Spring Tea in the Garden with Vintage
Spring in Virginia is so pretty and I have so much enjoyed the show that Mother Nature has been putting on for the past few months. I recently enjoyed iced tea and cookies after an afternoon of working in the yard. It was nice to enjoy what is blooming while sipping on a glass of ice tea.
I’m sharing my Spring Tea in the Garden with Vintage along with a talented group of bloggers for a It’s a Spring Tea Party Blog Hop. This tour is organized by my friend Amber from Follow the Yellow Brick Home. I love Amber’s gorgeous old home and how she decorates it so beautifully with vintage style.
What better way to celebrate spring than with a tea party? I’m looking forward to seeing what spring tea party things that my friends are sharing today. You’ll find links to all of the participants at the end of this post.
If you are visiting from Rosemary & Thyme, welcome!
Spring Tea in the Garden with Vintage
This born and raised on a farm girl loves to work in the yard. I enjoy getting my hands dirty and doing most any garden chore. After working in the yard, it’s nice to relax outside with a cold glass of tea.
When I was thinking about what I wanted to share for this Spring Tea Party Blog Hop, I remembered a tea themed tablecloth that my grandmother embroidered when she was young.
Vintage Tea Party Embroidered Tablecloth
My grandmother made this tablecloth when she was a girl. Granny graduated from high school in 1932, so I would date this tablecloth to either the late 1920’s or early 1930’s. Granny was very active in 4-H, as was I, and this could have been a 4-H project.
This tablecloth was designed to be used on a card table. Each person would have a napkin to the left of their plate ready to be used from their embroidered teapot.
Aren’t the napkins darling? When the napkin is removed from the teapot, you can see the embroidered tea pot top.
Tea Party Flowers
After the tablecloth was on the table, I used one of my grandmother’s flower vases to make a quick flower arrangement for the table. My grandmother was an avid gardener and won national awards for her flower arrangements. This vase from her collection I think was originally a jar. I like the pattern in the glass and its tall cylinder shape. I used Iris and Lamb’s Ear from my yard for the arrangement.
The dark purple Iris that I used was my dad’s favorite Iris color. My Iris came from my mom’s house and many of hers were from my grandmother’s house. It’s possible that this purple Iris was originally from my grandmother’s home. You can see more of my Iris in the background of this picture.
Tea Party Glassware
Two glasses of iced tea, one for me and one for my husband, are served in my grandmother’s 1938 wedding crystal. The pattern is Villars by Rock Sharpe.
The cake server holding cookies was also my grandmother’s. My husband loves this type of cookie from Walmart and these got bonus points because they were on sale.
Setting for the Tea Party
I set this tea party on a table for two that sits on a landing below our deck. My husband often sits here at night while our dog stares into the woods hoping to sense something that he can chase. The table and chairs were a lucky find at a neighbor’s yard sale.
Here is a view of the table and the patio below it from the deck. The patio is Greenstone, a rock that used to be mined here in Lynchburg.
We really enjoy sitting on the patio where we can enjoy the beauty of my flowerbeds. The table on our patio has a built in fire pit that can also be used to hold ice and drinks. The metal chairs in the corners are by Twists & Turns. One is Virginia Tech and the other Wisconsin.
One Last Look
I wonder if my grandmother ever used this tablecloth? I like to think that she did and I can picture her sitting around the table with three friends enjoying tea and cookies just like I did.
Pin It!
I hope you enjoyed seeing my grandmother’s tablecloth and getting a peek at our backyard. I would love it if you would pin this post for other to discover.
Next on the tour is my good friend, Shelley from Calypso in the Country.
Love how you put together our family vintage pieces! Another lovely post and scene!
I think Granny would be happy to see all of her things still being enjoyed!
Paula
Paula, that beautiful tablecloth is such a treasure! It’s so unique with the way the napkin comes out to reveal the top of the teapot. I always look forward to seeing what you will pull out of your vintage collection. Your patio looks like the perfect spot to sip on tea while enjoying your gardens. I imagine you feel like you are on vacation back there!
xo
Shelley
I am so glad that my aunt gave this tablecloth to me. We love our patio and it is a great place to relax in the evening.
Paula
Oh my gosh, that tablecloth is truly amazing! I adore how the napkins tuck into the wee teapot pockets. Such a sweet scene.
Thank you, Laura! I love this tablecloth and I an imagine my grandmother as a young lady working on it and then proud of what she made.
Paula
Thanks for sharing!
You are blessed to have and enjoy your family history.
Particularly enjoyed your flowers and vase!
I am really lucky to have so many of my grandmother’s things to enjoy. I know she is looking down, happy that her things are still being used and appreciated.
Paula
Paula, As always you created a beautiful table setting. Love the table linens. Your outdoor living area is a perfect place to have a tea gathering. Happy Mother’s Day to you!
Thank you, Terrie! We really enjoy our yard and the patio is a great place to relax in the evening.
Paula
I love your garden area. It’s beautiful and I can see why you love sitting out there but OH MY GOLLY – your grandmother’s table cloth is AMAZING!!! What a treat to have it. I’ve never seen anything like that at all and would treasure it forever. Have you ever wanted to make anything like that? If you do, make it for me!!!!! I seriously cannot get over it. So stinkin’ cute!
Thank you, Cindy! When I was a kid I learned how to embroider but I haven’t done a project in years. When I was about 10 years old, I embroidered two pillow cases and entered them in the county fair. I still use them from time to time. I’m really glad that my aunt gave me this tablecloth and I know that my grandmother is looking down, happy that I’m enjoying it.
Paula
Adorable. I just love the table cloth. So precious.
Thank you, Katie! I’m lucky to have inherited this tablecloth.
Paula
Virginia,
We Southern girls think alike… iced tea in the garden as a break from gardening. Your tablecloth and outdoor setting are beautiful. I enjoy seeing your patio and the surrounding garden every time you post it.
Happy Spring Tea in the garden,
Judith
Thank you, Judith! I don’t think my mother served a single dinner when I was growing up without iced tea! It’s definitely a southern girl’s drink of choice!
Paula
Your grandmother’s tea cloth and napkins is so precious, what a sweet reminder of her! Your patio and gardens are lovely; I can tell you love your flower beds!
Thank you, Debra! I love working in the yard and especially enjoy my flower beds.
Paula
Paula, I love your charming stone patio and what a sweet table linen from your Granny! Happy to be joining you for the tea party hop this week. Blessings, Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction
Thank you, Cecilia!
Paula
What a lovely display. The tea table cover is beautiful. My grandmother did a lot of embroidery,too. Your grandmother would be so happy to her work displayed. Embroidery things are gorgeous and never go out of style.Thank you for sharing.
Marilyn
I am so happy to have some of my grandmother’s needlework. It’s a shame that doing needlework isn’t something that most people enjoy doing these days.
Paula
Your grandmother’s tablecloth is a real treasure and so pretty on your patio table. I’m sure she would be very happy to see it used and enjoyed. By the way your patio and back yard is gorgeous!
Thank you, Michelle! I love our yard and really enjoy keeping it looking nice. I like to think that my grandmother is looking down, happy that I’m enjoying her treasures.
Paula
I love your grandmother’s tablecloth. If it isn’t stained with coffee and tea, maybe she used it for her card parties.
Granny hosted bridge parties frequently. I’ll bet she did use this tablecloth for one of her parties.
Paula
Such a perfect setting for a Tea in your garden, so beautiful. I adore your wonderful table cloth, it is such a treasure.
Thank you, Marty!
Paula
Oh Paula that tablecloth from your grandmother is so special! I am in love with her creativity of adding the tea pots to hold napkins! So special. I also am in love with your garden setting…perfect for afternoon tea! Enjoyed your post!
Thank you, Kelly! I enjoy our yard so much. We live in a neighborhood on a corner lot, so our yard is pretty large. Our next door neighbor’s lot is 9 acres, so it makes my yard feel even bigger.
Paula
You are the queen of mixing family heirlooms with modern day festivities Paula! I’ve never seen a tablecloth like this but I love it so much. It’s really exciting that you have something your Granny made. The detail is just amazing! Hugs, CoCo
Thank you, CoCo! I love using my vintage things!!
Paula
You always amaze me with your vintage heirloom treasures. Wow, what an amazing heirloom your tablecloth is! It is so unique and in great shape. Your simple iris and lambs ear arrangement is just stunning in it’s simplicity. I love the views of the irises in your garden and how special to think they are family heirlooms too.
Beautiful post all around! Thank you so much for joining the hop. Enjoy your tea and garden time!
Thank you, Amber! I’ve always wanted to share my grandmother’s tea themed tablecloth and your tea party blog hop was the perfect opportunity to do so. This blog hop certainly was a pretty one!
Paula
Paula, having your grandmother’s lovely tea tablecloth is such a blessing ~ to use and share. Love the iced tea glasses and, of course, your pretty flowers in the vase. What a lovely setting at the table on your lower patio. I know exactly what you meant about your dog staring out to find something. Thank you for a sweet tea party.
I am lucky to have so many of my grandmother’s things to enjoy.
Paula
Everything looks so beautiful in your pictures. I also love sitting in my backyard and looking at my garden. I will definitely try a few of your decorating ideas next time we have a few people over for brunch.
Thank you, Sara!
Paula
Your tea party setting is gorgeous! I love how you used vintage pieces from your family to put together this lovely outdoor tea setting. I love how each piece inspires fond memories of your loved ones. That tablecloth is gorgeous, and if was my grandmother’s. I’d wonder if she ever used it too – it’s interesting how a lot of the older generations would collect gorgeous finds like that but never actually use them. I’m happy that using vintage finds has become popular so we get to see it now, even if it wasn’t used before.
I also wonder if my grandmother every used this tablecloth. She often hosted bridge parties at her home and she’d set up card tables in her living room for play. It’s possible that she used this tablecloth for one of those parties.
Paula
I love the teapot tablecloth!! I have never seen one like that!
I haven’t either, Angelina.
Paula
Such a lovely table, Paula, and that table cloth is so sweet! I remember similar items from my grandmas!
Thank you, Julie! I know my grandmother is looking down, pleased that I’m enjoying her things.
Paula
Paula, my kids love those cookies and I like them, too. The tablecloth is so sweet. I’m featuring you at Best of the Weekend tomorrow.
Thank you so much for featuring me this week! Funny story about the cookies…They were purchased after Easter on sale and they had sat in our pantry for over a week. They still were good and my husband and Sherman ate all of them in the days after I shot the pictures for this post. My husband actually likes stale cake or cookies. LOL
Paula
What a beautiful tablecloth! You must treasure your grandmother’s hand-stitched creation and wonder what thoughts were on her mind with each stitch. Love the tribute to your grandmother with your Vintage Spring tea in the garden!
Thank you, Marie! I’ve been wanting to use this tablecloth for a blog post for a long time and a spring tea party ended up being the perfect opportunity.
Paula
Such a lovely tribute to your grandmother! She was so creative and talented! ~Loni
Thank you, Loni! She really was a talented lady.
Paula
What a lovely table set up! The tea and cookies are looking delicious. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful vintage style decor idea.
So pretty – the tablecloth reminds me of one that I have from my husband’s great aunt. Thank you for sharing at Party In Your PJs!
I loved getting a peek at your pretty gardens, Paula! I used to have black (dk purple) iris, but I was going to move them and didn’t get them replanted in time:( Your grandmother’s tablecloth is so unique! I’ve never seen anything like it, with the napkins tucked in the teapots; how adorable!
Hi Paula!
Like you, I am so blessed to have many tablecloths hand embroidered by my Grandma! But I am always torn…I really want to use them, but I am so afraid of them getting stained! That one your Grandma made with the little teapot is so sweet! Aren’t we lucky!
Have a wonderful day, my friend.
Hugs,
Lynn
We are lucky to have embroidered pieces from our grandmothers. I rarely use mine for the same reason but I really should because no one is enjoying them in a drawer. 🙂
Paula