For the Table.....a terrific borrowed idea

Another update: The stamp set I used for the napkin tags is called Kitchen Classics from Crafty Secrets. Link is here. It's a set I dearly love.

And don't worry about cloth napkins being too pretty to use. Hey I spill food on my shirts almost daily and they wash up just fine. If you're doing something like a BBQ, give everyone a tea dowel or dish cloth for the evening. I collected cloth napkins and place mats for years..rarely used them except for special occasions. And then we were too fearful of messing up Mom's nice stuff. Get over that.....it's just fabric. It will wash. :)

Something I forgot to add: I'm so glad for the lovely comments so far. I know I digress here on the blogaroonie sometimes but all these little stories matter so much to me. Here's a tip: If your dining table or bar area (like we use for meal times) is a mess.....CLEAN IT UP. You will be doing yourself and your family such a huge favor. I know so many families that have crap piled everywhere and they end up eating in front of the tv because there's no room at the kitchen table. Take back family meal times. It's so important...so many great conversations take place at the dinner table. And have the kids set the table. Make it a ritual. If you have your utensil tray front and center (like a decoration), it might even be a fun little event. Hope you give it a try.

I have something so fun to share with you today. Amanda Soule from Soule Mama posted a fun idea that she does with her family. Thank you Amanda for letting me post your photo and share you wonderful idea. Be sure to check out Amanda's blog, she's got lots of wonderful ideas.

photo courtesy of Soule Mama Blog

She has been making her own place mats out of re-purposed curtains and fabrics that are simply adorable. There are little applique patterns on them too. They're the ones shown in the photo above. Then she has this wonderful old box that sits on her counter top that holds jars of her mixy-matchy silverware along with mixy-matchy white napkins. Each family member has their own signature napkin ring. They use the napkins for a few days or until dirty and then she washes them all up....dries in the sunshine to remove stains. I am so in love with this idea....everything from switching to cloth napkins, making place mats, purchasing some mixy-matchy old silverware....and definitely showcasing it all in an old re-purposed box of some sort.

Amanda has two posts about her table wares. You can read them here:

PART ONE

PART TWO

Here's my version of a tabletop place setting box.I am finding myself more and more inspired by handmade items and re-purposed items.

I used a wooden tray that I got at Nell Hill's a few years ago. It was sitting outside so it's been naturally weathering. It was the perfect size for my table setting pieces.
On the left I nestled three pint size mason jars into my wooden tray. Another great use for the jars!! One for forks, one for knives and one for spoons. Next up I did some experimenting and found that two old bread tins fit perfectly into my wooden tray. I was jumping up and down from this awesome discovery. One bread tin holds my hand sewn cloth napkins and the other tin is displaying some vintage silverware I found at a garage sale. I just like the look of it in there. When we have company, I sometimes put some paper napkins in there too.
I have been sewing up a storm with my vintage fabric. I've been making us sets of cloth napkins that are so much prettier than you'll find in any store. I am on the search for four different napkins rings that are unique to my family. But in the meantime I found these pewter napkin rings on Ebay. They are from Pottery Barn. I haven't figured out to put an initial on these yet so that we each know which one is our own napkin.
I keep the tray right on my counter and pull it out a bit when meal time comes around. Eric is not the most thrilled about the entire idea. He's so used to getting the silverware out of the drawer that he gets lost in the kitchen now. I simply put half the silverware back in the drawer to appease him. We're all happy now. I think if he had some camo napkins instead of pink, flowery napkins he'd like that too. I have to say it was quite a change to switch to the cloth napkins. I think Eric felt like he was wiping his dirty mouth on the curtains or something. But we're all adjusting and I love this concept!
Here's a few photos from Heather Bullard's blog that were inspiring also. I love her old wooden box that is nestled in the white serving platter. Just think outside the box as to what you can use for your utensil tray.

And here she had a great idea for giving vintage napkins as gifts....tied up with an old spoon and a nifty tag.

Speaking of napkins, I got a little napkin crazy and was sewing many more napkins that we could ever use or need. I decided that I will keep four of a kind on the napkins. I have some very nice vintage white linens that I got at an auction that I keep on hand if we have extra company. So what that means for you is that I'll be putting some of my vintage napkins up in my Etsy shop. Some are just vintage napkins that I find and most are ones that I have sewn up myself. Check them out at my Etsy shop....(very soon). Enjoy! You can see a sampling below.

These pretty ones are my faves.....they are double layered with another pink pattern on the reverse side.

These black and cream gingham napkins are so striking when paired with creamy lace and doilies. Or keep them plain for a more masculine look.

The little blue flowers on these white background napkins are so pretty. Mix and match...I love that look too. Napkins will be sold in sets of two.

So let me know what you think about this concept. It is quite a big change but to me every little piece that we can save from going in the trash makes a huge difference. I have also stopped buying paper plates. I love my glass dishes so much better anyway. I only break down and get the paper plates when we're having a huge party. Would love to hear your thoughts and if you think you might give this idea a try.

Okay....the napkins will be up in my shop later this morning along with a few other treasures. Then I'm heading to my Artsy Studio to do some creative paper crafting for some upcoming blog posts. Stay tuned. :)