Flaming Festival, Part III

"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.  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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I'm probably going to disappear again for a few weeks.  Sweet Mister just learned this week that he'll undergo a total knee replacement next week.  I covet your prayers for him during the next month.  In the meantime, I wanted to take the opportunity to share the second table that I designed for the Theta Flaming Festival.

 My tablescaping partner, Barb, loves pink and green.  Works for me, too!  A white matelasse tablecloth tops a long green cloth that I made.

 This one definitely sets that "ladies who lunch" atmosphere.

 The Bormioli hot pink charger is always a winner.  Today it holds the Coalport Exotic Bird dinner plate, a colorful Copeland Spode accent plate, and the Glastonbury-Lotus chiller & under plate.  Stemware includes the Waterford Simply Lilac and the Glastonbury-Lotus Goldenrod goblets.  Did you spy the Mackenzie-Childs individual salt and pepper sets?

 A simple centerpiece comprised of a Hutschenreuther pink and white tureen, a quartet of pink Fenton coin dot bowls filled with green Hydrangeas, and two pair of Val St. Lambert crystal candlesticks only took moments to assemble.

 Gold tone flatware and lime green hemstitched napkins finished the place settings.  The individual rose posies at each place are placed in an assortment of small Waterford vases that I've collected over the years.

 Giving my design an exclamation point....the crystal decanters were great finds from Tuesday Morning.

I've saved this spot just for you.  We'll visit and laugh for hours!

This week I'm joining:

Tablescape Thursday with Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch

Oh the Places I've Been with The Tablescaper

Theta Flaming Festival, 2014, Part II

"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.  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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Haven't entertained this week, so I'm sharing  some more of the loveliness that was the Theta Flaming Festival, 2014.  Enjoy!

 Welcome to the Flaming Festival!  Come on in...

 I thought that this was a really clever idea, using a cluster of tall pub tables.

 A quartet of tablescapes presented by my favorite local jewelry/gift store.

 Each and everyone a luscious setting.

 Did  you notice the beautiful napkins?

 An easy, yet impressive centerpiece.

Perfect for Christmas or any winter day.

 This pair of dolls was magnificent.  Stunning!

 Love the tablecloth.

 The Simpich Carolers made a charming centerpiece.  I didn't quite get the use of the Hostess Snowballs on the crystal compote.

 I loved this centerpiece, but my photos didn't portray it adequately.

 It's made out of antlers!  Can you see them peeking out from the ornaments?

 The tree was used for years at the owner's vacation home on a ski mountain.  Be sure to notice the beautiful tablecloth.

 An assortment of individual soup tureens held floral arrangements at each place setting.

 A lobster boil...I've never been to a lobster boil.  Do you all really use newspapers on the table?

 A precious birthday party tablescape...

 Love the teacup stacks...

 ...for an Alice Through the Looking Glass tablescape.

 The tablecloth treatment was outstanding....and the dolls were beautiful.

 The Govenor's table...she's a Theta, too.

 I liked the runner on the round table.

So much inspiration...I always come away with ideas to save for another day.  Next week I'll share the second table that I set for the Flaming Festival.  Have a great week!

This week I'm joining:

Tablescape Thursday with Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch

Oh, the Places I've Been with The Tablescaper

Theta Flaming Festival, 2014, Part I

"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.  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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Missed all of you last week.  We lost a long-time, close friend, and the week was spent caring for his son and the funeral.  We hosted an evening for around 40 friends and extended family.  It was time well spent.  I didn't even try to take pics.  This week has continued to be a bit hectic, so I thought that this would be a good time to share some of my photos from the Theta Flaming Festival that took place in November.  Tonight I'm posting one of two tables that I did for the festival.

The morning of the Theta Flaming Festival found my table kissed by the sun...always a treat.

 A Coalport Blue Willow presentation bowl,  a fortunate find on eBay, held a bevy of fresh flowers...orchids, hydrangeas, and ranunculus...certainly some of my favorite blossoms.

 Cobalt depression glass candlesticks and a pair of Coalport blue and white decanters flanked the centerpiece.  Each place setting featured a stitchery that read, "A woman without her sisters is like a bird without wings."...pretty perfect for a sorority philanthropic event.

I found the brown flatware during a Horchow ClickTock sale...always a great deal.  The goblets are AJKA Arabella cobalt and Glastonbury Lotus Goldenrod.

 The foundation of the stack was composed of a duet of charger plates...the Steelite (by Royal Doulton) cobalt charger beneath the Maryland China Company Minuet charger plate.  The stars of the table were the Booth's Real Old Willow dinner plate and crescent salad plate.  The Booth's is a relative new member of my collection.  Have you ever been to the Randolph Hurst Castle?  This is the only pattern that Hurst used in his ranch house (really...that's what he called it!)  The silicon china had belonged to his beloved mother.  You'll remember the beaded napkin rings from Cuisine Kathleen.  They work in so many different situations.  Thanks again, Kathleen!

A simple champagne charmeuse tablecloth provided a nice backdrop for the setting.  I look forward to recreating this design at home one day.  I'll post more in the coming weeks, so stay tuned.

This week I'll be joining:

Tablescape Thursday with Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch.

Oh, the Places I've Been with The Tablescaper

Flaming Festival, Part 2

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. 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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I'm in the midst of preparing to host a large baby shower this coming Sunday.  Tonight I thought that we'd return to the THETA FLAMING FESTIVAL, 2012.  I want to share the table that my friend Barb and I designed for this enjoyable event.  This will be a comparatively short and sweet post.

Barb loves a pink and green color combination, so we said, "Let's go for it!"  We had fun poking through my china cabinets.

We perched my AJKA Arabella presentation bowl atop Barb's silver mirrored plateau.  My Lalique Love Birds rested underneath the bowl.  A pair of white reticulated hurricanes and a pair of Juliska style candlesticks completed the centerpiece.  I made the tablecloth.

The glass charger added a valuable pop of hot pink to our color story, and it was an effective frame for my Royal Doulton Lowestoft Dinner Plate.  The lovely silver flatware belonged to Barb's sweet mom.  We added my MacKenzie Childs' Individual Salts for a touch of feminine whimsy.

 We completed the stack with my Bernardaud Limoges Artois Accent Plate.  This beautiful delicate pattern is actually kind of difficult to use in a tablescape.  It takes a great deal of care to prevent it from "disappearing" on the table.  The placecard holders are Coalport.  The gorgeous linen napkin is another treasure from Barb's mom.

I always enjoy using my wedding crystal.  This goblet is Lalique Treves.

Today I paired it with the Waterford Simply Pink.  I get a lot of mileage out of this collection of colorful crystal...every bit of it found on eBay. Tip: After you have purchased something fragile via eBay, don't hesitate to communicate with the seller concerning safe packing procedures.  If you know a good way to ship something this delicate, share it with the seller.  They will appreciate your concern and suggestions.

We added the crystal decanters that I found several years ago at Tuesday Morning.  They effectively reflected the candlelight and added a nice finishing touch of sparkle to our table.  It was a great day to renew old acquaintances.  I look forward to next year's festival.

Wednesday is the 43rd edition of Cuisine Kathleen's meme, "LET'S DISH".  I'm excited to be a charter member.  Pop over (pun intended for the Chef Supreme Kathleen) and join the fun!

Lots of great ideas to be gathered when you visit Yvonne at Stone Gable forTUTORIALS, TIPS, & TIDBITS.  Don't waste another moment...hurry on over!  

                                                                

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 "BETWEEN NAPS ON THE PORCH."   Hop on over and check out the myriad of marvelous tablescape designs, after 10:00 AM on Thursdays.  You'll be glad that you made the trip...it's a wonderful adventure.

When I think of January, I think of how nice it is to have all the Christmas decorations stored away until next year.  I love our Christmas house, but I always appreciate the pared down version each January.  How about you?  With thankfulness for her dedication and efforts (even in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy), I'm joining the multi-talented Tablescaper for her fabulous memeSEASONAL SUNDAYS.  Hope to see you there! 

This week I'm inking to Jamiann at The Blackberry Vine for Tuesday's To Do and List Makers.  Come along to find some inspiration and fun!  

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 "The Tag Hollow Sessions""  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!             

    

Flaming Festival, 2012

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. 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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Each year during the first week of November, the Kappa Alpha Theta alumnae host The Theta Flaming Festival.  It is a delightful tabletop event that raises money for the groups chosen philanthropy, which is currently CASA, a child advocacy volunteer group that operates within the court system.  It is held at one of our city's country club's. This year the entrance is replete with a gorgeous Autumn display.

Couldn't resist looking back once more.  Okay, let's go on in, and I'll share some of the delicious eye candy from this year's festival.  Comments will be minimal.

Christmas at the Governor's Mansion...our governor is a Theta.  I LOVE the design of this tablecloth.  The band is pinned to the tablecloth.  It is edged with puffy cording; the bow is a separate piece.  This was probably my favorite element this year. 

Completely yummy!

Looking for some Christmas confections?  

The boxwood topiaries are easy and effective, and I'll bet that most of us have a Santa or three around the house.   The goblets are Juliska.

The linens are delectable!...

  

 ...and I adore this napkin ring!

This table was titled "50th Anniversary"...

Gorgeous, unusual elements for the centerpiece.  The candlesticks are magnificent.  I think that the goblets are probably Tiffin.

  

I'm not familiar with the china pattern...it is sophisticated and elegant!  Note the bling in the fabric for the tablecloth.

"Theta's Forever" featured...

Lots of black, white, and yellow...and pansies, of course!  There is always at least one MacKenzie-Childs Courtly Check table each year.  I think that it's a very popular design with lots of Theta's.

 I'll bet that some of you are already thinking about your St. Patrick's Day tables.  This one was called "Luck of the Irish".

 I know that this is a Herend pattern; I think that it's called Chinese Bouquet.

The centerpiece was beautiful!

I'll have a few more tables to share in a few weeks.  I'm busy putting out all of our Christmas goodies, and I'm guessing that you are, too.  Happy Decking the Halls!

I'm pleased to join Marty (A Stroll Through Life) for TABLETOP TUESDAY.  Won't you come along?  

Wednesday is the 37th edition of Cuisine Kathleen's meme, "LET'S DISH".  I'm excited to be a charter member.  Pop over (pun intended for the Chef Supreme Kathleen) and join the fun! 

                                                                

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 10:00 AM on Thursdays.  You'll be glad that you made the trip...it's a wonderful adventure.

When I think of November, I think about the bounty of the harvest, the crisp Autumn days, and leaves that crunch under foot.  How about you?  With thankfulness for her dedication and efforts, I'm joining the multi-talented Tablescaper for her fabulous meme SEASONAL SUNDAYS.  Hope to see you there!  

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 "The Tag Hollow Sessions""  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!