Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Faux MC

It's time for another Tablescape Thursday, with Susan of Between Naps on the Porch. Alas, I don't have a tablescape for you today! I've been a bit under the weather (probably just seasonal allergies), and I've been busy posting tours for the past four days of historic homes and public buildings in Bolivar, Tennessee.

Just so you don't forget me ... or think I forgot about my tablescaping friends, I'm doing a mini ... very mini-post.

The picture below is from a party I attended recently. The hostess has a VAST collection of Mackenzie-Childs .... everything! At the start of the buffet line, she had a stack of enamelware "Courtly Check" chargers/plates and assorted sterling forks in crystal caddies. She also used real napkins ... damask ones. None of that plastic plate/plastic fork/paper napkin business for her!


Below (in a TERRIBLE blurry photograph ... the only one I have of it) is the first tablescape in which I ever had a hand. It was done "by committee," so my only real input was helping select the folk art, borrowing the chargers from my friend, and painting Dollar Tree wine glasses to mimic the "Courtly Check" style. I hope MC doesn't mind --- it was for a charity event.

I used the paint I had handy: Golden artists colors, thinned with glazing medium. I was certain it wouldn't last, but they only had to make it through one luncheon as water glasses. I painted the bottoms of the glasses red to match the round rattan placemats. I used masking tape to create straight edges above and below the check-patterned band. Then I painted irregularly-sized "squares" (shading the black and white with other colors and blending slightly).

I avoided areas where hands and lips would touch the glass in hopes the paint would stay on ... just long enough! The glasses were given to the lender of the plates. I assured her that they would be "for display only."

Well, she used them for a dinner party! One of the glasses accidentally went into the dishwasher ... and survived! Who knew???

Next week .... a real tablescape post ... I promise!



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46 comments:

  1. BethSeptember 16, 2009 at 5:40 PM

    I hope you get to feeling better. I've also had the sniffles, scratchy throat, red/swollen/itchy/watery eyes, sneezing a zillion times a day. Fun times....NOT!

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  2. DonnaSeptember 16, 2009 at 5:58 PM

    Feel better soon, Bill.

    D

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  3. Marty@A Stroll Thru LifeSeptember 16, 2009 at 6:17 PM

    Oh I am such a fan of this MC pattern, in fact I love most all of her stuff. The tablescape looks gorgeous, and the painted glasses is an ingenius idea. Hugs, Marty

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  4. Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net)September 16, 2009 at 6:17 PM

    Hi Bill, Love what you did with the glasses...and survived the DW...amazing! Tablescape by committee...love it! LOL
    Susan
    P.S. Feel better soon!

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  5. Ceekay-THINKIN of HOMESeptember 16, 2009 at 6:30 PM

    Sorry you are not feeling well. I just love that black and white check stuff! One of my favs. What a great idea for the glasses. Now you can buy sealer...and you wouldn't have to worry about it not lasting!!

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  6. Yellow Rose ArborSeptember 16, 2009 at 6:52 PM

    Even when you are sick, you come through! I like it!

    I hope you feel better soon!

    Katherine

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  7. black eyed susans kitchenSeptember 16, 2009 at 6:54 PM

    Feel better soon! Ah Mackenzie Childs...I used to love their work sooo much! The more whimsy, the better.

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  8. ellen bSeptember 16, 2009 at 7:02 PM

    So sorry you are under the weather! Love the whimsy here and I always appreciate real plates, etc. as opposed to paper :0)

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  9. Signing OutSeptember 16, 2009 at 7:02 PM

    Very nice. I hope you feel better soon, Bill.

    Jane

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  10. MarthaSeptember 16, 2009 at 7:02 PM

    You did a great job with your faux MC! Especially when you're working with committee.

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  11. AnonymousSeptember 16, 2009 at 7:06 PM

    Oh, Dear Bill! I'm so sorry you're not feeling well! Take care of yourself. This is a great post! The MC ware is so lovely and fun! I adore those blue/yellow votive candle holders.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  12. JulieSeptember 16, 2009 at 7:11 PM

    Hope you feel better soon... The nasty bug has been at my house also.... It takes a good week to week and a half to get over it...
    xoxo
    Julie

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  13. bjSeptember 16, 2009 at 7:17 PM

    Dearest friend Bill...Courtley Check is who I am having a love affair with!! I only have 3 pieces and covet....COVET many more! Just so expensive for Social Security ...they just don't understand how much I love it, tho!! :O)
    In fact, I am, once again, showing my little serving piece on today's post.(now, if you come over, don't laugh at all my roosters running around in my so-not-formal dining room.With you being so classy, I just know you are thinking REDNECK when you see all the roosters around my place. :O)

    So sorry you are not feeling well. Hopefully, things will be better soon.

    Now..are you using PhotoScape? It's free and when you have blurry photos, you can sharpen them up soooo much. You might want to give it a try...don't think I could survive without PhotoScape.

    Feel better soon, my friend.
    xo bj

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  14. JaneSeptember 16, 2009 at 7:27 PM

    Hi Bill
    I'm sorry you have had a difficult week...allergy-wise. This is a tough time of year for many.(Including me!)

    I love MC! For many years, I have been inspired by many of the designs. The painted glassware sparked my imagination... Thanks to MC, I ended up painting plates and wine glasses for Christmas...and the cake dome with platter (Cloche party photo)when our funds were tight.It's so much fun to do!!!

    Feel better, soon.
    Jane (Artfully Graced)

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  15. Dreams and DecorSeptember 16, 2009 at 7:41 PM

    Hi, Bill: I love those checkered plates/chargers, not to mention those amazing yellow/blue votive holders! You did very well on those glasses! Love them! If you make more, you can heat them in a very low heat oven and it will "bake" the paint on! (It really works!) I'm so sorry to hear you're not feeling well! Here in Texas, I think something blew in with all this rain we're getting--I had to stay home from work Monday, & I'm hardly ever sick! Feel better soon! Patti

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  16. susanSeptember 16, 2009 at 8:04 PM

    Bill_ It's great. I really an not that familiar with Mackenzie Childs, but it is pretty. Your wine glasses are perfect! I've think I got "it" too--starting feeling awful this afternoon--hope you feel better. I'm off to sleep and hope "it" disappears over night!

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  17. UnknownSeptember 16, 2009 at 8:22 PM

    Hope you feel better! Allergies have been horrible this summer.
    Love the whimsicle table.

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  18. LillyBSeptember 16, 2009 at 8:29 PM

    Hey brother! I am sorry you have been under the weather...it's an awful place to be :( I hope you feel much better, soon!! A lot of people are having allergies and such right now!! I like the table, the wine glasses were great!!
    talk to you soon!!
    Praying you feel better!
    Love Lilly

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  19. QuiltpiecerSeptember 16, 2009 at 8:36 PM

    Hope you feel better soon ... I have seasonal allergies and it hits me like a ton of bricks this time of year. You have my heartfelt sympathy. Feel better soon!

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  20. SarahSeptember 16, 2009 at 8:39 PM

    Bill, hope you feel better soon. I didn't get a table done this week either. Life has been coming at me fast and furiously. I hope to participate next week. Thanks for sharing these photos. I'm a huge Courtly Check fan. Actually a huge fan of MacKenzie-Childs. Love the wine glasses. I'm going to remember that idea. Wish I had a stack of the CC metal plates like your friend. Take care of yourself and get better. ~ Sarah

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  21. xinexSeptember 16, 2009 at 8:55 PM

    Blurred or not Bill, the table is set very beautifully!...Christine

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  22. Lori @ Dining DelightSeptember 16, 2009 at 10:07 PM

    I love it when hostesses use the "nice stuff" and not the paper/plastic things! It always makes the occasion feel more special. How fun to see the first 'scape you had a hand it - great job but you've come a long way!!!

    DD

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  23. RettabugSeptember 17, 2009 at 1:29 AM

    I hope your illness is short lived & that you'll be feeling better soon.
    Thanks for telling us a little about your early years in tablescaping. Even back then, one can see you had the touch! I never would have thought to PAINT the glasses so they matched. You've opened up a whole new world of possibilities with that idea. Thanks!

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  24. Pat@Back Porch MusingsSeptember 17, 2009 at 1:33 AM

    Bill, thanks so much for sharing your friend's table. Beautiful inspiration.

    Those seasonal allergies are no fun!! Feel better soon!

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  25. BarbaraSeptember 17, 2009 at 3:57 AM

    Bill, Sorry you are under the weather, my husband is also suffering from allergies, if had to make a trip to the dr.

    Hope you feel better soon.
    Barbara

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  26. Tammy518September 17, 2009 at 4:06 AM

    I hope you feel better soon, Bill! I love anything by Mackenzie-Childs. Your wine glasses are so neat! What a great idea to pep up Dollar Tree glasses.

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  27. Diana LaMarreSeptember 17, 2009 at 4:42 AM

    Hi Bill,
    I hope you are feeling better.
    I would never have thought to paint the glasses for a one-time use...very clever! They look great.

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  28. Mid-Atlantic MarthaSeptember 17, 2009 at 5:11 AM

    I can say I know how those allergies can hit! Hope you're up and playing with dishes again soon. Love what you've shown us and I too love anything MacKenzie-Childs. What a great idea with the glasses!

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  29. santamakerSeptember 17, 2009 at 5:35 AM

    Great table and what a fun theme! Love the idea of using Dollar tree glasses..they came out fab!

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  30. LeeSeptember 17, 2009 at 7:23 AM

    Hello, I am new to blogging and like your blog so I decided to follow. I am having those allergy problems also.

    How creative and fun... get well!
    I joined you and will put you on my blog roll.
    Lee @ Inspired Comblogulations

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  31. Beeutiful by DesignSeptember 17, 2009 at 10:04 AM

    Hope you feel better - this one of the best & worst times of the year isn't it! I love the MC, wish I could afford tons and tons of it! Happy weekend. Jennifer

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  32. Brenda PruittSeptember 17, 2009 at 10:31 AM

    I love MC! Can't get enough of their lovely creations!
    Brenda

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  33. Lady KatherineSeptember 17, 2009 at 12:09 PM

    I love MC as everyone else! The glasses turned out great! I love to have a set! When your feeling better! lol Get Well Soon!

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  34. NishantSeptember 17, 2009 at 1:03 PM

    I love the MC, wish I could afford tons and tons of it! Happy weekend. Jennifer
    Domain registration india

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  35. Julio MuaoSeptember 17, 2009 at 2:08 PM

    Okay, I'm not a plate savvy as I thought...I am not familiar with "MC". I have some catching up to do. I'm sorry to hear you're not feeling well Bill. The Tablescape community suffers from your absence. Wishing you a speedy recovery!

    Julio

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  36. nannykim at spindle cottageSeptember 17, 2009 at 2:08 PM

    Cool! Hey, I figured you couldn't keep it all up!! I mean , hey, you have to have time to live! Get well!!

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  37. jninecostumesSeptember 17, 2009 at 6:10 PM

    Hope you feel better soon. Thanks for sharing the table.

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  38. Draffin BearsSeptember 17, 2009 at 6:41 PM

    Hi Bill,

    I was sorry to hear that you were not feeling well and I hope that you are feeling better.
    Great table and I like the black and white check.

    Hugs
    Carolyn

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  39. The Fajdich TimesSeptember 18, 2009 at 7:05 AM

    The crystal caddies are very nice! Love the painted wine glasses you did. I went to a class and did shamrock etched wine glasses. It was very fun and easy to do. Feel better soon:)

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  40. PamelaSeptember 18, 2009 at 10:39 PM

    Bill, I hope you feel better soon. I really liked this post because I learned something. I didn't know there were crystal caddies for forks, now I know and now I'll be looking for them.

    You visited my blog awhile back and I wanted to thank you. I hope you'll visit again, I know I'll be back to visit your blog.

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  41. Yellow Rose ArborSeptember 19, 2009 at 5:39 PM

    Just stopping by to see if you are feeling better! I hope no new post doesn't mean you haven't felt like posting! (I don't have a new post either!)

    Katherine

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  42. Moore MinutesSeptember 19, 2009 at 6:09 PM

    I would love to have those checked plates! Perfect. And allergies can be so aggravating. :( Feel better soon.

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  43. BALLET NEWSSeptember 20, 2009 at 7:13 AM

    Very beautiful - thankyou !

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  44. Its So Very CheriSeptember 20, 2009 at 2:21 PM

    Be sure to come by tonight around 9pm (Eastern time) for the announcement so you don't miss out. I promise-it good-really really good.
    Cheri
    Its So Very Cheri

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  45. EileenSeptember 20, 2009 at 2:42 PM

    This was a very enjoyable post! And I'm always amazed at your artistic ability! Beautiful, really.

    I'm sorry you're not feeling well. 'Hope you're on the mend now.

    I've been away from blogging and visiting a lot, my daughter was in the hospital with emergency surgery, and my husband was home all week with the flu. Everyone is on the mend now and I'm hoping life goes back to normal (or more normal in my case!).

    Feel better!
    All the best,
    Eileen

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  46. MarySeptember 20, 2009 at 5:35 PM

    Sorry you're not feeling well, Bill, but glad you were able to post the great "mini"...I loved it! I don't always leave a comment, but I love looking at your wonderful tablescapes, which are always so elegantly presented...I can feel the care you put into each one.

    Take care!
    Mary

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