A Spring Frame-Up

Each day that I pack, I find things that I haven't seen for a while. I mentally try to take notes on where they were found and try to remember which box they are being packed into. Last weekend I was opening cabinet doors that hadn't been opened for a bit, and I said "Hello" to an old friend that had been on my kitchen wall several years ago.

I'm a sheep lover from way back. If you look on my blog list I have several sheep blogs that I keep up with on a daily basis. This fellow is just one of many sheep and lambs in my flock. He's really a chalk wall pocket, but I like him plain. He looks like a pretty serious fellow to me, so no sprigs of Ivy or trailing foliage for him.

I've been wanting a little more inspiration in my studio, so when I found him I went searching for an oval to frame him in. But there needed to be a little pattern and color...something for Spring that was easy to work with; maybe something that could be changed with the seasons. I thought a wallpaper sample would work, just a little small, but it gives the right background.

A few years ago I had the chance to grab a few discontinued wallpaper books, so I had a few options. I settled on something "Spring Green", but can change it out when the mood strikes.

PINK

BLUE

TAUPE

I thought of pitching all these sample books, but slapped myself right afterward. I've used these papers for so many projects. Since it's close to Easter, a few vintage Easter Postcards were tucked in for display.

don't you love this patina?

So glad he's baaaaaack...

Joining in with these parties:

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

Swing into Spring at DIY by Design

Treasure Hunt at From My Front Porch to Yours

Blissful Whites at Timewashed

Creative Friday at Jennifer Rizzo

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home

Simple and Sweet Friday at Rooted in Thyme

Shabbilicious Friday at Shabby Art Boutique

Inspiration Gallery at Craftberry Bush

xoxo,

Timewashed

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!

Flirting with Fall

I've been flirting with Fall this week...

It's quiet whispers, and gentle caresses

make me giddy.

I can hardly wait till September.

So many of us have this same little love affair...

Even though the days are warm, the nights are cooler, and the daylight is shorter.

Each morning a new sprinkling of small maple leaves greet me on the front walk

with their subtle changes of reds, oranges and golds.

I wanted to bring a few inside and let my little lambs have a place to play.

They usually live on the Buffet here in the Dining Room,

but I've brought in something that has displaced them.

So I've corralled them on the table on an old metal tray,

that has just the right amount of Fall color.

Here's just a peek at what's been taking place this week.

It's developed into a full on romance...

but then, I "Fall" in love all over again each year.

And speaking of sheep...

have you entered my 4 Year Blogging Anniversary Give Away?

I'm giving away a beautiful pillow cover to two of my Followers.

Haven't entered? 

What are you waiting for...?

Just click here

Have a wonderful Labor Day Weekend,

I'll see you Monday morning for 

Joining in on these great weekly parties:

Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings

The Scoop at Cedar Hill Ranch

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House

Inspire Me at A Stroll Thru Life

Blissful Whites at Timewashed

xoxo,

In sheep's clothing...

If you know me, then you know my love for lambs and sheep. Combine that with my love for clothing and you can guess where this photo might have been taken. I just had to share this amazing life size sheep "stuffed toy animal" from my recent visit to Brooks Brothers at the Galleria in St. Louis. We were in St. Louis all last week for my husband's ear surgery (details in a moment), but after we had him home and settled in, our daughter and I did what we enjoy most...shopping.

The Golden Fleece has been the logo for Brooks Brothers since the 1850's when they first opened their doors in Manhattan.

When I asked for permission to take a photo, the saleslady said this was from a famous German toy maker. I cannot even imagine how much he might cost...and didn't ask. I just fell in love!

These photos were taken with my I phone, so they're not as clear as I'd like, but you can see how lifelike this fella really is. 

Brooks Brothers is the licensed franchisee for the men's clothing for the movie, The Great Gatsby. I can't wait to see this, it opens next month. I hear it's on a much grander scale than the 70's Robert Redford / Mia Farrow film. If you get a chance, pick up this month's Vogue Magazine for a fabulous spread on the jewelry inspired for the movie from Tiffany's...just breathtaking!

So now for an update on the week. Hubbs inner ear surgery went well, but not without a few glitches. If I had known in advance, I would have been more anxious, but I knew God was in control of this surgery, so I wasn't worried. (The proximity to the brain and brain stem for this surgery cause it to be exacting and somewhat complicated.) Having the prayers of all of you and my family, gave me so much comfort. We're home now and he's taking it easy, but his ear looks a little "worse for wear". We go back for a check up in a month. Hopefully at that point we will have begun to see improvement in his Meniere's symptoms. This has been a long road, but we feel we're in the home stretch. Thank you again so much, for remembering us in your prayers.

I'm sharing this at:

Cedar Hill Ranch for The Scoop
Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
French Country Cottage
The Charm of Home

love ya,