Candy Buffet

Candy buffets have become a popular feature at wedding receptions. Megan decided early on that she would like to include one to use as favors for her wedding guests.

I already had several apothecary jars - remember, I used them for her bridal shower as centerpieces. Click HERE to see them. Now those same jars are full of sweet treats. I decided I'd better do a "dry run" to see how things will look on the wedding day.

 I ordered candy from a favorite website that I have used several times for other events, Bulk Foods. They have a great assortment of candies, chocolates and nuts among other things and their prices are very reasonable.

 We chose chocolate mints, white heart mints, chewy spearmint leaves, pear flavored Jelly Bellies, chocolate covered caramel corn, old fashioned candy sticks, chocolate pretzel balls and a honey crunch trail mix. I did a little research on how much candy to buy. We decided that 1/4 pound per person seemed a reasonable amount, so just multiply that by your number of guests.

 I think it all will look quite pretty with her color scheme of ivory, sage and brown.

 We're using cellophane candy bags with a personalized label I made with our bird's nest logo. I've got brown and white baker's twine for our guests to  tie up their bags with.

 Instead of scoops I'm using my collection of vintage sauce ladles to dish up the sweets.

Now I get to pack it all up and take it to Utah!

I'll be joining
Show and Tell Friday
Inspiration Friday 
Feathered Nest Friday
Wow Us Wednesdays

DIY Wedding Invitations

I haven't had much time to blog lately what with my daughters upcoming wedding. So I thought I would share her wedding invitations and how I created our own and saved some money in the process! 

If you have looked at wedding invitations online or at a printer's you know how expensive they can be. Megan wanted her invitations enclosed in a folder and secured with a band. This is a popular style called a gatehouse fold and can cost as much as $5-6 per invitation.  First, I headed to the scrapbook store and found  cardstock that we liked in her color scheme, sage green and chocolate brown. These would be cut and folded to make the cover of the invitation. 

 Then I created the inner portion (or announcement) on my Printshop program. There are many design programs out there, this just happens to be the one I use most often. I played with fonts and colors until we were happy with the results. We decided to keep things fairly simple- ivory cardstock with brown ink and the sage green cover. I think the double border of brown framing the wording gives a 
nice clean look.

 Next, I created a couple of different insert cards as we will be having a wedding reception in Utah 

and an open house 2 weeks later in Georgia. I chose the logo of a bird's nest  to decorate the inserts. I found one I liked on the internet and downloaded it  and attached it to the invite. Are you with me? 

I also created an RSVP postcard similar to one I saw on Pinterest. I loved this idea, all of the information is on the back and it needs less postage to mail.

I copied everything onto a thumb drive and took it to my local printers. We wanted raised lettering on the invitation and that is something I can't do. They also cut and scored the covers and we had them print the addresses on the envelopes, so worth it!

We added a photo of the happy couple and I bound all the inserts together with a cute heart shaped paper clip I found at LCI Paper.com. 

My total cost (not including the photos and postage) was $1.50 per invitation. Woo hoo! It was not that complicated and considering we've ordered 300 announcements it was well worth the savings!


I'll be joining
Inspiration Friday
Time Travel Thursday
Wow Us Wednesday
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Tabletop Tuesday

Ukrainian Eggs

My small collection of Ukrainian dyed eggs, also known as pysanky, is probably my most treasured Easter decor. This craft dates back thousands of years and eventually was adopted by Christians in Eastern Europe to symbolize the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The colors and patterns all have a special meaning, but I just think they're beautiful! 

The process of making them is by drawing the design with melted wax onto the egg then placing in a dye. That procedure is repeated multiple times using progressively darker dyes and then melting the wax to reveal the intricate patterns. It takes a steady hand and much patience!  

These few eggs are my feeble attempt at this ancient craft. I think I need a bit more practice!

I'll be joining

Vintage Inspiration Friday

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

the Bunny Blog Hop

Simple Easter Centerpiece

Debbie over at Confessions of a Plate Addict does such wonderful centerpieces in a shabby old crate. She inspired me to give it a try, although I haven't found a box as cool as hers yet. I did fine this wooden basket at the Goodwill and decided to have a little fun.

 I painted the box a soft green, distressed it a bit and added a beehive graphic. Then I added a few Springy touches like a nest with a little vintage bird, a glittery Easter bunny and some charming English dessert plates.

I think this makes for a simple Spring place setting great for Easter dinner or a ladies luncheon.

Actually, I'll be taking all of these goodies into my antique store this week , so drop on by! I'm at 

 Merchant Square Antiques


I'm Joining 
Tabletop Tuesday
The Bunny Blog Hop

Silk Dyed Easter Eggs

I posted about these fun Easter Eggs last year and thought I would give you a recap as they are so easy to make! These amazing colors and patterns come from old silk ties. Aren't they gorgeous? Here's how to make them yourself:

 First, raid your husbands old ties or make a trip to the thrift store. The ties must be 100% silk and bright colors work best. The louder the better!

Now cut the ties into pieces, about 5" square, large enough to wrap around an egg.

Secure the fabric with a rubber band, then cook as if you are making regular hard boiled eggs (bring to a simmer, then cover and steep for about 15 minutes). I also add a couple of teaspoons of white vinegar to the water.

Plunge the eggs into a cold water bath to cool off,

 then unwrap.

This is a great way to color eggs with kids because there is no mess and it's so fun to unwrap each egg and see what design transferred.

Of course, keep these refrigerated until you have your Easter Egg Hunt!

I'll be joining

Vintage Inspiration Friday

Show and Tell Friday

Share the Love Wednesday

Wow Us Wednesday

Tuesdays Treasures

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday 

Tabletop Tuesday

Majolica Pitcher

My favorite thrifty find of the week is this charming majolica style pitcher. Majolica is pottery made with an opaque glaze in bright colors and depicts nature in the form of flowers, leaves, basketry and animals. Majolica originated in the Mediterranean regions such as Spain and Italy and then became wildly popular with the Victorian English. This little pitcher is just a reproduction, but so colorful and Springy! It was only $5 so how could I resist?

I filled it with petunias and chamomile from my garden and added a few other turquoise treasures all on a vintage ironstone platter. Welcome Spring!

I'll be joining

Feathered Nest Friday

Show and Tell Friday

Shiny Stuff

While hitting the thrift shops recently I came across this lovely scalloped pewter bowl. It's the perfect size for serving salad or fruit.

But for now it's cradling a little nest.

 Next I found a set of 8 silver napkin rings 

all bright and shiny.

 There was a second scalloped pewter bowl, much smaller. I think it would make a great soap dish.

And what is this? It took me a couple of tries to get it open. 

 The sides simply fold down,

 to make a charming silver pastry server.

All of these vintage silver and pewter pieces will be arriving at Merchant Square Antiques in time for our 

Spring sale this weekend! Hope you can come!
I'll be joining
Time Travel Thursday
Wow Us Wednesday
Tabletop Tuesday
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Orange Season

It's orange picking season here in Arizona. 

The trees are heavy laden with a bumper crop of ripe citrus.

 New blossoms are bursting too. The smell of orange blossoms is intoxicating. Orange branches are used as a symbol of fertility because they both blossom 

and bear fruit simultaneously.

 And the honeybees are busy at work.

We have about 20 orange trees in our yard. The neighborhood was a commercial orange grove until developers got their hands on it! We're so lucky that we were left with so many trees to give us both fruit 

and much needed shade.

 Now for the juicing. I save empty juice bottles during the year to refill with fresh squeezed OJ which I then freeze.

 As the saying goes, "A day without orange juice is like a day without sunshine!"

I'll be joining

Inspiration Friday

Potpourri Friday

Show and Tell Friday

Thrifty Tablescape

I had a great time thrift shopping this past weekend. I went in search of more large jars for my nests. No luck there, but I found a set of 4 Pimpernel placemats with lovely fruit 

still- life artwork. 

If you want to learn more about these 

fabulous mats read my post here.

 Next I found a great set of dishes made by Oneida. Historically (since the 1880's) the Oneida company was known for it's silverware but in the 1990's acquired a company to start manufacturing dishes and glassware to make them a complete tabletop company. 

With a little digging I found a full 16 piece set with 4 dinner plates, 4 salad plates, 4 large soup bowls and 4 mugs. 

The pattern is called basketweave. Can you see why?

And isn't this a charming English ironstone gravy boat. Only $2.39, who could resist? It has embossed fruit but no other markings to help me figure out the pattern other than Made in England. Guesses anyone?

To go along with my fruit theme just a simple basket of fruit as a centerpiece.

 I also found 4 silver napkin rings with mini flatware on them. Adorable! I already had some Country French napkins in the same color scheme as the placemats.The entire tablescape cost less than $20. Not bad!

Of course, most of these goodies will wind up at my antique store soon. I found a few other treasures but I'll share them next time. Have a great week!

I'll be joining
Tablescape Thursday
Open House Party
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Wow Us Wednesday