STAMP AND WRAP

Step 1)  Cut open a brown paper bag so that it lays relatively flat.  You can use either the printed side or the blank reverse (I used the printed in my example because I really loved the design). 
Step 2)  Put paint (any color you want) onto your tray/plate (you may need to brush it around so that it's not all in one lump).  Take your prepared celery stamp and dip it into your paint.  Check and be sure that it's fully coated.
Step 3)  Press your stamp down onto your paper with steady even pressure.  Be sure not to rock it from side to side or let it slide around.  Lift off your paper with a smooth motion.
Step 4)  Repeat as desired.  In the image I am stamping an area intended for gift tags, so I chose to make more than one print so that I could cut several tags from it.
Step 5)  Once your stamp has dried (if you're impatient like me, you can dry it with a hairdryer on a low setting) use craft punches to cut out your tags.  Punch at the top with a standard hole punch (so you can string twine through it later).
Step 6)  Using tissue paper or other gift wrap sized paper, repeat steps above until paper is covered in as many stamps as you like.  TIP: For tissue and other thin papers, be sure to place a scrap piece of paper beneath the sheet you are working on in case some of the paint comes through.  If you use more than one celery stock you can overlay colors for a really cool effect.
Step 7)  Allow paper to dry completely and then wrap up your gifts.
Step 8)  Embellish as you like!

{Created by Creature Comforts}

Is Your Table Dressed to Impress?

The holidays are amongst us and I've been scouring the web looking for table decor ideas. I found these three and love the attention to detail. Here's what I like about these displays: Mixing and matching plates; Using Scrabble pieces for name cards; Christmas ornaments in tea cups and burlap napkins.

Tell me what catches your eye about these displays.

HOLIDAY CARNIVAL

 I love simple eats and treats for parties! Fortunately, buffet-style tables are easy to set up and can still be very stylish.

{photos courtesy of home life}

The Domestic Diva

Being a domestic diva is no easy task. It usually requires loads of work with modest amounts of praise. The above pictured ladies have managed to capatalize on their talents and we, their benefactors, apply their teachings to our everyday practices. Hear ye! O Hear ye, domestic divas! Thank you for your numerous creative ideas that continue to inspire me.

LIVING LIKE JANE AUSTEN

Imagine yourself sitting under one of those big trees reading Jane Austin's Pride and Prejudice. You can hear the faint sound of someone playing the piano inside the house and you feel so relaxed that it's hard to keep your eyes focused on the book. You realize you just read 2 paragraphs without any recollection of what was written.  The cool breeze feels so good but you decide it's time to...

... get up and go inside the house.  Once inside you lose yourself in one of the most beautiful living rooms you've seen. Your eyes are drawn to the elegant fireplace and wonder if money could even buy such thing. And the paisley chairs coupled with the mustard velvet wing back - brilliant!  Should you stay here and continue reading your book? No! You have to see if the other rooms can keep pace with this one, so you're off...

...and you arrive here in the dining room where you pause to admire the imperfect perfection of unevenly laid bricks. The character it adds to this room is indescribable. You look up and spot the turquoise touches and, somehow, the bits of bright color actually make you feel happy!  This particular color makes the room feel new, cool and fresh.  The feeling imperceptibly changes when you're surprised that you didn't even see the huge Moroccan lamp. You're used to seeing them outside but are reconsidering that and a host of other ideas you have previously considered decor doctrine. Unsure whether it's a hunger for food or something else, you are compelled to move into the next room.

Fantastic! Another splash of color. The art contrasts the curtains nicely. You're not sure whether to laugh at or admire the painting but you are certain that your attention is being held hostage by it. It screams late 80's. You think about what you might have been doing while he posed for the portrait and wonder, "What is he looking at, anyway?"

(Pictures Traditional Home)

FOXY FRIDAY

One easy way to change your space: add a fabulous mirror.

{images unknown}

INTERIORS

Designer Isabel Lopez Quesada has a remarkable eye. I love the mixture of gold and off white accents.