Mini Project: Table Settings

The holidays are upon us and I wanted to do a layered table setting. My philosophy is to use what you have, no matter the occasion, you can easily find items that will bring the overall vision to fruition.

Now, on the face of it, these gas-station china that inherited don't scream Christmas, but that shouldn't deter from using them. Other accessories can bring even this summer theme to a winter-y vibe.

My cream striped table cloth will do nicely as the back drop.

I found these napkins that don't have a winter-y theme, either, but have a shimmer, that will do well.

To really bring in the Christmas of it all, I went to the dollar store and bought these gold leaf charger plates to sit under the dinner plate.

I picked up a simple and inexpensive runner at Ikea; red for a pop of Christmas colour.

Now it is time to put it all together. Layering: table cloth, runner, charger plate, dinner plate.

Silverware could be layered on the napkin, but I chose to go beside. Knife always goes on the right, edge toward the plate, glass directly above the knife. Here's an graphic showing the formal setting. Generally, you won't have this many unless it is a 5+ course meal, so pick and choose based on what you will be eating. Basically, you sort your utensils in the order with which they are served, with the outermost utensils being used first, and making your way in towards the plate.

Finally, to bring in the winter-chic, I went outside and clipped some branches from a tree in my front yard. I pruned them to make a little tidier for use as a center piece, and used some of the smaller ones to jazz up the layering.

Each place setting - simple yet effective. I chose to layer the napkin over the dinner plate since my plate is so summer-like. Add a bread plate if you have bread, wine glasses, water goblets, or a dessert spoon if you need it, get creative!!

The finished table.

So, the moral of the story, it doesn't have to cost a lot if you use what you already have, and get inventive!

Mini Project: Paint & Planters

Not everything works out the way it should, (like winning the lottery or marrying rich... erm... what?)
Like the time that bought a painter's pen for my dresser project. The dresser turned out great, by the way. Check it out here.

ANYWAY, I had this painter's pen, and thought I should try and use it for something. Luckily, I had just bought two new plants that also happened to fit nicely in some terracotta pots I already had.

Dapper Dresser

We picked up this free Kijiji dresser almost a year ago. It was the perfect size for M's room. Plus, it has mid-century lines that I love.

BEFORE

It came with some minor damage, but after a humidifier leaked, it wreaked havoc on the top...
Well, crap!

This gave me the opportunity to finally do something fun with this dresser.

Hallowe'en Costume Repurposed

A few years ago our friends had an adorable costume made for our 1 year old. Being horror fans, they knew that we would absolutely put our daughter in a Freddy Kruger costume.

We of course had to complement that costume with other classic horror characters.
So, what do we with this awesome knitted onesie?

Work Perk: Flux Lighting

Every year, Flux Lighting drops by the office with egg rolls. The best egg rolls.

It is a real treat, especially since this time of year brings on so many sweets.

This year was a little different, however.
Flux wanted us to come and see their new showroom, so they were going to send a bus to pick us up.

Sewing 101: Shirts, Pants, Underpants, Oh My!

Here I am with another sewing challenge.

I am pretty good about keeping my daughter's clothes clean so that they can be sold on our local Mom/Dad's used goods site. However, some stuff just get stained and therefore are unsalable. I just couldn't turn it all into rags, so I had to get creative.

 

Recipe: DIY ice cream

We made ice cream!
Honest to goodness, real ice cream.

Two ingredients: Cream and sweetened condensed milk.

Architectural Drawings: Hot Dog Style

I got these awesome detail drawings from my Stepfather.
Given that I am a designer, he knew I would flip for these blueprints of non-traditional items.

There were two; a hot dog and a hamburger.

Bathroom Makeover: From Pink to Perfect

Here is a great little renovation project by my friend Nicole.
She lives in an adorable 1940s era home in Northern British Columbia (my hometown).
Interestingly, it was originally a primary quarters house that was at the old barracks.

Blurry Before & Amazing After

Artwork: Half frames and Rasterbator

For Christmas this year, I thought I would do something personal with some old photos, but with a twist.

I used a website called Rasterbator. It is super rad. You can create large scale prints using just your 8 1/2" x 11" printer... or like me, you can just have your image "rasterbated" (hehehe) to a 18x24 size and print it at a printer.

Holiday Wrapping: Brown Paper

Wrapping gifts can get a little boring with usual wrapping paper.
This year, I decided to use a boring brown paper and embellish it.

365 Day Wreath: Jute Basic

Self imposed challenge time!

Today, I am making a basic jute (burlap) wreath out of a coat hanger and some jute winter tree cover.

First, I unwound a wire hanger. The best and easiest are the ones from the dry cleaner...
They use a cheaper quality hanger, and that makes it easier to manipulate (and I really like to manipulate stuff...)

Christmas Decor: Tree Ideas

After debating what to do with my own tree, I thought this post might be helpful to those who have yet to put their trees up. I can guarantee that my in-laws have yet to do this, as they always wait until the very last minute. It's a cute tradition that includes a few drinks, decorating the tree, wrapping presents and talking until the wee hours of the morning... all on Christmas Eve. I can never stay up that late, and the thought of doing all of this on Christmas eve gives me an ulcer.

Now, having said all of that... I recently went to the Christmas Store here in our little town, and took a few photos of inventive tree decorations.

Canadian Cabin Nursery: Chair & Pillow

If I hadn't mentioned it before, our nursery theme is Canadian Cabin.
I figure it works if it is a boy or a girl!

Garden Labels: Cutlery and Copper

I bought a letter punch set last year at Lee Valley, but never got around to using it for anything.

This year, however, I have made some garden labels!

I had an idea to make them using wood but didn't like the results.
I then thought that perhaps aluminum sheet might work...

DIY Wedding 2010: The Big Day

The BIG DAY!!
It all came together on the big day.

You will see some amateur photos and a lot of photos from our photograper, Andrea Blair.
We were so happy with how our day turned out. Was there anything that we would have changed? Of course! But when you start nit-picking on the details, you forget what the day is really about: Love, Fun, Family, and Friends. We had the 'Fun' in spades.

This is the covered bridge at Sun Peaks Resort. We were married right in front of that heart-shaped rock.

DIY Wedding 2010: Part 5

Shoes!
I love Shoes!
Since I did some creative ridiculousness with Hubby and the groomsmen's shoes in Part 4, I decided to post what I did to my own shoes as well!!

I bought these very cute shoes at a local mall store. They had just enough of a vintage feel to go well with my dress. Plus, they were at a comfortable height so I knew that wearing them for long periods would not be a problem.

DIY Wedding 2010: Part 4

I totes forgot to post Part 4 on Monday!
Whoops!
Okay, so in Part 3 we talked a little about me and my girls: our attire and accessories.
This time, we are going to discuss the boys!

As you know, the colour scheme of our wedding was grey, black & yellow. This is hubby's outfit shown with his tie, and the two ties for his groomsmen. This all worked out beautifully, since the main tie has the most punch of colour, and the groomsmens ties pick up on the colour of my dress AND the bridesmaids dresses.

DIY Wedding 2010: Part 2

In my previous post, DIY Wedding 2010: Part 1, I showed you the beginnings of the DIY projects for the wedding. In this post, we move into the table decorations!

Table numbers were important, and just like with the books from the last post, I played with various patterns.

Wheel House: Literally

I know my blog is called "In My Wheele House", but the Acrojou Circus Theatre has taken it to a whole new level.

Weeeeeeeeeee!

Image from www.mymodernmet.com

The acrobatic performers slowly make their mobile home roll on down the road in a performance art piece.