Summertime Topiary

As the warm weather creeps up on us..and I know it's coming (fingers crossed). I get anxious for those sweet summer days lying pool side, drink in hand. Hence today's inspiration: The Summertime Topiary!

Supplies: topiary form, pot (I used a metal bucket) and some fun drink umbrellas (I bought a pack of 144 at my local party store which was plenty for this project)

I just randomly began placing the umbrellas half opened into the topiary.


Aren't these colors so fun! I was thinking this could be a great center piece for a Luau. Or just a great way to add some pizazz to your table if you are having a cocktail party.

Viola! Finished product. I love the colors and I decided to tie some ribbon around my bucket because well, we always need ribbon...right?


My table-scape. How fun is this! Stop back next time for a delicious citrus inspired recipe to top off your topiary!

Happy Friday!

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Tablecloth Tribute

While the summer livin' gets easier, and it sure is easy...this week's craft is all about while you're out relaxin'!

Martha has inspired me with her 60 Days of Summer. She has some fantastic ways to live up the easy life. (of course if you're Martha what part of your life isn't easy?) (sigh)

Here are a few ways I chose to take it easy by paying a tribute to the tablecloth (well reusing them anyway Martha style).



This week is my first attempt at sewing (breath deep and take note: there won't be any detail shots of needlework here..as I am a rookie) The brown bag is oh so versatile and yet so drab..why not use the table cloth to sport your lunch, snacks, use as gift giving or carry books in? Hence the pattern tote replica of none other than the brown bag.



To make this tote, click here for the dimensions.



Next, I continued to use the tablecloth for the "summer easy" theme to create book covers. I actually found a great tutorial from a gal using none other than the brown bag. (ha) So, refer to her steps on YouTube as she gives an excellent example!



I like this technique because my books are simply sliding into the sleeve and I can rest assure no harm is done. I can take them to the pool and keep them out of waters harm...shew.



Last, but not least. This is for the man I adore; my Italian Greyhound; Moose. While we are livin' the easy life (until schools starts back), we travel our neighborhood with the dreaded plastic baggies in hand.




Ta Da! Finally a cute travel size holder for the pooper scooper plastic baggies. And if I don't want to carry them, he can. (I think he's thrilled to be trotting around with such a frilly little bag )




I cut the table cloth 5 X 7, but as you can see, it's rather large for Moose, I think this one will be for my belt buckle and I will make his a little smaller.



What is great about this is that I can simply wipe it off with a damp cloth if it gets muddy or if something else happens to get on it (yikes).

I hope you've enjoyed the possibilities of the "oh so versatile" tablecloth!

I'll be linking up to these great parties this week. Happy 4th everyone!

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Lap Desk

On most summer days I sit in the yard and toss the ball to Moose (my dog). I try to catch up on some of my magazines or do some lesson plans for summer school. (yep I'm teaching summer school...can't get enough of those youngin's..ha!)

Anyway...I'm always dragging more items out of the house than needed because I need a hard surface to write on or something to rest my laptop on. So, I decide to make a Lap Desk.




At Hobby Lobby you can buy the pre cut wood piece (50% off for a grand total of $4.00) for the top. You also need some fabric, acrylic paint, batting for the cushy pillow, and any other decorative items for the front. (I originally planned to mod podge some imagines then changed my mind..that's why the Skirt Magazine is in the picture.)




Next, you'll want to paint the entire lap board allowing each coat to try. (which with the weather we've had lately it only took about 20 minutes to dry rather than 1 hour...bonus!!)



Considering my sewing skills are slim to none, I turned to the trusty hot glue gun for the remainder of the project.




I hot glued the fabric to the board on the sides, and along the center, leaving a pocket for the batting. This is for the pillow part of the Lap Desk.






Once the pillow was stuffed, I glued the edges together and trimmed it out with ribbon. I chose to run the ribbon around the board for an added decoration.

Next, I tied the ribbon in a bow, added a fabric flower that matched the back pillow and some decorative clothespins to hold any work or memo's while I'm reading.




Thanks for stopping by, I'll be linking up to these awesome parties..won't you see what they're cooking up! Until next time!

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