common ground

Friday, October 11, 2013

Be Inspired #160: Halloween Home Tour

Hi Everyone, and Welcome to Be Inspired!
You can tell that we all love Fall, and Halloween
'cause the talent and inspiration is over the top!
Let's take a peek!

I read in one of the comments at Amanda's from Dixie Delights that she needed her own Halloween magazine, and they are right. I just couldn't stop with picking photos, each room and space is decked out with wonderful ideas. Here is Amanda's fun Halloween House Tour.

(remember to pin images from the original post please)

The oh-so-talented Judy from French Laundry

shared how she created this Theater of Dreams.

What an amazing find! Amber from Junkaholics Unanimous'

$10 Farm Table

I think a gallery wall is a wonderful way to mix elements.

Check out this Art Wall Assemblage from Revi at Revisionary Life.

Mindi from My Love 2 Create

came up with such a super cute Trick or Treat Apothecary Jar,

from a couple of repurposed items.

WOW, I'm crazy for this Moss and Vine Pumpkin Urn

from Holly at Down to Earth Style.
You'll love her decorated front porch!

Eeeeck, I love Susan's understated "keep it simple" Rustic Fall Mantel
from Must Love Junk!

Pam from White Ironstone Cottage
gives us her Shabby Pink Halloween.
so pretty!

One of my favorite cookies now appearing as Snickerdoodle Pie

from Simply Suzanne at Home

thanks everyone, for all the inspiration!

Have you entered this wonderful Give Away?
A beautiful personalized cuff bracelet or photo pendant.

Just CLICK HERE

OK, let's get on to the fun!

xoxo,

BE SURE AND HAVE A LINK BACK TO THIS BLOG

WITHIN YOUR Individual POST

TO BE FEATURED!

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Love Squared Designs

I think we all like to keep a positive outlook on life, even if our day to day circumstances might cause us to lose focus every once in awhile. Sometimes it's nice to just have a little tangible reminder of those dreams and attitudes we're striving to work toward and build on.

Today I want to you to meet a talented jewelry designer and really great gal, Lisa McKenney, from Love Squared Designs. Lisa and I "met" through my "Spiritual Journey" blog, and she has shared with me how she wholeheartedly believes in the empowerment and encouragement of women. This bracelet is my personal "word" of encouragement and truth from Lisa.

One thing that most of you in blogland don't know about me is that I really DO have a bracelet compulsion. Call it a fetish, an addiction, or maybe that I just really love bracelets...but I cannot wear just one. nope. gotta have a stack, and this one has been such a perfect addition. Each time I look at it, I'm reminded that God is there watching over me and that He really does call me "Blessed".

Lisa has lot's of colors, styles and designs in her leather cuffs;

here are just a few.

Here are Lisa's own words as she shares about her designs:

"Ever since I was a little girl I have loved to create beautiful things. Throughout the years I have created in many different mediums, but I have always loved being able to wear my art. In November 2012 I opened an etsy shop and began to sell personalized soldered photo pendants and ornaments. I loved being able to capture my customers most precious faces in a piece of jewelry. In February of this year I had the opportunity to sell a soldered heart necklace design to raise money to fight human trafficking. Over 500 heart necklaces were sold in a matter of 8 weeks– raising more than $11,000! I had the blessing of witnessing a miracle! I never imagined anything of this proportion was possible but God took my little creation and did something BIG with it!"

"This summer I expanded my offerings to include stamped metal and leather jewelry. I have repurposed leather belts and given them a new life and message. I love creating these custom leather cuffs with words that speak life and hope!"

"We all need words of truth and encouragement and what could be better than to wear a beautiful word on your wrist!? It's like having your own Wonder Woman cuff to remind you of your superpower! :) My heart feels most alive when I am creating a beautiful piece of jewelry with a meaningful message. I'd love to create something special for you!"

I want to share and support Lisa's amazing shop Love Squared Designs with all my friends and blog followers. Lisa will be giving away one of her wonderful leather cuff bracelets or a personalized photo pendant to one of you out there. You can choose from her store, or have one that is personally designed just for you. Lisa is also giving a 10% Discount Code for your use during the month of October.

Here are the ways you can enter.
Please leave a separate comment for each:

Head over to Lisa's Etsy Shop, Love Squared Designs, decide what you'd choose, then come back and let me know, here in a comment.
Check out her Facebook Page and sign up to "Like" for news and information on her designs.
Be a follower of this blog, Common Ground, and let me know.
And if you'd like to give this a shout out on Facebook, Twitter, or your own blog, just let me know for another entry.

Thanks Everyone!

xoxo,

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

They're Back.....

My snow owls from last year have flown back onto the mantel for October.

If you didn't see how I came up with them, then click here.

I just made some space for them instead of redoing the whole thing...

I'm a lazy "mantel-scaper".

They DO cause a little ruckus and make a mess with all that glitter.

Oh, and they have a new friend this year.

An owl pillow decided to join the fun.

Remember the Give Away with Elliott-Heath Designs not long ago?

you can have one too!

Joining in on these great parties:

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
Blissful Whites at Timewashed
Inspiration Exchange at Ella Claire
TTT at StoneGable
From My Front Porch to Yours
Shabby Art Boutique
French Country Cottage
Craftberry Bush
The Cottage Market
The Scoop

Be sure and come back tomorrow.

I have wonderful Give Away planned,

with Love Squared Designs

The Marketplace: Etsy and Online Showcase

Happy Monday Everyone,

Time for The Marketplace!

Wow, last week was jam packed with great items and shops. If you didn't get to check out the party, you may want to run by this week. We're having fun new items start showing up for the Holidays so, you won't want to miss out!

Here are a few from last week:

Halloween Banners

from Kathy Creative Home

Embellished Elegant Pumpkin Set

from Ornate Splendor

Early Eastlake Clock Shelf

from Nostalgic Artifacts

Vintage Miniature Log Cabin

from the Feathered Pen

Hearth and Home Framed Wall Art

from Knick of Time Interiors

Halloween Pendant Necklace

from MagRag

Vintge Leather Wine Carrier

Western Reserve

So many great things to browse!

And I'd like you to meet a new Sponsor, Debbi from

Marionberry Cottage

Bringing you lovely items for your cottage home and lifestyle. A collection of handmade items and vintage trappings at affordable prices

thanks so much, Debbi!

This linky is open to anyone with an Etsy Shop or Online Shop or Boutique. You don't have to have a blog to join in, but if you do it would be nice if you could grab the image below for someplace on your blog, just to let your readers know about this shopping venue. You can link up to three of your individual items or shop blog posts. Please make sure these items are available FOR SALE. And if you're here to shop, please check back throughout the week for new items being listed. Thanks so much for joining in and for being a shopper! I love having you be part of The Marketplace!

Have a great week,

Sunday, October 6, 2013

The Autumn Holiday Cupboard

Since Fall is my favorite time to decorate the house,

I also love gathering my odds and ends for decorating The Holiday Cupboard.

I've tried to make it "The Ironstone Cupboard",

or "The Transfer ware Cupboard"

or "The White Only Cupboard",

but I just can't make those stick.

It always becomes "The Holiday Cupboard".

It's the odd kitchen cupboard and the little chippy dresser that got married.

I always enjoy a good love story, don't you?

It's downstairs in my little sitting area that I showed you yesterday.

This time of year I like to bring in the oranges to compliment the white.

And there are always a few stray squirrels, owls and pumpkins

that need a place to live.

...so they end up here.

There usually is a gardening and nature theme going on

along with whatever "Holiday" might be coming up.

These open books are two old nature encyclopedias from the early 1900's.

My new little "Be-Owled" frames found a spot here, too.

Each time I show the Holiday Cupboard I'm asked about the white suitcases on top. I just used several coats of white interior latex and a lot of time. A small roller on the larger parts and an artist's brush for painting around the hardware. I have several more ratty suitcases that need this paint treatment. I'm a sucker for an old suitcase, if the price is right.