Garland redeux

Is there a blogger who doesn't have a "Give Thanks" garland somewhere in their home? I made mine last year thinking I wanted something quick and easy. It was. Ovals cut from resume paper (thank goodness I haven't needed to use that lately) and taped to raffia strands with a few clip art leaves thrown in for good measure. I'm not sure what it is about raffia that woos me so but I always have it on hand for wrapping and crafting.

This year I wanted to fanficy the garland a bit. Scrapbook paper to the rescue. I don't scrap so I actually purchased these papers with this project in mind. I cut the triangles (math is not my favorite part of crafting, no sireebob) and clued the ovals on. I found my three hole punch made perfectly spaced holes for the ribbon to thread through. I used the leftover paper scraps to update my cheapo tealight candles. Now they blend with the walls and garland instead of focusing my attention with their glaring whiteness. Can I light them? No. But that's besides the point.

If I had more patience I'd likely antique the ovals a bit. As is, I am patience challenged and just threw the thing together. Maybe this will be an annual event. Pamplona has the running of the bulls, NYC their dropping of the ball, and Dublin, GA their Redneck Games. I'll have the foofiying of the garland.

Anyway, I was very proud of my efforts until I tried to reinstall the banner. Now it was twice as long and wouldn't fit over the fireplace. I live in a small home. I mean really small. I don't have many open and unfettered expanses of wall. There seemed to be only one place where it would fit so now it's taped (yes, that's the shiny stuff near the ribbon) to the "crown molding" (really more of a tiara than a full on crown) in the LR.

My 6yo is most vexed that it says "Give Thanks". She thinks it should be "Thanksgiving". I like the message of Give Thanks because it is more action oriented. It seems to be more a directive to identify, internalize, and express thanks for those aspects of our lives that are most precious and dear. Still, I couldn't begrudge her the opportunity to make her own banner. I am thankful to have a bright, creative child who is interested in using the gifts and time she has been given to create joy for those around her.

Bubbling over

I'm not a formal gal. Not too traditional either. I like cheap and slightly quirky. I can't find the original blog that hooked me on this idea but here is a glimpse at the original inspiration for what became my bubbling wall.

I started buying old enamelware lids off eBay, in local antique and junk shops and even found a few in my parent's junk pile.

I simply hot glued small loops of florist wire to the back of each lid. I tried to arrange the lids in a bubbly kind of way but I'm not sure I got the randomness I was looking for. I think the entire project cost around $25 dollars. If I could have been more patient, I'm sure it would have been cheaper. I also acquired a few enamelware pots that I use to house my potted plants. It's retro country, yes, but not in a roostery kind of way.

The only downside (besides my questionable taste) is that as the temperature changes some of the hot glue disengages from the back of the lids. My husband and I have been awakened on more than a couple of nights to the sound of falling lids. Good thing they're already banged up and chipped.

I want to repaint the kitchen. This wall color was chosen while I was 7 months pregnant. Let me just say that preg hormones are not a decorating asset. I want to go more clear, fresh green and less borderline seafoam almost 80's dusty teal. I'll also choose a different finish. I thought the wipability of satin would be perfect for a kitchen. Maybe it is, as I've got no stains on the wall despite having served spaghetti to toddlers in this very room, but it shows every single imperfection in the walls. Maybe I wasn't the neatest wall paper remover ever. S'ok. I'll choose a wipable flat next time.

Sticky

I was inspired by this blog post and this post which were participating in this party.

I've got urns. I've got sticks. I can drive to Dollar Tree. So I made this. Well, my first grader and I did. The urns were distressed tan when we began (no before pics, sorry). I spray painted them flat black but I wasn't too thorough as a few lighter spots gave the urns a more aged look that I liked a lot.

We gathered twigs from the river birch in the back yard. It seems to shed twigs continuously but I love this tree and it's slightly shiny brown and speckled twigs are beautiful even if I have to pick them up after every single GTE 5mph wind gust. A bit of floral foam, careful twig placement, and a topping of spanish moss and we were ready to crow.

Without the crow the whole thing has a Martha vibe. With the crow, it's a creepier look. I might remove the bird until nearer to Halloween. Anyway, it's something I've been wanting to try and I think it turned out better than I expected. It will get plenty of looks I'm sure. Now I need to get a wreath on the door and move the oh-so-summery caladiums to the back porch.