Thanksgiving Centerpiece Ideas~

Pretty little things

Do you have one favorite area of your house that you just love?  I do.  One is a little corner in my piano room, and lately, the other is my kitchen window.  I feel like I have photographed this area so much recently, but I keep finding new little treasures to upcycle for "display". 

I was at the dollar spot at Target recently, and found a chalkboard marker.  I put it in my cart, and then put it back on the shelf.  Then I put it back in my cart again.  Over and over I did this.  I know it was only a dollar, but I didn't want it to be an impulse buy!  I finally kept it because I was so curious to see if it worked.  Now, I'm guessing that most everyone has been using one of these to make all of their beautiful chalkboard art these days.  But, like I have said before, I am very slow to jump on the band wagon, and somewhat old fashioned.  I always have been.  I think we were the last to get an answering machine, high speed internet, and *gasp* I don't even have a smart phone!  In fact, I picked up a GPS at a yard sale, and we have used it, but I find that I don't even like relying on that very much.

 I bought the chalkboard marker and couldn't wait to try it out.  I used a little chalkboard from a yard sale to print the words "Give Thanks" inside a laurel wreath.  I can't tell you how fun it was to use!  The packaging claims you can even erase it like real chalk, but I haven't tried that yet.  It was so smooth....like writing with a paint pen.

The next thing I displayed in my window might look familiar to some of you.  Long ago, I found a way to make beautiful "faux" stained glass windows.  It remains one of my most pinned posts.  You can see it here.  Well, I could never find the perfect place for it, and over time, it got a little bumped and bruised because i wasn't very careful with it.  I couldn't part with it, so I cut the plexi glass down, and stuck it in a "new" (yard sale) frame.  Then I just set it in the windowsill.  I love the light that streams through it,

And, I love it when my brain finds ways to re use old things!  Creativity is a wonderful thing!

"If I were a rich man"

Random people on the streets of NYC were asked what they were thankful for.  You can view the short video clip here.  As we start the month of November, our family is beginning to focus now on our blessings.  I just celebrated a birthday, and I am grateful for the warm wishes of family and friends...many of whom I haven't heard from in a long time.  So, I"m grateful for facebook, so that I could open a bunch of virtual birthday cards!  I'm grateful for the love of my husband and children, my parents, and extended family.  I'm grateful for the maple tree in my backyard that is burning in orange and red, and the big golden yellow one across the street.  I'm grateful for my health, and that I can enjoy life.  I'm grateful for my trial of depression and anxiety that has now allowed me to see the beauties of life and my healing from Jesus Christ.  I am grateful for a fullness of His gospel, and the ability to learn each day.  I am in awe of the spiritual strength that I receive daily from being a member of His restored church upon the earth.  I am grateful for a living prophet and apostles on the earth today, to guide me and direct me in a world of shifting values.

Most importantly, (and difficult to express in words) I am grateful for the knowledge of a loving Heavenly Father, and His perfect Son Jesus Christ.  That Jesus lived upon the earth to show me the way.  And then, that He suffered for all my pains, sorrows, and fears in Gethsemane, and by so doing, continues to heal me and show me truth, beauty, and love.  Without His atonement and resurrection, I would be nothing, and would not have the glorious potential that only He can show me.  I get glimpses of it now and then, and it is glorious for us all.  These things I know, and many other things I am grateful for. My spiritual eyes are beginning to see more clearly each day, despite the challenges of life.

Wishing you~

Wishing you and your family a Thanksgiving filled with gratitude and love.

I spent the holiday with a paint brush in one hand...

 and a fork in the other.  After eating turkey and all the fixins, I went to work for my sister in law!  She commissioned lots of projects for me to do while I was there.  One was a canvas for her daughter to take to college with her.  It was of a favorite quote...

Thanksgiving~decorating for the feast~

I snapped these photos today of my sister in law's tables capes.  It was truly a Thanksgiving to remember!

~decorating the kids' table~

Decorating with Real Art

holiday conversation prompts

Happy Holidays everyone!  I have included some free conversation prompts in this post so that you can have some "fun talk" with your family and friends at mealtime, or whenever you are together!  In addition to holiday use, they are great for regular family dinner discussions.  Just copy and print the prompts below, cut them apart into strips, and stick in a jar.   Have fun!

Macy's Parade

packed like sardines (good thing none our kids had to go to the bathroom)...

Monogrammed Candles

In case you missed my feature at ucreate crafts, I've posted the full tutorial here for you today!

Monogrammed Candles

(Perfect to diplay in your home, your friends' homes, and to give to your children's teachers!)

More photos to follow the tutorial!

Decorating tip

Right above the desk where I blog, hangs a large framed "faux" chalkboard.  It was a frame that I picked up at a yard sale long ago.  The gold frame moulding was a little too bright for my liking, so I pulled out a little bottle of brown craft paint and painted portions of it brown (just a little here and there so it looked more like a wash instead of solid brown.)  I wanted it to look a little bit more aged.

I didn't care for the old cardboard print in the frame either, so I used the same brown paint and painted right over it!  Although it is not as durable as one of my chalkboards, I can still write with chalk on it!  So the next time you pass by an ugly framed cardboard print at the thrift store, think about painting over it in a fun color and using it as a "holiday" chalkboard!   Last Valentine's Day I drew a big white heart with an arrow going through it and added a little Valentine's message.  I also hung some red glittered hearts where the leaves are now.  The "planter" above the frame is actually faux iron.  I picked it up at a yard sale a while ago.

I have lots more fun ideas to come!  I'm so excited about a feature project that I just completed for next week.  (more on that soon)  Thanks for visiting each day!  I love you all!

~Robyn

Linking to

cottage instincts

between naps on the porch

craft o maniac

coastal charm

creating really awesome things

making the world cuter

skip to my lou

mad in crafts

The mayflower

Wow!  47 of you commented on my imitation of Pottery Barn's Mayflower centerpiece!  I loved reading all of your comments so much, and I appreciated the features I received on so many of your amazing, creative blogs.  One of my favorite comments was from Gwen of Gwenny Penny~she used my tutorial to come up with her own fabulous version of the mayflower. (click on read more below this photo to see what Gwen did!)  By the way, can you imagine actually traveling on the Mayflower? 

                                                                                                       samuel at gilgal

a simple menu & recipe

5 things to love this month...

Its chilly enough to cozy up in your favorite spot with a good book,

                                                thisnext.com

Sail away Pottery Barn!

 

Robyn's $5.00..... Mayflower table centerpiece

Pottery Barn's $40.00 Mayflower table centerpiece...

A closer look at what I did...

decorating for Thanksgiving

we are thankful for...