America The Beautiful Tablescape

It all started with red buffalo check fabric. It wasn't that I wanted to sew anymore (I've been on some kind of sewing kick lately), I was really hoping to find a nice red check tablecloth, never did. So I started looking at fabric...most checks that I found were rink-a-dink, one inch or smaller, I wasn't going to give up, I wanted big buffalo check! Finally, I found what I was looking for...big three inch check in "lipstick red". It took no time at all to hem the edges and I had a tablecloth for the fourth, well, for the summer season really.
I like having hurricanes as part of the centerpiece, this time I put my cylinder vases on milk glass pedestal bowls. I snipped boxwood from the front yard and filled in around the base. The little flags put a patriotic spin on a simple look. You'll rarely see me use anything but white candles, white goes with everything, even in wax. :)

My sidekick, popped up just at the right moment:


Do you remember the coke crate flag that I made last year? It was inspired by a fresh version that one of the Pottery Barn designers did. My interpretation is smaller and using silks, you can see how to make it by clicking here.

I love how it looks and is certainly low enought to talk over.

I don't have any napkins or napkin rings that are specifically for the fourth, so I mixed and matched what I did have. Red herringbone napkins are usually for Christmas, they work well enough!

I also used a muted watermelon red too, it's got a great summer floral motif and I love the faded look (it looks well with the faded coke crate). The blue dessert plates and white dinner plates are the only thing consistant with each place setting, but I like the mix. The red napkin rings are another holiday item I bought during Christmas, it doesn't hurt to think ahead, although I wish I had bought more, they are nice and heavy and have a flat bottom so they sit real pretty, oh well.

A full shot of one of the hurricanes, the boxwood is such a great green.

My outdoor table sits 8-10, that is if I had any chairs. I have yet to find any second hand chairs that I like (I been on the hunt since this time last year), so my plan is to have Justin build me two benches intead, we've got the wood so hopefully this weekend I can sweet talk him into building me some. I don't know though, it is his birthday and Father's day weekend. I wonder if I can turn this project around and make him think it's for him, I'll have to work on that.

The cobalt blue goblets are super cheap and from Wal-mart, and the utensils are from Target, don't you just love how retro they seem?

I used my flag banner in the backdrop, if you'd like to create one for yourself, click here.

Oh, and I forgot to tell you that I used a full size coverlet under the tablecloth, I was so excited about the buffalo check, I forgot to mention it! I've used it often, and it fits perfect on the table.

Thank you for stopping by! I hope I have inspired you for an outdoor party for the fourth!


Hope you are having a great Summer, I am getting better and better everyday! I had a doctors appointment yesterday and everything is looking good.

Trying to keep up with this guy helps!

Do you like my edits? I love playing around on Picnik!

Would you like to view more photos and details of this tablescape? Take a look at my photostream by clicking here.

I am working on a patriotic project that I hope to have finished up by the weekend, I hope you'll check back.

Joining Susan