Burlap Gift Wrap!

Our mother taught us that you don't show up at someone's house without a gift. During the winter months, I like to give candles. I wrap them in tissue paper or tulle and add a ribbon. In the warmer months, I like to give a potted plant, preferably one in full bloom. Most people like to choose their own pots or they wind up planting them in the ground. For this reason, I came up with an easy, inexpensive way to wrap the plant.

I am all about easy and fast, and preferably no sewing or glueing! Even better is if you already have what you need! Start with burlap, cut into a circle. I used a pizza tray and traced it with a sharpie.

Fold up the edge (about an inch and a half) and pin it.

Do this all the way around until it looks like this.

Using your scissors, cut a small slit in the edge. Do this all the way around, about two inches apart.

Next, you will need a length of ribbon and a safety pin. Fold over the end of the ribbon and attach safety pin.

Remove the pins and weave the ribbon in and out of the slits.

The ribbon should be long enough to go around the circle with at least a few inches left.

Flip the burlap over so that the ribbon ends are underneath, and place the plant in the middle.

Pull the ends of the ribbons while stretching the burlap over the container. Tie a bow and then go back and space out your pleats until you are happy with the way it looks.

The shape of the container doesn't matter, but you do need to make sure the burlap is large enough to cover it.

Yes, the white ribbon is boring, but all I had was black, brown, red, or white. A trip to Jo-Ann's or Michael's to get a ribbon would have cost me at least $30! Of course, other fabric would work, but I wouldn't be happy with the raw edge, and this IS all about easy!

I think anyone would love to get a gift like this, especially since you took some time to make it special.

I will be joining:

Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps On The Porch

Seasonal Sunday at The Tablescaper

Sisters Sunday at Sisters of the Wild West

More the Merrier Monday at DIY Home Sweet Home

Show & Tell Monday at The Delectable Home

Table Top Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

You're Gonna Love It Tuesday at Kathe with an E

Before and After at Thrifty Decor Chick

Be sure to check out my sister's blog at Robin Flies South...

Roses, Lilacs, and Pansies! Oh My!

I decided it was warm enough to set an outdoor table this week. The weather was beautiful and I thought an intimate breakfast table for two would be perfect. The lilacs are in full bloom, and their fragrance fills the air.


I'll warn you--if you don't like hand painted dishes, you are going to hate this tablescape! I hope you enjoy!

See, I did warn you.

 I decided to add some "behind the scenes" photos.

This is what I found one day at Goodwill.

 It was a sale day, so I only paid half the price shown.

 Here is the bottom of the plate.

The same day, I found this cute chair.

Half price, too. The painted arms were cute, but... 

 ...they didn't go with my dishes, so I repainted them.

I hope you enjoyed my very inexpensive, very colorful, and very floral tablescape!

But, don't go away yet!





My sister and I will be doing another Sister Act! This time we will be using the same animal print placemats. If you didn't catch Sister Act I, you can see mine here:

Sister Act I 

To see my sister's, you will have to visit her blog! Be sure to come back for a visit May 3rd to see how two sisters create tablescapes around the same item!

I will be joining:

Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps On The Porch

Let's Dish at Cuisine Kathleen

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

What's It Wednesday at Ivy & Elephants

Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper

Thrifty Things Friday at The Thrifty Groove

Check out my sister's blog at Robin Flies South...



No Sew No Glue Placemats!

Last week I created a tablescape featuring placemats I made in a beautiful fabric. Several people asked me how I made them, so I thought I would share it in a post.

Here are the placemats!

I fell in love with this fabric, which I found at JoAnn's. I bought one yard, with the intention of making napkins. Then, I decided I wanted more of the fabric to show, so I tried to figure out how to create placemats.


I cut the fabric into four equal rectangles. Since I didn't decide to take how-to photos until after I made them, please imagine that this fabric has no creases. If your fabric is soft, you may want to use spray starch.

I took an existing placemat (the stiffer the better) and laid it down on the fabric. You should have at least 3/4 inch of fabric at top, bottom, and sides.

I wrapped the fabric around the placemat and using a hot iron, I pressed it down one side at a time.

I used hospital corners (or whatever they are called) and pressed them until they laid flat.

I flipped it over, and there you have it! A custom made placemat. No sewing and nothing to glue.

I don't think anyone could tell that they are not normal placemats. These would certainly work at a table where food will be served, since the fabric could be washed.

The best thing about this method is that when you don't need them anymore, just pull the fabric off. And, guess what? Five minutes later, I was using the fabric as napkins--with no further ironing or anything.

Now, I would suggest using a second napkin folded with it, since the ones we just made are not finished on both sides. 

Once you try this, you are only limited by the amount of fabrics in the world!

I will be joining:

 Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps On The Porch

Sisters Sunday at Sisters of the Wild West

Table Top Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

You're Gonna Love It Tuesday at Kathe with an E

Tutorials & Tips at Home Stories A to Z

Be sure to visit my sister's blog at Robin Flies South...





Crazy for Purple!

If I won a five minute shopping spree at Michael's, I would head right to the floral department and fill my arms with purple flowers. From the tiniest violet to the largest hydrangeas, I LOVE purple flowers. So, I am just "plum" happy to present this week's tablescape!

I hope you enjoy!



This tablescape started with the fabric. Intending to use it for napkins, I made a last minute decision to make placemats instead!

The obligatory bird.

The white on white dishes allow the purple to steal the scene!

Each place setting gets it's own blossom!

Thanks for visiting!

But, before you go, I have an announcement!

My sister and I will be doing another Sister Act! This time we will be using the same animal print placemats. If you didn't catch Sister Act I, you can see mine here:

Sister Act I 

To see my sister's, you will have to visit her blog! Be sure to come back for a visit May 3rd to see how two sisters create tablescapes around the same item!

I will be joining:

Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps On The Porch

Let's Dish at Cuisine Kathleen

Centerpiece Wednesday at The Style Sisters

What's It Wednesday at Ivy & Elephants

Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper

Be sure to visit my sister's blog at Robin Flies South...