Tablescape Thursday...Teddybears Picnic

At this weeks Tablescape Thursday hosted by Susan at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com " was inspired by the gorgeous little teddies that I bought in the Anglican church, op-shop in Milford this week. I just loved the fact that they were just sitting there, all alone, in a little group of three, at the back of the shop. I immediately realised that they would make a gorgeous centre piece for this weeks table. It was my starting point. They cost me all of  80 NZcents each. I know that they would also make a wonderful baby shower table, but to be honest here in New Zealand (or the UK come to think of it) we don't really do baby showers much! However if we do, then I am all set.

So tell me these aren't cute!!

Once I was home again and feeling really guilty that I had not been able to go past a thrift shop, I emptied my bag and pondered ( I do ponder a lot, well, when I shut my mouth long enough to engage my brain). So anyway, after pondering for some time, I came up with the idea of using my "Homer Laughlin Fiesta, Cinnebar" dinner set. (Phew!! That takes some saying in one breath). I co-ordinated with Crown Lynn "Modern living" salad plate, Along with my pink napkins, which I knew would be the perfect colour. The perfect tablecloth, would be the long purpleyee/burgundyeyish one or alternatively you could call it aubergine/eggplant, depending where you come from.

See how I have drapped the napkins over the side?

Next came the centrepiece and a few other elements to add interest!

Last week I found these adorable, but very fragile place mats. To be honest I am afraid to use them really. They are new, but oh so delicate. I really don't know how they will cope with washing. The embroidery on them is so lovely, with the gold running through them. The colours are perfect! These were placed over the square napkins, which I used as part of the place setting, You can see how I positioned them below. I needed to make each place seem bigger as the plates did rather obscure the embroidery. Also notice how I changed the bows for the evening. I couldn't decide which looked best and the family and guests decided that in the day the top one looked best, but at night, the little glass dishes came into their own.

I placed these funny little papier mache egg thingies on each dish....I don't know why! It just seemed like a good idea!

  

I don't know anyone who can manage to well with out glasses, so here is my choice for this table.

So onwards and upwards, next came the sideboard decoration. I was going to use some pink plant pots that I have, but thought that these looked better. I added some rafia to introduce the colour to that area. It had always been my intention to use the rafia to customise the napkin rings, but it is quite stiff and not very unforgiving when working with it. So the napkins remained plain and the rafia is now adorning glass and silver large votives.  

I added this lovely bon bon dish with a couple of tea lights and my trusty grapes, (also placed in the centre piece)

Did you notice how the dish is vine leaves too?

So there it is the teddy bears Picnic!

Now allow me to show you the wonder of candle lighting as this table comes alight at night!

 Go On....admit it, they are sweet!

So thank you so much for dropping by Thriftytablechic. Please remember all items on my tables and settings have come from Op-shops or Thrift Stores.
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