Thursday, November 7, 2013

Thanksgiving Light

I'm so delighted to be included in the 
Thankful at Home Tour
From November 4th through the 8th, 25 bloggers will be sharing ways in which they add personal touches to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. Speaking of gratitude, a big thank you to Julie of Lilacs and Longhorns and Kelly of My Soulful Home for organizing this tour!
Don't Miss a thing! 
Click Here for a complete list of  participating blogs.

As part of the tour, I thought I'd share a quick and easy DIY that won't take too much time away from the turkey

While Thanksgiving is a holiday which focuses on traditions, sometimes adding a new element can create wonderful new memories to accompany the time honored turkey and pumpkin pie. 
With a few simple supplies you can add a little glow to your holiday decor while letting friends and relatives take a moment to express a personal timely message of thankfulness and maybe even start a new holiday tradition. 

You'll Need
Clear clean jars in any size or a variety of sizes
I had some mason jars and also reused tomato sauce and baby food jars (we had an aged cat who ate baby food) 
(*With baby food jars make sure votive fits properly inside some have smaller openings)
Assorted light colored scrapbook or white paper cut to the appropriate size(s)
Faux leaves, ribbon or twine
Decorative accents
Flameless votives
Basic art supplies
While kitchen duties, football, conversation and catching up often keep many revellers busy on Thanksgiving, a decorating station set up in a quiet area with precut paper strips and simple art supplies, allows guests to come and go and get creative at their own pace.

Laying a sheet of freezer paper down first prevents oopses on your furniture
I slipped a swatch of ivory burlap under the glass of a thrift store frame and penned a sharpie (easily erasable) message for inspiration.
In keeping with the season, I chose scrapbook paper with Autumn tones, family themes and nature inspired patterns
Oh so basic supplies include: sparkly gel pens, colored pencils, markers, scissors and glue sticks
tarnished pieces from an old tea set and a rustic basket keep supplies in easy reach.
Last years DIY burlap banner adds a festive touch
Simply have guests write their name,
date, and a quick word or phrase on the cut paper strips or let we artsy types create an image representing something we are grateful for, anything from serious or sentimental to silly. 
Once done, slip paper into the jar, pop in a flameless votive and replace lid. 
I spruced up the lids ahead of time with some simple faux leaves, rustic natural accents and hot glue and spritzed a few with hammered metallic spray paint
As daylight wanes and plates are cleared (weather permitting) lanterns can be displayed outside on a patio....
inside on a windowsill,
or mantel,
or hung from a porch or tree
If planning to hang lanterns you can place a loop of twine over jar opening and carefully screw on lid, securing in place or attach hanger using a strong glue or alternately wrap with wire.


Wishing Everyone a 

Wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday!

and for foreign PennyWise readers and friends

a Happy Fall!

Pennywise Tips
After the holiday, if desired, you can remove and keep gratitude messages and place in a scrapbook or keepsake box, reusing jars for next year.
 Have fun seeing how the messages change from year to year.
   
Or send guests home with their lanterns as a memorable favor 
   
Assign Kids or bored Tweens the job of helping to  assemble and hang or display jars

For more Thanksgiving projects and ideas pop over and visit
previous Pennywise posts.
Fall in love with Burlap

Fall into Sweet Treats


Thanks to all my readers
for making my first year of 
blogging such a delightful experience!





29 comments:

  1. What a great idea for a new tradition. May you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving this year, but I plan to be visiting your blog again before Thanksgiving. :)

    Judith

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Judith!
      It seems the holidays will be here before we know it!
      Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

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  2. That is a really cute idea. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thanks for visiting Kim!
      So glad you enjoyed the project
      Cheers!

      Delete
  3. Love it! That is really a great idea. I love that first shot, with a whole collection of them on display.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much-
      It's a super easy project but a little tricky to get good photos in that low light lol
      Cheers!

      Delete
  4. Wow, I love this and a wonderful way to keep the little ones busy. Thank you! ~Jeanette

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    1. Thanks so much Jeanette!
      I was thinking that too- little ones and non-football fans lol
      Cheers!

      Delete
  5. I just love this idea! I'm so glad you joined us on the tour. Thank you for sharing with us! :)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Julie!
      And kudos for keeping us all on track!
      Cheers!

      Delete
  6. Oh my goodness! I love, love, love this idea!! I think I might need to in-cooperate this in our Thanksgiving festivities. Thanks for being a part of this series.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Meegan!
      So glad you enjoyed it- It's really so easy to put together
      Such fun being on tour with this great group!

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  7. Stunning - love the way they look all lit up!!
    Kelly

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  8. What a wonderful project idea Christina! Jars lined with blessing all aglow, i love it! Great being on the tour with you today!
    Cheers to you and yours,
    Therese @ Fresh Idea Studio

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Therese!
      It was hard to get the photos right but in real life they look more magical -lol
      I'm so delighted to be part of this tour with you as well
      Cheers!

      Delete
  9. What a wonderful project idea Christina! Jars lined with blessing all aglow, i love it! Great being on the tour with you today!
    Cheers to you and yours,
    Therese @ Fresh Idea Studio

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  10. Christina I am still catching up on the tour and I have to tell you I ADORE this idea. I mean I absolutely love it. How thoughtful and so pretty too. Pinning and so glad to be a part of the tour with you!! xo

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    1. Thanks so much Claire!
      I'm still catching up too- there's so many fabulous posts to read - and so little time! lol- I'm so glad you enjoyed the project-and thanks for pinning!
      Cheers!
      Christina

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  11. Love it Christina! The candle light is so lovely…and a way to keep "bored tweens" engaged! Brilliant!!

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    1. Thanks so much- I'm so glad you enjoyed the post and Thanks for organizing this tour- what a lot of work for you but it's been a delight!

      Delete
  12. They are beautiful…such a fantastic idea and project. Thanks for the wonderful inspiration!

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    1. Thanks for visiting Shirley! So happy you enjoyed the project- this tour has been such fun!
      Cheers!

      Delete
  13. Brilliant idea - looks awesome! I do appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
    Kathy

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  14. This is such a great idea. I love it. Making it my Just Because it's Wonderful Pick of the Week on my post titled Inspired By which I'll be posting tomorrow for Share Your Cup Thursday at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olsen.

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