Fall Decorating Idea

Tuesday was the first day of Fall, or Autumn, for most of the country.  Here in the Deep South it is "Still Summer" and probably will be until November 1st (or sometimes December 15th).  However, we still pretend it is Fall and decorate accordingly.  

 Need a little glamor on the cheap? Here is a great idea for adding glamor to your Fall table setting.  We purchased these ordinary items from a dollar store for fifty cents each.  You can probably get them from Goodwill even cheaper.

Then, just use glue.  We used hot glue so we could take it apart and use the items again.  If you would like it to be permanent, use glass glue, which you can get in a department store.

Now it becomes an elegant footed candleholder for only $1.50!  You can make a pair of these for $3.00 in less than ten minutes.  Several different styles of votive holders were available besides the square one we used here.

We added the tapestry table runner, another dollar store find at $4.00.  

If you live where the trees are turning colors, add some some of the leaves and any other natural elements you can get free.  This is a simple project with a big return.

Giveaway!

We are having our first giveaway... and such an adorable little gift! These are Candy Corn Guest Soaps. They come in a set of three guest soaps individually wrapped.

These little guest soaps look just like traditional candy corn. They weigh 1.4 ounces each, for a total of 4.2 ounces and are approximately 1 1/2 inches tall. Set them in a decorative dish in your bathroom during the holiday season, or use them for gifts. Kids will love these-- and might even want to take a bath!

The Giveaway is open to residents of the US and Canada.

How to Enter: (Required) Visit our store, The Gingham Grasshopper, and leave us a comment here telling us what your favorite product is. Please leave your email address in your post so that we can contact you if you win.

Additional Entries:

1. Follow our blog and leave a separate comment and your email address. (1 extra)

2. Fan us on our Facebook page and leave a separate comment plus your email address. (1 extra)

The winner will be chosen in a random drawing and will be notified by email. The winner has 2 days to claim their prize. If unclaimed, another winner will be chosen.

The giveaway closes Monday, September 28th (CST)

Good luck and have fun!


This Giveaway is now closed-- thanks to everyone who entered!

The winner is Angela!

Christening and Baptism Bracelets

Christenings, Baptisms, and Baby Dedications are all special times shared by families. Choose a special keepsake that can be worn and passed on to future generations.

Sweet little Christening bracelets are a favorite with mothers and Godparents alike. Our most popular sellers for August have been"Little Blessing" and "My Hope".

The "Little Blessing" bracelet is made with pearls and clear crystals and comes with a delicate cross charm. It is available with or without a name.


"My Hope" has been another favorite. This sweet little Christening or Baptism bracelet is made with white freshwater pearls and has a beautiful rounded cross bead in the center. This style is especially good for infants because there is no attached charm. These precious little bracelets are perfect for passing on to future generations of little ones.

At The Gingham Grasshopper, all of our jewelry comes with free gift packaging and free gift cards; we even offer free shipping! We have a large selection of Christening and Baptism bracelets for you to choose from.

**Send us your photos of your little ones wearing their bracelets so we can display them here! We would love to see them.

Back to School!

It's back-to-school time and back to packing lunches. Your child has picked out that cool new lunch box that he or she will be using every day-- so why not try some cool new lunch ideas!

You've heard the stories about all the 'lunch-trading' that goes on at school. The best way to ensure that your children eat the healthy lunch you pack for them is
to include them in the process. Let them help with the menu planning.

Kids don't have a lot of time for eating lunch, so try smaller portions but include more options. A smaller sandwich (bottom right) using a healthier wheat roll may actually be gobbled up! If you child only eats white bread, cut it into four sections; you can even share these among siblings. Then tuck in
some veggie sticks and dip, pretzels or trail mix, and the all-important dessert!

The turkey wrap (top right) is made with shredded turkey, thin sliced cantaloupe, and lettuce. The sweet cantaloupe makes this a real hit. Click to see the recipe for the mini quiches (left), from "Notebook: magazine". They're made with whole grain bread, shredded ham, and cheddar cheese.

If you're not sure your child will eat a new sandwich or recipe, try it out at home first. The weekend is a good time for trying something new.

And don't forget to tuck in a special note to your child. You can download these free lunch box notes, and more, by going to www.alphamom.com.