Burlap Runner Using Vintage Doilies

                                  Last summer I made a ruffled burlap runner for myself.

I wanted to make another runner for my friend Tara.  She had been sending me pictures of vintage  white doilies.  At that point, I thought it would be a good idea to start looking for doilies at estate sales.  They were readily available for $.50-$1.00.  Once I had accumulated several doilies, I laid them out in a random pattern.

Instead of making a burlap ruffle, I pulled out an antique lace place mat that I had accidentally shrunk in the washer.  Other than becoming too small for a place mat, it still had good integrity in the woven material.

  I cut the place mat horizontally and created two even pieces to attach to the ends of the runner.

                                  
I planned to give this runner 2 different looks. I wanted to attach the doilies at the ends to create a runner in itself. If Tara wanted to lay this doily runner on top of the burlap runner, then the doilies would tie into the place mat ends of the burlap runner.

                                    Adding the doily halved place mat just kicks it up a notch.

 

Then laying the runner of doilies on top of the runner gives it yet another look.

                         I hope that she will enjoy using the two runners for years to come.

Thanksgiving Centerpiece

Instead of collecting many of the items the day before Thanksgiving, I gathered them up and created my centerpiece now.

Always needed for the Thanksgiving table is a silver plated tray for the turkey, napkins, candles and a table runner.  With a few beaded pumpkins, a bunch of Indian corn,and suitcases, I am on my way to setting the Thanksgiving table.  I would even leave the candles in the same place, rather than the normal placing them on either side of the centerpiece.

 Truth be told, we always travel to Illinois for Thanksgiving, so I don't need a centerpiece. Someday this idea will be used in my home.

I set up the centerpiece on the front foyer table, but it can be easily  transferred to the dining room table.  I really like this copper glittered honeycomb candlesticks.

                                                                               
                The coloration of the vintage suitcases looks good with all the orange and yellow.
                                                          

 

 Actually, the suitcase could be the first level on the table with the silver plated tray sitting on top of it.

 

Using a white linen tablecloth for the table, topping it with the burlap table runner sets the stage for the actual centerpiece. Layering a smaller vintage suitcase on top of the runner would work too.  Isn't this a great way to ready your Thanksgiving dinner long before defrosting your turkey?

 

Fall Pillows

Once that fall comes around the corner, I like to swap out my summer pillows on my Ikea Ektorp couch.   You might recall the blue and white pillows that I have used for the spring and summer months.

                                                                
While living in Boston, there was a fabulous shop called Gold Lion.  It was an upscale thrifty decorator's store.  In one corner of the shop, there was a large table of fabric remnants, mostly for home decorating projects.  I pulled 4 or 5 remnants in the same color line and put them in my fabric tote for a later day.

On great thing about having a very neutral sofa(off white in my case), allows me to change out pillows during the year to complement the season.

I pulled out the golden fabrics and played with different ways to create the latest pillow design.  I should stop here and tell you about yet another collection of mine-----old buttons. 

Not to change the subject, but my father used to bring home these plastic containers from the church.  They held the Communion hosts.  He gave me one.  Since then, I have picked these containers up at estate sales for about $1 a piece.  These jars are great for collections.  I use them to store buttons, thread and wooden  knobs.

                                                                  
                                  They are readily available on the shelf in my craft armoire.

Cutting the fabric, sewing a few seams, and adding buttons for some character, this easy project can be made in under an hour.  Once I put the right sides together, I sewed the seams on three sides.  Then I turn the fabric right side out, inserted the pillow form and sewed up the last seam on the machine.  An important step that I would like to share is that whenever I make a homemade pillow covering, I always spray all   sides with at least 4 coats of Scotchgard.  This will keep it relatively clean.  Of course in my house, I have a  cardinal rule.  NO ONE is allowed to eat on the couch.  This prevents crumbs and spills from soiling these handmade pillows.

                         The golden pillows blend well with the orange hues of fall.

Cranberry Crate

I can't believe it is November already?  And with November comes the planning of that most favorite holiday meal.

When I think of Thanksgiving, it brings back memories of our visit to Plymouth, Massachusetts.  The girls were so much younger than and showing them Plymouth Rock and the replica of the Mayflower was one of the most fun 'field trips' that we took. 

                                                     And we can't forget the boat!

                                          It is hard to believe that the girls were so little.


                           With that being said, Plymouth brings thoughts of cranberry bogs.  Then I remembered that I had a vintage crate from Grandpa


Years ago when we first moved, I gathered up all the food crates that were in the garage before our first move.  I believe that they came from my Grandfather's grocery store.  What a connection that is!  This one was one of my favorites.

                The very authentic label shows wear and tear, but you can almost imagine  the crate filled to the brim with fresh, plump cranberries.

                      Using vintage trunks started the layering process for the November holiday.

Using the fall flora, Indian corn, pumpkins and golden leaves layered with vintage luggage and the Cape Cod Crnberries crate set in front of the black iron gated fireplace screen completes the whole fall mantle scene.

Oriental Blue Vase with Orange Blooms

   
We had received this beautiful Oriental vase for a wedding present.  The piece has a painted frog as I call it that matches the vase.  It sits right in the top of the vase and holds the flowers.  The gift at the time was sent by a local florist that had filled it with gorgeous fresh flowers.

                                               Here is a picture of the frog.

                                                                                    

                                                               And a picture with the vase.

                                                   

Around October one year, I decided to fill the vase with orange foliage.  The blues and oranges come together beautifully.

 

 

 

                                         This year, I am growing the Chinese Lantern perennial from seed.  I hope by next fall that the plants will be grown, dried and once placed in the vase, will be a stunning addition to the fall colors.

 

 

                                       This is what they look like at 2 weeks.

 

And one week later.

 

                      
     I don't know if these will mature by Halloween  This vase will look stunning with the real flower!

              While I am still waiting for the plants to grow, I will use the faux stems until then.

Just received a beautiful card from friend Susan, the person who helped me start this blog, just in time for Halloween.  Thanks!!!!

Happy Halloween

                                                                       

Spooky Halloween Foyer

In order to create a Halloween foyer design, I wanted to incorporate my two glazed cream ceramic pumpkins.  Using the garden urn that I had, I filled it with Spanish moss and placed one of the pumpkins on top.

 

The other pumpkin was placed under my vintage garden dome.

 

 

 

After pulling my glass vase used for my wedding flowers for the altar, I went out to the woods and cut down several intertwined twigs.  Placing mini skeletons and more Spanish moss draped on the twigs was the next step.  Putting them into the glass vase, the twigs cascaded out to drape the silvered mirror.

 

 

 

 

 

Attaching a crow to the weathered lantern completed the scene.

 

 

 

 

                                   As you can see, I reused my burlap table runner on top of the table and vintage suitcases to fill the underneath portion of the library table.  Once the battery operated candle is lit makes for a rather spooky feeling to the foyer.

 

 

 

 

Getting away from using the typical oranges of the fall season still allows me to create a haunting scene.

 

 

What a great welcome for all those goblins and ghouls.

 

 

Happy Haunting!

 

 

New Orleans Beignets

Just returned from our 4th annual Sister's Weekend in New Orleans.   We had to stop by the famous Cafe Du Monde.

 Couldn't pass up the opportunity to try their favorite food  especially the delectable beignets.

I bought a postcard with the recipe to share with all of you.  I know my kids will enjoy these smothered in powdered sugar.

                               Here is a closeup in case you can't read the recipe.

 My fabulous sister Terri snapped a picture before we inhaled the delight.  I think it was gone before you could blink.   Thanks Terri!  She usually documents every food delicacy that we eat on our travels.

                                                 Maybe I will try these for a holiday treat.