Cozy Allure E-Magazine - Premier Issue | Oct 12th | A Steemit Exclusive!

Intro
The first digital issue of Cozy Allure Magazine has hit the Steemit news-stands! 

Cozy Allure is a home & garden magazine, created exclusively for Steemit! It will focus on the latest seasons - sharing ideas for decorating your home, tips and trick for entertaining your holiday guests, and interior design advice from Christopher Hiedeman!  I hope you enjoy my Steemit exclusive creation!

^ No-Carve Pumpkins
Carved pumpkins are wonderful, spooky editions to any Halloween display, but unfortunately, they do not last the entire season. No-carve pumpkins are great that your work of art can shine for the entire autumn season!  To ensure your pumpkin lasts the entire season, make sure to pick one that has no damaged spots on it.  Placing your pumpkin away from heating sources will add to the longevity of your pumpkin too.  Remember to always place something under your pumpkins if they are on delicate surfaces like wooden tables so they do not leave a mark.

What better way to greet your autumn guests than with a "hello" pumpkin!  This Cinderella pumpkin (shown above) was decorated with cursive lettering using black fabric paint in a pointed applicator bottle.  If you make a mistake, simply wipe off the error with a paper towel before it dries. 

^ Planters | Fall Makeovers
In the October season, planters tend to look less lush compared to their thriving summer season.  One of the easiest ways to spruce up your planters for autumn is to remove the fading plants in your planters and replace them with decorated pumpkins and fall leaves!  This eyeball was painted using a medium sized craft brush and craft paint. This look was created in steps. Leaving the paint to dry in between is essential to create the crisp edges of each color.  A large white circle was painted first.  Then, a red circle with orange lines reaching toward the center of the circle.  Next, the black circle was painted.  Finally, a small dot of white paint was added with a small craft brush to the "pupil" to give it a reflection! 

We purchased an inexpensive leaf garland, wrapped it around the pumpkin, and cut off the excess garland.  Purchase tent stakes to hold the leaf garland in your planter. Finishing touches of orange string lights and branches were added around the pumpkin as well.  If you are looking for an option that shines brighter at night - use a faux light-up jack-o-lantern instead of a painted pumpkin!

^ Leaves Pumpkin
Here is our cover project!  Some pumpkin decorating ideas scream Halloween more than others.  This pumpkin will look great even into the Thanksgiving season!  First, paint the pumpkin with off-white craft paint.  While the pumpkin is drying, hunt outside for the perfect fall leaves to adhere to your pumpkin!  Once the paint is dry, using glue, apply your colorful leaves to your pumpkin.  Hold in place for a few seconds to make sure the leaves adhere.  Let the glue dry slightly before the next step.  Finally, using metallic gold craft paint, use the dry-brushing technique to give your pumpkin a golden texture!  If you are not familiar with dry-brushing - it is a painting technique where you use very little paint on your brush, and lightly drag the brush over the surface - trying only to get the paint on the raised surface of the textured surface.  Using a larger brush with stiff bristles works best.

^ Vintage Finds
These vintage wool carding brushes add a rustic touch to this simple, cozy display.  These brushes were used in the process of preparing wool for spinning.

^ PumpkinVille
Make a cozy little pumpkin village!  This idea was inspired by the popular Christmas villages. Why not make a autumn version for your home using a variety of mini pumpkins and gourds!  Use black fabric craft paint in a pointed applicator bottle, to get crisper lines when your are creating the windows and doors!  This idea is a great addition for shelves and fall mantels!

^ Autumn Mantel
Add a warm autumn look to your mantel with fall floral, branches, mini pumpkins/gourds, and orange string lights!  We also used small black mice, and this miniature witches broom to add to the Halloween feel.  Crows  also make great additions to fall arrangements!

^ Painting with Nature
There is no shortage of leaves this time of year - why not put them to use for painting your next pumpkin!  To create this look, first shop for the perfect leaf outside.  We used an oak leaf that was mostly flat but slightly curved so it would fit the contours of the Cinderella pumpkin.  Wearing protective gloves, hold the leaf to the surface of the pumpkin and dust with black spray paint. Make sure to go over the edges of the leaf to enhance the contrast.  Move the leaf to a new location at a different angle, and repeat.  Continue this until your pumpkin is covered in fall leaves!  Make sure to let your pumpkin dry before placing on your steps or walkway.



^ Etched Initials Pumpkin
Reminiscent of days when couples would carve their initials in the bark of a tree - these pumpkins are the perfect way to celebrate your love this autumn season!  Using a small brush and black craft paint, paint the initials in the center of the pumpkin in a "carved" style.  Next, paint short lines around the letters to create a heart.  Then, paint a wood grain pattern to cover the rest of the pumpkin's surface.  To add extra emphasis to the letters, accent them with a little gold paint to add highlights.

 

^ Mini Owl Pumpkins
These tiny whimsical owl pumpkins are sure to make your guests smile!  To make them, start by painting golden lines outward from the stem of a mini white pumpkin.  Then, paint small dash lines below the starburst design on one side of the pumpkin. This will be the bottom side of the owl.  Next, using hot glue, adhere two different sized googly eyes onto the pumpkin - remembering that the golden dash lines are the bottom.  Finally, carefully hot glue a black feather to each side of the owl pumpkin.  Use these for Halloween place settings, or decorate trays with them!

^ Buffet Labels
Make little pumpkin label place cards to rest in front of your horderves on your autumn buffet this year!  Simply design your labels in a Word document using our pumpkin sketch and your favorite font, then print, cut, and fold!

Enjoy the Season
The autumn season never lasts long enough.  Make sure to take the time to get out and enjoy it while it lasts!  Go for walks or shop with your camera for the perfect autumn photograph!  In no time, the colorful leaves will fall to the ground - in preparation for the next stunning season...

Thank you for reading :)