Saturday, February 8, 2014

 THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER PLATE

My Valentine's Table was first inspired by this plate:


At Christmas, my stepdaughter very generously presented me with a box full of dishes she had gathered  to assist me in my hobby of tablescaping!  You'll see them throughout the year.  When I saw this red and white plate decorated with cherries, I immediately thought, "Valentine's Day"!  There was only one plate, so I thought I'd just get three other red and white plates with different patterns, and complete my table that way. And so the hunt began. Do you remember the movie "The Hunt for Red October"?  I might not have been Alec Baldwin and the US Navy seeking Sean Connery and his Russian submarine, but at least THEY were able to find each other! I looked everywhere to find red and white patterned plates and was NOT successful.  I was hoping for maybe red and white polka dots, or red and white plaid or red and white stripes; but was thwarted no matter what antique store I searched, or the usual haunts of Home Goods, TJ Maxx, Kohl's, etc..... I think maybe I started too close to Valentine's Day or something, but I had to use what I found, and this is what I came up with:



Here's How It Was Created:



I started with placemats I had found at Home Goods this past summer.  I toyed with the idea of beginning with a white lace tablecloth, but I decided I liked the look of the dark wood of my table against the colors of the tablescape.


I started with my white chargers from the Maryland China Co.


Then I added the plates I had found:





When I got to the fourth place setting, and hadn't yet found a red and white patterned plate to use,  I was desperate.  So, I confess to the following deception:  I took one of my white Metaceramica plates from Home Goods, found ladybug stickers at Walmart and created my own red and white patterned plate! I share this with you in case you run into the frustration of not finding what you want, to create a "look".  You might want to consider this compromise.  I won't be using this table setting for a real meal, so there's no harm of anyone ingesting a labybug sticker!  And as they say, "Necessity is the Mother of Invention!"



Next came my Castleware (manufactured by Tabletops Lifestyles) plate from Home Goods.  I wanted some texture on the dish stack, and I LOVE these plates for creating this.



These heart-shaped ramekins from Michael's complete the stack.




Here is the completed place setting.  Hopefully, if this were for a real meal, the ramekins would be moved to the side of the place setting once the salad was served, and the conversation heart candies would be nibbled on AFTER the meal!  I found the flatware at Walmart while I was looking for the ladybug stickers.  The red goblets came from Home Goods. I've had the red and white gingham napkins for many years, but the porcelain napkin rings came from an antiquing adventure. I felt the white roses on these napkin rings would be quite suitable for a Valentine's table!



The main component of the centerpiece is a Princess House glass chimney that was my Mom's.  There were two, but, sadly, one was broken over the years.  I love the delicate engraving on the globe. I've surrounded the candle holder with a wooden Valentine's wreath of red hearts, found at Hobby Lobby. The red heart bouquets were unexpectedly found at the CVS pharmacy, along with the "LOVE" sign!  One never knows where a pretty design element will present itself!  I completed the centerpiece with a heart garland also from Hobby Lobby.



The accent piece is a heart-shaped dish I've had for many years from Home Goods.  And what would Valentine's Day be without chocolate candy? I found the "kissing lips" placemat at Michael's.  Afterall, what would Valentine's Day be without some kisses?

Here are some additional photos of the table:







Have a wonderful Valentine's Day, surrounded by those whom you love and who love you in return.       May your day be filled with hearts, kisses and chocolate!


I'll be linking up to Laurie's Valentine Par-Tay at http://bargainhuntingwithlaurie.blogspot.com, Susan's Tablescape Thursday at  www.betweennapsontheporch.net and Seasonal Sundays at http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com Be sure and visit these blogs  and see all the pretty tables to be shared.  Thank you Laurie and Susan and Alma for hosting!!

I love reading your comments when you have time to stop by and share your thoughts!!

If you'd like to become a follower and see posts as they are completed, please see the "Follow by Email" section at the beginning of my blog, add your email address and hit "Submit".






35 comments:

  1. Rosie, this is such a fun and pretty Valentine table! I love the different dish stacks -- they add such interest. Now all of Blogland will be on the lookout for the darling cherry plates to complete your set! Thank you for explaining the origin of everything. I always like to know that!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to comment, Tricia. It would be fun to find out there are more of those plates around (there were no identifying marks on the underside!) Have a good week! Rosie

      Delete
  2. Hi lovely lady.
    There is no doubt in my mind that you are an artist. This tablescape is absolutely Beautiful in every respect. I wish I had some cherry plates so you could complete your set.. I will keep my eyes open for you also. Thanks so much for your sweet comments on my Tablescape, and also have a wonderful Valentines Day with your family.
    God Bless.
    Diane

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your kind response, Diane. Enjoy your week! Rosie

      Delete
  3. Hi there, Rosie! This is my first visit to your blog. I coming over via Laurie's annual Valentine blog party.

    I totally admire your "stick-too-it-tiveness" in your search for the elements you needed to complete this tablescape! Like from the movie "Galaxy Quest": "Never give up! Never surrender!" Or perhaps more famously from "Titanic": "Never let go." :-)

    You have some really pretty pieces! Your chargers are great with that sort of lacy edge and those Castleware plates just make me wanna put my hands up and shout! Those are gorgeous! I love the shape and the texture.

    I'm sorry the other Princess House piece was broken. I can remember going to my first Princess House party when I was first married back in 1978. I still have the items I bought and use them often. Funny how some things just stick with you throughout the years even though others may deem them "outdated." I don't care. I love them!

    I hope you and yours enjoy a wonderful, warm and loving Valentine's Week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Alycia,
      Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to comment. I appreciate your comments and encouragement very much! Enjoy your week! Rosie

      Delete
  4. Love this table and the story behind it! So fun to have all of the mixed pieces, but great to see how they all work together.

    I'm so happy to have you at Seasonal Sundays and hope to see you more often. Kindly provide a link to Seasonal Sundays in your post.

    Thanks.

    - Alma, The Tablescaper

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Alma,
      Thank you for taking a look at my blog. I am a follower of yours, and have added your link on my post! Have a good week and enjoy your Valentine's Day! Rosie

      Delete
  5. I think of all your tablescapes I like this one the best! MB

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, MB, for stopping by! I'm glad you liked the post. Rosie

      Delete
  6. Beautiful table, love how you created your own plate!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Rosie, you are too funny with the Hunt for Red October thing! This is so creative, and everything came together so nicely. Would never have known those were ladybug stickers! Love, love those chargers!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Deborah. I found the chargers at the Maryland China Co. (check out their website!). They are called "Openwork Round Plates, 13" " And check out the "seconds" or "reject" section, because I got 3 there at half-price, and can't see any difference! I appreciate your visit. Rosie

      Delete
  8. Well the cherry plate caught my eye right of the bat. I love it and I love how you made it work with all the other pieces right down to the stickers :). I want those chargers, they are awesome, Dianne

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love the story behind your hunt, the photos, and the great theme. The layers and final table design is fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Love the story of your hunt, the steps to creating such a clever design, and the final tablescape. Very clever and ever so much fun! Have a great Valentine's Day.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thank you, Jackie! I appreciate the supportive comments! Rosie

    ReplyDelete
  12. This is a delightful Valentine table. I love the red checks, and I love the story of the Hunt for Red October. Your ladybug plate is genius, and what a great idea to use that cute wooden wreath around your hurricane for the centerpiece. Your CVS bouquets look so pretty. thank you so much for linking this to my party. laurie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Laurie, for your encouraging comments. I appreciate the visit!
      Rosie

      Delete
  13. The hunt was successful for your red and white table is lovely! The ladybug plate is the cutest and thought it was a new pattern. I was on the hunt for some asian pheasant plates at Home Goods and discovered a tea set of red and white stripe china there. This began my tablescape for Valentine's Day! Your LOVE sign is a perfect addition to your tablescape. I hope you will take a peek at my post of red and white color table. have a wonderful 14th!

    Pam

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Pam! I saw your post and drooled over you red and white striped tea set!!
      Thanks for your visit. Rosie

      Delete
  14. Hi Rosie. I think you ended up with a wonderful assortment of red plates. It looks very festive.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Many thanks, Rhondi, for stopping by and taking the time to comment!
      Rosie

      Delete
  15. Hi Rosie! Thx for stopping by today! Just wanted to drop in for a visit.....
    Where do I start? with the knock-out dishes or the great idea of "Dish Decorating? LOL! What a fantastic idea! Love your chargers.....love the cherries and your napkin rings.....oh, just send me the table! I am in the midst of making a set of napkins with poka dots and cherries on them! Found the fabric in Walmart of all places! will post them when I'm done...Have a wonderful Valentine's Day and know that someone in snowy PA is wishing for some of your sunshine!
    Lois

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your encouraging comments, Lois. I'd love to see your polka dot and cherry napkins! I wish I had a sewing gene.... Stay warm and safe inside. Spring will be here before you know it! Rosie

      Delete
  16. It all came together beautifully Rosie and omitting the cloth really highlighted your tablescape. You have a new followe!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Your Valentine table is beautiful. I especially like the cherry plates. You should keep them out until February 22 and celebrate George's birthday...you know, the cherry tree legend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. You're right about Washington's birthday! I hadn't thought about that! Rosie

      Delete
  18. What a fun table! I was in love with your lady bug plate, what a find! You really did fool me! Isn't it always the case you can't find what you are looking for? Now you will find a dozen red themed plates. Your table is just adorable and I love all your little touches and finds. Those red ramekins from Michaels are just precious. Happy Valentine's Day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for all your kind comments. I appreciate the support. And you're right----I went to Home Goods yesterday and found a red plate! Go figure!!
      Rosie

      Delete
  19. What a lovely Valentine's table...I have 4 of those cherry plates, 2 red/white and 2 white/red that are sitting in a pile ready to go to the thrift store! Wish you lived close enough that you could come get them!
    Have a wonderful weekend, Rosie.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Oh my goodness, those are stickers on the ladybug one? I love that idea and wouldn't have thought of it. It's perfect for when you just flat out can't find what you want any other way. I have done the *Hunt for Red October* myself more times than I care to remember. It's frustrating. You, however, solved all allusive plate problems perfectly and put together a wonderful Valentine table. I love it.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I think your table is beautiful and love your sneaky little homemade ladybug plate! Thanks for visiting me this morning :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. OMGoodness, this red and White tablescape is stunning with all and each plate been gorgeous! The ladybug plates are awesome and everything else! I'm in shock I haven't seen this!!! The placemats and the centerpiece bring this setting together beautifully! Thanks for your sweet and kind visit.
    FABBY

    ReplyDelete
  23. What a beautiful Valentine's table Rosie! I love the plate chargers the best....Christine

    ReplyDelete