After having our front landscaping, walk and cement pad redone, the bee theme wreath hanging on the door was looking pretty faded and shabby.
It was the first deco mesh wreath I ever made, as decor for the bee theme My Favorite Things Party. Now nine years old, the years and weather had taken a toll on the once vibrant wreath. Without an overhang, the bright sun had faded the once black color. Meanwhile, rain had caused some rust staining from the wire in the ribbon.
Until this past week, I couldn’t carve out a few hours to tear apart and refurbish the bee theme wreath. Between the big outdoor projects, travel, out-of-town guests, our nephew’s wedding, and eldest son’s upcoming destination wedding, there hasn’t been much spare time — including for blogging!
I’ve been busy as a bee crafting decorations, invitations, and more for the big end-of-summer event set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Highlands, NC. Come early fall, I’ll have a backlog of projects and party details to share.
Dashing to send off a post today as I continue to deck the halls, craft, bake and prepare to celebrate the holidays. Happily, the shopping, wrapping and cards are finished. How about you?
When I first began collecting large Christmas cookie cutters, the plan was to decorate whimsical cookies — wrapped in cellophane bags — as table favors. Instead, for several consecutive years, I gave duplicates as Christmas gifts to family and friends. I imagined they (or one day I) would bake giant cutouts for a cookie decorating activity with kids or grandkids.
Fast forward, and I’ve finally gotten to a decorating idea that’s been in my noggin for several years — hanging the oversized holiday cookie cutters on my upper kitchen cabinets.
Not that it was a difficult project to do. But, it did mean finding extra time to get organized and put them together. Last year, I was wearing a giant boot and getting around on crutches, so there was no climbing on a stepstool to hang them!
Let me show you my Christmas cookie cutter collection, and how festive they look decorating the kitchen.
Just a quick post today to share my latest marbleized pumpkin project before I pack them up for our holiday trip across the state.
This second group of decorated pumpkins were made as a gift for our youngest son, who is hosting Thanksgiving at his 101 year-old, Philadelphia row house. D had planned to have everybody last year, but the pandemic upended our plans.
Originally, I envisioned arranging the marbleized pumpkins as part of the Thanksgiving centerpiece on this year’s table. They were meant to compliment another gift — a blue table runner appliqued with pumpkins and gourds in shades and patterns of gray.
I gave them a trial run in my dining room for the Liberty Blue Thanksgiving Table & Turkey Napkins. But, the blues and styles of the marbleized pumpkins didn’t “play nice” together with the runner and vintage dishes. So I pulled the pumpkins from the centerpiece and went another direction for the tablescape blog hop.
However, I still think several small groupings of the seven pie and faux marbleized pumpkins will look festive with our son’s midcentury modern furnishings. Blue and metallic silver and gray colors, should go nicely with his home’s decorator accents in dark navy and deep golden yellow shades.
Sharing the decorative floral and twig wreath I made as a housewarming gift for my eldest son.
We’ve just returned from helping him with a big move.
After many years living in the Upper East Side of Manhattan, R decided it was time to move out of NYC. He relocated across the river to charming Hoboken, New Jersey.
Both he and his girlfriend will continue working in Times Square and One World Trade Center (formerly the Freedom Tower). R returned to work full-time at his company’s headquarters back in May. While V is still working a hybrid model; going into the office a couple of days each week.
So as to not spoil the housewarming gift surprise, I’ve had to keep their twig wreath under wraps.
Suitable to display throughout the fall season — September through Thanksgiving — it’s different than any wreath I’ve ever made before, with a modern vibe and sculptural style.
With Thanksgiving coming up, I thought I’d share the bountiful cornucopia wreath I made as a hostess gift. After all, ’tis the season for being grateful!
Sometimes project and design inspiration comes from an unexpected find.
While shopping for craft supplies at Michaels, I spotted it — a grapevine wreath ring with an incorporated cornucopia basket.
But then I discovered the grapevine wreath! I instantly knew it was a have-to-do project, and creative gears began spinning in my brain. So, I quickly grabbed one of only three forms off the rack and put it into the cart.
Right away I decided it’d make the perfect thank you gift for relatives who were hosting us at their lovely home in Northern Virginia. Because of the pandemic, it had been a very long 13 months since we’d seen each other. We were suppose to spend last Thanksgiving with them. So, I couldn’t be more happy and grateful to be together!
During the fall season, I am always impressed and intrigued by the wide variety of crafted or decorated pumpkins, shared both online and in magazines. Much of the inspiration comes from fellow blogger friends and link-up parties.
They can be carved or embellished real pumpkins, or faux gourds made of fabrics like velvet and flannel. Some are crocheted or knit from yarn. While others are weaved and twisted from twine or other materials
In years past, I’ve created several styles of my own faux pumpkins, using a variety of techniques. Like the marble pumpkins, they were crafted to incorporate in either Halloween, fall or Thanksgiving vignettes and centerpieces. Some did double-duty as table favors for dinner guests.
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Hi! I'm Debbee, a maker of all manner of things, who likes to incorporate themes into craft projects, holiday and seasonal decor, table settings, and parties. My friends call me, the Queen of Theme lol!
Home is the suburbs of Pittsburgh, but I also enjoy exploring the world with my husband. We raised two wonderful sons and are now early retirees.
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Meet Glenfiddich "Whiskey," a brindle coat Scottie and full of vim and vigor!
