Friday, April 16, 2010

Winner of the Royal Treatment Give Away! (and an update!)

Keep Reading for the Update!

Before I announce the winner of the Royal Treatment Give Away I want to say some Thank Yous! I am always amazed at the love and kindness of you all out there. For every comment that is sweet and loving and generous; For the genuine friendships that I have found, and for the kindred spirit that is always shown.

(Queen Victoria)

And I want to say a special "thank you" for those of you who blogged, posted, and displayed my Give Away Button, and especially to those who have my blog listed on your blog roll! Since I started blogging last June the numbers of us have increased exponentially, (big word, does that make me sound smarter? Ha ha!) But it's true.

There aren't enough hours in the day to make it to all the fabulous new people and blogs, so I thank you for giving me a place of honor on your own blog. Sometimes mine feels ten yards long, but I want to keep track of you all! After this Give Away I have more wonderful friends to add!





Now to the good stuff, are you ready?

update here!!!


I have two Lisas, and due to my mixup in going by my email
instead of my comment section,

we have two wonderful gals named Lisa
 getting the Royal Treatment!

I'm a big believer in no coincidences
so I'll get to give out two Give-Aways
 which is what I've done the last two times!


Lisa of Pupylov


AND
Lisa of Tarnished and Tattered

these are the two winners of the Crown Give Away!

and wait!

 I have 3 other small tokens of appreciation
to those of you who have me on your blog!

This was just a little multiple Give Away
of a some little goodies
to bless a few of you
 who have linked back to me.

Thank You, Sweet Friends!

Sissie of Sissie's Shabby Cottage,

Rose of My Bella Rosa,

and Margaret of The French Bear.

If you wonderful ladies would email me your info,
I'll start wrapping!

If any of you are interested in having one
of these lovely crowns of your own,
just let me know and I will
put you in touch with my
good friend Kenda.


Thank you dear Friends!
you are loved!

Debra

Fridays with Friends at Cha Cha's Place

My sweet friend Cha Cha from Sit Relax and Read has honored me with a place on her "Fridays with Friends" post. She asked if I would take the spotlight for an interview today, so take a minute and run by her blog. She's a very talented and creative mom of two darling girls, and knows just how to make you feel welcome.



So just in case there might be one or two things about me that you didn't already know, I may have covered it with Cha Cha!

I'll have The Royal Treatment Give Away Winners
later this afternoon

...I'm still counting!

love,
Debra

Thursday, April 15, 2010

My little fantasy...

Don't we all have little fantasies? An affinity for a certain place and time and era. A place that would seem to fit who we are and nurture our personal dreams?





I'm really not sure why, but a life in an English cottage has always been a little dream of mine. Cozy, comfortable, with a flower garden and a gate out front. Quiet and peaceful where you can hear the birds sing, and maybe a little brook close to the house that beckoned for a dip of the toes and a grassy spot to open a book.



(image from an old church fan in my collection)

English Cottages and gardens were a popular subject for images, paintings and prints in the early 1900s. They have always spoken to me, so today I wanted to share of few of mine with you.



Can you see me?
I'm waving from the window!



An R. Atkinson Fox print that I found at a flea,
for just a few dollars...
who no one recognized.
Lucky Me!

This is an old needlework piece that I framed.






This is an old paper German calendar,
 but the cottage is what grabbed my attention.


(sorry about the glare)


Love the muted tones in this one,
it's almost a study in sepia.




I can't believe I still haven't seen this movie,
The Holiday.

Probably because my husband's not into
"Chick flicks".

It's going on my to-watch list.

After all, we all deserve a little fantasy.

What's your fantasy place and time?



Today I'm linking early to


and Laurie at



And you have until midnight to enter
The Royal Treatment Give Away.
Let's make it to 500 followers.

That will be something to celebrate!!


love,
Debra

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

White Wednesday: Sunroom Whites

I remember about 10 weeks into White Wednesday someone made the comment that they were running out of white things to post about. And my comment to them, in joking was, "oh, just move them around to different places and no one will ever know the difference." I guess I'm following my own advice. I've realized that maybe we might have a tendency to repeat some of our "whites", but it's about how we use them, the season, and the elements in a vignette.



I love white china and ironstone, and of course my sunroom has been the subject of countless posts. But, trying to keep things fresh, I've learned just to "change things up". That's one of the reasons I love to decorate with the seasons.


During the winter this little sugar bowl and creamer held paperwhites, while now they are filled with wild violets that I dug up from my backyard. Amazing how a weed can drive me crazy for 11 months of the year, then for 1 month I'm really lovin' them.


Old and chippy picket fence gate


Several of you asked about my little "garden box" or conservatory that was in the background of my Silver Sunday post. I found it about six years ago at a local antique mall. I know that several people in the area were making them about that time. There are some pretty elaborate and BIG ones around here. I believe Brian and Meloney from the Seed Box made a few that were very large and really amazing!


The fleur de lys are hinges and the top opens at the front.






And here are more photos of some
 of my collection of white pottery.
Hull, McCoy, USA, Haeger, and some unmarked ones.
I just love them with or without plants.


And with or without cats EATing the plants...


Some of you have heard my harrowing story
 about my wicker furniture.
I seem to have a little problem with collecting it.
But what I love about the white is that it becomes a backdrop
for whatever season and color scheme I choose.

(love those yo-yos)


Right now I'm enjoying all the colors of Spring
with vintage floral quilts.


My old white door and mirror
anchor my seasonal wreaths.


Love that morning sun.


Thanks for suffering browsing through another sunroom post.
You know it won't be the last!


Only two more days to enter the GiveAway




Still lovin' White Wednesday,
drop by and say Hi to Kathleen at Faded Charm

love,
Debra

Monday, April 12, 2010

What's Pink and Green and Smells Fabulous All Over?

Well, I'm so glad you asked!
 That would be the wonderful Give Away surprises
I've received recently from some really great and creative gals!


First the "pink"... from Brayton Homestead Interiors.

Karen was one of my first blogging friends. I fell in love with her New England home and her great talent as an interior designer. She had a pink giveaway a few weeks before Easter and look what she sent Miss Lucky Me. I laughed out loud at this adorable vintage bunny candle. What a cutie pie! She has opened an etsy shop so run by and see all the fun things she has.


And Oh My Goodness,
get a look at the teeny pink slippers!
 just precious!




The vintage yellow bunny (squeezable)
 and carnival glass bird dish are just amazing!




And "Green"...

hosted this wonderful St. Patrick's Day Decor Party!

You know me, I can't pass on a Holiday Party.
What a surprise when a Give Away
 came along with the rest of the fun!

A china shamrock, birdie necklace, perfect little pin,
an embroidered table runner, and a great tote bag!




Thank you Jaime!
Oh and there was candy in there,
but it's long since gone...yummy!





And this girl, let me tell you!
 She threw in these fabulous rusty iron letters of my initials!
I was dumbfounded and knocked out.
They're incredible!!


And "smells fabulous all over"...


Rebecca from A Gathering of Thoughts is one of the most talented and wonderful gals I've ever met. Her blog and website are full of inspiration and warmth. She recently had a Give Away for this lovely sachet pillow and notecards. I could smell the heavenly fragrance before I even unwrapped it. Just beautiful. Her roses and angels are just a little of her wonderful talent. Thank you, Rebecca!





I received two other sweet gifts recently,
one from Rosemary of Ozma of Odds,
who sent me these precious tags as part
of her recent giveaway,
thank you Rosemary!


And someone so sweet to send a little gift,
just because you left a comment
about an amazing post on sea pottery.
Ever hear of it?
Go see Petite Michele Louise and find out.


A gift from the sea!
just amazing!!


Whoever thought up the "Give Away"
has a big thanks from me!
What a wonderful way to make new friends
and celebrate the talent of others!


And speaking of Give Aways,
there's still time to enter mine,
click here.



love,
Debra

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Silver Sunday, Tea Pot for Spring


On a gorgeous Spring Day like Today
I decided to have my tea in the Sunroom.



I've been playing with flowers today
and a little silver teapot decided to
 hang around.



Creeping Phlox is one of my favorite early Spring flowers.
Pink, purple, lavender, pale blue and white...
like tiny snowflakes amidst a fluff of green,
they dot the landscape, and have a sweet aroma.





An old cemetery metal flower basket won their favor.




Hope you have a beautiful Silver Sunday.
Say Hello to all the other participants,
then go enjoy your day!



Be sure that you have entered the
Royal Treatment Giveaway.

Click Here

love,
Debra

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