Tah-dah! I knew it would be cute, but it came out even better than I imagined.
I bought the 2 drawers at Michaels Craft. I lined them with plastic sheeting, cut and taped to fit, then I set a plastic tray that covered 2/3 of the drawer inside. I protected the last section with a gallon Ziploc freezer bag (with the sides folded down) and planted the bulbs inside. I arranged the other bulbs in the tray and put some bagged top soil in the sparse areas with a measuring scoop. I watered gently and then tucked pieces of dry green moss (bought as a dried sheet of real moss at the craft store) to cover the plastic and prop up the bulbs. Love love love.
You might remember that originally, I thought that artificial moss squares would work (cutting slits and poking the real growth up through the moss), but instead I used dry clumps of real moss to fit into the empty spaces as needed.
The secret to this project is finding a store that sells bulbs about to bloom. The grocery stores in Seattle sell growing bulbs out front! I took this photo outside of a QFC (Kroger) in Sammamish. I'm in heaven out here - truly.
I planted pink tulips (on their way to blooming now), narcissus, tiny lt blue grape hyacinth (that were so small I wasn't sure they would produce a stalk inside - they did!) and a few white/yellow fluffy daffodil variations. I plan on replacing the spent bulbs as they fade with new bulbs on the cusp. And yes, I will stick the spent bulbs in the front garden bed with hopes for next year.
The cute ceramic bunnies in my display were from Cost Plus World Market about 10 years ago. I am so glad I bought them. Remember my motto when you are thinking about buying something seasonal, cute is forever.
#easterdisplay #floweringbulbs #springinside #livingarrangement #easterdecorations #kitchendesign
What's hot, bright and packs a punch? A fresh pepper wreath! I absolutely love these vibrant wreaths and I intend to buy one the moment I have a house. I simply do not have the wall space to show it off properly. But when I do...
I have seen multi-color pepper wreaths for sale in the Seattle area farmers markets beginning in September and I am happy to report (late November 2015) that even though the local farmers markets have closed for the season, you can still find wreaths in perfect condition at Pike's Place Market - both inside in a permanent stall, as well as outside the main building in a tent vendor.
I found a treasure! Someone spent hours embroidering this darling kitchen scene. Just look at the details...there is food and wine on the table, a kettle on the stove and pots hung on the wall. She even stitched a small china windmill, a popular souvenir, sitting on the kitchen shelf. My mom thinks that this dishtowel was stitched before the depression when there was time for needlework and pretty linens - late 1920's? I've always loved collecting vintage Pyrex as a way to honor the American kitchen. This dishtowel fits right in with my aesthetic.
I plan on starching it and framing it on the wall somehow. Wouldn't it be darling in a blue and white kitchen? Stay tuned.
I was so very fortunate to run across some Heather Bailey dishtowels at Homegoods. I had no idea that she had expanded from fabric design into housewares, but I am so glad that she did! The colors of these dishtowels were so beautiful and bright (same pattern in a different colorway) that they fairly leapt off the shelves and into my cart. Can you see that each one has a ruffle trim? I intend to use them as large napkins in my aqua and white kitchen. Can't wait!
Heather is a fabric and embroidery designer, as well as a blogger with an enormous following at HelloMyNameIsHeather. I met her back in 2008 at the Country Living magazine Women Entrepreneur conference in Chicago. She is a delight. Warm, interesting and wholly supportive of women expressing their creativity. I found her blog tips and tricks to be very helpful and thought that she was a great addition to the panel.
I was returning as a Country Living Pitch Your Product winner for my subscription gift service and Heather was on the Women Entrepreneur panel discussing her tips and philosophy for writing a successful blog. You can see Heather on the Country Living stage (below), she is second from the left.
This must be Heather Bailey week. I came across some of her embroidery patterns at another shop here in Seattle. I bought them on the spot - I can't wait to show you.
I really love how this looks in my kitchen and I wanted to share this simple idea with you. I have seen more and more 3-tier plate racks in stores and catalogs, intended to display sweets and treats (or appetizers) at a party or on a buffet table.
I like to use mine for a daily display of fruits and vegetables. My 3-tier display is an open rack, so I can use casual blue glass plates (shown), antique china or enamel camping-style dishes depending on the look I want. In this photo, I used casual blue plates and loaded them with fresh fruits and vegetables after a trip to the grocery store. I find that I "snack" on fruits and vegetables more when I can see them. A visual reminder similar to "I could have had a V-8!"
And when this multi-colored raffia bow came into my life (on a present??), instead of relegating it to the my gift wrap stash, I tied it on top of the rack for a happy touch. You would not believe how many people have complimented my "display."
A touch of whimsy (and an apple a day) are sure to bring you delight.
Why have I got the house looking so pretty? It's in honor of the month of May, of course.
The flowering trees are blooming in the neighborhood, my rose bushes have started to leaf out (the beauties on the kitchen table are from the grocery store) and these bright colors make the whole house look happy and welcoming.
The fabric (Patchwork by Vivian Gomez) I used on the table makes it look like I spent hours quilting complimentary pieces of fabric together, but is actually one printed piece! I bought a few yards and serged the edges to make an easy tablecloth. The periwinkle blue polka dot place mats are plastic and help me to prolong the time that the tablecloth is clean and fresh.
If your kitchen table is a little dull after a long Winter, pull out some bright linens and see what a difference it can make.
Sometimes a little art is just the touch your kitchen needs during the holidays. I have always loved this painting by Monet called, The Magpie. When I received it as a Christmas card last year, I saved it with the thought that I would frame it someday and hang it by the telephone in my kitchen.
Last month I found the perfect piece of scrapbook paper (red with aqua polka dots), and today I cut the paper to size and taped the Christmas card to it. Once it was behind glass in the frame, it looked like it has been professionally framed with a mat. Magnifique!
Do you have a few Christmas cards from years past that were so beautiful you had to keep them? Maybe you should chose one, find some coordinating scrapbook paper and frame it for your kitchen. If you haven't saved any, keep your eye out for something beautiful in your mailbox this holiday season.
I am hoping to receive lots of warm holiday messages written in Caspari cards this year. They have a beautiful selection of elegant cards, and I particularly love this one called, Snow Tree with Fence.
Wouldn't this make a great puzzle? Last week I got a bee in my bonnet and decided to organize the cupboard next to my stove top.
Halfway through, the array of spices, salts and herbs was so overwhelming it almost looked pretty. So I grabbed my camera and took this photo to show you. This is real life - a combination of high hopes, wrong turns and a lot of spice.
I was looking through my stack of Everyday Food magazines (December issues) to find a one-cookie-dough-many-ways recipe. What I found was an advertisement by McCormick that said if you have any spices that were packaged in Baltimore, Maryland, they were at least 15 years old. Yikes! And the issue I was reading was from the 2006 issue, so add another 6 years to the past its prime calculation. I had to know if any of my spices were 20 years old.
Yep. I found 5 bottles from my wedding shower days! I now know with certainty that I don't use: Allspice, Marjoram, Chervil or Savory. Ha! I pitched a few other bottles that seemed old and now I have more room on the behind the door adhesive spice rack for flavorings I do actually use and the rest of the containers are arranged by type in the cupboard. Victory.
Do you have any vintage spices?
Don't you love it? A beautiful tablescape based on placemats that I made from an old Cavallini & Co. calendar!
I love to dress up the kitchen by using a tablecloth. It is a wonderful way to add a splash of color and can really breathe life into the room.
The table in your kitchen is the design equivalent of the couch in your family room. Being able to change tablecloths to suit your mood is like being able to reupholster your couch when ever you want to - the effect can be that dramatic.
That said, one splash of milk from the cereal bowl can spoil the look of a cloth and make you wonder why you tried at all. So...
I've made myself (and you can too!) some paper placemats out of an old but beautiful calendar. I trimmed the day/date section and the torn spiral bound edge off and suddenly had a picture suitable for framing.
I bought a roll of clear contact paper at the hardware store and covered each picture (a process I affectionately call "plasticizing") with a plastic barrier - just unroll a bit of contact paper, line it up on the edge of the picture and slowly unroll as it makes contact with the picture. Smooth out the bubbles as you go and then trim off the excess. Cover the back of the paper image too, which will ensure greater longevity. Repeat that process a few more times and the result will be a set of custom placemats.
My table looks gorgeous and actually eating there is no longer a problem. Voila!
When I am getting ready for a party at my house, I take a look at everything...including the kitchen sink!
A long time ago, I noticed how much time my guests spent at my kitchen sink preparing salads, clearing plates or cleaning up when it was time to go home. I decided then and there that I was going to spruce the area up a bit. Now I always buy color-coordinated soaps, and when company is coming over, I put a few flowers in a vase next to them. It makes such a difference!
The hand & dish soaps are made by Farmhouse Soaps. They are my favorite liquid soaps and I never want to run out. Lavender is my go-to scent.
The goat milk bar soap is called "May" (lightly scented with the flowers blooming on the farm in May) - made by my friends' company, Beekman 1802.
Put a few flowers by your kitchen sink, I know it will brighten your day.
