Theresa Loe demonstrates, from start to finish, how to create a tablecloth by laying out rolls of real sod and live flowers on the table. She also offers safety tips for using these natural materials. These ideas and more are presented in her book, The Herbal Home Companion, which is available in bookstores nationwide or from Loe's company. See Guest information, below. Loe says she likes to bring the outdoors in (figure A) and the indoors out when entertaining. Here's how: Materials: Sturdy table
Heavy plastic covering
Rolls of sod
Silk ivy garland
Floral pins
Work gloves
Scissors
Knife - Go to the local garden center and purchase as much sod as you'll need to cover your dinner table. Note: You won't know for sure whether the sod has been sprayed with pesticides, so be sure to spray the individual patches of sod thoroughly and towel-dry.
- Cover the table with plastic.
- Roll the sod out on top of the table. It's best to start with one edge and roll down to the opposite edge. Let the extra sod -- if there is any -- hang over the side for now.
- Trim the edges so the sod is flush with the table.
- Take the silk ivy garland and attach it to sides of the table with floral pins (figure B). This will hide the dirt.
- Create a tabletop landscape. Loe gets her inspiration from her garden and from nature. Be creative and have fun!
Loe's Tabletop Floral Centerpiece Take a pony pack of flowers (purchased at a garden store or nursery), cut a small hole in the grass about 2" wide and insert individual packs into each hole (figure C). Continue to place the flowers until you have a centerpiece planted in the middle of the table. Loe added a miniature birdhouse to the arrangement. Note: Plant markers make for great name cards. They can stick right in the sod (figure D). Tabletop turf can be used for almost any type party: garden party, sit-down dinner, buffet table, etc.
GUESTS :
Theresa Loe
Author
c/o Country Thyme Productions
PO Box 3090
El Segundo, CA 90245
Phone: 310-322-6026
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