Any chronic DIYer has, at one time or another, come to the end of a project and feared they’ve crossed the line between Crafty Genius and Crazed Crafter. There is such a thing as taking ‘repurposing’ too far. Courtney, from the funny Living Life Out Loud blog, and I have a pact to let the other know if they’ve crossed said line. If he starts creating things like this (out of toilet paper rolls no less!), I’m to shut him down immediately.
I may be teetering on the edge with my Christmas porch this year, and I’m expecting to get a warning from him. First there was my Halloween Porch…perfectly harmless and holiday appropriate:
Then I got Eddie-Ross-crazed and painted some of the Halloween pumpkins for my Thanksgiving table:
Then as I was carting my perfectly good pumpkins to the trash bin, my mom called and planted a little seed in my head:
Mom: “You’re totally rubbing off on me with your craft projects!”
Me: “Oooh, yay! What’d you do?!?”
Mom: “I spray painted my Halloween pumpkin red and left it on the porch for Christmas!! I may be the next Martha Stewart!” (okay, I added the last part because I tend to embellish…Mr. Sugarplum refers to me as Out-of-Context-Cassie on occasion.)
Next thing I know, I’ve recruited child labor a helper and am putting our Halloween Thanksgiving pumpkins to use once more!
Of course I added holiday-appropriate festive ribbon:
Mr. Sugarplum added the lit garland around the door (which looks pretty puny in the daytime!):
The lanterns, which got a makeover after I rescued them from a clearance sale, are now full of berry garland and flameless candles. We also tuck the leftover light strand in them for more illumination at night.
Here’s the evolution of my porch this year:
So what do you think? Have I gone one step too far?! Am I thisclose to painting them green for St. Patrick’s Day?!
Maybe if I ‘Christmas’ it up, you’ll be feeling it more:
Don’t laugh…a White Christmas is possible for us….take a look at Texas last Christmas:
I think I’ll add a wreath or two to the front doors…maybe another Magnolia Wreath. Do you know the Crafty Line I speak of….have you crossed it?
Funny intro…and I love this! I have two painted pumpkins I did for a tutorial, painted metallic gray, and they are still sitting in my entry as they seem to fit the season. But red? Brilliant I'd say, those pumpkins are being well used!!
Janell
I love it! And no, you haven't crossed the line…yet… I've even seen people paint them white and turn them into a snowman!!!
Your front porch looks beautiful! I love your Christmas pumpkins!
Love how you've used them for every season! If the red one is still alive it will work for Valentines Day!
Megan
I think you're near the line, but not quite there – what saves you is that this looks so cute! š The pumpkins kind of look like ornaments – as usual, Hi Sugarplum is a joy to read! Ali
I finally tossed our pumpkins on Monday b/c I had all of our porch decor done for Christmas, I should have waited until after this I would have painted them red!
Oh Cassie! I think it's gorgeous and not crazed at all. I love it. And I cannot beleive your pumpkins haven't rotted!
You win in the ultimate re purposing contest!! I had never thought of that before, but I'll try this idea next year, I just threw away all the heavy pumpkins last week!!
LOVE IT. partly because it makes me feel better for still having a bowl of gold pumpkins on my table. I, too, added some ribbon. My daughter keeps saying, "mom, it's not thanksgiving anymore." Perhaps her line is a little different then mine. Was thinking you could just add some white stripes and stars for the fourth. Why stop now? A tail for groundhog day???
Those pumpkins have been around the block more times than Lindsay Lohan! I love that you are reusing and recycling decorations! So many people get caught up that they need have specific decor for specific holidays…it is quite nice that you are showing how with some simple supplies and a little thought, you can take your decorations from Fall thru the holiday season!
And thanks for the shout out š
I can honestly say I've never seen a red pumpkin! But I love how you added the plaid bow and the snowy porch picture is the best! I will really laugh if I see those pumpkins pink on V-day!
I love it! Very festive. š BTW I'm a new reader (just found you yesterday) and am loving your blog! Its so nice to see someone with great style who has kids running around the house and keeps it real. š
I love this, reusing the pumpkins is such a great idea.
Oh Cassie you always have such great projects – this is so christmassy! Love it!
Rachie xo
The creepy factor on that toilet-paper roll doll is extremely high…
None the less awesome idea on the pumpkins. I did something kind of like this last year with our left over pumpkins.. except I decorated them with ribbon, buttons and glitter… I know sounds tacky, but it actually turned out half-way decent š
No, FIRST add hearts for Valentine's day, then spray paint green for St, Patrick's, pastel polka dots for Easter… then perhaps by next Halloween it can be a scary, mouldy mess!
How long do pumpkins last anyway??
i think it looks fabulous! i was surprised to see the pumpkins and they look great! and now all you have to do some the end of january is paint the gold one pink and you will be ready for valentine's day!
Oh my goodness! I LOVE the pumpkins! They look awesome, and I am totally using this next year:)
I never would have thought of using my pumpkins at Christmas time! I think it looks amazing!
I love it! I think you could start a new trend with red pumpkins and gorgoeus bow! Very clever. Your entrance looks very festive and inviting.
I think they look great!!! Way to upcycle once again, you rock! Yes – the line and I are friends. It hasn't been crossed yet….at least I don't think so.
You always crack me up! I love your porch and the pumpkins turned out fab!
Luvs!
Your front porch looks beautiful — love the "Christmas-ed up" photo! I'm trying to think what color you could paint them for New Years!
Your stuff looks fantastic! Great idea with the pumpkins. I have a green glitter pumpkin still holding court amidst the Christmas finery! Crossed the line? Over here we Sumo wrestle it into submission!
Love the painted pumpkins…..and the snow. Send some south! http://www.oakleighporches.com