Welcome to the 200th Tablescape Thursday! Can you believe it? It’s our 200th Tablescape Party! Wow!
Did you know, in the beginning it was called Tablescape Tuesday? My friend, Shelia (Note Songs) made a wonderful button that we still use today, only it says “Thursday” now instead of Tuesday.
After about 20+ weeks of blogging, Metamorphosis Monday got underway and I moved our tablescape party to Thursday to give a bit of distance between the parties.
Today marks our 200th week of sharing beautiful table settings here at Between Naps on the Porch!
Thank you for stopping by each week, whether it’s to link up a tablescape or to just enjoy those you find linked. Your participation is why 200 weeks later, we’re still celebrating our love for creating wonderful table settings for our friends and family. A beautiful table is just one more way we show those who gather there how much we love and care about them. And did I mention it’s just plain fun! After 200 weeks, I enjoy it today as much as I did on August 25th, 2008, the day of our first Tablescape party.
The First Tablescape Party
Today I wanted to celebrate by posting photos of the very first table setting I created for our Tablescaping party. I had put together a similar table during my BB (before blogging) days and posted it on Rate My Space. At the end of the post you’ll find links to those first dearhearts who joined in. Most are still blogging these 200 weeks later; a few have stopped but left their blogs in tact.
Back in the day, when someone wished to participate in TT, they e-mailed me to let me know and I added their blog name (with link) to the Tablescape party post here at BNOTP. I was new to blogging and didn’t know about things like permalinks. I did know about the party linking systems but the one everyone was using failed A LOT! So I stuck to my system of manually adding the blog name/link to the post until TT grew to the point where it was taking about two hours each week to add/create the links. At that point, I reluctantly started using the aforementioned unreliable linking system. It was all we had back then.
Thank goodness we have InLinkz now! Parties used to be just a long list of blog names/text links and not the beautiful picture links we have today. It was certainly not anywhere near as reliable.
Tablescape Thursday is a special party. It truly is! Why do I say that? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve received an e-mail from someone participating for the very first time, exclaiming they’ve never met such nice folks at any other party in Blogland. Yep, I get that email all. the. time!
♥♥♥ Thank you for making Tablescape Thursday such a wonderful party each and every week! YOU are the reason we’re still here sharing beautiful tables 200 weeks later! ♥♥♥
Hope you enjoy this very first Tablescape party post!
Sand and Sea: The 1st Tablescape Tuesday, August 25, 2008
I know summer is almost over, but I’m just not quite ready to let it go. I found some adorable shell candlesticks recently and put together this “beach” themed tablescape.
Found the sea-blue flatware at Pier 1 recently and it was half off…whoo, hoo! Thought it worked well with the colors in the china…what do you think?
Napkin rings were made by gluing shells to plain wooden rings…
Used both starfish-shaped salad plates with shell-shaped ones in this tablescape…star-fished shaped salad plate shown here.
Shell shaped salad plate…
Do you see the little starfish on the glass?
Sea-biscuit bread plate…
Love how they decorated all four sides of the bowls…
Thought these candlesticks look like they were designed to go with this beach china. (Candlesticks are from HomeGoods.)
Close-up of candlestick base…
Come walk with me, along the sea, where dusk sits on the land. And search with me, for shells are free, and treasures hide in sand. (Author unknown)
Hope you enjoyed this little escape to the beach.
You will find beautiful tablescapes awaiting your oooohhhs and ahhhhhs at the following blogs (listed in alphabetical order):
A Beach Cottage
Angelic Accents
Cathymac’s Holiday Hamlet
‘D’s DayDreams
Equus Villa
Designs by Gollum
My Romantic Home
Note Songs
Ribbonwood Cottage
Sweet Designs
There is Always Thyme for…
Thinkin’ of Home
(End of the first Tablescape Party post.)
Thanks again to everyone for making Tablescape Thursday so much fun each and every week!
Receive BNOTP updates right in your Inbox:
To receive the latest posts, as well as updates about upcoming blog parties, subscribe To BNOTP posts via an RSS Reader. Or, have BNOTP delivered right to your Inbox. You’ll find links to subscribe via RSS and e-mail on the top right sidebar of the BNOTP home page.
Reading this post via e-mail or RSS feed?
*If you are reading this via email or RSS feed, to view all the tablescapes linked for Tablescape Thursday, click HERE.
Please Read:
If you are participating in Tablescape Thursday, please be sure to add your permalink below, and not your general blog address. To get your permalink, click on your post name, then just copy and paste the address that shows up in the address bar, into the “url” box when you link up.
You’ll need to include a link in your post back to the party in order to link up and participate. That’s so visitors to your blog will be able to find the party and the other Tablescape Thursday participants.
If you would like to use the Tablescape Thursday logo button in your post, just copy and paste it to your computer and upload it to your post as you would any photo.
Please, don’t add your post name/blog name ALL IN CAPS…it tends to create big spaces between the rows of links. Thanks!
I am so happy that you posted your very first tablescape, as I have not seen it!..It is fantastic…Love the colors and theme. Congratulations on your 200th….Oh my, that is a whole lot of tablescapes!!!…and they are all gorgeous!
Thanks so much, Shirley! ♥
Wow, indeed! Two hundred Tablescape Thursdays mean a LOT of pretty tables have been posted over the years. Congratulations on this milestone and thank you for all your hard work to make it happen each and every week.
Thanks, Tricia! I’m in awe of all the wonderful table those who participate post!
Time really flies, Susan. I can’t believe there have been 200 Tablescape Thursdays!!
Thanks so much for hosting this wonderful party, every week.
Scary how fast it goes by! Thanks, Pat!
Congratulations on No. 200, Susan! Your work has been a great asset to the blogging community!
Congratulations on 200 TT! Your first tablescape is as beautifully pulled together and photographed as your most recent! Thanks for hosting week after week 🙂
Thanks, Mary!
I always look forward to participating in Tablescape Thursday. The inspiration never ceases to amaze. Congratulations on 200 posts! Thanks for inviting us to the party. Cherry Kay
So many talented ladies and gents…you included, Cherry Kay!
My how the list has grown. I remember taking part in Tablescape Tuesday. Funny, some of the names in the first list are not familiar at all, I wonder if they stopped blogging?
Thanks for hosting each week, Susan.
Kathleen, there was one other name but I deleted it since the blog no longer exists at all. Not sure what happen to it.
Such a beautiful Sand and Sea tablescape. The colors are gorgeous. Congratulations , what a milestone of 200
tablescapes………….
~Emily
The French Hutch
Thanks so much, Emily!
Happy 200th Anniversary! Your tablescape is beautiful! Thanks so much for continuing this wonderful party 🙂
Thanks so much, Alana!
Hi Susan, Congratulations and deep, sincere thanks to you for hosting this wonderful party. It is actually because of this that I started blogging in the first place! I so enjoyed looking at the entries and waited anxiously for Wednesday night! Does this sound like the signs of a true dishaholic? Yes, I admit it! But it’s also the whole party atmosphere and your interesting collections that kept me coming back. Of course this beach dish table is a favorite with me! I hope the party keeps going strong for many more posts! Linda
Awww, thanks Linda! Well, you’re in good company with the rest of us dishaholics! 🙂
Amazing! 200 already. My, how you have grown. Good luck with the new monitors. Thank you as always for hosting.
Thanks, Linda!
200- That’s FABULOUS! Thanks for hosting! XO, Aimee
Thanks, Aimee!
Amazing, Susan! Your TT meme is the first party I joined and have enjoyed participating as often as I can. This is a gorgeous tablescape. I’ve taken much inspiration from you over the years since I started my own blog. Thank you! ~ sarah
Thanks, Sarah…and thanks for all your beautiful table settings over the years!
HAPPY 200th TABLESCAPE LINKY PARTY, SUSAN!
That’s an amazing thing! Your first table was awesome – and your photos and editing have become much different since then. Thank you so much for hosting one of the BEST parties around!
Hope it continues another 200 more+!!!
Michele, I sometimes missing using that very first camera…it took some awesome close ups. It also gave everything a warm glo. lol Thanks so much for your wonderful comments…so glad you are now blogging, too!
Susan, since you are reminiscing I decided to re-link my first every table that I did for Tablescape Tuesday in September of 2008. It was fun to search for it and see the things that have changed since then. Happy tablescaping to you. You really have inspired a wonderful interest for me. Blessings!
Ellen, that’s a great idea! Wish I had thought to ask the others to do that, too! Thanks so much for being one of the first brave folks to join in on this new party! ♥
I love your first and all of your tablescaps! They are always very inspirational 🙂
Awww, thanks so much, Jocelyn!
Hi Susan! Congraulations on 200 Tablescape Tuesdays/Thursdays! You are the one who introduced tablecaping to me! You are such an inspiration and your tables are always so pretty. You don’t know how honored I am that you still use the little button I made for you all that time ago! You’re always the most gracious hostess! 🙂
Hope your 4th was great and you are the sweetie,
shelia 😉
I love that button! 🙂 Thanks so much, Shelia!
Odd that you would post this today. Yesterday while looking for some quiet time I searched your blog for your first postings – thoroughly enjoyable by the way. I am trying to get brave enough to publish. Once before as I was reading one of your post as soon as I had a thought you would answer it in the next paragraph. How do you know?
Madonna, go for it, girl! I promise it isn’t as scary as is seems at first. Come join us for a Tablescape party! Thanks so much, sweet friend!
Oh congratulations Susan!!!!!!! Your tablescape party was the first one I joined when I started blogging. I have so enjoyed them all. 200, that is amazing. I can’t wait to see 200 more. Your first one was stunning. Hugs, Marty
Thanks so much, Marty! Let’s do it! Let’s go for another 200! 🙂
It has been fun being a part of your link. I may not make it to 200 tablescapes without buying a lot of new stuff, but it’s fun trying with what I have used differently. Your tables are always wonderful and so full of doable ideas.
Lulu, so fun to buy some new salad plates and you have a whole new table setting for a new holiday or occasion. Fun to mix and match!
Must be a glitch in my system for when I returned to your site, there were two of my posts… Sorry for the inconvenience… Please disregard the first comment.. Thanks for sharing this very inspirational theme.. and God bless !!
Glad you were able to link up!
Wow, has it really been that long? I do love the “pictures” we get of the posts now, so much better. I don’t see how you have time to do all you do, Susan. (But I’m sure glad you do)
D
Thanks, Donna! I love it…love blogging and love all the dearhearts I’ve met like you!
Congratulations on a job well done! Your first tablescape was beautiful.
Thank you for hosting,
Carolyn
Thanks so much, Carolyn!
I still remember this and it is as gorgeous looking as ever. COngrats on 200, Susan. We enjoy each and everyone of them. I am trying to link but it is giving me when a problem when I get to the part of adding the thumbnail I don’t know why….Christine
Christine, thanks so much!!! I think someone else was having that problem. I can go into InLinkz and add one for you, if you like.
It is still one of my favourite tablescapes. Congratulations on your 200th *birthday*!! 🙂
Congratulations!!! I am so happy to have shared so many of your wonderful tablescapes.
Congrats on your 200th Susan.
Carolyn
Stunning looking tablescape!! 200 tablescapes – wow, amazingly many beautiful settings 🙂
Greetings from Australia♥ ~Pernilla
Susan, thanks so much for hosting Tablescape Thursday 200 times! I look forward to many, many more. This party is one of the best things I’ve ever found on the ‘net. It has added much joy into my life. I truly love it!
Congratulations Susan! I’ve enjoyed participating in quite a few of your 200! Thanks so much for all the fun!
I’ve loved all 200 tablescapes! I first found you on “rate my space” and I’ve been a fan ever since. Here’s to the next 200!
Two hundered editions of your fabulous weekly blog event — congratulations on a superb job of bringing so many tablescaping enthusiasts together. Week after week you have provided us with an excursion into beauty of great variety and distinction. Thank you, thank you, thank you very much!
All my best to you,
Carrie
200 tablescapes are amazing! Reading your blog was my first introduction to blogging parties. How excited I was. I enjoy TT very much and it has inspired me. Even though I don’t participate often when I do it is very enjoyable. This week was challenging to do a 4th of July tablescape with what I had in the time I had but it was FUN! Thank you for always inspiring and teaching us. Thank you very much, Susan.
Congratulations on reaching the 200 milestone! I love your 1st tablescape and all the ones that followed. Your blog was the first blog I started to follow, and it all started with following the tablescapes. I guess that makes my addiction your fault, lol 🙂 Thanks for hosting.
Wow, 200! Amazing! So much beauty and fun you’ve helped us all to share!
Your beachy theme is just killing me…I SO want to GO!
Happy GORGEOUS Thursday to you!
~april
Meant to tell you the lanterns I used in my tablescape I bought from Ikea the day we had lunch at Figo Pasta. Also, found the clam shell at Ballard Design outlet that day. This was the first time I had used them in a tablescape and that was in March!!! I am so bad!
I have been wanting to link up to this party forever! I never had a tablescape to include until this week – thanks to my Mom! Thanks for hosting! Hope all is well!
Ah, yes. I do remember those listing days from the past. I never used that “other” link tool because of the lack of reliability, but I thank you for the day you encouraged me to go with inlinkz. It has never failed me.
Congratulations and continued success to you, Susan.♥
Susan, congratulations on your 200th TT–That is absolutely awesome! I’m so happy to be a part of all these wonderful things you’ve created and the doors you’ve opened to so many of us. I remember the first time I ran across your blog last summer…I too had started putting a few tables out in Rate My Space because I didn’t KNOW that there was a whole world of bloggers/women (and men) who had the same interest in tablescaping, and you opened that door for me, not just with your blog, but your patient and helpful responses to my questions. I’m so happy for you, to have reached this milestone with such a great blog. I wish you more and continued success. My best to you, Susan, and again, thank you for your help, guidance, and opening doors for our creativity. ~Zuni
Congratulations, Susan, on your 200th week! I found your blog about a year ago when A friend told me about tablescapes. I thought that sounded so dumb! I searched tablescapes and yours was listed first. I was hooked the first moment I laid eyes on your beautiful postings. I check almost everyday and have been so inspired. Thank you so much for this.
I remember this first tablescape and I was blown away! Particularly with the candlesticks!!!! I SEARCHED for similiar ones and found some last year. NOW, they are PACKED. It is so frustrating not being able to do vignettes, tables, etc. I am in decorating purgatory:):) CONGRATULATIONS on 200 weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope you keep it going as so many enjoy participating and also getting AWESOME inspiration. XO, pinky
Your tablescape is beautiful as all of them are! Thank you for hosting!
I remember this post well, because I SO fell in love with the dishes that I immediately went to Kohl’s and purchased an entire set, plus additional serving and decorative pieces! My home is beach cottage style and I’d been looking for new dishes, and here they were. I’m still using mine daily and love them. Great inspiration!
Congrats on 200! And, a lovely sea-themed tablescape. One of my favs of yours.
Hi. Where can we find a link to ALL 200 tablescapes? There are only 72 listed here. I just found this new layout/website, haven’t spent a lot of time clicking around on it yet, but it seems like so much has been taken away. I think your old one was sooo much easier to find things. I miss your pictures on the side, and it seemed so much easier to find pics of your porch and other rooms, and tablescapes. Logging onto your site/blog was so comforting and happy….felt like “home”. I hope there’s some way to find those things still, if not it would be very sad to have all that gone….. 🙁
Hi Marlys,
Don’t worry, they are all still here. The 72 you see listed at the end of this week’s Tablescape Thursday party are the 72 table setting by other bloggers/blogs that are participating in this weeks party. Those aren’t the tablescapes I’ve created…but are other blogs stopping by to participate in the party. Yay, for parties! 🙂
To see all the tablscapes I’ve posted on BNOTP over the last several years, just click on the heading Tablescapes at the top of the blog. A menu will drop down and you’ll find all the tablescapes linked there. I have them broken out by Holidays, Seasons, Occasions, etc… There were so many I needed to divide them up into categories…would be too many for one page.
Maryls, forgot to say…to find posts about the porch, click on Home Tours and under the Home Tours Heading, click on “My Nest.” You’ll see picture links for the porch and the other rooms in my home. You’ll also find links to lots of Porch posts and summer table setting linked at the foot of the blog in the blue section under the headings “Porch Fever” and “Summer Dining.”
Maryls, I just added some of the categories back to the sidebar…not sure if I’ll leave them right now since they are spread out and take up a lot of room down the sidebar. I can’t add a single link for all the tablescapes since they are divided into many categories according to Holiday, Occasion, etc… So just click on the “Tablescapes” category at the top of the blog and click on the various categories to access all the tablescapes.
I am in love with these dishes…. Where can I find this china????
I found it in Kohl’s back in 2008. It’s from a collection called “Shoreline-Home Studio.” I’m not sure if they have carried it since then. You may want to check Replacements.com or eBay if it’s no longer in production. The best time to look for it would be in the spring when stores start getting in beach themed dishware.
Susan, I love those drinking glasses that have the starfish on them and have also seen you use a highball glass that has a seashell on them. Do you mind letting me know who makes them? Thank you very much.
Thanks, Christina! They were sitting right beside the beachy dishware that I used in this table when I purchased them in Kohl’s back in 2008, so I think they are by the same company. The plates say “Shoreline Collection, Home Studio. You may be able to find them online on eBay or on Replacements.com. Hope you can find them!
Hi Christina, Wanted to let you know when I was antiquing recently at Queen of Hearts in Alpharetta GA, they had 8 of the starfish glasses. I’ll insert a photo here that I took of them. Here’s the website for Queen of Hearts in case you want to contact them to see if they ship. http://www.queenofheartsantiques-interiors.com/
I bet they would for something this small. I don’t remember which booth they were in now, but you can save this photo to your computer, then email it to them and they should be able to track them down inside the store.