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Thursday, July 1, 2010

Tablescape Thursday: 4th of July Table

We've been having some beautiful weather this week; blue skies,sun, barely any wind (just the lightest of breezes occasionally) and temperatures in the high 70s, low 80s. Not too hot or humid and not too cool.......it's just right! I've been able to just open the windows in the house and enjoy the fresh air.

 I am also on vacation this week from my job; I always have one week of vacation in summer and I always look forward to it. Without getting too much into my "real life" (ha ha, as opposed to my "blog life", because let's face it, my blog life is much more fun !), I don't get to choose when my vacation is; I get my vacation when my boss takes his vacation.  Erik and I could probably plan to take a vacation trip or something during my time off, but in the real world, we have to keep to a somewhat tight budget and vacations are not in that budget.



But, I digress!!!! It's Thursday and I spent one of my vacation days happily setting up a Fourth of July tablescape for Tablescape Thursday. I probably should have had the post all ready to go yesterday, but I spent yesterday lounging poolside at my Mom's house, swimming and sunning!

Be sure to check in with Susan at Between Naps on the Porch and see all the other fabulous tables....I can hardly wait to look at them all!

Independence Day, commonly called the Fourth of July, celebrates the separation of the American colonies from Britian and the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. The legal separation actually occurred on July 2, 1776, when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve the resolution of independence.

The Declaration, whose principal author was Thomas Jefferson, was debated, revised slightly and approved on July 4th, 1776 and this date was shown on the Declaration of Independence, copies of which were widely publicized, which led to Americans celebrating Independence Day on the 4th instead of the 2nd of July, when the resolution had actually been passed. Most Americans also think that the Declaration was signed by everyone in Congress on July 4th itself, when in fact, most of the delegates did not sign it until August 2, 1776.

A white birthday cake, bedecked with flags seemed an appropriate centerpiece for the table.

I looked for things in the house that I already owned to put together a red, white and blue table. My Goodwill $5 tablecloth worked well under my vintage linen hemstitch place mats. I used my blue Spode transferware dishes and some other inexpensive plates also.
I used my white hotel linen monogram table runner down the center of the table and used the matching napkins. This napkin fold is called the "Rugby". I used a silver napkin ring, with a stars and stripes ribbon tied over the top.
I used some of my tins to make a red, white and blue vignette in the middle of the table. I liked that not only were the colors appropriate, but the subject matter seemed very 'American' to me.

I had two of these cute tin buckets. I lined them with white paper doilies and filled them with crunchy sesame breadsticks.

This little hobnail milk glass footed bowl I bought from Goodwill holds some individually wrapped buttercream mints; a nice after-dinner treat!



Even my ugly chandelier got some decorations; I bought these hanging stars at Michael's for about $2.
The flag banner I made adds a nice festive touch to the dining room. I had fun using formal/fancy pieces with casual pieces.
The "plate stack"......Spode blue transferware on the bottom, .49 cent Goodwill red and blue plate, red star-shaped appetizer plate, and blue-flowered bowl ($1).


A Ball canning jar with a patriotic ribbon makes a useful caddy for serving utensils.
A bird's eye view of the cover......
And of the table...............


A woven basket holds buns. I lined the basket with a blue bandanna and an extra napkin.

Have a safe and happy 4th of July celebration!
Thanks for stopping by!

18 comments:

Jacqueline said...

Nice to meet you from Tablescapes Thursday. You have a lovely blog and your table is wonderful. I love the stack of plates and that some were so inexpensive. I love how you presented the breadsticks. Is that last picture blackboard paint on the silver platter? What a clever idea. Thanks for sharing your talents.

Barbara said...

I love how you mixed and matched all these lovely vintage pieces. They look wonderful together. I don't know how you did the message on the silver tray but I love it! Happy 4th!

Tricia said...

What a great tablecloth! It looks wonderful with the placesettings you've stacked so beautifully! Very festive and inviting!

craftyles said...

I love how you've mixed in everything so beautifully. I love the tins and all the flags. The tablecloth really pulls it all together. Happy Fourth!

Donna (Timeless Settings) said...

I love your table setting, all the tin items are so cute. I like the silverware in the jar idea.

Donna

Lynn said...

Very pretty table, I love the red "P" on your napkins and the birthday cake is really fun!

Jami said...

Beautiful table! I'm a linens freak and LOVE the goodwill tablecloth!
Smiles from Texas!

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

I love this great tablescape...the prices were wonderful and it works together so great!!! Happy 4th!!!

Sweetladyelaine said...

Great tablescape! I love the way you used your peices. The tablecloth is very pretty. Thank you for sharing.

Bella's Rose Cottage said...

Hi Katie... Love your table! Love love those cute curly candles, on that creamy cake, Mmmm! So much detail and everything came together perfectly!
Bella

Bella's Rose Cottage said...

Oh, I forgot to mention... I am very jealous of the poolside relaxing! It is still cold here! If I want to swim I have to swim with the fishes!
Bella

lulumusing said...

What fun things you have pulled together to make a very playful table. Thanks, too, for reminding us of the history associated with July 4.

kayellen said...

What fun!!
Happy 4th to you too!!

Love your last phot and plate!!

xo
Kay Ellen

Americana Lady said...

Your table is bursting with Patriotism! I enjoyed your tablescape and post very much! The George Washington tin is a keeper and I had been looking for patriotic packaged candies. I too am planning a cake for Sunday...Patriotic minds think alike! Keep your flag-a-wavin', Joan

Donna said...

I love everything on this table. Great ideas!!
D

The Charm of Home said...

Very nice 4th table! Love your dishes and how you did the napkins. I also love the cake for a centerpiece. Great napkin tutorials, I know I could really use that for tablescape Thursday.
Have a great 4th!
Sherry

Marigene said...

What a great mixture of vintage pieces...your table is really cute.

The Tablescaper said...

Great table. Love the stack!

- The Tablescaper