We're Baaaaaaack...

...For Marty's Cloche Party, that is!

Many of you who've known me for awhile

 know I have a little (?) obsession with sheep.

And you will always find a sheep or lamb, or two,

or three...

 thinking their important...

hiding in plain sight...

under glass.

so please go visit

 The Cloche Party

at A Stroll Thru Life

and visit everyone else's...

little obsessions.

Just click here.

I'm not really obsessed....

shhhhhh.

love,

Debra

Visual Feast

Have you met Jacqueline?

She is many things;

talented shop owner,

photographer,

literary giant,

creative stylist,

I could go on and on....

She owns a wonderful store in Albuquerque, NM.

full of gorgeous cottage wares.

She has delighted me at every post,

From her casual and elegant al fresco settings,

to her beautiful store photos,

to an afternoon with her darling grand daughters...

all dressed in white.

So, go say Hello to

 Jacqueline at Cabin and Cottage

Be delighted and inspired...

feast on the beauty of her images,

and make a wonderful new friend.

love,

Debra

Join me?

Recently I've found some odds and end dishes

 that I've just washed and stacked in a pile. 

Roses, red transferware, plain white...

Some were found for just a few pennies because of broken ones in the set.

I'm not much of a "tablescaper",

and I don't entertain a lot,

but I still wanted to "play" tea party today.

Today was the perfect day to send an invitation for brunch and tea.

This is the lower level patio, usually shaded and quiet.

A place to feed the birds, chipmunks, and squirrels and watch the birdbath activity.

The little vintage iron garden set was just the place to have an impromptu setting.

Not only dishes, but mismatched old silver is part of the setting today.

Collecting bits and pieces this last few years has been something I've really enjoyed.

Hope you don't mind that I didn't follow protocol.

Limited space had me keep it all to the right.

White vintage embroidered tea towels are used as a placemat,

and a cherries luncheon cloth sits atop one of my wicker lunch "hampers".

This was my inspiration,

English ironstone salad plates.

I just cannot resist transferware.

And to make sure we're comfy,

settle back into some pillows with a vintage flair.

Chenille and old linens.

My neighbor had this concrete faux bois planter out for the trash truck.

Hmmm...it curiously ended up in my backyard. (?)

So, have a seat, let's relax, and I'll pour the tea.

I'm linking with

Show off your Cottage Monday

A Stroll Thru Life

Tea Time Tuesday at Rose Chintz Cottage

Faded Charm for White Wednesday

And Between Naps on the Porch

for Tablescape Thursday

and My Romantic Home

for Show and Tell Friday

Hope you're having a wonderful week!
love,
Debra

Wanna be a Barn Chick?

My friend Karen over at Brayton Homestead Interiors is putting together a little Barn Party.
On August 6th she's inviting everyone over to show off their local barns. She had a great post of some of the local flavor up there in her native rural Massachusetts. She gussied herself up in her best barn attire and flirted with the camera to share some great photos of her hometown barns.

So then Barn Chicks was born.

Of course me and my big mouth said, "Heck yeah, Karen I want to do this too!", when I don't even have a pair of cowboy boots to my name. I have some close Texas friends so I guess I shouldn't divulge that sensitive information.

Now go visit Karen and sign up to show off your local barns. (they don't have to be yours personally)  I think it will be great fun to see the regional barns; their sizes, colors, and unique designs. Get as wild and crazy as you like!

Let's see, now where did I put those overalls?...

C'mon all you Barn Chicks, let's show 'em off!

Sign up at Karen's by leaving a comment.

love,

Debra

Seashells and Silver, add some Sparkle

What says "Summer" like some seashells?

Then add some silver and a few jewelry trinkets,

and you can enjoy your "sparkle"

even when you're not wearing it. 

I have a lot of vintage silver,

but I want to enjoy it, not leave it in the cupboard.

So I thought I'd add some seashells and some bling

for some fun jewelry display.

These are pieces that I've been working on

for my new "Petite Boutique".

Grab an old silver gravy boat or candy dish...

Find some shells...

and instead of tucking away your jewelry,

add it to the fun!

And Enjoy!

I'm linking with Beth today

for some Silver Sunday fun!

Hope you're having a great weekend!

love,

Debra

Vintage Botanical Window

You may remember the post I did on the vintage botanical book, here.

I've had this large chippy paned window for a couple of years now,

 just waiting for something like this.

I didn't want to destroy the individual sheets

so fortunately the book was a spring binder.

All I had to do was lift them out and gently tape them in place.

This is how it looked when I purchased it:

Page after page of wonderful old yellowed paper with original dried

wildflowers and grasses intact.

I brought the completed window outside to photograph

along with my very old wicker chair

 and some wildflowers I gathered last weekend.

Queen Anne's Lace and Black Eyed Susans;

A beautiful bouquet just there for the picking.

My best guess is that this collection of wild flowers

was a school science project from the 40's.

The paper, tape, and typewriter set are indicators.

I found it for just a few dollars at one of my favorite flea markets.

I've never met a watering can that I didn't want to paint.

I love them a naturale,

but to me they just look happier with a paint color.