A Real Topiary and a Fun Giveaway

I have always loved real topiaries, but have never had one.  Recently I was at a nursery and found this beauty.  It was a little wild looking, but exactly what I was looking for.  The woman there said not to cut it, but to push the wild strays back into the center.  She also said to keep it moist or the leaves would start falling off fast!

 

 

 

I had it on my kitchen island and loved it, but then so did the cat...  (ugh)  After finding it tipped over a couple of times, I knew I had to find a better place for it.

We are having our wood floors refinished and needed to move EVERYTHING out of the living room, kitchen, entry and hall.  What a job!  One good part about moving everything is that I found a great place for the topiary.  It should be safe from being knocked over and I'm not as grossed out by the cat climbing up on this counter....

 

 

I love the delicate little leaves. 

 

 

 

If you haven't yet entered my giveaway for Eco Natural Soaps click HERE to enter!

The giveaway ends on Monday, October 1, 2012.

 

 

Thanks for your visit!

 

Pam

Burlap Table Runner--PB Look @ DIY Price

A few weeks ago I was in Pottery Barn and found a jute table runner.  I had been looking for one and was very happy to find it on sale.  I brought it home and it was way too big for my table.  I love the texture of jute, burlap, etc and kept looking for one, but didn't want to pay lots and lots.... Last night I saw this post by Kristen @ Ella Claire Inspired and was so excited to make a runner myself.

I went to JoAnn's today and bought 4 yards of burlap.  I followed Kristen's directions and it turned out great!

I started out by washing it with Tide and some bleach to get rid of the smell.  I had to do a second load with a little more Tide and two rinses.  It still smelled a little, but wasn't horrible.  I took it outside and draped it over some chairs for about an hour.  Before I brought it back in the house, I really tried to shake it out.  There were burlap fibers flying everywhere!  :)

I then did a rough measurement of it, pulled a string from it and cut carefully along that line.  I cut it down the middle with the same technique.  Because it was so long, the string broke a couple of times.  I put on my reading glasses (haha!) and used a pin to find the string and started carefully pulling it again.  Once I had it out, I again carefully cut lengthwise.  I made it about 20" wide by 90" long for my 80" table.



I ironed it with my eurosteam.  I tried to use a normal iron set on Silk, as Kristen did, but wasn't getting anywhere.  It came out nice and smooth this way.

I set it on the table and did a final measurement.    I cut it so it'd hang a few inches over the edge of the table.  After that, I carefully pulled about 8 strings off, one at a time, to make the fringe.  This part was really easy.

And that was it!! 

I paid $10 for the burlap and can make two runners.  $5 for a runner is perfect in my book!  It sure beats paying $50 for the one at Pottery Barn.  Thank you Kristen!

I was in Michael's today and found this bird/candle holder for 90% off. 

I added some topiaries that I made and now have a simply decorated table for fall.  Now if I can just keep the cat out of there....  :)

Thanks for your visit! 

Pam

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Spring Boutique

My friend Ali from Just Me and I are having another boutique this weekend.  We're really looking forward to it.

Here are some of the crafts I've been working on for it.

I love making these pillows and was so excited to find this graphic from Graphique on Etsy.  I collect old typewriters and recently found a cool piece of art that is similar to this.  (if this pillow doesn't sell at the boutique, I won't be upset!)  :)

 

I also found this ampersand on Graphique's site on Etsy.  I think it's a fun pillow.

I made these topiaries and added a little bow to each.  

I made lots of towels.  I especially love the cloche graphic from The Graphics Fairy

Here's another neat graphic from The Graphics Fairy.

I had to make more Ball jar towels.  Once again, courtesy of The Graphics Fairy

I bought these labels from PickYourPlum.com several months ago.  Their deals are great!

I found this set of cannisters at an antique store.  I added the chalkboard labels (also from PickYourPlum.com several months ago)

Here I used a canning jar, added sand, a candle and a chalkboard tag and now have a fun hostess gift.

We had a boutique in November and had a great turnout.  We're keeping our fingers crossed that it's just as successful this time!

Thanks for your visit.

Pam

p.s.  If you need directions on how to do any of the above projects, just do a search from my sidebar and the posts should show up. 

Cute Little Topiaries

I love topiaries and had almost everything on hand to make some.  I have seen lots of blog posts on making them, so decided to try them myself.  It was a fun project.

I used the following materials:

• terracotta pots


• 2 1/2" styrofoam balls


• 5/16" dowel


• small block of styrofoam


• bag of soft moss


• bag of green moss


• white paint


• brown antique paint


• glue gun and lots of glue sticks


• foam brush

I started by painting the pots lightly with white paint,  then wiped some off using a damp paper towel.  I then applied some of the brown antique paint on very lightly.

I painted the dowels with the brown antique paint. I cut them to about 7".   I stuck the dowel into the center of the foam ball.  I added some hot glue in the hole to hold it.

I used the glue gun to apply hot glue in sections over the styrofoam ball.  I put the soft moss on it, using my hand to make sure it stuck.  (and tried to keep from burning the heck out of my hand)  :)  Once I got all of the moss on, I trimmed it a bit to make it into a ball shape.

 

 

 


I cut up pieces of the block of styrofoam and stuck it in the pot as tightly as I could. (This picture doesn't show the styrofoam wedged in the bottom of the pot, but it should)   I drizzled lots of hot glue in there to hold everything in place.  I then stuck the bottom of the dowel into the center.  

 

 I applied more glue, then stuck the green moss on top.

And here is the finished product.  I'm very happy with the way they turned out.  It was a messy project, but so satisfying!

Thanks so much for visiting and following my blog!

Pam


I am linking to the following parties:

Between Naps on the Porch's Met Monday
Savvy Southern Style's Wow Us Wednesday  
DIY by Design's Summer Sizzle Party 
Open House Thursday (No Minimalist Here & On Sutton Place) 
French Country Cottage's Feathered Nest Friday 
My Romantic Home's Show and Tell Friday 
Chic on a Shoestring's Flaunt it Friday