Saturday, November 21, 2009

Dare to Entertain

Dare to DIY

The Week 2 challenge of the Dare to DIY blog party over at NewlyWoodwards was to do a table setting.

We are hosting Thanksgiving this year, so I did a Thanksgiving table, but let me be honest here...the actual table won't look much like the following pictures. For one thing, we will be 9 people, not 4, so we tack on a long folding table that is a couple of inches taller than our dining table, and then I have to use a second tablecloth which doesn't match the other. Not exactly glamorous, but it's what we do.

But for my imaginary Thanksgiving table for four, I started knowing I wanted to use these little wicker pumpkins I bought years ago at Michael's after Halloween for 50 cents. Excuse the Bean toes. He's such a camera hog!

I thought they would make cute individual flower arrangements at each place setting. Luckily, a little votive holder fits perfectly inside to hold the water.


I used gold chargers (even though the glare off it from the above pic makes it look white), green dinner plates, white salad plates, bronze-y napkins that match the tablecloth, and cute metal leaf napkin rings that my mom bought us this year. I guess if we were really fancy, we'd have gold flatware to match, but we don't have gold flatware, nor do I foresee buying any ever. So good old silver it was.

For the centerpiece I started with an old round mirror we aren't using that has a goldy-silver frame. On top of it I stacked a set of 3 glass cake stands that I filled with fake leaves, real mini pumpkins and gourds and baby artichokes, pinecones, and votives candles. And I stuck a little glittery brown bird that we had from our wedding on top.

If I were actually using this on Thanksgiving, I would remove it just before eating so everyone could see each other and, most importantly, to make room for food! Nothing gets between us and our stuffing in my family. I would also iron the tablecloth, which I did not do before these pictures, but I will do before Thanksgiving. And if I'm being totally honest, there was one really huge wrinkle that I Photoshopped out. Have I mentioned how lazy I am?
Again for this challenge I used what I had. The only things I bought were the fresh flowers and baby artichokes.

Now go on over to NewlyWoodwards and see the tables created by all the other wonderful ladies!

17 comments:

  1. This is beautiful! I didn't even include silverware on my table, whoops! I don't have anything that matches so I just called it "Modern". I love the centerpiece, especially the bird!

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  2. The flowers are so gorgeous! I love it!

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  3. You can photoshop wrinkles out of tablecloths? Color me impressed.

    I love the centerpiece... both elegant and natural. Love the artichokes. And, love the gold.

    We totally tack on a table when we have over family, too. It's not the best, but it's functional, right? So glad you joined in. You take such lovely photos and are so creative.

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  4. This is gorgeous! Love the artichokes. Ironed tablecloth or not, I would love to invite myself to sit at this table!

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  5. Those pumpkin flower baskets are adorable!

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  6. I love the little pumpkin basket arrangements, SO CUTE!!!

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  7. We bought our dining room table at a garage sale and it extends to fit two leaves or 12 people. Nice right? well, the funny thing is, I don't have a tablecloth that big to cover the whole thing! Anyways, love your table and especially the flower arrangements in the little baby pumpkins. :-)

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  8. Thanks for visiting my blog...I love your table. The little pumpkin-basket-turned-flower-vases are perfect!

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  9. Your individual place settings look like they belong in a magazine! So pretty.

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  10. Thank you all!

    Kristen-that's ok. I use maybe one fork and a lot of fingers. It's all for show.

    Erin-there's always an extra seat at the table!

    Jenny-so jealous of your table! I keep saying someday I will have a super extendy table.

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  11. This is beautiful - especially the little pumpkins with flowers coming out of it! Love it - happy Thanksgiving.

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  12. Very festive and pretty table! I really like your gold chargers.

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  13. the individual flower arrangements are cute!

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  14. So pretty! LOVE the artichokes!

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  15. The artichokes are so creative on the centerpiece and the placecards look like something out of a magazine. Even though it won't be exactly the same on the real day, I am jealous of your guests who get to sit at that pretty table.

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  16. Pretty! The individual flower arrangements are sweet!

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  17. I love love love the fruit and candles on the tiered plate. Nice job. :)

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