Fall Mantle in Suite Hope

Hello Friends!

I wanted to share the beautiful fall fireplace mantle I have created for my pretty "Marie Antoinette"-inspired room at Southard House.  I made most everything by hand that decorates this mantle.  I made some pretty princess pumpkins, pink candy corns, a Cinderella slipper and magic wand, a fall crow dressed in pink, an angel dressed as a (good) witch, and a lovely masquerade mask that adorn the mantle.

 I had the most fun making these beautiful princess pumpkins.  I think they are so pretty!  When I bought them they were orange but I gave them some coats of white paint, then a coat of pearl paint to make them look like shimmery pearls!

 Then I made a mix of six different glitters and six different beads and sequins.  I sprinkled the mixes on the pumpkins then I glittered some leaves and glued them on.  I made the vine from a piece of wire and silver seed beads.

 I glued a shimmery crystal in the center of each pumpkin for the stem.  I think these pumpkins are fit for a queen and they shimmer in the light of the chandelier in the room.

 I made these pink candy corns from clay and let them dry for several days before I painted and glittered them with three different shades of glitter.

 Here is Cinderella's slipper and her Fairy Godmother's magic wand!  They give the mantle a whimsical look that is a lot of fun.

 This crow was black with an orange hat when I bought it.  When I got it home she got a few coats of ivory paint.  After it dried I distressed it with sandpaper, then glued ribbons, paper roses, and pink crystals on to decorate it up a bit.  Now she is as pretty as a princess!  No more scary Halloween crow!

I made the small candy corns from clay as well and painted them three shades of pink.  When they were dry I added some sugar glitter to make them sparkle!

 I love this pretty angel bust.  I made her a mask from ivory felt and ribbon, and although it is difficult to see in this picture, it fits her perfectly.

 I also made this darling (good) witch hat from ivory damask fabric.  I embellished it with lace and rose trim.  I think it is darling and I can't believe I sewed it myself!

Everything is better with glitter, don't you think?  I wonder how many pounds of glitter I have used in my life time?  I am sure it is a small fortune's worth!



 I made this pretty masquerade mask by painting it with ivory paint and covering it with thin lace fabric.

 Then I outlined it in pearls and lace trim.  I added flowers, feathers, beads, and ribbon to the side for more decoration.

 I wish I could go to a masquerade ball and wear a beautiful ivory lace ball gown with this mask.  Wouldn't that be so much fun?

 The mantle in Suite Hope is ready for guests to enjoy.  The next treatment will be for Christmas!  I am sure that will be fabulous!

I have a lot of other projects in the works to share, so until next time . . .

May You Be Blessed!

Tammy

Linking to Pink Saturday

http://www.howsweetthesound.typepad.com

Parlor Decorations for Fall

Hello Friends!

I wanted to share some beautiful images of the fall decorations I made for the parlor at my bed and breakfast.  I painted the walls a beautiful shade of blue and I really love it, but I didn't think that orange and yellow leaves were going to look right behind a light blue background so I decided to make some pretty decorations for this room.  I recovered a cute train case with some linen fabric and lace.  I filled it with shredded pages of an old book.  Then I painted and decorated some plastic pumpkins in hues of ivory, beige, and brown.  I also made that pretty fabric sachet that says "Count Your Blessings".  I used hydrangeas, pecans, and pine cones from my own yard to add to the decorations.

This pumpkin is my favorite.  I cut a maple leaf from some scrapbook paper, textured and distressed it, then glued it to the pumpkin with some pretty roses and ivory seam tape ribbon.  I framed the word "Fall" and glued it to the front of the pumpkin.

 I also made some fabric pumpkins in the same colors to decorate the fireplace mantle.  I used fabric scraps cut in to circles and filled them with fiber fill.  The stems of the pumpkins are old silver spoons I purchased very inexpensively at an antique store.  I made the roses from fabric also and the leaves were made from ribbon.

 I love the vintage look of the mantle.  I tried to use antique items like the silver tray, the candle sticks, and an antique book.  I also used natural items like the hydrangeas, pine cones, and berry garland.

 I think the color palate is perfect with the blue walls.  I really love this look and I am so happy with how everything turned out.  I love the elegant and vintage look of my mantle.

 I also altered an old metal cornucopia I purchased many years ago.  When I bought it I think it was brown with orange, yellow, and red leaves.  I spray painted it ivory and distressed the leaves with distress ink.

 I decorated the cornucopia with ivory seam binding ribbon, a rose, and that cute tag that reads "Blessed Beyond Measure" made from scrapbook paper and a rubber stamp.

These pretty fall decorations are sure to please the guests that visit Southard House this fall.  They give the room a very warm, inviting feel although they are also very elegant.  I think the guests will feel very welcome.

I have many more projects in the works to share soon, so until next time . . .

May You Be Blessed!

Tammy

Warm Apple Dumplings

Hello Friends!  I wanted to share a delicious recipe for warm apple dumplings I made for the New Hope Book Club that meets here at Southard House once a month.  This is a great fall recipe and it was very easy and so delicious!  You will definitely have to try this recipe!

 You start with two large apples of your choice.  Wash and dry them, then cut them into to 8 slices and peel off the skin.

 Next I mixed up 1/4 cup sugar and a tablespoon of cinnamon and sprinkled this over my sliced apples.

 These apples look like potato wedges!  You want to make sure your apple slices are nice and plump for they will taste better after baking.

 Next open two cans of refrigerated crescent roll dough and separate the triangles.  Wrap each apple slice in to a crescent wedge and pinch the edges to seal the apple in.

Place the wrapped apples in a large baking dish that has been sprayed with non-stick spray.  Then mix up 1 cup of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla, and 1/2 cup butter in a saucepan and cook until it forms a thick syrup - this only takes a few minutes.

 Pour the sauce over the apples in the baking dish, then pour 1 cup of citrus soda over the apples.  Bake the dumplings for 35-45 minutes in a 350 degree oven.

 This is what they look like when you take them out of the oven - golden and delicious.  The apple is tender and sweet inside and the crust is soft, flaky and has that delicious brown sugar glaze.  It is so delicious!

 I am definitely making these again for my guests and serving them with a delicious scoop of ice cream.  This is a great fall dessert!

 Things are all ready for the book club to arrive so they can relax and enjoy their discussion, my treats, and a time of fellowship.  If you have a club or group that would like to have a new place to meet please call me at (580) 231-3960 for more information about meeting space at Southard House Bed and Breakfast Inn!

I hope you will try this recipe and enjoy this delicious fall dessert!

Until next time - May You Be Blessed!

Tammy

Warm Apple Dumplings

2 large apples, peeled and sliced

2 8-count cans refrigerated crescent roll dough

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup butter

1 cup citrus soda

1 tbsp cinnamon and 1/4 cup white sugar for apples

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9x13 baking dish.  Cut apples into 8 wedges and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.  Separate crescent rolls into triangles and wrap each slice of apple in dough.  Place wrapped apples in baking dish.  Melt butter in a saucepan and add brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla.  Cook until think and pour over apples.  Pour soda over apples and bake for 35-45 minutes.  Best served warm with ice cream.  Enjoy!

Warm Caramel Apple Cake

Hello Friends,

At my B&B, Southard House Bed and Breakfast Inn, I serve a delicious dessert to our guests in the evening.  Last week I made this amazing caramel apple cake and posted it on my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/southardhouse) and had may requests to share the recipe - so here it is!

Warm Caramel Apple Cake

2 Cups all-purpose flour
3/4 Cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 cup milk
1/4 cup melted butter
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 large apple - chopped
1 cup caramel baking bits

Topping Ingredients:

1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup quick oats
6 tablespoons melted butter
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large bowl combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.  In another bowl, whisk the egg, milk, butter, and vanilla.  Stir the wet ingredients in to the dry ingredients until moistened.  Fold in the apples and caramels.

Cut out a circle of parchment paper to fit the bottom of your spring form pan.  Place parchment paper in the pan and spray the pan and the paper with non-stick cooking spray.

Pour the batter in the pan.  In a separate bowl combine the topping ingredients.  Sprinkle topping over batter.  Bake for 40-50 minutes, until cake tester inserted in the middle comes out clean.
Remove from the oven, allow to cool, and enjoy your cake!

This cake is best eaten warm because the gooey caramel is all melty and delicious.  To reheat, place a slice of cake on a microwaveable place and heat for 20 seconds.  This cake is so delicious!

I hope you will  try this delicious fall treat!  Hopefully I will have more recipes to share soon!  Until then, may you be blessed!

Tammy Neal