A Toile Tale: beading

I think Lenox's Holiday pattern is just about as pretty as you can get and as traditional. I have used these dishes with plaid, with stripes and with vibrant colors, but tonight, for our Christmas dinner, I decided to go with the most formal use of them, and here's why:

I was gifted this gorgeous tulle Christmas topper, handmade by my grandmother many, many years ago. She made it for my mom, who never used it!!!! Can you imagine? It was a pretty good fit over my standard white Williams Sonoma linen cloth, too.

Look at this detail! All of the applique and beading! That line you see is sequins, and the edges are scalloped felt. Over time, the felt and the tulle have yellowed a bit, but that is fine, as these dishes are a cream, and I have never liked the way they look on a stark white cloth.

See the edging?

The designs are fabulous.

Look at this handwork! No Stitch-Witchery! No hot glue! These are all hand sewn with a million TINY stitches. Thank you, Grandma!

Early this fall, I found these napkins at Homegoods. They go perfectly with this china pattern. I only found seven at the first store I saw them, none at the next one, none at the next next one, and then.....Eureka!.....one more in Cleveland when I visited our girls. The flatware is mis-matched silverplate that I find much more interesting than my sterling. That stays in the safety deposit box and I use this all the time.

I loved the color this glassware gave the table.

My daughter gave me these incredible French knives with china handles and brass blades. I think they are really fruit knives, but I use them as bread and butter knives here.

I already had these place cards.

Since I REALLY didn't want any spills or messes on this precious cloth, I pulled out these crystal knife rests. No....that is not tarnish on the blade.....it is the reflection of a red goblet.

Every once in a while, I clip these little candle holders onto the chargers and it makes the meal really special.

I totally overbought these red carnations. It always takes so many more to pave the flowers, so I didn't want to run short. But I chose a smaller cachepot than I planned on, so I have a ton left. Fortunately, carnations last so long that I'll find a use for them.

Since I had so much gold going on, I substituted these gold angel candlesticks for the crystal ones I started with. I always use them for Valentine's Day, but I never before thought to use them for Christmas. Duh!