Spring and Seasonal Paper Greeting Tags

Once in a while I come across something that really inspires and intrigues me. For my birthday earlier last month my sister gave me a precious gift greeting tag instead of a card. I was totally captivated by it's vintage images and similarities to the vintage inspired art collages that were so popular during the last decade. 

Holiday Dining Room with Holly Topiaries

Hello Friends, Wow what a weekend. Filled with family and so much fun and so many blessings. I hope you all had an equally Happy Christmas. I'm playing "Christmas Catch-up" this week, trying to get in a last couple of Christmas posts for my video diary. I like to do this for myself even if it's on the back side of Christmas. I try to mix it up each year so I won't get décor lazy. A Home Tour each year gives me a visual of what I've done for Christmas décor. Hopefully, you might enjoy it too. 

Vintage Cottage Weekend and the January Cupboard

Hello friends and Happy Weekend! For a few weeks in January we have a small bit of time that's totally dedicated to warm, cozy, and comfy. After Christmas and before Valentines Day; it's a time to relax in front ot the fire, read a good book, watch a movie, and curl up in a soft warm blanket... without a ton of shopping, big meals to cook or a deadline looming on the calender.

Sharin' O' the Green

Happy St. Patty's Day to all of you! I imagine that many of us here in the U.S. have a smidge of Irish in us. I like to think so, maybe for just today. I have always enjoyed pulling a few green things together to celebrate the Holiday. So I thought I'd share these images with you for a wee bit of Irish fun and hopefully a proper Irish Blessing!

Share the Love...

I don't go "all out" for Valentine's Day. I don't think many of us do unless we have kiddos that have fun with it, and expect to see decorations for every holiday that comes along. I enjoy bringing some reds and pinks and vintage items into the decor, especially here in the Kitchen Sitting Area. That's the place where I can indulge my holiday decorating gene to the fullest. 

Vintage Valentine "Love"

I'm getting a few things together for Valentine's Day here in the Kitchen Sitting Area,

 but it's taking me a little longer this last week to get things accomplished. 

So, I thought I'd share a little Valentine's Love while I'm getting the rest of it together.

Breadboards and Spode Transferware; Snacking in Style

Even though it's been awhile since I've hosted a big Holiday/Family dinner, I do like to have some snacks and drinks ready for the kids when they roll into town. They're usually ready to gnosh on something easy until we all get together to head out for dinner. Cheeses, sausages, breads, crackers, olives and some raw veggies; easy things that don't require seating. Actually we usually just grab a napkin or plate and stand around/and over the spread.

Today, and Always...

Wishing you the most precious 

Mother's Day...

Make the most of each day with your children and family.

Create memories to carry them their lifetime.

xoxo,

Patriotic Bottles with a Vintage Vibe

Are you looking for something a little different for your July 4th decor? Something to use on your table for some Patriotic fun with individual place settings, mini flower vases, flag holders or just a little favor for your guests to take home?

I'm always on the lookout for old glass bottles at the flea or antique mall. You can usually find them for a dollar or two. Or if you don't have old bottles any clear glass bottle would work, even screw cap bottles that are now lurking in your fridge.

These are images I downloaded from one of my CD ROMs

 from Dover Publications for July 4th and Patriotic images.

These would be so unique at each place setting with a little American Flag,

or could be used also as a place card if you'd like to get even more creative

in using paper flags with each guests name written on it.

Lot's of fun in a grouping on a stack of old red/white/blue books.

I wanted to put together a few for my window ledge above the sink,

where I always have a few ivy starts growing.

There are some free Patriotic images over at The Graphics Fairy that you might want to try. I just printed mine out, cut them out, and then used Matte Mod Podge lightly to adhere them to the bottle. Be careful not to wipe them with water or get too saturated, or the colors might bleed. Mine did just a little but I liked the vintage look.

Here are links to a couple of posts I did a few years ago with Halloween Bottles and Christmas Bottles. I've also made them for Valentines Day, Easter, and Thanksgiving. A larger image could also be used on bigger bottles filled with colorful candies. I thought that layered red white and blue jelly beans in a larger apothecary jar would also be fun. There are lot's of ways to use them, and they add a easy to make, quick vintage touch to your holiday decor.

Have a great weekend!

Planting Paperwhites

One of my late Fall traditions of the last few years has been planting Paperwhites for the upcoming Holidays. Each year I look forward to their wonderful pristine white blooms filling the darkening days of Fall and Winter.  I've collected quite a few vintage "containers" in the last few years, so part of the fun of planting the bulbs is digging out my stash and deciding which ones to use.

I unbagged my bulbs and have them in an old strawberry flat with boxes that I've whitewashed. I just enjoy looking at them, while they wait their turn to be planted.

I'm going for a Nature themed Christmas this year,

so these will be just the first of that inspiration coming up.

As you can see, my helper is here.

Now if I can just keep her away from them.

I don't want chewed shoots...

A McCoy matte vase, an old chipped sugar bowl, and a new find, which is a French measuring pitcher, are readied for my first planting.

I use pea gravel as a base, then just a little potting mix. Just enough to cover the bottom 1/3 of the bulb. Too much water or soil will cause them to rot. In a day or two I'll sprinkle moss on top, which helps hold in the moisture.

They'll be here on the baker's rack for a while,

so they can have some good light to get started.

If you haven't planted them before I'll encourage you to try it,

the kiddos love them too.

You can hardly mess them up,

and I love to see them grow each day!

Hope you'll run by and check out my 

Paperwhite Pinterest Board too.

And if you haven't stopped by

The Marketplace

then just scroll down to the next post.

More of my Paperwhite Posts Here and  Here

Joining in for these parties:

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Blissful Whites at Timewashed

All Star Block Party at Red Hen Home

Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

House Party at No Minimalist Here

From My Front Porch to Yours

Primp

Stuff and Nonsense

The Charm of Home

Shabby Art Boutique

At the Picket Fence

French Country Cottage

Rooted in Thyme

Craftberry Bush

Jennifer Rizzo

My Romantic Home

xoxo,

Christmas in the Kitchen

Holiday parties...so much fun...

today we're in the kitchen, that I just finished decorating.

I'm just showing the "big picture" today,

because I have some fun detailed posts coming up.

I DO want to share the details on this great old spatterware bowl.

a couple of months ago I found it at Amy's Etsy Store

from All Things Home.

It was just what I'd been looking for for Christmas!

My tool caddy with blue Mason jars stays on the table.

It's usually filled with faux hydrangeas,

 and now some winter greenery.

Sitting on a red toile tablerunner from TJ's, purchased several years ago.

On top of the kitchen china cabinet

And on top of the fridge

Baby chandy above the sink

And a milk carrier full of paperwhites...

(more on them a little later)

More fun coming...

I'm linking up with:

At the Picket Fence for Christmas in the Kitchen

The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home

I'm about done with the decorating...

I need to relax and enjoy it!

How about you?

xoxo,