Sunflowers Tablecloth for Two Seasonal Scenes

 

 

There’s something magical about the shift from late summer to early fall. The air turns golden, the light softens, and suddenly we’re craving warmth, connection, and a little rustic charm. It’s the season of porch dinners and cozy indoor gatherings when one beautiful tablecloth can carry the mood from sunlit afternoons to candlelit evenings.

This week, I created a sunflower tablecloth for two distinct spaces: a cozy farmhouse dining room and a breezy autumn porch. Same cloth, same season but two completely different vibes.

 

The Farmhouse Dining Room

Imagine walking into a room where wood shiplap walls wrap you in warmth, and the scent of cinnamon and clove lingers in the air. The table is dressed in a sunflower floral printed on a brown tablecloth.

At the center sits a milky white farmhouse style ceramic vase, filled with fresh-cut sunflowers. Around the room, subtle autumn touches like a wreath of dried leaves, a pumpkin on the shelf, and a view of falling foliage through the window complete the scene.

This setup is perfect for early fall dinners, Sunday brunches, or even a quiet moment with a cup of coffee and notepad for things to do list.

 

The Porch Gathering

Step outside, and the mood shifts. The same tablecloth now lives on a weathered wood table surrounded by crisp air and rustling leaves. The porch railing frames a view of golden trees, and the breeze carries the scent of dry grass and distant bonfires.

Here, the sunflower print feels playful and relaxed ideal for late summer lemonade or early fall cider. A white vase of sunflowers anchors the table, while pumpkins, dried grasses, and a rustic wreath add texture and seasonal flair.

This is the kind of space that invites lingering. Whether it’s a casual lunch with friends or a twilight harvest dinner under string lights, the porch scene celebrates the beauty of transition of seasons, of light, of gathering.

 

Why both settings work

What I love most about this tablecloth is its versatility. The sunflower motif bridges summer and fall, while the rich brown background adds depth and warmth. Indoors, it feels refined and cozy. Outdoors, it’s fresh and inviting.

It’s a reminder that seasonal styling doesn’t have to mean constant change. Sometimes, one well-chosen piece can carry you through weeks of evolving moods and moments. Add a few accents such as a vase, a pumpkin, a wreath and suddenly you’ve created cozy ambiance.

Final Thoughts

As we move from late summer into fall, I’m reminded that beauty lives in the in-between. In the way sunflowers bloom beside pumpkins. In the way one tablecloth can host lemonade one day and cider the next.

Whether you’re styling a dining room or a porch, I hope this blog post inspires you to create spaces that feel like home warm, welcoming, and full of seasonal magic.

View all of my fall season tablecloths at my Zazzle Store

Why Some Families Celebrate Thanksgiving Early

 

Recently, I was contacted by a customer who wanted custom Thanksgiving invitations and fall-themed home décor not in October or November, but in August. At first, I was surprised. But as we chatted, her story unfolded beautifully.

Her family had missed out on Thanksgiving gatherings during the pandemic, then her son was overseas, and this year, they decided not to wait. They’re hosting a full Thanksgiving dinner complete with all the trimmings before summer even ends. “We have so much to be thankful for,” she said. “Why not celebrate now, while we can be together?”

That sentiment resonated deeply with me. Gratitude isn’t bound to a calendar. Whether you’re celebrating in August, October, or right on Thanksgiving Day, the heart of the holiday is connection, reflection, and joy.

So, I got to work designing warm, welcoming invitations that matched their early harvest celebration. And it reminded me: if you're planning something special this fall especially custom invitations or seasonal décor it’s never too early to reach out.

 Thanksgiving orders are now open!
If you’re dreaming up a cozy gathering, a Friendsgiving feast, or a family dinner with heartfelt touches, I’d love to help you bring it to life.  View my template Thanksgiving cards andinvitations here.  

Let’s make this season one to remember for whenever you choose to celebrate.

Celebrate in Style: The Perfect Thanksgiving Tee for Family Gatherings

 

 

Thanksgiving is more than just turkey and pie it's about connection, comfort, and celebrating the season with those we love. And what better way to do that than with a tee that’s as heartwarming as the holiday itself?

 

This charming “Give Thanks” tee blends festive flair with cozy simplicity. Featuring a vibrant turkey surrounded by pumpkins, sunflowers, and autumn leaves, it’s a wearable reminder of gratitude and togetherness. The soft white cotton makes it easy to pair with jeans, leggings, or even a cozy cardigan for those brisk November days.

Why It’s Perfect for Gatherings Conversation Starter: The whimsical design sparks smiles and compliments at every table. Photo-Ready: Whether you're snapping pics in the pumpkin patch or around the dinner table, this tee adds a festive touch to your family photos. Comfort Meets Charm: Soft fabric and a flattering fit mean you’ll feel as good as you look no matter how many helpings of stuffing you indulge in.

Whether you're hosting, traveling, or just soaking in the fall vibes, this Thanksgiving tee is a cozy, cheerful way to express gratitude and look great doing it.

Storytime & Game Night: Autumn Magic Around the Table

 

 

There’s something about fall that invites us to slow down and savor the little things crisp air, golden light, and the comforting rhythm of gathering together. One of my favorite ways to celebrate the season is by turning the family table into a hub of cozy connection. Whether it’s story time after dinner or a spontaneous board game afternoon, these simple rituals create lasting memories.

 Storytime at the Table

After a hearty autumn meal or during a quiet weekend moment, gather around the table for a seasonal story. Choose a picture book filled with woodland scenes, harvest adventures, or falling leaves—or let each family member share a favorite memory from past autumns. The tablecloth softens the space, adding warmth and intention to the moment. It’s amazing how a simple textile can turn a regular evening into something magical.

 Board Game Fun

When the mood calls for laughter and a little friendly competition, bring out your favorite board game. Whether it’s a classic strategy game or something lighthearted and silly, the joy of playing together is timeless. Add mugs of cider, a flickering candle, and a cozy table setting, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for fall family fun.

 

Here Are a Few of My Favorite Fall Season Tablecloth Designs

Created with love for cozy autumn memories, each design is meant to inspire togetherness, storytelling, and a touch of seasonal magic. From rustic plaids to whimsical woodland prints, these tablecloths are more than décor they’re part of the story.

DIY Pumpkin & Fall Leaf Tissue Paper Plate

 

A Cozy Decoupage Craft to Celebrate Autumn

There’s something about fall that invites creativity the rustle of leaves, the scent of cinnamon, and the charm of pumpkins popping up on every porch. If you’re looking for a simple seasonal craft that doubles as decor, this pumpkin and fall leaf tissue paper plate is a beautiful way to bring autumn indoors. Using basic decoupage techniques, you’ll turn an ordinary plate into a festive centerpiece that feels handmade, heartfelt, and full of seasonal magic.

How to Decoupage Your Plate

Start by cleaning your plate thoroughly and drying it completely to ensure a smooth surface. Select your favorite fall-themed tissue paper pumpkins, leaves, acorns, or any pattern that speaks to the season and carefully cut out the motifs you want to feature. Using a foam brush or soft paint brush, apply a thin layer of Mod Podge or decoupage glue to the area of the plate where you’ll place your tissue paper. Gently press the paper onto the glue, smoothing out any wrinkles with your fingers or brush. Once it’s dry to the touch, brush another layer of Mod Podge over the top to seal the design and give it a soft, finished look. For added durability, especially if your plate will be displayed in a busy area, you can finish it off with a light spray of clear acrylic sealer. Just remember this plate is for decorative use only unless sealed with a food-safe resin.

Styling Your Pumpkin Plate: Cozy Decor Ideas

Once your plate is complete, it becomes a versatile piece of seasonal decor. Try placing it on your foyer table with three pillar candles in warm autumn tones think cinnamon, ivory, and rust and surround it with mini pumpkins or pinecones for texture. On your coffee table, use it as a base for a fall vignette: stack a few vintage books, add a small vase of dried flowers, and let your plate peek out underneath. Or center it on your dining table with a candle trio or a small pumpkin tower, accented by leaf garlands or a burlap runner for rustic charm.

Beyond the Plate: Endless Fall Craft Possibilities

Once you discover how easy and satisfying decoupage can be, you’ll want to add fall-themed tissue paper to everything. Try covering clear ornaments for a festive garland, refreshing old picture frames with leaf prints, wrapping vintage hat boxes for charming seasonal storage, or even decoupaging a small tabletop or tray for a bold autumn statement. The possibilities are endless and each piece becomes a celebration of the season.

A Halloween Tee That’s All Treat, No Trick

 

Today I designed an irresistibly cute Halloween t-shirt for toddler girls and it’s already giving me all the cozy October vibes. If you love dressing your little one in festive outfits for the season, this tee is a must-have. Whether she’s headed to a pumpkin patch, a daycare party, or just twirling around the living room with spooky music playing, this shirt brings the charm.

Made from a fine soft jersey, it’s gentle on sensitive skin no scratchy seams or stiff fabric here. Just buttery softness that’s perfect for babies and toddlers who want to move, play, and cuddle in comfort.

 Style It Your Way

Pair it with black leggings for a classic Halloween look, or go casual with jeans and sneakers. Add a sparkly bow or a pumpkin-themed headband, and you’ve got a photo-ready outfit that works all season long.

 Mommy & Me Magic

Want to match your mini? This design is a template, so you can easily transfer the image to an adult tee for a sweet “Mommy and Me” moment. You can even create a full family set by customizing it for older siblings or grandparents because Halloween is more fun when everyone’s in on the theme.

Whether you're snapping pics for Instagram or just making memories at home, this tee is a playful way to celebrate the season with style and heart.

Fall Festivals in Missouri

Now is the time to make plans for fall festivals and activities in Missouri.   My husband and I like to plan a variety of weekend trips to attend Missouri’s apple butter festivals, craft shows music and farmers markets during the fall season.  

Many events are offered in small towns and large cities during the fall season in Missouri.

 

Missouri has many wide-open spaces, parks, and woods with maple, oaks and hickory trees that are beautiful during the fall season. The leaves normally turn in October starting in north Missouri, then to the west before the leaves turn in the south and the east.

 

We always go to Piece City for their fall festival on September 21^st. We enjoy the hometown activities that this city has to offer.  This event is held in a park like setting where you can walk around.  There are craft booths, farmers market, music, games for the kids, food and fun.  View the Facebook page for more information.

 

Our friends tell us that the apple butter festival is one we must attend.    So, we have marked our calendar with the two-day event date (October 26^th and 27^th).   and time (10 to 5) The Apple Butter Festival in Kimmswick Missouri is a very large celebration as it has drawn over 100,000 visitors.  

The festival is in a small town with historic buildings and tree lined streets.   The festival will feature a variety of booths that offer food, drinks, and crafts. There will also be live entertainment and fun activities for kids. Such as petting zoo, pony rides, face painters and more.    

 

If you like apple butter know that you will find no better than what is made at Kimmswick.  The historical society peels and cuts and cooks the apples over a wood fire on Saturday and Sunday at dawn. Yes, they freshly prepare the apple butter to be sold at the festival.    

 

If you are interested in the apple butter festival in Missouri then go to their website to learn more   

 

 

Autumn Activities at Crystal Bridges Museum

 

 

We enjoy the fall season and find that Arkansas has many destinations that offer beautiful scenery.  If you like outdoor activities that Arkansas with 52 state parks has got everything from hiking, camping, horseback riding, boating, hunting and more.

 

This year we are visiting Bentonville Arkansas to view the Crystal Bridges art Museum and visit the Frank Lloyd Wright home that is located on the museum ground.  After viewing the arts, we plan to hike the 4 trails in the woods that surrounds the museum. 

The museum is located in the Ozark Forest and if you enjoy hiking know that it’s situated on 120 acres.  A few years ago I walked with my brother on the trails and at one point we did go off trail and found a natural stream.

We saw native plants and whitetail deer.  If your family enjoys nature, wildlife, hiking, art and making happy autumn season memories then you will enjoy spending the day in Arkansas at the Cristal Bridges Museum.  It offers fun activities for the  entire  family.

All  images are postcards that I created from my photographs that I took of the beautiful scenery in Arkansas 

Things to Do with Autumn Leaves

 

If you have a lot of leaves during the fall season and prefer to do something useful rather than burning, bagging or raking them to the curb then follow these tips for things to do with your autumn leaves.  

Here are a few photos of autumn 

If you are a gardener and desire a rich carbon and nitrogen compost them mix leaves with your grass clippings.   You can also use the leaf matter as a natural mulch for your garden beds or around your shrubs and trees. 

When using the leaves as a mulch you will find that the leaves will prevent weed grown and when the decompose the soil will be enriched.   Its best to apply a thin layer of leaf mulch rather than a thick layer because if the leaves are too heavy they will block the water from getting to your soil. 

Feed your autumn / winter season lawn with leaves.  Mow over the fallen leaves so that the leaves are cut into small pieces.  Leave the shredded leaf matter on your lawn and when it breaks down it will provide a natural feed for your grass. 

Have fun with your autumn leaves by raking them into a big pile then play with kids or grandkids by running and jumping into the pile of leaves.  It’s a fun thing to do during the autumn season.

Family Favorite Pecan Pie Recipe

 

Pecan pie has been one of my families fall favorite desserts. This pie is made with pecans that are mixed into a rich caramel colored filling. This filling is made from eggs sugar, butter, molasses and corn syrup. The pecans and filling is poured into a pie crust.  Then baked to perfection.

 

I used to make pecan pie during the fall season.  Here in Missouri there was an abundant of you pick it pecan orchards and I grew up eating pecan pies during the fall season. So it was only natural that I made the pie when I was older for my family. But instead of using corn syrup I bake my pie with maple syrup. 

The traditional recipe calls for corn syrup. The corn syrup additive was a way to keep the pie from drying out, and it also holds the filling and prevents crystallization during the baking.  But I found that organic maple syrup does the same thing.  Plus, the maple syrup adds sweetness and the dark color to the pie. 

Know that pecan pie is a high calorie high fat dessert.  So if you are going to bake this pie then serve up the slices and plan to take a walk afterwards. A single slice of pecan pie contains 400 calories with 20 grams of fat.  I guess that is why they refer to pecan pie as comfort food. 

So if you are like me and prefer to not make a pecan pie with corn syrup then bake the pie with maple syrup instead.  You will find that it tastes delicious.  I promise you will not miss that corn syrup.  

I found the recipe online here > Bake by Nature  No Corn Syrup pecan pie recipe

 

Grow Pansies in The Fall

 Pansies will add color and interest to your fall season garden.  When most of the flowers die back due to the change of weather the cold hardy pansy will thrive.

 

Pansies are great container plants for your patio, or porches.  The pansies will grow well in rich soil that is well drained.   Miracle-gro makes a potting mix that is perfect for container gardens. 

 

Plant pansies so that they are nine inches apart as this will allow the pansies room to spread.   After planting set your container gardens in an area where the pansies will get six hours of sun per day.

 

Water newly planted pansies well or until the water drains from the holes at the bottom of the container.

Check your pansy containers daily to see if they need water.  Stick your finger into the topsoil about an inch into the soil and If the soil is dry to the touch , then  water the plants in the morning.

 

If the weather is warm during the fall months recheck your pansies in the early afternoon as you may have to water them again.  Do a deep watering once a week especially if no rain is in forecast.  

Water pansy container gardens in the morning rather than at night or late afternoon.  Morning allows the soil to dry out before the end of the day.  At night the soil does not dry out which may cause root rot and wet soil may attract insects.

Feed your fall and early winter pansies with water soluble fertilizer every two weeks.  I use Miracle-gro bloom booster and am satisfied with it as you can use it on both annual and perennial flowers. 

Pansies will thrive when the average temperature is 40 degrees at night with a high of 60 degrees during the day.  

When your temperature dips below 25 degrees then move the pansies to your garage, basement or grow as a houseplant in a room that is cool and has southern exposure window or use a grow light.  Pansies that are left outdoors will go dormant as the weather is too cold for them.  

Bring your pansies back outdoors in early spring when temperature is an average of 40 at night and 60 during the day.