Wedding Signs

A bride-to-be contacted me about making one of my “Happily Ever After” signs for her December wedding, and I was happy to oblige.

She wanted it to look really old and rustic, so for the first time I did not use an old cupboard door for this sign.  Instead, I bought a piece of rough plywood that was knotty, uneven, and splinter-y! (I sanded the splinters off.  Or they came off in my fingers.  A little of both happened.)

I also made a “coordinating” sign for a display of family wedding pictures (what a fun idea!)…

…plus one for the hot chocolate table…

…and a couple more for other “stations” at the reception. (I love the big knothole in the middle of the “Gifts” sign.)

It was my first time making a whole wedding collection!

I guess it’s good practice for when my children start getting married off…hopefully that’s a few years away for me!

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Linking up here:

Center of Attention Deficit Disorder	The DIY Show Off
Sassafras Salvation

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Garden Design.....part 2. Three homes, Six plants.

Source: Uploaded by user via Debra on Pinterest

In the continuation of our series, I want to guide you on honing in on your homes architectural elements and what plants and garden style will be compatible. Let's keep it easy and examine the same six plants for each. Our styles will be "Cottage/informal", Semi-formal, and Formal

The six plants will be, Boxwood, Hydrangeas, Roses, a Crab Apple Tree, Lavender, and Ornamental Grasses. OK, onto the first house...........

Source: houseofturquoise.com via Debra on Pinterest

     Cottage Style
In this case study is a shingle styled home, think beach, cottage, Cape Cod, a bungalow........very informal. So using our six plants here, let's begin with boxwood;

No rows here but placed sporadically, they offer a sense of continuity without demanding attention. And importantly they offer winter interest. Have to honestly say one of my top favorite plants

Can't you just see it, spilling mounds, collected together for the perfect cottage scene.

Source: smallrooms.tumblr.com via Debra on Pinterest

Roses, climbing, entwining, intermingling. When I was studying in England I loved the concept of two vines are better than one. You would see a glorious climber like this one above clambering towards the sun while in a deep passionate "hug" with a morning glory vine.......can't you just picture that?

Ornamental Crabs or fruit bearing apple trees would be best as 'one with the garden' with a mosaic inspired plant cluster at it's feet

Source: ih2.redbubble.net via Debra on Pinterest

Does it get any better than this? What better garden than a cottage garden? The sun, the fragrance, the sound of bumble bees (they will never hurt you unless you attack)

The textural contrast of ornamental grasses is again intermingled as are most plants in an informal garden creating little exclamation points of interest

Source: skirtsandcowgirlboots.blogspot.com via Debra on Pinterest

  Semi-Formal
This is a style that is compatible with almost any architecture. It's the middle of the road, the perfect blend of formal and informal. Let's study the use of our six plants within this framework. Our chosen house is a classic American farmhouse with an asymmetrical design

Source: deborahsilver.com via Debra on Pinterest

The boxwood here has become a more prominent player containing the riotous color and free-flowering nature of the perennials

 This layout has a touch of formality however the loose structure of the hydrangeas again relaxes the structured layout of the boxwood

Roses, framing a door but look again at it's partner, yes boxwood. This composition is the classic middle of the road style.
TIP:  Want to surround your door or window in roses without a trellis? Easy, put globs of clear bathroom silicone caulk just where you want the stem. While wet, insert a garden twisty tie encasing it entirely in the caulk, allow to dry, repeat every 12". When thoroughly dry add your stalk, twist and go to the next one.Want to remove the caulk ever? Again easy, slip a screw driver under it and pop them off.

Source: lh3.ggpht.com via Debra on Pinterest

Diminutive crab apples, a favorite is 'Lollipop'. This placement can be formal which is expected in this style, but to a degree. The looseness of the hydrangeas tones down the symmetry

Source: splendidsass.blogspot.com via Debra on Pinterest

A free formed plant such as the lavender above can single-handedly pull together the desired style when planted in a straight line

Source: garden-artistry.tumblr.com via Debra on Pinterest

Can you see it here? Where is the formality? In the strong rectangle of ornamental grasses which is inherently informal but teamed with the giant allium......Viola!

                                                                   Formal
And in this case French architecture. To me, there are two types of French homes; the formal as above and the French country rustic, which could go with any of the styled gardens previously mentioned. This could also be an English home, Tudor, Greek Revival, ............

Source: blog.theenduringgardener.com via Debra on Pinterest

This is what we think of as formal boxwood; severely pruned into a pattern, and here lining the walkway with a boxwood sentinel flanking the entrances

Trees in a topiary form is pure formal. How is this for the use of Hydrangea?!

Ahhhhh, yes! Are we in Versailles? This is a la Claude Monet, the alee of roses on multiple trellis forms creating the long view of lusciousness! The supporting cast of boxwood and a pea gravel path, define the style.

Source: google.com via Debra on Pinterest

The perfect crab or fruit bearing apple is the 'espalier', (s  pal yeah) creates a living fence, a tight formation of simple and elegant manipulation

Remember the haphazard layout of the lavender in the cottage style? This is anything but. Patterned gardens are particularly lovely viewed from above.

         

Source: brabournefarm.blogspot.com via Debra on Pinterest

Did you ever think there was such a beautiful way to formalize ornamental grasses? This is the best example I have ever seen

So to recap, hone in on the architecture and the complimentary landscape style. And "see" your chosen plants in a form that fits in with your scheme. Did this help you? Do you feel better informed when visiting the garden center? Any questions? Yes I used to teach landscape design and am used to asking at the end, "any questions?" But I am serious, ask away!

Next in the series:  choosing the "floor" of the garden. Wishing everyone a lovely weekend and as always, thank you for visiting!
xo
Debra

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DO YOU KNOW WHO MADE THESE

I am asking for help finding the make of these dolls - they are made by hand:
Abraham Lincoln, Betsy Ross, Ben Franklin and the Headless Horseman dolls

I have a customer who wants to purchase some for her shop.

They were made by a lady in Ohio, but she can't make out the rest of the words on the tags.  But it looks something like: V Mattoney but it could be something else. She purchased them in Lancaster, PA.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

E-mail me if you know something

Karen

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Office Concept

Believe it or not, it’s been at least two weeks now, and I have changed my mind about turning the front room to an “office” space.  I showed you a collection of my inspiration photos here, with this picture being my favorite (I think).

With your understanding that I have NO technical drawing skills, here’s a sketch of what I envision our “office wall” to look like:

Yes, even with graph paper I can’t draw a straight line!  You get the general idea.

Since this desk will be the first thing you see upon entering our home, I so want it to be pretty.  I can deal with the monitor on display—I guess that’s really no different than a television.  But I really want the CPU, router, and printer to all be tucked away behind doors.

The bookshelves on either side will hold books that meet my requirements of both functional and “pretty.”  I’d love for the area above the desk space to hold some vintage-y treasures, but I’m thinking if I spring for seeded glass, they could disguise more practical items!

This is the wall where the desk would go.  I took this picture early last fall, standing at the front door.  The left side doesn’t look like that anymore—the white entry table is gone (that’s where the suitcase wall is), and the staircase (farther to the left) has been totally remodeled. 

Slowly…ever so slowly…I will get this room done!

…assuming I don’t change my mind again.

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You’re Invited

Hello Everyone!!!

Robin from The Primitive Hutch
http://primitivehutch.blogspot.com
and Imyself, Karen from My Colonial Home
http://mycolonialhome.blogspot.com
are planning a get together!

When:  Sat. May 19th

We are trying to get a group of our blogging friends together to go antiquing for the day!!!

"Oh What Fun That Would Be!!!"

So if you're from Wisconsin or from the surrounding areas you are more than welcome to join in the fun!!!
(Everyone is Invited)
Where: We are planning to meet at the
Columbus Antique Mall
239 Whitney St.
Columbus, WI 53925
http://www.columbusantiquemall.com/

Time:  8:00 a.m.

After our antiquing adventure and if time permits we would like to go to
Cottage House Primitives
120 S. Main St.
Lodi, WI 53555
http://www.cottagehouseprimitives.com/

There is also another shop located in Lodi
Three Bats in the Belfry
203 Portage St.
Lodi, WI 53555
http://www.threebatsinthebelfry.com/
That might be interesting!

Or if anyone knows of other prim shops near Columbus, WI that would be fun to visit please let us know!

So if anyone is interested in going ~ Please ~ contact Robin or me via email to get signed up!!!

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Quilt tops, more sheep, winnings

I guess it wasn’t enough that I posted a long post already this week…there’s more she has to say you ask yourself…oh yes, there’s more…MORE SHEEP THAT IS…like I don’t have enough – maybe I do – but isn’t there always room for ‘just one more’?  But in this case TWO MORE…oh my….where will they end up!

Well, one is a PINCHUSHION – I just had to have it. You know how that is when you see something and say THAT’S MINE!!!!
Yep, I ordered this little cutie from Cathy at
Red House Wool Studio
http://www.redhousewoolstudio.blogspot.com/

She also has a blog
Orange Sink
http://www.orangesink.blogspot.com/

And don’t forget…you can also fine her at
Primitive Handmade Mercantile
http://www.primitivehandmadesmercantile.com/p/red-house-wool-studio.html

This lady does awesome work…now I ask you…is this not just too sweet…see why I had to have it.
It’s pure wool and Pennies…oh yes, Pennies – and buttons!

 

THANK YOU SO MUCH CAROL…I LOVE IT.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

And this adorable gal named Beulah…from Carol over at Buttermilk Creek Farms ( http://buttermilkcreekfarm.blogspot.com/)
Remember the Mouser, Miss Maggie Sue that I posted earlier this week – she was part of a swap?
Well this is her little friend Beulah – Now tell me I didn’t need her…Maggie Sue said she needed her so home she will come soon.
She’s a tiny one and all hand made by Carol…approx. 2-1/2 high by 3-1/2 long. How does she do that!!!
Thank you Carol for letting me use your picture.

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So what else is happening here at the home - (oh gosh, that’s sounds like I’m in a HOME…lol)
Well, maybe I am – feels like it sometimes!

I must have the stars all lined up for me this month because I won another give away
I won these wonderful treasures from Michelle at
Simple Pleasures ( http://simplepleasures317.blogspot.com/ )

It all came wrapped and presented so pretty…I couldn’t wait to open it all.
The giveaway was for her bowl of handmade waxed eggs – but Michelle added a few extra treasures.

In the little cloth bag were some waxed bowl fillers…so cute!

Look at this awesome Gooseberry Patch Cookbook – too sweet!

And the wonderful bowl of hand made waxed eggs…adorable!
 

THANK YOU MICHELLE….you spoiled me!

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YOOOOO-HOOOOO….Angieberry…look see….
Yesterday was a beautiful day (one of our last for awhile) so I took advantage of it and grunged the quilt tops – just look at them blowing in the breeze – I love that look. 

This one here is my favorite…I love how the blue darkened from the coffee dye. If it didn’t have so many tears in it I just might consider completing it – but the fabric is so think I don’t think it would hold up.
I think what I will make from this is pillows from the squares – at least that’s what is in my head ‘today’.


This is the way it looked when I received it
 

This one didn’t darken as much but for real it looks darker than the picture


This is the original look – doesn’t even look like the same quilt…but it is!
 

  

 

Thanks for hanging in there with me today – I really didn’t know I was going to do a second post
but thanks to all my wonderful friends I have ‘food’ for a post!

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Just a little thing to think about…Robin from The Primitive Hutch
( http://primitivehutch.blogspot.com/ )
and myself are trying to get a day get-together with all the Wisconsin bloggers
( and anyone else who would like to join in )

We’re in the process of picking a day and then we’ll post the details for signup…
not sure where we will be meeting for our days outing but it
probably will be somewhere easy for EVERYONE to get to.

One date we thought about was May 19th…keep it in mind.

So keep watching – we’re hoping for mid May or there about.
We have about 10 on the hopeful list so far!

Karen

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Chippy Enamel Flower Bucket

After making the faux enameled stencils, I wanted to try enamel-i-fying something else, just for fun!

I came across this cute little metal bucket at Target for $2.50, and it had to come home with me.

I primed it, and then painted it with Rustoleum spray paint in gloss white.

It took me the longest time to decide how to embellish my little bucket.  I turned to my French typography inspiration board, and this image from The Graphics Fairy caught my eye:

(click on the image to be taken to the source)

I saved the image to my computer, and then uploaded it into my Silhouette software.  After some manipulations, I was able to cut out the words in vinyl.

I applied the vinyl directly to my bucket…

…and then I used acrylic paint to randomly paint on “chipped” areas on my “enamel” bucket.  I sprayed the whole thing with a protective coat in a glossy finish.

And now I have an old, chipped, enamel flower bucket!

I kept thinking of that old commercial that said something like: 

“Is it real?? Or is it…Clairol?”

What do you think?

Would it fool YOU?

Note:  The “green tree” sign project may be found here.

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Linking up here:

Coastal Charm’s Nifty Thrifty Tuesday	Elizabeth & Co.
Center of Attention Deficit Disorder	The Graphics Fairy
Someday Crafts	No Minimalist Here’s Open House Thursday
Friday Remodelaholic	2805
My Simple Home Life’s Simple Creations Friday	Mod Vintage Life
Funky Junk’s Saturday Night Special	Domestically Speaking
Beyond the Picket Fence’s Under $100 Party	My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Perfectly Imperfect	{Primp}
Simply Klassic Sundays	My Repurposed Life
Thrifty Décor Chick	It’s So Very Cheri
Common Ground	{aka} design

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