A day of frivolous things

It was so nice to have my group of artist friends over for brunch today.  We don't do this as often as we used to, sometimes life gets in the way of getting together with your friends.

But when you have good friends, you always know that they will still be there when you do have a chance to catch up and visit. 

Often, we'll meet at a coffee shop once a week or so, and sometimes one or the other of us will have everyone over for a brunch or coffee and bagels.

I'm always looking for an excuse to set my table and have a mini party, so was glad to invite them all over today to fill each other in on what has been going on.

I set up an Easter themed table scape as a centerpiece for the meal, all gathered together on a vintage blue mirror.

I raided my shelf of things I have  listed for sale on Etsy and used some of  them on the mirrored tray along with vintage goodies. 

This little sugared ballerina in a tiny tea cup nest is too cute to be hiding away on a dark shelf until someone buys her! She deserved to come to the party too.

My table scapes are usually pretty busy (and gaudy), but guests seem to enjoy looking through them, the displays are full of little surprises.

I always start with something underneath, to pull it all together. Either a tray, a doily, or a mirror, something to focus the mismatched pieces that I bring in.

Two things that I ALWAYS include are fresh flowers and candles.

The tallest thing, usually the candelabra, goes onto the table first.  Next, the flowers. After that, I find something else to use for height, to build layers.  Usually a cake stand, basket, or compote to fill with pretties.

I fill in around the taller items with some bigger pieces like this tussie mussie that I placed a nesting bird into.

This is the nest I received from Jeweled Elegance, my partner in Speckled Egg's Nest Swap. Thanks Heather!!

I like an eclectic mix in my center pieces, hand made things, vintage, elegant, cute, unexpected and traditional all together (did I mention busy and gaudy?)

After the:

1.base underneath

2. the taller items

3. flowers and candles

4. larger items

5. I then tuck small items here and there and fill holes, making sure that there is something of interest as a focus for each seat at the table.

One friend  wasn't feeling well, so  she couldn't make it today.  I packed up some Cinnamon rolls, blueberry muffins, egg casserole and yogurt to take over to her.

Of course, I had to include a pretty!

I wrapped some carnations in a wet paper towel, then slipped them into a plastic bag and tied them up with tissue and a ribbon.  The bouquet fit right into this tussie mussie along with a fluffy chick.

And you know how one redo begets another? I am working on slipcover ideas for the sofa now. I have been buying vintage fabrics and will soak them in a tea color dye to make them all tie together better. 

So far, I can't make up my mind which fabric I want where, but do know that I want to get some ticking stripe to use so that I break up the florals a bit.

And I think I decided to go for a trailing skirt on the couch, like in the sketch on the bottom of the pile of ideas.

And of course, I am still not done with the dining room. The corner cabinet still seemed too country-cottage, with its bead board sides. I looked through my vintage wallpaper and found one that matched well in the room and taped pieces to the back of the cabinet.

I didn't glue the paper down, some day I might want to have the bead boards show again. I do tend to change my mind a bit......

This large glass knob  will be great to add to the door,  but I don't have the right length screw, of course.  Does anyone ever have the perfect screw handy when you want to change a knob?

The corner cabinet seems better now that I have added the trim and the wallpaper.  The glass knob will help too.

The room seemed off balance, so I moved this narrow cabinet into the other corner.

I'm starting to feel  more satisfied with the space and it certainly was a comfy brunch, with everyone around the new table!  The chairs are very welcoming.

What a pleasantly frivolous day. Brunch, visiting a friend, sketching, doodling around with centerpieces and fine tuning the dining room.  I also went to a movie, then rented a nice gory vampire movie to watch with my son.  Yep, a fine day of making things pretty and hanging out with people I care about.

Comments

[Alison Gibbs]

Sounds like the perfect day to me.
Fun friends and lots of chatter!!!
Alison

[Victoria]

Such a lovely table setting!

Victoria

[Elaine L.]

Everything looks wonderful! I can't wait to see the slipcovered couch. You should color in those drawings and sell them or prints of them in your etsy. They are wonderful!

~elaine~

[Lili M.]

Good start of the weekend! I love that center piece. So inspiring! I think this inside of your cupboard is an improvement too. And of course I cannot wait to see what your couch is going to look like! Good luck with all your plans and ideas!

[Natasha Burns]

Love the table layout, fabulous job Karla! You could come by anytime and set up my table, you'd be more than welcome!

[Kelley]

Oh how lovely! I'm iced in and snow's on the way - you've inspired me to bring out the springy decor, and redo some vignettes!

I'll bet your friends were thrilled!

[Beth Leintz]

Darn, and I missed it. Sounds like so much fun- and so much prettier than hanging around a bunch of guys with wrenches- but I did get donuts.

[sharron]

Love all of your Easter decorating and that brunch looked wonderful!! You are always busy doing fun stuff whether it is crafting, traveling, entertaining or playing with Sugarwings. My daughter Moriah loves your blog too. We enjoyed our Saturday morning together (via cell) enjoying your eye candy... 600 miles cannot keep us apart when we have blogland!!!

[Jeanie]

What a fun day! I think everyone wanted to be invited -- and we were! Great centerpiece. I love getting together with other creative people -- we do this periodically here in Michigan, too. So much exciting energy in the room! Well, they certainly had a spendid environment in which to share and enjoy! Couldn't be more perfect!

[Louise]

Your dinning room looks great…
Table looks wonderful , add friends it’s perfect.

However, I must ask what vitamins you take? Your get more done in a week then I
do in a month...lol...

Louise

[gail]

Your tablescape is beautiful and the entire room looks gorgeous. Great idea to tape the wallpaper inside the cabinet incase you change your mind. And love the ideas for the new slipcovers, wish I had your energy and talent!

[Amy at Bunny Rose Cottage]

Oh Karla! I love your table scape!! The bunny is adorable and I love the birds. Just beautiful! Your home is a dream!

Hugs,
Amy

[hoganfe handbags]

What fun & how amazing your table looks!!
xo
mary

[Cheri]

I tried tea-dying some stuff once and wasn't very pleased with how it turned out. It seemed to hardly make any difference in color at all and I used twice as much tea as I thought I would need.

How long do you let it soak? Do you have any magical tips?

[Karen Young]

Your centre piece is lovely and the instructions of designing a good arrangement is well appreciated. I look forward to seeing your new slipcover when it's finished. You did a great job last year on the one you made.

Karen

[Vickie]

The redo is coming along great! I love the stairs, the wall, everything!! I can just imagine sitting at your table with such a pretty tablescape. I love it.

[kecia]

what a grand luncheon! i think you need to open a tea house.

[michelle]

Sounds like the perfect party and perfect day! Everything looked so pretty!

[robin~thrifty miss priss]

Everything looks wonderful! I love the new dining room table......and what you've done with that cabinet is beautiful! I love your Table designs! I think you posted one at Christmas and it inspired me to do my own very ecletic tablescape!

[Karla]

How wonderful to have such a fabulous network. The tablescape is awesome.
Karla

[beachy]

Karla, I've said it before, and I'll say it again... Your endless, energetic craftiness amazes me! If you and I were both construction vehicles on "Bob the Builder", I'd be the slow steam roller "Rolly" and you'd be the Bulldozer whizzing past me full of strength! lol

I've given you an award (or 2 or 3) on my blog today! =) hugs!

[Brenda Just a bed of roses]

Hi Karla thank you so much for visiting my website blog and posting, I appreciate it very much and hope you can return.
I too enjoyed visiting yours and your creativity. I will put you on my favorites and visit often.
Brenda www.justabedofroses.com

[Nan]

What a joyful day of creativity. Sounds like you have a lot of fabulous ideas for your decor.
Hugs,
Nan

[phyllis]

Always so much to comment on! I was thinking a layer of heavy lace in your couch skirt would be neat. I love your tea stained idea and I know it will be great!
Oh...and I love what you did for your sick friend...very sweet. *cough*cough***

[Vee~A Haven for Vee]

It looks and sounds as if you had a delightful day with your friends. I am sure that they were delighted to be at your brunch. The tablesettings are lovely!

[Bejeweled]

Love the new table!! And what an awesome table scape you have put together! So springy and so sweet!

Glad you like your little nest - enjoy!!

[Jen R]

I love how the tbale looks and I love the centerpiece!!!Jen R

[KJ]

Beautiful job, Karla! I love the spring mix!

Hugs, KJ

[Ginger Fuller]

I found your store here today, while looking at fairy houses on the internet. I was delighted, and I found myself here for a very long time! This is one of the best websites I have ever been too! Chalking it up to a blessing in my day today, all those beautiful images and words, you are truly gifted! I am bookmarking this as a favorite! Peace to you and yours! giNgeR