Thanksgiving DIY: How to Make Beautiful Burlap Placemats

Image via: Etsy – The Sew Savvy – Thanksgiving DIY Burlap Placemats

 Image via Etsy – Sassafrass Home – Burlap Decor Thanksgiving DIY

Thanksgiving DIY Burlap Placemats Supplies:

Burlap fabric

Ruler

Pin

Scissors

Letter Stencil

Acrylic paint and foam brush

Thanksgiving DIY Burlap Wreath Inspiration:

Image via: Etsy – Creative Places – Burlap Placemats

Burlap Placemat Directions:

1. Cut one 15″ tall x 21″ long rectangle or use an existing placemat as your guide (you can use pins to mark the edges). To achieve a straight cut, you can proceed like this: make a small snip at one end of your burlap, where you placed a pin, find a loose, vertical burlap thread and pull it out all the way. The fabric will create wrinkles, but that is fine. As soon as all the thread is pulled out, straighten out the burlap. Now you should be able to see a nice, fine straight line where the thread used to be. This line will be your cutting guide. Repeat the same steps for the other three sides of your placemat, and you will have created a perfect burlap rectangle.
2. If you want to create a fringe, remove a few threads on every side until the placemats have the look you want. If you want to make the placemats more lasting, you can stitch a seam around the borders before creating the fringe. Use the scissors to correct any loose threats.
3. You can iron at this point the placemats smooth.
4. Place your stencil over the placemat and paint the shapes with acrylic paint (you could use fabric paint so it may not fade if washed), using the foam brush. Remove the stencil carefully and let the paint dry completely. Once dried, your placemats are ready to decorate your festive table!
5. Alternatively, you can paint a pattern or phrase with paint freehandedly or even with a sharpie pen, if you have the skills!

Image via: Etsy – The Sew Savvy – Thanksgiving DIY Burlap Placemats

Looking for creative Thanksgiving DIY ideas? 

We love these ideas from around the design community:

Country Living gives you creative Thanksgiving craft ideas.

WooHoo Home has 28 awesome DIY Thanksgiving decor ideas to try out.

Image via: Etsy – This Joyful Home Etc – Thanksgiving Craft Ideas

Looking for more Thanksgiving Decorating Ideas?

Take a look at our 25 Thanksgiving Centerpiece Ideas!

This easy Thanksgiving DIY is perfect for making your festive dinner standing out. If you make them individual for each guest, it would make a wonderful gift for them to take back home. Once you have the hang of this technique, think about other ways to make use of it, like making a burlap banner with letters, burlap table runners, burlap gift bags or burlap pillows, the possibilities are endless.

For more DIY Thanksgiving decor ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

I Host a Casual Thanksgiving Dinner with KitchenAid

All images by Stagetecture

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This Thanksgiving I paired up with KitchenAid® to show off their gorgeous colors of the season and how you can use their fall-inspired bakeware and small appliances to pull together a great dinner. To start off my table setting I used the Persimmon (Orange) Nesting Ceramic 4 Piece Set for fried chicken that my kids love! While you may think that fried chicken isn’t for Thanksgiving, think again! Perfect for a laid back dinner amongst friends and family. For those who still want a baked fowl I cooked a chicken in their Casserole Dish in Ivy Green and served it alongside green beans and potatoes.

Here’s a few tips on setting a Casual Thanksgiving Dinner table:

Choose your favorite small gourds like pumpkins, squash and other miniature vegetables to disperse around the table. I prefer to not have one centerpiece as it creates a more formal environment that makes everyone feel uptight!  Instead, I used a bag of mixed shelled nuts like walnuts, pine nuts, pecans and more and put them casually around the table.

Casual Thanksgiving Dinner – Create the look:

• Burlap runner in your choice of colors. It makes a beautiful backdrop to any natural tablescape
• Napkin rings with fall inspired motifs. I like these leaf ones
• Fabric napkins in a deep rust color brings texture to your table and pairs nicely with the autumn colored bakeware
• Casual dinnerware that doesn’t have a lot of ornamentation will bring focus to the food and will keep the meal casual
• Simple stemware for your favorite wine.. or put apple juice for kids to feel grown up!

Adding unexpected touches to the Thanksgiving meal

What I love about a casual Thanksgiving is you don’t have to only serve traditional food. I opted for a Creamy Roasted Cauliflower Soup prepared in the KitchenAid® 5-Speed Diamond Blender in Tangerine. It whips up your favorite soups easily but also would be perfect for drinks to serve table-side!

This Thanksgiving create a casual way to gather friends and family without the stress of formal planning.

For more Thanksgiving ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Halloween Dessert: Candy Corn Parfait Recipe

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Halloween Desserts Parfait Ingredients:

(for about 6 servings)

10 oz. cream cheese

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/3 cup cream

1 teaspoon vanilla

10 oz. lightly thawed Cool Whip

yellow and orange food color

candy corn for decoration

Halloween Party Desserts Directions:

1. In a large glass bowl, beat the cream cheese with a mixer until smooth and fluffy. Add the powdered sugar little by little while continuing beating. Continue beating and add the cream and then the vanilla. Beat another one minute on medium high speed. Now carefully fold in the Cool Whip and stir the mixture to combine all ingredients.

2. Divide the mixture in even parts into three bowls. Leave the cream mixture in one bowl white. In the second bowl, add the orange food color and stir carefully to get the desired color. Add the yellow food color to the third bowl and mix to get the desired color. Pour the mixture of each bowl into a separate piping bag.

3. Choose the serving glasses or plastic cups and squeeze a layer of the yellow mousse into the glasses. Continue by squeezing a layer of orange mousse into the glasses and finish with a layer of the white mousse, so you will have your final candy corn inspired dessert.

4. Place the glasses into the fridge for at least 1 hour before serving. Use candy corn to add the finishing touch!

Check out these Halloween Party Ideas for your Halloween Desserts Ideas

See our 35 best Halloween Desserts here for your fun party!

For More Halloween party ideas, take a look at these Halloween cupcakes.

20 Of Our Favorite Slow Cooker Recipes

1. Slow Cooker Recipes: Pulled Pork or Chicken Sliders

Looking for some perfect addition to a relaxed menu? Try these delicious, mouthwatering pulled chicken sliders. The intelligent slow cooker does all the work for you, so that when you come back home six to eight hours later, you will have juicy pork or chicken ready to be shredded and served in a sandwich with your favorite barbecue sauce.

2. Butternut Squash Soup is the perfect Crock Pot Recipe

This one is one of our all time favorite soups. We love the recipe because you can throw everything in the crock pot and walk away. In about few hours you have a tasty soup all ready waiting for you. And of course, your home will smell just amazing while it’s cooking way. Simply open the cupboard and add what you desire. Freeze for another meal!

Don’t you love butternut squash soup in a slow cooker?

3. Easy Crock Pot Recipes: Herb Chicken with Mushrooms

Flavorful spices and herbs, onion and mushrooms give this plain herb chicken recipe a rich flavor. Vegetables and cooking juice complete the meal. If you don’t wish to use the wine, you can use cooking sherry instead and omit the salt. Serve it with mashed potatoes or a side dish like steamed green beans and you will have a satisfying meal.

4. Slow Cooker Recipes: Delicious Cranberry Pork

Cranberry pork tenderloin is a tasty, easy dinner any time of the year, but it’s especially a great choice during cooler weather. It’s healthy, simple, and just as good reheated the next day. A slow cooker really helps to bring out the best in pork loin, leaving it juicy and tender, and saving you hours in the kitchen.

5. Thai Pumpkin Soup Slow Cooker Recipes

The smell of fresh pumpkin soup with Thai spices has to be one of the best wafting through your home during the colder months. Try this delicious Crock Pot Thai Pumpkin Soup recipe and delight your senses!

Slow cooker meals are such a time saver. Set and forget at the beginning of the day and come back home to a hot dinner. Let us know through comments what you think about our collection of recipes?

15 Slow Cooker Recipes from Blogger Friends

1. Crock Pot Balsamic Chicken
2. slow Cooker Butternut Stew
3. Slow Cooker Lasagna
4. Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki Quinoa Bowls
5. Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli
6. Slow Cooker Pizza Meatloaf
7. Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff
8. Slow Cooker Herbed Cornish Hens
9. Slow Cooker Apricot BBQ Chicken Wings
10. Slow Cooker Loaded Carnitas
11. Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Chicken Sandwich
12. Slow Cooker Chicken Curry
13. Slow Cooker Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup
14. Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef
15. Slow Cooker Healthy Beef Stew

For more slow cooker recipe ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

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How to Make A Classic Meatloaf Recipe

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Total time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Yields: 10 servings

Classic Meatloaf Recipe Ingredients:

1 coarsely chopped carrot

1 coarsely chopped rib celery

½ coarsely chopped onion

½ coarsely chopped red bell pepper

4 coarsely chopped mushrooms

3 chopped garlic cloves

2 ½ pounds ground chuck

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 egg, beaten

1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 cup plain bread crumbs

1 teaspoon olive oil

Meatloaf Recipe Glaze:

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 tablespoons ketchup

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

Hot pepper sauce to taste

The Best Meatloaf Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
2. Place the carrot, onion, celery, red bell pepper, mushrooms, and garlic in a food processor, and pulse until very finely chopped, almost to puree. Put the minced vegetables into a large mixing bowl, and mix in ground chuck, Worcestershire sauce, and egg. Add salt, black pepper, Italian herbs, and cayenne pepper. Using a wooden spoon mix gently to incorporate vegetables and egg into the meat. Pour in bread crumbs. With gently mix bread crumbs until combined.
3. Form the meatloaf into a ball. Pour olive oil into a baking dish and place the meat of ball onto the dish. Now shape it into a loaf, about 4 inches high by 6 inches across.
4. Bake in a preheated oven just until meatloaf is hot about 15 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, in a small bowl mix together ketchup, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and hot sauce. Stir until brown sugar dissolves.
6. Remove meatloaf from oven. With back of the spoon, smooth the glaze onto the top of the meatloaf. Then pull a little bit of glaze down the sides of the meatloaf with the back of the spoon.
7. Return meatloaf back to oven and bake until the loaf is no longer pink inside and glaze has baked onto the loaf, approx 30-40 minutes. Insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the loaf which should read at least 70 degrees C. cooking time will depend on the thickness and shape the meatloaf.

Need more Easy Meatloaf Recipe Ideas?

We love this Simple Meatloaf Recipe from All Recipes.

This Homestyle Meatloaf from Paula Deen is sure to become one for your cookbook.

Don’t like Ketchup? This No Ketchup Meatloaf could be a great recipe for you.

This classic meatloaf tastes so good that you might want to double the recipe so that everyone can enjoy second servings. If there are any leftovers, simply chill and reheat. The slices also taste good in sandwiches as well.

For more fall recipes on Stagetecture, click here.

Easy Fall Decorating Tips for your Home

To help you get started, we traveled back in time on Stagetecture to bring you the best and easiest fall decorating ideas. Take a look!

Add Autumn Floral Arrangements

A vase of happy fall seasonal flowers such as sunflowers or colorful fall foliage can instantly enliven any room. It will help to create a beautiful and elegant atmosphere and bring in lots of energy. Colors like yellows, reds, oranges, and purples are perfect for the autumn season Just make sure to keep the blooms fresh by changing the water every few days and removing the leaves below the water level.

Decorate with wallpaper in the bathroom

The bathroom is the best place to experiment when it comes to using wallpaper. As there aren’t many furniture pieces and colors in this area, busy wallpapers really seem to work. However, try to choose fall themed prints and colors such as leaves, harvest and more. Also, opt for quality wallpapers to ensure easy removal after the season.

Fall decorating tips: update with candles and scents  

While candles look great any time of the year, they are just perfect decorative pieces for colder months as they suggest light and warmth both the things that nature does not offer during this season. Team it up with colorful scented potpourri, pine cones, and seed pods to create a vibrant focal point. Pick scents like pumpkin, cinnamon, or apple to provide a seasonal touch. However, make sure to stick with one or maximum two aromas at a time to avoid mixing of fragrances.

Use literary accents for Fall decorating

Decorating for fall cannot get easier than this. Simply cut out F, A,L, and L out of craft paper and get it framed or tied in a string. Pick autumn inspired colors for craft papers to really get the feel of the season.

Finally, it’s time to bid adieu to warmer months. So, get started, use these fall decorating ideas and fill your home with scents and sights of the season. The best part is it’s easy, inexpensive, and fun. Have more interesting ideas to share? We are hearing through comments.

For more fall decorating tips on Stagetecture, click here.

Autumn Dinner – Pumpkin Shepherd’s Pie

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Shepherd’s Pie Ingredients

2-1/2 pounds pumpkin, peeled and cubed

2 pounds lamb stew meat cut into bite size pieces

1 onion cut into wedges

3 carrots, medium sized, peeled and cut into chunks

2 tbsp olive oil

2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

4 to 5 garlic cloves chopped fine

6 to 8 ounces mushrooms with stems removed

1/4 cup flour

1/2 cup red wine

1 cup chicken broth (you could use beef if you prefer it)

1/2 cup cream

2 tbsp parsley, chopped fine

Shepherd’s Pie Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400° and arrange a rack in the top part of the oven.
2. Place the cubed and peeled pumpkin on a greased baking sheet and roast it for about 20 to 25 minutes. Prick with a fork to check whether it has been cooked or not.
3. Whilst this is being done, in a large stock pot add some oil and set it to a high flame.
4. Once the oil has heated add lamb, salt, and pepper. Stir while it cooks and makes sure the meat has browned on all the sides.
5. Add onions and garlic and cook them well. It should take about 2 to 4 minutes.
6. Transfer the cooked lamb, onions and garlic in a bowl. Sprinkle carrots and mushrooms.
7. In the same pot used to cook lamb, add flour whilst whisking constantly for a minute. The heat should be medium low now. The flour should cook in a minute or two and will give out a cooked smell.
8. To the cooked flour add wine and chicken broth. Simmer till the mixture thickens, which should be about 4 to 5 minutes.
9. Pour over the lamb mixture and stir well so that it coats the meat well.
10. Pour into four ramekins or a baking dish.
11. Mash cooked pumpkin in a bowl and add 1tsp salt and 1/3 cup cream. Mix well. Add more cream to achieve a mashed potato consistency if needed.
12. Spread well over the lamb.
13. Bake until the pumpkin has browned. It should take about 30 minutes.
14. Let it rest for 10 minutes and then sprinkle with parsley.

This Pumpkin Shepherd’s Pie Recipe comes with a little twist replacing potato with pumpkin. Nevertheless, the flavors are par excellence and bring forth a change from the routine. Conventional recipes sure bring time and tested flavors to the table however sometimes we do crave for a change. This Pumpkin Shepherd’s Pie Recipe does just that. I am sure you must be having some other brilliant ideas regarding this Pumpkin Shepherd’s Pie Recipe. Do share it with us in the comment box below.

Here are a few more autumn dinner recipes to try!

Thai Roasted Pumpkin Soup Recipe

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Preparation Time: 25 Minutes

Yields: Serves 6

Pumpkin Soup Recipe Ingredients:

1 ½ Kg peeled and roughly chopped pumpkin or winter squash.

4 tablespoon vegetable/olive oil

1 onion, chopped

1 tablespoon grated ginger

1 slightly bashed lemongrass

1 can (400 ml) coconut milk

3-4 tablespoon red curry paste

3 cups vegetable or chicken stock

½ tablespoon lemon juice

½ tablespoon salt and pepper

1 sliced red chili (optional)

Spicy Pumpkin Soup Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 180 C. Toss pumpkin on a baking tray and coat with little oil and seasoning. Roast until tender and golden (approx 25-30 minutes). Remove from the oven and allow it to cool.

2. Meanwhile, heat the remaining oil in a saucepan with ginger, onion, and lemongrass. Gently cook for 5-7 minutes until softened. Stir in the curry paste, roasted pumpkin, stock, and coconut milk (set aside 3 tablespoon of coconut milk). Allow to simmer for 5-10 minutes and then fish out the lemongrass.

3. Let it cool for few minutes, and then whizz to puree with a hand blender or in an electric blender in batches.

4. Return to the saucepan to heat. Add salt, pepper, lime juice, and sugar to taste. Sprinkle the reaming coconut milk and serve with scattered red chili, if you like.

5. Easy to prepare, this sweet and spicy Thai pumpkin soup will surely make a satisfying, warming autumn meal or a delicious appetizer for your crisp autumn bash.

Looking for more pumpkin recipes? Check out these:

Our 35 Pumpkin Recipes will have you craving more recipes with pumpkin!

What are your favorite pumpkin recipes for the fall?

Take a look at these ideas from around the web.

For healthier pumpkin dishes look to All Recipes Healthy Pumpkin Dishes

Don’t have fresh pumpkins on hand? These 50 Canned Pumpkin Recipe Ideas are good to try.

What favorite pumpkin recipes will you try this season? Make sure you don’t forget our pumpkin roll recipe for dessert!

How To Plant Beautiful Flowers Year Around

Building a Garden with Flowering Shrubs & Beautiful Flowers

It’s always helpful to use a planner to watch your garden’s growth and to keep track of what is growing each season. By recording the seeds you planted, you can see which plants are faring well and know which ones are in bloom. Secondly, you will need to study the appropriate flowers in your area. What grows in Southern Georgia isn’t necessarily going to grow well in Wisconsin. Utilize a combination of hardy perennial wild flower seeds, annuals, and container plantings to add color and life to your garden. For cooler regions, look to foliage for added color and dimension to the garden. We may not think of lush greenery as interesting but when it’s cooler outside with no spring color, that lush green can add life to our home. Another trick is to ensure the beauty of the garden by planting at least two items that will grow together in harmony. You don’t want one plant to overpower another but to rather be gracious roommates.

These 17 Beautiful Flowers produce year around color from HGTV.

Beautiful Flowers for Your Garden Planters and Flower Beds

Always be sure that your garden area is filled with plants that will do well with the amount of sun and shade your area provides. Our next suggestion is to incorporate plants that are native to your area, it promotes healthy support of local plants and foliage so that they continue to thrive. Those of us working closely with the land can respect the importance of supporting the growth of the natives! A few suggestions for your year round garden include:

Spring Flowers Varieties 

• Pansy
• Tulip
• Peony
• Snowdrop
• Daffodil
• Crocus
• Hellebore
• Grape Hyacinth

Summer Blooms

• Coneflower
• Zinnia
• Bee Balm
• Black-Eyed Susan
• Hydrangea
• Guara
• Nasturtium
• Verbena
• Marigold
• Hibiscus

These summer gardening tips will help you have beautiful flowers!

Fall Flower Types

• Asters
• Mums
• Begonia
• Sumac
• Beautyberry
• Goldenrod
• Russian Sage

Winter Landscaping and Flower Types

• Camellia
• Holly
• Firethorn
• Chokeberry
• Winter Jasmine
• Cotoneaster
• Nandina

Read our best winter gardening tips here. 

The Best Gardening Tips for Container Plants

If you wish to utilize containers in your gardening, you can plant just about anything in those to spruce up your window boxes and decorative containers. Some plants really should be in containers, such as any kind of mint, because of their invasive nature. There is nothing worse than planting an invasive plant in the ground and having it completely take over your garden. Here are out top picks for your containers:

Beautiful Flowers for the Spring

o  Cineraria

o  Oxalis

o  Heuchera

o  Edibles (Oregano, sage, thyme, mint, parsley, lemon balm)

Summer Flowers for Container Gardens

• Ageratum
• Coleus
• Double Impatiens
• Ivy
• Petunias

Fall Flowers

• African Daisy
• Snapdragon
• Twinspur
• Sweet Alyssum
• Coral Bells

Sunflowers make gorgeous container flowers!

Winter

• Yucca
• Japanese Pieris
• Boxwood
• Japanese Sedge

Year round gardening is possible with a little know-how and some tenacity. Be sure to consult your local gardening center to help with finding the right plants for your area. Even picking out the right sunflower will ensure a successful and beautiful garden that will brighten your home no matter what season you are in. Gardening in all seasons will teach you plenty about your property and how to care for the soil in ways that will ensure healthy gardening in years to come.

For more beautiful flowers and gardening tips on Stagetecture, click here.

Recipe Round Up: Our Best Fall Drinks 

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1) Pumpkin Spiced Latte

Now we have to begin the list with the ever popular Pumpkin Spiced Latte.  This drink recipe has warmed us up with its warm milk, lively espresso and rich sweet pumpkin taste with cinnamon flavors.  It definitely brings “Autumn in a Cup,” to another level.  The pumpkin spiced latte is great to make but even better to taste.  Take a look here to find out how to make this beautiful drink:  Pumpkin Spiced Latte Recipe.

2) Pumpkin Martini Recipe

How about a Fall cocktail for a twist?  Pumpkin is such a Fall favorite that it is no surprise that one would add it their Fall drinks like their coffee or even some other beverages, like Martinis for instance. Which introduces the Pumpkin Martini recipe.  This drink, with its succulent flavors of spices, will leave your mouth a fulfilling taste and sensation.   Here’s how to create this recipe:  Pumpkin Martini Recipe.

3) Hot Chocolate with Coconut

Have you ever thought about taking a classic and putting a spin on it?  Hot chocolate has always been a favorite for decades.  With the chilly atmosphere having a warm chocolate drink is definitely a great way to spend some of the time of your day.  But don’t just stop there add in a little coconut for a refreshing taste.  This recipe helps o have a soothing and rich taste for everyone to love.  Tips on how to make:  Hot Chocolate with Coconut Recipe.

4) Pumpkin Spiced Punch

Pumpkin is the flavor of the Fall and its been placed in coffee and martinis but what about punch?  The pumpkin spiced punch recipe is great for Halloween parties and just the Fall season in general.  Its fruity flavor and lovable taste will have the kids and adults begging for more.  Take a look at the recipe here:  Pumpkin Spiced Punch.

5) The Classic Apple Punch Recipe

Apple is another flavor that invites the Fall season in.  And the Apple Punch recipe is no different, with the soothing apple and other additional fruity flavors everyone will definitely make this one of the Fall favorites.  Not only would you be able to use this drink for parties but even as an after school treat for the kiddie widdies.  Learn to make this recipe here:  Classic Apple Punch Recipe

The Fall season can be an amazing time of the year.  The colors in nature begin to change, football season is back and its time to get ready for the holidays.  Having recipes really help to cement when certain seasons are in the midst.  Fall drink recipes are quick, simple and enjoyed by all.  So what are you waiting for Stagetecture readers go ahead and make these recipes and do you have any favorite recipes of Fall drinks then let us know.

For more fall drink ideas on Stagetecture, click here.