• I just found a wonderful old coffee table which was scratched and looked pretty rough.  It was 16 dollars and I couldn’t resist the beautifully feminine French looking legs on this huge table.  After four coats of creamy white paint, it is now in my blue and yellow “cottage” living room and I am thrilled.  I feel better than if I had gone to the furniture store and paid $500 for something new!  The secret is to look beyond the condition of an object and imagine how you can transform it.

• Put a nice mirror on your coffee table and load it up with cream colored candles in silver or glass holders. Light them and sit back to enjoy the sparkle and ambience it gives to a gray winter day.  A few fresh flowers right next to it will just add to the lift it gives.  If the mirror is a cheap plastic one, that’s okay!  Paint it in a soft appealing color and no one will know!  You may need to stick some felt pieces to the back of the mirror so it doesn’t scratch the table.  Those are available at the dollar store and are self stick.

• I just entertained a group of young ladies at tea and wanted the table to look creative.  I used an old picture frame painted white with the glass still in place for a “tea tray”.  I didn’t actually pick up the tray to serve with, I just placed it on the table with the tea pot, cream and sugar and teaspoons for an interesting way to accent the tea service.  I placed another empty picture frame (no glass) in the center of the table and placed the centerpiece on a mirror in the center of that with several crème colored candles.  The whole thing was really feminine and pretty.  The perfect thing for a ladies tea party.

• Layer table clothes for a rich eclectic look.  They don’t even have to be the same size and can be placed at different angles.  Maintain a unified look by the colors you select.  I love to put perhaps three or four layers starting with the largest cloth.  Some are quilts or coverlets, some are tablecloths in various sizes, dresser scarves or interesting fabric pieces.  The coverings add depth warmth and interest even if you really don’t have a special centerpiece.

• I just found some great elastic children’s bracelets for 50 cents at the dollar store.  They are pretty gaudy looking, but ended up making wonderful napkin rings and table “jewelry” that adds a punch of interest. 

• Stenciling is a fun and inexpensive project.  I decided to stencil “tile” as a back splash in my kitchen and used a beautiful bright French blue.  It was simple enough to do and cost about $5 for all the supplies.  So far, it’s getting rave reviews.  Before and after pictures will soon be on my web page.  Don’t be afraid to try a project like this.  For a small investment you can have a great new look for spring.  If it doesn’t look as great as you hoped, just paint over it.  I plan to do a coordinating floor cloth to match mine!

• Plan to do one creative project a week.  It could be a huge one or something very simple depending on the time you have available.  Take before and after pictures to remind yourself how far you’ve come.  I guarantee your creativity will soon be off the charts!

• Invite a friend for tea.  This is a wonderful time to catch up over a steaming cup of tea and a cookie.  Here is a simple cookie recipe that take no time at all to make and are delicious with tea.  Send your friend home with a little plate of them, wrapped in clear plastic and tied with a bow.

Melting Moments

1 cup softened butter
½ cup confectioner’s sugar
1 cup flour
2 Tbs. cornstarch
Flaked coconut (optional)

In a medium bowl, mix together butter, sugar and cornstarch.  When well mixed, add flour and mix again.  Chill dough for about 2 hours.  Form balls (1 Tbs.)  and roll in coconut if desired.  Bake at 300 for about 20-25 minutes on ungreased cookie sheet.  Cool and serve.  These freeze well for later use.

Hope you all have gotten a bit of inspiration for this update.  I look forward to meeting many of you this spring at retreats and creative seminars.  We hope to have a newsletter archive added to the website along with an album of before and after pictures of new projects each month.  Blessings to all of you as you welcome in the coming of spring!