Doors of Possibility

I know that most of you know Laura Ingalls Gunn and her wonderful blog, Decor to Adore. I've been following Laura since before I started my own blog. You may have read her recent post about her life story and life long dream of accomplishment.
She is an amazing and gifted woman, whose personal story would not be evident in her current demeanor and outlook, but she has traveled a road in life, that most of us have never been down, or even considered. It has only caused to strengthen and define her...to make her the woman she is today.

This morning on my Bible Study Blog I found a note from Laura, and I immediately went to her blog to read the post she did Sunday. I'm inviting you to read it also. Thought provoking and insightful, written by a woman who is traveling the road daily toward her destiny.
Be blessed in your reading of Laura's wonderful post, at  Decor to Adore.

love,

Debra

Borrowing a Little Inspiration from a Friend

We had a few showers yesterday afternoon, and they were welcome relief from the dry spell and heat that we've been having. Upper 90's isn't normal for June here. With all the projects I've been doing inside, I've been behind in planting my flower pots and working outside.

I have a smallish deck outside the sunroom, since the sunroom was added on top of the deck probably 20 years ago. The kitchen window above the sink looks out onto the deck, so I enjoy having my "jungle" in view. Last year all my flowers were pink or white. This year I decided to add a little more color.

One of the trends here at the little satellite greenhouses, which are on every corner, is to mix plants for a real burst of color and texture. I have a lot of sun out on the deck, so I added million bells, zinnias, daisies, alyssum, vinca, and some others all together in some pots to really liven it up.

I have several of these old tin picnic baskets, (none of them in great condition) so I thought I'd use one to hold one of my variety plantings.

I want to show a little of the inspiration from a new friend, Sara, from Sweet Magnolias Farm in California, and then share it with you.

Sara and I made a connection after I started the blog for The Seed Box.

She emailed me and told me how she had previously lived in the area and knew Meloney and Brian,

and had purchased several pieces of furniture from them.

I've truly been amazed at how the blogging world, big as it is, can bring us together with connections from the past and then make connections as new friends.

So, if you don't know Sara, please do yourself a favor and visit her beautiful and inspiring blog, Sweet Magnolias Farm. She is part of a group of inspiring women that participate in an occasional sale called Chateau De Fleurs, held just this last weekend.

These are a few photos of her inspiration pieces.
She takes a variety of flowers and packs them in like
a bunch of sweet little babies in a crib!
Her container plantings are really unique and original.
Suitcases and boxes, all with embellishments that add to the fun.

You'll love all her show photos, of not only her own space,

but photos of all her creative gal pals, many of whom have blogs and

are familiar friends.

There's just something about live flowers

in all their glorious colors that lift the mood

and bring great joy to our everyday lives.

So run by and say Hi to Sara, browse through her last several posts and enjoy the photos of the most recent show. Then go meet her friends, see all their show photos and enjoy their blogs. Great way to spend an inspiring afternoon!

Oh, and take a look at this photo note card from Inspriational Home.

My inspiration for the pink watering can!

Just three more days...

if you haven't entered my Anniversary Give Away

The soon to be released book,

The French Inspired Home

by Carolyn Westbrook.

Click here to enter.

Have a wonderful Sunday!

love,

Debra

Sisterhood of the Traveling Bloggerettes

When I saw that Karen at Some Days Are Diamonds

was initiating a Blogging Sorority

I just had to join in with the fun.

Our "Rush Project" was to take this photo...

And use it in a way of our choosing.

And since I really find that paper collage is my first love,

I dug through all my vintage die cuts and post cards, stamps,

and images to put together what I wanted to look like a

sorority girl's college bulletin board.

And of course...

it had to be pink!

Oh, and another part of rush

was to include our photo with our project!

Add a little antique lace for a ribbon hanger.

I'm even wearing my pink "pledge ribbon"!

The sorority is still open,

just stop by Karen's to join!

No snooty cliques here!

She has lots of plans for "girlfriend" fun.

OK, is everbody ready for the "car wash"?

And if you haven't entered my Blog Anniversary Give Away.

Click here to enter.

Ends June 30.

2 winners will receive a copy of the soon to be released

book by Carolyn Westbrook!

love,

Debra

Please scroll down to the next post for the Bridal Blog Party
hosted by sweet Stephanie of Angelic Accents.

Storybook Wedding

I think each little girl dreams of her

Wedding Day

and I was no exception.

Elaborate, or on a budget,

it can be Perfect!

My dear mom made all the bridesmaid dresses,

and helped me plan my special wedding day.

We met in August and we were married December 28, 1972,

almost 38 years ago.

I did a post last December about my

Red Plaid Wedding.

If you'd like to re-live it with me,

click here.

I invite you take a ride in the time machine.

And so began our lives together.

Joined together and kept together by God.

Without Him

we would never have found our way.

We were so young and really didn't know each other very well,

We just knew we were meant... yes,
 ordained to be together.

We have two darling daughters,

that their Daddy has walked down the aisle,

just like mine so many years ago.

And they lived happily ever after...

Please join Stephanie and all the Brides,

old and young,

at

Angelic Accents

for all the Wedding fun!

~~~~~
My 1 year Blog Anniversary Give Away
will end June 30.
Click here to enter!

2 winners will be chosen for Carolyn Westbrook's
soon to be released book.

The French Inspired Home

love,

Debra

(images 1 and 4 edited at photofunia)

Look Familiar?

Do you know where we are?

Yes, we're back in the studio.

And I have a confession to make.

I wasn't happy with the way my photos turned

out for the party last weekend.

If you remember, my walls were gold;

a great color for my kitchen,

but my studio...not so much.

I'd been wanting to paint in here,

since the paint bug bit me.

But I didn't know if we could move the heavy computer desk.(?)

We had our kids here over the weekend,

and since 30 year old backs are stronger than %* year old backs,

we had some help with the furniture.

So I decided to jump in and go for it.

I hate to waste paint,

and I had a gallon left over from the

 Dining Room extravaganza!

Ta Da!!

no more gold.

just my favorite creamy white.

Like I said, I'm happy (for now) with my kitchen color.

I was so inspired with all the great studio spaces,

I just was ready for the change.

I'm soooo much happier.

Everything looks so much better against this light and fresh wall color.

Even Baby is happy!!

Thank you, Kathleen,

for giving us an endless inspiration

of whites!

And thank you, Cindy for Show and Tell

There's still time to join in for the wonderful

book give away!

2 people will win a gorgeous book by Carolyn Westbrook!

so Click Here to enter.

Have a wonderful first week of Summer!
love,
Debra

Where Bloggers Create II

The day is finally here.

 One we all have been waiting for.

 A day when we can throw open the door with a big "WELCOME" and say,

 "Come on in. Let me show you around."

When we moved into this house seven years ago, I was fortunate to have some extra space that I could claim for my own office/studio. I wanted some space to read and watch tv on the main level of our home. A quiet spot where I could have a comfy chair, my computer, and my books.

I love to write, read, do Bible Studies,
oh, and let's not forget lots of blogging.

 So this is where I spend a lot of my time.

I have a Bible Study and devotional blog also, "a day in the life",

 stop by for a visit when you have the time.

I found this table last year in really terrible shape

 so I repainted it to match my computer grouping.

I have a space at a local tea room and antique mall where I sell vintage and antiques. I love the white, chippy, and shabby look, so I end up painting a lot of the furniture I find.

I love having my work table here,

 and now I don't know what I did before I found it.

I like to use vintage everyday objects to hold pens,

supplies, and to just enjoy looking at.

If you read my blog, you'll know I'm a "collector". My squirrel and chipmunk collection has yet to make it's debut. They have been residing here for the last few years.

Current magazines, computer paper, notes, and journals

all have a place in some vintage files on my desk.

An old drawer painted robin's egg blue holds necessities

from hand cream to tape and everything in between.

I think it's important to surround ourselves with the small

things in life that bring us joy.

My grandfather had a print shop during the depression,

so I guess I have the "paper gene".

I love ephemera; vintage and new.

And I'm really drawn to vintage graphics.

My oversized chair has been covered in two 40's barkcloth curtain panels.

And an ottoman that holds a tray for reading and a cup of coffee,

but mostly holds a cat.

Yo yo pillow made by my sweet mother-in-law.

This message board is something I wanted to put together

before this party.

I have wanted to do this for several years and finally

had the motivation to accomplish it.

I collect old frames and found this one

that just needed  a coat of white paint and some foam board.

A layer of quilt batting and some natural linen completed it.

A really easy project, now to fill it up with inspiration.

One of my dress forms holds a few of my necklaces.

It's more of a hobby than anything else.

I sell a few at my space at the tea room.

But mostly it's just good therapy.

This pie safe I found a few years ago is a perfect spot

 to keep supplies and projects that I need to reach easily. 

Here's one of my furry assistants.

She's my little shadow.

My mom gave me my first vintage hat,

one she used to wear when she and Dad

dressed for their antique car club outings.

 My dad lovingly restored old cars ranging from the teens to the 40's.

I have a real love for old luggage and have collected

 quite a few pieces over the last few years.

I've found that it's a great place to store art supplies.

These are a few that I have painted white,

that hold old cards and keepsakes.

I have this old trunk for more paper supplies,

lace, bits and pieces, and odds and ends.

This is one of my favorite finds.

An old monogramed "Hartmann" train case,

 now holding old prints and photos.

vintage hatbox

This dress form is one of my recent finds, "My Double".

Wire mesh that takes on your own personal shape.

eecck! I decided against that option.

I enjoy playing with paper collage,

 and made a few of these a while back.

 I just ended up keeping these two.

Another area I enjoy is restoring these old, cardboard prints

from the 40's to the 60's.

This one was scratched and badly marred.

I matched the paint, touched it up, and then resurfaced it.

Now part of a favorite grouping.

Now you know where I spend most of my time.

I've enjoyed showing you around.

Thank you, Karen from My Desert Cottage

for throwing this wonderful party!

I also want to invite you to enter my

1 Year Blog Anniversary Give Away

Carolyn Westbrook's new book

"The French Inspired Home".

Click here to enter

Now, I'm off to visit all of you!

Have a wonderful weekend.

love,

Debra