a peek inside my sketchbook

Lately I've had all things autumn on my mind :)

pretty painted pumpkins tutorial

Living in Southern California it is a challenge for me to get into the spirit of traditional fall decor. Though it is raining today, typically this time of year is beautiful- like hang out at the beach beautiful! So when it comes to October/Halloween decor I like to create things that actually feel more summery and will go with the airy cottage feel of our home. I decided that this year I would create pretty little pumpkins in pastel colors full of detail and design.

I started with a a few pumpkins in different shapes and sizes.

I painted the pumpkins with white acrylic paint

and let dry.

I then added another coat of paint in very light pastel colors.

FYI- One of my FAVORITE supplies these days is Tulip's dimensional paint. It can be used for a variety of projects and the tiny applicator tips are perfect for adding small details and pattern to all kinds of projects.

Using the dimensional paint, I began to freehand simple designs around the surface of the pumpkin.

I added contrast by scratching into the surface with a toothpick.

I added more and more details, around and around the pumpkin

until the entire surface was filled.

I added dimensional designs to a white pumpkin that I decided not to paint.

And added contrast with a darker color of dimensional paint.

I filled every surface of all the pumpkins- even the tiny ones got little polk dots :)

Now I have a variety of pretty painted pumpkins to use in my "california style" fall decorating.

monster lunch sack tutorial

I am super thrilled to be a guest blogger over at Whip up today! Head over to the site for a fun little tutorial on how to make this monster lunch sack.

pumpkin muffins with vanilla glaze

I am in "fall mode" over here and that means pulling out all my favorite warm, spicy and comforting fall recipes. This is my ALL TIME favorite muffin recipe- it tastes like autumn! It started out as a recipe for a spiced pumpkin loaf that I have been making for years and then I decided to turn it into muffins- perfect for a cozy family breakfast, to give as a housewarming gift or just to eat all by yourself (like I did while creating this post).

FYI- this is a LARGE recipe- makes about 24 muffins but can be cut in half.

Start by mixing-

• 
  
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

next-

with an electric mixer beat 3/4 cup butter, softened

3 cups sugar

• 3 eggs

Add one egg at a time and mix thoroughly.

Add the butter mixture to the flour mixture.

Add 2 cans of pumpkin puree or pumpkin pie mix.

Mix everything together.

Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla.

3/4 cup of raisin (and/or favorite nuts)

mix again

Spoon batter into a well greased muffin tin.

Bake at 325 degrees for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes our clean

Prepare glaze-

1 cup of powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon of vanilla

1-2 teaspoons of milk

Remove muffins from the tins.

Once cool, drizzle the glaze lightly over the top.

pile on top of a plate and serve!