Wednesday, February 25, 2009

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.

23 comments:

Unknown said...

Kathy, This is just such a neat idea. Thanks for sharing.

momma said...

i think you are creative. this was wownderful!

momma said...

that should be "wonderful"

(note to self - ALWAYS preview comments)

Anonymous said...

DEAR KATHY,
I DID NOT REALIZE WHO YOU WERE UNTIL I WAS JUST OVER AT LAURIES AND SHE SAID YOU WERE BLOGGING NOW....NOT ONLY A BEAUTIFUL HOME BUT SUCH A CREATIVE BLOG.
I LOVE THIS GRANDMOTHER TEA TIME AND THE MEMORIES INCLUDED RIGHT DOWN TO THEIR PURSE AND HAT.
I LOVE THE GREEN DISHES...I AM TRYING TO COLLECT THEM A LITTLE AT A TIME...I HAVE A GREEN GLOBE CHANDELIER THAT WAS ACTUALLY A GAS BURNER UNTIL THEY CONVERTED IT TO ELECTRIC.....IT HAS GLASS PRISMS THAT HANG ALL THE WAY AROUND IT....I LOVE IT...IT IS MY MOST TREASURED ITEM.
YOU DID A LOVELY JOB.
HUGS
debbie
I WOULD LOVE IF YOU JOINED MY BLOG AND I WILL YOURS

Schotzy said...

How sweet, and memorable! I love the concept and the composition! Also, thnks for the input about my candles! I must remember this idea for our church! Such fun!

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

What a great idea! Those place settings are so pretty, and the memories of grandmothers are wonderful. I love the "grandmothers" already seated at the table. laurie

xinex said...

Hi Kathy! My good friend Laurie sent me here but I think I discovered you yesterday too cause I remember seeing your sweet aunt. What a great and fun idea your tablescape post is! I love all the different plates and the vintage feel of everything...Christine

MARGE said...

Love the idea. The table looks great. Thanks for sharing such a neat idea

Belinda said...

What a sweet table! I love all of the green depression glass...its a favorite of mine as well. :-) And each place setting adorned with a photo of each participant's beloved Grandmother is a terrific way to emphasize the special meaning of the theme of the table. This was so creatively thought out...great job!

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hello Kathy...

What a wonderful way to honor "Grandmothers"!!! Your table was absolutely gorgeous!!! I was trying to pick a favorite place setting...they're all so beautiful but I must admit that I lean toward the pretty lavender plates with the green depression glass!!! The appliqued placemats are gorgeous and I just love how you did the chairs...ya'll left nothing undone! Your "tea" is just so sweet and such a beautiful representation of some of the finer things in life and of "past days gone by"!!!

Also, wanted to say thank you for stopping by my little frenchy studio/office...your sweet comments are so appreciated!!!

Warmest wishes,
Chari

Elaine said...

Kathy, This sounds like a wonderful thing to do......it's all so lovely and sentimental. I love the idea of honoring our grandmothers. You've certainly given me some good ideas! Thaks for sharing.
Elaine :)

Fifi Flowers said...

VEry pretty table... looks and sounds FUN!

Gone said...

I love all of the ideas...and the table. The green depression glass looks lovely too!

I have one piece of green depression glass...very special to me, since Tom (dh) bought it for me for my birthday a couple of years ago at a garage sale!!

;-)

Anonymous said...

Now how much fun is THIS? WoW!You gave me so many ideas.Thank you.
And noThere's no way I could
ve done my Blog dress.ha.I just found out what a mini,a was.Long-----story.BUT,Here is the link.I WON this in a giveaway last wk.And for whatever reason there were only 3 entries.Here's thw link.The one this week is victorian.wowowow
http://jt-jantom.blogspot.com/2009/01/special-announcementof-new-weekly-give.html///See ya...Ann

Alisa Lucas-Brown said...

What a great idea and fabulous way to connect to the past! Love all the vintage pieces and adore mixing and matching china. Thanks for sharing this super creative idea!
Smiles,
Alisa

MichelleMarie said...

I love this idea! It looks so fun, I wish I could have been there!

Anonymous said...

Oh what a great table honoring your grandmothers!! I love it. Each place is so sweet. I'm really impressed. The chair covers are fabulous. Thanks for sharing...

Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer said...

Running late this week visiting blogs....again...wonderful table!
Hope you had a great Tablescape Thursday
Susan

Kathy's Red Door Welcome said...

Oh how lucky you are to be going to Paris in a couple of weeks. It is an enchanting place.There is a lovely place to go for tea and macaroons, it's called LaDuree. If you have a chance you must go.Will this be your first visit? I'm so excited for you.

Linda Q said...

This is wonderful, one of my favs this week. Very special! Lucky duck you going to Paris, enjoy enjoy!
Linda Q

~ ~ Ahrisha ~ ~ said...

What a lovely idea and the pictures personalise each setting even more. Honoring Grandmothers, I'm sure there were a lot of fond memories being shared at the luncheon.
~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

Bo said...

Hi Kathy...nice to meet you...I'm coming over via Laurie/BargainHuntr
and I so enjoyed your tablescaping theme. We had a similar banquet at our previous church & it was so fun. I'm adding you to my blog list so I can visit often! ;-) Bo

Glennis said...

What a wonderful idea!