Etceteras: chenille faux bois cans

Have you heard of faux bois? Even if you haven’t heard the phrase you’ve probably seen the oh-so-trendy look. Faux bois means “false or fake wood” and it’s pronounced “foe bwah”. It’s French which is why it sounds so much prettier than “fake wood”.

Faux bois is popping up everywhere. Here’s a a little round up of some pretty examples of faux bois. 1. stationery  2. dresser  3. notecard  4. soap  5. surface

I was looking at this piece of chenille that I had and it reminded me of faux bois. Okay, a little if you squint.

I wrapped the chenille fabric around a few cans that I had and adhered them with Mod Podge. Narrow leather strips and twigs brought a natural element to my very faux bois cans.

Nothing faux about these freesias from my garden. The fragrance from these is almost overwhelming.

Happy extra day {leap year} and thanks for visiting!

Carolyn

I happily link at the parties listed here and

The Inspiration Board: link party 39

This post sponsored by:

Welcome to the Inspiration Board link party. I’m so happy that you’re here– whether you’re sharing a project or looking for inspiration. Spring is in the air and I’m excited to see what the warmer weather inspires.


I’ll be going through the projects and featuring some in the spotlight on Friday.

A few rules:

• Link up your own project - something you created, made, did, etc. 
• Link to a specific post, not your blog home page (No Etsy shops or giveaways). 
• Grab a “homework” button and include it somewhere on the post you’re linking, on your home page or a page of link parties. Or, if you prefer, add a text link. Follow homework. You’ll find the “Follow via Google Friend Connect” gadget on the right sidebar. 
• Please visit the other links that intrigue you and make someone smile with a comment or two. 

I’m ready to be inspired and can’t wait to see what you’re sharing this week.

Don’t forget to add my button somewhere on your blog. Spreading the word helps bring more visitors to your linked project.

<a href=" http://carolynshomework.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="homework" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxjSbbA0SOqesA5DHID0I2xl7oOAjtbIFcAeh3DMql6FzRborOFgbaGtPfC36n4P2XimbCewe-uE_YrJzA0JxCjQ_6ifYvJlKf9fw8nFunAdoeuAn-d1hP8_XVPE4ohV3whBUTItFY8TJy/s1600/Homework+Blog+Logo+Square+outline+2-1.jpg" height="125" width="125"/></a>

Want to host your own link party? Click here to sign up for InLinkz

Good Taste: spice blends and a chalkboard tin

I have a few go-to spice blends that I use over and over. To save time, I like to pre-blend the spices so they’re ready to use on busy evenings.

These are the spices I use to make a few different rubs or blends; course salt, garlic powder, paprika, dry mustard, cinnamon, curry powder, chili powder, cumin and pepper.

As far as the proportions, it’s up to your individual taste. The first spice blend has a Moroccan flair to it. You can use it on shrimp, chicken and probably just about anything.


Moroccan Spice Blend

• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
• 1/8 teaspoon chili powder or cayenne
• 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

When I cook beef, I like to use this homemade meat spice blend:

Meat Spice Blend

• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard

Mix all your spices together and store them until you’re ready to use them. The colors are so pretty, that the spice blends look great in an old spice jar or mason jar.

I used an old spice tin and painted it with chalkboard paint. I’m planning on saving all my old spice tins and having a row of these chalkboard spice tins in my kitchen. It may take me awhile to save up the tins but I’m determined.

Thanks for visiting.

Carolyn

The Inspiration Board: link party spotlight ~38~

Another amazing week on the Inspiration Board. Thank you to everyone who linked up a project or came by to visit. There are so many link parties available and I’m so grateful to be on your party list. Have you noticed all the warm colors that are popping up and the glimpses of spring in the projects? I love this transition into spring.

Here are a few of the projects in the spotlight this week.

Pretty fabric scrap bracelets by Glimmer Snaps. These would look great with a tank top and sandals or a pretty sundress. I know we all can’t wait for warm weather and pretty accessories like these bracelets.

Two great lamp transformations. 

{left} Imprintalish turns her lamp upside down and adds chicken wire for a fabulous hanging light fixture.

{right} Claiming our Space takes a freecycle lamp and transforms it into a designer look-a-like.

Spring is around the corner and the birds will soon be nesting. Alyssabeth starts the season off with this pretty moss covered clay pot nest.

  

This tray was heading to the donation center but a moment of inspiration and a a coat (or two) of paint transformed it just in time. Nice save by Happy Canadian Home.

In My Own Style creates a faux zinc candy jar top out of a tuna can. Amazing!  The glass knob completes the look and of course, makes digging into those candies a little easier.

 

 

A bright and cheery birdcage makeover by Ode to Inspiration. The aqua flowers, lace and bird give the new cage a sweet personal touch. 

 

These cranberry scones by Live Laugh Rowe look so yummy. And the best part – they’re healthy and only four weight watcher points. I’m definitely going to make some of these. 

 

While out walking, Design Megillah found beautiful pieces of birch bark that had fallen off a tree. What a great find! The bark creates a beautiful, natural vase for this pretty spring flowers. 

What a great apron rack by Bringing Beauty. The vintage rolling pins are so unique and will be a great conversation piece when it hangs in their deli. 

 

A sweet peanut themed baby shower by Homemaker on a Dime. The baby nicknamed “little peanut” was the inspiration for theme. A lot of pretty details like the painted peanuts, pretty cupcakes and diaper cake make this shower extra special.

  

………………………………………………………………….

 

This week on the Inspiration Pinboard 

{diy spa and retreat }

 

1. Homemade Makeup Remover – Scrapity Anne

2. Natural Peppermint Headache Remedy – Homespun with Love

3. Indoor Campout – Little Green Bow

4. Organic Lip Balm – Forever and a Recipe

5. Flu Fighter Cookies – Feeding my Temple

6. Coconut Honey Scrub – Homespun with Love


 

If you were in the spotlight, please feel free to grab a button.

<a href=" http://carolynshomework.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="homework" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXKM4yQr9oUN7GwFux5BITknFYg1so-bdRvyvaBjWBTFrjlH943I7g401-x4gi3eWzlMzyZJjiZUszNBy3GpPcUkBQg_zNqqFY7fpE7ASpwP3nnNI250E6lTch-PcLFuJQzEqyDRYK4Yg/s1600/Featured+Button.jpg" height="125" width="125"/></a>

Thank you again to everyone who linked a project and to everyone who came to visit. I loved looking at all the projects and visiting your sites.

Please come back next week for another link party.

Link parties are held every Tuesday.

.................................................................................. 

Carolyn  

Sew & Tell: vintage tea towel pillow

Did I tell you I got a new sewing machine for Christmas? My old machine was super old and not working very well. That’s one of the reasons I haven’t posted any sewing projects lately. I finally had some time to try out my new machine and I love it. It has ninety-nine stitches… so far I’ve mastered one – the straight stitch.



I dug through my fabric stash and found this vintage tea towel that I had forgotten about. It’s so bright and cheery.

My favorite part are these little curtain valances that came on the tea towel. 

The tea towel was the perfect size to make a pillow and making a pillow was an easy way to try out my new sewing machine.



I decided to make the pillow with a flange edge so I wouldn’t lose any of the cute floral pattern that runs along the edge of the towel.

Super cute and easy. Honestly, it took me longer to figure out how to thread my new sewing machine than to make this pillow.

Thanks for visiting.

Carolyn

I happily link at the parties listed here and 

  
   

Etceteras: mikasa cera-stone dishes

Have you ever gone shopping and left without buying the item you wanted? And then the non-purchase haunts you and you begin to obsess about the item?

That happened to me the other day. I was in a thrift store and saw these dishes. There were 6 cups, 5 saucers (one with a chip) and 2 bowls.

I only wanted the cups and asked the thrift store lady how much they were.

Here’s the conversation:

Me: How much are these cups?

Mean Thrift Store Lady: It’s a set.

Me: But there are 6 cups and only 5 saucers and one has a chip.

Mean Thrift Store Lady: No, it’s a set, see…(as she places one of the bowls on the saucer).

Me: But there are only two bowls. How much for just the cups.

Mean Thrift Store Lady: $2.00.

Me: $2.00 for the whole set?

Mean Thrift Store Lady: No, $2.00 per item.

Me: $26.00? No thank you.

When I got home I started researching the brand – Mikasa Cera-Stone. The above photo has some of the great patterns from the Cera-Stone era (60’s and 70’s). I also found some information on Diary of a Dishie.
Here's what they said:

Cerastone is vintage Mikasa. Many of these patterns have a decidedly retro look of the 1970s, especially those with pattern numbers in the 3000 series. Cerastone is similar to English ironstone we’re familiar with. The weight and feel of the dishes falls somewhere between porcelain and stoneware on the ceramics spectrum. 

The pattern I wanted was Mateo 3119. I had to have them. I obsessed for 2 days and went back to the store. The bowls were gone but I asked a different lady how much the cups were and she said I could have the cups and saucers for $8.00.

Sold!

Since I only have 5 saucers and one has a chip, I tried out my new fabulous cups on different saucers. I like it on this plain white saucer – it shows off the pattern on the cup more.

Here it is on a blue saucer. It doesn’t really work with the gold trim but I like the color combination. I guess I’ll be on the hunt for 6 pool-blue saucers.

In the meantime, I’m going to enjoy my new cups and the satisfaction of getting them at the good price.

{If anyone knows anything about this particular patten, please let me know}

Thank you for visiting.

Carolyn