Hi creative friends,
There’s something about this time of year that always makes me want to soften the craft room a little.
Add a few more candles… bring out the pumpkins… introduce some warmer textures and colours… and create a cosy little haven where I can happily retreat from the noise of the outside world.
Now, I know this may seem a little confusing to some of my newer friends.
After all, I live in Australia and we are currently in spring, not autumn!
But here in the subtropical north of Australia, we don’t really experience a traditional autumn with crisp mornings, falling leaves and that beautiful gradual change of season that many of my northern hemisphere friends enjoy.
So, many years ago, I decided I would simply borrow yours. ♥
For the past decade or so, September and October have become my little pocket of autumn in the craft room.
It’s a lovely transition between winter and the whirlwind that is Christmas at Shabby Art Boutique… and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
A quieter kind of decorating
This year, I knew I didn’t want to create lots of new autumn projects or completely redecorate the craft room.
Life and business are both very full at the moment, and I’m finding myself increasingly drawn towards the things that feel cosy, quiet and comforting.
So instead of making something new, I went shopping in my own storage tubs.
And goodness… apparently I’ve accumulated quite the little autumn collection over the years!
There are pumpkins in several colour palettes, handmade pieces from years gone by, crinkly brown paper leaves, autumn florals and lots of little treasures I’d almost forgotten about.
I decided to keep things very simple this year and chose pieces that would work with the soft pink and white palette that is already part of my craft room.
My white pumpkins came out first, along with some of those wonderfully crinkly brown paper leaves I’ve used in previous years.
I tore long strips of pink linen fabric and tied them into loose, floppy bows around the stalks of the smaller pumpkins.
Such a tiny detail… but oh, how pretty they look!
And because my pink candles are a permanent fixture in the craft room, suddenly the everyday pieces already on display began to feel just a little more autumnal.
Of course, the hedgies had to come out…
It simply wouldn’t feel like autumn in my craft room without my beloved little hedgehogs.
They pop up amongst the pumpkins, flowers and candlelight and instantly add that touch of woodland whimsy I love so much.
The hedgies are from my Autumn Rose Hedgies digital kit, and even though they were designed for autumn crafting, I adore using the printed characters amongst many different displays too.
They’re such happy little faces to have keeping me company while I work.
And then, of course, there’s my Foxie family.
My handmade bunnies usually live in the craft room for much of the year, but when autumn arrives they make way for the foxes.
Their little brown tweed outfits, floral fabrics and soft pink shirts could not have been more perfect for this year’s gentle pink and white autumn palette.
Seeing these familiar handmade friends again is one of my favourite things about decorating seasonally.
It feels less like decorating and more like welcoming old friends back into the room.
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Just a few new touches
The only new addition this year is a beautiful pink, white and green peony wreath that I purchased a few months ago.
At the time, I wasn’t entirely sure where or when I would use it… I simply loved it.
As it turns out, it was waiting for autumn.
The deeper greens mixed with blush pink, cream and soft white florals bring just enough richness to the room to signal a change of season without feeling like a dramatic departure from my usual romantic palette.
I also tucked a few of my handmade fabric pumpkin trios into little empty spaces.
Nothing elaborate.
Nothing overly styled.
Just tiny pockets of autumn happiness dotted around the room.
And perhaps that’s what I’m enjoying most this year.
Nothing is too small to bring a smile to your face.
A pumpkin on a shelf.
A floppy pink bow.
A favourite handmade character.
A candle flickering beside you while you work.
Sometimes that’s enough.
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/jonny-easton/soul-blossoms
Creating my own little bubble of happiness
Lately, I’ve become much more conscious of how much “noise” we are surrounded by online.
There is always something demanding our attention. Something new to see, read, buy, watch or respond to.
And I think I’m in a season of life where I’m craving the opposite.
I want cosy.
I want quiet.
I want comfort.
I want to make beautiful things simply because the process of creating them makes me happy.
My craft room has always been my happy place, but perhaps now more than ever, I appreciate being able to close the door on the outside world and retreat into my own little creative bubble.
One of my favourite ways to make the room feel especially cosy is with candlelight.
Rather than burning one strongly scented candle, I light several of the same lightly scented rose candles from IKEA around the room. The fragrance gently drifts through the space without becoming overpowering, while all those tiny flickering flames create the loveliest warm glow.
It makes me want to put the kettle on, settle into my chair and create something beautiful.
And really… isn’t that exactly how a craft room should make us feel?
A gentle season before Christmas
I think I cherish this little autumn interlude because I know what comes next.
From November 1st, Christmas begins in earnest here at Shabby Art Boutique.
The craft room will gradually fill with Christmas prettiness, and this year I have the most deliciously romantic shabby Christmas planned.
There will be ribbons and lace, soft pinks, champagne and antique gold… and plenty of Christmas crafting magic.
But I’m not quite ready to rush there yet.
For now, I’m very content to linger here amongst the pumpkins, hedgies, foxes and candlelight.
This year also feels like the beginning of a new season for Shabby Art Boutique.
Behind the scenes, I’ve been preparing for this next chapter, I’ve also been thinking a lot about what I want Shabby Art Boutique to feel like going forward.
And perhaps this little autumn craft room sums it up perfectly.
I want this space to feel welcoming.
Creative.
Gentle.
A little whimsical.
Unashamedly pretty.
And filled with the kind of handmade happiness that encourages us to slow down for a while and simply enjoy creating.
Over the years, so many of you have become much more than readers or customers. You’re familiar names that pop up in my inbox and on social media, long-time crafting friends and members of this beautiful creative community who simply get what Shabby Art Boutique is about.
Those are my people. ♥
And as this next season unfolds, I hope more kindred creative souls will find their way here too.
For now though, I think I’ll light the candles, enjoy my little pocket of borrowed autumn and stay right here in my cosy craft room for just a little longer.
Happy crafting,
Hugs
♥
Kerryanne
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