Artful table Ideas: For a beautifully thankful Christmas.

1. “Glad you’re here” by Making Lemonade. Image theirs.

As I have mentioned before on this blog, I am very sad that we don’t celebrate thanksgiving in Australia. This however gives me the opportunity to think thankfully at Christmas time.

Here are some simple ideas from around the blog world, that can be incorporated in your Christmas celebrations particularly in regards to the table.

Some are beautifully quirky, some ingenious, some worthy of a yearly repeat, some child friendly and some all of the above. Let me know if you get inspired and use some, it’s great to hear from you.

“The Giving Plate” by Adventures of an Orthodox Mom. Image from there.

“Conversation Plates” by Together Counts Blog. Idea and image sourced there.

DIY minimalistic cultery holder. Image and instructions from A Birds Leap.

A sock for your cutlery. Image from Pinterest.

Single place cards. Image from Pinterest.

Gold Spray painted animals (or possibly nativity characters) with paper luggage tags attached. Image from Style Me Pretty.

Another beautifully simple idea from Style Me Pretty. Image theirs.

Carnival Straws on Bottled drinks with tags. Source: Ruffled.

Would work just as well on green leaves. Image from Once wed.

Gratitude Rolls by Beauty and Bedlam. Image theirs.

SImple sensorial details. Image from Vintage House.

What I want for Christmas is thanksfulness! Source: The cottage at 341 south.

Kraft Paper table of thanks. Image from Art Bar Blog

Fruity Place markers. Image from Style Me Pretty.

THe Thankful Tree. Idea and image from Kids Activities Blog.

Or if you prefer pears….. This idea and image from The Knot.

Fairy Lights in jars. Image from Making Lemonade.

…. and if you just don’t know where to start because Finishing School wasn’t part of yours (or my) education…. Layouts. Source: daniellemj-workspace

Alternatively….. Image from Antiquaria Vintage.

Fabulous!

Hello hello hello….. yes I am still alive and I am slowly coming up for air. Crazy busy last couple of months. I will share with you over the next few weeks some of the highlights and a few other things I have been slowly saving for you over those months.

But for now….. something fabulous. Poppytalk calls it ‘What happen’s when you give kids thousands of stickers. Take it as a pre-Christmas warning….. or Encouragement …. if you like.

Beginning with an all white room …..

…. in the Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane …….

Yayoi Kusama…..

….. gave children stickers ……

…… and over two weeks……

….collaborated with the artist …….

….. by placing stickers anywhere they wanted.

Two weeks later…..

…..The Obliteration Room ….. was complete. 

Hat-tip  Poppytalk,  stuart addelsee, sccart, and heybubbles and colossal).  Via The New Domestic. …. so apologies if you have seen it before. 

I think it appeals to me because it’s how the last half of the year has felt like, but makes it look so much more joyful than it was some days.

Though out it all Tim was fabulous and the kids were great. I am hoping and praying that in the next month leading up to Christmas I can embrace the joy in the chaos….. and get to take the opportunity to serve them, and others, like they have been serving me. 

 

I’m inspired by: William Morris

source: The original Morris & Co.

Lately I have been working on an assignment for uni that gave me a chance to revisit and enjoy one of my favourite artists of all time, William Morris.

William Morris was an arts and crafts master….along with Architect Philip Webb. He worked extensively with fabric, wallpaper, furniture and ceramics.

Here is how his official website describes him….

‘William Morris was the single most influential designer of the nineteenth century, and remains today one of the best known of all British designers. This is due to his extraordinary talent as a pattern designer, his colourful and inspiring life story and to his forceful intellect and personality. Morris was much more than a designer; he was a fervent socialist, scholar, translator and publisher, an environmental campaigner, writer and poet.’

Most of you will know his work even of you don’t know his name…. he was that good. His work is still available world wide, and is so beautifully designed it holds it own 150 years later.

Here’s some more for your enjoyment.

“Love is enough” Source: Morris &Co.

from the Morris & Co site.

Golden Lily Print by William Morris. Photo taken from Morris & Co.

FEVA launch dinner

Max Dupain’s photograph inside the Seidler Penthouse. Source: University of Sydney.

One of the exciting things about returning to uni is the chance to be involved with FEVA. Fellowship of Evangelism to the Visual Arts.

My excitement was increased, as I was one of the first students of FEVA when it began 20 years ago.

A couple of nights ago I got to go to the Seidler Penthouse at Milson’s point and share dinner with other Visual Arts Students from about 6 different visually creative campus’ across Sydney. We were encouraged to think about think about how we ‘do’ our art degrees in the light of loving God with everything.

It’s always encouraging to see lots of people keen to follow Jesus….. but especially so for me on this night, because our chance to influence in our super-visual climate is great. Can’t wait to see how God is honoured visually over the coming years through these people.

The other half of a GIANT list of fete and fair tutorials and printables…. (Part 2)

Oh, I bet you thought this was never coming!

You can find the first half of the giant list of fete and fair tutorials and printables here, along with the criteria I used to decide on what was included and what I left out.

If you still want more ideas you can see some past items we have made (although not all have accompanying tutorials)

Enjoy.

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1. The Scrapbooking Jar by Crate Paper Blog
2.  Chalkboard Serving Platter by Wit and Whistle.
3. Knitted Snake by Purl Bee 
4.  Paper Fortune Cookies by design wash rinse repeat.
5.  Pebble Mat by Junk Hippie 
6.  Clay bird ornament by JessicaJane Handmade.
7.  Owl cushion by button bird designs.
8.  Pillowcase shopping bag by Grow Mama.
9.  Mouse Ornaments by Family Fun 
10. Crocheted Washcloths by Purl Bee 
11. Monster Bags by harrysdesk 
12.  Pram cards by The Pleated Poppy
13.  Salt dough Christmas Ornaments by Oleander and Palm 
14. Rice filled heating Owls for children by Just another Hang Up.
15.  Beaded Heart Wand by First Palette
16. Circle Zip Earbud Pouch by dog under my desk
17.  Tea Bag gift Tag by The Studio Of Mae.
18. Cardboard Horses by Design Sponge
19. Mooshy Belly Bunny by Chez Beeper Bebe 
20. Felt Crowns by hellobee
21. Easy Drawstring Bag by Purl Bee 
22. Recycled Book Bird Decoration by Under the Table and Dreaming
23. Present Cards by Craft and Creativity
24. Babies Triange Dress by Purl Bee 
25. Monster Slime by all things simple 
26. DIY ice cream sundae box by family bits.
27. Monster bibs by stubbornly crafty.
28. Cloud and rain mobile by dailylike recipe?
29. Bunting by the yvestown blog.
30. Lunchsacks by All people quilt.

Enjoy….and let me know if you think you might make anything.

The happy chair!

Image from Sanna & Sania.

Although I know this chair would make me smile every time I encountered it….. I don’t think I could do it.

Why?….

Because in my brain, it is a very short trip from the chair to the man!

The Crochet Subway Man …. a super hero? Yes. Image from Funny Girl Holly.

Are you with me?…. or am I being too judgemental.

How Pinteresting are…… caravans, trailers and airstreams

Thanks Ali for this pinteresting idea.

Some of you will know I am not really a camper.….. but I used to imagine I could live in a trailer or caravan when I was little . Yes, big dreams indeed!

Here are some pretty ones.

Click through to see some other beautiful ideas.

I love the Rene Magritte painting as the colour palette in this one.

Now I need another idea! Anyone ……?

“I hacked an Ikea cupboard and you can too” photo tutorial.

Has everyone one in Sydney received there Ikea catalogue in the post?

Exciting times!

This is the first time in 7 years since we have had one delivered, so it’s all pretty amazing.

I love seeing how ideas are styled together more than I like buying things…. which is great and very cheap enjoyment.

Before the catalogue arrived, however, I did purchase ANEBODA, for a linen cupboard.

The beauty of the Aneboda is the $89 price tag, the down side (and the thing that has meant I haven’t purchased it before now) is the ugly see-through plastic panels on the doors.

No doubt this keeps the price low, but ….really…. this is the best option?

Anyway….

I decided to hack the cupboard so I could enjoy it both for it’s price and it’s appearance.

…. and I’ve included a quick tutorial so you can too. There is no sewing required!

What you will need 

• glue gun and glue
• cardboard (I used the box the flat pack came in)
• about 1/2 m of fabric. (if it is wide enough) otherwise approx 2m of fabric

How to do it.

1. Measure carefully the plastic section of the cupboard door you want to cover. Using the cardboard that the cupboard came in cut 2 rectangles the same size as your measurements minus .5cm in the length and width of each piece.

2. Lay the cardboard pieces down on ironed fabric. I choose stripes….. (I purchased this from Ikea too) and cut around the cardboard leaving about 5cm turnover on all sides. If you are using a changing stripe (like this) or a fabric with a large and obvious repeat…. this is the time to make sure the pieces are cut with this in mind.

3. Using a glue gun (or similar) pull the fabric tightly around the cardboard and glue down. Do this to both sides.

4. Again using the glue gun…. glue panel straight onto the plastic panel in the door.

close up.

5. Repeat for other door panel.

6. Wha-la. Enjoy your much more spunky cupboard for about $5 extra.

 

How Pinteresting is ………… art making with books?

Portraits made of books. Image from My Human Computer.

Yes ‘How Pinteresting?’ is still interactive. Please leave your ideas for pinning in the comment section below.

But….to continue with my extended book week posts, I have put together a group of images related to the book.

You can find them by clicking here.

And don’t worry Ali….. I have pushed your idea for pinteresting caravans and airstreams until next time…… hope you don’t mind.

Facebook Friday

An image from the MET BALL. Image from facebook via Camille Styles Moore.

Each chair was covered with a different Prada print from collections past.

Like Overall Baby, I love a great print. ….. and red.