Mirror Tiles

This is probably not an original idea, but it's a good one.  I decided to use mirror tiles as chargers. 

My mom passed these mirror tiles along to me.  She had always used them under centerpieces, and I use them that way, also.  They're great for anchoring a centerpiece and reflecting candlelight.  

Mirror tiles are readily available at major discount and home building stores.  Wal-Mart sells a pack of six 12 x 12 inch mirror tiles for about $10.  Target sells a six-pack of mirror tiles with beveled edges for around $20.

Fall Formal

I've done several colorful fall tables this season, but decided to tone it down and class it up this time (if it's possible to do both at once).

I used three different china patterns.  The plates are my wedding china in the white-on-white Shannon pattern.  I found bits and pieces of the other two patterns at local antique shops several years ago.  I looked for patterns in a similar color scheme with a leaf motif.  I love the look of mixed china patterns.

This table was inspired by a birthday gift from my son and his wife.  They gave me three candles from Bath and Body Works in silver-colored holders which feature a cut-out pumpkin design.  

The small white vases were purchased at Wal-Mart.  I cut a branch from a bush in my backyard to put in the vases.

The flatware is Flight by Oneida.  The crystal is Longchamp by Cristal d'Arques.

Close-up of center piece.  The candles scents are "Pumpkin Caramel Latte", "Frosted Cupcake", and "Pumpkin Cupcake".  They smell divine!

Dinner by candlelight

Congrats to the Graduate!

Sam's graduation open house - May, 2011

(Just an intimate little dinner party for 100)

The primary colors of red, blue, and yellow plus green were utilized in the color scheme of the event.

Blue, red and yellow display boards featured memories from Sam's school years.

Rented tables set up in the garage were covered with plastic tablecloths in the chosen color scheme.  Rubik's cubes, a favorite past time of Sam's, (in the party's colors and decorated with mortarboards) were a lucky find from Oriental Trading.

Chairs were fitted with the running t-shirts the graduate (a crosscountry runner and trackster) had accumulated through the years.

My Blessings blocks from Blessings, Unlimited, were used to decorate the buffet counter.  Blue, red, yellow and green napkins were alternated, then fanned with a drinking glass.

 Photos of the guest of honor in Lucite frames and multi-colored confetti decorated the tables.  Note the trash cans marked for trash and for recyclables.

Guests go through the buffet line

 The graduate and mom

My colorful Fiesta dishes decorate the space above the cabinets in the dining area.

A poster for guests to sign takes the place of a guest book.

 The dessert table is shown below.  Chocolate frosted Rice Krispy bars, blonde brownies with M & Ms, carrot bars with cream cheese frosting, brownies and mock angel food cake tempted party guests.

Our family's favorite punch was served - raspberry sherbet mixed with ginger ale.

Tour of Tables

None of these are my tables.  I repeat, I didn't design any of these tablescapes.  I just attended a local Tour of Tables event and wanted to share.

The table below is entitled "The 19th Hole".  I love the golf club centerpiece.  This table was full of fun details such as golf-themed mugs filled with tees.  Of course, each diner should have a cold one after 18 holes!

 

The title of this table is "Snowmen".  Notice the beautiful cookie on the place setting and the cute snowman mugs!

This table, "Solitude Trail", has a beautiful nature theme.  The pretty dishes are "Winterwood" by Pfaltzgraff.

As much as it pains me, I have to admit that this Green Bay Packer table is pretty cute.

"Black Tie Affair" is a suit-able (don't you love puns?) title for this formal table.

These chair covers are adorable!

One more shot of this sharp red, black and white table.

This one is called "Be My Valentine".  The dishes are from antique stores.

Named after the dishes featured on the table, "Yorkshire" features an English theme.

Cape Cod dishes supplied the name and color theme for this table, "Cape Cod Cranberries".  Are those frosted cranberries at each place setting?

This table is called "Christmas Surprise" because the hostess admired the pattern each year at Christmas time, and her husband surprised her with a set serving 12 on Christmas morning, 2010.  The pattern is Winterberry by Pfaltzgraff.

Appropriately named "Reflections of the Past", this table features not only dishes and flatware from family members, but also gloves, purses, and jewelry.

Love these pretty napkins and the way they're arranged on the plate!

This M & M theme table is so much fun!  The hostess's late father began the collection so it has sentimental value, too.

A Quilter's Christmas is the title for this table which was designed by two avid quilters.  Beautiful table linens!

The hostesses collect Jim Shore Heartwood Creek figurines.

This table is entitled "Fruits of Autumn".  I liked the kitchen towels on the backs of the chairs.

The dishes were purchased from Home Interiors and Gifts.

The hostess dedicated her table named "Happy Anniversary" to the 63-year marriage her parents shared.

 This table is entitled simply "Angels".  The hostesses used unusually shaped chargers and gold accents and featured their angel collections.

This "Halloween" table is whimsical and elegant.

Wired ribbon is the base for these pretty chair decorations.

The name of this table is "Peppermint Candy Christmas".  Red is my favorite color and I love this!  (Look out - I'm feeling inspired!)

This table is entitled "Viking Likings".  The hostess honors her Viking heritage using Scandinavian artifacts.

My Little Punkin

I've had this jack-o-lantern tablecloth for many years.  I got it on clearance through the Domestications catalog.  I don't like the creepy aspects of Halloween, but I'm in favor of happy pumpkins. 

 Hard candies called "Dingbats" purchased at Northwoods Candy Emporium were scattered on each place setting.

Pumpkin cups were purchased at the local dollar store.

I added some of my favorite Halloween decorations to the table. Love these candy corn candles!

Fiesta dishes in sunflower, marigold, plum, black, tangerine and paprika were used.  Flatware is "Flight" from Oneida.

I found these little pumpkin bubble containers at the dollar store (4 for $1), also.  I wrote the diners' names on the back side, and used them in lieu of place cards.