{ Holiday Place Settings }

I hosted Thanksgiving last year, pre-turkey day, I laid out what my place settings would look like.

I came up with a few different styles and wanted to share them with you, for your holiday dinners.

The first is the most formal (for me).

I use music sheets for the place mat and a silver goblet for the wine.

I'm using 2 dishes from a turquoise milk glass set I found at a yard sale, and a random brown patterned soup bowl.

Second reminds me of the farm. And might be my favorite.

I cut up some black buffalo check fabric for the place mat and used a mason jar for the drinks.

I added a little candle by the setting made from a clean tuna can and remnants of yardstick cuttings from a project I did on my steps.

Next was another favorite of mine. 'Cause just about anything thing with maps is a favorite of mine.

Notice what country I used.

I had my husband in mind with his next place setting. He's woodsy and rustic, and I wanted to make a place setting that seemed very him.

I also scored this trout fish gravy boat at my local thrift store. It's perfect.

MaryJane (my Mom) was the inspiration for this shabby chic setting. She loves all things pink and pretty and romantic.

This one is a combo Danny/Denise. A little bit country, a little bit rustic farm. Pretty much one in the same.

But I love that I found a Pennsylvania Farm Show dish. (Since we live in PA, and Danny wishes we lived on a farm)

For a clean cut look I tried a black and white look.

And the grand finale....The Christmas look. The perfect combo of red and green, farm and rustic, with a little whimsy in the santa mug.

For more holiday ideas, join me here - for tons of great ideas from around the blog world!

Which setting would you pick for you holiday table?

{ Sneak Peeks & The Holidays }

Just like your house, our house get's crazy busy this time of year.

I thought I'd share with you a few things that are going on around here.

I created a few cheese boards that I planning on giving and selling this holiday season.

They make a great gift, and add a little cozy warmth to the table.

The hot chocolate station is up and running with very good reviews from the grade school crowd.

I've expanded to 3 local stores that carry my items.

Each store has it's own selection of Painted Home stuff.

So, you'll never see the same thing twice.

 So far this years best seller is the girl cap. My twist on the traditional jeff cap.

And, coming in close as the second runner up is the vintage music sheet flower bouquets.

Of course, my best model and the hardest working kid in town...Camille.
Who, surprise, has created her very own blog. More on that in the new year.

 I decided to make some smaller vintage paper wreaths.
These are still a good size, but not as overwhelming for you chicken-decorators as the XL ones.
I'd call these "medium".

My favorite Kitchen scale blue dresser hasn't sold yet at Not Too Shabby, so you know what that means!.
It was went to be mine in the first place.
Thank you for not purchasing it.

I've begun decorating the mantel. There is a good chance it may be complete by Christmas eve.

In world news. You should read this sign.

It's really the small businesses that are the heart of our communities.

So, promise yourself you'll shop in one of them this holiday season. Your gifts will have some much more heart. And, I guarantee you will meet some awesome people and find some things you never even knew you needed!

Here's some of my favorites, which happen to sell Painted Home items as well.

If your local, check'em out.

Big news in 2014.

I'll be launching this baby.

with a website and all the rest of the bells and whistles that come along with it.

It's a Mobile DIY workshop & market.

A real live 1972 camper, rollin' into your town. (I think I made a mistake with the door and stripe color, but hey, it's only paint. right?)

I linked the above logo to the Crafty Camper facebook page. Be sure to like it so you can find out about all the great events that might just be happening near you!

Later.

{ Hot Chocolate Stand }

We're going beyond the station this year and making a Hot Chocolate STAND.

If you've met my daughter Camille at any of my events, you know she is a hustler. Always looking for the next great way to fill her piggy bank. And what better way for a kid to make a buck in the winter then to peddle hot chocolate to the freezing locals?

I started my search on Pinterest, where else?

And, one of my favorite stands was this one from Itty Bitty Portraits.

TG, I have a nephew that is a contractor. So having him rummage through my garage for scrap wood and vintage doors is a dream come true.

I found tons of other great ideas for the stand too.

So, while me nephew is outside constructing the ultimate Hot Chocolate Stand, Camille and I will be indoors creating all recipes and extras that will go along with it.

Like recipes, printable, signs, you name it.

(image YellowBlissRoad.com)

(image via Jolly Signs)

(image via World Recipes)

Camille will have the hottest spot in town in no time. 

Check out more cold weather inspiration here.

I also swore I'd throw a sledding party last winter too.

Maybe if I start planning now, I'll be ready before the first snow.

(image via BHG.com)

(image via CountryLiving.com)

cheers!

{Creative Gift Wrapping }

Hey there! Dana (Circa Dee) and I will be together again...today around 1pm at Serendipity Shops of Doylestown. 
Dana will be demo-ing her mad Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint skills.

And I'll be showing some ways to get creative with your wrapping this holiday season.

So, even if you are a crappy gift giver, you can fool them with your fabulous wrap job.

See more ideas for wrapping here.