Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Romance of the Cameo



Cameo (kăm'ē-ō')

A gem or shell carved in relief, 

especially one in which the raised design 

and background consist of layers of contrasting colors.




I belong to a small group called CAMEO.

Collecting Antiques and Memorabilia and Educating Ourselves

This pretty table was the setting 

for our meeting last February.


Our topic that day was Torquay Pottery,

but that's another post on its own right.





The centerpiece was a tower of stacked 

cake plates in graduated sizes 

that held pretty pink swirled cupcakes.





Scattered atop the vintage white linen cloth were

Alison's collection of vintage cameo pieces.





Sweetheart Roses In Shades Of Pink





Cream Cheese Topped With Jam 

and English Water Crackers




Seasonal Fresh Fruit Salad




Fresh Baked Nut Bread





Vanilla Cupcakes With Creamy Icing




Exquisite Haviland China






Alison had made each of us a beautiful cameo valentine.

She used photo copies of various vintage cameos, 

cut them out, then glued them to heart shaped pink card stock.






She filled cello bags with sugary 

treats and tied it all with a pink satin ribbon.




This is the cameo Alison selected for my valentine.





Isn't this the sweetest idea for a handmade valentine?


Joining
Cowgirl Up @ Cedar Hill Ranch
Tabletop Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life
You're Gonna Love It Tuesday @ Kathe With An E
Tuesday Treasures @ Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Warming Up With Tartan and Paisley




It's not snowing, but we are having a cold, grey January here.  
I wanted to set a cozy table to warm my spirits.

A friend traveled to Scotland this past summer, and knowing how I love all things tartan, she returned home with this wonderful wool tartan throw just for me.  For some reason it looks pink in this close up, but you can see on the table, it is actually a true red.  Just as a tartan should be! It's warm and cozy and a perfect table topper for a winter day.

The snowmen here at HFTS 
cozied up just for the occasion.


Several of my snowmen are the work 
of US artist Natalie Silitch from Annapolis.


This cute guy was a gift enclosed 
with my latest order from Timeless Charm Gifts.
Wouldn't these be cute used as place card holders?

Tartan and paisley have always been at the top of my list.
I especially like tartan dishes and 
love to mix the various tartans together.  
Just take a look at last year's 
Tartan Parade to see what I mean.
Occasionally I like to throw in some paisley too.

Snowy Smiles plates by Williraye Studio
are another little "pick me up" for winter days.
Who wouldn't begin to feel better 
just looking at their cute faces?
And did you notice, 
their black and white checked borders?
They were the stars of another winter tablescape here.

Vintage Mother of Pearl flatware 
reminds me of snowy days.

A touch of polka dots and green stems made from 
French wine bottles seem to fit right in.

Layers of Tartan, Paisley, 
and Black and White Checks

Oak Leaves and Acorns

I'm beginning to feel happier already!
What about you?


Don't pack away the snowmen 
with the Christmas decorations.  
Snowmen like to stay out to play all winter.  


I had already created my winter tablescape in this post before ironically being treated to a birthday lunch that featured this incredible winter wonderland centerpiece.  Much to my delight, this darling winter scene went home with me as a birthday gift.  I'm eager to feature this winter scene in a tablescape of my own sometime soon.


Joining



Wednesday, January 16, 2013

The Star of Winter



Pink Camellias




This time of year, camellia trees 

offer up a cheerful pink treat for cold winter days.




These lush pink petals 

are the stars of this week's table.




Pink Paired With My Favorite Courtly Check




More Fresh Flowers For The Table




Compliment the 

Pink Stars of the Evening




Crisp White Linen




Layers of Shiny Black, 

Courtly Check, and a Ruffled Woven Mat




Antique Ivory Salt and Pepper





Tasty Daube a la Provençal Made with Lamb

You'll find the recipe here at Dean & Deluca




Fresh Spinach with Citrus, Beets, Red Onions, and Olives




Tri-colored Roasted New Potatoes




Pink, Purple, and Cream




A Tower of Corn Muffins




Made For a Delicious Winter Dinner




Hope you have pink camellias 

blooming in your garden this winter.





Definitely Star Quality



Adding a fresh flower blossom at each place setting 

is a simple, inexpensive touch that makes an elegant statement.

Joining

Open House @ No Minimalist Here


Wednesday, January 9, 2013

A Little Flair



Sharing A Table Set With Flair




The Posey girls took my 

basic black and white and kicked it up a notch.




Silver Chairs 

Dressed in Black Ostrich Feathers




Plumes of Gorgeous 

White Ostrich Feathers Overhead




They started with this 

very contemporary low vase.




To which they added a tall 

cylinder filled with white orchids.




Then topped it off with plumes 

of white ostrich feathers and more white orchids.





A sheer topper, with black velvet design, 

over a simple white cloth offered a bit of drama.




~ ~ ~ ~
Plates in Classic Black

Courtly Check Chargers

Ruffled Woven Place Mats
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~



Black Linen Napkins

With a Speciality Cookie 




The Wedding Cake Cookies

Suggest A Bridal Theme




Tutorials, Tips, and Tidbits @ Stone Gable

Individually wrapped speciality cookies

at each place setting are the perfect favor.




Change the cookie shape 

and this table setting 

could be for any occasion.




A Complete Table in 

Black and White

With Just a Hint of 

Hot Pink




Definitely 

~ A Table With Flair ~




Champagne Is Cooling




Please join me with a toast 

to the talents of

(click above for link)

Joining