ic Kathe With an E: Winter Gray

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Winter Gray

The holidays are over.  All of the festive decorations have been put away for another year. The house is clean and organized, sort of. I am already counting the days until I can be out working in my gardens.  Only one thing is in my way. Winter!  Old.Man.Winter. Even though Denver claims over 360 days of sunshine we can still expect bitter cold temperatures and gray days for the next few months. We won't see our front lawn until late March or April.
It was knowing this that led me to set this table. 
I had purchased this set of china on the last day of an estate sale. It was marked $85.00 but, as everything was half off,  I wound up only paying $42.50.!  It is a service for 12 and also includes various serving bowls. Of course, I didn't set the table for 12!  The most I have ever seated at our table is six.  Today it is set for four.
I started with a black charger then a dinner plate and a bowl from the set. The flatware is a gift from Mr. B.  I also used the coffee cup and saucer and salad plate from the set.  The stemware is my go-to Godinger Shannon crystal. The napkins were purchased online from Boscovs.  Their clearance section is awesome!! The napkins rings were a stocking stuffer from Santa.


The crocheted runner is a gift from Mr. B's mother.  She picked it out for me when Grandma passed away last summer.  It always sat on Grandma's magazine stand.  I cherish it greatly! It truly is a precious gift.
The candles are a bit of me being crafty.  I have seen sweater candles all over blogland and decided to try my hand at it.  I had a sweater that I really liked the look of but it was one of those that shed like crazy!  
I simple cut the sleeves off and hot glued them over vases from Dollar Tree.  The gray worked perfectly with the wispy flowers on the plates.

The wooden basket was a thrift store find from last spring.  I believe I paid a dollar for it.  I filled it with some pine cones and moss, again from Dollar Tree.  The pop of red is unexpected and lends just a touch of color to the table.

 The covered butter dishes are from Ross.

 I thought my Candlewick cream and sugar looked nice with this table.



 You can tell how drab it is outside.  Gray skies. Gray table.
And now, the Candy shot
I've had people ask how this particular shot is achieved.  I will now reveal my secret weapon:
Six foot tall Mr. B stands on a chair and leans above the table and takes the candy shot for me. No ladder, no zip lines.  Just a tall Mr. B on a chair! Now you know :)

For now, I will enjoy this table as it is a reminder to me that gray skies make me slow down a bit.  Snuggle up on the couch with Max and Mr. B. Rest up for the upcoming Spring season when all things bright emerge and lighten our spirits.

49 comments:

  1. What a lovely Setting!! Kudos to Mr. B for the Awesome pic!!

    Just Love how your new banner looks!!! ;)

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  2. Love the china and you have set a gorgeous table. The centerpiece is perfect! Lucky you to have a tall Mr B. to take the candy shot! hugs, Linda

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  3. Not only did Mr B. shoot that shot, he actually centered it while shooting blind...Very impressive. Candy shot...I had never heard that term. I love the idea of using sweater sleeves on the candles...hadn't seen that either...guess that I need to get around more. Thank you for inviting us for a peak at your lovely design. Cherry Kay

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  4. Gorgeous table. I love the new china! Great find. Great overhead shot.. can I borrow him? Just kidding. Beautiful runner too. and a great idea with the sweater candles.. cool, cool, cool. xo marlis

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  5. Lovely table. Amazing bird's eye view shot. Very impressive. ~ Sarah

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  6. Wow I love your new china so beautiful! Happy New Year!

    Center Tablescape

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  7. That last photo is cute! What a helpful husband! Mine is only 5'7 to my 5'3, so he's not much help in that department! :-) Great buy on the china!!! I'm trying to get into the estate sales. It has been hard for me. I cry every time I have to go in someone's house. Isn't that silly? I just have to get over it and get to buyin'! :-) We haven't gotten so much as a flake of snow yet..and I'm happy!!! We have had plenty of rain, and that's OK by me. As long as there's no ice and no snow, I'm a happy camper! I know it's coming, though, so I may as well brace myself! I hope the winter flies by for you and that you're able to get out in the garden before you know it. Have a great week, and Happy New Year!

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  8. Beautiful table! Love the overhead shot! I do the same. I wish I was 6ft, I call it my "chair-ial" view! LOL

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  9. Gorgeous table. What a great deal on the dinnerware.

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  10. beautiful...., i like the drink glasses, dishes and table which is full with tasty food.

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  11. I love your winter gray table. What a perfect touch for those long winter nights.

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  12. Love your post - Hooray for Mr. B! That is a nifty photo shot! What a great buy on the pretty dishes; I love it when fate and a sale step in. And your sweater candle is precious and makes me feel warmer just looking at it.

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  13. What a stunning wintry table! Those sweater candles are such a great idea, adding lovely texture and a cozy feel. And what a deal on the dishes!

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  14. So fit with the ambiance outside.

    Love subtle settings. Elegant.

    Happy NY to Yáll...

    Wishes from Stockholm,
    /chie

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  15. How creative your table setting is..stunning too I might add. The sweater sleeve is awesome. It looks so good..love the coloring too! It's so cold I could use a sweater just about now..
    Brrrr...nice to have a tall man around. Cheers...
    ~Shirley

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  16. Glad Mr. B has a firm grip on the camera. Table looks great, and candlewick fits in too.

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  17. I love it--grey is right and so neutral, great for so many seasons.

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  18. I love your china ... love all china made during that time period ... my childhood! Well done! Thanks for sharing.

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  19. Beautiful tablescape, Kathe! You got a great deal on the pretty china. Love your napkins and the flatware and good job on the sweater cozies...Christine

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  20. Love that vintage china with the crocheted runner, perfect match. The sweater candles came out great!
    I won't complain about winter, yours sounds awful!

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  21. Great table setting Kathe. Fabulous deal on the china.

    Have had a LOT of posts on places in Denver we visiting when we were there last November. It's great city! I have an archive on my blog's sidebar, if you are interested in checking them out. Susan

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  22. It is very pretty. I love the sweater candle holders. I wish I lived somewhere where we would even get flurries. Stopping by from TICKLED Pink.

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  23. What a beautiful table setting! I love the sweater vases! Thank you for linking up to my party!

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  24. Beautiful table setting. Great bargain on the dishes. Your sweater vases are wonderful. I love them.
    Ruth

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  25. Great sweater vases. So neat!

    I'd love to have you join Seasonal Sundays.

    - The Tablescaper

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  26. So great to have you be a part of Seasonal Sundays!

    - The Tablescaper

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  27. It's lovely and a great way to cheer up the drab winter days. It's nice to sit down to a pretty table! Thanks for linking up to Latest and Greatest Friday!

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  28. Absolutely gorgeous! And kudos to the hubby for getting the "candy shot." ; )

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  29. You got a great deal on the lovely china! I love your tablesetting! I must have missed all the sweater candles! This is my first! Yours turned out marvelously - thank you for sharing with my first Home and Garden Thursday!
    God Bless,
    Kathy

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  30. Big score on the china! That's a really pretty pattern. You put together a lovely setting. Thanks for sharing it with us :)

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  31. This looks great! I'm putting my dad's condo up for sale soon and it's currently vacant, so I'm planning on setting up a pretty table scape just because I can! Thanks for the great inspiration!

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  32. Lovely table setting - and those sweater vases are awesome!

    Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
    Hope you have a fabulous week!
    Jill @ Creating my way to Success
    http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

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  33. What a beautiful table.. and I just adore your crocheted table runner and your sweathered candles! Thanks so much for sharing with the Pink Hippo Party.. can't wait to see what you share next!

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  34. What a pretty table Kathe! I love your sweater candle cozies! Those turned out so cute! Thank you for joining this month's Thrifty Tablescape party! I hope you have a wonderful week!

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  35. Your table looks so pretty. I love the little snuggly sweater cozies that you made for the candles. Great to repurpose a beautiful sweater.

    Nice visiting with you. Amy

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  36. Beautiful and love the sweater cozies.

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  37. The tablescape looks great, and I love what you did with the sweater.

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  38. Beautiful table! Thanks for revealing your secret way of getting that overhead shot of your tables! Mr. B is real handy! I'm going to dig around in my sweaters now.

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  39. So beautiful - love the way you used the sweater!

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  40. LOVING the sweater sleeves over the candle holders! Brilliant :)

    I'm happy to be your newest follower, and I'm hoping you'll stop by my BRAND NEW blog and follow me back!!

    Thanks a million :)
    Sarah @ Dotted Line Crafts

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  41. I'm in love with grey right now too :-)

    Thanks so much for sharing at Pin'Inspiration Thursday last week. Hope to see you back again this week :-)

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  42. Beautiful table setting. Your new dinnerware is so very nice, and I really like the over head shot. Great idea. Thanks for sharing at Sunday's Best and all your inspiration!

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  43. I love this china! Great tablescape:)

    www.jrochelledesigns.etsy.com

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  44. nice post
    new follower of ur blog
    follow my blog
    http://glamorousgirlblog.blogspot.com/

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  45. Hi Kathe, I wanted to let you know I am featuring your sweater covered candle holders tomorrow! Come by and grab a button! And I would love it if you link something up again!
    Kim@madeinaday
    http://madeinaday.com

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  46. I have an old gray cashmere sweater that needs to be a craft project. Your blog gave me the idea how to use - hurricane wrap. Thanks or idea.

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  47. You are welcome Gail! I'd love to see pictures on how yours turns out :)

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