DARE TO BE CREATIVE!

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Table is Ready for Brunch

The table is set and ready for tomorrow's brunch with friends.  Below is a closer look at the place settings.

 
The menu will be
Country Ham brought back from Ky from Penns (the best ham ever!)
Green Chili Breakfast Quiche
Biscuits & Gravy
Fresh Fruit Cup
O.J. and hot beverages from the Keurig
 
The crystal was a gift from my mother and father in the early 1970s.  I've had the Christmas china since the mid-80s.  The goldware is about the same age as the china.  I haven't done a formal table in a number of years but decided to get everything out this year for the holidays.   The log centerpiece allows just enough room for the Christmas placemats.   

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Pinterest Inspired Table

 

My tablescape was inspired by one I saw on Pinterest.  While in Kentucky, I  visited my Uncle's wood pile and selected some logs with bark still on them.  He knew the types of wood but I don't remember.  We brought 6 longs home and my hubby cut them to size.  I decided to use flameless candles.  I thought they would be safer.  I put a piece of burlap under the wood and am using a table cloth that isn't necessarily Christmas.  I added vintage blue Christmas ornaments and greenery.  The blue jars and the half pint on the tallest log are from my collection.  The others I purchased at Goodwill. 

Here is a photo of the other side.
 
I left the one log empty since it wasn't too straight across the top.  Our table is narrow so I still have room for placemats on each side.  I'll put out my red placemats later in the season.  It was fun to arrange this centerpiece and it reminds me of our vacation home in Ky.  Also looks good with our jar pendant light above the table.  You can see the pendant light here.

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

It's Finally Beginning to Look Like Christmas

Thought I'd begin sharing some of our Christmas decorations.  I worked on the Living/Dining Room over the weekend.  This is our new tree.  I decided to purchase a Slim Line tree this year.  I only had to move a side table to accommodate the tree.  No major move of furniture this year~ Yeah!
 
I chose a blue theme.  Many of the ornaments are vintage.  Some gifted to me by my sister.  Some purchased at the thrift store.  Decided to make a bow for the top.  I'm very pleased with the results.  Fabric wrapped around the base is a piece of vintage Christmas themed blue print cotton.  Now all we need is for me to wrap some presents to put under it.
 
The Snowman in the background was purchased years ago at a craft fair.  He is painted on an old cabinet door.  He is one of my favorites from my collection.  And most important he is easy to store.  This year I decided to display most of our snowmen on shelves (I'll post photo later).  I'm almost finished with my tablescape with features logs from Ky.

Monday, December 9, 2013

A Birthday Quilt for a Special Girl



I made this quilt for my youngest granddaughter.  Today is her birthday.  She is 9 on the 9th.  A special birthday for her.  The quilt is made from my stash of fabrics.  The butterflies and stripe were left over from her room decoration projects this past summer.  The purple and blue are from her older sister's room decoration projects.  

The back is a black fabric with similar color dots.  The quilting is by machine.  My friend calls it a meandering design.  Not sure if that is the official name.  I used my new Janome 15000 and I'm still learning to free motion quilt on the machine.  Every machine is a little different when using free motion.  I think I'm going to like quilting on this machine.  If not, I can always get out my old trusty Bernina 165.  I learned to free motion on that machine years ago.

Sunday, December 8, 2013

November Swap Card and Tag

I received this card and tag from Debbie.  She was my swap partner in the November Swap for all Seasons.  The color for November was brown and she included these lovely hand dyed ribbons and distressed tags from her stash.  She does lovely work and you can see her work by clicking on her name above.  Thanks Debbie for a wonderful swap. 
You can find out more info about the Swap for All Seasons by clicking the link on the left.  The January Swap is closed but February Swap is just around the corner.
 
On a personal note, we are back in Arizona after spending most of October and November at our vacation home in Kentucky.  Slow internet in the country prevents me from doing much blogging.  I hope to begin regular postings.  I've tried to keep up on reading my favorite blogs but wasn't able to comment at times.
 
You can see my November swap cards and tag on the previous post.