Wednesday, April 23, 2014

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:


Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
Swing into Spring at DIY by Design
Blissful Whites at Timewashed
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




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Tuesday, April 22, 2014

The Marketplace: Etsy and Boutique Showcase

Hello Everyone and welcome to
 The Marketplace!

Hope you had a beautiful Easter!

Let's see some fun items you all listed from last week:


Tiny Wire Basket



Silver Compote




Sleeps With Dogs Pillow




Lavender Garden Cottage





Swanky Safari





The Zoe Bird



Link-up Guidelines
This is a linky party that is for items that are FOR SALE only. You don't have to have a blog to link up. If you have a blog post about your items that's great too, but they need to be available to purchase. Please try to link to the individual item that you are selling if possible. Please be a follower of Common Ground and if you have a blog it would be so nice for you to grab the image below to share somewhere on your blog. (not mandatory). Remember the link is up all week, so please stop back by to check out new items being listed. Thanks so much for sharing all your great items with us!

If you missed last week's link up,

OK, let's see all those fun listings from your shops,
thanks for coming by and joining in!
Be sure and come back by later int the week,

   
   

Today's Sponsor




Sunday, April 20, 2014

Thoughts this Easter...

I've been saving this for Easter, and actually, I'm not finished yet with this small statue. It still needs to be sealed with a spray clear poly or sealant. I had it on top of my craft cupboard in my old studio along with some vintage religious prints.


I found it quite a few years ago, and it is from Mexico. It had the brightly colored robes and somewhat "touristy" look to it. I'm not Catholic, but I still love the presence of religious icons and crucifixes to cause us to be mindful of His great sacrifice, love, and care. And when I began my collection of vintage Jesus prints, this statue remained with them.




When I started packing the studio, I knew that I wanted a more subdued look, but hesitated to change the original. I knew if I was going to keep this, it would need to be more calming to the eye and spirit. So a mix of chalk paint with a wash of burnt umber was in order. Please don't be offended by my decision to "makeover" Jesus. I find this much more contemplative and soothing in the grays. 




This is an old postcard from Jerusalem that I've had for years. The frame is chipped and cracked, but is original with the inscribed card. I used Google translate and found that it's German: Ev. Erlöserkirche, which means Church of the Redeemer. I found it in an old musty antique shop in the very oldest part of St. Louis. 




I thought about the scripture that I wanted to share, and over and over the account of the two women in Matthew, who came to the tomb to finish the burial rituals, came to mind. An angel met them and told them not to be afraid, that "He has Risen". They were given the charge to go tell everyone what they had seen and heard. Never underestimate the spiritual power of a group of women!



And then on the way, the two Mary's met Jesus on the path.
He is still with each of us today,
 abiding in our hearts if we will only invite Him in. 

Be blessed this Easter,
much love to all my many Sisters in Christ,

joining in for Grey Dey at Petite Michelle Louise

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Jeanne d' Arc Inspired Easter

Hope you're having a beautiful Saturday, the forecast is sunny and warm, so I know there will be lot's of outside Easter Egg Hunts tomorrow for the littles. It's looking like "perfect" weather. I wanted to share these wonderful images that I took last year as inspiration from the Jeanne d'arc Easter Book. I found the decoupaged eggs at a friend's booth and just had to use them for my Easter Vignette in the Dining Room, last Easter.




I'll let the pics speak for themselves,
 and I have links to the original posts below.







































Just wanted to share these with you once again...





If you'd like to see more inspiration from the original posts
 then Click Here and Here

Happy Easter Weekend,

Friday, April 18, 2014

Be Inspired #185

Hi Everyone, hard to believe that Easter is finally here!

Spring is taking it's sweet time about staying put; freezing temps and a slow start on things budding out around here. I'm so glad Easter wasn't in March this year because we'd all have been wearing our Eskimo Coats. For the last several years I've had an Easter Party, so I want to continue the tradition. The Linky today is open to share previous Spring or Easter decor and Inspiration. So if you have a favorite project from last year, please feel free to share it again!

Here are some wonderful links from last week:



from Susan at Evelyn and Rose



Oh, these faces, Bunny Love from 
Kerryanne at Shabby Art Boutique



 Flowers and a wooden carrier. I can't get enough Daffodils this year,
from Elizabeth at Just Following Jesus in My Real Life




Too stinkin' cute, here's the Easter Bunny for Reals 
from Christine at Little Brags



You need to see how this Birdcage Paint Makeover  started,
from Love My Simple Home




at Our Home Far Away from Home





These girlies are ready for Spring with their made-by-momma
Ruffle Dresses Three Different Ways
Bobbie from I Am Only One Woman



and you'll need to see these bunnies up close.
from Jenna at The Painted Apron


thanks so much gals!


In case you missed what I've been up to this week.
I added some new old pillows in the Living Room,
and created a Easter Vignette with Violets in the Studio.



Party Guidelines

  • This week, link up to three of your favorite Easter or Spring posts and projects.
  • Don't forget to have a link back to Common Ground within your blogpost to be featured.


OK, let's get the Inspiration started!
Have a wonderful Easter Weekend,
xoxo,
   
   

Today's Sponsor
use code MOM15 for 15% off in April