Thanksgiving is over, and NOW I can get in the mood for Christmas. Being in retail, I should have been creating Christmas during the summer...but I just can't. I know it's bad for business but I just don't have it in me. So anyway, I had the Christmas music on today and got to work. Here's a look at some of the pieces I just listed in my shop.
And I'm so excited - I have a shipment of preserved cypress arriving soon! Will be making some cypress wreaths and arrangements.
You will see a simpler look to all of my pieces this season, more natural. Let me know what you think! I value your opinions.
I hope you enjoy this little slideshow of pics I put together. You can watch the YouTube video, or just scroll down to the photos and descriptions. This is going to be a seasonal post where I hope to share new ideas with you. And I will also be using a link option for you to share your ideas here as well.
Yes, I'm still talking fall. I have to do Thanksgiving first, then I will focus on Christmas. I can't help it! So if you are looking for some ideas for bringing a touch of autumn into your home and to the table. I have some inexpensive solutions for you.
I really enjoy creating displays, photography and now I've been learning a little photo editing using actions and textures. I do have sooo much to learn so bear with me. I'm new at this!
I thought it would be fun to set up some pics on the patio. Too cold to have Thanksgiving outdoors in our part of the country but I'm sure some of you are able to. Your cut and dried hydrangeas make a simple beautiful centerpiece and as you can tell, we had tons of leftover white mini pumpkins and gilded acorns from the wedding. Had so much fun playing with these! One suggestion, use artificial acorns if possible and just give them a touch of gold paint. The real ones may have bugs, so beware (found this out the hard way!!)
A simple row down the center of your table using candles, pumpkins and acorns. Love it!
The pumpkins look very cute and cozy nestled in a folded napkin at each place setting. Here I tied on a message tag with some jute - they can also be your place cards.
Dried Limelight Hydrangeas...and white pumpkins. My favorite.
Some additional centerpiece ideas for you...
Bittersweet vine in a vase, hydrangea tin, planter filled with white pumpkins, white pumpkin tied with hopsack ribbon set on a serving pedestal with moss and gilded acorns.
For the buffet table - take the time to print up a pretty menu - your guests would love to know what they're about to eat! Simple ball jar candles, or fill with flowers and tie with hopsack. Pumpkins placed on candleholders, bittersweet vines here and there, more gilded acorns scattered throughout.
A buffet tablescape is easy to create. I always start with one tablecloth on the table. Place some hatboxes or similar item to raise some platters and create height on the table. Cover the lifts with a second tablecloth. On this table, I also placed some jute fabric over the top. I place all of my platters and serving pieces down first. Then the plates, silverware and napkins are located on one end all together - maybe on a tray. Additional ball jars, or mini urns can hold the utensils. Once all of the important pieces are placed, you start filling in with your candles, flowers and props. Just remember to be aware of candle placement and stretched arms (wouldn't want your guests' clothing to burn!).
Outdoor decor...
The first thing greeting your guests. What will it be? A welcome wreath, berries here and there, more beautiful white pumpkins on the porch and window boxes. Just cut open a small bale of hay and tuck some into your planters.
I would like to thank beautiful Kristin from My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for choosing my blog for her Friday Feature today. She has great decorating style - love her blog!
So if you haven't been there, definitely check it out.
Her Master Bedroom...has inspired me.
So peaceful.
I would also like to thank Sakura Bath and Body on Etsy for featuring my planter box in her Etsy Treasury this week. She has some yummy products in her shop!
Can't believe it's over. All of that planning and the day just goes way too fast!
My brother and new sister had the greatest time at their wedding. Looking forward to hearing all about their honeymoon when they return.
Here are some pics of the decorating we did for the wedding.
We call it "Simple Rustic Elegance"
Handpainted sign for the guest entrance of the beautiful Three Village Inn, Stonybrook, NY.
The cocktail hour rooms. Here we just put white pumkins and golden acorns on the tables.
Inside the cocktail room we set up the wish tree table. In lieu of a traditional guest book. The tree diplays the guests' well wishes - which are written on cards ( or hand cut leaves by the bride) and hung on the branches. My husband and I created the tree by anchoring the branches in plaster inside the urn. The manzanita branches were purchased from a wonderful lady at Dry Nature Designs in NYC.
The flowers all fit inside my car (thanks to my husband!)
I would also like to thank my mom and my brother's new mother-in-law for painting 350 acorns gold. The bride's sister is an amazing artist and painted the invitations, menus and table numbers. If it weren't for them and the bride's dad and brother, I don't know how we would have created, delivered and set up 16 tables with centerpieces, 350 acorns, 200 white pumpkins, 200 jars of jam, 36 ball jar candles, 188 menus, a 36" wreath, 4 foot wish tree and various signs and decor - all before a 10:30 am mass!
Be our guest! I found this place card wreath idea on Martha Stewart's wedding site. I just happened to have the perfect size in my stock room. The bride cut out each and every leaf and we hung them alphabetically around the wreath. I just added a few fall berries to the beautiful manzanita twiggy wreath.
The reception room.
The bride and groom table. The urn is where the bride kept her bouquet.
A couple of more signs I painted.
The tables...
My husband made the boxes out of pine. They were 3 feet long, and we distressed, stained and painted on a number of finishes to create the final look. They are filled with burgandy bi-color preserved hydrangeas. They are placed on burlap runners and surrounded by gorgeous white pumpkins, golden acorns and simple ball jar candles. Sixteen people (special to the bride and groom) received one to take home. We now carry these in our shop in various sizes/finishes. You can also find the burlap runner fabric in our shop.
The menus...
Beautifully painted by the bride's sister Larissa who is an amazing artist.
The food...tasted as good as it sounds!
My brother and new sister. How beautiful is she and her dress!!
Love the bouquet with the hydrangeas, berries, pods and wheat!
I also want to thank Laurie, Allison, Felix and Ginger of Hicks Nursery for coming through and getting us those beautiful white pumpkins!! They weren't easy to find! Thanks to you too Mary!!
Also, thank you Susan for doing an amazing job on our hair at 6am!
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