Tip from a Tablescaping Cheapskate

Have you read Janette's beautiful post about honor over on Janette's Sage? If you haven't, stop what you're doing and head over there. She has some thoughts worth reading...

I'll wait...

On her post, Janette mentioned what she dubbed a trade secret  that I had shared with her prior to the big event. Since this little tidbit was new to her, I thought I might yak it abroad here...just in case it's new to someone else out there, too.

I never have been able to keep a secret. 

Now, it's no secret that I love to create festive table settings. While I do enjoy doing it for the invisible people, I actually like to do it for my family too. With my culinary aptitude,  I need all the meal camouflage I can get.

Yep. I like a pretty table. I also like using glassware.  However, I'm also big fat cheapskate who doesn't like spending money for dishes she might use once a year or once in a lifetime.

Quite by accident, I discovered a solution. I just use inexpensive glass salad plates and decoupage the backs of them to match whatever theme or occasion I'm celebrating.  Fun enough, but it gets even better.  You see, when dinner is over, I just put them in a sink full of warm, sudsy water, and off it comes, clean as a whistle and ready for the next creation.

 You've actually seen them in two tablescapes. 

This square magnolia plate was made 

with a photo copy of the napkins.

Same with this one, but with a bandana. 

 So anyway, that's the little trade secret. 

No, I don't do this all the time. I do have real place settings after all.
And no, I wouldn't  whip out the  Deco-Ware if the boss were coming to dinner.

 I'm not a complete idiot.

I just keep it handy for festive occasions with my real  guests of honor.

You know... family.

*****