Swags, feather's and pearls - Tablescape Thursday

Christmas Dinner for friends. 

My inspiration for this table was the above Christmas swag.  See below for pictures of other swags.  I purchased it because I fell in love with the colors.  They aren't the typical red and green colors we all usually have for Christmas and it goes really well in my house!

I wanted to create height on the table and knew that I could do that with "something I already own".  I finally figured out that I had a tall wrought iron topiary in my garden.  I cleaned it all up and spray painted it.

Placed the wrought iron topiary (as seen above) in the middle of the table and then draped the swag on top of it.  I then filled the rest of the topiary in with live Christmas clippings from my local tree farm.  Added ribbon and that was my centerpiece.  I also put some sparkly silver feathers and some white "real" feather's at the top of the topiary to add some whimsy and interest.

I used king size pillowcases for the chair covers in a wonderful gold satin color.   (My best friend Suzanne is in setup mode here with me - she's the absolute best ever!!!!)

A black tablecloth always makes for a great backdrop.  After I put the black table cloth on the table, I just used a bolt of fabric around the table and pinned it securely.  I eventually used this fabric to re-upholster my chair which I've posted before.

 I found the green charger plates at a thrift store about 3 years ago if you can believe that! There were 8 of them and I was tearing them off the shelf as fast as I could. I love the holly leaves on them. Who would give them away?  Paid $2.00 for each plate!!

Tied the napkin with some burnt orange ribbon to complement the ribbon on the swag and added some winter acorns.  Each person had a handwritten name tag  (slipped into my silver name tag holder's) and their own personal sparkly feather.

I added some pearl garland around the centerpiece and that finished it off complimenting the silver feather's.

Go to Between Naps On The Porch to see more wonderful tablescapes.

Talented Artists

I've got three incredible artists that I want to introduce you to this Holiday Season!!

My very creative friend Sheila is so very talented. With Christmas around the corner, she has something gorgeous for everyone on your list.   

Visit Sheila's blog at designs4faith to see her beautiful cards, crosses, decorative boxes and canvases. 

She does such gorgeous, detailed work!!

Since we were just talking about "hostess gifts" the below note cards would be perfect for someone hosting a party this season.  Go here to see my post about "hostess gifts"

This cross is stunning and layered with pebbles.  It's nice and large too!  Great quality and a great price.

She has an amazing selection of coasters too!  Very unique!  I have some of these and all my guests comment about them whenever they are used.

Visit her blog and place your order.  She can create your custom order today.

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I also wanted to introduce you to a very talented Cheryl Singleton Holmen

 She is a crafter of Crystal Crossbottles, Shell Bottles and other crystal designs soldered to vintage bottles and decanters.

 She has worked in stained glass for over 30 years. You may have seen her “Message on a Bottle” Shell and Stone Bottles in Wisteria's Catalog. Wisteria featured her in their September 4, 2009 Blog: here. These bottles are growing in popularity and have been seen in House Beautiful, Country Living Magazine, California Home and other publications, as well as gift shows and the various Marts around the country.

Her prices start at $20. She uses lead free silver solder on all her bottles.





Visit her website http://www.crossbottles.com/ to see more pictures of her work.

Aren't these bottles stunning!

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Another wonderful artist that I've been hearing all kinds of buzz about in our area is Valeria with Bijou Jewels

Valerie makes incredible jewelry.  Her latest is this beautiful necklace with interchangeable inserts.

Below are a few of my favorite items.

I own a blown glass piece and EVERY time I wear it, I get compliments.

Great quality jewelry!

Happy Shopping, enjoy!

Ruthie

Hostess Gifts

(My centerpiece last year)

(The pink Protea's are the South African flower)

Many of us are going to friends and family for Thanksgiving.

We all know that it's nice to take some kind of hostess gift but what do you take?

Hostess thank you gifts don’t have to be expensive or big. You are just making a token thank you gesture for the time and effort made by the hostess to include you. The most important part is to be gracious and make sure the hostess feels appreciated.

THANK YOU!

 Here are a few ideas:

Wouldn't you LOVE to receive this mini pumpkin cheesecake as your gift? 

Or these wonderful sugar cookies?

These coasters would make someone happy too.  Very personal.

Above items all from Horchow

I'm absoloutely nuts about these doorknob bottle stopper's.

Perfect for those who have everything!

A beautiful snowflake ornament could be hung anywhere, no  matter what your style.  The above items found at Pottery Barn

I had a party a couple years ago and one of my dear friends gave me dish towels with my initials on them.  I've used them so much and felt so special to receive such a personalized gift.

Any dishtowel can be initialed.  Target has some beautiful ones that you can buy and have personalized as well.

Thought these coaster's were great for a guy (silver with leather is a great combination).  More of a masculine touch.  I'd love them too!  Pottery Barn has these.

Everyone loves flowers!  If you are going to take flowers to your hostess, make sure that you take them in a vase.  The hostess is usually really busy and doesn't have time to find a vase to put her flowers in once you arrive.  If they are all ready to go she will really appreciate that!

Another gift I recieved once (the best ever) was a basket with goodies for us for breakfast the next morning.  She filled the basket with breads, muffins, etc.  It was wonderful the next day because all I had to do was brew my coffee.

If you don't take a  hostess gift that's fine, it's not expected.  However, do write a thank you card.  Here is a great website for cards that you can send online with your handwriting for about a $1.00 a card.  Perfect for business thank you's too! 

Send Out Cards

Have fun finding a treasure for your hostess this year!

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