Wednesday, November 12, 2008

A Simple Setting

I thought I'd make up a simple Thanksgiving table setting with things you may already have in your home. Of course, it's always good to start with a pretty white plate. I love white plates! They are so versatile. Next comes a clear glass plate. These are very inexpensive and look great paired with the white. For a seasonal flair, cut leaf shapes out of cardstock. You can use ready made die cuts, copy one off your computer, or do what I did, and just trace around a leaf. I painted the cardstock leaves with metallic rich caramel spray paint. Once dry, I used a silver permanent marker to write a name on one leaf, and placed it on the napkin. The napkin ring is made from a vine from my yard. I sprayed adhesive on the other leaf shape and stuck it on the bottom of the glass plate. The possibilities for this plate decoration are endless. Cake die cuts could be used for a birthday, hearts for Valentine's, pumpkins for Halloween. Now do you see why clear glass plates are great?I used burlap as a runner/place mat, and slipped a votive into a hollowed out little pumpkin, and the centerpiece is a handmade gratitude tree.

If you want something a little more fancy for your centerpiece, place double-sided tape on candles and then roll them in split peas. I got the idea here.
My tip: use clear tape, or do what I did and roll the candles in glitter to cover the tape and fill in the spaces where the peas didn't stick.
It's just that easy to make
an elegantly simple place setting.

28 comments:

  1. Lovely, simple ideas. There's something about the simple burlap table runner that appeals to me more than the fancy ones I have in my linen closet. The color...the texture...

    Thanks for sharing all these good ideas!

    ReplyDelete
  2. WOW Joy another elegant yet simple idea! Your creative mind just amazes me...how many times have I told you that now?!?!? BEAUTIFUL!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love those ideas! Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Three simple words:

    Simplicity Is Best!

    Janene

    ReplyDelete
  5. Very classy--and you're making me hungry too, envisioning stuffing on those plates!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love the idea about the plates...but unforunately we use paper plates cause nobody wants to do the dishes and my grandmom doesn't have a dishwasher. I wish I could do this though...great idea!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thank You for the great ideas!
    ~Tam

    ReplyDelete
  8. Cute ideas and they are even things that my almost 4 year old can help me with. He's always wanting to do projects. I think if he were to schedule our week out, we'd be way more productive. Take care and thanks for the ideas.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Great ideas! We had our Thanksgiving in Canada last month. And unfortunatly, I won't be home to PA to enjoy American Thanksgiving with my family this year. I love the maple leafs and the paint you chose for them!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love all of those ideas. So cute! Is that Butler's Pantry? That is what we have and I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I wish I could have some of your energy and motivation. Can you give me for my post today?

    Your table setting is gorgeous as all your decorating is;)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Very elegant...love it~

    ReplyDelete
  13. Move over Martha Stewart!!! I love the candles, and the leaves on the plates! Awesome as usual!!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Very nice and not too fussy, the way some settings are.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I've been thinking I need some burlap for my Thanksgiving table. Love that you placed it from side to side instead of down the length of the table. I might have to copy that. Mimi
    PS that clear plate idea...excellent

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wonderful. I've done similiar thing with white plate/Easter grass/glass plate. So fun!

    ReplyDelete
  17. do you do house calls? pleeeeease?

    We recently moved to a bigger home (baby number four dictated more space) and have a project in every room - everything from vinyl floor tiles stuck on the kitchen counter tops (that absolutely do not hold up to four kids and all the water they use) to carpet buried in the back yard that the previous owners tore up. hmmmmm. but the location is wonderful :)!

    I have not hung one thing on a wall. Help -- Joy -- Help!

    I just recently discovered your blog and am loving it all. I love thrifting and reusing ---- thank you for your ideas and inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Such simple ideas, yet so pretty! I love the glass plates -- I'm going to have to add some to my dish collections!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. I absolutely cannot believe the wonderful fountain of great ideas you have! You should write a book!

    ReplyDelete
  20. these are all such great ideas! I cant wait to try some on my tablescape for thanksgiving!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. So Creative! I love these idea's. Happy Turkey Day!
    :-)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Joy, those white plates are GORGEOUS! Do you remember where you found them?

    ReplyDelete
  23. These are such lovely ideas --
    also the reminder about the triangle -- sometimes the hardest thing to do is pics for my blog -
    never was much of a photographer ,
    so still working on those skills
    kathy - ga

    ReplyDelete
  24. Your home is gorgeous, it makes me drool. I love the candles, thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  25. What a cool idea with the split peas! I was eyeing the orange ones in the grocery store the other day thinking about what a beautiful shade they were...never would have thought to do this though! Very cool :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Very pretty, Joy!!!

    Hope you are doing well, I see you are working on your youngest son's room, can't wait to see it!

    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Joy!

    Bella

    ReplyDelete

I am truly humbled and thrilled that you read and comment on my blog. If you have a question for me, please feel free to email me.
Thank you so very much for inspiring me to be more creative!