Thursday, May 5, 2011

Simply Indigo

I've always loved the 4th of July with it's red/white/blue decorations, picnics, family gatherings and - of course - the fireworks. My birthday is the 5th of July, but very often, we have birthday cake as part of our July 4th party. As a child, my Dad convinced me that everyone in the country was shooting off fireworks to celebrate my birthday, too. How naive - how cool! Now, I have a couple of my grankids convinced of the same thing. At least no one in our family forgets my birthday!

So, that brings me to my favorite summer decorating theme - patriotic red/tans/navy. One end of my studio is full of Americana all year thru and the porch sports red/tan/navy all summer from Memorial Day until Labor Day. Several items stay out all year so I can enjoy them. One of them is this stack of wooden boxes with wool flag-themed tops in front of a ladder with old feed sacks in my studio at the cabin.

I'll take more pics this summer as I pull out my red/tan/navy junk and share. I just ran across a box of 1" strips all ready for a log cabin quilt in this line. I'm going to make it my summer project. I'm kinda surprised I found any of it cut up - it's one of the fabric collections I've hoarded!

Win a Simply Indigo charm pack and the pattern for the flag boxes by commenting here before Sunday at 10pm. Tell me what you love best about July 4th.

62 comments:

  1. My BIL celebrates his birthday on July 4th and always thought the parade was for him! Isn't that funny?

    Best part of the 4th for me is fireworks after a day spent with family.

    ReplyDelete
  2. The church picnic and the decorations!
    I decorate in blue, red, and tans for the summer also. I love the combination! I think I'll go hang my flag out!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Beautiful charm pack, love Americana! Love everything about the 4th, a very big deal in our small town. The one day of the summer when our whole family is sure to get together. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love fireworks! You know...I forgot all about this line. I think it is my all-time favorite - can't believe I forgot it!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Best thing about the 4th of July is that (1st) its a day off of work; (2nd) I can count on a fabulous seafood feast; and (3rd) remembering what our For Father's (and veterans) went through to let me be part of this wonderful and free Nation! Thanks for letting me share and for the opportunity to win!

    ReplyDelete
  6. My favorite part of the 4th is getting the family together to have a big cookout to celebrate. It's always about family, good food and acknowledging the blessings of living in this country. Love the boxes!

    ReplyDelete
  7. The fireworks - love all those great colors in the sky (could do w/o the noise!).

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love the 4th cause it was a wonderful day off (when I was working) and also a great day for family get-togethers. and then of course the fireworks. I love the Simply Indigo charms.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Your my Gal! July 4th is my favorite holiday and I always wished it was my birthday. Tomorrow I am posting some flag quilts on my ABC's in May. I love everything about the 4th, the pariotism, parades, picnics, and of course the fireworks. Hurray for the Red, White, and Blue.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love the 4th at our little summer community on Lake Erie because the local fire company brings a fire truck and the kids (and young at heart adults) get to ride on it. This has been going on for more than 50 years. Plus, there is a kids decorated bicycle parade, picnic, beach fires, . . . Too much fun to mention. Kathie L in Allentown

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love the fireworks! My favorite thing is to try to snap pictures of them! They turn out so cool! I also love hoe the fourth of July brings out our American pride! Thanks for a chance to win!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. My favorites for the 4th are: flip-flops, watermelon, a game of horse-shoes, a good grilled hot dog, time with G'ma & G'dad and the newest babies, putting flags on graves of family Vets, and the fact that the sun stays up as long as I do!

    ReplyDelete
  13. My favorite July fourth things are family picnics by a lake, cake contests, three-legged races, seeing everyone out in their yards, and fireworks. I love your fabrics.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Fireworks and bbq. Any chance for a pattern incorporating old feed sack bags like the one in your photo?

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love Americana too! My favorite part of the 4th of July celebration happens at the beginning of tha parade - when the veterans march by holding the flags I am always covered with goosebumps and get tears in my eyes. THAT's what it's all about!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Love Americana. On the 4th family gets together. I hang all of patrotic quilts on the railings. Line the walk way with flags. BBQ and visit and late in the night watch the "Big" fireworks. What freedom we have God Bless the USA

    ReplyDelete
  17. I have always loved Americana decor and my living room is totally dedicated to that theme. It has always been one of my favorite holidays ~ warm weather, cookouts and of course the FIREWORKS! How could you not love it??

    My dad served in 3 wars for this country and will turn 90 this Tues., so I am very grateful for him and all those who fought for our country's freedom.

    Thanks for entering me! Please come over and visit sometime.

    Tanya

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love everything Americana. I decorate in tan, red and blue all summer long also. Another line I have never seen. How cool it is.
    Can't wait to see your Log Cabin out of the 1" strips. It will be beautiful. Maybe some day I will win. LOL

    ReplyDelete
  19. I am grateful every day to live here in the United States, and July 4th is a celebration of the blessing. I appreciate the break from the daily push to accomplish, coupled with the opportunity to relax and enjoy special food.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love decorating for the 4th, getting together with family and remembering our veterans.

    ReplyDelete
  21. well, this is a bit of a difficult one for me because I am not American so can I go for the 1st of July instead and say I like that day because its my Wedding Anniversary!!!! And now I am in France I like the 14th July which is Bastille Day here, we usually go and watch a huge firework display over the lake....

    ReplyDelete
  22. I love americana and decorating for the 4th.
    I made a few pieces last year and need to get busy one some new ones for this year. I love flags and eagles in my pieces too.

    Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  23. Myfavorite thing about the 4th of July is the fireworks and that it is such a great family time.

    ReplyDelete
  24. The fireworks are definitely my favorite thing about July 4th. Shooting some off and watching them. Thanks for the chance to win.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Spending time with my family & fireworks are my two favorite things about July 4th.

    Enjoy your day~Becky

    ReplyDelete
  26. Freedom! (Also fireworks. (g))

    Thanks for the chance to win!

    ReplyDelete
  27. July 4th makes me proud to be an American and makes me think of all of our troops overseas and especially those who have served.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I just love getting together with the family (and whoever else happens to stop by) for a cookout and homemade ice cream. Plus I LOVE what we're celebrating with the 4th--our country's independence!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Freedom and fireworks. Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  30. My favorite part of The Fourth is to think about our freedoms, thank God for his blessings, and appreciate the men and women who have served to protect out freedoms. Watermelon is good too! The Capitol Fourth on PBS is always wonderful to watch (and listen to). Your charms are perfect for celebrating America.

    ReplyDelete
  31. We have some absolutely stunning fireworks to celebrate your birthday where I live in Florida. There is nothing like watching the show out over the water.

    ReplyDelete
  32. I love the warm weather, fireworks, and family cookouts. This year will be sad, because we lost my dear godmother to cancer on Easter morning and she was always a big part of the evening of the fireworks. She, my cousin (her daughter), and myself would meet in town to enjoy the parade, live music, and fireworks display. Been doing it together for years, because my hubby doesn't care about it and choses to stay home that evening.
    Would love to win the charms..thanks for making the opportunity available.

    ReplyDelete
  33. I love the fireworks and the freedoms we enjoy as Americans. Thanks for the change to win.

    ReplyDelete
  34. What I love best about the Fourth of July, aside from my pride in this country and all that it stands for, is celebrating my birthday. My birthday is also July 5th!!! My family always celebrated my birthday on July 4th (still do) because the extended family came to our house in "the country" to celebrate the Fourth of July. I've always considered myself a 4th of July baby for that reason. I have an extensive collection of Americana and decorate with it year round. Flags line our walkway on the 4th and all of our picnic decorating is of course Americana.

    Thanks for the chance to win this great giveaway.

    Elizabeth
    jonandbettyann@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. It's our day to celebrate being Americans! And I love the colors - I get to decorate, and cook, and hang out with the neighbors!

    ReplyDelete
  36. I love red white and blue!!! America is the best place in the world.

    ReplyDelete
  37. I have always loved the colors and have collected for years. I now have a cabin decorated in red/blue and have made many quilts to match. I have always thought it would be nice to have a 4th of July birthday....Paula

    ReplyDelete
  38. Our small Kansas town still shuts down on the 4th of July evening. We all gather at the ball fields to watch T-Ball and eat hotdogs...then the finale, the firemen shooting off fireworks. How much more Americana can you get?.......Janet

    ReplyDelete
  39. Canada Day is July 1, and with so many US visitors coming through our little Nova Scotian fishing village, of course we fly your flag beside ours all summer. I think I like the free music on the wharf and the Canada Day cake for all afterwards. What's not to love about red tan and blue - I have a pile of fat quarters in those wonderful red shirting and indigo 19th century prints sitting on my worktable and incubating into a scrappy quilt!! I'd love to add some of your fabric to it, if I can win!!

    ReplyDelete
  40. I am an American and the Fourth Of July is just about as good as it gets! I love it all. When I was a kid, I would decorate my bike in ride in the town parade.......then would enjoy the day picniking with family and friends finishing with fireworks and strawberry shortcake!!! Good memories....they keep me going....:)

    ReplyDelete
  41. My favorite is the fireworks - they always make me smile! I also love to decorate with red, white and blue. My "stuff" will be going up next week.

    Thanks for the chance to win.
    Charlotte S.

    ReplyDelete
  42. I'd love to win this treasure of red, white and blue! My favorite. Thanks for the opportunity!
    Mary

    ReplyDelete
  43. I love having cook-outs with family, friends, and neighbors. Our neighborhood has a children's parade with bicycles and wagons. Celebrate!!!! Simply Indigo is simply my favorite fabric line. I've made 2 quilts with the blue and white fabrics. I'd love to have some charms with the red and tan prints. Thanks for the chance! Happy Mother's Day!

    ReplyDelete
  44. July 2 our son entered our lives. He was adopted from Pennslvania a very r/w/b part of the country! It's also our wedding anniversary. A very special month INDEED.

    ReplyDelete
  45. The 4th has always been one of my favorite holidays. I love the fireworks of coarse but growing up on the East Coast it was always the small town celebrations and the Americana decorations that I loved. I too decorate in Red, Blue and Tan from Memorial Day through Labor Day and I even put Red, White & Blue flowers in my porch planters. Now I will remember that it is one of my favorite quilt designer's birthday along with my Mother in Law's, who's is on the 4th! Nope, never can forget that one, Thank Goodness!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Being with family, especially my grandson, and watching the fireworks and festivities through him!!! Nothing better than watermelon either!!! Would love the chance to win the charms!!!!

    Bev Eckert

    ReplyDelete
  47. Love the 4th with family+friends!
    God Bless Us One+All !

    jldouglas@wispwest.net

    ReplyDelete
  48. I love Americana theme and July 4th means I can pull it all out. History and the depth of meaning it has for our country is a favorite reading topic for me, so July 4th means I get out all my history books and flag information too. Oh and I should mention that I love it because it is finally warm enough that my flower beds look wonderful and, or course, I get as many red white and blue flowers blooming as possible. Family and BBQ too!

    ReplyDelete
  49. I love, first, the reason for the celebration, but also the excuse to pull out all my patriotic quilts!

    ReplyDelete
  50. My husband and son were born July 3. We celebrate birthdays when we are together and also the 4th. Love the fireworks and the "old fashioned" parades with bands and floats, etc.

    ReplyDelete
  51. Love July 4th for food, fireworks and fun and especially this year because we will be in Florida with Maxx and newest grand, Brody!

    ReplyDelete
  52. Of course, the chance to celebrate the freedom to live in the USA!!! Fireworks show that the best - especially with family gathered and wrapped in a nice KT quilt!!!

    ReplyDelete
  53. I love the fireworks. We have friends that live on a local river. Every year on July 3rd the local fire department sets off fireworks from a floating dock that sets directly in front of their property. You can't get any closer than that. Each year the party group grows and changes, as well as the food and drinks. It's become an annual event we always look forward to.

    ReplyDelete
  54. I love this line of fabrics. My best quilting friends made me a wallhanging out of it when my brother died. It is always on the wall. Independence Day will mean something special this year!

    ReplyDelete
  55. Decorate with Red, White, Blue and have a great cook out!

    While I was growing up and for many years when our children were younger we would travel down to visit my parents. We would drive to one of the local fireworks displays which would be held over the water.

    Then when the kids were older we stayed home and drove up to town to see the fireworks. Then one year it was raining off and on and we decided to stay home. We found out that many of our neighbors set off quite a lot of fireworks so now we sit on our back deck over a great cook out and watch the very local firework displays!

    Cynthia

    ReplyDelete
  56. Cookout is what 4th of July is about and patriotism. How cute.

    ReplyDelete
  57. I was married on the 4th of July! My birthday is the 8th of July and my Dad used to tell me the same thing, everyone was getting ready for my birthday with the fireworks...
    amazing as a kid what you believe!
    Love how everyone comes together and is patriotic and the parades! of course a good old cook out if just fun!
    maybe its how red became my favorite color!, red/white/blue favorite color combo, ok maybe tan not real white!
    Kathie

    ReplyDelete
  58. I love 4th of July--brings back memories of my grandma saying we could have fireworks IF my dad got the wheat out before the 4th. I never remember him not! Then it was fireworks, great food and as always cranking the freezer of ice cream, and hearing the story (again) of how as kids they had ice cream in the winter when the ice was on the ponds, and ate it by the fireplace because winter in Kansas in the '30's was not so nice. Something I couldn't imagine. Now my dad is 84 and the ice cream maker is electric, but I always think that wheat harvest means the 4th is right around the corner!

    ReplyDelete
  59. I love the patriotic feeling I get when talking to older soliders about their service. We are a very patriotic family and my house is testament to that I have a photo of the Vietnam wall above the fireplace. My husbands officers sword hangs in my living room above large prints of the American revolution. We try hard to teach our grandchildren the importance of patriotism and that without soldiers fighting for our freedom we would not have freedom.

    Is warm memories your next line of fabric to come out?

    ReplyDelete
  60. i love that my sisters families and ours get together for the entire day and then go to the towns fireworks. I love it.

    ReplyDelete
  61. 4th of July has always been my favorite holiday...the one where there was no family drama! LOL My favorite part is sitting outside at night and watching the fireworks being launched off of Pilot Butte which is in the middle of town!

    ReplyDelete
  62. I love the lazy summer day filled with picnics, children running and playing, having watermelon seed spitting contests, and enjoying the fireworks on your favorite picnic quilt!

    Char S.

    ReplyDelete