Dec

17

snow globes

Last week, the kids and I attempted to make snow globes.

We followed this tutorial and they sort of turned out.

finished-snow-globes

But not as good as I hoped.

I couldn’t get the right proportion of glycerine/water/glitter and then the trees kept coming unglued from the bases.

So, actually, the diy was sort of a flop.

If I were to do it again, I would forgo the water, and do something simple like Melissa did:

Faux snow + faux tree + giant mason jar. So simple and so pretty.

Or I would just line up a bunch of bleached bottle brush trees like Bonnie did:

She even shows you how to bleach your own trees if your craft store only sells the green ones.

Or maybe I would spring for a real snow globe since I could literally shake and stare for a good 30 minutes. They’re mesmerizing, I tell ya.

Screen Shot 2012-12-16 at 9.00.41 PM

{anthropologie}

{west elm – no longer available}

{sundance catalog}

{potterybarn kids – they’re on sale!}

Sometimes its just worth it to buy the real thing, I suppose.

And that is the story of how I tried and failed at one of the easiest diy projects floating around the web. You win some, you lose some.

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Dec

14

fancy sequin pillow {tutorial}

This season is filled with shiny sequins. Have you noticed? They’re on sweaters, bags, curtains and pillows.  It’s a trend I’m really liking and have been wanting to add a little bit of sparkle in the form of sequins in our home.

stacked-sequin-pillows

My aunt was wearing a sequin tank top on Thanksgiving and she gave me the brilliant idea to cut apart a tank and use it to make pillows. Smart, right? So I took her advice and here’s how I did it:

sequin-pillow-materials

supplies

:: sequin tank top {like this one from Old Navy in size XXL for maximum fabric}

:: fabric for back {I used an oatmeal colored linen}

:: pillow form or two {mine are 12×18}

:: scissors, pins, thread, sewing machine

STEP ONE: cut apart the tank at the seams

cut-apart-shirt

STEP TWO: fold remaining fabric in half and cut for two equal pieces

cut-out-two

two-pillows

STEP THREE: cut out back material and pin right sides together

pin-pillow

Because the tank is made of stretchy jersey, I pulled slightly to the edges while pinning and sewing

STEP FOUR: straight stitch pillow making sure to leave an opening in the bottom

machine-sew

Backstitch several times at each opening to help hold the seams when stuffing with the pillow insert

STEP FIVE: turn right side out

turn-out-pillow

unstuffed-pillow

The pillow is a little wonky looking on its own, but all straightened out when the pillow form was added.

STEP SIX: hand stitch close

handstitch-pillow

The sparkle is so fun!

sequin-pillow-on-chair

two-chairs-with-sequin-pillows

If you are new to sewing, making pillows is one of the easiest projects to begin with. Just four straight stitches and you’re done! Plus, if you use inexpensive fabric {like a cut apart tank top} little harm is done if it’s a total flop. But, of course, it won’t be.

So here’s to fancy sequins and beginner sewing skills.

Will you be pillow-making this weekend?

Posted by | 31 comments
Dec

13

the perfect in-between meal for holiday guests

Between a fancy brunch spread one day and a traditional Christmas dinner the next, sometimes you just need a light {but tasty} go-to recipe for those in-between meals.

This one is my very favorite.

We make this all year long for both lunch and dinner and it is always a crowd pleaser.

What’s not to love about grilled bread, fresh mozzarella, toasted pine nuts and kalamata olives?!

This recipe is from Tom Douglas’ Seattle Kitchen and served at one of his famous Seattle restaurants, Dahlia Lounge.

Tuscan Bread Salad {serves 6}

for the mustard vinaigrette:
2 T. red wine vinegar
1 t. Dijon mustard
1 t. minced shallots
1/2 t. chopped fresh thyme
1/2 t. minced garlic
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper

for the salad:
1 loaf rustic bread, sliced 1 inch thick
extra virgin olive oil
24 oil-cured black olives, pits removed
1/2 pint cherry tomatoes, cut in half
6 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced or cubed
4 cups loosely packed flavorful salad greens, such as mache, radicchio, arugula, spinach, romaine, endive, washed and dried, torn into bite size pieces
1/2 cup thinly sliced fresh basil
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
Freshly ground black pepper

optional: shredded rotisserie chicken

Make the vinaigrette {I use a mason jar and shake to combine}. It will store in the fridge up to a week.

Liberally oil the slices of bread then grill on the grill or under the broiler until golden. Use a serrated knife to cut the bread into bite size cubes.

In a large serving bowl, put the bread in with the olives, tomatoes, mozzarella, parmesan, pine nuts, chicken, basil and greens.  Pour vinaigrette over the salad and mix well.

Enjoy!

 

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