Hand-Made Holiday: Fabric Scrap Garland

My fabric scrap garland

I was tired of my artificial evergreen garland scratching my banister and having to paint after Christmas each year.  I wanted something softer, something more old fashioned.

I came across this posting on The Old Block House's site regarding a scrap garland they made.  Here is their garland which they did with toile fabric:

So pretty and festive, right?

I thought I would give it a try.  I already had the twine from some other projects and got the muslin and another fabric at Jo-Ann's.  I also got Burlap Garland which I tried to cut and tie on, but it fell apart.

Here is the fabric:

I chose unbleached muslin (for that rustic charm) and a coral fabric which is kind of a mix between cranberry and red.  I liked the coral fabric because it reminds me of the sea which is so close to my heart and our home.

I then measured the fabric:

Cut it out with special fabric scissors (but I've been told I should get a rotary cutter):

The strips are 2 in x 7 in.  You need to cut them long enough to be able to knot them around the garland.

Fabric strips

I made a loop in the top and started knotting the fabric strips to it.  Alternating the red and the white (I chose to do 10 white and 5 red), but you can do any combination you want.

Loop at both ends

And here it is on the banister in all it's glory!

6 ft. Hand-Made Holiday Garland

Since this one I've made two more.  I think I'm going to make some more in other colors - it is fun to hand-knot them infront of the TV.  They are great on banisters, on your tree, hung across your headboard or around a door frame or mirror. 

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The Tale of a Rocking 'Sea' Horse

The Rocking 'Sea' Horse

Once upon a time, there was a rocking horse that no one loved until one day a girl and her paintbrush came along....

I guess you need to see the before picture to see how very sad this ordinary pine horse looked before:

Before

Nice and rustic.  But the yellow varnish was peeling and there were scuff marks.  The poor horse hadn't been played with in quite some time.  This very heavy and sturdy horse was calling out for some help.

So I got my trusty Annie Sloan Chalk Paint out and started:

First coat of Old White

I did two coats of Old White on most parts, but the head I did one.  Followed by Paris Grey on the head and the body.  I added a couple of starfish stencils to make it a 'Sea' horse.

A coat of clear wax and buffed.  I didn't want to distress this piece as I wanted it to look sparkling and new.  To finish off, I added antique gray buttons for the eyes and chocolate brown faux suede for the mane and tail (attached with adhesive as recommended by my friend, Nancy, at the Sea Rose Cottage).

Here is an additional shot out on the deck which is more true to the color:

What do you think?  Conor tried him out:

And didn't want to get off...

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Christmas is Coming...

I don't know about your house, but Christmas merriment has taken over here!  We are so very excited for Christmas.

You know what they say in Elf:

Well, we've been singing along with Oldies 103 and very loudly at the Jingle Bell Walk in Cohasset with the Rusty Skippers band.

We had a little visit from our Elf on the Shelf - Benny Snowflake (does it sound like he should be in Donny Brasco or the Goodfellas or is it me?):

Benny keeping his eye on two 'good' boys

So far, John and Conor have been good on his watch, and hopefully this will continue.  Only thing is they are getting up super early to find him!

With this beautiful weather we were able to spend a lovely weekend together and even got a glimpse of Santa (the real one) on the Jingle Bell Walk:

There he is waving to all the kids!

You have to see this.  Look how excited Conor was to see the big guy!  He kept screaming, "Santa! Santa!"

We also sipped eggnog and bopped to the Beach Boys (my favorite Christmas Album ever) while trimming the tree.  John and Conor have their very own little tree.  They were so excited to decorate.  They put so many ornaments on that it was toppling over:

Hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend and can't wait to share more decorating and handmade gift ideas with you this week!

Thankful

John's Thanksgiving Artwork

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!

Thanksgiving is such a wonderful holiday, not because of the gifts because there aren't any, but because it is about family and friends gathering together for a delicious meal and to give thanks and to really appreciate one another.  It is my mom and husband's favorite holiday (and my husband isn't even American).  As many of you know, we lived in the UK for 5 years before moving to this side of the pond and we always celebrated with turkey, Grampy's pineapple berry relish and, of course, pumpkin pie.

So things are pretty busy at our house this morning as we're hosting Thanksgiving dinner here (cornbread is in the oven) and I'm tidying the house.  Toys and mess are currently winning!  But just wanted to share with you all some of the things I'm grateful for:

via pinterest

- My handsome hubby

- My two little boys (the cheekiest chappies on the earth)

- My little Poppy (the best dog)

- My parents

- My in-laws

- Our family (in the US, in the UK, Australia and other parts of the world)

- My wonderful friends (who seem more like family)

via pinerest

Here are a couple of more things I'm thankful for:

- Our home by the sea

- The delicious meals we share together

- Craft time

- Chalk Paint (a new found love) and painting everything with it

- Family traditions

- Riva's Pizza and Nonna's ice cream

- Walking in the woods or along the beach
-Yoga
- Good books

Finally, I'm thankful for this blog.  I've so enjoyed sharing my thoughts, my projects, my recipes and my life with all of you!

What are you thankful for?  Please let me know by leaving a comment.  I'd love to hear from you.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Our family on the beach in Scituate (photo by Katina Bentley)

Grampy's Pineapple Berry Relish

Conor & Grampy making the Thanksgiving Relish

Thanksgiving is just a day away and I'd like to share a family recipe, one you can whip together in a flash!  For as long as I can remember, this delicious relish has graced our dining table for Thanksgiving (on Maas' table when I was little, served at my family's restaurant when I was growing up and at our very own table for the last four years here in Scituate).

Conor and I went up to Nonni and Grampy's yesterday to help make the relish.  There are only four ingredients, here's what you need to make it:

Grampy's Pineapple Berry Relish

1 can (20 ounces) crushed pinapple, drained

2 cans (16 ounces each) whole berry cranberry sauce

1 package (16 ounces) frozen whole strawberries with sugar, thawed and drained 

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Mix ingredients in a bowl and serve.  It makes 6 1/2 cups and tastes better chilled. Delicious with turkey or ham (for Christmas).

The best part is that it is so easy.  Just open a few cans and chop some walnuts, stir and chill.  

Conor pouring in the walnuts

Here's what the finished relish looks like:

A great no fuss recipe if you are cooking the big bird or a great side dish if you are going to a friend or relatives.  If you are alone this holiday it is great to just put on open faced turkey sandwiches.  I'm thinking of not only serving it with the turkey as a side, but putting it on top of a baked brie once it comes out of the oven. 

"Please, Sir, may I have some more"

I know my boys can't get enough of it. Enjoy!

Guess Who's Coming To Thanksgiving Dinner?

My fabulous new stool!  Let's call her Jane.


Well, Jane has been here all along, but was a little bit more plain.  She was originally from the Goodwill and was mine for a $1 or $2.

See what I mean?  Nice, but a little boring...and a little dog chewed (by our little Poppy).

I looked out my window and I was inspired by the golden hues of the autumn leaves:

The pops of yellow in my oil cloth table cloth:

The gourds on my kitchen table:

And the vintage canisters on my counters:

That is when I knew, that my little stool.  My plain Jane needed a bit of a sunny, warm glow.  I found it in Annie Sloan's Arles.  But I changed it just a bit.  I mixed in Old White and added a bit of water to give it a wash effect.  Here is Jane during her makeover:

Here is Jane now, all dressed up for Turkey Day.  Some light sanding and a little light and dark wax.  All done in less than 24 hours:

Who wouldn't want to sit up at the counter for slice of pumpkin pie now?  What do you think?

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