My Country Christmas Table

My first ever tablescape! 

I like a simpler more country look to my table, that I can take into the New Year.

I'm sure you'll recognize the flower vase from this post.

 

My first layer is this white and blue striped runner that I made out of vintage 

roll toweling. I just cut a portion off and then cut that in half lengthwise, gathered,

then resewed a section to each end. Thank goodness my table is small and that

I had a piece long enough to give a nice drop of ruffle on each end.

I crossed the first layer with a red cross stitch runner done in roses and vines. I'm not even a fair embroiderer, but I know great needle work when I see it and this piece is lovely!

Next, my white and blue snowflake luncheon plates. This one with a blue and white buffalo plaid napkin wrapped in a gold holly leaf and jingle bell napkin holder.

And the other two plates get a red and white plaid napkin in a holly and jingle bell napkin ring.Not sure about these napkin rings, they way they are shaped makes them sit at an odd angle. Why the mix of napkins? Well, I had two of the blue and three of the red...so I had to mix it up a bit!

This blue and white serving piece (usually holds holiday treats) I'm using as a charger underneath the pitcher of flowers.  It has a beautiful gold flower in the middle and just look at those handles...so pretty! Don't know the maker as the pottery mark underneath is terribly blurred. Any ideas on maker?

 The transoms across the french doors are filled with wire bird cages, fluer de lis, faux citrus fruit vines and a sign declaring "Bon Appetit".

 I added the water pitcher with bunches of red and white poinsettias

 And tucked in a vintage postcard on a wire holder.

A little silver and light into the mix~~~

 A pair of Gorham Sterling candle holders given to me by a very dear friend (thanks Terrie). They're holding toile candles that I made by covering with tissue paper a few years ago.

And then I brought the heard of celluloid deer in. These were a find 

from last year.  They are a wonderful size and so very "dear!

My Merry Christmas Country Table

Thank you for popping in!!!

Happy Hunting and Gathering~~~

 Sharing With

Ivy and Elephants

Vintage Inspiration Party

Simple & Sweet Fridays!

Decorative Only Candles

Do you remember the bunches of plastic-resin grapes from the late 60's? Did you know they apparently made candles also?  I found these three translucent mossy green candles with flecks of glitter in them at my local Salvation Army Thrift.

At first glance I passed on them because I have enough candles...because of my asthma I don't light them unless an emergency.  On the next pass by I picked them up...just for a closer inspection...and was surprised at the feel and weight of them. These weren't your ordinary "run of the mill" candles!  When I held one up to the window...Oh My! It was gorgeous!!!.  So in the cart they went. Got all three for .75 cents (plus my 10% off discount ~ making them .67 cents). I really need to figure out how to put the cent symbol in.

With the holidays just around the corner I think these will look very pretty in my three arm candelabra.

I'm  thinking a strand of battery operated fairey lights tucked in around the greenery.

 

The wick is gold threaded, they're very blingy!

Now these are a little bit to small for this candelabra, so to keep them steady and upright, I use a product called Stick-Um Candle Adhesive, made by Fox Run Craftsman, Ivyland , PA 18974 USA. I have no affiliation with this company...I just like the product and how well it works.

You just take a small amount and roll it into a pea size shape then press it onto the bottom of the candle...any candle. As I did in the above picture, it's the white substance where I checked. Then press candle firmly into holder positioning it as you like. Easy-peasy clean up with soap and water. This product came in really handy for a candelabra that had one slightly crooked holder and no way to bend it back without breaking it.

Thanks for popping in...
Happy Hunting and Gathering!!!

Winter Sunlight

Wanted to share with you the new crochet table cloth I found while out junking. It was sealed in a plastic bag and labeled "72 x 72 inches, over 60 years old, and no stains or holes". So I doubled checked the stain/hole statement with the gal that checked me out, paid, and went my merry way.

I was thinking this would look awesome on my double bed...well think again, because the measurement was off, it was only 48" x 72".

 It works on my wood table but it definitely needs a larger white cloth underneath to show the color (ecru) and the swirl pattern off.  And I'm not going to use it for real...just for pretty! It's kind of difficult to find crochet table cloths that are in great condition around here.

So while I had the cloth on the table and the winter sunlight was coming in through my french doors I decided to work on my picture taking.

Three books that were published in the mid 1800's (one of my latest collecting must haves), a sterling candle holder and a very tall silver plate candle holder, with toile and script candles that I made.





Also, sitting on the books is a crown that I fashioned out of lamp parts. I have since given a coat of white gesso.







The big white cabinet in back is a great find from Elkton, Oregon...followed a garage sale sign one day when going through and this is what I found.  I keep table linens, my ironstone collection, and all my other pretties in there (or on top).






 A covered ironstone casserole (and a large soup tureen on top of the cabinet), gravy boat, and a squat pitcher. With a wonderful dappling and burst of winter sunlight!  This was during our cold snap, it was about 22 degrees outside....brrrr!

I have four of these porcelaine de Sologne plates they are 8 1/2" across and all feature a different fish. It's part of the cupboard stash.







Just a wee sampling of my silver and silver plate utensils. The spoon on the bottom is sterling and has beautiful pears at the top of the handle and "Ruth" engraved in the bowl and 1908 on the back of the handle.

Off to the left is a fish knife. I love how the handle is turned up from the blade.

From left to right; a meat fork with a pronged guard or rest (not sure), a beautiful serving fork in the grape pattern, next up is a wood handled fork,( I only have one wish I had more, it's one of my favorites) and on the very right an olive fork.
 

And two pretty floral creamers...

 As always~~~Happy Hunting and Gathering!!!

It's Been One Year

Well, it's been one year since I "Hung the Sign" did this post (my most viewed post to-date) and opened my brick and mortar shop, Paris Flea Market at 769 Virginia Avenue in North Bend, Oregon

It's been a very busy year for me.  The shop takes a lot of my time and energy, and what's left I devote to my grand children.

I take photos to do a post...but seem to never get further than that. With that said please excuse some of these photos...I have a difficult time getting a sharp and clear image (took over 200 digitals for this post alone) , hence, one of the problems of frequent posting.

And now for the photo tour......

Got two new signs for outside...this very cool VINTAGE CHIC sign and another that hangs from the awning (no pics). Already had the one to the left.

I absolutely adore this white nativity set!

I use newer NOT VINTAGE patterns for my tissue paper to wrap items in, the response is fantastic...every one notices, they even call out to others there with to come over and see.  I use to use black and cream toile tissue paper that cost a small fortune...and no one ever noticed. I very much like "keeping it simple".

I have a map of France on a cork board and have all my customers that have been to France put a pin in there favorite place.  Surprising how many people have just been to Paris.  A few people spied England and Italy and pinned locals there!!!

I had the Nutcracker with snow flakes painted on my window for the holiday season. I've always enjoyed store windows that were painted for the holidays....

Thank you for taking the time to look 

and as always...........

Happy Hunting and Gathering.