Tablescape

DD8 was so elated that we said "yes" to allowing her friend to stay for dinner that she and her friend decided they would show their gratitude by setting the table. Of course, they went to the china cabinet to select some pretty things to create an attractive tablescape -- starting with an antique vase that's almost 100 years old and has sentimental value!

And we can't forget the exquisite Royal Doulton figurines:

These girls have expensive taste! :)

Tablescapes are something that fascinate me, and that I'd like to get better at creating. Do you have any favourite items that you use to make a table look especially pretty? Can you direct me to any places that will teach or inspire someone who wants to learn more? Between Naps on the Porch is one such place I've discovered. Check it out and be inspired!

Neat Neckware

DD12 is currently very fashion conscious, and loves designing her own outfits. Today, while altering an over-sized t-shirt, she found a new use for a removed sleeve:

Cute idea, eh?

And here it is with a colour-coordinated outfit:

Easy-peasy, no-sew neck nicety! I suspect she might even be able to use it as a fun hair band . . .

Have you found any creative uses for parts of ordinary things that have nothing to do with their original purpose?

Blessing Basket

We just returned from holidays, but prior to our departure, I mentioned we had made some meals for people who could use a bit of a blessing (one had brain surgery, and two had newborn babies). Because I count kitchen creations as part of my Creative Every Day challenge, I thought I would share some pictures of some of the things we put in our little blessing baskets and boxes. On the menu was homemade lasagna, caesar salad, and homemade garlic bread with butter bleneded with fresh garlic and our own garden herbs:

For dessert, there was cheesecake (also homemade) with strawberry sauce my dh made a few weeks ago.

I decided the jars needed to be prettied up a bit, so I cut fabric tops and made little identification tags and secured them with ribbon:

The children participated in the cooking and baking, so it really was a family "ministry" activity :) We believe it was a blessing to the recipients. (And we got to enjoy the same meal ourselves -- though we ran out of cheesecake batter!)

What are some creative ways that you have found to bless others who might just appreciate a little something to make life easier or more pleasant?

Dino Disaster

I'm not one who particularly enjoys seeing toys strewn about the house, but every once in a while my children leave something in a quirky place, and it makes me smile. One morning recently I descended the stairs to find this tragic scene next to the toaster:

Perhaps he'd been shocked by his grubby reflection in the toaster:

Or perhaps he was strangled by the toaster cords as he tried to sneak the tasty toast crumbs strewn about on the counter.

Who knows how the demise of this poor dinosaur came about? Alas, we'll never know for sure -- but it sure is fun imagining it :)

Do you have a "toy story" that makes you smile? Has your imagination taken you on a little creative journey at the sight of something "out of the ordinary"? Do tell!