Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Cranberry Christmas

"First things first...We are truly blessed to have the means to set a pretty table and invite our friends to join us for good food and fellowship. I am mindful that many are not so fortunate. My daughter has a passion for the work of the Food Bank. As a singer-songwriter, she has written and recorded a song that is the anthem for the world wide Crop Hunger Walk project. Her song, "Raise Your Voice" is featured in their video. I've included a link in the side margin of my blog. During this beautiful season when we celebrate harvest and Thanksgiving, I hope that it will encourage you to support projects in your community that contribute to the effort to overcome hunger.
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This Saturday, we were thrilled to entertain Sweet Mister's brother and sister-in-love, who came from out of state, his sister, and our precious daughter and son-in-love.  My inspiration for the tablescape was the Copeland Spode, "Tower Pink", which was my mother-in-love's everyday dinnerware for many years.  I thought that the dishes would evoke sweet memories for them as they gathered around our table for an early Christmas celebration.



I was eager to use the Williams-Sonoma Toile Tablecloth, a recent eBay purchase.  I like the monochromatic blend with the Tower Pink.

To give the Tower dinner plate a bit of definition, I disregarded the rules that say don't use place mats on tablecloths, and I layered the plate over our sweet Nana's antique Italian Lace place mats.  Another family memory for Sweet Mister and his siblings...I used my mother-in-love's Reed & Barton, "Francis I."

Antique napkins that match the place mats were nestled in berry and holly napkin rings...actually, they are mini-candle rings.

 The goblets...Waterford, "Simply Pink", AJKA, "Arabella", and Kings Crown, "Ruby Flash Thumbprint".  The Kings Crown also belonged to my mother-in-love, and her children grew up using these on a daily basis.  Like so many vintage/antique goblets, they are quite small when compared to newer designs.  I used them for water goblets this day.

At the last moment, I decided to add the Kings Crown, "Ruby Flash Thumbprint" accent plate...just because it was pleasing to my eye.  They were removed before the first course was served, and they returned to the table for dessert.

For my centerpiece, the pair of AJKA, "Arabella" presentation bowls, filled with candles and glass raspberries, made an encore appearance from the Carolyne Roehm Candy Stripe Christmas tablescape.

Anchoring the centerpiece is the antique Copeland Spode, "Camilla" tureen, picked up via eBay for a pittance.  It plays very well with the Tower Pink.

Acting as bookends for the centerpiece were a pair of Paden City, Cranberry Compotes, flanked by my sweet Lalique, "Love Birds".  I always like to have at least a pair of design elements.  One of the compotes came from our Nana.  The matching one was found through eBay.  I use them quite often.

The greenery in the centerpiece is simply a Michael's garland laid down the table in a serpentine fashion and amended with coordinating greenery picks.


The buffet still hosts the shimmering green mesh trees placed in silver champagne buckets (yep... Nana).  They've been joined by the candles from last week's "Candy Stripe" tablescape centerpiece.  Recycling, right?

Some candlelight shots...
 

 





The candlelight shots were taken the night prior to our family luncheon...hadn't decided to add the cranberry accent plates, yet.

We had such a wonderful time at our family gathering, as we all wait with anticipation the most important birthday party of the year.  I pray that you, too, will be blessed with family and friends this Christmas Season.  I've already started planning for our version of Jesus's birthday party.  I'll be excited to see your amazing designs the next time that we all join together again for Tablescape Thursday.

Thank you, yet again, to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for hosting her magical meme, Tablescape Thursday.  I'll be linking my post to "TABLESCAPE THURSDAY."   Hop on over and check out the myriad of marvelous tablescape designs, after 9:00 pm on Wednesdays.  You'll be glad that you made the trip...it's a wonderful adventure.

You can check out KC's music at www.kcclifford.com, on iTunes, and on YouTube.  I hope that you'll take a few minutes and give her a listen.  You'll also enjoy reading back through her blog on this site.  The girl can really write!  Her latest CD is called "Orchid."  It is available on iTunes or through her website.  I hope that you'll give her music a chance.  I know that I have zero objectivity where she is concerned, but I think that you'll fall in love with her music and her!  

Entertaining Women
Entertaining Women

Hello, I'm Cherry Kay I was 40 before I realized that I am an artist. I love to paint, work in clay, rubber stamping, design tablescapes, entertain, and share ideas. I'm an interior designer wanna-be...no credentials, but lots of experience.

31 comments:

  1. Cherry Kay, this is one of those tables that I could stare at for hours on end. It has just the right amoung of glitz and bling to keep my eyes dancing, and the bright red draws me in like a moth to a flame. The tablecloth is wonderful! You are the Queen of ebay without question! I love the trees in the silver champagne buckets AND that you recycled the candy striped candles from last week's post. I am a strong believer in recycling as much as I can. If it looks good, use it 'til it hurts! :-) Every piece of stemware on the table is exquisite as are the other fine elements you so carefully chose. BEAUTIFUL table to celebrate the season. I'm anxious to see "Jesus's birthday party" table. He is the reason!!!

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  2. I love your Christmas table -- that Spode is the PERFECT Christmas china! So good, too, with the toile tablecloth. The green is the perfect touch!

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  3. OH Cherry,
    This is so gorgeous..the candlelight photos are so warm and inviting! I love the tablecloth and the dishes you have layered! The soup tureen as the centerpiece is just divine! Merry Christmas...my son just flew in from Georgia and I'm a happy Mom to have my three sons here for the holidays! Hope you are enjoying your family this season. I'm sure they love being at our table!
    Miss Bloomers

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  4. Cherry Kay, your table is stunning, from the china, to the crystal, to the silver, to the centerpiece...and that beautiful tablecloth.
    Merry Christmas to you and yours!

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  5. Your table is gorgeous. I love the toile tablecloth and your beautiful dishes. The whole room is stunning!

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  6. What a perfect tablecloth to highlight the beautiful china and crystal! The centerpiece is lovely, too. You're right, the very best part of the holidays is family around the table together. Merry Christmas!

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  7. Cherry Kay, the tablecloth is wonderful. I love it with the Tower china.. omg. and putting those lovely placemats down first certainly kept the plates from falling into the pattern. Love your centerpieces too. I am sure that your family had a wonderful time. That is indeed the best part of the holidays. Merry Christmas, xo marlis

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  8. What lovely memories you surely evoked for your family! That was a lovely and thoughtful gesture, and I'm sure it was special for everyone. As for your use of the placemats, it's always best to understand the rules -- so you'll know when to break them. You picked the perfect time! The visual break between the tablecloth and the Tower plates is exactly what you needed. (But you already knew that, didn't you?) :-) Merry Christmas, Friend!

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  9. How pretty! What a wonderful sparkle you've captured by candle glow. I adore that tablecloth and your rubywear.

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  10. Cherry Kay, you never dissapoint me, your tables out do each other, as this tablescape is stunning, how wonderful must be for all your guests to be presented with such gorgeous table and elements, such as your lovely Spode china, Gorgeous stems and your tabletopper and antique lace mats and napkins; it's just fabulous, everything in it, it's in such harmony, it sings C'mas Carolls, I can hear them all the way to hear! I love your dining room as well, but I say that every time I visit you. Wishing a very Merry Christmas to you and yours.
    FABBY

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  11. What a beautiful, beautiful setting. I love how you integrated so much of your husband's family heirlooms into this table. Such a special dinner for them all I'm sure. Merry Christmas!!

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  12. Spectacular table as always. Great ebay finds, tablecloth and the ooh-la-la-fabulous Copeland Spode, "Camilla" tureen. I'm so glad it found a home in your house (my first choice would be my house, but yours is good too). Truly special table, one that surely evoked memories of sitting together with their beloved mother while growing up. I too am blessed to have the transferware my husband's family used daily! Great inspiration. Merry Christmas. ~CJ

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  13. This is just devastatingly beautiful.

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  14. Oh I just love looking at this table, Cherry Kay. It is just so festive and so stunning. I love yor toile tablecloth and so perfect with your dishes and that placemat, so unusual and very pretty. I am glad you used it. I love everything on the table. BTW, did you get your table toppers? Merry Christmas to you and your family, Cherry Kay!...Christine

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  15. Gorgeous! The stemware on this table gleams with beauty! Your china and tablecloth are fabulous! I really love the green trees in the silver champagne buckets! Those presentation bowls are fabulous! I've never heard of not using placemats on a tablecloth...I figure it preserves the tablecloth from getting soiled! Either way I like it and your lace ones look great! Merry Christmas!

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  16. This is the table of a very talented woman--you have beautiful things to work with, but the way you have combined everything is what makes this tablescape so amazing!

    Merry Christmas, Cherry Kay!

    Elaine
    Creating Wonderful Spaces

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  17. Oh my....this just totally takes my breath away, Cherry Kay! What a SPECTACULAR table!! Your family must have felt so special, seeing all the work you put into creative this very festive evening for them. Just wonderful...my eyes dance as I try to take in all the GORGEOUS items. You sure have that special touch, Lady.

    Wishing you a very Merry CHRISTmas!
    Hugs,
    Rett

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  18. Absolutely breathtaking, Cherry Kay!

    Merry Christmas!

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  19. Hello, Your table setting is exquisite! I love the jeweled tones and all the layering. Love it!
    Kathy

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  20. Your table is, to me, the very essence of Christmas. I absolutely love it! Love the dishes and the greenery! Your tablecloth is gorgeous! So elegant, but cozy and festive!

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  21. That tablecloth looks perfect with those dishes and the place mat is such a nice touch (and matching napkins!). You are so lucky to have been left such nice things. I noticed too that "old" glassware was so much smaller than what we have today. Merry Christmas!

    Robin
    Robin Flies South

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  22. Just gorgeous!!! Everything is so warm and inviting and all such special pieces from you mother-in-law. I'm sure your family loved it.

    Merry Christmas to you and your family!!

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  23. This is just stunning! I love the tablecoth and I think you were dead on adding the lace placemats! It is an exquisite look and with the similarity of the tablecloth to the plates, it is perfect to set the plates off. I love the ruby glasses. These were the highlight of our Christmas Eve at my aunt's house. I didn't inherit them, but like you, I learned from bloggers that I could find them on ebay and so I bought some for myself and my two sisters! Your centerpiece is so perfectly done with your beautiful bowls and your beautiful tureen. Truly a classic beauty.

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  24. Your guests must have enjoyed this setting, Cherry Kay! I don't much look on ebay, but I will have to start looking for such a cloth as you found. It's lovely!
    I wish you and your Sweet Mister and all your family a very Merry Christmas and all the best of health and happiness in 2012.

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  25. I'm crazy about transfer ware and all the accessories that can be used with it. As always your table is a delight, and the touch of green is perfect. I enjoy your presence in my blog life.

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  26. So gorgeous! Your table is simply devine. I love the play of the red/pink stemware with the green. I did something similar this year.

    Thank you for always being a part of Seasonal Sundays.

    - The Tablescaper

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  27. Cherry Kay, A lovely table to enjoy for the Holidays! The stemware is pretty with the Spode Tower and the King's Crown plates. The Spode Pink Camilla tureen repeats the pink of the toile tablecloth. Thanks for your kind comments last week! Happy New Year and Happy Tablescaping! Pam

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  28. Just beautiful!I could look at it over and over! I am sorry I am late commenting, I didn't get much blogging done last week, I was chained to the stove!
    Really love that china!

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  29. It may be hot outside, but I love to look at Christmas designs in the summer. Your mix of stemware is lovely, as is the sideboard. Thank you for sharing your talents.

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  30. This one is still a favorite of mine! I see I commented on it back in 2011!

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  31. I would love to know if those were little beaded strawberries in the green bowls...? They sparkle and look so pretty with the pillar candles!

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Thank you for spending your time to leave a comment. I read each and every one of your generous thoughts. They encourage me in so many ways.

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