Buttons, buttons and more buttons.

I found this idea at FamilyFun.com.  Aren't these awesome?
Go here to get instructions on how to make them!
Great kid project and you could use all kinds of buttons. 

Go here to see these buttons on Etsy.  If you used all the same shape it would work and you could use the napkin rings all year!
Go to oriental trading company to order the below buttons.  Oriental Trading is a great resource for crafty items.
I love the holly buttons.
Go here to see these beads
Wouldn't these candy mints be perfect for your Christmas napkin rings?
Great project to do with your kids!  If using beads, they will have to be flat like the ones above.
I'm going to make mine out of these beads that I found on Ebay.  I think I will also paint my popsicle sticks black.
Happy decorating!
Ruthie

10 things I love/hate/share about me

I have received the Honest Scrap award from Maria Killam at Colour Me Happy (one of my favorite blogs - you are the greatest Maria!). The rules are you must share 10 honest things about yourself and link to the person who gave you the award, as well as tag 7 other blogs that you love! So here goes:

1.  I love camping. We were just away this weekend in our RV and it is such therapy. I can totally relax and not think about a thing. I enjoy being out in the woods, huddled around a roaring fire, eating a smore.

Having time away where I can focus on my family, wear no makeup, throw my baseball cap on, hang in a hammock, listen to my favorite music is all such good medicine for the soul.  It brings life back to the basics.   Makes you feel like a kid again with no worries about "real life" back home.  Lots of laughter too!

Nothing like a sunset while you are by the fire!
My sister and I at the entrance of a bat cave.  No I wouldn't go in!

2.  I love Chutney  - Born and raised in South Africa, this is a staple sauce you eat with most everything.  I especially love it with french fries!

3.  I lived in Panama City during my middle school years. I rode to school in a taxi cab every day and didn't’t think that was a big deal. We lived downtown Panama and my school was about 45 minutes away.  When I think of that memory and experience now, I’m shocked that it was me who did that.  There were about 3 of us that were picked up and dropped off every day.  I remember hearing the salsa music which I use to jam to and of course there was no air conditioning, just hot air blasting past my face from the open windows.   However, the cultural experience is one I will never forget and I think it made me aware of others around me and helped me adjust to life's circumstances with flexibility.

4.  I can’t stand to watch other’s brush their teeth. It makes me nauseated. Crazy but true. The foaming at the mouth makes me sick. Okay, barf..... I’ll be right back.

I also dislike the dentist and want to be medicated before I sit in the chair!

5.  The best book I read was when I was a teenager. The autobiography of Joni Eareckson Tada.  I couldn't put the book down.  She was paralyzed as a teenager and her story describes how she overcame this terrible disaster in her life.  It changed my outlook on life, making me live my life to the fullest. Especially since I was a teenager and thought the whole world revolved around ME, ME!   Go here to watch her interview with Larry King Live.

6.  I wore coke bottle glasses until I was 16 and was teased all through school. The best day of my life was when I got contacts.  However, I look back at it now and it helped me become who I am now.  I learned to overcome adversity and helped me overcome my fears, building my character.  My oldest daughter was born with lazy eyes and had 3 surgeries to correct her strabismus.  She wore glasses at 4 months old.  I was able to encourage her and help her through what I went through, making both of us even stronger.  Funny how life flips around isn't it?

 
Yes, this is what I looked like.

7.  I have never been a dog lover but we got a puppy last year for our girls. I have been won over and can’t live without her now!  Actually today it's been one year since we got her.

8. I love to knit.  My mom taught me when I was about 10 and I've never forgotten.  If I ever want to do something that is productive but requires no brain work, that's what I 'll do.  Yes, I know it's kinda nerdy but if you read my blog entry last week about 2011 trends, knitting is coming back!  Go here to read my post.

9.  I love candles but am very cautious when I light them because I almost burnt my house down once.  It was about 10:00 p.m. and I was 8 months pregnant and wanted ice cream.  My husband and I went to the grocery store, bought the ice cream, came out of the store and saw a fire truck whipping past.  We decided it would be adventurous to follow the firetruck to see what was happening.  Guess where we followed the firetruck???  Yes, OUR house.  I thought I was going to go into labor!  I ran inside and the fire department had taken over my whole living room after a candle had ignited my mantel.  All I could think about was the nursery I had just decorated and finished that weekend.  My whole living room was soaked and we spent all night moving furniture, setting up fans and feeling thankful that our house hadn't burned down.  Needless to say, my husband is paranoid about candles now too!  I'm reminded of this incident each time I light a candle but still light them! 

10.  My most embarrassing moment was about 20 years ago when I was at a large Convention.  When we entered, they gave us all glow sticks.  We placed them in our purses and then when it was time to light up the auditorium they told us to get them out, break them and wave them in the air.  
It was a VERY serious moment.

I noticed that everyone around me was laughing.....I looked up and guess what I was waving? 

Yes, this is true! I had broken it in half and was waving it in the air!!!
Kinda personal.....but I still chuckle when I think about this.
Gotta laugh at yourself!
Have fun!
Ruthie

Ruthie's DIY tip of the day.

I found this photo about a year ago and wanted to blog about it. 
I mainly wanted to comment on the way they enhanced this space by adding one square block of paint to the wall. 
This is a great idea if you live in a small space or are renting and can't paint the whole room.  By adding this dark chocolate square on the wall, they've added an amazing backdrop as well as interest for their artwork to be showcased.  It has also added  height to this room.  Sometimes our furniture looks off scale in a room that doesn't have a nice bold color on the wall.  This couch and the chairs are now alive and well in this room.  Everything is well balanced and there is now a focal point in this space.
This living space is very eclectic with the variety of fabrics.  Even though they are all different, the patterns go well with the rug.  Definitely not "matchy, matchy."  Also look collected over time which is what it should look like!  Love the way the white lampshade compliments the white chair.  Small detail but it makes this space look finished.
One thing I don't like is that the draperies are hung too low and should have been hung above the molding.
This kind of paint technique would be wonderful as a backdrop to a bed as well. 
What I love about this "do it yourself tip of the day" is that it can be done in a few hours!  Who says you have to paint the whole room?
Happy weekend! 

23rd Psalm - Tablescape Thursday

This Tablescape Thursday (go here to see other tablescapes from "Between Naps on the Porch") is dedicated to some of my very dear friends that are going through a really hard time in life right now! We can be reminded that God never leaves us, even in the valley!

I did this tablescape about 5 years ago for a Christmas Dinner.
The theme was "The Lord is my Shepherd"
I placed a fountain in the center of the table so you could hear the water running, it was so peaceful!  I had large floating ornaments in the water and they shimmered and sparkled.
I placed green moss all over the table top.  The table cloths were provided so I didn't have the opportunity to iron it (sorry the perfectionist coming out of me).  I  Draped live Christmas tree clippings around the fountain with white feather's to create some whimsy. The red moss really brought it all together and coordinated with the plates and napkins.  I placed the fountain on a small garden column so it had some grandeur. I spray painted branches from my backyard with white and silver spray paint and added sparkles after I spray painted them.  They were placed behind the angel in the fountain to create height.  I also put in some old bark pieces, moss and lily pads.
 I wish I had more close up pictures but you can get the idea.
I used my Christmas place setting from
Williams Sonoma.  I LOVE these plates and would love get the napkins this year for Christmas!
Each person got Psalm 23rd in a frame to take home with them.
I had a bolt of fabric that I used to cover the chairs and tied burlap strips around each one as the finishing touch.  My guests at the table said it was fun to experience what Psalm 23 says by hearing flowing water and being surrounded by the green grass.  It created great discussion between my guests.  We probably memorized this verse sometime in our childhood at church camp or VBS, but somehow it has new meaning depending on what you have going on in your life.  God is constantly speaking to us through his words and I love that!
PSALM 23
The Lord is my shepherd,

I shall not want;

He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters;

He restores my soul.

He leads me in paths of righteousness

for His name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley

of the shadow of death,

I fear no evil;

for You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life;

and I shall dwell in the house of the

Lord forever.

GOD'S LOVE STILL STANDS WHEN ALL ELSE HAS FALLEN!

If you are going through a hard time right now, I hope these words encouraged you!

Ruthie