HYACINTHS FOR THE SOUL

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Romance of the Cameo

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

Let's Dish @ Cuisine Kathleen
Share Your Cup @ Daily Cup @ Mrs. Olson's

Tutorials, Tips, and Tidbits @ Stone Gable

Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Home and Garden Thursday @ Delightsome Life

Open House @ No Minimalist Here
Treasure Hunt Thursday @ My Front Porch to Yours

Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage

Be Inspired Friday @ Common Ground

Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home

Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home
Open House Friday @ Bernideen's Teatime

Home @ Rose Chintz Cottage
Pink Saturday @ How Sweet the Sound

Seasonal Sunday @ The Tablescaper

Sunny Simple Sunday @ Sunny Simple Life

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

acorns

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?

Tutorials, Tips, and Tidbits @ Stone Gable

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

Let's Dish @ Cuisine Kathleen

Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch