House of Hydrangeas

I mentioned here that I received a box of burlap bags from burlapfabric.com a few weeks ago.  And ever since then, I've been dreaming up just what all I could do with them. I received a bundle of 25 bags in sizes 4x6 and 5x7.  The site has a variety of sizes from which to choose-small, medium, large, wine bottle holders...you name it.  I thought the size I received would be ideal for favor bags...and not just a standard favor bag, but one for every occasion.  Here are a few ideas on how to adorn your own burlap bags. Number it.  Instead of using a typical name card at your next dinner party, place a numbered gift bag at each dinner place setting.  I drew my number on with a Sharpie marker, but if you're a little weary, you could easily use paint and stencils as well.  Just make sure to place a thick piece of paper in the middle while you work so that the ink/paint doesn't seep through to the other side of the bag. Clip it.  Add a mono...

I'm typically not one of those people who is always looking to what's ahead and not really enjoying the moment they're in.  However, I would be lying if I said that I wasn't already dreaming of fall. I'm ready for a crisp breeze in the air, college football (Roll tide!), trees of red and yellow, pumpkins, cinnamon and all of the other goodness that comes with autumn.  It has always been my favorite season. I just recently received a box of burlap bags from burlapfabric.com that I can already envision as great halloween favors bags, amongst other things.  More on those ideas in a post to come! But for now, I'll just keep on dreaming, crank down the AC and light a cinnamon and clove candle.  :)  

I was trying to hold out for some of the professional photos before I showed you more up close details of my Georgia wedding, but I just can't wait anymore so you'll have to deal with mine :)  Enjoy! Aisle arrangements were designed with daisies, white roses, tulips, orchids and assorted greenery. Custom designed programs by HoH The bride's bouquet was made of jumbo white hydrangeas, regular white hydrangeas and white May peonies.  It reminds me of a ball of rainbows. Bridesmaids carried a single white hydrangea tied with a strip of burlap. Find your seat.  Moss mat how to shown  here . The ballroom at The Country Club of the South. Table numbers were burned onto wooden plaques. Custom moss Mr. and Mrs. chair labels. Notice the DIY burlap runners first mentioned  here ? Fireplace installation. The finished look with the table all set. Congrats again, Laura and Kyle!

Yesterday a big, heavy package arrived on my doorstep.  I was so excited when I realized that what was inside was an integral part to the weddings I'm styling in May-burlap!  That's right, a roll of 300 feet of burlap was sitting at my front door.   I immediately got it out, and went to work on the first order of business, table runners. My brides are using 60" round tables so I knew I needed 108" for the table runners, measuring 6" less on each side than the tablecloth itself, which is 120". After figuring out the length, I began to unroll the spool and measure.   Once I got the length right, it was time to start cutting, first the length and then the width.  The width of the burlap straight from the roll was 20 inches, a little too wide for what I needed.  Plus one side had white stitching running down the side that had to go.  Cutting burlap in a straight line is relatively easy because you can simply follow the lines of its large...

I see so many lovely things out there in the design world that make me think, "I could make that myself. And for a fraction of the cost." So I thought I'd start to share them with you. I received my Ballard Designs catalog a few days ago and was so excited to open it up and see all of the inspiring things it held. One of which was a piece that cost $49 that I knew I could make for a couple of bucks. Yes, you heard me right, a couple of bucks. This particular piece was part of the new SK designs line that Ballard is selling. SK stands for Suzanne Kasler, an award-winning designer out of Atlanta famous for stylish digs like this. While I love Suzanne's designs, I don't love the price tags. The $49 piece I found and loved is this burlap wrapped vase. The only images I could find online, show the vase holding flowers, but I think they would look great in a set of three holding craft materials or office supplies displayed on your desk as well. So how yo...