Welcome to the 10th "Sunday Favorites"

....a brand new Sunday meme!

"Sunday Favorites" is a new Sunday meme designed to give bloggers a chance to share a favorite post from the past!!!

Hello my friends!

Welcome to the 10th run of "Sunday Favorites"!!!

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I hope that you're having a super Sunday! My friends, I'm still away on vacation...but I will be home soon...I promise!!! Of course you know that I have prepared this post ahead of time for Sunday Favorites! I'm hoping that it publishes as planned with no problems! I am trying to check in once in awhile to be sure that everything is going smoothly! I'm missing ya'll already!!! Sheeesh...I've been away for so long that I hope you haven't forgotten me! Hehe!!! We'll catch up when I get home...I just know that all kinds of wonderful things have happened...and that I've missed so much!!! Take care, my friends...and Lord Bless!!!

For more information on "Sunday Favorites"...what this new meme is all about and "how to" republish a post...just click HERE

*If you have any questions or I can be of help in anyway...please let me know!

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So, without further ado...let's do it!!! Let's join in with "Sunday Favorites" and have some fun!!!

Thank you so much for your participation!!! I am going to really enjoy going through your "Sunday Favorites" posts!!!

Love ya'll,

Chari

Sunday Favorites

My favorite post: February 9, 2009

"Blue Monday" in Holland!

Hello my friends....and wilkommen to "Blue Monday" hosted by our own dear Sally over at Smiling Sally! Please stop by Sally's place and say hello...you will also find a list of all the participants of "Blue Monday" there! Thank you, Sally for giving us a reason to share all of our "Blue" treasures!

It is definitely a "Blue Monday" at my place today...it's about 35 degrees, foggy, and drizzly! I guess the weather is befitting of today's subject...Holland! Oftentimes it's cool, damp, foggy and drizzly over there...and the tulips just adore that kind of climate! Can you ever look at a tulip and not think of Holland?

Holland is certainly a beautiful country!

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When I think of Holland, I think of little dutch girls in wooden shoes...pretty flow-blue dishes...and windmills! I wanted to share a few of my husband's family treasures with you today. When I found these, I just giggled with glee! There is a miniature creamer...sugar bowl...dutch shoe...and a little kissing dutch boy and girl! Aren't they sweet?

They are very small...the little creamer and sugar bowl only measures about 3" tall...but just look at the pretty art work on them...beautiful scenes of windmills in Holland! The little miniature "Kissing Dutch boy & girl" only measures about 1 1/2" tall...very small but absolutely darling!!!
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A close-up view of the little Dutch boy and girl kissing...hehe! There is a mark on the bottom of the little figurine...HANDR.D.BLUE 98.10181...I'm not sure what this means or if this means anything...do you know?

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A close-up view of the little dutch shoe...it has the same mark on the bottom of it as the little dutch girl and boy. It's just so sweet...for some reason, they just make me giggle when I look at them!



I decided to put my little "dutch treasures" in front of my 12" pitcher so you can get a better feel for just how tiny they are!



My husband wasn't sure of the family history of these pieces...he thinks that they belonged to his Grandmother. They sure are sweet and I'll have to find a special place to display them!


Well my friends, I'm so happy that you stopped by today...your visit has already brightened an otherwise dreary day at my place!

Have a marvelous Monday...

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Love ya'll,
Chari

Welcome to the 9th "Sunday Favorites"

....a brand new Sunday meme!

"Sunday Favorites" is a new Sunday meme designed to give bloggers a chance to share a favorite post from the past!!!

Hello my friends!

Welcome to the 9th run of "Sunday Favorites"!!!

I hope that you're having a super Sunday! By now...most of you know that I'm on vacation! I'm not sitting at the computer...I'm in Texas visiting my three daughters and all ten of my darling grandchildren!!! It's been over a year since I've seen them and I'm just so excited!!! Thank heavens that I could do up a post for Sunday Favorites and tell it when to be published! I'm crossing my fingers, my toes, and even my eyes (hehe!)...that this will publish right and that Mr. Linky won't be stinky and give you problems!!! Hehe!!! Anyway, I plan on being away for two weeks but I didn't want you to have to miss out on Sunday Favorites! I'll miss ya'll while I'm gone (Ahhh...big hugs!)...I'll have a lot of catching up to do when I get back home! Until then...have a super Sunday and lots of fun with Sunday Favorites!!!

For more information on "Sunday Favorites"...what this new meme is all about and "how to" republish a post...just click HERE

*If you have any questions or I can be of help in anyway...please let me know!

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So, without further ado...let's do it!!! Let's join in with "Sunday Favorites" and have some fun!!!

Thank you so much for your participation!!! I am going to really enjoy going through your "Sunday Favorites" posts!!!

Love ya'll,

Chari

Sunday Favorites

My favorite post: August 11, 2008

Life Is Grand

Oh my...Life is Grand...isn't it? It's Monday morning and I'm trying to "knock out" as much of my "To Do" list as possible. I really slacked off last week with having honey, Darrin, and Danielle home on vacation! Which brings me to the subject of my blog today.

My sister, Rhonda, has a birthday coming up this month. It's not just any ol' birthday...she's turning the BIG 50!!! (Hehe...sorry Sis...just had to get your age out to the public somehow!) I found the perfect gift for her! A couple of weeks ago, we made a trip up to the mountains to the cutest little town ever...Estes Park! While meandering the quaint little streets...looking into the windows of all the specialty shoppes...there it was!!! It was the prettiest little statue of an Indian painted pony...and Sister collects these! I just had to buy it and surprise her with it for her birthday! So getting this gift ready to send to Sister in Texas was at the top of my "To Do" list today. Since the gift is a bit fragile...honey brought me in a huge box of styrofoam peanuts so that I could pack the gift properly!

Now this is where getting back into the same ol'...same ol'...daily grind comes in. Since honey is back to work and the kiddos are gone...it's very quiet at the house. I often have to look for things to entertain myself...hehe!!! So as I sat here looking at that big box of styrofoam peanuts....the thought occurred to me that the world may some time soon become "over run" by these silly little annoying things! We had better start putting them to use (I thought)...that's when I came up with my "TOP TEN COUNTDOWN" ..."What You Can Do With Styrofoam Peanuts"!!!

*****TOP TEN COUNTDOWN*****

"What You Can Do With Styrofoam Peanuts"

#10 - Throw them in the air & pretend it's snowing....of course, this would only be a thrill if you live somewhere that it never snows...my Sis lives in South Texas so she was on my mind!

#9 - Need an extra pillow for guests?....Just fill up a pillowcase!

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#8 - Stuff em in your honey's boots....Then just sit back....smile....& watch him try to put them on!

#7 - Pad your bra!....It works for me!

#6 - Be kind to our planet..."RECYCLE"....Pass them on to your Mama....she'll keep them...she keeps everything!

#5 - Stuff your mailbox just full of them and include a little note "Happy...happy...joy...joy" for your dear postman....Don't get mad over those annoying little static things....just get even with the postman for bringing them to you!

#4 - Do a craft project and save your macaroni!....use peanuts instead for your next "just arrange & glue craft picture! Hehe...remember those...little macaroni pictures? Bring back a "lost art"!

#3 - Pass them on to your best friend for his/her birthday!....I mean...what are good friends for anyway!

#2 - Spray paint them brown!....Then at your next party...serve them for real peanuts! After a few cocktails, your guests won't know the difference anyway!

And....drum roll please...saving the best for last....

#1 - Just grab a hand full and start rubbing them all over your head...that's right...keep rubbing...rubbing, there you go! Ahhhhh...the amazing law of "static electricity"! Voila!!! Your brand new "Static Peanuts Hair-do"!!! Just think, you'll be famous in no time...why this is how all the popular fads get started!!! Hehehe!!!

And why are you looking so "dumb-founded" after reading my "TOP TEN COUNTDOWN" for what you can do with styrofoam peanuts??? It's pure genius!!! I told you I had to come up with ways to entertain myself, didn't I? Hehe!!! I think my Sis will get a hoot out of my list when she opens up her box and finds it laying...ever so sweetly...on top of all those peanuts!!!

HeHeHeHeHe...!!!

Love ya'll,

Chari

A Cloche Party...A Few of My Favorite Things

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It's A Cloche Party!!!

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*Hello my friends...the day has finally arrived for the Cloche Party!!! I've been soooo excited!!!
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*This fabulous Cloche Party is being hosted by a very dear friend of mine...Marty from A Stroll Thru Life blog. If you haven't ever met Marty, you really must go over to her place and do so...she's just the sweetest gal and she has the most delightful blog! I can guarantee you that you'll make a dear friend and be totally inspired by her beautiful home and many great ideas and never ending talents!!!

While you're over at Marty's, you'll find a list of all the participants or should I say, "party-goers"! Hehe!!! I just know that there will be so many beautifully decorated cloches and apothecary jars on display!!! I'm always ready for some new and innovative ideas when it comes to decorating!!!

Pre-party Excitement...

This week, due to all of my excitement about the Cloche Party, I did a little pre-party posting!

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Monday I posted my "Cherub in a Jar"...apothecary jar, that is!

Tuesday..."Bird's Nest Under Glass" cloche!

Wednesday..."Bunny in a Jar"...another apothecary jar design!

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You can just scroll down to those posts to see them...I sure hope that you'll take a peek at them!

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Without further ado...here is my contribution or little "party favor" for the Cloche Party!

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"Cloches & Buttons and Creamy White Ironstone"

These are a Few of My Favorite Things...."

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My Miniature Cloche

This is a miniature cloche that I found at an antique shop several months ago. It was on sale for just $2...that incuded the little glass pedestal plate that it's sitting on as well! This little cloche only measures 6 in. tall (10 in. tall including the pedestal plate).

I searched and searched for something pretty to put in my miniature cloche...and finally decided to add a bunch of pretty gold, black, and white buttons! I tied a feathery white ribbon to the handle and added an vintage looking key!

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In celebration of the Cloche Party...I wanted to make a vignette using my newly decorated cloche.
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 I took one of my silver handled trays and added a few of my favorite things...a creamy white ironstone soup tureen...a silver beaded rope with tassels...a silver frenchy looking ornament...a couple of silver candleholders with white candles...and my newly decorated cloche filled with pretty gold buttons!
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A New Vignette for the Living Room
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In my olive colored living room, I have a beautiful picturesque window...it's very large and situated right next to the front door of our home...so it recieves much attention. I have an antique mohogany sofa table placed in front of this window. I think this will be the perfect place for "A Few of My Favorite Things" vignette!
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I placed the silver tray with my newly decorated cloche in the center of the sofa table. I added a large crystal vase full of white hydrangeas to the left side of the tray...and a couple of old books with my favorite french girl bust...to the right side!
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Voila!!!...now I have a brand new vignette for my living room table!
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My french girl bust...isn't she sweet?

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A few "artsy" photos of the buttons in a cloche!

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I found a new toy...the frosted window frame around my cloche photo is an effect that can be found at Flickr!
I love how this pretty frosted frame looks!!!
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Ooooh...so many pretty kinds of buttons!
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Another photo framing technique from Flickr!
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I have just learned how to make mosaics with my photos...I've been having soooo much fun doing this!
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Well my friends...thank you for letting me share a "Few of My Favorite Things" with you today! I hope that you enjoyed my new vignette and my miniature cloche full of pretty buttons!!!


I am off to Texas tomorrow for a two week vacation! I am going to see my three daughters and all ten of my grandchildren!!! I will miss you while I'm gone and will have alot of catching up to do when I get home! Until then...Lord bless and I'll see you soon!!!


*Just a note...I will still be hosting Sunday Favorites while I'm gone...I already have prepared the Sunday Favorites posts and they will publish on schedule!

Love ya'll,
Chari

Another Little Party-preview!!!

Hello my friends! The excitement is building...the Cloche Party is almost here! This fun filled party is being hosted by our very own Marty over at A Stroll Thru Life!

Thank you, Marty...I have already had so much fun posting my little pre-party previews!

For more information about the Cloche Party just click HERE.

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Today I would like to share with you another apothecary jar decoration! Many of you have already seen this...but there may just be a few who haven't! Enjoy!!!

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"Bunny in a Jar"

This is a vignette that I did up for my Easter tablescape.

If you would like to see that tablescape...just click HERE.

I just love my apothecary jar...I sure have gotten alot of "mileage" out of it! Hehe!

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Since I was doing this for an Easter tablescape, I decided to use my little ceramic bunny for the subject. I used malted milk candy eggs to fill the bottom of the jar...I just love all of the soft pastel colors!!! Mmmm...and they sure tasted great after Easter too! Hehe!

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I used a couple of pretty ribbons for the handle of the jar...a white feathery ribbon and a pretty pink and white checked ribbon! Then I placed a vintage pearl (clip) earring on the bow!

Ahhh...just look at this sweet little bunny! He was a special treasure find from the thrift store. I just love the delicate glass pink roses on his back!!!

I also used my mini cloche for this Easter vignette. The dried rose was my husband's boutineer from our wedding! Another white feathery ribbon was tied around the handle and I added an old vintage key!

I've been learning how to make mosaics...and have had sooo much fun!


Well my friends...so happy that you came by for another pre-party preview!!! Don't forget that the Cloche Party is this Friday...dust off those pretty cloches and apothecary jars and share your creative talents with us!!! I'm looking forward to getting some great ideas...you always inspire me!!!

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Love ya'll,
Chari

Cloche Party...and another pre-party preview!

Hello my friends! There is BIG news in blogland...we're having a party!!!

Cloche Party

Friday, June 19th

at Marty's place...A Stroll Through Life

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I'm so excited about this fun little Cloche Party! For more information about the party just click HERE.

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Yesterday I decided to do a Cloche Party preview..."Cherub in a Jar"! You can scroll down and take a peek if you'd like. Today I have another pre-party preview...

*"Bird's Nest Under Glass" *

This was a Spring vignette that I did for my dining room table!

*"Bird's Nest Under Glass" Cloche

I found this glass cloche on a pedistal at Hobby Lobby last Spring. It was on sale for $7...I just couldn't resist!!! The sweet little bird's nest was purchased at Dollar General for $3...I just love the pretty colored bird eggs! I tied a blue & white checked organza ribbon around the handle of the cloche...and Voila!!!

The "How To's" of this Vignette

Since this was a vignette to celebrate the new coming Spring season...I wanted to use lots of greenery and some pretty pastel colors. I decided to use a pastel rose print placemat for the base of the vignette. I placed the cloche in the center of the placemat and added a planter of ivy behind the cloche for some needed greenery. Then I placed my mercury glass goblets to each side of the cloche...and two silver candleholders with white candles to the left side of the vignette. Hmmm...now I needed something on the right side to bring balance...I think this Debbie Mumm bunny plate works well! What do you think? I remembered my little glass egg and added a cute little bunny figurine to it...then placed this to the left side of the vignette. Since it is glass and transparent it doesn't throw the balance of the vignette off! And...for the finale, I brought in two cast iron birds and placed them in front of the cloche!

Do you see the pretty glittery egg that is hanging by a ribbon from one of the candleholders? I found these darling eggs at Hobby Lobby. They have the sweetest vintage pictures of children on them! I just fell in love with them the moment I saw them!
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My "Artsy" photo

A close up photo of the glass egg with the bunny figurine. Isn't this little bunny just darling...he's holding a little ladybug in his paws! Hehe!

I've been learning how to make mosaics...I've had so much fun!!!
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Another "Artsy" photo... *

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"Bird's Nest Under Glass"

My cloche and a Spring time vignette!
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Well my friends, I hope that you enjoyed another pre-party preview! Thank you so much for coming by...please leave me a comment and let me know that you were here! I love our visits!!!
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Do you have a cloche or an apothecary jar that you have decorated and would like to share with us? Please do...and join in with Marty's Cloche Party on Friday!!!
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Love ya'll,
Chari

Pre-party Celebrations!!!

Hello my friends!

Yeeehawww!!! It's time to get out your cloches...get them dusted off and ready to go for Marty's Cloche Party this Friday!!! For more information about the party just click HERE and it will take you over to Marty's blog...A Stroll Through Life.

I know that I'm starting a bit early...but I'm just sooooo excited!!! Not to mention that I have enough cloche and apothecary jar photos to choke a horse! Hehe! So I thought I would start sharing just a few with you each day of this week...kind of a pre-party cursor...leading up to the big event!!! Ohhhh...don't worry, I have a brand new cloche vignette that I'm saving just for the day of the party! I'm saving the best until last...hehe!!!

Learning How To Make a Mosaic...

You know...I'm always "a day late and a dollar short" when it comes to getting things done! I've been seeing all of these pretty mosaics around blogland for some time and I've just now learned how to make them! Ohhh boy...I have been having fun!!! So along with a few old vignette photos...I have added a couple of "new" mosaics to the mix! Hope you enjoy!!!

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Cherub in an Apothecary Jar

"Cherub in an Apothecary Jar" is a vignette/centerpiece that I did for my Mother's Day tablescape. I have had so much fun decorating this apothecary jar. I found it on sale for $21 at Walmart...it's a whopping 19 ins. tall so it makes quite a statement when used in a table centerpiece.

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If you would like to see my Mother's Day tablescape...just click HERE.

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"How To's" for the Vignette...

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I placed a white cherub in the jar...it's nestled into a white lace doily and some tiny white flowers. The apothecary jar sits atop a silver handled tray (one of my recent thrift store finds). I wrapped a long silvery beaded tassel around the bottom of the jar and placed a frenchy silver ornament on the tray in front of the jar. An ivy serves for the background and brings a little green into the picture. I then placed mercury glass goblets and silver candleholders to each side.

Well my friends...hope you enjoyed a little pre-cursor party celebration!!! Tomorrow I will have another little surprise...so stay tuned!!! Hehe!!!

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Don't forget to go and check out the information for the Cloche Party this Friday over at Marty's "A Stroll Through Life"!

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Dust off your cloches...you're invited!!!

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Love ya'll,

Chari

Welcome to the 8th "Sunday Favorites"

....a brand new Sunday meme!

"Sunday Favorites" is a new Sunday meme designed to give bloggers a chance to share a favorite post from the past!!!

Hello my friends!

Welcome to the 8th run of "Sunday Favorites"!!!

I hope that you're having a super Sunday! Ohhh my...where is the time going? With summer here, it seems that my days get busier and busier! Colorado's cold winters are so very long...along with the warmer weather of summer...comes so many activities! It's so nice to be out and about again!!! I know that ya'll are getting busy as well...so I hope that you're enjoying joining in with the fun of "Sunday Favorites"...I sure have enjoyed reading your favorite posts revisited!!!

Vacation in Texas...

I just wanted to let you know that I will be making a trip to Texas to see my three daughters and all ten of my grandchildren! I'm just so excited that I'm nearly a "basket case"! Hehe! It has been over a year since I have seen them all...so you can well imagine my excitement!!! We will be leaving June 20th and will be gone for two weeks. So I will be away for the next couple of "Sunday Favorites"...however I have already prepared posts...I just didn't want any of you to miss out on the fun!!! I'm crossing my fingers that my posts will publish successfully...and that I will not have any problems with Mr. Linky! Hopefully, I can check in to be sure that all has gone well...but just in case I'm not able to...I just wanted you to be aware! I sure do appreciate your patience and understanding!!!

Ohhh...I'm just sooooo excited! Hehe!!!

For more information on "Sunday Favorites"...what this new meme is all about and "how to" republish a post...just click HERE

*If you have any questions or I can be of help in anyway...please let me know!

*******

So, without further ado...let's do it!!! Let's join in with "Sunday Favorites" and have some fun!!!

Thank you so much for your participation!!! I am going to really enjoy going through your "Sunday Favorites" posts!!!

Love ya'll,

Chari

Sunday Favorites

My favorite post: March 18, 2009



It's Tablescape Thursday &
"Green in the Spring"

Hello my friends and welcome to "Tablescape Thursday" hosted by our very own Susan over at Between Naps On The Porch! Tablescape Thursdays have certainly become a very popular and fun-filled Thursday event! If you haven't ever visited Susan, you're missing out! You just have to see Susan's Thursday tablescape and while you're there, take a peek at all of the participant's beautiful tablescapes!!!

It's been awhile since I've done a tablescape but last month I found a set of dishes on ebay and wanted to do a tablescape with them! For those of you follow my blog, you'll remember the great deal I got on a beautiful set of Kensington Staffordshire Balmoral 1801 dishes. When I seen these pretty English ironstone dishes come up for auction on ebay with a starting bid of just $10...I couldn't believe it! I watched the auction and believe or not...no one ever placed a bid, I got the entire set for just $10!!! What a blessing...I was so excited!!! To read more about this post...just click HERE.

"Green in the Spring" Tablescape...

Spring time is almost here in Colorful Colorado and I wanted to do a pretty Spring themed tablescape! My new olive green and white ironstone dishes would be perfect to lighten things up a bit in our red French Country dining room.

Full view of our French Country dining room and "Green in the Spring" tablescape. As you can see...my dining room is red and olive green. Another reason why I was elated to find a set of dishes that were olive green...they go perfectly in our dining room! *

A simple, fresh Spring tablescape...an intimate dinner for two!



Table Centerpiece...

Keeping it simple and fresh...I used a white ironstone pitcher filled with creamy white hydrangeas, two masonary garden urn candleholders with white pillar candles, and a couple of sweet little birds...all atop a lacy, crocheted doily!

These beautiful light green dinner napkins belonged to my husband's mother...they go perfectly with the new olive green & white dishes! I found the silver teapot napkin rings at Hobby Lobby on sale...$4.99 for a set of four! The antique beverage glasses were given to me many years ago by a friend. The goblets came from my husband's parents.

The Place Setting...

I just love these white chargers with fleur de lis on them! I purchased them on sale from JC Penneys for $29 for a set of four...not to bad!!! The dinner plate and dessert bowl is Kensingtone Staffordshire ironstone...love the frenchy, olive green pattern! I used a green salad/dessert plate from another set of dishes that I have.

The Flatware...

I just adore this beautiful set of silverware...it has the fleur de lis pattern on it as well! You may be able to see it better in some of the other photos.

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Salad/Dessert Plate...

A close-up of the salad/dessert plate. As I mentioned earlier, this little plate belongs to another set of dishes that I have. The shade of green goes fairly well with the shade of olive on the ironstone. I used this set for daily dishware for a couple of years...it came from Walmart and has been quite durable!

The Dinner Plate...

A close-up view of the Kensington Staffordshire Balmoral 1801 ironstone. I still just do the "happy dance" every time I see these pretty "treasure finds"!!!

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What "Green in the Spring" tablescape would be complete without a little white birdie? hehe!!! I found these sweet little birds at Michaels...half price for $1.50. I sure have seen many of these sweet little creatures all over blogland lately! Don't you just love the little cut-out pattern on the sides?

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Just another view...

Well my friends...thank you so much for dropping by and taking a peek at my "Green in the Spring" tablescape. I just love when you visit...please leave a comment and let me know you were here!

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Happy tablescaping...don't forget to stop over at Susan's and see her beautiful Thursday tablescape and all of the other participants tablescapes too...such beauty!!!

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Love ya'll,

Chari