Friday, April 30, 2010

The Place I Want To Be

Reading the news as of late months makes me a bit like a marshmallows... All the tragic and disasters... celebs with all the money selling their souls and partners enduring the hurt... Makes my quiet little life seem like the best place on earth to be... Yes... I am about to do a common chores like clean my modest little home and plant some wave petunias... and possible work on those grain sacks for my decks... sound somewhat boring... Oh not to me... No paparazzi or anyone hiding behind fences.... just sunshine and gentle breezes awaiting the outdoors... I am oh so truly blessed... I can share what I please on this blog with you all and enjoy many little treats offered each and every day and not always on display... My thoughts and wishes for all of you and of your lifes be of true happenings that are meaningful, not pityful... Enjoy what really matters...Enjoy who you are and what you love the most...
Ps. The above picture from People magazine... Baby Louis Bardo certainly can mend a broken heart... Look at those eyes!!!!!

Thursday, April 29, 2010

New Beginnings......

























































































































I was a very early to rise this morning....5:30 a.m. to find we had frost on the outlying yard... I can possibly see a nap lurking this afternoon... I spend almost the whole day yesterday in the outdoor spaces... I have added new little starts of life in my spaces to take on the season... I will be getting a few more today.. as we have rain in the forecast for the weekend again... I accomplished also getting the other china water fountain up and running... All the china lays freely in the bowl for easy cleaning... I only have to change the water about every 3 weeks unless it endures a messing storm and flying leaves....I add just a couple small cupful of beach to the water to keep it clean and it works well... This little fountain is placed on the front porch entrance... Tom fertilized the yard yesterday and now is spraying for weed control... He will be playing golf this afternoon as his leagues start today... Working out of doors was a very pleasant but tiring experience...The yard is taking shape and I am on the finishing touches for the season and then you watch all those precious little plants spread their wings and grow.... I will take pictures in a few weeks when the pool has been opened and all start to beautify... All this makes for a very pleasant life in the country... I want to request if you haven't already, to visit Melanie on http://mysweetsavannah.blogspot.com for a lovely dose of touches of a country good ole time... I so enjoyed her post of yesterday... so very relaxing and very,very, charming.... I am going to snag a couple of her ideas over summer... I so love it when bloggers share lovely thoughts and ideas...
The pics I have shown today are objects and small plantings I accomplished yesterday...The pic of the little tin hanging house is now home to babies to the pair of finches I posted on earlier.... The pics are certainly not lavish as I may desire.... but it is just a good old country setting....My peaceful and little home with a touch of charm........ Blessings and best wishes for a lovely day....


















































Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Pleasant Day In The Country

Today seems as though it is going to be a pleasant day in the country as the sun is out making the light frost in the outlining areas if the yard melt away... The wind has gotten much more gentle... I have dreams of getting a few more projects completed in my outdoor space.. I have a few plants I want to purchase yet to be planted but the soil is to saturated from the past days rains... I want to get flowering kale... parsley.... basil.....a few moss roses... and impatiences {pink} and I think I will be happy.... I do plant all purple and pink in my garden areas... Today will be spent trying to add some personality out of the home.. all with existing objects... I did cover some of my plantings overnight and will soon have to go out and uncover to make sure the plants don't get cooked as the days hours pass. I noticed Tom has some of our old porch posts he replaced that I may be able to use some of the good area and place some china atop... Will see if I can make that work... I would love to use more candles but usually we have a breeze that I can't keep them lit and when there isn't a breeze it is usually so hot that fire wouldn't be the feel you want.... I would like to have a wind chime in one of my trees out in front of the house... I am going to think of creating a junk one.. and search for objects that may work today... This may prove to be a bit of a challenge...but it will be fun and to be continued.. To be sure it is absolutely fascinating trying to create from nothing.. Cutlery is always fun for using outdoors..Definitely makes for nontraditional decorating... As I do love doing somewhat something unexpected... It would be easier creating if Tom were interested in more things I love but he is only interested in eating breakfast and going to the golf course every day of the week ... so things that husbands create for their wife's doesn't happen in a workshop here... I am on my own....He does a wonderful job taking care of the yard however and if I have a special project will help me... Last year he worked very hard on landscaping and I so appreciate that.... Oh well... I will spend my time creating a positive attitude and create fun vintage surroundings... It actually becomes more suited for my country living style anyways... I will just enjoy the lavishness in pictures and magazines and be totally happy... As spring marches along I know many of you will be sharing your lovely yards and gardens and will inspire me with your doors and creations.. Well sipping coffee time has ended... I need to let the caffeine absorb and get my "thinking cap" on and enter the joys of the out-of-doors... Hope you all have some time to spend feeling the warming sun on your face and the gentle breezes in your hair...
ps. The above photo is the back deck of the bedroom... I added some solar lights I purchased 75 percent off this week to the trumpet vine and will feature them in some photos in a later post as soon as I get that deck completed ...... The next few days I hope to be able to take my sewing machine outside and complete my pillows out of the cost free grain sacks...

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Less Than Perfect China





Using less than perfect china can create some lovely statements...My first passion is adding the china to outdoor garden spaces.. tucking and securing china in wreaths for a sweet treat.. A garland of old china... Garland pic above is taken from the website http://www.robomargo.com ..... you may want to stop by and visit this site... It is loaded with very interesting ideas... As I ready for a sale... I have made myself a promise to try and use some of my china in my outdoor spaces rather than take a dollar or two at a sale for it... This budget friendly task I will make work and I do love the look.... I will share more pics... I had purchased about 8 dessert plates in pink roses and had a plan on making a corner border with them in my garden space along our privacy fence for the pool.... I got them out and decided I couldn't bury them in the ground as they were just too nice so I will be serving some little treats from them in the garden instead.... The sun is shinning in our area today for the first time in several days... Hopefully the grey skies and rain have passed for a few days... I would like to get outside later today and finish a few ideas... Planting is out as the ground is very saturated.... I am looking forward to seeing more lovely outdoor spaces of others.... Some of the bloggers have already shown some outstanding spaces... I just want to come a visit and enjoy.... Have a blessed and wonderful day..... I am off to fill the cupboards and fridge.....

Monday, April 26, 2010

Listen To What Makes You Happy

Photo...Richard Foley...Cottage Living......

Listening to what makes you happy inside will help you create a beautiful space..... Many times a poor man puts us all to shame... because they always can find a way, a purpose for using objects.... there are lessons to be learned here... Stopping and tapping into our creativity can just make us plain happy... Staying true to yourself we can never go wrong.... I do know great joy and beauty can come from having lovely landscaping in our yards.. I admittedly wish I had more funds to have more lavish things for our doors... but I don't and therefore must be content to work with what I have available... I would love to have a beautiful large fountain but I will use my little hand-made fountains of china and be thankful the pumps are working again this year... I will try to add some vintage treats with objects existing here... Hopefully I will share some pics soon..The stormy weather is still here and not allowing for picture taking or completely a few things in the yard... My dreams of cast iron urns.... lovely statues... and water fountains will come reduced to small treats... I will be ever so thankful however to have a home to surround and keep me warm and dry and a yard to enjoy... as many do not have even this... Having these outdoor spaces creates the nourishing of our minds and body and spirit... Tom has worked up a garden space and planted our sweet corn for season.. Another blessing of nourishment... I have added a couple new plants I will take some pics and share at a later date... I so love plants that vine... Turning trash to treasure in our yards is a great place as mother nature takes her fury out on objects left in the elements and creates patina..Life and living it is a required taste... Don't hesitate using the unexpected in our outdoor spaces as well as indoors.. staying within reason.. like not moving a German tank or something in your yard can be fun.. Trust your own instincts and you will find your home and outdoor space will really define you... It is getting into the afternoon and the skies seem to be brightening after about 4 days of rains... Hopefully I can at least be outside to sweep off the front porch and the decks and remove all the mess from trees and blowing... Hoping for the next few days to be better and able to finish some projects.... Blessings

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Outdoor Spaces

My love of mismatched tumbles to the out of door spaces... I have stated before I would just love to add more lavish objects to this space but it is impossible to keep a table cloth even on a table most days... We are in the country and wide open... and out door items really shows weather beaten... I have some pillow chair covers I know are at least 15 years old... I have taken them in and out constantly from the elements but need a change... I am thinking I will be able to insert them into some { what other} than grain sacks.. I hope to make these work for my main table ...chairs .... and umbrella... and a swinging glider ... on my decks...as I am ready for a different look... I want to take the sewing machine out on the table and work on this project...but will have to be patient and wait on the weather to change... and try to create this with no cost... just a small amount of labor... I don't know if you saw the post Ann placed on her blog ... http://thetinrabbit.blogspot.com with the lovely linens and pillows... Oh my gosh now that's what I am talking about more lavish... It maybe would work for me for one afternoon of entertainment but beyond that would be destroyed.... Oh my... and check out that scrumptious journal she is creating.... WOW..... Do stop over and look at her very lovely blog... Mixing elegant touches, many vintage of course... vintage linens... mismatched everything... adds the perfect appeal for myself... The use of canning jars outside seems endless... vasing flowers... containers for candle lighting... drinking glasses for iced beverages... all adding charm.. Old galvanized or porcelain containers for plants and ice beverages... The lovely relaxed feeling obtained when sitting and viewing outdoor spaces... the old..old..fashion picnic or outdoor meal... is a simple reason to expect much enjoyment and pleasure... For the next few days in my area however, I will be hanging out inside... hopefully this season will soon settle in and draw friends and family together on porches and decks and backyard spaces to enjoy the seasonal gift of summer treats...

Friday, April 23, 2010

Antiques

The Best Antiques Are Old Friends.......

We were suppose to be out of town for the weekend but our plans were changed... I didn't plan anything to post but will be writing something soon... Just wanted to say have a safe and blessed weekend.... As I am posting this short note I can see our weather will be changing in the next couple hours as the sun has disappeared and the wind and chill has picked up... We are expecting some pretty heavy storms in our area... Spring storms can be somewhat concerning...






Thursday, April 22, 2010

Life Can Be A Box Of Treasures

Remember my vintage celluloid box I found hiding in my closet a few posts back... I was finding little objects of treasures to tuck into it this morning... I used a couple of my 1800's ladies of the past paper dolls I made ...aged pearls... vintage brooches... gloves a vintage collar... a bobbin with old lace.... Sometimes life can be like a box of old treasures... as it is a learning process... Finding a peace and contentment and learning not to yearn and want for excessive things becomes a real gem...Sometimes just showing the patience to see what likes ahead in our road is the best route to travel even though our modern day GPS's may tell us differently...
Tip of the day... Seeing the cup somewhat empty??? Mine is as I just finished my morning coffee... Simply by taking time to look and see... to read... and really listen... should be all the inspiration you need to fill your cup again... especially with all that surrounds us... you must be able to truly be thankful for many... many things..... I know just by peering out the window this morning... I have already added a special flavored creamer to my coffee... Please take time and enjoy your day.....

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Simple Things


I did manage to take time and pull myself away from the grain sack projects and bake a old fashion rhubarb pie for us to enjoy... This stocky hardy plant appears every spring... The rhubarb shoots their strength with the thick red stems and elephant green strong leafs... Tom and my favorites are the pies and stewed compote and "oh" the memories past of biting on a piece of it straight from the garden causing the biggest pucker faces....
Just a short note on using simple objects of old aged book pages or old documents can be evoked into many places for a different look... Old documents can be rolled up or stacked together and wrapped with a crinkle ribbon or jute string and be tucked with old reading glasses or photos for a touch of the past... If you love vintage, old penmanship ... can be so appealing to the eye and becoming a lost art.... To me it boosts the eye as I love the color and texture...

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Salvaging







Salvaging.... re'cuper'ation... in any language makes inspiration and little purses .... bourses.... bulge.... Once again sharing bits and pieces of the Grain sacks I was able to salvage... I am ever so pleased .... these are able to have new life... One I was just able to save the logo a a piece for the back... The other I simply got cut out and out came the fabric markers and more free handed french and numbers.... The one little one has Bienvenue which translates to welcome... This I will place on my front porch little bench... The only cost I will incur will be the stuffing I have to purchase at the craft store...
The piece of salvage I placed my utility room window as less than a 10 minute job.... I simply cut the logo...{ I could just salvage this part only from the bag} loaded the staple gun and 4 staples and it was hung... Instant window treatment... I rolled the end up at the bottom... secured with some crude rusty wire and added a clothespin and a tag...well did you know Blanchisserie in french sells laundry? Sure makes laundry so so distinguished doesn't it... The window was finished off with a jar with just aged book page wrapped guest soaps from all Tom's stays in motel rooms when trucking.. This area really needs to remain simple for cleaning purposes... as it is highly used... The room is off the garage entrance and the other back door is off the pool area and there is a pie'ce de toilette room and is our mud room...I think my little projects will be ending as I need to work outside ad finish getting around for a sale of some sort... I have had fun with the little saving ... no cost projects however.....



Monday, April 19, 2010

Notice Me Board




This little charmer took me all of 15 minutes to complete... The inspiration once again coming from my current issue of Jeanne d' Ark that arrived from Tracey http://frenchlarkspur.blogspot.com ..... I had the board stored cause I thought it had character and would find use for it someday... In the magazine they referred to this as a Notice board... They used a stencil but I just wrote my free hand in my regular writing with a felt tip marker as I would be using it in the home... I used some items from my crafting supplies to photograph but may change it out a bit ... The jute string holds the objects in place and is just stapled on the back for security... All the sweet presentations make for lovely conversation when friends happen to stop by.. A relaxed feel immediately takes place when entering a charming vintage home.... BIENVENUE or Welcome in English instantly becomes the feeling....


Sunday, April 18, 2010

Grain Sack Bliss






Okay, so gratefully bearing warm baked chocolate chip cookies I went to my X's home to snag yet one more grain sack...Seems fair enough right?It was just a little bribe... I believe I got the best end of the deal however..
As I promised a couple hours of my Saturday morning was spent placing a grain sack on my vintage highly used foot stool... This foot stool is very old and very used... It is just the right height for the chair I sit in most of the time.... I have thought of getting another of better quality but you know I always change my mind and continue to use this one... Actually... it was as easy to cover as baking those cookies .... the old feet come off and it is the staple gun and that's it... I remember I was a grain sack junkie many years ago also.. I startled out with burlap bags as curtains in my kitchen in my first home... I was decorating with country and prims those days but not the cut little pine cut outs... Real antique prims ... crocks ... and country kitchen stuff. Seems that love is coming around again as all things in life seem to.... I am also going to try to add a curtain to my utility room being it is a small window... I really don't mind if it looks old ... I am not sure I will even bother with a curtain rod.... All the better the appeal... I noticed some of us are moving away from the modern materials and toward vintage and hand-made... The simple appeal and comfort also confides in times of hardship... Seems the new once again decorating material may be vintage grain sacks.... The rough texture and warm palette seems to give furniture and rooms just the right amount of shabby... The grain sacks I so much desire are the french ones that may run upwards to 300.00 a piece... but you all know by now my budget and me and that's not going to happen... so my saying "Thank you" one's are working out just fine.... One's with calligraphy on can even be higher in price those I do love them... Is it possible grain anything is becoming the new incarnation of shabby Chic? Seems to me to be looking that way.
Tip... Because grain sacks are already seamed and if you are not a seamstress you could throw a pillow together real easy... It can be as simple as tied on the end or flip upward and make a flap and tied shut... A small use of the imagination and grain sacks uses are endless.