common ground

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

The Marketplace: Do you have an Etsy Shop?

Or an Online Store?

Then come on and link up!
The Marketplace
is open to everyone who has an online store or Etsy Shop.
(Hi Everyone, hope you had a great weekend!)

Here are some great links from last week:

You Are My Sunshine Sign

from Red Hen Home

Vintage Journal/Ledger

by The Brown Shed

1930's Royal Albert Teacup Trio

by Antiques and Teacups

Chippy Shabby Florentine Picture Pair

from Vintage Goodness 1

Victorian Silver Butter Dish

from the Lazy Peacock

Today's sponsor for The Marketplace is talented watercolorist, Christie Scibior. Her soft and fluid color palette, and precious subjects from the English Countryside, remind me of the work of Beatrix Potter. You'll want to browse her shop to see them all. Full of rabbits and ducklings, and adorable babies of the animal variety, you'll feel like you are stepping back in time. Christie has art prints and also a line of note cards that you'll just adore!

Cows Watercolor Print

Robin Watercolor Art Print

Archival Art Print of Country Cottage Farmhouse

Thank you, Christie!

You're welcome to link up to three of your individual items, or a link to a selling site. Please give information for people to purchase your items if possible. You don't have to have a blog to join in, but if you do, it would be so nice for you to be a follower, and to grab this image for somewhere on your blog, letting your readers know about this shopping link-up.

So glad to have you here to shop, and since the link is open all week, please come back to see all the new items being listed throughout the week. I still have sponsor space available if you're interested in becoming a sponsor of Common Ground, just click on the menu below the header under "Advertise".

thanks everyone for coming by,

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Love Tokens

I've posted about this wonderful gold locket that was my paternal grandmother's before, but when I was looking back through some February magazine issues I really enjoyed this article in Martha Stewart Living about Love Tokens, and wanted to share it once again.

Lockets of all shapes and sizes were very popular gifts to loved ones in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Often they contained photos, an inscription, and a lock of hair from the beloved. Given when soldiers went to war, engagements, or the birth of a child, lockets and charms were highly valued tokens of personal affection, and worn daily.

(click on the image below to enlarge then click again to read)

I love coming across antique pieces of jewelry, charms, and lockets, and I have several personal pieces that I wear frequently.

This large gold locket was an engagement gift to my grandmother with my grandfather's photo and a lock of his thick gorgeous hair. Her initials are inscribed on the cover, Irma Gertrude Russell.

They were married around 1910, and my daddy was the last of 6 children born to them. I had an uncle born in 1912 (the first) and then she had 4 stillborn babies before my dad was born in 1929. They hadn't expected my daddy to live and so he had very few pieces of clothing as she didn't want to get her hopes up, but there he was; tiny, but healthy; a little miracle.

Just a little sentimental Valentine to share.

Linking to:

The Dedicated House
Knick of Time
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Savvy Southern Style
Stone Gable
French Country Cottage
The Charm of Home
Shabby Art Boutique
Rooted In Thyme

Have a wonderful Sunday,

Saturday, February 9, 2013

What's on the Sideboard for Valentine's

Hi Everyone,

coming to you live today from the dark and dreary hallway...

yes, the one with no natural light...

the one I have to hang from the chandy like a monkey

just to get a decent pic.

But it's Valentine's Week, so I had to share the update.

I changed things up a bit, bringing in a new galvanized drawer that has been painted with chalkboard paint. It's so super cute and I found it at The Feathered Nest by my talented and sweet friend, Ruthanne from the fun blog Sugar Pie Farmhouse. Sugar Pie Farmhouse was one of those blogs I read before I started blogging myself. Ruthanne lives only a short drive from Branson and Ozark, Missouri. If you don't know, her run by and check out all the homespun goodness.

Vintage look Valentine's Banner hanging from the old window

I always laugh and say that someone must have either been out in the rain,

or shedding many tears when they received this humongous box of chocolates!

But I imagine it was just the leaky roof from the old attic I found it in.

And I saved this wonderful wine bottle from a few years ago,

cause I just love the label.

Since this adorable drawer is galvanized, it's also magnetic.

Ruthanne also included this blinged up cake server;

just perfect for some tasty romance of the chocolate variety.

Vintage Valentine I found last year

Do you all have big plans for the weekend,

maybe a little get away with your Sweetie?

Linking up with these parties:

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

No Minimalist Here

Have a great one!

(I'm trying to convince myself I don't want any chocolates this year...)

xoxo,

Friday, February 8, 2013

Be Inspired #126 A little romance...

Hey there all you talented and inspiring peeps!

This last week was one of those weeks that I could literally have featured dozens of you. Your projects, decor, and culinary delights are just over the top. I was hoping that when Vintage Inspiration changed over to Be Inspired that it would open the door for more of you to feel comfortable joining in. You haven't disappointed in all the creativity, beauty, humor, and imagination. You all definitely know how to share the inspiration! Thanks for coming over here each week and making this party a success. I hope you take a minute to look around, then come back by later in the week. Some of the best links are the ones that arrive fashionably late to the party...te he!

Rosemary from Ozma of Odds was on hiatus for awhile during her move,
but now she's back with some incredible projects and her signature fairy dusting
with this Starlit Linen Chair

the back is equally as beautiful,

with this corseted look.

If you don't know Rosemary you'll want to meet her

and be swept away to the Land of Odds.

For more loveliness you'll want to follow her Pinterest page!

Judy from French Laundry shared some Valentine Love
with some beautiful items from a few of her favorite Etsy shops.

Becky from Generation to Generation
created this wonderful dresser redo,
by painting a scene from an old postcard.
Such a beautiful way to create a one-of-a-kind keepsake!