Happy Monday! I’m gathering with some forest friends at the table for a little fun and whimsy.
We’re on the cusp of spring in North Carolina. . .the trees are budding, the bulbs are blooming and the birds are chirping!
Our winter has been mild overall but my forest friends are suffering from weather confusion . . .50 degree temperature swings from lows in the 20s to highs in the 70s, 4 inches of rain, tornadoes followed by snow flurries. . . all in the span of a week!
My forest friends donned their party hats and gathered to celebrate an early spring, only to have a wintry mix and light dusting of snow interrupt their party.
I set a table symbolic of our weather, with a jute runner layered on a snowy white matelassé coverlet as a foundation for the table.
Sprigs of evergreens, pine cones and bird nests received a light dusting of snow, mixed with bulbs and hyacinths that are sprouting and blooming. . .
Mercury glass votives are lit to add some twinkle on dreary winter days, sprinkled down the length of the table.
Birds of a feather and Cardinals flew in to roost, perched on snow-filled goblets. . .
Woodland Berry chargers frame plates with an embossed floral leaf pattern~ a promise of spring to come.
And beaded snowflake napkin rings join tree slice chargers and bone-handled flatware, adding some additional warm texture to pair with the jute runner.
Fanciful portraits of animals provided the inspiration for this whimsical ‘cusp of spring’ table.
Artist Vicki Sawyer was inspired by an idea she had one day while walking–
“If birds can build nests, then they can make hats”.
Vicki Sawyer’s art was inspired by the natural world:
“I grew up in a charming 1850 home we shared with my grandparents near Pittsburgh, PA. My grandfather, who farmed the land and raised chickens, taught me how to identify plants on our hikes together. My mother’s joy in painting and the arts taught me to be visually aware, and my father’s love for birds kick-started a lifelong curiosity for the expansive beauty of the bird and animal world.”
This little owl flew from to the table from my Winter Nesting Tree and is regretting not wearing his party hat!
Whoooo do we have here. . .?
it appears this snowy white owl has found the perfect winter camouflage, nestled in this cake pedestal!
Table Details:
Forest Festivities Appetizer Plates / Paperproducts Design, Amazon, several years ago
Owl Cake Pedestal / Pier 1, several years ago, used here
Embossed bordered plates / Pfaltzgraff Country Cupboard, used here
Woodland Berry Chargers / Williams-Sonoma, used here
Jute Runner, Napkins & Napkin Rings / Pottery Barn, several years ago
Matelassé Coverlet & Tree Slice Chargers / Bed, Bath & Beyond, several years ago
Bone-handled Flatware / Towle Seville
Bird ornaments / collected over the years
Vicki Sawyer’s art philosophy is what I strive for when it comes to creating and blogging:
“I want my work to evoke feelings of peace, joy, and often humor.
If I can move someone with my art then I have achieved my ultimate aim.”
From cookie to canvas, find tips and materials to paint macarons and create edible art, HERE.
A fun way to decorate and customize macarons for a tea party or gifting.
You’ll also find a whimsical tea setting and tea inspiration from my Tea on Tuesday friends.
Thank you for your visit, sharing with:
Between Naps on the Porch
Happy to visit the whimsical cusp of spring table, and I confirm you are achieving your ultimate goal. Hopefully you will continue to do so for some time. I look forward to your posts and so enjoy your creativity.
Kaye, I couldn’t have said it better! Thanks Mary for the inspiration.
Too fun Mary! I love the evergreen chargers, they are perfect. I think you’ve actually had more snow than Philly did this year:@)
Your posts reflect “peace, joy and often humor” – Sophie and Lola provide the humor with their precious faces and cute sweaters. Don’t stop!
I so love the Vicky Sawyer plates! I will be on the search for them here in Canada. You are right about the animals being confused in regards to the weather. There are a few animals around right now that are usually hibernating, but not this year. Getting light earlier now and staying light longer. Loving that!
Love the Vicky Sawyer plates and enjoy all your table settings. Everything is beautiful. (also enjoy seeing your puppies… so cute!)
Animal antics!! Those are the cutest dishes…you can’t help but smile! Your tablescape is SO much fun…luv the ornaments! franki
You know I love those little VS plates. Those fun critters are welcome all year round, on any table, and I love how you used them for a winter to spring transition. What a great way to start the week!
Mary, the Vicky Sawyer plates are so adorable and fun. I love your winter/spring table…the mix is perfect! The weather has been so confused this year with so much rain and warm temps, then it drops to the twenties. I will welcome spring…Happy Monday!
Love these plates!! they are adorable…. Mary i made your Irish beef stew last night, one of my favorites and it was delicious as always…. Happy Monday!
Mary, your table is beautiful. I love the little, colorful birds mixed into the decor. The table is elegant, whimsical, cheery and brought a smile to my face this Monday morning. Thank you.
I think you hit Vicki Sawyer’s art philosophy perfectly with your blogging and creating. I am constantly amazed.
I agree the weather has been up and down like a roller coaster. I have azaleas open early. We have had so much rain and no light for photography.
Have a blessed day!
My BFF gifted me a pad of paper placemats from Vicky Sawyer, the Party Hats. I’ve had so much fun creating frameable art with them. I admit that I am too stingy to use them where food might be served.
Love it all!
So colorful and fun.
It’s raining here and you posted a great Monday “Pick Me Up”
Thanks for sharing all your wonderful ideas.
Look so forward to your posts……
Have a great Monday!
Fun, beautiful, wonderful and of course very happy. Thank you, especially because of these dreary days we have been having in Georgia.
Those plates are immediate smile bringers Mary! I heard birds chirping on the patio yesterday and forsythia blooming in my neighbors yard…Spring in the South is not for sissies, you never know from day to day! I love your wintery spring mix tablescape, layers of eye candy and surprises…You are smart to enjoy the best of each and every season, and I love love the Vicki Sawyer quote…that is basically the way I try to life my life everyday…bringing joy to others, brings me peace and happiness…your posts are always beautiful, uplifting, inspiring and delightful 😘
Jenna
Those dishes are adorable, sure to put a huge smile on anyone’s face!
I am having a baby shower for my daughter in June and was wondering if you could give me some ideas on a neutral theme. Decorating ideas, etc… Thanks so very much! Love your blog!!!
Terrific use of the Vicki Sawyer plates. I bought the same ones in the Lewis Ginter garden gift shop. They bring a smile any time I see them. I like to use them when the “grands” are with me. I think I’ll get them out and use them today to celebrate our almost Spring temps here in Virginia. You are so talented. Your blog is the first one I look at in the morning.
Raining here – again!! Oh well – flowers will follow. Thank you for your pick-me-up on Monday!!!! Lovely as always!!!
Those are the cutest plates! Love how they adapted different vegetables on their heads. I’m optimistic that we’ll have a bit of an early spring but I won’t get my hopes up (maybe just a little!).
Mary, Your fun tablescape mirrors the weather perfectly! Love the Vicki Sawyer plates & the chargers. You definitely fulfill your goal of peace, joy & fun. Your posts inspire and motivates us all. Thanks for sharing all your wonderful ideas! Have a great day! Clara ♥️
You are so creative and always make me smile. Thank you!
What a fun table, that made me smile, Mary! I’m sorry that the woodland creatures are confused, and I guess they’re just like us. The party hats are too cute! I’m loving your woodberry chargers. Vicki’s art philosophy is a beautiful one. ❤️
Mary your plates of the woodland are just right for the coming of Spring. So lovely.
Marilyn,Joan and Marion
So creative and perfect for this time of year!!!
The plates are so darling they made me smile at each one. Love the owl visiting and the cake stand owl. Napkin rings are so unique! Beautiful emerging spring table!
You reach that goal of peace, joy and fun with each post. We your audience, are blessed by the beauty and creativity your share, whether it’s from a lovely tablescape, a delicious recipe, a fun craft or project, or beautiful pictures of God’s nature or His creation of earth, sky and water. The fun and whimsy are there also in the sweet faces of the pups and their antics with the awesome fashion shows they give us. I am amazed at your table today and how you have matched those darling plates. Shine on Mary!
I’ve long admired Vicki Sawyer’s art! This is a fun, whimsical table!
Crazy weather here too. Many trees are in full bloom and freezing weather is to return mid week. I just purchased geramiums, but fortunately haven’t yet planted them. Here’s to spring!
Mary, Your tablesettings, photography and recipes are a delight. I adore those Vicki Sawyer plates, thank you for sharing her link. The weather has been topsy turvy this winter and I’m in fear of the azaleas that already have buds on them with the cold snap returning later this week. Thank you for sharing your talent with us. Jerri
Mary, I so enjoy your tablescapes! Love these sweet plates of your forest friends with the woodland layers! You never fail to provide us with feelings of peace. joy and happiness.Thank you ♥
OOOOOOOOOOOOOh Mary, you’ve done it again. More birds on your table than in my yard. Lovely, I’m ready for Spring.
Absolutely adore these appetizer plates !!!
OMG! Utterly utterly whimsical and soooo cute!!!
You have achieved that philosophy very well! I always look forward to your posts!
And I loved your almost Spring … Winter Picnic!
My boundaries for table setting have been broadened today!!! I love your work and look forward excitedly to more. Thank you, Mary!
My boundaries for table setting have been broadened today!!! I love your work and look forward excitedly to more. Thank you, Mary!
Of your many beautiful tables, I think I enjoy the bird tables the most. This one is so whimsical, and those birds are so adorable! A perfect table for this time of year, when we are longing for spring, but still caught in the grip of winter.
Vicki Sawyer’s art has delighted me since I first saw her work at a gallery in Nashville. I definitely see her philosophy reflected in your creative style, Mary. Your posts ooze joyfulness and often a touch of humor or whimsy. Love, love, love your style and so appreciate that you share consistently. I’m in awe!
Your table certainly does reflect the weather we’ve had this season! (over here in North Georgia, mine has been similar to yours.) And I just love those adorable plates with Vicki Sawyer’s art. Thanks for the smiles this morning!