Ode to 2116 tablescape

Okay, friends.. what is 2116?

It's not a bird.

It's not a plane.

It is however, my most favorite thread color ever. Yes, ever!

A rayon thread that has captured my heart for over two decades.

source

If I were to show you all the garments/quilts/home-dec items that I have made using this decorative thread, it would not only amaze you, but me also!

The screen capture isn't too true to color, as it is listed as vari-taupes and that is what this table is all about.

Last summer a surprise package arrived. Inside were these fabulous plates that we have used numerous times, well they are my favorite color AND they look like my next favorite----LACE!!

Thank you so much Dawna from Stitches from the Tub!

She's in the midst of moving her most fabulous quilt shop (Bolts in the Bathtub) in California to a new location, but do drop in on her blog! Or if you are in Lancaster, her fabulous Bernina and fabric store.

Many of the colors on this table perfectly blend with the Sulky thread.

Still loving our new table from last year. Even with the weatherproofing, it has taken on an aged patina.

Two quick tutorials coming up.. one the napkin ring and the other, what I did to the lace doily to make it blend with the plates. It was way, way too white!

You can find these types of doilies in lots of places, grocery stores, craft stores and yes, even the Dollar Tree.

I used a makeup sponge and some Ranger Distress Ink in Antique Linen color and smudged the edges of the doily. It's also a nice touch to stamp a monogram in the center!

Now to the napkin rings. I used some burlap ribbon, hemp twine, buttons and glue dots.

These silver napkin rings have really been workhorses in my arsenal. This time, I wrapped the burlap ribbon around the napkin ring. I overlapped the ends just a bit. Notice that is fits into the opening between the two outer ribs of the napkin ring. Then I tied the hemp twine through the button holes. Used a small glue dot on the back of the button and placed the button over the ribbon where it overlaps. Be sure to catch the ribbon on both sides of the overlap. And no adhesive gets stuck to the napkin ring at all!

Although the brick work continues on the patio, enough was completed to enjoy a spring evening outside.

The green Dollar Tree goblets came out to play with the Mikasa French Countryside wine goblets.

Gotta love caladiums. I can see this same table using Coleus or mums in the fall!

The small cloche filled with reindeer grass, some acorns and a birdhouse makes an interesting centerpiece.

Even the candles are in a hurricane whose color comes straight way from the spool of thread!

I laid a white quilt on the bench to soften the perch and lighten the area a bit.

I think I'll be looking for one a bit more cream colored!

Again, Thank you Dawna for the great plates. They really speak to my heart!!

And to Sulky for creating my favorite thread color!

Cast:

Chargers - World Market

Plates - Target via Dawna at Stiches from the Tub

Flatware - WMRogers Beloved

Wine goblets - Mikasa French Countryside

Green goblets - Libbey via Dollar Tree

Napkins - World Market

Napkin Rings - Antiques? or very old anyway

Hurricanes - TJMaxx last year

Cloche - One Kings Lane

I'll be joining Cuisine Kathleen for her weekly Let's Dish party.

And then I'll head over to Susan's Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday.

See you there!!

A Tablescape in Remembrance - Memorial Day 2013

Welcome to a tribute to the fallen.

Memorial Day is to remember those who have fallen while in the service of our country.

However, when tragedy strikes close to home, the lines blur.

At first I was not going to do a table, it seemed so trivial in light of the devastation wrought in Northern Texas and Oklahoma.

 

But then I recanted.

Last week tornadoes ripped through Granbury and then Cleburne in the Dallas area.

Lives were lost.

I prayed for them.

 

Last Sunday, a tornado ripped through Shawnee, OK.

I remembered all the wonderful people I met when I taught at Sue's Sewing Shoppe.

I prayed for them.

 

Then came Monday.

And Moore, Oklahoma was struck with an EF-5 tornado.

Winds of between 200-210 miles an hour.

At least a mile wide.

Almost the same path that the 1999 tornado took.

And I prayed for them.

 

One by one friends and family checked in.

First my dear friends in Edmond.

Then a post from our beloved Cherry Kay.

Our Bernina dealer.

My friend Debbie.

I praised God.

 

While praising God and weeping for those whose loved ones were lost,

I remembered that God is with us always, in good and bad. He rejoices with us when we are full of joy. He cries for us when we hurt.

 

1 Peter 5:6-10

⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. ⁷ Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

⁸ Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

¹⁰ And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

 

So I carry on. With a deep hurt in my heart for all those in Texas and Oklahoma.

And I ask for prayers, our tornado season is just starting.

 

I remember those fallen for my freedoms.

I praise them for their bravery and conviction.

We owe them a debt we cannot repay.

 

So I set this table for us to enjoy this weekend.

Amidst our bbq and gatherings,

I promise to remember.

And to be thankful.

 

Thank you Cherry Kay for this gorgeous tablecloth. I couldn't wait to use it.

I hope this is a fitting debut.

Cast:

Tablecloth - Cherry Kay from Entertaining Women

Dinner Plate - Queens Calico

Salad/soup Bowl - Villeroy and Boch Burgenland

Bread Plate - Arzberg Blaue Blueten

Flatware - Cambridge

Red Water Goblet - Stein Mart

Blue Wine Goblet - Libbey, Dollar Tree

Red Napkins - unknown

Napkin Rings - Dollar Tree door hangers

Centerpiece - Grape Milk Glass

 

I'm linking to Cuisine Kathleen's Let's Dish on Wednesday evening.

On Thursday, you can find me at Susan's Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch.

I hope you will drop in.

And here's to hopping the brick is re-laid on the patio by Sunday! ;-)

 

Mother's Day in Blue and White tablescape

One of Mom's set of dishes came home a few weeks ago. It was bittersweet.

Getting them where Mom wanted them took some doing.

Dad finally relinquished.

 

To celebrate, the sun came out to play and dance a jig across the table.

I paired the Hutschenreuter salad plates with some new Coalport Athlone blue dinner and bread plates.

 

I had Replacements looking for a pattern name for the Hutschenreuter pattern. To no avail. First time I've stumped them. So now, I keep looking for more information. I do have a setting for 12, but one salad plate is cracked and I would love to find the matching bread plates.

I embroidered the napkins Sunday morning. For those who have an embroidery machine, do check out Sonia Showalter designs. They stitch out beautifully. I've never had a misstep in any one design!

 

I know Mom was smiling down on the table.

I do think I'll be using this china quite a bit.

I am collecting "accessories".

 

I used one of the 3 tureens for a centerpiece bowl. Mr. CJ went to the wholesale florist on Saturday morning to pick up Peonies and Iris. Thank you Denny!

 

I love how they came together.

Blue flowers are a bit hard to find!

 

I pulled out the Libbey Rock Sharpe wines and paired them with some blue waters.

 

 I started collecting the Waterford/Ajka Clarendon wine hocks to go with this set.

They are just photoshopped into this photo.

Since seeing is believing, it's a great way to convince Mr. CJ that yet one more set of crystal is absolutely necessary. He he.

 

With so much gold on the table, the silver candelabras, didn't work. They screamed out "I am wrong. I am wrong." So I chose crystal candleholders, one set has a gold band.

 

 

These cute horns are individual flower holders for each place setting.

They are Rosenthal. Also stumped Replacements with these.

Mom only had 5 left. So I added the sweet Lenox swan.

If anyone sees any of these, would you let me know?

Please and thank you!!

 

 

That is mom's tablecloth from her dowry, too. It's a really beautiful damask and has 12 matching napkins. I used different napkins because I really wanted a blue monogram on the plates.

Mom's tablecloth and napkins are all embroidered, by hand no less, with her initials.

Every stich was exactingly place by my grandmother's loving hands.

 

Paired with gold flatware, the plates are perfectly accessorized.

 

 

Not my most stellar effort, but it was time for a Black Forest Cherry Cake.

I promise to share that recipe soon.

 

Cast:

German Damask tablecloth

Napkins - My Place to Yours

Dinner and bread plates - Coalport Athlone

Salad plates - Hutschenreuter Unknown

Gold flatware - International Silver

Crystal knife rests - Mr. CJ's grandmother

Flower vases - Rosenthal

Crystal wine - Libbey Rock Sharpe

Blue water - unknown

 

A Mother's Love

There are times when only a mother's love
Can understand our tears,
Can soothe our disappoints
And calm all of our fears.

There are times when only a mother's love
Can share the joy we feel
When something we've dreamed about
Quite suddenly is real.

There are times when only a mother's faith
Can help us on life's way
And inspire in us the confidence
We need from day to day.

For a mother's heart and a mother's faith
And a mother's steadfast love
Were fashioned by the angels
And sent from God above.

--Author Unknown

 

I miss you Mom.

 

I'll be sharing this tablescape at both Cuisine Kathleen's Let's Dish on Wednesday evening

and also at Susan's Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch.

I hope to see you there!