Crowing Rooster Tablescape and a winner announced!

Last week, I did blue and white. This week, black and white. Wonder if this will be a trend? I'll run out of dishes before long if it is!! Anyway, I hadn't brought out these French-feeling dishes in a while. 

The last time I used them, I paired them with red. Same placemats, different glassware and flatware.

See this post HERE.

I promise little talk and lots of pictures. And I'll announce the winner of the two flower bricks. I wish I could have given everyone a flower brick, maybe next time? 

I set this up for Sunday brunch. Fixed a Eggs Benedict Casserole for breakfast. Served with fresh fruit, coffee and orange juice. Something good for after early church services.

 

Brought out the good Dollar Tree crystal - yet again. The plates are heavy and so a heavier weight glass fits the bill perfectly and rounds out the setting.

The simple green ivy plant makes a perfect centerpiece. Not overdone and since green is really a neutral, doesn't fight with the colors on the table.

Cast:

Placemats - can't remember

Dishes - store Hulla B'lu Lubbock, but no mark on dishes

Flatware - Horchow

Napkins - can't remember

Napkin rings - Stein Mart

Salt and Peppers - Fitz and Floyd and unknown

Glassware - Dollar Tree

Ivy plant - Lowe's

White pitcher - One Kings Lane

And the winner is:

I used Random.org to pick a winner. I placed all comments into a designated email folder, I had a few who sent me emails because they get the post via email, and wanted to be in the drawing. Luckily the time stamp kept all messages in order, ones from the blog post intertwined correctly with the ones via email. Woohoo when technology works.

Oh yeah, you really want to know who won...

Who was #24?

Sarah has left a new comment on your post "Snow, Regan and a Flower Brick Giveaway":

Marlis, I'm back to say I'm one of your longtime faithful followers. '-)

Posted by Sarah to Creative Journeys at February 27, 2013 at 9:04 PM 

 

Congratulations Sarah, from Hyacinths for the Soul!!!

The flower bricks have been ordered and I'll let you know when to expect them. 

 

Thanks to all who played, who come by so faithfully every post, every week. You make my day. I am so blessed to count each and every one of you as a blessing. Thank you so much.

 

Partying at Cuisine Kathleen's Let's Dish and over at Susan's Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch. I hope to see you there. So many talented ladies set tables to inspire you!!

 

Hello March!!! Giveaway reminder...

Can you believe that March has arrived? I hate how fast time slips by the older one gets.
It seems like just yesterday it was January 1st.

March - spring arrives on the 21st!
“Is the spring coming?" he said. "What is it like?"...
"It is the sun shining on the rain and the rain falling on the sunshine...”
― Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden 

And the Wisteria arrives in spring.
"Wisteria is my favorite flowering vine.Do you know why?'
I shook my head. 'No, ma'am.'
'Because it is strong  -  just like me."
― Beth Hoffman, Saving CeeCee Honeycutt

Easter is at the end of the month.

Romans 1:4-5
And Jesus Christ our Lord was shown to be the Son of God when God powerfully raised him from the dead by means of the Holy Spirit. Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name. (NLT) 

  And before you know it, the flower brick giveaway will end.
March 5th.
Please click HERE to be entered in the drawing.

Inspired by Blue Tablescape and giveaway

Inspired by all the blue from last week's post - HERE - I decided to jump, head first, into the blue pool!

source

This was my inspiration. Hmm, don't have white chairs. Hmm.. blue flowers? Oh my. But I love the ethereal quality of this table.

I brought out my white chair covers. They started out as heirloom tea towels onto which I embroidered monograms using cotton thread. White. Tone on tone.

It certainly helped to disguise the brown chairs sufficiently to give the feeling. I hope. I got all the towels at MarthaPullen.com. They were embroidered with 60wt. cotton thread on a Bernina artista.
Originally created for Designs in Embroidery Magazine, the instructions can be downloaded HERE, or HERE.

And then came the first dilemma. Blue flatware or silver. I chose the silver. It's lighter in feel, sort of like the inspiration photo.

And then I pulled out my grandmother's dishes. They are Form 1382 Blaublüten, Arzberg (Blue Flowers). More info about Arzberg china HERE. This pattern came out in 1931.

See those napkins? Only purchase for this table.. well, other than the flowers. I tried some blue ones, too dark, white ones, very light.. So I headed out into consumer mecca and stopped at SteinMart. And there were 12 blue and white napkins in the perfect shade. I didn't have to second guess, I knew it. And when I got them home, they were.

See how all the blue colors are the same? It was meant to be. The large goblet is from the Dollah Tree. I've had these since forever, it seems and haven't used them. I had to wash them and remove the tags!

I even had those flower bricks... the square containers with the flowers. I have a giveaway going on another post.. click HERE to be whisked away to leave a comment. Leave one comment if you want to be in the drawing and another if you are a follower. Last day to enter is March 5th!

I pulled out a fabulous white tablecloth that I use quite frequently. Just be sure to toss it in the washer with some Oxy-Clean after dinner, to keep it nice and white. For lack of blue chargers, and I looked, I used the silver trays I've collected to serve as charger plates. Keeps the table light and bright.

Between the two flower bricks, I placed a silver spooner that belonged to Mr. CJ's grandmother. I tried other things, but nothing really worked. I think I'll collect some blue and white porcelain balls to place in a silver bowl. Any thoughts?

So what do you think? did I come close? I am still pining for my mother's blue and white dishes. Blue Onion I know that. And there is another set of my grandmother's, also blue.. They should come home to rest!

Cast:

Tablecloth - Portugal

Chargers - Silver trays from estate sales

White plates - Wedgwood Windsor

Luncheon Plates - Arzberg, Form 1382 Blaublüten

Flatware - Old Company Plate Signature

Napkins - Stein Mart

Napkin Rings - Silver

Water goblet - Dollar Tree

Wine hock - can't remember

Flower Bricks - Williamsburg Marketplace/estate sale

Be sure to sign up for the giveaway HERE.

I'll be partying at Cuisine Kathleen's Let's Dish

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

See ya there!!!

Snow, Regan and a Flower Brick Giveaway

 

 Good morning world! Well actually, the morning wasn't this pretty. The blizzard conditions had the backyard swirling with blowing snow, it was dark, overcast and so very cold. But in the afternoon, the sun glimpsed through enough to snag a pretty shot!

Do you know what a flower brick is? I had seen them, but then I found them at an estate sale. What a great get. Three Christmas ones and two of these blue and white ones. 

Source

This is what a Flower Brick looks like. It's a two part container, bottom and lid. The holes in the lid are to insert flowers so that you can easily create a pretty cool flower arrangement. 

 Like this one.

When I lift the lid, you can see the stems poking through and into the water bath.. so easy to change water or snip the stems to make the arrangement last longer.

Leave a comment to win two of these charming Flower Bricks! I will place the order with Williamsburg Marketplace and have them shipped directly to your home.

Enter before March 5th. I will announce the winner the next day. 

For a second chance, be a follower. Leave a comment that you are.

 Good luck to all!
Sorry, but shipping only to continental USA.
Linking to Susan's at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday!!