Thursday, March 15, 2012

A Frugal McTable of Paddy O'Pauper

Yes, I realize that Paddy is a man's name. I liked the lilt of it, though,  so I'm using it anyway. I've never been too proud to stoop to creative license in my blogging. I've never been too proud to stoop to it in my tablescaping either...

I wanted to do a St.Patrick's table, you see, but with all the stuff and nonsense I have around here, I still don't have any Irish  dishery. 'Tis sad but true; there isn't a wee little man to be found.

There isn't a pot o' gold to be found either so I didn't want to go out and buy any. I had no choice but to whip out the Mod Podge and craft paint put together a little dish blarney.

When you have to McCraft up a table,
 it usually ends up looking something like this.


I started with some craft fabric that I had around the house. I had purchased it to make shamrock pillows for the front porch, but when I got it home, I discovered that it didn't have shamrocks on it at all.   It had four leaf clovers.


Four leaf clovers, of course, are not shamrocks 
and miss the entire point of them. 

I decided to make place mats with it instead
because it's still green and clovery.

Dinner plates are some plain square ones that I got at the Dollar Tree. 


Salad plates are decoupaged glass ones. I didn't even have to buy the napkins to use because they were left over from last year.  We'll use these on Saturday and then wash the blarney off the china until the next holiday.


Chargers were painted Granny Smith green. I was planning to paint these anyway since I'm changing my kitchen accessories to green for the spring. (I protect my painted chargers with a low sheen varnish, by the way. )


Place card holders were crafted with painted pots and gold glittered stones. I pulled those bouncing Leprechaun hats off some deelyboppers I used to wear back when I was fun.

The napkins are supposed to look like shamrocks.


The centerpiece is a single shamrock plant, which is the only thing I purchased for this table. I actually purchased three of them, but two are already dead. Buying and killing shamrock plants is one of my St. Patrick's Day traditions.  

And I wonder why I'm Paddy O'Pauper...


Pot 'O Gold flatware


And stemware in various shades of green for overkill.
All I need are a few flying monkeys, and we're off to see the Wizard.  


And there you have it, the Crafted McTable of Paddy O'Pauper.
Nothing fancy about it, but it gives the kitchen some Irish laughter.


Plus, it lets me join  Cuisine Kathleen in her St.Patty's Day Blog Crawl which started two days ago. By the time I crawl around, the other blog toddlers will be walking, but I'm joining anyway.

Also joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch.


46 comments:

Karen said...

Downright cute!! Good luck with the remaining shamrocks. I would have killed all of them by now.
See you at the "crawl"!
Karen
Ladybug Creek

Denise said...

I love your table, great job.

Denise at Forest Manor said...

Debbie, your posts really do make my day. I just love it when I see a new post on my blogroll! :-D

I laughed so hard when you said buying and killing shamrocks is one of your St. Paddy's Day traditions. I bought one last year, and managed to kill it pretty quickly. I haven't always been such a plant killer, though. Someone gave me a shamrock years ago, and it moved with me everywhere I went. I just kept re-potting it when it got too big. So -- I'm going to go out this week and by-golly get another one and see if I can keep it alive.

Now -- your table is wonderful. I think all the cheerful greens are a perfect companion for your cheerful yellows of 2012! I love all the creativity! I've never done decoupage, but I'm just going to have to learn. Your place card holders are sooo cute.

Lastly, your "McTable" reference kept reminding me of a certain well-known fast food chain. So I thought, why not a McFish and Chips meal for St. Pat's Day? Or a McRib and potatoes? Can you tell I worked at McDonald's in high school?

Thanks for sharing, Debbie, and I hope you have a great day! :)

Denise

Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours said...

Irish laughter... Now THAT I can get into! You've been busy playing, haven't you? I have virtually no St. Patrick's Day decor either. The gorgeous shamrock dishes I used in last year's tablescape were bought by the O'Brien family. The pretty plates I used this week are all I have left, and they're not in perfect condition. Can't imagine what I'll do for next year's tablescape. May have to borrow a few of your tricks!

Gina said...

I think your table is fun and looks great too! I love the placemats. Your decopauged plates are clever and I love the touch of gold everywhere....great job!

Debbiedoos said...

That is just a happy table Debbie. Love all the greens and the plates are adorable! Enjoy it, sure to make you smile.

FrouFrouBritches said...

So stinkin' cute! I love the decopauged plates and the placemats are adorable! Love it all! Green is, after all, my favorite color!

Debbie said...

Good morning! Love everything about this. Soo cute and cleaver and fun! Have a wonderful day...HUGS

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Ha! You are so funny. And your St. Paddy's table looks fantastic. Very thrifty and crafty. have a great day. Tammy

Crickit said...

Really cute table decor...the green man at the end of the rainbow would approve, I think! :)

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

Fun, fun, fun!!! You sure know how to set a table.

Renée said...

Between decoupage and spray paint you are unstoppable! Your table is fabulous and makes me green with envy, (yes, I know it's wrong), because I have nothing...not even dead shamrocks. You on the other hand are completely decked out and ready for a big event for those lucky enough to sit at your magical table!

Shanee said...

So cute and festive, I just love it. I really like the ability to make the dishes holiday appropriate and then just wash away the blarney! Thanks for sharing.

Priscilla said...

Ok, that is the best yet! I'm still laughing. You've made my day.

Denise said...

This table is SO cute! Good thing you're so creative and crafty cause those St Paddy's dishes are hard to find. I know. I looked for some. Loved all the pretty greens. You'll have to show me how to do the napkin fold. Looks like a shamrock to me.
Love it all.

Trish said...

Your decoupaged salad plates are such an inspiration, I'm going to try that some day soon.

Barbara F. said...

Debbie, you are a talented crafter. I love your salad plates, and painting chargers, I fight with myself when I see them in the store because I want them but some of them are so overpriced as well as oversized. This is a beautiful table! xo

Alycia Nichols said...

Top o' the mornin' to you, Paddy! Uh oh...it's afternoon. Oh, well. You get my drift! :-) You did a really great job of painting those chargers. I'll have to try that someday. There are so many colors I would love to have but cannot find. It would be so easy to pick up a can of spray paint and just go to town on some of these ugly color suckers I see in the stores! Great table for celebratin' the green! Have a safe and fun St. Patrick's weekend!

Ann said...

I'm of Irish decent and dang it! You've "out St. Patrick's Day" me. By a LONG shot! I think the only reference to St. Pat's day I have is an Irish Prayer that I have hanging year round. It's the standard one with "... may the rains fall soft upon your fields ..."
Well, we were married by an Irish priest and he gave his own blessing after the marriage ceremony: "May you be in Heaven a half hour before the devil knows you're dead." I'm not kidding. He said that in church! LOL!
So anyway, the fact that you go to such lengths to create the atmosphere, to me, is amazing! It's so totally cute too and to think that you did it on a VERY tight budget, well, it's terrific! : )

Cheers and have a green beer on me ... I gave up adult beverages for Lent. ; /

Kathleen said...

I love it, especially the real shamrock. My dad was Irish, I'm the youngest of eight children. Every year we would wear real shamrock on our lapels to school. Happy St. Patrick's Day to you!

Jewel Sauls said...

I LOVE your salad plates and the painted chargers! Great idea!!!! Love the "Pauper" table!!!

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

You have talent oozing out, my friend. Serious talent.

Micupoftea said...

How fun...I especially like the folded napkins! Your table is festive~ HAppy St Pattys Day!

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

I finally quit buyig and killing shamrocks, but I have had a lot more years of killing them them that you have had! Your table is wonderful. I always love when you create your own plates with napkins and glass plates, and paint your chargers when the mood strikes. Those felt hats are adorable, and yes, your napkins look like shamrocks! You are so clever. laurie

Sue said...

Adorable ~ just call you McCrafty! I have nothing for the day, but a little treat for the grands I found on Pinterest. I love all of your touches. I wish I had a little energy to copy you!

Chatty Crone said...

I think you are PADDY PERFECT! I love it. Where do you store all your dishes and how long does it take to set out that gorgeous table scape? I loved it. sandie

Lynn said...

O'Lovin' your fun napkin folds! Happy St. Patty's Day-enjoy:@)

talesfromagarden said...

Lovely table and described with such humour!You must have some Irish blood in you somewhere!Love your pots of gold too,have a great St.Patricks Day!

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Well this is charming! I had to laugh out loud about your St. Patrick's tradition.....I have a few holiday traditions like that as well!

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Oh, I started laughing as soon as I read the title, and laughed all the way though....You are the most amazing, funny writer! I would have never noticed they were 4 leaf clovers and old deelyboopers! I think it looks fabulous!

Carol

Nancy's Daily Dish said...

Love the little pots of gold! So cute!

Kellie Collis said...

What a lovely setup! I like the St. Patrick theme. Enjoy the fabulous weekend, Kellie xx

Angel said...

Love this! I laughed at the bit about the flying monkeys! Happy St Pat's day to you. :)

Sue said...

Alls I can say Debbie is this, You can come over to my house anytime with your mod podge and create anything you wish. You did a fantastic job, and now when are you going to start those tutorials for people who are all thumbs like me, or would you rather just take a short trip up here to N.C. and have a go at it. i am open., and you are so welcomed! You really did a fantastic job, Oh I already said that, but you did! Thanks for sharing.
Hugs,
Sue

xinex said...

Oh this looks fabulous, Debbie! I cannot believe how your creations turned out so beautifully, better than store bought ones in my opinion. Love your creative ideas too on the accessories...Christine

bj said...

OMYGOSH, Deb....you are so creative and good at it.
It is all so festive and cute...I love every single thing about it.....but, most of all.....I LOVE YOUR CUTE PERSONALITY.
XOXO

Knitty said...

Every word of this post made me smile. I am not the least bit Irish but I do have a few things that I put out for the occasion. I have used similar deelyboppers in the past. Since green isn't usually a flattering color for me, I struggle to find something green to wear on the 17th. Last year said deelyboppers were pinned onto a white sweatshirt. Two of them. On the front. Lined up with my ears but lower. Catching my drift? I would have fit right in among your dead shamrocks!

corners of my life said...

I would invite company everyday if I had your decorating style!

Nikki (Sarah) said...

seeing your post was the perfect way to end a great day. It just made me smile b/c it just looks so fun. Absolutely love it. As the Brits say...you got talent!!!!

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

You did a great job coming up with all of this without a trip to a store! I love the shamrock napkins!!

I remembered Kathleen's blog crawl, but forgot to post to Tablescape Thursday, or other blog parties, but hey, I did one at least!

Company coming for a few days, so I'll be MIA again.

Katherine

Marlis said...

Sorry about the loss of your plants! little water, north window, cool. That is all I have to say.... it worked on mine. But back to your wonderful table.. seriously, you pulled it off in grand style. Love the plates you backed.. too clever. Gorgeous table.. xo marlis

Kathleen said...

Paddy O Pauper my arse! That is adorable, and that ain't no blarney. You are so creative and come up with such fun scapes! Since my birthday is in March, and since I have had so many of them, thank you, God, I was always given Irish themed gifts. Oh, I guess because I am Irish too!
Thanks you for linking this delightful table to my little blog crawl.
So much fun to see blogland awash in green!

elizabeth said...

I saw some green Johnson Bros. transferware at a local thrift shop for sooo cheap but I really don't have room for more dishes. But oh, your cute tablescape has me thinking I should have something green! :)

Sharon said...

Top o' the morning to you!

Oh Debbie, this was delightful. I laughed so hard at your wordy witticisms!

Only one problem - both of my grandmothers were born in Scotland, and evidently the Scots are not fans of the Irish. So, don't tell them how much I enjoyed your Shamrock Shenanigans!

When Scottish eyes are smiling...

Give me a pinch, I'm coming over for some treats.

(Could we substitute those gold-covered chocolate *coins* for the glittery stones? We could eat those...)

xo

Decor To Adore said...

Back when you WERE fun? I think you're a hoot. Love the table!

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

Those pots of gold are so cute! Love, love, love your table. So creative and so fun!

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