Sunday, September 25, 2016

Autumn Candlelight Tablescape

Autumn blaze of gold, crimson red, sunset orange.....the vibrant colors of Fall are what comes to my mind every year at this time.  Do you find yourself eagerly waiting to see the change in colors of the trees?  I certainly do and if I have the opportunity, I run around with the camera trying to capture the moment so that I can enjoy the season's brilliancy well into the chilly white of winter.

First, I would like to welcome you to this week's post, Autumn Candlelight, during my participation in the Autumn Tablescape Blog Hop organized by Chloe Crabtree at http://celebrateanddecorate.com/.  Please be sure to browse through the many links of creative bloggers at the end of this post.  You are guaranteed to find some fantastic ideas for the Fall season.

In honor of my favorite time of the year, I have gathered up some beautiful Autumn pictures from my collection of many years and, as you might have already noticed, I added them to my slideshow at the beginning of this article for your viewing pleasure.  Most definitely, I find this as perfect "eye candy" for the soul and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I do.

Now lets get on with The Little Yellow Corner Store's featured Fall tablescape.  Most often, my previous Autumn tablescapes for many years have been as colorful as the landscape outside my window.  However, this year, I decided to work with more neutral, muted tones of color.  I find that the simple elegance of a neutral tablescape can convey just as much about the beautiful season as those tablescapes which reflect the radiance of the bright Fall colors.  The end result is a table which promotes calm as it is welcoming.


The inspiration for the Autumn Candlelight tablescape came from the taupe colored sunflower napkin ring.


The appeal of the shiny smooth off-white ceramic pumpkins complements yet adds a contrast to the natural element of the chalkboard painted sliced wood name tag.



Some oversize wood acorns and large size black lanterns are most certain to catch your attention.


The title of this posting is Autumn Candlelight and it is created for a reason.  The candlestick napkin fold is a wonderful way to add a lovely, yet functional touch to a table.



The off-white pine cone dinnerware set and wood chargers keep with the natural look of the tablescape.


The burgundy red leaves, napkin inserts and centerpiece flowers add that pop of color that reminds me of one of the many stunning Fall colors that I enjoy when the change in foliage is at its peak.

As I carefully selected each piece that comprises the Autumn tablescape, I truly focused on the details of what I thought would help the tablescape achieve a polished look, especially as I kept in mind the harvest season and upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.  So often as I work with creating the feel or tone of a tablescape, I painstakingly select just the right piece to go with the theme of the table.  As I go through this process of adding and subtracting just the right detail, I am reminded each time of how I need to be grateful for the "details" in my life too, like those details which make up the entire beauty of my table.   My tables are a constant reminder to not take for granted the importance of what might seem to be an "insignificant detail."  In the end, when the table is complete or the task in life is concluded, it is always something greater than I thought or hoped and for which I can count my blessings.

With that said, I hope you too can enjoy the splendor of Autumn. 



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Saturday, September 17, 2016

It Is Time For A Cornfield Fall Picnic

We have the fortunate pleasure of having the farmer's lovely corn field adjacent to our back yard and before the corn is harvested for the season, on occasion, I sit in the warmth of the Autumn sun and listen to the rustling of the dried corn stalks as they gently sway in the cool breeze.  Although I have never been through a corn maze (and you do not have to be a child to enjoy them), I can only imagine just how much fun it is to get lost in them or to find your way out to the other end.

So in celebration of everything Autumn, I invite you to a Cornfield Fall Picnic.  The picnic basket is ready and filled with a four-piece set of blue enamelware and blue and white checkered napkins.


What doesn't convey Autumn the most than a plaid tablecloth.  I love plaid in all colors, but this blue and black plaid table topper gives a striking contrast to the bright orange pumpkins.



Because the weather is now so much cooler, I finally had a chance to do a bit of baking.  These soft and delicate pumpkin sugar cookies were made from a recipe that I obtained when I volunteered to help with my son's kindergarten class during an afternoon of cookie decorating about thirty years ago!  What fun!  And I am still using the same recipe whenever I make sugar cookies.


What beverage goes well with these classic cookies on a brisk Autumn day?  I believe some toffee hot chocolate with whipped cream would do nicely.  A thermos adorned with blue plaid is filled with luscious toffee hot chocolate. This hot chocolate is a bit more rich than others I have made, but it is loved by all.


There is something about scarecrows that warms my heart.


This year I had to take the opportunity to make some chocolate acorns.  These adorable little beauties have been around on Pinterest for some time and have been on my "to-do list" to make.  They are so simple and can make both children and adults alike smile in amusement over these whimsical treats.




I hope you have a splendid and enjoyable Autumn.

In addition, let me mention that I will be participating in another blog hop, Autumn Tablescapes starting the week of September 26 and organized once again by a very talented blogger, Chloe Crabtree of Celebrate and Decorate, http://celebrateanddecorate.com/.  Be sure to stop in and visit the many exceptional artists.  The following is the schedule for the entire week.  The Little Yellow Corner Store will be on Tuesday, September 27th.  Come and join us for the many great Autumn ideas. 


Autumn Tablescape Blog Hop Schedule

Monday
Everyday Living | My Kentucky Living Blog | Starfish Cottage | Up To Date Interiors | Twelve on Main 
Tuesday
Life and Linda | CoziNest | A Toile Tale | Ramblings of a Southern Girl | The Little Yellow Corner Store | Celebrate & Decorate
Wednesday 
Home is Where the Boat Is | Casa Watkins Living | Belle Bleu Interiors Dining Delight | Rustic & Refined | Sweet Sensations 
Thursday
 PANOPLY | The Painted Apron | Exquisitely Unremarkable | Flourish & Knot | Little Bits of Home
Friday
Bluesky Kitchen  | Farmhouse 40 | Designthusiasm | Red Cottage Chronicles | OMG Lifestyle Blog | Knock It Off Kim
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Saturday, September 3, 2016

Leaf Napkin Fold Instructions

It is hard to believe it is September and children in the neighborhood are returning to school. Shortly, we will see the end of the hot and humid days and, for some of us, it will be a relief and none too soon.  Yet, there is always something to be happy and smile about during the longer, active days of the summer season.  Believe it or not, what I definitely look forward to at the beginning of every summer is the first sight of fireflies.  I absolutely get delighted to see them and to spend the evenings watching them light up the night sky doing their magical dance.

Putting aside my stubbornness and unwillingness to let go of the wondrous season, I thought it would be helpful to include a post of the step-by-step leaf napkin folding instructions. Whether you use your leaf napkin in summer or the upcoming Fall, it is sure to make a spectacular statement to any table.

If you missed my post which features the leaf napkin fold, you can find it by visiting my July's post, A Tropical Paradise Tablescape.  Remember to use a napkin made of fabric which is thicker and will hold up to the folds that you wish to make to form the beauty of the leaf.   The napkin size which I used was a Ralph Lauren napkin and is measured at 20 inch x 20 inch.

So lets start with step one, a picture of the open napkin and a contrasting or coordinating 20 inch strip of ribbon.


Step 2.  Fold the napkin to form a triangle.


Step 3.  Begin by folding the bottom of the napkin up by one inch.  Here is where I will mention that you can iron each of the folds from this point on until no more folds can be made and it is time to tie the napkin and its many folds.  Ironing will give it more visible pleats to the completed napkin which help to add the feeling of depth.  This is why it is also important to use a thick fabric to your napkin so that it holds these shapes.


Step 4.  Now while holding that fold in place, turn the napkin over.


Step 5.  Now fold the napkin up.  You will be folding it up and down from this point on making an accordion-like fold until the napkin is completely used up in the folds.


Step 6.  Make another fold down.


Step 7.  Now another fold up.  You can begin to see the various fold sizes on the sides of the napkin.


Step 8.  Almost there....another fold down.


Step 9.  The folds are getting smaller...just a few more and we will be closer to the finished napkin.


Step 10.  Perhaps just two more fold will do it.


Step 11.  The last fold and we are ready to tie the bottom of the napkin.


Step 12.  While holding the napkin folds in place, slip the ribbon under the napkin and tie it into a pretty bow.


Step 13.  Now turn the napkin on its side.


Step 14.  Carefully bring together the long ends of the napkin until they meet and form into the leaf.  Fasten with a paperclip in the hidden folds.


Step. 15.  Adjust the ribbon and the form of the leaf so that the folds are as prominent as possible.  If you have ironed each of the above folds, it may have helped to be more visible when the leaf is completed.


There you have it....a beautiful leaf.   You can decorate the leaf however you would like, just use a neutral ribbon cut short or hidden in the back of the napkin to allow for a different embellishment like a piece of jewelry, a large flower, a sea shell, wired acorns or any other pieces that come to your mind, depending on the season.

I hope you will enjoy the last days of the fading summer and welcome the beautiful autumn season with exuberance and gusto.
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