Summertime Whimsy Challenge

Cuisine Kathleen at "Let's Dish" (http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/) has issued another fun challenge for tablescapers this Wednesday: design a table with a Summer whimsy theme - no formal tableware, just fun and creativity. Well, Pat jumped at the chance.

Since summer time in Humboldt County means camping and fishing and swimming in the local rivers and lakes (our area of the state is known by the locals as "Six Rivers"), Pat designed our table with fishing in mind......

Meet "Ralph" Sawyer (our version of the literary hero, Tom Sawyer) - you've seen him before, but today Pat dressed him in jeans and hankie (Mark Twain would be proud.....) complete with fishing pole and straw hat.

FYI:  You know my sister is obsessed  - she calls it attention to detail. She cut up a pair of my jeans and hand stitched them so that they would fit around Ralph's rather sizable feet. I bet that you've never seen a 3ft. tall frog in blue jeans before....anything for a tablescape..........

Over view of the table

The place setting

Rustic flatware is "Montana" by Gourmet Settings

Pat used inexpensive avocado glassware

These great accent plates are from Replacements.com

Sorry, this plate is actually sunny yellow ("Sunflower" Fiesta by Homer Laughlin)

These plates were another great buy - marked downs found at our local grocery store

Pat created arrangements of assorted reeds, willows, etc. in antique amber vases for the centerpiece

Here's Ralph - holding his fishing pole

Just about to hook a fish.......

Pat used olive green water glasses to hold beige tapers - we will eventually put glass rocks inside to hide the clear glass candle holder

Another clever idea - Pat took these rustic napkin rings and turned them into tea light holders

One last look from the other end of the table

Thanks so much, Kathleen, for another fun challenge!

Where it all came from:
Placemats - Pier 1
Flatware - "Montana" by Gourmet Settings from Bed, Bath, and Beyond
Avocado Dinner Plate  - Inexpensive Dishes from our local Grocery Store
Yellow Luncheon Plate - Sunflower Fiesta by Homer Laughlin from Macy's
Accent Plate - "Northwoods" Nibble Bowl from David Carter Brown of Sakura from Replacements.com
Glassware - "Starfire Ivy" by Anchor Hocking from Ross
Faux Wood Napkin Rings - from Bed, Bath, and Beyond
Candles and Tea Lights - Bed, Bath, and Beyond
Amber Vases - from Art & Old Things (our favorite local antique store)
Ivory Napkins - Tuesday Morning
Olive Green Candle Holders - "Diamond Point" Water Glasses by Indiana Glass Company from Cuddly Bear (a local boutique shop)

We will be joining Christine's "Table It" at Rustic & Refined this Monday:  http://www.rustic-refined.com/

We will also be joining Cuisine Kathleen's "Let's Dish" Summertime Whimsy Challenge Wednesday:  http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/

And finally, we will be joining Susan at "Between Naps on the Porch" this Thursday:  http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

And a special "Thank you" to Pat's husband for the use of the fishing pole, the hook, the fishing line, and the help in getting Ralph's pants to stay up.  Jim - you are a real tablescape trooper.......(and a very patient husband.)