Easy Pumpkin Placecards

Pumpkin Placecards are super easy to make and add a festive fall accent to your Thanksgiving, Friendsgving or Harvest Celebration Tablescape. Use either kraft paper cut outs or chalk paint to give each placesetting a personalized touch.

I don’t know about you but I LOVE mini pumpkins and gourds of all kinds so while I have the chance to decorating the table with Autumn gourds I take every opportunity to do just that!

Start setting your Fall tablescape by lining the center of the table with mixed gourds, Indian Corn and a Succulent Pumpkin Centerpiece or two. There really isn’t a wrong way to group them. Pick out a variety of shapes and sizes ~ I promise they will all look perfect together!

Once I have my centerpiece in place I like to add a textured charger, a main serving plate and a fall leaf plate at each placesetting. Continuing adding seasonal elements like a grapevine napkin ring around a natural linen napkin.

The stress of hosting can be overwhelming. No matter if it is your first time hosting, Or your 10th. My ULTIMATE Thanksgiving checklist is HERE to make you look like an entertaining pro. Download yours for all my seasonal entertaining must-haves.

For a step-by-step demo how to make your own Pumpkin Placecards, you can watch my recent segment on WFLA Gayle’s Guide to Pinterest.

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel and never miss a recipe or design idea! {It’s free!}

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN PUMPKIN PLACECARDS::

SUPPLIES ::

mini pumpkin
chalkboard paint
foam paint brush
chalk marker
leaf stencil
scissors

INSTRUCTIONS ::

For Chalkboard Pumpkin Placecard –

Using a foam applicator simply apply a stroke of black chalk paint to the side of mini pumpkin. Allow to dry and apply a second coat.

Once dry, use a chalk marker to write your guest’s name on the card. Repeat for all guests.

For Kraft Paper Leaf Pumpkin Placecard –

Using a Maple leaf form, trace the edges onto kraft paper, Cut out shape and write your guest’s name on each card.

Carefully slice a slit in the top of the pumpkin stem. Insert paper placecard into stem and place on table!

Not the DIY type… Did you know I offer services tailored to meet the needs of busy women. They are especially valuable during the holiday entertaining season. Learn more on HERE on KraylFunch.com

September 27, 2015August 25, 2020

The Perfect Autumn Bellini Recipe

Cooler temperatures and additional clothing layers have never stopped me from enjoying a chilled glass of champers. However, it does make me crave a slightly “warmer” version with spices such as cardamom and allspice found in this Autumn Bellini recipe.

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Breakfast

Apple-Currant Dutch Baby Pancake by The Weekend Gourmet
Apple Swirled Pumpkin Yeast Bread by What Smells So Good?
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread by Party Food and Entertaining
Giant Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop Tart by Pies and Plots
Sweet Potato Buttermilk Biscuits by Tara’s Multicultural Table

Appetizers and Sides

Butternut Squash, Cauliflower and Cabbage Soup with Lentils by Monica’s Table
Pumpkin Cornbread Muffins by Pancake Warriors
Pumpkin Spice Roasted Sweet Potatoes by Love and Confections
Roasted Veggie Tart by Books n’ Cooks

Main Dishes

Acorn Squash Stuffed with Roasted Veggies & Couscous by Momma’s Meals
Butternut Squash Lentil Curry Soup by Food Done Light
Curry Beef Pies by Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
Fantasy Rice by The Petit Gourmet
King Prawns in Red Sauce – Mauritian Style Creole Sauce by Peachy Tales
Pasta with Creamy Butternut & Bacon by Cooking Chat
Pork Chops with Apple Dijon Sauce and Arugula Salad by Crazy Foodie Stunts
Pork Chops with Glazed Apples and Vegetables by The Complete Savorist
Quinoa and Sausage Stuffed Acorn Squash by Feeding Big and More
Roasted Tomato Soup with Bacon/Tomato Grilled Cheese Sandwich by A Gouda Life
Salt Roasted Salmon over Roasted Butternut & Yam Soup by Lifestyle Food Artistry
Sheet Pan Roasted Chicken, Delicata Squash and Olives by Foodie Tots
Sweet Potato French Bean Lentil Salad by Food Lust People Love
Sweet Potato Alfredo Sauce by Sew You Think You Can Cook
Thai Curry Pumpkin Soup by Eating in Instead
Whole Roasted Chicken with Vegetables by Life Tastes Good

Desserts and Cocktails

Apfelkuchen by Curious Cuisiniere
Applesauce Cake with Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Swirls by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
Apple Gingersnap Refrigerator Dessert by Recipes Food and Cooking
Autumn Bellini by An Appealing Plan
Autumn Spice Cookies by Desserts Required
Caramel Apple Napoleons by The Crumby Cupcake
Caramel Apple Pie Bundles by The Freshman Cook
Caramel Apple Streusel Muffins by The Redhead Baker
Caramel Apple Swirl Cheesecake No-Churn Ice Cream by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
Cheesecake Swirl Pumpkin Muffins by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
Chestnut and Pear Cupcakes with Caramel Buttercream by Caroline’s Cooking
Dark Chocolate-Espresso Pumpkin Tiramisu by Brunch with Joy
Dutch Apple Pie by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Pumpkin Cheesecake with Butterscotch Drizzle by Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch
Pumpkin Chocolate Bread Pudding with Salted Caramel Sauce by Grumpy’s Honeybunch
Pumpkin Crisp by Cosmopolitan Cornbread
Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting by Fantastical Sharing of Recipes
Pumpkin Pecan Bundt Cake by Flour On My Face
Pumpkin Spice Peanut Butter Cookies by Palatable Pastime
Roasted Maple Pears by Amee’s Savory Dish
Spiced Pear Cake by Simply Healthy Family
Spiced Pumpkin Bread by Renee’s Kitchen Adventures
Sweet Apple Skillet Cake by Nosh My Way

Plus, A Guide to Apples plus Best Fall Recipes Ideas for #SundaySupper

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board.

Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.

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And, if you are looking for even more ways to celebrate everyday check out An Appealing Plan the book.

Call it a trend or a return to the past, but I believe we are bringing back entertaining at home, lingering over a table after a lovingly prepared meal with friends. It has been a way of life and passion of mine my entire adult life, and I am thrilled to be able to invite you on this journey with me through a year of celebrating every day. Filled with recipes, tablescapes, floral inspiration and seasonal entertaining ideas An Appealing Plan :: A Year of Everyday Celebrations, is a dream come true for me a true honor to be able to share it with you. To learn more about An Appealing Plan :: A Year of Everyday Celebrations here. And of course, share how you are celebrating everyday.

September 23, 2015October 27, 2016

Krayl’s Cast Iron Cornbread + Poblano Sticks

There are few things in life that can represent comfort of the past in the way food can… hopefully my Cornbread + Poblano Corn Sticks will soon be added to your short list of comfort foods.

A familiar smell coming from your childhood kitchen, the aroma of soup brought to you, home from school sick in bed on rainy fall day. Food evokes memories we have long forgotten with just a whif coming from a doorway passing by on the street, or the first bite of a buttered roll at a new restaurant – at once unexpected and familiar.

My Cornbread Comfort :: swinging opening the garage door at my Grandparents home after a long drive down from Connecticut, stepping up into the kitchen, warm air filled with the sounds of family laughter coming from the living room hitting you as you enter. A big pot of chili, still steaming hot, placed on a worn out potholder to protect the counter top. Bowls of rice, grated cheese and bottle of hot sauce to add as you like. And there in a side basket, most likely lined with a cloth napkin, bright yellow, just slightly brown on the edges, the corn muffins would sit, waiting to be topped with cold butter then dunked into the chili. Welcome home.

I am not sure if they were homemade, as the chili was, or from a box mix but no matter, each bite was a combination of sweet and salty. Warm and crumbly. Each bite filling with memories that feel real as I write this moment in my office as if I am right there back in the kitchen 20 + years ago listening to the adults talk and share stories.

And still to this day, I can not eat chili without corn muffins. Admititly, I frequently quickly make them from a box mix, however given my husbands love for poblano peppers I thought I would mix it up a bit and add a little color and a touch of heat to a classic. And don’t get me started on this cute as a button corn stick pan from Lodge Cast Iron – perfect for a side to chili or as an addition to a potluck gathering. Enjoy!

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And, if you are looking for even more ways to celebrate everyday check out An Appealing Plan the book.

September 15, 2015April 30, 2016

Creating the Perfect Potluck Gathering

Planning a Fall Fete or just interested in doing more entertaining at home? A potluck gathering might just be the answer for you. Learn why I recommend hosting one and all my advice on my latest article for Inspired Home.

Here are a few images to inspire you …

I love to entertain at home. It is one of my true pleasures in life. I am energized by the planning, the inviting, menu creation, deciding what plates and napkins to use, picking out the perfect flowers to place on the table and what music should be playing in the background – I love all of it. But so often I hear friends tell me how the very idea of hosting a gathering at their home sends a wave of panic straight through them stopping the gathering before it even gets started. Trying to do it all can be overwhelming. My best advice – host a potluck gathering. Getting your guests involved in the preparation and cooking of the meal can help alleviate some of the pressure you may feel and allow you to have more time for aspects you actually find fun about entertaining at home.

Other words of advice to ensure a smooth potluck party: set the table with neutrals. Most likely you will not be able to control what color your friends platters and serveware will be, so don’t try to! By starting with a neutral base of plates, napkins and flowers, you create a welcoming neutral palette for any color or patterned plate that may arrive.

Once you have your table planned out, I always recommend the host make a main dish. It doesn’t need to be too elaborate or take too much prep work, however, Buttermilk Chicken {recipe coming soon} is a great dish that can be cooked the night before and is sure to be a crowd pleaser both aesthetically and to the taste buds. I also like to provide a bread or muffin type starch along with the main dish and this year I have been obsessed with Cast Iron Cornbread + Poblano Corn Sticks.

LEARN ALL MY TIPS FOR PLANNING THE PERFECT POTLUCK PARTY HERE

Disclosure: I have been selected by the International Housewares Association to be a contributor for Inspired Home. While I have been compensated for my time, my opinions, recipes, photography, reviews and ideas are my own.

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And, if you are looking for even more ways to celebrate everyday check out An Appealing Plan the book.

October 10, 2014November 17, 2016

First Signs Of Fall: A Gathering Tablescape

Unlike other seasons that loudly announce their arrival, Autumn quietly comes to us, each day slightly cooler, filling our gardens and tables with the warmer colors of nature.

Travel slows from the summer months but has not yet hit its’ holiday stride, it is the perfect time to host a Fall Gathering at home and set the table with the first signs of the season.

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Send out the invites for a Fall Gathering and suggest each guest brings along a dish to share, this helps reduce the amount of work you have to do and also encourages conversations about the recipes.

To create this Fall inspired tablescape with mini pumpkins use a Demin blue table covering to set a neutral backdrop for the colors of fall, even orange looks great against it! Stack Autumn tone leaf plates on wood charges, then set an orange mini pumpkin at each placesetting on top of a folded white linen napkin. Scatter mini pumpkins down the center of the table, be sure to pick the ones with perfect little stems!

This colorful yet still fall flower arrangement is easy to pull together and reminds me of the fields bursting with sunflowers flowers in most areas of the country this time of year. Mix in a few wildflowers and seeded Eucalyptus to keep the natural feel, and a few fading tulips to add a contrasting color

For this menu I would serve Stuffed Peppadew Peppers, Cheesy Thyme Baked Acorn Squash and a Dark & Stormy Cocktail.

September 2, 2013September 8, 2014

Harvest Champagne + Fig Cocktail

This twist on the champagne cocktail recipe has sweet fig puree and a splash of bourbon, together they add just the right amount of depth to make it perfect to allow it to stand up to the bold flavors of the Fall entertaining season

Welcoming guests to a Harvest, or Thanksgiving dinner with this fig cocktail will soon to be a family tradition.

Harvest Champagne + Fig Cocktail Recipe

Ingredients

INGREDIENTS

Champagne
1-2 Teaspoons Sweet Fig Puree*
Splash of Bourbon {or to taste}

METHOD

In a pre-chilled champagne flute place up to 2 teaspoons of Sweetened Fig Puree and a splash of Bourbon. Slowly add chilled Champagne.

Makes: 1 cocktail

*Sweet Fig Puree

1/2 cup water
1/4 brown sugar
4 figs, quartered

In a small pot combine water and sugar heat on medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Add figs and reduce heat to low. With an immersion blender breakdown figs and blend with sugar and water. Heat for 10 minutes on low. Cool puree prior to use in cocktail.

Serve chilled. Enjoy!

What’s your family Thanksgiving tradition? Share in the comments below. Like this recipe? Share it + Sign up below to receive tips and updates.

Looking for more fall cocktail recipes? Try this Tangerine Thyme Sipper !