Sunday, August 17, 2008

Thanksgiving Table Setting Challenge

Nichole challenged the Senior Design team to make a Thanksgiving Table setting using the First Fruits stamp set that released on the 15th. I thought it sounded like fun and since I've never done anything like that, I decided to play along, too. My ensemble consists of a menu, invitation, place card, and a favor. There are so many great stamps in this set, but I decided to focus on my favorite, the pineapple. Be sure to click on the photos to see a larger version with more detail.


My favorite part of my table setting is the little favor basket I created. I used one of the 8 oz clear top tins. I started out by cutting the strip of paper of white cardstock to go around the bottom of my tin and stamping it with the pineapples. I sponged summer sunrise ink on the stamp and then sponged the edges using SU's pumpkin pie ink. I love those two colors together and I love how every pineapple is unique using this inking method (called rock n' roll, though I sponged mine for a little more control). (If only, I had thought to cut the pineapple like Nichole did. Isn't that amazing?!?) I wanted to carry on the look of the top of the pineapple, but since it wouldn't fit on my stamped paper, I sponged the edges of the spring moss twill instead with jardin moss ink. I attached the twill to the top of the tin. Next, I created my handle by layer summer sunrise satin ribbon and dark chocolate twill. I use my atg to stick them together. This made a stronger handle that wasn't floppy like it would have been with just the satin ribbon plus it carried out my color scheme. I punched holes in the tin using my crop-a-dile and threaded my handle through and secured it with glue dots. Then, I punched a couple holes through my handle and tin and added the silver brads for even more stability. I wanted to line the inside of my tin so I cut some summer sunrise cardstock and stamped the egg and dart image repeatedly using summer sunrise ink and lined the inside of my tin. Last, I filled my favor with dinner mints.


Here's a close up photo of the tin. I hope you can see the lining cardstock with the subtle pattern. Wouldn't these look cute sitting out on a Thanksgiving table?


I created my Thanksgiving menu by typing everything up on the computer, changing the fonts and color to a brown similar to Dark Chocolate and printing it on linen vellum. I love the texture of this vellum! I cut my layers for my invitation and added my two ribbons (again layered). Then, I stamped a pineapple on white cardstock and cut it out and added it to the corner of the menu. I used the rock and roll technique throughout making all my pineapples like I described earlier. I also used spring moss and jardin moss inks for the stems of the pineapples. I think creating the menu made me hungry for some oven roasted smoked turkey! I have a great brine recipe for smoking a turkey and can no longer eat plain old turkey! lol


For my invitation, I wanted something simple yet elegant. I started out by embossing my rectangle on white cardstock using a nestability die. (Nichole has a great tutorial here explaining how to do this.) Then, I stamped my pineapple and sentiment (using Warm Hospitality). Last, I added some layered ribbon to the top. I adhered the dark chocolate twill to the summer sunrise satin ribbon on all my creations. It gave me stability when tying them and kept everything just where I wanted it. I love the look of these two colors layer together.


My place card was very simple as well. You want something simple yet pretty when you're making lots of them for a dinner party. I started out my stamping my pineapple. Then, I added the name using the Trajan Monogram stamp set. I used Becky's name as a tribute to her for seeing her wonderful idea come to fruition. Congrats, Becky!! It's such a wonderful and versatile set!

I hope I inspired you in some way with my Thanksgiving table setting. I can't wait to see what the other designers came up with! Be sure to check out all there creations: Amy, Debbie, Heather, Lauren, Lisa, and you can see them all together on Nichole's blog.
signature
Recipe for all items
Cardstock: white, summer sunrise, dark chocolate (Papertrey Ink)
Patterned Papers: (hand stamped)
Ink: summer sunrise, dark chocolate, spring moss (Papertrey Ink), jardin moss (Palette), pumpkin pie (SU)
Other: Linen vellum, 8 oz clear top tin (Papertrey Ink)
Tools: crop-a-dile, sponge daubers, rectangle nestability die

16 comments:

Carolina said...

Oh Niki - just precious!!! Love the idea of pineapples for Thanksgiving - we try to spend Thanksgiving in Hawaii and this reminds me of that...just gorgeous!

Unknown said...

This set of items is just gorgeous - I love it all. I spent ages looking at every detail and I am really impressed with your ideas - the colours are wonderful.

Heidi said...

Niki, your place table setting set is wonderful! I love the pineapples and your little basket is so sweet! What a fun idea!

Anonymous said...

Saw your table display on Nichole's blog too, and think it's absolutely gorgeous!

Karen said...

This is stunning. I love every detail. What a great idea to double up the ribbon. It looks spectacular.

Michelle said...

I just saw this on Nichole's blog & had to hop over & say how fabulous this is!! Such a fun set, & I love what you did with it!! I can't believe autumn is just around the corner! I love fall, winter ~ notsomuch. Thanks for sharing this wonderful setting ~ I can't stop looking at it!

Bev J. said...

So pretty and elegant. You do such neat and prcise work. tfs

Bev J. (Maxell on SCS)

Anonymous said...

You crack me up!! I love it!! That was so nice of you ;)
It is beautiful,especially the execution of it all :)

Kimberly Crawford said...

Beautiful! Beautiful! Beautiful!! I LOVE the little treat basket you created!! brilliant idea!! and so elegant!

K said...

Oh, just so stunning! I love your work and the containers for the dinner mints are my absolute favorite. I also LOVE how you layered the two ribbons. It looks incredible.

Rhonda Kelly said...

This is just fabulous~saw all the different table settings from everyone and they are all go great! You did a wonderful job on this, I am loving that stamp set. Thanks for sharing.

Jennifer Holmes said...

Whew, that little tin of mints looks like a lot of work! But it's so worth it - it really makes your place setting stand out!

Lee said...

Wow Niki!!!! These are so absolutely darling!!!! What a fun table setting!!! Gives me some ideas for some upcoming events!!! ;)

Janette said...

Niki- this set is absolutely gorgeous!! You did such an awesome job on everything.

Unknown said...

Beautiful job Niki!!

Rosella said...

Yummy Niki!! This does not only look yummy it sounds yummy too! May I come to your Thanksgiving meal? LOL!
You made a very beautiful project!!