Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse Go To School

It’s the First Day of Kindergarten for

Mickey and Minnie

I have been wanting to make a “1st day of school” tablescape for a few years now, and have been buying some items over the years to use in such a table. This year, with the help of my friend Susan, it finally came to be.

Mickey and Minnie Mouse Tablescapes – The Series

As those of you who follow my website may know, I have been doing a series of Mickey and Minnie Mouse Tablescapes for various holidays and occasions of the year. I set out to do this using one set of dishes (Sketch book by Zrike) and one set of flatware (Disney Mickey Mouse Icon flatware). I thought it would be fun to see how different the Tablescapes could be while using the same dishes and flatware. It has been a fun process. So far I have done the following Tablescapes – St. Patrick’s Day, Cinco de Mayo, Easter, and Memorial Day/4th of July, and now, in this post, is the newest Disney Tablescape – “Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse Go To School”. If you are interested in seeing the other Disney tablescapes, the links are below.

Mickey and Minnie Mouse

The Centerpieces

For the different holidays, I have used either a Mickey or Minnie plush, or a Mickey and Minnie porch greeter that was commercially available for the holiday. Most of the ones I have purchased have been from Hobby Lobby, Home Goods, or eBay. However, I have run into a few holidays and occasions for which I have been unable to find specific “greeters”. The first such holiday I ran into was Cinco de Mayo, and my friend Susan volunteered to make patterns and help make costumes for a Mickey and Minnie porch greeter couple who had previously been dressed for Christmas. This enabled them to become the Cinco de Mayo Minnie and Mickey on my table.

Susan was the brains, talent and expert seamstress for that transformation, and I was more of the straight seam sewer, and direction follower.

For this project new “Back to School” project, however, I was snowed under with 2 broken air conditioners in Houston in 107 degree weather, and was also in the midst of other home projects, and was about to have to abandon the “back to school tablescape” yet again. However, Susan offered to make the Mickey and Minnie “back to school” outfits Susan deserves all the credit for the adorable “back to school” outfits as I was only in charge of shopping for the fabric, giving a brief description of what I envisioned outfit wise, and finding the backpacks.

Susan had all the difficult jobs – making the very complicated patterns, tailoring the outfits to fit and very unusually proportioned Mickey and Minnie, and making the outfits. I absolutely love the way they turned out!

Accessories for Mickey and Minnie

In addition to Mickey and Minnie’s adorable school outfits, I thought they each needed a backpack and a few other items. Finding a backpack just the right size was more of a challenge than I originally anticipated, as the size needed was larger than the American Girl/ Our Generation doll size, and smaller than the backpack of a toddler. It turned out the best size was that of a backpack purse. I found Minnie’s backpack or Amazon, and Mickey’s at a Houston shopping mall on Harwin. For both backpacks, the straps needed to be cut, to make them fit correctly.

I wanted some school supplies to show in each backpack, as I remember the excitement of getting new supplies and often new back packs or book bags each year for school. Do you remember the 64 crayon box by Crayola that had a crayon sharpener in it? I remember how excited I was to get a new one of those some years! If that’s something you remember, I’d love it if you would let me know that in the comments. If you are proud of your age (and age earned wisdom) please mention the year you remember getting one of those crayon sets, and your memories of it.

Mickey and Minnie only got the 24 crayon sets, as they are only in kindergarten this year. The M&M porch sitters couldn’t quite balance with the crayons in their backpacks, so I added only the empty crayon box, some small scissors, and a pencil to each backpack. I took the crayons themselves and laid them on Mickey and Minnie’s path to school (the “path” being the table runner) as nothing says “1st day of school” better than pristine crayons with perfect tips.

For their first day of Kindergarten, Minnie carries a favorite stuffed animal. (do you recognize Liz the lizard from the Magic School Bus stories?) Minnie also carries a bouquet of flowers for her teacher.

Mickey carries a lunch box. (Guess who is pictured on the front of his lunch box?) Mickey also carries an apple for his teacher.

The fact that both Mickey and Minnie have a gift for the teacher, likely indicates that I was a teacher, and understand the encouragement that teacher appreciation can give.

The Plate Stack

The plate stack actually begins with the first item I purchased for a “back to school” table. It is a 1st day of School chalkboard for use in 1st day of school photos. I purchased these in Party City many years ago. I love that the chalkboards are shaped like an apple. I love that you can purchase chalkboards to be used in first day of school photos, which then saves you work in trying to remember the pertinent info for the photo, such as what year it was, and who the teacher was, and for families with twins or other siblings who look alike, it helps you remember which of their children is in which photo! (similar chalkboards are available for birthday, Christmas, etc. and I think they are great as well) I decided to put one chalkboard at each place so that even the parents could fill them out, in reference to one of their memorable school years. I think this would make for so interesting meal time sharing. Surprisingly, after i filled the chalkboards out for Minnie and Mickey, I realized that one side of the chalkboard is to be used for the first day, and the other side for the last day of school before summer vacation. I guess Mickey and Minnie need an end of school party as well.

The bottom layer of the “plate stack” contains the Back to School Chalkboard.

For the next layer, I would have normally used the dinner plate from the Disney Sketchbook Dishes, but the white and black dinner plate with sketches, was a little too “busy” for the busy apple chalkboards, so I subbed in a red melamine plate from the old Pier 1. This seemed to give a break to the “busyness” and I added the Disney Sketchbook salad plate on top of the red plate. (see below).

For the table, I used the Minnie Sketchbook salad plate, as well as the additional character plates below for Goofy, Mickey, Pluto, and Donald Duck.

The Place Setting

In addition to the plate stack, the Place Setting includes Disney – Mickey Icon Flatware pictured below.

Each place setting also includes a black Luminarc goblet…

and either a “Mickey” or a “Minnie” figural mug…

and a yellow cloth napkin (from Homegoods) with a wooden apple napkin ring from eBay. The top and side view of the apple napkin ring is shown above.

In the Dining Room

On the small dresser, that houses napkin rings, I placed a light up “Apple for the teacher”. I can’t remember where I bought this, but I think it was about $3 and I thought it was soooo cute!

On the window, I placed a “Welcome Back” banner. I love the chalkboard look of the banner that coordinates with the apple chalkboards and Mickey and Minnie’s outfits, but in hind sight a banner using cut out letters may have shown up better with the different lighting we have throughout the day and evening.

On the door from the dining room to the side, and back yards, I place a pencil “Welcome” sign.

On the door to the back patio, I place a Welcome to Kindergarten sign (I printed this on an empty chalkboard. The reverse side says “Be Awesome Today!” I love it when something I hang on a door or window looks good from both sides.

As the Sun sets…

One day as I was photographing the tablescape, the sun began to set. This was a gorgeous pink, peach, and blue sunset, and I’d like to share it with you.

In This Post…

To see what’s “Coming Soon”, and “Posts I Hope You Will Enjoy” please continue scrolling. Below these, you will find the “Table Details and Origins” section (where to buy tablescape items, etc.) and a “Link Parties” section. Then, at the very bottom of the post is a place to make comments. I hope you enjoyed the Back to School Disney Tablescape and watching the sunset with me.

Do you have special plans for the beginning of school, or for the rest of the fall. I’d love it if you would scroll to the bottom of this post, and in the comment section share any special plans you have for fall or any special memories you have of the 1st Day of School.

Coming Soon

Tablescapes Coming soon include a Mallard lakeside table, a mermaid table, and a few other surprises.

Also, coming soon are some skeleton posts, as we do friendly skeleton vignettes for our neighbors each week in October, and I can’t wait to share them. Speaking of skeletons, I have learned the hard way that now is the time to purchase any poseable skeletons for any indoor or outdoor scenes you want to do. I have already purchased mine from Target online, and had them shipped to me. I buy the 5′ skeletons and 36″ skeletons – the poseable ones from Hyde & Eek. I also purchase skeletons from Amazon, where I usually buy the Bonez brand. I can’t tell you how much gas I have used over the years, checking out Target and Party City for skeletons, usually finding I missed the delivery truck by a few days, and all the skeletons are gone. Ordering on line and having them delivered is sooooo much less stressful.

Posts I Hope You Will Enjoy!!

If you are into skeletons and other Halloween Decorations, you may enjoy the following posts:

Table Details and Origins

for the Disney “Mickey and Minnie Go To School Tablescape”

Disney Sketch Book Dinnerware, and Serving Pieces – Zrike Brands by R squared – Homegoods (sold at various times over the last 4 years) – also available on Ebay.  These also come in the Bamboo version, which may be better for very young children.  I think any black and white Disney pattern is a good start for anyone trying to do many different holiday tablescapes with one set of Disney dishes. 

Lighted Tree 7′ Raz Imports – Amazon

Disney Flatware – Mickey mouse icon/logo – Shop Disney.com; also available at times on eBay or Etsy – in silver finish and sometimes in gold finish 

Luminarc Black Wine Glasses – Amazon at least 5 years ago. Similar goblets on sale at Amazon today. search “Black Goblets”, or “Black Wine Glasses”

Crayons, Safety Scissors, Pencil – Amazon

Mickey small metal lunchbox – eBay – search “Mickey Mouse”

White Backpack purse – Houston shopping mall and stores on Harwin

Black Backpack with white bow – for Minnie – Walmart

Yellow Table Runner and Napkins – Homegoods – these have been available at Homegoods many different years

Mickey and Minnie Figural cups – Homegoods

Apple – for the teacher – Hobby Lobby

Apple Chalkboards for photos on the first (and last) days of school – Party City about 7 years ago – Similar chalkboards may be available at Amazon, and Hobby Lobby

Welcome Back Banner – Amazon

Wooden Apple Napkin Rings – eBay – search “Apple wooden napkin rings”

Light-Up Apple – I’m unsure what store this is from – possibly Hobby Lobby or Dollar Tree.

Pencil sign – Amazon

Red Melamine plate – from the old Pier 1

Green Chalkboards – Party City – a few years ago

Robert Kaufman School Bus Fabric used for Mickey’s school shirt, and and Minnie’s School dress – Joann Fabric

Link Parties and Blog Hops 

I often participate in Tablescape Thursday at betweennapsontheporch.net, Please click on the link to see this website of one of my favorite bloggers – I especially love her “Tablescape Thursday posts” which are all about tablescapes and her tablescape post is followed by photos and links for many other wonderful tablescapers.  Her “Metamorphosis Monday” posts, which are all about “Befores and Afters” – is another favorite of mine. 

I also often participate in Marty’s “Inspire me Tuesday” link party at “A Stroll Thru life” I hope you can check out her website and her Tuesday link party which is followed by photos and links for many other ideas from her followers.

Recently I started following Katherinescorner.com. I frequently join her TFT blog party. The TFT – Thursday Favorite Things blog hop contains links on many topics with lots of great ideas. To get there click on the preceding link and go to her website and they check out her most recent Thursday – TFT post. At the bottom of the post, you will find many of her followers’ ideas. 

Recently I discovered the Imparting Grace blog, and I am really enjoying it. To get to this website click the preceding link and look for the “Grace At Home Blog party” which begins some weeks on Thursdays.

I have also started following SouthernSunflowers.com and recently joined their “Home Matters Link Party”. It begins each week on Thursdays. I hope you can check it out.

Very Recently, I started following KarinsKottage.com, and I am loving her blog as well, and can’t wait to see her Italian Castle remodel! I often participate in her Linky Party on Wednesdays . 

I have also started following EclecticRedBarn.com and am loving the “Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop” and I am sharing on it on Wednesdays. 

In addition I really enjoy Lifeasaleowife.com and share on the “Crafty Creators Link Party” on Thursdays. 

This year, for my first time, I have joined the “Home Imagined Link Party” at Masterpiecesofmylife.com. I love this website, and the hostesses and other contributors have some great ideas! To get to the home page, use the above link and then scroll down to “Home Imagined Link Party” and click on it to get to the Link Party page. A new link party is posted every other week. 

I hope you will enjoy visiting these wonderful bloggers on the above websites as much as I do!

I also wanted to share that my “Drawing Disney” tablescape was shared recently on the “Crafty Creators” Link Party. It was such a nice surprise to see that Nikki had shared that tablescape with her many readers. Thanks Nikki! 

I have also shared recently on EsmeSalon.com. The following link, Senior Salon Pit Stop will allow you to link to Esme’s link party . I also love checking out her wonderful recipes!

Comments

I hope you enjoyed celebrating the first day of school with Mickey and Minnie. If you have a chance I would love it, if you would comment below about anything you liked in the post, and if you have any special plans for the fall or for the beginning of school. I’d also love to hear your 1st day of school memories, and if you remember the Crayola boxes with 64 crayons and a crayon sharpener? Was getting this crayon box an exciting event for you too?