Tuesday, June 28, 2016

VINTAGE AMERICANA 4th OF JULY







Americana Tablescape


Growing up, the 4th of July was such a wonderful holiday and proudly celebrated in my home. My dad would take charge of the menu and help with cooking. Dad cooked outside while momma cooked inside. Ribs would go on the grill early while our mom was preparing vegetables and salads. For dessert there would be homemade ice cream and watermelon. Sometimes we would  spread quilts on the grass and have a picnic. It was never too hot when we were growing up. 
I wanted to set a tablescape with a nod to our American heritage "vintage Americana," using antique linens, quilts and pillows from family.


Using red, white and blue flowers








 My mom loved clothes, especially dresses. She had a lot of them and when she was finished with them she gave them to my grandmother to make quilt tops. Below are several fabrics that were once my mom's dresses. This full-size quilt was well used and I'm happy to say it has held up really well. Now I use it on occasion folded at the foot of a guest bed.  









This is the blue and white back of a quilt given to me from my mother and father-in-law to use in my son's bedroom when he was a teen. I love the almost solid look of the back.




When my in-laws were coming for a visit I was talking to a friend about plans. Since she knew my mother-in-law was a quilter she suggested we go visit one of her friends who was also a quilter. She had an entire room full of quilts for sale. I admired this one but decided not to purchase it. My mother-in-law knew I wanted it for our son's room and little did I know conversations between my friend and mother-in-law were taking place after I left the room.  My mother-in-law purchased the quilt and  my friend mailed it to her. It was gifted to me on our next visit. 




A lovely pattern
"Circle within a Circle"





Books written by Helen Rose





source google




Using an old crate



I use this crate for stacking dishes for buffets. Today I covered the crate with a pillow sham made with fabric of old American cars. This sham had a matching coverlet and curtains to match, used in our son's room as a young boy in the first house we built. Yes, you probably guessed, since I don't sew my mother-in-law came and spent a week with us and made curtains and bed ruffles for my entire home. 




Antique baskets
My mother-in-law has been downsizing for several years and gave us many of her hand- made pieces: quilts, embroidered linens and tablecloths. She has since moved to a retirement home and I was given many other items.


I love the look of a picnic




Blue and white stitching and hem on white linen  table topper




Red, white and blue embroidery



Wooden Beverage Crate


Today it holds flowers but I love filling bottles with lemonade and tea.






Picnic baskets full of tomatoes







Vintage American Eagle pillow was my sons as a   child





Pulling my red, white and blue bakeware for yummy cupcakes





Vintage baskets and linens




White and blue hydrangeas











The rabbit even gets a little patriotic ribbon







The crate will get a tea towel liner to hold breads and crackers







We will celebrate the 4th of July with a touch of "Americana." Barbecue will definitely be on the menu, along with lots of family time. So do tell, what are you doing to celebrate?
Thank you for your visit. I hope you will leave a comment so I know you stopped by. Wishing all of my fellow Americans a Happy 4th of July. God Bless America!



Linking

Wow Us Wednesdays
Wake Up Wednesday
Talk of the Town
Home and Garden Thursday
Share Your Style
Thoughts of Home on Thursday
Vintage Charm 
Home Sweet Home
Feathered Nest Friday
Simple and Sweet Fridays

27 comments:

  1. Emily, I can't think of a nicer way to celebrate the 4th than with family treasure providing the setting. It's fun for me to see your pretty quilts and the special textiles that you used for your son's room when he was young. I think your vignettes are charming. Loving all the red, white, and blue and the Americana! Happy 4th of July!

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  2. What a beautiful post, Emily. Wishing you and your family a very happy 4th of July!

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  3. Emily, I love this patriotic post. You have such beautiful hand stitched pieces, and I so enjoyed getting to see them. You put together such unique treasures to create a wonderful table. I am pinning this for future reference. Thank you for your kind comments on my blog. Have a great4th of July.

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  4. Your vintage 4th of July celebration is wonderful Emily, especially because it is full of so many special family memories! The idea of a picnic for the holiday is so USA, and your use of vintage quilts and linens is such a tribute to our American way. I know you will have a festive and meaningful 4th!
    Jenna

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  5. I love your quilt collection! Such a great way to celebrate America and all our resourceful citizens who make do with what they have to create something beautiful and new! Happy Independence Day to you!

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  6. I loved seeing your family textile treasures! I have quite a few, too -- and you have given me some great ideas on how to display them. I go through periods where I have them out all over the place, then I put them away for a while. Right now, I have a few pieces of crochet out because the snowy white seems summery to me. I just adore that square piece of red/blue embroidery on the white linen with the lace edge -- just beautiful!

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  7. What fun Emily! We will be traveling this 4th of July but DO plan on celebrating. July 3rd is our anniversary so that makes it extra special;)

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  8. I love your Independence Day decor! It's so unique, Emily. *and* VERY pretty!!!

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  9. Wow! What a celebration of vintage family heirlooms and patriotic colors and emblems! I enjoyed all you shared about your family during your growing up years. Also seeing your family items collected over the years coming together to make a great statement on your table.
    Your quilt is amazing and I especially like all the embroidery pieces. I've been thinking I'd like to do some embroidery. I did it when the kids were little and thought how wonderful it would be to do it when they got older and no one would be getting in my" stuff."Well, that didn't happen.
    I'm hoping to do a holiday post if I can. It's been busy around here. Have a wonderful fourth! Great post.

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  10. Your final composition is beautiful, Emily! The anticipation was building as you described each element and its history. I absolutely love vintage textiles, and those are quite special. Enjoy your holiday. Ours should be quiet. I want to volunteer in the #WVFlood relief, but will probably wait until the weekend or later. It is going to be a marathon, not a sprint, that's for sure. God Bless America.

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  11. Oh Emily, this is SERIOUSLY FUN and I'd love to be a guest at any holiday gathering you hosted! The cupcakes look wonderful and you may know I have a very soft spot for quilts so of course these really capture my heart!

    Sending warm wishes for a Fourth that is as happy as this post makes me!

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  12. There are so many lovely, sentimental items to look at in this post Emily. How interesting and meaningful that the quilt is from your mother's dresses. And your mil sounds like such a creative soul. I'm sure she's happy to give you her treasures, as she knows they will be well looked after.

    xxx

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  13. All of your vintage 4th of July decorations are just wonderful.
    As I was reading your post, I thought all of 4th of July should be about vintage, right? It is after all about home, family, freedom, and history.
    I love your memories about your mother's dresses becoming quilt tops.

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  14. Oh my goodness! I am in love with all of your family heirlooms. How precious. Visiting from Thoughts of Home. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  15. How beautiful! And how wonderful you were able to use pieces that have such lovely memories for you. Great post! Pinning!

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  16. I just love how you incorporated the quilt and the flowers. All of your pieces are beautiful but best of all they are welcoming.

    Happy Thoughts of Home. ;)

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  17. This is just the sweetest post with all of your family heirlooms. I was touched to hear your mother-in-law made curtains and bed ruffles for your entire home. Wishing you a wonderful Fourth! We will be hanging out and celebrating at our camp and then going to my niece's house for a pool party.

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  18. Your vintage Americana decor is wonderful. The quilts are real work of art. And you make me long for a picnic when it's been raining every day here since the beginning of June and yes, today for July 1st, it's raining!

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  19. Oh my word, you have done such an amazing job with your "Americana!" Everything looks so perfect for our Independence Day celebrations! Hope yours is safe and fun! Hugs! : - )

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  20. What lovely patriotic touches for your home! And that quilt is certainly extra special. Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm! xo Kathleen

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  21. Emily, love all your beautiful pieces which bring warm family memories and 4th of July is the time for wonderful family memories. Enjoy!
    Gloria

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  22. Truly patriotic perfection! Have a wonderful holiday weekend.

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  23. How lovely Emily. I love how that quilt is signed! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!

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  24. Emily, Your quilt collection is so special! I really love the idea of your mother's dresses being made into quilt tops by your grandmother! What a wonderful memory piece. And everything used by our kids when they were little automatically becomes precious, I think! I love your way of showing Americana, with a collection of things unique to your family. Linda

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  25. What a beautiful post, Emily! Love the story of your quilt. I have a couple that my grandmother made; and we put them on the bed every winter. They are the best!

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  26. What a special post, so wonderful to see all your treasures and know a bit about their history.
    Amalia
    xo

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  27. I'm so late…I've missed the party. Love your vintage Americana 4th of July tablescape. I hope your holiday was as special as this lovely post.

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