Franciscan "Mariposa"

Confession time to my family: I am currently "working" to acquire eight five-piece places settings in a new dinnerware pattern. I can hear the groans now......As most people know, I have a dish problem and definitely do not need another set. But when you see how beautiful this pattern is, you will understand. It's called "Mariposa" by Franciscan (technically Gladding, McBean & Company) and was produced from 1949 through 1955. It is highly translucent and looks fragile but it is very strong.

Since is was only produced for such a short time, "Mariposa" is rather hard to find at a reasonable price. But I will persist!

Where it came from:
Place Mat - from Bed, Bath, and Beyond years ago
Gold Charger - from Tuesday Morning last year
Charger - "Mansfield" by Lenox from my Niece (it's actually her charger but I haven't returned it after several years....)
Dinnerware - "Mariposa" by Franciscan from eBay
Flatware - "Byzantine" by Yamazaki from Horchow's last year
Glassware - from Pier 1 this year
Napkin Ring - from Bed, Bath, and Beyond
Napkin - from our collection
Gold Vases - from Pier 1's sale shelf years ago
Candle Holders - Depression Glass from our collection

We will be joining the following Blog parties this week:
"Dishing It! & Digging It!" at Rustic & Refined this Sunday:  http://www.rustic-refined.com/ "Tablescape Thursday" at Between Naps on the Porch:  http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Seafaring Table

Seems like we are stuck in a theme this week with both of our tablescaping blogs. But Pat couldn't resist using the Royal Stafford "Anchor" accent plate with our new flatware.

Where it came from:
Rope Charger - from Pier 1 two years ago
White Chop/Charger Plate - "Fiesta(ware)" by Homer Laughlin from Replacements.com
Dinner Plate - Cobalt "Fiesta(ware)" by Homer Laughlin from Macy's
Accent/Salad Plate - "Anchor" by Royal Stafford from eBay
Flatware - "Anchor" by Towle Everyday from Tuesday Morning this year
Napkin - from Pier 1 this year
Napkin Ring - from Michael's years ago
Glassware - "Picardy" from Pier 1 three years ago
Shells and Glass Cylinder - from Michael's
Lighthouse Votive Holders - from Pier 1

We will be joining the following Blog parties this week:
"Dishing It! & Digging It!" at Rustic & Refined this Sunday:  http://www.rustic-refined.com/ "Tablescape Thursday" at Between Naps on the Porch:  http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

In Praise of the Holstein

Pat wanted to set a fun table this week. For her inspiration, she started with a cute Holstein-styled pitcher that was given to me years ago....

Of course, you have to have Holstein-style dinnerware

Pat used two placemats to bring in the red color from the cow's collar

Where it came from:
Black and Red Place Mats - from Bed, Bath, and Beyond several years ago
Yellow Charger - "Color Spectrum" by Mikasa from Replacements.com
Dinnerware - "Spotted Cow" by Tienshen from eBay
Bread/Butter Plate - "Vintage Yellow" Fiesta(ware) by Homer Laughlin from Replacements.com
Flatware - "Decision" by Noritake from eBay and Replacements.com
Glassware - from Costco years ago
Yellow Napkin - from Pier 1 last year
Napkin Ring - from Bed, Bath, and Beyond (currently available)
Spotted Cow Candle Holders - from the Discovery Shop (Cancer Society's Thrift Store) a few years ago
Black Candles and Silk Flowers - from Michael's
Cow Pitcher - a gift

We will be joining the following Blog parties this week:
"Dishing It! & Digging It!" at Rustic & Refined this Sunday:  http://www.rustic-refined.com/
"Tablescape Thursday" at Between Naps on the Porch:  http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Vegetable Soup Table

Dish hoarder confession: this week's table was set because Pat could reach the flatware used on it. All of our other tablescaping flatware was buried behind an avalanche of dinnerware, glassware, napkins, and other stuff in my "dish room" (a small unused bedroom dedicated to tablescaping.) That's because I had to move out three dozen boxes to get to a box of glassware painted with flowers on them for our other tablescaping blog. Of course, the box I needed was on the bottom of the last eight-foot-high stack way in the back between shelving units.....

Anyway, the accent plate was on a shelf just inside the door - an easy reach. Ergo, the theme to this week's table is "casual" and vegetables.

The napkin ring was selected because Pat could just barely reach around the door to the dishroom and it was the closest.

Fortunately, all the Fiestaware is store in the laundry room (that's another story.......)

Where it came from:
Place Mat - from Tuesday Morning last year
Charger - "Cinnabar" Fiesta(ware) Chop Plate by Homer Laughlin from Replacements.com
Dinner Plate - "Shamrock" Fiesta(ware) by Homer Laughlin from Kohl's
Accent Plate - from Pier 1 two years ago
Flatware - "Vault" by Gourmet Settings from Bed, Bath, and Beyond several years ago
Red Soup Bowl - "Fun Factory" by Waechterbach from Replacements.com
Green Water Goblet - from Pier 1 several years ago
Purple Wine Glass - from Tuesday Morning two years ago
Napkin - Handmade by Pat
Napkin Ring - from Bed, Bath, and Beyond several years ago
Single Serving Soup Tureen - from our Mother

 We will be joining the following Blog parties this week:
"Dishing It! & Digging It!" at Rustic & Refined this Sunday:  http://www.rustic-refined.com/
"Tablescape Thursday" at Between Naps on the Porch:  http://betweennapsontheporch.net/