CELEBRATIONS: Woodland Table Numbers

If you’re planning a large gathering or a wedding, table numbers can keep things organized and add a special touch to each table. You can go all out and order elaborate floral arrangements to house your numbers, or you can diy using simple terracotta pots, moss and a cuttings from your yard.

CELEBRATIONS: Red Velvet & White Tulle Table

Inspiration strikes in the strangest ways sometimes. My table color scheme this year is inspired by this spool of deep red velvet ribbon.

CELEBRATIONS: Purple & Orange Fall Centerpiece

This year I planned to go with neutrals for my fall color palette but this purple and orange burst of color happened accidentally.

ETCETERAS: Seeded Eucalyptus Votive

I couldn’t resist buying another bunch of Seeded Eucalyptus when I was at the market.

ETCETERAS: a winter centerpiece

I failed so miserably with Christmas décor this year that I had to do some post-holiday winterizing. Between my new day job and being away almost every weekend at my son’s volleyball tournaments we just didn’t have time to haul out the Christmas décor. Add to that the fact that it’s been almost 80 degrees here in Southern California and I almost feel like it wasn’t the holiday season.

CELEBRATIONS: Black Lace Decoupage Votive

Last week I shared a black lace stenciled treat jar and today I’m sharing a project using real black lace.

Celebrations: fall table centerpiece

No matter how hard you want to hold on to summer, fall is here. It’s in the air and now it’s on my table.

Celebrations: mother’s day centerpiece

I found these sweet pink birds at the local dollar store. I was at the checkout and had already paid for my items when I saw a box of these by the register. Yup – I was that person – I held up the line so I could buy some of these birds.

Photo Source

I wanted to make a topiary birdcage like the one above but ended up creating a simpler project that I can use as a centerpiece for Mother’s Day.


Since I already had an ivy plant in a pot, I decided to make a scaled down version of my tomato plant cage. You can see that post here.

Once the cage was constructed out of twigs, I gave it a light coat of white spray paint.

I love how the natural wood still shows through but the twigs are now lighter and brighter.

Since I may want to reuse the birds, I used a little dab of Quake Hold to secure them. Quake Hold or Collector’s Hold is a putty that secures items but is removable. It’s great for plates or décor items that are breakable – especially if you live in a quake zone like I do.

A little piece of vintage ribbon softens everything up.

Once the ivy starts growing up and into the cage, I think it will look even prettier.

Thanks for visiting.

Carolyn

I link at the wonderful parties listed here and

   

Celebrations: spring paper flower centerpiece

 
Inspired by the pretty spring projects floating around blogland I felt it was time to create a new spring centerpiece.



These three projects {above} were linked up on my link party and featured on the Inspiration Board within the last month. These were my main source of inspiration when I created my spring paper flower tree. {left} Mulberry Paper Flowers ~ Craftberry Bush  {middle} Bird Lamp ~ Creative Chaos  {right} Spring Paper Wreath ~ Ivaalex

I loved different aspects of each project… the muted watercolors on the Mulberry Flowers, the airy feeling of the Bird Lamp and the variety of color on the Spring Paper Wreath.

For my flowers, I used very cheap napkins as the paper.

I sprinkled water on the napkins and then dabbed water color paints here and there until I achieved a mottled effect. Since the napkins are wet, the paint bleeds together nicely. My primary colors were blue, pink and yellow/green. Once you’re done painting, let the napkins dry thoroughly.

I wanted tiny little flowers so I cut strips of the napkins and used this tutorial originally designed for crepe paper.

When you make these flowers, try to find interesting parts of the napkin with different colors and tones.

The little blue birds are made out of rice paper and I recycled them from this project I made last year.

The flowers are extremely fragile so be careful when putting together your tree.

I may keep one little bird perched on top but I haven’t decided.

I didn’t want the entire tree covered in flowers so I added some silk flower leaves to give it a little bit of an airy feeling.

 This will be the centerpiece of my Easter brunch table. I can hardly wait to add more tablescape details.

Thanks for visiting.

Carolyn

Etceteras: bread basket bird nest

I sense that the craft world is ready to move on from winter. I’m seeing a lot of colorful projects that include pastels, flowers and delicate fabrics. I’m ready too, but before I spring into spring, I wanted to create one more winter centerpiece for my table.

This snow bird centerpiece is made out of a silver bread basket. Because I may want to use my bread basket again someday, I lined the bottom with paper and then glued down oasis and a mound of moss. I painted twigs, a branch and a green ceramic bird with white spray paint.

This little snow bird will stay warm and cozy on my dining room table until spring. As the season starts to change, I may add eggs and small flowers and use this as a spring center piece.

If I can wait that long... I may have to give this little snow bird an early spring. 

Etceteras: berries in the snow

It doesn’t snow where I live. In fact, it’s not uncommon to see people in shorts on Christmas day. So, in order to have a white Christmas around here, you have to buy it in a can.

This year I wanted to some snow for my table centerpiece. I created these berries in the snow using twigs, red faux berries and canned snow.

Now, even though the sun is out, we can have a white Christmas too.

Etcetera: fall leaf centerpiece

If you’re ready to give up summer and start putting out fall décor, this centerpiece will definitely make an autumn statement.

To make this centerpiece, you’ll need:

Fall leaves (natural or silk)
Oasis
Pot or planter
Optional: floral picks, twine to embellish your pot, glue gun, tacky glue

For my centerpiece, I wrapped the terra cotta pot that I used in sisal twine. Starting at the top, I used Aleene’s Tacky Glue and wrapped the twine around and around until I reached the bottom. I don’t have any pictures of this part of the process because my hands were covered in glue!

1. My leaves didn’t come with stems or picks so I hot glued them to pieces of wire. I used about 5 leaves per wire and sort of fanned them out.
2. Start sticking the wires into the oasis going around in a circle until the pot is completely filled.
3. You need a lot of leaves to get an abundant, full effect. 
4. Once you’ve filled your pot with leaves, you can fluff them or rearrange them until you’re satisfied.

All done and...

time for a nap!