Cassie Bustamante

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Dare to DIY Entertain: DIY Gold Horse Place Card Holders on a Christmas Tablescape

December 2, 2013 by Cassie 64 Comments

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First of all, thanks to all for the sweet comments about our Charlie.  Your kindness means so much to me.  If you missed yesterday’s post about our family’s loss, you can read it here.

Now, onto my Dare to DIY!  This week it’s Dare to Entertain!

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(Festive VW bus place cards via Decor and the Dog, Kraft paper runner and table via Maybe Matilda (TODAY’S HOSTESS), Blue Ball jar snowscapes via NewlyWoodwards, Gilded animal place cards via Primitive and Proper)


If you want to share your own holiday entertaining projects, head over to Maybe Matilda where the link party is live today through Wednesday!

Now it’s my turn to share with you my little entertaining project….
When I was in Ohio for the Country Living Fair, I bought an awesome red vintage Navajo saddle blanket and I knew it would be the focal point of my holiday table  I decided to roll with it, and create some little horse place card holders.

I started out with “The Toob” plastic horse toys, with 12 in a tube.

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I used Rustoleum metallic gold (the can with the reflective gold top) to paint them gold.

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Once they dried I used a tiny drill bit to drill holes into the tops of their backs.  I then used brass wire and wrapped it tightly a few times around a pencil and clipped it using wire clippers.

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I dropped hot glue into the hole, then placed my piece of wire in to create place card holders, and I did my best to wipe off excess glue.  Here was a little instagram shot I took with a little horse humor.

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Now, let’s move onto the table setting I used them in… (And you get a little sneak peek of the dining room tree and decor!)

I went with whites, golds, and silvers, and a pop of red in the navajo saddle blanket.  Because it’s a saddle blanket it has a bit of curve to it, so it didn’t work the long way on the table.  I added a woven natural and gold runner I picked up for $10 at TJ Maxx.  I also got the napkins there, but could not find a set of 8 of any one style I liked.  I found this style I chose with a set of 4 in silver and a set of 4 in gold; so I chose those.

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At the center of the table are some brass deer I found when I yard saled with Kelly in Atlanta this summer.  The vintage wire tree I had last year as well and decorated it with vintage chandelier crystals. I also threw in some fresh greenery from the yard.

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The china is vintage lenox and was my grandmothers from when she and my grandfather were married I believe.  It’s a beautiful and classic design.  The silverware is a Christmas gift from my in-laws this year.  I had permission to open it early, so I did so I could use it to set the table! šŸ˜‰

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Here is my DIY place card holder in action!

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And a couple more shots of the table…

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I just love the fringy ends of the saddle blanket!

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I took these photos last Wednesday, two days before we lost Charlie.  He had found himself a nice little nook on the island shelf while we were out that morning…

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So sweet…..

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Well, that is my little bit rustic, little but tribal, little bit horse inspired, little bit glam, little bit vintage Christmas tablescape!  I am really happy with it this year…. It just feels like me. šŸ™‚

Don’t forget to head over to Maybe Matilda to share your own projects!
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Sharing here:
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Filed Under: Christmas, Craft, Dining Room, misfits (other craftiness)

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Comments

  1. Little Martha says

    December 2, 2013 at 12:16 pm

    So sorry for your loss of Charlie. Anyone who has a pet knows that they are part of the family. He was a lucky dog to have a great family to spend his life with.

    Reply
  2. Julia Konya says

    December 2, 2013 at 12:21 pm

    I love the gold animals. And your table looks so festive! Love it!

    Reply
  3. PB says

    December 2, 2013 at 12:29 pm

    Your table is beautiful. Like a magazine shoot!!! And the picture with Charlie in the bottom corner is priceless. As was he!

    Reply
  4. Cathy Wall says

    December 2, 2013 at 12:41 pm

    LOVE the saddle blanket and your very clever place card holders. A very festive setting! YOur post about Charlie is so heartfelt and sweet… so sorry for your family’s loss.

    Reply
  5. Laurie from Laurie Jones Home says

    December 2, 2013 at 12:47 pm

    This is soooooo good!!! Beautiful table!!!

    Reply
  6. michelle@decorandthedog says

    December 2, 2013 at 1:31 pm

    That picture of Charlie on the island melts my heart!

    Your table is beyond lovely. That silverware is fantastic. And usually silverware does nothing for me.

    And, the horses. Oh, the horses are so stinking cute!

    Reply
  7. [email protected] says

    December 2, 2013 at 1:36 pm

    Love love love! Did I say love? xo K

    Reply
  8. Gretchen says

    December 2, 2013 at 1:37 pm

    I love this whole table! The blanket, the different metallics, the gold horses! Definitely very you šŸ™‚

    Reply
  9. Andrea says

    December 2, 2013 at 1:45 pm

    Gorgeous table and I love the horse place card holders. Brilliant! So sorry about sweet Charlie. I know how hard it is t lose a pet and I was praying for you and your family the last week.

    Reply
  10. The Painted Drawer says

    December 2, 2013 at 1:49 pm

    Your table is beautiful and I love, love, love the gold horse placecard holders. So sorry for Charlie. I know how much the loss of a dear pet hurts.

    Reply
  11. Angela Santaniello says

    December 2, 2013 at 1:58 pm

    I cannot even stand how gorgeous your dining room is! Seriously, every time you decorate it for a new season I love it even more!

    Angela @ Number Fifty-Three

    Reply
  12. Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. says

    December 2, 2013 at 2:02 pm

    What a beautiful table Cassie! Love the mix of styles, the sparkle and those darling horses! Hope you are thinking happy thoughts of sweet Charlie today!

    Reply
  13. Meg@OliverandRust says

    December 2, 2013 at 2:02 pm

    great diy. your table looks perfectly eclectic christmas. i couldn’t comment yesterday as i couldn’t see the screen after reading and just clicked off quickly.
    i am sorry for your loss and hope that your sweet puppy is forever in your heart. have a great day.

    Reply
  14. Empty Nest Full Life says

    December 2, 2013 at 2:08 pm

    Your Christmas decor is beautiful, and I am so sorry about Charlie. It reminds me I am going to be in the same place with my Stella. She is about the same age as Charlie. What a blessing to have sweet memories of him. Have a blessed week.

    Reply
  15. Rose says

    December 2, 2013 at 2:22 pm

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    Reply
  16. Rose says

    December 2, 2013 at 2:23 pm

    Cassie, your place looks beautiful….including the glimpse we had into your heart…so sorry that Charlie passed on, but soooooo glad that he was home and surrounded by your loving family & his brother. Being in animal rescue myself, I have loved and lost many and the ‘decision’ is never easy….so much better to go as Charlie did, safe, warm and loved at home, but sometimes that blessing is just not to be and as a loving ‘parent’ sometimes have to follow through so the furbaby doesn’t suffer. Fortuntely you didn’t have to decide. You’ll miss Charlie, but he crossing the Rainbow Bridge has made room for another furbaby who could use a temporary or permanent home when you’re ready to share your family again. When your family and Jake are ready, I hope you will consider adopting or fostering so that other animals less fortunate will know the same kindness that Charlie enjoyed for 13 years. Your kids may really enjoy fostering anything from hampsters to bunnies to cats or another dog for a week or two, to longer periods of time in order for rescue groups to be able to save one from the shelter and find a permanent loving home. Yeah, it’s hard to let ’em go, but harder to know that they wouldn’t be alive, just because there was ‘no room in the inn/shelter’ if you hadn’t stepped up, fostered them, and given them a chance at a forever home like Charlie had. God bless you and your family through Christmas and in the New Year.

    Reply
  17. Karah @ thespacebetweenblog says

    December 2, 2013 at 2:26 pm

    spary paint makes everything classy šŸ™‚

    Reply
  18. pam {simple details} says

    December 2, 2013 at 2:31 pm

    You nailed it my friend!!! What a perfect mix of rustic, vintage and glam and gorgeous against those charcoal walls!! If I lived close I’d invite myself over, I wouldn’t need food, I’d just like to sit there and take it all in! šŸ™‚

    Reply
  19. 17 Perth says

    December 2, 2013 at 2:36 pm

    Genius idea with the horses. šŸ™‚ Love it. (Those VW vans are pretty awesome too!) Love your tablescape!

    Reply
  20. Kelly @ A Swell Place to Dwell says

    December 2, 2013 at 2:57 pm

    I love them! It’s amazing what a little gold spray paint can do.

    Reply
  21. Alexa says

    December 2, 2013 at 3:04 pm

    šŸ™ So sorry for your loss. Pets really are part of our families. Love our little Gorbie so much. Love what you did with the animals…so pretty in gold!

    Reply
  22. Cindy @Made2Style says

    December 2, 2013 at 3:19 pm

    So sorry about your dog, those photos are precious.

    Your tablescape is very beautiful and those horses are the perfect touch!

    Reply
  23. Vintage Prairie Style says

    December 2, 2013 at 3:33 pm

    love your table and the horse blanket. those place card holders are too cute!

    Reply
  24. Lisa @ Shine Your Light says

    December 2, 2013 at 4:04 pm

    Cassie I LOOOOOOOVE that you have a tree in your dining space! That is SO fun and cheerful and happy and festive!

    Reply
  25. Run To Radiance says

    December 2, 2013 at 4:34 pm

    I love this!! Ironically I just spray painted a bunch of animals gold too- for jar lid decorations to give as gifts!! I love this idea though- so super cute. Your table is beautiful- and i love your light fixture!!! Gorgeous!

    Reply
  26. JalapeƱo Photography says

    December 2, 2013 at 4:46 pm

    Oooh! I love it, Cassie! Classy and personal.

    Reply
  27. Dear Emmeline says

    December 2, 2013 at 4:58 pm

    rustic glam…lookin’ good my dear!

    Reply
  28. Mekenzie @ interiorsbykenz.com says

    December 2, 2013 at 5:00 pm

    The picture of Charlie is so so sweet. I’m glad I let my pups hang out in the photos instead of shooing them out. I hope you all are doing okay. You’ve been in my thoughts and prayers the past several days.
    On the subject of place cards, they look really beautiful. So simple and beautiful!

    Reply
  29. Lisa @ Turning Tables says

    December 2, 2013 at 5:17 pm

    SO SO beautiful — that saddle blanket owns my heart almost as much as you do (ok, not really almost, but still, I love it!!!!) šŸ˜‰ I wish I could sit around that table with you this year {sigh}. xo

    Reply
  30. Caitlin @ Desert Domicile says

    December 2, 2013 at 5:35 pm

    Your dining room is gorgeous, Cassie! I love the saddle blanket and that amazing silverware your in-laws gifted you. Your grandparents china is so beautiful too! šŸ™‚

    Reply
  31. Rita says

    December 2, 2013 at 6:24 pm

    so sweet! And your table looks beautiful but don’t get upset if I steal your wreath hanging on the chiars idea and claim it as my own to my family. they believe me to be extremely creative, ha!

    Reply
  32. Jennifer@The Chronicles of Home says

    December 2, 2013 at 6:57 pm

    What a sweet photo of Charlie in the background. Must be so surreal still. On happier notes, though, your dining room looks so cozy and festive and your placecard holders are pure genius. Can I come over for dinner??

    Reply
  33. Renee says

    December 2, 2013 at 9:45 pm

    wow! You outdid yourself!! Love, love, love this tablescape! Beautiful.

    Reply
  34. Katja @ Shift Ctrl ART says

    December 2, 2013 at 11:10 pm

    That looks so fantastic. I love how they add gold to the table and what a terrific party favor it would make as well, if you could part with them that is šŸ™‚

    Love it!!!

    Reply
  35. Donna Wilkes says

    December 3, 2013 at 12:54 am

    The gold horses are adorable with the blanket. Lovely tablescape. I read the post about Charlie and felt your loss. It was a beautiful tribute.

    Reply
  36. Manhattan Image and Style says

    December 3, 2013 at 1:17 am

    Beautiful decorations! I love this DYI! I am very sorry to hear about Charlie. I know they are part of our family and it is very painful to see them go.

    Thank you so much for your kind words on my blog! Let’s stay in touch! <3

    Diana

    http://www.ManhattanImageandStyle.com

    New Blog Post: Casual Winter Look

    Reply
  37. Kim @ NewlyWoodwards says

    December 3, 2013 at 1:25 am

    This is truly gorgeous! I love every detail and the saddle blanket is the perfect focal point. I never would have known that those horses started as plastic toys. They look like brass.

    You are rocking these challenges, friend.

    Reply
  38. ingrid@nowathomemom says

    December 3, 2013 at 1:30 am

    so pretty Julia, your gold animals šŸ™‚ & your table (wow!) & how much I love the last pictures of Charlie in his little corner šŸ™‚

    Reply
  39. Storywood Designs says

    December 3, 2013 at 1:55 am

    Love the horse placecard holders and adore the shots of Charlie on the shelf. You will be so thankful that you have those one day… I’m sure you already are.

    Reply
  40. Whats Ur Home Story says

    December 3, 2013 at 2:24 am

    The card holders are too cute but all my eyes are on your fabulous saddle blanket, the chandelier, and the crystal Christmas tree on the table!

    Vidya @ Whats Ur Home Story
    http://www.whatsurhomestory.com

    Reply
  41. Bliss says

    December 3, 2013 at 3:41 am

    Diane is invited. That is about as good as Bliss being invited.

    Reply
  42. Allison says

    December 3, 2013 at 3:46 am

    Cassie, your table is gorgeous! The saddle blanket is a wonderful pop of red! I love your horse place card holders and your new china is beautiful. Your dining room looks fabulous. You have done so much since you moved into your house. So fun to see all of your changes. Sweet Charlie…I love that photo of him on your island.

    Reply
  43. Amber Wills says

    December 3, 2013 at 4:23 am

    I love those place card holders. They are so you. I need a picture of you in your horse sweater with your holding your place card. Instagram that! The entire tablescape looks incredible. So beautiful!

    Reply
  44. Ali Richardson says

    December 3, 2013 at 5:42 am

    Love those horsies! RIP sweet Charlie Brown. XO

    Reply
  45. Eclectically Vintage says

    December 3, 2013 at 1:52 pm

    Neigh – that means I love it!

    So sorry about Charlie Brown too – it’s heartbreaking.
    Kelly

    Reply
  46. Shannon Barefoot says

    December 3, 2013 at 3:04 pm

    Your gold horse place card holders are ADORABLE. I love them!

    So sorry to hear about your sweet Charlie.

    Reply
  47. Serena Appiah says

    December 3, 2013 at 9:05 pm

    Hey Cassie! Awesome idea! I get little bags of thrift store stuff with these kinds of little toys in them, and this would be perfect even with action figures and stuff! The gold is the icing on the cake! šŸ™‚

    Serena @ Thrift Diving

    Reply
  48. Lindsay says

    December 3, 2013 at 9:12 pm

    Oh I LOVE this project. So clever and brass animals get me every time šŸ™‚

    Reply
  49. Jocie@TheBetterHalf says

    December 4, 2013 at 12:39 am

    Was so sad to hear about Charlie! …really love this DIY and amazing pix too!

    Reply
  50. Jennifer @ Dimples and Tangles says

    December 4, 2013 at 5:30 am

    Cassie, I’m DYING over your gorgeous dining room, and your horse name holders are just too cute! I’m studying each photo for some serious inspiration! šŸ™‚

    Reply
  51. Miss Charming says

    December 4, 2013 at 3:45 pm

    Everything is so beautiful, Cassie! And those cheeky horses–Love! (They are exactly what I was envisioning but couldn’t find in a store.) Brilliant DIY!

    Reply
  52. Rachel says

    December 5, 2013 at 2:53 pm

    Whoa Miss Popular, you always have zillions of comments! I love the animals here…Your ideas are always so fresh and unique. The whole table is stunning, and I love the aqua bar stools too!

    Reply
  53. Erin says

    December 5, 2013 at 6:17 pm

    Your dining room seriously looks like something out of a magazine. So gorgeous and festive and classy!

    But I am mane-ly impressed by your horse humor.

    Reply
  54. Craftberry Bush says

    December 6, 2013 at 3:38 am

    how freaking awesome! The entire space looks incredible Cass…xoxo

    Reply
  55. LivingVintage says

    December 15, 2013 at 4:02 pm

    What a fun, whimsical idea! I’m definitely pinning!

    Oh, and your beagle is adorable.

    Kim

    Reply
  56. Jennifer says

    July 12, 2015 at 2:41 pm

    We are in the midst of creating your horse place card holders for our wedding. We have decided to mount them on thin wood to be more sure they will stay standing up outside. Standard sized place cards seem too big for these petite decorations…. assuming your paper was just cut at home on your own?

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      July 12, 2015 at 8:01 pm

      hi jennifer! i just cut my own. also i think it depends on the toy size you use- they make some that are larger which could also be used. congrats to you!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        July 12, 2015 at 10:22 pm

        Thank you and thank you! šŸ™‚ We made them all today, they are amazing. Used chrome spray paint to go with our colors šŸ™‚ Can’t wait for everyone to see them!

        Reply
        • Cassie says

          July 15, 2015 at 4:28 pm

          you are so welcome! send me a picture! šŸ™‚

          Reply
          • Jennifer says

            July 16, 2015 at 10:48 am

            I found a gmail address in your blog, but it doesn’t work šŸ™ what’s the best way to get it over?

Trackbacks

  1. My 2014 Blogger Stylin Christmas Home Tour - Primitive and Proper says:
    December 9, 2014 at 12:50 pm

    […] do like to at least make it look presentable though! Ā I added a vintage navajo runner I used on last year’s Christmas dining table, and some numbered jars to mark the date! Ā And you can see that stack of firewood I was talking […]

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  2. How to Delight your Equestrian Friends with a Perfect Christmas Table - Equestrian Vogue says:
    December 22, 2014 at 8:28 pm

    […] These gorgeous gold horse place name holders are simply but glamorous – plus, you can make them yourself by following these instructions. […]

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  3. Blogger Stylin' Home Tour: A Rustic, Natural, and Glimmering Christmas - Cassie Bustamante says:
    October 10, 2016 at 10:48 am

    […] Immediately to the right of the entry hall is our dining room. Ā I showed it to you last week all decked out for Christmas dinner. […]

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  4. Simple Natural Holiday Tablescape - Cassie Bustamante says:
    November 17, 2016 at 5:00 am

    […] recently invited to be part of a round up of inexpensive holiday table ideas with HGTV, sharing my DIY gold horse place card holders. Ā Unfortunately, IĀ didn’t have those photos on hand anymore in a large enough size, so […]

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Hi, I’m Cassie!

I believe that you don't have to spend a lot of money to live a beautiful life and be your best self.Ā  Here you will find budget friendly ideas to live happily, healthily, sustainably, and most importantly authentically.Ā  We all get one chance at this life,Ā and this ordinary girl plans to make hers extraordinary. How about you? Read more...
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Hi! I'm Cassie.

Mother, wife, shop owner, blogger, writer, incurable diy-er, furniture painter, coffee and wine drinker, friend. Seeking happiness and passing it on. Read More…

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