Glitter Pumpkin

I've been busy with pumpkins! I sold all of them at Chartreuse's Market Days 2 weeks ago!

Gingko Trees

One of my favorite places to wander and photograph is University of Virginia's Blandy Experimental Farm. The State Arboretum of Virginia is located within the Blandy farm.  It is a wonderful four-season experience.  My favorite time, of course, is Autumn.  Blandy is home to a large grove of ginkgo trees. For a brief period in October, the whole grove is golden; the tiny fan-shaped leaves painted gold.  The golden leaves don't stay long on the trees, and when the leaves fall of the tree, it's all at once...and the base of the grove is blanketed in a glorious gold carpet.

 

Blurred Leaves

This is the result of using a slow shutter speed and a moving camera.

Yates Ford Road

I live in the last bit of rural part of Fairfax County, VA; just outside of the tiny town of Clifton.  Yates Ford is a winding, narrow road; go one way and you pass Paradise Springs Winery, and the road eventually ends at Hemlock Overlook Park and Bull Run.  Go the other way, Yates Ford zips onto Clifton Road, then zags back off to the left (never could figure out why) and eventually you wind up back into the hectic/traffic-filled Fairfax County.

Sugar Maples' Glory

Say Hello to my Little Friend

This big boy was outside my front door this morning!

He was very patient and let me photograph him...

Decoupaged Pumpkin

I love, love, love Pinterest!

Saw some decoupaged pumpkins and this is my version:

I painted a dollar store pumpkin and some faux leaves ASCP white. Tore up my old English Lit book; cut up some left over burlap ribbon; gathered some sticks and small branches from the yard. I soaked the pages in watered down coffee, then let them dry; tore the pages into small strips, dipped them in mod podge/water mixture and placed the strips all over the pumpkin...making sure to overlap the strips.  While the pumpkin was drying, I cut up pieces of the branch for the pumpkin stem; applied Elmers glue to the pieces and leaves then rolled all of them in Martha Stewart glass glitter.  Before I assembled everything, I sprayed the pumpkin with Mod Podge sealer.  Then I went to town with a hot glue gun...et finis!

Roddy Creek

Pop of Red

Watery Autumn Relfection

The Covered Bridges of Frederick County

Maybe it's the movie (The Bridges of Madison County) or the nostalgia of a bygone era, but there's just something about a covered bridge that pings my heart.

Last week's weather was gorgeous and I needed a "field trip".  There are 3 covered bridges about 90 minutes from my home.  All are in Frederick County; the last one, Roddy Creek Covered Bridge, is outside of Thurmont...close to Camp David.

Loys Station Covered Bridge

(my favorite)

 

 

  

 

 Roddy Creek Covered Bridge

 

Utica Mills Covered Bridge

Autumn Hydrangea

I love hydrangeas. They, like the year, have 4 seasons: the vibrant electric green Spring leaves and tight flower buds; the lush blooms of Summer; Autumn's cool nights create a painterly glow to the fading flowers; and the dead flowerings of Winter...desiccated, with a tissue paper translucency.

We have had cool nights for the past few weeks and the hydrangeas are turning colors again...

Vintage Pumpkin Triptych

Good Morning!

I have been a busy Lizzie...

Here are the 3 pumpkins images.  I used the same technique as with yesterday's Rooster image.

Next project; painting a small accent table.