Can you believe it…150 Tablescape Thursdays! Wow! The time has gone by so quickly. Things have changed quite a bit since that first tablescape party on August 25, 2008. There are so many more participants now, which is wonderful! Linking up is easy and you get a little sneak preview of the post, thanks to Inlinkz. The photographs of our tablescapes have improved tremendously…you feel like you’re sitting there at the table sometimes. You amaze me with your gorgeous photos and creativity!
The Beginning:
Have you ever wondered how Tablescape Thursday got started? It really goes all the way back to my days of posting the occasional tablescape on the HGTV website, “Rate My Space.” When I posted that first tablescape on RMS, I was a little worried, wondering if I was “breaking any rules.”
I had never seen a tablescape on Rate My Space and I wasn’t sure if tablescapes were even allowed on a site created for sharing pictures of rooms and room decor. I didn’t get a “cease and desist” e-mail from HGTV and no one removed my table setting from the site, so I posted a few more.
At that time, I knew very little about this thing called a “blog.” Months later when I discovered blogs and grew brave enough to create one myself, Tablescape Thursday was born, only then the party was held on Tuesday and called Tablescape Tuesday.
In those days, I was working full-time outside the home. On my 24th week of blogging, I kicked off a second blog party called, Metamorphosis Monday, a day for sharing “Before and Afters” in our homes. I chose Monday for our Before and After party because I knew I would need the weekend to prepare a post due to my 40-hour work week. Not wishing to host two parties back-to-back, I moved our tablescaping day from Tuesday to Thursday, and it’s been Tablescape Thursday, ever since. (That’s why those first 23 or so posts will say, “Welcome to Tablescape Tuesday.”)
Week after week, I am awed by the beautiful tables you create. The love for your family and friends and for entertaining shines through with every beautiful centerpiece, napkin fold and setting you create. Thank you so much for giving your readers (and me) so much joy and happiness week after week!
For this Tablescape Thursday, I wanted to share links to a few of the tablescapes I’ve created over the past 150 weeks. Just click on the titles to open the tablescape for viewing. You’ll find links to all the other tablescapes I’ve created these past 3 years under the “Tablescapes” category at the top of this blog.
Sand and Sea
Crocheted with Love
The Faerie Ball
Beach Escape
Roses and Daisies
Scene from a French Cafe
Five Tablescapes, One Silver Tray
Fireside Tea
Provence Inspired
You’re Invited to an Un-Birthday Party
Dining Fireside in the “Library”
Game Night: Trivial Pursuit
Welcome to the Killer Cafe
Garden Party
She Walks in Beauty Like the Night
4th of July Celebration
On the Hunt
A Christmas Village
A Williamsburg Christmas
A St. Patrick’s Day Tea
Sweet as Honey
Looking forward to viewing your beautiful tablescapes!
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 at the top, into the “url” box for the picture linky.
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. Or, just grab the html code you’ll find under the “Join a Party” heading at the top of this blog.
Please, link back to the party so your regular readers will find all your fellow blogger’s tablescapes, too. 🙂
Please, don’t add your post name/blog name in ALL CAPS…it tends to create big spaces between the rows of links. Thanks!
Let’s try something fun today! Please visit the person who linked before you and after you…that way everyone will get some visits. Hope you’ll visit more, of course. 🙂
Welcome! Thanks for coming to the party!
You are the queen of tablescapes! I am so grateful for all the inspiration you and all the other links provide each week. Thank you for sharing your passion and hosting a wonderful party every week!
Dear Sue,
I would like to thank you for doing such a great job and managing Tablescape Thursdays.
You put light and sunshine on my Thursday's such happiness for me to attend or to blog around wonderful tablescapers.
My big congratulations to you.
Lots of Love,
Karin Şen Cankan
[email protected]
Your tablescapes are all so beautiful!! It would be hard to pick a favorite. They are all so unique and different. Great job!!
Susan, when I discovered your blog and the Tablescape Thursday feature it was like a dream come true. I had no idea there were others who loved dishes as much as I did. I drooled over each and every tablescape of yours and those posted by others. A brand new world opened up for me.
My husband would exclaim, "it's Tablescape Thursday" on Thursday evenings. He actually bought me a laptop to use so I could stay in the family room with him rather than in our office where the desktop computer is. My family realized there was nothing coming between me and my Tablescape Thursday viewing.
I have had the most wonderful time since I found BNOTP. I even started a blog so that I could join the party.
Thank you so much for bringing this wonderful world of fellow dish lovers and blogging into my life!
Tammy
I had always enjoyed your tablescapes, but when I ran across "Roses and Daisies" and the Spode Tower Pink, I felt that I had found a soul sister. When I perused that particular post, I understood every choice that you made when creating your design. Tower Pink is a major pattern in our family. Between my daughter and me, we can seat 60 for dinner with it. Such a fine old example of English transferware…and it is just wonderful on your marvelous screened porch. I've enjoyed my first year of blogging, and I so appreciate the efforts that you have made to provide such an amazing vehicle for all of us! Thank you! Cherry Kay
Hi Susan, Tonight is my one year blog anniversary, and it all started because I wanted to play along with Tablescape Thursday! Before I began MFLL I studied every one of your beautiful tables! I have had so much FUN and I thank you for hostessing and for preparing your tables to inspire us! I could never pick a favorite–each has something unique and interesting. Linda 🙂
I told you once before, I aspire to do a table that I would post for Tablescape Thursday. Maybe one I am planning for September might make it. But I enjoyed each and every one of the photos here, words actually fail me to describe them. xo,
Susan, as you well know, it's TT that enticed me to start HFTS. You and Debbie offered such inspiration and encouragement for which I'm most grateful. I can never single out a favorite of your tablescapes. Each one offers up such joy. You are full of creative ideas. I'm going to go back a savor each one of these in full as soon as I hit publish.
Congratulations on 150. Wow!
~ Sarah
Thanks so much to all of you! You are too kind! I'm so glad you are sharing your talents with us!
Hi Susan! It's been a little while since I have participated, but I found it challenging transporting all my dishes to our lake camp for the summer. I appreciate all you do for Tablescape Thursday! It is sheer joy to come to your blog for inspiration. You are super organized, and it makes it very easy to locate what I am looking for.
As always, I love, love, love your blog. But I've got to ask… how in the world do you afford all of these place settings and how in the world do you STORE all of these place settings? Do you reuse a lot of your items and we just don't know it because you rework the setting? I GOTS TO KNOW! (Dirty Harry…) ;-.)
Tracy,
Here's a post that explains all about how to create lots of different tablescapes on a budget. For about $20 you can create a whole new tablescape for any holiday or season.
http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2011/03/how-to-create-beautiful-table-settings.html
Also, occasionally a china manufacturer will provide a set of china for me to use in a tablescape or a set of glasses…so that helps to extend my collection, as well. And, friends have given me china over the years since they know I love it.
Susan, It's now time for you to do a book, look at all these amazing tablescapes, maybe we will sit on the same bookshelf one day together. I've had so much on in my little crazy life lately so I hope you don't think I have been ignoring you? You are the one place each week that I do manage to be with, comment or not I am often here with you. Sending lots of love,
xxx Coty
Susan, one of the first tablescapes of yours that just blew me away was the Sand and Sea one. I fell in LOVE with those shell candlesticks! But then the Xmas one with the village pieces literally made me GASP! It was so creative and GORGEOUS, I almost couldn't believe my eyes! Like Bill says, you are the QUEEN!!!!!! Thank you so very much for hosting this wonderful party each week. 150 is quite amazing! You are the best and we all love you!!!!!! XO, Pinky
Susan, I don't know how I found your blog but I am so glad I did. I have enjoyed every single one that I have read. I look forward to Monday and Thursdays! I feel like a kid waiting for Santa Claus! And thru your blog, I have subscribed to so many others. I have always loved beautiful china, tablescapes etc but I thought it was becoming a dying tradition..boy was I wrong..I have kindred spirits all around me now.
You're certainly the Queen for a Day today! Congrats on your 150th!
Hi Susan,
Loved your tablescape trip down memory lane. I remember many of them, and enoyed the ones I missed, not too many tho, they are all so wonderful.
You are a very creative and gifted lady, as well as a sweet lady!
Thanks for sharing all your creativity with us week after week,
and making it possible for all of us to do likewise. Your a blessing,
and everyone loves your blog hon.
Blessings Abundant,
Nellie
Thanks for the walk down memory lane! A few of the ones you posted I remember…there's a couple I haven't seen , however!
Thanks for hosting this great blog party! I look forward to it, even when I don't have a table to share!
Thanks for the walk down memory lane! A few of the ones you posted I remember…there's a couple I haven't seen , however!
Thanks for hosting this great blog party! I look forward to it, even when I don't have a table to share!
Congrats Susan! Your have given us all so much inspiration!! Thank you for being the hostess with the mostess!
Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Susan, your beautiful tables inspired me to start trying to do my own! Thanks so much for showing us all these beautiful ideas!!
Such wonderful memories. I have been blogging for over two years and have NEVER missed a Tablescape Thursday! You're why I started blogging.
– The Tablescaper
Susan .. each tablescape is truly a masterpiece!!! You offer so much inspiration with your creations. You should do a book on tablescapes. xo HHL
So many tables, so many dishes, so many ideas. It's amazing how everyone has her/his own style, some elegant, some warm and inviting, some casuall and comfortable. You have given so many an incredible outlet for sharing their creativity.
Tablescape Thursday has become my support group. Thanks for the trip down memory lane. I think the Garden Party is my all time favorite. Dianne
We your Majesty's most humble and faithful subjects, having in our thoughts the glory of God, your Majesty's honour and the very prosperity of your truest subects and most divinely-inspired tablescapers, and being most grievously afflicted with the pressing miseries and calamities which have since overwhelmed your kingdom as your Majesty hath, by the persuasion of those who lack your divinely inspired gifts of entertainment and your own pure spirit oft visited opon merely the noblest, must innocent of guiding angels….
Well, we just love you, Susan, and think your Tablescape Thursdays are the best doggone ticket in town, week after week after 150th week!!!
You're the reason so many of us blog — the originator, the inspirator, the ever and always Queen of Tablescaping and of our hearts!
Hail, Susan. The royalty and greatness of your throne may be supported by the loyal and bountiful affections of your people; their liberties and privileges maintained by your Majesty's protection and justice; and this public honour and happiness of your Majesty and all your dominions communicated to other States of your alliance, and derived to your royal posterity and the future generations in this kingdom for ever.
Long live Queen Susan! Hurrah for the Queen!
You are so darn talented!
So many lovely tablescapes, but I have to say, Beach Escape and Roses with Daisies are my two faves.
What an honor it must be to be a guest at one of your tables.
Thanks for sharing.
You need to print a coffe table book on these!
Really, Susan!
xx
Alison
Just breathtaking – all those dishes. If you ever want to make a housecall and work your magic on a beginner – I am more than willing to throw open my dish closets (nowhere near as much as you have) and be your test subject. Would love to be able to put my dishes together in some smashing tablescape.
I had become addicted to blogs and have eliminated all but a few and yours is one of the few I still follow. Even got my sister hooked. Thanks for the inspiration and fun read.
I absolutely loved this retrospective! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! Just seeing all those amazing tablescapes again made me smile and smile and SMILE!!! I kept saying, "Oh, I Love THIS one and THIS one and THIS ONE!@!!"
You have provided such inspiration and have been a blessing to all of us who love dishes and fellowship. I feel like I have found a real family with the tablescape bloggers and it's so amazing that every week so many folks gather from all around the world for your dish shindig!!!! I love the dichotomy of it–something so traditional like tablescaping converging with the modern world of blogging! How appropriate for our times!!!
Thank you, thank you and THANK YOU!!!!
Love/hugs/blessings,
Lana In Italy
Si délicat et si parfait… L'élégance sous toutes ses formes… Gros bisous.
Congrats! I have starred this post in google reader. I have snow village and can't wait to set it out at the center of my table this Christmas! I have some neighborhood houses and a lot of city pieces. Can't wait. Thanks for all your ideas. I kept thinking where are all the cords!?
You have won the prize for the most beautiful tablescapes !!
I just think you have the most beautiful dishes and often wonder where you keep them all? I am sure you have a huge pantry full of dishes
thanks for this party
I think my favorite dishes are the red and white Mason Vista dishes since I have a few of those
Thanks for BNOTP tablescapes
Janice
Congratulations!! wow. I loved seeing so many of the tablescapes in one post.. When did you say your book is coming out? Many blessings to you and here's to the next hundreds of posts!
Congratulations Susan, what a successful idea and its still so popular. I've only recently started blogging and enjoying your parties and its always fun and so entertaining. Its always great to visit other blogs and get new ideas. Your tablescapes are always beautiful and MM is a treasure trove of information. Thanks for creating a place to be creative and have fun.
~Emily
The French Hutch
I don't have a post to link up this week, but I wanted to say WAY TO GO!!! on making it to a whopping 150 hops. There are always so many fun posts to read here 🙂
Susan, it was fun to relive some of these beautiful tables of yours. You have inspire us in so many ways and allowed us to grow with our love of dishes by the inspiration of other bloggers.
Thanks for all you do!!
Donna
Susan, Have you ever thought of getting your tablescapes "PUBLISHED"????
WoW what a great coffeetable book, your photo's/tablescapes could be in all the bookstores, and sure to climb to best sellers list!
Let me know if you need someone to travel all over the country when you are doing book-signings!!
~Jo
Lazyonloblolly
150! Wow not only is that a lot of tablescapes but just think of all the creativeness it takes to come up with so many different styles!
Congrats and please keep up the inspiration!
Just wanted to say that I love receiving your posts! Your displays are always gorgeous and inspiring! I don't think I have a creative bone in my body, so I look forward to your inspirations to entertain my family at the dinner table for special occasions and holidays!
Thanks for posting and sharing your talents! :O)
Julianne
Bonjour,
This page is special
The evolutioo on differents tables is like "un beau voyage"
Thank you for sharing
Have nice time
Frieda
My first post here! I am sooo excited! I am so new and still learning sooo much, Trial and error, more error for sure! Thanks for the chance to post on your blog…..I grabbed your button ( I think) and linked up (I think again lol) and will for sure take a look and drool at all the tablescapes!~
~~Wendy
Susan,
Beautiful tablescapes!!!
I didn't join the Land of Blog until August 2010. . .but I am thrilled that you host this inspiring meme each week. Thank you for your own lovely tablescapes as well as those who participate! I'm so glad I found your Blog (through a friend) and that I've been invited to join in the fun @ BNOTP!!!
Fondly,
Pat
I don't know how you do it!
I can't remember how I stumbled upon your blog, but Thursday is so much fun now!
I have so enjoyed your tablescapes. When I discovered your blog, I was in heaven. This week on my blog – I posted my favorite tablescapes. Thanks. I hope to do another 150 TT.
Sheila at Raggedykingdom.blogspot.com
http://raggedykingdom.blogspot.com/2011/07/bnotp-150th-tablescape-thursday.html
I really enjoyed seeing your tablescapes from the past.
If it's not too personal, I wonder how many sets of china you have and where you store them all. Perhaps you only have a couple place settings of each? Or do you have full sets? What about serving pieces?
I love china, myself. I would have many more sets if space and budget allowed. I am curious as to how the tablescapers do it.
I really love the crocheted rounds under the plates in your 2nd picture. That gives me an idea for a new kind of charger. Too bad I don't know how to crochet…
Hollace, I'm not exactly sure how many sets I have because I mix and match them so much. I buy a lot of salad plates and add them to my white set of Big Lots china to create new looks for different events and holidays. If you click on the renovation/tutorial heading at the top of the blog, there's a link to a post under the renovations/additions section showing a dish closet I created out of a little used coat closet in my breakfast area. I just store my china in my kitchen cabinets, china cabinet and my laundry room island. I also have a hutch on the porch that holds two sets of china I like to use on the porch.
Here's a link to a post about creating lots of different kind of table settings on a budget using a set of white china:
http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2011/03/how-to-create-beautiful-table-settings.html
Thanks for all of that history. I loved seeing all of those beautiful tables.
Susan — I first saw your tables on "Rate My Space" — then I was delighted to find your blog — I've been hooked ever since. I've loved all 150 weeks —thanks for all your inspirations and hospitality!
XOXOXO
Martha
Susan, I have a few questions since I have only followed your blog for 6 months. Do you use all your own china, or do friends loan you china…cause you have a LOT. And how to you store all these dishes, glasses and knic knacs? After you create a tablescape..do you sit down, eat, and enjoy it?
Susan, you truly embody southern hospitality, you answer questions with such patienace and grace for all of us folks that are new to this wonderful & exciting endeavor now called tablescaping. I am working on getting a blog up and running, because I like everyone else LOVE Thursday now! Your tablescapes are stunning and such a joy to see each week. Thanks so much for sharing your talents and gifts with all of us. Donna Tullis
Karen, you'll find the answer to some of your question under the FAQ section. Also, just scroll up and you'll find where I answered a few more similar questions here in this comment section. 🙂
Both about using them. Sometimes they are used and sometimes they are just for the TT party.
Your tables are always so beautiful, well thought out, clever and cheerful!
THANK YOU for always making Thursdays extra special!
Mary
Hi Susan I love your Blog!!!!!!! it is inspiring and lot to learn, I tried to register to be part of your Tablescape on Thursday but i can’t I’ll keep trying Love it!!!!! Thanks for sharing.
Ofelia Killeen
Thanks, Ofelia! Check to see if there’s is a live link in your post back to the party. That may be why InLinkz isn’t working. You’ll need a live link back to the party to link up. The only other thing I can think of is if you’re using one of the newer Dynamic themes with Blogger. InLinkz has told me that their system doesn’t always work well with those. Hope this helps. If you still have trouble, email me at betweennapsontheporchatgmaildotcom and I’ll see if I can figure out what is going on.