Thanksgiving Table Decor and Hostess Gifts

Now that Halloween has come and gone [but hopefully, the candy still lingers], let's think Thanksgiving. Here's a quick project you and the kids can create to use as a table place setting or even hostess gifts.

Gather a small recycled or mason jar with a lid, a package of seasonal candy, and embellishments including twine, fringed fabric or ribbon, flowers, tags and labels.

Fill the jar to the top, avoiding the temptation to eat a lot of the candy. 

Or, you'll wind up with a half-empty (or is it half-full?) jar--

not such a good thing.

The rest is easy--EMBELLISH!

Wrap the jar with a piece of fringed canvas.

 Then I tied three colors of twine around the fringe.

Next, I topped the lid with a large sunflower and a tag stamped "thank you." 

You can stamp any text or image on the tag, and even personalize it.

And it's ready to go!

Wouldn't these candy-filled jars look pretty on your Thanksgiving tablescape?

For more creative inspiration, search this blog or 

click over to my new blog, 

Altered Artworks on Wordpress

Like what you see? Don't forget to pin it!

When I was 6 years old young, my Mom taught me how to sew. 

She bought me a small metal Singer sewing machine, 

the perfect model to create handmade doll clothes.

Fast forward to my latest vintage sewing box makeover. 

To see the complete transformation, click over to my new blog at 

Altered Artworks @ Wordpress.

I hope you'll start following me on my new site.

I'll meet you over there!

Jewelry Chest Gets a Nautical Makeover

What do fish sticks and jewelry box makeovers have in common? Last month, while vacationing in Boston, we ferried over to the seaport town of Gloucester. Fast forward to this 50-cent wooden jewelry box. To see the makeover, and to find out the answer to how fish sticks played a part in this project, head over to my new blog on Wordpress.

Click here:

Altered Artworks on Wordpress

Kitchen Towel Rack Makeover

This is one of my favorite home decor makeovers. 

Hard to believe it started like this.

Click on over to my new blog at Wordpress to see all the photos plus info on finding the beautiful stencil I used for this project.

Click here: Altered Artworks

Vintage Tiered Metal Cart Makeover

Isn’t this a gem? Maybe not yet, but it does have great potential. Yes, I saw this cart’s future, and it was good. Except for the rust and dirt, the cart was in good shape and has two handles, one on each side–that’s a plus. Let’s see what a little scrubbing, painting and stenciling can do! Hop on over to my new blog to see the makeover.

Old Rusty Tiered Cart

Upcycled Toy Chest into Ice Cooler

Do you have an old toy chest that your 

kids have outgrown?

Upcycle it into a very cool ice cooler. 

See the makeover for this box 

on my new blog, Altered Artworks on Wordpress.

Upcycled Toy Chest to Ice Cooler

Kiss Me Goodnight

This metal sign was stuck in the craft closet, wondering if it ever was going to see the light of day. Summer is still one month away, and even then, it doesn't quite fit our decor.  It was time to get it out and give it a makeover. You'll never believe the transformation it received with a little paint and stencils. Hop on over to my new blog to see the complete tutorial and makeover. Click here to take you directly to the post.

Vintage Sewing Box Makeover

I have a sweet spot for sewing boxes. Not the modern fabric-covered cutesy ones, but the wooden type from our Mom’s and Grandmother’s generations. I found this one at a thrift store while in Ventura last month, and I knew it had great potential to turn into something scrumptious. See how I completely transformed it with a little paint and a beautiful stencil over on my new blog at Altered Artworks on Wordpress.

Repurposed Typewriter Table into Bar Cart

Vintage typewriter tables can be found everywhere: thrift stores, garage sales, flea markets and online. They are the perfect size to repurpose into a bar cart. Check out the tutorial and see how I transformed it on my new blog, Altered Artworks.Wordpress. I'll meet you over there with a nice cold brew.

Have a Seat: Industrial Chair Makeover

Can you believe I bought this industrial stool for just $5? It sat in the corner at a warehouse where tools and parts were for sale. The guy at the helm said I can take it for $5. [Little did he know that I was about to offer $10.]

Anyway, this beauty also sat in the corner of my laundry room for a year until it received its much-deserved makeover. Here's a peak at the fabric I used to give this dreary chair its new sunny disposition.

To see the full transformation and the desk it's paired up with, please visit my new blog at 

Altered Artworks Wordpress

I'll meet you over there!

Vintage Tiered Planter Goes Tropical

Even though spring has just sprung, this vintage planter has hit the summer tropics with bold colors. To see its complete transformation, visit my new blog at Altered Artworks on Wordpress.  Hope you'll follow my new blog and continue to check in here for creative inspiration.

A Heatwave & Patio Chair Makeover

The weather has a mind of its own. While the east coast is still in the throes of winter, SoCal is already experiencing a record-breaking heatwave. I know I shouldn't complain. However, when I'm on the tennis court trying to play a match on the hot concrete slab, it's a bit too warm for my liking.  Plus, we're in a drought so we need rain!

Looking at the bright side, though, it's warm enough that I will share my poolside vintage chair makeover today.

To continue reading, and get the 411 on the complete transformation, as well as other recent projects, please visit my new blog at

Altered Artworks Wordpress.  

Find the "Follow" button on the bottom right-hand corner of the post and you will receive an email every time a new post is published

Vintage Desk Secretary Gets Promoted

This beautiful flea market find didn't start out looking like this... 

See the final transformation and 

full tutorial on my new site,

AlteredArtworks.wordpress.com