Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Simpich Pilgrims & Thanks to Cuisine Kathleen

"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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For a number of years, my Sweet Mister gifted me with assorted doll collections from The Simpich Shop in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  When Mr. and Mrs. Simpich decided to retire, they closed their studios and shop, so the dolls are now only availabe on the secondary market.  Each October, I display the Hansel and Gretel and the mean old witch with their gingerbread house.  The second group that I remove from the storage closet each holiday season is The Simpich Pilgrim grouping.  This week I designed a Thanksgiving/Fall tablescape with these charming dolls.  The whole process was set in motion when I went to my door and discovered two packages addressed to moi!

The first box that I opened contained this Pottery Barn, Hemstitched Linen Tablecloth, in Pumpkin...an eBay purchase...

...The second box was crammed full of these wonderful Waverly, Red and Gold Beaded Tassels from the generous and multi-talented CUISINE KATHLEEN.  I was the runner-up in one of her wonderful give-aways.  THANK YOU, KATHLEEN!!!  With these two new design elements, I was off to the races with ideas swirling in my head...all the inspiration I needed.

Next I drew our Furnival, "Blue Quail" from the cupboard to be placed atop the hammered copper charger plates that I picked up at an estate sale recently.  The L'Argent, Sophia "Gold" flatware was just the right mellow yellowish touch that I wanted.  The flatware was found at Tuesday Morning, and more recently at Horchow.  Tip:  Horchow is currently offering 25 - 30% off on almost everything in their catalog.  Now might be a good time to go check them out...stocking stuffers...holiday tables...just sayin'.

The two tones of blue goblets were both from The Dollar Tree.  That's right...$1.00 per stem.

Did you remember that I'm one of those "Blue & White Girls"?  Can't get enough of it.  Years ago, Sweet Mister and I realized that we both live well with blues.  The little white turkey salt and pepper belonged to my mama.  I think of her each year when I take them   out for Thanksgiving.  The Pottery Barn "Flax" Hemstitched Napkin makes yet another appearance.  I really have enjoyed using them many times this year.

As it turned out, my centerpiece was actually quite simple to create.  I really liked the warmth of the old heavy brass candlesticks.  The tallest pair belonged to my mother-in-love, and I picked up the other two pair at the tail end of an estate sale for $10.00 for all four of them.  Woo hoo!  Tip:  Timing is everything!  Shortly after my great get on the candlesticks, I read that the new trend metal color for the coming year is...wait for it...brass!  I felt even smarter...LOL.  So...all of those old brass decorative pieces that you've finally decided to donate to someone...Don't!  And if you haven't changed out your brass hardware on your cabinets in too many years to count...Hey!  You're back in style.

The faux Fall foliage is two garlands, woven in a serpentine fashion around the candlesticks and dolls...so easy!  I keep a variety of holiday garlands hanging on a hook in my garage workroom.  Tip:  For adequate coverage, I generally buy 2 - 4 of the same garland at Hobby Lobby or Michael's.  I always wait to pick them up when they are on sale...

...And finally, my old friends...the Simpich "Pilgrims."  We've enjoyed them for many years, and I pray that they bring a smile to your face this day.  They'll be sojourning in   several different spots throughout our home during the Christmas holidays.  Squanto was a later addition to the collection.  Simpich also later designed a young Indian boy.  Some 
day I'll find him, and he'll come home to join our noble little group.

Fresh turkey and a bounty of vegetables...

Time to start cooking and baking....company will be here before you know it!  Happy Thanksgiving preparations!


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.

20 comments:

  1. Fun and festive table, Cherry Kay! I love those DT stems; I've only seen them in one tone, so I'll have to keep a lookout for the other one. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

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  2. Oh My Goodness, I love your tablescape. I love the Pilgrims and the candlesticks and the fall foliage. Its beautiful with the blue stemware. Unreal you paid only one dollar each. Guess where I'm going tomorrow? I love your Furnival, I have a platter in the pattern. What a delightful table for your guest to enjoy. Thanks for the tip on the brass. I've been thinking about replacing mine. My house is dripping with it, now I can wait awhile.
    Happy Thanksgiving

    ~Emily
    The French Hutch

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  3. What a gorgeous table! I can't believe you got those goblets at the Dollar Store! Your pilgrims are the perfect touch! Happy Thanksgiving!

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  4. Your narratives transport me into your home, heart and history. I love that you really tell a story. Your dolls are works of art and set off beautifully on your new pumpkin tablecloth. Inspired design! Thanks for sharing. CJ

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  5. What a beautiful table. I love all the muted hues of orange and gold and of course I love blue and white. Just beautiful. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

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  6. Your color scheme is truly striking with the unusual juxtaposition of the soft orange with the blue and white. Your setting is warm and welcoming!

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  7. Cherry Kay, your table is stunning.. love the tablecloth. How perfect those napkin rings go with your table. The simpich folks are so wonderful. I love them. Oh Cherry Kay, I love this table. blue and orange. so very elegant and pretty. xo marlis

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  8. This is lovely! Blue and orange work so well together. The Pilgrim figurine/dolls are fantastic!

    Nancy

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  9. Love those dolls, amazing detail, and so perfect for the table. The color combination is wonderful. The whole table is just stunning, and you have used your gift well! So glad you like them!
    Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

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  10. Love the touch of pilgrims!

    - The Tablescaper

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  11. Cherry Kay, you are an artist. Thank you so much for sharing your creativity with us. The Pilgrims are fabulous, the orange and blue is fabulous, and you are fabulous! I have a set of old handmade Dickens figures that were my Mother's and your post is making me think about using them for a centerpiece next month. Why not?!

    Francie

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  12. Your non-traditional Thanksgiving table is gorgeous! Oranges and blues just aren't used enough, if you ask me...
    The Pilgrims add so much to an already beautiful table.

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  13. The Simpich dolls are wonderful...love their expressive faces. They make a lovely addition to your fall table. I just adore this color combiation....the pumpkin colored table cloth, with the blue and white dishes and the brass offering it's mellow gleam. I just love that dish pattern, Blue Quail!!! Adore!!!

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  14. So cute with your pilgrims.

    Mixing blue to orange and all other scheme is just amazing. It fis with all your pieces on top of your Thanksgiving table.

    Lucky people who join your family.

    Happy day, CK,

    Be well,
    /chie

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  15. Why, oh why are you tempting me with that tidbit about Horchow?!??!?!?! There is some flatware I have been dying to buy, but there is no way it's gonna happen...even at 25% off. Or is it? Hmmmm...! :-) Beautiful table, and I love the color of the tablecloth!!! It's a beautiful foundation for the blue & white. Gotta love that Dollar Tree! I used some green ones I recently found there on the table I posted this week. I saw the blue ones, but I already have lots of blue. One of our blogger friends said she found some in purple!!! Wish I could have seen those!!! Congratulations on your win from Cuisine Kathleen, too!!! You'll get lots of wonderful use for years to come!

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  16. Such a beautiful table, Cherry Kay. The dolls are new to me - just lovely.
    I'm sure your holiday table will be a happy one!

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  17. You got a great treasure box from Kathleen! You table is just lovely. Don't you love the mix of soft orange and blue! Gorgeous!
    Yvonne

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  18. Oh your table is so beautiful!! Those pilgrim dolls are so wonderful and what a great way to display them. Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving spent with family and friends!
    Miss Bloomers

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  19. Oh my, Cherry Kay...this table is absolutely wonderful! I am constantly amazed at the variety & style with which you decorate, week after week.

    The Simpich Pilgrims are delightful...I'll keep an eye out for the young Indian boy for you.

    Congratulations on winning those gorgeous napkin rings from our sweet Kathleen. I know you'll make good use of them again & again.

    I hope you have a wonderfully blessed & grateful Thanksgiving, surrounded by friends & family.

    Hugs,
    Rett

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