Stylish Settings: 2011

Friday, 30 December 2011

Happy New Year 2012

I hope you're all enjoying the holidays. We are having a ball.

Just wanted to wish you a very Happy New Year.

Thanks for all the fun we've had in 2011 and see you in 2012.

All photos via Dine With Me on Pinterest

Tuesday, 20 December 2011

I always imagined a beautiful garland with fairy lights rolling down my staircase banister at Christmas time. I've yet to live that dream, however I did decorate my staircase this year with ribbon tied baubles.

I chose baubles in three colours - clear, green and gold and in three different sizes. I added some ribbon to each and tied it onto the banister.

Then I realised what a poor state my banister was in. No amount of cleaning would make it look better. So in my wisdom I decided to repaint my staircase banister one week before Christmas. To give you a little perspective - that's 7 large posts with ball tops and 50 banister posts - all with 4 sides and bevelled edges (so 8 sides each). and the hand rail. All of this had to be sanded, primed, and then 2 coats of gloss paint.

So finally I can photograph the baubles hanging on my stairs (you can see my reflection in the baubles).

Now it's time to relax and enjoy the holidays.

To see more Christmas decorating, please visit my new blog DIY Decorator

Friday, 16 December 2011

Magnolia Christmas Wreath and some Thank yous

Boy, it's busy isn't it? Here is the Christmas wreath on my front door. It's a beautiful twiggy magnolia wreath.

We have a magnolia 'little gem' in our front garden which is almost the same flower.

I've had this wreath for at least 6 years and I still love hanging it up every year.

And now for some thank yous. Firstly to the lovely Paula from London, who has sent me the most beautiful Christmas presents.

How cute is this little red robin decoration? and the K hook is from Anthropologie. Oh you know me so well my dear friend. I love it.

Paula makes the most beautiful handmade cards every year. These are her cards from the past two years - so pretty.

Some more thank yous. The Liebster and Versatile Blogger awards have been making their way around my circle of bloggy friends, so I'd like to thank and highlight a few people.

Sarah at Hallway Happenings

Sarah is in Melbourne and has done some amazing DIY projects and transformations. Check out this light she made for her master bedroom.

Jeanetteann has Vintage Treasures by Jeanetteann Blog

Jeanetteann is from Adelaide. She has some lovely vintage treasures, hand sewed this gorgeous doily above, and has written a book on How to Organise Your Home in 7 Easy Steps.

Mimi from At Home With Sam & I

Mimi is in Brisbane . She posted this great tutorial on making bath bombs which lead us both on a chase to find bath bomb moulds.

She also has a fabulous shop called Sam & I which sells children's pyjamas. I have just order a beautiful set for my daughter for Christmas.

and finally a thank you to Kristen at The Painted Hive.

I love her blog so much that I went back and read every post right back to the first one, then sent her a ridiculously long email filled with questions and comments and she ever so gracefully responded to everything I wrote. She is a busy lady with a newborn so I was blown away that she took the time and effort to email me.

So thank you to you lovely ladies.

source

You are my type of blog friends!

If you like this, you might like my facebook page. This is where I share great things I find on other people's blogs or a good shopping deal.

Sharing at My Romantic Home, French Country Cottage

Wednesday, 14 December 2011

Burlap Table Setting

I've made something else with burlap (hessian).

A table runner.

and some napkin holders

To make the runner I just cut the burlap to size (didn't even measure it - so unlike me). I sewed about 1cm in from the edges and frayed the border.

I made a stencil of a scroll and painted it on with black fabric paint. Same as what I did to make the Merry Christmas banner. To make the napkin rings I cut the burlap into rectangles, sewed a diamante (rhinestone) button to the centre and then just glued it together at the back with fabric glue.

I like the combination of the glittery diamante buttons with the rustic burlap. The napkins are the ones I bought from Tuscany, and the colour works really well with the burlap.

We are having the family over for lunch on Boxing Day (26th) so I thought I'd use this table setting.

How cute is this wire basket with glass bottles? Where from? Spotlight $9.95 I know!!!

Sharing at Faded Charm, Primp, Savvy Southern Style, Between Naps on the Porch, Freckled Laundry

Monday, 12 December 2011

Christmas Straws

Fun Christmas straws for the kids.

I bought some of those lovely paper straws the other day from Green Grass Home & Body in Oxford Street, Bulimba. As they were red and white I decided to make some fun Christmas themed straws for the kids to use on Christmas day.

I used

red & white paper straws

Christmas scrapbook stickers from Overflow (discount store)

and a pdf printable from Betsy White Stationary

Print out the straw flags, cut and glue around the straw, then simply attach the sticker.

What to drink - red cordial of course!

The beautiful red & white tablecloth was a gift from my mum. She bought it at a local vintage market in France when she was there in July. It has the initials F L cross-stitched on it. What do you think it stands for - French Linen?

The little bottles are just from the Italian section at the supermarket and originally had pear juice in them.

Looking forward to Christmas with the kids.

Linking up to - Between naps on the Porch
The Girl Creative Centsational Girl - Christmas Crafts
Home Stories AtoZ, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Friday, 9 December 2011

What to make from Burlap?

I have set myself a challenge to make as many things as I can out of 2 metres of burlap (hessian). I've already made my Merry Christmas burlap banner and my Lindt chocolate tree, but what else can I make?

Here is some burlap love from pinterest.