Table Settings Eye Candy Ideas

Every year our church as a

 Holiday Extravaganza 
where ladies decorate a table and host it for the evening of food, fellowship and fun.


Here are some, but not all of the tables that were decorated this year...a good way to get some ideas for your holiday table setting.



There are tons to share, so grab a drink and sit back...I'm sure you will find a favorite one!

  

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Birthday Girl

My daughter


After years of infertility since the birth of
my son, Charlie,
 9 years prior

 


My son

23 years ago, a beautiful and strong survivor
came into this world, 5 weeks early and dead! She was given CPR and breathed her first
breath. She struggled with the first weeks of her life
and I named her a name that other women had, that were strong women. I
just knew she was a fighter

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In the Bloglight at Hometalk!

Greetings, friends!

I'm honored to have been chosen to be featured as part of Hometalk's "In the Bloglight" series!  

If you aren't familiar with Hometalk, you simply must check it out, as it's an amazing online community, where folks from all over the world *gather* to ask for and share ideas about all things home and garden.

As part of the "Bloglight" series, Miriam (Hometalk's Director of Community Development  extraordinaire) asked me a few questions:

How did you first get into blogging?

I joined the world of blogging back in December of 2009 when our home was part of our local Women's Club "Christmas Tour of Homes."  I started my blog as a way for me to share pics of our holiday home with our out-of-state family and friends who weren't able to visit for the event.  Little did I know that folks other than my family and friends would actually take the time to read, comment and follow my blog!  That's when I decided to write a second, third and fourth post … and, well, as they say, the rest is blogging history!  

How did you decide on the name of my blog?

As much as I love to decorate and redecorate our home (along with others), it's never boring or quick … always an adventure … thus, "Adventures in Decorating" was born!

Is blogging something you do on the side, or is it a full-time job for you?

For now, blogging is something that I do on the side … for fun.  That might change in the new year, but, for now, it remains a great outlet for me to share my addiction to decorating!

What was the first project you ever shared?

The first post I ever shared was of our Christmas home where reds, golds and greens, along with chocolate metallic walls, dominated our humble abode.

And, if you follow my blog, you've been there along the way when those dark walls disappeared; walnut furniture was introduced to chalk paint; and camel covered wingback chairs were then dressed in white slipcovers … hard to believe this is the same room!

What is your most popular project on Hometalk to date?

Hmmmm … that would be our Fall mantel from 2012.  I'm still in shock that, since posting it to Hometalk, it has since been *pinned* over 40,000 times … crazy!

Do you stick to a strict posting schedule?

Admittedly, I don't.  And, I truly admire those who post multiple times a week, especially since I *usually* only post only once a week!  I always say that I'm going to start posting more, but, try not to put too much pressure on myself to do so … maybe that's part of the problem!  :)

How has blogging changed you?

Blogging has changed me in that it has given me a bit more confidence when it comes to my mad decorating skills … like taking a paint brush, covered in Chateaux Grey chalk paint, to our then-maple stained cabinets:

It has encouraged me to take decorating "risks" and to step out of my OCD-box.  And, best of all, blogging has also brought many amazing people into my life whom I'm happy to call "great friends!"  If you are considering starting a blog, I hope that you go for it … you won't regret it!

*   *   *

Thanks again, Miriam, and the great folks at Hometalk, for featuring little ol' me as part of your "In the Bloglight" series.  And, thank YOU for taking the time to visit!

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Songbook Page Christmas Tree

I have a wreath that I made using rolled music book pages...


And thought, "Hey why not make another shape out of the same rolled up pages".


Plus, I wanted to show you early enough so that you could make one for Christmas if you so felt the desire!



I started with a clear plastic cone shape like this, but you can use any cone made out of different material like heavy card stock...



 

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Vastu Gyan: Guest Room Vastu

In Indian culture guests are always considered as God. Therefore you should follow the principles of vastu for guest room also. It ensures the happy, peaceful and short stay of the guests at home.

Best location for guest room is Northwest direction this corner represents air element that is considered as the most unstable and movable element. Guest bedroom in this direction will ensure short and happy stay of guests at home. Other option is South or Southeast direction.
Avoid Southwest direction for guest as it is reserved for master bedroom. Guest will dominate or interfere if the guest bedroom is in Southwest direction.
Color of the walls can be white, cream, soft pink or light blue.

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South or West is the right direction of placing a bed in guest room. Place the bed South-North so that guests should sleep with head towards South and legs towards North. There should not be any beam just above the bed. Always keep bed little far from the wall for proper air circulation. Avoid pacing bed directly in front of bathroom's door.
Windows in East and North direction is right option though it can be in West also but avoid South.
All the electric and electronic items should be in the Southeast direction, as it represents fire element.
South and West direction is ideal for cabinets and cupboards.

With a little care in the relative positioning and arrangement of the rooms one could expect to live a peaceful, happy & prosperous life.
Read about Master Bedroom Vastu here

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Fall-Winter Living Room Decor Ideas

As the soft morning sun rays peep into my living room I am pleasantly reminded that winters have arrived.

Everyone wants to escape from chilling winter weather outside and this is the right time of the year 

to create cozy, warm and inviting interiors. How can you achieve that look for your living room...oh let me share some very easy ideas here to welcome winters.

The key is to create cozy living room by adding some warm colors, plump cushions, woolen throws, thick rugs, soft warm lights and may be a woolen blanket to snuggle up with piping hot tea/coffee. 

Give a coat of rich color to a wall to make your living room warm and cozy instantly. Colors like yellow, terracotta, gold, purple, orange and red can do wonders. Add rich colors with accessories, furnishings and furniture too.

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Lay soft carpets and woolen, knitted, crochet or thick floor rugs to cover up cold floor. Rugs not only give warm and cozy feel but it looks elegant and add element to your decor too. Choose one in right color and texture. It enhances relaxing feel of room.

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Plump cushions & pillows scattered or lined up on sofa with matching fur or woolen throw feel as good as bear hug in frosty winter weather. Floor pillows and ottomans in warm fabric create a perfect cozy living room for winters. 

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Soft lighting is better way to add warmth and create perfect ambiance for winter. Dim and mood lights are more appealing than brighter ones and give wintry charm. Candles centerpiece and fall flower & leaves decoration not only beautifies the surrounding but glow of candles bring calming, warm and inviting effect also. 

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 Now some more things that you can do to make your living room comfortable and relaxing for winters. Line curtains with thermal lining or simply swap them for heavy ones. Create cozy reading nook to add a touch of winter. An arm chair placed near book case with some floor cushions scattered around make winters more enjoyable and your home interiors more inviting and cozy. 

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Hope these ideas will be helpful in transforming your abode into a warm, inviting, relaxing and cozy winter retreat. Enjoy winters!!

Link Love @ ShowAndTellFriday

 [This post is a part of the Fab Blogger contest by FabFurnish.com, the one stop destination to buy trendy sofa sets and living room decor essentials online.]

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How To Make Faux Chalkboards

Recently I shared with you a few pictures from my Son's wedding.

To not step on any toes, I told my Daughter-In-Law (DIL) that she needed to tell me if she wanted me to make something for the wedding.

One of the things that she asked me to make was a couple of chalkboards.

This was my problem...How would I get these chalkboards from Illinois to Kansas in our car without messing up

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