Woodland Transition

I'd like to wish all my American friends, a very Happy Thanksgiving on Thursday!

Even though Thanksgiving is long over here in Canada, I was still planning on doing one more Fall tablescape this week but then the white stuff arrived!  I just can't get used to leaves/pumpkins on the table with a backdrop of snow outside.  Thus, I created this Woodland "Transition" (from Fall to Winter) 'scape using a white, black and gold colour scheme.

Pine cones gathered from a small wooded area behind our house were given a spray of faux snow from a can.  These, along with a few cedar boughs from the same area became the basis for this table setting. I've had the gold leaf picks for a long time and the giant acorns are from Pharmasave last year.

I even tried one of Susan's (BNOTP) tutorials on how to do a different napkin fold.  This one was so easy and her instructions are wonderful.

 

This type of fold is called the "artichoke" and it makes the perfect hollow in the center to set something like a pine cone.

A white tablecloth, black runner and gold placemats add a touch of elegance to the woodland theme.

 

 Two birdies warm themselves by the fire with the freshly fallen snow all around.

I've been wanting a cloche for years but have never found one that was reasonably priced/sized.  Then I discovered, I had one (of sorts) all the time!   I was moving a large metal stand in our kitchen which has this glass insert for pillar candles inside.  Duh! I inverted it on a cake plate and voila, a cloche!

As darkness falls, some views by candlelight....

This grouping flanks each side of the cloche.  Black vases from a local gift boutique, Creative Flowers & Gifts.  Mosaic candle holder and wire pillar holder both by Partylite.  Black stand under mosaic holder is from Pharmasave Drug Store. Birdie is from Peoples' Drug Mart.

Dishes are called Primavera by Royal Heritage and I bought them about 8 years ago, might have been at Zeller's.

I think if I added some red berries and other red accessories, this 'scape could transition into Christmas as well.

Speaking of "transitioning".....why don't you transition on over to Between Naps on the Porch and check out all the other tablescapes there?  No doubt, there will be a nice variety of eye candy to inspire you for the changing seasons/holidays!

Fall Dinner Party for Eight

As mentioned, in my previous post, this past Sunday we decided to host an impromptu dinner party for eight.  We were able to round up three other couples on short notice and set to work cooking!  Fortunately, I had already been "designing" a tablescape earlier in the week and it was pretty much ready to go!

This is how the idea for my tablescape started.  I ran across two of these glass/metal votive candleholders on clearance ($4.00 each) at a local Fields Store.   I thought they had possibilities.

 

Using items I already had, I rounded up some fall leaf garland and a swag as well as some very large faux acorns and a few glitter pumpkins.

 I tucked and wove the garland and swag around the metal of the candle holders and laid the pumpkins and acorns in the 'bare" spaces.  Added 10 Partylite votives and  lit them up. Voila! - an easy, inexpensive but striking centerpiece for a fall table.

 My other recent purchase was eight of these leaf shaped bowls from Walmart.

These bowls were set atop gold rimmed white salad plates and orange dinner plates layered on brown wicker-look chargers. 

(all items I've had for a long time)

  Placecard holders are new from a home party by Everyday Style.

The complete place setting with a mini faux pumpkin in leaf bowl.

The finished tablescape just before guests arrived.

We must have been organized to be able to have time to take pictures before the guests arrived! Usually, I'm scrambling to finish the food and get myself cleaned up!

I love these "giant" acorns I got at Pharmasave Drug Store last year.

We really enjoyed the evening, sharing food and lots of laughs with good friends by the glow of candlelight.

For some reason, it feels kind of "extravagant" to burn so many votives at once!

As per usual, I never got time to take any pictures of the food I served but here's the menu.

French Onion Soup served in Pumpkin Tureens(not shown)

Seafood Lasagne, Cesar Salad, Grilled Asparagus and Garlic Toast served on the orange plates

Pumpkin Bread Pudding (recipe from Stone Gable - delicious!) served in the leaf bowls

Thanks for stopping by but don't linger, there are lots more tablescapes to enjoy at Between Naps on the Porch!

Dinner Party Preview

On Sunday morning, we decided to invite 3 other couples over for an impromptu dinner party that night.  After church,we had to scramble to get ready but fortunately, I had already started working on a tablescape earlier in the week so only had to spend the day cooking! 

Here is a preview of the centerpiece I created for our dinner for eight. 

   Hope you'll come back later and check out the whole table setting.

 I am linking this to 
The Style Sisters' Centerpiece Wednesdays.
Hop on over there for lots of great centerpiece ideas!

Halloween 2010

I'm a bit late to post this as my 2010 Halloween tablescape but I was sick this past week so didn't get it finished in time.  I hope you'll humour 
me and take a look now.

The Witching Hour has begun.....

You can feel the terror building...

The Ravens are escaping...

The Dead are screaming....

...and howling

Can you hear them?

Spiders are crawling....

All is not well...

Do you have goosebumps yet?

Step by step,  the foreboding intensifies....

The Owls' lonely hoot echoes throughout...

Their all-knowing eyes see right through you...

The candle flickers...

All are on guard...

Waiting....

and watching...

She can't be far away.....

For it is Her hour to shine....

AAAHHH! Run for your lives!  The Witch has finally arrived and Her evil ways have already transformed the place!

Thanks for playing along!

  Of course, I'm linking up Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch. 

Be sure to head on over to check out some 
more "civilized" table settings!  

Tablescape Details:

Pumpkin Bowls from The Shopping Channel 3 years ago

White salad & dinner plates from Pier 1 this past summer

Black & White salad Plates from Saan Store 3 years ago

Black Stemware from HomeSense 3 years ago

Orange Placemats from Zellers 3 years ago

Centerpiece is created out of black bird cage atop candle ring (that goes around patio umbrella) set on wire basket surrounded by feather boa.  Skulls, spiders, ravens, black roses and pumpkin swags from Pharmasave Drug Store

Owls from Fields store

Glitter Pumpkins from Walmart

Small clock from HomeSense last year 

Placecard markers from Everyday Living home party

Black Pillar Candle Stands from local boutique