skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Welcome to my garden once again. I didn't want to overwhelm you last week so I broke this post into two segments. Now where was I?
Oh yes, I was sharing the accessories I have acquired through the years and how I didn't have to spend a lot to achieve the look I wanted. It just takes patience and when you look back on the treasures you have accumulated each and every one of them has special meaning and special memories attached.
I purchased this lovely Adirondack set at a yard sale for $40. Yes, that's right, the whole set. It came with faded and worn cushions so I did splurge and purchased a new set on EBay. That was the only place I could find a floral pattern. The settee cushion was too large so I opened up the seam, shortened it, stitched it by hand to close it up and made a pillow out of what was left using the same hand stitching method. I love coming home after a hard day at work and feeling welcomed home with this lovely vignette.
Here is a close up of my little succulents I purchased at a yard sale last year. I decided to make our yard more drought tolerant as we have been subject to water rationing in the last few years. These still have the raindrops left from yesterday's storm.
I love statuary, big or small. Another thing you will find a lot of is heads. I love pretty heads and faces and tuck them all over the place. You can see one on this little iron settee. I haven't decided what to do with these pretty blue plant hangers yet so there they rest until they are called into action. Oh, and pots? Lots and lots. I actually used several of these after taking these photos because my succulents are reproducing and I want to see if the babies will root in these pots.
Although we don't have a cat right now, I like cat statuary. This is one of my favorites. He's peaking into a porcelain bird cage I also found at a yard sale.
Here is another one of my favorite kitties. He's spying the birds with his binoculars while one sits and spies on him.
Another peak at one of my geese. These look so real
This is our front porch. The color you see is the silk kind. The porch itself is too dark for real flowers. Even the ivy struggles and has to be rotated or switched out frequently. I still like to make it inviting.
Mr. and Mrs. are my official greeters in the spring.
Last but not least is this little critter I purchased to keep Cindy company in the yard when she is leashed up and my husband is working in the garage on things for me to take to the shop. She keeps him company and likes to sit next to this little cow I purchased for her. (Yes, I know he's a bull, but I like to pretend he's a cow because they are so pastoral.)
Thanks so much for continuing the tour from last week. Not much is blooming yet, but give it another couple of weeks and it will be beautiful.
I'm partying at...
Mondays The House in the Roses Debbie Doos The Graphics Fairy
Tuesdays Knick of Time Tutus and Tea Parties Coastal Charm
Boogie Board Cottage
Wednesdays Savvy Southern Style Primp Faded Charm Cottage
Fine Craft Guild It's So Very Cheri Bloghop Ivy and Elephants
Thursdays Embracing Change The Shabby Creek Cottage No Minimalist Here
Tablescape Thursday Delightfully Inspiring Thursday
Fridays French Country Cottage My Romantic Home Miss Mustard Seed
At the Picket Fence Potpourri Friday Common Ground
The Charm of Home Decorating Insanity
Saturdays Funky Junk Interiors
Sundays It's Overflowing
Delightfully Inspiring Thursday
I should call this post Confessions of a Girly Girl. I love to do tea with the ladies, and wear hats and vintage jewelry which is essentially playing dress up. I put down my paint brushes and garden spades and get all gussied up for these very special opportunities. Today I thought I would share some of my favorite hats. You will notice they are all floral. Yes, I am truly a romantic. Can't help it, it's in my blood.
The first hat is truly vintage. The designer was Lilly Dache. She was a premiere hat designer in her day. I just love this hat.
Today I have called on my favorite hat models, Fifi and Stella. Stella loves her vintage pearls and necklaces.
The following hat I picked up at a very special little boutique that used to be at a nearby swap meet. You would be amazed at the crazy places you can find beautiful hats like these. A very talented hat artist used to sell her creations there.
This next hat was one of my splurges. This hat is exquisitely designed and constructed. It will last well into the next millennium. Of course, I keep these protected in hat boxes when not in use.
This is my largest hat. I purchased this one at Nordstrom years ago. Mind you, I used to do tea at least once a month so these hats have been called to serve many times.
This is another pretty hat by the same designer at the swap meet.
Lovely handmade silk roses and beautiful lace.
Fifi is wearing this very vintage hat in navy blue velvet from I. Magnin. This hat is almost patriotic by its coloring.
Truly gorgeous. Hope you enjoyed my little hat parade. One last funny story. One day I went to tea at a very fancy tea room in Pasadena, California. Of course, I was all dolled up for the festivities. I came home and was rushing to get a project done to take to the shop. Well, I changed out of my fancies and put on the grubbies and headed for the garage. My neighbor stopped by to chat for a few minutes and when I came back in, I was covered in paint, dirt and, oh yes, my beautiful vintage pearls. I had forgotten to take them off. She thinks I'm a little strange anyway, but I think that convinced her for sure. Thanks for joining the parade today. Have a wonderful week.
I'm partying at...
Mondays The House in the Roses Debbie Doos The Graphics Fairy
Le Chateau des Fleurs
Tuesdays Knick of Time Tutus and Tea Parties Coastal Charm
Boogie Board Cottage
Wednesdays Savvy Southern Style Primp Faded Charm Cottage
Fine Craft Guild It's So Very Cheri Bloghop Ivy and Elephants
Thursdays Embracing Change The Shabby Creek Cottage No Minimalist Here
Tablescape Thursday
Fridays French Country Cottage My Romantic Home Miss Mustard Seed
At the Picket Fence Potpourri Friday Common Ground
The Charm of Home Decorating Insanity
Saturdays Funky Junk Interiors
Well, I apologize for how wrinkled this piece is. I washed this burlap to soften it up and then left it in my fabric pile and for the life of me, I cannot get the wrinkles out no matter what I do. I thought they would steam out after I finished the project. That said, I have wanted to do one of these for the longest time and so now I can tell you how easy it is.
I had already cut the burlap thinking I would do a different project with it so my length was determined at that point. I folded the fabric in half width-wise and snipped it in half. This was actually perfect for the runner. I took my stencil that I have shared with you many times from other projects and used it for this one too. I ordered this stencil from Maison de Stencils click here. I love her feed sack stencils and ordered two more yesterday. They are expensive, but considering how much I use them since I sell my work, they are very worth the asking price.
Here is a closer view of the pattern. Go heavy on your paint with the burlap. Since it is so textured you need to get down into the grooves.
I didn't use a sewing machine and I am glad I didn't. I folded the edge once and then twice and pressed the edge, then I came along and basted the edge closed. Leave about six inches unbasted on each end so you can fringe it if you so desire.
I found that if I loosened a cross thread at one side and brought it down and then pulled the fabric that helped to loosen it further. On the burlap I used, the cross thread went one direction and then reversed and then came completely away from the fabric. Just play with it if you want fringe. It was such an easy project and from start to finish took me about an hour. Took me a long time though to try to get the wrinkles out when I was done so maybe the pre-wash wasn't such a great idea. Have a wonderful Sunday.
I'm partying at...
Mondays The House in the Roses Debbie Doos The Graphics Fairy
Tuesdays Knick of Time Tutus and Tea Parties Coastal Charm
Boogie Board Cottage
Wednesdays Savvy Southern Style Primp Faded Charm Cottage
Fine Craft Guild It's So Very Cheri Bloghop Ivy and Elephants
Thursdays Embracing Change The Shabby Creek Cottage No Minimalist Here
Tablescape Thursday
Fridays French Country Cottage My Romantic Home Miss Mustard Seed
At the Picket Fence Potpourri Friday Common Ground
The Charm of Home Decorating Insanity
Saturdays Funky Junk Interiors
.JPG)
