In pencil they sign their name with the date below. If they come back again - and surely they will - they will sign a new date under the old. Some guests (or their children) like to get creative and leave something extra. Flower below courtesy of our friend's 13 year old. 
Over the next few days, I have a special project of embroidering over their name and reminiscing on the pleasure of their visit. Off-white on white naturally. A subtle way to show off who's who.
One day, our tablecloth will be filled with delightful off-white letters and it will be time to start again.
Idea: courtesy of my friend Allison
Love this idea what a great way to preserve sweet memories!!
ReplyDeleteHugs~Kelly
What a great idea! I just bragged about your front door. I hope you don't mind.
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love this idea!! If you get a chance, please email me... I want to find out more about the house you are selling and the area of NC that you live in... we are thinking of moving there from TN.
ReplyDeletemichelle@vintagejunky.com
Michelle
Fabulous idea...wish I had the patience to actually do it! He he!
ReplyDeleteLove it! My grandma had one from each Christmas. What a treasure!
ReplyDeleteThat is the cutest idea. I don't think I could do the embroidery but it looks amazing :)
ReplyDeletewhat a fabulous idea! so classic and so very fun to remember dinner parties.
ReplyDeleteFANTASTIC idea! I really love the memory of fun times :o)
ReplyDeletewhat a treasure! Fabulous idea.
ReplyDeleteBravo! What a great idea...its why I blog...collective genius minds all at work!
ReplyDeleteHave a great day.
Stacy
Lovely indeed! So glad you are enjoying your blog,we are too! Chrissy
ReplyDeleteHow creative. We love filling our dinner table with guests too.
ReplyDeleteEach Friday night we try to invite a family from church over for coffee and dessert. It is a great way to get to know families better and build community.
oh I totally love this idea! it really makes it a 'family' dinner when you have the names of loved ones right under your plate ;)
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the blogging world, I just found your blog via Maria. Your house is lovely and I look forward to seeing more of it!
ReplyDeleteHi Rie. This is the most gorgeous idea. I love it!! Embroidery is one of my favourite things to do. This is a wonderful way of keeping a memory of your dinner parties as well as a lovely way of making your friends feel special and a part of your home. Just beautiful Rie, thanks for sharing. Wishing you a lovely day ~ Tina x
ReplyDeleteOh I'm in love with this idea! My grandparents were ministers and had a quilt given to them by their congregation when they retired that had the names of all the families in the church embroidered on it. It's a cherished family heirloom to this day even though we don't know who most of the families are.
ReplyDeleteFabulous idea.. I love it!
ReplyDeletemillasv
BREATHTAKING!!! I adore this idea beyond words. I will definitely be "stealing" this idea. My husband and I have been dating our wine corks for special events and save them in a jar. Makes us look like lushes but we enjoy the memories when we look at our labeling. Thank you for sharing! :)
ReplyDeleteCheers~
e
What an awesome idea. What a memory!!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love this idea. I with I had the patience for embroidery. You are truly making a family heirloom that your kids will fight over when they're grown...or they'll learn to make their own. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteI love this idea but I have one question...do you use the tablecloth while eating? And if so, how do you keep it white?!
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful tablecloth ~ I especially like the color. My niece began a similar tradition with our family at Christmas about 15 years ago. It is a burgundy damask tablecloth and each year's names are embroidered in a different color.
ReplyDeleteThis is my first time visiting your blog but I'm sure I'll be back. :)
I love this Rie. This is such a sweet idea. That is going to be a really neat family heirloom!
ReplyDeleteTake Care,
Maria
Your tablecloth is absolutely beautiful and such a treasure. What a wonderful idea. I love it also because you are preserving the handwriting of each individual. Thank you for sharing! Your home is fantastic!!!!
ReplyDeleteMakila,
ReplyDeleteYes, we really do use the white tablecloth while eating. Any spots afterwards, I just treat with stain remover. It actually stays dirty for a couple days until I finish embroidering the pencil signatures. Then, if need be, I bleach while machine washing.
Rie
I love this idea!! We are restoring an old plantation home and are set to move in this sumer. I think I might have to borrow this idea for our parties we have.
ReplyDeletehugs,
chesnye
Very charming idea....just love it. Your blog is beautiful! so glad to meet you Rie!
ReplyDelete:) Laura
kudos to Allison for a GREAT idea!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea ... it's like an old fashioned friendship quilt.
ReplyDeleteHappy memories.
I so love this idea!!!
ReplyDeleteI think this is such a wonderful, fabulous and gorgeous idea, I am going to borrow (steal) from you. It is truly one of the nicest idea ever.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog. Gorgeous home.(and family)
Chania
What a gorgeous idea! Love it!! x
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful idea! I love this!!
ReplyDeletexx-Gina
What a great idea!
ReplyDeleteYour blog is very beutiful, will come back.
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ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I'm so glad I found your blog!
ReplyDeleteSandy
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWhen my aunt died in 1990 I found a tablecloth in her closet with embroidered signatures of people who lived in the neighbohood. I was and still am not sure why this was done, but I always felt it had someting to do with WWII or the Korean War. I kept the cloth because I knew many of the people whose signatures were on the cloth. I feel as though I have a piece of history from the small town in Pa. where I was born and rasied.
ReplyDelete