Tag Archives: Le fidèLe

Elegant Capiz Shell Easter Egg Tablescape Décor Ideas (for the Adult’s Table)

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This elegant Easter tablescape filled with capiz shell egg décor is the perfect idea for the adult’s table at your next Easter celebration. This is a serene setting where a family may sincerely join together in grace in reverence to the true meaning of the holiday.

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“With our eyes we see the beauty of Easter,”

The centerpiece of this lovely Easter tablescape is comprised of eggs made with luminous capiz shells that have been painted with wildflowers. They are held within a vintage rose embossed bowl. Additional rose hued plates are stacked in layers concentrating color at their center. Floral etched goblets of rose glass are set dreamily upon capiz coasters.

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“With our ears we hear the sounds of spring,”

Birds chirp mirthfully from just outside the dining area. Vintage capiz shell placemats float like fluffy clouds over the table. Upon them rests Oneida Easton flatware, elegant in their simplicity.

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“With our hands we pick the fragrant hyacinths,”

Out of view, hyacinth scented candles perfume the chamber whilst scentless pink orchids provide the blooming beauty of a resplendent spring.

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“With our hearts we feel the miracle of God’s love,”

Handmade napkin rings were created with love of family in mind just as the greatest Creator of all shaped the world with love for us. These which encircle sage green cloth napkins were lovingly made of the same checked taffeta fabric as the tablecloth.

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“And on the wings of prayer and meditation we make our Easter pilgrimage to Him.”

We take our places at a bountiful table offering gratitude for all we have been blessed with, and entreat merciful benediction upon all who are less fortunate at this sacred time of remembrance.

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May your Easter be filled with innumerable blessings.

Faithfully Yours,

Leigh

P.S. The charming poem verses are from “Our Easter Pilgrimage” by Helen Steiner Rice. The exquisite capiz eggs are from Pier 1.

P.P.S. Learn how to easily make the fabric napkin rings & no sew tablecloth, and get free printable Easter egg cards or invitations by clicking for my article on it HERE.

Easy DIY Taffeta Fabric Napkin Rings & No Sew Tablecloth Craft Tutorial & Free Printable Easter Egg Card or Invitation

Easily craft these DIY napkin rings and no sew tablecloth from taffeta fabric, and make elegant Easter egg cards or invitations with my free printable in this tutorial. They’re an easy way to create a one-of-a-kind celebration for your next Easter family gathering.

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To make the tablecloth, begin by folding one corner of the fabric over onto itself in a triangle shape. Cut the fabric along the edge of the folded section. When it is unopened it will make a perfect square. Slightly fold over the outside edges, and hot fabric glue them into a hem. (Iron the folds before gluing to achieve a perfect no sew hem.) Lay this cloth over another coordinating tablecloth for a lovely layered look. (Check out my Capiz Easter Egg Tablescape for more of these projects in action.)

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To make the matching napkin rings, cut strips of fabric 2 inches wide by 6 inches long. Fold over the edges on the long sides, and hot fabric glue them under. Next, glue one short side over the other, slightly overlapping them. (Note that the underside of the taffeta is suitable to use also, for a more casual look.)

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This is a great project to use up any leftover fabric from other DIYs, especially if you want to coordinate linens with your drapes or upholstery.

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It’s also great to make these with end-of-bolt clearance sales, if you like the look of high end fabric yet have budget constraints. (And if you don’t… clearance shopping allows you to allocate more funds to charity. Double-win!)

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Now print out Easter egg cards and invitations using my free printables. (Note that these are free only for your personal use and not for commercial purposes.) Simply right click on the image above and select print. Choose the photo setting, and print 1 full page for each card you desire. Print them on thick cardstock paper for the best quality card. Cut out the color image, and fold one end over the other. (Boxes of card sized envelopes are quite inexpensive, or you can make your own. Look for my tutorial on this in the future.)

Hoppy Easter to all you creative chicks!

Faithfully Yours,

Leigh

Easy DIY Rainbow Napkin Rings Tutorial & Free Sky Printable Card / Invitation Craft for All Occasions Including Parties & St. Patrick’s Day

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This easy DIY rainbow napkin rings tutorial is perfect for many types of parties including St. Patrick’s Day, and my free printable all occasion sky card is a great craft for making matching invitations. The card can be made with or without the addition of a rainbow, and so it’s useful for many other purposes… such as sympathy, get-well, congratulations, good luck, missing you, birthday, et cetera. Is there ever really a bad time to send a rainbow as the symbolic harbinger of hope?!

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Let’ make the rainbow napkin rings first. To begin, you’ll need a pale color base ribbon and a sheer rainbow ribbon for the top. I used a vintage soft pink satin for the base, because it really brought out the rainbow’s beauty. Just make sure both types of ribbon are the same width.

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Cut 6 inch lengths of each type of ribbon for every ring you want to make. Next, hot glue the short ends only. Make sure to press the ribbon ends together firmly before the glue dries… using silicone finger protectors of course. Now glue one short end to the other, overlapping them slightly. Again, press them together firmly.

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These rings are so quick and easy to make that they can be crafted at the last minute before a gathering. Who said procrastinator’s can’t have fabulous decorations?!

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Let’s make the sky card now. You need to print one page for every card you wish to make. I like to make extras during each crafting session, in case I have an unexpected need for a last minute card. (Note that my free printable is for your personal use only… not for commercial purposes.) If you want to add a rainbow, you can use any variety of colorful ribbon you like… striped, thin, checked, thick, solid, translucent, plaid, paper, plastic, or gossamer fabric ribbon like this one that I found on clearance. You can even use a pretty washi paper tape if you like.

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Simply right click on the small image above, and select print. Be sure to choose the photo setting for the finest image. It’s best to use a thick cardstock to make a nice card.

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Cut out the rectangle with the logo and sky image together, and then cut out the cloud image. If you want to add a rainbow, cut a 5 inch length of ribbon on the diagonal (like this /__/ ).

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Next, fold the rectangle in half to form the card. Add the rainbow by gluing the ribbon down to the top left corner, and then attach the other end. You can either glue the cloud on top of the ribbon directly, or use dimensional foam stickers to add height to the cloud. Try to place it under the sunrise just above the card opening.

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The perfect St. Patrick’s Day greeting card contains a classic Irish blessing such as this one:

“May the Irish hills caress you. May her lakes and rivers bless you. May the luck of the Irish enfold you. May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.”

♣ Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Daoibh (Happy St. Patrick’s Day!)

Faithfully Yours,

Leigh

P.S. See more of the rainbow napkin rings in action here: Meet me at the End of the Rainbow Tablescape Ideas for St. Patrick’s Day Party Décor!

Meet me at the End of the Rainbow Tablescape Ideas for St. Patrick’s Day Party Décor

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Meet me at the end of the rainbow for a St. Patrick’s Day party tablescape filled with whimsical décor ideas. Shamrocks, gold coins, rainbows, and a leprechaun enliven an event fit for fairy Queen Mab herself. So pull up a chair and delight in the sights of a table set for the most fortunate of sorts… lucky you!

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“May your pockets be heavy— your heart be light,”

A mischievous leprechaun caught gold-handed must offer 3 wishes in exchange for his freedom… so there he will stand waiting as part of the centerpiece until all has been thought through when the meal has ended.
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“And may good luck pursue you each morning and night.”

Light shines through the trees illuminating a diaphanous fabric rainbow and trailing shamrock banner acting as the harbingers of good fortune.

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“May you have all the happiness and luck that life can hold—“

Glasses with golden basket weave patterns hold all the liquescent happiness a pixie could delight in. Layers of earthenware plates are providentially heaped upon chargers reminiscent of gleaming gold coins. Napkin rings seemingly made of celestial rainbows fortunately hold useful cloth napkins. Wooden handled golden flatware will soon carry all the delicious colcannon an elf could devour.
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“And at the end of all your rainbows may you find a pot of gold.”

Capturing the luck at the end of the vibrant rainbow is an antique wooden farm bucket overflowing with gilt coins and auspiciously sprouting felt shamrocks.

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“Wherever you go and whatever you do, may the luck of the Irish be there with you.”

Lush emerald green grass ostensibly growing from rich soil conveys the feeling of Ireland. Dotting the table’s landscape are propitious shamrocks and glistening coins heralding the luck of the Irish.

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Now let us raise a glass and toast “Sláinte!” (“slawn-cha”) to our health as they do in ancestral Ireland!

Faithfully Yours,

Leigh

P.S. The leprechaun is actually a vintage Mark Roberts Christmas fairy whose seafaring Neptune features have been temporarily disguised with shamrocks for the occasion.

P.P.S. Learn how to make the napkin rings and get my free printable sky card / invitation by clicking here: Easy DIY Rainbow Napkin Rings Tutorial & Free Sky Printable Card / Invitation Craft for All Occasions Including Parties & St. Patrick’s Day!

Elegant Chinese New Year of the Monkey Dinner Party Décor Tablescape Ideas

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This Chinese New Year of the monkey dinner party contains many ideas for elegant tablescape décor with which to inspire your own celebration. As this is a time for provoking good fortune, customary New Year colors where replaced with those which are luckiest for the monkey sign. Favorable shades are white, gold, and blue while the traditional red is regarded as inauspicious. The typically shunned white funerary color is actually a propitious one for the primate, so it is utilized in the dishware. There are touches of blue in the ceramic vessels, and many shades of gold are included in the setting. Further yellow toned gold cording was selected for the napkin rings, as yellow is also regarded as a lucky royal color as it was once reserved only for use by the emperor. The handcrafted napkin rings were fashioned with traditional Chinese good luck knots, each with 8 petal-like loops. This is auspicious as the numbers 1, 7, and 8 are also providential for the monkey. There are 8 chairs in room, though some are off camera. 7 brass candle holders elevate candles with 7 lit wicks, and there are actually 7 good luck knots when the 6 rings are added to the one looped onto a ceramic lid. Of course, the table, table runner, tablecloth, and wall vase are each numbered as one. The Asian wall vase contains blossoming branches which are a prosperous theme repeated in the ceramics. Additionally, little lotus bowls bloom with blessings. Only chopsticks and ceramic spoons are included for dining, because knives unfortunately represent the cutting of relationship ties… and this is a holiday for flourishing connections in the burgeoning of a thriving new year! “Gung Hay Fat Choy, Gung Hay Fat Choy. Sing Happy New Year, Gung Hay Fat Choy.”

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“The new moon tells us, exactly when to celebrate with family and friends.” Gold leaf chargers shine as the full moon beneath gold edged plates and propitious lotus blossom bowls. Delicate teacups accompany vintage ceramic spoons bordered also with gold. Bamboo chopsticks display adornment with patterned paper washi tape.

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“Clean up the house and get out the broom. Sweep out the old year, bring in the new.” A pristine new tablecloth of muted gold matches cloth napkins encircled by plaited rings embellished with opportune good luck knots.

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“Bring out the apples, the oranges too. Their colors bring us joy and good luck too.” Auspicious branches bloom from an Asian wall-mounted vase. Trees neighboring the tablescape are echoed by the table-runner embroidered with leaf filled branches.

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“The dragon dances, the lanterns light. The firecrackers light up the night.” Illuminating pillar candles stand eminently upon vintage scrolled brass candle holders embossed with tiny lotus blossoms. Traditionally made Chinese ceramic vessels lavishly depict scenes of lush bird filled paradises, which are decorated further by dimensional gold paint.

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Gung Hay Fat Choy… Best wishes & congratulations! Have a prosperous and good year!

Faithfully Yours,

Leigh

P.S. The quoted Gung Hay Fat Choy children’s song lyrics are by Nancy Stewart.

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P.P.S. Learn how to make the traditional Chinese Good Luck knots seen here and how to turn them into napkin rings as well as decorating chopsticks with washi tape in my crafting article by clicking HERE!

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P.P.P.S. Read more about traditional Chinese New Year celebrations in my article from last year by clicking HERE!

Traditional Chinese Good Luck Knot Craft Tutorial with DIY Plaited Napkin Rings & Washi Tape Decorated Chopsticks for Chinese New Year

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This craft tutorial for traditional Chinese good luck knots makes the perfect adornment for DIY plaited napkin rings which set an elegant tone for Chinese New Year along with quick washi tape decorated chopsticks. The knot demonstrated here is known by various names among diverse Asian cultures… Good Luck, Auspicious, Chrysanthemum, and One Mind. As a traditional Chinese folk art, decorative knots have been made in the same manner for well over a thousand years, though they originated in prehistoric times. These creations have been used to decorate homes, jewelry, clothing, and have functioned as stand-alone gifts as good luck charms. Knot, 中国结 or Jie in Chinese, translates as vigor, harmony, and unification. Therefore, they have been regarded as a token of blessing when gifted for friendship or love and for special occasions like weddings. This sentiment has led to many being passed down through the generations. As the Chinese New Year is a time for provoking good fortune, and yellow is regarded as a lucky royal color as it was once reserved only for use by the emperor, a yellow gold cording was chosen for the napkin rings so that guests will dine as royalty in the burgeoning of a prosperous year.

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Begin by purchasing enough cord in silk or satin (in a “rattail” width) to complete the project. You’ll need 21 inches for each plaited ring (126” for 6) and 26 inches for each good luck knot (156” for 6)… totaling 47 inches for each ring with knot (almost 4 feet) or 182” for 6 (23½ feet). (I got mine inexpensively in bulk size from Fire Mountain Gems, whose sale link is in the sidebar, which is a great source for all types of cording in varying quantities.)

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I’m demonstrating the good luck knot here by pinning the cords to a cork plant saucer, because it makes clear photography of the process easier. You may find it easier to make a symmetric knot this way, but it can be easily made without pinning anything down. Don’t get discouraged if your first knot looks askew, just untangle the cord and try again. It will get easier with each knot you make. Practice does indeed make perfect!

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Start by cutting a 26 inch length of cord with sharp scissors to prevent fraying. Fold this in half to find the center point, which becomes the middle of the top loop (pinned in purple). Fold the left strand to find its center which becomes the middle of the left loop (blue pin). Repeat this on the right strand (red pin in the next picture). Note that I’ve pinned the very center in neutral white to keep the central points flat. The cording should resemble a cross at this point.

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Next, fold the top (purple pin) loop over the left side (blue pin). It should now appear as a person with bowed head and outstretched arms.

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Then, take the right loop (red pin) and slip it under the top fold-over (purple pin). It should now give the impression of a windswept girl with arms down at sides.

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Now take the bottom two straight strands (no pin yet) and slip them under the fold-over above it (red pin). It should look a bit like a yoga contortion at this point.

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Next, fold the left loop (blue pin) over what was once the top loop (purple pin), and then slip it under what was previously the bottom strands (no pin yet). It should now bring to mind a game of twister.

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Pull all of the outside loop ends outwardly, a little at a time, until the center is taut. It should look like an upside down cross.

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Repeat the previous fold-overs going clockwise. Fold the top loose strands (now a pink pin) over the right loop (blue pin). It should give the idea of a girl with really long hair.

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Next, fold the right loop (blue pin) over the loose strands (pink pin). It should bring to mind a girl with really long hair, bowing with one arm outstretched and one crossing the abdomen.

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Now fold the bottom loop (purple pin) over the left loop (red pin). It should appear similar to a squashed bug.

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Take the left loop and fold it over what was once the bottom loop (now the top, purple pin) and slip under what was once the top strands (now the bottom, pink pin).It should bear a resemblance to an unfortunate wad of hair matted in bubble gum.

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Pull the ends straight out from the center. It should form another upright cross.

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Lastly for the knot, pull the smallest loops outwardly until it forms petal-like structures of equal size. It should now seem more like a Celtic cross. (If it doesn’t look right to you, just pull the whole thing apart and try again. No harm done!)

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For the plaited napkin rings, cut 3 pieces of cord (7 inches long) for each ring. Hot glue one end of each piece together like a tripod.

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Clip the glued end onto something sturdy for easier braiding (like a small pail full of pens). Make a classic 3 part braid, and then glue the ends together forming a strand. (A classic 3 part braid is like a simple hair braid… made by folding the left strand over the center, then the right strand over the new center, then the new left strand over the new center, then the new right strand over the new center… over and over again until you get to the end.)

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For these napkin rings, the knots will need 4 equal loops. To easily do this, just fold one loose strand over to the underside center until it forms the right size. Cut it to the center of the knots back, and then glue it down. Next, take the last loose strand and fold it over tightly against the knot without any gaps. Also cut this strand at the center-point and glue it down. Now take a braided strand and glue each end to this same gluey underside of the knot (without overlapping the ends).

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Finally, flip it over and look at your amazing creation!

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I saved the easiest project for last. Any inexpensive chopsticks can be made beautiful in a just few seconds with the addition of washi tape. You can even take some extra chopsticks home for free along with your takeout. (These came from the grocery store sushi counter.) They are disposable like plastic utensils, but are so much more environmentally friendly.

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Simply adhere the top corner of a piece of the paper tape to the top of the stick. Wrap it around until it overlaps, and then cut it. Press it down hard to make sure it doesn’t unwrap at the dinner table. Use as many layers of it in as many styles as you like. (I used thick neutral tape twice over which matched my table runner.)

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See more of these projects in action in my Elegant Chinese New Year of the Monkey Dinner Party Tablescape Décor Ideas Article.

Kung Xee Fa Chai… Congratulations & may you be prosperous!

Faithfully Yours,

Leigh

Create a Homespun Holiday of Barn Red & Burlap with Christmas Tablescape & Mantle Décor Ideas

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Why prepare for Christmas by waiting in long lines at overcrowded stores when you can create heartfelt moments with loved ones while crafting a homespun holiday that harkens back to simpler times. Deck the halls without breaking the bank using my easy craft tutorials for DIY décor that harmonizes perfectly with the season’s traditional crafts of gingerbread houses and strung cranberries or popcorn. Have friends over for a cookie decorating or gift wrapping party, and then move the décor over to the mantel in time for a cozy Christmas. In this way, we can all celebrate togetherness in the real spirit of the season!

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“Deck the halls with boughs of holly“ and a one-of-a-kind burlap tablecloth painted with stamps and matching napkin rings which set a delightful tone for a homespun holiday gathering. (Learn how easy it is to make these here!)

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“’Tis the season to be jolly” and nosh on gluten-free vegan gingerbread cake served upon red ceramic plates over wooden chargers accompanied by holiday reindeer mugs filled with steaming cups of hot chocolate and homemade marshmallows.

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“Follow me in merry measure” to a table lit by barn red lantern bedecked with ribbons and merry-making birds. (See more about the birdies here!)

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“While I tell of Yule-tide treasure” held in handcrafted advent calendars alongside festive banners and signs trimming the windows in the background. (Find out how to make these here!)

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“See the blazing Yule before us” and the apropos message of J-O-Y spelling out the holiday sentiment. (Learn how easily these were made here!)

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“Strike the harp and join the chorus” of pretty burlap birds perched perfectly upon tiny tin houses. (See this quick project here!)

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“Sing we joyous, all together, heedless of the wind and weather.

Fa-La-La-La-La-La-La-La-La!”

Faithfully Yours,

Leigh

Easy DIY Burlap Ribbon Holiday Banner & Christmas Countdown Advent Calendar Craft Tutorials (+ Free Printable Heart Template)

75Leigh Why prepare for Christmas by waiting in long lines at overcrowded stores when you can create heartfelt moments with loved ones while crafting a homespun holiday that harkens back to simpler times. Deck the halls without breaking the bank with easy DIY advent calendars and holiday banners made from burlap, ribbon, jute or twine, and clothes pins. Nothing is more festive than a banner, and the countdown to Christmas is even more exiting when it’s accompanied with a daily treat. In this way, we can all celebrate togetherness in the real spirit of the season!

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To make a simple yet adorable Christmas banner, use a wired ribbon (like patterned burlap) and a thinner flat woven ribbon. Cut the woven ribbon as long as you want your banner to be (like the length of your mantel).

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To make the little flags, cut enough 4 inch lengths of the wired ribbon to fill the length of the banner. Next cut 1 inch V-notches out of one end of each (by folding in half lengthwise and making a straight cut at a diagonal angle).

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Hot glue the straight sides of the cut flags to the center of the long woven strand (spacing them a little apart). Now add a line of glue to the top of the long ribbon and fold in half over the cut ribbons. (Press this down for better adherence.) Do this in sections of a few flags at a time (so the hot glue doesn’t have time to cool before pressing).

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Try hanging it on a stairway or as a festive backdrop in your breakfast room. (I even have one hanging across my spice racks as I write this.)

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To make an original yet inexpensive advent calendar use 25 clothespins, 25 tiny paper bags, jute or twine, and some leftover ribbon or burlap.

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Print my heart stencil, and cut it out to use as an easy template to trace uniform shapes quickly. (Just right click on the image above, and select print.)

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Trace the hearts (or make stars, trees, circles, etc.) onto the underside of your choice of ribbon, fabric, paper, or burlap. Cut 25 of the shapes out.

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Then hot glue a shape to each clothespin. Next, you have the choice of gluing a ready-made number onto each heart, or simply adding a bow. (This is really cute when using them as a mantle-less stocking holder line. You can also add a strong magnet to the back, and stick it on the fridge.)

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I chose to hot glue jute in the shape of numbers onto each heart. (It is easier than it looks, but it was a bit more time consuming.)

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Be sure to knot small lengths of twine in between each clothespin at regular intervals (so that they don’t all end up in the center once they’re hung up).

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A few ideas for daily treats are… gum or candy, jewelry or cufflinks, holiday fortunes without the cookies, gift cards from favorite stores, love notes or poetry, cash or coins, seasonal jokes, flash drives loaded with holiday movies or music, sewing goods like thimbles or embroidery floss, special recipes with a promise to make, barrettes or keyrings, homemade certificates for things like breakfast in bed or car-washing, lip gloss or chap-stick, scavenger hunt clues for large items, scrapbooking stickers or components, and tickets for movies, concerts, events, or travel. Or for the crafty person… try putting one piece of a crafting kit into each packet which can be completed when the holiday’s over. You can even assign odd and even days to different family members.

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Why have one day of a filled stocking that competes with big presents, when you spread the joy of Christmas into 25 days of surprises!

Fa La La La La Lovin’ It!

Faithfully Yours,

Leigh

P.S. Check out my other coordinating homespun holiday craft tutorial HERE, and the full results all of the heartfelt crafting HERE!

 

Easy DIY Stamp Painted Tablecloth & Holiday Ribbon Napkin Rings + Burlap Birds Craft Tutorials

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Why prepare for Christmas by waiting in long lines at overcrowded stores when you can create heartfelt moments with loved ones while crafting a homespun holiday that harkens back to simpler times. Deck the halls without breaking the bank with an easy DIY burlap tablecloth painted with stamps to coordinate with ribbon crafted napkin rings. Then add a personal touch to ready-made burlap and jute bird ornaments with just a little paint and sentiment. In this way, we can all celebrate togetherness in the real spirit of the season!

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To make the tablecloth, fold the burlap fabric onto itself forming a triangle. Cut alongside the raw edge to remove the extra footage. Unfold it to reveal a perfect square without having measured a thing. The raw edges add to its rustic appeal… so nothing needs to be sewn either! (Note that burlap is available in varying widths which in turn will affect your length… so purchase the widest variety you can find.)

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Spread the burlap over a cheap drop-cloth to protect your work surface from paint (because it will seep through). Add a holiday pattern to the cloth with a thick foam shape stamp. Dip it into cheap acrylic craft paint, and then stamp it onto a throw away piece to remove the excess paint before stamping your project.

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I used a star shape for several reasons… I already owned the stamp, it symbolizes the star of wonder in the heavens, and the cloth can be used again on the fourth of July!

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Make the matching napkin rings easily with wire edged burlap ribbon which is available in so many cute patterns. To do this, simply cut 6 inch lengths for each ring you’ll need.

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Lay down a line of hot glue onto one end of a section of ribbon and fold it over to meet the other end. Press together firmly to ensure it forms a secure bond. One and done!

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The rings coordinate perfectly with my advent calendar and banner crafts because they utilized the same roll of ribbon.

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Saving the easiest for last… personalize any store bought ornament with a little paint for gifts or to make it match your décor perfectly.

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For these bird picks (from the floral department of a local craft store) I simply painted the black beaks and added hearts with a bit of the leftover tablecloth paint.

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These clip ornament birds were found at an overstock supply store locally. (Now painted, they look like lipstick laden lady birds wearing their hearts on their sleeves!)

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I started the whole ornament personalization thing many years ago when my godmother (not a fairy) asked me to paint a pennant bearing penguin to change its school affiliation. It was a really easy way to customize a small gift to turn it into a keepsake. (If you’re not at ease with a brush and paint, try a paint pen!)

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Fa La La La La Y’all!

Faithfully Yours,

Leigh

P.S. Check out my other coordinating homespun holiday craft tutorial HERE, and the full results all of the heartfelt crafting HERE!

 

A Thanksgiving for True Blue Loved Ones with “Turkey Day” Dinner Party Décor Ideas

Offer Thanksgiving for those loved ones who have remained true blue through the past year with a dinner party featuring a fresh blue color scheme, ubiquitous holiday turkeys, and modern china that complements family heirloom dishes and crystal. This is the perfect way to symbolically honor ancestral tradition while celebrating present day family as well… because family is made from so much more than DNA.

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The beautiful 10 inch antique turkey plates are used as salad plates in this modern setting, though they functioned as dinner plates during the era in which they were made. They are placed upon ivory patterned dinner plates, by Mikasa Italian Countryside, which are technically vintage even though the pattern is modern as they remain open-stock.

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The wild tom turkey patterned platter and dishes featuring scalloped edges, by Flow Blue by Ridgeways England, are family antiques made in the late 1800s. They were originally purchased by my Great-Great-Grandmother.

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The delicate crystal stemware displays a subtle floral motif that echoes the bouquet border of the dishes. They were inherited from another line of the family.

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Stretched across a blue patterned tablecloth is a joyfully patterned runner sporting bluebirds of happiness. This was kindly crafted by my mother who hand-stitched the navy trim border just for this occasion.

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Guarding the antique crystal salt and pepper shakers, of yet another pattern, are a blue owl and blue bird handcrafted by an artisan in Chile.

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My antique appearing napkin rings are actually modern crafts that were quick and easy to make. They coordinate well with my printed blue turkey dish place-cards hand-scrolled in gold with guest’s names. (Click here to see my article on the napkin ring tutorial and to get the free printable!)

“O Lord that lends me life, Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness.” — William Shakespeare

Faithfully Yours,

Leigh

P.S. If you have any trouble identifying your own pattern of crystal or china, there is a reputable company who will identify it by picture for free! Just upload images to http://patternid.replacements.com/ They are researching the stemware seen above for me. I’ll add a comment with the information when I find out!

P.P.S. Also, if any of you out there are interested in purchasing anything you see in my articles, from party supply sets to dishware, just send me a reasonable offer via the contact page!