Country Living Fair Archives

Sunflower Door Basket

March 22, 2016

Hello there. Is anyone else out there feeling the effects of all this spring pollen?

I woke up yesterday at 6:30 am ready to hit the ground running and get some stuff done. I had two morning appointments and then had to go by the post office to drop off some shipments. By 12:30 I was on my way home and feeling a little scratch in the throat but I still felt like I had lots of energy.

Once I hit my garage door I felt like someone had pulled the plug on my energy supply and the idea of sitting at my computer and working didn’t sound like fun. All I wanted to do was take a nap so that’s what I did. A nap in the middle of the day is such a magical thing especially when you’re lying on your bed with the sun streaming through the window.

Needless to say I didn’t get around to posting yesterday so today I’m sharing my spring door basket.

DIY Sunflower Basket!

When we first got married, my hubby sent me a huge bouquet of sunflowers in a beautiful cobalt vase. It was the most beautiful arrangement I’d seen and since then I’ve had a love for sunflowers. They are kind of like an afternoon nap and always put a smile on my face.

Anyhow, I knew I wanted to use sunflowers in my spring door basket so I set out to find some. I hit up my favorite craft stores and some pretty stems but most were $6.99 or more per stem. Then I stopped by a Dollar Tree to pick up some items and spotted beautiful bundles of sunflowers in the flower aisle. Sold!

Putting the arrangement together was really simple.

I pulled out this woven basket I picked up at the Country Living Fair last year and gathered a few stems of greenery (from Hobby Lobby) and got busy.

I layered my stems placing the green leaf stems at the back of the basket, the sunflowers in the center and the succulent sprays at the front so they would drape down the front of the basket.

I love how the yellow sunflowers pop against the black door and the greenery provide a color and texture contrast.

Here’s my little basket transformed into a water-color image using the Waterlogue app.

Ok, spring….I’m ready for you!

♦♦♦

Shop the materials and create your own sunflower basket:

Woven Door Basket or Welcome Door Basket with Leather Strap (great price)

Green Leaf Stem

Sunflower Bush or head to the dollar store like I did

Succulent Sprays

Three Entertaining Ideas spotted at the Country Living Fair

October 27, 2015

Last weekend the hubs and I stopped by the Country Living Fair for a quick trip around the park. I didn’t have anything specific on my shopping list and love to go to the fair because it always so inspiring.

While I didn’t spend much money (a whopping $3.00) and didn’t take many photos, I did come across three entertaining ideas I really loved.

♥♥♥

I’ve always loved setting a table to unique paper products but never thought of using vintage player piano rolls as placemats. The rolls are functional and add so much character and charm to the table. I was so smitten with this idea that when I got home I went on a search of player piano rolls and found tons of really affordable options on Etsy.

The next idea I spotted takes the music theme to a new level. Pages from a music book were set up as a collage and used in place of a placemat and runner on the table. I love the eclectic feel of the this table and think it would be really fun for a causal jazz themed dinner party or entertaining around Christmas. I’ve scored some great sheet music books from Goodwill over the years so keep your eyes open when shopping.

The third entertaining idea I saw so such a simple touch but really added a lot to the table–fabric silverware pockets. I spotted these at the Cutlery Couture booth, which was packed with shoppers. The ladies behind this company use simple fabrics and everyday embellishments to create these fun pouches.

As usual, there are always a few items I pass up at the fair that days later I wish I would have gotten but I did pick up business cards from those vendors so I can order online.

If you’re wondering what I bought, it was these three brass stencil letters for a holiday project I’m working on.

And The Winner Is…

October 20, 2014

via

This is one of my favorite weeks on the entire year because this weekend the Country Living Fair comes to town.

I can’t wait to check out this year’s stack of pumpkins and gourds, a signature statement that is at the entrance of the fair each year.

via

…

Read the Post

The Country Living Fair

October 28, 2013

Happy Monday! Can you believe that it’s almost November? Just last night I was thinking about the year and the new people, new adventures, new projects, new experiences, new hurdles and new inspirations I’ve had and all I can say is that I’m so grateful for it all. It’s a blessing to wake up everyday and feel joyful about life.

Speaking of joyful, I sent Friday at Stone Mountain attending the Country Living Fair. the CL fair is such a fun experience not only because of the great shopping but because of all the amazing inspiration you take in as you wander from booth to booth. Enjoy the view from behind my lens.

The giant pumpkin stack is a signature of the CL fair and it greets you upon entering.

Who knew pinecones were so pretty on the inside.

I loved this SHOP sign…perfect for a retail store.

A fun way to use clipboards and old marquee letters. I passed up a whole box of these letters a couple months ago at a flea market and I’m still regretting it.

Cari Cuksey who has the HGTV show Cash and Cari always has a booth at the show.

Love the idea of using old trays for unique signage.

Lots of ribbon…not vintage but still lovely.

This booth had loads of items including baskets and all types of architectural pieces.

This booth décor was amazing.

Loved most of the jewelry I saw especially this tassel necklace.

I should have gone back and picked up several of this boards because I haven’t stopping thinking about them since Friday.

Chippy, old and fantastic.

Just the DIY inspiration I needed for some metal buckets I have in my stash.

So loved this board with hooks.

What a creative use for clipboards.

I always love seeing what Happy Chair has to offer. There chairs are simply amazing.

Seems that the new trend is mobile shopping is food trunks. There were several clothing vendors that had their shops set up in these trucks so they can set up shop anywhere.