When I realized that my side of the family was planning to gather in celebration, I decided to use some of my favorite things as inspiration to setting a pretty table. (Another one of my very favorite things...)
My love affair with cloth napkins began when I was about nine. Someone took our entire family out to eat at a very nice restaurant, and I tasted lobster for the first time. I still remember the feel of crisply ironed linen across my knee. When I began gathering items for this celebration, I realized that I didn't have any new cloth napkins. I wanted something original and yet fun. My solution, was to cut up an old white table cloth, since we don't have the table it was meant for any longer. I hemmed the sides and ended up with eight crisp squares. I got out my silk screen box, paint, and silk screened the word, "eat" on each of them. (I also happen to sell these on Etsy- though they sell out fast!)
My table top is white, but I wanted to add a little bit of texture, (on a cash budget) so I purchased a half yard of some loosely woven fabric. (It cost me around a dollar.) When I got home, I frayed the edges by gently pulling one thread at a time from the sides. I then cut them neatly in a nice straight line. No sewing required for this project- just a nice sharp pair of scissors.
Then I had a slight panic, because I realized that I only have five matching glasses. (Dangit, I keep meaning to replace those...) I grabbed a bunch of canning jars that I didn't end up using this year. For place cards, I found a scrap of black card stock, cut out a bunch of tag shapes, and used a piece of chalk to scrawl each person's name. I used twine to tie them around each "tumbler."
I had a bunch of candles that were just loose, but nothing small enough to place them on. Then I remembered the saucers from the pots I painted earlier in the Spring time. I snagged those and put candles into them.
After scattering a few starfish here and there, I placed small, black and white photos on each plate. Since we were going to be with family, I found photos that included various memories, and placed a different one on each place setting. (You can order a sheet of four wallet sized photos from Costco, very inexpensively.)
I do believe my table has finally come together!
I love looking at photos of pretty table settings. Even if they are mine... (giggle)
My husband doesn't quite understand this... but he goes along with it because he's a really good man. He smiles and says things like, "Oh wow... these are nice... um... jars?" And is gracious enough not to say, "Honey, why are we drinking water from jars?"
Celebrate each pretty moment.

I love this. You really have a gift. Well done! :)
ReplyDeleteSigh... to be you.
ReplyDeleteSomeday in heaven, I will decorate like that :)
I just found your blog and I love it! So fun it left me smiling (and a little thirsty!)
ReplyDeleteBall jars is all we drink out of!! Tiny ones for the kids, big ones for us!! Very pretty table:)
ReplyDeleteI should sooo have been in bed long before now. Life has been crazy with no internet for two weeks, no home phone, sick me, construction madness, sweet Shauna just out of the hospital. But I had to sit down and catch up just a bit. I didn't get to read all of your posts, but several, and I always love it so much. Your pictures are always lovely, and you always make me smile...sometimes chuckle right out loud to the curious looks of my family. :) Love to you.
ReplyDelete~Debbie
Beautiful table and such special touches! We use jars all of the time...really.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful table! I want to go make my table all pretty now!!
ReplyDeleteIt's so funny you should say that your husband is a good sport with the mason jars glasses. My hubby is the same way. If I start my 100th new craft (next to my pile of the 99 others) or some other funny little girlie thing, he just kisses me and tells me how much he loves me. What wonderful guys we have, huh!? They love us AND our crafty, pretty projects!
Thanks for sharing; beautiful inspiration for an end of summer dinner!
Kind Regards,
Nicole
Man you are stinkin amazing. Seriously.
ReplyDeleteSasha that is a beauiful table! Thank you for inspiring us to "use what you have" and make it special everyday :) Love you
ReplyDeletexoxo
Nancy
You should have your own tv show!
ReplyDeleteI love the table. So peaceful and meaningful... a perfect setting to share a meal. I love jars and use them all the time, too. Our favorite bbq joint here uses them as glasses. Nice work!
ReplyDeleteI have been following your blog for a short time, but haven't left a comment until now. I just love coming here and reading your posts and seeing your creative decorating ideas.
ReplyDeleteThe simple touches on the table are just perfect. I love the idea of the pictures on each place setting. I know everyone is going to have a wonderful time sitting around your table!!!
Beautiful, Sasha, and kudos to your man!
ReplyDeleteLove it Sasha! It makes me want to come have dinner with you.
ReplyDeleteatta boy!
ReplyDeleteguessing he figured since he was being fed such a lovely meal at a lovely setting he'd behave!
we grew up drinking out of mason jars...maybe its a southern thing.
your table is so pretty. you know i love the white and the glistening of the candles.
give me some starfish and b/w photos & call it day!
bravo!
Sasha, I just had to say this table setting is so, I don't know, HOME-Y. I actually printed several pictures for my inspiration book ... they are just so calming!
ReplyDeleteOh, and we use mason jars, too ... the kids are mortified!
Grace & Blessings!
~Crystal
It turned out gorgeous!!!!
ReplyDeleteLOVE the table. Especially the napkins. I love the canning jars too! IF ya want to know, there are some pretty swanky,country restaurants down here in Cali that serve out of canning jars for glasses. You are just ahead of your region! Hope the celebration was a success.
ReplyDeleteYou are talented beyond words. Gorgeous table. Gorgeous. Can I be just a wee bit jealous?
ReplyDeleteIt is perfect! But my favorite part is that you call the PB catalog the Pottery Barn Magazine. (What? People actually buy things from that place? I thought it was just a design mag full of free, fabulous ideas!) ;)
ReplyDeleteThe whole table looks gorgeous. I especially like the fabric. It adds such nice texture.
ReplyDeleteSo pretty, and creative!
ReplyDeleteI looooove this table!! So clean and so much cuteness too. Where did you get those little black tags? I sooo want to have them too. Only thing missing is me:)
ReplyDeletetoo stinkin cute. did i read my name at one of the place settings? i'll be over for that dinner party! AND YOU'RE RIGHT - celebrate all the beauty!
ReplyDeleteMmm, makes me wish I had a place setting! Love it, we use mason jars to drink out of all the time. :)
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love the napkins! Can I use that idea?!?
ReplyDeleteMy husband does the same thing with my weird ideas. He gave me the same skeptical look about the mason jars we used for my son's 8th birthday/4th of July BBQ. :)
I love it! It looks like a page out of Pottery Barn. I really like the idea of using a piece of fabric like that for a simple runner and I think that the jars look very cool. (better than regular glasses)
ReplyDeletecheryl
Love it...as usual! Can you wash the napkins, you just need to use the right kind of paint? That is probably one of the stupidest questions in the history of the world, but...I've got to be remembered for something.
ReplyDeleteI would love to save jars for drinking but I know my husband would be like,"This is really uncomfortable!" :) I love how your guy goes along with your schemes.
Oh your table looks BEAUTIFUL!!!!! I'm amazed how you make and create things so quickly and put them together to look like a table setting out of a magazine! Just beautiful and I imagine your guests were blown away in comfort and atmosphere also!
ReplyDeleteGirl this blows my mind! I am soooo not good at this and it seems soooo effortless for you. I LOVE it!!!!
ReplyDeletethat is such a beautifully set table! Love where you put the sign from Becky. I can't believe you have pumpkins out already!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a page out of the Pottery Barn catalog. Love it!
ReplyDeleteAs always, very creative! I LOVE IT!! Beautiful table setting. So calm and peaceful.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous table setting....love the jars!!! It's such a great idea!!! Thanks for sharing and have a bless week!!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, beautiful, beautiful table!! :)
ReplyDeleteYour table is beautiful, is there room for another? I love those napkins, just darling, like you!
ReplyDeleteMegan
Gorgeous! You should make more napkins and open an etsy shoppe!
ReplyDeleteWow. Awesome. Love your style. Good job :)
ReplyDeleteWe just featured your tablescape on our blog today for Love It Mondays! Found you on Tip Junkie!
ReplyDeleteHere is our link: http://blog.canvascorpcrafts.com/love-it/love-it-monday-tip-junkie/
Love your style!
Have a great day!
Jenn
My friends just hosted a 40th birthday dinner for me using this table as their inspiration. It was stunning and we all loved your ideas! I didn't know they had used so many of your ideas until my friend sent me this post today ... I linked you as the inspiration in my blog post about my dinner.
ReplyDeleteI chuckled at your comment about your hubby. Mine said the same thing when I replaced all our drinking glasses with jars. I really enjoyed your post. Thanks
ReplyDelete