Christmas Wreath

Slowly easing into my Christmas decorating so that I don't have so much to do this weekend, after Thanksgiving.  I made a Christmas wreath this week for my entryway.  This is a large 30 inch wreath, so it has lots of presence. 

I started with a green wreath and two differant ribbons. 

I needed a large bow, so I made my loops about 6 inches each.

I made 10 loops and left streamers of about 22 inches.  Once I had my loops, I fastened the center with a twist of floral wire....pipecleaners are easier to handle but I did not have any handy.  Be sure that you twist the wire tightly and then fluff the bow by pulling and twisting the loops in place.

I cut a 1 1/4 yard piece of each ribbon to use for an additional streamer across the top of my wreath.

Pinch the center of the ribbon and wrap one of the green wired stems around it to hold it in place...the finished bow will fit right on top of this center ribbon and twist the wire around the wire form of the wreath, tucking the ends out of sight. 

Each streamer is seperated and attached to the wreath about midway of each streamer by twisting one of the green stems around the ribbon...don't pull tightly, leave some room for the ribbon to puff up. 

Once finished the wreath looks like this with all the streamers tucked, also trim the ends on each streamer to give a finished look.

Time to add the greenry...I use many differant types of greenry and not just Christmas related...this will give the wreath dimension and the differant shades and textures will add interest.  Simply cut the stems and run a bead of hot glue on the front and back at the bottom of each stem..place where you want by tucking the stem deep into the wreath and the glue will take hold. 

Fill in greenry until you are satisfied with the look and shape of your wreath.

Hang your wreath and enjoy.

All the best,

Footed Tidbit Plate

This is an oldie but a goodie.   There are many cakeplates made in BlogLand and I wanted to share this one that I made for my Christmas goodies.  Keep in mind that any combination made with a flat top as the base is possible, so keep your eyes open for something that will be creative and beautiful on your table.  Also, you can use smaller size plates as I did for this project. 

I chose a footed dessert cup that I found at Home Goods and a Red Polka dot salad plate. 

This is a quick, easy and inexpensive project.  The plate and footed dessert bowl were 2.99 each and you just adhere them with E6000 and let dry for 24-72 hours. 

Imagine how cute and festive this will look on a dessert table topped with cookies or brownie cut-outs.  Yum.

All the best,

Tablescape Thursday - My Thanksgiving Table

I'm joining Susan and all the great tablescapers, featured weekly at Between Naps on the Porch.  Please take the time to visit and view the many beautiful and creative tables. 

This week, I've prepared my Thanksgiving table.  I've covered my table this week with Veranda Paisley tablecloth by Ralph Lauren.  The beige offers a nice backdrop for the other subtle autumn colors.

One of the things I like to do as I prepare for the holiday meal,  is to do as many things ahead of time as possible.  Setting my table ahead of time is a no brainer. 

Dinner plate and soup bowl is Bella Stoneware.  Salad plate is Citrus Dots from Home Essentials collection and purchased at Marshalls.  Wicker charger adds a natural element along with the pinecone napkin holder from Pier One. 

Flatware is Queens Garden from Reed and Barton. 

Porcelain pumpkins were purchased at Kohl's a couple years ago.  The leaf plates are from TJ Maxx and will be home to yummy yeast rolls on Thanksgiving day.

Tongs are Queen's Garden from Reed and Barton. 

Butter will be handy on the table to slather on the yummy yeast rolls I'll be serving. 

I love these sparkling tea lights I found at Kirklands.  The inside is mirrored and reflects the candlelight....they come in three shades - cream, amber and a deep bronze.

Fall hurricanes show beautiful colors when reflecting the candlelight.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving and are able to spend time with friends and family.  I'll be taking time to reflect on the many blessings I have been given and that I am most thankful for everyday.

All the best,

Multi Ribbon Bow Video Tutorial

This video from Keen's Floral Outlet in Scranton, Pa. is an excellent tutorial on how to make a multi ribbon bow .  This is the the best instruction that I have seen...very clear and easy to follow.  With Christmas just around the corner, I can think of plenty of applications...the mailbox, wreaths, etc. 

Enjoy your Holiday Bowing!!



All the best,

Holiday Planner Project - Tutorial

I'm joining the Metamorphisis Monday party today with Susan at Between Naps on the Porch. 

As I mentioned a few days ago, I am looking for a way to ease into the holidays.  I intend to be ready with everything needed accomplished or re-evaluated and set aside if I cannot complete and a firm decision to not stress of what is out of my control.  I am a list person...I love lists and that is how I stay organized and function day to day.  I always carry a small notebook with me to make journal entries, sketch ideas, keep shopping items etc.  This manilla folder technique will help keep me organized and can be adapted to be used as a holder for photos, an everyday planner or a holiday planner, as I have chosen to do.  I love this idea. 

Directions for the accordian file project can be found on the Splitcoast stamper website.  I've included their video showing the procedure to create the base folder from a regular left tab Manilla folder.



I decided to make a Christmas planner using Christmas themed scrapbook paper and embellishments.  For my needs, I chose the following for the pockets:

• Calendar
• Shopping Lists
• To Do
• Receipts

I covered my folder with scrapbook paper and embellishments but that is a personal choice.  You can leave the folder plain or use a colored manilla folder...there are some pretty patterned ones out there as well. 

I covered the outside of my planner like a book, however, if you want to allow for more expansion in the accordian pockets, you would use a seperate piece to cover the front and back cover. 

Use scissors to trim your cover paper to fit nicely around the tabs.

Cut papers to fit inside 'pages'...be sure and leave room for easy folding...don't oversize your paper.  The paper size to cover the bottom of the pockets is approx 4.5x3.75 inches. 

You will end up with 4 interior pockets.

All the best,

A Great Gift Idea, My Christmas CD Collection and Foodie Friday

Last Christmas, I moved my holiday CD collection from jewel cases to a much more efficient storage system using a tool called DiscGear....This storage system is so great that I thought it would be a great Christmas idea to share with all my blog friends.  This system can be used for your DVDs, music CDs, and computer/data CDs and keeps them organized and dust free within a very limited space and comes in several sizes. 

I have the 50 disc, 100 disc and 150 disc systems. 

You place the CD or DVD in the unit in the order you choose, alphabetical, by artist or actor, action or family etc.....the slot for each disc is numbered and there is a numbered list system at the bottom of the unit.

 In addition, there is a seperate book with plastic sleeves and a numbering system that you use to store your cover art from your CD/DVD.  The amount of space saved and the ease in finding the appropriate music or movie is unbelieveable.  I have a rather large movie collection and can find any one right away...I remove the movie, watch it and then it goes right back in the slot when finished.  If you have a movie or music enthusist on your Christmas list, this produ..if you are a visual person and want to flip through your movie covers to see what grabs you, this book is the thing.

I love Christmas music and add to my holiday collection yearly...I have my eye on two new CDs right now that I hope to capture soon.  I moved my collection from the jewel cases to a 50 disc DiscGear unit last Christmas and it makes storing much easier.  

For my Foodie Friday entry this week, I have a heavenly pancake recipe.   This recipe is quick and easy and I've used it for years...it's from Southern Living, so you know it has to be delicious.  When you and your family try it, you'll never make another Bisquick pancake again.  My husband loves these pancakes and swears they are better than any restaurant pancake he has had.

Buttermilk Pancakes

1 cup all purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 Tbsp sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1 egg
1 cup + 2 Tbsp buttermilk
1 Tbsp vegetable oil

Combine dry ingredients (I use self rising flour rather than the all purpose, baking soda and salt).  Mix wet ingredients into dry mixture until blended....do not overmix - batter will be lumpy.  For each pancake, pour 1/4 cup batter on a lightly oiled griddle.  Turn pancakes when the tops are covered with bubbles.  Makes 8 4 inch pancakes.  Smother with butter and syrup and enjoy.

Thanks to Michael at Designs by Gollum for hosting this fun event...you can find other great recipes by checking here. 

All the best,

A Sprinkle Of Fall Tablescape

Welcome to my tablescape for this week.  I'm joining our wonderful hostess Susan for Tablescape Thursday.  You can see more tablescape ideas by joining the party at Between Naps on the Porch.

'I don't know anything about table decor...I'm just here for the acorns.'

You never know who you might run into on a tabletop.  Orange you glad you dropped by today. 

Take a quick look at one of my placesettings before Mr.Squirrel figures out that there is a very large nut to be had.  Wooden acorns are from Pier One.  Tablerunner from Kohls, Napkins from Pier One.

Chargers are from Home Goods, Dinner Plate is Bella, Salad plates are from Marshalls, Flatware is Hampton but I don't remember the pattern, amber tea goblets are Breeze by Noritake.

Terra Cotta Flowerpots used for flowers and as candle holders are from Southern Living at Home. 

Mr Squirrel is from Cracker Barrel and looks like he has been busy gathering lots of nuts.  Thanks for dropping by today.

All the best,