Tablescapes and Tailgates- Go Dukes!

My husband and I both graduated from James Madison University.  This year our schedule will not allow us to go back to Harrisonburg to attend a football game, but with most of the games televised or streamed live there is no reason why we can't cheer on the team and celebrate their historic 5-0 record at home!

This week we will be watching the Dukes play Towson and enjoying a cookout after the game. I am spending as much time as I can out outside these days so after 15 straight days of rain and cooler fall temperatures on the horizon, I planned this tablescape on the deck. The centerpiece is comprised of a dollar store football and purple pom pom (purple and gold are JMU colors). I cut the adhesive vinyl letters on the cheerleading horn on my Cricut using the Extreme Fonts cartridge.  The Duke dog came from TJ Maxx several years ago (I am not positive that he was supposed to be a JMU Duke, but he sure does look like our mascot!) I added a purple mum in a yellow pot and our school spirit centerpiece is complete! 

I made the tablecloth from yellow fabric and since I couldn't find napkins in a color I liked I sewed those as well.  (I will NEVER sew napkins again- the hem is too narrow!) The purple plates are from the Dollar Store. They were the perfect color and at a $1.00, they are the perfect price to take to our 30th(!) reunion tailgate next year.  If they break- no great loss! 

I would mourn the loss of these great glasses if they broke.  I found them a few years ago in a little shop in Manteo, N.C.- I wish I could remember the name of it.  There were only two and I grabbed them both.  I think they are hand decorated- so cute! 

Since I only have two JMU glasses, I bought these football shaped glasses, again from the Dollar Store.  I imagine they will come in handy during football season, especially during the Super Bowl.  

I also enjoy a good tailgate party at the stadium before the big game.  Last year we tailgated at my daughter's school for Parent's Weekend/Homecoming.  Since the game was right before Halloween I decoupaged the school's logo on a faux pumpkin painted white and used that as part of our centerpiece.  This was an easy craft that was the hit of the party.  (My other daughter has placed an order for one with her school logo for this Halloween!)

I will be linking up to Tablescape Thursday on Between Naps on the Porch.  I hope you will head over and check out the beautiful tablescapes posted there. 

Thanks for stopping by! 

~Cynthia