My table is one that DH had when we married. It was the right size for all of the kids, so I sold mine. It is blah, so I cover it with a tablecloth. I would buy a prettier table, but I can't quit spending all of my $$s on dishes and tablescape items!! So, my solution is to just use a tablecloth. I have seen some tablescapes with both tablecloth and runner that looked pretty good. I actually bought a runner to try it myself. I will post a pic when I use it if it turns out ok. Jay, I love what you do. Sounds really cool. I may have to try that. I inherited my sister's sewing machine and can't get it to work! I'm not mechanically inclined. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!! At least until I find a sewer who will take me under their wing and teach me how to use it. Betty

I wish I had thought of that when I bought my new runner at Christmas. My table is 10' long and the runner looks skimpy on it. Bet I cannot find another like it now. :( My runner is goldish in color (in the same family as my dining room side chairs - although they look tan in this photo.) I realize (after seeing your post) that it does not match my host/hostess chairs. They have a grayish/tan tone, and no gold. Oh well! I also could not find a rug large enough without having to pay a fortune, so we just have to make do.

DM, I tried everything I could think of to embed your photos here and nothing worked. Sorry. Snapfish doesn't seem to be set up to posted photos on forums. Too bad. Do you have a photobucket account? They are very easy to use and you can even share clickable thumbnails. They seem to have every kind of code you'd need to post anywhere that I've ever wanted to post to. As for you entry. I love the table! That is one gorgeous piece. It seems to have been made for your home. The table runner is awesome too, but it could limit you on art selection. Once you get a large piece of art on the wall I don't think the lack of wall color will matter. This way, as you both want, the features of your home along with the decor, will be the show piece. You won't need color on the walls to "make" the room. As for wall art, what about making your own? I know you don't like to paint walls, but.....? There's so many other ideas for DIY art too. You say you thought about horizontal wood. Why not do it as "art" instead of the whole wall? I just bought a square coffee table for three ninety nine at a local thrift store and if Restore a Finish does it's trick, I might just use the top for art. This picture is really terrible, but it has burled and parquet wood veneer. Check thrift stores for large works or art or mirrors with or with great frames. If you don't like the art just use the frame. My brain is slowing down. I need food. Good luck! It's good to "see" you again.

I probably won't be able to do anything more tonight to finish out my month as my two oldest grandchildren are spending the night tomorrow night....their parents are walking with my other daughter-in-law's March of Dimes team (Raina's Wings) early Saturday morning. I need to get some things straightened up around here for their visit. UPDATE #3 1. One birthday block (Finished and sent out) 2. One (maybe two) paper pieced lotto block (Finished one and have pieces cut for second one) 3. Take individual photos of the birthday blocks I received and continue working on my Bobbin Babes notebook. When finished, I will have one page dedicated to each member with photos of what I received from them, what I sent them, and a photo of all the blocks they received (Worked a little on my pages, but this isn't a huge priority and it will take the rest of the year to accomplish the entire project.) 4. Hound the Bobbin Babes who have already had birthdays and haven't posted photos of all their blocks yet! (I hounded them last month with very little results, I might wait another month to hound again!) 5. Wash the rest of my fabric stash (Washed a bunch, but not all, washed a bunch more...still have some to do, but getting there!) 6. Possibly do a birthday block for June (Finished!) 7. Possibly make a couple of blocks for a quilt I want to start (Cut out several pieces for this quilt and finished six blocks) Salijo