DIY Anthropologie-esque Garland

I love garlands. Birthday parties come and go and I leave the banners hanging up as long as I can get away with it. Swag makes me smile. Go ahead, T.P. my house--it would make me happy! So when I saw this gorgeous, exotic garland on sale on the Anthropologie Web site, I immediately grabbed my credit card. But when the total still came to around $50, even with the sale discount, I sadly removed said item from my shopping cart. I just couldn't spend that much money on what is, essentially, a party decoration.

Anthropologie Skylark Collection Garland

Then I thought to myself, "Hey, I bet I could make something like that." Which is nearly always easier said than done. I knew where to buy tassels (Michaels) and I thought I might be able to find similar lanterns as part of an outdoor string light set. But after checking every store and Web site I could think of, I realized I would have to make the lanterns, themselves, as well. Luckily, it all came together after I found a tutorial on-line.

Here is my completed version. Not exactly the same as the real deal, but I'm really pleased with it. And the whole thing cost me under $12!

My Version

What you need to made this yourself:

-Two sheets of gold foil paper from Michaels
-Tassels in colours of your choice
-String or cord
-Glue gun
-Off-white cotton fabric for bunting (optional)

I got my instructions for the Chinese paper lanterns here: http://www.kidspot.com.au/kids-activities-and-games/Craft-activities+1/Create-Chinese-paper-lanterns+11906.htm. They are really easy to make. I played around with the size and decided on a 3.5 inch lantern. I bought my silky tassels at Michaels, but you could make your own. Let Martha Stewart show you how: http://www.marthastewart.com/908665/how-tie-tassel! You can decide how you want to space out your lanterns and tassels. I just added the bunting for some visual interest, but you don't need to make one. It's very simple, though--just hot glue fabric triangles to string. I like the idea of hanging tassels from the bottom of the lanterns as in the original, too. You could just hot glue a strip of gold paper across the bottom of the lantern and dangle a tassel from it.

There you have it! I've been really digging all things pink and gold and feminine, lately (with a bohemian twist, of course ;)).

OK, off to bake some scones to eat with the strawberry freezer jam that didn't set! If anyone wants a sugar rush, I've got some ultra-sweet strawberry syrup you can have!

Featured Artisan: Pink Wolfe Design

I am incredibly excited to announce that local jewelry designer, Amy Wolfe, will be debuting her original line of bohemian-inspired tassel, feather and pompom-festooned necklaces at the Summer Finds & One of a Kinds Craft Market at the Ancaster Fairgrounds this Saturday, June 20, from
10 to 4! 

Sold under the name, Pink Wolfe Design, Amy's jewelry is so of-the-moment and yet different from anything I've seen before. Her bright neon tassels and handmade, multicolored pompoms are simply delightful, and, I think you'll agree, perfect for pairing with cool summer dresses or batik-print tops and jean cut-offs. I can completely picture any of these necklaces in the pages of the Anthropologie catalog... 

Long Feather Necklace with Beads

Double-strung Pompom Necklace

Long Beaded Tassel Necklace

Originally from Seoul, South Korea, Amy left a career in marketing to raise her two sons, Henry, 6, and Keith, 3. Being a stay-at-home mom has given her time to indulge her creative side, which is where her passion lies...thank goodness for that, I say! Although she's been making jewelry for her friends and herself for more than a year, this is Amy's first public show. 

So, come out to the craft market next Saturday to get your hands on one of these lovelies while you can. There will be plenty of other vendors there, too, and opportunities to pick up a Father's Day present or gifts for your kids' teachers. And if you live out of town, you'll soon be able to find Pink Wolfe Design on Etsy. Stay tuned for that...I will be sure to let you know when the shop is live.

I'm soooo digging the neon tassels right now...

Featured Artisan: Melanie Senko

If you are a fan of handmade, one-of-a-kind accessories, you really should check out Melanie Senko's work. An original member of Hamilton's urban homesteading collective, The Beehive, Melanie exudes creative, indie cool. When I first met Mel, she and her husband, Jesse, were blogging for the National Post about their goal to stay out of the supermarket by growing their own produce and sourcing their food locally. They were also featured in Pure Green magazine, which is sold at Anthropologie. (Seriously, Mel, can you get any cooler?)

But I digress...

On Mother's Day weekend, Melanie (who happens to be a mother of four) will be selling her highly covetable leather-and-fabric bags, as well as a selection of quilts and more at Definitely Not The Mall, an artisan fair taking place at the Waterford Old Town Hall, May 8 & 9. The show is open to the public on Saturday and, best of all, it's free! Waterford is only about a 30 minute drive from Hamilton and is where the Senkos now call home. For a taste of what Melanie's been up to, take a look at these lovelies:

Cotton and Leather Zippered Pouch

Cotton Baby Bonnet

Cotton Charley Harper Crib Quilt

Sewing has always been a part of Melanie's life. Her mom was a sewer and Melanie started out doing needlework (rug hooking, embroidery) and progressed to Barbie clothes and pajama pants. She finds much of her inspiration in nature and working in the garden, which is reflected in her choice of fabrics and colours. Decor-wise, Melanie's describes her preferred style as natural, rustic minimalism. She and her husband like to feature old textures and objects in their home, and a tour of their house is like touring a well-edited vintage-modern shop--a veritable feast for the eyes! They are currently in the process of moving into a new country home, but perhaps they will allow me to do a future post on their new house, post-renos...

To see more of Melanie's work, you can visit her Web site at www.melaniesenko.com; you are sure to be inspired. It goes without saying that she consistently inspires me. 

A Designer Look for Peanuts

I have long lusted after Marimekko fabrics, especially the Finnish brand's signature Unikko red and white poppies print, but the price has always been way over my budget. You can buy the fabric at EQ3 in Canada for $80 a yard, or you can get a 20' X 20" pillow for $52. After doing a quick Etsy search, however, I realized I could just buy someone's leftover fabric remnants for ten bucks, and make my own cushion for a fraction of the price. The odd sizing of the remnants means you won't be able to have a nice, square cushion, if that's your bag, but you can likely find the right size to make a lovely lumbar pillow like I did (I actually had enough fabric to make two).

I just made an envelope back style cushion cover, which is, honestly, so easy to make. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, once you learn how to sew the world becomes your oyster!

So, there you have it, my tip for the day. You can have the high-end look you see in all the decor mags AND save a nice chunk of change.

Whimsical Croquet Mallet Boot Rack

I think many people assume that I am the creative one in our family since I always seem to be working on some "project" or other and I blab about it on this blog. But the truth is, my husband, Rob, is a pretty creative guy, too. Not only is he creative, but he is extremely supportive of whatever I want to do around the house (keeping in mind that my ideas are mostly all of the cheap and chic variety--I'm not spending thousands of dollars here). Without Rob's help and proactive nature, a lot of my ideas would remain just that--ideas. Flights of fancy, if you will.

So, while Rob is the muscle behind some of my more ambitious projects (e.g. anything that involves wallpaper) he has also come up with some pretty ingenious ideas of his own. Given that the rainy season is upon us, I thought I would highlight my favourite invention of his: this playfully clever boot rack that he made out of some broken croquet mallets and a few pieces of scrap wood.

Before, we used to keep our boots outside so we wouldn't track mud into the house, but that meant getting our socks wet when we put our boots on after the rain...yuck! Now, we don't have that problem anymore, and the rack looks so gosh-darn cute on our back patio.

I tell ya, I feel like the luckiest woman in the world to be married to this super smart, super funny, talented guy who shares my love of whimsy (and it doesn't hurt that he's easy on the eyes).

Love you forever, Rob...thank you for everything you are and everything you do. 

Spring Has Sprung Decorated Birch Poles

Finally...yesterday was the first day it really felt like spring here in Southwestern Ontario. The sun was shining, the mercury reached 18 degrees...it was pure bliss!

But with the trees still noticeably absent of leaves and the grass a mosaic of browns and yellows, it's hardly beautiful to look at. I don't even want to put out a spring planter yet for fear of overnight frost. But the beautiful weather had my creative juices flowing and I wanted to do something to add a little happy to my front porch, so I came up with this super simple idea: decorated birch poles to bridge the gap between winter and spring.

What you''ll need to make this at home:

• Two or more birch poles
• Scraps of fabric, ribbon and twine
• Rusted metal star-shaped ornaments (optional)

I cut several lengths of different scrap fabrics and tied them once tightly around the poles at staggered intervals. (I really like off-white linen for this project because it looks just like peeling birch bark.) I wound some sections with brightly coloured ribbon and black twine for a more random/textured effect and added these star ornaments that I happened to have kicking around. The poles would look just as stunning without the ornaments, though, or perhaps you could use something else to decorate them with--fishing lures might look cool, for example.

This is such an easy project, but I really like how inviting it makes the front porch look in these dull brown days before everything starts to bloom again. It would also be a fun thing to do with the kids.

That's it for now...it's another beautiful day and I've got some "real" work to do before I can go out and enjoy it! Happy Spring, everyone!

DIY Scrabble Tile Clock

When I heard the terrible news that Target was closing all of its stores in Canada, one of the first things I stocked up on was washi tape at 40 per cent off...pretty ridiculous, considering that piles of washi tape (along with Toronto Maple Leafs merchandise) are among the last remaining items in the store.

Still, I was psyched about all the pretty patterns I picked up and itching to do some sort of craft with them, so when I came across this upcycled plastic clock project in the book, Mod Podge Rocks! by Amy Anderson, I knew I had struck gold! Not only does this project make use of many different types of washi tape, it also asks for repurposed Scrabble tiles, which I had a whole box of. I also had a perfectly ugly cheap clock I had no qualms about taking apart.

Before

After 

To make this oh-so pretty timepiece, you will need:

• Matte Mod Podge (available at Michaels and other craft stores)
• Dimensional Magic Mod Podge 
• Inexpensive clock
• 1 sheet of scrapbook paper
• Repurposed Scrabble tiles
• Washi tape in a variety of patterns
• X-Acto knife
• Glue gun and glue sticks

Begin by carefully removing the clear plastic cover and hands. You can use the cover to trace a circle onto your scrapbook paper and then cut it it out. Position the paper over the clock face and mark a dot where the hole is for the hands. Then remove the paper and make a small "X" over the dot with your X-Acto Knife. Apply a medium layer of Matte Mod Podge to the clock face, position the paper over it and use your fingers to smooth it down. Allow it to dry. Apply two topcoats of Matte Mod Podge to the paper, allowing the first coat to dry before applying the second.

Using your X-Acto knife, cut your washi tape to fit one side of your Scrabble tiles. Apply the Dimensional Magic Mod Podge to over the top of the tiles. (You may need more than one coat to achieve the desired dimension.) 

Use a glue gun to attach the tiles to the clock face and replace the hands and cover. (If the hands are too long to fit over the tiles, you may need to trim them with scissors--or wire snips if they're metal.) Ta-da! You are DONE! Now go hang your brand new, beauteous clock somewhere you can admire it and bask in your DIY prowess!