Text and images by Amy Christie for Design Mom
I adore the Downton Abbey series, you too? For those who are unfamiliar, Downton Abbey is a British period drama set in the post-Edwardian era and tells the story of an aristocratic family and their servants. The styling is out of this world!! The ensemble of characters makes the show award-winning. However, Violet Crawley — the Dowager Countess of Grantham, portrayed by the indelible Maggie Smith, is my very favorite. She has the best lines!
With her unforgettable one liners in mind, I remembered this inspirational pin and these napkins came to be.
With the help of a letter stencil, the words of Violet Crawley will make for fun dinner conversation. And wouldn’t these make a great gift for the Downton Enthusiasts in your life?
So find your favorite quotes, Downton or otherwise, and let’s get started.
Supplies:
-napkins
-straight edge
-pencil
-white eraser (not pictured)
-letter stencil (I used this one)
-permanent marker, paint
Use the straight edge and make very light pencil lines to ensure even lettering. Then again, using a light touch with the pencil, use the stencil to spell out the words. Check and recheck spelling!
Once the everything is laid out just right, go over it all with the permanent marker.
When the lettering is finished, use the white eraser to erase the lines. And optional last step is to heat seat the letters with an iron. After that, you’re set. Dinner is served!
P.S. — We love to make things! Find more posts like this here.
Those are great. I would love to make a set. Violet Crawley is hilarious and is so well played by Maggie Smith.
Awesome! Where did you find your quotes?
I searched for Downton Abbey quotes and found an article full of just Dowager Countess ones.
Sometimes cooking can be a drag, so quotes like that can really spice things up in the kitchen. I really enjoyed reading your article and have taken note of your quotes. These will come in handy, thank you for sharing!
“so unmusical a word.” Love these!
Amy, these are so wonderful! The best idea! Can I come to your dinner party? :)
Yes, Amy! Please do!! :)
these are so beautiful and fun! i don’t watch downton abbey but these are so perfect i’ll have to get addicted to that just to make myself some napkins!
Oooh… I love this idea! We’re in need of a fresh set of napkins, too, so this is perfect. :)
We’re huge Downton Abbey fans (although we’re all at different points in the seasons which makes it tough to discuss fully!) What a fantastic idea and looks so easy!
I love the Dowager Countess quotes you picked! I picked a different quote to offer as my monthly desktop wallpaper – Desktop Designs: Desktop Wallpaper for Your Devices | Bunny and Dolly
http://www.bunnyanddolly.com/desktop-designs-desktop-wallpaper-for-your-devices-2/
Where are those awesome napkins from? Thanks!
I found them at Pier One!
Such a cool idea. I cannot ever have enough Downton!
I’m with Sadie – where did you find those napkins? They’re fantastic!
Thank you!! The napkins are from Pier one!
These are darling, and your staging is beautiful! Well done, I’ve “tweeted” it :).
Thank you!
LOVE these.
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Wow — fabulous — love these and am going to try and be a copycat! :)
I love love love these! I’m a fan, and I also adore Maggie Smith’s character and her lines are always the best ones!
I’m loving these!!! Great idea! Gotta love cousin Violet… she is the best part of the show, besides the location <3
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We ALL know where the quotes came from, but where in the world did you get those adorable napkins?!
The napkins are from Pier 1!
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Love this & it’s so easy.
Love this! I am ready to try it, just I can not get the same look of napkins. I like that vintage style!! Can you help me, where did you purchase them?
These are fantastic! On my must-do list- just love some of the dowagers quotes- I did a Downton Abbey tea on my blog- wish I had seen these first -lol
Cheers!
Adorable idea. What a hit gift these must be!
My favorite quote — “Weekend. What is a weekend?” Great idea!
can you tell me where you found the stencil? I’m having a hard time finding a script-type stencil.
There is a link to it in the supplies. I found mine through Dick Blick, there is both a standard and italic version! http://www.dickblick.com/products/helix-lettering-guide-value-pack/
What type of markers did you use… i permanent markers… but did they bleed on the napkins?? Please advise Amy!!! And i LOVE these!!!! Looking forward to your answer. Thanks!!
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Hi Amy,
Is there any chance you would be willing to sell the napkins that you made? Please do let me know. Thank you!