Sunporch Shenanigans

There's a little more fun going on in the sunporch this week that I wanted to share with you.  I always have an ivy that sits in my wicker floral container, ok...funeral basket. I hate saying funeral basket. Is that the only time anyone ever had one of these delivered? I guess they were the closest thing to "disposable" back then. so anyway... back to the funeral basket...

I like to keep mine "upbeat" with some seasonal decor thrown in for fun.

So this month it's been an "ode to black cats".

I love any color cats, 

but in my lifetime I've had several of those sweeties

all named...

wait for it...

"Blackie"

I also had an adorable white kitty named "Whitey",

but today we're talkin' black kitties.

I think they get a bad rap.

My last "Blackie" was one of the sweetest girls around.

hmmm...this one could be a tuxedo.

but we'll just say it's black.

My girls were out here helping with the photos and trying to get a nibble

from the Angel Vine I just brought indoors.

They're naughty that way.

I found a wonderful little Elementary Reader a few years ago and used it to make some fun prints. That's a copy of the original 1920's page with another black cat and pumpkin image on top. I've always loved children's book illustrations from the 20's and 30's. When I was a kid, my grandmother had all my dad's childrens' books from the 30's. It broke my heart that someone cleared out the attic stash and threw them all away.

In just a few days, we'll be gearing up for Thanksgiving and the turkeys will take over. So for this week the owls and black cats, are still on the loose. Even one of my lambs wanted to join the festivities out here by sporting a new scarf...

don't tell him it's just a ribbon with a little glitter...

This is my second post today, the first one was "unscheduled" when I got these photos and texts from my daughter. Just wanted to share them and have a laugh, if you haven't read that post, CLICK HERE

Linking up with these wonderful parties:

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Inspiration Gallery at Ella Claire

DIY By Design

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

Stone Gable

No Minimalist Here

From My Front Porch to Yours

Today's Sponsor Bel Monili

Here's a Note from Lucy, owner of Bel Monili:

Hi Everyone, Tomorrow is my end of the month sale AND it's my birthday! I'm running the sale Thursday, October 31 (my 33rd birthday! eek!) through Sunday. Use coupon code birthdaybel20 at www.belmonili.etsy.com through Sunday, November 3, 2013 to receive 20% off of your ENTIRE purchase of $10 or more. Since it's Bel Monili's birthday, purchases of $50 or more will receive a FREE 3 pack of pearl bobby pins as a gift, and purchases of $100 or more will receive a FREE quote bracelet of your choosing! This is the perfect time to get your holiday shopping kick-started at bel monili, where you always enjoy free domestic shipping. Happy Halloween!

Spooky Sideboard and a Give Away Winner

I have my hallway sideboard done up with a touch of "Spookification". Just enough to be an itsy bit "weenish". I always have to apologize in advance for the photos because this is an inner hallway with no natural lighting. Sometimes I get ambitious and "clone" out the 80's monster doorbell, air vent, and the thermostat, but today what you see is what you get.

I'm still totally in love with my Pier 1 chalkboard that's all curvy and scrolly. It's sitting in front of my large paned window that's been here for a couple of years. They make a good backdrop for any Holiday or Season. My sis made the Boo Banner for me a couple of years ago, and gives just the right "fright factor". I know you're scared, huh?

I finally found a preserved boxwood wreath this Spring. I had wanted one last Christmas, but I refused to pay the big bucks prices they were asking for them. If there were deals, they were always sold out super fast. So when I found one for a good price I was thrilled. I just added some fun polka dot satin wired ribbon, then I'll just change out the ribbon and use it through the first of the year.

Since this is a sideboard and a sideboard is supposed to hold dishes, I always like to have some dishes and serving pieces sitting around appropriately. I'm using a little black wagon to hold the tureen, plates, silverware and napkins. And look who flew in...my baby snow owls and the owl collage I made earlier this Fall.

Hoooooo doesn't just love a baby snow owl?

...especially with glitter!

 Here are my creepy little friends from the old Bird Book.

dead mouse and all.

I always love having something fun here to look at.

The turkeys are up next!

I promise I didn't forget about the Give Away winner.

 Lisa has a wonderful bracelet or custom piece for 

Di from Cottage Wishes

congrats Di, just get in touch with me by email

 and we'll get your piece created!

Be sure and run by Lisa's wonderful Etsy Shop,

Love Squared Designs

and remember she has a discount code for 10%

 off the rest of the month of October.

COMMONGROUND at Etsy Checkout.

thank you so much, Lisa!!

I'll be joining in with these great parties:

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

DIY by Design

Inspiration Exchange at Ella Claire

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

From My Front Porch to Yours

Open House at No Minimalist Here

TTT at Stone Gable

Rooted in Thyme

French Country Cottage

The Charm of Home

Shabby Art Boutique

The Party Bunch at Whipperberry

Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings

Coastal Charm

Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House

A Stroll Thru Life

The Scoop at Cedar Hill Farmhouse

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Mod Vintage Life

xoxo,

Be Inspired #161: What's Black and White and Spooky all Over?

Hi Everyone and Welcome to
Be Inspired
where you can find more inspiration than you can shake a bone at!

Even though I don't decorate much for the spooky side of Fall, I DO appreciate a well placed skeleton or bat all the way to a full-on home transformation. I've known Alaina since she started her blog, and one thing we know about her is that she loves the "Spookification" factor of Halloween. She's been busy putting last minute touches on the fun, so please run by Arbor House Lane and see what's happening!

Don't you love the eyeballs on the platters?

Thanks Alaina for sharing all the fun!

Shirley at Houspitality Designs has such a wonderful comfortable porch. She has so many elements I love; cozy furniture, pillows and a beautiful display of pumpkins and mums. I could relax here all day! 

Aimee's Vanity Reveal at Refresh Renew,
where this gorgeous Chandy and Mirror really do bring new life to the space.

Sarah from Church Street Designs shows us how to create colorful Fall leaves from coffee filters, and then puts together a wonderful Coffee Filter Autumn Tree. This would be a project the kiddos could get involved with, So pretty, and perfect for Thanksgiving too!

I love this vintage Dish Garden from Patti at Ivy and Elephants.
Herbs and Ironstone work perfectly together.

This is such a great idea!
Quilled Paper Skull and tutorial from Christy at 

Confessions of a Serial Do It Yourselfer

Halloween Tree with Vintage Graphic Cards
(LOVE them, And that great mirrored chest!)
from Melinda at The Refeathered Roost

Mary's Skeletini and Dipped Apples

from Home is Where the Boat Is

Mary is one of the most creative gals around, I'd love to get to know her in person, anyone who can put those eyes on an apple, naturally would have to be a hoot!

Hope you'll join in for the party, 

xoxo,

Today's Sponsor 

Leslie Janson

1. Please have a link back to Common Ground to be featured.
2. Please no links to Etsy Shops. 
3. Please be a follower of Common Ground.
4. Please visit a few peeps that are joining in on the party.

Thanks Everyone,

 love having you over to Party!

The Marketplace: Etsy and Online Boutique Showcase

Hi Everyone, can you believe that it's Mid October ?

 so glad you're here to have some Online shopping fun!

Let's see a little of what showed up to party here last week:

Check out all the great antiques and one-of-a-kind finds like these great Persian Rug Pillows from Old New House at Mod Vintage Life.

Dress Forms also from New Old House

Perfect for Fall Decor, this wonderful

Pumpkin On Black Original Painting

from Old Post Road

A beautiful addition to your French Farmhouse,

this Chippy Blue Pitcher

from Fishtail Cottage

Great old piece, this Vintage Sewing Box

looks right at home filled with Fall Goodness
from Stella by Star

Wouldn't this work great for Halloween?
Chevron Knitted Infinity Scarf

from Primlace

Take a peek at these colorful Little Fall Pumpkins

from Damita's Pretty Wrap

thanks everyone!

And today I want to introduce you to a new Sponsor, Renee, who is the shop owner from two great shops. Nostalgic Artifacts that specializes in amazing bits and pieces of vintage goods, and Nostalgic Summer, that is filled with wonderful upcycled and recycled jewelry. Here is just a sampling of what you can find, so hope you'll visit Renee's shops and check out the fun!

Nostalgic Artifacts

 Nostalgic Summer

Have you entered this wonderful

Give Away with Love Squared Designs?

A custom made leather cuff or photo pendant.

just CLICK HERE

thanks so much, Lisa!

Just to remind you that this is a linky gathering for Etsy Shops and Online Boutique items. You don't have to have a blog to join in, just list up to three of your individual items. If you have a blog post about your items that's great too, please have a way for these items to be purchased. I'd love for you to be a follower of Common Ground, and if you'd like, to grab the image below for somewhere on your blog just to let other's know about this selling venue. Thankyou, everyone that comes to join in, and then stays to do some shopping. This linky is open all week, so check back to see new items being listed, daily!