Gateway to your home Part 2

I just love the blog Between Naps on the Porch - you must check out Susan's beautiful front porch she has decorated for Halloween/Fall. Well, mine is not quite as gorgeous but after all the inspiration I've seen on her site- I will improve it.
Here is it for now.As you know from Gateway's previous post- I love fall and I entertain so much during the fall (well for that matter- I entertain all year round- I find reasons to throw a party) Anyway, here is my bland front porch. This weekend, I was on a mission to make it more inviting for my fall entertaining. Here is the final product. Of course, I did it on a budget and spent around $150 which I don't think is bad considering I bought those huge clay pots!

I saw this gorgeous pumpkin in Michael's with flowers on top but it was $160 and I was not going to pay that. I looked at it closely and saw that all they did was stick flowers in the pumpkin-didn't even use picks or floral tape. I'm no floral designer but I can stick flowers in a pumpkin so this is what I ended up with. I'm happy with it.

I bought the large pumpkin from Michael's on sale for $25. I had the flowers left over from a wedding I did last November. The sweet treats sign I got from $ Tree last year.

I couldn't find a large bale of hay anywhere so I ended up buying 2 small bales from Michael's for $6 each. I bought the pots from Big Lots for a total of $25. The mums and geraniums are from the local nursery. I also mixed last year's leftover fake mums- I love to mix fake with real. I had everything else. I carved the funkins last year. I love those things. No mess and you can use year to year!!! I'm going to do some more this year but put a more creative spin to them. Will post later.

Bought the cones from Michael's on clearance and already had the flowers. I tried to make them match. Like I said- I'm not a floral designer but I love to be crafty anyway!

A close up of my handy work!

The pots was my big purchase I found them for $45 a piece. Which I thought was a steal! They are so heavy I couldn't lift them. I love mums - and they are so cheap!

Hope you enjoyed my porch transformation. Please send me your front porch decor for the holidays. I would love to see your pics. Remember, your front porch is the first thing your guests see! So decorate from door to table!!