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

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

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.

Source: rusticweddingchic.com via Stylish on Pinterest

Source: reasonstobreathe.tumblr.com via Stylish on Pinterest

Source: houzz.com via Stylish on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Stylish on Pinterest

Source: a-ladys-findings.tumblr.com via Stylish on Pinterest

Source: ilovefarmweddings.com via Stylish on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Stylish on Pinterest

Source: newhouseofart.com via Stylish on Pinterest

Source: sweetcsdesigns.blogspot.com via Stylish on Pinterest

Source: hollymathisinteriors.com via Stylish on Pinterest

Source: mrskbj.blogspot.com via Stylish on Pinterest

Decisions, decisions?  What would you make?

Sharing at
My Romantic Home, Freckled Laundry, The DIY ShowOff

A Feather Tree

My lovely friend Alex gave us all a gold wire Christmas tree filled with Ferrero Rocher chocolates a few years ago, and once we ate all the chocolates, I kept the empty tree.

I thought I could probably do something with this tree one day.  The other week I was at The Cottage Garden Nursery in East Brisbane and I saw a tree that was made from a plant climbing frame with masses of white paper napkins stuffed through the wire mesh - very effective.

That was all the inspiration I needed.  I grabbed a piece of white marabou feather boa and wrapped it around the gold frame, trimming some of the feathers at the top.  Now I have a feather tree.

It's going to be difficult to decorate,  I was thinking I might just spray it with some glitter hairspray.  What would you do?

Lindt Chocolate Christmas Tree

This is a yummy Christmas tree post.

I'm not hosting Christmas this year so I have no pressure to create a sensational table setting.  I am hosting a casual lunch on Boxing Day (26th), so I thought I'd create a chocolate covered tree for the kids to enjoy.

To make the tree you will need:

A foam cone shape (mine was 400mm/95mm base from Lincraft)

burlap (hessian)

pva or fabric glue and a hot glue gun

Lindt chocolates in assorted designs

dressmaker pins

Lay the foam cone on the burlap and trace the edges as you roll it in a complete circle (this is the same technique as tracing a lampshade). 

Cut out the burlap and glue it to the foam.

Now play around with the chocolates to work out where you want to put them.

I thought a row of reindeers around the bottom might work?

I tried different methods to attach the chocolates to the tree but in the end I used a hot glue gun.  I refrigerated the chocolates before gluing them so they were firm.

I cut burlap bows and attached chocolate balls to the tree with dressmakers pins.

I continued to add chocolates until the tree was full. 

 I filled the gap around the bottom with a row of burlap bows.

I attached the reindeer to the top of the tree with a toothpick.

Now all I have to do is keep my husband and children away from the tree.  They kept eating the chocolates as I was trying to make the tree!

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

A Sample of Thankful Presents

It's the end of school and there are many thank you presents to be given.

Thank you to the school teachers who have taught and guided my children through the year.

Simply tied with Merry Christmas ribbon and a crystal star ornament.

Thank you to the tennis coach and the dance teacher who have ignited the passion in my children.

Classic red and cream adorned with a silver bell.

and thank you to my children's friends who have shown kindness, support and encouragement.

What child doesn't like a bucket full of sweets?



and to all my blogging friends - Thank you for your inspiration, kind words, and encouragement.  Merry Christmas to you.

What thank you presents do you buy at Christmas time?

Sharing at

Between Naps on the Porch

Tree's Up

Well the tree's up for another year.  This is a job that my daughter and I do together (it obviously doesn't appeal to the males in the house).  We have so much fun doing this together.

We start by putting on Christmas music, then assembling the tree.  Once the tree's up, we untangle the string of 600 lights, turn them on and wrap them round the tree.  In London, we bought a real tree and it smelled divine.  Here in Brisbane, a freshly cut tree wouldn't last long in the heat, so I bought the most real looking artificial tree I could find.

The big baubles are always the first decoration we put on the tree. 

Once they are on, we fill the gaps with all the little decorations.

When all the decorations are on, we put the star on top.

Finally we assemble the railway track that runs around the bottom of the tree.

We've had the train since the kids were little.  It plays annoyingly loud Christmas music but the kids love it.

Is your tree up yet?  Do you wait until 1st December, or sneak it up a little earlier?

Sharing at Thrifty Decor Chick - Christmas Tree Party