Good morning!
Today I am delighted to be joining 16 other talented bloggers for a Halloween blog hop hosted by the fabulous Rita at Panoply. Thank you Rita! Links to the other bloggers’ tables can be found at the end of this post.
I don’t know where September went. Well, actually, I can account for the last week and the first week in October because my mom caught Covid and gave us quite a scare. EMS was called at one point. Yup, three years in the community during a pandemic and nary a symptom, but three weeks into congregate care with an outbreak at the facility, and she contracts it. However, she managed to avoid a hospitalization and, is, thankfully, on the mend now.
But to the table. I had initially envisioned a table runner with Edgar Allen Poe’s poem, the Raven, scripted down its length. But alas, no such runner was to be found and my writing is not nice enough to script it myself on a brown craft paper instead. Our HomeSense didn’t have much in the line of Halloween table runners either this year for some reason. So I settled for my everyday ivory table runner. On it, I added some straggly black glittered flowers and stems, followed by a raven in a cage. The raven has been around here forever; It has a motion sensor and when it detects movement, the raven lets out a loud, obnoxious screech. I always hang it outside on Halloween for the trick or treaters.
Originally, the theme of the table was ravens, as a tribute to Poe. And I had many questions about him such as who was Lenore in the poem and where does Annabel Lee fit in, among others, that I was hoping to do a little research on and find out the answers. But at some point, spiders crawled onto the table demanding their share in the spotlight and hijacking the raven theme. And they weren’t shy about announcing their presence.
They made themselves at home in the flowers…
On the candles…
On ribbon…
And on napkins…
Then they left their webs on flatware and under the dishes…
What’s a girl to do? I let them stay.
The place settings feature a dishware pattern called “Wicked” by Ciroa, found on clearance from HomeSense last year. The flatware is really not cobwebs, but just an abstract design instead. Spider napkin rings hold black and white striped napkins.
Stemware was my silver mirrored wine glasses.
Here is the table.
I don’t know how others feel about specialty candles but I am always reluctant to light them. Because then they’re gone and I won’t be able to use them on another table. So I added some fun purple LED lights instead.
The lights are actually bats…
Resources:
Wine glasses, ivory table runner: Pier 1
Flowers, stems, ribbon, spider placemats: Dollar Tree
Dishware, flatware, spider tapers, bat LED lights: HomeSense
Spider napkin rings: I can’t remember for sure but might have been an eBay or Etsy find.
And on that note, happy Halloween everyone!! Please check out all the wonderful inspiration from my fellow stylists at the links below:
Absolutely love your idea of the Poe story written out on a table runner – I’m sorry it didn’t work out, but the runner you created is just as unique and wonderful! I absolutely love that dinnerware, and the beaded spider napkin rings are a spooky touch!
Janet, thanks so much for your comments. I am inspired to try writing out that poem on some craft paper in a future table and we will see how it turns out. Yes, the dishware was a lucky find and I scooped it up in a heartbeat! Thanks for stopping by and I’ll pop by your blog for a visit. Happy Halloween to you!
Kim you are too funny with the spiders and crows. We have a crow that hangs around our water fountain and he ‘brings’ treasures (read junk) and leaves it in the water for me to pick out. I think he doesn’t like me! LOL Your table is spooky and perfect for Halloween. I have those plates stashed some where…maybe I will find them 10 years from now. LOL The purple lights give off that eerie look that give your table a perfect look. Have a happy Halloween. Kari
Thank you Kari – you are funny too with your story about your treasure-bringing crow. I had a such a good chuckle. Susan says that crows remember people’s faces (who knew?) so maybe that is what your crow is doing and bringing you treats as a show of affection lol. I hope all is well with you down in your lovely Florida and thanks so much for visiting. Wishing you and the Captain a delightful Halloween as well, and I hope you find your plates!
Okay, you totally had me at “NEVERMORE”–as and English major and a fan of Edgar Allan Poe, so love the theme. The bats are one of my favorite items!–and they are purple, which makes them perfect. But the real grabber is your black and white combination, one of my faves as it always makes me hark back to my mother’s spectator pumps that I coveted and clonked around in when she was out of the room. Overall–a perfect 10 for a fabulous Halloween Dinner Setting!
Shelia, that is such a cute story about your mom’s shoes and I remember those spectator shoes too! I’m really glad you liked the table; I would have liked to develop the Poe/raven theme some more but those pesky spiders came along. English was always one of my favorite subjects all throughout my schooling and I love Poe’s poem The Raven. Thanks so much for your lovely comments and for stopping by. Have a wonderful rest of the week and happy Halloween to you!
Well, maybe it was the spiders quoted as saying nevermore! All joking aside, this is a fabulous table. The raven plates are awesome, a great find, and the raven in cage with all the black and white surrounding demands attention, which I love that attraction. The purple lights are an eery touch, too. All that black on the runner down the center makes for a spooktacular look. Love your overhead shot. Kim, thank you bringing your talent to the Halloween blog hop. I’m so glad your mom recovered from covid. Of those who I’ve known getting it this time around, they seem to need quite a few weeks afterward to recover from the fatigue, mostly.
Hi Rita. Thanks for your comments on the table, and for hosting, and organizing, and everything else that you do!! These hops are so much fun and I am so happy to be a part of them. I think its fatigue with mom too. We went shopping last Saturday and only went to a few places (at least 2 less than normal). When I brought her home, the first think she did was sink into the chair and said she was too tired to go for her usual walk. She’s not 100% yet, but 1000 times better than she was for which I am very thankful.
Love the elegance of your black and white theme! Well-behaved spiders are certainly welcome on a Halloween table, especially those on the napkin rings. The design on the plates is striking and I liked the festive ribbon. Loved the centerpiece and giggled at the reaction your trick-or-treaters must have. It’s been fun hopping with you!
Hi Sandra. Yes the raven screech is definitely not a pleasant sound. The little ones are scared by it but the bigger kids think its funny; I just have to make sure I hang it high enough. And the spiders were well behaved now that I think about it lol. I really like the plates too and am so glad I lucked out on them. Thanks so much for your comments and your visit. It was fun hopping with you too!
Sorry to hear about your Mom Kim, but glad she is on the mend. I managed to avoid it all this time, but it caught up with us last week. Not something I would wish on anyone. Your table is so much fun! The table runner you created is perfect. I think the crow and the spiders are getting along quite well! I wish I had seen those plates at a HomeSense near me!
Oh no Maureen – I am so sorry to hear this. I think the current variant is very contagious and it definitely went through mom’s building like wildfire! I hope you are on the mend as well. Thanks for your lovely comments and for stopping by – I chuckled at the spiders and raven getting along quite well lol. Happy Halloween to you!
Kim, I am sorry to read of your mother’s illness. That is so scary, so happy to hear she is better. I love that the big raven gave way to the small creepy spiders. The centerpiece is perfect, and I always prefer shopping my house rather than trying to buy and add more stuff. The raven plates are the ideal choice for your table. The black and white offers a spooky vibe, but in a fun way. Great job, my friend. I always enjoy myself when I visit one of your lovely tables!
Thanks so much Pam! I feel exactly the same way when I visit one of your lovely tables, and I am glad you liked this one. Yes, we are all relieved that mom is almost back to normal – it was scary there for a bit. Thanks for visiting and I wish you a wonderful week and a happy Halloween.
Spooky and creepy at the same time. The raven is so perfect. The spider napkin rings are lovely with your black and white striped napkins.. Love using LED lights. The raven plates are eyes catching. Eeeek! A table fit for Halloween.
Ha Linda! Funny thing about the table. We had our Thanksgiving yesterday and it was still set up and all the ladies wanted to sit at it (as opposed to the pumpkin table in the kitchen). Glad that you liked the table and thanks so much for your comments and stopping by. Happy Boo to you!
ooh!!! Kim!! One of my favorites this year!! love it all!! Those raven plates are the bomb! I love how you styled the whole table – the striped napkins, the spider candlesticks, and that marbled flatware – it all works wonderfully!!
Great table!! I hope you have a fun and safe Halloween!!
Ann, thanks so much for your lovely comments and I am so glad you liked the table! It was fun to put together. I really liked your table as well, and the broom parking was just so funny. Thank you for stopping by and I hope you have a fun and safe Halloween too!
I love it when people shop their home for decorations for holidays. It’s hard to have a stack of props readily available. Black and white is a favorite them and I love how you used it here. Edgar Alan poe is a favorite of mine and I really enjoy having him represented at halloween. Have a great week.
Lynne
Hi Lynne. I really wanted to do more with the raven theme and Edgar Allen Poe – I find his story quite intriguing, what little I know of it. I definitely like the Raven poem. Maybe next time I’ll actually try scripting it on some craft paper and see how it goes. Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment and I hope you have a great week yourself!
OMGOODNESS the raven speaks via motion detection! LOL I bet it makes your trick-or-treaters jump out of their skins….that’s great! I love your table, especially all the spidery things. I like the black ferns with the purple LED fairy lights: What a nice touch! I also like the thick ribbon with the spiders and webs. Your plate stacks are great, too. I really like them! They are spooky! Happy Halloween!
Oh my gosh Ricki Jill! That raven really does make an awful sound. When I put him out for Halloween I have to make sure that I hang him quite high up because it really does scare the little ones. The bigger kids think just think its funny. I’m glad you liked the table. Thanks for stopping by and leaving your lovely comments. Happy Halloween to you too!
I am so glad you were able to cage that raven before he made a mess of things! Those dishes are just perfect for Halloween and of course with your raven theme! The spider napkin rings are a cute addition!
Chloe, yes, crows. They really can be obnoxious for sure. Glad you like the dishes and napkin rings, and thanks so much for your comments. It was a pleasure hopping with you today!
Spooktacular my dear! Love all the fabulous details like the spider napkin rings and striped napkins, web placemats, flatware, and oh those plates!!! If only I could conjure up a spell to have them magically appear on my table. So unique and wonderful — a great find!
Ha! Debbee, your comments mean a lot coming from the Queen of Theme – we missed you this time around. I’m assuming it was because of the cruise? If so, I hope you had a wonderful time and thanks so much for stopping by!
Spooky meets upscale Kim 🙂 Your raven plates, stylish centerpiece with the caged raven, and purple light-up bats give the table a frightfully eerie glow!
Happy October Hugs,
Rachelle
Thanks Rachelle! Those bat lights kind of make me smile and I’m glad you liked the eerie glow. Delighted to join you on the awesome blog hop and thanks so much for visiting!
What a fabulous setting – the flatware is so unique and perfect for this theme…..the spider napkin rings are super!! Enjoy the season!
Thanks Patti! It really is a season you can enjoy, mostly because you can let your imagination run wild and there really aren’t any rules. The flatware was a HomeSense find (your HomeGoods) 2 or three years ago and they lend themselves well to Halloween. Glad you liked the table and thanks for stopping by.
Oh I LOVE those ravens! The one in the cage cracks me up – we have a duck that quacks when you walk by – we better not get the two of them together! 🤣 The plates are lovely, and you’ve done a fabulous job with the bird/spider theme, and especially your runner & centerpiece. I love that the little purple lights are bats, too. The whole effect is really elegant, with the napkins and lights tipping it over into playful. Just perfect!
Thanks so much for your lovely comments Barbara – especially since I know how you feel about Halloween lol. The duck that quacks when you walk by sounds hilarious, and yes, we better keep them separate. Thanks for visiting and take care, my friend!
Eek–love your centerpiece, Kim! You’ve perfectly captured the haunting spirit of the raven and I love the purple lights, too! Blessings, Cecilia @ My Thrift Store Addiction
Cecilia, I’m so glad you liked the table and could see the eerie vibe I was going for. Those bat lights were just so much fun. Pleasure to hop with you and thanks so much for visiting.
Elegantly spooky Kim and I love the raven Ciroa plates! I had to chuckle over the spiders hijacking the raven theme.😊 I have the same issue lighting decorative candles, but the purple LED lights add an eerie and elegant touch and glow. Love the creepy and elegant vibe your beaded spider napkin rings add too and the sparkle and shine from your mirrored goblets. So glad to hear your mom is on the mend and avoided hospitalization, what a relief! As always, it’s a treat to join you at the table and hop with you. Happy October! 🎃
Hi Mary. I really liked the Ciroa plates too – Susan used them on a table last year and I was so surprised to find them in our HomeSense here. Thanks for your comments about mom and yes, we are definitely relieved that she is on the mend. As always, its a privilege to join you in these fun blog hops. Take care over there!
Spooky Creepy Scary Kim!! Your caged raven has attracted a lot of spiders! I like the black branches, flowers and leaves down the table runner with the little purple sparkly lights! The spider placemats and web flatware are another wonderful creepy touch! Raven plates and beaded spider napkin rings, wow! The silver stemware is gorgeous, your whole table is frightful and delightful!!
Thanks so much Jenna! Yes, we can blame the raven for all those spiders on the table – I love that idea. The raven plates were a clearance find at HomeSense last year and just hopped in my cart faster than I could blink. Glad you liked the table and thanks for visiting!