Hey there Sweet Friends. When it comes to holiday decorations, you can’t beat the Dollar Store. Since the boys will be here on Tuesday, March 17th I thought it would be fun to decorate the table for St. Patrick’s Day and cook up some Corned Beef and Cabbage.

I’m not usually a Corned Beef and Cabbage type of gal, but it’s always good to try new things.

This Tablescape was so fun to create for the Spring Tablescape Blog Hop. I recognize that St. Patrick’s Day doesn’t fall before Spring, but, well, oh well.

St. Patrick’s Day reminds me of Spring, does it remind you of Spring?

I loved all of your comments on my table and was just so amazed at the response to my Flower Arrangement.

St. Patrick’s Day Flower Arrangement!

This flower arrangement was so easy. I literally just cut a hole in the top of the hat and placed a jar inside the hat and filled it with flowers.

The full tutorial with step by step pictures is at the bottom of the post. It was a super easy project, and I hope I have inspired you to create it yourself. It will sure be interesting to see how my Cornbeef turns out as I am really not a very good cook.

Flower’s for St. Patrick’s Day!

I found the hat and all it’s embellishments at the Dollar Store. Of course, I had to embellish the hat with clovers and gold coins and a “cute as a button” bow tie.

Now, grab your favorite beverage of choice and let’s get on with the tutorial. Here are the steps to create a St. Patrick’s Day Flower Arrangement.

Materials to Create a St. Patrick’s Day Flower Arrangement:

• Hat
• Embelishments
• Jar
• Flowers

Instructions to Create a St. Patrick’s Day Flower Arrangement:

Step one: Find a hat that speaks to St. Patrick’s Day.

Step two: Find a jar that will fit well under the hat. Place the lip of the jar on top of the hat and trace the circle.

Step three: Once you have a circle, use a blade to cut the hole into the hat.

Step four: Place the jar under the hat so you don’t see the jar.

Step five: Embellish the hat with a bow tie, coins, clovers and whatever else you can find that helps celebrate the holiday.

Step six: Add water and flowers to the jar and enjoy your arrangement.

The fun thing about this arrangement is the versatility. You can use any type of faux or real flower. I tried a couple myself.

Number 1. I had some faux Eucalyptus. What do you think of the all green look?

Number 2. Carnations kind of remind me of St. Patricks Day. Probably because stores love to die them green. What do you think of the carnations?

Number 3. I also had a mix of hydrangeas, roses and tulips. Do you like this look?

Number 4. Of course, Tulips stand well alone in any arrangement, just as the Carnations. What do you think of the Tulips alone?

Okay, Sweet Friends, now it’s time to vote. Number 1, 2, 3 or 4???

Which is your favorite arrangement? Leave me a comment and let me know.

Now go out there and Create Something.

Cynthia

The post St. Patrick’s Day Floral Arrangement! appeared first on Create With Cynthia.

I’m sure you are wonder how I was inspired to create this tablescape. I was inspired to do the tablescape when I visited the Dollar Store last week.

Dollar Store St. Patrick’s Day Table!

I really didn’t want to spend alot of money on a Spring tablescape and I really wanted to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. I thought my two boys, Luke and Troy would enjoy a St. Patrick’s Day table filled with Corned Beef and Cabbage.

When I went to the Dollar Store I was amazed that I was able to purchase all the St. Patrick’s Day decor items for just $10. I spent $10 at the Dollar Store and got the following:

• 4 clover placemates
• 2 scarves
• gold coins
• green clovers
• a green hat
• a green bow tie

I then just took my wicker chargers, plain white chargers, dishes, gold silverware and glassware and put it all together. The white tablecloth and napkins add a nice neutral backdrop which allows the green to really stand out.. The flowers were added to the hat and that was it. Stop back tomorrow for the tutorial on “How to Create a St. Patrick’s Day Flower Centerpiece.”

Now, let’s get started with how I created this table.

Materials used to Create a Dollar Store St. Patrick’s Day Table:

• Dollar Store items above
• Wicker Chargers
• White Chargers
• White Dishes
• Glassware
• Gold plastic silverware
• White Tablecloth
• White Napkins

Instructions on How to Create a Dollar Store St. Patrick’s Day Table:

Step one: Lay your tablecloth down.

Step two: Add Wicker Placemats.

Step three: Add Dollar Store scarves as a table runner. I used two scarves and then added some white chargers.

Step four: Place the Dollar Store Green Clovers atop the white chargers.

Step five: Add dinner plates and rest napkin atop the plate.

Step six: Add salad plate.

Step seven: Add glassware and I chose some goblets and mason jars.

Step eight: Add gold plastic silverware to the goblet.

Step nine: Sprinkle the gold coins and gold clovers on the table. I placed mine atop the scarves and around each plate.

Step ten: Add your centerpiece. I created a St. Patrick’s Day Flower Arrangement using the green hat and bowtie from the Dollar Store. Check back tomorrow for the tutorial on how to create this centerpiece.

I hope I have inspired you to decorate your table for this St. Patrick’s Day holiday. This project cost let $10 and most of what I used I already had.

Now go out there and Create Something.

Cynthia

The post How to Create a St. Patrick’s Day Tablescape! appeared first on Create With Cynthia.

I was lucky, I got to use my favorite products on this project!

If you missed my post on Tuesday, “Laundry Closet Makeover!” check it out here. I was inspired to makeover my Laundry Closet when a challenge was presented to me. I think the Laundry Closet came out so pretty. I think the laundry sign did the job of making it pretty. What do you think?

I decorated my Shutter Turned Table with all my antique laundry stuff and because next month is February, I decide to show off my “Old Sweater Heart Wreath”, as well.

Wanna learn my tips on how to stencil a laundry sign?

Oh good, cause i’m gonna share the tips with you and give you a tutorial on how to make a laundry sign for your laundry room.

I figure, if the laundry room has to be open 24 hours, then it has to look good, right?

If you missed my video on Wednesday, which showed exactly how to stencil a laundry sign, “Laundry Closet Makeover and a Laundry Sign DIY,” you can watch the video here.

Now, grab a cup of coffee and let’s get started with the tutorial.

Materials needed to make a Laundry Sign:

1. Laundry Sign by Essential Stencils
2. Paint and Top Coat by Debi’s Design Diary DIY Paint Layered Chocolate and Big Top Top Coat and Rustoleum Chalked Linen White.
3. Stencil Brushes by Essential Stencils
4. Metal or Wood Board

Tips for Creating a Laundry Sign:

1. Use Essential Stencil’s Stencil Brushes.
2. Use Frog Tape to hold stencil in place.
3. Use a small amount of paint.
4. Watch my video on You Tube.

Directions for creating a Laundry Sign:

1. Gather your materials.
2. Paint your surface – metal or wood board.
3. Use Frog Tape to adhere stencil to surface.
4. Use Stencil Brushes with paint.
5. Pounce paint onto surface. Pouncing is the process of applying paint to your surface by dabbing the brush up and down in a vertical motion.
6. Remove frog tape and stencil.
7. Wash stencil.
8. Apply top coat to surface.

Below are some photos to help you along the way.

I hope you enjoyed my tips and tutorial on how to create a laundry sign. Now go out there and create something.

Cynthia

DISCLOSURE

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The post Tips on Stenciling and a Laundry Sign! appeared first on Create With Cynthia.

Drum Roll please…

Welcome Proper. Isn’t she a beauty??? I think I am totally in love with this color and I haven’t even painted with it yet.

Introducing Sweet Pickins Milk Paint Proper!

As Sausha, the Creator of Sweet Pickins Milk Paint says, “With neutral farmhouse colors being so popular these days, I wanted to add a color to our line that will not only work with neutral decor, but it also looks good with so many other colors! I would describe this a mushroom color. I kept looking at it today thinking just how much I love it! I think it’s perfect for our Sweet Pickins line up of colors.”

Tips when using Sweet Pickins Milk Paint.

Here are some Tips when using Sweet Pickins Milk Paint.

• Add the powder to the warm water, not the other way around.
• Mix well. I’d suggest an Immersion Blender, but you can just shake it in a mason jar as well.
• Strain Milk Paint after mixing if there are clumps.
• Add Extra Bond for less Chipping.
• Let sit about 20-30 minutes after mixing before painting.
• Don’t freak out. Milk paint doesn’t have to be chippy, it can be smooth and clean. Don’t use Extra Bond to achieve this effect.
• Measuring is important, but with a powder form it is so easy to measure just what you need and not have a lot of extra to deal with. (is dealing with extra paint a bad thing????) Equal water to equal powder.

So, stop by my store in Redwood City and pick up some Sweet Pickins Milk Paint. I’m also hosting “Transformation Thursday Workshop.” Every week (please RSVP), you can join me at the store to transform one of your favorite pieces of furniture or come with nothing and we will find something to transform. Check out my calendar of events here.

I also painted this Map Desk that is for sale in my store.

This desk has traveled the world which is why I placed a map atop it. When I was working on this desk I found many layers of love colors; red, then purple, then white. I painted the top and sides of the desk in Sweet Pickins Love Bug and the drawers in Sweet Pickins Blue Bohemian. This desk is a smaller size and perfect for a small adult or child. 

Stay tuned for more on Milk Paint this week.

Have wonderful week.

The post Tips when using Sweet Pickins Milk Paint and introducing Proper! appeared first on Create With Cynthia.