My Ten Minute Burlap Table Runner.

It's not ruffled or fancy, but it was basically free. Remember the suitcase I lined with burlap? From my huge box of burlap that was $2. Well, the left over burlap has been sitting on the dining room chair all week...So, I tried my hand at a NO SEW (because I can't...and I don't have a machine) table runner. I am not good at math either, so the stripe down the middle was helpful!! I counted equal inches from the center and cut straight down....It's easy because I followed one jute string. I am such a cheater.

Remember my $1 vintage suitcase? I got the rooster from the same lady...and yes, he was $1 too. However he was hideous. He was multicolored and totally outdated. I sprayed him up. I purposely used the part of burlap with the green letters. I like the look.

I couldn't resist. Please, tell me he is better now.

Once I cut the runner...I frayed the edges. Just pulled thread by thread to the desire length.  It took a minute to do both sides.

I like it. I could make them longer and then tie five or six piece together close to the top so it won't continue to fray in any old  way. We'll see. For now I am happy.

Okay, here's where I get goofy. But....I DON'T SEW! What's a girl to do?  I thought of folding it under (hem) and using super glue. I think that would have been a disaster and the burlap is too thick. So....I just added packing tape to the bottom along each edge to stop fraying. I think it will work.  At least until another trend comes along.

Taped on the bottom. 

That's my "new" soup tureen. I collect white ironstone and ceramics.  When I saw it I thought the price was just outrageous  for a thrift store and nearly passed it up. It was $9.99. It's from the 40s I am pretty sure. Marked USA 255. I am glad I splurged! lol 

That's it.......I like it. Might fiddle with the decor, but I am liking the feel....

Vintage Suitcase...Vendor Display

Okay, I got this for a steal...$1 at a garage sale. The inside was a bit icky. I don't sew. I decided to line it with burlap. Glue gun, I love you.

                                                         Vendor Display

                                                       Vintage Suitcase

                                                                   Before

I left the sides as is. I am not good with measurements, etc. Maybe if I get real ambitious this  summer  I can do  a  cute floral or old vintage material on the sides.

                                                       
                                                                           Burlap

I bought a large moving box of burlap at a garage sale once. $2 for the huge box.

I have learned now to first cut the seam....they are sew together with  a thick jute. Very easy to take apart. Then you have a huge runner size piece. I think I need to get a sewing machine. It would be a cool table runner. Still have two or three of the bags with the green stripe.

I simply pulled out the old liner and used it as a template. It was so simple. I am not patient, so  I am glad this was easy.
Did I mention I love my love gun??

                                                                     After

And....there you have it. Up-cycled and ready for a vendor sale. I am having my first one in  October. I have the whole summer to prepare. I could have spent hours and hours making this look cute, but I have to pick the kids up in an hour...and well, it's good to resist my OCD a bit :)

Jean Philippe Patisserie, Bellagio and Aria, Las Vegas

Again, people think it's nuts we take our kids to Vegas....but who better to see giant sized chocolate flowers, a magical chocolate slipper and matching elegant chocolate gown, a huge chocolate Grinch and our favorite, the chocolate fountain.

I've mentioned before how easy it is to get around Vegas by car. When we stop in at the Bellagio (self parking, right by the conservatory) we always make a trip to Jean Philippe. It's always a wonderful surprise! You just don't know what to expect. Now there is a Jean Philippe's at the Aria as well!  They have a huge store front window that you must go see! Two more must see things in Vegas.

Here are some of the goodies we saw while in Vegas in May.

                               Jean Philippe's The Bellagio:

Chocolate Haute Couture

What's a gorgeous gown with out a delicious pair of shoes?

Here is one of my favorites from past visits.....a chocolate Grinch.

                                           The Chocolate Fountain

Always on display at Jean Philippe's at The Bellagio, the beautiful fountain of Chocolate. As you can see it's from the ceiling down.  Like a fire or the ocean, it's memorizing....

Don't forget, besides the open air art work, this is a patisserie. I will also add, you can get one the best cups of coffee...here. I paid about $3 for a small cup, but I am telling you it was out of this world. Located just around the corner you can have your coffee and treats in the Bellagio hallway. Beautiful flower displays, tranquil setting and not a lot of people.

So, to go with that coffee?

You can take a little bit of the fountain home with you....cool.

If you are staying at the Bellagio, why not grab a few of these and go back to room with Champagne? Maybe you even have a view of the famous fountains...how decadent.

A fantastic place to grab coffee and a morning treat.

Nutella Brioche....I repeat, Nutella Brioche.....

Lucie spent $6 of her spending money for these little gourmet chocolate balls....they were like mini cake balls. She was not disappointed.

How about a wedding cake from Jean Philippe's?

Now, we can visit both the Bellagio and The Aria and be blown away with Jean Philippe's masterpieces of chocolate.

Jean Philippe's The Aria

One of Jean Philippe's  first store front windows at The Aria. Each chocolate flower was about  50" wide I'd say.  We saw this with kids. Just stunning in real life.

Is this not the most gorgeous store front you have ever seen? Is this not appropriate for kids? My children certainly loved it.

Two more of our favorite things to do while in Vegas. It really is never ending. For us, Vegas has never been about night clubs. We are Vegas morning people....and there aren't a lot of us. Makes it easy to park, quiet to visit and easy to get around.

Hope you enjoyed Jean Philippe's. If you are in Vegas, please stop by to see one of his breathtaking chocolate sculptures and sample some amazing goodies.

Teacher gifts. Last day of school!

Today Lucas goes to school as a 5 Th grader and comes back as a 6 Th grader and Vice President of the school council. Lucie goes to school as 3 Rd grader and comes back as 4 Th grader. They were both loaded down with teacher gifts and towels, swimsuits, etc. Fun times.

Look at these amazing ideas from: http://www.brownpaper--packages.com/2011/08/teacher-gift-ideas.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BrownPaperPackages+%28brown+paper+packages%29&utm_content=Yahoo%21+Mail

Adorable ideas.

And from Ginger Snap Crafts:http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/2012/05/take-look-at-you-my-favorites_17.html

Leave it to Tip Junknee to have tons of ideas!  http://www.tipjunkie.com/teacher-appreciation-gifts-2/

Look at these cute ideas! http://brendawritesablog.blogspot.com/2012/04/michaels-20-off-entire-purchase.html

Whether it's a survival kit at the beginning of the year...with mints, aspirin, gum, etc. or something nice at the end of the year...teachers really deserve a little something to say thank-you. They have their kids, and have to drop them off at school or day care and be ready to go in their classroom by 8 a.m. They stay late and enter grades, contact parents, write up lesson plans, clean up their rooms, and correct papers, show up for all the various events all year long, not to mention take care of our kids all day. It's tough job that do everyday for our children. Although I didn't have oodles of time to make something creative and stunning.....my kids have a little something for each of their teachers.

Lucas goes to a bi-lingual dual immersion school and therefore has an English teacher and Spanish teacher. He has science and history taught solely in Spanish. He also asked to buy a little something for the amazing teacher that, is at school at 7:00 am everyday, for kids that have to be dropped off early, (like Lucas...because I have to be at school at 7:45 each morning) and has morning math class everyday. Lucas loves to be there early just for math group! You know this teacher isn't compensated for his time there. He does it because he loves the kids.

Here are our gifts...

Lucas and Lucie each wrote thank-you cards telling the teacher why the appreciate them and had a good year in their classrooms.

Last day of school!!

Last day of 3 Rd grade.

Last day of 5 Th grade.

Happy summer, everyone!!!!!!!

Bellagio, Summer 2012

We go to Vegas often. We are only 8 hours away by car. I think we have seen the Bellagio conservatory display for every season. If, you travel by car, it's so easy to hotel hop using the hotel's self parking. Especially on the off seasons. Once again we pull in, parked and walked a few steps into the hotel. Easy. Parking is also right near the botanical conservatory. Always a great visit at the Bellagio. Always something new. This display Was not as fragrant as some of the past displays, but just as beautiful.

Loved the vintage bikes and baskets full of flowers.

Great big green frogs! 

Loved this simple display of flower pots...perfect with the bikes.

Lucas in front of the bridge.

Bumble bees....I have seen these here before :)

Lucas and Lucie always enjoy the Bellagio conservatory. IN the last few years they have had live butterflies and parrots as well. Not this time, but you just never know what they''ll have in store.

This sail boat was great. Probably my favorite touch. Look at the glass ceiling. Stunning.

Lucie in front of a flower cart!

Please, don't hesitate taking the kids to Vegas. If you are open to a fun vacation by the pool and visiting wonderful displays like this for free....your children will love it!

Kelly Clarkson's "Stronger" Goes Viral....

Have you seen this yet? It's a sweet tear jerker....I'd say a five hankie at least. Thought I'd share!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ihGCj5mfCk8#!