Royal Pillow Shams

Okay I have to admit that I am hooked on all of these wonderful home interiors and craft blogs.  I have always enjoyed making things but with this unlimited access I have become obsessed. 

We are in the process of toning down our home as we hope to sell it when Captain Gar retires in November and move on to our sailboat.  So it is out with the primary colors,  my beautiful yellow, blue and reds walls and in with the neutral tones. 

Upstairs has been transformed with the Soft Chamois, Coconut Shell and Studio Taupe and we are working on the first floor now.  Since almost all of our upholstery is comprised of white tones, the change is pretty easy and I only have to change out the pillows, etc.
And I am having a ball.  This is this weeks project…new pillow shams for the guest room.  After spending an inordinate amount of time on Pinterest  (don’t get me started on this most awesome addition to my life) I decided that they should be a nice linen with crown stencils.  Kind of like his and hers!

My first discovery was the The Graphics Fairy.  If you haven’t cruised this site, you need to.  She has an unbelievable selection of vintage clip art.  It is wonderful and I have spent hours just checking it all out.  She also has a very complete section on doing the transfers.  I used the freezer paper option and for my first time, it worked perfectly.  Lisa at Home Frosting has a great tutorial on this method.  It was amazing that you could actually use freezer paper and an inkjet printer to accomplish this.

These are the two crowns I finally settled on.



Now it was time to make the shams.  I had never heard of a French welt and a kiss pleat until I saw it on Pinterest.  Annabellea used it on some cushions and I thought it would be better than your standard cord welt.  I love this look.  A little more casual and definitely Frenchified, don’t you think!

They are done and I can click off one more project.  Wahoo!

This week I will be joining: 

Between Naps on the Metamorphosis Monday

Southern Hospitality's Thrifty Treasures Monday

Boogieboard Cottage's Masterpiece Monday

Cozy Home Scene's Your Cozy Home Tuesday

Faded Charm's White Wednesday

Savvy Southern Style's Wow Us Wednesday

Beach Cottage's Good Life Wednesday

Shabby Creek Cottage's Transformation Thursday

French Country Cottage's Feather Your Nest Friday

My Romantic Home's Show and Tell Friday

At the Picket Fence's Inspiration Friday

The Charm of the Home's Home Sweet Home Friday

Laissez le bon temps rouler!!!

I have lived less than 4 hours from New Orleans for more than 35 years so it is no surprise that I really love Mardi Gras!!

We like to celebrate the whole weekend before Fat Tuesday.  Chef Gar cooks up all the traditional New Orleans dishes like andouille and duck gumbo, red beans and rice, crusty French bread, and one of my favorites, Manale’s BBQ shrimp!! So good!

It is not a problem to find brightly colored beads and masks for table décor.

Alex was our guest of honor which is only appropriate since I found him at the New Orleans Museum of Art “The Treasures of Alexander the Great” Exhibit back in the 1980’s.  He now makes his home in our wine room.

By candlelight....

Let the Good Times Roll Y'all!!

Resources:

White Linen Tablecloth: Pottery Barn

Napkins: Restaurant Style: Old Time Pottery

Napkin Rings: Mardi Gras Beads from Dollar Tree

Yellow and Purple Plates: Have had forever...don't remember

Silverware:  1881 Rogers Stainless by Oneida

Wine Glasses: Dollar Tree

Water Goblets: Gift 

I'll be posting at:

 Tablescape Thursday

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Tabletop Tuesday

http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

Wow Us Wednesday

http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/

Centerpiece Wednesday

http://www.thestylesisters.blogspot.com/

Seasonal Sunday

http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/

Yummy Valentine’s Dinner

 

My husband is a marvelous cook and I have to admit that I am spoiled rotten.  Our dinner last night was no exception so after the fun time with the table scape I thought I would show it in use.

Soup was a roasted beet and butternut squash combo pureed with fat-free chicken broth.  Very healthy and especially tasty.

I love the color combos!

 

Then it was on to the main course.  Grilled lobster tail with seasoned butter, filet mignon, sautéed green beans and brussels sprouts, roasted red peppers and beets cut into heart shapes, and a blueberry-lavender rice.

 

My chef

 

Almost ready!!

It was delicious!! And I love my hearts..Thanks Gar!

 

En vous souhaitant une bonne fête la Saint-Valentin!

Merci Saint-Valentin!!!

 I am a firm believer in Celebrating the Day and tablescaping is just a natural extension of that.  So I guess it comes as no surprise that I think Valentine's Day is one of the best.

Made the small hurricanes from a couple of candlesticks and votive holders from the Dollar Tree. They are just the right size for clustering.

Half of the fun is searching through the house to find pieces that will fit in with the theme that is rambling around in my head.  I am pretty sure that this is the first time these heart cookie cutters have ever seen the light of day.  Knew they would come in handy someday.

The camellias are still blooming and add just the right  splash of color.

Think I tried three different table clothes before deciding on this one but I love the simple detail and the white on white design.


 

Tulle chair ribbons with a couple of extra berry napkin rings.

Sante!!

Resources:

White Embroidered Tablecloth: Target

Napkins: Linen with cut-out detail: Gifts

Napkin Rings: Frosted Berry rings from Pier One

Chargers: White Pyroceram from Corning, Inc.

Clear Glass Dinner Plates: Dollar Tree

Silver Trimmed Salad Plate: Gibson Every Day porcelain from Old Time Pottery

Crystal Shrimp Cocktail Cups:  TJ Max

Glass Hurricanes and Candlesticks: Dollar Tree

Silverware:  1881 Rogers Stainless by Oneida

Stemware:  Waterford's "Shandon" White Wine and Water Goblets

Stemware: Blush Champagne Flutes from TJ Max

I'll be posting at:

 Tablescape Thursday

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Tabletop Tuesday

http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

Wow Us Wednesday

http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/

Winter Wonderland

Living in Florida with our gorgeous weather, there aren't many evenings that are suitable for a romantic dinner in front of the fireplace. When one presented itself recently right around Ground Hog Day, we took advantage of it. 

All we need is a little snow!

 Love the paper dollies under the clear glass plates.

 Many years ago when our children were young, we would tease them that this was our "Arbé Crystal" and we would get it out for every Christmas dinner. 

I think that they were a little surprised when we finally told them that their priceless "Arbé" was actually a give away from Arby's Fast Foods.  

I still love the winter wonderland scene that circles the glass and it always has a place at one holiday dinner!

 Battenburg Lace Napkins with snowflake napkin rings

Love to add a little green to the table. With a little ivy and ferns from the garden, can spring be far behind? 

 Since Punxsutaney Phil saw his shadow this year, we are supposed to have another six weeks of winter.  It has been a very mild winter here in the panhandle but I hope to have a couple more romantic meals in front of the fireplace, even if we have to run the A/C to do it!!  

Sante!!

Resources:

White Matisse Tablecloth:  Queen Bedspread from Target

Battenburg Lace Napkins: Gifts

Silver Snowflake Napkin Rings: Pier One

Silver Chargers:  Old Time Pottery

Dollies:  Joann's Fabric

Clear Glass Dinner Plates and Salad Bowls: Dollar Tree

Silver Trimmed Salad Plate: Gibson Every Day porcelain from Old Time Pottery

Silver Bud Vase: Antique shop in Edenton, NC

Silverware:  1881 Rogers Stainless by Oneida

Stemware:  Arby's Christmas promotion circa 1980's

I'll be posting at:

 Tablescape Thursday

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Tabletop Tuesday

http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

Wow Us Wednesday

http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/

A Sailor's Life for Me!!

 OGD Table for Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner

America's Cup Theme

Nautical chart placements, sailboat place cards
 and yacht napkins

Close up of Place cards

              

A few of our Sailors!

Full speed ahead