Fast and Fun Table Setting.

I recently had to set a table for a charity luncheon and found myself in the position of needing new table dressings. I did not want to spend a ton of money dressing the table but it needed to look nice.
I decided to only buy things I would actually use on my own table once the event was finished. Here is what I used to make a table setting for less than $5 per chair and a centerpiece for less than $30, of course depending on what you have on hand cost may vary a bit.

Origami directions

Hobby Lobby Items:
Charger
Butterfly Napkin Rings
Origami Paper

Walmart:
Flowers (look for sale prices!)
Napkins and Placemats Colors vary according to season.

Sushi:
My sushi was a gift from a friend bought off etsy but here is a cute tutorial of how to make felt sushi!

This was a super fun project and the kids will love to help with it!

The centerpiece. Origami and felt sushi around a simple glass vase with flowers from Wal-Mart's Discount section.

Close up on the Origami and Felt Sushi.

Napkin ring holder made from Butterfly flower ornaments. Wrap the wire round a toilet paper roll.

Blue napkins and placemats found at Wal-Mart 

Green Flower Chargers from Hobby lobby.

Final Product!

Origami Centerpiece

I had to make a table setting for a charity event some months back and decided I wanted to keep the centerpiece on my counter. Of course the whole thing is much too large to a small apartment counter, so I broke it down a bit and used origami to fill in the gaps.

It really didn't cost anything. Most craft stores like Hobby Lobby will carry Origami paper and there are many varieties. This is so much fun to do with the whole family; everyone can make their own favorite shapes to add!

I love this site for origami instructions they have great videos on some of the tricky pieces. Try it out I would love to see your centerpieces! http://www.origami-instructions.com

Stay green,

Yasha

Charity Table

Simple At home piece

Counter top Piece

I finished a project!

Now to get the pictures posted before I forget! I repainted the kids' toy box. Eventually I will add a lid to it also but for now, at least, it is painted!

Before Picture; not so pretty. This was my Husband's toybox that his grandpa built when he was 3 or so. That is the origional paint job. (His sister added her name later to the corner.)

 Primer White It took 2 cans and a part of a third of Krylon "2 in 1 Primer and Paint" in White

 Taped off. Random spacing because I'm too lazy to measure. I don't care if the lines are crooked or uneven. It will add character. At least I will say it's character.

Painted and waiting to dry so I can remove the tape! Krylon Pistachio (green) and Krylon Peekaboo Blue (blue) are the colors I used for the stripes. I did one blue one green rotating colors. it helps to spray a bit of the base or top with the correct color before doing stripes so you don't mess up.

Ignore the screen in front of the camera. I got lazy. Note to self Clear coat the white before taping off! Yeah, I will have to go back and touch up the white.

Baby feet wine glasses.

Ok I'm bored and bad things happen when I'm bored. I love my wine glasses but they are a bit vanilla. So I decided to put my kid's first foot prints on them.

Step 1. Gather your supplies.
You will need:

• Tracing or printer paper
• a fine tipped pen (I use Zig 05 tip)
• a copy of your baby's footprints or other picture you wish to use
• scissors
• scotch tape
• Rubbing alcohol
• paper towel
• glass paint (I used Gallery Glass Window Color found at Hobby Lobby)
• fine tipped paint brush (I used a 0)
• a steady hand

Step 1: Trace and cut out foot prints.

Step 2: Tape the prints inside the wine glass. Wipe off the outside of the glass with alcohol to remove oil from fingers.

If you are adding handprints or a name place ALL of the designs before moving to step 3.

Step 3: Using the origional prints for reference; carefully paint the prints onto the OUTSIDE of the wine glass.

Enjoy!

Stay green,
Yasha

The coffee table said what!?

Well let me just go deal with that!

Ok I'm back and I think the coffee table took the worst of it. Ok, ok. I'm not punishing the family coffee table. I'm merely bringing it new life. Follow along with my sporadic posts as I refinish this wonderful piece of history. Well it should be history. At least if you consider a hand me down from your mother in law a piece of history.

Step one: Sanding off the old finish.
We'll call this step half done.

The annual Halloween creation!

Last year, a pumpkin. This year, a Fall Fairy! Ok so I like the whole orange, green, brown color scheme. So sue me. I'll post more pictures when it is finished but for now I have most of the skirt finished and I need to start on the head band and wings.

The ugly little pillows...

Okay, perhaps they aren't so ugly but they don't go with the decor in my child's room. I hate to throw them out and I don't want to go through the hassle of buying new ones. Oh what to do, what to do...

I know! New covers!

I'll just go out and find some fabric that matches the room and make new covers for the pillows. This way when my little one gets older she can either revert the pillows to thier former glory or keep them as is!

Now it only I could knit, these covers would be even better!

Stay green,
Yasha

COMING SOON! Look for pictures!

Repurposing the Desk

I have this old cheap desk that I used for my computer before my hubby moved in with his awesome one. I've been getting around to repurposing it to fit my baby's needs. All I need to do is install some shelves and I think I'll be done.

What recycling really means

So I'm sitting here eating my cheddar bunnies and thinking of what recycling really means.

Recycling is not just the act of taking stuff to the recycling centers or putting it out in your curbside bin. It's more than that. Recycling is taking items to consignment shops, resale shops, goodwill, and yard sales. It's throwing that banana peel on a compost pile instead of in the trash. It's using cloth, hybrid, or green diapers.

You know that old t-shirt with all the holes in it? Well if you can't wear it anymore use it to wash or dry your car, dust your house, or wash windows, counters, etc! It's amazing what you can do with things when you put your mind to it.

The side of my cheddar bunnies box recommends using it for a bookmark, arts and crafts projects, and coloring paper. Go figure, my box of bunnies has a life outside of holding cute little edible rabbits.

I know that flylady would pull her hair out at my collection of boxes towards the end of the week and yes I know it's unsightly. However, as I find more ways to recycle I find myself getting rid of more clutter around my apartment. I guess recycling is a lot different from how my mom taught me it should be.

Stay green,
Yasha