Happy Birthday, Gladys Tablescape

It's seems impossible, but it has been a year since Gladys' last birthday. And who is Gladys, you ask? She is one of my (many) dachshunds. As most of you know, my family celebrates "doggy" birthdays twice a year. [See last year's formal dinner at http://thewelcomedguest.blogspot.com/2012/08/gladys-birthday-table.html]   To find reliable homes, we all took siblings from a rescued pregnant dachshund. (I then took Mom, Dad, and Auntie, too.)  And the following year, I took three siblings puppies from another dachshund. Anyway, dishes and dachshunds are my passions. I have a houseful.......(needless to say, my doxies are all spayed/neutered so I will not have any "grandchildren.")

This year, "Aunt" Pat wanted to set a casual table with lots of color to match the tablecloth that she made for me. Here's what she came up with:

Over view of the table

The place setting

Pat chose simple, sleek stainless steel flatware - "Image" by Spode

A dinner party to celebrate chunky dachshunds calls for a chunky style water and wine glass

Pat used the "doggy collar" style napkin ring for the place card holder

First layer of the place setting is a Sunshine Fiesta luncheon plate

The next layer is a red "Fun Factory" Waechtersbach dinner plate

Pat used these brown lacquer chargers to hold it all

Coordinating yellow and red candles flank the flower arrangement

What could be more appropriate than fire hydrant salt and pepper shakers?

The candle holder is made from doggy bones hot glued around a small dog food can

Notice the heart shaped hole in the name tag?

Pat made the flower arrangement from white, yellow and red flowers to match the color scheme

Close up of the tablecloth - it actually has a light yellow background

One last look from the other end of the table - you can see the bone shaped runner down the center

Happy Birthday, Gladys!

Where it came from:
Tablecloth - Handmade by Pat
Brown Charger - Michael's (inexpensive ones on sale and then spray painted brown)
Red Dinner Plate - Fun Factory by Waechtersbach from Replacements
Luncheon/Bread & Butter Plates - Sunflower Fiesta by Homer Laughlin from Macy's and Replacements
Napkins - Handmade by Pat
Napkin Rings - Pier 1 several years ago
Flatware - "Image" by Spode from Tuesday Morning
Red Glassware - from the Emporium (a great locally owned store in Ferndale, CA)
Wine Glasses - "Entertain" from Bed, Bath, and Beyond
Candles - Michael's
Tall Candle Holders - from Kohl's

We will be joining Cuisine Kathleen's "Let Dish" Wednesday night:  http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/

Summer Fun Challenge Tablescape

Pat and I are joining Cuisine Kathleen's "Let's Dish" Summertime Challenge this Wednesday night (http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/). With that in mind, Pat designed a Summer table using dishes that she has wanted to use for a long time.

Over view of the table - designed with lots of fun in the sun in mind

The place setting

The dishware is heavy weight melamine from Bed, Bath, and Beyond

The dinner plate matches the salad plate

The chargers are made of mango wood each with a distinct wood grain

Pat chose clear acrylic handled flatware that does not detract from the place setting

The five piece place setting

A wicker holder in complimentary colors is perfect for the glass

The marigold color of the bread and butter plate matches one of the chair of the beach scene

The candle's color is similar to the wicker glass holder

Pat made these small votives from Humboldt Bay oyster shells

One last look from the other end of the table

Where it came from:
Baby Blue Placemats and Matching Napkins - Bed, Bath, and Beyond
Acrylic Flatware - by Cambridge from Ross
13" Driftwood Chargers - Made of Mango wood from World Market
Melamine "Beach Scene" Dishware - Bed, Bath, and Beyond last Summer
Glasses with Wicker Holders - Pier 1 two years ago
Marigold Bread and Butter Plate - Fiesta by Homer Laughlin from Replacements
Napkin Rings, Shells, Candle, Glass Centerpiece - Michael's
Votives - Handmade by Pat from Humboldt Bay Oyster Shells

Please join us Wednesday night for the Summertime Challenge at Cuisine Kathleen's "Let's Dish" (http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/)

Elvis Has Left the Building Tablescape

Elvis has left the building......or has he? Elvis sightings still abound. Each year, especially around the time of the anniversary of his death, many people claim to have seen Elvis. Well, after 36 years (August 16, 1977), have no fear.....I feel certain he is gone. But each year, Pat and I set a table to commemorate his passing. (Last year's table can be found here: http://thewelcomedguest.blogspot.com/2012/08/ok-i-admit-it_13.html)  And we usually do one for his birthday in January. Yeah, it's true, we really like Elvis, but the real reason is we like to see what we can come up with - well, to see what Pat can come with, if the truth be known.....

Pictures of Elvis in a hot pink shirt were the inspiration for this week's table.

Over view of the table

Betty Boop can be seen in the background wearing a pink Boa to match the table

The place setting - black faux leather placemat, hot pink charger, black/white dishware, and hot pink napkin

Pat used black glassware (for the very solemn occasion) from Artland Glass Company

Flatware is called "Everyday" by Reed and Barton

The candle holder is black Depression glass

For the centerpiece, Pat made five small arrangements in black goblets and then placed them together in the center of the table. She raised the middle arrangement slightly using a small bowl turned over.

There, you can see him better.......

One last look from the other end of the table

Sorry the picture of the picture is not clear, but the ones on the table looked great. They were lovingly enlarged and reproduced for us by Pat's very talented and creative husband (who generously helps us all the time)

Ahhhhhh...........Elvis in hot pink. Be still, my beating heart.

R.I.P. Elvis. You are one of a kind.

Where it all came from:
Faux Leather Placemats - Pier 1
Checked Dishware - Pier 1
Hot Pink Charger - Inexpensive lacquer chargers from Michael's painted by Pat's husband to match Elvis' shirt
Black Glassware - by Artland from Replacements
Hot Pink Napkins - Handmade by Pat
Black Bread/Butter Plate - Black Fiesta by Homer Laughlin from Replacements
Stainless Steel Flatware - "Everyday" by Reed and Barton from Bed, Bath, and Beyond
Black Vases - "Jet Black" by Reizart from Replacements
Black Candle Holders - Depressionware from our collection
Assorted Silk Roses and Candles - Michael's

We will be joining Cuisine Kathleen's "Let's Dish" this Wednesday night:  http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/