Vintage French Seed Packet Garland

I have a fun little DIY today to share with you that will add a little something special to your spring vintage garden displays. I love ephemera, especially vintage bits and bobs of any illustrations and paper designs. AND vintage garden goods are another favorite, so here's a colorful garland that's not new under the sun, but will liven up wherever you display it.

Cottage Review: Garden Wheelbarrow Tablescape

Hi Friends, with Mother's Day coming up next weekend, I know many of you will be hosting a Mother's Day brunch or luncheon. I was looking through some older magazines and came upon my inspiration for this post and thought how fun this would be to create the magazine inspiration below and surprise all the moms at your table. 

This original post was from about 10 years and two houses ago. It's just as much fun today and if you don't have a wheelbarrow, no problem. A basket, crate or doughbowl would be just as perfect for a garden display tablescape.

Early Spring Garden Tray with Paperwhites

"Spring" starts making it's appearance the day after Valentine's Day around here. Moss and nests, and daffodils and crocuses start peeking out of the ground and I know that inevitably there will be 65 degree days and the promise of green grass.

Early Fall Naturals Garden Tote

We finally had some rain Saturday afternoon, 

which always causes tree debris to fall.

We headed out with our yard containers but I quickly 

got waylaid with some interesting leaves, walnuts, and acorns.

Before I knew it I grabbed one of my chippy white totes

and put together a fun gathering of natural elements.

(Ok, maybe one or two faux, that brought in a little fall color.)

Sunroom Ideas for the New House

We've been busy packing and cleaning and updating this last six months at our old house, but I've needed to allow myself some "dream" time to think and gather some inspiration for what I'd like in our next home. I loved my little sunporch; it was a place I expressed myself and had fun. It was a place I could play and decorate and change up for whatever holiday and when the mood would strike. Color and pattern and lots of vintage goodies made it my own special play room.

May 2013

(Following images can be found on my Pinterest boards,

Planked Walls and Potting Benches.)

I know that I'd love to have a bigger space in this next house, but it needs to be a sunroom. Not just a porch. It was often too cold in the winter months to fully enjoy it, so I really want this new space to be part of the house, and hopefully right off the kitchen like before.

These are inspiration pics of what I'd like to do with the shape of the room and the planked walls. I love the look of an old home, maybe added on to over time, and think that the "cathedral" or arched ceiling with planks and beams would be perfect for that vintage vibe. My first love has always been vintage garden goods, so I thought it would be fun to have the sunroom also have the look of a potting or garden shed. 

LOVE those beams! These pics are just to get an idea of the ceiling and walls. I want a white or neutral backdrop for all the vintage pieces and elements to show.

This sunroom space would serve as a sitting room,

 and a place to relax and watch tv or read.

But I want it to be rustic and garden-y, too.

And of course a chandelier or two would be perfect.

with a set of French Doors.

A cupboard for pots and vintage garden goodies...

I always love Kathleen's wonderful inspiration!

A place to display old garden tools...

  I'm the biggest fan of Mary's wonderful Potting Shed.

http://homeiswheretheboatis.net/2011/03/28/gardening-rules/

I love all the light in this wonderful greenhouse,

but wouldn't want glass roofing...

not with the hail we get in this part of the country.

and I'm hoping there's a way to include a brick or stone floor...

or maybe just a "look alike".

This may be where my big armoire in the kitchen ends up,

if so, I'd love to paint it a weathered gray.

My favorite wicker pieces from the old sunporch would be there, 

and I want to find a white slipcovered loveseat for more seating.

and make room for my potting table...

then put my little window conservatory on top.

OK, just sharing a few ideas that are rattling around in my head.

We haven't made any solid plans as yet, but it's not too soon to start dreaming.

Hope you all are having a great week...

We're making real progress at the home front.

We worked on the two decks last weekend, painting and repairs...

I only have one word for that...

YUCK!

I'll be joining in on these parties:

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Show and Share at Coastal Charm

Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

From My Front Porch to Yours

Mrs. Olson's

French Country Cottage

Jennifer Rizzo

xoxo,

Seed Packet Garden Wreath makes a come back...

I learned within the first week or two of living here at the lease house that there were just a few things that try as I might, I would not be able to "change". Not only can I not change them, I can't focus on them... I just need to try to cover them up, and disguise them as much as possible. One such area is the big flat screen TV in the Living Room, that is the first thing you see when you walk in the front door. Actually, it's not the TV itself, but all the wires at the back of it, because the Entry Hall gives full view of all the technical disadvantages I look at every day. But in reality, not too many people have to see it, and if it weren't for that big ol' honkin' TV, hubby and I would probably go bonkers, cause we park our tired behinds there every night for some escapism.

One thing I brought over early on was this vintage folding screen that I made over a few years ago. It hides a multitude of sins...namely the TV, VCR, tevo, sound system etc.

And this iron garden trellis and urn help anchor it and offer some diversion.

I had my fun little garden/flowerpot wreath up there for Easter, and today I took some more photos minus the green wool felted flying bunny, but here are the ones I snapped before Easter, when a plethora of bun buns were roaming the house.

I put this wreath together last year and it was on my old window above the sideboard in the Kitchen Hallway.

These are French Seed Packet Labels attached to tags.

(don't you love his bow tie?)

...and whitewashed flowerpots with gardener's twine tied to the grapevine wreath.

Actually, I have bunnies running around here till summer, 

when I look at them I cannot help but smile.

I have "garden fever" right now, but nowhere to "play". But I do hope to bring over a few of my potted geraniums to make it feel more homey outside over here. I "winter" my many pots of geraniums each year, but hubbs is working on packing the John Deere room, so I have orders that they've gotta go.

I've lost several big shrubs from the harsh winter, and my knock-out rose bush will have to be "amputated" to the nubbs, most of it is dead too. How about you all...did most of your flowers and plants survive? Here's to the warmer weather...70's all week, yay! 

I'll be joining in on these great weekly parties:

Share Your Style Spring Blog Hop

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Swing into Spring at DIY by Design

Blissful Whites at Timewashed

Treasure Hunt at From My Front Porch to Yours

Share Your Cup at Mrs. Olson's

Inspiration Gallery at Craftberry Bush

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home

Fabulously Creative Friday at Jennifer Rizzo

Today's Sponsor

Seaside Rose Creations