{Fall Tablescape Ideas}

There's nothing like the change in season to put you in the mood for redecorating.  With all of the fun fall events that are upon us, it's imperative that you have a welcoming yet stylish table for your guests to enjoy.  Fall is a great time to make use of nature's rustic charm and wonderful decor assets.  Use pine cones, leaves, apples or acorns to bring autumn to your table without breaking the bank.  And if you turn it into a fun game, you can use the kids as your free labor for gathering decor items from the yard.  (Did I say that???)

Here are a few things I found while perusing the net that I loved for my fall table.  So many options...how will I ever decide?



{branches!  who'da thunk it?? and spraypainted metallic pumpkins add a modern flare}
photo credit: ivillage



{the simplicity with a pop of nature...very chic!}
photo credit: ivillage



{a unique color palette made seasonable with the tiny pumpkins}
photo credit: ivillage



{hurricane candles with pieces of nature...smart and budget friendly}
photo credit: ivillage



{the white makes it modern, the brown makes it rustic, the green just pops}
photo credit: the happier homemaker



                             {bright leaves on branches...very unexpected}

                                   photo credit: the heart of the sea home



                                {intimate table setting for two...classy and romantic}

                                                  photo credit: a holiday haven

 

{Recycle and Reuse Old Sweaters}

I just LOVE this idea!  What a great craft for this time of year!

We all have those sweaters that sit in the bottom of the drawer that you've convinced yourself for the last two winters that you'll wear again one day.  That day has never come and here you are on your third winter of deciding what to do with that same sweater.  Well here you go!  No need to feel guilty any longer about not wanting to wear that sweater that you once upon a time HAD to have.

As you're going through your old sweaters this fall, don't just throw or give away the ones that don't fit, that no longer are on trend, or that you haven't worn and can't justify keeping.

This is an excellent way to repurpose something unused into something adorable!  See how to do it at makeit-loveit.com.

{ DIY Sweater Hats: makeit-loveit.com }

{Mason Jar Memories}

Let me preface this by saying...I LOOOOOOVE mason jars!  LOVE them!  I cannot think of anything cute on earth that doesn't look even more super awesome in a mason jar.  Nothing...name something...I'll wait...tap, tap, tap... see...you can't think of anything either. 

I have used them for everything from vases at a wedding to beverage containers for a glass of lemonade,  to tip jars when I bartend, to cake in a jar that I served at a baby shower, to something to hold random buttons, safety pins, bobby pins, etc. 

But this idea from ohcrafts.net is so cute and useful and adorable!  You go to a concert, you have the tickets, do you throw them away?  Do you stash them in the junk drawer until you "figure out what to do with them?"  (Yeah...been there, done that...you never figure it out).  Do you just trash them and risk the chance of forever losing the memory of the night you and your bff from elementary school danced like a rock star for two hours straight?  Do you push the night that you and 7 of your girlfriends and your MOM sat third row at the New Edition concert wearing home made Candy Girls tee shirts and finangled your way past a HUGE security guard named Phil and made your way back stage and met the men that have had you swooning since age 7 into the back of your mental photo album, only to bring it out when "Cool it Now" happens to come on the radio??? HECK to the NO!  (OK that one got a little personal...)

Not when you have mason jars!!  Take a pic (and actually PRINT IT, don't just post it on Facebook or Shutterfly), type up a cute note about the event, and stash it along with the tickets and any other memorabilia in a mason jar and put it on display!  SO CUTE!!

{S'More Love}

I spent the weekend at a nice resort on Maryland's Eastern Shore.  Upon arrival, I was given a voucher for a free S'mores kit to roast at the evening camp fire.  I'm far removed from being a kid but...that pretty much excited me like it would an 8 year old girl scout.  S'MORESSSSSSSSSS!!!

This brings me to today's post.  I've seen S'mores kits as wedding favors, baby shower favors, and tokens of thanks after various events.  Such an inexpensive gift can bring total delight and giddiness to the recipient...especially if it's ME...without breaking the bank.  Here are a few cute ideas I've seen around the web for gifting a fabulous S'mores kit.

{...individually...}

http://www.stylishgiving.com/2009/04/smores-kits.html

{...for the group...}

http://www.blog.tealbirdconcepts.com/post/6910530674/fourth-of-july-smores-favors

{...on a stick...}

http://southernbellejm.blogspot.com/2011/06/what-about-this.html

{...in a box...}

http://athome.kimvallee.com/2010/11/diy-hot-cacao-chocolate-favors-and-smores-kits/

{...in a jar...}

http://daisychainae.blogspot.com/2009/12/smore-kits-sealed-delivered.html

{...with a label...}

http://www.etsy.com/listing/82660936/smores-party-favor-bag-topper-backyard

{...s'mores a-plenty...}

http://www.oh-lovely-day.com/2010/01/diy-friday-smores-kits.html

{...in a bag...}

http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Smores-Wedding-Favors-Yum/

{Doilies, Doilies, Doilies!}

I pretty much think doilies are about the most precious paper product out there.  There is nothing that an adorable doily can't cute up!  When I ran across this simple idea from, who else but THE Martha, it made me go on a web hunt for other cute doily things.

{…oh, so cute table setting idea…}

seriously...how special would you feel sitting down to this??

Photo:
http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/230968/stylish-diy-wedding-table-settings?lpgStart=1&currentslide=6&currentChapter=1





{…omg! doily envelopes!…}

Photo:
http://www.intimateweddings.com/blog/doily-envelopes/

 

{…doily petal cone...} 

Photo:
http://www.willowtreecreative.com.au/blog/?p=1637



{…doily gift wrap...}

Photo:
http://dogwoodandpoppy.wordpress.com/2011/04/25/doilies-are-cool-again/





{…doily gift tag...}

Photo:
http://www.vanessachristenson.com/2010/12/yesterday.html



{…doily wall art...}

 PROJECT STEPS INCLUDED IN LINK

Photo:
http://mychiclife.com/2011/02/25/oh-hello-doily/

{…doily aisle decor...}

Photo:
http://www.weddingbycolor.com/theredqueen/milestones/173176

{…doily garland...}

Just in time for Valentine's Day!

Photo:
http://www.stayathomeartist.com/2011/01/valentines-day-doily-garland.html



{…doily stencil bag...}
PROJECT STEPS INCLUDED

Photo:
http://tidymom.net/2010/monogram-stenciled-canvas-bag/

{Not Your Teacher's Chalkboard}

I love anything, and I do mean anything, that involves chalkboard paint!  But I found this idea to be too cute to resist!  These nickel plated trays are found in almost every Dollar Tree, but if you can't find them there, see what your local thrift store has on its shelves!  You can also use a vintage picture frame or mirror (just be super careful if it's made of glass), you can use paint and a brush or spray paint.  You just can't do it wrong!


photo and project found on pinterest.com

 This is an awesome idea for signage at a wedding or event, or a unique way to leave a note for a family member.  The possibilities are endless, but the project is so simple!  Here are some instructions for this project thanks to 504main.com.

{Fun With Yarn}

I saw this idea by way of Pinterest (which I LOVE LOVE LOVE!) and I just thought it was such an adorable idea!  If there's one thing I love, it's simple yet adorable crafts, and this definitely fits the bill!

Whether you're decorating for a party or creating a decor piece for your home, this project using yarn, balloons, and glue could not be simpler!  I cannot wait to try it!  I love the idea of putting these yarn balls in a glass bowl or in a basket.  It looks just as good as any knick-knack you'd find in Pier 1 or Pottery Barn, but for a fraction of the cost, and you're able to customize to fit your exact color scheme and decor theme! 

Here are some other ideas...

{DIY wedding decor}

{Decorations for your child's room or party}

{Make it into its own bowl}

Here are some simple DIY instructions for this project from makeandtakes.com. 

Have fun!

{Cinnamon Stick Candles}

I love finding chic, easy, decor ideas.  This idea for table decor found on Home Stories A2Z by way of Youplusdallas.com certainly fit the bill!  Not only is it cute and easy, but cinnamon is my FAVORITE home fragrance!  Well actually, it's apple cinnamon, but...cinnamon is part of that.  Check out the blog post for easy directions on creating this look for your own home.

{Cupcake Wrappers}

Cupcakes seem to have taken on a life of their own these days.  They come in tons of fabulous flavors and colors, and have an infinite number of decoration styles.  It seems like there's always something new being done to turn every cupcake into a work of art.  And now, there are cupcake wrappers. 

Cupcake wrappers turn an already awesome cupcake into a presentation piece.  It adds whimsy to your baby shower sweets presentation or class to your bridal shower dessert table.  Here are some cupcake wrappers that I found online that I love!

Cupcake wrappers with hearts and customized lacy message from livelaughlovelots on Etsy

Lacy Heart Wrapper from PME Arts & Crafts

Cookies and Milk Cupcake Wrapper from RV Parties on Etsy

Patterned Wrappers to coordinate with your wedding or party theme at My Wedding Favors, Etc.

And if you're feeling adventurous, you can always turn cupcake wrappers into a DIY project.  Here are instructions on making a doily cupcake wrapper at Something Old, Something New

Or if you have your own awesome paper, but just need a cupcaker wrapper template, use this free template download and tutorial from Paperie Crafts