Saturday, April 4, 2009

Scenes from a Retro Housewife Vintage Bridal Shower....

The Farm Chicks inspired this: sprinkle-filled desert cups with the tea lights inside...believe it or not, the sprinkles were not affected by the candles burning for over three hours! I had some really good friends that helped me set up and make up the displays, I enjoyed the hours we spent together Friday getting the room set up and ready!



I scattered jump rope rhymes around with the little vintage displays....
(Click any photo to enlarge)
My old ironing board was put out for a display of fun old dishtowels, some repro-feedsacks, and other laundry items...

These little fingertip towels were found at a garage sale this summer....


An old laundry basket with folded rag rugs inside...


Used the leftover postcard invitations to scatter around on the tables...

The Lord gave us a beautiful, sunny (but cold) day!

The jump rope rhymes were too cute with the bride and groom's names inserted...I remember long recesses at elementary school learning the jump rope moves!

Salvation Army tea set...

Sam's Club bakery did a wonderful job on the cupcakes with mini rosebuds to match the teacups...got way too many and had to send 'em home with anybody who would take some!
Too much is better than too little, is my motto.

I was channeling MaryJane's Farm all the way....

This was a display my older sister brought to contribute...a gorgeous basket with one of my favorite Martha Stewart dishtowels and baking supplies and vintage baking tools, LOVED IT!


It seemed like everyone enjoyed getting into the theme of the shower, and making the displays, and talking about the linens and vintage items on display, inspired conversation was what I was hoping for...it really worked!

Autumn's new old dishes in a tote, ready to go home with her. On the top are vintage magazines and catalogs to browse through...

I enjoyed putting the displays together and letting everyone enjoy the old embroidered linens I've loved finding at garage sales and thrift stores over the years. I was thinking about it today that I've collected more embroidery than I could have ever done myself! I wonder sometimes how the women back then had the time to do all the hard work and chores and caring for large families PLUS doing fine needlework like this!










Scrabble tiles are FUN to decorate with...don't pass by those at garage sales!

The bride opens all her goodies....

This gift basket was put together by my sister who is a florist, it was a specialty basket of all things Italian/gourmet!

All the aprons I had (and a few that I borrowed) were taken and worn by all the guests who wanted them...it was so much fun!


We forgot to take pictures of all the gorgeous food! The baked potato soup was a big hit and the Olive Garden salad, too! The chicken salad sandwiches were delish.




I used vintage ad copy for guests to choose their name tags to wear...










It was all fun and the bride loved and enjoys with all of us, the vintage and retro items which made it even more enjoyable and rewarding! She was sweet this morning with a little thank you gift of six vintage cloth napkins in a beautiful mint green color linen that I can't wait to use for Easter dinner and cuter than cute bracelet made of a vintage pin (I can't wait to show you that in another post)!
So worth all the work to see Autumn happy and enjoying it. Great memories were made which is what it's all about! And now our best wishes to the bride and the groom in their new life to come (in June!) and setting up their first home and all the special joys that the first year will bring!
(Special thanks for all my "helpers", from nieces to sisters and friends, it was a big job and all your help made it possible. THANKS again!)




21 comments:

Sit A Spell said...

Looks like y'all had an amazing time! It looks great...very fun! She's a cutie...with some very cute "new" dishes too. : )

Bless...Shell

Eclectic Chic Style said...

Wow, what an incredible job!!! I'm awestruck, it all looks so fun and creative!! I love it all and the sprinkles in the dessert glasses are really cute!!
♥ Teresa

Donna said...

You did an amazing job pulling everything together! How fun! And I spotted juice glasses that I used to have back in the 70s, LOL.

Donna said...

OH! I'm SO glad it all came together for you!! I would have LOVED it!! A job Well Done sweetie!!hughugs

The Raggedy Girl said...

What a beautiful job you did. The theme was inspired and you remained so true to it. Good job and so fun to see all the photos.

Happy Sunday To You
Full of God's Blessings

from Roberta Anne

English Cottage in Georgia said...

What a FUN shower! I saw the icon for your new post... the retro housewife shower and came clicking over ASAP!
I was not disappointed...what a labor of love setting up all the pretties.
The sprinkles in the dessert cups were fabulous! Must remember that clever idea.

Farmgirl Cyn said...

Well, for heavens sake...how fun does that look??? You did an awesome job with your vintage vignettes!

Sincerely, Emily said...

What Fabulous Displays. Great Job, Great Set up. I just unpacked a few hot pad holders that my gram crocheted. I just washed them and can't wait to use them. Out with the new and in with the old (I love saying that). Emily

Kelly B said...

That is so neat!! I wish I would have thought of something like that for my shower!! :)

noble pig said...

This was such a great idea for a shower!

Laura @ 52 FLEA said...

What a great idea! Very clever and how fun to use all those goodies we've collected over the years....Thanks for sharing your day!All the best to the bride!
Be well, Laura

Parisienne Farmgirl said...

WOW!!!!
You did such an amazing job and what a lot of work to lug all that stuff over to (what looks like) the church basement. Your gal should feel very very loved and honored! You put Mary Jane to shame!

Kar said...

Looks like a great time was had by all! What a great idea for a shower. Brings back memories! :)

xxxxx

Anne Marie said...

TOO CUTE!! you did great!!

love all your special touches you did...and hey: congrats on the win for your laundry room!!

Pink Slippers said...

I LOVE IT ALL!
Wendy

Rue said...

You did a wonderful job!! I LOVED all the sweet retro displays!! I wish I could've been there, because it looked like so much fun :)

Cynthia's Cottage Design said...

*GASP*!! what a FAB-U-LOUS idea and you did a stunning job! Each vignette had my heart swooning! lol, Now I want a brand new shower and have all those things as gifts :)!!

How incredibly creative sweetie!! Fabulous, every single bit of it!!

Hugs, Cynthia xo

bee'nme said...

OK, that HAS to be the absolute cutest idea for a shower that I have ever seen!! You outdid yourself...what an eye-candy treat for a vintage soul...and how incredibly thoughtful! So gald it was a success!! I found your fabulous blog from a comment you left today over at Becky's (Sweet Cottage Dreams) and I just had to come by...SO glad I did...if it's OK I'm going to add your blog to my blogroll with pride!!! I will most definitely be back a LOT!!

Hugs & Blessings,
Becky S. at Just Bee 'n Me

Autum said...

Wow! That has got to be coolest theme for a shower I've ever seen. What a lucky bride!! Love her name, by the way : )

Jana said...

Chick seriously you are the cats pajamas!!! I absolutely died, then melted and then died again what a great Idea I could die again but I think I will just remain dizzy insted...sooo amazingly crafty and cute...im gonna have to mention your blog to some friends!!!

Anonymous said...

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