DIY Table Layout! Handmade Place Settings

So my latest project was a simple, no sewing involved, project for my sisters new house! All you need for this project is the fabrics of your choice, a glue gun, a ruler, and scissors.

    She loves natural yet delicate combinations for her decorations and really favors burlap and lace detailing. She just refinished her kitchen table with white paint and wood accents so this was a perfect gift for her.

      Below you can see I just purchased my burlap and cut in length and width I desired. Be sure and place your utensils set or one of similar size into the pockets prior to cutting them and gluing to ensure the place settings are oversized by a little. This allows utensils to fit without hassle and gives a little flexibility if another set is purchased. I would always make sure they are made a little larger rather than smaller just to be safe. As a side note, I purchased a large section of burlap rather then pre cut rolls of burlap because it was much less expensive and it gave me flexibility to really choose the width I wanted without limitation. I made a set of eight for her. 

      I ran a small strip of hot glue on the inside edge I was folding up and over to create my pocket as shown below and then ran a thin strip of glue around entire parameter of the back of the place setting to stop any edges from shredding and shedding those little strings on the burlap. If you don't do this they really will shred quickly. I was having a difficult time just avoiding losing more fabric than I wanted to while I was cutting and placing everything like I wanted it. 

   After my pockets where glued I cut my lace in strips and just used hot glue sparingly and carefully to secure the pieces of lace down into the pocket so the ends were hidden. I also used a touch of hot glue around the back of the place setting so that the edges were all secure and concealed from the front view of the place setting when in use as well. 

   The finished product is below!!! I hope this inspired you to create your own special touch at your kitchen table with burlap place settings or any fabric that fits to your style and preference! This was a fun, no hassle project and I plan to make a set for myself as well!!! Thanks for reading and give me your thoughts on this project! Also, please feel free to share your special kitchen table project ideas with us!! 

~~Momma Mia~~ 

:D 

Our Handmade Christmas ! Enjoying the Holidays & Keeping A Budget :)

   If you have a lot of people to buy for this Christmas or even if you only have a few special people in mind, but either way you are trying to maintain a budget for the holidays then I have the list for you. :) I have compiled a list of my favorites and the list of things that I'm doing this holiday to cut down on cost, but really increase the meaning of the gift you're giving to your family and friends.

   A big focus of mine is handmade! Now this scares some, but don't let it! There is a wide range of handmade gift ideas and absolutely everyone can find something special to them to make from the heart! 

 1) Handmade Art by Your Kids :)

  Your sweet little ones can create gifts for the holiday that mean the world when received! Visit your local Hobby Lobby and pick up some of their canvas for handprints and footprints or a beautiful piece of art painted by your kids! This will absolutely be a hit and you won't ever get another like it! 

2) Gifts Fresh from Your Kitchen

   Go to the kitchen and pull out your favorite recipe! What is a signature dessert you love to make or a favorite hot chocolate with your special flare added to it that everyone just loves?! Now think mini version! :) Make your favorite pie, but in a cupcake pan for bite size gifts to fill small Christmas trays with or a batch of cookies would be perfect too. Back to the hot chocolate you could make one of those adorable ingredients layered ready to mix up mason jar gifts as well!!! Just get creative and pick your recipes and treats according to ingredients and pricing as well. There is no harm in picking the best dessert at the least expense. Everyone loves a warming, homemade treat and it will be a hit no matter what! 

3) Handmade Crafts by You

   Something I personally love to do is crafts. I am making a lot of crocheted things for the people this year. This is something that relaxes me and majority of the people I know love to receive these types of things. Pick patterns and projects suitable to their tastes too. I am making blankets, scarves, hats, head bands, and little cell phone purses. You can crochet all of these and at a very reasonable price especially if you watch your sales at your local craft store such as Hobby Lobby. They run sales for sections of their store every single week and they also offer a 40% off coupon for one regular priced item per customer. Also note weeks before Christmas even comes close to arriving Hobby Lobby and many other local craft locations are already marking down the Christmas everything substantially so this would be a great time to grab those last minute yarns and scrapbook papers with a holiday theme!!!! 

 

4) Now for the Festive Wrapping! 

   Now to "wrap" ;) this all up think about the wrapping paper that you are using. That festive pre-finished paper can be so expensive and for barely any paper! Some wonderful warm, personal alternatives can be butchers paper or some basic white paper that you can buy from anywhere for a multitude of purposes. The cost will not be nearly what it would be for some pre-packaged holiday wrapping paper because it's not geared towards the current high demand. Grab a silver or gold marker and write your Christmas note right on the paper. Get some solid white paper draw some pretty designs on it or make a little ornament and attach it to the top as a decorative edition. Examples of ornaments are in my prior blog post about handmade ornaments http://mommamiamoments.blogspot.com/2014/11/handmade-christmas-decorations-family.html?m=1 . I have also included some other ideas below. Simple little wooden ornaments you can create by just finding a tree limb in your yard or grabbing a dowling rod that you can get from your local hardware store and cut in slices. You want the width to be substantial enough to make a nice circular ornament so a few inches wide is ideal. Use a little wood burning tool kit or paint (whatever you prefer) on these and add some sweet sayings, a Bible verse , names and a date, or note the celebration of a first Christmas for a couple just married or in their first home. Highlight a precious baby's first Christmas or a gift for expectant parents and it will mean so much, but at a portion of the cost. 

   I hope that you enjoyed this and are inspired to out your own personal touches on Christmas this year!!! I appreciate each and every person that stops by and reads my page. 

Merry Christmas!!!! 

~~ Momma Mia :)