A sack of old linens ... improperly stored for who knows how long ... ... with stains that leave you baffled. What's your response? (a) Bring it on! (b) I wouldn't know where to start ... (c) Why bother? If you responded (b), my new series is for you. Over the next few weeks, we'll talk about all of these subjects ... If you responded "Why bother?" ... Well, I'll show you. Look closely. All of the vintage linen pieces in these pictures were discovered at garage sales, thrift stores, or estate auctions. All had problems. All are beautiful today thanks to a little tlc. Ok ... sometimes a lot of tlc No matter what your style, I suspect you'll see something that you think would be worth your time to ... Keep Reading...
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Festival of Tables 2012: Part 2
Last week I shared with you Part 1 of our church's 2012 Festival of Tables. Without further delay, let's move on to Part 2. Just click on any collage once -- or twice -- to enlarge ... Do you remember the English nursery rhyme "Sing a Song of Sixpence?" That was the inspiration for this tablescape. Look closely, and you'll see bees ... the blackbird that was baked in a pie ... and the queen's crown. Guests at this table all received honey (from the table hostess's hive) and freshly-baked scones. The woman who did this table was our church's Media Center director for many years. She definitely knows her books, so encouraging her guests to "check" out her table was an obvious choice for a table theme ... and a good ... Keep Reading...
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Are You AFRAID of Vintage Linens?
It's always a pleasure to get emails from blog friends, but occasionally they contain a story I'd really rather not read. Like this one ... written in response to my recent Restoration Linen Cleaner giveaway question: What item do you want to restore if you're the lucky winner? I'm sharing the answer, of course, with the author's permission. The email began ... Oh Susan, I have TRUNKS in my attic just waiting to be brightened up. She went on to tell me her "funny/sad story" about finding the "most gorgeous lacy antique sheets" she had ever seen. Because their "Shades of Old" (I love that description!) were significant, the shop owner allowed the woman to take them home and wash them before purchase. Depending on their final condition, ... Keep Reading...
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Candy Purse Tutorial
This is one of my favorite pics this week, so I pinned it on Pinterest. It was part of the Festival of Tables I shared with you in THIS post. Be sure to check out all of the creative table ideas! I promised to show you how to make the little purse favor that the table hostess gave to her guests, so let's do that now ... Select papers Bottom view Decide what size purse you want and cut paper into strips. Back view Put double-sided tape (or any kind of two-sided foam/wax, etc.) on your favorite candy ... Oooooh, so THAT'S what's inside! ... and tuck candy inside the paper. Side view Add a ribbon handle and embellish as ... Keep Reading...
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Festival of Tables 2012: Part 1
Welcome! If you're a first-time visitor, I'm so glad you're here. We have a lot of fun here at My Place to Yours. I hope you'll stop by often. Today I'm sharing with you half of the tables from last weekend's 11th Annual Festival of Tables at our church. It's an end-of-Summer fun event for the ladies of our church. (I'll show you the other half of the tables next week.) I think you'll enjoy seeing the creativity of our table hostesses. Keep in mind that most of the pictures were taken before the candles were lit and the lights dimmed ... so you can see them better. If you want a closer look, just click the pics twice to enlarge. So, without further delay ... Enjoy! This retro tablescape was done by a woman too ... Keep Reading...
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Are These Pics NOTECARD WORTHY?
I can't decide if I want to be tranquil or artsy today ... so I'm not going to choose! Either way, all of these notecards that I'll be linking to the Notecard Party at A Haven for Vee have two things in common: they're all in the same basic colors ... and they all feature something reflective. I actually did have this swan photograph made into notecards that I gave to my guests at last weekend's Festival of Tables. My table theme was Swan Song. You can see my tablescape HERE. Be sure to stop by Wednesday evening to see some of the others!) If you love playing in the dishes like I do, you'll understand why I selected this for a notecard. If you don't ... you won't. The same may be true with this ... Keep Reading...
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What I Learned From A Power Surge
Whether you come here often or this is your very first visit ... I'm really glad you're here! I pray I can bring half as much encouragement and joy to you as you do to me. "Thank you" hardly seems adequate, but I will say it: Thank you! You know, here in Blogland, there's a lot of talk about restoring things. Some of you are fantastic at restoring old furniture. (I really admire someone who can make that look so easy ... I wanna do that!) Some of us restore houses ... or clothing ... or linens. If you're new to My Place, you'll soon learn that I often talk about restoring vintage linens. Sometimes here in Blogland we talk about restoring bodies ... or relationships ... or faith. Sometimes ... Keep Reading...
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Festival of Tables Preview: SWAN SONG
Welcome to the weekend ... and Happy Pink Saturday! I'll be spending my Saturday setting up for and attending our church's annual Festival of Tables. Pink Saturday seems like the perfect time to give you a preview of my table. Color Texture Simplicity Traditional -- with a twist Swan Song ... Tip: To get an extra punch of color, I "scrunched" hot pink tissue paper in the stem below the votive candle. I'll be taking lots of pics at the Festival to share with you, so be sure to stop by later this week. In the meantime, check out past tablescape events by clicking the Tablescapes tab at the top of this page. This vintage Noritake ... Keep Reading...
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Tablescape Story Starter …
Welcome to My Place to Yours! Thanks for stopping by this week. If you're a new visitor, I hope you'll enjoy your time here and that you'll stop by often! To those of you who come back week after week ... How can I ever convey how much I love our times together? Thank you! Earlier today I saw this roof terrace by Frank Holbrook Design on Houzz. It was part of the 2012 San Francisco Decorator Showcase ... and it got my creative juices flowing big time! The other-than-white tent, salmon-colored fabric paired with blue and white ginger jars plus a surprising splash of purple, and, of course, the location ... location ... location. Traditional Patio design by San Francisco photographer Alex Amend Photography I see four ... Keep Reading...
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Super Hero Texting
I was busily continuing my task of de-cluttering, when I received this text ... For those of you who don't know, Super Why! is a beloved super hero character on PBS Kids who teaches "letters" and reading. Little Man thinks he's cool and said he wanted a "Super Why! party and a purple cake" for his birthday. Game on! Step 1: Locate Kelly green t-shirt (Wasn't as easy as it sounds. Thank you, Target!) and Iron-on Transfer Paper (Hobby Lobby or Wal-Mart) Step 2: Print logo (provided by Little Man's Mommy) and cut it out. Step 3: Transfer image to t-shirt following package directions. Step 4: Whew! Project Part 1 successful. Next came the cape which lucky me! was to be same-fabric reversible ... Keep Reading...
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STILL Precious!
Hello all! I've never reprised an entire tablescape post before, but this seems like a good week to do it. In the spirit of the Olympics ... celebrating our world and its varied cultures. I hope you ENJOY! (Originally posted March 9, 2010) Last week when I did THIS "every place setting is different" tablescape ... ... I started thinking about the only other time I ever remember doing a tablescape with mismatched place settings. (Not mismatched DISHES, mind you, but every place setting different.) The event was the 2008 Festival of Tables at my church. (I posted about the 2010 event HERE.) Since I was also the speaker for the evening, sharing about Renaissance Man's and my involvement with ... Keep Reading...
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Go for it!
On a breezy day, he seemed to have no care in the world. Climbing a calla leaf against the wind, he trusted his Creator and "went for it." As I watched him reach his destination, I wondered about mankind. Why don't we climb more ... and risk more ... and trust more? Same Creator ... I'll be joining: Blue Monday @ Smiling Sally Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch Masterpiece Monday @ Boogieboard Cottage Miscellany Monday @ lowercase letters ... Keep Reading...
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Olympic Blogging: On your mark. Get set. GO!
July 6, 2005: Our family was in England for Daughter the Older's college graduation when the announcement was made: London was picked to host the 2012 Summer Olympics. As you can imagine, the news was the "talk of the town" and spirits were high! Twenty-four hours later, in an act of terrorism, bombs were detonated on board London Underground trains. 52 civilians died; over 700 were injured. The country mourned. So did we. Many of you did, too. That was SEVEN years ago, and much has happened since then ... but the day that seemed so distant has arrived. Tonight, London will host the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. Thank you, London, for your hospitality! Over the next couple of weeks, many of ... Keep Reading...
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Table for Two: Lunch on the Porch
Earlier this week, we finally had the perfect day for lunch on the porch. Hot (but not too hot) with a gentle breeze. I grabbed some pretty Summertime linens and dishes ... and flowers from Renaissance Man's garden ... ... and started playing in the dishes! Cuisine Kathleen asks us to include a "tip," so here's my tip: When partying on the porch in hot weather, use lots of cool, clear glass and bright colors. They'll take your attention away from the heat! In no time at all, a table for two was ready and waiting for food and conversation. I love how Old Glory invited herself to the table. She knows she's always welcome at My Place to Yours. So are you! Click HERE to see how I made ... Keep Reading...
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How much is HOPE worth? You tell me!
Want an easy and fun way to make a difference this week AND help me celebrate 2 years of blogging? You're invited! Stop by and place some bids at my charity auction! 100% of my profit goes to support children at mortal risk -- orphans whose current living situations are such that they will almost certainly be dead in 3-4 years if we don't do something to help. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27 So why do millions of orphans still live in poverty and alone on the streets, often victims of sexual abuse? Why are hundreds of thousands of pre-adolescent girls ... Keep Reading...
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2012 VINTAGE LINEN & DISH AUCTION … Celebrating Two Years of Blogging
AUCTION HAS ENDED. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED! Two years ago today ... I started blogging. Today ... I'm celebrating by hosting a charity auction to benefit children at mortal risk. Everyone is invited! Participation is as easy as 1-2-3. 1. Click on the auction button above to go to the auction site. 2. Scroll . scroll . scroll through the auction listings and place bids on as many items as you want -- as often as you want. At a charity auction, bidding on everything isn't greedy ... it's generous! 3. Have fun! From the bottom of my heart ... on behalf of the children ... thank you in advance for your generosity! ... Keep Reading...
