Napkin Holder

Thanksgiving is such a beautiful holiday. Most people start focusing more on family and friends during that season. So, in order to avoid the "huffs and puffs" of Thanksgiving and Christmas season, I like to start preparations and gift shopping as early as possible, and in order to help you to do the same I started posting ideas for the holidays. My last post was about name cards and name card holders. Today, as I promised, I'm posting the napkin holders. Now remember that my posts are suggestions. It's always best if you create your own style. The more personal, the better. 
Here are my ideas.

You can use just plain napkin holders like these

Or even curtain rings like this ( white ones will do great too).

You can add a ribbon and a fall decoration to the plain napkin holders like shown below. I like this idea because I can reuse the same napin holders for different occasions.

To decorate the napkin holder, I  just passed a ribbon through the holder, tied a bow and added a resin fall leaf using a 3D adhesive dot.

For the curtain ring I crocheted a fall leaf to go with the name card holder. That has to be glued to the ring to stay in place. 

You can make the leaves in different colors to be more festive.

Make the card name and napkin holders for a gift. I'm sure you'll make someone very happy.

Here is the crochet fall leaves pattern

Magic circle

Round 1: Ch 1, 6sc in magic circle, sl st to join, ch1 and turn

Round 2: 2 sc in each st around (a total of 12 sc), ch1 and turn

Round 3: 3 tc, ch2,st st in the top of 3rd tc, 2 tc, ch1, st st in next sc. Repeat this 2 more times. 1sc in next st, *2hdc in next st. 

Stem

* On top of second hdc
ch 5, turn, 1sl st in each ch, 1 hdc in next st, 1sc in last st. sl st to join. Fasten off and weave ends.

If you want to crochet the napkin ring, then leave a long tail at the end of leaf to sew it to the ring.

Thank you for stopping by. Blessings unto you and yours.

Vanias Reed    

Name Place Cards + Crochet

Can you believe we are only a month from beginning of the autumn? Before we know it Thanksgiving will be here, and I want to be ready. So today I started to work on a few things like place cards, place cards holders and napkin rings - which I will post later. Here are the place cards and one place card holder.

Place card 1

For this place card I used a 3x5 in index card. Cut it in half and pasted the halves together with lines facing each other. Then I added a ribbon and a sticker. This card can also be used to describe the dishes and/ or desserts you will have on Thanksgiving Day.

Place card 2 and holder

Card supplies:
Paper: Maroon and white cardstock 
Stamps: Clear 'happy' (studio g), Thanksgiving (Stampabilities)
Ink: Cherry and Brown stamp markers (Recollections)
Tools: Metallic green and orange gel pens.

Card holder supplies and pattern below.

Place card 3

Card supplies
Paper: Brown and white cardstock
Stamp: 'Thanksgiving'  from Happy Thanksgiving (Stampabilities)
Ink: Brown stamp marker (Recollections)
Tools: Metallic green, orange and brown gel pens

Pumpkin Name Card Holder Pattern

Rust and Patty green yarn (Red Heart Super Saver)
Hook size F 
Tapestry needle
Cotton balls

Chain 11
Work in back loops only
Row 1: SC in second ch from hook, SC in next, HDC in next 6, SC in last two, ch 1 and turn
Row2: SC across
Row 3- 17: Repeat row 2
Fasten off, leave a long piece of yarn.
Using a tapestry needle, sew the short sides together, go with yarn through one of the openings, and pull together in a circle. 
Fasten off and weave ends.
Use the opposite hole to stuff your pumpkin with cotton balls. Using the tapestry needle, go through the stitches in this hole, pull together, fasten off and weave ends. 

Stem
Magic ring
SC 3 in magic ring. 1ch, turn
2 sc in first stitch, sc in the next st, repeat around
Continue to sc around until stem is to the desired length

Pumpkin Coil
Ch 8 and sc 2 in second ch from hook and all the way across. Fasten off, leave a long tail to sew it with stem on pumpkin. It is the coil that holds the card in place.
I hope you have fun getting ready to celebrate Thanksgiving. I know I have lots to be thankful for, including you. Thanks for stopping by. 

Vanias Reed    

Bridal Shower Invitation

Today I'm posting something I have not posted yet, an invitation idea. I was asked to make invitations for a bridal shower that had the peacock colors as a theme. So here is what I came up with.

 Supplies Used
Paper: leaf green, gold and medium purple card stock (the Paper Studios)
Tools: Cutting/ embossing machine (Sizzix), Twirl embossing folder (the Paper Studios), computer and printer, spray adhesive (to glue the peacock feather to the paper)
Embellishments: Peacock feather, white lace and ribbon, pearl beads, and seal with the bride's and groom's names initial (in this case both names start with the letter B). 

There is more to creating with paper than greeting cards. Have fun creating and hand making. And thank you for visiting my blog

God bless you.

             Vanias Reed             

A homemade Christmas gift

This is an idea that can actually be used at any time of the year, but I'm using it as an idea for Christmas. It makes a great gift for neighbors, teachers, you name it. So here it is:

This is a box with homemade fudge squares wrapped in a red fabric. Who wouldn't like to get a beautiful and delicious gift like this? Below you will find the recipe for this easy and delicious microwave, yes you read it right, microwave fudge. You will also get the tip on the wrapping. Enjoy
Fudge Recipe

3 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp vanilla

Line 8x8 inch (20cm  x 20cm) pan with wax paper and set aside.
In large microwave-safe bowl combine chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk. Microwave on high for 2 minutes. Stir in vanilla.  Pour fudge mixture into pan. Refrigerate until firm. Do not keep in the refrigerator for too long.                           

 Cut the fudge in squares and wrap them individually in tin foil

 

 

Place them in a box ( I wrapped a box that I already had with white paper because, as you know, I recycle a lot) with some shredded red or green paper in the bottom (basket filling), or use shredded newspapers for a more vintage look, but in this case you'll have to use the same style for the wrapping.

Wrap the box with a see through red,  green or gold fabric. You don't have a piece of fabric like that? No problem. You can use tissue paper and clear decorated cellophane as shown below

Make a beautiful bow and a tag. I used a silver bow because the pieces of fudge were wrapped in silver foil. I'll be posting ideas for Christmas gift tags and how to make them soon.

Variations for the fudge 

For sweeter fudge use 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips and 1 cup milk chocolate chips.
For chocolate walnut fudge add 1/2 cup chopped walnuts after vanilla.
For peppermint fudge add 1/2 tsp peppermint flavoring (not oil) after vanilla. Press 6 crushed peppermint candy on top of fudge before refrigerating.
For peanut butter fudge use 4 cups peanut butter chips

I hope you'll have fun making this recipe, and those who enjoy it will pass it along.
Thank you for stopping by. Have a wonderfully blessed weekend.

Vanias Reed