Last year I partnered with Canadian Tire and created festive DIY projects to help launch the CANVAS line of holiday ornaments and décor. It was such a fun challenge, so I was thrilled to be invited to collaborate again!
In January I spent a whirlwind weekend with Jen, Christine, and Vanessa – and the awesome folks at Canadian Tire. The four of us got an early look at the CANVAS line of patio furniture and outdoor accessories, showed off our DIY prowess, and were totally spoiled thanks to on-set hair and makeup provisions (hello, curls!)
The CANVAS line is about expressing your personal style and making your home and outdoor spaces feel undeniably “you”. Jen, Vanessa, Christine and I were invited to give the CANVAS products our own spin. We each devised a theme for a backyard party, chose pieces we liked from the new CANVAS line, and paired them with some easy DIY projects (small enough to fit in carry-on luggage!) It was such a treat to spend a weekend in a studio that felt totally springy – especially in the middle of a blustery snowstorm – but it made it that much more difficult to return to winter. I had to keep reminding myself, “it’s still winter, this isn’t real, you’ll have to put your boots back on”.
Here’s a closer look at my table setting:
Because Hubby and I are spending money on renovations this year and travel is likely out of the question, I wanted to create a backyard oasis. I was really inspired by our 2008 honeymoon to Greece (specifically, Athens, Santorini, and Crete). It was December, so we didn’t have the typical beachy holiday, but Greece was no less beautiful. Two of my degrees are in
philosophy, and I took many Greek philosophy and mythology courses, so I was just excited to set foot in the places I’d read about – no bikini required. Our trip was full of the nutty, can’t-believe-we-didn’t-end-up-on-the-news kind of adventures that make the best stories. And our photo albums are packed with beautiful photos showcasing saturated colours and rich history.
The CANVAS line has great pieces, like a blue and white outdoor rug, a turquoise solar lantern (swoon), and bright white melamine plates that made it easy to recreate the feeling of my honeymoon. I also created dipped dyed napkins in rich cobalt hues and made napkin rings out of shimmering turquoise shell beads. I was adamant about getting some sliced lemons or oranges to line clear glass flower vases because citrus fruit was everywhere in Greece:
My CANVAS table setting transports me back to that holiday. The mix of saturated blues and yellows, bright white plates, and rustic modern furniture make me want to reminisce.
It was so much fun getting to work with Vanessa, Jen, and Christine.
Here’s my tutorial for dip dyed napkins (along with some useful Do’s and Don’t, learned the hard way as always) and here’s the tutorial for the DIY beaded napkin ring.
Beautiful table setting, it does remind me of Greece, one of our favorite places. Have visited many times and spent Easter on Mykonos one year.
Thanks! I didn't want to get too themey – I just wanted to capture that relaxed feel, with whites, blues, and rustic touches. It's gotten cold here again and the delightful melting of ice and snow has stopped (kids were skating on the lake the other day!). Would love to be feeling springy again. Easter on Mykonos sounds fabulous! Isn't the food in Greece incredible? No matter where we ate – fancy restaurant, roadside vendor, the sack of meet our tour guide pulled out of his packsack on a 14 km hike – it was amazing. I would love to go back in the warmer seasons.
Oh this is so touching for me! When Greece is suffering such a great financial crisis and there is so much contradiction about its new left wing government and so much fight against all of us, blogposts like this one are a beacon to the wild seas!THANK YOU! I can't thank you enough! Visiting Greece in December isn't the best of seasons although I too visited the Peloponnese last year in December and loved it. Santorini is my all time favourite Greek island, and Crete is my all time fourth favourite Greek island with Milos having the third place in my heart and Patmos the second. Don't ask! Athens is a wonderful destination to go sightseeing!The sun over Athens makes for the best pictures ever!Anyway I wish you manage to visit Greece again one day!And who knows maybe we will meet!AriadnefromGreece!
I'm so happy you liked it! I was hoping you would 🙂 I have so many fond memories: the great people, the fabulous food, the beautiful sights…if I am ever fortunate enough to return I'm going to be picking your brain!
Great!I don't mind that at all! I had a look at the Canadian Tire webside! Gorgeous items!What a pity although they are reasonably priced they are so far away to be mailed! I LOVED the lantern you picked and all the settings! I will try the napkin rings at some point!Thanks!
You need to visit Canada 🙂 I'm so proud that we have such great designs and products available at a Canadian store! The lantern is my absolute favorite.
You really captured the watery hues of Greece with your table setting Tanya! It was so fresh and vibrant and I appreciate the explanation on why you included the lemon slices. You were so natural on camera too. So fun to spend the weekend with you!
Thanks Jen! Isn't it funny how certain smells or colours can totally transport us back to a certain time or place? I had such a great time – it was so nice to catch up!
I love the table decor! I visited Greece when I was 18 and would love to go back there, those photos of the white homes and colourful doors bring back such a vivid memory of my travels there 🙂
Thanks Michelle! I think I am figuring out that Greece isn't a place you visit just once! I hope you're able to make it back again for another visit.
I have always wanted to go to Greece, it just looks so beautiful. Love the video, you're so cute!
It WAS beautiful! And the people were so friendly. And the food was amazing. The toilet situation was a little dicey, though (you can't flush toilet paper).Ahhh, I feel so dorky in those videos. But Canadian Tire always does such a great job with editing – the end result is so polished and fun.
Oh wait, are you talking about the selfie one? Oy, that was awkward – had to keep myself in the shot, and not show the set too much – just the table. I had a hard time with the walking + the talking, and at one point I said, "hard to believe I have a PhD, huh?" and everyone was like, "wait, what?"
What??? Can't flush tp? What are you suppose to do with it? That is very strange. I was talking about all of it, the pics and videos. You come across as very comfortable and not awkward at all.
You have to throw it away in little garbage cans!!! I think it's because the pipes are so old? I can't remember. It was very difficult to get used to. But you do.Awww, thanks! Happy I don't look as awkward as I felt.
Ugh, I can't even imagine, especially that time of the month
well done! love all those lemons and blue….filing this away for summer inspiration!
Thanks!! I was happy with how fresh but classic lemon yellow looked with blues and aqua. I took away some warmer yellows when I decorated my house. Now I kind of want to add some lemon yellow back in…