So...here's the plan

See this girl...

we've been waiting to meet for almost three years.

Anne lives in Texas, I live in Missouri.

We started talking when our blogs were babies

hanging out on Theresa's sidebar.

(thank you, dear Theresa!)

She'll be here in just a matter of hours.

Then later this week, we're headed to St. Louis 

to stay with my daughter and her husband

at the "Bed and Breakfast".

(just kidding...but they're wonderful hosts!)

Then we're going to meet up 

with one of the sweetest, most talented gals around...

Elizabeth Maxson

and we're going to let E take us to all her haunts and hang outs.

So, posts will be a little fewer this next week.

We'll still be having Vintage Inspiration and Monday Marketplace,

hope you'll join in as usual.

And I can guarantee that I'll have lots of fun to share next week!

Then, when I'm back, I'll be celebrating my 3 year Blogaversary

with a knock out Give Away of Carolyn Westbrook's new book.

"Through the French Door"

so get ready!!

(I'm thinking that this will be one of the best weeks ever!)

xoxo,

Monday Marketplace # 16

Hi Everyone, this is the start of a fun and busy week for me. 

I'll share the plan tomorrow!

Time for Monday Marketplace

where you can link up your Etsy and Online Boutique items.

(share up to three item links)

Here are some of the great links from last week:

Starbucks collectible burlap coffee bag

from Tracie at Fishtail Cottage

Remember this photo from my last post?

It's a coffee bag chair cushion!

Lace and ribbon boards for organizing your craft supplies

from Woodberry Designs

Just look at this adorable chick pitcher from CraveCute.

This would put a smile on the grumpiest morning face!

Wonderful blue or green vintage sap bucket

from VintageChateauChic

I also want to share a special from one of my sponsors,

Sweet Harvest Farm.

This special runs from June 11-15. 

I've tried CJ's soaps and they are wonderful!

 They will be offering 3 of their most popular soaps in a tri-pack deal.

3 for $15.00. Lavender, Lemon Verbena and Oatmeal, Milk and Honey. AND a Lip

 Smoothie FREE! That’s a savings of $8.00. Total with shipping would be $25.00

All Sweet Harvest Farms products are made entirely from scratch with, not only organic ingredients, but with those that are nurturing as well. Formulated by Cynthia Jennings, each patented recipe was developed for all skin types. Each large 6 0Z bar will last 4 to 6 weeks in the shower and won’t become slimy or tacky like your store bought beauty bars. The Lip Smoothies are unlike any other “lip balm” or chap stick you have tried. A little dab on your lips will do you for most of the day and will leave your lips kiss-a-blee smooth and hydrated. Visit the Sweet Harvest Farms Testimonial page at http://www.sweetharvestfarms.com to see just what all the fuss is about!

To place an order you can send a payment through Paypal to Cynthia at sweetharvestfarms@verizon.net. Just write “Common Ground” in the Special Instructions Box. If you would like to use your Credit Card you may go to the Sweet Harvest Farms website and place an order for one bar of soap. Just write “Common Ground” in the Special Instructions Box and your card will be charged accordingly.

Hope you'll check out Sweet Harvest Farms,

 their products are exceptional!

This linky party is for items for sale in your Etsy Shop or Online Boutique. Hope you'll join in. You can link up to three items, please link to the individual item if possible. And remember that it's up all week, so be sure and visit throughout the week to see great items that have been added!
If you link up, I'd love for you to add this button someplace on your blog to let people know where to come and shop. And it would be so nice for you to be a follower on GFC. But, you don't have to have a blog to join in.

See you all tomorrow...xoxo,

A Visit to Robin's Vintage Suitcase

As one of my local sponsors, Robin's Vintage Suitcase, I'll be sharing photos of what's new in the store and giving updates on what's happening. Summer is in full swing with lots of bright colors in wreaths and accessories. The garden room is brimming over with outdoor finds for your summer porches and garden spots, and since vintage garden items are a favorite of mine it's always the first place I head.

Robin carries a wonderful mix of antiques, vintage, and one-of-a-kind finds. Also the latest in accessories from market. I'm so ready for sunflowers!!

This wonderful vintage French sofa 

is dressed in a heavy linen type burlap.

Robin's creativity is showcased at every turn,

 as in this fun lampshade tied with bits of this and that.

lot's of dishes and silver

There's a great selection of wonderful vintage furniture pieces, too.

Robin also creates beautiful wreaths and flower arrangements.

Fun pillows and accessories

Robin's party room, will soon become a Tea Room. The Vintage Veranda is in the planing process and is scheduled to open July 9. Stay tuned for more news on this. It's a gorgeous space with a tried and true caterer and chef at the helm. Personally, I can't wait!! Springfield is short on spots for a girl's lunch.

I found this great frenchy "cafe" pillow for my daughter in St. Louis, as I'll be heading up for a visit next week. More on what's happening next week...I have an adventure in the works!

more photos from Robin's Vintage Suitcase,
and a 3 Year Anniversary Give Away teaser coming soon,

xoxo,

Vintage Inspiration #91 Confessions of a Plate Addict

First of all I want to say a big ThankYou to everyone that left a comment on my last post about my new dining room chair slips. I loved reading them! I think you might like those slips almost as much as I do!!

And now I want to aim the spotlight on a sweet and talented gal, Debbie and her blog "Confessions of a Plate Addict"; don't you love the name? I'm sure that most of you know her and are fans. As a retired French teacher she even lived in France for a year, so her blog reflects her love for all things French Country. I first found Debbie because of her wonderful collection of Quimper French Faience pottery; a love we both share.

 But I have a question...

Is there anything this woman cannot do?

How about a Pottery Barn inspired birdcage pillow
that she shared last week...


(she is the queen of graphics transfers on fabric)

or my personal favorite,

the Le Mouton pillow...

(does she know how much I love my sheep?)

Here is another creation,

 her faux grain sack runner with some of her wonderful Faience.

Faux pumpkins decoupaged with paper or fabric

(she can do it and then end up being featured in Country Living!)

Oh yes, she was one of the first to make a burlap tablerunner. 

decoupaged eggs...?

French Script candles...?

And don't EVEN get me started on this little tabletop box

that she morphs into something more fabulous with each new season!

see what I mean?

One of my favorite parts of Debbie's blog, 

and a continuous source of endearing humor,

are her amazing companions and "staff".

They help her create all the fabulous projects that she shares with us. 

I tell ya, I wish my girls were half as talented as her group!

And speaking of my "girls",

we attended Baby Kitty's Birthday Party a few years ago...

it truly was the Cat's Meow!!

(isn't he handsome...and so smart.

He helps her measure fabric)

So, if for some reason you don't know Debbie, French teacher and Francophile extraordinaire, then it's time for a visit. You never know what kind of project she'll be working on next, but I can guarantee it will be worth Pinning! Thanks Debbie for keeping us inspired. Wait to see what she has in store for this week!

I cannot keep up with all the wonderful inspiration you all bring to the table each week! I could feature all of you! Here are just a few from last week:

Ellen the Scribbler Unfocused, shared a tablescape of yellow on yellow.
You have to see all the photos, this room is wonderful!

Pam from Backwoods Cottage
used a church pew as her inspiration for this great bench. 

An Old Dresser from Bella's Rose Cottage

 has been turned into a wonderful planter.

 Be sure you see how she put it all together.

And Candylei from Westie, Art and Garden

 photographed her lovely daughter in an Edwardian dress

on a beautiful bucolic afternoon.

Thank you everyone for joining in for Vintage Inspiration.

Please be sure you put a link back to Common Ground within your post,

since I choose my features based on your linky. So be sure and link back!

And be sure and visit these other great Friday Parties

 French Country Cottage

The Charm of Home

At the Picket Fence

Redoux

Rooted in Thyme

xoxo,

So let's see what you're up to!