A LOVE-ly Idea!

Here's an idea I saw in Better Homes and Gardens magazine (Feb. 2013 issue):

"Use a heart-shape craft punch on a cocktail napkin.  Then slip a contrasting colored napkin inside the fold or layer the two colors."

JoAnn Fabric sells a heart-shaped punch for $11.99.

Christmas Eve 2012

Here's another Christmas table setting.  Our school had a snow day so I took the opportunity to do a practice table setting for Christmas Eve.

My Lenox tablecloth was too short to use on the table so I layered a dark green poinsettia-patterned tablecloth under it.  I turned the smaller tablecloth sideways so that it lays across the middle of the table.

 Fiesta plates and bowls in juniper and cinnabar complement the tablecloth colors

Lenox cardinal napkin rings

Cape Cod by Avon accent/serving pieces mix nicely with the cinnabar and juniper Fiestaware pieces.

Pretty cardinal

This cute little chickadee adorns the hem of the tablecloth.

Another tablecloth close up showing the cardinal design

Avon Cape Cod cruet

Love the evergreen tree candle!  I don't want to burn it, but suppose I shouldn't keep saving it.

Here's the real thing - our Christmas Eve 2012 tablescape.

There were 9 diners so I added place settings, and I removed a few of the accessories on the table to make room for the food.

The napkins are accordion folded before putting them into the napkin rings.  Then they are fanned out.

I think they look like flowers (or bird wings).

First Snow

I created this tablescape in honor of the first snowstorm of the season (Caesar).  The storm was a near miss in my town, but we still got to enjoy the sub-zero windchills which followed the storm front.

I've had this snowflake tablecloth for years.  I use periwinkle and cobalt blue Fiesta dinnerware with the tablecloth. 

White milk glass dessert plates accent periwinkle blue dinner plates, cobalt berry bowls and periwinkle bouillon cups

Bird's eye view

Ritz makes snowflake-shaped crackers during the holiday season.

Snowmen stand guard atop a cake plate.

White snowflake plates from Blessings, Unlimited, are a new addition to my plate collection.

"True Gift"

He loves winter "this much"!

Cardinal Christmas!

I love to use Cardinals to decorate for Christmas.  This bright red bird has deep meaning for Christians.

Symbol of the Cardinal
"Christened the Christmas bird for its spectacular red color, the cardinal has become a symbol of the beauty and warmth of the holiday season. A glimpse of this brilliant bird brings cheer, hope and inspiration on a gray, wintry day. As nature's reminder for us to focus on our faith, the cardinal's scarlet plumage represents the blood of Christ shed for the redemption of mankind." FromBronners Christmas Wonderland, 25 Christmas Lane, Frankenmuth, Michigan.

I utilized a Cardinal theme for this pre-holiday buffet not only on the table but all over the house.

 These Fiesta dinnerware luncheon plates feature a Cardinal decal.

Cute little Cardinal cocktail plates are camouflaged by the Cardinal tablecloth.

New Cardinal print in the family room

Cardinal print in family room

Cardinal mini-plates in family room

Plate holder over sliding door in dining area

Close up of Cardinal napkin rings on buffet table

Vertical plate rack in dining area

Cardinal mini-pitcher on kitchen window sill

Cardinal nut/candy dish

Cinnebar and juniper Fiesta dinnerware with Cardinals

Winter bird Welcome banner in foyer

Cardinal vase with silk flowers in the foyer

Cardinal Christmas tree!

 

Close up of tree with 2002 Fiesta ornament

I look for new Cardinal ornaments for my tree every year.

Coffee table in family room with Cardinal coasters in foreground

Coffee table with tree in the background

 Cardinal tablecloth

N-O-E-L tealight holders with more from my Cardinal collection.  I have received many Cardinal gifts through the years from family and friends.

Console table behind the sofa in the family room with view of dining area/kitchen

Cute little Cardinal

 Another view of the red and white Cardinal tree

Buffet table

Cardinal print in kitchen