Tuesday, June 4, 2013

The Marketplace: Etsy and Online Boutique Showcase

Hi there Everyone, time for 
The Marketplace
the place to link up all your Etsy Shop and Online Store items.
Here are a few great links from last week
and then I want to share some fun personalized greeting cards.


from The Burlap Cottage





and Savvy City Farmer







La Croix Rosion




HensinDaisies




This shout out is long overdue. A while back the sweet and talented Becky Slocum from Gilded Rags sent me a wonderful package filled with some adorable personalized greeting cards that she created just for me. I had just done a post on the Sunporch for Easter and she used my photos to create these wonderful blank cards. 











She uses quality card stock in gorgeous colors and textures and embellishes each one with burlap, ribbon, twine and ephemera. Can you see the raised chicken wire on the one with the hen? so so cute!


Here's her Shop Announcement on Etsy

"Show how much you care with a beautifully hand made card that you won't find anywhere else, with a shabby chic, french inspired, or gilded card. I do special requests. Each card is a work of art itself. Introducing Story Cards, that  contain a written vignette inside that the card itself speaks. Contemplative, reflective, humorous commentaries that enhance your giving and receiving of one of my keepsake cards."




Keepsake greeting cards that you can special order.
If you have a minute run by Becky's Shop and browse around.
thanks so much, Becky, I love my wonderful set!

OK, now it's time to link up to three items from your shops. Please have the link be a direct link to the item if possible. This linky is for items that are FOR SALE only. If you've done a blog post on items that you have for sale on your blog that's great and if you have an online store and want to share about that, that's great too. Please be a follower of Common Ground and if you have a blog it would be nice to grab the image below for somewhere on your blog, just to let others know about this link party. (not a requirement to link up).


Remember, this linky will be open all week,
 so be sure and come back by to see new items that are being listed.

Thanks so much for joining in,
now have some fun!

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Heads Up...

I guess this post could be filed under several topics, but firstly it would have to be the top contender for "you don't know how wrong something looks until you photograph it and then put it out on the blog for thousands of people to see". The next category would be "coming super late to the party". 



The second category, first...
This is my first shot at Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.
I know, I know....
don't judge me for being a little slow to get to the party.
LOVE this paint...
dried quick, distressed so easy,
but then you ALL know that don't you?


I've had a can of Old White for over a year, but when you have a husband that's sick
or any kind of family issue, most projects just don't happen...nope. not happening.


(He's much better, long road...but better.
Inner ear surgery for Meniere's Disease)


I've had this wonderful old piece of detailed wood hanging out in the garage for months, taunting me to get my rear in gear and paint it. 





but when I saw this photo (below) from a post I did back in March I cringed,
'cause the teensy header I had was lost on the door and flanking windows.
(btw, this post was my highest viewed post ever)



So I finally got around to doing the deed and hopefully making the entry look a little more thought out. I love using old headers and furniture remnants to help beef up the moldings above the room openings. This space could use something even bigger, but until then, I think this will work.

Skinny moldings must have been all the rage in 1982...

This one is above the Entry in the Dining Room.


another smaller one heading toward the Kitchen.



Here is the culprit from the entry that found a new home in the Hallway, 
going into the Dining Room.
(I need to straighten it up a bit)



 from the Hall into the Powder Room
(and no, that's not dust on the door panels,
I just like a gray film all over things...)




But here's my fave baby of them all.
The hunky piece that got me started on this.



I swooned over those scallops.



In the Kitchen going to the Living Room.


That's just one little thing I can cross off my to-do list.

and a note from Tornado Alley...
we're all so so tired of this.

Joining in on these parties:

Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings
Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm
Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House
The Scoop at Cedar Hill Ranch

Have a great weekend,
xoxo,

Saturday, June 1, 2013

Be Inspired # 142: Creating a Beautiful Life

Hi Everyone, and welcome to Be Inspired!

There are so many things I love about blogging, and getting to see parts of the country that I've not seen before is one of them. Jeanette from Creating a Life was in search of Lilacs, so she took us along on a family excursion and shared the sights of the day. She had two posts, that not only were filled with beautiful photos of her local Colorado scenery, but her kids were with her and I'm sure it made wonderful memories for them all.


from Jeanette at Creating a Life




More Lilac Inspiration from Susan
at Evelyn and Rose
Her posts are always like visiting your favorite magazine!





Full of vintage inspiration, this New Master Bath 
from Terry at Forever Decorating



Little Miss Maggie created this Lovely Rose Flower Bucket
from a graphic and added stenciling for a wonderful hand painted look.




Julie from Restyle Relove gave us a Restyled Dining Room Tour 
with Before and Afters.
What a wonderful new look!




Great ideas for a Patriotic Celebration Table this Summer
from Judith at Botanic Bleu




And for all you gardeners out there,
DIY Faux Chalkboard Garden Markers
from Jennifer at Thimbles, Bobbins, Paper and Ink


Jennifer also shared her yummy looking
Lemon Tart with Chantilly Cream
napkin please!



And today's Be Inspired is brought to you by Christie Scibior,
who has new designs in her shop that you'll love.
Watercolor Paintings, Prints, and Stationary
Here's a little collage sampling of what you'll find in her shop.




Thank you so much Christie!

Hope you'll join in on the party today,  Be Inspired is now open to all inspiring posts, not just Vintage. Please have a link to Common Ground within your post to be featured. And if you've ever been featured, feel free to grab the image below.


and while you're out check out these other fun Friday parties!


 Have a wonderful weekend,
xoxo,

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Be Inspired Showcase and Hometalk's Country French Pinboard

So many great links last week! The warmer weather is getting us in the mood to redecorate, freshen our outdoor spaces, and find the weekend shows for some great shopping. Here are the Top Three Visited Links from last week, and let me just tell you, if you haven't read these following posts from the original blog, then you will for sure want to take a minute and click over to visit. So many great photos and inspiration in these wonderful links from Be Inspired last week!

from Housepitality Designs
(I have an old cedar chest that I've been wanting to transform.
This may be my inspiration)



at MT Tails
(you'll love the fun crate display on the back wall)




from Hymns and Verses
(Doreen was worried about painting this, but wow, it's fabulous!)

thanks ladies for joining the party!

Hope you'll join in tomorrow around 11:00 am Central Time.


Now, on to some more fun from Hometalk and Pinterest.

Do you get weak in the knees when you see images like the following?
Does your heart skip a beat at a curved table leg?
Do you want to take a trip to the French Fleas for some fabulous finds?
Do you love to browse Pinterest for inspiration?



if so, you might be a French Country Decor addict...


I know that I am!


Well, now you have a chance to be an "honorary pinner"
with some of the rest of us gals over at Hometalk.



French Country Cottage
and enter, for the chance to share your love for French Country!


see you over there!

xoxo,