F
or 37 years now the 8 women who make up PlayGroup Mamas have served as a sisterhood/support system that has enriched each of our lives. The group also hosts bridal and baby showers for each of our 23 children and does the heavy lifting for their weddings.
Sweet Melissa, the youngest of the PlayGroup Kids, is getting married this weekend.
Here we are, minus one who was out of town. PGM’s hosted a baby shower for my daughter-in-law, Shelly, the young lady in the center with the long hair. The group includes a university media specialist, veterinary assistant (to her husband), assistant manager of a major airport, four teachers and one passionate needleworker (that’s me).
The troops have been called up to active duty, having already pulled threads for 24 burlap table runners and worked on centerpieces. Friday and Saturday we will gather at the reception site to set up.
My major responsibility is decorating and I always start with the table settings. As you may already know, I love, love, love textiles and have an extensive “resource center” of household items.
The past few days, many hours have been spent ironing 150 napkins and once again enjoying the beauty and workmanship of these vintage treasures. Some are family pieces, though most were purchased but never bought new. Each had served on many a table before it moved to my house.  And of course, they do not all match. I think that is an advantage as the variety adds interest and elegance to the overall appearance of the dining room.
I spent a lot of my ironing time speculating and daydreaming a biography for them. Here are a few of my favorite napkins and a bit of their histories, some true and some not.
These lovelies just scream WEDDING!!! to me. Each measures only 17″, a tad short of the average dinner napkin size of 20″. But I don’t care. I always use them for weddings. Continue reading
