HOME DECOR Archives - Keeping With The Times

Holiday Tablescape Ideas

November 15, 2016 by Barb 18 Comments

As November draws closer to December, I’ve been thinking about a few holiday tablescape ideas. It’s never too early to start planning and I hope some of my ideas might inspire you to try something different this year.

I often decorate in neutral tones, and lean toward a rustic country style. However, when I received this stunning bouquet from FTD, it set my to mind spinning, and all I could think of was gold and black, gold and black!

And notice the pumpkins! yes, this style of holiday tablescape will take you from Thanksgiving, through Christmas, and on into the New Year! I think the sky should be the limit when it comes to setting your holiday table, and it doesn’t have to be limited to what you usually do … this is where you can really let loose (in my opinion.)

To achieve a rich looking holiday tablescape, my best advise is to use layers. I like to have the table set when my guests arrive, and I pile it on.

Again, I pile it on!

You may not actually be going to use all the plates, and probably not the accent plate, but who cares? we’re going for the wow factor here. Guests will not be aware whether you used such and such a plate ;) or not! Some day I’m going to pile on even more plates if I can find varying sizes.

Start with a gorgeous charger like this natural beaded charger I’m using here. Add layers of plates and top with one small accent plate to add sparkle and interest.

For a Thanksgiving tablescape you cannot go wrong with the teeny white pumpkins that are everywhere this time of year. Cut out a few leaf shapes out of card stock, spray with gold paint, and use as placecards. Pull a few flowers from the main bouquet and place them in tiny bud jars around the table.

At Christmas, replace the pumpkins with a little willow wreath that you can purchase in any craft store. Or try using a bunch of fresh herbs such as rosemary and thyme tied together with gold ribbon.

Instead of tall taper candles which may compete with a large bouquet, opt for small tea lights and place in pretty glasses. I love these simple, gold-striped water glasses, and with the tealight inside … well, again, can we say layers? and sparkle sparkle!

This time of year, gold spray paint can be your friend :)

I couldn’t resist these fun, spiky accents which were originally intended as wall art …

Holiday Tablescape Ideas

Stack several plates on top of each other to create layers, finishing up with one small accent plate on top.
The accent plates don’t have to all match. Check your local thrift shops for anything with a bit of gold. Even mismatched teacup saucers would work, especially since you are going to set some small item on top, such as a tiny pumpkin, or a leaf, or a handmade wreath made of herbs.
Obviously we all don’t have black walls, but we could all very easily use a black tablecloth.
Use table runners in creative ways. When I couldn’t find the exact runner to match my table, I used a scarf! Or, you could purchase bargain bin fabric and tear it into strips.
Use pretty drinking glasses to hold tea lights. It adds to the layer effect and adds extra sparkle.
If your floral arrangement is tall, try setting it a one end of the table, then position place settings across from each other. That way, the bouquet will not be in anyone’s line of vision. Alternately, you could move the bouquet to a side table during dinner (in full view of guests of course ;)

Disclosure: FTD generously offered to provide me with a holiday bouquet for this post, but all photos and opinions are my own, and I am truly very impressed with the quality and service from FTD. I wouldn’t say so if I wasn’t!!

Styling Tips for Still Life or Home

July 7, 2016 by Barb 5 Comments

Today I have a few styling tips for you … or perhaps I could say “my thoughts on setting up a vignette for still life or home decor”.

I’ve been crushing on this gorgeous Alocasia Amazonica from the moment I spied it in one of our greenhouses. Living where I do, if I see something like this I grab it pronto as it’s not likely to show up in our stores in January.

Look at those stunning, ripply leaves! Each one perfection with nary a blemish … I hope I can keep it that way!

You probably think I’m mostly a cottage garden type, but I have a secret passion for big tropical leaves. I’m guessing I inherited it from my Mom who had the hugest passion for tropicals. Even though she spent her life living on the Saskatchewan prairies, she had a planter that went from floor to ceiling filled with specimens of all kinds. It was a beautiful and amazing sight for us kids, and it was her pride and joy.

At the moment I have this beauty sitting on a side table on our covered deck, well out of reach from the hot sun, but still getting bright light. But when I noticed how it’s light veins matched my new green door, well … a photo had to be styled. This would look fantastic on a side table or mantle when the weather turns (well, you know :)

Styling Tips for Still Life or Home Vignettes

Choose a focal piece you love, usually it would be the largest item. Place it centre stage (this is not a rule, but we’re going for a visual triangle here.)
Gather supporting objects. What do bird nests and eggs have to do with this tropical plant you may ask? My answer: mostly tones, and texture:
- greens, greys, and blues picking up colours in the leaves and the background
- browns picking up the colours in the pot (from Pottery Barn)
- they add texture and interest as well as an element of surprise
- a print supports the nest and egg theme. The “print” is actually a page I tore out of a Mathew Mead Decorating magazine, photo and styling by Cary Goodrich
- old tattered books on the left support the “print”
- smooth black rocks mimic the shape and texture of eggs and black is always a good idea
Arrange supporting objects on each side of the focal point but don’t make it too matchy matchy! Vary the heights by placing on books, or tilting forward.

I’m sure you can see the triangle … it’s an age-old design principle that is no secret!

Eyes follow lines and you want to take control and lead your viewer through your creation – whether it’s a still life or a mantel. You want them to look at one thing, travel to another and to stay with it for as long as possible. Perhaps going around a few times – ultimately spending more time looking and appreciating your work than they would have otherwise.

Barb Brookbank ;)

I wrote a post on this a few years ago when I designed “My Quirky Autumn Mantle” if you care to have a peek!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this post and find it helpful!

Hem Curtains Without Sewing

November 24, 2015 by Barb 3 Comments

Hem curtains in 10 seconds flat without sewing … for real! Here’s an easy and fast (hack) when drapes are long and time is short.

For weeks I’d been trying to update the curtain situation in our dining room. We’d had the same metal mini-horizontals and cotton topper for over 10 years, and I was so done with it.

However, since the task to change everything seemed daunting, I called in a “decorator” to help. Ummm, let’s just say it didn’t go well; her tastes differed vastly from mine. Vastly.

So I went out and bought panels with grommets, at the time thinking I could hem them myself and all would be well. Not … .

Now, I’m a good sewer and have done a lot of sewing, but those panels were cheap (which is not a bad thing) and when I started to cut them I discovered the grain was crooked and the curtain itself was so slippery it wouldn’t stay on the ironing board … (insert scream face). Never have I made a quicker trip to the thrift store to donate something. I just wanted them to be gone (a heartfelt apology to the hubs who spent a fair amount of time helping me find said panels).

Then this past week I came across some lovely *side panels at Jysk (a Danish retail chain), and they’re gorgeous!

They were just what I was looking for: white, crinkly, semi-opaque, and cheap at $10.00/panel! They brighten up my dining room and make for a beautiful backdrop …

… and as I was walking out of the store a thought occurred to me … they don’t even need to be hemmed! Since they aren’t too bulky it would be easy to simply tie them in a knot … it takes about 10 seconds per panel. Voila! Am I brilliant or what ;)

Proof that it doesn’t have to be expensive, or complicated …
When open, the panels are wide enough to fit across the entire width of my windows. Of course when they are pulled closed, the bottoms will “puddle” on the floor, which I don’t mind since I will only close them when I’m trying to take photos.

My next plan of attack is to install light filtering cellular shades and I’ll never have to close the panels. Perfect. So next time, before you automatically think you have to hem curtains … think again.

The side panels are “Tina” 53″ x 96″ with hidden tabs … and yes … 100% polyester … .

Day 24 #nablopomo

Autumn Vignette

November 2, 2015 by Barb 14 Comments

This year my Autumn Vignette shows I am definitely into the neutrals: soft greys, blues, creams, and browns, all working together to create a sense of calm and peace. I’ll quickly note right here that before I even began decorating, I got rid of a ton of clutter; clearing my space and my mind for what I really want in my home and my life. Lately, if something isn’t working for me … I let it go … but that’s another story.
The decorating started with the ladder … the 10 foot, 6 inch ladder. When I first dragged that thing home, I was petrified as to what the hubs would think, but I knew I could make it work. I knew I had to have it, and I knew I could prove it to be useful.

I shared my woes and fears with my friends and co-conspirators in The Studio | Online. They were more than supportive—helping me come up with solutions on how to promote this thing. But now I think I have been redeemed. It’s the perfect place for holding and displaying cozy new throws and blankets, ready for someone to grab and curl up with by the fire.

I then added my small vintage nightstand (rescued from the basement) since it it just the right height, and the bit of brown adds warmth. It also gave extra room to accommodate that gorgeous white jug which I filled with the dried Echinops picked from my garden this year.

The mirror adds sparkle and light, and the pumpkin pillow from The Pottery Barn was the perfect finishing touch. It was on clearance here in Canada since Thanksgiving is over, and already the stores are filled with Christmas merchandise. But I’ll hang on to autumn for a bit longer, thank you very much.

I’m also loving my vintage letter holder which I found at One Man’s Treasure (where else?) it’s the perfect size to hold my contact cards from Social Print Studio.

And then, because what would autumn be without some lovely warm tea? and a few golden leaves …

Decorating for the seasons doesn’t need to be complicated, especially when you choose classic, timeless pieces. If you keep your palette simple and neutral, it’s easy to introduce a bit of colour and then to change that colour with the seasons. I suspect next month you may see some red here instead of gold.

I’ll share the full ladder story in a later post … .

Day 2 of NaBloPoMo … you can read about it here.

Home Decor Styling Tips

April 1, 2015 by Barb 23 Comments

April made a typical entrance again this year: Friday, March 31st … one of the most beautiful days ever … warm, sunny, calm, and then … boom. Overnight the winds picked up and by morning they were absolutely howling. At 6:30 am the power went out and by 9:00 am snow was being driven sideways across the yard. Yep … spring in Alberta … aaarrrgh.

Lucky for me I had risen early and made my coffee, so I was sitting on the sofa, bundled up in fleece blankets, sipping a hot cuppa, and feeling grateful.

As the first slivers of morning lit up the sky, I watched the outside world come into my view. The barnwood tables and benches that I had set up on the deck in preparation for the new season sat sturdy and solid … waiting.

Earlier in the week I’d picked a ton of pussywillow. Some I’d set in a stoneware pot and was happy to see it hadn’t blown away. The new wreath I’d made was safely stowed against the house, under the overhang, and was no worse for the wear. Whew!

So even though our first day of April was atrocious (weather-wise) I spent it happily creating my spring willow wreath vignette, and came up with some home decor styling tips while I was at it!

I love an uncluttered look, but even so, there’s a lot going on here.

The wreath is hung in the centre of the wall with a small vintage chest and chair underneath. I placed the yellow birdhouse on several books to give it height and then used a yellow/green runner to draw the eye across and to the yellow pillow. Can you spot the repeating shape here?

So here’s my little still life mimicking life … or is life mimicking still life?

Do you not just love the little botanical print above the chair? Adore!

I was searching for books at Amazon and came across this little gem “Instant Wall Art – Botanical Prints: 45 Ready to Frame Vintage Illustrations for Your Home Decor.” So cute and fun! Botanical prints are hot by the way … .

Side note: I saw pussywillow branches for sale at Terrain for $48.00/bunch! Gah … choke … eek …

Try to incorporate meaningful items in your vignettes. A few of my favourite books include “In Detail”, “A Life Less Ordinary”, and “Vivian Maier Street Photographer”. I have so many amazing books, I could have stacked a dozen more, but it would have ruined the effect—less is more.

Mix old and new, organic and inorganic elements, but keep colour tones similar.

Making a pussywillow wreath is super simple! Buy a ready-made willow wreath at any craft store and proceed to stuff it with pussywillow branches! If you need a little more detail, check out my instructions here.

And last but not least, I’ll be sending the link to a full resolution copy of my little botanical print “Hyacinth, Willow and Tulip Play” in my next newsletter!! If you haven’t signed up, check the sidebar for details!

Thank you ever so much for stopping by!

All images edited in Lightroom
Presets by Kim Klassen
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kk_within

What To Do With a 10 Pound Wheel Hub?

December 10, 2013 by Barb 26 Comments

Why yes, yes I did haul home a 10 pound rusty wagon wheel hub…

who could resist such a thing?

… so, what to do with it?

well… you turn it into a vase…

Isn’t it amazing how objects can be made to look so old and rusty? The hub is authentic, the star… not so much…

I thought it looked pretty with my vintage baking powder tin (this is about as close I have gotten to baking anything this season)…

I found this cute little light spray at one of our little shops in town. Boy they can sure get you when you walk into a store and see all the pretty, sparkly displays…

… pretty… I actually have this little arrangement set up on a side table in the dining room/living room and it looks warm, so warm… but because there’s a mirror behind it, it’s impossible to photograph. I haven’t figured out how to do that yet without getting myself and and all the other reflections in the picture as well.

But, there you have it…

… that’s what you do with a 10 pound wagon wheel hub!

Update: In response to TexWisGirl who suggested I could use it as a weapon:

Yes…
It was Miss Barbara…
In the Dining Room…
With the Wheel Hub…

My Holiday Tablescape

December 9, 2013 by Barb 17 Comments

My husband and I are hosting Christmas this year and there is no group I am more excited to entertain than our family. The first thing I think about is “how am I going to set the table”? It’s a big deal to me and I always want to make it festive, elegant and family-friendly.

I recently received an email from Tiny Prints and was inspired to create a tablescape using their invite as inspiration! I’m also pretty excited to share that they are featuring my tablescape on their blog today! Check it out here at blog.tinyprints.com!

When I saw the Christmas card design, I was immediately inspired! Don’t you just love the “Merry Christmas” word art? I also love the gold snowflakes and simple gold border.

However, I wanted to use it as a menu, so I decided to create our Christmas Dinner Menu in Photoshop and then upload it just like it was a photo (in a jpeg format). I chose a simple font so as not to clash with the greeting and added tiny snowflakes between the courses to pick up on the snowflakes that were already around the edges of the card.

Did you know that you can pick a colour off the web? Yes, you can! I sampled the gold on the card at the Tiny Prints site and used it when I created the extra snowflakes and menu title.

I was having fun with the gold theme and went searching for treasures. While browsing HomeSense I came across these gold beaded chargers. I’m pretty sure they originated at Pier One… but they were 1/3 of the price. They are surprisingly heavy but as a result they lay nice and flat. How pretty and sparkly…

The gold theme made me think of this water pitcher that I inherited from my Mom. It has to be at least 60 years old – a treasure for sure.

And here is the actual Christmas card that I chose. You probably can’t read the fine print but it says “From the Lake | 2013” and that would explain the loon. It’s the quintessential northern icon and a familiar sight in our parts!

Anyway, I hope you are still with me and that you enjoyed the plethora of photos of my golden winter tablescape!

Now I’m off to get my Christmas cards written up, and in the mail…

Thank you so much for stopping by, and have a wonderful day!

Vintage Tin Jelly Mold Star Wreath

December 4, 2013 by Barb 28 Comments

Here’s the scoop on how I created this vintage tin jelly mold wreath!

Once again as I was browsing my favourite junque store, I came across a treasure! Sitting in a cupboard (I think it was hiding) sat this wonderful old tin jelly/cake mold and it was shaped like a star… a star, people! And what time of year is it?? and what could I possibly do with a star?? perhaps put it on a wreath?

vintage tin jelly mold wreath

After I got it home, it sat on the counter for a week as I pondered how I was going to make this thing work.

I thought about making a twiggy wreath, but it’s so darn cold here I couldn’t bear the thought of going out into the bush to gather branches, so I bought a fresh pine wreath instead.

To attach the star (mold), I made the quick executive decision to not bother even trying to hide the (kite) string that I used. It somehow seemed to fit.

Thinking hard about what would go with a kitcheny (kitschy) theme, I suddenly thought of all the vintage spoons I’d collected… I giggled the whole time while I was arranging them.

You see, a long time ago, I took a course in floral arrangement and I reminisced about all the effort our instructor had put into teaching us how to create pretty sprays. I wonder what she would think of this? I don’t think she had spoons in mind…

Vintage Tin Jelly Mold Wreath

I gave some poppy seed heads a very light spray of silver paint, and simply stuck them into the greenery.

Vintage Tin Jelly Mold Wreath

It now has a place of honour on our front door.

Vintage Jelly Tin Mold Wreath

Ummm, yes, on this particular day we were under a “winter storm warning”, a “heavy snowfall warning”, and a “blizzard warning”. Our forecasters covered all the bases.

Vintage Tin Jelly Mold Wreath

Isn’t she lovely?

Vintage Tin Jelly Mold Wreath

I hope you are having a wonderful season, and are having as much fun as I am!

Thank you for stopping by!

Turn an Antique Grater into a Flower Vase

November 14, 2013 by Barb 37 Comments

When I saw a rusty old grater at my favourite junque store, it didn’t take me but two seconds to scoop it up and tuck it under my arm. If anyone else was looking at it, they were going to have to fight me for it…

The tag suggested that it could be used as a candle holder, and yes, that would work, but I had other plans. The globe thistles (echinops) that I had harvested from my garden and were drying in our basement were crying out for a home.
antique, flower vase, echinops, barb brookbank, keeping with the times

I knew instinctively that the rustic style and greyish tones would be the perfect complement to these quirky, spiky flowers.

Antique-Grater

I was quite surprised at the top of it. What would this grid have been used for?

antique grater, flower vase, barb brookbank, keeping with the times

Well, no matter. I saw the perfect flower frog! What a treasure!!

I donned my (thickest) garden gloves, stripped away most of the very prickly leaves, trimmed the stems, and stuck them into the grid. I put the tallest stems in the middle, and the shorter ones at the edges. Piece of cake.

I love it when a project comes together so easily. I couldn’t wait to post until Friday so here it is today…

Have a wonderful Thursday! and see you tomorrow!

Party Junk at Funky Junk Interiors

Autumn Tablescape With Warm Whites

September 29, 2013 by Barb 27 Comments

Fall is such a gorgeous time! I love the bright colours it brings; the oranges, the reds, the browns, and the golds. But there is a lighter side to it as well. This is when the soft pink Autumn Joy is blooming and I find it amazing that it comes into its own, just as the days get shorter, and the nights get colder.

I also love the white pumpkins that are so popular right now. I couldn’t find any, but I managed to snag these wonderful white, odd-shaped gourds from a farmer who was about to plow them under. He said they were just an experiment, were kind of weird, and he couldn’t see how anyone would want them! Ummm, just a minute, I’ll take a few (dozen)…

autumn, tablescape, decor, keeping with the times

For my autumn tablescape this year, the only new things I bought were the wicker chargers, and the cloth serviettes, all from Pier One. I chose a patterned serviette, and a plain one, put one on top of the other, shaped them into a loose cone, and slipped on a big silvery jewel ring. I already had the rings since I had bought them at a garage sale a few years ago for $1.00/ea.

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I’m not usually into sparkly stuff, but for some reason, these really grabbed me.

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All my other stonecrops are still growing beautifully as well. My pots are full of soft blue-green whorls, bright mossy-looking mounds, and tiny grey-green leaves. I plan to bring them all in for the winter, and I’m hopeful that they will do well in the sunny south window in my basement.

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Pink, and green, and white. Light and airy.

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Hmmmm, I think that pear needs to be poached…

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… but it’s so pretty…

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…don’t forget a few candles…

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… and a white cotton tablecloth.

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My dining room has some wonderful light, and I managed to capture this sunburst off the wineglass!

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I hope you liked my autumn tablescape. I don’t have any sage advice to pass on, except maybe to pile on the layers. Layers of plates, serviettes, plants, candles… use lots of stuff! I used the same concept when I created my “Pier One Inspired Tablescape” when I was in Arizona. In fact, I find that Pier One is one of the best places for inspiration!

Thank you for dropping by!

Beautiful Autumn Tansy Wreath

September 19, 2013 by Barb 15 Comments

Tansy Wreath

I’m always scouring ditches for treasures (flowers, moss, wood, you name it), and one of my favourite flowers is the wild Tansy. It’s abundant, beautiful, free, and it makes for a lovely wreath, or bouquet.

I know that in some parts, it’s considered invasive…

Early Autumn Wreath

but I say, invade… (perhaps farmers do not)…

Tansy Wreath

To make the wreath, I simply clipped off the flower heads and pushed the stems into a willow wreath that I purchased at Michaels.

Start at the bottom and push the flower heads up the left side of the base, then up the right side of the base until they meet at the top.

At the bottom, I created a little spray by pushing the flowers in from the left, and in from the right, and then secured them with some twine. Easy Peasy!

keeping with the times

Definitely a country bouquet.

Tansy Wreath

Pier One Inspired Tablescape

April 28, 2013 by Barb 9 Comments

On one of our last days in Arizona, hubby decided he wanted to go check out a golf superstore and look what we came home with…

Pier One Inspired Tablescape

Should I feel guilty?

pier one

It just so happened that there was a Pier One across the parking lot and I thought it would be the perfect place to spend an hour or so.

When I entered the store, the salesclerk asked me what brought me in. I started to say “well, my husband is over shopping at the…” when she put up her hand and said “say no more!” and we both had a little chuckle.

Pier One Tablescape

I started out simply admiring the beautiful displays and began to wonder what it was that made them so amazing (apart from the delicious dishes). I spent 15 minutes just staring at all the different table settings, thinking, thinking.

Then I realized that it was the layering! Tablecloths, placemats, chargers, large plates, medium plates, small plates. And the serviettes! I had never thought of putting two serviettes in one holder. An “aha” moment…

pier one

The wheels were turning. I already had a set of white dishes so I could have a little fun here! All I needed to find were a couple of small plates with some white in them. These blue, white, gold, and green ones were just the ticket! I love green so I rummaged around and found two wicker placemats that I really liked–perfect! Of course everything in the store is coordinated so it wasn’t difficult to find two different types of serviettes, and some pretty holders. pier one tablescape

Do you like my wildflowers and my target vase? So simple, but so perfect.

pier one tablescape

I love these colours…

pier one tablescape

If you didn’t see the tour of our “little get-away” in Arizona, check it out here.

Hubby didn’t get his golf clubs. But no worries… he’s going to get them here at home. He said he was just getting ideas. :)

The Inspiration Gallery at Craftberry Bush

Bringing Beauty and Colour into the Bedroom

February 8, 2013 by Barb 16 Comments

We’ve been living in our home for almost 12 years now. I love it’s natural, peaceful and serene colour palette. The walls are two different shades of green, the carpet is a pale grey-green and the trim is white. I’ve kept decorating to a minimum – don’t know if it’s because I don’t know how to do it, I’m lazy, or I just plain like things plain…

But, the other day I was at Costco and spied this fabulous king-size micro-fibre duvet cover for about $35.00. Yes, I said $35.00 not $350.00. Whoa. I couldn’t walk past it. Not only were the reds calling to me, but it was the green leaves that did it. They are the exact colour of green that I love. The exact shade to match my walls. It was love.love.love. I felt a little giddy as I threw it into my cart with nary a second thought.

Then I noticed there were matching green sheets… sheets made of micro-fibre… sheets so soft… so, so soft. So, so soft, and so, so green. Have I mentioned I love green?

Anyway… seeing as I had already lost my mind I went on the hunt for a picture to put above our bed. I’ve been thinking about it forever but the idea was just too daunting. I didn’t have clue as to what I wanted and I thought it had to be some kind of perfectly expensive piece of art, so of course it didn’t happen.

We don’t have a lot of choices in our small city so I headed to Home Sense. And lookee what I found there! A match made in heaven. Seriously, could there have been a more appropriate picture? It cost $80.00 (I’m almost embarrassed) but don’t you just love it when that happens?

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It doesn’t have to be expensive and I’m flabbergasted at the transformation!

Take a look at the before – not bad… but oh, my… how dreary… what took me so long?

bedroom transformation

Hubby’s happy too. He figures he’s got my Valentine gift and my birthday gift taken care of. And he’s right!

A White Christmas Mantel

December 3, 2012 by Barb 17 Comments

I wanted to design a different type of wreath this year and when I came across a square wreath on Pinterest I knew I wanted one!

Willow for the frame was an obvious choice for me – I have a mega abundance of it growing in my back yard and I really love working with it. In the past I’ve made baskets, planters, and even a bench using willow. I love the way the branches seem to roll into place and fit together snugly – no matter how crooked they are.

To make the frame I cut four pieces of willow into 20″ pieces, put two on top of the other two (top and bottom) and secured them together with nails. Then I added two small pieces to create the panes. As I mentioned, willow falls together seamlessly and it’s rustic so perfectionism is not allowed here.

Square-Birch-Wreath-Christmas-Mantel-copy

I also absolutely love the wild look of birch branches so out I went again to gather some up. I feel very fortunate that I live in the country and have all this natural material around me.

I simply wove the birch around the frame and the panes. No glue, nails, string or wires were used. As I added branches they all kind of held each other together – it’s really quite sturdy.

Then I added a few birch branches along the mantel and put a couple of strings of teeny tiny white lights throughout. I already had the big wooden frame, the bird picture, the tall white wooden bird and the “Let It Snow” sign.

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The only thing I spent money on was the paint for the wooden frame. I wanted my wreath to contrast with the frame and the grey was just not cutting it.

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So I covered it using this paint I found in my favourite antique/collectible/junk store (One Man’s Treasure).

First time I’ve come across chalk paint. I was inspired to say the least. It took no time at all to get it done – it dries extremely fast so 2 coats took about 1 hour – perfect for someone as impatient as me. I decided not to use the antiquing wax since I wanted an overall white and dreamy effect on my mantel

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I love being outdoors and gathering natural material.

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Have a wonderful Christmas!

Our little get-away in Fountain Hills, AZ

October 24, 2012 by Barb 19 Comments

The view from our kitchen balcony.

Sunrise.

From the kitchen.

It’s an end unit so we have lots of windows.

Our living room.

Looking towards the front windows.

Our ‘office’ area… a work in progress…

Our little kitchen table.

Reclaimed wood furniture.

The breeze was softly blowing my (home-made) curtains – so pretty!

A little peek into our kitchen.

Santa Fe style furniture.

So light and airy.

Beauty!

Heading upstairs and some of our new paint ‘Sedona Sunset’

This morning I woke up thinking about our new condo in Fountain Hills. There’s a pretty good reason for that – we plan to head down there for two weeks!

We took possession of it last November and have since re-done a lot of the interior. We had it painted from ceilings to baseboards and everything in between. We removed carpets and had new flooring installed upstairs. We replaced all the blinds and then had the windows washed – that was my brilliant idea – it would have been impossible for me to do – especially upstairs. We had some electrical re-wiring of lights and installed new fixtures. As well, there was a lot of maintenance to be done but nothing major – good thing hubby is a handyman extraordinaire!

Last year, the first two weeks we were in Arizona, we saw nothing but the interior of Lowes – but let me say they have a pretty amazing view of the mountains from their parking lot …. ;)

This time we’ll have a bit more time to explore and experience AZ. To start off, we’re going to a football game on Monday night – a dream-come-true for hubby!

I’m looking forward to some new photo ops, perhaps a bit of shopping, dining out, and watching the sun come up from our living room couch.

My quirky autumn mantel and a design tip

September 25, 2012 by Barb 21 Comments

This year my mantel is completely different from anything I have ever done. I was rummaging around in the basement looking for my usual leaves, and fake gourds, and lights. Suddenly I spied a black candle holder that I had bought a few years back. I wasn’t using it because the top was a bit crooked and a candle wouldn’t sit on it properly.

My mind went to some mantels I had seen on Pinterest and I thought, hmmmm . . . clean, simple and graphic. I love it!

I found a small black vase and rushed upstairs with my two treasures to put my teeny tiny sugar pumpkins on them.

Quirky Autumn Mantel, Keeping With the Times

I knew I needed at least one more thing (tip to follow) so I actually drove into town and straight to Home Sense. Well, if there wasn’t this tall, black, quirky vase! It was meant to be! I plunked down my $12.00 and took off for home.

It’s perfect for me this year. I don’t know why . . . but it is.

And now for the design tip. A visual triangle. Sweet and simple. Time tested and true. A sure thing.

I’ve been studying the principles of design with scrapbooking in mind but all these principles apply to art in any form.

Eyes follow lines and you want to take control and lead your viewer through your creation – whether it’s a scrapbook page or your autumn mantel. You want them to look at one thing, travel to another and to stay with it for as long as possible. Perhaps going around a few times – ultimately spending more time looking and appreciating your work than they would have otherwise.

I asked hubby what he thought of my creation this year and he said “mmmm, it’s witchy”.

ha! I thought so too!

Entertaining on the deck in autumn

September 20, 2012 by Barb 26 Comments

We are having the most beautiful September. Warm temperatures and lots of sunshine. It’s very bittersweet – I love autumn but it’s simply so fleeting.

We live on a small lake and it’s this time of year all the permanent residents come out of the woodwork. Most people are back at work, boats and docks pulled in for the winter. But not us.

This Saturday we are planning a little neighborhood get-together. Appetizers and drinks followed by a tour of the lake on an early September evening.

I wanted to pretty up the deck a bit beforehand, so I put a tablecloth on the patio furniture bench and put a bit of burlap over top. I topped that with an old mirror (old and chippy) and put candles all around.

Aren’t my Belgian Mums gorgeous!? After our summer pots were shredded by hail – these were a welcome replacement. Hubby brought them home one night (from Costco).

I’ve been busy this summer hauling home any kind of old wood “thing” I can get my hands on. When I saw this bench at our local country store I could not run to the counter and hand over my money fast enough! It’s a handmade bench made from old wood – beautiful, heavy, old wood. There are moss and lichens growing all over it. It’s so sturdy – it was such a great find!

Now, what to serve? I think it’s going to be Brie topped with Vidalia Onion and Maple Conserve (recipe to follow soon).

Happy September Everyone!

Happy Autumn!

Autumn tablescape 2012

September 17, 2012 by Barb 15 Comments

I love to host Thanksgiving! All the gorgeous colours and textures are so inspiring!

I love to set a pretty table but I don’t want to spend a lot of money and I try to use what I have on hand. I already had the perfect dishes (I got them at Costco quite a few years ago), so the only things I had to buy for this table setting were the little blocks that say “give thanks”, and the pumpkins.

I was pretty happy with my centrepiece. I used a glass tray that has two ‘levels’ and put the candles on the top level. After I had it arranged, I sprinkled green rocks over everything and added a few willow balls for extra texture.

Autumn Tablescape

Can you believe that I found these beautiful wild purple asters growing in the ditch! Love that!

autumn tablescape

So perfect with the purple dishes…

autumn tablescape

Purple, green, gold…

autumn tablescape

… burgundy…

autumn tablescape

… leaves cut from scrapbook papers…

autumn tablescape

… same for the serviette holders… with a spring of fresh thyme…

autumn tablescape

So much to give thanks for!

autumn tablescape

Thank you for dropping by, and checking out my tablescape!

autumn tablescape, purple asters, thanksgiving, keeping with the times

DIY old dictionary page, maple leaf wreath–for early autumn

September 5, 2012 by Barb 34 Comments

I’m loving my diy, old dictionary page wreath, and it’s maple leaves this time . . .

Maple Leaf Dictionary Page Wreath

I used the same dictionary that I used for my Christmas wreath–so no more old books were hurt in the making of this project . . .

Maple Leaf Dictionary Page Wreath

It feels like a breath of fresh air . . . and is light as a feather . . .

Maple Leaf Wreath

I wrapped a wire frame with burlap . . .

Maple-Leaf-Wreath

. . . and it even looked pretty before I was finished . . .

Maple Leaf Wreath

. . . love it!

Maple Leaf Dictionary Page Wreath

To make the leaves I downloaded a maple leaf shape and cut them all by hand. I know, it sounds like a lot! But because the pages were so thin I was able to cut up to 12 leaves at once.

After I had them all hot glued onto the frame, I spritzed the wreath with a bit of tea and ran my hand gently against the direction of the leaves. I then set it out in the sun for about an hour to dry. It ruffled and curled them up just enough to give it some texture.

It’s quite a bit different from what I usually put up for autumn.

Where’s the colour??!! Not to worry. I have colour on my mantel. My very unusual and unique looking mantel. It’s a new style for me. Can’t wait to show you that!

A summery new look for my Hoosier cabinet

June 16, 2012 by Barb 18 Comments

Many, many, years ago my hubby’s parents gave us an old Hoosier cabinet that they didn’t want any more. It was at their lake cottage which they were in the process of updating. I was more than willing to take it off their hands. Being in love with all things ‘antique’ I was ecstatic!

Over the years it has served as storage for my crafting supplies plus anything else that I didn’t quite know what to do with. It has mostly been tucked away in a small room – quite out of sight. The reason being that, even though I loved it – it was sort of an odd brown colour with an orange interior. And when I say orange, I mean ORANGE. That just doesn’t ‘go’ with anything, ya know . . .

Well, here is my new and revitalized cabinet. I bought some standard sort of off-white paint and proceeded to slap on two coats – inside and out. It was fun to paint – I wasn’t at all concerned about it being perfect, since the cabinet itself is far from perfect. If you happen to see some paint drips, it may or may not have been my doing . . .

. . . the finished cabinet – sitting there so pretty . . .

. . . love it . . .

I’m storing my gardening books and eclectic collection of old vases in it . . .

. . . more gardening books . . .

. . . my gardening journal . . .

. . . my newest old jar . . .

. . . notice the roll-top . . . I broke it in the painting process, but hubby to the rescue – all fixed now . . .

. . . some pretty meadow rue from my garden . . .

. . . chipped and sanded . . .

UH OH – get your sunglasses! here’s the original:

. . . I loved you even then . . .

. . . now doesn’t that feel good?

. . . incredible transformation! sanding the edges – now that was the most fun . . . it kind of finished it off perfectly . . .

A Hoosier cabinet (also known as a “Hoosier”) is a type of cupboard popular in the first decades of the 20th century. Named after the Hoosier Manufacturing Co. of New Castle, Indiana, they were also made by several other companies, most also located in Indiana.

Houses of the period were frequently not equipped with built-in cabinetry, and the lack of storage space in the kitchen became acute. One particularly distinctive item is the combination flour-bin/sifter, a tin hopper that could be used without having to remove it from the cabinet. A similar sugar bin was also common. (Wikipedia)

Spring Willow Wreath

March 26, 2012 by Barb 23 Comments

Pussy Willow Wreath

It seems all over blogland people are decorating their doors for spring. Well, it is spring in Alberta too but, hmmmm, I don’t see any tulips peeking through the ground (could be because I can’t see the ground) and there certainly are no pansies sitting prettily on my step.

But the Pussy Willows are out in full force and I ventured out on Sunday to gather the usual armloads to create my new wreath.

Pussy Willow Wreath

I love gathering these branches. It was quite a nice day and it always feels so good to be outside. I could hear geese honking, ravens croaking, and water running. I could also smell wood smoke in the air – so sweet. Someone must have been cleaning up their yard already.

My wreath looks so at home on my new green door (painted last autumn). It’s a very authentic representation of what our world looks like right now. Twiggy and branchy with a promise of spring.

Pussy Willow Wreath

This year I added a little birdhouse and bird to create a little interest and make it different from other years.

Pussy Willow Wreath

Check out my How to Make a Pussy Willow Wreath tutorial. It’s really very easy!

Thanks for stopping by!

Spring vignette

March 11, 2012 by Barb 28 Comments

I think I’m ready for spring. In my mind anyway, so as my hutch display needed some brightening up, I went to my newest favourite store, The Country Pumpkin. Serious addiction going on there. I want everything I see!

So I have to be very careful and choose wisely. I tried to think of things I could use for spring, right through summer (if necessary). I started with a new table top runner – light green checks – gorgeous! Oh and that yellow birdhouse – must have . . . hmmmm . . . I love that little black lantern – how very country! That pretty green and white berry wreath – Superstore . . . OK, I did buy that bird too. But, I did re-use my antique books, chicken wire basket and of course my old window frame mirror stays put.

Spring Banner Mantle

Then I made a banner!! Yippee! how long have I wanted a banner? I simply cut the banner from cardstock, printed the word spring, cut the letters out and sewed them onto the paper. Then I stitched along the edges of the banner and added some paper flowers and other embellishments (of which I have a trillion due to my earlier paper scrapping days). So easy! I didn’t try to make it perfect either – I just had fun.

I love my old window frame – so chippy!

I love using birds in my decor …

… and bird houses …

… and wreaths.

… just love!

Spring Mantel 2012

March 8, 2012 by Barb 20 Comments

When I look at my spring mantel I feel that it’s quite plain. Well, maybe it’s just simple . . . I like that word better!

Spring Mantel, Moss, Pussy Willows

When I spied some pussy willows in the ditch in late February (earliest ever), I decided I couldn’t wait any longer to bring a bit of spring love into the house.

I bought the big ‘old’ wood mirror from Home Sense and at the same time noticed the two black framed pictures with the trees. They could have been photographs taken from my dining room window! They really drew me in – I love the fact that there is a tiny bit of green growth showing.

I added three moss balls and a tiny bird house which I found at our country gift store. I also found a pretty yellow pillow and layered it on top of a light green one to brighten up my brown chair.

Spring Mantel, Moss, Pussy Willows

The sun is so bright right now and it was pouring in as I took these photos. Everything looks so cheerful. Spring is here, in my house at least.

Oh! Christmas tree!

December 8, 2011 by Barb 44 Comments

Well, I finally have the tree decorated and *whew* we’ve never had such a tall tree in all our 37 years of marriage! I had to use a step ladder to get to the top and I may or may not have stood on the TV cabinet to reach the star . . . hmmm, after I put the star up I could see that it was being dwarfed – so what to do? I went out into the yard and snipped off a few birch branches to create a little burst at the top and add some weight. I really kind of like it.

Thrifty Christmas Decorations
I’m loooving my tree this year! To start with we haven’t had a real tree for quite a while and I completely changed all the ornaments. Don’t be shocked – I know ornaments are extremely expensive which is why I made my own garland.

Thrifty Christmas Decorations

Then the other day I was rummaging around in my crafty stuff trying to think what else I could use when I came across a stack of light cardboard that I had saved (being the hoarder that I am) and thought, I am going run down to my scrapbooking store and see what die-cuts they have. This lovely snowflake was sitting there calling to me and I spent the better half of the morning churning out about a hundred of them. Cost? $0.00 – I have a membership at the store and use of the die cut machine is free for members. Oh man, I couldn’t have been happier.

Thrifty Christmas Decorations

The rest of the ornaments – the birds, the felt skates, felt reindeer, and felt mittens I had bought at Superstore at the beginning of the season. Take my word for it, they were very affordable.

Tree4-copy

Thrifty Christmas Decorations

And last but not least I have my Paper Ball Ornaments made from Christmas cards past. Go here for the tutorial on how to make them.

Thrifty Christmas Decorations

Birch branches…

Tree6-copy

My birch branch burst… try saying that three times over! Thrifty Christmas Decorations

I am officially exhausted. I’m on my own tonight so I may just pour myself a bowl of Nuts and Bolts and sit back and admire my creation. And since I worked so hard I may just have Baked Caramel Popcorn for dessert.

Happy Decorating Everyone!

A woodland welcome

December 3, 2011 by Barb 38 Comments

I’m embracing all things natural for my Christmas decorations this year and I’m calling it my “Woodland Christmas”.

Moss Wreath Tutorial

I got the idea for my moss wreath when I was out and about driving down our country roads and I spied a whole bunch of it growing in a north-facing ditch. I screeched to a halt (well, not really), I pulled over to the side of the road, donned my garden gloves (which I have with me at all times) and started to carefully pull some of it up – it literally came up in sheets!

It only took me a few minutes to fill a garbage bag full of it and off I went. What a score!

When I got home I searched around my yard for things to use as accents. I found some fungi (baby robustus conk, I think), dried rose hips, lichen-covered twigs, and pine cones. I had a grapevine and wire garland (from my autumn banister) and I knew it was the perfect thing to secure the moss. I then tied a little gold-edged burlap bow at the top, slightly off-centre. The final touch was a cute little bird that I already had.

Moss Wreath Tutorial

I made it before the snow fell – just laid everything on the ground and secured the moss to an old twig wreath with dental floss and wire.

20111102_6153-copy

20111102_6154-copy

Moss Wreath Tutorial

Easy!

Table decor

December 2, 2011 by Barb 37 Comments

I took an afternoon and set up my table the way I want it for Christmas Day ‘a practice run’ so to speak. I now have everything tucked away and organized so that on the Big Day I will be able to pull it all out and set it up without even having to think (much). I know I’m going to have a lot of other things needing my attention and this will be a huge help. So, here it is . . .

My Christmas theme this year is a little bit country, a little bit woodland, and a little bit elegant. We are hosting Christmas at the lake and I want to set a nice table. It started with a new set of dishes. Pure white Denby aptly named ‘White’. I purchased this set in October at Home Sense for less than a third of it’s original price. I didn’t know exactly why I was buying them but I simply could not walk away. When is a white set of dishes not perfect? I used my red cotton tablecloth (kind of wrinkly and rustic) with matching serviettes. I used thick twine to wrap the napkins and added a little painted pine cone. I had painted them many, many years ago to string along our banister – am I ever glad I saved them! It was also serendipitous that I found candles that look like pine cones (Home Sense). I used a roll of green burlap and I love the rustic beauty it adds when used instead of placemats. I cleaned and rubbed the water glasses and silverware until they were sparkling. I was pretty happy with my creation when I suddenly decided I should have a bit of fresh greenery on the table. What to do? I’m half an hour from town and it’s freezing and snowing outside. Hmmmm, I went and got my garden shears, took a walk around the yard and snipped a few branches from our fir trees. I said thank you to my trees and told them they had just contributed the final perfect touch for our upcoming Christmas celebrations. I’m so looking forward to Christmas with my family.

My wintry mantel and a little tour

December 1, 2011 by Barb 39 Comments

I finally finished up my mantel today. On the weekend we hung our Robert Bateman print ‘Winter Run’. Today I added the two little shrubs wrapped up in burlap (they remind me of the snowy branches in the painting). However, the wreath beside them almost didn’t get to stay. It kept falling off the mantel and that was OK until the time it hit me on the head, bounced off, crashed onto my finger (the finger that had stitches this past summer) and cut it. I did a little dance around the living room saying a few words (not to be repeated here) but I think they were warranted at the time . . . grrrrr. I finally got the wreath to sit there with a little help from that blue sticky putty stuff. I added a trio of birch logs tied together, a couple of white candles in the holders that I already had, lights, and some silver balls which will match my (soon to be decorated) tree.

first, an early evening view

the overall view – daytime

birch logs and white candles

little burlap-wrapped shrubs from Home Sense

my little antique parlour stove

looking out the great room window – you can see that it snowed the night before

looking into the kitchen/dining area

My new (old) window frame and vintage paper trees

my twinkly banister

It’s just my style this year; low-key, natural, partly homemade. I can’t put my tree up until the 7th of December but it will be sitting directly behind where I stood to take this photo. Can’t wait to start that!

(btw I think my finger is going to be OK as well as my head)

Texture Tuesday – the Gratitude e-Dition

November 28, 2011 by Barb 28 Comments

Yesterday I was rummaging around in my decorations and took a hard look at the garland I was planning to use for our tree, and deemed it to be hideous!

What to do? Hmmmmm. I loved the dictionary wreath that I just made . . . hmmmm . . . why don’t I make my own garland – just the simple, old-fashioned chain link garland the likes of what children make at school?

First, I made a small string of it and ran it by hubby – what do you think of this – is it too weird? No – I think it looks neat. That’s my hubby! So I was off – cutting and gluing again. Dictionary Paper Garland

When I opened the book to start (gently tearing) out some pages, I saw the leaf…

Dictionary Paper Garland

It made me stop and think about the person who owned this dictionary. It gave me a sense of timelessness. How many leaves have I slipped into books and forgotten?

Dictionary Paper Garland

The name written on the first page was Mrs. Wm. A. Campbell – no doubt the Wm meant William, most likely her husband.

As I looked through the pages I came across the rules of etiquette. What a treasure trove of fun reading!

on Introductions:

A gentleman must never put his hat on in the presence of ladies. At morning calls he must put his hat on in the hall, but should any ladies be present, he will instantly remove it; or should he be the last visitor, he will not forget to hold his hat in his hand until he has reached the pavement.

on Calling Cards:

A married lady should always use the Christian name of her husband on her card.

Married ladies should use a size of card between that of a Mr. and Mrs. and Miss card. This is not strictly observed, though it is considered a good thing to do. HUH?

Don’t you just love it?! I could go on and on.

Anyway, I’m grateful that I picked up this thought-provoking dictionary and that it is going to grace my Christmas tree this year.

I used Kim Klassen’s ‘Poetic’ on soft light. How fitting!

Burlap inspired banister

November 26, 2011 by Barb 36 Comments

Decorating with natural materials is what I love best. Burlap, pinecones, and antiques. It just doesn’t get any better than that!

It was fun, but egads, I took the banister apart two times and finally settled on the third version. Enough, I say! Cutting strips of burlap, stitching up the edges (yes, I had to – or else they would disintegrate) and tying the bows wasn’t hard but took me the better part of a day. (I have since found burlap ribbon with stitched edges… arghhh). I love the sparkly lights with the rough textures.
Burlap Bows on Banister

Many years ago, my son-in-law gave me this authentic, antique duck decoy. I have to say I was pretty touched. It’s one of my most cherished pieces.

Antique Duck, Burlap Christmas

My mother-in-law gave me all of her old jars – complete with lids. Treasures!!

I filled them with tiny birch cones that I picked from the banks of the river that we used to live on.

Antique Jars Pinecones

Love.

AntiqueDuckBurlap2-copy

I’m incorporating more natural materials in my decorating this year but that is not to say I’m not adding some sparkle – I think a combination of the two works quite well, don’t you? Happy Decorating!!

My Webster Encyclopedic Dictionary Wreath

November 23, 2011 by Barb 54 Comments

Check out my tutorial with 5 easy steps for creating a beautiful dictionary wreath!

Be still my heart! I have my very own book page wreath!

I’ve been ogling these gorgeous wreaths out in bloggyland for months so I finally went to my favourite antique/garage sale store and for $5.00 I bought ‘The Consolidated Webster Encyclopedic Dictionary – A Library of Essential Knowledge circa 1957’ and proceeded to tear it apart.

I started rolling and stapling and gluing and I didn’t stop until I couldn’t push in one more cone. Love.

Dictionary Wreath

Dictionary Wreath, diy, tutorial

Love. Love. Love.
Love, I tell ya.

Here’s my mini tutorial in a nutshell:

Use glue to cover the top of a large ice cream container with some dictionary pages and put a punched circle in the middle as a guide to keep the wreath balanced.
Use a pen to roll each page then slowly release the bottom until the top fans out into a cone.
Staple the bottom of the cone to secure it.
Glue each cone to the ice cream lid, in a circular pattern.
Make the cones smaller as they get closer to the middle.

Halloween Vignette

October 20, 2011 by Barb 26 Comments

I like to celebrate all the holidays with some kind of decorations and Halloween vignette is no exception.

I started with an old window I just recently found at my favourite antique shop (a treasure), and layered a metal picture of a bird on top of it. I then added a black candelabra with black and white candles.

I spray painted some dried baby’s breath that I had picked this past summer and stuck it in an old vase.

halloween vignette

In the process of spray painting outside, a few real leaves got painted so I decided to include them (and added a few more).

halloween vignette 02

halloween

halloween vignette 08

halloween

halloween vignette 06

halloween vignette 04

The witch was a gift from a friend and the branches I found out in my yard. Add in the usual spider webs and spiders and there you have it! So simple but so fun!