Home for the Holidays, Part 3 - The Christmas Edition!

I know Thanksgiving isn't even here yet but I am so revved up for Christmas!  I'm abusing using my obligation as a blogger to put my Christmas decorations up early!  You need some ideas, right?

Well here are some ideas for tablescapes!

This knockout table was done by the lovely Kendra G.  Now this is hot pink!  Who says Christmas has to be red and green?  I love it!

This is Kendra G's other table.  Kendra is crazy for the Peanuts Gang!  I love the "cartoonish" snow and she even used Linus' blanket at the bottom of the tree!  Too cute!

Here is another pink table!  I love the way it mimics a snowy mountain top.

Aren't these beautiful pieces?  Very retro!

Remember Mitzi A who did the kids Thanksgiving table?  Well, this is her Christmas table.  FUN-ky!  Again, more pink!

Mitzi has a half bath she re-did this summer in turquoise.  She told me after the party, she will take apart this centerpiece to make a wreath to go in her bathroom.  How clever!

These napkins can be used any time of the year!  

This table has a more traditional color scheme.

Here some complimentary ornaments are stacked in a large hurricane.  I think a hurricane (or even a cloche) is one of those things every house needs.  You can get so much mileage from them year round.

Aren't these the most perfect roses you've ever seen?  Roses in a silver julep cup really ratchets up the sophistication of this table.

Aren't you in love with this mercury glass candle holder!  Mercury glass is a hot trend this year.  It's all over the Pottery Barn website.

A very formal but welcoming feel.

What is Christmas without a little gingerbread?  I love how this whole table is all about baking.  See the mixing bowl in the middle?  And those cute gingerbread men greeting you outside their sweet little houses!  I think I'll go preheat the oven!

Okay, I'm back.  Hot cider, anyone?

What a clever idea for a napkin ring...a cookie cutter!  Yeah, I'm definitely hungry now.

This is a beautiful place setting!  It's called Cuthbertson Original Christmas Tree.  I especially like the sweet little holly berry napkins.

Notice the porcelain dear in this picture.  I think he's a nice compliment to the Christmas Tree place settings.  Santa's gotta have his reindeer!

I love this table!  The sweet church in the middle with the beautiful trees around it...it feels so nostalgic.  Or maybe that just me, because the china pattern she used here is my mother's china pattern!  It's Noritake Ranier and it goes with everything!

Now check out these trees.  I think these could be made by using cone-shaped Styrofoam forms and gluing on cabochons.  A variety of sizes of these on a mantel would look nice.

This table exemplifies why we celebrate Christmas...Mary holding her precious baby, Jesus.  The tulle wrapped around the centerpiece gives it an ethereal feel.

Look at all the different Christmas trees on this table!  And I love the mini silver vases in the different shapes topped off with these gorgeous red roses!

And finally, here is my table.  Red and white.  The two most popular things on the table were the candle rings (I made them and here's my tutorial!) and the ornament cookie jar.  Well, I can help with the candle rings but the cookie jar came from Sam's Club two years ago.  They do have some other cute ones out right now, though.

These place setting are just my everyday dishes with a reversible napkin (I made these also and I'll show you how in an upcoming tutorial!) and one of my Christmas ornaments.

 Again, all these beautiful tables are from the talented ladies of Covenant Community Church in Yukon, OK.  Way to go, gals!

If you liked what you saw (and I really hope you did), would you consider following me or leaving a comment?  That would make me very happy!

Home for the Holidays, Part Deux

Well, it's time for more "Home for the Holidays" tablescapes!  Let's get right to it, shall we?

This says it all, don't ya think?

This table was done by Ernestine L.  I love the height of her centerpiece.  I never know how to use these tall, skinny vases.  I'm afraid to "get big" at the top the way Ernestine did here.  Maybe I will call my Grandma and tell her I want that vase after all! ;)

 Aren't these place cards sweet?  I'm "nuts" about them! :)

Can I just tell you how much I love the rhinestones in these pumpkins?  I never would have thought to do that!  And with the mirror and the many candles this center piece really sparkles when the lights go down!

Sweet simplicity would accurately describe this place setting.  And the contrast of it against the "bling" pumpkins...very nice!

This lovely tablescape was done by Harriett B and Patti W.  You could use this on an entry way table also.

This centerpiece has so many fun things tucked into the garland.  I'm wishing I had those antlers!  Hey, my husband is a hunter...why, don't I have some?

I like the idea of having some conversation starters at each place setting.

Need an idea for some easy and inexpensive place mats that are still cute?  Look no further!

I love the handwritten scripture on these cards.  There was one at each place setting and every one was different.

I'm not sure who decorated this table, but I want that iron pumpkin! And the berry garland.  And the glitter balls.  And the...

This table was decorated by Robyn C.  The pictures aren't as good as I would like.  They turned the lights down before I could get any pictures and I had to use my flash.

What a beautiful way to use a pumpkin!  It is setting on a twig wreath and those are real leaves.  All atop a  lovely mercury glass cake stand.  Remember ladies, cake stands are wonderful ways to elevate things other than cake!

This chocolate brown looks so nice.  Oh, great!  Now I'm thinking about chocolate!

This is the head table, decorated by Judy S.  She did such a wonderful job (as always)!  I mimicked an Easter table that she had done and loved it so much I left it all spring on my coffee table!

This is a mock dining table by Millie Fernald of Cobblestone Gifts & Interiors.

I like how she layered the tablecloths and wasn't afraid to use big, bold pumpkins and basket.  Even on this small table it looks fabulous!

Well, that's all of the Thanksgiving tables.  Hopefully you found something you could use on your own dining table this year!

One of the tips Millie Fernald gave to everyone was to use what you have.  Take a fresh look at the things you already have around the house.  Is there another way to use that lovely silver platter?  What about pulling out you grandmother's heirloom gravy boat and filling it with pine cones or unshelled nuts?  And compotes look good filled with anything!

And don't be afraid to bring the outdoors in.  We saw that in some of these tablescapes.  Do you have some potted herbs?  How about filling a beautiful vase with long twigs?  Around here we have a lot of Hedge Apple  trees and they produce these beautiful green hedge apples that are about the size of a softball or a grapefruit.  They really pop against all the browns, golds and reds of Fall!  And best of all you can find them for free up and down the country roads!

And my last tip from Millie is use lots of candles!  With the battery operated ones you can find everywhere now you can "burn" them without worry.  And best of all they look like real candles!  This is a great solution for someone who has pets or small children especially.

Be sure to come back and see the Christmas tables!

If you liked what you saw (and I really hope you did), would you consider following me or leaving a comment?  That would make me very happy!

Home for the Holidays Part 1

Last night my church hosted an event called "Home for the Holidays" to begin to prepare our hearts and our homes for the holiday season. It was a chance for our church ladies to show off their crazy decorating skills!  And I've got pics to back it up!  There were so many wonderul Thanksgiving and Christmas tablescapes, in fact, that I've decided to break it down into multiple posts. 

We'll start with a few posts dedicated to Thanksgiving tablescapes.  Here you'll find many unique and cost conscious ideas on how to decorate your Thanksgiving table!

In addition to some beautiful tables, we also had guest speakers Millie Fernald of Cobblestone Gifts & Interiors in Bethany, OK and Cyndi Schatzman, author and speaker (our own hometown celebrity!).  What wonderful ideas and inspiration they offered!

This cute kids table was done by my sweet friend, Mitzi A.

How great are these candy corn trees?  Find out how to make them here.

This Little People Thanksgiving is so cute!  Check out the Mayflower in the background.

These adorable turkey hats were made with scrapbook paper.

Mitzi made these precious footprint plates at a local ceramic store.

Gift idea for Grandma?

  

This was Mitzi A's other Thanksgiving table.  It's like a miniature pumpkin patch!

So simple and beautiful it's crazy!

This tablescape could be used for Thanksgiving or Christmas.

I love how it incorporates family pictures.  Christin A and her sweet baby...aaahhh.

See the cute bird's nest in the upper left?

You could put this idea to use on a sideboard all year round!

The use of real apples as votive holders and pine cones speak of the season.

My friend and fellow craft-junkie, Melissa B showed us another way to incorporate family into the decor.

What a lovely way to remember those no longer with us.

I love the mix and match frames.  I think it makes it feel "homier" than having all the frames match.

I'm lovin' the transferware plates!

I thought this was a cute way to display these small metal signs.  Beautiful!

There were so many interesting things to see on this table it took several pictures to try and capture it all.

Here's Melissa B's table in candle light.

And how fun and creative is this Thanksgiving table?!  L-O-V-E it!!  You could even change the paint colors to match your Christmas decor and get a little extra mileage out of those Halloween pumpkins!

I love the funky patterns on the pumpkins!  I want to put these all over my house!  Thanks for the ideas, Angela T!

This napkin ring is simply grosgrain ribbon with a button sewn on!  How cute is that?

There's no doubt what holiday we're celebrating here!  I love all the natural elements:  Indian corn, pumpkins, gourds, leaves and berries.  There's nothing more "Fall" than that!

These candle rings look to be made from beaded garland.  You could make these in colors that match your home decor and  use them all year.  I love the way they drape.

I thought this was a cute and simple way to decorate a plain stackable chair without the expense of a full slip cover.  You could even tuck a floral pick into the bow if you wanted!

So that's the first six Thanksgiving tables!

A lot of the supplies used to decorate these tables can be found at your local arts & crafts store.  One of my favorites is Hobby Lobby.  I think every thing in that store goes on sale for half price at some time or another!  Plus they will often have a 40% off coupon you can use.  I asked last time I was in there if I needed to have a printed copy of the coupon or if I could just show it to the cashier on my smart phone (believe it or not Melissa B, I actually know how to do this!).  She said the "smart phone coupon" was fine and that all Hobby Lobbys will accept that.  Good to know!

Well, I did my best to credit the designers of these beautiful and creative tables.  If I missed someone, please tell me in the comments section.  I want to make sure everyone gets the credit they deserve!