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Friday, March 30, 2018

March Dinner Party

Two weeks ago I hosted a small party for several friends who all have spring birthdays. I chose a St. Patrick's Day theme but this would easily work for any springtime luncheon.

 I pulled out a charming vintage tablecloth that I found once while thrift shopping. It is cross stitched with colorful spring flowers.

 My favorite place settings are my mix and match white ironstone and mix and match vintage silverware.

 A few pots of primroses are perfect nestled in an old toolbox. 

To go along with an Irish theme I served Loaded Potato Soup
 Martha Stewart's  Irish Soda Scones ,

fresh artisanal bread, 


and spring greens with apples, mandarin oranges and berries.
To top it off, one of my favorite make ahead desserts, Mint Oreo Ice Cream Pie.


I bagged up Rolo candies and attached a vintage card with an Irish blessing wishing everyone luck.
It was a fun and pretty way to welcome spring! 

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Sunday, March 25, 2018

Tiffany's Gorgeous Glass

When you hear the name Tiffany do you think of diamonds, exquisite jewelry, and little blue boxes or do you think of glorious works of stained glass?




Charles Lewis Tiffany was the founder of the famous jewelry store and it was his son, Louis Comfort Tiffany who is known for his amazing work in art glass. He was a pioneer in the Art Nouveau movement incorporating nature into his fanciful designs. 

Yesterday I attended an exhibit of his works at the 
BYU Museum of Art entitled 
Tiffany Glass: Painting with Color and Light
Tiffany's creations are breathtakingly beautiful and so inventive.



wisteria table lamp

One of the better known designs is this wisteria table lamp. Notice how the blossoms drape and cascade to form an uneven rim.


poinsettia hanging lamp


Art Deco floor lamp

dragonfly hanging lamp

landscape hanging lamp

The lamp bases are almost as ornate as the stained glass. The bronze base forms a trunk to support the heavy shade.



This design was new to me, a bamboo glass shade supported by a large stalk of bronze bamboo.

Here is another of Tiffany's most recognizable designs - the dragonfly lamp.


Of course Tiffany made more than lamps. His stained glass windows decorate cathedrals, palaces, libraries, businesses and museums all over the world.






I was fascinated by the shards of glass on display. Notice the streaks and marbling in the glass used to represent dappled sunlight on leaves or creases and fold in fabric . 



Many years ago I took a stained glass making class. I remember cutting each piece, applying the copper foil and the flux and finally soldering each piece together. It takes patience and true craftsmanship to create these works of art.

If you are in the greater Salt Lake area it's worth a stop in to the BYU Museum of Art for this fabulous exhibit! 
For more info click HERE.

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