Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Paper Blossoms




~ Flowers and Butterflies ~ 
A Lovely Spring Day

A Casual Lunch 
With Girlfriends

~ Capiz Shell Chargers ~ 
~ MacKenzie-Childs Taylor Series ~ 
~ M Studios' Flower Bowls and Plates ~

Each place setting 
intended to mimic a flower.

At first glance, I knew these flower shaped 
bowls and plates would be a perfect 
compliment to the fluted rimmed McK-C plates.

The stack offers a beautiful mix 
of organic textures and shapes.

Beautiful 
from any angle!

~ French Crystal ~

~ Pastel Linens ~
~ A Touch of Silver ~

~ Casual Elegance ~

Tutorials, Tips, and Tidbits @ Stone Gable

I like the rich patina of the dining room table to be part of the ambiance, so I use coasters under glassware to protect the table from moisture.  Be creative and use something fun.  Here a simple linen cocktail napkin serves as a pretty coaster.  Small plates, saucers, and butter pats can serve the same purpose.  So don't hesitate to pick up that odd little plate when you find one at a market or thrift store.  It's fun to have a mix of things!

And of Course ~ Sweet Endings

~ Chocolate Brownies ~
~ Lemon Bars, Tart and Rich ~
Recipe Here


Spring Bouquet ~ Photo Courtesy of Ray Marshall
Did you notice the simple, 
yet very creative and elegant centerpiece?

It's one of the five paper bouquets within 
PAPER BLOSSOMS, 
A BOOK OF BEAUTIFUL BOUQUETS FOR THE TABLE


Ray Marshall, 
an incredibly talented paper engineer, 
is the genius behind this stunning pop-up book.

Available here on Amazon


CPAC Luncheon Table ~ Photo Courtesy of Ray Marshall
PAPER BLOSSOMS 
was recently used as centerpieces for a
ballroom full of tables at the spring luncheon of 
San Francisco Child Care Planning and Advisory Committee.
To read more about the luncheon, learn about the process involved in creating this book, and for pop-up projects you can download and make yourself, visit Ray Marshall's site.
raymarshall.com















This Giveaway is now closed. GIVEAWAY
In celebration of the beautiful spring we are having here in Texas and in appreciation of all my faithful followers and readers, I'm giving away a copy of Ray Marshall's beautiful pop-up book, PAPER BLOSSOMS, and a set of his pop-up flower note cards.  For a chance to win, leave me a comment telling me you'd like to be included along with the name of your favorite spring flower.  That's all there is to it.  Just be certain I have an email link to reach you, if you are the winner.  If you would like to share this giveaway on your blog and or Facebook Page, let me know in a separate comment, and I'll enter your name twice.

Winner will be announced Friday, May 17th.  

Joining
Sunny Simple Sunday @ Sunny Simple Life
Happy List @ Art At Home

Sarah
Sarah

The summer we married, my husband was in graduate school, and I was employed as a teacher. We took a portion of our savings that summer and purchased a sailboat. We christened our Catalina 22, “Hyacinths For The Soul” after Saadi’s poem. Our "Hyacinths" provided years of pleasure.

66 comments:

  1. Sarah~ The flowers bowls and plates are perfectly paired with the MKC plates! I love your bouquet blooming from that wonderful book as your centerpiece, so clever! My inner 5-year old is a big fan of pop up books with the paper engineering and often times peek-a-boo flaps! Please enter me in your giveaway, my favorite spring flowers are Lilacs, although it's too hot to grow them here!

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  2. Oh Sarah, the stacks of dishes are so pretty. I love them all. How clever to have the pop-up as your centerpiece. I'd love to be included for the giveaway. My favorite Spring flower is the tulip, although they're gone now, I did enjoy them while they were blooming.

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  3. Sarah, Your table is lovely with the flower dishes and pastels. I was amazed when you said that the paper blossom are in a book! Now, you're starving me with the lemon bars. Thanks for the recipe. I haven't had any in ages. I don't make them too often, because I keep nibbling them til they're all gone. I also like your ideas or coasters..small plates as well as linen coasters.

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  4. Beautiful table, Sarah! The paper flowers are adorable and perfect for a Spring Table. Thanks for linking to the Open House party.
    Hugs,
    Sherry

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  5. Oh Sarah, what a lovely table. The pop flower centerpiece - so unique and so pretty. The ruffle edged plates (the stacks do look like different kinds of flowers) are all so beautiful. Oh how I'd love to be entered in your drawing. This is would be such a unique gift to win. If you are only asking about Spring blooms, I'd have to say that the Jonquil is my favorite, just because it's always the first Spring bloom. laurie

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  6. Oh Sarah, the plates are exquisite. I love the MKC plates! The place setting does look like a flower in full bloom. How happy and cheerful. The napkins are a perfect match. I love that popup book!!! I love paper arts and can think of so many ways to display those sweet forever blooms. Happy Mother's Day.. xo marlis

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  7. Sarah, those lemon bars look so good I could just reach through the screen and grab one! It's so hard to choose a favorite spring flower, as they all are so appealing, but I think lilacs, daffodils and lily of the valley would be my top three. I always enjoy seeing your various McK-C pieces. Linda

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  8. Sarah, love your beautiful table. The variety of colors are so pretty. The flower book is amazing! Thanks for giving us the chance to own one. Please throw my name in the hat and thanks for sharing this with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  9. Sarah, I put your give away on my side bar. I forgot to tell you my favorite Spring flower. I have so many, but I adore Tulips!
    hugs,
    Jann

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  10. What a beautiful table you set. The detail is wonderful with each of the flower plates in a different color. But, I feel like I gained weight just looking at your sweet treats.

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  11. What a way to welcome spring with all those beautiful flowers in all forms on your table, Sarah. The flower bowls look great with the fluted MK plates. Oh yes, I would love to be included in the draw. I like all flowers but I enjoy looking at gerber daisies and snap dragons.....Christine

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  12. Sarah, I love the flower bowls that match the saucer underneath...the dark teal blue one is my favorite.
    The table places do look like flowers. What a great job!

    Please include me in the drawing. My favorite spring flower is hard to choose, but I think it is pale blue lobelia. For summer, blue hydrangeas win hands down.

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  13. Your table setting is beautiful! I am so in love with the plates! Please include me in the drawing! My favorite spring flowers are hydrangias!
    keshakeke(at)gmail(dot)com

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  14. Sarah, your table does look like a spring garden! What beautiful dishes and the way you arranged them does mimic flower blossoms! Of course, I would like to be included in your give-away. My favorite spring flower is Wisteria. With all of the other gorgeous flowers that bloom in the spring in Georgia, the Wistera with it purple blooms seems to the the "grounding element". I just wished they lasted all summer!

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  15. Your table setting is so pretty for spring! Love the flower like bowls and plates. And the paper flower centerpiece is perfect!! Love it!
    Mary Alice

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  16. I love those bowls and plates, Sarah. Beautiful table!

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  17. Heck, yes, I want to be included! Toss my name into the hat, please!!! I think those paper flowers are cool!!!! You referred to him as a "paper engineer." I LOVE that! He sure has a way with paper, that's for sure!!! Seems to me it would take a great deal of patience and skill to do this!!!

    You created a table that is both fun and upscale. Not everyone can successfully pull that off! It's very pretty. The ruffles in your plates DO make the place setting look like flowers! COOL!!!

    Happy Mother's Day weekend, Sarah! Enjoy!!!

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  18. Your table is so pretty, love your pretty dishes stacked and the floral centerpiece! Yum- Yum on the lemon bars!

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  19. Sarah, your table is beautiful. I love the flower plates...and those lemon bars..one of my favorites..
    Love, Mona

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  20. This is really lovely and very unique! Thanks for sharing at "Open House"!

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  21. I love your dishes! I am new from southern charm! I would love for you to check out my blog and follow me back! Have a great day,Nicole

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  22. SARAH DEAR! Good evening! Thank you for coming to the post and I look forward to next as you and the others prepare. Did you want to enter the giveaway? Let me know.

    Your tablescapes are as gorgeous as ever; you are inspiring me to get out my best linens for SUMMER TIME DINING out on my covered deck this season! I can't wait! Anita

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  23. Darling, spring-y table, Sarah! Thanks for visiting! ~Zuni

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  24. Oh Sarah, thank you for getting back to me about the giveaway! Yes, I am putting your name in for the book AND YES, please include me in on your giveaway; I am a lover of gorgeous paper products!!! Anita

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  25. Those flower placesettings are just gorgeous!! Each one has a unique character about them, and they look as though they are blooming right there on your table!

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  26. Your table is glorious, Sarah. It definitely says spring and speaks volumes. I love each little blossom setting. I really like the pastel plaid napkins and I appreciate the tip on the cocktail napkins and the little dishes.
    Thanks for the lovely giveaway. As you might have guessed my favorite spring flower is/was my Amaryllis in my now sad flower bed.
    Happy Mother's Day, Ginger

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  27. Posting to my Facebook. Hugs, Ginger

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  28. What a beautiful table Sarah! Love the colors and those flower bowls!
    Hugs, Linda

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  29. You always have the prettiest tables. I love the combination of color and pattern. I really like all spring flowers because I'm always SO GLAD to see any flowers after winter, but I do believe I like Hyacinths the best.

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  30. Oh, what a wonderful surprise to find out that this was a pop up book! Oh, yes, I would love this book and my favorite spring flower is probably yellow daffodils because they are the first to yell that it is spring. But I also love my yellow pansies because everytime I drive up to the house they shout out happy, happy, happy! I also love the hydrangeas, but I have to buy those! Oh, really I love all the spring flowers.
    What a fun, fun giveaway.

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  31. I'd love to be entered in your giveaway. My favorite spring flowers are lilacs.

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  32. Sarah your table is beautiful. The paper bouquet is so neat and you can use it again. You have the most beautiful dishes!

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  33. Sarah, I love this table! The paper blossoms are so clever, and I love, love LOVE the combination of the Capiz Shell Chargers, MacKenzie-Childs Taylor Series, and M Studios' Flower Bowls and Plates. I enjoy seeing pretty ways to combine MacKenzie-Childs with other lines. Simply stunning! And I agree with you...when you have a pretty table like yours, it would be a shame to always cover it with a tablecloth. Gorgeous patina on your table, my friend.

    Have a fantastic weekend!

    xo,
    RJ

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  34. What a gorgeous table! Those fluted plates are just beautiful. I love the paper bouquet and the colors look wonderful with your table! Thanks for directing me to your Texas Hill Country post..I had missed it. Such a beautiful time of year out in the hills!
    Miss Bloomers

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  35. So, so pretty! The paper blossoms are fabulous! I love the flower bowls!

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  36. Sarah, this table is sheer delight! Those adorable bowls and plates are perfect with MC.
    I love the paper bouquet, no worries of changing water or drooping flowers!
    Have a wonderful Mother's Day...

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  37. Hi Sarah, I love these paper blossoms and I’m seeing a lot of them this spring. Your tablescape is lovely, a perfect luncheon setting. The place setting looks amazing! Sorry I’m late and missed all the fun of your giveaway. The pop-up book is fabulous!
    Have a great weekend......

    ~Emily
    The French Hutch

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  38. Your table is beautiful! I would love to be in the drawing for the book. My favorite spring flowers are Pansies and Lilacs.

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  39. Beautiful tablescape and I love those paper flowers! So pretty! Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof

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  40. Those flower plates are just like ceramic sculptures. Very lovely!
    Sara

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  41. The floral bowls are outstanding, and I am on my way to Ray Marshall's website right now. Brilliant design. Thanks for inviting us for a peak. Cherry Kay

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  42. Sarah, I have relized I had somehow lost you of my reading list. I shall have to investigate why.
    As usual a very lovely tablescape, but please don't include me in your giveaway. Postal services are far to expensive these days.

    I love your previous post- what a beautiful garden!!!!! Superb.

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  43. What an amazing book! I've never seen one like it, and I adore pop-up books. I would love to win it! My favorite spring flower is the tulip -- so colorful and elegant!

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  44. Sarah,
    What a lovely tablescape!!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

    Hugs,
    Debbie

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  45. Love your tablescape!!!! Great tip on using cocktail naps for coasters!! Having troube leaving my comment..hope it works this time!!

    Happy PINK Saturday!

    Dana

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  46. Love your tablescape!!!! Great tip on using cocktail naps for coasters!! Having troube leaving my comment..hope it works this time!!

    Happy PINK Saturday!

    Dana

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  47. Loved visiting you and seeing all the pretty table setting things. Some lucky winner should be very pleased.

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  48. Happy MOthers Day Sarah....your table is beautiful...those dishes are gorgeous and how cute are those paper flowers...I have never seen anything like that...Have a great day tomorrow....Sue

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  49. What a beautiful stack! The way you mixed everything is so lovely, and a touch of whimsy too!
    Your centerpiece is just darling! Please enter me in your generous give away!

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  50. Your setting is very pretty Sarah! I love the capiz chargers. What an amazing book and daffodils are my favorite spring flower:@)

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  51. You always have something completely unique on your table, Sarah! The centerpiece is delightful. You are so good to your guests! The dessert looks wonderful. Glad you're having a beautiful spring!

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  52. Such a pretty table - love how you mixed your dishes (you know I love the MCs!) Count me in on your giveaway!

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  53. ooops, forgot to mention, my fav spring flower is lily of the valley, no wait, lilacs, or maybe they are daffodils - too many to mention!!

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  54. The place settings are beautiful! And, I love that paper flower book! Life to the full! Melissa

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  55. Your settings always look so welcoming Sarah! Lemon tart for me please!
    xo
    Cathy

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  56. Oh, Sarah! I loved this ALL.

    I am so glad I'm not too late to enter. I am a follower, and a happy one. My favorite spring flower is the daffodil. But I have to say I love Confederate Jasmine and wait all year for it to bloom. Can we have two??? :-) I guess one is a flower, and one is a vine.

    I love your china and your whole table. WONDERFUL.

    Sending you hugs across the miles...

    XO,

    Sheila

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  57. Glad to be here for the give-a-way!
    Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful table. Love the M. Childs' and the way you blended them with the other patterns.
    Hugs,
    Patti

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  58. The flowers are amazing, how fun is that. I also love, love, love your tablescape. The ruffled edge dishes are fabulous. Beautiful. Thanks for joining Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

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  59. The layering of the pastels on the table is so very appealing - feminine, spring-like - I love it!
    What a clever idea that book/bouquet is! I'd love to be entered in the contest!

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  60. I am in love with the the stacks of sweet dishes. The pop-up centerpiece is wonderful and makes the table look so pretty. I'd love to be included for the giveaway. My favorite Spring flower is the pink tulip. I had 100 of them blooming in front of my house, and the neighbors appreciated them too.

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  61. Hello Sarah,
    The paper blossoms are quite lovely. I love how you complimented them with the gorgeous dishes - wonderful tablescape and giveaway! I appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday
    Kathy

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  62. your table is adorable, and who would have thought a garden girl could be smitten with paper flowers, but they are adorable! such a cute table~

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  63. This is such a lovely table! I love those flower bowls! I have a few of those in different pink shades, but I love them in every color! Thanks so much for sharing on the FESTIVE FRIDAY FIESTA! Have a great week! Oh yes, I'd love to be entered in your drawing too, if it's not too late! Thanks!!! =D

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  64. Darling Sarah! The FRANCE PARTY HAS BEGUN! I hope you are still participating??? Let me know. Anita

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  65. Gorgeous table setting Sarah! Your dishes are fabulous and the centerpiece is so sweet!
    Just back from spending a week with family and my mother, we had a great time! Thanks so much for sharing this at Amaze Me Monday, hope you'll pop over to join in at this weeks party...
    Blessings,
    Cindy

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  66. Beautiful table. Amazing pop-up book. I remember my friend in high school told me her father was a pop-up book engineer. It was the first time I had heard of that. This book looks wonderful!
    Karen

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Thank you to each of you who take the time to leave a comment. I read and appreciate each and every one and will respond to any questions. Your notes are the only way I know who has stopped in for a visit.