Friday, March 9, 2012

Vintage Inspiration #79 Spring's Flowering Bulbs

We seem to be a few weeks ahead here in the Midwest, when it comes to Spring weather. I already have daffodils blooming, which usually doesn't happen till later. And today I saw my hyacinths in full bloom, too. We can have some fluke-y Spring snow storms in March, (as I'm writing this it's been sleeting rain, and I had to bring in my frozen little daffys) but usually they are gone in a day or two. This year it's just warmer, earlier, which has me really looking forward to Spring. It really does seem to be right around the corner. (Back in the 70's by Tuesday yay!)

Here are some wonderful Pinterest photos of flowering bulbs for Spring,
Don't you just love all the wonderful color?

Source: livethemma.ikea.se via Debra on Pinterest

Speaking of inspiration, hard to get better than Pinterest .
Hope you'll come visit my boards on Flowers and Spring.











Love these sweet crocus in the teacups!






If any of these Pinterest Images belong to you without credit, please let me know,
I'm more than happy to link to your blog or website.


I just came home from the Spring Open House at Leola's in Ozark,
if you're local, you'll want to head down there this weekend,
this is just a teaser of the Spring Fun and Color at the store!








And now some vintage inspiration from last week.
          You all are so talented, I love seeing what you're up to each week!   

          Amanda, from One Girl in Pink transformed a  "questionable" piece
     into a wonderful chair-side table with a little Annie Sloan Antoinette Pink.

        


          Be sure and visit Joy over at Savvy City Farmer to check
            her show date this week. She has some wonderful things.
             Wish I lived closer, I want it all!

               


                 Kathleen from Charm Bracelet Diva found an amazing glass bottle lamp,
                You won't believe what she paid for it!

             


     Tammy from a Walk in the Countryside
shows us one more way to use cast off doors,

Go take a look at how they accent her garden.



and Anita from Cedar Hill Ranch
is using a vintage ironing board for a server out on her porch.
How fun is this?



I'll be linking up with: 
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
Inspiration Friday at the Picket Fence
Potpourri Friday at 2805
Friday Unfolded at Stuff and Nonsense
Home Sweet Home at the Charm of Home
and be sure and go by to say Hi to Jody from
Rooted In Thyme with her new Friday party Simple and Sweet

Thank you everyone, for coming over and linking up for the party!
If you've never joined in I'd love to have you.
Please be sure and have a visible link within your post.
Let's let everyone know they're invited;
"anything vintage or vintage inspired"

Remember to come back this weekend for a Give Away



xoxo,






Tuesday, March 6, 2012

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:

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,







Sunday, March 4, 2012

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




and just to welcome Spring,



Beautiful framed images of original die cuts;
this is one of my favorite pieces.



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,

Saturday, March 3, 2012

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


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,

Friday, March 2, 2012

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



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,