Sunday, April 12, 2009

She's at it again.....

Rosanna Bowles from Rosanna Inc. has pulled off an exceptional Spring 2009 collection (as she did in a previous post I listed featuring her Holiday Collection).

Her spring collection inspires and will motivate you to move your dining experience out doors!

Some of her new collections are:
Delizioso - this line celebrates the Italian cuisine by featuring its four most often-used herbs: basil, sage, rosemary, and parsley.
Dinner Party - layer one these plates along with another of Rosanna’s other collections for the ultimate table top look.
La Mer – my favorite line, with images taken from authentic British turn-of-the-century botanical renderings of sea life. Each plate features a 24-karat platinum design accent.
Also in this collection are these lovely glasses. The taller, thinner shape of the sea green glasses made from 100% recycled Mexican glass, are a perfect match.
La Patisserie - These footed bowls, inspired by Victorian compotes, make versatile statement pieces, whether used separately or stacked to form an elegant tower. Fill them with pastries, flowers or fruit for a gorgeous centerpiece.
Le Gateau - the modern interpretations of the iconic cut glass cake plates of 1920's America. These pieces have enough integrity to stand on their own, or work wonderfully together to make a striking statement when laden with cakes or hors d'oeuvres.
Mediterranean Holiday - this colorful set features four popular Mediterranean coastal vacation spots: Majorca, Cannes, Santorini and Amalfi. Rendered in brilliant blue and green summer tones, they pair perfectly with the matching glass tumblers.
Mixed Salad - printed with the recipes of four of the most delicious summer salads, these large bowls are perfect for a main-meal salad or as one component of a fabulous dinner party.
Wish You Were Here - Each individually boxed mug depicts a scene from one of the most famous European beaches of the 1950's and a bathing beauty in period dress. As you sip your morning tea, escape to the glamorous beaches of France, Italy, Greece and Spain.

After reading this are you mood for a little alfresco?

Friday, April 10, 2009

Weekend decorating?

Eggs that it is.....

Here are some easy ideas for sprucing up your egg decorating this Easter.

Lace dyed eggs – Martha Stewart
This Easter, take hard-boiled eggs to new heights by embellishing them with lacy patterns. Once the eggs are dyed and dry, pile them in a large bowl to use them as a centerpiece.
Tools and Materials
* Eggs
* Standard egg dye
* Rubber bands
* Inexpensive lace trimmings or scraps from a worn tablecloth or curtains
* Scissors
* Foam board fitted with flathead pins
How-To

1. Cut lace into strips long enough to wrap around eggs and still have extra to form a sash for holding.
2. Wrap eggs, securing lace with rubber bands. Dye eggs according to dye package instructions.
3. Lift out, cut off rubber bands, and unwrap lace. Let dry on foam board fitted with flat head pins.

Glitter Sticker Eggs
I got this inspiration from MS as well, but her directions were a bit much for me. I would use standard hard boiled eggs and add glittered stickers to them - there are so many great stickers options out there this would be an easy project for anyone to do!

Tissue Paper Eggs – Martha Stewart

Tools and Materials
*Tissue paper
* Crafter's punch
* Tweezers
* optional Decoupage gel
* Paint brush
How-To

1. Fold tissue paper four times.
2. Punch tissue paper with crafter's punch.
3. Separate layers of flower with tweezers or fingers.
4. Paint a thin layer of decoupage gel onto egg.
5. Pick up punched-out shape with paintbrush. Starting from the middle of the punch-out and working outward, gloss over punch-out using paintbrush with thin layer of decoupage gel.
6. Place egg on drying rack

Ribbon Eggs – Better Homes and Gardens
Narrow ribbons and rickrack make instant egg decorations (just adhere with glue). For even easier decorating, look for self-adhesive fabric tape in pretty colors and fun patterns -- a great find from scrap booking supply stores.

Tea Dyed Eggs
These are really different and lovely to look at. It takes a while to dye them but I think they are worth it!

How to:

1. Wash the eggs in warm soapy water to make sure there aren't any oils or soil on the egg to interfere with coloring. Hard-boil the eggs.
2. Make the dye mix. Pour 1 cup boiling water over at least 2 tea bags and steep for 15 minutes. Squeeze out the tea bags to remove all of the dye and set aside. Add 1 teaspoon of white vinegar to the mix and allow cooling to room temperature.
3. Different teas can be used in different bowls for variety.
4. Gently add eggs to the desired bowls. Make sure each egg has room so that liquid touches all sides.
5. Allow the eggs to float in the tea bowls for at least 1 hour.
6. Lift the eggs out of the bowl and check the coloring on the eggs. Return to the solution if the desired color is not achieved.
7. Carefully remove the egg from solution and lay out to dry. Make sure not to let the eggs touch, an empty egg carton works great here. Try not to touch the eggs until they've had a chance to dry.

Glitter Eggs
These have to be my favorite of all decorating styles – I love them in soft pastel colors.

Materials:
* Eggs
* Powdered glitter in multiple colours
* Bowls and spoons
* Paintbrush
* Craft glue
How to 1. Blow the yolk and white out of the egg.
2. Brush craft glue onto egg.
3. Gently set egg in bowl of glitter and spoon the glitter over the egg, covering the entire surface.
4. Remove from the bowl and set on waxed paper to dry
So pull up chair, get the kitchen table all set up and enjoy a day filled with decorating!

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Eggs anyone?

Here are some egg cups I think are a must have for the breakfast table....






I found these at a trade show a couple of years back and still love them! Very William Sonoma'ish.

I also found these while travelling, kinda kitch - but sweet!
Ok, these are one of my favs with the sweet little slippers - how could anyone resist!

This has got to be the smartest egg cup out there - RoboCup William Sonoma:Twig Spoon and Nestled Egg Cup:
Skinny Laminx: stacking egg cups
Check them out on Etsy.com
Hope these darling little cups put a smile on your face...and get crack'in!

Hippity hop…. Hippity hop

One of my favorite holidays (after Christmas) is Easter. As you know from the post below, I love the fresh color palette after a grey winter season. And one of my favorite places to look for Easter ideas is William Sonoma – now they know how to do Easter!

Here are a few to tempt your sweet tooth and other spots as well!

Mini Iced Easter Cookies:
Enchant family and friends with our diminutive lemon sugar cookies. Baked in charming shapes – carrot, chick and bunny – these cookies have a delicate lemon flavor and taste every bit as good as they look. The treats are prepared with premium natural ingredients, and each cookie is individually hand decorated with colorful royal icing. 30 cookies packed in a cellophane bag. 9 oz. A Williams-Sonoma exclusive.

Personalized Totes These sturdy felt carrot and bunny totes are just the thing for collecting Easter treats and carrying them safely home – or they can be used as springtime party favors. Both styles are appliquéd with adorable details: the carrot tote with green leaves, the high-eared bunny with whiskers and a cottontail. An embroidered name makes them complete. Spot clean. 13" high overall. Imported. A Williams-Sonoma exclusive.

Spring Nest Bell Jar For centuries, European and American gardeners used bell-shaped glass covers to protect delicate plants from harsh weather. These bell jars, in three sizes, showcase a handcrafted, lifelike bird’s nest filled with hand-painted faux eggs and downy feathers. Natural and faux twigs, flowers and greenery are artfully arranged to create a natural setting for the nest. They make enchanting gifts or decoration for the mantel, sideboard or tabletop. Small, 4" diam., 7" high; Wide, 9 1/2" diam., 13" high; Tall, 8" diam., 15 3/4" high. A Williams-Sonoma exclusive.

Easter Egg Brownie Pops These irresistible pastel eggs-on-a-stick are egg-zactly right for an Easter gift (and a grand discovery on an Easter egg hunt). To make them, egg-shaped scoops of moist fudgy brownies are hand dipped in tinted white chocolate icing, hand decorated and placed on a stick for easy eating. 7.5 oz. total. Set of six, three of each design. A Williams-Sonoma exclusive.

Easter Tree (I have a similar one!) Celebrate springtime with a festive Easter egg tree, a seasonal tradition in many European countries and classic symbol of new life. These are ready to decorate with colorful ornaments, creating a tabletop decoration your family will enjoy year after year. The lifelike tree, inspired by the silhouettes and foliage of manzanita and birch, is handsomely set in a 5 1/2" high pot with dried moss around its base. 24" high overall. A Williams-Sonoma exclusive.

Carrot Candy Bag This is not a WS idea but how simple – orange colored candy in a bag tied up like a carrot - love it!
Enjoy!

Opening the windows

and letting in the fresh air - it's SPRING!!!!And with the warmer air and longer days comes the freshest holiday of them all - EASTER!!

I love decorating the house with fresh spring time colors and at Easter there is no shortage of pastels and flowers. Here are a few ideas to help bring a spring Easter palette indoors.



Found these adorable porcelain bunnies and chicks at a trade show I attended a couple of years ago and still love! While traveling I also found these beautiful glass tea light holders – love the oval egg shape and think they would work wonderfully in a more modern décor setting.

Tulip Delight
To make this elegant centerpiece, put white plastic eggs (or blown-out white egg shells) in a clear glass bowl. Add a few inches of water, then arrange tulips so the stems are in the water.

Candle-Holder Egg Tree Almost any type of candle holder can be transformed by using it to hold beautifully colored eggs. Consider setting eggs on a silver candelabrum, brass candlesticks, or even inside little votive cups. Use tacky wax to secure eggs, if necessary.

Hanging Egg Collage A tumble of pastel eggs makes a cheery welcome at the front door.

Directions: Wrap plastic foam egg shapes (available at craft supply stores) with strips of crepe paper, attaching ends with glue or a small straight pin. Embellish with ribbon secured with small straight pins, leaving a long end for tying. Gather eggs at varying heights and tie ribbons together. Hang from a removable adhesive hood or wreath hanger. Add a ribbon bow.
I am off to decorate myself - more Easter ideas to come!