Remember those leaves from my "Give Thanks" Thanksgiving banner and bunting yesterday? I used my leftover supplies (burlap, too!) to finish off my Thanksgiving table place settings with easy place cards and napkin rings. I mean really easy. Here's how to throw together a few before your Thanksgiving dinner!
Thanksgiving Wreath Place Cards & Napkin Ring Tutorial
*Simple leaves cut from patterned paper (by hand or with your Silhouette machine--see below)
*Coordinating buttons
*3" circle wreath cut from card stock
*Kraft card stock for place cards
*Paper cutter
*Glue Dots or other strong glue
*Pop-up adhesive dots
*Sewing machine and coordinating thread (optional)
*Scraps of burlap or other fabric
*Hemp twine or linen thread
1. Gather your favorite fall patterned papers and cut simple leaf shapes out. I used about 20-25 per place card. You can definitely cut these by hand, but to make it faster I used my Silhouette cutting machine. To do this I made a sheet in Photoshop with a strip of some of my favorite digital papers and printed it. Then I drew a very simple leaf shape in the Silhouette software.
I duplicated the leaves in the software and arranged them on the strips of paper. Then I cut them out. Easy peasy, not to mention fast and cheap!
I cut several sheets worth (and used many of them for the
fall leaves bunting in
this post), then used the leftovers for my place cards.
2. Fold leaves in half lengthwise to give them depth. I also sewed down the center of a few of them with my sewing machine for some interest.
3. Start building your wreath by attaching a left to your paper circle with Glue Dots or other adhesive.
Overlap leaves so none of the paper wreath is showing.
Occasionally pop up a leaf with a pop-up adhesive dot.
Continue around the wreath until full.
4. Adhere a few coordinating buttons around the wreath using Glue Dots.
5. Print your guests' names on card stock. Cut place cards to 3" x 5.25", with the name showing in the center between 3" and 4" down. I used the CK Woodbine Swashes font for the names, and the Damask Dings1 font for the leaf (just to keep it simple and in line with my
fall wreath).
Fold the cards in half. The name will be toward the top of the card.
6. Add a couple of pop-up adhesive dots to the bottom half of the wreath.
Attach to the card so the name is showing through the center of the wreath.
Arrange place cards on table or plates for a splash of color. You can also use the inside for guests to write something they're thankful for--I love when projects do double duty.
Now for the napkin ring. I used the burlap scraps from the
Thanksgiving banner, a button, and some hemp twine. Wrap a 3" strip around your napkin, tie with a piece of hemp twine, and tie a button on top. I know, seriously easy. And you use up scraps. And it coordinates with your banner and place cards! You're welcome. :)
Hope you all have a safe and happy Thanksgiving! Bring on the good eats!
