Riders Up

It's time to dust off the fancy hats, drink a few mint juleps and enjoy some delicious Southern food while watching the 143rd running of the Kentucky Derby. 

Derby tablescape. 

Derby place setting.  

The place cards are the horses names from a few years ago. I need to update those next year.  

I try to add something new to the derby table each year. This year it was the faux grass surrounded by the white fence.  I found this at Hobby Lobby in the Easter decor.   In the past I would sow Winter rye grass and have fresh grass in the center of the table to display the horse.  It's difficult to find Winter rye here in the Spring time in So. Florida so this works perfectly. 

The horse and rider is made by Breyer.  I purchased this one three years ago at Tuesday Morning. 

I painted the racing silks wine glasses last year using Sharpies. I also painted the white tiles to use as coasters. 

I used an old leather belt to make the napkin rings.  I purchased the snaffle bits from a jewelry finding supplier in Canada last year. 

The little straw hats with the red ribbon roses were used as napkin rings on previous derby tables.   The tiny red ribbon roses were hand made by my late Mother so they are very special to me. 

The traditional mint julep. 

I made this sign for a derby wreath a few years ago. 

I used my Grandmother's antique cut glass compote to hold the grass flat then added silk red roses around it. 

I found the charger cover fabric at Joann Fabrics last year. It's called Kentucky Derby Winners Circle Roses.  It's still available on the website. 

The plate stack starts with the Kentucky Derby fabric covered charger plates.  A black dinner plate goes next then the white basket weave salad plate.  The top plate is a red and white china plate with gold edging.   The pony horseshoes were purchased online a couple years ago.  They are the perfect size for a small plate.  

I painted racing silks on a serving platter and large tile using Sharpies then baked in the oven to cure.   The riding crop and helmet were added to my derby collection last year. 

A friend in North Carolina gave me some old horse show trophies that belonged to a family member a few years ago.  I took the trophies apart and saved the top portion to screw into the hay bales I found at AC Moore.  I normally use them to hold the place cards, but it's was a bit tight on the table this year using the new grass flat to hold the horse in the centerpiece. 

I purchased the velvet riding helmet and riding crop on Ebay last year.

I hand painted white tiles to use as coasters. 

Here is a better picture of the wine glasses and the other serving pieces I painted with Sharpies.

My best friend Cooper was all decked out in his Kentucky Derby scarf last year. 

I wanted a derby garden flag for the front door, but ran out of time to get one on order last year.  I hand painted a silk on cotton fabric using acrylic paint and sealed it with Mod Podge.  

I used a biscuit cutter to make pecan pie bites. 

Some of the derby food from last year.  I made country ham biscuits, cheese, shrimp cocktails, cheese straws and meatballs. 

Catherine

This post is linked to the following parties: 

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Creative Mondays Blog Hop - Claire Justine
Amaze Me Monday #212 - Dwellings - The Heart of your Home
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Foodie Friday & Everything Else - Rattlebridge Farm
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TADA! Thursday 46th Edition Link Party - Chatham Hill on the Lake
Home Sweet Home #321 - The Charm of Home
Share Your Style Link Party #116 - 21 Rosemary Lane
Home Matters Linky Party #134 - Life with Lorelai
"Anything Goes" Pink Saturday - How Sweet the Sound
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