A Summer Wreath

I saw this wreath in a LL Bean catalog.

 

I fell in love with it but I really didn't want to pay the price. I decided to make something that looked similar. After all I had tons of shells. Armed with coupons from my favorite craft store AC Moore I thought I would be able to do it for about half the price.

 I started with the twig wreath and sprayed it a linen color.

I hot glued the dried grass to the wreath. At first I was trying to glue down a bunch at a time and forcing the curve. But I found it easier to glue smaller bunches slightly fanned out.

 

 Adding the wheat and lavender in smaller bunches. Finishing it off with the shells. Here is my rendition of the wreath.

I ended up changing the starfish, the ones I had planned on using were to big for the wreath.

Here is what I learned. Don't over buy. Yep, that is what I did, I bought enough dried grass to make 2 of these wreaths. Be careful with the hot glue gun and small items. I burned myself a number of times. Lay out your design before you start gluing and glue in place. I had to move the shells around a bit after I started to glue. Luckily the glue hadn't totally dried yet and I was able to get the shells off. Yep more burns LOL. You ask did I save money? Yes but the saving was minimal, mainly because I over bought on supplies. But it was worth it. The wreath brings a smile to my face every time I come home. I'm sad that it has to come down now that fall is just around the corner.

Thanks for stopping by
XOXO
Esther

End of Summer BBQ

I've been doing an End of Summer BBQ's for a number of years now. It started with a farewell BBQ for my Cousin. She was here in NY doing her Veterinary residency. When she got a permanent position back in California I threw her a congrats...so sad to see you go BBQ.   About three years ago I started adding a theme to the BBQ's. For that year I created a Farmhouse theme.

I had tons of Sunflowers baskets it was simple and relaxed. Last year I did a beach theme. (Sorry no pics) with seashells, grasses and a body-board to add to the atmosphere. This year was Tuscany.

 I made toparies and grape vines.

 I had so much fun. Here are a few pictures of the day

I learned that deciding on the theme far ahead gave me th speace to really enjoy everything I did. Not to mention waiting for sales and taking advantage of coupons. I was able to work on all the design with so much ease. I enjoyed thinking about ideas, daydreaming on how to set everything up and creating. I learned so much as well, like sticky backed moss doesn't mean it sticks to everything. oh and the hot glue gun. That is a story for another day...

 hmm now to start thinking about a theme for next year....

Thanks for stopping by
XOXO
Esther

Where did the summer go..

Where did the summer go.... I've been super busy this summer working on the landscaping around the house.  Funny thing was I only wanted to do this small area of the yard.

 Every time I set out to work on that particular area. I would start somewhere else with all intentions of working on my little area in... just... a... minute. Well just a minute was 3 months later. But it is finally done. Super happy with the results. One of the things that lead me to want to work on this sections was the Irises. When I first bought the house there were about 10 of them scattered about in that section of yard. Over the years they were taking over the area. Last year I had pulled out about 50 plants. This year I pulled out about another 100.

I gave them all away via craig's list. I made quite a few people happy. I moved a bunch of the Irises along the fence. And some were left in the original home

 

 

In the back I added much needed weed control.



Next year I will really get to see if my vision was realize. If every thing comes back. LOL Here are some after photo. Enjoy!!

Thanks for stopping by

XOXO
Esther