Wanna be a Barn Chick?

My friend Karen over at Brayton Homestead Interiors is putting together a little Barn Party.
On August 6th she's inviting everyone over to show off their local barns. She had a great post of some of the local flavor up there in her native rural Massachusetts. She gussied herself up in her best barn attire and flirted with the camera to share some great photos of her hometown barns.

So then Barn Chicks was born.

Of course me and my big mouth said, "Heck yeah, Karen I want to do this too!", when I don't even have a pair of cowboy boots to my name. I have some close Texas friends so I guess I shouldn't divulge that sensitive information.

Now go visit Karen and sign up to show off your local barns. (they don't have to be yours personally)  I think it will be great fun to see the regional barns; their sizes, colors, and unique designs. Get as wild and crazy as you like!

Let's see, now where did I put those overalls?...

C'mon all you Barn Chicks, let's show 'em off!

Sign up at Karen's by leaving a comment.

love,

Debra

Seashells and Silver, add some Sparkle

What says "Summer" like some seashells?

Then add some silver and a few jewelry trinkets,

and you can enjoy your "sparkle"

even when you're not wearing it. 

I have a lot of vintage silver,

but I want to enjoy it, not leave it in the cupboard.

So I thought I'd add some seashells and some bling

for some fun jewelry display.

These are pieces that I've been working on

for my new "Petite Boutique".

Grab an old silver gravy boat or candy dish...

Find some shells...

and instead of tucking away your jewelry,

add it to the fun!

And Enjoy!

I'm linking with Beth today

for some Silver Sunday fun!

Hope you're having a great weekend!

love,

Debra

Vintage Botanical Window

You may remember the post I did on the vintage botanical book, here.

I've had this large chippy paned window for a couple of years now,

 just waiting for something like this.

I didn't want to destroy the individual sheets

so fortunately the book was a spring binder.

All I had to do was lift them out and gently tape them in place.

This is how it looked when I purchased it:

Page after page of wonderful old yellowed paper with original dried

wildflowers and grasses intact.

I brought the completed window outside to photograph

along with my very old wicker chair

 and some wildflowers I gathered last weekend.

Queen Anne's Lace and Black Eyed Susans;

A beautiful bouquet just there for the picking.

My best guess is that this collection of wild flowers

was a school science project from the 40's.

The paper, tape, and typewriter set are indicators.

I found it for just a few dollars at one of my favorite flea markets.

I've never met a watering can that I didn't want to paint.

I love them a naturale,

but to me they just look happier with a paint color.

The Petite Boutique is Now Open

The Doors are open to the new

Petite Boutique

Please come by for a visit.

One of a kind vintage jewelry pieces and small trinkets

Hope to see you soon,

love,

Debra

Une Boutique de Petits Bijoux

Speak French?

Me neither, but I thought it was so much more fun and romantic

to announce my new little jewelry shop in French!

I've been thinking for a while about opening a little blog shop

to sell a few pieces of my jewelry,

and other small trinkets that I might find.

I had some sweet response to my Where Bloggers Create post,

so I just decided to jump in.

Please take a  little peek at my new site,

Common Ground Petite Boutique

I will be listing a few things this week.

Enjoy and please visit often.

I will be updating as I list items.

Listings will start this week.

love,

Debra

Patriotic Sunroom and the 6th Photo

Everyone ready for the 4th of July?

A while back Alaina from Arbor House Lane

graciously chose me to participate in the

6th Picture Tag

My 6th picture,

June 2009

Well, when I went back to see that 6th photo,

I realized it was all about the inspiration of Carolyn Westbrook's

sun room in her book Carolyn Westbrook Home.

I used her book as inspiration for my own sun room decor
 for the July 4th Holiday.

June 2009

And here is the same space in my sunroom

July 2010

So as an update on that photo,

here are some photos of my sunroom this year.

Not a lot different, maybe more clutter...

er, I mean stuff.

So I told Alaina I'd love to show off my photos,

but needed to wait until the right time...

mysterious...?

yes, because my blog anniversary Give Away

is Carolyn's newest book

The French Inspired Home

This year, I tried to include some of the elements

Carolyn had used in her book layout.

Chalk cats, old clocks,

birdhouses, transferware...

and lots of flags.

I've mentioned this before,

but my little 80's three season sunroom

 is my favorite spot in my house.

I love to decorate it for the seasons and holidays.

I see it first thing in the morning,

 as I come to the kitchen for coffee.

Arbor House Lane

And now I want to share a few photos of Alaina's.

She has the most fabulous house.

full of inspiration...

(great slipcovers that made me get busy on mine)

and a little shed that "thinks it's a cottage".

If you haven't yet met Alaina over at

 Arbor House Lane

run by and say Hello.

You'll find some fabulous whites

and a lot of creativity!

And ta da!!!

Soon I'll announce the two winners of my

French Inspired Give Away!!

love,

Debra

Vintage Black Friday

Oops! I turned the calendar and Guess What?

It's Vintage Black Friday!

So I thought I'd share a couple of photos of my friend Debra's store,

 Inspirational Home.

She always has the best seasonal and holiday displays.

Her black typewriter is a favorite of mine.

This bunting is outside her big window in the front of the store.

Love the vintage look of it!

And just a note to let you know I'm working on the

 Give Away Winners.

I'm going through and assigning numbers to each entry,

I want to be fair and not leave any entry out,

so many of you linked back and posted about the Give Away!

Thank You!!!

I'll announce the winners this weekend with a separate post.

I have a special post coming with my

Vintage Patriotic Sun Room

and linking to one of my favorite new blogs.

see ya later!

love,

Debra