Quick tutorial...

Today I'm joining Susan with her Metamorphasis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch. Be sure to stop by for great transformations!

Have you ever been browsing in a fabric store and fell in love with a patterned fabric? Well, it happened to me the other day and I just wanted to take just a sample home to test. You seen, I've begun collecting blues...and when I saw this print, I knew it would be perfect for...something...not sure what but it really caught my heart. So I kept the swatch in my car and as I traveled to and from work, just looking at the swatch made me smile. Finally, it came to me...napkins for a new placesetting!

Well, after work that day, I hightailed it over to the fabric store and bought a couple yards. It was on sale...must be meant to be!

I've got a sewing machine, made outfits and curtains, but I just didn't want to set everything up, so I chose the easy way to make my new napkins...Stitch Witchery!

I took the measurements from other napkins that I had and decided to make them about 15 inches square {I actually did this before I purchased the fabric} and set to work. I cut out each square and left room to turn the edges.

I used my iron and pressed one fold  and then another fold to seal in the raw edges.

Then I placed the Stitch Witchery inside the edges, and pressed with a hot iron and cool damp cloth for approximately 10 seconds {just as the instructions indicated.}

Don't adjust your screen, this is the steam from the iron, needed to seal the edges.

...just clip any extra threads...

To keep the napkin neat, I worked with the opposite edge next. Before I knew it, I had beautiful new napkins!

These are very basic but imagine the possibilites!

For different folds, try the following sites:

http://www.napkinfoldingguide.com/

http://bumblebeelinens.com/napkinFolding.php

Thanks so much for visiting, enjoy your day!

Happy Easter!

After the Sabboth, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here, he has risen, just as he said." 

                                                                                                                       Matthew 28: 1-6

Good Friday

Today we remember the death of Jesus. This is not a happy topic, but without His death, there would be no resurrection. So before we reach Easter, we take time to reflect on Good Friday.

...one drop of crimson covers it all...

Jesus died on the cross for us all, to take away our sins. We are forgiven because He was forsaken.

Amazing love...that's what God has for us.... He sent His only son to save us.

Our hopes rests in Christ alone.

So on this day, I am a bit sad, but knowing that on the third day {Easter}, Jesus rose! This brings us all peace that indeed our sins have been forgiven and one day we too will be with our Heavenly Father.

Happy Easter!

I'm joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for her Tablescape Thursday. It's so much fun to visit. You'll be truly inspired by her post as well as all the participants!

Happy Easter everyone!

I used my grandmother's bedspread as a tablecloth...

...added a few thrift store bunnies and it looks like spring!

The tulip runner and sugar bowl {used as a vase} were also my grandmothers.

Pink camellias from my yard.

The large bunny was purchased at Wal Mart years ago. The glass eggs were a Goodwill find.

The cross was given to me by a dear friend... perfect for Easter.

Do you know the good news?

He's risen!

Lenox stemware

vintage creamer as another vase

Prelude {International} flatware

chargers - Marshall's

dinner and salad plates - Opal Innocence Carved {Lenox}

After the meal, dishes were cleared, and there was time for a cup of coffe or tea.

I pulled together pink cups and saucers I found at Goodwill...

and a pink depression glass bisquit jar from my mother.

The bubble glass birds were a gift from my sister and mother...

...little bunnies from GW...

...and of course well loved books.

Happy Easter everyone!

Thanks so much for visiting...enjoy your day!

Starfish Tassel

I LOVE tassels and have ordered great ones on Etsy, click here. Since then, I've found wonderful blogs with tassel tutorials, here, here and here. It always amazes me how creative people are in making a product. Their strategies are so varied and each tassel is unique and beautiful!

I've been in the mood to make a starfish tassel, so I combined strategies and just went for it.

I began with a candle cup I purchased from Hobby Lobby.

I took jute {4ply #72}  and made 20 or so loops approx. 8" long. I secured the top with a small length of just and clipped the loops at the opposite end. I used the secured end and stuffed it into the candle cup with a small drop of hot glue. After it had dried, I untwisted each strand of jute, separating into four strands...I wanted a natural base for the starfish.

{Kinda looks like a jellyfish, doesn't it?}

After fluffing this jute I added various ribbons at different lengths to add volume. At this point, it's just a matter of what you like and how full you like your tassel.

On top of these ribbons, I wound more jute around the cap, covering all edges. I could have stopped at this point, but I decided to add more fringe. I put on three layers, two brown and one off white. When I felt the tassel was full enough, I added the starfish on top and another piece of jute on the back in which to hang him.

Just for fun, I added a few small shells on various ribbons.

Image all the possibilities! Be sure to check out all the links above, the tassels these ladies have made are absolutely gorgeous! As I go back to visit, I find myself looking around my home thinking, hm...where else can I add a tassel?

I'm linking to Susans' Between Naps on the Porch for her Metamorphasis Monday. Be sure to stop by to visit!

I'm also linking with The Nesting Place...You'll LOVE this blog too. Please visit for LOADS of inspiration!

Blue and White

Welcome to Tablescape Thursday! It's always such a great place to find amazing tables.

Today I'm sharing a blue and white table, one that even surprises me! I didn't think I had enough blue around to put a table together, but as it turns out, I've found bits and pieces here and there!

My dining room window gets the afternoon sun, it's always a joy to see all the bright blue!

The blue glass ball is actually a vintage Christmas ornament that belonged to my grandmother.

It's quite heavy!

As the sun sets, the candles were lit.

...a couple of friends stopped by...

all candle holders/odds and ends: Goodwill, Dollar Store

bottles: Pier I

goblets: Garden Ridge

flatware: Oneida, Michelangelo

chargers: Marshall's

dinner/salad plates: Lenox, Opal Innocence Carved

napkins: homemade

I'm linking with Smiling Sally and her Blue Monday as well as Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for her Tablescape Thursday.

Thanks so much for visiting...enjoy your day!