What is so Exciting about Tablescaping?

Before I became distracted by the "blog of note" thing, I had been contemplating what I find so exciting about setting a creative dining room table. After you get so many visitors, you begin finding yourself posted about all over different forums on the net. I visit the forums just to see what they are all saying about me. Admit it, so would you. :) You have to have a thick skin to do so. Sometimes the things they are saying isn't all that nice.

Some of you make your husband look at this blog so you can prove that my sickness is worse than yours! The post that really made me laugh out loud while sitting alone at my computer was the lady who said she thought she never met a dish she didn't like, until she saw some of mine! I am still chuckling as I write this. My personal feeling is that some of those ugly ducklings turn into swans when the table is completed.

I have always had the need to create things, like quilts or other crafts. But a quilt takes a very long time and a ton of effort. Sometimes I just have the urge to do something creative in a short time. I can do that by setting a table. It's very fun & creative to take an inspiration piece of fabric and see what sort of table emerges.

I think the main reason I like doing tables is that I get my creative kick without making anything that I have to find a place to store. I just pull items from around my home and put them back where they came from when I am done. When I finish a huge quilt, I have to find some place to store it. I am pretty much out of room for any more large quilts.

During the summer I am a perennial garden addict(Yes, I do believe I have an addictive personality). The garden gives the same fleeting pleasure. It's a ton of work, but I am rewarded with the beauty of my labors for a few months and then everything is gone until next year.

Tablescaping allows me to take my three hobbies and combine them. I use quilts for tablecloths and flowers for centerpieces. Last winter I started making mini quilts to use as table runners. Now I can continue my quilting hobby without having to make big quilts.

Last winter I started designing table runners around dishes. Here are the two I have completed.

I thought as long as I am making a runner, it may as well be one that I will use. I have not yet used them in a tablescape.

My goal in '09 is to do a table with every different dish pattern I own. That should keep me going for quite some time!

Comments

Jewel Sauls said…
What wonderful runners and a great outlet for you quilting talents! I also agree with you about "ugly" dishes. In tablescaping it is about bring together many part to make a whole, and sometimes an "ugly" plate works best to create beauty!!!!

I know what you mean about being able to pull things together quickly. It is nice to be able to make one little part of your home into a little "world." I have this old Victorian house with authentic wallpaper, but if I want to create a casual beachy mood, I can do that with tablescaping. As always, a wonderful post! :D Jewel
BookWormz said…
I really love your blog! I am just learning the "art" of Home-Making, and I do think it is an art, and you're a great inspiration! Thanks for sharing!!
Love your posts Zoey... you make me think "outside the box"!

Have a great day!

Susan
JEM said…
I'm loving your imagination and creativity! Once apon a time I would look at odd place settings and table clothes as usless, not any more. Thanks for the education :o)
G said…
As I was saying in my recent email, I am really enjoying your blog. Yes, my taste may be different than yours, but my love of tablescaping is just the same so I relate and will continue to be inspired. As far as "ugly" dishes...many of yours represent those that our mothers or grandmothers used. Vintage dishes have history and that makes them the best. Thanks again.
Dani said…
It's funny how each person has a different opinion about things. I absolutely love your arrangements and thinks it's simply fantastic that you are able to have 3 hobbies and one of them can incorporate the other two. I need more hobbies...but at the same time I haven't the time with a toddler and newborn baby right now. As of now my hobbies probably consist of housework. However I love to write and recently made a goal to get into that more often. Thanks for your inspiration.
Cynthia said…
You are my hero -- no kidding! I showed my husband your blog but only to say "I want to do this, but I promise I'll wait till we have the room to store it all." You have inspired me to start making table runners. I can quilt but I can't commit the time or space to it right now. Besides, I'd like to see my result a little quicker. Plus, I can't afford to buy all the pretty runners I see in the stores and sometimes I can't find something to match what I have in mind. Thanks for this blog and all the ideas. I LOVE decorating and setting tables and visiting your blog.
Anonymous said…
I'm new here and I came across Tablescaping on Blogs of Note. I must say that what you are doing is completely awesome and inspiring. I love it!
Alicia said…
Tablescaping is my new passion! I had done a Christmas one this year, but then put everything away and didn't think about making them often. So after reading your blog and congrats on blog of note, well-deserved, so after reading your blog, I decided to do a Valentine's Day table. Please if you have a chance, visit my blog and let me know what you think and give me some suggestions. Keep blogging and tablescaping and I'll keep visiting.
http://calangel58.blogspot.com

Thanks,
Alicia
Joanne said…
I just love what you have going on here. Very inspiring. There is something so comforting about sitting around a well-set table, and it looks like you have perfected the art form!
Unknown said…
what fun...i cannot imagine someone could be so ingenuous. but i am thrilled nevertheless- not enough to want to start it off on my own though. i just manage to keep my home afloat, being a lone-wolf that i am. but you are really a sweetheart. i may not come back again, but at least you got me to know something completely different from my line of work and ideas:)
Carol Weigand said…
What fun-----I am mixing and matching with greater abandon. My Mom used to say, "If you like it, it will fit in"