Vintage Stoves and a Thanksgiving Blessing

As much as I love looking at vintage stoves it's so much easier to cook Thanksgiving dinner with modern appliances.  There was one similar to the Bartlett (upper right) in our basement when we moved in.  Since the house belonged to my husband's Grandparents we kept it for a while but gave it up as we needed more storage in the house.  I wonder what kind of holiday dinners were cooked in that stove?  Wonderful, I'm sure, since I know that family was there to help with the prep and share in the love.


Abundant Blessing

We thank you for the turkey,
The gravy and the dressing.
Dear Lord, this table overflows
With Thy abundant blessing.
Let us always be aware
That all gifts come from You,
And may we serve Your heavenly will
In everything we do. Amen.

-Joanna Fuchs

Thanksgiving and Autumn Glass Painting Project

The theme for this month at the Designer Crafts Blog Connection is Thanksgiving/Fall.  As usual, I'm sharing a quick and easy project with you.  I like to inspire you with an "I can do that!" attitude.  Hope you like this one as well as the other creative ideas on the 365 Days of Crafts Blog Hop.

I used the new DecoArt Glass Paint Markers, in Brown, to draw the leaves on a white ceramic plate. The charger was originally clear.  I painted the border with a sponge brush to create a blend of orange and yellow with Americana Gloss Enamels.  The swirls were stamped on using Brown Americana Gloss Enamels.

There's a matching glass and a folded napkin technique to come soon, I promise!  Mom's in the hospital and I've been there almost 24/7.  She's doing well and we hope to get her home soon.  Then it's back to posting the rest of my Thanksgiving tablescape ideas.

You might enjoy a few posts from last fall to keep you busy until I get back.
Autumn Napkin Folds - Chocolate Brown
Autumn Napkin Folds - Crown Fold
Autumn Napkins Folds - Cone Fold
Autumn Rose and French Fold Napkins
Thanksgiving Tablescape and Dessert Buffet
Blessed Family Gathering
Pause and Give Thanks

Don't forget to Hop through the rest of the blogs and see what the other Designers have been up to!

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I'm also hanging out with my friends at:
TABLESCAPE THURSDAY - Between Naps on the Porch

Stop on by and visit!

Pumpkins are not just for Jack O Lanterns

Happy Halloween!
Did you know that you can decorate a pumpkin with flowers by poking holes in the sides and sticking the stems in?

Mumkin Pumpkins - Flower Shop Network

5 Easy Ways to Decorate Pumpkins - Southern Living Magazine

These would make a lovely Thanksgiving centerpiece as well.  I wonder how this would work with those artificial pumpkins from the craft store and silk flowers?  I'm sure the pumpkins will be on sale tomorrow!

Earth’s crammed with heaven, And every common bush afire with God; And only he who sees takes off his shoes; The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries.   – Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Hop along with me at: House of Hepworths and Between Naps on the Porch this week. 

Halloween Dinnerware Shopping at HomeGoods

Skull Decor is a very strong trend right now and it's not just for Halloween!  Try a Google search and you'll find everything from Designer Clothing to Home Decor and even Wedding Cake Toppers.   While I was shopping recently I found this great set of dinnerware that's perfect for a Halloween Party.

Handpainted Dinnerware by MESA at HomeGoods

 This design actually covers a few trends including; Halloween Decor, Skulls, Glam and Black + White (even though the webs are silver they would still look great with a B+W theme)

Skull Decor crosses over into the Gothic, Steampunk and Vampire trends as well.

Love the rhinestones!

Of course, since I'm the Research Queen, I wanted to know more about who made this set.  When you shop at HomeGoods you need to buy it when you see it.  The things I usually fall in love with are in limited supply and not restocked.  The company, MESA Home Products, has a website.  No skull dinnerware there, but they do have some really great items for entertaining. I've bookmarked it for future shopping.

MESA Home Products label on Halloween Dinnerware

HomeGoods has been one of my favorite places to shop for tablescape decor. (I do still love those bargains at the resale store though!)  Now I'm headed back to pick up the pumpkin I saw covered in leaves..........I don't know why I talked myself out of it the first time!

Pumpkin covered in leaves - HomeGoods 2011

Eat, drink and be scary! Author Unknown

You can find me at: A Stroll Thru Life and the 166 Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch this week.

4th of July Flowers

Sunrise Seeds American Flag Mix - Botanical Interest

I found this mix of Larkspur colors that would be perfect in a patriotic garden!  Now I wish I would have grown them for a 4th of July Centerpiece.

Here are a few other ideas for Red, White and Blue Centerpieces.  Click on the photo for more information.

I hope this inspires you to dress up your table with flowers that have a little Patriotic color.  I found the perfect quote for this post!  Enjoy!

Freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed - else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die.  ~Dwight D. Eisenhower

Memorial Day - Remember

Memorial Day 2011 - Cindy Rippe - Art in Entertaining

Both of our Dad's served during two different wars.  We honor the sacrifices of those who have served and currently serve our Country.

Happy Memorial Day

How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!  ~Maya Angelou

St Pat's Day

Happy St Patrick's Day!

I'm sitting in the library today.  My internet is down for the count until next week but I didn't want to miss the opportunity to say Hi and hope you have fun today!
Here's my post from LAST YEAR if you want a little Irish inspiration right now.   
I'll try to post pictures of my project for this year next week.  I have a collection of Vintage Hallmark Merry Minatures and Lapel Pins.  (makes me feel old since they are now considered vintage!) I'll be using the Lapel Pins and ribbon to wrap around our napkins today.

I decided to sell some of my collection so look to future posts for lots of bargains that will be perfect to add a special touch to your Holiday Tablescape.

May your blessings outnumber
The shamrocks that grow,
And may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go.
~Irish Blessing

Pistachio Nut Wreath for Valentine's Day.

I love this wreath.  It was a gift from Cindy Wollenzien and hangs in my studio year round.  I brought it home for Valentine's Day.

After removing the dust with my soft vintage brush.

I gave it a coat of spray on sealer.

The wreath is made by hot gluing the whole nuts onto a heart shape (this one is cut from card stock).  I like the way some of the nut meat is popping out of the shells.  Just follow the shape of the heart in rows.

You can see where the glue is peeking out in the back.  Add a layer of felt and a picture hangar (also hot glued) and a pretty shear ribbon.  It would make a pretty, last minute gift for someone you love.

Daffodils for Valentine's Day

Well...who says that a Valentine's Day Tablescape needs to include Pink and Red?  I was feeling desperate for a touch of Spring after our trip to Sid's Greenhouse and pulled out my Daffodil Altered Book.  I created the design one year after seeing a few of my daffodils "kissing" between the fence in the yard.

 I glued several pages together and cut out heart shapes with a craft knife.  1. Rubber stamped letters on a sheet of clear acetate is glued between the pages.  2. The back side of the large heart showing the pages of the book.  3. The daffodil sketch was painted with water color, colored pencil and inked lines. A few pieces of Scrapbook paper, my garden statue photo, ribbon and a tassel decorate the rest of the piece.  It's designed to sit on an easel which works out nicely for a tablescape centerpiece.

I wanted to tie the napkin with raffia but didn't have any so I improvised with embroidery floss.

1. Accordion fold the napkin. 2. DMC brand embrodery floss. 3. Spread the skein of floss into a circle.
4. Slip it on to the end of the folded napkin.  5. Twist and wrap it around one more time. 6. Adjust the threads if needed. 7. Tuck a few flowers into the floss napkin ring.

I can't forget the cookies!  They are made using the Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe but I used Peanut Butter chips and Mini Chocolate Chips mixed together.  "Deelicious!" as Isabella would say.

For more Valentine's Day Tablescapes visit this week's Tablescape Thursday at  BETWEEN NAPS ON THE PORCH.  Beautiful!




I'm partying with CRAFTY CHICA for her Saturday "Post Your Craft" Link Party.Check it out!
Oh...for those of you that can't imagine a Valentine's Day Tablescape without pink I found out that there are several varieties of Pink Daffodils.  Who knew??

Daffodil 'Chromacolor'

Finished On the 15th Blog Hop

New Year's Day with my Family

I can't think of a better way to start a new year than to spend time with my immediate family.  We're all so busy that it's hard to schedule a day for just the 7 of us to get together.  This year we watched Isabella overnight on New Year's Eve.  Lee and I made a Lasagna dinner for the kids next day. (I forgot how hard it is to work on a large project with a helpful 2 1/2 year old! - Isabella had fun eating and adding cheese to the pan)  We actually made three pans of Lasagna so we'd have extra to freeze and share.  Yum!

 

You can find the recipe here.  While this takes some time to make, you can prepare it a day ahead and refrigerate before baking. Add a little extra baking time since it will be cold when you put it in the oven.

I served it with a simple salad and french bread.  We had a few Christmas cookies for dessert and spent the evening just laughing and talking about our plans for the upcoming year.  Wonderful! 

Sweet Christmas Joy from Bakerella

I'm a big fan of Bakerella.  Her delightful Cake Pops and blog just make me so happy!  I was reading her blog today and she shared pictures from her friend "Cupcake Julie's" Christmas party again this year.  I'm glad I took a few minutes to see what she's up to.  I needed something to get me out of a bad mood.  (You know, one of those days when you know you shouldn't be complaining about things but you just can't help yourself!) 

If you need a little touch of "Happy" too you'll want check out her blog.

Last year's party - December 2009.  I love the sugar cookies, the signs on the dessert buffet, and well... everything!  Wonderful pictures!

http://www.bakerella.com/candyland/

Tablescape from this year's party. December 2010.

http://www.bakerella.com/sweet-soldiers/

Enjoy!

Sizzix Triple Play Blog Hop Week 7 - Hot Beverage Bar Signs

This is the last week for the Sizzix Triple Play Blog Hop, I'll miss playing with all the shapes.  This week I received mat board shapes cut from the Sizzix ScoreBoards XL Die - Treat Bag Toppers designed by Eileen Hull.  So cute!

I decided to use the shapes as signs for my Hot Beverage Bar.  We have a Christmas Light Parade in town every year and after some of the parades I've invited friends and family over for a simple meal.  As they arrive they are greeted with an assortment of hot beverages that are set up as a self service bar and beverage area.

I use a crock pot, insulated "Thermos" coffee pots and my coffee maker to keep the drinks warm since I prepare them before I leave to watch the parade myself.  The only thing left to do when I get back is to switch on the coffee pot.

The Crock Pot holds Spiced Apple Cider. (For the recipe click HERE)  I used a brown permanent pen to sketch a flower and painted it with DecoArt Americana Acrylics.  To match the glitter on the artificial leaf accents I finished the sign with a coat of DecoArt Twinkles Glitter.  I wrapped a ribbon around the crockpot, attached a few glittered leaves, the sign and the oval label with Glue Dots.

The serving ladle rests on a little dish that was originally made for dipping bread in olive oil.  It helps with the drips and the guests feel better knowing where to put it.  Oh!  I also leave the lid of the crock pot off during the party.

A few touches to dress up my Snow Lady pulls the grouping together!  I'm working on more signs so be sure to check back again to see the rest of my Hot Beverage Bar.

Click on the forward button below to continue with the Sizzix Triple Play Blog Hop.

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For more tablescapes check out Between Naps on the Porch for a Christmas Tablescape Thursday.

Thanksgiving Tablescape

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  We sure did. A cozy evening with family and friends gave us much to be thankful for. Sarah and her Mom, Mary, prepared a delicious meal. The traditional family favorites that Tawn (Broccoli, Rice and Cheese) and Nani (Broken Glass - jello) added to the menu rounded out a feast that we all enjoyed.  My job was decorate and bring salad and cake.

 

The table's almost ready.  Sorry, I got busy helping and visiting and I forgot to go back for more pictures.

 

We alternated bowls and plates for the salad.  By mixing the limited amount of brown glass with clear we still got a nice look.  The Johnson Brothers Windsor Ware plates (heirlooms from Sarah's family) have an assortment of fruits and flowers on them.

The roses (they were actually more Rust than Red) matched the flowers on the dinnerware almost exactly.

The inspirational Thanksgiving sign that I made for the Sizzix Triple Play Blog Hop looked very nice with the colors of the dessert and the bronze antique mirror frame.  (It's so great when things work out the way you imagine them to!)  I often display the beautiful desserts on a side board as part of my party decor.

Isabella and Nani (Great Grandma) check to make sure the Chocolate Fudge Cake was O.K. to serve for dessert.  Bella LOVES "choc-o-late".  We love to hear her say it.  :)  She decided she would like to eat cake first before the meal.  That's my girl!  She waited patiently until after dinner though.

For more beautiful tablescapes, many that are more elaborate than mine, check out Tablescape Thursdays at Between Naps on the Porch.