Pink Winter Tablescape

I decided to re-post a project I did a while ago using the Sizzix Bigz XL Die - Album, Brackets by the talented Brenda Pinnick.  As always; I'm looking for new ways to dress up the table using craft techniques. This is is what I decided to make.  I'm not sure if this die is still available. You could also cut out simple frames freehand.

My challenge this time was to work with pink and white card stock die cuts.  I decided that they would be great hanging from the ceiling or chandelier over the table. So feminine and "Wintery" with the crystal glitter.  

 I used a variety of paper punches and decorative scissors by Fiskars to cut snowflakes out of copy paper, ironed all the little folds out, embellished everything with glitter and attached the snowflakes and pre-cut frames to the ribbon.  I used Aleene's Clear Gel Tacky Glue for everything.

Maybe the black background will help.

I used my winter white dishes and pink depression glass.  So sweet!

A pink napkin, accented with one of the snowflakes and tucked inside the cup, acts like a little nest for the tiny ceramic bird.  The bird would be a perfect little keepsake for your guests.

I added interest and different heights to the tablescape by using the ceramic birds on pedestals and a small bowl tucked under the champagne glass filled with cookies.

To do this for your own party please remember:
1. Cut the frames from card stock.
2. It's easier to cut the snowflakes out of thin paper like copy paper.  Anything heavier than that makes it hard to fold.  (How to cut out paper snowflakes)
3. Embellish both sides of the paper.  The idea is to hang the pieces from the chandelier or ceiling over the table.
4. Vary the ribbon lengths.
5. Don't be afraid to make the ribbons (or fishing line works too) really long.  Some should be almost to eye level over the table.  They are delicate and will be turning slightly with the breeze.  They probably won't interfere with the dining experience.
6. Don't get them too close to candles!  :)


This is what the Sizzix Bigz XL Die - Album, Brackets was designed for originally.  Really cute, isn't it? Can you think of creative uses for the die cuts?

Pantone Color of the Year for 2012 - Tangerine Tango

Pantone's 2012 Color of the Year - Tangerine Tango

Pantone announced it's choice for Color of the Year - 2012.  Tangerine Tango 

For Interiors and More:
Energize interior spaces with Tangerine Tango patterned home accessories. Pillows, bedspreads and tabletop accessories in this high-impact hue add spice to any room. Or incorporate Tangerine Tango appliances and personal electronics for an unexpected pop of color. Looking for an inexpensive way to perk up your home? Paint a wall in Tangerine Tango for a dynamic burst of energy in the kitchen, entryway or hallway.
You can read the rest of the Pantone Press Release on their web site.

Here are a few of my favorite dinnerware sets from around the web that will help you add this pop of color to your table.

Iris Orange Round 20 Piece Dinnerware Set by Brilliant

Noritake "Elements Coral"

Morocco by CB2 (no longer available on the site but you might find it on ebay)

Round + Square by Rachel Ray

 Red/Orange Floral Melamine by Target

 

Red Orange Floral - Target

Dinnerware, Fiesta® Square 3-Pc. Place Setting

Fiesta Tangerine Collection

My favorite is the Orange Iris by Brilliant. Which one do you like?  Can you recommend another pattern?  

3rd Birthday Princess Party Theme

Isabella's 3rd Birthday party had a Princess theme.  Surprise, surprise... she's a girl, she's 3, she loves Disney Princesses.  She loves to act out the stories, recruiting willing family members to play the all the parts.  "No...you need to ride in on the horse please."  "You are Prince Phillip, Grandma Cookie is the Queen, I am Aurora" 

She waves her magic wand

Sarah's Mom and Dad really wanted to keep things simple this year.  They served sandwiches, salads and fruit which was perfect for a hot day. We used her Birthday Banner again this year.  (see last year's post)  It has become a nice tradition to use it every year (well, so far - until she reaches that age where it will look too "pretty"  :)

Fruit on Fairy Wand skewers made by Aunt Karen

Favor Bags

 The paper bags with handles that were decorated with Disney Princess Stickers were a hit. A few of the guests continued to call themselves a Prince or Princess after they went home.  Of course everyone got a Glittery Star Wand to create their own magic!

Star Wands from Oriental Trading Co

I decorated with Pom Pom's made from tissue paper and ribbons.  They looked so pretty as a chandelier in the center of the tent. Inexpensive and easy to make too.

Pom Poms hanging inside tent and out.

 The left over scraps of tissue paper tucked into a pink glass bowl and topped with a plastic tiara and jewels worked out great for the inside table centerpiece.

I twisted two squares of tissue together at a time and tucked them in the holes along the edge of the bowl.

For the tables under the tent I used the cases from our Disney VHS tapes, (I guess they're Vintage now)  pom poms, a tiara and a Star Wand.

Close up of the centerpiece and a vintage VHS case.

Prince Cooper peeking from behind a centerpiece.  Isabella cuddles with Suzanne while waking up from her nap.

Blog Parties I'm attending.  Come on over and join me!

Lunch at the Kintner House Part Two

I promised to tell you more about our lunch at Kintner House Inn today.  Our hosts were very sweet and the Victorian Decor was pretty but I'm sure you want to know about the food right?  They offered a nice menu with light entrees that were perfect for the Tea Room atmosphere. 

I think this is Elvin's Chicken Salad with Pink Arctic Salad and Banana Bread

The selections were delicious and plated beautifully.

This the Joey's Egg Salad Sandwich with a Mandarin Spinach Salad and Chips.

We were served an assortment of beverages from the Beverage Bar.  Assorted glass containers on a Victorian Buffet.

My favorite container was the Bee Hive beverage dispenser.  I thought it might be vintage but I found several sources to buy one on the internet.  I'm tempted to get one of my own.  How about you?

Isn't it cute?  Also, did you notice the little bees and grasshoppers in the wallpaper behind it? Unexpected, but perfect placement.

I was told that the desserts were delicious but I was holding out for Ice Cream later in the day.  Maybe next time!

Did you get any ideas about plating a meal for a luncheon of your own?  Plating, which is the art of presenting food in an attractive way, doesn't have to involve really elaborate techniques or anything.  It just makes the food taste better since you are appealing to more than just the sense of taste.  A beautiful plate of food satisfies the mouth, nose and eyes.  It also gives us another reason to be creative!  You know I'm all about that :)

Mary Jo's Design Divas June 2011

Dee Windell - Innkeeper and the Kintner House Family and Staff

 Left to right - top row Connie, Dee, Debbie

Next row - L to R Bradley, Jennifer, Joey

This charming group gave us a warm welcome and made our visit just perfect.  We took a tour of the rooms (there are photos here) and learned a little more about the Inn after lunch before we checked out the local shops.  I look forward to another visit some day.

And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed. --Joel 2:26

Breakfast in Bed - Sarah's Summer House

Tablescaping can be as simple as fixing a special tray for breakfast in bed.  Wouldn't this be a wonderful way to start the day?

Sarah's Summer House HGTV

Take a few moments to gather a pretty tea pot and cups and arrange them on a colorful tray.  You can paint or decoupage the tray to match your bedroom and keep ready for those rare mornings that you have some leisure time.

I've been inspired by Sarah Richardson's decorating style for a long time and look forward to her new series that starts tomorrow on HGTV.  You can find the schedule for upcoming episodes on the HGTV website.

"A simple enough pleasure, surely, to have breakfast alone with one`s husband, but how seldom married people in the midst of life achieve it. "   Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Maui Wedding - Easy Centerpiece - Designer Crafts Connection

Wedding Cake with Orchids for Julie and Joe's Wedding in Maui

It's Wedding Day at the Designer Crafts Connection!  Today's Blog Hop features projects for and about Weddings.  Life's been a little crazy around here lately.  I didn't have time to make something new but I thought you'd like this archived idea for a really easy centerpiece.

We traveled to Maui for my niece Julie's wedding.  After we arrived she asked if I could help her create some centerpieces with the box of orchids she was getting as part of her wedding package.  She wanted candlelight for the outdoor reception.

The glass vases, found in the floral department at the grocery store, were a bargain and would work out great!

Tucking orchids under ribbon.

After we filled the vases with sand from the beach (with help from the kids) I gathered leaves from the patio garden and used a double sided tape to adhere them to the vases. (you can see the plants behind Lee in the picture below) Ribbon tied around the leaves gave me a nice place to tuck in the flowers.

Happy to be crafting on the beach!

Lee patiently helping me with a project once again!

We looked at candles but I knew that the wind from the beach would play havoc on the candle flame so we bought Tap Lights instead. That was Lee's job. Assemble and install the batteries for all the lights.

GE Tap Light

Finished Orchid Centerpiece.  Can you see the Tap Light?

The hotel staff added the extra orchids when they set the tables. Very simple and sweet. Julie and Joe loved it so that's all that matters!

The Happy couple, Julie and Joe.

The Tap Light gave a warm glow after dark and the batteries lasted all evening.  Julie gave the vases to family members the next day as Wedding keepsakes.  Yes, I carried mine home on the plane and still use it often!

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is LOVE.  1 Corinthians 13:13

To continue through the entire Blog Hop.  You can go to the main page at 365 Days of Crafts Blog Hop or on the Designer Crafts Blog Connection Logo below. Click forward to go to the next Designer's post.  Keep clicking until you get back here and you will have seen all the wonderful ideas this week.

The world is but a canvas to the imagination.
-- Henry David Thoreau

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I'm joining Tablescape Thursday this week too!

And the Shabby Nest for Frugal Fridays!

Don't forget Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday!

Have you tried to force Spring Flower Bulbs?

In January we took Isabella to see the Winter Train Exhibit at the Morton Arboretum.  They had some Hyacinth Bulbs in the Clearance rack and I thought "Why Not?  I really need a touch of Spring around the house!"  Well, I don't know whether it was the bulbs or me but here's the result.

Hyacinths in Milk Glass Candy Dishes

©Cindy Rippe

I planted the bulbs in my Vintage Lace Edge Milk Glass Candy Dishes filled with tiny gravel. They didn't grow as full as I expected but it sure smells nice in the kitchen.

I included my Marjolein Bastin Datebook (the one I told you about in last year's post about daffodils) a twig vase with eggs and my painted metal birds.  But the flowers still look really pitiful.

White Flower Farm

This is what I hoped for.

This is what I got.  So sad looking but they smell so sweet!  I'm working on a design with Hyacinths and planned to use these for inspiration and to sketch.  Ooops!  Good thing I have pictures from last year's garden and garden shows. Maybe I can talk Lee into buying me a plant from the nursery.

Perfumes are the feelings of flowers.  Heinrich Heine