Sweet Spring Bookends

I've had these oh-so-sweet little vintage chalk bookends for the last 5 years or so, and even though I've photographed them before, for some reason they've just never made it into a blog post.

 I was smitten with the little children's faces that reminded me of vintage Hummel characters. I imagine they are from the 40's by the look of their sticker on the bottom, and the fact that they are chalk and maybe plaster of Paris. (and that means so very easily chipped)

The little girl appears to be very shy, and she's holding a basket of baby chicks.

 While the little boy is snuggling  a load of bunnies.

Aren't they just adorable?

I have them downstairs in my shabby seating area.

(say that fast 3 times)

And I have to tell you, I've fallen in love with Pic Monkey. It's everything (well almost everything) that we found in Picnik, and hopefully they will expand once they can. I was able to do the little banner with the text on it (the first photo) there and watermark my photo. Super easy! You'll find the ability to do the transparent banner  under the header of "overlays" then to "geometric shapes". Much easier to navigate than any other photo editing site. yay!!

I'm joining these fun parties this week:

TableTop Tuesday at A Stroll thru Life

Knick of Time Tuedsay

White Wednesday at Faded Charm

Share the Love Wednesday at Very Merry Vintage Style

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

Primp Your Stuff

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Hope to see you back here Thursday for
Vintage Inspiration
"anything vintage or vintage inspired."

If you haven't entered the Give Away from

Cottage in the Oaks,

then just click here

Daune has some great things chosen for you!

And don't forget to check out Monday Marketplace
that will be up all week.
Lot's of great links for Etsy and Online Boutique Items.

OK, have a great week, everyone!

xoxo,

Just a little silver and sparkle...

This is a post from last New Year's Eve that I wanted to share again. So many of you are new to blogging this year, and maybe hadn't seen it. It's one of my favorite vignettes. I had been wanting to do a cupboard with just silver and neutrals and decided to put this together the week after Christmas. Odds and ends and clock faces and silver. I enjoyed it until the Valentine's bug bit me in mid January. Love the seasons and holidays...keeps things interesting, and in somewhat of a disarray. 

This is on my sideboard in the Hall kitchen, which gets changed out regularly. I like to clear things off and start fresh each month.

I wanted some New Year's Eve sparkle!

Just look at the patina on this old metal painted vanity mirrored tray.

Love this old wedding certificate.

I haven't been able to get a lot accomplished this week, I'm taking it easy on the ankle. Thanks so much for all your well wishes and kind words. I still have some Christmas decor that needs to be put away... I'm ready for a fresh start for 2012. 

Thank you, each one of you, who comes by to visit. You're my inspiration, and my motivation to stay busy and focused. Non bloggers may not understand us, but we know the friendship and "community" are real. I think of you each as a blessing. 

Vintage Inspiration Friday 

is still going strong, click here.

Have a wonderful New Year's Eve!

xoxo,

joining in on these parties:

Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

Top Projects of 2011

Looking back over this last year, I found a few of my favorite projects to highlight. This first one was pretty quick and easy and turned a blah divided screen into a Frenchy beauty, using antique French lesson books, and tons of Mod Podge.

This petite dresser in the entry went from black to distressed white,

and was a "foreshadowing" of things to come!

Painting my laundry room, which can be seen right off the kitchen was long overdue. It took a few days but was well worth the effort! Now I'm not embarrassed with the view anymore!

And then it matched the kitchen re-do from late 2010.

One of the biggest projects I took on was the booth space at Relics Antique Mall. It's morphed several times this year, but the new tearoom should open this Spring, so I'm planning another space re-do at that time.

I'd wanted a potting bench for the last few years and this was my late Spring project that I enjoyed so much all Summer and Fall.

Then in July started the mother of all projects, at least it was for me this year; repainting all my Living Room furniture. This was a huge decision that I had wrestled with for quite awhile, then I just decided to take the plunge and go for it. So glad I did!

It has made a huge impact on our home and my emotions...

All together I think I painted close to 30 pieces of furniture,

and it took me the rest of the summer to get this room where I wanted it.

Then came this bad boy '80's Chandy

that I tackled on Labor Day!

Eight hours on the ladder and this was done! Painted by hand this is the icing on the "white" cake in the Living Room, what a change, and it saved us at least a thousand dollars of buying a new one and the installation. Big job, but wow, what a difference!

then came pillows...

table runners...

more table runners...

and playing with jewelry.

so  much fun!

Hope you enjoyed this ramble down Memory Lane of 2011.

Be sure and join in for 

Vintage Inspiration Friday

starting Thursday afternoon where we will be recapping

our favorite vintage posts.

I have some fun things planned for 2012,

and I'll be spilling the beans soon...

so stay tuned!!!

love you all bunches,

joining in for 

Rhoda at Southern Hospitality

Kim at Savvy Southern Style

Kathleen at Faded Charm

Michele at Primp

Sherry at No Minimalist Here

Sherry at The Charm of Home

Honey at 2805

Courtney at French Country Cottage

Alison at Stuff and Nonsense