Handmade-Chic: Heavenly Knit Vases . . .

(via Design Sponge)

We all know handmade & DIY is all of the rage this wedding & party season; from poms & buntings to hand-drawn maps & paper pretties, crafty brides & moms everywhere are rolling up their sleeves and getting down to business when it comes to throwing a memorable event.

And you know it's always the fun little details that truly stand out; a bit of the unexpected that arrives on the scene and just steals the show . . .  and keeps your guests talking for months to come.

Now I have to admit, I have been a bit obsessed with knitting over the past couple of months.  My mom taught me the basics a few years back and I spent the better part of a fall & winter making all sorts of scarves for myself & my nearest and dearest.

And while I haven't practiced near as much as I would like,  I have spent the last several weeks absorbed in Gil McNeil's 'The Beach Street Knitting Society & Yarn Club' book trilogy (if you haven't read it yet, you can purchase it HERE), and although I am sad to only have about 50 pages left, I am completely overjoyed to be inspired again by one of the oldest crafts in history!

Ideal for rainy April days and the evening breeze of summer, these hand-knit vase cozies, in perfect shades of pale, will look ever-so-lovely front and center on your next beautiful tablescape.  Just take a look . . .

(photo via 100 Layer Cake & courtesy of Love Me Sailor)

(Available from Bayleaf Studio)

(available from Bayleaf Studio) 

Cover a mason jar . . .

(available from Megan Esass)

(from Luna Cab Co.)

or two . . . 

(from Luna Cab Co.)

And who says you have to stick with just the vases . . .

(from Ferm Living)

Wine anyone?

(available from Retrotiques)

And if you get started now, just look at the lovely gifts you'll be all set to whip up for the holidays next year  . . .

(via Grey Likes Weddings)

So pick up those needles and get a-stitching!!!  And have yourself a fantastic week too!!

Tutorial Tuesday: Cheap & Chic Glass Bud Vases . . .

I have spent plenty of time searching for a pretty little assortment of vintage turquoise vases for the living room mantel and never can seem to find the amount that I want or the right color of blue.  So imagine my delight when I came across this super simple project from Teresa Blackburn over at Relish; just the look I was going for at a fraction of the price & the perfect way to re-use those glass bottles I have leftover in the kitchen . . .


Supplies you will need:

~ Various clean, empty bottles- any variety of bottles recycled from your kitchen will work, including dressing, olive oil, and vinegar bottles. You can also do this project with a collection of canning or plastic jars.
~ 1 can robin’s egg Blue spray paint—I used Design Master’s paint which can be found at most large art and craft stores. Be sure to choose paint with a “flat” finish to create a pretty glow when light hits the finished vases.
 
Directions:
1.    Place clean, dry bottles on spray surface.
2.    Spray and layer color until bottles are evenly coated.
3.    Let dry for at least an hour before using bottles as vases.

To use as Vases:

Fill each bottle carefully with water and place a blossom in each one. Line bottles up in a window, down a dining table, or on a shelf above the sink.
To care for vases after painting, wipe carefully with a damp cloth. Do not put in dishwasher or in hot soapy water.

And a bit more inspiration . . .

An assortment of these beauties would be a lovely & very budget-friendly centerpiece for the tables at your wedding or shower too...just picture the glass painted in white or whatever neutral tone you are leaning towards for your big event and the beautiful blooms bursting with color in your brightest hue!

Now hit up that kitchen for your best glass bottles and whip up something delicious to use up that olive oil or salad dressing!!