September Splendor

This tablescape was created for a Tour of Tables event in 2000 by my friend Sandy and me.

We found beautiful fabric featuring greens, burgundys and browns and had a seamstress make a lined table cloth with it.  (There was enough fabric left to make two table runners, also.)

We used Shannon china by Montgomery Ward, along with pieces of two different leaf-themed china patterns I found at local antique shops.

The place cards were stamped with burgundy and gold leaf stencils.

Table favors were burgundy leaf-shaped floating candles.

The centerpiece consisted of plants found in a nearby ditch.

Here's a closer look at some of the elements of this tablescape.

Bee Mantel-scape

As you may recall,  my husband is a beekeeper.  The bees were the inspiration for my latest mantel-scape.

A friend of my husband's had this plaque made for our bee business.

My daughter, Laura, found this cute honeypot at a local gift store.

These cute bee plates are by Fiesta.

Found this cute bee birdhouse at www.ltdcommodities.com.

Here's the first version of the mantel-scape.  (What I wouldn't give for some bee's wax candles right now!!)

Here's a more symmetrical arrangement.

Which one do you like best?

Mantel-scapes

When we built our house in 1999, I decided to have the carpenters build a niche behind the fireplace mantel.  The following photos are some mantel-scapes (I just invented that word) I've created through the years.

This mantel-scape is a tribute to my hometown - Ceylon, Minnesota (population 367).  The print was done by a local artist and features my old high school (now demolished) in an autumn setting.  I matched the pillar candles to the matting around the print.  The plaque in the middle of the arrangement commemorates the closing of the school.  Flanking the plaque are tins of Ceylon tea.  According to local folklore, when town fathers were deciding on a name for the little burg, they were sitting among supplies in the general store and saw boxes of tea from Ceylon (now called Sri Lanka).  Completing the arrangement are a Ceylon Co-op coffee cup and a replica of the Ceylon elevator which doubles as a toothpick holder. I added a garland of fall leaves to tie the elements together.

This is a nautical scene featuring seashells my mom brought back from the Gulf of Mexico where she and my dad wintered each year.

This one features my favorite bird, the Cardinal.  The print was given to me by my daughter Laura. It fits perfectly into the niche!

This is a simple winter mantel-scape.  The basket contains "snow"-covered pinecones.  A Willow Tree angel watches over the livingroom.

 This isn't a good photo (must have had a finger in front of the camera), but it's the only one I have of this March/St. Patrick's Day vignette.  I pulled out all my green dishes and accented them with craft foam shamrocks and green candles.

Here's a closer look at the Ceylon memorabilia.

Cinco de Mayo

This is a Cinco de Mayo table I created for a local Tour of Tables fundraiser several years ago.  There's lots going on here.  These are some of the highlights:

Jarritos sodas, sold at our local Mexican restaurant and grocery stores;
Mini-maracas, chili pepper swizzle sticks, cactus margarita glasses,  and "Ole" napkins purchased from www.orientaltrading.com;
Mexican print fabric purchased from JoAnn Fabrics, cut into squares, and placed over chair backs in triangle shapes to look like little ponchos/serapes;
Two Mexican blankets purchased on ebay were crisscrossed and placed on the table in lieu of tablecloths;
Large sombrero bowl in center of the table holds multi-colored tortilla chips;
Colorful Jelly Belly jelly beans were placed in a periwinkle Fiesta gusto bowl;
Many Fiesta dinnerware pieces were used in the place settings and as accessory pieces; and
Gerbera daisies are the perfect floral accent for this colorful table.

OLE!

Valentine's Day

 This is a special Valentine table that I set for my sweethearts.

Fiesta flamingo dinner plates were accented by Anchor Hocking Old Colony dessert plates and small pink peony plates.  The red glass bowls came from Herberger's.

The heart-shaped glass bowls by Libby were purchased at my local dollar store.

The menu for the meal included home-made chili, fresh baked  cheddar bacon beer bread, black cherry jello with black cherries, and tapioca for dessert.

 My scarlet Fiesta tidbit tray is garnished with tealights in red holders and a red berry garland.

 Scarlet Fiesta mini pitcher

Red heart-shaped scatters came from my local dollar store.

Viva, Las Vegas!

 A recent trip to Sin City inspired this casino tablescape.

 I got these cute dice-shaped boxes and the playing card napkins at www.orientaltrading.com.

Swizzle sticks seemed like the perfect accessory for the scarlet Fiesta mini-pitcher.

The personalized dice were purchased at the MGM Hotel gift shop.

The "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" magnet was purchased on our trip.  I placed it on a scarlet Fiesta luncheon plate and Anchor Hocking Old Colony milk glass dessert plate.

Playing cards were used as place cards.

 

Each place setting has its own shot glass.

Our good friends, Sandy and Chuck, who enjoyed our time in Las Vegas with us.