Sunday, December 30, 2012

New Years Eve Tablescape - going Nostalgic

I'm getting ready for the New Year!

I work in retail service for a toy company - we work a lot of overtime right up until Christmas, so I never have as much time as I would like to get ready for Christmas.  (Not to mention it takes all the fun out of the season when you spend so much time in the middle of the shopping frenzy)  But since all that is behind of us for this year, I am looking forward to the start of the New Year.

I wanted to do something a little bit different for New Years this year.  This all started when I found these adorable little clocks at Pier One.   I put these clocks on my Christmas list and hoped that Santa would be good to me!!  and he was!!   I was inspired to set my New Years Eve table with these little clocks that have a bit of an old world look to them.   So instead of doing the usual Silver and Gold glitzy New Years Eve - I did a bit of a Nostalgic New Years Eve Table.

I just loved these little clocks.  The off white, gold and red clocks came from Pier One and the black clock is from World Market.
My husband surprised me with the plaid red, ivory and black plaid dessert plates for Christmas - they went so well with the clocks - I went from there.  I had purchases the clock kraft paper for wrapping gifts but I liked it so much - I didn't want  to use the whole roll up.  Good thing I didn't!  I think it made a nice runner.

I decided to make headbands for the women and use small hats for the men's place settings.  I made some scrap paper embellishments for both the headband and the hat.
Using black tulle, scraps of ribbon, lace trim and eve some small faux pearls,  I made a garland to lay around the pillars holding the clocks
and what is New Year's Eve without the Champagne!  I know nothing about buying Champagne, I bought this bottle because it matched my table and it wasn't expensive!
We will be ringing in the New Year with a little fun.
I wish you all a Happy, Healthy New Year!
Have Fun!
Be Safe, Don't Drink and Drive!

Sources:
Clocks - Pier One and World Market
Black Chargers and White Dishes - Pier One, earlier this year
Black and White Check Plates - Marshalls, earlier this year
Clock wrapping paper - Marshalls
Black Plastic Champagne Flutes - Party City
Small Hats - Pat Catans (in doll aisle)

I will be linking to the following parties:
Seasonal Sundays @The Tablescaper
The Sunday Showcase @ Under the Table and Dreaming
Monday MakeOver @ A Humble Creation
Table Top Tuesday @A Stroll Thru Life 

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Kraft Paper Christmas Gift Wrapping Ideas

I've been busy this weekend with all the fun things of Christmas like trimming the tree, wrapping gifts and baking cookies!

I have done several posts on wrapping gifts with Kraft paper, so I thought it would only be fitting to do one on wrapping Christmas Gifts with Kraft paper.

I started with gifts for the guys, using regular Kraft paper that is sold year round in the packaging section of most of the big box stores.  I would then try to personalize the gifts with the trimmings trying to stay masculine with the packages. 
For the Brother-in-Law, I know I got him something he will like and use!!  So taking a saying I see on Pinterest - I knew I  "nailed it!"

Two of my favorites are for my Son-in-law who is a nature loving kind of guy!  I used natural materials like jute and a cork star ornament.  Then my older son, Shawn, is a no fuss kind of guy - so I kept it simple by using a scroll stamp and cutting his name out on my Cricuit.
The one that wins best package around this house though, is the gift for my youngest son who is known for his mustache - or for those who really know him- I should say - lack of mustache!
I printed out the words for this mustache tag and the "Nailed it" tag using my computer, printing them on card stock, added the embellishments and then cut the pieces to size.  I used a corner punch for this one to give the tag a little more character.

For the women in our lives, I went a little brighter, adding in some color!



I found a nice roll of red kraft paper and of course I went back (Walmart) to get more - it was all gone.

Kraft paper, Burlap Bow and Bling?? Yep!!  It turned out to be one of my favorites!
I used a flourish stamp and added some rhinestones, my daughter will appreciate the sparkle.
Most of these where made from things I already had in my basement.  That is the nice thing about making gift tags, it is a good way to use up some of those little scrap pieces I had saved from other projects.  I did purchase a couple of the rolls of ribbon from Michaels.  


Oh, yes!  I did mention baking Christmas Cookies at the beginning of this post!   My mom, sister, daughter and I have a tradition of one full day of baking cookies every Christmas.  This is from our day of fun yesterday! 

I hope your Holidays are as sweet as all these cookies!

I am linking up at the following parties:
Sunday Showcase @Under the Table and Dreaming
Metamorphosis Monday @Between Naps on the Porch
Tip Me Tuesday @ Tip Junkie

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Christmas Tablescape Red and Silver

My Christmas Tablescape is full of sparkle this year!

I received several red candle sticks and pillars for Christmas last year and decided to use those along with some of the silver candle sticks we used at our daughter's wedding to create this year's Christmas table. 
These beautiful Christmas scene plates are from Marshals.  I knew the minutes I saw the plates that I had plates with a black checked edge that I thought would go nicely with them. 
 I used a mix of white plates, a cheapy red charger and some not so cheap silver chargers from Pottery Barn for the full stack.
I tucked a sparkly silver sprig into the napkins and tied with a pretty sheer red bow.  

I  really liked the mix of the mercury glass candle sticks with the glass candle sticks and all of the different textures in the variety of candles, good thing - then I didn't have to go buy a bunch more candles, I had most of these in my stash.   

I had some fun with editing my pictures in ribbet.  I learned about the editing site named ribbet from one of our fellow bloggers and now use it all the time. I can't wait to use this effect on my Christmas Tree (which of course is not up yet - a whole separate story!)
It is called bokeh-ish.

If you are editing your photos in ribbet - it can be found under the featured effects.  I added a little sparkle to this one.
I hope you are able to add a little sparkle to your Holidays this year!

Sources:
White Plates - Pier One earlier this year
Christmas Scene plates - Marshalls
Black Check plates - actually have roosters on them - Marshalls
Red Chargers - sorry don't remember - but Michaels has them for $2
Silver Chargers - Pottery Barn earlier this year
Flatware - World Market earlier this year
Napkins - Home Goods last year
Little Silver Trees - Marshalls last week
Table Cloth - don't remember - I have had it for a while
Most of the Candle sticks and pillars where gifts
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I am linking up to the following parties - come check them out by just clicking on the link!
Tablescape Thursday @Between Naps on the Porch
Fethered Nest Friday@French Country Cottage
Better Late than Never Christmas Inspiration@The Everyday Home