Be Inspired # 130; Artistically Speaking

Welcome to Be Inspired!
 I have a beautiful and one-of-a-kind amazing transformation to share with you today. Judy from 20 North Ora, talented seamstress and designer that she is, has a new companion; Introducing Miss Begonia.

Just when you think it's all "been done" with dress forms, you find this talented lady who has brought this to a new artistic level. Judy took scrap laces, doilies, ribbon, fringe, and even chandelier crystals and waved her magic wand to create this vintage masterpiece. You'll want to go see her process and what she started with. Judy, you need to add "dress designer" to your credits. Just heavenly...

Perfect for Easter and Spring, Kimberly from Serendipity Refined has created this adorable Reclaimed Wood Bunny Art. She even shares a tutorial. Don't you just love that butterfly?

Tricia from The Little Cottage on the Pond
has been restyling her bedroom,
what a wonderful relaxing space!

love this plate display, too!

Anita from Cedar Hill Ranch has had a great series on "What I wish I knew before blogging"  that you'll really enjoy. Anita tells it like it is with all the ins and outs.

Vickie from Ranger 911 will really brighten up your day with her Spring Flowers,  and her wonderful mirror that she changes with the seasons.

And in honor of St. Patrick's Day, Mary from At Home on the Bay shares her delicious recipe for Irish Soda Bread...yum.

Thanks gals!

Today's Sponsor Spotlight is on Dee from French Bleu Vintage. Dee's shop is overflowing with wonderful antiques and hard to find vintage goods. If you're looking for that special piece for a gift or for your own home, please browse through the shop. French Bleu Vintage is offering a generous 20% discount by using the code ComGr20, and with any $20 purchase you'll recieve a Free "Roses" Shopping Tote. To stay up to date on what's new in the shop and new promotions you'll want to join French Bleu Vintage on Facebook, and join the mailing list for updates at French Bleu Vintage Blog.

These are my picks from the shop,

Hope you'll take a minute to browse all the pretties.

Cottage Rose Print

1920's English Teapot

 Large Black Tole Roses Tray

Thanks Dee, I always love coming by to see what you have new in the shop!

Time to link up all your inspiring posts and projects to

Be Inspired. 

(and as always, please "Pin" from the original source)

Please have a link back to Common Ground within your post to be featured.

and please check out these other Friday Parties for some Springtime fun!

Hope you're having a great week,

Hope you'll join in for the party!

xoxo,

Be Inspired Showcase and a Winner

Today I'm starting something just a little different...

I've decided that instead of just posting the top visited links from the previous week's Be Inspired, I'm going to showcase three blog posts that I feel are worthy of just a little extra attention here in the blogging kingdom. Many times the top visited links are posts of Pinterest images or other images that are not the sole "inspiration" of the linker. While these are often inspirational and are gorgeous photos, I want this space to be dedicated to a few more posts that are the creation of the blog author themselves. Believe me, I love a great home tour or Pinterest post as much as anyone, I'm just going to be sharing a little more "original" inspiration in this spot. I'm still welcoming your wonderful home tours and Pinterest posts, I'll just be showcasing links in this spot that are original to the blog author. 

And today I have three that are exceptionally inspiring!

 Decorating in the Dining Room

 from A Rosy Note

Spring Vignettes in the Garden Room

from Vintage 541

Casual Cottage Easter Brunch from Sophia's

Don't you agree?

These three posts are inspiring me for Spring!

The winner for the $30 Gift Certificate for Bel Monili is

Nita from Mod Vintage Life

Thanks so much all of you who entered the Give Away!!

See you tomorrow for

xoxo,

Seeing red...

I have a little case of Spring Fever. Last week when it was gray and gloomy my wheels started turning about doing something to change up the downstairs sitting area.  And when I say "most of my attention" that means the sofa. Yes, the sofa that's had a slipcover on it for the last almost three years.  It was boring me, and it looked a little "sloppy".  This is one of those areas I'm just never happy with, but it's not a place I want to put the big buck$ into.  

Enter 2 wonderful linen toile thrifted pillows...

yes, with fringe and real feathers.

I know there are several of you that have these, and you know how fabulous they are. I could not pass them by at $25 dollars a piece. I actually had to go back the next day, the whole time crossing my fingers and saying a selfish prayer that they would still be there. Yes, I can be selfish and self absorbed at times. ( I know, totally hard to believe...)

I passed them by the first time, because I didn't know what I would do with them...where to put them...because they're BIG. B.I.G. Back to the sofa... so a few years ago I bought the off-white slipcover for this monster red fruit and floral couch. I loved this sofa when I bought it 10 years ago, but as you can see...it's RED. R.E.D. and my "red" days were numbered. I broke my cardinal rule in decor. Only buy neutral big ticket items. Save the flowers and color and prints and busy-ness for the accessories. I broke my own rule, because I thought I was in love, and that I would be... for eternity. I think in 10 years it's been sat on a sum total of maybe 25 times and is in pristine condition.

OK, so maybe I was secretly wanting to try out having just a teensy bit of red back. maybe... just a teensy bit. I know that sounds silly to some of you, but when you've spent the last three years going "whites" and "neutrals" then it can be a little intimidating (and bright).

So out came a vintage quilt that has a fun little plaid on the back.

OK, that helped tone down the red.

better...

So, I'm kinda, sorta, getting used to the little bit of red again.

 maybe...

coming up...the Holiday Cupboard for Easter.

Thank goodness it's much easier, 

and less expensive to change than sofas.

joining in for these weekly parties:

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

A Daily Dose of Mrs. Olson

TTT at Stonegable

From My Front Porch to Yours

Rooted in Thyme

The Charm of Home

French Country Cottage

xoxo,

Welcome to The Marketplace

Happy Tuesday, Everyone
Did you survive the changeover to Daylight Savings?
(love more daylight, hate losing an hour. It takes me forever to recover)

There were some beautiful items last week, and lot's of fun things for Spring, St. Patrick's Day, and Easter. Here are just a few that grabbed my attention!

Vintage Garden Catalog

from Vintage 541

Gilded Antique French Madonna and Child

from La Croix Rosion

Enesco Leprechaun Salt and Pepper Shakers
from Flossy Bobbsey

Original Painting Bunny Art
from The Old Post Road

Vintage Sewing Drawer
from Mission Jewels

Easter Wishes Gift Tags

from The Porcelain Rose

Lot of 16 Vintage Yo Yo Circles

from Itsy Bits and Pieces

Rosekraft is in the "Sponsor Spotlight" today with all the wonderful antique and vintage ephemera and die cuts that we love for Spring. Rabbits and bunnies and birdies...all framed and ready to enjoy.

Vintage Easter Bunny Die Cut Framed

Easter Bunnies 1910 Framed Postcard

1890's Die Cut Birds

Thanks Rose!

And today is the last day to enter the wonderful Give Away

 for a $30 Gift Certificate from Bel Monili.

If you haven't entered, why not?

Isn't this Blue Flower Basket Necklace wonderful?

It could be yours...

Just Click Here

The Marketplace is a link party for Etsy and Online Shop owners, where you can come link up to three of your individual items that are FOR SALE. Do you have a new shop or selling site? Please come and join in. You don't have to have a blog to participate. If you're listing here, I'd love for you to be a follower of Common Ground and to grab the button below for somewhere on your blog. It's a great way to let your readers know about this venue.

Come back throughout the week and check on new listings!