3rd Tabletop Tuesday: Houseplants to the Rescue

Welcome to the 3rd Tabletop Tuesday!

I am really starting to look forward to Tuesdays, because I am getting so much inspiration from everyone's posts.  But best of all, I love seeing the little glimpses throughout your home that showcase your style, your history and your passions.  Thank you for sharing them with all of us.

So...to give you a brief medical update (I know, NOT why you came here huh!) -

I had my gallbladder removed last Wednesday.  Long story short....none of the symptoms have subsided. I am back to square one...back to the surgeon tomorrow.

So, I am sorry to say this week's Tabletop Tuesday post will be "borrowed inspiration" from http://www.bhg.com/ .

Please make sure your post is complete before you add your link.  Also, please add the shortcut link directly to your post, and not just your blog's URL.  I have provided a small button below if you wish to add it to your sidebar or post.  It's not necessary to add the button, but I do ask that you link back to this site, as well as, mention this blog party.

Thanks again for joining in....whether you are posting...or simply enjoying all the eye candy.   :)

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As I get older, I find myself wanting to add more house plants in my home.  I have never had an "interior" green thumb.  Give me herbs or vegetables or annuals...and I can grow a lovely garden.  Not so much with houseplants.

But, I love how a simply houseplant can be added to a unique container ...and you have an instant "accessory."

I love how the spanish moss covers the dirt at the base of the plant, but also adds texture and a touch of "woodsy" appeal.

I love the earthiness of the terra cotta pots placed inside the delicate, white saucers.

I have discovered that even a "brown" thumb can generally grow snake plants.  :)

I love how these plants "beautify" the corner of this mantle.

Green plants nestled in a blue and white bowl. Splendid!

But, even if you're not a plant lover, or cannot have plants in your home for whatever reason (I have to be careful with my fur babies), Mother Nature offers a wonderful array of choices for your accessorizing needs. 

Fresh or dried artichokes in a plain glass bowl.  Understated and beautiful!

A bundle of rose hips tied with a green satin bow...simple yet elegant, too. 

Lemons!  Need I say more?

And, when all else fails....let's not forget one of Mother Nature's most cherished offerings....fresh blossoms and cuttings.  I love the juxtaposition of the tarnished silver urn with the pink crocus, especially when set against a backdrop of white subway tile.  mmmm.....just Heaven!

I can't wait to see your Tabletops, Vignettes and Favorite Accessories.  Please add your link below....and provide a few words to describe your post.

Thanks again for making this weekly blog party and success....and so much fun!

Happy Tabletop Tuesday....Barb

Welcome to the 2nd Tabletop Tuesday: O Breath of Spring!

Welcome to the 2nd Tabletop Tuesday !

Last week's premiere of Tabletop Tuesday was a grand success (thanks to you!), and I hope everyone who either participated or enjoyed the great vignettes was as thrilled as I was.  I look forward to seeing even more beautiful vignettes...and I know as Valentine's Day and Spring and Easter  approach, your vignettes will become even more spectacular.

Please add your link on McLinky only after you have created your post.  If you see that your link has been removed, it is because you did not link back to the host site or mention this event.  (Grits and Glamour)

Here is another button for your sidebar or post - if you prefer something smaller.

Yesterday, for Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch, I shared three projects which would be incorporated into today's vignette.

If you missed that post and would like to see it, you can click here.

As I spoke of yesterday, I always have problems with decorating this time of year.

It's not quite Spring, so bunnies and eggs, etc, seem a bit rushed. 

Yet... my soul longs for a breath of Spring in my home.

This vignette is featured on the bombe' chest in my foyer.  When I first created it, my first impression was that it was too white and needed color.  But, I walked away from it and when I came back...

... I actually liked that it was mostly white with touches of soft color.  I found it strangely calming after the plathora of Christmas colors from the previous month.

 I found the two "topiary" birds recently at Michael's.  I have had the larger bird for a few years, it was a Marshall's purchase. 

I love the cut-out detail.

I, also, purchased this vase for the same reason.  I loved the cut-out detail along the rim and knew it work in well with the birds.

Unfortunately, my flowers covered up the design.  Oops. 

I bought this small apothecary jar at Michael's with my last 40% off coupie,  It was originally $9.99.

I just added a plain candle and surrounded it with reindeer moss.

Yes, there is a lot of white...

But, I find it serene. 

I used a length of burlap with a frayed edge for a runner.  I love the textural of the burlap with the glossy white of the plates, vase and birds.

The two plates are Lenox, Butterfly Meadow.  I can't wait to create a tablescape with them.

(Confession time:  are Southern Whimsy and I the only ones who lay at night thinking up Tablescapes?  lol )

Another bird's nest is propped up against the vase...

Bells of Ireland and hydrangea blooms.  Two of my favorite flowers.

(again, if you missed this easy floral arrangement "how-to"  (and I do mean EASY!...you can see it here.

I added bits of black and white polka-dot ribbon to the lid of the apothecary jar and the base of the taller bird, just to add a little whimsy.
That, and I have a "thing" for anything black and white with polka dots. :)

I plan on using this same wreath throughout Spring and possibly into the Summer. Simply by changing the bow and adding different elements will give it a completely different look and feel.  

But for now, its the perfect breath of Spring.

~ All through the long winter, I dream of my garden. On the first day of spring, I dig my fingers deep into the soft earth.

 I can feel its energy, and my spirits soar. ~ Helen Hays

Small bird on stand - Michael's $3.99 (available now)

Large bird on stand - Michael's $4.99 (available now)

Large Bird - Michael's (purchased several years ago)

Small Apothecary Jar - $9.99 (available now) 

Plates - Lenox/Marshall's - $6.99

Vase - Michael's - $14.99

Bells of Ireland - Michael's - $9.99 (available now)

Hygrangeas - from my box-o-florals :)

Approx cost of wreath (not including supplies I already had on hand) - $20

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I hope Susan at Between Naps on the Porch does not mind if I borrow one of her ideas.  Next week, I am going to showcase vignettes from some non-Bloggers.   I will do this once a month.  If you would like to see your vignette features, simply email your pics to:

barbgarrettnc@yahoo.com

(please mention Tabletop Tuesday in the subject line)
I will use as many as I can!

I am also linking to:
 Make Your Monday at Twice Remembered. (You will just love this blog!)
Three or More Tuesday at Gypsy's Corner
Just Something I Whipped Up Monday at Girl Creative
DIY Day with Imparting Grace at A Soft Place to Land

Happy Vignetting Everyone...Blessings, Barb

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Now its your turn to share your "Tabletops, Vignettes and Favorite Accessories."

Met Monday: Square Hydrangea Wreath

Welcome to Metamorphosis Monday, a weekly event hosted by our friend, Susan at

Between Naps on the Porch.

Everyone loves "Before and Afters," and this fun event is a virtual showcase of a variety of projects.

Please join Susan and everyone participating in this event. Its always a fascinating tour.

I am gonna share three seperate projects which will be used in one vignette.  I will share the finished vignette during Tabletop Tuesday. 

Thanks to everyone who participated in last week's Tabletop Tuesday.  It was a great success and I hope everyone enjoyed sharing their vignettes. If you plan on joining this week, McLinky will be up and running by 9pm.  I look forward to seeing your "Tabletops, Vignettes and Favorite Accessories." 

I have been in a crafting mood this week.  Unfortunately, my dining room table has paid the price. :)

(as you will see in the following pics - there is moss everywhere!)

I always have a hard time this time of year.  Everything inside of me is screaming for a breath of Spring.  I guess you might say I am jumping the gun on Spring decor. But, temps are back into the 60's this week, and I just can't help it. 

I wanted to create a square wreath to hang over the mirror in my foyer.  So, I gathered some supplies.

The bag of moss I already had, as well as, the foam blocks. So, all I needed were the flowers.  I bought two hygrangea bushes at Michael's.  Kinda pricey at $9.99 ea.  Ouch!  But, I used a 40% off coupie for one of them.

I cut the single blocks of foam into halves.

Then, I layed out the cut foam halves into the shape I wanted, and determined the size I needed based upon my mirror size.  I chose an oblong shape to match the length of the mirror.

Next, I broke off approx. 5" of four skewers.

The skewers were used as "nails" to hold the frame together.  I used a hammer to tap it in.

To add the moss, I used these floral "U" pins. You can use hot glue if you don't have these on hand, but the pins help secure the moss much better, plus its so much quicker and less painful. :)

  If you do use hot glue, use a skewer or something pointy to help poke some of the moss into the foam.

I covered both the inside and the outside...

Then....the top.  It kinda looks like a wooley-booley monster, huh? :)

(Give it a little haircut and trim up the wreath a bit if you need to.)

Next, I tore apart the single blooms into smaller, more workable pieces.

I had one bush of a pale green hydrangea, and another bush of a variegated white/pale green color.

I placed all of one color first...randomly all over...using hot glue.

Then, it was just a matter of filling in with the other color of hydrangea.

Next, I added this small bird's nest with eggs - tucked into the lower corner. I used the "U" pins to secure it in place so I could easily remove it later.

I also added some grapevine.  I know, I know. I seem to be adding grapevine to everything, huh?  I just love the look of it and the added texture.  I just poked the ends into the foam to hold in place.

Here is the "After"...

It is from a ribbon on the mirror above my bombe' chest.  I used three colors of ribbon I already had on hand to create a bow...a checked green and white, a black and white polka-dot, and a green burlap-style ribbon.

Again, the bow was secured in place with the "U" pins for easy removal.

I love the shape...

For the Second "Before and After"...I am sharing this simple "thrown together" floral arrangement...

I started with this pretty vase - another Michael's find with another 40% off coupie.

(btw, Michael's has some awesome Spring accessories right now.  I will show you some other pruchases I got there during Tabletop Tuesday)

Isn't the front of this vase beautiful?

But, I decided to use the backside...I wanted a simpler look.

I pushed in a small block of foam....

...and stuck in two Bells of Ireland bushes.

I know what you are thinking....that looks kinda silly.

Yes, it does....that is why I added -

...leftover hygrangea blooms.

Here is the "After" arrangement sitting on the bombe chest...

I am actually gonna re-do this and make the Bells of Ireland shorter.  I broke the "1 1/2 times height" rule in regards to the conatiner.  I thought it would look okay, but it bothers me. 

Trust me, I will not be able to sleep tonight until its fixed. :-D

For my Third mini "Before" project...I am adding a simple touch to my lamp to dress it up a bit.

Here is the "Before" lamp...

With some ribbon and a bow...

The "After"...

Just a small touch of Spring is added to a plain lamp.

Please join me for Tabletop Tuesday to see the whole chest vignette pulled together.

Here is a smaller button below to place on your post, as well as, on your sidebar.

Thanks Susan for hosting this weekly event.  Please stop by

Between Naps on the Porch.

Before I go...there are two things I would like to mention..

Today is my beloved Mama's 75th birthday.  I am so blessed to have both of my parents alive and well.

 I truly cherish each and every day I am able to spend with them.

Here is the Birthday Girl and my Daddy during our last trip to the mountains.

Happy Birthday, Mama - I am so honored to be your daughter!

Finally, my thoughts and prayers go out to all the Haitan people. I cannot imagine the horror they are experiencing.  A local church community has sadly lost six people (one the pastor) to this tragedy. They had just arrived to deliver food and aid to a local orphanage. 

I am so proud of our Country and how we have stepped up. It is very easy for the world to judge us and call us names.  But ,The United States of America is always there at times of need like this.  God Bless the Haitian people, God Bless those who have lost their lives...and God Bless those who are there to provide aid to the suffering.

Blessings to you and yours my dear friends....Barb