Sandi, I love the red. You didn't do a thing wrong. Love your topper. Wish I could find some of the pretty ones like that. I found one today but it was blue with some silver glitter--didn't know what I could use it for. Love that red fairy--the one I found is more like your other one. The plates are so pretty--I just figure mine are a work in progress as I find (and can afford) more items to go on them. Luvs

Looks wonderful, good job!

Luvs & javern, Thank you both. Luvs, the red fairy came from Walmart in the same area the amber fairies were. The tree topper is actually just an ornament stuck upside down in a red candle holder I had. Don't tell anyone! Shhh, it was only $1.99! Sandi

I think it turned out great! The wonderful thing about stacking plates is you put what you want in them. If you feel that you need more ornaments in them, just add them, I have found it is best to go with your first instinct. But have fun with it, I play around with some of my settings for hours sometimes before I get to to the point of liking it (sometimes it doesn't come together the way I want it at all, when that happens I just start over, but it is a good learning experience)

I love your red plates and the topper.
I think the greenery is perfect with the fairys, since the fairys in books are in a natural green, leafy, forest enviroment. There is enough sparkle in there from your ornaments to still play off their "jeweled clothing". The whole setup makes me think that you reproduced an imaginairy christmas fairy "home" especially with the bed of leaves at the bottom of the plates. I am positive that when the lights are on in the plates that it is just beautiful. That is a good idea to add the lights to the arrangement, thanks for the idea I'll have to try that!

To keep pics from being blurry, I must use a tripod. If you can't get a tripod, try putting the camera on something stationary, a table with books stacked on it to raise it to the height you need, place the camera on the "steady" books and depress the camera shutter. This way you will rid yourself of the normal "camera shakes" that make pictures blurry. Plus by using a tripod or other steadying influence, it enables you to use the natural light in a room to illuminate the subject rather than having to use a flash. A flash is great when you are trying to show exact detail to someone, but if you want to capture the ambience of the object you must use less harsh lighting tactics.
The kind of camera that you are using does have something to do with it too, but I think most digi cameras these days have special features you can play with. Now, 90% percent of the time I use the "automatic" feature on my camera, so I really don't even have to think about it. Oh yes, I also use the zoom feature on my camera for the close-ups a lot, but if you don't have a zoom, just move the tripod closer (or your makeshift tripod of table and books).

You all do such nice work on your designs it is a shame not be be able to see them in all their glory!!
I hope you don't mind this little lesson on photography. So many times people have wonderful designs and ideas and people email/tell me that they don't come across as well as they look when they post their pics, so by utilizing this one partictular tip your creations can look as good (or almost) on the net as well as at home. Again, I hope you don't mind my thoughts on this, I don't want to hijack your thread.

Judith, You haven't hijacked this thread. "I" hijacked your stacking plates idea. ;~) And thank you again for the idea. And I don't mind any lessons at all.
When I have to turn my camera "on-end" to take pics I have a much harder time keeping the camera steady. I usually take extra pictures so I have a better chance of getting at least one that isn't blurry. NEXT time I'll ask my SON to hold the tablecloth for me! LOL

Well, I'm glad you could use the idea, thats the great thing about this forum, all the ideas floating around!

Sandi, I'm not going to want to take my plates apart when I put the Christmas decrations away. Might have to come up with something to display on them between Christmas and Valentines Day. Have to see what I have--maybe some greenery and roses--something like that. Did you make your stacked plates too? Will you put them away and then redo them for Valentines? Maybe Judith will have suggestions when she gets back from vacation too. Luvs

Luvs, Yes, I made my stacking plates out of dinner plates, small bowls and a candle holder from my red glass dinnerware. I used silicone to stick them together. I have a set of pink dinnerware that I'm going to use for Valentine's so I will take my red ones apart. If I were going to use the red set I wouldn't take them apart though. I would go ahead and decorate them for Valentine's. I will probably start my Valentine's decos about the middle of January. Sandi

Sandi, How are you going to take them apart if you used Silicone on them? Doesn't that stick really tight? I just used floral clay to hold mine together, so it kept them together but really easy to take apart. Wow! I am really going to look forward to all the holidays now that I've found this forum and we can share decorating ideas. Can't wait to see your pink plates. Luvs

I wish I would have found this holiday forum before the holidays. Oh well, next year i'll be ready! I am sooooo impressed with your stacking plate decorations!! That Judith has really started something. I'm in the process of trying to pick up a few tree toppers, birds, and a few unique Christmas decorations. I'll be looking for dishes at the same time, as she has me 'craving' those after looking at all her beautiful 'table art'. The woman is amazing!!

Sandi, I think you 'done well' for a first try!!! ;o)

patty_cakes

Luvs, I only used a tiny bit of silicone in 4 places on each bowl. I thought I would be able to peel it off with my fingernails. Cross your fingers as I'll find out soon. I do have the floral clay on my list to use from now on. I only have 2 sizes of plates in my pink glass, but I think it will look ok.

And thanks patty_cakes. I added some new things to the plates after I took the pictures so I am much happier with it now. And yes, Judith's decorations are gorgeous. Did you see Luvstocraft's stacking plates and stacking bowls? She did a wonderful job also. Sandi

Pattycakes, it's not too late, lots of other holidays that the stacked plate idea can be used for. You are right, Judith has a real flair for decorating and for finding just the perfect items to use. I can only hope to "come close" to creating something like hers. It sure is fun and interesting to try. And it's fun when I go shopping now because I look at things in a whole new way! LOL

Sandi, I am so relieved about your silicone. You should be fine. I was so worried because I have used the silicone to make the "garden totems" like the ones on the Garden Junk forum--and those things are really stuck together!
Of course it would not be a problem if you never intended to use the plates for anything else. However, storing them stacked could be a problem unless you have lots of storage space (I don't).

Luvs

Whoops~I *DID* see Luvs stacking plates/bowls~she really knows her stuff too. Beautiful Luvs!! And yes, we now have a whole new perspective when we look at something.

I was going to suggest Goo Gone for any of the silicone residue that coulnd't be removed. Try an old credit card, not your fingernail, Sandi. ;o)

patty_cakes

Luvs, I don't have storage room either and I would be scared they would get broken if I left them together. Thanks patty_cakes for the tips to remove the silicone. Sandi

I hit my local Lowe's yesterday where decorations are 75% off. If you want candles in your windows next year, you can get a box for 99 cents~has three attached candles. I bought what look like tree topers that are gold painted with some sparkles on them, and are about 5" long. Thought they would look pretty tucked in with gold glass balls, and maybe some pink.

I hit Kohl's also, where everything was 60% off. Found a couple of glass birds~very pretty.

I'm going to Jo Anne's Etc, today! ;o)

patty_cakes

patty_cakes, You did great! I spent all my money on decos before Christmas so this year I won't get to take advantage of the sales. Are you going to do stacking plates for Valentine's? Please post pics if you do. It sounds like you got some pretty things for them. Sandi