From The Heart

When it comes to holidays, my FAVORITE part is opening cards from my loved ones with thoughtful sentiments inside. Take this a step further- a HANDMADE card with thoughtful sentiments inside. Because I had some free time in early February (I say laughingly) I took the time to make my Valentines this year. I can't take credit for this idea, as it was my dear friend Elizabeth who suggested we turn our Saturday lunch date into a craft date instead.

Elizabeth and I cruised the aisles of Michael's carefully- inspecting each shelf to make sure we weren't missing out on something fabulous to help us create our holiday masterpieces.

We spent $26 on supplies and ended up with 16 handmade Valentines (not all pictured here).

Our favorite "couples card"

Our favorite "singles" card

Our favorite "little tike" card

Below I have provided a coupon to Michael's to make your Valentine's Day crafting that much more affordable.

Happy Valentine's Day to all my readers!

Holiday Happenings

This holiday season has been a busy one for All Set- and I couldn't be happier! From formal dining rooms to children's tablescapes, I've been completing designs across the gamut. Check out some of the photos below:

Happy Holidays- see you in 2011!

First Impression

During the holiday season my living room transforms into Gift Wrap Grand Central Station- wrapping paper, bags, boxes, and bows are scatted everywhere, with the hope of making each package perfect for the person. This year, I am taking the time to personalize my gift wrap with unique gift toppers and handmade tags. I know it sounds ambitious, but Better Homes and Gardens is making this task a littler easier...and cheaper! BHG has provided printable gift tags for the holiday season. Just download the document (as a PDF) and print- you can take it a step further and customize the tags with stickers, stamps, special fonts, buttons, feathers, etc. Here are some of the darling designs offered:

Happy Wrapping!

Better Late Then Never

Welcome to my home-today you are invited to my personal post thanksgiving party... via photographs. I was lucky enough to play hostess with the mostest for my dear friends over the holiday weekend. My tablescape was obviously an anticipated part of the dinner. This year, I decided to take it back to the basics with raw materials found in nature. To accent the pieces that I gathered from my backyard, I purchased two different shades of burlap to create a rustic runner- $8.40 at the local fabric store.

Gobble Gobble Goes Tabletop

With Thanksgiving a day away, I thought I would share some holiday photos that I found inspirational when planning my 2010 Thanksgiving tablescape

Celebrations at home

Martha Stewart

Better Homes and Gardens

Country Living

Parents

Hostess With The Mostess

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my readers- may you spend the holiday surrounded by all that you are thankful for. "Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action." - W.J. Cameron

The Coffee Table Gets Personal

Are you already hyper at the thought of all the holidays gifts that you need to buy? If so, why not make life a little easier and get some shopping done way in advance with the help of Amazon.com. For those "what the heck do I buy them?!?!" people- think of their favorite past time or hobby and buy them a hardcover coffee table book. For all the hosts and hostesses in your life, look to William Yeoward for your solution.

In 2009 I received his wonderful book William Yeoward on Entertaining and a year later it is still my favorite look book in my collection.

"William Yeoward has a worldwide reputation for designing collections for the home, and is particularly known for his imaginative table settings. He has shops in London and New York, lectures on design throughout the United States, and his work is featured in magazines such as Town and Country, Elle Decor (for whom he is a contributing editor), House and Garden, Vogue Living and Vogue Entertaining" (Amazon.com).

On my wish list this year is his 2006 Perfect Tables: Tabletop Secrets, Settings And Centerpieces for Delicious Dining and his 2010 William Yeoward at Home: Elegant Living in Town and Country.

Help make your favorite person's home that much more personal with pages of information and illustrations that will keep them occupied for hours. Happy Shopping!

I Pledge Allegiance

Wishing you all a very happy Fourth of July filled with family, friends, and memorable moments!

To get step by step instructions of these inspirational Fourth of July designs and many more, checkout Martha Stewart online or pickup the July 2010 copy of Martha Steward Living.