Say "Bless You" With Style - Give-Away

I love the elegance of the tissue cover Sandra made for me

I hope everyone's Christmas season is off to a Joyful Start :)  I want to kick off this season with a fun give-away from a great Etsy shop I discovered.  I recently ordered the beautiful tissue cover above from OctaviaStreet ,and I just had to share with you.   http://www.etsy.com/people/OctaviaStreet?ref=pr_profile  

This red toile would be perfect for Christmas

 Sandra is the owner, designer and seamstress for OctaviaStreet, an Etsyshop. No matter your style, I’m sure you will find a custom or monogrammed tissue box cover you like. At OctaviaStreet, She will work with you to design a tissue box cover in your own style. She has been sewing for decades. After she left her full-time day job a few years ago, she was able to use her sewing skills for family and friends which eventually turned into OctaviaStreet.

One of the many burlap styles, I love them

 Sandra says " I’m very lucky to have a great sewing studio in my home that is equipped with a full range of sewing equipment to ensure every product you purchase is constructed to the highest possible quality. I've always enjoyed making things and I love machine embroidery. Having a shop on Etsy has allowed me to showcase some of my work and support my creative habit. There are many amazing artists on Etsy and I hope you take time to check out my shop".

You had to know I'd love this toile with  a pink monogram :)

Sandra will be giving 2 lucky readers one of her beautiful tissue covers (readers choice).
To enter
1). Make sure you like Shannon's Shannigins on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Shannons-Shanonigins/135210736536443?ref=hl
2). Check out OctaviaStreet and let us know which tissue cover you would pick http://www.etsy.com/shop/OctaviaStreet?ref=pr_shop_more
3). Leave  a comment below letting us know you liked my page on Facebook and which tissue cover is your favorite

I love the English Country feel of this hounds-tooth with the red monogram, it would be perfect in my living room.  I just love the idea of having tissues displayed in such a beautiful way.  In our house this is tissue season, lol   These would make great hostess gifts, or if you're like me it would be fun to have tissues that compliment the different rooms they occupy. Sandra's tissue covers range from $10.00 to $14.00

The drawing for the two winners will be announced on Dec 2nd.  Make sure you check back because there will be a new and different give-away next week.  It's my way of saying Merry Christmas and thank you.

Thankful for Pinterest

How many of you have discovered Pinterest?  Well, I'm addicted and it really is fun!  For those of you who don't know what Pinterest is, well it's a website that allows you to make cyber idea boards.  We've all made idea boards or books, well this is that on steroids :) My Pinterest address is  http://pinterest.com/shannonimlay/  All of the photo's (or pins) you see on today's post come from either my "Be Ye Thankful, or "The Best Thanksgiving Ever" boards.

I love this Turkey Transfer-ware setting by http://fabulousfifi.typepad.com/chez_fifi/ It seems right of a Norman Rockwell painting :)

This Apple Pecan Bread Pudding with Warm Caramel Sauce seems like a perfect Thanksgiving Dessert to me, it's by a wonderful woman, Deanna, who runs "The Old Hen" B&B in Washington State    http://www.theoldhen.com/2012/09/25/apple-pecan-bread-pudding-warm-caramel-sauce-recipe/

I love the idea of serving apple cider or eggnog in in a pumpkin punch bowl :) You can also use this to chill wines like an ice bucket.  Here are the instructions from Martha Stewart  http://www.marthastewart.com/268772/pumpkin-party-cooler?backto=true&backtourl=/photogallery/pumpkins

Simple yet elegant glittered letters pretty much say it all.  Image by Google.

How cute would these be at "The Kids Table).  I know a few adults who would love these too. by  http://www.accenttheparty.com/party-blog/view/40754/easty-to-make-pilgrim-hat-cookies-for-thanksgiving

It doesn't get much easier, or prettier, than these leaf wrapped votives by Better Homes and Gardens.  This is the perfect touch for your Thanksgiving table, sideboard, or buffet  http://www.bhg.com/thanksgiving/indoor-decorating/holiday-decorating-projects/?socsrc=bhgpin102912Votives&page=5

So check out Pinterest, and I'd love it if you followed me :)  If you can think of it, they have an idea for it.   Have a Blessed and safe Thanksgiving 

Thanksgiving Inspirations

It's November!  The month when we really focus on being Thankful for all our Blessings.  I thought I would get together some tablescape inspirations for you just in case your the one hosting the annual Thanksgiving feast this year.

If you want to go all out, take a tip from Country Living and layer on the Autumn Charm.  Menu Cards and Pillar Candles are wrapped in turkey cameos for a touch of elegance.  A ruffled runner, lots of mini pumpkins and Maple leaves add to the lush feeling of this table setting.

 A different view of the same table, I love the layered plates (they don't match) but they all pull a color from the Autumn spectrum.

 This table from Better Homes and Gardens, uses natural elements to bring Fall's bounty to the table.  The simplicity of one maple leaf tucked into each napkin is pure understated elegance.

Adding the pop of green by simply placing a Granny Smith Apple on top of a Brown Damask Napkin is pure genius. The rest of the table is different shades of brown and white, but this table by Burlap and Crystal, is just lovely

This Centerpiece by Country Living is a wooden trough filled with Fall Leaves, pine-cones  acorns, winter squash,  apples,  and two pillar candles. I love the Autumn Bounty feel it brings to this buffet table. 

This is my table setting.  I found this table cloth at the  ARC thrift shop and I found the turkey salad plates and candle holders at Home Goods. It's almost a pastel setting, but I love that it's so calming, and romantic.  The fall bowls were for a give-away and the vintage looking pieces are by Teena Flanner

This pastel setting is by Martha Stewart, I love the pale greens, ivory and whites together.  This is simple elegance at it's best.

I love this woodland setting by Better Homes and Gardens.  I almost expect to hear birds chirping. White Birch branches  berries, pine cones, mini pumpkins and vases of birdseed bring this vignette to life.

Don't forget to send your guests home with plenty of leftovers.  You can find boxes at your local craft store.  Embellish them with ribbon, stickers and tags that you can find at your local craft store (in the scrap-booking section) or print them up on your computer.
If you have any questions about any of these ideas, please just ask :)