G'day, how are you all? I am recovering from a weekend of doing lots but not getting much done, mostly to do with kids' sport and yesterday was frazzled from a sporting event on the beach all day.
It seems we have more and more days like that. Do you? I seem to mentally plan a hundred and one things to 'get done' at the 'less busy' time of the weekend days and end up at the end of it all, being worse off than when I started, with a cottage that looks like a small device went off inside it and spewed kids paraphernalia all around. I'm sure you too have those bombs going off every weekend?
Anyway, these lanterns are much more interesting to talk about.
Recently I found myself stranded for an hour and a half in a town I don't normally go to...Mr BC had dropped me off there and there were a couple of treasure shops I had heard about and was looking forward to stalking...but there was nothing...what is it lately with the so called 'charity' shops and their prices? I am all for re-cycling, saving money and our planet but truly how many people are going to buy stuff in these shops when really it is on a par to buy it new in the mall??
I was hoping to find some vintage plates for a Christmas theme I have going on in my head, you know gold and old with lots of white...I found some old plates which fit the bill but $20 for one actually meant that I didn't even put them in my basket. Shame that.
Anyway there was a beautiful real home shop a bit further along filled with all manner of goodies, oh how enjoyable to dig through there for a while.
In that delightful shop were some white lanterns made from a thick, plastic almost material printed with various words, they really caught my eye...oh and there was lots of white :-)
So I had a go at making my own DIY version of the lanterns, just printed out words on some white paper (I'll show you the others I did soon), ripped the top for a rustic feel, tied them around an old water glass with a tealight in it and secured with string.
I'm pleased with how they turned out and about $90 better off (I've made 3 so far).
I'm thinking about doing some more of these now with festive words and using them on the table on Christmas Eve...whaddya think?
Ok, I'm off. Lots to do!
Awesome! Wonderful idea. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Lane | November 16, 2009 at 02:21 PM
I think it looks great, and so much better that it didn't cost you an arm and a leg.
Posted by: Jennifer | November 16, 2009 at 02:29 PM
Zowee!! WHat a fabulous idea!! I sooooooo love this!!! I have got to go write it down in my idea book right now!!
Posted by: nannykim at spindle cottage | November 16, 2009 at 02:30 PM
Fabulous !!!
Posted by: Bev | November 16, 2009 at 02:49 PM
Neat!
Posted by: Angie | November 16, 2009 at 03:11 PM
dear sarah....
They look absolutely FANTASTIC....
clever lassie you are!!
xx andrea
Posted by: andrea frost | November 16, 2009 at 03:12 PM
love them!! fabulous as always!
Smiles~Michelle
Posted by: Michelle @ Vintage Junky | November 16, 2009 at 03:47 PM
These are simply stunning - Thanks for sharing - they turned out fabulous!
Posted by: Stephanie Lynn | November 16, 2009 at 03:56 PM
That is a really lovely idea....going to try this..maybe add some stamped images or punch them?
Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Sue in Canada | November 16, 2009 at 04:26 PM
I might use this for the Christmas table too! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Esther | November 16, 2009 at 04:37 PM
Clever, cler. Can just imagine something like that in the centre of wedding tables. Cherrie
Posted by: cherrie | November 16, 2009 at 04:47 PM
That is so clever! Thank you for sharing this fantastic idea.
Best wishes, Natasha.
Posted by: Natasha | November 16, 2009 at 05:44 PM
I love that trunk--oh I love everything you do
Cheri
Posted by: Cheri Peoples | November 16, 2009 at 06:53 PM
The little lights are a great idea...brilliant!
I'm with you about the charity shops, some of their prices are ridiculously expensive...do they actually want our help or not?
Posted by: Su | November 16, 2009 at 08:41 PM
How clever and lovely. Thank you for sharing this idea, i am going to give it a try.
Posted by: Linda Calandrello | November 16, 2009 at 08:55 PM
great project! i'm definitely putting this idea in my idea binder. love the photos! ruby
Posted by: Ruby | November 16, 2009 at 11:18 PM
lovely! I know what you mean about the hope of getting lots done on the weekend, but somehow it doesn't always end up that way...I decided that in order to keep going during the week, I just need to let sunday be a day of rest, the way God planned it all along. things just seem to go better when I relax and do that. I love the lanterns! For a friend's birthday I wrapped part of a white lace doilie around a pint jar and tied it with ribbon. I think I will recycle those with some Christmas ribbon for the holidays. simple and clean is best!
Posted by: mary beth | November 16, 2009 at 11:23 PM
Likey. Very much.
Posted by: cindy | November 16, 2009 at 11:56 PM
Love this!! Thanks!
Posted by: Michelle | November 17, 2009 at 12:33 AM
What a clever idea!
Posted by: Laura Ingalls Gunn | November 17, 2009 at 01:05 AM
Super cute! I like doing that to candles, too!
Posted by: Gina @ The Shabby Chic Cottage | November 17, 2009 at 01:33 AM
I adore how the light goes trough that lantern, so soft. A very beautiful handmade lantern. And love your everything in white blog, so different from my very colored one.
Muchos cariños, and hope you get the time to continue making your wonderful crafts.
María Cecilia
Posted by: maria cecilia | November 17, 2009 at 02:13 AM
I think this is an awesome idea. How creative you are. Love it! :-)
Posted by: Julie | November 17, 2009 at 02:16 AM
Love it! Looks great and what a savings. Great gift giving idea too...thanks for sharing:)
Posted by: Becky @ Farmgirl Paints | November 17, 2009 at 02:43 AM
That really works! I'm on a no-spend month, so I could do that just with the things I already have at home. Thanks!
Posted by: Floss | November 17, 2009 at 06:16 AM
Great idea. Love it. And yes, the charity shops have hiked up their prices here, too. There is still one locally that's a real bargin-hunter's cave, so that gets more visits from me than the others. xx
Posted by: Andi | November 17, 2009 at 08:08 AM
Hi Sarah...
Ohhh...I love, love, LOVE your beautiful white lanterns! You know...I have seen these done with vellum as well! My friend, I just adore coming to your place...your photos are extrodinary!!! I always feel like I've just opened my favorite magazine! Sheeshh...I don't have any idea what you're talking about with kids and explosions! hehe! Your place is always sooo beautiful!!!
Well my friend, I would like to thank you for coming by and taking a peek at my faux fireplace project...I sure did enjoy your sweet note!!!
Warmest wishes,
Chari @Happy To Design
Posted by: Chari | November 17, 2009 at 10:02 AM
I love that idea! I might have to "borrow! it. That trunk is gorgeous by the way.
Mel x
Posted by: Mel (Shabby Chick) | November 17, 2009 at 10:20 AM
What is it with the thrift shops? Is it a world wide conspiracy? A blogger on the west coast made a comment about the ridiculous prices at their Goodwill and Salvation Army and then bloggers all over the country chimed in about the high prices in their areas too! SHAME ON THEM for charging higher prices now when people go there now that need a break.
On a lighter note, I love your style girl!
Posted by: carold | November 17, 2009 at 11:55 AM
Love it!!!! so creative you are!!!
Posted by: Jackie. | November 17, 2009 at 12:14 PM
Very cute. Architect's tracing paper would also work. I use plain brown paper on tin cans tied with string or raffia when I give flowers (great for teacher gifts). Must be nice on the beach (envy, envy). Having lived on the beach as a kid, I miss it and summer already up here on the north side. Today was lovely but I was cleaning up the garden, not planting.
Posted by: Pat's Addition | November 17, 2009 at 12:19 PM
you never cease to amaze me, Sarah... never :-)
smiles,
Julia
Posted by: Drawn to the Sea | November 17, 2009 at 01:46 PM
So simple, understated and therfore perfect.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
Posted by: Kerryanne English | November 17, 2009 at 04:04 PM
What a wonderful idea!! so simple and yet the end result is exquisite!!!
Agree with you re. charity shops - I've also noticed that lately the prices have gone up and often you can get the same/ similar product in the stores for the same price! crazy! and sad ....
G
Posted by: Gena | November 17, 2009 at 05:55 PM
Very very cute. I love it. I love your style!
XOOX
Jen
Posted by: jenjen | November 17, 2009 at 07:02 PM
What a great idea, thanks for sharing. They would look wonderful on the Thanksgiving table with some thankful sayings.
Blessings,
Marcia
Posted by: Marcia | November 17, 2009 at 07:16 PM
I'm always scared the paper will catch! But I've seen brown paper used for outdoor lanterns and it gives a warm glow. Always such lovely photographs!
Posted by: Brismod | November 17, 2009 at 09:31 PM
Fabulous idea and easy enough for me to do. I'll be using for place cards at Thanksgiving and then switching to some Christmas words on my fireplace mantle for Christmas.
Posted by: Barbara | November 17, 2009 at 11:45 PM
i think...i can do that.
i think...i'll print my blog logo onto interesting paper and twine it up like you did.
problem: no one will want it but me!
solution: that's okay. i decorate to please myself :-)
idea: (well, i didn't read all the comments so maybe it's no original) they would be cute as place cards, too.
duh: i just looked up and see the previous commenter already thought of it.
original: not me
creative copier: uh-huh
Love your stuff!
Posted by: Jeanne Greenwald | November 18, 2009 at 03:44 AM
How sweet those are!! Love it.
Posted by: Bloggers Abode | November 18, 2009 at 11:09 AM
Sarah! I love that clever idea, so simple, too! I should try it. I'm not real crafty, but who can't do that one? Hugs, Cindy S.
Posted by: cindy | November 18, 2009 at 11:13 AM
What a great idea! I'd love to do this in lieu of place cards (not that I ever have a dinner fancy enough for place cards, but now I may. :-)
Posted by: Laura @ the shorehouse | November 19, 2009 at 04:43 AM
I love this idea and plan to try it out!!! Just have to figure out what words to use.....
Posted by: Celia | November 25, 2009 at 12:50 PM