Tuesday, February 12, 2013

The Marketplace: Do you have an Etsy Shop?

Or an Online Store?

Then come on and link up!
The Marketplace 
is open to everyone who has an online store or Etsy Shop.
(Hi Everyone, hope you had a great weekend!)

Here are some great links from last week:

from Red Hen Home



by The Brown Shed




by Antiques and Teacups



from Vintage Goodness 1


from the Lazy Peacock



Today's sponsor for The Marketplace is talented watercolorist, Christie Scibior. Her soft and fluid color palette, and precious subjects from the English Countryside, remind me of the work of Beatrix Potter. You'll want to browse her shop to see them all. Full of rabbits and ducklings, and adorable babies of the animal variety, you'll feel like you are stepping back in time. Christie has art prints and also a line of note cards that you'll just adore!




Cows Watercolor Print




Thank you, Christie! 



You're welcome to link up to three of your individual items, or a link to a selling site. Please give information  for people to purchase your items if possible. You don't have to have a blog to join in, but if you do, it would be so nice for you to be a follower, and to grab this image for somewhere on your blog, letting your readers know about this shopping link-up.



So glad to have you here to shop, and since the link is open all week, please come back to see all the new items being listed throughout the week. I still have sponsor space available if you're interested in becoming a sponsor of Common Ground, just click on the menu below the header under "Advertise".

thanks everyone for coming by,






Sunday, February 10, 2013

Love Tokens

I've posted about this wonderful gold locket that was my paternal grandmother's before, but when I was looking back through some February magazine issues I really enjoyed this article in Martha Stewart Living about Love Tokens, and wanted to share it once again.


Lockets of all shapes and sizes were very popular gifts to loved ones in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Often they contained photos, an inscription, and a lock of hair from the beloved. Given when soldiers went to war, engagements, or the birth of a child, lockets and charms were highly valued tokens of personal affection, and worn daily.

(click on the image below to enlarge then click again to read)









I love coming across antique pieces of jewelry, charms, and lockets, and I have several personal pieces that I wear frequently.



This large gold locket was an engagement gift to my grandmother with my grandfather's photo and a lock of his thick gorgeous hair. Her initials are inscribed on the cover, Irma Gertrude Russell.


They were married around 1910, and my daddy was the last of 6 children born to them. I had an uncle born in 1912 (the first) and then she had 4 stillborn babies before my dad was born in 1929. They hadn't expected my daddy to live and so he had very few pieces of clothing as she didn't want to get her hopes up, but there he was; tiny, but healthy; a little miracle.





Saturday, February 9, 2013

What's on the Sideboard for Valentine's


Hi Everyone, 
coming to you live today from the dark and dreary hallway...
yes, the one with no natural light...
the one I have to hang from the chandy like a monkey
just to get a decent pic.




But it's Valentine's Week, so I had to share the update.



I changed things up a bit, bringing in a new galvanized drawer that has been painted with chalkboard paint. It's so super cute and I found it at The Feathered Nest by my talented and sweet friend, Ruthanne from the fun blog Sugar Pie Farmhouse. Sugar Pie Farmhouse was one of those blogs I read before I started blogging myself. Ruthanne lives only a short drive from Branson and Ozark, Missouri. If you don't know, her run by and check out all the homespun goodness.


Vintage look Valentine's Banner hanging from the old window



I always laugh and say that someone must have either been out in the rain,
or shedding many tears when they received this humongous box of chocolates!
But I imagine it was just the leaky roof from the old attic I found it in.



And I saved this wonderful wine bottle from a few years ago,
cause I just love the label.


Since this adorable drawer is galvanized, it's also magnetic.



Ruthanne also included this blinged up cake server;
just perfect for some tasty romance of the chocolate variety.




Vintage Valentine I found last year



 Do you all have big plans for the weekend,
maybe a little get away with your Sweetie?


Linking up with these parties:



Have a great one!
(I'm trying to convince myself I don't want any chocolates this year...)
xoxo,

Friday, February 8, 2013

Be Inspired #126 A little romance...

Hey there all you talented and inspiring peeps!
This last week was one of those weeks that I could literally have featured dozens of you. Your projects, decor, and culinary delights are just over the top. I was hoping that when Vintage Inspiration changed over to Be Inspired that it would open the door for more of you to feel comfortable joining in. You haven't disappointed in all the creativity, beauty, humor, and imagination. You all definitely know how to share the inspiration! Thanks for coming over here each week and making this party a success. I hope you take a minute to look around, then come back by later in the week. Some of the best links are the ones that arrive fashionably late to the party...te he!


Rosemary from Ozma of Odds was on hiatus for awhile during her move,
but  now she's back with some incredible projects and her signature fairy dusting
with this Starlit Linen Chair



the back is equally as beautiful,
with this corseted look.

If you don't know Rosemary you'll want to meet her 
and be swept away to the Land of Odds.
For more loveliness you'll want to follow her Pinterest page!


Judy from French Laundry shared some Valentine Love
with some beautiful items from a few of her favorite Etsy shops.



Becky from Generation to Generation 
created this wonderful dresser redo,
by painting a scene from an old postcard.
Such a beautiful way to create a one-of-a-kind keepsake!



 Sarah at Hyacinths for the Soul
took us to a luncheon where the hostess had created these
simple but elegant Cameo Valentine Gift Tags. 



Nita from Mod Vintage Life   gave us the scoop
 on this year's Easter Inspiration from Pier 1.
I'm really "diggin'" those striped carrots!



Lisa from Lewisville Love
gave us tips on creating an Upcycled Pantry.
Now if she could just come to my house and tackle my pantry!



Needing a chocolate fix?
Take a peek at this Dark Chocolate Bark
Just look at those chunks of yumminess!



This week's Be Inspired is brought to you by the talented

If you're looking for some one-of-a-kind Valentine gifts,
please take a peek at Leslie's wonderful romantic creations!



Time to party!
This party is now open to all inspiring posts, vintage or new. Please just have a link back to Common Ground within your post  to be featured.

and please check out my other Friday party pals.


 I'm so glad you're here,









Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Top Links from Be Inspired Friday

Hi Everyone, today was a good one here. Our favorite plumber from Lowe's was here changing out some outdated bathroom vanity faucets. Amazing how such a small thing makes a huge difference in updating the look of a bathroom. Four vanities down, two to go. Yay! Hope you all are having a great week. Time to check out the most visited party links from last week's Be Inspired Friday. Thank you, each one, who comes over here to party each week. I love having you!

has been cleaning her stash of galvanized buckets and tubs.
They look so wonderful in her farmhouse kitchen.




Michele from Sew Sweet Vintage shares an inspirational appearance by Doris Roberts from SmartTalk 2013 where Doris poses the question: How old would you be if you didn't know how old you actually were?



Kathleen from Faded Charm was on her way to the Junk Salvation Show
and took sneak peek photos of her pieces she had for sale.
Always gorgeous chippy perfection!




 And Renata from Crafto Mania shared the contents on a box she unexpectedly received, full of wonderful vintage goodies.


Hope to see you tomorrow for 
Be Inspired
now open to all inspiring posts!


xoxo,