Spring Feathered Nest Friday

Feathered Nest Friday 

March 21, 2014
@ Speckled Hens

We made adorable Spring arrangements!

Tables all set with everything needed
to make the arrangement plus
a free tote from Crabtree & Evelyn. 

The bag of supplies looked cute 

enough just as it was! 

This is how it started...

Everyone hard at work putting the flowers in just the right spot.  The ladies were able to choose from a boy or girl bunny to highlight their arrangements.

For the tag, we glittered flower seed packets and made a wire holder.  Of course, there was champagne and a little dessert.  The ladies also received 20% off their purchases that evening. 

Can't wait till the next Feathered Nest Friday! Hope to see you next time!

~Corrie

Rocker Glider Re-Do

This is not meant to be a tutorial on re-upholstering because I'm a wing-it kinda girl, but hopefully it will inspire you to do something fun with a hand-me-down!

This particular hand-me-down is on loan, so I couldn't remove the original upholstery. The easiest way would have been to attack it with a seam ripper and use the original pieces as a pattern, so instead I slip covered and left everything underneath in-tact.

I bought 4 yards of 45" duck cloth in the perfect pattern and color my daughter-in-law wanted for the baby's nursery.  It was more than enough for the chair and ottoman and I still have probably 1/2 yard left to use for something else.  Big score for $28!

All the pieces were easily removable, so I just laid them out and traced them with a pencil on the wrong side of the fabric.

I added 1" around and cut out the pieces.  I lined the cut edge up with the smallest measurement on my sewing machine plate as a seam guide - I think it's 3/8" - to allow for the roundness of the cushion.  I stitched twice around on the seat cushions and the ottoman cushion for strength.

I left one edge open, folded that baby up like a taco and stuffed it in!  Perfect fit!   I hand stitched the openings closed with quilting thread for extra strength.

The whole project only took me a couple hours (minus the hand sewing, which I did in front of the TV).  I'm so pleased with how it turned out.  It's going to look so cute in the nursery with it's polka dots, and painted furniture, and other fun fabrics.

I hope this inspired you and makes the task seem less intimidating...go for it!

Until next time,

~Mary

The Girls Get Creative

We had so much fun last night!

What did we do...you ask?

Well, we had an idea to get together at the beginning of each season for a little girl time!  Where we could sip a little, munch a little, learn a little and have a lot of fun!  

So, last night we created a Spring cloche.  Participants chose from a variety of nature inspired items to create their very own vignette under glass.  They also took advantage of the storewide 20% discount!

Here's a recap of the night's events...

I mean, really?  What's a girl's night without a little champagne?

Mini parfaits...to die for!

Pound cake, raspberry jam, lemon curd, strawberries & whipped cream..YUM!

Each participant's place was set with their cloche and base, a goody bag to take home and a fun package of creative embellishments...

Ideas were given from the examples we made, but everyone seemed to put their own fun, unique spin on each creation.  Snips and sprigs and ribbons and paper were added.  

The end product was absolutely adorable.  Not a single one cuter than the other.  We just might have to do this one again!  Here's some close up pics...

Happy Spring!

~Mary

Meet Grace

So, as many of you know, we've added a little section of fun fashion accessories aimed mainly for the college girls, purchased and displayed by our own little Miss Sarah (check out Sarah's blog).  I've been wanting to find some funky display pieces for her to use in her little corner.  Thanks to our friend and neighbor Donna of The Grove Vintage for this great idea.  I had a blast making her so I thought I'd share!

I found this torso mannequin at a local second hand store.  I think she'll be great for Sarah's scarves, jewelry and whatever else she wants to put on her, but she's ugly!

Gotta love Target's back to school sales - White glue for 25 cents! and a couple foam brushes...

Thanks again to Donna for scoring a 1930's hymnal from a church rummage sale for me!  So I cut up the pages in random squares...(can you guess yet what I'm gonna do?)

...and started gluing!  (If you said decoupage, you'd be correct!)

...and gluing...and gluing...phew!...all the way around.

The curves were a little tricky to get completely flat, but small pieces help.

I finished with a final coat of glue to seal it all.

So this is Grace.  I really love the way she turned out...

...so much that I'm making her a friend.  Hmmm...she's gonna need a name!

Get your preschool creativeness going, play with some glue and start decoupaging!  Next thing you know I'll be making tissue paper twisties! jk

Have a great one,

Mary

New Wood Roses

Okay, so I'm a little out of practice.  We haven't blogged since June 15th and I personally haven't done one since May!  I'm going to start out with something fun and easy. . . our new WOOD ROSES.  These roses are made out of high quality birch wood shavings and come in a glorious assortment of colors. 

All you have to do pick your colors and we can make a 12 bud bouquet~ $6.95 or a 6 bud bouquet~$3.95.  The WOOD ROSES also can be purchased individually for $ .50.  Use the bouquets as thank you gifts, birthdays, school spirit functions, awareness events or just about anything you would use real roses. 

Buy a few to add to your gift wrap- looks great on one of our bags! Add a few to a bottle of wine for a great hostess gift.   Buy one of every color to use as glass charms-everyone has their own or use them as napkin rings- great for a tea party!  The options are endless. 

Hope this inspires you to come down and buy some roses!  Tell us how you use them and we will add it to our blog.
Have a great week and don't forget about our Labor Day Bargain Hunting Sidewalk Sale! 

~Corrie

What Happened to May Day?

Since the 21st century, the May Basket tradition has wilted. I remember constructing baskets back in elementary school from wallpaper samples, construction paper, and paper plates. We would pick flowers from mom's garden to fill them.

My best friend Kathy and I couldn't wait to run down the street to her grandmother's house and hang a basket on her door knob, ring the bell and run away, giggling hysterically until we reached the next house and did it all over again. We'd circle the whole neighborhood, leaving baskets at our friend's houses and then hide in the bushes with our hearts pounding in our chests, waiting to see the smile on the face of the person who answered the door.

Isn’t it time to revive the May basket tradition? Don’t you know someone who could use a bit of cheer? Have you noticed that the rain has everything blooming?

May Baskets are easy to construct. Cut a circle out of construction paper and roll it into a cone. Use a ribbon or a paper strip to form the handle. The bouquet doesn't need to be elaborate. In fact, you can make paper flowers if you don't want to use real ones. You can even find little baskets at the 99 Cents Store and little bunches of silk flowers. Once you decide on the recipient, quietly approach the door, hang the basket on the knob, ring the doorbell and RUN LIKE HECK! It's supposed to be anonymous and I guarantee you'll be giggling like a kid again.

I'm always blown away how when we bless someone else, we're blessed ten-fold in return. Put a smile on your neighbor or friend’s face this May Day!

I can't wait to hear your stories...
~Mary

Easter Fun

  The other day I was talking with a customer about her Easter plans and asked her if she was going to do an egg hunt.  She had said that her youngest grandson was already 10 and that he was probably too old to enjoy it.  I had told her that my family loves the "egg hunt".  We actually look forward to it.  What we do is fill plastic eggs with money.  We fill them with change- some pennies, some quarters and then we have some with $1's, $5's,  and one with $20.  Everyone has fun, adults, teenagers and the kids!   My customer said what a great idea and decided to do it as well.   Actually, she came back during our 40% off Easter Sale and said that she was already for her "egg hunt".  She had bought iTune cards and some Starbucks gift cards and told her grandchildren- be prepared and ready for the hunt because grandma has some surprises for them. 

  I came by Speckled Hens today to say hi to Mary and Laurie and told them about this story.  All the customers in the store chimed in on what they do for their Easter egg hunt as well.  One customer said that they also put money in some eggs and then in some they put truth and dare activities  (like cluck like a chicken, hop like a bunny, who really ripped the kitchen linoleum.)   One customer said that she put lottery tickets in some and that her kids love to scratch them no matter if they win money or not.  Another customer mentioned that you can have a golden egg as the top prize that's the hardest to find.  The finder gets bragging rights until next year. 

Have a Happy Easter! 
Whatever you do, enjoy your family and don't forget to celebrate the true meaning of Easter.

God bless,

Corrie