A word from Barb---How this all began!

Let me say first, I believe God has gifted every women He has ever created. One of the gifts that I’ve been given is the ability to see beautiful possibilities in everything. Over the years it turned into a decorating career and a passion. But, I often thought “How can God use this?”.  Sitting in church one day I ask the same question I had ask so many times, “Why did you create me like this and how can I give back?”.

My thoughts began to race as I remembered a friend that I had helped in the past. She had a very sick husband and found herself needing to go back to work full time. She called me and ask for help with her home that she felt stuck in. She had an extremely minimal budget but wanted to feel good about her home. We made that happen for her!  It was the most rewarding project I have ever been involved in and I didn't even make a penny. In fact, I spent a few of my own:) When it was over she turned to me and said, “I love my home! Every time I come home I think how lucky I am that God gave us a home that I can still afford and it is a beautiful place for my family”. As nesters we are created as women to want to create a HAVEN for the ones we love the most in this world. So, this is really important stuff!

As I sat in church I thought that's it! I want to do that again and again, but my life is so busy. Then I thought I need a team, we could recreate a room in a day and help encourage another women! So, I began to doodle in Church. I made a list of people I would need: organizers, cleaners, bakers/cooks, encouragers, painters, runners, joyful people, hairstylist and a web person! I know some of this sounds crazy, but that is what I wrote down (I found my old list .ha!) Now it makes perfect sense. :) I thought we will call it "Be a Blessing" Design Team. 

After that church service, I began sharing this idea to all the ladies that I came in contact with. The most amazing thing happened, it seemed every women I spoke to had the same nagging question, “What am I to do with the gifts God has given me?”.  Their eyes lit up and the Blessing Design Team was formed.

Not too long after that incredible day at Church,  I ran into Rebecca from Rebecca's Bistro in Walnut Creek. I told her my (and God's) idea. She lit up like a Christmas Tree! Why you ask? I will let her tell you her story as only she can tell.  Her thoughts on Hospitality have not only inspired me but the whole Blessing Design Team. I pray her thoughts will inspire you too!   (Read following post..."A word from Rebecca Miller"...)

Our very 1st Facebook Give-Away

Be sure to log in to your Facebook Account and head over to the Blessing Design Team FB page for a chance to win these beautiful fall pumpkins (Decorated by Barb!).  Read instructions on FB page on how to enter your name into this drawing. The winner will be announced next Thursday...Septemeber 27th! GOOD LUCK!

Inspiration By Barb

This is a beautiful and sophisticated way to carve pumpkins, or should I say drill pumpkins. Have a fire in the backyard, invite some dear friends over and celebrate Fall with some great pumpkins in the distance! Makes for a memorable evening :)

Look like a pro! Use some of your favorite cookie cutters or maybe get a few new ones for fall. Tap a cookie cutter in a thinly hollowed out pumpkin. You might have to clean up the corners with a carving tool but the results will be well worth it! Have fun!

Need a touch of Fall at your next cook out? Try this, it's functional and fun!

House numbers, no carving necessary! Take some yellow paint and from a distance it looks carved!

I'm not sure why, but every time I see this it makes me smile:) so I thought I would share it! It takes black construction paper and then cut out some eyes Ha! Or should I say Boo! (my 4 year old loves it!)

This was done with kids Puff paint. You can get this at Walmart or any crafty place.This was a fun process for me. First I took a light marker and drew out my swirls, then I went back over it with little dots of puff paint. So relaxing and they're beautiful when your done! Instead of the swirls you can also write out WELCOME and set it by the front door!

This is so easy! Pull the old flowers out of your Urns. Place a big old pumpkin in the middle. Start snipping your Hydrangea bushes and Boxwood Bushes (even if they are getting a little brown) tuck them around your pumpkin and Wa La. Love this!

This is my twist on a few things we've shown on here. All it took was an urn, our house numbers, and then I threw a little puff Paint in! I love that stuff Ha! ha! This is outside my garage and yes some of my hydrangeas are dead, but it looks ok from the road ;)

The next few photos, I will show you some of the pumpkins I created. I had fun with paint and also upholstery tacks.

More fun with paint!

I included mini pumpkins in my vases

This was the closest thing I could think of to copy that carved/scared pumpkin. I wrote the word out with a light marker then I cut pieces the right size and hot glued them on. Since the pumpkin was a light green it didn't show up very well

 so I took some brown paint and smeared it on the twine! But, if I remember soon enough next year I assure that I will be out in a pumpkin patch somewhere carving a green pumpkin!

Bon Appetit!!! I love how this turned out!

I saw this and had to make it, but after a little research I found out these pumpkins are lightly carved when they are green in the fields. Then when they grow, they scare which results in this awesome effect. Hummm so I wasn't about to give up yet, so this is what I came with in a pinch. Check out the next pictures:)

This is where my THANKFUL pumpkin lives. This is my mantle and my house is a little tricky to decorate for fall because of all the light colors. So I decided to go with white pumpkins. Of course I could not leave well enough alone because 

of my (decorating) sickness;) so I added upholstery tacks to them, oh yes some silver and gold paint, some twigs and greens in a vase.... That's kind of how it happens! And now I feel better Ha!