Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Studio Vignettes

When we moved over here to the smaller lease house I was really selective about what came with us. All my studio/office furniture came with me except for my big reading chair and ottoman, and my work desk. This "bedroom", is quite a bit smaller, and only necessary items made the cut. But I did need some fun decor to make it feel like home.


I've had several neutral suitcases strewn about the other house, so most of them landed in here. This is just one stack that's sitting on the old punched tin cupboard. My moss covered "O" that used to be on the Entry Hall mirror didn't work here at the new place so it's propped here against these old cases.



The bottom two cases are just a heavy cardboard with a celluloid handle, but their color is wonderful. I doubt that this kind of luggage lasted long back then. The gorilla from the old American Tourister luggage commercial would have destroyed it in one sitting. You have to be over 50 to remember this one...te he.





I still love this commercial after all these years, just brilliant.



Instead of the work table, my little Italianate desk from the Living Room is here. Just big enough for my birdcage, a plant and a few birdie books. We don't see many birdies, but I do hear a mourning dove "couple" each morning early. This room faces north so it has wonderful morning light.







So far, the kitty girls haven't realized there are delicious plants right here, 
I imagine it's just a matter of time.








I just recently found a new pair of wonderful chunky wooden lamps,
I'll share those soon.


This is the top of the tv armoire. More edible cat snacks up here, but it's kinda high, so they're too lazy to try to find a way up here.


I stashed my camera lens and books in the make-up case. I love these old "train cases", and have collected a few, this one has it's owner's initials in gold, "V.M.B."


Do you make up names for mysterious monogrammed items?
Victoria Mae Billingsly...
Veronica Marie Barnes...
Violet Mabel Barker...
Velma Martha Burgess...


I'll show you the rest of the room when it's presentable. Right now since I'm short on space, my ironing board is in here. Nothing like an ironing board to ruin a wonderful vintage sanctuary. 

I hate to iron...about as much as I hate to dust.


It's warm today, but back in the '40's tomorrow,
brrr...

sincerely,
Virginia Martinia Benedict
aka

joining in for these great parties:
Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
Inspiration Exchange at City Farmhoue
Share Your Cup with Mrs. Olson
Fabulously Creative Friday at Jennifer Rizzo
Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
Sweet and Simple Friday at Rooted in Thyme
Shabbilicious Friday at Shabby Art Boutique
Mod Mix Monday at Mod Vintage Life
The Scoop at Stone Gable
Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life





Tuesday, March 11, 2014

The Marketplace: Etsy and Boutique Showcase

Happy Tuesday, and Welcome to
 The Marketplace!
Well, did you all successfully "Spring" forward?
I think in my case, I just fell forward...straight into bed. These weekends are super long and full of lot's of hard work. We're into the cleaning out of the storage rooms, garage, and John Deere room, and I've never before seen such a mountain of "stuff". Still boxing and sorting, hoping I'll be able to get it all together for a big garage sale once Spring has officially Sprung!
OK, here are some great links from last week, 
that really speak "Spring".
*Just a note to remind everyone that links up, that this link is JUST FOR ITEMS THAT ARE FOR SALE, and that we need a link so they can be purchased.

Hymns and Verses



NanNas Things



Knick of Time



Creative Carmelina



Delightful Curiosity




and be sure and visit
for everything "tea".



Party Link Guidelines:
This is a linky party that is for items that are FOR SALE only. You don't have to have a blog to link up. If you have a blog post about your items that's great too, but they need to be available to purchase. Please try to link to the individual item that you are selling if possible. Please be a follower of Common Ground and if you have a blog it would be so nice for you to grab the image below to share somewhere on your blog. (not mandatory). Remember the link is up all week, so please stop back by to check out new items being listed. Thanks so much for sharing all your great items with us!
If you missed last week's link up,

Have a great week,
and lot's of fun shopping!
   

   

Friday, March 7, 2014

Be Inspired #179

Hi Everyone, and welcome to
  Be Inspired!
If you can see the ground through the snow then please join me in a loud
"whoo hoo"!!!
If March is here then Spring has to come...eventually.


Thanks for all the BirthDay wishes, I've always loved having a March Birthday because it's starting to green up and signs of Spring are all around...but not this year. Dressing like an Eskimo isn't a lot of fun. I'll be hitting the mall to celebrate when I don't have to wear layers and layers of clothes.
Here are some great links from last week. Each time I see Anita's wonderful Dining Room, I sigh. It has such an Old World quality to it. Love those antlers above the sideboard.

Collecting Creamware
from Anita at Far Above Rubies




Pamela From My Front Porch to Yours found a wonderful mirror,
but it needed a new finish. Check out the post,




If you haven't enjoyed the current Simply Shabbilicious Magazine
from Kerryanne at Shabby Art Boutique,
 then head over for some beautiful inspiration!



Sherry from No Minimalist Here shares another amazing way
 to use a transfer with her DIY and tutorial Cheese Slab.



A breathtaking Garden Angel is now adorning the pergola Garden,
from Betty at My Cozy Corner.



This was a new one on me. Did you know that there's a product that turns ANYthing into a chalkboard surface? Check out D.D.'s Cottage and Design Chalkboard Breadboard. pretty cool.




And if you're needing a breath of fresh Spring Air then take a look at the Simple Spring Wreath from Christy at Confessions of a Serial DIYer.

thanks so much gals!



Party Guidelines





  • Please have an individual link back to Common Ground within your post. I'd love to feature you. This is just part of the Party Etiquette.
  • Please remember to turn off word verification. I've tried leaving comments that didn't go through. I'm sure others have tried also.
  • Please no direct links to Etsy or Advertising.
  • Link up to three of your current posts.
  • Take a minute to visit a few of the other links.
  • Please be a follower of Common Ground.
  • Thank you to all of you who come over each week to link up to the party, I may not get to leave a comment, but I try to visit each of your posts. You are a never ending source of inspiration to me and others, so just know how much I appreciate each one of you!
    thanks so much for joining in
    and making this party so much fun!

       

       

    Say Hello to Common Ground's newest Sponsor,
    Debbie from Ribbonwood Cottage,
    who loves to create, and sees a lovely world of miniature things.



    Wednesday, March 5, 2014

    When will it be Spring?

    This last snow and ice storm threw a lot of us off kilter. Just when we had been teased with some warm days and sightings of crocus and daffodils pushing up, we got hit hard. But they, (the powers that be in the weather world) say we'll be back in the 50's by the weekend. So many people south of us had ice instead of sleet, so I'm grateful for just the cold and snow, not loosing power. Missouri is notorious for March snowstorms, heck, it snowed in May last year!


    This week is my Birthday Week. Yes, I celebrate all week, especially when it's so yucky outside that no restaurants are even open! My Birthdays have been "low key" for awhile, just the way I like them. A certain sweet hubby brought me home an armful of tulips in lovely Spring colors, but I didn't even have an ironstone pitcher here to put them in, so they found their way to my little galvanized bucket. 



    This was the first time I have used a flower frog. I have several vintage ones, but only one with the metal grid design. It made for a much prettier arrangement, instead of all of them falling over the sides.



    I have this little journal in precious pinks and lavender.
    "Very beautiful flowers".






    This is a little wreath I found last year,
    and a few of my old garden tools.



    My tiny friend is joining us.
    She thinks she's hidden in the twigs.









     I love collecting vintage embroidered tea towels. Now, in the times of disposable "everything", I admire the time and creativity that went in to decorating them.



    The light here in the sitting room is northern, 
    but in the morning it's just perfect.














    I hope "Spring" is closeby, wherever you are...




    Oh so tweet!
    You can check out more wonderful tulip ideas, 
    on my Pinterest Board, HERE



    A Big Thank You to everyone who took the time to enter the Give Away last week. The winner of the $35.00 gift certificate to French Bleu Vintage is Cathy from My 1929 Charmer. Have fun Cathy!

    I'll be joining in on these wonderful parties:

    Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
    Inspiration Exchange at City Farmhouse
    Treasure Hunt From My Front Porch to Yours
    Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home
    Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
    Sweet and Simple Fridays at Rooted in Thyme
    Fabulously Creative Friday at Jennifer Rizzo
    Inspiration Gallery at Craftberry Bush
    Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House
    Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

    Hope you're having a great week,

    Tuesday, March 4, 2014

    The Marketplace: Etsy and Boutique Showcase

    Seriously, I think this has been the winter from Antarctica. I could have said another word, but "Antarctica", is closer to the description. Snow, ice, sleet...you name it we had it this last weekend. I'm so ready for Spring! Seeing all your wonderful items here, gives us a place to shop that we don't have to brave winters' ugly attitude. Here are a few great picks from last week:


    Must Love Junk





    FreshEggsAntiques



    Parisian Fleamarket



    Decorative Bird Plates



    Vintage Retrievers




    Mammabellarte

    thanks everyone!


    Party Link Guidelines:
    This is a linky party that is for items that are FOR SALE only. You don't have to have a blog to link up. If you have a blog post about your items that's great too, but they need to be available to purchase. Please try to link to the individual item that you are selling if possible. Please be a follower of Common Ground and if you have a blog it would be so nice for you to grab the image below to share somewhere on your blog. (not mandatory). Remember the link is up all week, so please stop back by to check out new items being listed. Thanks so much for sharing all your great items with us!

    Hope you'll join in with your own items.

    Happy Shopping!