Mikasa for you!!!

I have a big surprise for all of you who are followers of Far Above Rubies! But first, I have to show you what arrived last week. You know how much I love my Mikasa “Italian Countryside.” I have used it in many tablescapes, and was so happy when Blake from Mikasa started posting links to my tables on their Facebook page.  I was even more thrilled when they contacted me about a giveaway. I love Mikasa dinnerware and couldn’t wait to get something to review. You have probably guessed that I chose the “Brava Rooster” pattern, part of the “Gourmet Basics by Mikasa” collection! After seeing that rooster party go by with nothing to show, I “needed” something with roosters! After trying it, I knew you would love it too! I’m so excited to show you this table…so let’s go!
Don’t you just love this? I love the colors in this guy! There are different roosters on each piece. And if you notice, the cups have roosters on each side.
I thought vintage Bakelite flatware would be perfect for this breakfast table! Since spoons in the Bakelite are rare, I added the Mikasa “Italian Countryside” flatware. I will go into detail about this flatware in another post, but I can tell you it is fabulous!! It is very substantial, which is a big deal for me. The square rattan chargers are from overstock.com.
I took the plates my local fabric store to find something with an American “farm” feel, but ended up with this red and mustard toile and headed for the French countryside!
I made two runners and layered them…
I sewed tucks on each end for interest and added the fringe.
I decided to use the “fleur-de-lis” fold for the napkins for a little “french” feel and to coordinate with the “fleur-de-lis” on the topiaries.  I made these napkins 18 1/2 inches, so they had to be folded in quarters to do this fold. I used raffia to tie a rustic little bow…
Voila, a little French twist! 
The goblets are Imperial Glass “Old Williamsburg” in amber.
These topiaries actually used to be faux. I bought them at JoAnn Fabrics when I lived in Washington, D.C. in the 1990s, and they were covered with faux ivy. I stripped the faux ivy and “planted” the forms in clay pots that I had painted and glazed, then added real ivy. Now the question is how long can I keep them alive? I generally have good luck with ivy, so we’ll see! 
I gathered anything yellow I could find from the property and placed it all in this antique basket that belonged to my grandfather. 
After seeing the dinnerware, my mom brought me this guy! Isn’t he handsome? The salt and pepper belonged to my grandmother.
I also got the yellow accent plates! Don’t you love this color? They also have them in red, green and brown.
This is my rooster table, now how about yours? One lucky person will get 8 place settings of “Brava Rooster” in the round!!! Yes, I said 8 place settings! 
In order to be entered in the giveaway you need be a “follower” of Far Above Rubies, then you can add more entries by doing the following:
1. Leave a comment here to let me know you are a “follower” for one entry.
2. “Like” the MikasaDining Facebook page: www.facebook.com/mikasadining for another entry.
3. Post the name of your favorite Mikasa pattern on the Mikasa Facebook wall for another entry.
4. Visit www.mikasa.com and sign up to receive special offers and promotions from Mikasa for another entry.
5. Post about it on your sidebar for another entry.
Make sure you come back here and leave a comment letting me know which of the above you do so I can add to your entries!
Deadline for entries is midnight EST August 27. So tell your friends, get over to Facebook, and let’s get started!
I am really excited to be part of this giveaway because I really do use Mikasa and love the quality. We are seriously enjoying this dinnerware, and I am also loving the yellow. I’ll be showing several different tables with that in the next few weeks.
FYI…I am not an employee or affiliate of Lifetime Brands, and I received the Mikasa items at no cost to review. The opinions here are mine and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Lifetime.
I will be joining Susan at Tablescape Thursday over at “Between Naps on the Porch” and for the first time to “Fabric Fun Thursday” at “Cheap Chic Home,” so be sure to go by there and see all the participants!
Anita