Spring Florals and Roosters

Hello to another week! 

Tomorrow is April 1 and any other year, we would be seeing lots of buds, new
leaves on trees, and colors.  This year we seem to be running a little behind on
that.  I want to get outside and get some pictures of living things, but until then,
we'll just spread some spring cheer with silk florals.  The colors are pretty.

 This moss nest is nestled in some moss trays.  I love the bright colors in the nest.

 I love this bird house.  Placed around it is a garland of new spring leaves bursting out of a
branch.  And who doesn't love birds?

 Forsythia screams spring.  I have seen two bushes in town with their gorgeous yellow buds.
However, these branches are a close second to the real thing.

 And I loved, loved, loved this when I saw it.  Green bottles with sprays in a metal holder.

 These tulips in a moss and twig basket are unique and fun.


Now...turning to roosters...

I plan on using this rooster in a fun summer display with gorgeous, fun placemates and
red checked napkins.  Stay tuned!
Any of these things that you would like in your home, comment and I'll get back to you
with a price.  We can ship it to you or remember--delivery is free in NWA.  Even better,
come in to the store and see them for yourself.

Colonial Decorating

You know spring is coming when storms are in the forecast.  And that's in store
for us tomorrow.  Yay spring!

I like many decorating types.  If I had to narrow my preferences down to 3 it
would be farmhouse, cottage, and colonial.

Until I researched it, I thought colonial was colonial; period.  I knew that
when I was growing up, it was referred to as "Early American".  And now
it is "Colonial".  But I didn't realize there were multiple kinds of colonial.
Of course, there is American Colonial.  And there is also British Colonial,
Spanish Colonial, Primitive Colonial, Plantation Colonial, Caribbean
Colonial; almost everything Colonial.  And each of those variations have
their own history and style. 

I thought you might enjoy some images of what I would consider traditional
colonial.  I think what we all appreciate about the style is the simplicity and
function.  The woods are beautiful, whether stained or painted.  The colors
are generally warm and inviting.  And yet, the rooms can have an airy, light
feel.  Blue and white are very popular; and black and white come close behind.
It is truly a style that you can take, use basic designs, and then give it your
own personal touch; which is what makes our homes our own.  Enjoy
these pictures. 

 Love this havest table.  I can almost picture the colonial family gathered here.

You can take colonial elements like painted cabinets and incorporate it into a traditional kitchen.

 Stencil and wall murals were ways to decorate walls and make them totally personal.

Another way of using a colonial twist with traditional.

 Who doesn't love a traditional Georgian colonial?

 A little blurry but still simplistic elegance.

Just a couple of colonial items from the store.

Have a great finish to your week.  We'll visit soon.

Trellis Pattern--the New Chevron?

Excuse me, but isn't this March 24?  As in "early spring"?  What's up with the weather?
We even have a chance of flurries tomorrow.  That's "snow" flurries. 

Okay, let's leave the subject of weather and move to something fun. 
I have a fascination for patterns.  I love scrolls.  So much that a friend who
shares that love usually gets a gift with scrolls from me or gives me a gift
that somehow incorporates scrolls.  It is a classic pattern and never goes out
of style. 

I also like chevron as a fun pattern, but not anywhere as much as scroll.  It's
been popular for a few years, and since it is somewhat 'faddish', I think it will
someday be outdated.  Like paneling :).  Awful, awful, paneling.

My newest fondness in the world of patterns is the trellis pattern.  Like scroll,
there are many variations and that makes it fun to work with.  You could
incorporate it many places in your decorating without overkilling it.  It will,
I predict, always stay a classic.  But don't take that to the bank because I honestly
don't have enough expertise to make a décor prediction. 

So...in this Decorating 101 lesson in trellis patterns, I'll show you some pictures
I found of it.  Enjoy and try to stay warm.

I like the variations and colors.

I think the wallpaper below is very classy looking.  And the piece in front of it is lovely.

The before and after below is from my favorite  decoratingblog.  www.dearlillieblog.blogspot.com.  This young wife and mommy, Jennifer, is one of the best decorators I've ever followed.  I admire her style greatly.  And she does most all of her own work--from painting trim to sewing.  She has used
trellis patterns all through her new house and I don't think it is overdone.  She has given me
permission to use her images so you'll see lots of pictures from her blog.

I love the way she uses chevron and trellis in here.  Such talent!!

Finished Chalk Paint Project

Can you believe it?  It's Wednesday already!  Where do the days go?

Back in January I told you about a project I had started.  And it went bad.  Fast. The
whole ugly saga is here: www.patscollectibles.blogspot.com/2014/01/oopsie.html. 
And then I cried and whined and gave you an update here.  And then I finished it so
I'll show you the end.  And by the way, I finished it quite a while ago, I've just
neglected to put it on the blog--didn't want you to think I was a slacker, even though
I sometimes am.  And now--I know you are anxious for my comments :).

If you read the previous posts about the project and saw the pictures, you can see quite
a difference.
 

 I'm happy with the results because I like old pieces painted--sometimes.  And then
sometimes I like the original, but this time I'm liking the paint.

In my younger days, I thought painted wood needed to be perfect.  Now, I like and appreciate
distressed pieces.  In reality nothing can stay perfect so distressing gives it that look that it
is going to have eventually--it just keeps us from getting upset when "life" distresses our pieces.

It was fun to decorate this piece, and I just "shopped" my house like I shared with you a
few posts back.

The reading glasses on the books belonged to my mom :).  The book they are resting on was
my husband's grandfather's and it is titled: Home Rules-Practical Talks On the Amenities
of Home.  It was published in 1896!  The best thing about the things in this cabinet:  because
they are behind glass I don't have to dust them!  How good is that?

So, I know you're curious...would I do another project like this with chalk paint?
Definitely not!  For me, it has it's place with smaller projects (much smaller) but for these
major projects...chalk paint is forever dead to me.  I know it claims no sanding necessary
but I think this needed a little.  For the cost (too much), the frustration, and the time I'm
pretty sure some really good paint would have done just as well if not better.  Benjamin
Moore has a  good line for things like this or for cabinets.  It is a little pricey but
compared to $38 for a quart of chalk paint, the Benjamin Moore paint is much more
reasonable and I understand the coverage is just as good.  Also, I'm not a fan of the
chalky-ness of chalk paint.  It's just way too flat and requires wax or finish.  Anyway,
that's my opinion, you may love it.    Thanks for suffering with me through this re-do.
With the warm weather, I'm sure I will have some more and next time we'll try the Moore
paint and I suspect, I'll be much happier.  I'll keep you posted :).                 

Graniteware's Newest Color

Hello!  And Yay, it's Friday!

In January, our supplier of graniteware, speckle-ware, splatter-ware--whatever you
want to call it, launched a new color.  Our older customers like it because they say
it looks 'classic'.  Our younger customers like it because they say it looks 'modern'
and 'industrial'.  Since both ends of the customer age spectrum seem to like it, I'd say
it's a hit.  A color I thought I'd never see in graniteware--grey (notice their spelling
of it--I think they're going for class!)

I like it.  I think most ladies will, too.  I'm especially glad that I could find linens that match.  Gray
or (grey)  must be an up and coming color because this year's linens have some gray accents in some
of their design lines.  I especially like pairing it with this coral (or nectarine).  You could start a war
over the specific name or spelling of a color :).
Come in and check our the new color for yourself and have a great weekend!

Setting a Spring Table

It's Thursday, y'all.  But technically, I consider that to be almost Friday!

Don't you love spring?  New life, bright colors, floral fragrances coming from
new blooms!  One way to reflect the joy of the new season is in your table
setting.  A well-set table makes even sandwiches look better.  It sets the mood
for a happy meal time.  It makes those you are serving feel special and cared-for
and isn't that what making a home is all about?

It really doesn't take too much time or expense to make your table special.  You
could buy linens for the four seasons and use them over and over, year after year.
If you think about it:  6 placemats @ $7.50 + 6 napkins @ $2.50 is $60.00.  If you
used them 5x per week for 3 months that would be $1.00/day and if you used them
for 3 years, that is $.33 (cents!) a day.  A very good investment for something so
beautiful and mood setting!

The picture above and this picture show a cabbage leaf placemat.  So fun.  Here is a link to another
picture of it.  Click here www.patscollectibles.blogspot.com/2013/02/something-unique.html

 

I love these, too.  They look great with our blue graniteware.  Add something yellow to your table and you have a beautiful setting!

 

I hope you've gotten some ideas for your table.  Tomorrow, I'm introducing you to the latest color in graniteware.  And it is set on some beautiful, bright linens that will be sure to cheer up anyone!

 

 

 

Bunnies and Birds

Happy Wednesday! 

Spring is coming after all!  I have been hearing doves in the backyard and seeing
more birds in the front on the feeder.  I love birds--my children tell me it's an
inevitable sign of age.   Whatever.  I still like them.  We have lots of birds in
the store.  Here are a few and I'm throwing in bunnies, too.  Just because they're cute.

 

 

Enjoy the beautiful weather and I'll post more spring Thursday.

New LIFE!

I am greeting you on a bright, sunny Monday morning here in NW Arkansas!

There have been days that I thought I might never be able to type that!  After
a long, dreary, cold winter we might be seeing signs of "new life" here.  And
that's exciting. 

Even though it has stayed cold, the trees are beginning to bud.  That tells
me that they are coming to life, not from the warmth but from The Creator
who has instructed them to do so.   They are experiencing "new life" for this
season.

My oldest son gave me these beautiful tulips Saturday and today they are
showing signs of "new life".

As I marveled at the newly opened blooms, the Lord gave me today's blog post.  "New Life".

I used these pink tulips in a post on decorating last week.  They are beautiful and I will enjoy them
longer than the yellow ones but sadly, the reason for that is they are artificial and not living.  When
I look at both bouquets, the difference is obvious.  The living ones are so much more beautiful in
their state of being alive. 

I prefer LIFE.  ETERNAL LIFE.  I looked up some verses on "life" this morning in my Bible
study.
James 4:14        "...you are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes
                           away."  Far more than our earthly life, which vanishes quickly, we
                           should be concerned with eternal life.
Matthew 20:28  "...Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and
                           to give His LIFE a ransom for many."
John 1:4            "In Him (Jesus) was LIFE, and the  LIFE was the Light of men."
John 3:16          "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son,
                          that whosoever believes on Him shall not perish, but have eternal LIFE."
John 17:3          This is eternal LIFE, that they may know You, the only true God, and
                          Jesus Christ whom You have sent."
Galatians 2:20   "I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but
                          Christ lives in me; and the LIFE which I now live in the flesh I live by
                          faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me."

I pray you have found this "new life" in Christ.  In this season of "new life", may each of
us come alive  like all of nature around us is beginning to come alive. 

Notice the tiny new bud just opening here.  Let's be "new life" to those around us today.

Shop Your House

Welcome to Wednesday!

It's been a quick week here. 
Winter might just be thinking of taking an exit and everyone I know would
be happy to see that occur.  And that means it is time to change the décor
of our home to reflect spring.  Bright colors, green leaves, things that remind
us of new growth.

A fun, frugal way to change our décor is to shop your house.  All of us
probably possess way more than we need.  Finding a new home in your
home for items you have can be fun.  Then, you can decorate and not feel
guilty if you pick up just one or two new things.

I shopped my house and found some things that could be moved around
and paired with others things to create a new thing.

These I took off of stems, placed them in a glass bowl and they became this...

This wooden box got added to a new arrangement and a little bunny and...

Then this...

this...

 

 

and this...

came together and became this fun vignette.

See how fun this can be and on the cheap, too!!  That makes it extra fun to enjoy :).
Now go shop your house and see what you can do!