Friday, May 27, 2011

Wishing Everyone A Safe And Happy Holiday

Oh my, the last couple days seem to have gotten away with me... It has rained and stormed for days ....I had a class meeting yesterday for we are planning a class get together for all of us on 70th birthdays in August....Just going to be a picnic style with lots of conversation... We have a very busy weekend ... starting today we will be heading to Elida for Tinora Boys Baseball Tournament Game.... Tomorrow will be on the road to Indy for the start of graduations parties... We have been having problems again with our Internet service ... so we went to see about other options... We opted for the Verizon Mobile Hotspot { you can take your Internet service with you when you travel } I am going to try it on the road for the first time today... because.... while we were chatting and finding out info the young lady showed us a Ipad.... that was a special for half price.... well after a small discussion... Tom and I was going to stop at the casino on the way to Indy for 2 hours but he told me if we do not stop ... he would buy me the Ipad and we would be sure to have something in our hands for the money... Boy ,only going to stop for a short period that seemed .... like a wonderful option ... so I not have a Ipad to travel with... Oh my gosh so much to learn and do.... since I am self taught doing all these things it takes me some time to " get on my thinking cap" and figure it out....
I did want to take a few moments and wish you all a peaceful...happy... and safe holiday....

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Charming and Lovely





Pictures from http://pinterest.com/

Many of us think about our outdoor spaces and decorating them very similar to out indoor spaces with the use of aged objects... Over the past years interest of bringing outdoor elements inside the home has grown and created a charming style all your own... With doing this it is wonderful because many of these objects are one of a kind... Not going to your retail store and buying the same as someone else may have in their home... I consider your own style as being very unique in elegance... and with summer comes a romance with country charm for me...Oh there is not a thing more wonderful than to rise to a sunny morning and then to enjoy your spaces at all different times of the day... I am still shopping my home hunting for some china to place in my outdoor spaces.... Can you believe I checked the 10 day forecast and for the first time this season in our area it has little pics of the sunshine on all the days with slight changes of rain... There are some storms going through Chicago as I type but I think they may slide North of us but maybe not... Last night was another night of devastation here in the states... I am just speechless when I see the coverage once again of the people who are suffering... I can just bow my head....



Seems I am right in fashion as the word "Thrift" seems to be becoming more of a household name... Never buy something just because it is a bargain however... You must love it and see it as a object of interest....



Monday, May 23, 2011

A Charming Breakfast Brunch





























Pictures are taken from http://www.thesweetestoccasion.com/

Thinking about having a couple friends over? We always seem to think lunch but why not plan a mid morning brunch between 10:30 or 11:00. Planning something charming out of doors would be a wonderful treat for all. I wanted to share with you these lovely pictures for ideas for hosting a simple brunch or entertaining...



Always a more appealing style is to go to mini... by cutting quick breads or donuts in smaller bite size pieces...Your guests will have more opportunity to sample a bite... The wonderful idea of a breakfast brunch is you can pretty much set it up ahead of time... even the night before... Cereals can be stored and sered in glass jars.. juice prepared before.. table services made ready for all to enjoy. A brunch is a combination of breakfast and lunch normally... Fruit is always appealing to the eye and to the taste...




















Just Dreaming....Again




When getting ready to retire last evening I knew many people were once again in devastation... Waking up this morning after getting up throughout the night to check things our in our area as the winds blew and was threatening... I learned that many families have once again suffered with loss of lives and personal belongings and housing...Seems we cannot complete anything with our outdoor spaces... everything I have accomplished is just a mess.... our forecast is once again filled with a week of rain.... I just continue to dream of how things should be.... long for a romantic setting... that doesn't mean I need romance in the air... I think I just long for some calmness for myself and oh so much for others that hurting so very badly.... I do not ask for riches.... I can enjoy a romantic setting so very much... by myself... with a loved one or family and friends... It is the eye candy that creates a lovely frame of mind and allows us to enjoy..... { I realize that frame of mind this morning needs a slight adjustment}Romance in my eyes can be found almost everywhere... A lovely rose bush, countryside of stunning architecture or lush landscapes, homes or outdoor spaces filled with a vintage appeal.. A special dinner is always pleasing... Mixing it can be a simple as old china and a sweet bud and a flickering candle.. it is the ambiance you are creating that makes romantic... If you love music it is a wonderful way when played very softly in the background... Make sure it is soft however so voices are not talking over it taking away from a relaxed atmosphere... The key ingredients to romantic includes terms such as,, vintage,antique, distressed, and eclectic.. incorporating the use of old, new, and just plain cheap objects of re-purpose.. I seem to always be trying to inspire myself and other that beauty can be trying to inspire myself and others that beauty can surely be accomplished on a budget... Searching magazines and books and the web to spark ideas and place my own stamp on them.... I am off to try to repair some yard items that were tossed around by the winds last night and clean up messes... Best wishes to you all and I hope all my blogging friends we not affected by last nights storms will promises of more to come... Stay safe....




Friday, May 20, 2011

Altered Art Cards


























































Sharing a short post with you this morning as I am in total bliss as the sun is shining , the birds are singing and tugging at the ground... I cannot work in the gardens but I can work on the porch and decks as the sun and breeze is drying them off.... While you may be out shopping at sales and thrifts stores and high end shoppes I have made myself content to continue to shop my house... This morning I have shared just as few of the cards I have created over the past week... Snippets and lovely papers and photos and buttons and junk jewelry were all used in a re-purpose way... My style... Old dictionary pages were used for the graduation cards... along with hand written words of inspiration... I still love hand-written as it seems so much more personal in my eyes... Little objects of the graduates accomplishments will tumble out as confetti as they open them.... I have shown you 2 graduations cards and a birthday card.... The other cards I construction very similar but different....

Re-purpose remains first on our list it seems for many of us... I really don't know of too many objects that can't be given a face lift of some kind... When creating or decorating what makes it so special is personal expression... Making it in our style.... Not being afraid to create.... As we know in the past, objects were made for a specific purpose... Many times we find something that speaks to us... It's time to be thrifty and turn what we already have into treasures as our economy is struggling and the fuel is soaring ... we need to train yourself that it doesn't have to be expensive or complicated... Having the capabilities of doing this is a wonderful stress reliever.... It also creates great conversation pieces and eye candy for the eyes... Sending wishes for a lovely weekend...














Thursday, May 19, 2011

Charm







As I post this morning it is once again raining and very hazy but warmer and Tom said it appears another storm will arrive about noon... My plants that I did accomplish and get in the ground are now turning yellow ... a sign of too much water of course.... I have plans of doing house chores at my own pace and trying to forget about the weather although a peep from the sun would be a real energizer.... I must not fret about what I cannot control and enjoy the day....

You all knew I wasn't going to let the very old book I purchased at the antique shop in Waterville alone didn't you ? Yes, it went to the rec room with me ... while creating cards it got in on the action.... There are just so many creative ideas and fun ways of embellishment... Old books... book pages, and making journals and cards are oh so rewarding for me... You can learn to use things that are of no cost... Items such as cereal boxes may be cut for covers for glue pages and covered with book pages and fancy or old documents for a cover... Be creative and re-purpose at no cost... Ask for paper at the grocery store and use the lovely brown paper in your work and for gift gifting wrapping... If you use thrift and imagination to make your projects it can be very rewarding... I save every little scrap of paper I may cut from another project and many time just use the little pieces of card stock left over for notes at the computer when I am working... I leave nothing go unused... Re- purpose is a creative and wonderful way of life... A tiny little piece of paper or even hand written note can become just the right embellishment for a piece of altered art... You will notice that I use many of these little scraps in the cards that I will show you in the next couple days I have been creating.. I am about completed with them... All these little ways can show you skills of a artist.... I especially love working with old photos.. As I always like touches and small changes up in my surroundings I will continue to use the term ... shop my house.... Many times when I change up I box a few things up and pack them away and forget I have them ... when I go searching I find I have some different treasures to change off with... I do give my objects a rest from time to time and I think that is a good thing and also good for the wallet as you just shop you own home.... It is truly amazing how desirable just a tassel or a bit of trim can enhance... All you have to do is turn to your creative side.... Buttons, buttons, buttons, some of my favorite embellishing is done with them... from the very simple to the glam... Most of the time I place my glam buttons in a pretty dish or jar as a collection on display however... It is so charming when you can turn drab to fab...

The sweet very old book in the pic above was glamorized with a piece of scrap dictionary page that I used for the cards I am creating and a old photo copied and cut out... a touch of lace... a piece of vintage brooch and a little rose bit that broke from another piece of junk jewelry... The embellishment took about 15 minutes... I also took a old silver knife and placed a junk jewelry brooch on it to display and use when cutting a piece of cake or serving cheese ball to guest... I loved the initial even though it isn't one of ours I love the extra character.... It is fun to see the extra beauty in a object .... Remember to take a extra moment to see the lovely objects and beauty of your surroundings... It is the embellishment of life.... Enjoy.....





Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Indulge

The weather man says warming on Friday for our area but the threat of rain continues... Today as yesterday is rainy but not quite a cold... Unable to spend any time out of doors, I may be feeling the need to pull some decorating books out to fill my head and heart with some inspiration.... I have been taking a few hours out of the day to do some creating of graduation and birthday cards for events we have coming yet this month... Really have enjoyed that time and may spend more time after returning home from doctors appointment early afternoon today...
I found some information on how to make documents and papers look old and aged... I have never placed them in the oven before however when doing this so will give it a try... You start with the papers and crumble them up in our hands.... Then unfold and try to make flat again... Place the paper on a cookie sheet and pur coofe or tea on top of the papers... Instant coffe or cinnamon can be used for further grunging if desired... Heat the paper till the coffee or tea starts to evaportate in a very low 200 degree temp oven... Remove from oven and finish drying on paper towels... Everyone reading my blog has to know how much I like aged papers and old book pages and working with them.. I have been adding old dictionary pages in my creating of graduation cards that I will share with you when completing...
The love of objects that may have suffered wear and tear tend to become a passion... Imperfections are reminders of life... and how they can enhance our
lives. We can enjoy livable elegance when we relax and realize most things are less than perfect in life... Combining old with new as well as young and old in humans can be a rewarding as youth can learn from age .... It is perfection when objects as well as people can blend as treasures and have and show respect... All good things we indulge in..... are passed down in everyday living... Have you ever thought it is the imperfections that make something stand out... Imperfections adds character......

Monday, May 16, 2011

Treasures

A Lovely Small Perfume Top...



A silver very small folding comb...






The comb open.... I think this would be sweet to wear as a necklace...







The smallest little photo and surround... About 2" total... Will use for altered art or maybe a old pocket watch insert...








Another small lovely book..












Age of book..












Aged lovely pages.... I may just embellish the cover of this book... Had first thought of using it for altered art but may embellish and love it for a time....


Last Friday Tom and I had a family graduation party to attend in Maumee, Ohio and I ask him if we could leave early to stop in a antique shop in Waterville... just to look for a small treat.. I wanted to share with you a couple very small treasures I did bring home with me... I of course am always looking for little treasures to change off glass cloches and little vignettes... and altered art projects... I have sorta trained my eye to spot the smallest of treasures as I am a little detail person... Stopping at antique stores I always seem to draw some sort of inspiration.One of the most creative ways to decorate is to pair unusual objects. Most shop keepers understand the importance of display, therefore allowing you to most likely come home with some ideas that may seem appealing... Mine usually included embellishment... For others they may prefer a more natural state . These differences are what creates different styles. Many times when purchasing a original higher ticket object it may be best to leave it in a natural state...but for me I usually have to throw a rhinestone brooch or some glam on it... It is a personal preference that works for ones self and being true to yourself is a good thing... When we think of a collection we think of it as being purchased over a long period of time and to me it seems that this should not be matching... Allowing my favorite of mix and match...Over the years I have a few higher ticket items and now a days just feel very comfortable tucking little treasures in for change... Small little treasures... affordable and unconditional love makes a wonderful combo...












Dreaming of Sheds





































































































Years ago I always considered a shed a man thing, but now, I have changed my thinking over the years... I was looking at sites for inspiration and dreaming and I came across a slide show gallery of garden sheds... I feel in love totally with several of them... They were found on http://www.bhg.com/ Woman have also come to have a special passion for sheds and are putting our own stamp on them... They provide work spaces for studios and gardening and relaxing in garden spaces as lovely back drops... My favorites do have a cottage charm to them and yes, garden window boxes and lace and grain sack curtains would be my choice... The one pic looked to be a old out house that the doors have been omitted or timeworn and gone has been placed over a walkway to the garden path... How clever is that? It would be a great use for a salvage small building... The one that is my very favorite is the very first picture... White chippy with the red roof and the Gothic windows to add to the charm and appeal.... Isn't it just a dream { for me anyway} The land scape was lovely also with the boxwood hedge and lovely little garden space... and of course the little picket fence... Oh my, it just makes my heart melt.. Which shed is your favorite?

We had a very cold and rainy and windy weekend... I am afraid damage has been done to some fields that farmers thought they were lucky enough to get planted.... Several inches of rain has been experienced over the weekend and our temps are in the 40"s.... This is not a good thing .... My chores that were completed this past week and my aching back will have to start over again with the process. Thank goodness all the embellishments added to the outdoor spaces are wired or tied down as I have told you in other posts... I just can't do some decorating outside like some dwelling in town can.. The elements destroy...It is a part of country living.... Hoping you all had a pleasant weekend and I will be indoors completing everyday chores today with hopes of maybe the sunshine in the forecast by Thursday... We are in for a cold and windy and wet couple more days.... sending out blessings to all....


















Saturday, May 14, 2011

Oh Happy Days





With warmer days just around the corner, it is time to get a rake, shovel, and hoe, and start tilling the soil and clean up spaces... For me , it is a anxious time and a joyous time.. summer brings romantic beauty and many lovely times of celebration. I love to re-purpose... The pics above is a sweet reminder of re-purpose..... The pic of the tub water feature was found on http://www.cepolina.com/ It makes me smile and is just fun... For city dweller, it may be some what difficult to find or have a romantic or even a outdoor space at all. I know also for many the passion may come when the streets are alive... For myself it is the peace and quiet of the countryside, filled with the old world charm with deep roots. My back yard and front yards are my walks to freedom.... The budget friendly romantic spaces of acres and not having to open that wallet for entertainment to frequently as you just sit back and enjoy the open breezes, and catch up om the ever changing views that surround you... Right now the shades of browns in the soils that will soon be taken over with the green of crops and vegetation, then to shades of amber grains....

Ever so important... your outdoor area must be as inviting as the inside of your home for full enjoyment... For myself the love of timeworn and chippy objects work wonderful as we all know the elements can destroy many items.. Cast iron is always a favorite... Through out the years I have planted many different varieties of plants... living here on our acres, I have found that just common bedding plants do the very best in our soil... Little tender plants just so not like or take kindly to the open spaces.... petunias, geraniums, vines and springri and a few impatients win out in my plantings and oh don't forget my favorite ... flowering kale.... I was unable to find the kale in our area last year but Tom found some over to Wauseon this week ... when he made the trip to play golf with friends... I have a cute short story that comes with the purchase of the kale... He came home with the kale and we were carrying on a conversation about it and he told me the owner said " it is a ORIENTAL plant and was not to be eaten "... I stopped when hearing that and had to chuckle out loud and said back to Tom... "Are you sure he didn't say it was a ORNAMENTAL plant"???? Tom quickly responded back " Oh yea, that's what he said !!!" Sometimes we find cause for smiles at the most unexpected times... This was one of them... Sometimes when I place objects in my outdoor spaces Tom will turn his head to the side and gaze at it like a young little puppy and wonder " what the heck is she doing now"? .... Most men are just somewhat practical in their decorating... Many times we find ourselves just having to chuckle at one another and all our moments... including the senior ones....

The fields and gardens are once again wet as showers came through out the night... I cannot work in outdoor spaces this morning ... so I am off to town to go to the drug store to get my meds..... Glad to see blogger is back... My goodness I missed seeing eveyones posts.... Blessings and best wishes for a lovely weekend as the graduation partys are starting in our area for the next couple weeks....