{ Fall Gourd Preserving Tips }

 So if you've been following the blog lately you would know I've been on this gourd/ pumpkin patch kick for a few weeks now! After a huge patch started growing { what I thought were pumpkins } are actually gourds!! I've always wanted to grow gourds/ pumpkins, so it's been fun! Fun fact: we didn't even plant seeds..Thank you nature & my papa above who loved to grow pumpkins! Anyways I wanted to pick + style them & give some tips on preserving them to display around your home for fall etc.. I'm no gardner or arborist, but I did gather some useful information for you all...Keep reading below!

 

If you don't already, you should follow by shenanigans & mini story documentary on this little magical gourd patch!! •See more on my Instagram: 

HERE

 

I just love the unique detail of each one!! There's about seven here & a bunch more still growing! I wanted to use them to style as they're really not for consumption apparently! 

 

•TIPS FOR PRESERVING GOURDS•

• Spray a household disinfectant or alcohol on them
• Cut stem but don't expose gourd or they'll rot
• Pick when the leaves turn brown
• Keep in warm dry area
• Spray with a clear sealer
• 
  

 

I know, I know they're not pumpkins, but I loved this sign I made a few years back & it added to this mantel look!! Lots of warm brown textured baskets, gourds, candles & cozy fall touches!

 

I hope you liked this little tutorial on how to preserve gourds I think they're so pretty & uni& still can't believe we have a huge gourd patch...Truly a gift especially with everything going on lately.  It's the little things.... If you have any other gourd preserving tips let me know in the comments!!

HAPPY Sunday!

As always THANK YOU for stopping in on my little growing blog. I know everyone says something like this, but I honestly appreciate each of you for sharing my posts, commenting etc....I'm not the biggest or most popular blogger, but I am humble, real & practical ,and  hopefully helpful or inspiring in someway :). 

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{ Summer Garden Sunflowers }

 Hey my pals!! Hope your summer is going smoothly & you're enjoying everything summer entails! Ours has been quite eventful & not in a good way unfortunately! Within a week our appliances decided to crash on us...Washer { only 2 yrs old }, garage door, AC & furnace!! Needless to say I needed a little pickup & some AC stat!! I had a bunch of errands to run & didn't mind because jeep AC ha.. Anyways, I bought myself some $2 sale Sunflowers & greens to brighten my sweltering day.  I usually grab some from my dad's dead-end, but I haven't made it over lately..So sale Kroger flowers it is! They weren't in horrible shape, but I have a few tips to perk up drooping sunflower heads for you...Keep reading below for this simple tip! 

 

This is a space I don't share much here on the blog, with the exception of Christmas! It's our lower level basement kitchenette area! I decided after I cleaned down here I would put the fresh flowers down here! We've been staying down here since the AC is being repaired  { I'm heat intolerant from Lupus }. One thing lead to another & well, I got rid of a whole bag of stuff, cleaned & refreshed!! 

 

This perky guy or gal is a healthy sunflower! Upright, perky & full!! See below for tips on  droopy or bent Sunflowers & how to perk them back up!!

 

SUNFLOWER TIPS:

• if drooping they could be dehydrated.  Add some warm water & a bit of sugar to the water. Cut the stems on an angle & stir the water. This should perk them up!

 

 

•Side Note: Don't those apple pie cookies look delicious??

Something about Sunflowers  are so summery...

 

We love using this space in the winter for entertaining, but this summer I was determined to bring summer inside down here...Especially with our AC being repaired. This garden sign is one of my most favorite vintage replicas. I needed something big for this wall & this sign was the perfect size & summer look!!

I hope you liked this post! Sorry about the light & quality, it's been a humid gloomy summer & light down here is scanty at times!! Did you know this sunflower revival tip??

HAPPY Tuesday!

As always THANK YOU for stopping in on my little growing blog. I know everyone says something like this, but I honestly appreciate each of you for sharing my posts, commenting etc....I'm not the biggest or most popular blogger, but I am humble, real & practical ,and  hopefully helpful or inspiring in someway :). 

***You can find me here for updates & more ,or SUBSCRIBE on the right side of my blog for FREE & direct updates right to your mail...

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{ Cottage Mailbox Makeover }

 As I was getting the mail the other day I realized that our rusted cobweb mailbox had seen better days.....I had bought this metal mailbox from Pottery Barn when we moved in 9 years ago! Honestly from the reviews I was a bit scared, but it's held up pretty decently, especially in our wacky Michigan weather! Today after the cobweb fiasco I decided it was time for a " Paige " kind of 30 minute makeover! Making things come together & comfy for the time being is always my immediate goal. Will the area change? Absolutely! But enjoy it while in the moment! Come see what I used & how it came out below....

 

As you can see from the above photo....yikes! Like, was it pre Halloween haha.  This poor area was neglected because honestly the other side is the actual porch, although the covered overhang is over it all.  ** sorry I started painting before photo ing  ha, it was dark rusted grey.. #typical 

 

I'm still amazed at my ability to use some simple leftover Behr white paint & scheme up a nearly free refresh. Yup, you read that correctly..regular leftover paint!!!  After I painted the mailbox I ended up painting the light & cabinet too. I ran some brass paint smudged it over the embossed ' mail' wording on the mailbox! I used a bit around the rim of the barnhouse light too, it added some warmth, yet modern cottage appeal!

•• I sprayed everything with clear  finish by Rust-oleum. 

 

I still can't believe I paid almost $100 for this in 2012 -ish!! It definitely needed a little freshen up. Other than that it's large, secure & we love it for now!

 

The other day here on the blog I shared the other side of this little  porch! This side of the porch just has tall grasses, but lately Mark's been rearranging the front garden area..He also put this little cabinet here! I actually wasn't for it at first until I actually got to physically see it & the potential! I love how deep it is, perfect drop area when opening the door, packages, salt, Mark's boots etc.. So of course I had to paint it along with the light & mailbox..& then well here we are haha!

 

Anyone know what this cabinet was actually for? I haven't yet looked & definitely don't know at this point...

 

I hope you liked this quick front mail center refresh! Sometimes I dream up these ideas at night & sometimes 10 minutes before I start them. This one was a win. Quick, simple & thrifty!! 

HAPPY Tuesday!

As always THANK YOU for stopping in on my little growing blog. I know everyone says something like this, but I honestly appreciate each of you for sharing my posts, commenting etc....I'm not the biggest or most popular blogger, but I am humble, real & practical ,and  hopefully helpful or inspiring in someway :). 

***You can find me here for updates & more ,or SUBSCRIBE on the right side of my blog for FREE & direct updates right to your mail...

• https://www.instagram.com/thequaintsanctuary/
• https://www.pinterest.com/mrsmusleh/
• https://www.facebook.com/TheQuaintSanctuary/?