Fish bowl Centerpiece and cooler

It is officially summer and the outdoor entertaining continues.

Lots of picnics and gatherings with food, ice cream and lightning bugs!

Anytime there is an event, I like to decorate. When I discover something that doesn't take a long time to do but adds impact to the decor, I jump on it.

This project is one of those times!

I have never used water beads before. While I was shopping I discovered these. They come in different colors too. They are normally used for flower arrangements but not this time.

I wanted a beachy feel.

I came up with an Aquarium Centerpiece Cooler.

This little project is not only great for adult tablescapes but children's parties too.

I started with a few supplies I found at Old Time Pottery.

1 Trifle Dish

1 bag of seashells

1 fish gems

2 waterbeads

LED lights optional

shell tablecloth

Fill trifle dish with about an inch of shells to cover bottom and come up on sides.

I love the variety of color and texture. There is enough in the bag to add more. 

Then pour the two containers of water beads in the bowl on top of shells.

These are so awesome! I love the color too. Perfect for the water of the aquarium.

Then I found these adorable fish gems

I pulled out all of the fish shapes. There were all colors. I stayed away from the blue ones because they didn't show up in the water. I pushed the fish along the sides of trifle bowl down into the waterbeads. I alternated colors and put them all around the sides.

Now for the best part!

I added a bowl to fit the top. I experimented with cooling the water beads. First I put them in the refrigerator. That worked! Then I decided to try the freezer. That worked too! I was able to put some pasta salad in the bowl above and keep it cool for the picnic! DO NOT mix the beads with food.

I added the shell print tablecloth to complete the look.

You can add the LED lights for night time parties. Push them down in the middle of trifle bowl.

Love this idea and cannot wait to use these water beads again!!

There is still a lot of summer left to enjoy this. Hope you give it a try!

Beach Sign

Summer is here!

There is nothing like the smell of salty air and sand between your toes.

Still dreaming of the beach though.  For me growing up in New Jersey was something I always treasured, especially since I moved away when I was in High School. There are so many memories I hold on to. My family always got together and when they did we had a blast. Being from up north we were loud and proud and loved being together.

My grandparents took us to the shore when we were little. Atlantic City was their spot and eventually Cape May. I remember the smell of peanuts and the smell of the boardwalk like it was yesterday.

I had the opportunity to ride all the rides on the pier in Atlantic City, Seaside Heights and Ocean City.
There was nothing like it. We would sometimes rent bicycles and ride on the boardwalk early in the morning. We would spend the day on the beach, go back to the hotel to take a nap and get ready for night.

Night time was the best! All those lights from the rides and games like skee ball and miniature golf. It was so exciting.

I am not sure if I will see a beach this year. One thing I know for sure is I will be surrounding myself with beachy things.

Doing so keeps me happy.

I love this beach inspired project so much. The hardest part was deciding which wooden cut out to use!

Old Time Pottery sells these adorable wooden wall hangings of whales and seahorses. I knew the moment I saw these I had to do a project with them.

I love whales. I hope to one day fulfill my bucket list of seeing them, hundreds of them swimming together!

This little sign will remind me and keep me dreaming.

Supplies needed

One of the beach wooden wall hangings

rattan mat

fabric

wire 

stencil (letters)

paint pen white

I started ripping strips of this beautiful fabric I found at Old Time Pottery and feeding it through the rattan mat holes. I love that they have fabric and I have done several projects with some I purchased there, like recovering chairs and making bunting.

Make the strips at a desired length and keep knotting across the bottom

You are making a fringe with tattered edges. Nothing precise. That is what gives it charm.

Turn the whale over and locate the toothed hanger. You will use this to tie your wire through and wire to rattan mat. I also wired the tale to keep it secure.

Using a stencil I traced the words "Beach Love"

Use a white paint pen to color in the letters

You can add shells or a starfish or leave as is. I used two push pins lined up with the rattan holes to hang on the fireplace.

This will also look great on a front door!!

I getting tons of nice comments when people see it.

Now ...Who's ready for the beach?

Dreamingincolor Summer Mantel {Beach Dreamin}

Summer is upon us and we have decorated a few times here at the store.

One of the things I most enjoy is rearranging the store. 

Dreamingincolor has made a name for itself by having fun vignettes set up around each room.

The problem is the don't stay long before we are rearranging again!!

I am not complaining. It is a good problem to have.

We are excited to be celebrating summer. Decorating for summer is something I do all year long at my home. I use vintage suitcases and some beachy things all around. I dream of the beach all the time. I miss the salty air and even the sand that can be annoying most of the time.

Owning a store has put a little cramp in my travel plans. It is hard to leave. So not sure I will be getting to the beach this year.

So I am Beach Dreamin'

That is how I came up Dreamingincolor's summer mantel.

What is so neat about this sign is what it is made of. 

Click to read more!

Sandy Toes and Salty Memories

The ocean calls me many times throughout the year. It is like it knows me and there is a pull I can't deny.

It feeds my soul. Renews my spirit.

A few weeks ago, I took my mom to Florida along with my sister. It was her 70th birthday present from us. The first time we have been away together just the three of us.

Compass Table

I love to paint furniture. I really love to hand paint it also. Like my Audrey Hepburn Dresser, Butterfly Table and French Tea Cart to name a few. When I bought this little vintage round table I was going to paint a clock face on it, instead I went nautical.

It didn't start out this way. It was a dark stained table. I painted it white for a base coat. I wanted some of the white to come through when it was distressed.

I started with my projector but soon found that the circles didn't fit right so I drew it by hand. This happens a lot with projectors. As long as you can figure out the dimensions and what looks good to the eye you will make it work.

I also wanted to make this two-toned, I painted and mixed blue with white for the bottom. The top was painted old white. I didn't stop there though.

I wanted the top to look old like and old map. I painted the lines grey and the used dark wax to distress it more I sanded roughly. Then I dry brushed white on top of it.

This will go down with my favorites. I think it is fun to add a twist to furniture. Painting can help and give you the variety you are looking for when you want something different. Have you ever hand painted furniture?

I also want to tell you about a barn sale that is coming to Pulaski, Tennessee called Bella Rustica. I will be a vendor. Click and check it out. It will be located at Milky Way farm. A beautiful place.Ya'll come shop!!!