Light up your Summer Night Party...

 ... with Rainbow Glow Lights of the Deep Blue Sea

Have you ever had a chance to experience the captivating glow of the mysterious jellyfish... those translucent creatures of the Deep Blue Sea...

Well how about turning your next Summer Night Dinner Party
              into one enchanting & captivating experience after dark...
                        by adding these stunning "Glowing Flowing Sea Lights"....

 ~~~~~~~~~

I know you can't wait to start this amazing project so here is what...

You will need ->

•  One round Plastic Bowl each - White or semi-transparent (approx 15" inches)
•  Textured Rice Paper in White and Pink (Arts & Craft Shop)
•  Organza ribbon in White and Pink, about 1-2" inches wide
•  Bookbinding Glue or Wallpaper Paste
•  Hot Glue Gun
•  Flat brush
•  Packing Cording - White
•  Scissors
•  Drill
•  Light kit for hanging Lanterns (ie Hemma Cord Set by IKEA) 

Step by Step instructions ->

• First drill a larger hole in the bottom of each bowl, this is where your will string your lantern light kit through in the end
• Take Six (6) equally long pieces of the White packing cord and glue them with your hot glue gun onto the bowl. 
• Place them so that the round surface is divided into six equal segments (see pic)

 

• Now take the Pink Rice Paper and cut it into wide strips. 
• With your brush apply the bookbinding glue and place your pink paper strips over each packing cords
• It is ok for the paper strips to overlap about 4" inches at the end of the bowl

• Repeat this with a second layer of Pink Rice Paper
• Repeat step #3 with two layers of white rice paper, let everything dry completely

• Now cut your organza ribbons in three different lengths 
• Take your hot glue gun and glue the organza ribbon strips inside the bowl
• Start with the longest ribbon first and alternate colors -> First one White... -> then one Pink strip
• Repeat this task with the second set of the organza strips and finally a third time with the shortest strips. 

Make sure to be very careful while working with that hot glue gun because it can easily damage the plastic bowl as well as the organza strips

• Once all the strips are glued on take a scissor to curl your ribbons (same method as wrapping a birthday present)
• Finally, take your Lantern light kit and string it through the large whole in the center of the bowl. 

Also make sure you use halogen light bulbs that way your organza ribbons will NOT catch on fire 

Look at this... simply breathtaking

Summer Night Party... Part II

Let's assume that you have successfully completed those breathtaking  

"Glowing Flowing Sea Lights" from our previous blog...

Now you are now ready to get busy with the pretty hand painted Coral Tablecloth

     You know... that missing piece before to your next Summer Night Dinner Party...

          and I know you can't wait to finally finish the entire project...

              because Summer already took way to long to get here...

~~~~~~~~~~~

You will need -> 

• Plain Tablecloth - White or Natural 
• Coral Templates (PDF - Document included below) 
• Fabric Paint or Fabric Markers (i.e. Red, Coral, White, Cream) 
• Pencil or Chalk
• Fine Paint brush
• Tape

Step by Step Instructions ->

• Pre-wash tablecloth... dry fabric
  

• Iron out wrinkles without using spray starch

• Print and cut out the Coral Templates (PDF - Document)

• Lay tablecloth on a clean surface...
• Position your coral templates on the edges of the fabric
• Secure the templates with tape to your fabric
• Outline the templates slightly with chalk or pencil

• Take your fabric paint and brush and fill in the different Corals (one of each - just like our picture)
• Finish each Coral by edging them with a slight shade of gray

How to care for your Tablecloth ->

• Allow to dry 24 hours then heat set (... two heat setting methods):

Dryer Method ->

• Place the fabric in your dryer for 30 minutes on highest setting allowed for the type of fabric used

Iron Method ->

• Place the painted fabric right side up on ironing board...
• Cover with dry pressing cloth. Set iron to highest setting allowed for fabric used
• Place dry iron for 30 seconds (NO STEAM) on painted area...
• Lift iron...  moving to another area until all sections are heat set

~~~~~~~~~~~

Also remember...

in order to increase the durability of your pretty tablecloth it is always best to hand wash in cold water and then line dry it... or if washing by machine make sure you always use cold water and a mild detergent on a gentle cycle

~~~~~~~~~~~

NOW...

You are finally ready for your next...

>> Super Summer Night Party <<

Twinkle... Twinkle... little Baby Star...

                                                                          ★     ★     ★

                   How I wonder what you are...
                               Up above the world so high... Like a diamond in the....

★ "Starry Baby Ceiling Sky" ★

Don't you just love this...                

    Not only is this decor idea as easy as pie... it is also super cheap
    Well and most of us like things that are easy to do...
    and that won't rip a huge hole into our Budget...

                   Also...
                          once your little one grows out of it
                             or once they no longer want to be cute & cutely
                                this special "Starry Sky" can be easily removed

                          

★ ★ ★

First things first...

                                            Pick a pretty paint color for the ceiling...

I personally recommend a light color (i.e White or light Blue/Pink)

Also... make sure you let the paint dry all the way 

Next...
    Measure the ceiling and figure out how many stars you will need...

 Measure distance between the stars...

Now...
   With the easy to erase pencil mark a "grid" on the ceiling...

   

...it will be your guide for where you later glue the stars

★ ★ ★

For the stars you want to choose a adhesive foil in either Gold or Silver...
         those two colors will shimmer beautifully in the evening

 
Next...
    Take your "Star Stencil" and mark the stars on the adhesive foil...
         then take a small precision knife or scissor and cut out each individual star

 ...take the stars and place them where your grid lines intersect

  Once you are finished placing all the stars onto the ceiling...

 

take a soft damp cloth and clean the grid lines off the ceiling

★ ★ ★

Now look at this...
           isn't this idea just absolutely BEAUTIFUL

★ ★ ★

For this fun DIY project you will need...

• Paint for the Ceiling (light color)
• One Star Stencil (about 5")
• Marker
• Adhesive Foil - Silver or Gold
• Pencils (easy errase - that way your guides can easily be wiped off)
• Scissors or Precision Knife

Summer + Sun + Fun + Friends = Party time

       Guess what...                                                                      

                  It's almost Summer Sun Fun time....

Which means you are probably going to have a few super awesome summer fun party's during the next several months or at least I hope you will....
Either way, I thought I could throw you a few unique and rather outstanding decorating ideas for your next Super Duper Summer Fun Gathering ->

So how about it....
         here are a few "cool" ideas that most likely are going to be a "Named Hit"...

Hello & Welcome from the Deep Sea's ...

Tonight we are making Memories...

 

 Pasta anyone...

Isn't this cute...

   For the Sushi Lovers...

Lemony fresh...

  Ice Cold Summer Blues...

Well and here are the things you will need for each "Summer Cool" Plate settings....

Enjoy and I mean really enjoy your "Summer Fun Party Times"

>>> <<<

Seashell.... Plate setting:

• One large Shell
• Clear Tape
• Pretty Plate
• Napkins
• Silverware

Making memories... Plate setting:

• White Paper
• Small Wooden Bowl
• Small Rocks & Sea shore finds
• Feathers
• Blue Ribbon
• Blue Marker

Pasta anyone... Plate setting:

• Small Laboratory Glass
• Colorful Pasta (uncooked)
• Colored Poster board

Isn't this cute.... Plate setting:

• 2 Pages of natural Poster board (medium size)
• Pen (Calligraphy)
• Zick Zack Scissor
• Needles & Silver Floral Wire
• 1 Bag of Doll House Silverware

For the Sushi lover... Plate setting:

• Large Leaves (at the Asian market)
• Chinese Sticks
• Toothpicks
• Permanent Marker

Lemony fresh... Plate setting:

• Lemons
• Yarn
• Colored Paper
• Black Permanent Marker
• Small Wooden Clothes pins

Ice Cold Summer Blues..... Plate setting:

• Clear Foil (for Gift baskets)
• Silver Permanent Marker
• Paper clips

Summing it up in a Sea shell kind of way ...

   

 How so many of us just love love love the beach...

        and some are fortunate to spend almost every day at the beach

             but others can only make it a few days of the year 

                   which doesn't mean you can't bring the beach home with you!!!

 -------------

Check out our absolutely awesome DIY beach flair home decor ideas 

hopefully these ideas will help just a little making the long wait 

until you can get to the beach again appear a little shorter... 

✰✰✰✰✰

         Mirror mirror on the wall...

                      where is the coziest place of them all...

How about filling a table lamp with your...

                              "Sea Shell Collection"

... or attach them to a pretty "Photo Frame"       

    

✰✰✰✰✰

Welcome Family & Friends...

with your gorgeous...

Front Door Decor

    Heart of Shells 

            

✰✰✰✰✰ 

Take it out back...

and have yourself a Beach Summer Fun Party,

                         letting the... "Wind Chime"                              

✰✰✰✰✰

     Setting the tables for...  

          Dinner with Friends...         

     

Sea shells and Candle Lights...

will be tonight's...

       "Center Piece" of attention                      

                 

 ✰✰✰✰✰

 Of course everyone will know their place...

 ... so they can eat their little hearts out

      

✰✰✰✰✰

 OH, and you know the rules... 

NEVER show up without one...

without bearing gifts that is!

DIY - Sea Shell Bottle Opener

✰✰✰✰✰

Super Bonus... 

DIY Beach Decor Idea...

Colorful Candles in a Shell is one beautiful...

 Table Decor Idea

✰✰✰✰✰

Here is your "How to":

• Buy candles in different colors & one pack with medium-sized shells
• Melt the candles in an old pan 
• Next pour them into the shells

Falling in love with Autumn again...

I think most of us are pretty much ready for that cool crisp fall weather to arrive ...
Well at least I am...
      So I figured since "Miss Autumn" has arrived
           how about we whip up some pretty "DIY" Fall Decor
                 and get in the mood for that colorful season to come...

♥ Picture Perfect Fall ♥

Create a special Fall picture wall...
This could also be a great family fun project...
So on your next stroll through the park go ahead and collect a bunch of pretty colorful leaves place the pressed leaves into various picture frames and as a final touch add your favorite "Fall Poem"

♥ Fall Dawn ♥

Love this one ....
Take a pretty decor glass ball add a tea light and place it on a decor plate...
next take some soft moss, a few twigs & nuts and lay them around the glass ball...

♥ High on Fall ♥

Again on your next nature walk collect various different "Nature Treasures" i.e Twigs, Roots, Pine Cones, Nuts etc... place them in a circle on a decor plate add a few shiny glass balls in the center

♥ Candled Cones ♥

Take a wooden decor plate... add some soft green moss and a little silver string place a few Pine Cone Candles

♥ Matters of the Heart ♥

Simply add just a little extra decor to your candle sconces...
Take a couple hearts made of twigs, add some Mulberry's and a few Green leaves... tie them with a pretty ribbon to your sconces...

♥ Fall Glitter Ball ♥

Place a simple wreath on a decor plate...
add a little glitter and a few tiny leaves to the wreath....
next take a large glass ball (Christmas decor) fill it with a small string of Christmas lights and some more glitter and set it in the center of the wreath

♥ Fall Forrest Paths ♥

Take a fish bowl or a big round vase...
add some leaves, pine cones, small twigs maybe a few pecans
then place a glass candle holder add a candle/tea light in the center of the bowl

♥ Wreaths of Fall ♥

 

Make beautiful decorative wall ensemble with three different sized wreaths... wrap each with a small leaved vine & tie them together with a fall color ribbon 

 

 ♥ I hope you will enjoy the beautiful Fall ♥

♥ I know I will, it is my favorite time of the year ♥

Arriving very shortly... Miss Autumn...

Everyone knows that the lovely Fall is right around the corner
and before we know it the leaves will turn colors and everything will look just amazingly beautiful

So I figured to get you in the Fall mood why not create some pretty Fall Centerpieces

They are perfect for someone that really doesn't like those huge elaborate "Flower Power" arrangements yet still would love some kind of pretty table decor

Well and if you ask me I think "Less is More" anyway
                                       and of course as always they are easy to make...

One single decor piece requires the following items:

• Two 8" x 10" clear acrylic sheets (-> Lowe's Glass cutting area)
• Leaves... a bunch of pretty colorful leaves (-> Michael's)
• Simple Glass cups (one per setting)
• Small candles - simple or not it's your choice

Here is how you do this fun project: 

1. Take one, two or three acrylic sheets - depending on how many you are making and lay them on your table 
2. Place the flattened leaves and or petals on top
3. Cover the leaves and or petals with the remaining acrylic sheets
4. Place the small candles in glass candle holders on top of the acrylic sheets...

and guess what .....

 Voila all done