A Tisket, A Tasket, A Sweet Yellow Basket

Happy Friday! I hope you are having a great day in your part of the world. Spring is in the air and I am still on my countdown to EASTER! Spring cleaning - check! Change seasonal accessories - check! Add touches of spring - check! Almost there! I have just a few things I'm working on like a sweet little yellow basket that I crafted for my dining room. Let's take a peek. For an everyday tablescape, I usually keep my dining room table decorated for the season. Unless I am hosting a party, dinner or guests, the family usually eats in our kitchen, either at the breakfast table or around the island. I love golden yellow and during the spring I find myself using this color a lot. I wanted to add a touch of spring but couldn't find anything in my "seasonal stash" that worked. So I decided to make my own.
Brown, yellow and white are perfect complements to my springtime dining room decor. The nature preserve behind my house is full of little birds this time of year and since my dining room windows open towards nature, I thought I would invite a little of nature in for a spell. Daisies, yellow and brown feathered birds, nests and little speckled eggs were just right.

All of the supplies needed to craft this little basket were purchased at Michael's for under $12.

I started by stripping the leaves off of the silk daisies and hot glueing some of them around the top edge of the basket. I did this on both sides leaving the ends bare. Next, I tied a brown and white gingham checked ribbon around the handle and glued extra ribbon streamers under the bow. I finished it off by glueing 3 daisies on to the ribbon at the base of the handle and perching one little bird on the edge of the basket next to the daisies.

While that was drying, I took a little bird's nest, filled it with Spanish Moss and glued one bird and several little speckled eggs inside. Once everything was dry, I stuffed the bottom of the basket with white tissue paper and covered the top of the paper with Spanish Moss. I tucked the little bird's nest toward the back of the basket and added a few extra daisies in the moss.

Currently, I am using the basket on a side table in my dining room along with a bunny holding a Welcome Spring sign. I accessoried the vignette with soft yellow candles and a brown and yellow platter.

I found these little white birds at Target for $2.50 each. They are tealight holders and they looked so springy and fresh I couldn't pass them up. I thought I would use them with my sweet little basket but I found a much better use for them. I'll save that for next time. This little project took me less than 40 minutes to complete and I have something that I can use for many springs to come.

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Now, for some exciting give-a-way action! I would like to host an EASTER BASKET EXTRAVAGANZA. I would like to know who would be interested in participating? Here's how it would work.

1. You would make an Easter basket
2. Take pictures of your supplies
3. Take pictures of your finished basket
4. Post a feature on your site about your Easter basket project
5. Link to my site
6. We will have a little blog party inviting all our readers to view all the baskets
7. After viewing the baskets, readers will post a comment voting for their favorite basket.
8. The winner will receive a $50 Gift Certificate to Celebrating Home, my home decor and entertaining products. Follow the link to preview all the home and garden decor items as well as practical but beautiful entertaining essentials.

If you would be interested in participating, just leave me a comment or e-mail me at oopsadaisync@aol.com

Until then,

Happy Decorating! ~Alisa

Tablescape Thursday - Baseball, Spring Training and a Birthday!

Wednesday was my youngest son's 10th birthday. Oh, I feel so old! We have a tradition at our house - when it's your birthday you can "order" anything you want for your family birthday dinner. So being a typical 10 year old, the menu he selected consisted of Chili dogs, Cheese Fries, Cokes and Triple Chocolate Fudge sheetcake with Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream. Any body feeling sick yet? A big change from my Lemon-Dill glazed Salmon from last Friday. Well, it was HIS birthday. Now like most 10 year olds, sports is a big thing to my son and baseball is his favorite so in honor of America's favorite past-time, our tablescape is called "Spring Training - You're the Star". We lived in the Tampa Bay area for a lot of years and the birthday boy was born while we were there. Naturally the Tampa Bay Rays are one of his favorites. The Rays are in the American League and thus our Red, White and Blue color scheme is in honor of the A.L.

Dessert was actually eaten last, although I'm featuring it first. This is the Triple Chocolate Fudge sheetcake I whipped up this afternoon while I waited for the boys to come home from school. Served with Chocolate Chip cookie dough ice cream was a big hit!

Chili dogs and cheese fries. Don't you just feel like you're at the ball park? I used paper pennants as table decor and placed red and white striped napkins under my plates to add color and pattern.

My tablescape elements were baseball cards, popcorn boxes filled with buttery fresh popcorn and a centerpiece of baseball memorabilia.

Star-shaped dessert plates in blue and red carries my "You're the Star" theme. I used one of his little league trading card photos to mark his spot at the table.

Here's the birthday boy! It's hard to believe he's in double-digits now. Wow - time does fly. For more great tablescape ideas be sure to pop over to Susan's Between Naps on the Porch and check out the party!

I hope you've enjoyed this little peek of "Spring Training". Tomorrow I will be sharing a crafty little Easter Basket idea and announcing a fabulous give-a-way that you won't want to miss! Until then,

Happy Decorating!

~Alisa

Spring Fluffing!

I've been fluffing the house for the past week getting ready for Spring and Easter. Today I thought I would just give you a little tour of some vignettes around the house. I still have much more to do as I count down to Easter. If you want to see more Spring Fluffing inspiration or to join this blog party hosted by Rhoda, be sure to visit Southern Hospitality and view all the participants. This is a new framed sketch that I recently received from my Celebrating Home line. It is called Crown of Thorns and was drawn by a wounded American Solider from the war in Iraq. He was hospitalized and recovering when he had a vision of Christ and began to sketch this portrait. I couldn't resist displaying it in my living room especially at this time of year.
A fun, fresh Spring Wreath hangs on the front door to greet my guests.

My Tulip Magnolia tree is blooming beautifully. A little bird has already made her nest. See it in the lower right corner?

Here it is! No eggs!

My entry way has been lightened and brightened with an airy spring floral. I placed a scrolled-metal Cross next to the vase as a reminder of what Easter is all about.

In my family room, I've displayed two Ivy and Peony arrangements. I put these together in Mercury Glass candleholders. I love to use reflective surfaces in the warmer months.

Usually I have heavy velvet window treatments in my family room but I wanted something lighter and more colorful for spring. I've used two contrasting colors of soft green and blue then added decorative pillows in Robin's Egg blue.

I put together these little nests on top of two wooden pillar candle holders. I love using element found in nature during the spring months.

You can purchase all the supplies needed for these nests at Hobby Lobby.

I brightened up the kitchen by decorating with fresh green apples and pears. I love to decorate with bright green in the springtime.

My kitchen got a quick fluffing too! I used fresh green floral napkins, white quilted placements and woven rattan chargers (for an Easter Basket look) on the breakfast table. The greens tie in with my Apple and Egg centerpiece from last week's post.

Remember my Mater Bedroom redo? Well the slate blue has given way temporarily to a pallet of soft yellow, taupe, ivory and spring green. The lighter colors instantly brightened the room and added a touch of nature inside.

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I am working on several other projects for Easter that I will be sharing latering this week. Today is my youngest son's birthday and so I'm off to bake a Triple Fudge sheetcake with Hot Fudge frosting. Tomorrow is TABLESCAPE THURSDAY and I will be featuring our birthday tablescape in honor of a 10-year old's love of baseball and Spring Training! I hope you will visit. Until then,

Happy Spring Fluffing!

~Alisa

Birthdays, Friends and Good Food!

Birthdays are meant for celebrating! Some folks may like to fly under the radar on their birthday but I think it's the perfect opportunity to celebrate the life of someone you love. Mr. Panache's birthday was yesterday and I prepared a special seafood dinner especially for him and a few of our good friends. Growing up in Florida, he couldn't help but love fresh seafood so last night was all about some of his favorites. I set everything up buffet style on my kitchen island and let everyone serve themselves. Fresh stuffed crabs were a big hit!

Mr. Panache with Kevin as they survey the "pickin's".

My tablescape was this week's post on TABLESCAPE THURSDAY and featured coastal blues, shells and candlelight flickering in sea worthy lanterns.

The shining star of the show was Grilled Salmon with Lemon-Dill glaze and fresh lemons. This is a delicious entree which is super simple to make. I am using fresh Alaskan Salmon. Form a foil packet using heavy-duty aluminum foil, arrange your Salmon fillets, coat with McCormick's Lemon-Dill seafood glaze, place on a grill over medium-high heat (about 375 degrees) and grill until the flesh is flaky and peachy-pink in color. Garnish with fresh lemons and parsley.

Here's those Stuffed Crabs. I should have fixed more of these!

A great accompaniment to all the seafood, Garlic Roasted Redskin Potatoes with Rosemary and Thyme. This recipe is definiately a keeper! Just take 3 pounds of new Redskin Poatoes. wash and quarter. No need to peel them. Coat them in 1/3 cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, add 3 fresh minced Garlic Cloves, 1 Tablespoon of Rosemary and 1 Tablespoon of Thyme, sprinkle with Sea Salt and fresh Cracked Black Peppercorns. Roast in the oven in a 9"x13" baking dish at 450 degrees for 45 mins. Nothing could be easier!

Chilled, Boiled Shrimp and Zesty Cocktail sauce added a nice cold dish. A Chopped Salad with Bacon and Parmsean Croutons, Crab-stuffed Mushrooms and warm Yeast Rolls completed our dinner. I made two homemade Strawberry Cheesecakes but cut and served them before remembering to take a picture. Sorry! But they were delcious! I served seconds to several of the men.

Several of our friends are pranksters and we had been teasing Mr. Panache's about his age. He actually turned 47 but we had it going around that he was turning 50. One of our friends, Eddie, decided to place a 5 foot tall sign with glowing neon orange letters at the entrance of our neighborhood and everyone brought cards that celebrated his 50th birthday! It was alot of fun and Mr. Panache was a very good sport! I guess in 3 years when he acrtualy turns 50, we'll celebrate his 47th! LOL!

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Hope you have enjoyed the party! Monday I'm off and running with Spring and Easter ideas, decor, easy to do crafts and recipes. On Tuesday I'll be joining a Spring Fluffing blog party hosted by Rhoda at Southern Hospitality. Be sure you check it out for inspiring ideas. Until then,

Happy Decorating!

Alisa

The big birthday bash!

Hi there! Today is Mr. Panache's birthday and we are having a birthday bash featuring a Seafood Fest! I've been busy baking homemade Strawberry Cheesecakes and preparing food most of the day.

Everyone will be here around 6:30pm so I'm off to the kitchen again. Stop by tomorrow for pictures and recipes. I thought I would share one lovely scene. I've been spring cleaning all week. Lightening and brightening every corner of the house. Here's a new floral arrangement I put together Wednesday. I love how light and airy and green it looks. Enjoy! Until I see you again,

Happy Decorating!

Alisa

Tablescape Thursday - Ocean Breeze

Ahoy, mates! Welcome to Tablescape Thursday hosted by Susan at Between Naps on the Porch! Today I am taking a short break from spring decorating to set an ocean inspired table. Friday is Mr. Panache's birthday and we are having a seafood feast! So in keeping with my menu I've gone a little coastal with this week's table.

Of course we couldn't have an ocean inspired table without lovely shades of blue. I am using four varying shades of Mr. Panache's favorite color. I have used two placemats layered one on top of the other. They are aqua and royal blue. The napkin is a medium blue-teal and the decorative glass candle plates are translucent turquoise.

I filled a hurricane with glass beads of clear, teal and aqua to help tie in the color scheme.

Invited some little sea creatures over to decorate my table. A cluster of Starfish and shells picked up on Clearwater Beach during the years I lived there were the perfect accents to my Ocean Breeze table.


A lovely bronze Starfish securely holds my napkins in place.

I found these blue and white clam shell coasters at Target. They add a touch of whimsy.

A silver plated shell-shaped serving dish holds more aqua glass beads and a Starfish.

I just got these two large metal lanterns from my Celebrating Home interior accents line. I love them. They are so sturdy and versatile.

I love the way Vanilla Creme candles glow and flicker. The little candle plates were a find at Everything's A Dollar store.

I picked up three styles. I like this one. It looks like a flower or if you use your imagination, a Starfish.

You may remember my Shell salad plates from my Florida Sunset post a few weeks ago. This picture also gives you a better look at the layered placemats.

This candle plate is shaped like a daisy. My Eternity silverware add shine and sparkle in the candlelight. I hope you've enjoyed the Ocean Breeze. My seafood feast will feature Grilled Salmon with lemon-dill sauce, Peel 'n Eat Shrimp, crabcakes, stuffed mushrooms with crabmeat in hollandaise sauce, roasted garlic potatoes and a leafy green salad. Mr. Panache has requested a Strawberry Cheesecake for dessert! I'll post pictures on Saturday of our feast. We will pick back up with our Spring and Easter feature posts on Friday. Until then,

Happy Decorating!

~Alisa

Triple Layer Centerpiece

Hello there! Come right on in! I've been getting the house ready for spring but I'm never too busy to visit with a friend. Today I took a break from spring cleaning long enough to create my own version of the "Cake Stand Centerpiece" pictured below. This wonderful inspiration was found at MarthaStewart.com

Everything that I needed for this fresh centerpiece was right in my own kitchen.

Cake stands in graduated sizes, fresh Granny Smith apples, green polkadot napkins, wire votive holders and white faux plants. Florist tape and my handy clippers were the only tools needed.

I started by stacking the cake stands on top of each other. Use a small piece of florist tape under the pedestals to keep them from slipping.

Next, I placed the apples on top of each cake stand. I followed up by placing faux chicken eggs around the apples on the top two tiers. Lastly, I snipped little stems from my silk plants and tucked them in between the apples and the eggs. To style the center piece, I placed one polkadot napkin underneath and placed two matching bird's nests on either side.

You can buy unadorned bird's nests at Hobby Lobby. Just take a candle ring and hot glue it to the rim of the nest. Then glue in faux eggs to complete the look.

The eggs that I am using are painted in shades of soft cream, ivory and golden yellow. They are speckled with brown paint.

I picked these apples up at the market yesterday. They are so green and vibrant they almost look like wax fruit.

For a slightly different look I took away the bird's nests and placed green and white wire votive holders at the bottom. What do you think? Should I keep the nests or use the votive holders? Well tomorrow is TABLESCAPE THURSDAY and I will share an Ocean Inspired table. Friday is Mr. Panache's birthday and we are having a seafood feast. In keeping with the menu I thought I would go a little coastal with my table decor. I hope you will stop by to take a look. Until then,

Happy Spring Decorating!

~Alisa