Cheap and Chic Fall Centerpieces 2013 Ideas

Fall entices us to spend more time in the cozy warmth of hearth and home, and often that means gatherings around the table. Luckily, there are many ways to update your table without splurging on new dishes and linens. Look instead to items from nature, quick and easy DIY ideas, budget-friendly finds and long-lasting centerpieces, to create a fresh, new look without a lot of shopping. Read on for 12 cheap and chic ideas that will make you smile each time you pass by your table.

I hope that you will like and find it useful for you ... Enjoy it !! 

Create a woodland-inspired living centerpiece. 

Plant any ground cover you like in a shallow, mod pot for a lasting display. Accent it with ceramic mushrooms or foraged wood and stones, and be sure to use a trivet or dish beneath it to protect your table.

Use other items from nature. 

Bare branches can be paired with tea lights or air plants as a sculptural centerpiece. Pheasant or other feathers look striking in a simple cylindrical vase, while sheepskins (real or faux) and a stack of firewood add to the warm, cozy feel. Keep your eyes open in your own backyard, on nature walks  and if all else fails, in the craft store  for supplies you can use in creative ways.

Choose long-lasting items from the farmer's market. 

Look for more durable items like dried persimmons or pomegranates, berries and interesting foliage to extend the life of your arrangement. Whereas fresh flowers last only a week, these finds can last anywhere from one month to a whole season.

Make a statement with a single swooping branch. 

A vase filled with one lovely, arching branch of foliage or berries takes up enough visual space to stand alone. Pair contrasting hues  like the red berries and blue vessel shown here  for a vibrant look.

Keep arrangements low for easy conversation. 

Casually arrange berries or other small branches along the center of your table. Intersperse candles (be sure to keep branches away from the flames!) and anchor the arrangement on a simple runner.

Spice up your table or chairs with a new hue. 

Embrace the season by painting your table a vibrant, warm color like red or golden yellow. If you are nervous about making a big commitment, try painting just the table legs, or a single bench or chair, and see how the color feels.

Shop your kitchen for creative table decor. 

Think beyond standard vases and planters for centerpieces. Pitchers, teacups, coffee mugs, serving platters and trays, and even soup terrines can all make wonderful containers for seasonal flowers, fruit and candles. Have some pretty herbs growing on your kitchen windowsill? Grab those, too.

Give small items more presence with plates and platters. 

You don't need an overblown centerpiece to make a statement. A small potted plant and a few slender candles can take center stage when elevated on a plate or cake stand. Use pretty cups as bud vases for flowers snipped from your garden (or plucked from a market bouquet) to round out the arrangement.

Use burlap and mason jars. 

Simply cut and fold burlap for a quick, rustic-chic runner or tablecloth. Use mason jars as candleholders, vases or glasses for water or wine. Or create easy embellished vases by wrapping a few of your jars with burlap (secure with hot glue).

Set up a functional display with frequently used items. 

Display silverware in a caddy and pretty cloth napkins in a basket, and keep ready-to-eat fruit on a pedestal or cake stand. If the containers you choose don't match, give them a fresh look with a coat of unifying black or white paint.

Corral favorite objects on a tray. 

Choose items in a tight color palette for a collection that hangs together. Silver paired with mercury glass, and white with wood, are two foolproof combinations.

Include food in your tablescape. 

Nothing is more luscious than perfectly ripe, in season produce, so let your market finds take center stage when you set the table. Place a perfect pear, pomegranate or persimmon on each plate, fill a bowl with figs and grapes, or make a heaping pile of colorful squash.

2013 Easy and Quick Indoor Halloween Decorating Ideas

Even with just a few days till October 31, it's not too late to decorate. Pumpkins from the grocery store, leaves from the backyard and a few things around the house can transform a table or mantel into Halloween central.

Family Portrait in Pumpkins Forget carving. 

Forget covering the whole pumpkin with paint. Just add a circle of leftover chalkboard paint to one side of each pumpkin and draw on some funny faces (anyone you know come to mind?). Do the family, a group of friends, your pets or even Mr. Jack-o'-Lantern himself.

To make your own pumpkin family portrait: 

1. Select pumpkins in a variety of shapes. Look for smooth sides without too many blemishes or deep ridges. Wash and dry your pumpkins thoroughly.

2. Paint chalkboard circles with a paintbrush an inch or so wide. Apply at least three coats of paint, allowing the paint to dry completely between each coat.

3. Rough up the end of a piece of chalk before drawing on the pumpkin. The square edges of a fresh piece of chalk can scrape off the chalkboard paint. If this happens, just touch up the scuff with more paint.

4. Erase any goofs or smudges with a damp paper towel. You can also completely erase your faces and try different people, hairdos and expressions.

5. Finish off your scene with grocery store mums and a vase of twigs and leaves, and candles if you like. (Don't leave candles unattended, and be sure to keep wicks well away from leaves.)

Easy Halloween Party Recipe 2013 Ideas

Here is an easy Halloween party recipe you can make before your guests arrive. For a kids’ party just add spiders; for an adult party, add spiders and a little something extra. 

By :  Manvi Drona

Simple and Sweet 

For this year’s Halloween party, add a few creepy-crawlies to this party favorite. It’s easy, eye-catching and inexpensive.

Tools and Materials 

To make these, you’ll need: 4 packets of Key lime flavored gelatin, plastic spiders and other critters (approx. 30); 10 to 12 clear containers (we used small square-bottom plastic cups); optional: substitute tequila for some of the water on the manufacturer’s instructions.

Use Clear Containers 

Make the gelatin as instructed on package. When you’re ready to decorate, scoop two to three tablespoons of the gelatin into each container. Insert 3 to 4 plastic critters into each cup. Space them well.

Make Them Glow Place the cups in clusters on coffee tables, side tables and dinning/buffet tables. Add a couple of green glow sticks near each cluster to create a dramatic spooky effect.

2013 Clever Halloween Centerpieces Decorating Ideas

Halloween is the perfect time to add some fright to your holiday table. Use these centerpiece ideas as inspiration for your next Halloween party or as festive additions to your home.

By Caitlin Berens

Make a bewitching centerpiece with black and orange pumpkins.

Carve out a large pumpkin to hold a vase. Spray paint your pumpkins with a black matte finish paint. Once dry, scrape away the painted surface in lines or in the form of a sunflower or another design.

A smiling jack-o'-lantern becomes the perfect Halloween vase when you place a container of water and flowers inside. A simple carving (or scraping) that forgoes the typical wide mouth will help the inside container stay hidden. Use a white pumpkin and orange flowers for extra pop.

Use rugged old cabinet legs as eye catching bases for this Halloween gourd display. Elevating some gourds and leaving others on the table, as well as varying the size of gourds, adds quirkiness to this Halloween centerpiece.

Editor's Tip: Tie ribbon onto the bases in knots or bows it you want to inject color to this neutral centerpiece.

A plain white platter becomes a Halloween centerpiece with a handful of scattered miniature pumpkins and fall accents. The nonlinear look is key with this decoration, so assemble pieces randomly along the platter for an effortless, relaxed look.

Wrap decorative scrapbook paper around large orange and black candles to create this simple Halloween centerpiece. An orange table runner makes the black candle pop, overturned black bowls add height to the decoration, and black spiders and white Halloween candies add creepy crawly fun at the base.

Editor's Tip: Be sure to keep an eye on how fast your candles burn, and trim scrapbook paper accordingly.

Fashion papier mache into flickering mummy like candles. Begin by wetting plaster cloth strips (found at local crafts stores) and wrapping them around a small inflated balloon. After the paper hardens, pop the balloon and cut a small hole in the bottom. Place the mummy form over battery operated votives and sit atop a glass candlestick for a frightening display.

Create a kooky cast of characters for your dining room table. Use orange, black, white, and green spools of thread for the mini monster bodies. We used black felt cutouts for the eyes and mouths for most of the creatures. Repurpose old jewelry boxes with scrapbooking or wrapping paper for fun pedestals for the spool monsters.

Glass block vases become one of a kind Halloween centerpieces with die cuts and spooky scrapbook paper (available at crafts stores). To make, use spray adhesive to attach the papers (spray the back of the paper, not the glass, to avoid streaks). Place sand and tapered candles inside the vase for a haunting glow.

Editor's Tip: Use clear plastic blocks in lieu of glass vases. Be sure to nix the candles or opt for battery-powered ones.

A stack of old books forms the stand for this spooky centerpiece. To make, cut two basic ghost shapes from pages in the middle of a book, leaving the bottoms attached to the pages. Fold up each ghost and secure with a touch of tape. To complete, use a hole punch or marker to make eyes for this haunting centerpiece.

Miniature jack-o'-lanterns make a big impact when arranged on footed cake stands and displayed on a vintage tray. Place battery-powered candles inside each hand-carved pumpkin, and let your guests enjoy the glow.

Basic embroidery hoops set a spooky scene on a Halloween table. To make, stretch black costume fabric or lace across the painted hoops; trim extra fabric. Next, spray-paint planters for bases, then add enough florist's foam inside to secure a painted dowel inserted in the middle. Finish with black-and-white patterned paper atop the planters and a hauntingly fun message spelled out in painted wooden letters. Use hot glue to secure the dowels and wooden letters.

You need only a few household items and a little nature to create this haunting yet simple Halloween centerpiece. Gather knotted, rustic sticks from your yard or neighborhood to place in a basic urn, and add bits of moss to get the fright just right. Use free clip art to trace and cut out ominous black ravens from construction paper the finishing touch for this Halloween centerpiece.

An old typewriter spells out a warning message for your Halloween guests. Load a torn book page in a computer printer and spell out your message (a test run on basic white paper ensures you won't waste your favorite page). Tuck the final note in a vintage typewriter, and tell your guests they've been warned!

 Editor's Tip: For extra fright, drape a skeleton hand across the keys .

Scrapbook papers and floral accents are all it takes to upcycle" yesterday's tin cans into a green Halloween centerpiece. Standard- and economy-size tin cans work well for this craft, although the more varied the sizes, the more intriguing the display. Wrap with scrapbook paper and add die cut scenes or stickers as desired.

Editor's Tip: Keep the cans for next year, or give them away to guests as simple mementos of a frightful night.

Spray paint Halloween props with black chalkboard paint, then outline them with chalk for frightfully aged flair. Fill the cauldron with a decorative bottle, handpicked beverage, or a tasty Halloween treat.

Nuts, pumpkins, and a large candle dress up a small woven mat in this simple-yet-sophisticated Halloween centerpiece. Fallen leaves tucked into the display add natural fall flair to the decoration.

Editor's Tip: For a more kid-friendly decoration, use candies, painted pumpkins, and a battery-powered candle so curious fingers don't find a flame.

Simple white dishes display multicolor pumpkins in this elegant Halloween centerpiece. Use footed bowls, small plates, and candlesticks at varying heights to create an eye-catching display.

Use a large, tall pumpkin to create this picturesque Halloween centerpiece. Stuff a variety of flowers, fillers, and greenery in a vase inside this simple, hollowed out pumpkin. 

Editor's Tip: To add a bit of festive fun, tuck tiny Halloween decorations, such as plastic spiders or spooky stir sticks, into the arrangement.

Kids' Candy Crafting Table for Christmas 2013

From creative crafting ideas to candy-colored decor, designer Casey Noble shares fun and festive ways to turn a living room coffee table into a kid-sized holiday hangout.

By Brian : Patrick Flynn

The center of this great room is designated as a holiday gathering spot for kids, complete with snacks and interactive crafting ideas. With kids occupied, parents can enjoy a more formal dining experience in the next room.

Turn a coffee table into a holiday snacking and crafting spot by grouping floor cushions in seasonal hues around the perimeter. Similar to high chairs at standard dining tables, a small stack of fluffy cushions or pillows can help boost toddlers up to the perfect height.

Give kids a designated surface to draw on with a roll of kraft paper spread across the surface of the table. In addition to being able to express themselves creatively, this also gives parents a chance to suggest seating by writing each child's name onto the paper with markers, chalk or crayons.

Similar to vintage milk bottles, Mason jars are a sophisticated alternative to plastic vessels or drinkware. To bring classic farmhouse style to a kids' table, consider using Mason jars for snacks such as crackers or pretzels.

While kids entertain themselves at the holiday soiree, it's important to always consider safety first, especially when it comes to candy. Before laying candy out, be certain to ask parents if their children have any allergies or dietary restrictions, then stick solely with small, soft styles rather than hard candy, which could pose a choking hazard.

One of the keys to making candy and snacks interactive as crafting supplies is to choose ring-shaped options with holes directly in the center. This will allow kids the option to use their food to make crafts by sliding twine, ribbon or string directly through the center to create garland, bracelets or necklaces.

Kids can also put the holiday table to use as a place to create handmade gifts for friends and family. To turn colorful candy into necklaces or bracelets, supply kids with string, twine and ribbon in assorted styles. Encourage them to get creative with color and shape, and then bestow their creations to friends or family.

Candy garland is a more practical alternative to candy necklaces or bracelets. The key to creating these effectively is ensuring kids use safety scissors to cut strands no less than 48 inches in length. Once placed around the tree, these strands can create a cohesive, seamless look without the hassle of having to start directly at the bottom, then winding up and around the tree with one extra-long single strand.

Help tiny guests gather their culinary crafts with unique party bags. Find letters and fonts online, and then print them directly onto paper bags by running them through a basic color printer. Prior to the end of the party, keep the bags displayed nearby as tree decor, encouraging kids to take them down and fill them up before they leave.

Easy Painted Pumpkins : 2013 Halloween Decorations Ideas

This Halloween, create artistic pumpkins with paint, fun embellishments, and little (to no!) carving.
Get inspired by  this 2013 Halloween Decorations Ideas  ideas . I hope that you will find it useful for you ... Enjoy it !!

For a rustic look, paint a plaid pattern on a pumpkin. Use various colors and stripe widths.

Create a litter of kittens with painted pumpkins.

First, coat each pumpkin with matte finish sealant to dull the waxy surface.

Paint the pumpkins different colors, applying two or three coats of paint (let the paint dry between coats). Draw a nose, mouth, and whiskers on each pumpkin with a black felt tip marker.

For the eyes, draw eye shape outlines and eyelashes using the marker.

Paint the inside of the eyes white, let dry, then paint green irises outlined in black.

Cut out ear shapes from crafts foam, and hot-glue them in place.

To get this patterned look, draw a template for your design (or create it on a computer).

Trace the design onto contact paper, and cut out the interior of the design using fine tip scissors.

Adhere the stencil to the pumpkin.

Using a lightly paint coated stencil brush, apply paint with a bouncing motion.

Carefully remove the stencil and repeat as desired.

Grab the paintbrushes and get crafty with these designs that use pumpkins as canvases.

The simple graphic motifs, inspired by country decor, are a treat to display all autumn long.

This witch has rhythm! Tall pumpkins set the stage for this soft shoe scenario.

All you need to keep in step is black paint, ribbon, and shallow carving.

The painted sinister spider dangling on its luminous web warns visitors to beware.

The lines of the web are carved just deep enough to let the glow of the candle shine through the pumpkin wall.

Chisel windows in a painted mansion and carve a moon behind.

Candlelight from inside the pumpkin will bring the haunted scene to life.

Paint a pumpkin your favorite color for a stylish approach to Halloween decorating. Sprinkle the wet paint with glitter to add some sparkle to the color.

For a pumpkin that spans from Halloween to Thanksgiving, try a leaf motif. Find different types of leaves, trace the shapes on the pumpkin, and paint.

Add color and texture to your pumpkins with graphic stripes.

First, paint the entire pumpkin black.

When dry, create a design by scraping off the black paint to reveal the orange pumpkin rind beneath.

To use the painted pumpkin as a vase, carve out a narrow hole in the center to fit an existing vase.

Insert vase into the hole, then add flowers.

When summer fades to autumn and songbirds start to fly south, a birdbath becomes a perfect perch for a pumpkin adorned with a macabre silhouette.

Choose any number of eerie shapes for your outdoor display: think crow, black cat, bat, witch, or spider. Apply a coat of varnish after the paint dries to protect the pumpkin from the elements.

Tufts of garden moss help keep the pumpkin stable on its perch.

Play a game of cat and mouse this Halloween with this set of silhouettes.

Download our free templates, then trace the cat onto a large pumpkin and the mice onto three smaller pumpkins.

Fill in the outlines with black paint, or use a paint pen for a quick and easy alternative.

Go to the next slide to see another silhouette creature.

To create this patchwork design, paint your pumpkin with latex primer and let dry.

Then apply a base coat with cream color latex paint and allow to dry.

Mark off squares with masking tape, or download our free pattern below.

Paint an overcoat of khaki color latex paint; let dry.

Remove tape to expose cream color paint.

Use paper doilies as stencils to create intricate, lacelike designs.

Take miniature pumpkins to bewitching new heights with an aerial display.

Draw bats on white pumpkins with a permanent marker.

Cut a length of thick jute and knot one end to a large washer.

Tie a loop in the other end.

Punch holes in the top and bottom of the pumpkin, and use wire to pull the twine through the holes. (The washer supports the pumpkin's weight, and the loop attaches to the shepherd's hook.)

Like any culinary confection, this tiered treat has all the right ingredients. Select two pumpkins and a Cinderella squash that stack easily. "Ice" the pumpkins and squash in pretty pastel paints, embellish with lacy trims and adhesive gems, and stack.

A black cat and a bat this painted pumpkin duo is "spooktacular"! Spray paint two pumpkins luscious matte black. Craft cardstock features, and pin in place. We carved the cat and bat faces, but you can cut them from cardstock, too.

Too big to pop in your mouth, these candy corn look painted pumpkins still look good enough to eat. Use cone shape pumpkins and spray paint to create these Halloween treats.

Here, pumpkins go to great lengths to form a caterpillar.

Paint pumpkins melon green, and paint their stems black.

Decorate the body with adhesive felt dots, and denote the head with a pair of googly eyes and curled pipe cleaner antennae. Arrange the pumpkins in a creepy, crawling S shape.

You'll have to get your fingers wet to leave your mark on this playful pumpkin!