Vintage Botanical Window

If you're like me, then every once in awhile, you get the urge to move things around. Changing furniture arrangements won't work here, (believe me, I've tried), so I have to change up smaller things; new vignettes, different accessories like pillows and tablerunners. This week I had that urge, and it landed on this great old window with original botanicals that I put together a few years ago. I dragged it around the house looking for another spot for it, but when I had worn myself out, I brought it back here in the Living Room right where I found it.

It just "fits" this space...

So I decided to share it again with all of you, since so many of you are new followers. A few years ago I found a college notebook probably from sometime before the 1930's filled with these individual sheets at a local flea, and grabbed it up. They sat unused for awhile, thinking I might frame them individually. I still may do that with some, but I picked out a few for this great old window that I'd had for awhile in the garage.

(I've had a few people inquire if I would sell any of the individual sheets,

but I just cant' part with them)

We have ten chairs that go with our Dining Room set; more than we could ever use. So when I was on my white painting spree a couple of years ago, I decided to go ahead and paint out two of them to flank the sofa table. There's a part of me that would love to paint the whole Dining Room set, but I just haven't been able to make that leap.

(roses from my birthday a few years ago)

This is a hard spot to photograph because of furniture placement...

Here are closeups of a few of the individual panes of glass. Each specimen sheet is categorized and labeled in old type and taped. Over the years they have faded to a perfect study in neutrals; delicate blossoms and stems have separated, but each one is work of art to me.

this pic required standing on one of the sofas...

This pic sort of gives you a reference idea of where it's located.

I found those wonderful French-y sconces two years ago,

but still haven't put candles in them...
maybe soon.

Thanks for revisiting one of my "favorite finds".

Hope you're having a wonderful week.

joining in for these parties:

Inspire Me at Liz Marie Blog

Inspire Me at A Stroll thur Life

Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings

Three Mango Seeds

Blissful Whites at Timewashed 

WOW us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

The Inspiration Exchange at Ella Claire

House Party at No Minimalist Here

Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Creek Cottage

Swing Into Spring at DIY by Design

Tips and Tutorials at Stone Gable

Shabby Art Boutique

Inspiration Gallery at Craftberry Bush

Funky Junk

xoxo,

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.

Custom Monogram Burlap Pillow

from The Burlap Cottage

Iron and Enamel Dry Sink

Stuff in the Burbs 

and Savvy City Farmer

Round St. Therese Plaque

La Croix Rosion

Old Glory Ruffled Flag Pillow

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!

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)

"Spring in the Entry"

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

Met Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House

The Scoop at Cedar Hill Ranch

Knick of Time Tuesday

Have a great weekend,

xoxo,

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.

Lilacs in May

On the Way to the Lilacs

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,