Substance of Living

Have you looked at something and thought that you'd really like it and then find something else that you'd really like yet they are similar?  I know, this isn't quite making sense yet but hopefully it will soon. After my recent dinner party, I took a good look at my napkin rings.  As nice as they were, they seemed a bit small for my new napkins. Notice in the top picture the napkin seems a bit crowded in the ring.  The second (bottom) picture looks a little better.  More like a bow-tie. Rebekah from Twinkle and Twine  did a guest tutorial on Prudent Baby and what I really liked about this holder is that it has fabric and the way the twine is used to make the center of the bow as well as hold the bow to the ring. Amy from Positively Splendid put together a paper medallion napkin ring that used shower curtain rings.  I liked the idea of wrapping the ring with fabric or ribbon and then attaching the bow from above.  For some reason, pap...

Do you feel like you ' re running out of time and money to set an Easter table worthy of your feast? I'm right there with you, so I ran to the closest Dollar Tree and found these oh-so-adorable bunny chair covers.  They fit perfectly over the rounded back of my kitchen table chairs. Easter Bunny Chair Cover I'm forever on the lookout for new ways of setting a table and these personalized place cards by Debbie Mumm do the trick.  Aren't these cute? I can see this theme carried over for a garden or book club luncheon with a plant in place of the egg. Personalized Place Cards Jenny Steffens Hobick hosts cooking, mother/daughter, and various other workshops.  In case you were unable to attend her Spring 2013 workshop , I think you still have time to gather a plant or some daffodils for the table. The simplicity of this table setting allows the focus to be on each other and the delicious feast you have prepared.  Add some hard boiled white and brown ...

As long as I can remember, I've enjoyed Easter.  The pretty new dress my mom would make me, the Easter basket filled with goodies, Easter egg hunts.  What I most remember as a child is coloring all those eggs.  My mom would hard boil a couple dozen but of course we girls weren't satisfied with that so mom would allow us to CAREFULLY dye a couple more dozen raw eggs. We would go to church, as we did each Sunday, but somehow this particular day was so much more special.  Everyone had hats, suits, new dresses, and of course those white patent leather shoes.  The pinks, greens, yellows, and light blues were pretty.  Tulips, new dresses, spring, daffodils, and celebrating Jesus through activities and dinner. It seems that with each holiday we have, more money goes flying out for commercialism rather than the reason for the season. Here are some family-friendly ways to enjoy Easter that won't break the bank.  These projects are so fun, you might want t...

Bunny Pillow Bunnies are sweet creatures that love your garden and rose bushes as much, if not more in some cases, as you.  They truly do appreciate the efforts you go through for them. Well, DH and I don't have any pet bunnies but we do have them outside in our back yard. We thought it might be a nice addition to bring a bunny into our home.  This little bunny pillow that measures a whopping 5" x 7" does the trick nicely. Here's how Little Bunny came to live with us:   You will need: Scrap Fabric Scrap Fabric for Stuffing or some ki nd of Filler Thread Needle Embroi dery Thread Sewing Machine Scissors Paper  Pencil The sewing machine is n ice but not completely necessary.  This project is small enough that sewing by hand won't take much time.  I n addition, do not be afraid of th e embroidery portion of this p roject.  If you can sew then you can do the stitches for outlining the bunny.  The embroidery sti tch is basica...

Do you remember this heart pillow Lilly and I made DH for Valentine's?  Here's the tutorial I promised. 2013 Valentine's Day Present to DH Pillows are so much fun to make.  Especially pillows that I get to design the pattern.  That way there isn't a wrong or right way!  Okay, I know, I sew like I cook.  A little bit of this and a smidgen of that. To make this heart pillow you will need a few things: Scissors Thread Sewing Machin e (although this could be sewn by hand) Sewing Needle Fabric Stuffing Paper Ribbon Step 1: Fold a large piece of paper or newspaper in half and draw half a heart.  I used a plate to make the top of the heart nice and round.  Then cut out your heart.  The paper heart is about 22" x 22". Step 2: Take two pieces of fabric or fold your fabric in half so that the entire heart fits.  The right sides (pretty side) of the fabric will be together sandwiched inside.  Pin your heart to the fabri...