Something New, Borrowed and with Hooves?

Hosted by "Susan and Leigh"

Yahoo! It's Thursday again, our weekly permission to play with dishes! And combined with Leigh's Thrifty Thursday, it just makes it more fun for me! Ok, ok... let's begin. (Whew, all that celebratin's got me dizzy) ;-P

THEME:
"Fast and Free"
INSPIRATION:
Folk Craft Stoneware "Running Horses"
(My daughter's birthday dinnerware)

When we first saw them in Kroger's almost two summers ago, my middle child, J-Pony, why for the first time in her young life, experienced FIRST LOVE! She practically couldn't leave the spot and gave me those pleading looks until I said, "If it goes on sale."

(Yes, dear readers, that's a close to a resounding yes to the ears of my children. They jump up and down when they hear me say such statement.)

But as with any small "wiggle room" budgets, I did have to wait until it went on sale, which it didn't! I had to force it to go on sale... Yes, indeedy I did! Check this out:

A few months back around late March, after balancing my checkbook and looking at projections, I realized that I can't afford the regular price @ $30 per 16-pcs. (She needed 8 place settings as she wanted to invite 7 friends. The menu was no problem as she is a picky eater and wanted everything she normally eats. )

Of course, every dinnerware had to be tested right? Right! So I did and since my hubby's really in full mode support of my love of tablescaping, this set was my next victim, I mean, target, I mean choice, yeah, choice... ;-P

This handsome set, therefore, is our "SOMETHING NEW, BORROWED AND WITH HOOVES!"

The transferred artwork on this stoneware was done by Scotty Z, a naturalist who has the ability "to capture the spirit and beauty of nature's creatures in his artwork." (from the box)

The theme came from the way the wild horses were drawn to be galloping at full speed and the background of that great open space. Can't you just feel the awesome breeze?

Oooopps! You caught me... I forgot to tell you about how I forced it to go on sale. (sorry 'bout that...)

After I called the manager and told him of my sob story of shallow pockets and birthday requests, the GM manager took off $1o each box!

I paid only $20 each making it only $1.25 a piece! You bet I was able to afford that and loved how he actually walked over two of the boxes to the Customer Service so I can just pick both boxes up, when I come to pay for them. I called in the morning, I picked them up in the afternoon, with my dh. Quick, Inexpensive and Convenient, gotta love that!

Since there are only 5 of us, I set the "centerpiece" on one end (I've given several tips on odd number placesettings). I used my faux geranium flowers (75% off; Michael's) on my Gabbay pitcher, $8.00 (regular $20). The Home (Target) "Garden Greens" napkins, $4.98 for four (I got 8), but it's technically FREE for me because my dear AZ friends, Midori and Randy Foster, they got a me Target giftcard for my graduation gift! (Thanks guys! I still have half on the card!).

And I paired it with the two oil lanterns that will also be used for her birthday tablescape (on the first day of summer)! I then borrowed my office receipt box to create different heights and three different candleholders for a more relaxed country setting.

To give it an extra "oomph!", I used my black woven placemats and I used my dark brown rattan woven placemats as chargers as they are smaller than the black.

The bowls were used for dessert- brownie a la mode!

See the 9" iron with leaves pillar candleholder, remember that's from Kohl's, 80% off or only $2.59!

For blingage, I used my Anchor Hocking "Starfire" glasses (Walmart) and I stuck my utensils in the bowl. For only $9 for 16 pieces a box, that makes each glass only 56 cents each!

How's that for thrifty?

Hubs taught me how to play around with delayed settings. I set mine for 3.2 seconds!

I like how it turned out! Yay!

See the rectangular dishes that are holding the tealight holders (25 cents each), garage sale find in AZ, only 50 cents each!

I like how the centerpiece turned out. ;-D Also, with it on the window end, it becomes a source of privacy and definite focal point as it is human nature to look towards the window for anything interesting.

By using the colors of the design on the plates and minimizing the black to just accent colors (placemats & lanterns), I managed to capture the romance and imagery. I gave this design a more warm feel for a casual family dining experience since for my daughter's birthday, the theme will be more whimsical and playful.

Here's the left side...

And here's the right side...
Look, we're already at the end of this thrifty tablescape and I haven't even told you the best part of this table, the tablecloth is another FREEBIE, it's a VELLUX blanket!

It's my teen's winter blanket. (I told you I get creative sometimes...) LOL

I can't believe I get to have fun and do a show and tell, too!

I love this set of memes! Leigh and Susan, you rock!

Ok, ok... I hope you enjoyed this week's tabletop design as well.

I'm off to see yours! And to all of you... I heart you all for coming by!

Thanks for peeking!