Thanksgiving Archives - Page 3 of 7

Thanksgiving

November 22, 2012 jennifer Thanksgiving

It’s here. One of my favorite days of the year. Having unexpected company come to town was the little push I needed to pull the house together.

I’m loving the velvet pumpkins I dyed and made last year. They add such a lovely pop of color and texture, and their shapes are fun to pile at whim around the house.

I wanted some kind of art to hang on the window I brought upstairs . I painted this for fun, and enjoyed doing it in a very non-traditional color scheme. I’m definitely an novice but I had fun.

Across the room we have a wall of artwork by our children. I hung my Thanksgiving banner across the frames. I tried to leave a bit of whimsy in the angles and the curl of the rope so it plays well with the artwork.

Years ago I abandoned the idea of pillows on my couches. All I did was pick them up off the floor 300 times a day. I have made an exception in the last few weeks and have enjoyed the color and pattern that pillows add to the dark leather. My favorite pillow (below) I made with vintage fabric.

With all the stress of preparing for company, having this space look nice helps calm me down. It also makes me want to make more pumpkins!

There is so much to be thankful for today. This has been a year of increasing awareness for blessings I never really counted before… things like being able to walk, work, think, pray. I am so grateful to the Lord for all that he has done for me in my life. Without a doubt, I am one of the least of His daughters, and yet his kindness to me is everlasting. That kindness becomes so obvious when my heart is in the right place, and I suppose that some of the difficulties of the year have opened my eyes to the tender mercies of God.

May we all see our lives, today and always, through the precious lens of gratitude. It enlivens the soul, softens the heart, gives joy to life.

Happy Thanksgiving!
Jennifer

Felt Napkin Holder DIY

November 23, 2011 jennifer Entertaining, Felt, Thanksgiving

About a year and a half ago I had an “aha” moment and made some ribbon napkin rings . I made more a couple of weeks later for my brother’s graduation party . Last week I remembered them and thought that it would be so easy to make some for the holidays. It’s such a quick and inexpensive way to do something new. This embroidered ribbon would be so beautiful for Christmas, I think:

I was about to make a whole bunch of them when another idea struck. I have a bunch of felt laying around from other projects… why not put it to use? And so I went to work, and soon this was what I had:

Lots of brown felt flowers! And on the backs:

To make the flowers you can find a felt rosette tutorial here .

After I’d made the flowers I whipped up some simple napkin rings using more brown felt. I cut strips about 5 1/2 inches long and used pinking shears to cut the sides. They’re about 1 1/2 inches wide.

Simply fold them in half lengthwise and sew the ends together (right sides together, of course):

After sewing, trip threads and turn right side out. It should look something like this:

Insert a napkin in the ring…

Then you just clip the flower onto the napkin ring and you’re done!

It’s also easy to add a tag to the clip. You can assign seats this way or simply express a sentiment.

Why did I put the felt flowers on a clip instead of gluing them to the napkin ring? I’m not sure, exactly, except that I thought it would be fun. I guess it sounded like a fun surprise to be able to re-use the flowers, or send them home with our Thanksgiving guests as a little favor. Doing it this way certainly got the attention of my girls, and one little helper in particular!

I love the way the various shades of brown work together and am excited to see them on our Thanksgiving table. I also wouldn’t mind it if I see some of this after our meal:

And so, using materials I had on hand I was able to make two dozen new napkin rings for Thanksgiving dinner. I’m enjoying the less-traditional shape (a flower) with more traditional fall colors. I hope our guests enjoy them, and I particularly hope my nieces are happy with them.

Can you believe Thanksgiving is tomorrow? Where did November go? I’ve still got SO MUCH work to do… I’m crossing my fingers I’ll get it all done.

Jennifer

2 comments entertaining, Thanksgiving

Spice Drop Turkeys: Build your own

November 22, 2011 jennifer Thanksgiving

For as long as I can remember we’ve made spice drop turkeys on Thanksgiving day. It’s a tradition I’ve continued with my family. Usually we place a small bowl on each plate filled with toothpicks and spice drops but this year I decided to try something different. I created a build your own turkey table.

I borrowed my vintage desk from my bedroom to use in the dining room and put the candy in glass vases.

The candy and the turquoise desk was so colorful that I opted to run with the color instead of sticking with a traditional Thanksgiving palate. I gathered my velvet pumpkins from around the house and made a couple of turkeys to put on display.

Finally, a tiny silver urn for holding toothpicks.

Maybe it’s our gray skies, but I’m loving the colors of these candies:

It takes only a few dollars to provide spice drops in two sizes, some fruit slice candy and toothpicks. It’s a great way to keep the children occupied while the final dinner preparations are made and some adults really get into it as well.

I’m hoping this format will be fun for everyone on Thursday. It’s nice to know I’ve got something ready to go!

Do you have a fun Thanksgiving craft or activity you do every year? Please share!
Jennifer