Custom Poppers

 I hope you've noticed that I've been missing from the blogsphere.  I've been with my daughter playing Florence Nightingale, uber driver, maid, laundress and cook.  My poor baby broke her kneecap and couldn't do any of the above!  There were also thousand of snuggles, millions of kisses, and billions of giggles with those adorable boys of hers.  While I was there, since Cleveland is the home of Seven Barks, I was excited to be invited to drop into their printing plant (POV Print Solutions) and watch them assemble a custom order for party poppers!!!!

There was recently a beautiful wedding in California that provided these custom poppers for each guest.  They were designed with this express party in mind using the bride and groom's initials and a custom selection of gifts inside.  Each one has a small gun powder strip for that little bit of excitment when you pull the ends for the traditional surprise.

This was the huge box of custom glitter that was used inside the poppers.  

And here's one of the sweetest job managers I ever met!  Can you see how EACH PIECE is handmade?

And here's a box ready to make the trip from Ohio to California.

I can't resist showing some of their standard offerings.  Here's a photo of their Thanksgiving poppers I took at their booth at the gift show in Atlanta.

Their Easter poppers.

The red/white/blue ones.

I just had to play with one of the poppers that they gave me.  I dug through my daughter's pretties and put this look together.  She had so many lovely things to choose from, and I dusted the china cabinet's items while I was at it!  Isn't this pretty? 

I started with her Kate Spade silver and cream tablecloth.  I think I got this for her for Christmas, as a matter of fact.  I used this heavy pewter beaded charger, and her Wedgewood platinum wedding china.  Then a mother of pearl dessert plate.

Another wedding gift was this stunning sterling silver flatware.  It is Old Maryland Engraved.  I absolutely love this pattern. 

A friend of Susie's brought her a beautiful floral arrangement, so I picked a few select blooms out to style this pretty table.  The rose is gorgeous, but those blue/grey thistles really ring my chimes!

I think these bee salt and pepper shakers came from her mother-in-law.  I sure wanted to stick these in my pocket.

I went a little over the top with four etched glasses, but she had soooo many beautiful pieces of crystal, I just couldn't stop myself. 

I placed them on the railing of the deck so you could get a better look at them.

This piece is the queen of the hop!  It is William Yeoward's fern pattern.  Doesn't it make your mouth water?  This is truly exquisite.  Everything about it is perfection.  These were also wedding presents from some really generous guests.

These champagne glasses are similarly etched.

These water glasses have ferns and dots, as do the Yeoward pieces and are very similar, but not quite the same quality.  Really beautiful glasses, never the less.

And then this little juice glass is also similar.

It all came together so well and featured this great, fun little accessory sort of poached from Seven Barks.  It's no secret that I love their products.  You can see their catalog here.  If you want some custom designs, they can do that, too.  Tell them I sent you!

I'm back in Atlanta now, missing all of the action and hugs.  We're planning some fall entertaining, and then we'll soon be in the thick of holiday parties.  I promise to be a better blogger and share what we're up to!

Joining:

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21 Rosemary Lane

National Tartan Day 2012

Of all of the designs that have stood the test of time, tartan has to be the most iconic.  Well, I guess I'd add Blue Willow to that list, now that I think of it.  But I worship at the feet of tartan, and I'm about giddy over National Tartan Day on April 6th.

Here's the table I set for this year's celebration.  It's sort of hard to not make this Christmasy, but I do love the masculine look it gives a table.  Must remember this for Mr. Pressed Pant's birthday.

I inspiration for this table is this set of four Ralph Lauren dessert plates in four different tartan patterns. (This is my first collage ever.  This old dog CAN learn a new trick!)

I layered each of them over a plain white ironstone plate. All of this pattern needs a place to rest your eyes.

 

Two different tartan runners made from cotton from the fabric store went across the table.

My Palm Restaurant white linen napkins were wrapped with three different tartan ribbons which I bought years ago in the cheap ribbon spool section of Michael's.  Wish I had more!  Then I took one thistle and tucked it into the ribbon.

Here's a close-up.

The flatware is my old standby wooden handled stuff that I use over and over.

 

I know that Waterford is Irish not Scottish, but hey, close enough!  

These very heavy cut glass tumblers are etched with thistles.  I bought these for a gift for a friend who loves thistles, and then "forgot" to give them to her.  After she moved away, I stopped feeling guilty about using them.

 

The centerpiece is an antique wooden bowl with a silver monogram plaque filled with white carnations and studded with fresh thistles.  Then I stuck loops of tartan silk ribbon in between the flowers and put little tails of it on the bottom edge.

Looks like I gathered these from out on the moors, doesn't it?  I love the way the blue/green color picks up the blue in the plaids.

I used these solid, sturdy wooden candlesticks with plain white candles.

For a little more wood to ground things, I chose these faux bois salt and pepper shakers.

A plain woven wicker wine coaster is another go-to item in my cupboards.

Makes me feel like wearing a kilt and dancing a jig.

There's a great group of bloggers who are hosting a fun blog romp.

 

Four blogs.....four days!

April 1-4

Vignette Designs

The Polohouse

Upstairs Downstairs

Hyacinths for the Soul

I'll be posting on all four!