Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Welcome to the 68th Tablescape Thursday!

(If pics appear to be cut off on the right side, please adjust your computer's resolution to the highest setting.)



WOW! Have I told you guys lately how much I appreciate you?! I asked for your help yesterday and you responded...you are positively AWESOME! THANK-YOU, to EVERYONE who stopped by HomeGoods Facebook page and voted for the 4th of July tablescape I entered in their Happy Host Contest!

I am soooo appreciative of all the sweet comments you've left there and so very appreciative of the time you took to stop by and vote. I found myself getting misty eyed today realizing how fortunate I am to have met so many, many wonderful, dear souls via blogging and RMS.

If you didn't get a chance to vote yesterday and you would still like to do so, just click on the 4th of July mosaic posted over at the top of my sidebar. That will take you directly to the page where you just click on "LIKE" beneath the picture, to cast your vote for my 4th of July tablescape. I think you may need to become a "Fan" of Homegoods to cast your vote, but I'm not positive about that. If you do, HERE is the link for Homegoods Facebook page where you can "fan" them. Thank-you again for your support...you guys are the best!

A Tablescaping Story

Once upon a time, long, long ago, a young, happy couple graduated from college...HE from lawschool, SHE from undergraduate. A few days later, they celebrated their 1 year wedding anniversary and as summer came to a close, the starry-eyed coupled loaded up a U-haul, and along with their sweet, furry kitty in tow, headed off to far-away land...alllll alone. HE was going into the the Army Reserves, but before he could do so, HE had to complete Officer Basic Training at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Aberdeen, Maryland.

Upon arriving, with little time to look for an apartment before classes began, HE and SHE rented the only place they could find in the city of Havre de Grace, Maryland. The apartment was only a block away from the scenic Chesapeake Bay on a street with a name that reminded them of New Orleans...Bourbon Street.

It was a tiny, one-room space, with a very tiny bathroom, in the attic of an old, old home...a home that turned out to be owned by a mean, wicked old witch. The witch charged the young, naive couple a huge ransom to rent the un-airconditioned, attic room, containing one very small window. Fortunately, for the couple and their sweet kitty, it was September and the hot weather would soon be gone.


The tiny little room had just enough space for a small bed and a little chest-of-drawers tucked under one eve...


And a make-do kitchen consisting of a hotplate, toaster oven and small refrigerator under the other eve.


Each time the young couple returned home and opened the door to the long, narrow stairway leading to their tiny attic room, they were greeted by their sweet, furry kitty.


Each day, HE went off to learn to be a warrior for his country and SHE stayed home in the tiny, attic apartment, dreaming of when he would return. One day SHE thought she really should find something to do to pass the 4 months before they could return back home. She taught herself to macrame and crochet. She signed up to take a class in "Dip-and-Drape." Dip and Drape turned out to be a very, very messy class because it involved "dipping" fabric into a soupy, starchy, mixture...and "drapping" it, where it would then dry into a shape.

For Halloween, SHE made a dip and drape witch. (visible in first pic) Then for Christmas, SHE made Christmas Carolers. While SHE took classes some evenings, HE took a calligraphy class and a class learning to make stained glass. HE wrote beautiful calligraphy on HER caroler's hymn books, and HE made lovely stained glass birds to give as Christmas gifts to friends and family when the young couple would return home.

Finally, the day came when the couple could return home. They packed up their U-Haul, said good-bye to their tiny attic apartment and to the mean, wicked witch who kept their whole deposit, a small fortune to the young couple just starting out. The young couple learned about more than just macrame, dip & drape and stained glass. They learned that there are those who will take advantage of naive, young couples...even at Christmas. But they also learned that they could survive far away from friends and family, and that even mean, wicked old witches could not dampen their Christmas spirit.

Now 30 years later, the carolers find their place in a simple tablescape...


They carry many memories...


Are you surrounded by memories this Christmas...


As you bring out the special treasures from years past?

Tonight, I am thankful for you!


Each time you visit here...


You create wonderful memories....


Memories I will carry...


In my heart...


For many years to come.


I truly hope this Christmas....


Finds your heart filled with many, many happy memories.


And I pray you are surrounded...


By friends and family who love you.


This is the season of love...


And hope...


And Joy!


Merry Christmas, Dear Friends!

Looking forward to seeing your beautiful tablescapes!

Dinner Plate: Lenox, Butler's Pantry, Gourmet
Salad Plate: Marshalls
Flatware: Big Lots
Napkins: Pier 1
Napkin Rings: Ross
Glassware: Marshalls (I think) not sure of maker
Santa & Mrs. Santa, Salt & Pepper: Publix Grocery Store
Snowflake luminaries: Colonial Candle, Click
HERE


If you are participating in Tablescape Thursday, please be sure to add your permalink below, and not your general blog address. If you aren't sure how to obtain your permalink or have any questions about using Mr. Linky for this post, just click HERE for detailed instructions.

Please copy and paste the Tablescape Thursday logo button to your computer. Then you can upload it to your side bar and use it in your tablescape post so your visitors will know you are participating.

Please link back to the host blog, Between Naps on the Porch. This is important because it helps those who are visiting your blog, find the other wonderful tablescapes posted for this Tablescape Thursday.

Please do not add your link below, until your tablescape post is actually published to your blog.

The following blogs have beautiful tablescapes awaiting your visit:

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

I Need Your "Like" Vote! :-)


Whoo, Hoo! I just found out HomeGoods, a tablescaper's paradise, is having a Happy Host Contest via Facebook. You just upload a pic showing a tablescape you've created, and folks can stop by their Facebook page and vote for your tablescape by clicking "Like" underneath the photo of the tablescape. I think you may need to be signed in to Facebook and you'll need to become a "Fan" of HomeGoods to vote. Who wouldn't want to be a Fan of HomeGoods?! :-)

I've entered a Fourth of July tablescape, I put together out on the porch last summer...and I would love you to pieces if you would click HERE and vote for my tablescape. :-) Okay, I love you guys to pieces anyway, but you sure would make this girl a happy tablescaper if you cast your "LIKE" vote for this 4th of July tablesetting! :-)

I know it's kind of strange way to vote, but that's the system they have set up...you just click on "Like" under the photo and your vote is cast. If you have any trouble, just go to to the HomeGoods Facebook Wall (Click HERE) and scroll down a bit until you see my 4th of July tablescape and click on "Like" from there. Oh, there's another 4th of July tablescape posted, now...so look for one that looks like the mosiac below. :-) Last day to vote is this Friday, December 11th. I've never entered a tablescaping contest, so this is exciting! :-)



Now,
before I pass out from all this excitement...just wanted to remind you about all the fabulous "Before and Afters" posted yesterday for Met Monday AND about our Give-a-Way! So, after you are all done voting, stop back by and scroll down for lots more Met Monday fun! Don't forget to leave a comment on Monday's post to be entered into the Give-a-Way for a beautiful linen keeper!

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Welcome to the 47th Metamorphosis Monday and a Give-a-Way!

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This has been such a fun and busy weekend! Yesterday, I joined three friends for an historic home tour and today I worked as a docent in one of the homes on the tour. Do you go on any Christmas home tours in your area? I saw a lot of pretty tablescapes and decorations while on the tour. In some homes, I was allowed to take pics...I'm looking forward to sharing those with you sometime soon!

Today, I have a beautiful and practical "Before and After" to share with you for this Metamorphosis Monday. Quite a long time ago, I created a tablescape for Tablescape Thursday using beautiful place mats and glassware jackets crocheted by my Mom back in 1956.


As you might imagine, this set holds tremendous sentimental value for me, but I've never been quite sure how I should store it for safekeeping.


I've been keeping them, along with several other pieces my Mom crocheted, in plastic bags that matelasse' coverlets came in. Apparently, that is a very bad idea and can lead to yellowing since linens/fabrics need to breathe.


Recently I discovered there is a much safer, practical and beautiful way to store my much loved and oft used linens. Anne, Proprietor of Queen Anne's Place, sent me the loveliest gift recently, a beautiful Treasure & Linen Keeper Portfolio. Have you ever seen a linen keeper?


I had never heard of a linen keeper before...what a wonderful idea! Anne told me she created the linen keeper "after seeing a similar heirloom keepsake from the 50's that belonged to one of my friend's Mother years ago."

So, what is a Treasure & Linen Keeper® Portfolio? It's a 14" x 20" portfolio with a 2.5 inch expandable flexible spine which allows for storage of multiple items. They are acid free and are perfect for storing place mats, napkins, table runners, and tablecloths, helping to greatly reduce winkling or yellowing. How wonderful to pull out a tablecloth and find it in the same, neatly pressed condition, as when you stored it away! :-) They are also excellent for keeping important documents, art work, and over-sized photos safe and free from creases or damage.

Anne even personalizes each Linen Keeper...perfect for gift giving at Christmastime or for birthdays, baby or wedding showers.


My linen keeper arrived with a card detailing the many ways it can be used. (Click to enlarge pic)


Good-bye, plastic bags...


Hello, gorgeous linen keeper!


Anne has generously offered to give one of these beautiful linen keepers to a BNOTP follower! :-) How do you enter the Give-a-Way drawing? To be entered, just leave a comment here on this post...how simple is that!

For a second opportunity to win, visit Queen Anne's Place (by clicking HERE) and select the style fabric you would like for your linen keeper...there are over 20 beautiful fabric choices available! Then, stop back by BNOTP and leave a second comment with your fabric choice.

I'll announce the winner on December 14th, our next Met Monday. :-) Anne, thank-you so much for such a lovely Give-a-Way...the timing is just perfect with Christmas only a few weeks away. :-)

Today is also Mosiac Monday with Mary whose beautiful blog is Little Red House. Be sure to visit Mary to see lots of beautiful mosiacs!

Looking forward to seeing all your "Before and Afters."

If you are participating in Metamorphosis Monday, please be sure to add your permalink below, and not your general blog address. If you aren't sure how to obtain your permalink or have any questions about using Mr. Linky for this post, just click HERE for detailed instructions.

Don't forget to copy and paste the Met Monday logo button to your computer so you can add it to your side bar and your Met Monday post. That way visitors will know that your are participating in Metamorphosis Monday.

Please be sure to link back to the host blog, Between Naps on the Porch, so your fellow bloggers who are participating today, will get lots of visits, as well.

Please do not add your link below until your Met Monday post is actually published to your blog.

Fabulous "Before and Afters" await your visit:

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Welcome to the 67th Tablescape Thursday and Home for the Holidays!

(If pics appear to be cut off on the right side, please adjust your computer's resolution to the highest setting.)

Yipee! It's time for Home for the Holidays. Rhoda, at Southern Hospitality is our gracious hostess for this Holiday Party. :-) Click HERE to see lots more Holiday decorating fun!






I've had this table setting in my head for years...and, I must say, this had to be about the most fun I've ever had creating a tablescape. :-) Warning: It is photo intensive...I've narrowed it down as far as my heart would allow. Click on any pic to enlarge. Enjoy!










Old Chelsea Mansion...Residence of Clement C. Moore, author of "A Visit from St. Nicholas," better known as 'Twas the Night Before Christmas...




































Roasting marshmallows...

















Pizza Delivery...



Feeding the birds...















Dashing through the snow...








I believe!











Just married...























The view from Santa's sleigh...








China: Lenox, Holiday
Crystal Stemware: All are by Waterford: Tea-Araglin; Wine-Crimson Hock; Champagne-Twelve Days of Christmas Collection
Sterling Flatware: Towle, King Richard
Napkins: Martha Stewart, recently from Macys
Houses: Dept. 56, Snow Village Collection, had for over 15 years

Additional Information:
So many folks have asked about the Dept. 56 lit houses...how they are lit and where I have hidden the wires. All the Dept. 56 houses come pre-wired and have a bulb that fits into the back. I've run the cords down the center of the table behind the houses. When I put the center leaf in the table, I left a crack just large enough to fit all the cords single file through the crack. Under the table, they are all plugged into each other...they are designed to plug into one another in kind of a piggyback style. Then I've plugged them into an extension cord and I've run that one cord across the floor to an outlet under the sideboard. So, that's the only electrical cord that's visible. Ok, I feel a little like a magician who just revealed how the magic trick is done. LOL :-)

Click on the button below to see more Dept. 56 houses. All the ones on my table were purchased over fifteen years ago, so I'm not sure if they are still available. They have some new ones in their American Architecture Series, which is probably my favorite of all!

Free Shipping on all orders over $150

I was thinking last night as I put this post together, it's a shame they don't make some of the homes we know and love from movies. Look what I found today! Click Here. It's the house from A Christmas Story! :-) My son used to watch that movie every single year! I just may have to buy this one...it's only $45.

Some of you asked about the music that's playing during this post...it's Somewhere in My Memory by John Williams. It was the theme song for Home Alone. You may create your own playlist by clicking the link on the playlist at the bottom of this page.

Merry Christmas from my home to yours! Looking forward to seeing your beautiful tablescapes!


If you are participating in Tablescape Thursday, please be sure to add your permalink below, and not your general blog address. If you aren't sure how to obtain your permalink or have any questions about using Mr. Linky for this post, just click HERE for detailed instructions.

Please copy and paste the Tablescape Thursday logo button to your computer. Then you can upload it to your side bar and use it in your tablescape post so your visitors will know you are participating.

Please link back to the host blog, Between Naps on the Porch. This is important because it helps those who are visiting your blog, find the other wonderful tablescapes posted for this Tablescape Thursday.

Please do not add your link below, until your tablescape post is actually published to your blog.

The following blogs have beautiful tablescapes awaiting your visit: