage!
Hugs!
Diane

Tina said...

LOVE those orghan steems Lisa - what a great idea. Love the purse too. and your displays are wonderful as always.
xo Tina

Anonymous said...

So great to read that you asked to take home orphan stems. You have inspired me!

time worn interiors said...

I love those purses! I think I might have to get me one!

Love the long crochet valance!

I posted about your doll head plate on my blog, jump on over and check it out!

Theresa
aka:TOT

Rebecca said...

Hi Lisa Girl
Love your mantel, great look!
But then I love your look, period.
I will be home tonight, hope we can connect, missing you.
Bless you
Rebecca

Suz said...

I think I would have split a gut laughing (South Dakota-ism) if I saw you carrying around that stuffed duck! You are so funny! I love the hunting for pumpkin stems, too. I get it totally! I love your museum of natural history and your rat is wonderful. Does he play with the balls?

You are one funny lady, Lisa!!!

Sue said...

Hi Lisa, thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment!

*smiles*

Sue

Dorthe said...

Lisa, love the trip around your home, AND the gorgeus old things seen on my trip!like the sunflower,books,lace panel,-and MY OH MY your pumpkins with stem are gorgeus sweet friend--what a wonderfull idea-they looks so fantastic,-both.
As for your new back- I can only think very chick-very elegant,very special endeed.
Have a great sunday sweetie.
Love,Dorthe

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

I love all your creepy spooky decorations...my grandson is playing with some little creepy skeletons he took off my mantle and is using them with a castle and pirates! Love your new purse! XO

Boxwood Cottage said...

That is so my kind of Halloween/Fall decor Lisa and of course I love it! I so have to try to make a fabrik pumpkin too and I had a good laugh at picturing you asking if you could pick up the stems lol that could have been me.
I also am totally fascinated by stuffed animals, I'd wish for an owl! But I think my daughter would just freak out about it.
Wishing you a very happy week!
xoxo~ Carola

www.MaisonStGermain.com said...

OMG you are soooo funny:) Loved the tour! And that bag is fabulous!!! I wouldn't be able to pass it up either.
~Debra
Capers of the vintage vixens

Sandy said...

Way too funny picking up the pumpkin stems, most people are there for the pumpkins! Adore the purse. Your decor is fab, that lace runner is magnificent! Hope you are enjoying a great week and I *heart* those naked books too!

mary pernula said...

I have the bag too! I purchased it for myself this past June........great minds think alike. HUGS MARY

Curtains in My Tree said...

I love that bag also. I seen it at the Country Living fair in atlanta and ALmost bought.
I like how the little kiss lock is on top.

Janice

clustres said...

Two things: picking up pumpkin stems and whatnot reminds me of me.

And I love that bag. I must go look at it! Thanks for posting! I wonder if they still have them at Lone Star Mall?

Pam

Dreaming of Vintage said...

Everything in these photos is amazing! I'm soooooo wishing I never got rid of the 2 bird cages I had sitting in the basement. Kicking myself now. :(

Anonymous said...

Wow, I love that purse! I'm also enjoying your blog this morning. Haven't been here in a while. Your fall decor is lovely!

Vicki Boster said...

Beautiful! Your photos leave me breathless Lisa - such an inspiring tour around your home! Your eye for creativity shines throughout! Amazing!

Vicki