Thursday, July 3, 2008

Let Freedom Ring!

The first of earthly blessings, independence. ~ Edward Gibbon

Happy Independence day to all. Not sure about everyone else, but as with all holidays, I love this one. Red, white, and blue are always so cheery together. Since this is the case, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to create a tablescape centering around this holiday. :-)
I almost missed showcasing this tablescape. It seems as if I was running behind all the month of June and I had it in my head that I would finally have time to create something today and wouldn't you know it, it rained almost all day! It finally stopped later on this afternoon so after it cleared I ran outdoors to create and shoot a few shots. (And thankfully mother nature got all of the rain out of it's system today so tomorrow forecast is gorgeous!):-)

I integrated my very versatile linen tablecloth and napkins. (As I've said before, they'll go with every theme!) I've had the above vintage inspired American Flag around for years. Around this holiday it always makes it's way to my dining room table. I love it! See how cheery red, white, and blue is!

The above mini wheelbarrow is also one of my summer favorites. It always makes it's way to my table several times throughout the summer months. For this tablescape, I've draped another mini vintage inspired American Flag over the wheelbarrow. I added faux crystallized strawberries and then topped them with some yummy iced cupcakes that I've inserted my cupcake toppers into. Very festive!

And what tablescape is complete without candles? The above lantern normally lives on a shelf in my living room, but I thought it matched the theme of this tablescape perfectly as it is very Colonial inspired - it add a bit of Old World Charm. And it's super nice that the candle is contained so one doesn't have to worry about the candle blowing out throughout the evening. :-)

For the place settings, I layered my white shabby chic charger plate with red and blue dinner and salad plates. Mini chalkboards inscribed with our names are used as place cards.

Of course I utilized my favorite type of ribbon - gingham. It's so summery! And a 4th of July party wouldn't be complete without sparklers. I've neatly tucked them between the ribbon and the linen napkin.

The below plates are perfect for the outdoors! Although they appear to be metal enamelware plates, they are actually plastic! Very cool!

This tablescape is filled with almost all 'Somethings' Borrowed." I added the above memory boxes to add some height to the tablescape - they normally live in my living room and TV room. The faux flowers normally live in my dining room hutch. And the cute little clipboard normally resides in my kitchen. By the way, don't you love the font used on the '4th of July' sign? It's called Gigi - I love the little scrolls on the letters.Hope you enjoyed the tablescape. :-) Now we are off to the front of my 'cottage'.

While browsing Hobby Lobby last week, they had their flags on Sale which gave me the perfect reason to by enough to insert into my hanging planters. They were so inexpensive yet they've made our house so festive this week waving in the wind. :-)

Well, I should be moving right along. It's too beautiful of an evening to be cooped up indoors.
Hope everyone has a fun fourth filled with family, friends, and yummy food!