Tuesday, June 30, 2009

The Garden Shed ~ NOW OPEN!



*Grand Opening Celebration ~ June 30 to July 14*
Please visit The Garden Shed ~ a fresh, soft and flowery corner of etsy where you’ll find my original garden and nature inspired photography, notecards and on occasion, a few vintage garden collectibles! I hope you'll wander in on occasion and enjoy my garden...
*~*~*~*~*Opening Specials*~*~*~*~*
* Free
4x6 photograph (choose your photo from any shop listing!) for each customer between June 29 and July 14! Just let me know your choice, by title, in the notes to seller box at time of purchase. I’ll confirm your selection with a follow up note!
* Free shipping on second (third, etc) items until July 14th…savings will be refunded to your paypal account.
...and a big thank you to you sweet things who have been so encouraging over the past couple of weeks as I prepared to open the shop! It' s been much appreciated!
karon ♥

Monday, June 29, 2009

What's Blooming Today? Peony, Poppy and Foxglove

Early summer brings my favorite time in my garden... fully grown, yet still fresh and blooming in all corners! I captured this salmon oriental poppy after the petals dropped but I love the center...there's a line from 'Where is Your Heart At?' by Rufus Wainright ~ " Your satin flip-flops are hidden in the pockets of your velvet dressing gown..." ~ which this flower reminds me of...I'm sure there are satin flip flops hidden in there somewhere!
.........
The peonies are holding their own in all the rain we've had recently...one of my favorites is this fuchsia single with the bright yellow center. How could a person be blue in the face of that????

~ a little foxglove having a drink...


Sunday, June 28, 2009

I've been tagged!


Hey…I'VE BEEN TAGGED! Thanks kathi! It’s been a few days and I’m finally getting around to answering the questions ~ and then I am supposed to tag 8 others…here we go!

What is your current obsession?
furniture…I am on the hunt for some pieces for our new cottage…vintage-y, beach-y, painted wood and cotton fabrics…all light and airy and perfect for blue waters and sandy feet…a friend told me about Stanley Furniture’s Coastal Living pieces which I am coveting in the seaglass colors…makes my heart go pitter-pat!
***
What is your weirdest obsession?
love the tv program LOST…my husband thinks it’s the weirdest show ever
***
What are you wearing today?
white cotton jeans, white sleeveless tank and light blue cotton cardigan…and a great pair of keds canvas wedges, kind of ivory with yellow, orange and blue on the heel…I love them!
***
What's for dinner?
don’t know…my hubby is cooking…
***
What would you eat for your last meal?
nachos and salsa…hands down
***
What's the last thing you bought?
a fridge for the pantry in the new cottage…I wish it was something more beautiful such as some gorgeous felted flower brooches made by one of the members of our shop. I’ve been drooling over them all morning. I’m thinking Christmas gifts…
***
What are you listening to right now?
birds, eva cassidy, footsteps on the wooden floors of the shop
***
What is your favorite ice-cream flavour?
chocolate… aren’t I a deviant?
***
What do you think of the person who tagged you?
kathi is such a woman ~ I am in awe of her amazingly talents, she is kindhearted, interested in others, thoughtful, a wonderful esty friend and I think we share many common interests…
***
If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where would you like it to be?
by an ocean with endless sea views, white sand dunes, and warm salty breezes…
***
If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go?
Paris, to a cafĂ© on the banks of the Seine, to sip coffee and gaze at the Eiffel Tower…
***
Which language do you want to learn?
French, of course…
***
What is your favorite colour?
without question, GREEN, in all it’s wonderful shades and hues…I also am deliciously in love with aqua, turquoise, robin’s egg blue…you know. I am a bit of a color-aholic so it is difficult to stick to just one (that’s part of my cottage decorating dilemma ~ can’t seem to settle on a ‘scheme’ )
***
What is your favorite piece of clothing in your own wardrobe?
an aqua heavy cotton pullover sweater ~ love it! I’m also a fan of my jeans and black yoga pants…and a great purple leather jacket I’ve had for a couple of years (the lining is fantastic too! )
***
What's your favourite magazine?
I couldn't pick just one…I just love magazines in general ~ beautiful colorful photos, interesting bits about everything a person can imagine, travel, home, garden, body and soul, art…love them all! A perfect summer afternoon includes a stack of magazines, my back porch, a cup of tea and a worn quilt…
***
If you had £100 now, what would you spend it on?
silver, beads, beautiful papers, vintage bits for the cottage
***
Favorite artist/s?
children ~ their paintings and creations are so free…
***
Do you admire any one's style?
I admire people who know who they are and dare to show it....but aren’t too attached to it.
***
Describe your personal style?
my style is rather casual, lots of cotton, comfy fabrics and colors, easy living...
***
What are you going to do after this?
drive to the lake
What are your favourite movies?
The Matrix, Thomas Crown Affair, The Shawshank Redemption, Finding Nemo
***
What's your favourite fruit?
papaya and raspberries…not together
***
What inspires you?
color, light, words, stories, new ideas, rusty stuff, beautiful design, change…
***
What music do you like this week?
eva cassidy , although it’s been more than a week…
***
What is your dream job?
I want to spend my time doing things I enjoy and somehow, making that my ‘job’… flexible hours so I can work half the night if I want or wear my pj’s, or meet friends for lunch… I’m happiest when I’m making/creating something fun, pretty, colorful, visually pleasing, writing, pulling some grand plan together or organizing something… is any of this a job?
***
What is stopping you?
absolutely nothing
***
if you could change something in the world to make it a better place what would that be?
I would want people to understand our differences, as humans, are all on the surface ~ we share one spirit and this one planet.
***
What are you doing tomorrow?
lunch with a friend, listings for the opening of my new etsy shop...laundry
***

I tag...
Cat, Cat Ludwig Photography
Martha, Open Door Studio
Renee, Decorate the Diva
Rose, Waterrose
Liz, Two Left Hands
Kerrin, Sigmosaics
Cris, Iomiss
***
The rules :1. Respond and rework; answer the question on your blog, replace one question that you dislike with a question of your invention, add one more question of your own.2. Tag eight other people.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Wednesday Wonders ~ Amalia Versaci Designs



Can you hear the steady 'whrrrrrrrrr' of the sewing machines...see the mannequins, bolts of fabric, women feeding cloth through their machines, sunlight streaming in from an upper window-a few tiny dust particles suspended in mid air...feel the textures of the materials and the metal teeth of each zipper...with a perfect mix of unique contemporary design and historical garment district feel, Amalia Versaci Designs offers gorgeous zipper jewelry and home decor creations. Incorporating every part (slides, tape, teeth...) of each of her collection of vintage zippers, Amalia has created a facinating and colorful collection of earrings, pendants, bracelets, necklaces and home decor items. In contrast, she has included several unpainted, metal pieces with a wonderful industrial chic. Clearly another talent, her photography is stunning, communicating her message in the most gorgeous manner! I do believe I'm in love with her inspiring designs! Please check out her wonderful shop today.
.........

Vintage Zipper Studs

Upcycled Painted Zipper Slide Bracelet - Olive Green

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

stars & stripes...



We live just a short drive (about an hour) from Maine...and visit many spots in New England every year. The east coast is charmingly beautiful and has hundreds of antique and 'junk' shops where I can get my fix! We spent part of our honeymoon in Bar Harbor (around July 4th) and have returned nearly every summer since 1990! I can't wait to go this year! In honor of our many visits and the wonderful people we meet, I have created my beaded stars in red, white and blue!
Happy Indpendence Day!

Monday, June 22, 2009

What's Blooming Today? Cranesbill, Roses, Peony, Foxglove & Astilbe

.........
Gray and wet these last few days, the garden is a splash of early summer color! It seems everything has grown a foot in less than a week ~ the tall leaves of blue cranesbill are flopping all over the place. I always think I have them happily coralled but it seems I never really do ~ a good life lesson, I think! Their nodding little heads are friendly and humble.

A hungry ant out for a social luncheon (her friend is on the other side)!
The peonies are HUGE this summer ~ and will be fully blooming this week in pink, white, magenta and fuchsia. The lush double blooms of the pink and white carry the most magnificient fragrance while the fuchsia (above) is a single with sunny yellow stamens...a striking contrast!

~ graceful astilbe

Foxglove ~ one of my favorites (today, anyway), it seems to have seeded all over the garden this summer...more to come!

ahhhhh, roses ~ what more needs to be said?


Saturday, June 20, 2009

the garden shed...opening June 30

...........

♥ I'm excited to announce the upcoming opening of my second Etsy shop ~ The Garden Shed! I hope you will enjoy my original garden and nature inspired photography, notecards and on occasion, a few vintage garden collectibles! Stay tuned for opening specials and savings - I hope you'll stroll by and check it out!!! Opens June 30...

Friday, June 19, 2009

Moving Day...

"Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely." ~unknown
.....
Our 'summer home' with one of the new flower beds...we really must stop calling it the garage! We've spent most of this week packing up (and purging!) all the 'stuff' in our old cottage and creating a little spot in our garage where we can spend time enjoying the summer during the construction of the new place...we've been planning our new cottage for a few years and it's finally going to happen. As with any major change, I have some mixed feelings...the old place is filled with 22 years of happy memories ~ friends and family, our first home, where my husband proposed...and yet, I know we are leaving none of that behind and am VERY excited to be building our new place! It looks like moving day is early next week...they are going to jack up the old cottage, slide some beams (?) under, place it on a flatbed truck and drive it down the road to it's new home. I know it will make a great cottage for the young family who are the new owners! We're headed there today to finish up the packing and enjoy one more weekend there...stay tuned!

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Wednesday Wonders ~ Bubbletime


Whimsical...colorful...winsome pincushions created by Jenny of Bubbletime are hand embroidered and made from cheery fabrics. They are perfectly modern and yet take my imagination to my grandmother's sewing table where this one might rest, filled with pins and needles with bits of knotted threads!
When I began making treasuries on esty several months ago, I came upon her lovely shop and was captivated by these small wonders! I have enjoyed many visits to Jenny's shop, browsing for that I-know-its-here perfect item for a treasury or simply admiring her sweet plushies, fanciful figurines, pretty pouches, painted canvases and her fun sense of whimsy. Animals and nature are inspiration for her handmade collectibles.

Jenny's charming pendants feature fetchingly sweet embroidered flowers, leaves and vines ~ perfect for any gardener or flower-lover...such as, ahem...myself!

Monday, June 15, 2009

What's Blooming Today? Meadow Rue, Poppy, Snow in Summer and Lupin



It's been a busy few days...both shops opening and packing up our old cottage in preparation for the big move. Looks like that's happening late this week ~ holy cow! I couldn't resist a bit of time spent in the garden however. The parade passes so quickly and I want to see it all! Meadow Rue is a wild plant but I've 'tamed' one and tucked it in the garden ~ I think it's entirely gorgeous!

Meadow Rue

The roadsides are seas of lupin!

Snow in Summer ~ a blanket of tiny white flowers growing along our cottage wall.

Poppies ~ fuzzy green...the composition reminds me of a mother and child.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Wednesday Wonders ~ Freshly Skweezed

Bright, bold and beautiful papers have long held an allure for me...as a child, on family shopping trips, my sisters and brother hung out in all toy departments while I headed straight for stationary to drool over the papers, tablets, colored pencils and ink!
Well, you can imagined my utter joy when I discovered Freshly Skweezed, and its most delicious, colorful and elegant notecards and stationary! Deb completes the entire process herself using carefully selected papers and many of her own originally handdrawn designs, die cut and 'skweezed' from Deb's own press!
Really, it's like being a kid in a stationary store (heehee) ~fresh, fun, bright colors...funky, mod and floral patterns...crisp designs...personalized...fully lined envelopes in beautifully coordinating papers...and simply, the perfect gift!

Yes, I've got a serious case of 'paper-love' and Freshly Skweezed is just what the stationer ordered... As Deb says, "Kick your stationary up a notch!" and I say, visit her wonderful shop today!

Notes from the Garden, 4 Personalized Note Cards

Orange Crush, Stationary Set

1. Jeanette, Stationary Set
2. Pinky Crush, Stationary Set
3. Love to You, Greeting Card
4. Green Peaceful, Stationary Set
5. Blueberry Flats, Stationary Set
6. Summer Home in the Garden, Screenprinted Note Cards
7. Tropic Mellow, Stationary Set
8. Thanks, Gocco Style
9. Very Cherry Cream, Stationary Set

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

s e e d s ...

" The invariable mark of wisdom is to see the miraculous in the common."
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

3000 hearts....thank you!

Monday, June 8, 2009

What's Blooming Today? Iris, Lady's Mantle, Chives and Columbine



The sun shone ALL weekend ~ what a treat! All the chores (labors of love, eh?) that seem to consume so much of the spring have diminished and it's time to just enjoy the blooms. Well...there may still be a weed or two...

Don't these chive flowers look a bit like tentacled sea anemones in the garden?

Bearded purple irises beckon the bumblebees with a fuzzy, yellow landing strip...

Chives burst from their papery skins...

Lady's Mantle
~ I've planted several clumps of these lovelies mixed with hostas along the border of one of my beds. Inspiration came from a local garden a friend and I have visited a number of times. We have plans to go there today! Annette has the most beautiful waves of plants she's repeated throughout her garden which is pleasing to the eye and ties it all together in the prettiest way!

Old Fashioned Columbine

Sunday, June 7, 2009

The Garden Shed



Well...I finally mucked out the garden shed this weekend! In the summer, my bitty shed is one of life's little luxuries ~ a spot of my own filled with my garden tools, treasures, a comfy chair for reading and an old table for writing, garden planning or just enjoying! In the winter it is the storehouse for all the garden furniture, junk, pots, benches....and it is a mess! So, Saturday dawned sunny and perfect for clearing out the crap and bringing order and prettiness to my little summer spot.
One of the funniest things about it all is when I first described what I wanted this shed to look like to my husband, Peter, the builder, it sounded very much like an old chicken coop. In fact, I supported my description with various photos of old chicken coops made into charming garden sheds...well, I have to admit, I'm not really one for chickens, and it evolved into this sweet oasis in the garden. He still says it's the best looking chicken coop in the county! Next came the bed of flowers beside it and several wheelbarrows full of flat rocks from the beach for the little patio. It's taken about three years to complete but it was worth it! I'm writing this post from the little table inside right now ~ wireless internet is a wonderful thing!


My 'work' table!

Down the garden path...

The shed garden and stone patio... the bench in the distance is a pew from an old church that was being torn down a ways down the road.

Welcome!

From the garden gate...

Inside the shed and looking out the front window...

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Wednesday Wonders ~ Utile Mud



Theresa calls herself 'a friend of mud' and when you
pay a call to her shop, Utile Mud, you
will see from her beautiful handmade stoneware
pottery that this is indeed an understatement!
Each piece has a sculptural simplicity complemented
by glazes in modern colors with a fun retro feel.
Beautiful bowls, sassy serving pieces,
darling dishes, joyful jars and terrific tumblers are each created with clean, graceful lines and perfect functionality.
Theresa's pottery are works of art that you can enjoy using everyday ~ now that's the best of all worlds!
Swing by her delightful shop!

Serving Bowl, Green on Green

Set of Three Nesting Bowls


1. Tumbler, Bright Orange and Aqua
2. Bowl, Sky Blue
3. Mixing Bowl, Textured Olive and Cranberry
4. Place Setting, Satin Black and White
5. Serving Bowl, Sunshine Yellow and Aqua
6. Jar, Satin White
7. Jar, Aqua
8. Lunch Plate, Orange and Yellow
9. Two Bowls, Deep Purple and Orangerie