Luckygal,

I think you did a wonderful job at setting your tables and taking pictures. You are going to be REAL GOOD, I can tell. I love the second picture with the tea set in the background and the chicken and rooster with the candles.

Then your remaining pictures just seemed to get better. Keep up the great work. You have alot of nice dishes so that helps with your settings, I'm sure.

Punk

I agree...you're doing VERY well at your tablesettings.
What are the dishes in your first setting? I like them and the rooster/hen w/the spindle candle holders all compliment each other nicely.
Your second tablesetting is very elegant. I love the transferware..and I think that the tea set looks lovely
with it.
You're another one here, who's 'On A Roll'...
I love looking..as you do them!

jane

Your dishes are pretty in both tablescapes and I love those roosters! They go well with the candlesticks beside them. Your Valentine's table looks very pretty! I like the black and white with the transferware plates. Great job on your "playing around"! As long as you are having fun, that's what really matters!

DD

My favorites are the red transferware and the etched stemware. The transferware stands out on that black. I know what you mean about taking the pics, I have a hard time too.
Syble

Indeed, you are "on a roll".
Love love love the candle holders, the chickens and your stemware.
Beautiful job and keep enjoying yourself!!
Your photos are just fine , it could be much much worse. Trust me (from experience) ... LOL

Both sets of your plates are really lovely, but what really caught my eye was that pretty platter with the flowers on it and your pretty tea cups. You have some neat pieces, and I just know you will enjoy setting tables even more now that you have all of us to share your pretties with! ;o) Luvs

luckygal...I love the dishes in both settings...the roosters and candlesticks are perfect with those lovely dishes! I like the color of your placemats...do you have a tablecloth that color?? Think that would look cool with this setting, too. But, remember, LG, I've never even tried a tablescape & I didn't even know what a "charger" was until my friend educated me! LOL! (and I don't own any except round woven one that I bought for end tables & such)! LOL again! I will be trying a tablescape before the winter is over! On the lookout for "chargers!" LOL!

I think your pics are good...taking these kinds of pics...is like needing an education in "still life!" Tripod will help...I'm digging mine out, like Judith said...and a good photo software program helps, too. Yes, like you, I have an appreciation for ALL the pics posted on here...it takes practice & it's difficult!

Your Val table is very pretty...the red transfer ware you used is awesome! And that oval serving dish is beautiful!

Have fun! You're a very motivating person...and I wish I oculd send you some of our snow! Looking forward to GJ'ing again! Jeanne S.

I'm still working on my photography skills myself, so I can totally sympathize with you there, JG! It was either Kathleen or Jane who first suggested to me that I try using a tripod. Since both are brilliant at creating and photographing their tables, I think it's a great suggestion to try.

I like your sets of dishes. The first makes a very cozy Winter table, I've always loved that pattern! I think that your roosters and candleholders work well with them.

And, being a lover of pink/red Transferware, I am lusting after your platter . . . how pretty!
Lynn

There's nothing I can add that hasn't been said. And I agree with all of it.
Your photography especially in the next to last picture is very good. I just have a little digital camera and no tripod, so I sit back and truly admire the excellent photographers we have here. Its like having our own personal magazine sometimes. LOL.

hugs, Karen

Thanks so much Punk, Jane, DD, Syble, MM, Luvs, Jeanne, and Lynn! I feel like such an amateur compared to you but it certainly is fun to play with dishes! One of my problems is that I got a new camera last fall and have still not become friends with it. Occasionally have to revert to using my old one. I mentioned the light making a difference because I had been taking pics at dusk and things were getting a *blue* reflection - weird.

I should have explained what everything is, I guess, but I'm so new at this I forgot we all like details! I'll try to answer all questions and explain what things are. The dishes in the first setting are Shakespeare's Sonnets by Kensington. I meant to take a pic of the back and forgot. I'll have to do that. The bowls, small plates, and dinner plates each have different style cottages on them. I bot a small set at a thrift store for $5. The plain beige plates are part of an Ikea set. The silver toast warmer is vintage (family). The pottery mugs, covered butter dish, and jam bowl were YS finds as was the little creamer which is old but not valuable. The candlesticks are turned wood. The wooden handled flatware from Europe - Boda, very 70's style and we seldom use it as it must be washed by hand. Rooster and hen were really ugly bright colored things I painted to mute them down. Placemats from a discount grocery.

The red/pink transferware is a set I bot at an antique store - it's Enoch Woods English Scenery by Wood & Sons. The pink platter is made in England by Booths "Washington" pattern and a thrift shop find. Last year was the "Year of the Platter" for me as I found 5 for very little. The bone china teacups were YS finds for $1-$2 each. The silver tea service from an auction cost $25. The water glasses and sherbets are vintage 30's etched glass (family), the white wine are Cristal d'Arques (Europe), and the red wine are Birks crystal (wedding gift). Lace tablecloth was a yard sale find still in package for $1. I don't have a black tablecloth, just a set of 8 placemats and a runner. I only have a couple cheap gold plastic chargers so used silver trays (family) in this setting.

I need to get out the iron before I do more settings. I really dislike ironing but no one would be impressed with wrinkled linen! LOL

You people are a fun group to play with - thanks for putting up with me!

Missed you when I was writing that book! Thanks - I only have a dig camera too and not a very expensive one but I thot it should take better pics than I seem to get out of it. Need to practice more for sure.