I think we can all agree at this point that the some of the biggest theme trends we saw in jewelry and handcrafts in general for 2010 were the appearances of owls, and then later, foxes. (I like to believe, or at least tell myself, the latter was due to the popularity of the '09 November release of Fantastic Mr. Fox, a personal fav of mine that starred George Clooney and Meryl Streep.) If you haven't seen it, watch it. It's funny. My kids liked it too.
Along with the ever-present owl was the nature/trees/earth-friendly theme — a throwback from the 70's with a pinch of groove and dash of Bohemian — as well as recycle/re-use/repurpose theme, that's gaining momentum and I'm sure will continue to through 2011 and on. After all, it's the new standard....
Birds'especially vintage looking ones'they just will remain with u s forever, I suppose....this seems to be one theme that just remains popular year after year, and rightfully so.
What will be hot in 2011? It's a bit early to tell, although I can see the morphing has begun'
My personal forecast is as follows: I think we will see more deer, buck, stag and antlered motif items, also tree and forest themed items throughout the year, with these becoming more prominent during autumn. I also think there will be a return to the mythical'unicorns, Pegasus, etc., and I also think we will see more ocean and ship themes.
As for color in 2011, I think we'll see a lot of earthy, foresty greens and ocean blues, rich indigo and muted olive accented with amethyst, pale butter yellow, and soft honeysuckle.
Lemon Drop Quartz necklace by jbirdsgarden can be found here
Enchanted Forest print by arpadlukacs can be found here
Serenity Ring by happygolicky can be found here
Love Birds Necklace by StefenyStanyer can be found here
It's that time of year when Mother Nature has been kind enough to bless us once again with a fruit harvest. You might think there's nothing to picking fruit, picking fruit is the easy part''.
The blueberries are ripe for the picking!
I even get help from this guy, Dylan our Golden, at least he's getting mostly green berries....
....until he discovered the BOWL!
And than it's a race to beat these wall sitters to the berries....they can clear a shrub in a single day!
The blackberries are ripening, no help from Dylan dog with these since they have thorns!
Then it was off to see about gathering some peaches....think clobber!
Dylan dog likes picking peaches too....sorry the picture is a bit fuzzy but the boy was in motion!
....until he discovers the BUCKET!
Is there anything better than enjoying a fresh picked peach on a warm summer day? Mother Nature has been good to us! Dylan and I hope everyone is enjoying the fruits of summer too!
photo by Kevin Bauman I recently came across Kevin Bauman's 100 Abandoned Houses website, which is a collection of his photographs of abandoned homes throughout the Detroit area.
photo by Kevin Bauman There is something mesmerizing about these old, abandoned homes. One can only wonder about their history and past inhabitants. I find some of the homes eerily inviting. I'm a curious kind of chick, and the allure of all things past combined with the period architecture as well as each home's desperate state intrigues me.
photo by Kevin Bauman In many of the photos, not only time, but nature has taken over; trees, shrubbery, bushes and weeds wrap like arms around the homes'nature enveloping what humans have long abandoned...
photo by Kevin Bauman ....almost as if to comfort and keep still the rotting dilapidated remnants of what once was grandeur.
all photos by Kevin Bauman Click here to visit 100 Abandoned Houses
Downtown with only two streets I thought I'd tell you how we came to be living in an 18th century house in the country. My husband Rick and I were living in NYC and had been searching the suburbs for 5 ' years looking for the perfect antique house to no avail. We had quite the list of wants and weren't willing to settle. After one particularly disappointing day my husband brightened up and said time to go farther out and made a call to an old childhood friend who was in real estate.
Autumn in Our Town An hour later our fax machine started humming away spitting out house listing after house listing, talk about excitement! The house listings were in Rick's childhood hometown up in New Hampshire and one house in particular caught both our attention and Rick couldn't figure out why it seemed so familiar so time to take a drive up and have a look.
Front of House at first meeting Rick had driven up alone to see the house and called that night telling me I needed to hop on a plane and get up to NH pronto, he had found our dream home. Meeting our home for the first time took a bit of imagination to envision what it could look like when brought back to life. Upon arrival to our house you couldn't see it sitting up on the side of the mountain from the road since the front forest was so over grown. But once up the drive there she was'''a cape built in 1790 sitting looking very blank and forlorn just waiting for someone to love her.
Side yard looking into the back The property was blank! No shrubs around the house, no gardens, no nothing except what Mother Nature planted. Those 'shrubs' you see at the back of the house were actually invasive weeds called Japanese knot weed or bamboo and were next to impossible to kill off.
Back of house
The property in general was an absolute mess! The side field weeds had grown part way into the side yard and calling them weeds was putting it mildly. There were huge wild rose bushes the size of a vehicle, poisonous sumac trees and giant weeds taller then a man. The only way around that mess was walking around on the road because you couldn't go through it.
Rick told me while we were touring what we termed 'the mess' that he finally knew why this house seemed so familiar, it was his old pediatricians house. My husband was born and raised right down the road from this house, talk about going full circle. Another surprise from our realtor, the old gal is buried right out back on the tier. I guess she really loved this house!
Yes, as far as you can see this is our mess!
The interior turned out to be as dismal as the outside, the whole house had white walls, not semi flat painted white walls but the white of primer paint. Yes, you read that right, everything was painted with primer white paint! While almost every trim throughout the entire house was painted that strange blue/green. Take it from me people white is not neutral it's shockingly bright!
We had seen our house on a rainy day so found out first hand that the roof needed help since it was raining on the first floor of a two story house. See the rain coming down the window shade? It's was flowing steadily from the ceiling as well. Despite the fact we were going to need a bulldozer and every surface in the house needed help the structural bones of the house were perfect and ready to stand for another 200 years.
Front forest after we cleaned and thinned it out We found everything we wanted in a property and house even if it was going to take a very strong back and many years to put right. So after nearly six years of searching we took the plunge and bought our home. Welcome to our dream!
I love Victorian furniture. I love the ornate lines. I love the rich hue of the dark wood. I love that each piece possesses such intricate carved detail.
I purchased this Victorian chair for just $62. When I look at this chair, I see a work of art no different than a piece of artwork hanging on our wall. It's absolutely beautiful. The fact that this delicate chair has 'lived' for over a hundred years is just fascinating to me, especially seeing that it's in pristine condition. It must have known some very loving homes along the way.
The needlepoint is in good condition — just a few thin spots, which I think come from moths rather than wear. The preservationist in me says leave it alone. But in my effort to blend my passion for antiques with the modernity of our lives, I thought of perhaps brightening the chair with a nice light velvet, which was also popular during the late 1800's. Alternatively, for a more contemporary juxtaposition, I thought a nice botanical fabric could also be quite beautiful and honor the Victorian era's love of nature.
I've placed the chair next to my bed, in place of the chair that was already there. It goes just so beautifully next to the Eastlake nightstand, as they share the same intricate carved detail and the same lovely bird's eye maple veneer. Considering the placement of the chair, I'm leaning towards brightening it with a soft, light velvet as I think it would best match the feel of the bedroom. If I do this, I will preserve the original needlepoint — perhaps by covering over it. What do you think... leave it alone? Or do you like the bird toile, or the light soft velvet fabric?
I reframed this owl print. This was actually a birthday present that I gave my Grandmother years ago. She loved birds. The print means a lot to me so I thought I'd give it a makeover with an old frame and a lighter mat.
Above is what it looked like before. As you can see it's more contemporary and not as crisp or bright with its darker frame and mats. For the first time, I tried the Museum Grade UV Glass because I thought the UV Clear I used on my peony piece was too reflective. In fact, I ended up replacing the glass in the peony piece with the Museum Grade UV Glass as well. Most of the art we have in our home are original oil or acrylic landscape paintings. But lately I've been framing up some prints because I'm working on a salon wall for our den. The antique frame was $20 (what a deal!). Add in the custom cut Museum Grade UV Glass, which was $23, and the custom cut mat for $12, my new piece of artwork cost me $55. But more than the affordable cost of hanging a new piece of art in my home, I am reminded of the memory of my Grandmother and her passionate love of nature.
Every time we have a fire in the fireplace, we always ask ourselves why we don't have them more often. For some reason, our fires are lit in the coldest months of winter. As I suggested to Mike, a summer fire....with the windows thrown open and the chirping of crickets outside....why haven't we done that?
My hydrangeas are already budding, inspiring some spring reading (or at least the thought of spring reading)!
I added an orchid to the mantle in anticipation of the changing seasons.
Ever since the babies arrived, we've been spending most of our days in this room (which was tidied up before I took pictures!). For wear and tear (and spills and leaks), I typically throw a quilt over the couch. Baby swing is by Nature's Purest.
These tags make great personal touches for gifts, or, if you're a crafty, use them in altered art and scrapbooking projects. If you sell your work, use these as jewelry cards or hang tags for your handcrafted items, as I have done above. Supplies needed: Manila hang tags 'available at office supply stores, or if you prefer you can cut your own from cardstock. I prefer to use the purchased ones, just because it is more time efficient for me.
Teabags and hot water to brew some strong tea (or you can use coffee)
Other Optional supplies & embellishments: Spray bottle (optional) Ribbon scraps Carnival tickets (office supply stores, Walmart, and Party supply stores) Misc. ephemera Glue stick
STEP 1 Brew a strong pot of tea and when cooled, pour it into a medium pot (I keep the teabags in). You can brew the teabags right in the pot on the stovetop. I use about 6 teabags per every 4 cups of water. If you prefer you can use coffee instead of tea. STEP 2 Submerge and soak the manila tags in the cooled tea until stained and saturated. They do not have to be evenly stained. The less-even the stains are, the better. You can either just dip them for a lighter look, or you can allow them to soak for a while for a deeper shade. Experiment until you achieve the look you like. STEP 3 When the tags are the color you like, remove them from the tea soak and lightly blot them on an old tea towel. Next, arrange them on a cookie sheet and bake in a warm oven (about 200-250 degrees F) until they begin to dry. Watch them carefully so that you do not burn them. Then remove them from the oven.
when dry, your tags should look like this
STEP 4 This step is optional, but I like to go the extra mile for the look: spritz the tags with a spray bottle filled with tea or coffee to add some extra, darker stain marks. If you don't want to use a spray bottle you can just randomly drip the tea on your tags. This step helps them look old and worn or grungy: that is the look we are going for. Bake again for just a few minutes until dry and remove from oven.
I love drip stains on my tags! STEP 5 Embellishing: Once your tags are completely dry you can rubber stamp them with designs. Using the rubber stamp and stamp pad, stamp your tags with whatever designs you desire. Some nice stamps that I like to use are seasonal designs and nature designs. You can stop here and use your tags as-is, or read on for more embellishment ideas. For Those Who Want More* Thread a few scraps of ribbon through the hole in the tag and tie for a colorful look (see below).
Just thread the ribbon through the hole...
....and then tie in a simple knot
I coordinated these earrings to the ribbons to complete the look! Getting Fancy * Use rubber stamps to decorate carnival tickets, punch a hole in each with a hole-punch and then attach these with ribbon through the hole on the tag (as shown above). Or, if you prefer, use a glue stick and glue the carnival ticket directly to the tag.
You can buy carnival tickets by the roll
use a simple, small stamp on the carnival tickets
a colorful, whimsical look A Few Other Ideas * Distress the edges of your tags by running the edge of the tag along the stamp pad or by tracing along the edge of the tag with a marker. * Add some color to your rubber stamp designs by coloring with colored pencil. * Add vintage ephemera to your tags with a glue stick for an altered art look. * Good idea: If you're using these as tags for items you are going to sell or as jewelry cards, use the reverse side to write pertinent info about your item (such as materials used, etc), or, stamp the reverse side with a sticker or personalized rubber stamp to advertise your business name and/or website. I had a custom rubber stamp made by Etsy seller terbearco, and I love it!
In the pristine Languedoc area of south-western France, considered by many to be more desirable and less touristy than Provence, midway between the towns of Montpelier and Perpignan lies a beautiful wine-growing estate. Nestled amidst nature, the Ch'teau Les Les Carrasses welcomes you into a holiday home where modernity meets tradition.
Steeped in history, the Ch'teau was built in 1886 by well Bordelaisarchitect Louis Garros on the foundations of a rest stop on the pilgrimage route of Saint-Jacques de Compostela.
The properties has it's authentic character, contemporary design centred around a series of courtyards connected by an avenue lined with shady trees. The chateau, winery and cellars, houses farm workers, forge, stables, the granary, the mansion and the gardener's cottage.
Each of these buildings have been transformed into individual private residences in keeping with their original design, proportions and textures, most with private gardens and many with swimming pools as well.
8 acres of gardens, woods and 'garrigue' await discovery — a treasure trove that includes enormous palms and other thriving specimen trees and shrubs, a gorgeous basin that is home to sleepy koi, an orchard, vegetable garden and olive grove. Dotted throughout the estate are surprising features ' a loveseat hanging from a tree, a flash of contemporary art, nesting boxes and the Ch'teau's 'secret gardens'.
I'm freezing! We woke up to our thermometer outside flat lining it was ZERO degrees! So visions on warmth wafted through my head. Just look at that image, tropical breeze, sun, surf and sand!
Last week we had a snowstorm that dumped nearly two feet of snow on us. See those sticks sticking up out of the snow that would be our Forsythia shrubs. Buried right up to the tops and look at that sky, could it get any grayer? (Actually I wish I could copy that gray color for my dining room walls.)
We had to snow blow paths just so Dylan dog could get out and unfortunately tomorrow isn't going to be any better for us. They're predicting another foot of snow and to make it even more fun Mother Nature is tossing in a little sleet. HELP! I hope you're enjoying some warmth! ?
'Regarded as one of the most original and adventurous collectors and dealers of our time,Axel Vervoordtrightly considers himself an eclectic collector and dealer, who treasures the timeless and disdains the trendy. Vervoordt's taste spans centuries, continents and economic strata, and his profound knowledge of this history of fine and applied arts has led him to create spaces in which his juxtaposition of objects from vastly different eras and cultures makes a strong and impressive statement on present and future interior taste. These juxtapositions should inspire contemplation and thus mental liberty.
Vervoordt cites three main strands of influence in his work. The first is that of contemporary and oriental art and arte povera, which to him signifies the importance of a life of meditation, empty space, a love and respect of nature and of human existence. The second is architecture, which represents proportion, balance and harmony, such as one might find in an 18th century library. The third strand is the baroque, either gilded and courtly, or more.'
Hubby came to the flower farm with me last night. How cute is that?
The flower farm is surrounded by rows upon rows of orchards. Set amongst the orchards are two acres of glorious flower fields. The photo above was taken in the dahlia patch, which consists of six long rows of every dahlia variety you can imagine.
This is the back entrance to the flower farm house, a pristine Dutch Colonial that is now operated by our local historical society. Indoors, a local winery gives tastings and shares the history of the house and farm. Let me just say, that I want to move in and play house here!
It was cute to watch hubby walk around and say things like, "how about a purple one?" We had only one pair of pruners so I did all of the cutting. Hubby made his visit more of a nature walk and it was really sweet to watch. It reminded me of that poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay that goes: I will be the gladdest thing Under the sun! I will touch a hundred flowers And not pick one.
The flower farm is such a nurturing place to go. To see so many flowers blooming in abundance offers the biggest case of warm fuzzies. It's also exciting to go home and fill your house with so many beautiful flowers. Our excursion to the farm provided us with four beautiful bouquets of dahlias. The cost: $10.
I love antique picture frames. I love their intricate detail and their nicely aged patina. I love that each frame has its own unique character and I love that feeling when you can bring life back to a piece that has been so sadly forgotten. I bought all of these frames on an antique field trip I took this past summer. The above gold antique frame is one of my favorites. It's in wonderful condition and I plan on having it cut down an inch or so to fit a beautiful landscape oil painting I have. I paid $60 for it.
This gold frame is in fairly rough shape but at $20, it was a steal. I have a 7 x 7 rose oil painting that will go beautifully with the floral detail in the frame. Cutting it down will remove the bad spots you can see on the left. It will also get a good cleaning.
I love the feel of these old rustic frames. It's sometimes hard to find these frames with all of their leaves in tact but when you do, they compliment nature prints beautifully. They can be surprisingly expensive so it's worth being patient. I paid $28 for this one.
I just love this little hand carved round wood frame. It's very old and in very good shape. It's a 3 x 3 so it too will also go on the family photo wall. This sweet little frame was just $12. Having antique frames cut down requires a special skill. I happened to find a professional restorationist who will cut down a frame for $100. This is a very fair price because even with the cost of what I pay for the frame, it's still much less expensive than having something custom framed, and most importantly, the frame is one of a kind.
The above is an example of recycling beautiful antique frames. I found these identical Victorian frames in pristine condition. I was thrilled when an artist friend of mine (whose work I passionately collect), offered some pieces of hers that would fit the unique dimensions of the frames. I think the gold hues go brilliantly with the blues and greens of the sky and pasture.
W e set off to the Fisher Poets Gathering in Astoria, Oregon this past Saturday. Astoria is located at the mouth of the Columbia River where fresh waters first taste the salty sea of the Pacific Ocean. Astoria is a historic little fishing town and every year for the last thirteen years, the Fisher Poets Gathering has been held here. Fisherman from Alaska, down to the Pacific Northwest, California, and even Rhode Island come to read their poetry here, providing a brief and often haunting glimpse into the lives and souls of these amazing fishermen.
Our first stop was to visit the fishing vessel Cold Stream, which was docked in the harbor.
It was built in the 1950's and upon climbing aboard, it was evident that it had many stories to tell from its days and nights at sea.
The most fascinating aspect of touring this boat was meeting its Captain. Can you guess which man in the above photo is the Captain and which is the reporter? Captain Dave, seen to the right in his wool plaid shirt, is a man of a different era. Being in his presence offered such a vivid glimpse into an industry that is a labor of love, yet evokes the wisdom of time and sacrifice. In him we met a soul who remains beautifully distant from this modern world. You can go here to read one of his poems. We were captivated by him. It was his rugged nature, his friendly smile, and his generosity to open his boat, his home, to people like us, curious to see a sliver of what life may be like for a fisherman out on the open sea.
The Captain encouraged people to play with the switches, turn things on, open things up....this made someone in particular quite happy.
Here's Mr. Happy behind the wheel.
....and here he is examining our coordinates — tied to the dock.
While Hubby went down into the belly of the ship to check out the engine, I found myself absorbing the domesticity of the boat. How would it feel to live here for weeks on end? Could this little boat offer comfort amidst the surroundings of a deep dark sea? I loved the old brass hardware. It is beautiful, with the knobs shined smooth from so many strong hands having turned them over and over through the years.
The hot stove made the cabin quite toasty. I imagined that it is surely the heart of the boat.
Old open shelves act as half medicine cabinet and half spice rack.
Although everything looked tired and weathered, still so very strong.
The paneled doors rested on their hinges as we sat quietly in the calm bay.
It was a pure bliss for Hubby as not only did he get to play Captain that very morning, but afternoon lunch was enjoyed at a local brewery.
And me sampling his beer. I'm thinking...."I wonder if that bakery next door has any cupcakes. " They did.
S unlight has been scarce around these parts for the last few months. In fact, it's absence has been the talk of the town. Northwesterners are pretty patient for their sunshine. But come June, there's a hunger for sunny days that puts a lot of pressure on dear old Mother Nature. We had a beautiful taste of her warm smile a few days ago, which prompted us to enthusiastically put on some of our window screens. But alas, the cool temperatures are back and the sun is elusive once again.
When the sun graces us, it's worth reveling in. Walking into the living room this morning made me want to curl up like a cat and bask in the warmth of that sweet morning sun....while it lasts.
So, if you haven't heard (which is very unlikely because, let's face it, we're pretty excited about it and have been shouting it from the rooftops), we are working on our very own TV show for the Live Well Network! If you're not familiar with LWN, don't worry, you will be soon!! The team behind LWN is amazing and they're putting together so many cool, new shows!! Make sure to check your local listings for The Live Well Network- it's a national network, so even if you don't have cable, you can still watch it!
Anyhow, once we heard our official air date (which is only a month away!), we got to thinking that we couldn't let this momentous occasion pass by without a little celebration! So… we're having a big, ol' party!
And you know what? We want you to come! We recognize that not all of you live in our neck of the woods, and we'll totally recap the party for you here, but for those of you who live in the area, we would LOVE to meet you, give you a glimpse of what our show is all about, and of course, eat lots of good food! We're even going to have a few fun giveaways that you won't want to miss!
Here are all the details you need to know:Who: Well…us and you. Duh. What: A super fun party to celebrate our new show, Knock it Off! When: Sunday, July 7th from 6:00-8:00 PM Where: Mr. B's Cafe (Calvary Church of Souderton) Rt.113, Souderton, Pa 18964 We just ask one thing: would you let us know if you're planning on coming by Sunday, June 30th? You can RSVP by using the form below. Due to the nature of this party, we're asking that you leave any kiddos under the age of 10 at home. Thanks!
C'mon, don't you want to hang out with us?!! We are so psyched and want to share this big event with you- Seriously, we wouldn't even have our own show without this blog and all of you! We really hope to see you there! PS- A HUGE special thanks to Linda from Frog Prince Cake & Cookie design who is taking the lead in making sure this party is the coolest! Thanks Linda! If you haven't checked her out, head over to Facebook now and give her some LIKE love!
Ok, we're back, as promised, with all the information about our Thanksgiving centerpiece and place card ideas! If you didn't see the segment today on the Channel 69 Sunrise morning show, you're in luck because you can watch it here! First of all, I just have to say, that Monica and I love doing this show. It is so much fun, so laid back, and Eve Tannery is a total pro! Plus, she actually reads our blog so we know she's legitmately a fan (thanks, Eve!)
And of course, we had to include a goofy one…
I just have to mention one funny thing that happened this morning before our segments. Monica and I were setting up the table and Mo started to light the candles in some of our centerpieces. I wasn't sure if we were allowed to, so I caught Jaciel's (the other anchor) eye while Eve was doing her thing and mouthed"Can we light these?" He didn't hear what I asked, and said,"Do I like those? It looks so nice." We were cracking up thinking about what he must think of us asking if our table looked nice as he was giving the news. Maybe not so funny to you, but stinkin' hilarious to us that early.: ) Ok, now on to the good stuff: Centerpieces The Gourd Vase We like to keep it simple, bring the outdoors in, and use things you can find around your house. This centerpiece meets all of those requirements, so I'm one happy camper!
I (Jessica) went to a local farmstore called Penn-Vermont Farms (which is fabulous by the way!) and picked up a bunch of different sized gourds. The gourd I used for the vase is a kershaw gourd, but you could also use a birdhouse gourd. You want to choose a gourd that is not top-heavy so it can hold the weight of the branches and leaves. Then, I drilled a small hole into the top.
I recommend making this centerpiece on the actual day of Thanksgiving because once you cut the branch, the leaves quickly die. Ask me how I know that. You could easily use berries or bare branches and this centerpiece would still look amazing. (Curious about my table runner? You can check out how I made that using a dropcloth here)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Candle Log
This centerpiece is so simple, but really pretty. Monica made this using a birch log, but any kind of wood will do. First measure the length of your tray (Mo picked this one up at Michael's!) so you can determine the length of the piece of wood. You'll want to leave a few inches on either end. Cut the sheet moss to the size of the bottom of the tray and lay it down lengthwise in the tray.
Place the candles on the log and mark where you want them to go.
Using a circle drill bit (this one is 1 1/2 inches), partially drill the holes until you have enough depth to place your votive candles.
Wrap the whole thing with a pretty ribbon, and voila! An easy, rustic centerpiece!
Fall Tray with Cut Log Pieces and Candles
I found a great oversized tray at ReStore, and could not wait to put it to good use! Monica had recently cut a bunch of birch logs for a project (more on that to come later!), so I used them to fill my tray. Use a chop saw to cut your log into 1-2 inch circles.
I surrounded the birch discs with a bed of yellow and red leaves and then placed 3 orange pillar candles in the center. You could easily do a more modern, less rustic, take on this by leaving out the leaves and adding white pillar candles for a sleek, cool look.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Place Cards Modern Name & Menu Napkin Rings
Monica made these using regular cardstock in two fall colors. Decide on the font you want to use, type it up in a word document, and then print it out. Layer the printed paper onto the opposite color paper and wrap around the napkin. Mo used extra fabric she had laying around to make a napkin and laid the utensils on it, followed by the place card. Finally, lay the whole thing onto the plate and you're done! Remember: you don't have to spend a million bucks to create a beautiful tablescape for Thanksgiving. Use what you have on hand!
Pair it with the candle log and you're table practically sets itself! (BTW- do you notice the name Mo used on the place card? Greyson. She secretly wished she had named one of her children that. Now the secrets out.: ) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chalkboard Mason Jar Mugs & Tin Buckets
This is one that the kids will enjoy because it uses chalkboard paint. Let them write the names of your young guests on these mason jar mugs and place them around your kid table. They'll love being involved and will be thrilled they have their very own cup! Or for a more mature version, grab a few tin buckets and paint with chalkboard paint. Fill it with a few pinecones, or a few after-dinner treats.
Anyone can do this, and it adds instant fun to your table! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pinecone Placecard Holders
Michael's has loads of scented pinecones for sale right now, but you could also take a nature walk and collect them yourselves for an even less expensive way to decorate. Enlist someone with some muscles, because cutting into a pinecone is no easy task! Use a hack saw to create a"slot" in the top of the pinecone and then slide your placecard right in. Mo used cardstock, but you could get a little fancier if you wanted because you saved a bundle by using pinecones!: )
Of all the placecard holders, this just might be my favorite. Take a couple of the wood slices you cut for your centerpiece, and create a slot in the wood using a hack saw or a sharp knife.
To make the placecards shown here, find two complimentary pieces of cardstock and scrapbook paper. Cut to size and layer them. Add a tiny clothespin for interest and write the name of your guest on the card. That's it! Use this with the fall tray centerpiece and you're able to maintain continuity of your design throughout the entire table.
Ok, I saved the easiest for last. Make your placecard with cardstock and write the name of your guest on it. Punch a hole and tie it around the stem of your gourd. Easy peasy and adorable! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We hope you liked our table decor ideas for Thanksgiving- we had a blast coming up with them! We'll be making another appearance on the Channel 69 News Sunrise show in December and would love to hear what YOU would like to see us create or design! Leave us a comment with your thoughts.: ) T minus 16 days until Thanksgiving. Get decorating!
Well, I'd like to introduce you to our good friend, Steph E. Steph and I go way back- we went to elementary, middle and highschool together, studied in college and travelled to Greece together, got married a year apart, and are now raising our families together. She is one of my very best friends. She has always, as long as I've known her, been extremely frugal, and never settles for anything less than getting exactly what she wants, for the price she wants to pay. I'm so glad that I have her to do all the researching for me.: ) I hope you'll enjoy her today! Jess Six months ago we added a beautiful daughter to our family. She joined my husband and I, and our then 3 ½ year old son. I had kept everything from Danny. We had a car seat, crib, and every type of exer-bouncer-sitter-sizer ever made. The only big ticket item that I needed to purchase was a double stroller. This was very exciting for me because I am passionately obsessed with “buggies”, as they are fondly referred to in our home. I started the slightly neurotic and endless research long before she was due, and finally purchased the buggie of my dreams when Ana was 2 months old.
Choosing the perfect stroller for your family’s needs can be a daunting task. There are thousands of options, and even more opinions. To help me focus, I needed to put things in black and white. I made a list of the features that I MUST HAVE in a stroller. Being a bargain hunter by nature I sometime succumb to a great deal, while compromising my needs and wants. My husband made it very clear that we would only be adding 1 more buggie to our already full garage, so I needed to get this right the first time. My personal MUST HAVE list… 1. Double side-by-side ( I had pushed way too many of my friends front and back strollers to know that my back wasn’t up to that challenge) 2. Very lightweight ( I may be tall, but my arms are like toothpicks) 3. Car seat compatible (Ana was born the end of September which meant that we would just start to be out and about as the bad weather hit. I wanted her to stay warm and sleeping in her car seat while we ran errands) 4. Tall handlebars (as previously mentioned, I am tall and have a bad back. Pushing a heavy object while walking in a hunched position was not an option for me) 5. Excellent return policy ( I was going to make my purchase online, because the prices are considerably better, and most likely it would be the first time I ever saw the option that I chose) 6. Individually removable front trays ( Danny gets in and out by himself, while Ana would need her tray to hold the car seat in) These were the 6 options that I would not allow myself to waver on. Even if there was a great sale, or a super cute limited edition color, I would not consider it if all 6 of my must have criteria were not met. This list really narrowed down my options.
Next I made a list of the features I would like to have: — Good storage compartment — Cup holders — Individual reclining seats — Large yet foldable sun shades — Easy to steer — Manufacture or retailer warranty So, of the strollers I had narrowed my options down to, I compared to see which had the most of my “likes” and which “likes” were most important to me. Next, I started reading reviews. Reading reviews is tricky, you’ll read a 1 star “this stroller is worse than a wheelbarrow” followed by a 5 star “I would trade my first born for this stroller” and you can’t understand how they can be talking about the same buggie. I found the best method was reading many reviews, and seeing if there were any reoccurring themes. 90% of the reviews that I read about the stroller that I finally chose said that the wheels squeaked. I accepted that my wheels would most likely squeak,(and sure enough they did) and that I would be OK with squeaking (which I actually wasn’t, but thankfully my amazing husband was able to remedy that problem).
Finally, do not let price be the largest factor in making your decision. People who know me well would probably be shocked to hear that. I am very cost conscious, but there is more to the cost of a stroller than the number you see posted on Amazon. If you have found the perfect stroller for your family, but it seems out of your price range, don’t give up! There are so many options. Can you buy it used, or in a discontinued color? I got my buggie for a good deal because it was a customer returned open box. It had never been used, and all of the pieces were there but the box had be opened and returned. I made sure to ask what the return policy was for a discounted item. The open box was not advertised online, but I called a company that I found online with excellent reviews, a great return policy, and good pricing. I told the salesman the stroller I wanted but that I needed a good deal. Did they have any returns, discontinued colors, floor models, or last year’s model? The salesperson found the box in the warehouse and made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. I had decided before calling on the price that I would be willing to spend. If offered a special deal, you need to be ready to say yes on the spot. Don’t let yourself be caught off guard. In regards to cost, I also took into consideration the resale value. A quality stroller that is kept in good condition will hold its value. I hope to sell mine in several years and make back 1/3 of what I bought it for. So, what baby buggie did I finally decide on? The Peg Perego Aria twin 40/60 split. I am confident that I made the right decision. My friends must have been impressed also, because 2 of them bought the exact same stroller after me, and I believe they are equally pleased with the purchase.
Things to Consider before your purchase: -Height and Strength of all caregivers that will be using the buggie on a regular basis. Do you need an adjustable handlebar? -Terrain you will most frequently be pushing on. Grass field or the mall? — Vehicle size: what will fit in your car when it is also full of groceries and diapers? — Storage compartment: do you travel light, or is your diaper bag the size of a suitcase? — What your kids need: are they going to be napping in the stroller? Do you need seats that fully recline?
I really love the US with it's stunning nature and exciting cities, but honestly, a fee of USD 10 for visa-waiver countries, entering the country, starting on September 8? Isn't that a bit extreme, not to mention arrogant? Do they even want tourists coming and spending money, contributing to the country's poor economy?
