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Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Tablescape Thursday, Freecycle, and Justine's Giveaway

I've finally decided to join Tablescape Thursday, but probably won't be doing it again for a while, because I really just don't have a lot of dishes!



Anyhow, in case anyone missed it yesterday, Justine is having a 200th post giveaway! Click on her name to get to her blog.

I just can't wait for it to get warm enough to go outside and have dinner on my patio table.

Sorry for the quality of the photos. I STILL don't have my computer back and I don't have the program to fix the pictures. Anyhow, I recently got some new plates. I'll tell you more about that in a minute. My old table runner doesn't go with my current kitchen, but it would be just fine on the patio table. I added my apple dish, a green placemat, a bowl with a juicy green apple, a $.50 blue spongeware cup from Goodwill, and an apple shaped teapot.


Here is a closer view of the things in the back. Get this, the apples are fake! I bought a bunch of them from Pier 1 a few years ago when I wanted to fill a pretty bowl with apples. The stoneware apple sugar bowl is a now retired pattern from Home and Garden Parties.


The wooden bird is actually a Christmas ornament, but I keep him out all year long. I thought he looked cute perched on the napkin. You can tell I am no good at decorative napkin folding!


Here is a closeup of my new plate. Well, it isn't exactly new, just new to me. I get the plates and the matching bowls from Freecycle! Never heard of Freecycle? Well it is just the best! It's a Yahoo group. You join a group in your town, and emails go out to the whole group when someone has something to offer. You can write if you like it, and you might be the lucky person who gets the offer! If you have a need for something, you can also post. I think Freecycle is great. Recently before the move, I had bags of clothes that I needed to get rid of. I offered them on Freecycle, and people came to my home to pick them up!


The apple teapot was part of what she had to give away. Oh yeah, not sure I mentioned that this is all free! You cannot sell anything on Freecycle or accept money for things you give to others. I love the little teapot!


She included some apple decorations too. I thought that the hutch with my spongeware could use a little extra color, so wrapped this garland of mini apples around a shallow bowl.


I thought these sprays of apples and strawberries would accent my spongeware pitcher and add some warmth.


Do you remember my rattan chair that I painted? That was a Freecycle item that I was given. This summer I was given a sack full of DVDs and VHSs and the boys were thrilled to have some new movies! Just this week, I was given 3 pairs of slacks and one pair of shorts in excellent condition for my youngest son, and they added a pair of shoes that had only been worn once!

Freecycle is just great and a wonderful way to help out others, and to get rid of things you no longer need. It's also a great way to keep things out of the landfill when they still have some life in them. Say for example you have an old couch in decent condition, and you don't want it, but don't want to have to bother hauling it out of the house. Offer it up on Freecycle, and someone will want it and will come to get it! To join, just go to Yahoo Groups and do a search for Freecycle. Click on your state, then on your town.

If I get any more free plates, I just may be able to aspire to dishaholicism!

Happy Tablescape Tuesday! To see more tablescapes, go visit our hostess Susan at Between Naps on the Porch. You'll be glad you did!



19 comments:

Justine said...

All of this looked so cute, Kady, but what I loved the most was the arrangement of the mini apples around the bowl thingy. Beautiful!

Justine :o )

SmilingSally said...

I love it! You already know that I love your blue and white, and you may know that I collect apples--so this is perfect for me!

Michelle said...

Blue spongeware is my favorite and our everyday china. I loved it 30 years ago and still do today.

The apple teapot is too cute!

Unknown said...

I love your outdoor setting! It looks comfortable, relaxing and inviting!

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

Kady, I love your table setting and I want to encourage you to join in the fun of Tablescape Thursday, again.
Just from seeing this post, I can tell there are lots of possibilities!:-)

I like to "think outside the box" and not limit the table to the dishes. I have quite a few dishes...lets say, almost 50 years of collecting, here at home. So I am lucky. We have the little getaway place with just the bare minimum of dishes, due to space. I love trying to mix them all up, finding new ways to use them. Let your imagination fly. I hope to see more from you!

I did a post with my "speckled crocks" this week. I've had them for years and years.

bj said...

Oh, gosh, Kady...your patio table looks just fabulous! You are GOOD at this!
I've not heard of FreeCycle but will check it out. Thanks for the tip!!
xo bj

honeysuckle said...

Your apple themed table is so cute and I love how most of it was free. My duaghter uses Freecycle all the time and loves it. I must try it soon. Thanks for sharing. Come visit soon.

Christi @ A Southern Life said...

What a cute little red birdy. The apple theme is very nice.

Kammy said...

Kady,
How clever you are ! I haven't
tried Freecycle yet...sounds cool !
I hate throwing anything away ...
Hugs Kammy

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

You can't get a better bargain than that! How great. Your new dishes are so pretty. laurie

Anonymous said...

Evening, Kady! Oh, congratulations on winning the giveaway! I love your little table for one on your porch! The plates are lovely and I did think the apples were real.
I've never heard of freecycle. I'm just familiar with Craigslist! My Mr. Precious wishes I'd never heard of it! :)
Be a sweetie,
Shelia :)

Nancy Rosalina said...

Oh I love your tablescape! The little red bird is adorable! nancy

Neabear said...

This looks great. Love the apple teapot and the apple dishes too. Your table for one looks very inviting. I could sit there with my tea and whatnot and read while I munch. Lovely! I have heard of Freecycle, but have not checked it out yet. Sounds great! Thanks for visiting me today!!

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Hi Kady,
I've never heard of Freecycle...how interesting! Your apple plates are wonderful...and I can't get over how real the green apples look...are you sure those are faux?! Your spongeware is wonderful...love the arrangement you did it the pitcher! So glad you posted this great tablescape for TT! Hope you join in again! Susan

Robin said...

Okay...we all love blue sponge ware. :-) I have some too. Maybe we should have a Show Us Your Sponge Ware day. :-)
Anyway...I like your apples and the different ways in which you used them. And I don't think it matters if you haven't a lot of dishes.....I think it is more about the way you present them, set them up, arrange them....


I hope your day has been beautiful

Linda in AZ * said...

* Congrats on your charming & delightful "first TT", Kady! The small apples encircling the bowl are so cute & a great idea! I think you did a super job, ESPECIALLY for first time AND on a budget~~~ IMHO, that can make it MORE fun than ANYTHING!!! Warmly, Linda in AZ *

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

What a fun and pretty tablescape. I love the Freecycle idea. I've never heard of it, but I will definitely hunt for it. You have some very beautiful things. Hugs, Marty

Sonia said...

Pretty tablescape!!
Happy Pink Saturday!
Sonia

Susie Q said...

What a fun and sweet table! I am betting it was a joy to play with and plan and arrange!
I have yet to try one of the tablescapes days and I want to...
I am enjoying your blog!

Warmly,
Sue