5 last minute DIY projects: for your holiday table

Who needs a table cloth when you can create your own? I love using brown craft paper and pens or paint to create a surface filled with doodles and pattern. It is a great way to add a little handmade twist to your holiday table.

TIP: Keep your paper blank and keep supplies at the table and let your guests draw and scribble all over the paper at dinner.

Its no secret that I love finding ways to incorporate nature into my creative projects and one of my favorites materials is wood (branches, twigs, logs and driftwood). With a little paint and a few drilled holes, you instantly have a candle holder that is a perfect centerpiece for a holiday table.

TIP: Every year I like to pick a color scheme for my table that is non traditional. Not all Thanksgiving tables have to be decorated in orange and red! Try getting creative by selecting colors that inspire you.

I love using plants and flowers in my table decorations but I always run out of time to find cute vases and create arrangements. Lunch bags painted in gold are my fast and simple solution for adding a little shimmer to a holiday table. The best part is that they are the perfect size and shape to hold small plants or even fit over a short glass jar.

TIP: During this time of year I get a little bored with "the typical" plants and flowers for arrangements. I like to use things I already have around the house or yard (like my succulent collection) or even grab unexpected things at the grocery store or nursery.

There is no rule that says you must have formal dinnerware or table decor in traditional colors or patterns! I love breaking the rules and mixing all kinds of dishes in different patterns and colors. Things might not match or even feel like the holidays (hello hot pink and brown vintage 70's flowers) but it's a fun way to add a little whimsy to your table.

If I am going to be honest, I don't really understand the importance of napkin rings but they sure do add a touch of pizazz to a table setting! I can't bring myself to buy them so I always end up using cardboard tubes that I paint and decorate. It's a fast, easy and (best of all) free way to add a touch of creativity to your table setting.

Make sure to stop by tomorrow when I will be announcing my Black Friday SALE details and my 2014 studio class schedule!