Happy Labor Day Everyone! I wasn't sure if we were doing Show-off Monday due to the holiday. Today I'm showing off a post I did last Thursday for Tablescape Thursday hosted by Susan at Between Naps on the Porch. I had been visiting her blog for a long time enjoying the diverse and inspirational vignettes. I was invited to participate and was sooooo nervous, but what fun. And, I was asked to join in again! SO many ideas... makes you stretch your creative muscle......not enough table space...lol. I know you all have seen my porch, but I thought it was outside the box so to speak. And, this is a great way to showcase some of my designs and vintage finds.
Thanks for stopping by on your holiday! Don't forget pop over to the Tablescape Thursday/betweennapsontheporch link in the post to see all the wonderfully talented tablescape designers!
Melody











Wow, Thursday came fast! Again I'd like to thank Susan for hosting this wonderful blog theme and thank her for allowing me to participate. I've been following Susan's blog for a while, but was a little hesitant to join in with all of the inspiring and beautiful tablescapes I saw every week.

Since this is my first Tablescape Thursday I thought I'd keep it simple. I love utilizing my front porch as much as possible. It's our outdoor room, even in the winter, if it's mild.(it's has been known to go up into the 60's at Christmas here in Cincinnati...so I even keep it fully decorated at Christmas.) Visit here http://brownginghamcreations.blogspot.com/2009/06/come-on-sit-spell.htmlml and here http://brownginghamcreations.blogspot.com/2009/06/im-back.html to see how it looks during the day time.

It is September...Apple Month......so, I thought I'd use an apple theme

Yes, it's dark. We eat a little late sometimes during the week, but I love the ambiance the candlelight creates, even for such a simple setting. When we have more couples I decorate the chairs and us them as set-up for place settings....it's usually informal, so we eat buffet-style.
We sit on the porch swing while the tree frogs and crickets serenade us. All those candles..citronella....give a romantic glow and keep all the flying pests at bay. This next picture gives a good view of my September dinnerware. The apple motif place settings are called the 'Cades Cove Collection' by Citation. They were a premium giveaway from the Meijer Grocery Store in the early 90's. Since Cades Cove, Tn. is our most favorite spot in the world we made sure to collected the whole set. The glasses are Libby, but I'm not sure what they are called, they are a fruit motif which matches an aluminum tray I found years ago that I'll use in another post. The small basket of apples gave off such a delicious aroma..I wish we had smellascreens. The vintage blue Mason jars were a gift from my Mother-In-Law. I don't can, but they make perfect candle holders....use them year round..everywhere!

The next views are of the side table I used to hold our dessert....................................

I've used my Jadite Pie pan to hold my lattice topped apple pie. Sorry, it's not an original. I couldn't afford the real thing. This is an authorized reproduction by FireKing sold in 2000. I still like it and use it all the time. Did I tell you I collect hand-wrought aluminum of the 30's-50's? My collection consists of about 75 pieces, so they will be sure to be included in more of my future tablescapes. This vintage coffee pot, sugar,and creamer with bakelite handles have a pretty little filigrees design and were a great find (only $5 for the set!) along the Longest Yard Sale route several years ago. I use them as candle holders and flower vases. The bowl is a Rodney Kent Tulip pattern, but was so discolored I use it only outside. The ivy leaf candelabra is a find at Tuesday Morning. And, lastly, I have a photo of one of my vintage apron I refurbish and redo. It fits in nicely with the apple theme and it comes with that wonderful 1950's Pies and Pastry Cookbook. The set is available on my website and my Etsy site.

Well, this is my first table setting for Tablescape Thursday. I hope you enjoyed your visit to Brown Gingham Creations blog. Stay a while check out some of my past posts. July was my 6 month blogiversary, so, I am relatively new to all of this. Still learning, still tweaking. Please come again and remember to stop by my website and Etsy site to see what I've been creating.

Don't forget to leave a comment, I can't wait to meet you! Now I'm off to visit your tablescapes to be inspired! Come along to see all the other tablescape participants at Betweem Naps On The Porch.

Where's the Sun?!

Holy Cow. It's such a gloomy Wednesday outside my window and only in the 40's..yikes..what's up with that? They're saying it's gonna be in the 60's and 70's for the next couple of days....then storms 8( Thought I'd share some pics to brighten things up.

This reminds me of Eastern Tennessee. The Townsend/Cades cove area. It is my screen saver on the laptop. Every day when I turn it on..no matter what..it makes me smile.




















This apron is a new vintage find. I just finished embroidering the word 'California' The cactus and palm trees make me think of warmth and it's always sunny in southern California.

This is my newest table topper. The background fabric is a groovy 1960's retro motif in oranges, yellows, aquas, and greens. I was shocked to find a 1950's mod hankie with similar flowers in the same aqua tones. And, then to my wondering eyes should appear, but a 1940's dresser lamp scarf that has the same aqua color in the hand-crocheted edging. The hand-embroidered accent in the center just makes it pop. It just makes me think of Summertime.





















Just a sittin' and a swingin'. It was really warm and humid the day I took this photo.





















This display just says sunshine and warmth






















And, lastly as a parting shot....Fresh Flowers...always sunny, bright, and cheerful.

Is it gloomy where you are? What reminds you of sunshine and warmth?