- a happy table -

I've had the pleasure of working on a few spreads for WV Living Magazine since last fall, and this is what I came up with for the spring issue that's on sale right now. I actually remembered to take a few pictures before Katie (the assistant editor) came to my house to shoot it. Her pictures put mine to shame but I'll share anyway. ;) 

My mother-in-law lives right up the street from us and has the most incredible collection of....well, everything! She has teapots, china, glassware, serving pieces - in other words, if you're looking for it, chances are she has it. I asked her if I could "shop" her house and she was kind enough to give me free reign. This was shot in February and most of these pieces are still living at my house...shhh...I just can't let them go yet. 

I found the most beautiful tulips and greenery at Kroger, of all places, and fell in love with the teeny cabbages that are in the red pitcher. Of course they haven't had them since. 

Iced tea glasses are from our wedding china (I think there are only 5 left that haven't been broken!) and the green glasses are from my MIL. 

The feature in the magazine is to provide inspiration for a Mother's Day brunch (why did I not post this before Mother's Day?) so I made some little clay wineglass charms/tags that say things like "Mom" and "I love you". I wrote a tutorial that's in the issue - let me know if you're interested in it and I'll post it here. 

I found these beautiful soup bowls at Home Goods - they were the jumping-off point for the tablescape. It's a little hard to see, but the background of the plate is a linen texture with off-white polka dots. The white dishes are our wedding china - 10 years later I'm so glad we picked something simple that I'm not tired of looking at!

. For the napkin rings, I just cut a bit of burlap and various pieces of ribbon, wrapped them around the napkins, and then secured it with a clothespin that had been stamped with some special names. 

I got about 2 1/2 yards of burlap at the fabric store to use as a tablecloth, and then used one of these little Spouncers  (isn't that the worst word?!) and some off-white acrylic paint to mimic the design on the bowls. I love the table cloth and will probably use it in my booth for the next couple of art fairs I'm in. 

Sorry there are not any full-length shots - I had my fixed lens on and didn't have time to change it. You'll just have to grab the issue! Here is a list of the stores that carry it - you can find it all over the country!