This and That

Time to check in with you all... there's been several things going on "in life", just nothing much that's blog worthy as far as decorating goes. I've said it before, but this is my least favorite time of the year, and even in the best of personal circumstances I tend to be uninspired and in a rut this late part of the summer. 

Violet Vignette

Just wanted to share a little Spring Happiness with you this Sunday.

I was going through some of my old Easter and Spring postcards and found a few that had Violets and Pansies; some favorite lavender Spring flowers. I had a few silk violets in a peat pot so I put together a little Easter vignette on top of my armoire in my studio.

Moss bunny in a wicker basket, a vintage fern mister, and a white matte vase with angel vine.

Last week I received a precious soldered necklace from my sweet friend Rita of Mammabellarte. It was one of those "just because" little gifts that make it especially endearing. Little Bluebirds are happily perched among roses. Rita knows how much I love Bluebirds. 

Someday I hope I can tell you how much you all mean to me,

your friendships are such a blessing.

Hope this put a little smile on your face today...

Happy Sunday, Happy Spring!

Joining in on these lovely gatherings:

Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings

Sunday at Home with Thoughts From Alice

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday from Coastal Charm

Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

The Scoop at Cedar Hill Farmhouse

Balustrade Lamps

I mentioned a week or so back that I had found some new Balustrade Lamps. I don't really have a place for them in our current house, but I have an idea where they will be in the upcoming place. This definitely falls into the category of "good things come to those who wait"

Lamps like everything else in decor follow trends, and awhile back I realized all my lamps were really needing an update. Shade shapes are a big way to update, but my living room lamps were so tall that finding new shades that didn't break the bank just weren't happening. Over here at the new house I'm going with a slightly different look, so I've been keeping my eyes open for a pair of these.

Which by the way tend to be sort of pricey. In cleaning out my stash of "stuff" in the garage I located two actual vintage porch balusters that are very similar to these lamps, they just require the work to put them together and with everything else that's going on, that just isn't happening right now.

Anyway, I saw this pair back last fall, but couldn't justify them at full price. I just happened to come back for a visit and saw one of them with a half price tag. "Do you still have the other one?" Well, yippee, they did. So now they are waiting patiently in the studio for a more permanent spot.

Perfectly sized and with a wonderful burlap shade, 

they have just the right amount of distressing.

Since I only have a place for one, 

it's at home here in the studio on my little Italianate desk.

A few subtle touches of Spring are here. My white antique birdcage, a  vintage glove box, and one of my little lambs. I do love the warm glow that this lamp gives off in the evening; perfect for a little task lighting here at the computer.

And on a completely different note, you all know we are downsizing, and I'm having to let go of some of my furniture. My red floral sofa and the matching "chair and a half" and ottoman are going to have to find a new home. I have a Pottery Barn slipcover that you can see in the lower pic. It's not a custom fit, but does give a neutral option. (I'm hoping I can find it in all the packing confusion). The chair and ottoman also have slipcovers in a neutral twill. I hesitate to even advertise them on the blog, but thought someone might, just might, be interested before they go on Craig's List.

They are in perfect condition as we hardly ever used them. The quilt and pillows aren't included but a set of fabric matching pillows are. These would have to be picked up locally,(SW Missouri) because I'm not in a place to arrange shipping. 

Here is the chair. The sofa and chair are super comfy, but the set is pretty large. I can get measurements this weekend if anyone is interested. Remember, you would have to pick these up yourselves, as we're in the middle of this massive move. 

OK, email me if you're interested, with the tag SOFA SET.

 The set with slipcovers is very reasonable. 

REALLY reasonable. 

REALLY really reasonable.

(all the rest of the furniture is sold, sorry)

Linking with:

Sunday at Home with Thoughts from Alice

Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings

Mod Mix Monday at Mod Vintage Life

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

Inspire Me Tuesdays at A Stroll Thru Life

The Scoop at Confessions of a Plate Addict

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Hope you're having a great weekend, 

tomorrow is supposed to be sunny and 70!

xoxo,

Studio Vignettes

When we moved over here to the smaller lease house I was really selective about what came with us. All my studio/office furniture came with me except for my big reading chair and ottoman, and my work desk. This "bedroom", is quite a bit smaller, and only necessary items made the cut. But I did need some fun decor to make it feel like home.

I've had several neutral suitcases strewn about the other house, so most of them landed in here. This is just one stack that's sitting on the old punched tin cupboard. My moss covered "O" that used to be on the Entry Hall mirror didn't work here at the new place so it's propped here against these old cases.

The bottom two cases are just a heavy cardboard with a celluloid handle, but their color is wonderful. I doubt that this kind of luggage lasted long back then. The gorilla from the old American Tourister luggage commercial would have destroyed it in one sitting. You have to be over 50 to remember this one...te he.

I still love this commercial after all these years, just brilliant.

Instead of the work table, my little Italianate desk from the Living Room is here. Just big enough for my birdcage, a plant and a few birdie books. We don't see many birdies, but I do hear a mourning dove "couple" each morning early. This room faces north so it has wonderful morning light.

So far, the kitty girls haven't realized there are delicious plants right here, 

I imagine it's just a matter of time.

I just recently found a new pair of wonderful chunky wooden lamps,

I'll share those soon.

This is the top of the tv armoire. More edible cat snacks up here, but it's kinda high, so they're too lazy to try to find a way up here.

I stashed my camera lens and books in the make-up case. I love these old "train cases", and have collected a few, this one has it's owner's initials in gold, "V.M.B."

Do you make up names for mysterious monogrammed items?

Victoria Mae Billingsly...

Veronica Marie Barnes...

Violet Mabel Barker...

Velma Martha Burgess...

I'll show you the rest of the room when it's presentable. Right now since I'm short on space, my ironing board is in here. Nothing like an ironing board to ruin a wonderful vintage sanctuary. 

I hate to iron...about as much as I hate to dust.

It's warm today, but back in the '40's tomorrow,

brrr...

sincerely,

Virginia Martinia Benedict

aka

joining in for these great parties:

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Inspiration Exchange at City Farmhoue

Share Your Cup with Mrs. Olson

Fabulously Creative Friday at Jennifer Rizzo

Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Sweet and Simple Friday at Rooted in Thyme

Shabbilicious Friday at Shabby Art Boutique

Mod Mix Monday at Mod Vintage Life

The Scoop at Stone Gable

Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Vintage Inspiration Friday #46: Where Bloggers Create

This is my second time participating in

 Where Bloggers Create

hosted by the lovely Karen at My Desert Cottage.

Welcome to my studio

It's the place where you can usually find me!

June 2010

(these walls really were not mustard,

but I just couldn't get a good picture in here)

I've made a few changes in here,

the one with most impact was painting the walls a creamy white.

Seeing the photos from last year prompted me to get out the paintbrush.

(I seem to have a small addiction to paint...)

This is my computer station where I do most of my blog.

My vintage worktable...

always piled with ideas for new projects

with old train cases, suitcases, and trunks full of paper supplies.

This sweet satin partial manny is my model for my jewelry photos

 for my Etsy Shop

I use "found items", and old jewelry pieces to create one of a kind key pendants.

watch pendant

Last fall I painted out a cupboard to hold jewelry supplies.

And a chippy shelf holds a variety of fun items.

"watch the birdie!"

Birds are a favorite theme in my studio

I recently put together these altered art hanging photo album pages

with vintage bird graphics.

They'll be in my Etsy store soon.

My over stuffed comfy chair with ottoman and vintage standing lamp

Every studio needs a spot to relax

An old piesafe holds other craft supplies

This is Irma, named for my paternal grandmother

who also models for me.

TV armoire

Hope you enjoyed the tour,

thanks for coming by from Where Bloggers Create

I'd love for you to come back and visit again soon.

Last week at

Vintage Inspiration Friday

we had so many wonderful posts,

Here are just a few:

Joy, the Savvycityfarmer has the Dish Gene

A Sense of Design

shares How to Stencil a Wall

Just gorgeous!!

Alison from Stuff and Nonsense shared a recent visit with

Mr. Duff and his house,

scroll down to Wed. July 6 to read about it.

And take a look at this creative display

Chicken feeder turned dish rack

from Rita at May-Days

Hope you'll join in for

Vintage Inspiration Friday

"anything vintage or vintage inspired"

please link back to this post with a button image or link in your blog post,

thanks, guys!

I'll be linking up with these great weekend parties

links on sidebar buttons

edited on 9-21-11

to join in for:

At Family Brings Joy

Have a great weekend!

love you all,