Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Frenchy Pillows

I know that I just showed you the updated (that would be "this week") sunporch, but I found some wonderful new pillows that I wanted to show you, and it just so happened they landed on the little wicker settee out there.


I have a small obsession with birdies this time of year, and when I saw this embroidered birdie pillow at one of my favorite places I had to have it...and one to go with it.


And can you see that they're burlap?
This was one of my "ohmygosh, how stinkin' cute" moments.


You know it's cute, when it's "stinkin' cute".



Taken from illustrations from the Natural History archives, 
birds and butterflies...
perfect...
and on burlap!


When I first saw these I thought they had been screen printed on,
but it's actually embroidery...
amazing.






As I predicted last week, we're heading right in to summer.
 Today is supposed to be in the upper 80's.


 Soaking up the sunshine...
and
Bird watching...



And here are a few pics from Robin's Vintage Suitcase
where I nabbed these cuties.










Santos dolls.




















cow candleholders...




and Staffordshire Rabbits


Robin always has wonderful inspiration.

and just a reminder...
if you've never checked out The Marketplace,
it's a fun way to shop Etsy for newly listed items.
Runs each Monday and Tuesday.

I'm joining in on these parties:

The Scoop at Cedar Hill Ranch
Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House
Open House at No Minimalist Here
Tips and Tutorials at Stone Gable



Hope you're having a great week.
xoxo,

The Marketplace: Etsy and Online Boutique Showcase


Hi Everyone, 
and welcome to The Marketplace!

Hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day. We celebrated on Saturday, so Sunday was spent potting a few flower containers and doing some outdoor fix-up. Spring is finally taking hold around here, so I found myself drawn to some pretty pastel offerings from the links last week. Here are a few that caught my eye:



from Vintage 541



from Oliver and Rust




from Fishtail Cottage



from Mission Jewels




from Gizmo and Hooha



Today Lucy from Bel Monili is in the sponsor spotlight. She has beautiful recycled jewelry designs and always fun and thoughtful message bracelets. Hope you'll run by Lucy's Etsy Shop and then check out her Facebook page for current promotions. Always Free Shipping










Thanks Lucy!


Time to link up your Etsy and Online Boutique items. Up to three items and please have a link to the individual item if possible. If you have a blog post about your shop or store that's great also, please just make sure these items are available for purchase. You don't have to have a blog to join in. If you do, I'd love for you to grab the image below for somewhere on your blog sidebar if possible, just to let all your readers know about this selling link party, and please be a follower of Common Ground. The more that join in, the merrier! And remember, this link is open all week.


Thanks so much for joining in,
please check back in throughout the week for new listings.


Sunday, May 12, 2013

Sentiments

I hope you're having a glorious Mother's Day,
and that you've had the opportunity to have spent time with your children.



Last night as we were having dinner with our younger daughter and her husband, in between laughter and our usual lighthearted conversation, memories of her childhood came forth. We reminisced about her youth, and ultimately landed on "parenting skill" differences between my husband's and my generation, to the current trends in parenting.


Parenting is one of the most difficult tasks that God puts before us, and most of us have had to learn as we go. When I had my girls, I was almost 23 and then 27, but unfortunately I had no skill set, nor my husband, on how to do the appropriate job. There weren't any classes to be found at our local church, no internet help videos, few books, and no support groups. As young adults we had to fend for ourselves. As much as we love our own parents, they weren't always any more gifted with wisdom for parenting than we were. Not that we came from "dysfunctional" families, but when it gets down to it, I think most families have their own bouts with dysfunction.




I've made many mistakes with our girls, but thankfully they love me in spite of my faults and lack of knowledge. They were both adults when I finally allowed God to truly lead and transform my thinking in life.

You know the old phrase from that famous movie, "Love means never having to say you're sorry"...well, for lack of a better description, it's a total lie.



Sometimes we have difficulty in putting ourselves in our children's "shoes". We lack sensitivity and insight into their precious mind's and heart's, and in our own frustration and lack of understanding we can make choices that are hurtful and damaging...without our knowing it. One thing God impressed upon me heavily was to be able to admit to my children my own mistakes, and to ask for their forgiveness for ways they might not have felt justified or have been hurt. Their "perception" of circumstances might be very different from our own as parents, but just as valid.



Saying "I'm sorry", has a way of mending broken relationships, and is a good first step to open dialogues, no matter how old your children may be. My husband and I come from a generation where punishment was sometimes physically harsh, and fostered negative feelings for years. Sometimes, an "I love you", needs to be accompanied with the words, "and if I've hurt you in any way, I'm sorry."





That's one of God's great desires for families; that we have relationship with our children and parents, and that we always take the time and effort to see things from their perspectives. The ability to be open and honest with our children is just as important as honesty between spouses. Asking God for His daily leading and guidance can make for better parenting skills and happier families.




If there are voids in your relationships with your children, for whatever reason, I know that God can heal all wounds and hurts. Our Heavenly Father is the best parent we can have. If you as adults, have fractures in your family I'm just reminding you, that God can heal those hurts, and make things right. Even if the other person is unreachable. God has powerful ways to love us, and His love conquers all.




 Our two precious daughters...
love them so much.



Sharing at these parties:

Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings
Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style


Just sharing a little from my heart today and
sending love and Mother's Day blessings,

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Be Inspired #139: Finding French Farmhouse Style

Hi Everyone, time for Be Inspired
the place to share what's been inspiring you this week.

More often than not, finding our "style" is a journey...a road that we walk as we mature, grow and evolve in our own distinct way. So many things contribute to how we decorate our homes and spaces; finances, life experience, and even our spouses affect our choices. I'm still on my path, as most of us are. We have basic elements that we can hone and tweak, but we rarely discard our basic design core. 

I've known Polly since I first started blogging. Her original blog was Sassafras Stuff. She's been a busy gal these last few years with antique spaces and now a new store. In her new blog, Georgie Emerson Vintage, Polly shared how her Dining Room has evolved over the last few years, as she searched for just the right pieces.   


 has been evolving her Dining Room to bring it to a French Farmhouse feel.


I love everything about this room...






Here are a few other links that I really enjoyed...


Christine from Little Brags shares her wonderful front porch refresh.




Ruffled Lamp Shade and tutorial from
Shanna at Restoration Redoux.




Korrie from Red Hen Home
 shared her mad furniture making skills with these two projects.









Kathleen from Charm Bracelet Diva gives us advice for our Hydrangea's care.



created this great potting bench from wood pallets.



And I'm a fan of olive oil so I loved this post about making your own infused
olive oils from  The Beachfront Home



This week's Be Inspired is sponsored by Rose of Rosekraft, who has some of the most wonderful framed bits of vintage ephemera and die cuts. Beautifully framed, they are little works of art for your decor. Hope you'll run by and take a peek.




Hope you'll join in today for the party!
Be Inspired is open to all inspiring posts. 
Please have a link back to Common Ground to be featured.


and check out these other great Friday Parties:


Have a wonderful weekend,
xoxo,



Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Be Inspired Showcase

Hi Everyone, it's Wednesday 
and time for the Be Inspired Showcase from last week's party!
Not only are these wonderful inspiration posts, but they're also the top 3 visited links. If you haven't checked them out yet, hope you'll take a minute to run by.

Elizabeth from Just Following Jesus in my Real Life
shared an afternoon with Lilac Gardens and a Farmhouse Tour



These lilacs are just gorgeous...be still my heart!





Dru from The Country Farm Home and I have had the same idea this week
 with our wicker settees and feed sack decor.








gave us a Spring Tour of her home
and shared some wonderful pieces from her grandmother. 
Don't you just love these "blues"?






Thanks so much ladies for sharing these wonderful posts full of Springtime inspiration!

Just wanted to let you know that Dee from French Bleu Vintage 
is having a Mother's Day Sale in progress today thru Sunday.
Use code MOM15 for the discount!



See you tomorrow for