Magnolia Garland

I absolutely love garland made from magnolia leaves and branches. There used to be a beautiful magnolia tree by my kitchen window that provided us with wonderful greenery. Three years ago  a ruthless storm destroyed the tree and we had to say goodbye.

I have my eyes on another magnolia growing on the edge of my property; I just have to muster up enough courage to climb my wobbly ladder on Main Street to get to the branches.

 

Gorgeous garland by In Bloom New York in an amazing space.

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Magnolia flanks this beautiful entrance.

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      Beautiful garland and wreath offered by Williamsburg Marketplace.

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Warm and inviting mantle display featured in Southern Accents.

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Lovely garland by Deborah Silver.

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Martha Stewart added touches of silver.

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Country Living offers a magnolia garland tutorial at the following link:

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Some of my magnolia garland from the past.

Giving Thanks & Paper Cones

This year Thanksgiving has special meaning for me. During Thanksgiving last year, my mother was in a coma after a horrific accident left her with a broken neck. Her doctors fully believed she wouldn't survive the first 24 hours-they were wrong. My mom has incredible strength and has survived cancer, a broken neck and a month long coma. Thankfully,she is spending this Thanksgiving with her family and taking on her traditional role of chief pie baker and mashed potato maker.

 

As I prepare to host my family for Thanksgiving, I would like to share a few photos and a project. This year I decided to make some simple paper cones to fill with goodies for my two youngest nieces. The poor girls are surrounded by teenagers and need special treats to help them cope with 17 adults and 6 teenagers.

 

Paper Cones

                                                         

 

Cut the paper using a template. I printed one from www.homemadesimple.com

 

 

Use a hot glue gun or double sided tape to seal the edges.

 

I cut out my nieces' first initials and painted them gold.

 

Punch holes on both sided of the cone.

 

String ribbon through the holes.

 

Fill with goodies and hang it on the back of a chair or from a doorknob (or anywhere you like).

 

 

 

 

NAPKINS & PLACE CARDS

 

I am in the process of ironing napkins and getting place cards together.

 

This year I am doing the pocket fold. Rather than utensils, I am thinking about putting a little turkey in each pocket.

 

I like the simple style of this place card.

 

The little turkey can be printed as a place card as well. If I remember correctly, Martha Stewart offered these on her site a few years ago.

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

 

*Joining: "Wow Us Wednesday" at Savvy Southern Style;
"Time Travel Thursday" at The Brambleberry Cottage

Wooden Stands

    I have an affinity for candlesticks, cake stands and platters made from wood. Recently, I needed some wooden stands for an event my business was designing. I thought about getting stands made; however, my partner and I decided to hit the local thrift shops to see if we could find components and build them ourselves.

 

 

We found some cheap, hideous lamps and took apart the bases.Then we bought an assortment of wood bowls, shallow and deep.We had to sand them down, glue them together and refinish them.

                                 This is a quirky stand we made using a candlestick and a small salad bowl.

 

We used a smaller candlestick for this base.

 

Here is an assortment of four we constructed.

 

Since I am getting ready to host Thanksgiving, the stands are holding pumpkins left over from our recent Vintners' Dinner event.

 

Here is the Rustic Dinner Party where we used the stands. We used them for an assortment of cheeses, olives, artichokes.

 If you would like to see the event photos please visit ravens • fête 

 

 

 

 

 

*Linking to: "Feathered Nest Friday" at French Country Cottage;

 "Inspiration Friday" At The Picket Fence;   "Wow us Wednesdays" at Savvy Southern Style

 

 

Toile Bedroom

My toile bedroom is very cozy. The wallpaper was put up over a decade ago and I have not tired of it at all. In fact, I imagine it will be on the walls for many years to come. 

 

The little sofa in the sitting area is a comfortable place to read.

 

Birdie, my little brussels griffon/yorkie.

 

I love sleeping under the eaves.

                                                                

          * I invite you to check out my new blog and website .

 

*Joining "Feathered Nest Friday" at French Country Cottage