Soft Purple..another color of Spring

 

I have used my robin’s egg blue dishes a lot lately…..and I used them for my table last Easter.  Even though I still really love them, I was ready for a change for this year’s table. 

 

My inspiration was this fabulous tablecloth I found at an estate sale last summer.  It is hand embroidered and I almost let it slip by.  Oh I wish I could easily pull pictures off my old computer as I had a story I was going to tell through pictures.  You will have to imagine what I am going to share.  This beautiful tablecloth was at first left behind by me at the estate sale because it had a big ole 6”  dark brown/black stain in the middle of the cloth.  The price was right ~~ $15 for the linen cloth AND twelve napkins.  I really thought about it but decided it would be of no good if the stain couldn’t be removed.  I figured with the age of the piece it would leave a dark spot, no matter what.  THEN two days later my friend Susan told me she was going back to the sale after something.  Everything was half priced and was there anything I remembered I might want.  “Why YES there was!!”  I could not get out of my mind the beautiful hand embroidered tablecloth.   I asked if she would look in the bedroom closet to see if it was still there.  It was!  Here’s where I wish I had my pictures.  I slipped a safety pin in the middle of the bad stain (so I could easily find the bad spot later) and immersed the cloth into a solution of Oxi Clean.  Before my very eyes, the stain began to dissolve!  Within a few minutes it was totally lifted and I had pretty whiteness throughout.  It did not leave a trace of brown!  I was so happy!  My only surprise was when I examined the napkins.  Only the top napkin had been embroidered.  The remaining eleven were stamped with the design but are left for me to do! LOL or Woe is me! 

Oh my….there is a lot of work involved!  For now, white napkins serve the purpose.

 

After a good washing, I starched and ironed til I was pleased with how it looked.

 

 

Just look a all the detailed stitches!

Much to my guests surprise, (me being the silk plant lady) I used REAL pansies in an old soup tureen.

 

 

 

I “borrowed” the idea I saw on Yvonne’s , Stone Gable blog by making the little egg shell plant holders using the smaller pansies called violas.

I found these little egg cups (or glasses if turned the other way) at a thrift shop last year.

The sweet purple flower dishes were found this spring, but they only had four.

 

That didn’t bother me.  For the other place settings I simply used my white plates.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There’s another one of those pesky rabbits jumping over the pansies.  I’m sure he had a nibble before he jumped!

 

 

 

 

A closer view of the table shows I started with large white square plates which I used as chargers.  Then I layered

 

 

 

 

with a silver charger for interest and brightness.  I ended with our dinner plate on top and a little egg cup with flower at each place setting.

 

I am so happy this beautiful lilac stitched tablecloth ended up in my home.  The ladies seemed to enjoy it and it sure set the scene for a lovely table.  Next time I use it hopefully will be when lilacs are in bloom in my area to use as a centerpiece.

We had SUCH a nice Easter ~~~  our home was FILLED with family and friends.  So much food and lots of laughter and good conversation.  I hope you enjoyed the same.

 

Thank you for stopping by 47th Street today. 

I am joining in with

Marty  at A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday

Bonnie at House of Grace for Twice Owned

Kim at Savvy Southern Style for Wow us Wednesday

and

Susan over at  Between Naps on the Porch and Tablescape Thursday.

Sherry at No Minimalist Here for her Open House Party on Thursdays

 

Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday
Courtney at French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
Debra at Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Fridays

I know you’ll want to join me to see all the pretties!

Donna

Easter Decor

Busy, busy days make for less blogging time.  As we are just a week away from Easter it seemed appropriate to show a few of my Easter decorations. 

 

My newlywed daughter and her husband make a quick day trip to town to celebrate a birthday on Dan’s side of the family.  They were only going to be at our house for an hour or so this morning.  I recently ran across this Lemon Blueberry bread that just had my name all over it.  I love lemons and I love blueberries.  The combination seemed so springy and something I knew my family would love.  The timer had just gone off signaling the bread was done when Jamie and Dan arrived.  Knowing they were having lunch at the party I had a very informal brunch for them….yummy bread and hard boiled eggs with coffee.

 

 

…and a bowl of gorgeous blackberries, my new favorite fruit

 

 

Happy, springtime dishes and flowery, bird placemats

 

 

 

Mr. Rabbit shown from behind carrying his load of Springtime carrots

I love this figurine.  He was found a Goodwill with a couple of little chips, but nothing that a little Sharpie couldn’t help with.  You can see where I touched up the brim of his hat.  The gorgeous carrots were made by a friend.

 

Would you like the recipe for my bread?  umm, humm, I thought so!

 

Springtime Lemon Blueberry Bread

1/3 cup butter,softened

1 cup white sugar

1 lemon,juiced

2eggs

1 1/2 c. flour

1 t. baking powder

1/2 t.salt

1/2 cup milk

2 T. lemon zest

1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

Topping

2 T. lemon juice

1/4 c. sugar

1.Preheat oven to 350.  Grease and flour an 8x4” loaf pan.  In a med. bowl, mix flour,baking powder and salt together…set aside.

2.In a large bowl, cream the butter and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy.  Add eggs and beat well.  Mix in juice of lemon. Add the flour mixture, alternating with the milk.  Fold in the lemon zest and blueberries.  Pour into loaf pan.

 

3.Bake for 60-70 mins. or til toothpick comes out clean.  For glaze, combine 1/4 c. sugar and 2 T. lemon juice.  Drizzle over bread while warm and top with a bit more lemon zest.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

There probably aren’t many bloggers who don’t have one of these Bunnies on a Stick from Pier 1.  I sold a good many of these at my floral shows the past couple of years but did keep one for myself.  I love the little vintage pot I found for it.  This is in my master bath along with

a little ceramic container that has a basket weave.  As you can see it currently holds cotton balls but I may have to move it to the kitchen for Easter.

 Mrs. Cottontail carries her wagon with real malted eggs and chocolate foiled covered carrots.  I found her last year at an Estate sale and just had to have her.

 

A big jar of robin blue eggs with a bronze cross inside sit at my kitchen window.  You can see I had a lot of glare from the sun.

 

I just found this sweet little creamer at a local antique store last week.  The owner was selling old dishes with real spring bulbs included.  This is a hyacinth bulb popping up.  The whole thing was $6.  Now how could I pass up a deal like that?

Moving on to our office area where I blog you will find more ironstone pieces from the thrift store along with

 

this rabbit plate which I LOVE!   “Rabbit, Rabbit, Run Rabbit Run run run, Don’t let the Farmer have His Fun, fun, fun”.  I leave this up year round.  It’s made in England and was $6.00 marked down to $3.

 

My last “Decoration” to show you is REAL and I couldn’t be more excited.  I have tried for three years to get Eastern Bluebirds to make a nest in my bluebird house and this is my first year!!!  Just today Mrs. Bluebird laid her fifth egg!!  Aren’t they so pretty?  I hope they all hatch. 

I can see the birdhouse from my kitchen window and have so much fun watching their activity.

I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing some of my Spring Easter decorations.  I’m joining in on several parties this week.  Do take a moment to visit and see what everyone else is up to.  Thanks for stopping by!

 

 

Donna

 

Carrie at Dittle Dattle Amaze Me Monday
Marty at A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday
Linda at Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Kim at Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays
Kara at Elements Interiors for Whassup Wednesday
Sherry at No Minimalist Here for her Open House Party on Thursdays
Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday

Michael at Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday

Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday
Courtney at French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
Linda at A la Carte for Junkin' Finds on Fridays
Debra at Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Fridays
Sherry at The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday
Laurie at Bargain Hunting and Chatting with Laurie for A Few of My Favorite Things Saturday

Grandiose Centerpiece

It was my pleasure to be involved in my friend Susan’s church event this week. 

For many years they have hosted an evening for women filled with things we love  ~~~  hundreds of other women to socialize with, a Christian speaker, a fabulous meal we didn’t have to cook, men of the church serving our dinner AND between 80 and 100 tables totally decorated.  This is a dish lover’s dream  as each table is created uniquely different from the next.  Susan has participated by decorating a table the past two years.  This year she asked if I would like to provide the tablescape.  Well OKAY!

 

So just three days after my Spring Floral show I was going through my cupboards and pulling out dishes, chargers, cups and all things I had running through my mind to create a charming table for such a large group of women who thrive on just this sort of event.  It’s a bit of a challenge since the table is a 6 foot round and seats eight people, in a cozy, crowded sort of way.

 

Yes, my dishes may look familiar to you.  My robin’s egg blue dishes could not be more perfect for a spring table.  I added blue chargers to my ever growing dish cupboard last year.  The table is too small to place the placemats the normal direction so we decided to place them the long way for pattern on top of the white tablecloth.

 

Oh lookie!  A bird’s nest with a rabbit and eggs!  Can you see the little white egg cups? They held little nibbles to tide us over until our dinner was served close to 7:15.  Shoot!  My sweet little napkin appliques are cut off in the picture.

 

Since the room is so large, I chose a grandiose centerpiece.  My very largest white urn (which I used at my daughter’s wedding reception holding a white pumpkin last year) was a perfect starting point.  Next I went to my workroom and pulled cherry and apple blossom stems.  These puppies have very, very long stems.  I had to sort of wrap them around in the base of the urn and tightened everything up with pieces of foam to keep all the stems snug and standing upright. Cover it all with a heavy dose of sheet moss and everything is hidden! With perfect timing, my three year old pussy willow bush was bursting with new growth and loveliness this year.  I snipped and snipped til my heart was content.  They added just what I wanted for my centerpiece!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each table was to have a favorite scripture printed out.  The one I chose is a new favorite of mine.

 

They are hard to spot but I have two faux chocolate bunnies on the table too.  Mr. Brown Socks thought he might eat one tonight.  He truly thought they were real!

Our speaker for the evening was Tammy Trent.  She has quite a story to tell and is a great speaker.  She can really sing also AND she’s funny.  We had such a nice evening.  Now all the dishes are safely back home, washed and tucked back into place.  I really don’t want to tear down the centerpiece quite yet.  I think I’ll leave it up for awhile.  It might fight with my dining room chandelier however, so it’s on my sofa table for the time being!

 

I’m linking up to Between Naps on the Porch.  Also linking up with The Tablescaper and Seasonal Sundays.

 

Come on over and let’s drool over all those purdy dishes and other interesting things this week!!  I really enjoy your visits and comments.  Thanks for stopping by!

 

 

 

Donna

Flowers Everywhere!

 

Hi! I’m back after an unannounced blogging break.  Life got a little crazy while preparing for my Spring show and other things going on.  My show has passed and I thought today I would show you some of the arrangements I had for sale.  Some of these are still available and looking for homes….still thinking Etsy…who wants to help me figure out how to do that?

 

Little Miss Maggie was jumping through wreaths to greet people at the front door!

 

First is Miss Bunny with  her finest adornments….

 

Here she is “less dressed”

 

Springy green ranunculus and the most real roses you have ever seen.  They even feel real.  Don’t you just love these containers?

A floor arrangement with a bit more contemporary look

And another contemporary with Japanese Magnolia blossoms…just like the ones in Pottery Barn.

 

This was one of the first to go…

For some reason, this was one of my personal favorites with the little Beatrix Potter container.  It is still available.  Notice the little cabbage in with the ranunculus.

 

 

In addition to flowers, we had some great snacky food.  Later in the week I will try to share a recipe or two. 

 

On another table in the kitchen were many more arrangements to choose from..

 

 

 

A happy customer shown leaving with her purchases.

My sister Barb and her friend Penny came to help me write up the sales.

 

 

 

I love this little Bunny arrangement in a metal pocket for a front door or wall.  I still have this one too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A beautiful tone on tone arrangement in a most gorgeous artichoke vase.

 

 

Sweet little topiaries that can work in soooo many places.

Moss Birds flew in for a first time appearance

Lastly a twig and pussy willow piece with robin’s egg blue twill ribbon.

 

So now you can see what I’ve been up to the last couple of weeks.  It was a fun sale and I could tell people were excited for a Spring look to liven up their homes.

Thank you for stopping by today.  I am linking up to the following parties:

Marty at A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday
Linda at Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Kim at Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays
Kara at Elements Interiors for Whassup Wednesday
Gina at The Shabby Chic Cottage for Transformation Thursdays
Leigh at Tales from Bloggeritaville for Thrifty Thursday
Jill at French Cupboard for French Inspiration on Thursdays
Sherry at No Minimalist Here for her Open House Party on Thursdays
Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday
Courtney at French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
Linda at A la Carte for Junkin' Finds on Fridays
Debra at Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Fridays
Sherry at The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday
Laurie at Bargain Hunting and Chatting with Laurie for A Few of My Favorite Things Saturday
Donna at Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special