Giving Thanks DIY Thanksgiving Table Decor

iLoveToCreate
Giving Thanks DIY Thanksgiving Table Decor
Margot Potter

My new crafty gal pal Cheryl Burchett and I are co-hosting DIY segments for Gannett News here in Knoxville on WBIR Channel 10 called DIY on the FLY. We just filmed some fun Thanksgiving themed segments and the first one aired this week. I've embedded the video below AND here are the step by step instructions for some inexpensive and simple projects you can make to take your holiday table from drab to fab in seconds flat! You can make these projects as complex or as simple as you like, but whatever you do, Aleene's Tacky Glue dry adhesives make putting it all together a breeze!  

I think it's important remember the spirit behind this holiday.  When we 'give thanks', we rediscover the many things for which we can be grateful in our lives.  By writing them down and reading them out loud between dinner and dessert, we share our gratitude with our family and friends.  That's some very powerful and positive stuff right there! I think this would make a most lovely annual tradition, so we've decided to implement it here at Casa de Potter!

Materials
Card stock in fall colors
Coordinating patterned scrapbook paper
Printed sentiments in coordinating colors (thankful, give thanks, guest names)
Cut felt seasonal shapes (Genevieve Gail for Michaels)
Aleene's Tacky Double Stick Sheets
Aleene's Tacky Dot Runner
Tulip Dimensional Fabric Paint Glitter in gold
Tulip Dimensional Fabric Paint in pearl espresso
Mini glittered foam pumpkins or real mini pumpkins  
Large orange hollow foam pumpkin
Faux flowers


Tools
Computer with printer
Scissors
Decorative edge scissors
Paper trimmer
Ruler
Knife
Foam brush

Mini-Pumpkin Placecards

Print names.  Cut out with paper trimmer or scissors.  Cut a patterned scrapbook paper background using decorative edge scissors as in picture.  Cut solid colored card stock background.  Attach layers with Tacky Dot Runner.  Use knife to cut small slit in top of foam pumpkin.  Insert card!

'Give Thanks' Table Card

Print Give Thanks.  Cut out with paper trimmer or scissors into a fat rectangle as in picture.  Layer on a patterned solid color cardstock, cut to fit leaving a 1/4" edge.  Layer on patterned paper, cut to fit leaving a 1/2" edge.  Cut large solid color card stock to 7.5"x8.5" to make card.  Fold in half, using a bone folder or your scissor handles to score and fold card.  Attach layered papers to front of card with tape runner.  Attach shapes with sticker sheets to top left corner and lower right corner of papers.  I place one of these on either side of my centerpiece arrangement of gourds, mini-pumpkins, garland and glittered pumpkin vase.

'Give Thanks' Pouches

Print 'thankful' in several fall colors.  Cut word out with paper trimmer or scissors as in picture.  Layer on a solid colored card stock and cut to fit leaving a thin border at top and bottom as in picture. Layer on patterned paper and cut to fit leaving a thin edge at top and bottom.  Cut three 3"wx.5" wide pieces of light colored card stock (these will be used by guests to write three things for which they are thankful.)  Use a decorative miniature clothespin to secure to top of organza bag.

Glittered (Faux) Pumpkin Vase Centerpiece

Cut top out of pumpkin, this will be your vase.  You can use a foam pumpkin or if you prefer a real pumpkin (if using a real pumpkin, you will need to pat it completely dry with a paper towel before applying paint and glitter.)  Use foam brush to spread a thin layer of pearl espresso paint on surface of pumpkin, allow to dry until tacky, this should be thicker in some sections than others for a striated effect.  Squirt a generous amount of glitter medium on pumpkin and spread with fingers.  Work around entire pumpkin.  Allow to dry.  If using real flowers, a glass vase should be inserted into opening, if faux flowers cut to fit inside of pumpkin.  You can optionally add glitter to either fresh or faux flowers using the same glitter medium! (If you want to apply a solid layer of glitter to pumpkin, work in sections using Aleene's Tacky Glue and loose glitter.)

(Blogger was compensated for project and given some free product to feature in project. Opinions are 100% my own. If I don't like it, I don't blog it!)