Tablescapes, Home Decor, Thrifting, Cooking

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

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.

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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.

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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!

 

 

 

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

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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!

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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.

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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

35 comments:

Red Couch Recipes said...

Donna, what a great table you have set. How fun that the ladies were able to get together and the men served you. I love those robin egg blue dishes and the little nests. How advantageous that your pussy willow was in bloom for that gorgeous centerpiece! Joni

lvroftiques said...

Donna what a gorgeous table!! I bet it was the prettiest one there, and I bet all the ladies were thrilled! I know I would be! What a great idea to have the boys do the work....it'd be nice to have this dinner once a week *winks* Vanna

Donna said...

What lovely tables. I love the blue. Thanks for sharing that Bible verse. It certainly is a good one.
D

Blondie's Journal said...

Beautiful, Donna! I love the blue theme and your centerpiece was stunning. Enjoy it for awhile!! ;-D

XO,
Janie

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

What a precious table setting...and the flowers are gorgeous! Right now my flowers are "fighting" with my chandelier too..but that's alright. It's a flower time of year!

I love the scripture also. I needed to read that tonight..thank you!
Mona

Paula@SweetPea said...

Lovely! The people at your table had to have loved your work. I love every single thing you did. Turning the place mats sideways was a good idea. I wouldn't have thought of that. Did anyone want your centerpiece or did you take it home to enjoy for a bit longer?

Laura said...

Donna-
Your table is to die for!
Your blue china reminded me that I have one plate and I want to add more.
Any suggestions?

Laura
White Spray Paint

Sherry@Back2Vintage said...

You did a wonderful job, Donna. You can't go wrong with robin's egg blue...the centerpiece is fabulous!!!

Unknown said...

Stunning, just absolutely stunning.

Michelle said...

Oh my word...just gorgeous!!!! You have given me some inspiration for what I need for my dining room...thank you!!!!

Babs said...

Donna, I'll bet everyone ooohed and ahhhhed over your table. You did a beautiful job and I like your favorite scripture.

Rebecca said...

Wow! Your table is breathtaking!! I love the centerpiece and I love the idea of turning the placemats sideways. I would have never thought of that but what a great idea! Beautiful, Donna, simply beautiful.

Cathy said...

FABULOUS!!! I know that ladies at your table felt so special.

kara@elements-interiors.net said...

Absolutely FLAWLESS and BEAUTIFUL! I LOVE the nests and eggs!

I would LOVE to have you link up to my PARTY! WHASSUP WEDNESDAY!!

And I have a party button you can grab and put on your blog so your friends can come too:)




*ENTER LINKY PAR-TAY Here! *

xoxokara

Miss Char said...

Perfection Donna and that centerpiece is to die for! I bet the table was just a chatter over your beautiful settings and everyone must have felt so special to be a part of it.

Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes said...

This is my first visit to your blog and I love it! Your table setting is stunning! I love the way everything not matchy matchy (is that a word?). I also enjoyed your Spring flower show!

My sister is a floral designer and I'm a self-proclaimed dish-a-holic, maybe we should host an event like yours!

Debbiedoos said...

Donna that is gorgeous and such a nice event to be a part of. You are in the right line of business because you do great work!

C'est moi Claudette said...

Donna, faux looks so darn GREAT.
Wish I could have been at your place when you were selling all those beautiful arrangements. What a house full.
Your table settings are real dainty and very pretty. LOVE the robins egg blue and the little bunnies.
I'm sure all 8 guests were sitting there oohing awing.
Have a perfectly great weekend.
Yes I have a lot of fun with the clan. ; )
xoxoxoxo

The Tablescaper said...

What a beautiful table. Love the centerpiece. Great to have you as part of Seasonal Sundays.

- The Tablescaper

The French Hutch said...

hi Donna, Lovely tablescape, and you certainly have a gift for arranging flowers. You have a great post, now I'm going to go to some older post and enjoy your flowers...........

~Emily
The French Hutch

Diann said...

Oh your table was absolutely lovely! Such pretty details and I really like the scripture you chose!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Oh, Donna! I absolutely adore this. So many cute ideas and such wonderful attention to detail. Love it all! You did a great job!

XO,

Sheila :-)

A Perfect Setting said...

Hi Donna! What a lovely table, and yes your robin egg's blue dishes were great! Loved the bird's nests and that centerpiece worked out beautifully! Glad you visited, I don't think I've been by here before, but I now that I've found you, I'll be back!!

design elements said...

wonderful work, Donna! Happy Sunday

Sanghamitra Bhattacherjee(Mukherjee) said...

OMG! What a lovely blog you got! Beautiful pics:)

Sanghamitra.
http://rainbow-thecoloursofindia.blogspot.com

Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking said...

Oh my goodness it all looks so beautiful! I agree so many really cute ideas and a great choice on the scripture. I am new to your blog and am so glad that I found it!

Frog Hollow Farm Girl said...

Hello from Frog Hollow Farm and a big thank you for stopping by my little blog! Your post was just wonderful - what a great evening that must have been - and very inspirational I imagine. Thanks for sharing! Ciao, bella xxoo.

Carrie @ Dittle Dattle said...

What a lovely event! The tablescape is just gorgeous.

Sally @DrinkingFromMySaucer said...

What a beautiful table Donna! Thanks for stopping by my blog today. You are right - it really IS the little things that bring us JOY from day to day. I am loving watching our bird's nest, and think it is probably house finches(?) As I sat & watched one day, I could see birds w/ a touch of red sweep under our porch to the wreath where the nest is located. I've taken lots of pictures, but it is a small space, and I am waiting for the mama or papa to charge at me & knock me off my little porch! =) Have a joyful day! ~Sally

Pattie @ Olla-Podrida said...

A lovely table full of the subtle colors and nuances of spring. Those little nests are just precious.

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

The table looks great, Donna! I love the Springtime feel to it and the nests and eggs on the top of the dishes. Ha! I'll bet your hubby wouldn't be the first to try and take a bite out of one of those faux chocolate bunnies. I'm sure dentists are quite busy this time of year! : )

Anonymous said...

Oh wow! It's so pretty and those blue dishes....double wow! :)

Alison @ The Polohouse said...

Hi Donna!
Such a lovely table. Where did you find those large nests?
Love those.
I bought a pussy willow bush last year but I don't think it made it through our winter.
This is just gorgeous. You have such a gift....making it all look so pretty!
xx
Alison

At The Picket Fence said...

What a stunningly gorgeous tablescape! We are so thrilled you shared it with us at Inspiration Friday last week and we hope to see you again this week! :-)
Vanessa

Rettabug said...

Outstanding table, Donna!! Such serene colors & what a wonderfully impressive centerpiece!

We had pussy willows in our yard when I was little. Ms. C.'s teacher just brought some into her class & she was telling me all about them. I need to plant some here!

Love the graceful shape of your cups & saucers, too.
Your Bible quote was very appropriate. Great job!!

Hugs,
Rett