Morphing Flower Arrangement!

I had two visions for the flowers that I used in my tablescape last week. 

I kept thinking about making the change to the other idea and while staring at them in this morning's sun I decided to get off my duff and do something!!

Ok but gees but it's only 9 a.m.!!

From This

To This!

I used these glass jar/vases from Pottery Barn that just happened to

fit into this garden tote that I've had for a couple of years purchased through

One King's Lane.  I wanted them to appear gathered and not too planned 

although my tendency for symmetry still got in there!

I'm tickled with it- I got two looks for the price of one!

Of course this led me into another post which I'll get to

later this week!

I'm joining
Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday

  Our Home Away from Home for Tuesdays at our Home

A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday

Rose Vignettes for Fresh Cut Friday

Traditional all the way!

In keeping with my traditional roots I've set the kitchen table 

with a classic red plaid tablecloth. 

I used a mini Poinsettia with some ornaments tossed around in my green metal lantern. 

The little white Santa boots, spiral red glasses and striped dishes were from Pier 1 last year. 

The red 'Tis the Season plates were from T.J. Maxx- also from last year. 

The lantern removes easily for dining. 

A mini boxwood candle wreath was set below the lantern for added fullness.

I found the poinsettia at the grocery store. It came with this ornament shaped base. 

It has sparkly spray on it but it doesn't show up in the pictures.

Winter has arrived

I hope to do this for Christmas morning but
there will be 5 so we'll squeeze a little closer!  

I'll be joining Between Naps on the Porch for
Tablescape Thursday

I'm thrilled to no end that both my kids and my dear daughter in-law 

will be home for Christmas this year!

I'm taking the rest of the season off and won't be posting again until after the New Year.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas 

full of peace, joy and love!
and
Best Wishes for a
Very Happy New Year!  

Christmas in the kitchen!

My kitchen is a tiny one so I have to be selective with what I add to it.  

I rarely do the same thing year after year and this year was no exception!

 This is a half wall that is shared with the stairwell going to the basement. 

This handled box came from One Kings Lane- I've had it for months and never could  
decide on what to do with it.  

While it sat in my laundry room it ended up with three glass jars set into it that  
I picked up at Pottery Barn but had never made use of either.

The amaryllis is a faux one I bought last year from One Kings Lane. 

I added the bow with the ribbon I used last year on my chandelier. 

view here 2011 Kitchen Accents

 

 I had also picked up some faux green floral picks and they had no home either.  

Suddenly a plan emerged when I decided I wanted to grow some paperwhites again!

 I stuffed three bulbs in each one with stones and moss.

They are growing and I hope to see blooms by the end of the month.  

They are already taller since I took this picture.

I'm not too optimistic that they'll make it by Christmas- but I can hope!

  In my kitchen window I dressed it with a white snow blanket and added this little 

village style church.  It's electric and has little lights and a tree that turns.

There's still a bit of the 60's and 70's in me when I was a child/teen! 

 

 Next to it is my Christmas Cactus which has decided to bloom right on time! 

I wrapped a burlap and satin ribbon around the pot to give it a holiday touch!

They do have a pretty flower and I'm grateful it's blooming for me!

We've got our winter on here already! 

Back in the 30's and snow in the forecast.  I've got new snow tires 

and I'm ready to take it on! 

Here is a short video I took with my iPhone this morning.

I thought I'd show you how the little village piece looks and

the birds were active outside so you get that view too!

It's probably kind of cheesy but here it is!

The audio is my tv which I had on a channel that plays seasonal music, 

just turn down your volume if you don't want to hear it!

As always, thanks for visiting!

 

 

Thanks and Inspiration

I don't know if anyone pays attention to details like how my blog recently got a makeover, but I wanted to thank Linda at  
Life with Linda
  for her help (once again)! She's been so generous over the last 2 years since I started blogging.  I get around pretty good with my blogging, but there are some aspects of it that are above my head and I'm so grateful to have her assistance! 

Thank-you again Linda!

Inspiration

While visiting the One King's Lane web-site I was intrigued with these shell embellished items and copied their pictures for inspiration!  I thought I'd share them with you since I know so many of you are good at crafting and might be inspired by these too!

 This is a fun way to take a picnic basket 

over the top!

I'd be using it as an accent!

 I like the way they used the two shells in the center of this box, almost like a handle!  

These are by someone called Karen Robertson

This was another design that I liked.  They wanted $149 for it.... (suggested retail $295)?? huh??  to pricey for my blood

I'd like to embellish something to be in my nautical room.  I see sea shells at all the craft stores and I have a bunch of my own.  Now I have to decide on what I can use!  

 

A quick cell phone picture of my nautical room....I will have to take better pictures and show the room in another post!

 

I'm linking up with 2805 for
Potpourri Party #36

Garden Inspired

I wanted to create a tablescape with a garden influence.  

If you know me, you know I love my backyard garden 

and at this time of the year you find me either working out there or dreaming about ideas I have for this years

flowers for my garden.

I have Endless Summer and 

Limelight Hydrangeas that I cut and dried

stems from last fall.  I wanted to use these

candelabras but I also wanted to embrace 

my love for flowers so i decided to snip 

some tops off and use them instead of candles!

To add to my garden inspired theme I used

some white geese, a watering can

and a faux green leaf lettuce or cabbage

piece (I can't decide what it is) I just liked 

it!  I sprinkled pieces of the hydrangeas on 

the tray. I took the lead from the panicles 

as they kept drifting down on the table 

while I was fussing with them on 

the candelabras!

 The vintage geese are holding fish in their

 mouths and the watering can is my first 

ever antique purchase (Circa 1930's) I 

found while on a road trip.  My goose 

napkin rings came in handy for this 

one too!

The dishes attracted me with their

 scroll design which makes me think of

 an iron gate, and their coloring

was perfect. 

It's a rainy gloomy day, but for 5 minutes 

the sun tried to get through and I captured 

a picture that shows the colors a bit better.

This tablecloth lends a casual feeling and 

with it's artichokes and overall color 

palette it was the perfect backdrop for my 

theme.  The flatware also has the 

fleur-de-lis design on it.

I pulled the pink in the tablecloth by using 

my fleur-de-lis glassware! 

 I hope you enjoyed my Garden Inspired

tablescape!

As always, thank-you for coming by!

I love to hear your comments!

I will be joining 
Cuisine Kathleen for
Let's Dish 
Between Naps On The Porch

for Tablescape Thursdays

Head on over and check out all the lovely

tablescapes that are submitted each week!

Dishes: Sugar Plum by Noble Excellence (Dillards)

Mikasa, Italian Countryside

Flatware, Baroque (Neiman Marcus)

Fleur-De-Lis Glassware (Horchow) 

Tablecloth-  Artichoke (One Kings Lane)

Candelabras- Casa Cristina Collection (furniture store)

White Charges- Pier 1 Imports

Woven Placemats from T.J. Maxx

Goose napkin rings (set of 4) from E-bay 

Small Table Vignette

As I continue my quest for updating my living room I put together this vignette on one of the end tables.

The cast iron metal urn used to be 

on the fireplace mantel.   I 

already had the silk flowers in it, 

but I added the fern pieces to give 

it more body.

The Vase came from One King's 

Lane and I fell in love with it right 

away but didn't have a vision for 

it when it came in.  

 The green ceramic box has been

around for 6 years (there is a

matching vase to it too)

I had it on a shelf on my

desk but I was fussing around

with the shelf and set it aside.

That's when I decided to 

give it a chance with this

vignette.  I love how the brown 

vase's color and texture worked

so well with the urn. 

I never saw these pieces coming together but that's the most fun about decorating!

You can't allow yourself to be stuck doing things one way- you have to be open to possibilities you didn't imagine!

Speaking of One King's Lane,

have you ever heard of them or

ordered from them?  I've gotten a 

fair amount of goodies from them

but recently I've had a string of

bad luck with damaged items.

This came in an undamaged box but the

top was broken in several pieces.  My husband volunteered to glue it together for me.  There is a break behind the bird and on the left it had to be pieced together.  (They are refunding me- since they have no more)

I love their stuff but they have a no return policy since they buy in bulk and sell at a discount.  It's a little frustrating though when they've sold out of all of the product and there are no replacements available.  I received a set of six glasses recently with one broken (they did replace it) and the three ceramic pieces on my mantel came from them with one having been chipped on one side (again no replacements available) 

I will say they're customer service is great and they have either adjusted the bill or refunded me for the problems I've encountered.

I do want to make a footnote that 
I have ordered a lot of stuff from them and it usually comes in just fine!
(and I am not being compensated for talking about them)

Thanks for stopping by!

Please join me and many others
for Pot Pourri Friday
@ 2805