Vintage Winter Tablescape

 One of the things I love about changing seasons and holidays is the opportunity to practice creativity in changing out my coffee table scape. 

 This antique sewing drawer has graced my home for about 1.5 years after I fell in love with it at a flea market.  I've been watching for a vintage muffin tin that I liked, and found this little sweetie this fall for just $4!  They are both lovely vintage blank-canvases in which I can create little seasonal scenes 4-6 different times a year.

The muffin tin is so cute because it is smaller than usual and has smaller cups than most.  Eight little pockets to stash something cute for each season.  

For January, my tin has a fortune cookie (we traditionally eat out at a Chinese buffet on New Year's Day!), a crocheted snowflake, a candle, red and white peppermints, and two little cups with Epsom salts in them for 'snow' and figurines that depict winter.  The other two cups hold a red and white ribbon wound into a mound and Scrabble tiles that spell JESUS.  :)

My sewing drawer vignette was inspired by my childhood copy of Frosty the Snowman.  All of the things in there with the book are things I already had...vintage cookie cutters are just begging me to make Sugar Cookies, yarn with the colors of the stuffed snowman reminds me to crochet, and the little scoop is my newest flea market treasure that I LOVE!

It's cute and small and roundish and has a red handle.  And is another little empty container that can hold something adorable and seasonal whenever I wish.

At Christmas, it held peppermints.  I'm pretty sure conversational candy hearts are in its near future.  :)

And lastly, I was glad to find that I had enough vintage blocks to spell out 2013 for the table, too.  A good reminder this first month of a brand new year as I try to remember to write the correct date!  And if you like the paper table scarf, it is just 6 pages from a vintage hymnal that I zigzagged together on my sewing machine, and then edged with a paper cutting tool.

The vintage things in my home that I've picked up for a few dollars here and there are my favorite accessories.  I'm a modern day mama with a vintage soul.  :)

Thanks for stopping by!  In just a week, I'll be adding some Valentine decor to my little tablescape...won't you?

xoxo,

Donna

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Valentine Luncheon Preparation

Planning Girly parties is one of my very favorite things to do! So I am having a ball planning a Valentine Luncheon for a few friends this Monday. Today as I was considering what I would use for a tablescape for the luncheon, I remembered what I did to help me in planning the table decorations for our daughter's wedding 2.5 years ago....I set up a TV table with a tablecloth and just 'played' with ideas on it for several days.

Thus today, I set up a TV table with the magenta table covering that I plan to use (it is a sheer curtain panel!) and my white lace tablecloth over it. Then I put one of my white plates on it to consider using for the luncheon. Next I brought out some of my precious Pink Depression Glassware that my dear friend Lori shared with me from her mother's collection. Happy bliss! I LOVE that stuff! I also put on some of the strawberry pink heart marshmallows that I bought to use. The napkins I've purchased, some paint chips (hmmm...what will I do with them?!) and some scrapbook paper that I'm going to use. Now I'll be able to play with it for several days til I decide how I want to set the table. It will relieve me that I won't be making those decisions last minute.


I am also figuring out my menu. And since many of the items are things I've not made before, I decided to experiment tonight with the quiche recipe. I used fillo dough for the crust b/c it has soooo many fewer calories than pie crust. And my husband declared it equally tasty! I used this Paula Dean quiche recipe, substituting evaporated milk for the heavy cream and using alot less bacon. It. Was. Amazing!! And the presentation turned out cool too...very fluffy and alot of nice texture. But also reminded me of the Primitive Fruit Tarts I've made before...the fillo dough crust gives it that kind of rustic look. Husband went on and on about it. I love that man. :)
Last but not least, here is the Valentine I made our sweet son Jeffrey (age 21) and mailed to him today with a few treats. Who knew paint chips could be so crafty. I love these people who think these things up! It's not me!
I'd love to show you more! But some of my ideas are in my daughter's Valentine Day gift, so I can't spill those beans yet. :) I have plans for party favors and fresh flowers! This dessert might be on the menu too. And some kind of delightful muffins. Maybe Pina Colada muffins? Oh, and chocolate dipped strawberries will def. be on the table. Can't wait!!

So come back in a week and see the finished project! Happy February!