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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

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September 10, 2013

House Numbers Pumpkin Topiary

Have you ever tried to find pumpkins in August? No seriously.

House Numbers Pumpkin Topiary

This is no easy task.  Don’t the pumpkin farmers know that we bloggers and crafters and diyers are ready to get our fall on? Don’t they know that people have been pinning fall projects and ideas on Pinterest since July and have now moved on to Christmas?

Don’t they understand that we want pumpkins, no we NEED pumpkins, so we can attempt to come up with some unique, never seen before fall pumpkin project..as if.

house numbers pumpkin topiary

Do the pumpkin farmers know they are driving us to give consideration to creating secret pumpkin growing operations in our basements?  Where we can speed up growth through secret artificial means? A pumpkin growing enterprise where we sneak our stash of pumpkins to our fellow soccer moms on the field sidelines or after PTA meeting we  can rendezvous at our car trunks so our pumpkins can exchange hands

…we need help! We NEED our pumpkins! In the meantime you can make this fun FALL outdoors project using faux pumpkins! Thank goodness Hobby Lobby, Michael’s and JoAnn understands our NEEDS!

HOUSE NUMBERS PUMPKIN TOPIARY

SUPPLIES:

Faux pumpkins-enough for each house number (Purchased at JoAnn Fabric)
Plastic house numbers in style of choice (purchased at Home Depot)
Container of choice (purchased at Home Depot)
Wooden Dowel
Newspaper
Spanish Moss
Hot Glue Gun
Knife
Philips Head Screwdriver

House Numbers Pumpkin Topiary Tutorial

DIRECTIONS:

Place Dowel in container and anchor using hole at bottom of container.  If container does not have a hole, anchor dowel in container using rocks or bricks.  Make sure dowel is cut to size, if necessary, to accommodate the height of stacked pumpkins.
Using knife cut off stems of all but the top pumpkin, creating a hole for dowel to thread through.
Find the flatest surface of each pumpkin and center house letters.  Apply a small amount of hot glue to back of numbers and on end of screws to help secure to pumpkin surface. Using a philips head screwdriver, screw numbers to surface of pumpkin.
Stuff newspaper around dowel in container, if necessary, for bottom pumpkin to rest on.  Cover newspaper with spanish moss.
Thread pumpkins onto dowel in order of house numbers.

House Numbers Pumpkin Topiary

House Numbers Pumpkin Topiary

Do tell…have you had any luck finding pumpkins yet where you live? Have you begun decorating for Fall?

If you’re as ready for fall as we, get ready for more amazing FALL inspiration!  Be sure to visit our talented friends over the next few weeks during our Autumn Abounds party! We’ll be wrapping it up with a huge FALL Linky Party and amazing giveaway!!

autumn abounds

Monday, Sept. 9th Shannon @ http://www.foxhollowcottage.com
Wednesday, Sept. 11th Jen @ http://www.jenniferrizzo.com
Thursday, Sept. 12th Kristin @ http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com
Friday, Sept. 13th Maryann @ http://www.domestically-speaking.com
Monday, Sept. 16th Kristin @ http://www.yellowblissroad.com
Tuesday, Sept. 17th Vanessa @ http://www.atthepicketfence.com
Wednesday, Sept. 18th Heather @  http://www.settingforfour.com
Thursday, Sept. 19th Mary Beth @ http://cupcakesandcrinoline.com
Friday, Sept. 20th Becca @http://www.adventuresindecorating1.blogspot.com
Monday, Sept. 23rd Kristen @ http://www.ellaclaireinspired.com
Tuesday, Sept. 24th Angelina @ http://jojoandeloise.com
Wednesday, Sept. 25th Courtney @http://www.frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com
Thursday, Sept. 26th Debbie @ http://debbie-debbiedoos.com
Friday, Sept. 27th Kim @ http://sandandsisal.com

DID YOU SEE SHANNON’S FABULOUS FALL FIREPLACE MANTEL?

fox hollow cottage fireplace mantel

TOMORROW, JEN IS SHARING…HOW TO PAINT YOUR OWN PUMPKIN CANVAS!

paint your own pumpkin canvas

Thanks for joining me today…at the picket fence!
signature

70 Comments Filed Under: Autumn, Crafts, DIY, Good Ideas, Outdoors, Tutorials Tagged With: Autumn, DIY, fall, fall crafts, fall Decorating, pumpkins

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Comments

  1. priscilla says

    September 10, 2013 at 4:19 AM

    Love this idea !

    Reply
  2. Yvonne @ StoneGable says

    September 10, 2013 at 4:36 AM

    What a great idea! LOVE this project!!!! You are both so creative!

    Reply
  3. Becca says

    September 10, 2013 at 5:29 AM

    I think it’s about time you go have a chat with the pumpkin farmers, Heather, and talk some pumpkin sense into them! Love the idea of adding numbers to the topiaires … I’m sure you’ll see these popping up all over your new neighborhood now! Happy Fall!

    Reply
  4. Martina says

    September 10, 2013 at 5:34 AM

    Love it!!

    Reply
  5. Angela says

    September 10, 2013 at 5:42 AM

    love this!!!~~Angela

    Reply
  6. Sarah @ An Inviting Home says

    September 10, 2013 at 5:49 AM

    Beautiful…totally love this idea. I had a funny thought thinking of my house numbers and how it might look like the leaning Tower of Pisa by the time I fit them all on there. 🙂 No doubt this is an adorable project and perfect for Fall! 🙂

    ~Sarah

    Reply
  7. Judy says

    September 10, 2013 at 6:01 AM

    What a great idea. It looks super cute! It’s perfect for fall. Just starting my fall decorating today.

    Reply
  8. Heather says

    September 10, 2013 at 6:05 AM

    Love your topiary!! So glad you were able to find a solution to your pumpkin dilemma!! Now I’ll expect to see you do a room makeover for a hydroponic pumpkin operation in a few months – haha!! Who needs a guest bedroom anyway? 😉 Great tute too!

    Reply
  9. Ann says

    September 10, 2013 at 6:49 AM

    You knocked this right out of the park. I LOVE IT. I may have to copy it because my address has three numbers too. Your pics are beautiful. Seems as if you are settling nicely into your new home. Much to look forward to! Have a wonderful day…Ann

    Reply
  10. Shannon @ Fox Hollow Cottage says

    September 10, 2013 at 7:30 AM

    hehehe. Secret pumpkin growers unite! I KNOW. What the heck right? Where are all the Pumpkins? There is Christmas out in the stores, why not Pumpkins? We need our Pumpkin fix. lol

    You made do so well!! Your Pumpkin house number topiary could not be any cuter.
    It’s super adorable!! The great news is, you can keep it for years to come!! So there is always that 🙂

    Reply
  11. Pam @ diy Design Fanatic says

    September 10, 2013 at 7:31 AM

    Great idea! Love the white pumpkins. Wonderful fall inspiration.

    Reply
  12. Lisa @ Creative Raisins says

    September 10, 2013 at 7:35 AM

    Okay seriously this is the best fall idea I have seen this year. I love it. ~ Lisa

    Reply
  13. PamW says

    September 10, 2013 at 8:40 AM

    Verrrry cute! Thanks for the inspiration.

    Reply
  14. Ashley Rane Sparks says

    September 10, 2013 at 9:21 AM

    It’s super easy to grow your own pumpkins. I just plant the seeds during spring break every year. There are tons of varieties (that are super expensive at the store) but next to free to grow. If you don’t have tons of space consider growing them up over an arbor or patio cover!
    This idea is super cute! Thanks for sharing!
    Ashley Rane Sparks
    http://www.makeitrane.com

    Reply
  15. Maryann @ Domestically Speaking says

    September 10, 2013 at 9:28 AM

    So stinkin’ cute! I need to make one for my front door ~ as soon as it’s not 100 degrees outside 🙂

    Reply
  16. Kerry@homecrush says

    September 10, 2013 at 10:09 AM

    Really, really cute! I resorted to fake pumpkins last year too — Mother Nature just doesn’t always cooperate!

    Reply
  17. Cynthia says

    September 10, 2013 at 10:13 AM

    This is such a GREAT idea. I love it. I am so in the mood for fall. We are staying with my girlfriend while we build our new home. It should get started soon!!! I am waiting for her to get moving so we can get her home fallifide!!! I think I made a new word, LOL!

    Cynthia

    Reply
  18. Betsy(@coastal-colors) says

    September 10, 2013 at 10:49 AM

    This is so dang cute! I love the idea of using house numbers! I hear you on finding pumpkins! I started decorating in August because it rained so much; that’s a first for me. Love this! Thanks for the great tutorial!

    Reply
  19. Kristin @ Yellow Bliss Road says

    September 10, 2013 at 11:47 AM

    I love it Heather! Makes me wish I had less numbers in my address LOL

    I called three grocery stores over the weekend asking about pumpkins – two of them laughed and one said Tuesday, which is today, so yay!!! 🙂

    Reply
  20. kristin says

    September 10, 2013 at 12:12 PM

    Oh my gosh, I hear ya on the pumpkin search! I remember getting stuck last year…I finally broke down and bought the fake ones. I love your house #! So pretty and festive, glad to be hosting the party with you.
    XO
    Kristin

    Reply
  21. Shana @ Our Feathered Nest says

    September 10, 2013 at 1:12 PM

    Definitely doing this! I have been busy decorating for Fall inside but havent tackled my porch yet… this is too cute! I tried something similar last year with real pumpkins. I carved out my house numbers on each one and then filled the pumpkins with some orange holiday lights… it was cute, but unfortunately didnt last long. This craft idea will last for many seasons to come! Thank you for sharing 🙂

    Reply
  22. Ellen says

    September 10, 2013 at 1:22 PM

    Very cute idea & not too expensive to toss if you don’t have storage room.

    Reply
  23. Kathy Menaguale says

    September 10, 2013 at 5:14 PM

    Here in Upstate NY, we have lots of pumpkins already but wouldn’t this topiary be tough to do with real ones? I think they would rot. I discovered white pumpkins last year for the 1st time and LOVE decorating with them!

    Reply
    • Heather says

      September 10, 2013 at 6:06 PM

      Hi Kathy! I would stick with faux pumpkins because you can use them year after year BUT if someone wanted to use real ones you could. They would last just about as long as a carved pumpkin, in other words not very long! 🙂 If someone wanted to do real, I’d make it just a few days before Halloween. Otherwise, the faux ones can be used all season long with no worries!

      Heather

      Reply
      • Debra says

        October 21, 2016 at 8:51 AM

        I absolutely looove the arrangement you have placed behind the pumpkin topiary in the black planter! Please tell me you have a tutorial on this as well? These would be perfect for my front porch! *Fingers crossed*

        Reply
  24. Melissa @ DaisyMaeBelle says

    September 10, 2013 at 6:08 PM

    I am feeling your pumpkin pain! I had to resort to paper mache pumpkins! Ouch! But, you gotta do what you gotta do 🙂 LOVE this project! Life to the full! Melissa

    Reply
  25. Linda says

    September 10, 2013 at 6:09 PM

    Love this!! Too cute!!

    Reply
  26. MDR says

    September 10, 2013 at 6:27 PM

    So cute Heather! Can hardly wait to see it! Mom

    Reply
  27. Barb @ The Everyday Home says

    September 10, 2013 at 7:13 PM

    Darned pumpkin farmers. They need to plant earlier for us bloggers. 🙂 Love your house number pumpkin topiary. Very cute!!!! xxoo

    Reply
  28. Beth @ Free Stylin' says

    September 10, 2013 at 8:15 PM

    Girls, this is genius!! I love it. Don’t be surprised if I make one. Thank you so much for the inspiration. (P.S. I found this post because the cute Kim Wilson posted it on her Sand and Sisal FB page.)

    Reply
  29. Heidi @ Decor & More says

    September 11, 2013 at 3:54 AM

    Looks awesome, Heather! yes, it’s soooo hard to find pumpkins to get going on this stuff. Kudos!
    xo Heidi

    Reply
  30. Sandra @ The Adored Home says

    September 11, 2013 at 6:26 AM

    Love this! I am featuring you on my blog today!
    Hugs,
    Sandra
    The Adored Home

    Reply
  31. Mimi says

    September 11, 2013 at 8:34 AM

    Love it!

    Reply
  32. Beth at Unskinny Boppy says

    September 11, 2013 at 5:54 PM

    Heather, I completely adore this project!! Great job!

    Reply
  33. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    September 11, 2013 at 8:16 PM

    Just love it!…Looking forward to your party!

    Reply
  34. Courtney says

    September 12, 2013 at 6:44 AM

    Super cute idea! Pinning it!!! 🙂

    Reply
  35. Mary Beth @ Cupcakes and Crinoline says

    September 15, 2013 at 8:04 AM

    This is so pretty! I love the white pumpkins and the house numbers. So clever.

    Reply
  36. Angelina-JoJo and Eloise says

    September 20, 2013 at 11:26 AM

    This is so Cute!! I LOVE how it turned out. This is such a Fun way to display not only Pumpkins but your Address as well. This is sure to make your Holiday Parties very Welcoming! Happy Fall, Friend!!!
    xoxo

    Reply
  37. Jaclyn says

    September 26, 2013 at 8:22 AM

    Thank you for sharing! I made one yesterday!

    Reply
  38. Kristen says

    September 29, 2013 at 3:12 PM

    I was laughing so hard reading this! My thoughts exactly! I think I need to grow pumpkins next year!

    Reply
  39. Kristen says

    September 29, 2013 at 3:13 PM

    And, of course I LOVE LOVE LOVE your project! So perfect!

    Reply
  40. Heather - Chickabug says

    November 13, 2013 at 9:15 AM

    I love your blog! This is probably my favorite post so far. This is such an original way to display house numbers and I think it makes them easier to see! You guys are amazing! : )

    Reply
  41. Marsha says

    August 9, 2014 at 8:53 AM

    Love this idea! Thank you for sharing it!

    Reply
  42. Brittany says

    September 6, 2014 at 7:05 PM

    Great project! Can you tell us which container you used from Home Depot? There are several on their website but I can’t tell by the pictures what dimensions would be close. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  43. Tracy says

    September 21, 2017 at 5:30 AM

    Can you tell me what size pumpkins and/or numbers you used?
    Thank you

    Reply
  44. Brooke Roberts says

    October 30, 2018 at 2:57 PM

    Halloween is TOMORROW! 🙂 I did this with real pumpkins that I carved into Jack-o-Lanterns. Once the Halloween is all done with, I’m absolutely going for some fake pumpkins to make this and keep it on for the rest of the year.

    Reply

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Instagram post 18118328449043115 One of my favorite Christmas songs is ‘O Holy Night’ and while each word, each lyric is as familiar to me as the back of my hand, there is one line that somehow, until recently, I managed to never really pay much attention to. It says, “Long lay the world, in sin and error pining till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.” Think about that for a moment. Our souls are longing to feel their worth. Prior to the arrival of the infant King in Bethlehem, the world waited, pined, engulfed in their sin and their error. And it was only through His birth, death and resurrection that our souls would experience their true value, their full worth.

Titus 3:4-7 says, “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” The world tells us that our worth is based entirely on the external, on what can be seen. We’re not measured simply by our existence but rather by what we can offer.

But, thousands of years ago, when our Savior was born, we were told something very different. Before he walked among us. Before he performed miracles. Before he challenged the leaders of the day. Before he was betrayed. Before he was sacrificed. Before he rose from the dead. Before all else, he simply appeared. And it was through his lowly, humble, anything but royal appearance that our souls were given the opportunity to experience the fullness of their worth. It is only through being in his presence that we are able to feel the full magnitude of our value.

Who he is allows us to know, really know, just who we are.

We are beloved.

We are cherished.

We are worth it.
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Today on the blog I’m sharing the details of my soft and simple mantel decorations and I’d love for you to stop by! ✨
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There are so many expectations and we put so much pressure on ourselves to create magical memories. And for years I have felt the added weight of wanting to make sure my family had opportunities throughout the month to grow in their relationship with Christ.

We celebrate advent and read all of the appropriate Baby Jesus books and encourage a spirit of generosity and heavily emphasize the real reason for the season.

But sweet friends, I want to remind you today that one month out of the year does not a strong relationship with the Lord make. December doesn’t define our faith in Christ.

For our kids or for us.

There are 11 other months in the year. 11 other months to live out our faith in front of our children. 11 other months to pray with them. 11 other months to help them wrestle through their questions and add depth to their walk with the Lord. 11 other months to encourage them to have generous spirits.

Let’s stop putting so much pressure on this one month out of the year. Let’s be surprised at the ways we might be able to celebrate the baby in the manger without a dozen countdown calendars. Let’s give our kids some grace when they are focused more on gifts because…well…they’re kids after all.

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Grace when we think we should feel all the warm fuzzy feelings about Christmas but we really just want to take a nap.

Grace that reminds us that this month will soon be over and we will have a brand new year ahead of us.

A new year filled with big moments and little moments and everything in between.

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Well, today I’m having a conversation with @drbarbaralowe on her podcast and it could not be more timely with the holiday season now upon us!

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Ingredients:
2 pounds fresh or frozen cranberries
2 oranges
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup white wine.

Instructions:
Wash and pick over berries, removing any that are soft. Peel and dice oranges removing any seeds. Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Bring to a full boil. Reduce heat and continue cooking until cranberries pop open and mixture is thickening.
For best flavor, prepare and let stand for several days before using.

Gobble, gobble!! 🦃
Instagram post 17846094718750175 Temperatures are dropping here in the Willamette Valley and I got our hot cocoa station set up just in the nick of time! My kids LOVE this sweet (literally!) spot in our house and my daughter added her own personal touch with the little sign on the wreath. I’ll be happily restocking ingredients over and over throughout the season as my kids and their friends make a pit stop here. We’re definitely ready to cozy up!! Do you have a hot cocoa or coffee station at your house? What are your must-haves for the perfect hot beverage? ☕️🎄
Instagram post 17880974047462626 It’s begun!! 🎄🎄 My best girl LOVES decorating the family room tree (we do a fresh tree in the living room after Thanksgiving) but she does NOT like me to take her picture while she’s doing it (see photo two). Ahhhh...preteens. 😂🤪 I’m just so grateful to have a buddy who is as obsessed with Christmas as I am and who still wants to be apart of it all with me!
Instagram post 17864348974529213 I'm struggling to find the right words on my book proposal for a book that I never thought I would dare to write. The words are in me, I just can't seem to get them onto the page. I'm so passionate about this message even though it is so different from anything I've ever done and might not be considered 'on brand'. And yet it's never been more clear to me that I'm supposed to keep moving forward. It's a message that might not be considered very 'popular' (this ain't a 'pull yourselves up by your bootstraps' kind of message about being a Christ-follower) but it's one that God has placed on my heart and in my very BEING and I have to get it out there.

But at every step of the way I find that the enemy of my soul tries to keep me silent and what should be so simple (writing two paragraphs giving an overview of the book or writing an outline) ends up being paralyzing. He whispers words into my ear that are lies tinged with just enough truth to tempt me to keep silent. “You're first book didn't sell well enough so why should any other publisher take a chance on you? They won't care that it wasn't really your fault." "You write a lot about home decorating so why would you have any authority to talk about scripture?” And that's how satan works...he is masterful in his deception, weaving our fears and insecurity into the lies so that we are much more likely to believe them. And if we believe them, we stop being obedient to the Lord and the callings He places on our lives.

But, I WILL NOT BE HINDERED. “Since the first hour in which goodness came into conflict with evil, it has never ceased to be true in spiritual experience, that Satan hinders us. He checks our importunity, and weakens our faith in order that, if possible, we may miss the blessing. Nor is Satan less vigilant in obstructing Christian effort. There was never a revival of religion without a revival of his opposition. What then? We are not alarmed because Satan hindereth us, for it is a proof that we are on the Lord’s side, and are doing the Lord’s work, and in his strength we shall win the victory, and triumph over our adversary." - Charles Spurgeon
Instagram post 18114202198050565 Happy weekend friends!! This has been one of my favorite kind of days today. The boys went and had some guy time and my daughter and I got some sweet girl time and now we’re all cozied in together at home enjoying just ‘being’. I’m doing some baking and dreaming about this year’s Christmas mantel. This photo is from a few years ago but it’s still one of my all-time favorites!

What’s been the best part of your day today? ❄️
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