Amalie, The Milkmaid

My husband knows not to bring home chocolates for Valentines Day; (love them way too much), flowers are wonderful but my cats tend to want to eat them, so when we went to the Antique Show a few weeks ago, I knew I had a little credit for  shopping.

I've actually had this vintage print before, and sold it, so when I saw it again at a good price, I jumped on it. True to form, I didn't know where I'd put it, but I fell in love with this sweet little milk maid, so home she came. Amalie was the only name that fit her, so now she lives in my kitchen, and I enjoy not only her, but her bucolic friends each day. And seeing those little painted daisies, just makes it feel like Spring.

The print is in it's original wooden back frame. It's a little wavy from humidity, but old prints have such a personality, I generally don't let that bother me.

I love how she contrasts with the off white walls, 

and plays off the dark floral curtains.

I've had this little birdie plaque for years,

but it received a little white paint and a "mossy" treatment. 

I found a few other things that day, but one that I have in the kitchen is this wonderful little hand painted black tole tray. 

It's setting on top of my double ovens right now and I can see

that it needs to be raised up a little from the photo.

(oh, the hazards of being short...)

Remember that Monday Marketplace is up all week, so you still have time to link up your  Etsy and online shop items, and then do some shopping.  Just scroll down to the next post.

If you're local Leola's Vintage Home and Garden in Ozark is having their Spring Open House starting Thursday at 9:30 AM running thru Sat. at 5:00 PM. Me and my camera will be there with the early birds.

And then be looking for a Give Away from French Bleu Vintage which will be starting this Friday afternoon. 

I'm joining my pals for their great parties:

Met Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

Table Top Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

Tuesday's Treasures at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

White Wednesday at Faded Charm

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Share the Love Wednesday at Very Merry Vintage Style

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

Primp you Stuff at Primp

Open House Party at No Minimalist Here

Cowgirl Up at Cedar Hill Ranch

Knick of Time Tuesday at Knick of Time

Saturday Nite Special at Funky Junk Interiors

whew...busy week...hope you're having a great one!

xoxo,

Monday Marketplace #2 and a winner!

I think we got off to a great start last week for the first 

Monday Marketplace.

It was really fun looking through all the links to see all the great items.

If you're here for the first time, then let's go over the concept for this link up.

This is a linky party for Etsy and Online Shop sellers,

or if you've recently purchased something from an Etsy or Online Boutique.

 This is about showcasing items and the creative shops that are out here in blogland.

Here are a few items that caught my eye from last week.

A wonderful blue transferware bowl from our talented friend, 

Rosemary, from Villabarnes

Angie from Swede 13 has this fabulous mirror for sale

This Italian Porcelain Footed Bowl would look wonderful on my coffee table!

And I fell in love with this vintage straw hat from White Lilac Cottage

You may link up one or two items from your shop, please don't link up to just the store, but to individual items. Also, I'll give you enough space to list your blog name after the item description if you'd like, since it's not easy to put blog owner and shop together. I found myself trying to figure out what shop went with which blogger. And, you don't have to have a blog to link up, I'd just like that information available if possible. Then my next question would be, why don't you have a blog?

Monday Marketplace will be open all week, so be sure and check the entries several times this week, you have plenty of time to link up and browse. 

And one request please. If you are linking up to the Marketplace, I'm asking you to be a follower of Common Ground, and to grab the button for your sidebar. (upper right hand on the sidebar) Let's share the news. Thanks for making this new venue a success!

Such a great turnout for Nancy's Daily Dish Give Away, thanks so much for entering! And the winner is Nita Jo from Little Grey Gardens. Congratulations Nita Jo! Email me with your info and I'll forward it to Nancy.

I also have quite a few of the numbered brass tags left. I'm not selling these individually, but will be happy to incorporate them into a custom design necklace for you, to celebrate birthdates or anniversaries. If you don't see a number you need, let me know, I may be able to get one. Convo me on Etsy or email me with the subject as "Numbered TAG". 

So are you ready for some shopping fun?

xoxo,

Introducing Rosekraft

Hi Everyone, hope you're having a wonderful Sunday.

I want to take a minute to introduce you to my newest sponsor,

Rose from Rosekraft. 

On visiting Rose's blog, you'll see her San Francisco home, which is an expression of her love for Victorian cottage life. Even in the middle of a big city, Rose loves nurturing a small garden with her own vintage style. Her tiny city garden reflects how she maximizes her space, just look at these amazing homegrown lemons in a vintage copper bucket. Rose keeps a connection with the past, and it's evident in the items she creates for her Store and shows.

Can't you almost smell these fresh Lemons from the Garden?

Then come meet "the girls", where egg laying can cause a culinary celebration. 

Rose has a wonderful Etsy Shop, Rosekraft,

were she creates and sells beeswax candles from vintage Victorian molds,

and original Victorian Cottage die cut framed images.

How perfect for Easter

Beeswax Easter Rabbit Candle from a Vintage Candle Mold

and just to welcome Spring,

Beeswax Bird Candle

Beautiful framed images of original die cuts;

this is one of my favorite pieces.

Robins Die Cut Vintage Framed Image

Hope you'll drop by her shop and browse her lovely items,

to find a perfect gift for Easter and to welcome the start of Spring.

Are you ready to link up for Monday Marketplace?

Linky will be up mid-morning tomorrow.

see you, then.

xoxo,

Got your number...

I just found these great brass numbered tags, and I'm using two for necklaces for my pal Nancy's daughters. We thought that using these as "Birth Dates" would be fun and significant as a keepsake. I have daughters born in '74 and '80 so I'll be using those two. If you'd like to have these incorporated into one of my pendant necklaces just email me or convo me on Etsy, we can design something one-of-a-kind for you. If you don't see your birth year, let me know anyway, I might be able to get my hands on your special year.

( I DO also have a 99, somehow it didn't make it into the photo)

This one is just an example of how we could make a pendant necklace.

Check out my Etsy Shop for more ideas, I just restocked with new ones.

or this

and speaking of Nancy,

don't forget to enter her Give Away for a $50 Gift Certificate

to her wonderful English Transferware Shop.

Ends Saturday at Midnight!

Vintage Inspiration Friday

is still going strong, if you haven't linked up

just scroll down to the next post.

xoxo,

Vintage Inspiration # 78 Monday Marketplace

In case you missed it, this last Monday was the "Opening" of a new online "Marketplace", over here at Common Ground. Usually an idea starts as a seed, and then has to germinate for awhile, but honestly last weekend a phrase started taking shape in my head, and before I knew it I had hit the publish button on a post for a new weekly venue for selling online.

It will be three years in June when I first started with this blog, and in those three years, I've gotten to know so many talented and creative women (and men). I had been making jewelry for a couple of years before I started blogging, and was selling in the store where I had a space. When I started blogging so many friends were opening Etsy Shops, and so I jumped on board. Guess what...selling on Etsy isn't a piece of cake. There are so many sellers and shops and products; it's a given that you can get lost in the crowd.

True to the name, Common Ground, God has evolved this blog, and me, over these last few years. I'm finding that as I've learned "who I am" in the blogging world, I enjoy the ability to "shine a light" on others. There's so much talent out here in blogland, I'm hoping that Monday Marketplace will give us one more place to come for inspiration and just plain shopping fun.

So, if you're an Etsy seller, have an Online Store, or just love to shop, I hope you'll come by and link up some items that you'd love to share. For more info on this online selling and shopping link up party, Monday Marketplace, just click here and here.

So now, a few highlights from last week

Judy, from French Laundry makes organization true Vintage Inspiration!

Home is Where the Boat Is has us thinking of Spring

with a wonderful tablescape inspired by nature.

Miss Flibbertigibbet took us to a quilt show

Holly, from Down to Earth Style uses a vintage door on her mantle

Donna from the Decorated House, 

shares a tutorial on painting a wonderful old frame

Geneva from My Heart's Song shared a fun way to frame

out some vintage bird graphics.

and come on... look at this amazing outdoors chandy

that Vickie from Ranger 911 created from old garden fencing and insulators!

so so wonderful!!

And a totally "green" birdhouse by Garden Therapy

yay, come on Spring!

If you haven't entered Nancy's Give Away

for a $50 Gift Certificate in her Etsy Transferware Shop

then just click here,

Give Away closes Saturday at midnight.

I'm joining in on these great parties:

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Inspiration Friday at the Picket Fence

Potpourri Friday at 2805

Home Sweet Home at the Charm of Home

Fridays Unfolded at Stuff and Nonsense

What Have You Redone at Redoux

Hope you'll join in with 

"anything vintage or vintage inspired"

Please have a visible link within your post 

so others will know where to come and party.

love ya bunches,

5 Things to Grow On

So I was just minding my own business hanging out over at Thistlewood Farm, enjoying all the pretty pictures and humor, when Karianne posed a question to Blogland. She and some other gals are having a little get together where everyone is discussing their blogs...more specifically, what they want their blogs to be when they grow up. They've asked that we think of five things that we are working on to grow and fine tune our little piece of the blog universe. Our hopes and aspirations...here are some of my thoughts.

I've been blogging for almost three years, so some might say I don't qualify. But my blog is always growing and changing so I think that hopefully, I can manage to sneak in. This post may be a little more retrospective than most. I guess I'm sorta sharing the things I've learned along the way.

1. Be Yourself.
That one is probably tops on most bloggers list...or it should be. OK, so I don't really like broadcasting my age across the Internet, but it's safe to say that not only have I been around in blogdom for a few years, but I have a few years under my belt in life too. Don't be afraid to let others know that. Age and experience does bring a few perks, and a little more to the table. I've been there and done that so many times my head can swim. I've raised two daughters that are as old as many of you, yet I don't feel "old". Inside I'm still the young mom that always had a project going, while trying to keep all the plates spinning.
I've learned not to try to keep up with all the Joneses out here. I can't do it all, and hey, there are some things that I just plain don't want to do...I'm not a gourmet cook, I don't do tablescapes on a weekly basis, and I think I'm the only person on earth who hasn't tried chalk paint.

Listen to the still small voice in your heart...I call it God. I promise that ultimately you won't go wrong.


2. Don't be afraid of change.
We all have some awesome ideas. I can tell you that it's easy to be fearful about stepping out there to do something different; in blogging just like in life. This is something I need to work on a little more. It's easy to get in a rut. Whether it's a project, or sharing your thoughts on a subject, or just changing up your blog a little, we need to not be afraid of change. So what if it doesn't work out like you hoped...how can we improve and grow if we're afraid to put ourselves out there.


3. Expand your horizons.
I never knew how much I would love photography until I bought my first little digital camera. Yeh, I'd taken the family photos for years, and an occasional vacation pic, but I'd never had much of an interest until I saw what was out here in some of the blogs. Magazine quality photos don't come easy, but hey, it's still fun trying.
I've never had much trouble in a crowd. It's always awkward when you have to put yourself out there, but making new friends in blogland is critical for not only growth, but survival. Sorry to say there are cliques here just like anywhere, but don't be afraid to comment or email someone you admire and want to get to know, that's how I've made some amazing "real life" friendships.



4. Be willing to help others.
When I first started blogging it was because someone I admired took a minute to read an email I sent them, and to reply. She read my first blog post and put my blog on her sidebar. She gave me a chance to "join the club" so to speak. Because of that, and as my blog has evolved, I now realize how important it is to reach out to others and offer encouragement and exposure. Nothing brings satisfaction like seeing other people being recognized for their talent and creativity. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you...good advice that has stood the test of time. Blessings will always come back around.


5. Know your priorities
This is a toughy out there for so many of us who blog. Many of us came to blogging because we wanted to make connections with other women; that we needed to have a community of which to be a part of. Because of that we feel the importance of maintaining friendships and communication. This one thing that is so very vital to growing a blog, can at the same time wreck havoc on our personal lives. Knowing our priorities in blogging, like everything we do, takes time to learn.
I'm at a place in my life right now where I have time to blog, sometimes posting everyday, but not everyone can or wants to do that. We have husbands, children, parents...responsibilities and obligations. Learn your boundaries early on to avoid guilt and upset. When I started blogging there were only a handful of blogs as compared to today. You could visit each person, and know them personally. There was a written rule somewhere in a bogus blog handbook that said you had to return each comment that you received...in a perfect world. Having said that I know there are so many of you who leave the sweetest comments, just know how much I appreciate you and read each one. (some days, I actually CAN return comments)
If you want to maintain a marriage and make sure your personal hygiene is maintained you have to realize you just can't spend all your time on the computer. I think we all know this by now, it's just important to not let guilt eat us up. In all things find balance.

OK, those are some highlights of how I grow my blog...maybe not the post someone else might write, but it's what was in my heart. Join in at Thistlewood Farm this Friday for the linky party. I'm posting early because of Vintage Inspiration Friday. (Hope you'll come by and join in the party at my place, too!)

xoxo,