Bird Prints on the Cheep, Cheap

Vintage Bird and Botanical Prints

are always a staple in home decor;

they just never go out of style.

And in the catalogs you can usually find some form of them for sale.

I've found a lot of the smaller prints in flea markets,

 but the larger ones are a little more scarce.

I love these from Ballard Designs but they had a sizable price tag for the set.

I'm not the first one to blog about this,

but one of the best sources for quality prints is calendar art.

Cavallini and Co. puts out fantastic poster size art calendars

 each year in several wonderful themes.

Birds, botanicals, Paris prints, vintage maps, and butterflies

just to name a few.

I didn't buy one for this year,

and I regret it, because now there isn't a one out there,

but I did have my 2010 calendar.

I had a print that was a little outdated, but the frame was still good.

so I trimmed down a calendar page,

and now I'm using it in my kitchen.

(goodbye...little peaches!)

(hello, sweet birdie and nest!)

(better shot in the dining room)

Sorry, it's so hard to get a good shot without glare.

And this is a vintage print that I found at a garage sale for a few dollars.

I just painted the old oak frame black;

now it's similar to the pricey catalog ones.

I have it in my Dining Room above this old metal flower stand.

and this one, let's just not talk about it...

Even Miss Wrigley is skeptical...

an old print and a dry brush of paint, ta da!

(sorry for the glare again)

There are a lot of inexpensive ways to find great prints

Don't be afraid to buy a "less than" print and frame if the price is right.

A little paint and a print exchange can result in a usable piece of art

without paying break-the-bank prices.

Joining in with these great parties this week:

And Good Life Wednesday at A Beach Cottage

See you all Tuesday morning with another

Hope you had a great weekend,

love, 

Vintage Inspiration Friday #50 Vintage French Ticking

I've said several times that I'm not a seamstress, or even particularly adept at sewing, but necessity and obsession play a roll in my attempts at projects. So my latest obsession...no comments here...has been with making table runners for my Dining Room. Yes, you know, "the Dining Room That Has Furniture That I'd Love to Paint, but Just Can't Quite Get There" uh huh, THAT Dining Room.

First I used some fabric left over from my chair seat recovering from last year, natural Osnaberg, and a little nubby muslin for a ruffle. Then, once I did that I realized I really wanted a little somethin' in the way of color and pattern. So when I found this roll of French Inspired Ticking at JoAnne's Fabric that was on clearance, I grabbed it quick. Hopefully, it will be my next project, and two pillows to match for my extra Dining side chairs.

Here's one of the said Dining Room Chairs painted white, I know this set would be fabulous painted. OK, enough of that. Someone slap me please... maybe a winter project...or not.

So now back to French inspired fabric and tablerunners...

I found these woven placemats with handles a few weeks ago at Relics,

and when I went back for more...

they were gone, boo hoo.

Orphan red transferware and my French monogrammed tea towels.

I really love this fabric.

I found these other pieces of the real deal on Pinterest from Ebay.

Mine's pretty close, huh?

So here are some great links from last week's party.

Mercedes from All Things Pretty

shares her recent cosmetic makeover of her screened porch

and her wonderful black wicker.

Betsy from My Salvaged Treasures

has her Nana's wonderful Crazy Quilt on display.

(I just adore crazy quilts!)

Jann from A Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

takes us along on her visit to Mary Jane Butters Bed and Breakfast

where this wonderful lamp and shade live!

Liz from the Brambleberry Cottage

has a wonderful collection of small glass displays

full of found objects.

And I want to welcome LaurieAnna

to Vintage Inspiration Friday with her new Farmhouse Friday Party

You don't have to be living in a farmhouse

to be feelin' the love.

Check out her new link party,

 if you want to share some farmhouse inspired fun.

OK!!!

Hope you'll join in on

Vintage Inspiration Friday

where it's...

"anything vintage or vintage inspired"

Please spread the party fun by displaying my button on the sidebar,

within your blogpost, or on the sidebar with link directions.

thanks sooooo much!

And don't forget the "featured on" button too!

One more thing,

Be watching for an announcement of a Give Away

to celebrate the one year Anniversary of

Vintage Inspiration Friday,

and then the winner of the "Thank you" gift

for spreading the word for Design Challenge.

Love you all!

Oh my gosh, it's started...

...Just the teensiest bit of FALL!

please indulge me,

it's my favorite time of the year!

xoxo,

p.s. would you be mad at me if I told you it's been raining this last week,

and that today the high was in the 70's?

We've had our huge share of 100's +,

so I'm ready!

Design Challenge #2 Fran's Screened Porch

Hi everyone, meet Fran from Eleven-0-One.

Well, technically this isn't Fran, it's her great side porch.

So, this is Fran; isn't she a doll?

(Be sure to go visit Fran, she's super talented.

She paints wonderful French Script Signs,

and a chalk paint dresser re-do that will have you drooling!!)

She has this fabulous screened porch at her lovely home in Florida.

It's right off of her Living Room with two beautiful French doors,

one on either side of the fireplace.

Here are a few of Fran's thoughts on this makeover:

1. I've challenged myself to redecorate on a dime!
2. Painting furniture is definitely within my abilities so that is an option.
3. I want it to flow well from my living room and the accent colors there are red, gold and green.
4. I love the pots at Heaven's Walk and would like something similar in English and I'd like some low maintenance plants that won't cover up the pots. (Could use some advice on what plants take low light.)
5. I also make signs and although I paint lots of French signs to sell, I want to paint something with an old American style advertisement or a fun saying. I just haven't found the perfect one or a saying that I think reflects our personalities.
6. Need some lighting for evening ambiance. We need to replace the outdoor light (probably with a ceiling fan but it has to be small).

Fran has used text on her photos, I love this!

It really helps to head us in the direction that's desired.

A punch of color for the porch swing?

This is the back of the fireplace,

so her husband has nixed painting it.

She needs ideas of how to make this

"less of a yellow-orange huge expanse of brick"

And a concrete floor that takes a lot of abuse from the elements.

What about a rug?

She has great wicker pieces,

but questions about repainting and fabric for the cushions.

This is a fun project,

let's share some good advice to make this space

a comfortable inviting "room" to relax.

Comments are open to all!

Thanks so much, Fran, for sharing your

Design Challenge with us!

And if YOU would like to share a Design Challenge with us,

be sure and email me.

Please just make sure you label it as "Design Challenge" on the email.

I'm trying to keep everything separated so I don't lose anyone.

The response has been great,

but I'm always open to projects.

xxoo,