Some Blue Hydrangeas and a 50th Anniversary Reception

A few weeks ago, I had the priviledge of doing the decorations for a 50th Anniversary Reception. It was for my friend and mentor and she pretty much let me have free reign with my ideas. I love when people say that! Since the blue hydrangeas were in full bloom, I decided to use them. A sweet friend and my sister in my neighborhood let me explore their yards and cut the best blooms from their hydrangeas. It was so much fun.

I collected them in this bucket and I had to snap a few shots before I got started with the arrangements. I made the tissue paper flowers and the little cute lantern came from Ikea.Aren't they the perfect color of blue?

The picture below is the guest book table. I used a silver tray from the thrift store and painted it with chalkboard paint.

Some friends did the food for the party. It was pretty and yummy! I used a black damask piece of fabric down the center of the food tables. I layed nandina leaves here and there on the tables. They came from my yard and last for a long time without water.

For the drink table, I used some crushed velvet and 3 squares of the same damask fabric. I then laid the extra hydrangea blooms down for color. These were from a 50 year old hydrangea bush and were a little more purple.

I love the way the hydrangeas looked on the cake too.

Each round table had a different black and white runner. I filled a vase with sliced limes and just added some flowers and candles on the mirror. Very simple!

I used hurricanes on some tables with flat glass circles at the bottom in water, topped with reindeer moss and a hydrangea bloom or two.

Here is a different style hurricane with the same arrangement on different fabric.

I even added a few polka dots for fun.

This was the large arrangement on the food table. I used 3 different types of flowers from Publix to fill in between the hydrangeas and some nandina leaves. I filled the bottom with whole limes.

This was on the round table that connected the two food tables. The plate says, "All because two people fell in love."
These cute napkins came from Hobby Lobby.
I had so much fun getting to arrange flowers and use different fabrics. Thanks Gail for letting me be a part of your special day!

Vintage Headboard Sign

I found an old wood twin bed at a garage sale a few weeks ago. I got it for $5 because a rat had actually chewed on the top of the bed post. I was mainly intrigued by the head and footboard and loved the shape. I knew just what I wanted to do with it! My dad took it apart for me and I sanded it really good with an electric sander. I got most of the stain off, but left some on for added character.

I printed out the name of the hotel that my hubby and I stayed in on our first anniversary. It was the most beautiful place right on the water in Santa Barbara, Ca. It is now closed so I am assuming it might have been destroyed by a hurricane or something. I used transfer paper to put the lettering onto the sign. You can get it at Hobby Lobby.

I then used paint and a small brush to fill in the letters. I usually use a paint pen, but did not have white or blue. It took longer with the brush, but I just used what I had on hand. I love the character of it against the weathered wood.

I added it to my freshly painted walls in the kitchen. I repainted my kitchen, by the way, the same color as the living room (Wool Skein by Sherwin Williams). I started out painting it white, but it was not enough contrast with the trim, so this was round 2. I love it! I will post more pics later. I am loving the coastal touches that I am adding around my home. Makes me feel like I am on vacation!


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No Sew Ruffled Lampshade Tutorial

This is the burlap ruffled lamp shade I made for this turquoise lamp I spray painted a color called Bahama Sea. I did it the lazy way, but I think it turned out pretty good!
I was inspired by this lampshade on Dear Lillie, but was not in the mood to sew, so I used my favorite tool, the hot glue gun. She does have a tutorial with the "correct" way on her blog if you want to check it out here.

Here is how I did mine:

First I cut about three 6ft. burlap strips about 2 inches wide. Try to keep them as straight as possible, but it does not have to be perfect. You might need more or less burlap depending on the size of your shade.

Warning: If you do this on the floor, your dog might want some attention and get this close to your face.

I used a medium size drum shade from Target and started hot glueing the burlap strips around the shade making the ruffles as I go and glueing them down. I used my fingers to squish the fabric together if it started to get too flat.

If you are lucky, your kids will be playing superheros together very nicely while you are working because it does take some time.

When you are done, there will be some holes where the shade is showing through.

Just put a dot of hot glue there and press the burlap down to cover the holes.

Note: In the other tutorial, she measures the shade first to determine the width of her fabric strips. That it probably a good idea. I did not do that in this case though and somehow it worked out perfectly.

Here is the finished product all lit up. I love the texture it adds to this corner. I am glad to get this look without having to sew. I'd love to hear if you try to make one!

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