Tradition With a Twist

Instead of replacing window treatments, white lights are hung behind sheers for an icicle effect. Holiday placemats and runners are filled with foam and sewn shut to make pillows, and existing throw pillows can be tacked with organza overlay and finished with bells and ribbons.

Steffend and Burke create an elegant Christmas dining room with no-sew chair shawls. They begin by wrapping them with organza and tying them with ribbon for a sophisticated look. Then they create an instant centerpiece by placing glass ornaments in a covered crystal cake plate.

Get the dinner conversation going with glass marbles with phrases like "holiday memory" printed out and glued face up to the underside. To dress up stemware and make it easier for guests to identify their beverage, Joan and Susie make stemware skirts. To do this, just sew a ribbon casing, add wire and scrunch it around the glass stem.

pine branches, pine spray, cedar and pine cone bush, wired ribbon, berry garland, mini fir trees, mini tree lights, ornaments, finial, wire picks, hurricane candleholders, crystal garland, saucers for candlescape (Libbey, 31009 58684), sheer garland fabric, glitter spray paint, glass ornaments, tree toppers, glass marbles, glass serving plate - Lakeland Floral
wood letters - JoAnn
screening - Home Depot
charms for stockings - Michaels
plant stand for candlescape - garage sale
Avery key tags - Office Depot
brass candlesticks, silver stemware, jewelry, teacups - thrift store
brass candleholders - Cost Plus World Market
copper gold paint, chandelier prisms - Home Depot
photo pendants (Silver Place Card Markers, 096287653015) - Linens 'n Things
pillows made from holiday linens (Age of Elegance Table runner and Dinner Napkins) - Target