Traditional Christmas Tablescape

 

Were you able to visit with friends and family this Christmas season?  One of my sons and his wife drove to Utah from California, and one of my brothers and his wife were able to join us for Christmas Eve dinner. Although it was a small group I pulled out all the stops in my table decor. 

We use my Spode Christmas Tree plates every December. My mother-in-law's tradition was to use her Spode every day the whole month of December, so I started doing the same thing. I have had these plates for over 40 years and they still look like new!

                                       

Several years ago I made a tartan tablecloth and then I  layered it under a quilted runner I also made over 20 years ago.

                                     

I've got a set of bright red chargers that are perfect for several holidays.

Here is a vintage spooner showing off some of my Danish Christmas spoons.

And running down the center of the table are a few of my Duncan Royale and Jim Shore Santas.

In spite of the continued challenges this season I hope you were able to celebrate and feel the Christmas spirit!

Happy New Year!

Spring Tablescape - Spode Buttercup versus Spode Wicker Dell

 Last weekend it was my turn to host the family dinner party.(My siblings still have tried to get together a few times this past year and now most of us have been vaccinated!) 

 Many years ago my mother gave me several Spode Buttercup dinner plates. They have sweet yellow buttercups and forget-me-nots in the center surrounded by a wicker border with brown filigree. I thought they would be perfect for a spring get together! Only one problem, I had 8 plates and needed 10.

 

I turned to Ebay to see if I could find a few more.  No luck, but someone was selling another pattern by Spode called Wicker Dell.  They were a very reasonable price so I bought all five that he was selling for $30.

Can you tell the difference? Look closely.

Buttercup has...buttercups and Wicker Dell has primroses.

The filigree borders are also slightly different.

Even side by side you can barely tell the difference.

Buttercup was in production from 1924 until 1992. Wicker Dell was made from 1933 to 1964.

I used wicker chargers from Pottery Barn and a lovely mint green damask tablecloth inherited from my mother-in-law. The goblets are Fostoria Jamestown also in a minty green. 

An ironstone bowl filled with Ukrainian Easter eggs made for a  colorful but easy centerpiece.

I also added a white Kaiser bunny and a milk glass hen with a blue specked egg.

Everything looked perfect for welcoming Spring.

And by the way, no one noticed that the plates weren't all the same!

I will be joining 

Tablescape Thursday

Thursday Favorite Things

Vintage Charm Party

"Quarantine" Quilts

It's been a good nine months since we all went into lockdown and social isolation due to Covid-19. I realize that this has been a terrible hardship for many and in fact, a tragedy for others.  My family has been very lucky so far, my son-in-law had a mild case and the rest of us have remained healthy.

So, what to do with all of that time spent at home? I quilted.

 A lot. 

I put together 7 quilts in the past few months, most of them Christmas gifts. I was determined to use up my fabric stash as my shelves have been overflowing!

    Sometimes the back is almost as fun as the front. I used up the scraps to make this  backing.

                                     

                                       

What have you done to keep yourself busy?

 Bake? Paint? Read? 

Please stay healthy and safe. Best wishes for a better new year!