DIY Friday: Dip Dye Bottle Vases

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I've been saving some nicely shaped bottles from the recycling bin lately because I'd been wanting to try painting a color on the bottom. The neon pink spray paint I bought at an art store in Savannah is patiently waiting for me to pull the trigger. What has been stopping me? Well, I just wasn't sure I'd like to see the stems of the flowers. Having written that out just now, it sounds like a really pathetic excuse, doesn't it? I am so visual (dare I say I have visual A.D.D.?) that those things really stick in my craw. And I cannot start any project that I don't have a clear vision for, either in my head or in a photo.

So, I was super relieved to see (literally) that I could possibly eliminate the distracting green stems by simply using one flower. How simple and understated! My muse was Stephanie Bond from her blog Bondville. There are some more dip dye projects on her blog here if you're feeling the crafty urge this weekend.

And by the way, is everyone on vacation but me? It seems like that! I'm all working so hard in my studio basement and everyone's Facebook pages are showing beach pictures.

Neon Pink Tablescape

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I keep wondering if 'tablescape' is an actual word, or one that I made up. Anyone know?

I've been interested in the neon trend and had some ideas brewing in my head for several months now. Since I had a little free time this week I thought I'd try to get one of the ideas out of my head and into reality.

My approach to this trend is that a little neon goes a long way. I kept things simple with tiny touches like the slim neon pink bow (it's lanyard actually!) tied around the linen napkin (purchased from Crate and Barrel here) and placed on a table of white and linen textures.

I decided to contrast the fabricated aspect of the neon pink with very earthy and natural elements. The 'place card' is a strip of neon pink artist's tape (similar tapes found here) with raw ripped edges. The repurposed glass bottle vases are painted with neon pink accents (I'll do a tutorial on Friday on those) and filled with pastel field flowers like zinnias, queen anne's lace and green hydrangeas. (An aside confession for those who think I spent money on the flowers; these are the only flowers I have in my garden right now that haven't died from drought and I snagged the queen anne's lace from a roadside patch while walking the dog.) The vases are interspersed around a piece of drift wood (thank you, Ohio River). Overall, I'm diggin' this look!

I'll also be posting some cute shower and birthday party invitations to go with this neon pink theme. Stay tuned!

DIY Friday: Lace painted bottle vases

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In yesterday's post, I created a tablescape using some neon pink bottle vases. The process was very easy, so I thought I'd share it in a few quick photos.

I have begun a habit of saving nicely shaped bottles after the condiment or drink is consumed. In my world, you just never know when a craft idea will hit. One must always be prepared and be sure not watch hoarders to feel guilty about this need to be prepared.

First, take off the label by soaking it in water and then scrubbing it with your fingernail until the label is clean off.

Then, wrap a 10" paper doily around the top of the bottle and secure it tightly with a rubber band.


Stick a dowel into the grass and place the bottle upside down onto it and spray with spray paint. I do not recommend that you have your daughter hold the dowel as she is very unreliable and will drop the bottle in the grass. And clearly you have noticed that I did this one in gold, which I later decided to spray over again with the pink. The gold photos didn't look good at all.


Et voila! A super cheap, kind of pretty little vase!

Covet Garden is inspiration

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Although I received the link to the latest issue of Covet Garden yesterday, and had to wait until my tea and toast this morning to give it the proper viewing it deserves. And what a lovely way for me to start an otherwise hectic work day! Covet Garden is an on-line magazine and blog highlighting homes that are decorated by the people who live in them, not professional interior designers.

Love the starfish over the door!

The photography and magazine design is charming, poised and so relaxing to view. Perhaps it was the calming tea, but I found myself resting on each page and really looking into the photo to reveal the beautiful details captured by the camera. I also enjoyed delving deeper into Heather's world, even beyond her beautiful home. We meet her family, see her in her unique style in her favorite clothes, her favorite food, her studio. In a manic world of  quick! show a little bit of everything! it was a joy lingering longer on a lot of something. Beautiful work!

This drink just makes me want to invite the girls over!

Dessert fans, follow this blog

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My friends, if you love desserts, dessert tables and creative design, or any combination of those things, then you will surely love Shauna Younge's blog Sweet Tooth. It certainly lives up and beyond her slogan "where dessert meets design".

Just look at this beautiful table scape for pink and pomegranate red desserts.

dSource: shaunayounge.blogspot.com via Margot on PinterestLet me tell you how much I love that raw urban setting! Can someone tell me where I can get a space like that, please? Of course the pink and red hues are beautifully combined in the delicious desserts. And the pomegranate jewels are perfect for tiny confections. No more decoration needed when nature does it so well on it's own. Good stuff, people. Good stuff. When you go, prepare yourself for a rabbit hole of Pinning. That's pretty much what I do when I'm there too. :o)