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?

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

Home and Garden Thursday @ Delightsome Life
Tutorials, Tips, and Tidbits @ Stone Gable
Open House @ No Minimalist Here
Open House Friday @ Bernideen's Teatime
Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage
Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home
Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home
Share Your Cup @ Daily Cup @ Mrs. Olson's
Home @ Rose Chintz Cottage
Seasonal Sunday @ The Tablescaper
Sunny Simple Sunday @ Sunny Simple Life
Cowgirl Up @ Cedar Hill Ranch
Tabletop Tuesday @ A stroll Thru Life
Your're Gonna Love It Tuesday@ Kathe With An E
Tuesday Treasures @ Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

Old Man Winter is Back

News Flash and Update:

Since Thursday, we've gone from this . . .

To this.

What a difference a day makes

when Old Man Winter makes a visit.

Gives a whole new meaning to "Snow Bunny".

Today marks the first day of Chinese New Year, and despite the fact that it occurs in the midst of winter, it is also known as Spring Festival. Texas has been enjoying spring like weather for the past week, and I had planned a post for "The Year of the Rabbit" today,

BUT . . .

Old Man Winter came knocking at our door.

Suddenly we've gone from 70 to 17.

It's cold and blistery outside,

so come on in and join a different kind of party.

As Andy Warhol would say,

The snowmen are all excited to have their

"15 minutes of fame".

I've set a table for us on the sun porch

where we'll be warm and comfortable.

These cheerful fellows are so happy you have joined us today.

They've actually been patiently waiting

for their turn to be featured on a tablescape.

The cute little salad plates, designed by Williraye Studio, are called "Snowy Smiles". Can you see why I just had to have these? Yes, indeed! These little plates have a black and white check border.

To pull out the red and yellow colors of "Snowy Smilies" I used a yellow dinner plate for one setting and a red one for the other. The Courtly Check chargers mimic the border of the salad plates.

The snowmen thought these colorful glasses

with etched "snowballs" were a good choice,

Along with the "Treble Clef" flatware with its curled shape.

White winter berries ring the napkins which are edged in lace.

The delicate lace designs remind me of

the little snowflakes of the "Snowy Smiles" plates.

I layered various textiles to give the table a cozy feel.

A recent birthday gift, I've been eager to use these vintage tea towels which are large enough to use as table cloths on my small drop leaf table.

Both have fringed ends, and the largest of the two

has rows of red check details at either end.

The other has wonderful textural details and end borders of this red design.

A couple of friends, while shopping at Round Top last fall,

bought these with my birthday in mind.

They know me well ~ I couldn't be more thrilled!

Ironically, the beautiful little hand towels that I pulled into service as napkins were a gift from one of the same friends. Though after many years she's probably long forgotten she gave them to me.

I wanted you to feel warm and cozy, so I pulled in a couple of my French provencal pillows to use as chair cushions.

Layers of rich colors

highlighted with my favorite

black and white checks

warm my heart.

Even the snowmen are happy to be inside today.

So pull up a chair and join me

for a light lunch and a little conversation.

Suppose we talk of the early spring that

Punxsutawney Phil has predicted for this year.

We won't talk of the record snowfall that

has covered much of the country this winter.

Although snow does have its perks!

Please join me this Sunday for the

Tablescaper's Seasonal Sunday meme

for "The Year of the Rabbit".

The Snowmen will be joining the following memes.

Please click on the links below to visit.

Tablescape Thursday @ BNOTP

Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage

Friday Favorites @ Whistlestop Cafe Cooking

Show & Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home