Sunday, November 17, 2013

Thanksgiving Mantel

Another weekend, another project!  This weekend I got my mantel in order for Thanksgiving.
This all started because my glittered turkey just didn't go with the rest of my Thanksgiving table - so the turkey got banished from the table and had to find another place to hangout for Thanksgiving.
So once Mr. Turkey landed on the Mantel - I had to add more glitz.  Now I will be honest with you - I never thought I would ever use the word glitz together with Thanksgiving - but that is what I did!
I used a mix of naturals and glitter!  
Using my computer, I printed out a simple saying on Kraft Paper Card stock, cut in in a banner shape, distressed the edges with ink and then added a little more sparkle on the edges with some gold glitter.
I used packing tape to tack down the  grapevines to the top edge of my mantel and then used some brown moss to cover up any tape showing.
I would be careful with what you use though- some tapes may pull the paint or finish off of your mantel, this method seems to be fine for the finish on my mantel, but I would hate for anyone to ruin their mantel because of what I was using.
Finishing it all off with a few gold pumpkins, bronze and gold glittered acorns and some gold glitter candles.  I used the same ribbon from the wreath to ties bows around the candles, just to tone them down a bit.  
For us Thanksgiving is all about Family.  We will be gathering with a lot of family next week for great conversation, catching up, some reminiscing, football and of course, food!

I hope you have a very nice Thanksgiving! And don't eat too much!

I will be linking up at the following parties:
Sunday Showcase @ Under the Table and Dreaming
Centerpiece Wednesday @ The Style Sisters
Wow Us Wednesday @Savvy Southern Style

Monday, November 11, 2013

Thanksgiving Tablescape - Wishing you a Pheasant Holiday

I know I am a little early for my Thanksgiving table - but when you work in retail- you do things when you can!!  I work for a toy company, the next six weeks will just be crazy for us little elves who help the stores stock the shelves.  Yesterday ended up being a wonderful relaxing Sunday -  so what better time to set my Thanksgiving Table!  I am very Thankful to God for the many blessings I have, so I always enjoy setting a Thanksgiving Table, even though I do not host Thanksgiving Dinner.

I went with a pheasant theme this year!  
Some of my earliest memories of Thanksgiving include my father and his brothers coming home from hunting, each carrying a few pheasants by the tails, all looking very proud of their success that morning.  

I will, however, spare you from the images still burned in my brain of some dead pheasants being plopped down on the kitchen counter!

and instead, go for some more pleasant images of some beautiful pheasant statues I found on a recent trip to Amish Country.  

 I used some faux pheasant feathers in my centerpiece.  I am pretty sure no pheasants were harmed in the making of this table!
Sticking with the naturals and browns, I pulled out one of my favorite paisley tablecloths in shades of grey and brown.  I used the same dishes I used last year because I love them.

These cream color plates have a beautiful raised pattern of leaves and acorns on them.
The chargers do as well.  The burlap runner is on loan from a friend - left overs from her daughter's wedding - which can be seen at one of my earlier posts by clicking here
I had purchased a couple of these burlap napkins last year, my intent then was not to use them as napkins, but to line some bread baskets.  Luckily when I went back to the little shop I purchased them at - they had some more and I was able add a few more to complete my table. These burlap napkins are  actually made out of cotton, so they are soft and not likely to scratch someones lips off if they were to wipe their mouth!  
 It must have been my lucky week last week because I walked into World Market and found complimentary stemware to the amber glasses I already had - on CLEARANCE!!!  I never saw these there when they were full price - good thing - I probably would have bought them and paid much more for them.  
I wanted to remind everyone why we gather for this day - besides watching football - so I added the little Thankful tags on the napkin rings.  I just printed these out on my computer using Kraft paper card stock and then cut them out on my Cuddlebug using a Spellbinders die  and distressed the edges a bit - but they could easily be done in a rectangle for those who don't have all the scrapbooking supplies.   
  Whether you are traveling, cooking or just enjoying,  I hope you get some time to reflect on what you are Thankful for and have a pleasant Thanksgiving.  

Speaking of being Thankful - Thanks for stopping by and for all the wonderful comments you have left over time.  I read each and every comment and get so much joy from them.  Many times it is those little things in life that mean so much!


Sources:
Table Cloth - Marshalls last year
Chargers - Better Homes and Garden - last year at Walmart
Dishes -Tii Collections Dol Havest Leaves - Butterchurn Kitchenwares in Walnut Creek Ohio last year
Burlap Napkins -by Nancy's Nook -  Olde Picket Fence in Hartville Ohio
Flatware - Ikea in the spring
Stemware - World Market
Pheasants - Berlin Village Gift Barn - Berlin Ohio last month

I will be linking up at the following parties:
Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
Let's Dish @Cuisine Kathleen
Tablescape Thursday Between Naps on the Porch
Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage
Seasonal Sundays @ The Tablescaper