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A Glimpse of our Holiday House - The Great Room

Hello!

Here is a little look at our holiday house!

My Christmas gift has been installed - finally fire in the fireplace. We are LOVING it! It makes the room feel so cozy. I spent a little time last Sunday cleaning out the fireplace, and giving it a fresh coat of fireproof paint. So excited to have it freshened and finished before Christmas day.

I will show you what I decorated the mantle with in another post this week, and I'll visit some other rooms. I had lots of fun being crafty last week, and also have a couple of original projects to share, and some other fun touches I created.

There is a little peek at our new cabinet that rests under our t.v.

A little vignette. The pom pom on the left was on a Christmas gift I recevied from my sister a couple of years ago. I made the one on the right last week.

Vintage ornaments beautiful in their imperfections.

Thank you for stopping by. I will share more home details this week!

I joined Jen Rizzo's Holiday Housewalk Party. Visit http://www.jenniferrizzo.com

for more decorating inspiration!

11 comments

, by Lynda @ Happenstance Home

Anthropologie inspired paper tree

Anthropologie Inspired Paper Trees

While enjoying some lunch and shopping my friend Karen and I spotted the most adorable paper trees at Anthropologie. Adorable and expensive. Then and there we decided we needed to have a craft night so last week that is exactly what we did! Here is a photo of our finished product! When my oldest saw mine he said it looks like something I would have bought. Karen's boys thought hers was really neat too! I guess we impressed ourselves and our boys that night!

Things you will need:

wooden base found at craft store - we used one in the shape of a square

wood dowel - 3/16 diameter

glue gun

old book or sheet music

cardboard or chipboard - we bought a pack of chipboard sheets at Joann Fabrics. The pack contained natural chipboard color, white, and black.

paper cutter with a deckle blade and a straight blade

paper punch

tiny ornament for the topper

The first thing you might want to get ready are your papers. We used a paper cutter with a deckle blade. Once all your papers are cut use a sharp object to punch a little hole in the center of the square. This makes it easy to slide the paper on the dowel. For example, we used a metal shish kebob skewer. A little tear in the center is all you need.

Here are the paper sizes and quantities that we ended up using for our 13 inch tree.

24 - 5 inch squares

15 - 4 1/2 inch squares

15 - 4" squares

15 - 3 1/2" squares

12 - 3" squares

10 - 2 1/2 inch squares

10 - 2 inch squares

12 - 1 1/2 inch squares

10 to 15 - 1 inch squares

You will also need to make a whole bunch of spacers - you will use them between each piece of paper. Near the bottom of our trees where the paper pieces were larger we used one inch sizes. The larger size also helps the papers sit more straightly. I'm not sure if that makes sense - it just gives the paper more to rest on. As you work up the tree your spacers need to become much smaller so they don't stick out from the decorative pages. At the treetop you basically will be trimming around your paper punched circle. See tiny pieces to the right in the photo. We just made a big bunch of these. We used the straight blade for the paper cutter to cut strips of chipboard, and then punched the holes and cut the individual pieces with scissors.

We cut our dowel so that our final height with the base included would measure 13 inches. We simply attached the dowel to our board with hot glue and 2 of the chipboard pieces with hot glue. We held it until it dried and it seemed quite secure. Each layer of paper will need two pieces of chipboard between them. Begin your tree with two chipboard pieces, then 1 sheet paper, then 2 chipboard and just keep going. Note: It would probably be a good idea to just drill a hole in the wooden base, dab on some hot glue and then attach them that way. I'm thinking that is how I will do it next time.

Stack, stack, stack. Make sure to alternate the directions of your papers so you get that full tree look.

When you reach the top of your tree it will need a little topper. You can be creative and use whatever you like - I had some tiny vintage ornaments laying around so we used them.

A dab of hot glue is all you need. We also removed its little hook. I love how this finished the trees so nicely.

Then all that is left to do is admire your work and find the perfect resting spot!

Oh, you can also relish in the thought that you just saved yourself an entire 50 dollars!

I joined the following link parties:

10 comments

, by Lynda @ Happenstance Home

recipe

Quinoa Salad with Pears, Baby Spinach and Chick Peas in a Maple Vinaigrette

A salad so unique and so delicious.

It's so good I forgot to even mention how healthy it is.

I ran across a blog last week and found myself instantly smitten.

Have you ever visited the Gluten Free Goddess?

Mouthwatering recipes ... stunning food photography ... (it's really hard to take good food photos)

Take a look - this blog won't disappoint!

I can't wait to try more of her recipes, and she also has the most gorgeous looking e-cookbook.

So, simply put, I love this salad.

The recipe calls for pears or she says you can use apples. I didn't have any pears - had an apple. I tried one bite with the apple, but enjoyed it much more without any fruit. I couldn't stop refilling my plate!

I also used a little bit more of the chick peas and the toasted pecans. I did not use any fresh parsley. This is the type of recipe that you can kind of customize to your liking.

Lastly, when I made this salad I followed the directions under the NOTE area.

Quinoa Salad with Pears, Baby Spinach and Chick Peas

in a Maple Vinaigrette

1 cup organic quinoa

sea salt

2 good handfuls of organic baby spinach leaves, washed, drained

1 large ripe pear, washed, stemmed and cored, cut into pieces

1/2 cup chilled chick peas, rinsed, drained

2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley

sea salt and ground pepper, to taste

A handful of pecans, pan toasted and salted to taste

For the Maple Vinaigrette Dressing:

4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

3 tablespoons golden balsamic vinegar

2 tablespoons pure maple syrup

Place the quinoa in a saucepan or a rice cooker. Add 2 cups fresh water, and a pinch of sea salt. Cover and cook on a low simmer until all the water is evaporated and the quinoa is tender - roughly 20 minutes. Fluff with a fork and place it into a large salad bowl. Add the baby spinach, pear, chick peas, and chopped parsley to the quinoa and fluff.

Whisk together the vinaigrette, pour it over the quinoa salad and toss gently to coat. Season to taste with sea salt and pepper.

Just before serving, add the toasted pecans and lightly combine.

Makes 4 main course servings, six side dish servings.

Note: if you are making this salad ahead of time, make the quinoa, fluff, and add the dressing while it is warm. When it has cooled to room temperature, add in the spinach, chick peas and parsley; toss, cover and chill. Before serving add the pears and toasted pecans. Taste test and add more seasoning if needed.

If you try the salad or visit Gluten-Free Goddess let me know what you think. I'm very interested and impressed!

3 comments

, by Lynda @ Happenstance Home

christmas

2011 Chrsitmas Party Invites

This years invites are finished and delivered!

I have really loved using old book pages in projects this year. I like them so much I used them to create our Christmas invitations.

I started by cutting out a bunch of circles using book pages, paper, and tissue. Then just layered them up, and secured each of them with a brad.

I printed out the invites using gray ink - then I thought navy would be a great compliment.

The invite still needed a little something more. The red and white striped bakers twine was in my ribbon box - and since it reminded me of candy canes, hot cocoa, and Christmas why not use it as the perfect addition.

When I'm making a whole bunch of invites I like to treat it as a production line - cut everything that has to be cut and then assemble, assemble, assemble!

I used the tape runner to secure the navy ribbon.

Next, I placed a large adhesive dot on top of the ribbon.

The bakers twine was then set on the dot.

Lastly, I pushed the little circle into the adhesive dot.

Piles all ready.

We try to incorporate giving to others in need into our party. We like to focus on a local charity. This year we have chosen Forgotten Harvest. They are my favorite food bank charity around! They are Detroit's only food rescue operation, and that helps make each donation go so much farther than the traditional food bank charity. 5 meals for every dollar!

Invites were tucked into red lined envelopes.

Because of the embellishment I have the post office hand cancel the stamp - it keeps the invite out of the machines which could punch a hole in your envelope and tear things up.

Here are some general notes I made about the invite. It's a good way to refresh my memory.

I made this up quick so you can see all of the text.

A couple of my favorites - this one happened to have the words frostbite, frosty - very wintery! I randomly pulled out pages so you never know what you will get. I also scanned them quickly just to make sure there wasn't anything inappropriate in the text. There was one I had to pitch!

Love the dog!

I will be back next week with another book page craft or two. My friend Karen and I started working on something last night - they are going to be great!

If you missed last years invite, and want to see them please click here and here.

I joined the following link parties:

14 comments

, by Lynda @ Happenstance Home

Etsy Gifts for Girls - Including One of My Favorite Products

This is the gift we gifted to all the little girls last year.

The first part of the gift was the little burlap bag everything was tucked into.

I tend to really like to find gifts that are simple, useful, and easy to find a home for after the holidays are over.

I try to shop with those 3 goals in mind.

What was to be found inside that useful little package?

First, my very favorite shower product - Whipped Clean Body Wash!

I purchase this on Etsy from a shop called Gudonya Too!

My very favorite scent is the Italian Lemon Cream - it smells like you are enveloped inside a lemon meringue pie. The scent is very subtle. They also have other scents perfect for little girls - cotton candy, raspberry lemonade, strawberry fields, and many, many more. I really cannot say enough good things about this Whipped Clean Body Wash. Each girl also got a colorful bath poof to use in the shower with their new scents. To go to the Gudonya Too shop click here.

The other item I thought was really adorable are leg/arm warmers. They are also an Etsy find - The store is called Mama Runs With Scissors.

When the kids are little they can wear them as leg warmers, but as they grow they become arm warmers. That way the kids can still enjoy a short sleeve t-shirt, and add some arms for warmth and style.

The leg/arm warmers come in all kinds of patterns - I purchased 4 different styles last year. They also have designs for the little men in your life. To see all of the different styles click here. They also have cute little sets with matching tutu's.

I still have to finish my shopping for this years girl gift. I found one very girly item, useful and easy to put away plus it is adorable! Now I have to find something more to add to it. How is your holiday shopping going? I have a little bit finished, but have been concentrating more on decorating the house. Two trees finished and the third almost done!

I'll be back soon!

2 comments

, by Lynda @ Happenstance Home

decorating

Thanksgiving Table

We enjoyed a very nice Thanksgiving with family and friends.

Noah gave a well very thought out blessing along with a list of things he was thankful for.

Our meal was delicious and traditional.

I had sweet little visitors who completely enjoyed making crafts. They went home with bunches of handmade ornaments for their tree!

I wasn't going to post about the Thanksgiving table - I figure you might be tired of seeing me set a table time and time again.

After I set the table using things I already owned I thought it was simply very nice so I took a few photos, and here it is.

The napkins are Ikea towels. The nest napkin holders have been used many times since I made them for Karen's party.

I have had the morrocan type candleholders for many years. This summer Target had the mercury glass holders in the same colors so I bought a few. I think that was the Calypso line.

Nests - Katie Brown collection at Meijer

Split peas in vintage dessert dishes.

I made the card with the saying and used leaves I had in my cupboard from way back when Thomas O'Brien had stationary and paper goods at Target. I love those little leaves!

Drinking cups are handblown glass - clearance from Stonewall kitchen - also years ago. I so wish I ordered 2 sets.

After cleanup - the pretty glow of candles!

A very happy Thanksgiving!

4 comments

, by Lynda @ Happenstance Home

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Monday Mixes

happenstance home

A Glimpse of our Holiday House - The Great Room

Anthropologie Inspired Paper Trees

Quinoa Salad with Pears, Baby Spinach and Chick Peas in a Maple Vinaigrette

2011 Chrsitmas Party Invites

Etsy Gifts for Girls - Including One of My Favorite Products

Thanksgiving Table

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Monday Mixes

happenstance home

A Glimpse of our Holiday House - The Great Room

Anthropologie Inspired Paper Trees

Quinoa Salad with Pears, Baby Spinach and Chick Peas in a Maple Vinaigrette

2011 Chrsitmas Party Invites

Etsy Gifts for Girls - Including One of My Favorite Products

Thanksgiving Table

Welcome

About me

Search This Blog

Pinterest

Blog Archive

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Copyright 2017

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