Tami Loves Vintage

Creating Keepsakes With Vintage Treasures

How to Make Plaster Covered Pumpkins

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I have another great pumpkin project for you today, friends! I am showing you how to make plaster covered pumpkins. They have so much texture and add neutral beauty to my fall decor. I love the way they turned out and I hope you do too!

I have shared lots of fun pumpkin crafts with you this month. And I am just as excited about showing you how to make plaster covered pumpkins as I was about the others. I know the word “plaster” can sometimes turn people off. But this plaster project isn’t super messy. And it’s really simple to do!

I use a pre-mixed, ready to use, comes in a small tub, all purpose sheet rock as my plaster. It’s a joint compound for drywall but works perfectly for this project. And, since it’s ready to go right in the tub, we don’t have the mess of mixing.

I do put down a sheet of cardboard to protect my table. But even I don’t make much of a mess with this! So grab your closest pumpkin and chip brush, and let’s get crafting!

How to Make Plaster Covered Pumpkins

When it comes to fall decor, the sky is the limit on the possible ways to create it. I have been having so much fun seeing the amazing projects that creatives have been coming up with this season. There has been so much inspiration to be found and can’t wait to share new projects with you all!

I first made these plaster covered pumpkins in my membership group. It has been a few years and I still love them. So I thought it would be ok to share them with you all now. I hope you love them as much as I do!

How to Choose your Pumpkin

You can use practically any faux pumpkin as a base for this project. The one I used was plastic and had a greenish yellow tint that matches my decor. I haven’t tried it with a foam pumpkin but the process would be the same.

My advice is to choose a pumpkin with a color that matches your home. You will want to let a little of that color shine through. So keep that in mind when selecting your pumpkin.

I also think that the finished plaster covered pumpkins look better in pairs or groupings. You can select your main pumpkin and then pick one or two smaller ones to display with it.

Start with a craft pumpkin that matches your decor.

How to Make Plaster Covered Pumpkins Supply List

  • Craft pumpkin (I used a plastic one from Hobby Lobby, about 12″ across)
  • All purpose sheet rock (I prefer the one with the blue top because it dries whiter. The green lid dries a little bit greyer)
  • Chip brush
  • Sanding block
  • Something for your stem
  • Hot glue gun
  • Spanish moss

How to Make Plaster Covered Pumpkins Instructions

  • Dip your brush into the tub of sheet rock. You want quite a bit on the brush. Then bounce/dab it onto the pumpkin. I am not painting it on. Instead I bounce the brush around the pumpkin. Doing it this way adds all the texture that I love about this process.
  • Work your way around one half the pumpkin, repeating this process. You don’t want full coverage here. Let some of the pumpkin color come through.
  • When you are about done, take the brush and lightly brush over the joint compound. You don’t want to completely smooth it out, just take off the sharp peaks. This will lower and soften some of the high spots.
  • Make sure the bottom of your pumpkin (where it will meet the table) is nice and smooth. That way it will sit level wherever you put it.
  • Let this half of your pumpkin dry. Then repeat the same process to the other half.
  • Once the pumpkin dries, knock off any spots that are still sharp or standing up too far. A drywall/sheetrock sponge is great for this. But a rag will work too.

Finishing your Plaster Covered Pumpkins

Once your pumpkin is dry, you can leave it as is. Add your stem and any cute vintage bits and bobs that you want to. But you could also take the pumpkin itself a bit farther. For my pumpkin, I added a bit of white paint.

Since all I had was the green lid sheet rock, it dried with more of a grey tint than I wanted. To get it back to white, I used my chip brush to dab on white paint.

I did it just like I did the sheet rock, bouncing and dabbing my brush. I didn’t completely cover the sheet rock. Then I went back in with a cream colored paint and did the same thing. The different shades worked well together and I love the results!

I stopped after I painted my pumpkin. But you could go in with antique wax and get down into the bevels to add more color and definition.

Once my pumpkin was dry, I used hot glue to attach the branch I choose for the stem. To make this easier, I poked into the top of my pumpkin and cut out a little bit of it. That let me push my branch down into the pumpkin a bit. Which gave me more places to add hot glue. And helped support the weight of the stick itself.

As my last step, I hot glued Spanish moss to the top of my pumpkin, around the stem.

Choosing a Stem for your Plaster Covered Pumpkin

In my opinion, the stem is the most important part of the pumpkin. It is where the character of the pumpkin really shines through. I really love the look of curly willow branches. So that is what I used for my stem. But you can use any kind of branch or stick that you can get your hands on.

You can also save your real pumpkin stems from year to year. I started doing this a long time ago because I love the look of a natural dried pumpkin stem on a lot of my projects. All I do is remove them from their original pumpkin.

Then lay them out to dry. I store mine in a cool dark storage area all year and then pull them out when it’s time to craft for the next season. I even have friends and family members who save their stems for me now. That way I have plenty to work with each season!

The Wrap Up

And that’s how you make plaster covered pumpkins. It’s easy, it’s pretty quick, and they are adorable! This is definitely one of my new favorite pumpkin projects. I hope you love it as much I do!

I would love to see how you use them in your own home. So if you post any pictures of your garlands on social media, tag me so I can check them out! As always, I hope you love this project as much as I do. Happy crafting, friends!

How to Make Plaster Covered Pumpkins

Make sure you never miss a Live or discount for my website! Sign up here to receive texts and I’ll let you know when fun things are happening! https://my.community.com/tamilovesvintage

Tami’s cell phone number: 740-273-6693

Looking for more decor inspiration? Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Instagram! You can also subscribe to my YouTube channel so you never miss a video tutorial!

If you love creating vintage treasures as much as I do you can also join my membership group, Tami Loves Creating Vintage Treasures. There you will get exclusive tutorials that will teach you how to create beautiful and unique pieces that will fit perfectly with your vintage decor!

How to Make Succulent Pumpkins

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Today is a cool one here in Ohio and I am reminded that, even though the temps will be back in the 80s this week, fall is definitely on its way. Today I am sharing a new kind of fall project with you; how to make succulent pumpkins!

I took a local class a few years ago where a lady showed us how to make succulent pumpkins. I really loved the idea and the results. So I shared the process with my membership group. It’s been some time now so I wanted to share it with you all too.

It’s a very simple process and you can still use your succulents long after your pumpkin has faded and hit the compost bin. Since a good variety of colors and textures of succulents gives the pumpkins the most interest, this would be a great project to do with friends.

Everyone can share the succulents and other natural items they have. And you all go home with a unique and beautiful piece of fall decor!

How to Make Succulent Pumpkins

You can use absolutely any pumpkin you want for this project. Use any color or shape that you love. Tall ones, round ones, stumpy ones…they will all work great. Keep in mind that the wider the pumpkin, the more room you will have for plants.

Unless you can find a pumpkin with a really nice and tall stem, the stem doesn’t matter. Once you add your plants you won’t be able to see the stem unless it’s a tall one. If having a visible stem is important to you, you could always go in and hot glue a stick from your yard.

How to Care for your Succulent Pumpkin

Keeping your succulents alive is as easy on a pumpkin as it is in a pot. Since your plants are just cuttings and haven’t rooted, you don’t need to worry about watering them from the bottom. Just mist them with water from a spray bottle or mister now and then. They drink through their leaves and will be just fine.

Another way to prolong the life of your succulent pumpkin is to place it on a plate when you are done with it. I have used cardboard before and it caused the pumpkin to mold more quickly. So now I use a plate and all is well.

In the past I have made my succulent pumpkin for fall decor and had them last all the way past Christmas. Just keep their leave watered (go easy they are succulents after all) and the pumpkin will look great for months. I think they last longer if you keep them outside some too.

The cooler temps outdoors probably work to preserve the pumpkin and keep it from molding. I had a friend whose pumpkin was still going strong into the early spring!

Can I Really use Hot Glue on the Succulents?

I know it sounds crazy (I was skeptical myself) to use hot glue on a plant. But succulents are tough old birds! They will hold up to the abuse and be ready for replanting when your pumpkin starts to get yucky.

I keep an eye on my pumpkin and when I notice it is starting to fade, I get my dirt and pots ready. Then I gently remove the plants from the pumpkin and transplant them into dirt.

How to Make Succulent Pumpkins Supply List

  • Pumpkin
  • Spray adhesive (Super 77 is what I used. It is as super as it claims, very strong!)
  • Sheet moss (You can find this at most craft stores and home repair stores)
  • Succulent plants and cuttings
  • Other natural items ( I used acorns, stick floral picks, pine cones and small dried crabapples in mine)

How to Make Succulent Pumpkins Instructions

  • First, spray the top of your pumpkin with the spray adhesive.
  • Next, cover the spray adhesive with pieces of the sheet moss. My pumpkin took 3 chunks to cover.
  • Then, snip off any roots and use hot glue to attach your succulents to the moss. I promise this will be ok! Start with your large plants and pieces and then fill in with your smaller pieces.

The Wrap Up

And that’s how you make a succulent pumpkin, friends! It’s very simple and adds some beautiful life to your fall decor. If you are new to plant or flower arranging, don’t be scared! You can do some practice placement of your plants before you actually glue them in.

Try moving things around until you get the plants how you like them. And THEN go back and glue them down. Once you have practiced this a few times, you will start to develop a natural eye for plant placement. A skill that will aid you in other craft projects as well!

I would love to see how you use these beauties in your own home. So if you post any pictures of your succulent pumpkins on social media, tag me so I can check them out! As always, I hope you love this project as much as I do. Happy crafting, friends!

Make sure you never miss a Live or discount for my website! Sign up here to receive texts and I’ll let you know when fun things are happening! https://my.community.com/tamilovesvintage

Tami’s cell phone number: 740-273-6693

Looking for more decor inspiration? Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Instagram! You can also subscribe to my YouTube channel so you never miss a video tutorial!

If you love creating vintage treasures as much as I do you can also join my membership group, Tami Loves Creating Vintage Treasures. There you will get exclusive tutorials that will teach you how to create beautiful and unique pieces that will fit perfectly with your vintage decor!

6 DIY Vintage Pumpkin Crafts for Fall

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Once September hits, I am all about fall! Bring on all the fall craft projects and decor. Since I know that many of your are the same, today I am sharing 6 DIY pumpkin crafts for fall!

There are a lot of fall crafts that I have done that I love. But one thing I seem to come back to time and again are vintage pumpkin crafts. I have made them out of all sorts of things and in many different ways. And they all have a special place in my heart!

Below I share the tutorials for 6 DIY pumpkin crafts for fall. Scroll through, find your favorites and then click on the link to see the whole post and tutorial. I can’t wait to see which ones you love best. You can leave me a comment here on the post and let me know!

6 DIY Pumpkin Crafts for Fall

Here’s the list of some of my favorite DIY pumpkins. Most are simple to do and take very few supplies. For each I give you the supply list and step by step instructions. For most of them there is also a video tutorial. So you will be able to craft along with me! So grab your glue gun and your vintage craft supplies and let’s get creative!

How to Make Doily Pumpkins

If you’ve been with me for awhile you know that I looooove vintage doilies! There are so many great ways to enjoy and display them. This DIY pumpkin project is a great way to use doilies. And the best part is you don’t have to sacrifice them forever.

There is no cutting, sewing, or gluing with these pumpkins so when fall is over you can easily disassemble them and use your doilies for something else. I have made these cuties for several years now. They are easy to make and beautiful when displayed!

How to Make Fabric Pumpkins

In this post, I show you how to make fabric pumpkins that are simple yet elegant. I start with a single piece of fabric that is roughly cut and messily sewn. Once we add a stem and some embellishments this simple project becomes a work of fall art! I can’t wait for you to see the results.

You can use any fabric that you want for this project. I obviously went with vintage looking fabric. But you can use anything that you have on hand. Or any fabric that you fall in love with at the craft stores. I show you the method and you get to decide on the design!

How to Make Concrete Pumpkins

If you are looking for a new kind of fall pumpkin craft, learning how to make concrete pumpkins may be perfect for you! I love crafting for fall and have made lots of different types of pumpkins. And these have such a unique look. No two turn out the same. So, if you’re like me and have already made lots of pumpkin crafts and want something new, you’re in the right place!

And don’t let the idea of concrete intimidate you! It’s really very simple to mix up and use. My friend Julie and I feel like we are pros already! You want your consistency to be like a Frosty or slightly more wet than cake frosting. Don’t worry, it’s easy to get the hang of it! And I show you how.

Making Fabric Pumpkins

Every year as I start to put out my fall decor, I fall in love with these adorable pumpkins all over again. And I can’t help but make more! Each one is so uniquely beautiful and fun. And they tuck so well into your existing decor that it seems like I can never have enough.

Simple to make and fabulous to gift, these fabric pumpkins are always a big hit!

How to Make Twine Pumpkins

I have made a ton of different kinds of pumpkins over the years. I love them all and I never get tired of making them. There is just something about fall decor that makes me so happy. I originally shared this project a few years ago in my membership group.

I thought enough time had passes since then that the gals wouldn’t mind me sharing it with you now. Because they are just too cute not to share! These little cuties only take a few minutes to make and they look so great tucked into your fall decor.

How to Make a Yarn Pumpkin

I love browsing my local dollar store for things that I can use in my crafts. A lot of times, you can find a decorative item that you can use as a starting point for a really fabulous decor piece. This project is a great example of what I mean.

I found foam pumpkins for a couple of dollars and decided to figure out how to make a yarn pumpkin out of one. Then I used braided yarn and some great little vintage items on my pumpkins and I love the way they turned out. I hope you do too!

The Wrap Up

I would love to see how you use these adorable fall pumpkins in your own home. So if you post any pictures of yours on social media, tag me so I can check them out! As always, I hope you love these projects as much as I do. Happy crafting, friends!

Make sure you never miss a Live or discount for my website! Sign up here to receive texts and I’ll let you know when fun things are happening! https://my.community.com/tamilovesvintage

Tami’s cell phone number: 740-273-6693

Looking for more decor inspiration? Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Instagram! You can also subscribe to my YouTube channel so you never miss a video tutorial!

If you love creating vintage treasures as much as I do you can also join my membership group, Tami Loves Creating Vintage Treasures. There you will get exclusive tutorials that will teach you how to create beautiful and unique pieces that will fit perfectly with your vintage decor!

How to do Chalk Couture Pumpkins on a Window

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Fall is really in full swing now! The days are cooler and the leaves are changing here in Ohio. Today I am sharing another adorable fall project with you: how to do Chalk Couture pumpkins on your window. This project is so much simple and fun, I can’t wait for you to see it!

Don’t get me wrong, I love summer! But is there anything better than putting on that first comfy sweater for the year and having a warm mug of something tasty? I also really love crafting for fall. There are so many cute projects and amazing fall colors to choose from. In the video below I’m showing you how to do Chalk Couture pumpkins on a window and it’s sure to put us all in a fall mood. Our windows are often overlooked when it comes to decor but this project is a great way to incorporate an otherwise blank space. Say goodbye to the old window stickies and hello to high-end window dressings!

How to do Chalk Couture Pumpkins on a Window

How to do Chalk Couture Pumpkins on a Window

Ok so I know you might be a little bit nervous about the thought of using paint on the glass of your windows. I am here to tell you, however, that this can absolutely be done safely! I have used Chalk Couture on my windows many times and am able to remove it after every season. I’m not saying that it wipes right off, it does need a little elbow grease, but it is so worth the clean up when you see the awesome results!

I also tried something new with this project. I used hot glue to attach some cute bows to my pumpkins. I know that some of you may be wary of this too. But, I promise, it worked great and popped right off when I switched designs! The first thing to remember when you do this is to only use the teeniest amount of glue. A little dab will do ya for this. Also, let the glue cool just a bit before you apply it to the window. Especially keep this in mind if the window is very cold. We don’t want any glass shattering!

For my window I used white paste because it fits with my kitchen decor. You can use any color, or combination of colors, that you want! You also don’t have to limit yourself to your kitchen window. This would look adorable on a front door, a bay window, a large mirror, etc. Basically any glass like surface that you have can easily be decorated using this method! And remember, the transfers that you use for this project can be used again and again. Simply wash and dry them then store them for next year.

Chalk Couture Pumpkin Supply List

Step by Step Instructions

  • First make sure you window is clean and dry.
  • Next, apply your transfer sheet to the window. It may take a few tries to get it right where you want it. Once you have it in place, use your application squeegee to smooth it out and remove any bubbles.

How to apply chalk couture transfer sheets

  • Now open your paste and stir it up. If it needs to be thinned add a bit of water, you want it to be a creamy consistency. Watch the video to see how I do this. When the paste is the right consistency, scraper tool to scrape it onto the transfer sheet. Any excess can be put back into the container and used again.

how to do chalk couture pumpkins on a window

  • Next, remove your first transfer sheet and allow the paste to dry before moving on to the next one. You can use a hair dryer on low to medium to help speed this along.
  • Continue the same process to apply as many pumpkins in as many colors as you like.
  • Next, take your ribbon and cut enough to tie a small bow. Tie your bow and then dovetail the ends. Put a little tiny bit of hot glue on your bow, let it cool slightly, and then attach it to your pumpkin (see notes above and video for tips!). Repeat in as many spots as you like.

How to do Chalk Couture pumpkins on a window

The Wrap Up!

And that’s it! This is a really simple but super fun fall decor project. The only problem is that, once you get started with Chalk Couture, it can be hard to stop. That’s okay though, there are so many available surfaces for this type of project. These transfers can be used on so many different surfaces. I really like using them on the windows because it is such a unique spot but you can use them any way you like. I hope you grab that hot mug of something tasty and have fun diving into this project!

Looking for more decor inspiration? Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Instagram!

If you love creating vintage treasures as much as I do you can also join my membership group, Tami Loves Creating Vintage Treasures. There you will get exclusive tutorials that will teach you how to create beautiful and unique pieces that will fit perfectly with your vintage decor!

How to Make Doily Pumpkins

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I just love decorating for fall, it’s so much fun! Today my daughter Abby and I are showing you how to make doily pumpkins. This project is so cute but it’s also super easy!

Pumpkins are synonymous with fall decor. They speak of harvests and Halloween jack-o-lanterns. They great thing about pumpkins is that they make great decor in their natural form but they are also adorable in so many other designs. Velvet pumpkins are making a big splash this year, plaid pumpkins are always a big hit, and here in the vintage world, doily pumpkins fit so well with our style.  In the video below we show you how to make doily pumpkins and I just know you’re going to love them!

How to make doily pumpkins

How to Make Doily Pumpkins

If you’ve been with me for awhile you know that I looooove vintage doilies! There are so many great ways to enjoy and display them. Today’s project is a great way to use doilies and the best part is you don’t have to sacrifice them forever. There is no cutting, sewing, or gluing with these pumpkins so when fall is over you can easily disassemble them and use your doilies for something else. As you probably know, every doily is going to be a little bit different so each pumpkin will be too. That’s one of my favorite things about vintage decor!

I have a huge stack of doilies in my collection but if you don’t I’ll tell you where you can find them. Craft stores often sell them if you want your doilies in a rush. If you have time to peruse though, check thrift stores like Goodwill and any vintage markets in your area. You can also find them in online shops like Etsy and Ebay. Finding them in physical stores is my favorite though because you can really gage the quality and authenticity better that way. Wherever you find your doilies they will work perfectly for this project!

The inside of these pumpkins are just Styrofoam craft balls. I left mine white because I love the contrast of a little bit of white poking through the doily. There are a couple of other things you could do with the balls though if you wanted. You could paint them either a color similar to your doily or a color you’d like to pop through. You could wrap them in muslin first and then add the doily. I also thought it would be neat to wrap them in a colored fabric before putting on the doily. There are so many fun things you could do with this project!

 

Doily Pumpkin Supply List

  • 3 White Styrofoam balls (I used three: 4.7″ 5.7″ and 6.8″)
  • 3 largish doilies
  • Muslin shreds (I had previously died mine in tea to age them)
  • Additional vintage decor items to decorate your muslin bow: Brass tags, cabinet keys, skeleton keys, a broach, or buttons.
  • Cutting board
  • Bread knife (not your best one!)

Assembly Instructions

  1. Take your first ball and lay it on your cutting board. Use the bread knife to cut a small portion off of the bottom of the ball. You only want to take off enough of it so that it lays flat. Repeat this process with the other two balls.
  2. Next, lay a size appropriate doily flat and place a ball, flat side down, in the center.
  3. Gather the doily at the top, pull it tight and get as much flounce at the top as you can. Use a muslin shred to tie the doily in place and then make a bow.
  4. Repeat with the other two balls.
  5. (Optional) add your little vintage decor items to the center of the bows. You can tie them on or you could use hot glue if need be.

The Wrap Up

And that’s it! An easy peasy fall craft project that you can make in minutes. I stopped once I added the muslin shreds but these would look so cute with some vintage embellishments added to the bow! You can use whatever small items that you have in your collection like a broach or buttons. If you need some little bits and bobs for this you can find Brass tags, cabinet keys, and skeleton keys in the shop. If you are into pumpkin spice, this is the perfect project to sip your fall themed treat to while you craft!

Looking for more decor inspiration? Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Instagram!

If you love creating vintage treasures as much as I do you can also join my membership group, Tami Loves Creating Vintage Treasures. There you will get exclusive tutorials that will teach you how to create beautiful and unique pieces that will fit perfectly with your vintage decor!

How to Decorate a Mantel for Fall

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The days are getting shorter and the nights are getting cooler. That can only mean one thing, it’s time to get out our fall decor! Today I’m showing you how to decorate a mantel for fall. And you know I’m keeping it vintage!

Fall is one of my favorite times of the year. The beautiful colors of the changing leaves remind us that, in order to have wonderful new beginnings, we also have to embrace endings. The beauty we witness in nature this time of year also gives great inspiration for crafts and decor! In the video below I show you how to decorate a mantel for fall using that inspiration. I transform my vintage mantel in one that is also ready to welcome in the cozy season. I just know you’re going to find something in it that you love!

How to Decorate a Fall Mantel

How to Decorate a Mantel for Fall

The mantel in our house has to be one of my favorite spots to decorate. I love grouping my vintage pieces together and a mantel is the perfect spot for that. It is also so fun and easy to transform it for each holiday while still displaying some of my favorite vintage items. In the video below I show you how to take the loved items that you already have on display and add to them to create a beautiful mantel that is perfect for autumn.

Your mantel will look different than mine does when it it’s complete and that’s totally okay! One of the best things about collecting vintage decor is that there a so many unique pieces. Also, even though we are all vintage lovers, we are all drawn to different things. As you’ll see in the video, some of my unique items include a bread board, a cutting board, and a well used goat yoke that I just had to have. Just start with some of your favorite things and I’ll show you how to mix in the fall decor! For my mantel I use shades of purple, black, and cream but you could use any color themes that make your heart happy!

A Word about Symmetry…

I know that for many people symmetry is the name of the game when it comes to decor. Having everything balanced is what they strive for. I have to tell you though, I am usually anti-symmetry and I’ll tell you why. When you walk into a home and everything is symmetrical it is most likely beautiful but everything kind of blends together. If you arrange things slightly off center they really start to catch the eye. Because we aren’t expecting to see something that is off balance, it naturally stands out in our vision. I’m not saying that there shouldn’t be any balance at all though! When it comes to colors and textures, I wholeheartedly believe in balance. It just doesn’t need to be completely symmetrical. This may seem strange to you in the beginning but just give it a try, I bet you’re going to love the results. Just start small and see what you think!

How to Decorate a Mantel for Fall Supply List

Instructions

Okay, here’s where it gets a little tricky. Decorating is more of a process than a set crafting recipe. It’s definitely more like cooking than like baking. You start with the suggested ingredients but make adjustments as you go. When you watch the video you will see how and why I chose to put things where I did. Let that be your guide and then go with your gut!

 

There are so many different ways that you can go when it comes to decorating your mantle for fall. My goal was to give you a solid example and instructions so that you could then make this project your own! I really hope that you enjoyed this decor tutorial and that you will find some fun inspiration in it. Happy fall to all!

Looking for more decor inspiration? Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Instagram!

If you love creating vintage treasures as much as I do you can also join my membership group, Tami Loves Creating Vintage Treasures. There you will get exclusive tutorials that will teach you how to create beautiful and unique pieces that will fit perfectly with your vintage decor!

Tami Loves Vintage…

My name is Tami Neff and I would like to thank you for visiting my website. I hope you found many unique items to inspire you.  I love bringing you found vintage items to use when creating your treasures.  I have picked some of the nicest greenery around for you to use in your decor.  Please stop back often as we are always adding new items just for you.

tami

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