Dear Reader,

Can it be fall already?! The kids and grandkids are back in school. The garden has given up its last fruits. No more weeds to pull. You’d think you would have some extra time for your crafting. But life never works quite like that, does it? Each season brings its own chores; but each season also brings it own beauty and, for us artists, inspiration. So while you’re outside raking up all those fallen leaves and bedding down your plants against the coming cold, keep your artist’s eyes peeled. Think about the collages, scrapbook pages, stamps and centerpieces you can make with some of those brilliant leaves, bare twigs and dried flowers. Think of the knitted or crocheted items that will soon be welcomed and in great demand. Plan your fall and holiday projects. Count your blessings. While the body toils; the mind may have free rein.

Here at TheArtfulCrafter, we’ve been busy storing up designs for the fall and winter holidays. What fun!

We’ve also put up more than 50 new pages – guess it only seems like a zillion. Our most popular feature thus far has been the Letters section. In fact it has grown so rapidly and contains so much valuable information of interest to our other readers, that we are in the process of reorganizing the Letters pages so you can easily find what you are seeking.

Your feedback has been both positive and encouraging. Thank you. Keep those e-mails coming! Please take a few minutes to fill out our reader survey, by clicking here. In this issue of the TheArtfulCrafter Digest, we feature holiday tables.

Eileen

”Golden Leaves of Autumn” Place Cards

Download our pattern for “Golden Leaves of Autumn” place cards to add an elegant touch to your holiday tables or as the perfect hostess gift. You may even package them up to sell. It is very tricky to get a faithful reproduction of the color gold from a computer printer. I think this leaf graphic does an exceptional job. My customers agree: I sell these place cards in packs of 12 for $6.

For your own use, inscribe guests’ names with a gold gel pen or wet emboss them to add dimension. Wet embossing supplies can be found at stores such as Joann.com. For example they have the Creative Beginning Ink and Embossing Powders set for sale here. You will also need a heat source, such as the Marvy Uchida Heat Embossing Tool, available here.

I use a clear waterbase ink embossing pen and gold embossing powder. No stamps or stencils required for this simple job!

Arrange some of those leaves and twigs you collected into a pretty centerpiece; gild it with gold spray paint; tie a wire-rimmed gold ribbon into a bow and trail the ends artfully through the arrangement. Spray a few more leaves gold and scatter them along the center of the table. Place a few votive candles strategically. Just be sure to keep them away from that dry kindling! Click here for the Golden Leaves pattern. Goof Proof Stenciling and Embossing

Here are a few more fall table and party ideas: stencil a fabric table runner with autumn fruits and vegetables; make napkins to match; emboss golden leaves onto menu cards or your party invitations to match the place cards above.

If you’ve done stenciling or embossing before and know the frustration of almost completing a project when the stencil sheet slips or the cat jumps on your neck or the smoke alarm goes off scaring the living bejeezus out of you, you will love the Fiskars’ ShapeBoss Embossing System. If you’ve never stenciled or embossed before, you won’t be ble to appreciate what an advancement the ShapeBoss system is, so trust us! Your result will be professional the first time you use it.

Read how the ShapeBoss system works on our website. Click here to read more about this great tool. The best part is that Fiskars recently introduced a larger version suitable for 12 x 12 scrabooking or other large projects. If you’re really into scrapbooking, you may not mind paying the $35 retail price. But if size is not that big an issue for you the regular size ShapeBoss can now be had for $14 or $15, (down from the original retail price of $25). If JoAnn’s still has any in stock, be sure to use the 50% off coupon (good on one item) available on our website. click here.

Signature Wines

If you do tablescaping for special events or would like a unique bottle of wine to put in the wine gift bags you make, you need to check out this site. Signature Wines carries a selection of fine and affordable wines, but the neatest part of the service they provide is beautifully customized labels. You’ll have fun designing your own wine label. You don’t need to know anything more about computer graphics than point and click! These personalized bottles of wine make great gifts and are also fun to serve at your own parties. Create your own bottle of wine! Design your wine label, personalized for any event or special occasion, to create the perfect gift.

Southern Corn Soufflé

Use this deceptively simple and delicious recipe for your holiday table and save time to use pursuing your muse or your bliss. It’s technically a pudding, not a soufflé, but the texture is so light I hate to call it a pudding.

Combine 3 cups defrosted corn kernels, 3 slightly beaten eggs, 3 tablespoons melted butter, 3 tablespoons sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon pepper, and 1 1/8 cups scalded milk. Process in blender until most of the kernels are broken open. Pour into a greased casserole dish. Bake at 350 degrees F for 40 to 50 minutes until firm and lightly browned. Serves 6.

If your family prefers broccoli to corn, substitute: broccoli for corn; ½ cup shredded cheese for sugar (your choice of cheddar or a 50/50 mix of mozzarella and parmesan).

Laugh and the World Laughs with You

Not only does your laughter cheer those around you; it also perks you up. Researchers at Loma Linda University in California have been studying the effects of laughter on the immune system. Their studies show that laughing lowers blood pressure, reduces stress hormones, increases muscle flexion, and boosts the immune system by raising levels of infection-fighting T-cells, disease-fighting proteins called Gamma-interferon and B-cells, which produce disease-destroying antibodies. Laughter also triggers the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers, and produces a general sense of well-being. That’s why we try to inject a little humor into our otherwise serious website.

If you could use a good laugh right now, read the article on how to Organize Your Work Space. If you could use another laugh, also read our response to Linda’s letter, Flea Markets Are for the Birds.