Sunday, June 15, 2014

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.)


12 comments:

  1. Homerun!!! Pat, Pat, Pat...I like Pat's way of thinking! No, strike that. I LOVE her way of thinking!!! I'm all for attention to detail, and if a 3-ft. frog is required to make a setting work, I subscribe to it without hesitation!!! Yay, Pat! Oh, and I love his "Jethro-style" belt!

    This is such a terrific table all around. I love the fish dishes in particular. And those super creative napkin ring votives...what a clever way to go! I will be taking on that idea for future projects around here when I can't find just the right votive holder.

    This table paid exceptional attention to detail! That's what makes it a real winner and a "great catch" for anyone looking to celebrate fishing!

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  2. Your Ralph is adorable! Love the table...the accent plates are awesome.

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  3. Oh my lawd what a fun table!! Those fish plates and Ralph?? those are adorable. Thank you so much for sharing it. I added this to Pinterest and my StumbleUpon account too!

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  4. OMG love that frog and those pants are a "stich"! LOL... what a fun table theme- the fish and the frog going fishing- too cute and definitely whimsical! The green glassware and the cattails with the napkins are perfect and the little votive idea is cute!

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  5. Love Ralph the frog as he goes fishing! Your fish bowls are so clever for topping each place setting. The rustic accents with the placemats and green colors is wonderful. Have a great week!

    Pam

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  6. So funny and wonderful at the same time! I am wondering what Ralph usually wears? :) Using the napkin rings as a votive holder was so clever too. A great table! Linda

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  7. OH my Goodness!!! I got such a kick of Ralph!!! Very cute table, I have quite a few in my family how would love the fishing theme! Great job Pat!!

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  8. Oh, ladies, I laughed out loud when I saw Ralph and even had to show this tablescape to my husband!! You are always extraordinarily creative, but this time with those fish plates and your centerpiece of reeds and willows, and your napkin ring votives.....I didn't know where to look next!! Great job and you have definitely "met the challenge"!!!! So much fun.......Rosie @ The Magic Hutch

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  9. Love the accent plates!

    - Alma, The Tablescaper

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  10. Lots to love here -- but my favorite is the beautiful fish accent plates. Your tablescape is definitely whimsical!

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  11. So clever...the tea lights, the frog...it is all just wonderful! Love the table; perfect for Tom Sawyer.

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  12. Hysterical! The blue jeans! What a fun table, love those plates. Thank you for taking part in the Summer Whimsy Tablescape Challenge!

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