Teatime with Grandma

Each fall the women of Asbury United Methodist Church in Birmingham host a Tablescapes event, and for the past few years I've enjoyed working with a small group of friends to design a table. Our 2007 table honoring our grandmothers was probably my favorite.

Using things we collected from our own homes, we created a tablescape featuring old linens, mismatched place settings, antique silver flatware and vintage photographs.

This place setting featured red transferware.

Green depression glass compotes were used at each place setting.

The table was covered with a lace tablecloth, and each place setting was set on top of a hand appliqued placemat.

We each brought photographs of our grandmothers to display.

Ecru fabric held in the back with an antique brooch was draped over the chairs, and the chair backs were covered with antique hand embroidered pillow cases. Some of us brought vintage hats, handbags and gloves to to sit in the chairs. After all, our grandmothers would not have been seen without their hats and gloves.

Our centerpiece was a wrought iron tree hung with old photographs and postcards. I made cards with each of our grandmother's names that we also hung from the centerpiece. The night of the event, each of us wore a vintage black hat, and we were pleased to be joined by two special friends.

You can find more beautiful tablescapes at Between Naps on the Porch. Most of these women spend hours creating their beautiful tables just for Tablescapes Thursday. I'm envious of their creativity. For my first effort, I took the easy way out and used something I had already done.