Love Squared Designs

I think we all like to keep a positive outlook on life, even if our day to day circumstances might cause us to lose focus every once in awhile. Sometimes it's nice to just have a little tangible reminder of those dreams and attitudes we're striving to work toward and build on.

Today I want to you to meet a talented jewelry designer and really great gal, Lisa McKenney, from Love Squared Designs. Lisa and I "met" through my "Spiritual Journey" blog, and she has shared with me how she wholeheartedly believes in the empowerment and encouragement of women. This bracelet is my personal "word" of encouragement and truth from Lisa.

One thing that most of you in blogland don't know about me is that I really DO have a bracelet compulsion. Call it a fetish, an addiction, or maybe that I just really love bracelets...but I cannot wear just one. nope. gotta have a stack, and this one has been such a perfect addition. Each time I look at it, I'm reminded that God is there watching over me and that He really does call me "Blessed".

Lisa has lot's of colors, styles and designs in her leather cuffs;

 here are just a few.

Here are Lisa's own words as she shares about her designs:

"Ever since I was a little girl I have loved to create beautiful things. Throughout the years I have created in many different mediums, but I have always loved being able to wear my art. In November 2012 I opened an etsy shop and began to sell personalized soldered photo pendants and ornaments.  I loved being able to capture my customers most precious faces in a piece of jewelry. In February of this year I had the opportunity to sell a soldered heart necklace design to raise money to fight human trafficking. Over 500 heart necklaces were sold in a matter of 8 weeks– raising more than $11,000! I had the blessing of witnessing a miracle! I never imagined anything of this proportion was possible but God took my little creation and did something BIG with it!"

"This summer I expanded my offerings to include stamped metal and leather jewelry. I have repurposed leather belts and given them a new life and message. I love creating these custom leather cuffs with words that speak life and hope!"

"We all need words of truth and encouragement and what could be better than to wear a beautiful word on your wrist!? It's like having your own Wonder Woman cuff to remind you of your superpower! :) My heart feels most alive when I am creating a beautiful piece of jewelry with a meaningful message. I'd love to create something special for you!" 

I want to share and support Lisa's amazing shop Love Squared Designs with all my friends and blog followers. Lisa will be giving away one of her wonderful leather cuff bracelets or a personalized photo pendant to one of you out there. You can choose from her store, or have one that is personally designed just for you. Lisa is also giving a 10% Discount Code for your use during the month of October.

Here are the ways you can enter.
 Please leave a separate comment for each:

1. Head over to Lisa's Etsy Shop, Love Squared Designs, decide what you'd choose, then come back and let me know, here in a comment.
2. Check out her Facebook Page and sign up to "Like" for news and information on her designs.
3. Be a follower of this blog, Common Ground, and let me know.
4. And if you'd like to give this a shout out on Facebook, Twitter, or your own blog, just let me know for another entry.

Thanks Everyone!

xoxo,

They're Back.....

My snow owls from last year have flown back onto the mantel for October. 

If you didn't see how I came up with them, then click here.

I just made some space for them instead of redoing the whole thing...

I'm a lazy "mantel-scaper". 

They DO cause a little ruckus and make a mess with all that glitter.

Oh, and they have a new friend this year.

An owl pillow decided to join the fun.

Remember the Give Away with Elliott-Heath Designs not long ago?

you can have one too!

Joining in on these great parties:

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
Blissful Whites at Timewashed
Inspiration Exchange at Ella Claire 
TTT at StoneGable
From My Front Porch to Yours
Shabby Art Boutique
French Country Cottage
Craftberry Bush
The Cottage Market
The Scoop

Be sure and come back tomorrow.

  I have wonderful Give Away planned,

with Love Squared Designs

The Marketplace: Etsy and Online Showcase

Happy Monday Everyone,

Time for The Marketplace!

Wow, last week was jam packed with great items and shops. If you didn't get to check out the party, you may want to run by this week. We're having fun new items start showing up for the Holidays so, you won't want to miss out!

Here are a few from last week:

Halloween Banners

from Kathy Creative Home

Embellished Elegant Pumpkin Set

from Ornate Splendor

Early Eastlake Clock Shelf 

from Nostalgic Artifacts 

Vintage Miniature Log Cabin

from the Feathered Pen

Hearth and Home Framed Wall Art

from Knick of Time Interiors

Halloween Pendant Necklace

from MagRag

Vintge Leather Wine Carrier

Western Reserve

So many great things to browse!

And I'd like you to meet a new Sponsor, Debbi from 

Marionberry Cottage

Bringing you lovely items for your cottage home and lifestyle. A collection of handmade items and vintage trappings at affordable prices

thanks so much, Debbi!

This linky is open to anyone with an Etsy Shop or Online Shop or Boutique. You don't have to have a blog to join in, but if you do it would be nice if you could grab the image below for someplace on your blog, just to let your readers know about this shopping venue. You can link up to three of your individual items or shop blog posts. Please make sure these items are available FOR SALE. And if you're here to shop, please check back throughout the week for new items being listed. Thanks so much for joining in and for being a shopper! I love having you be part of The Marketplace!

Have a great week,

The Autumn Holiday Cupboard

Since Fall is my favorite time to decorate the house, 

I also love gathering my odds and ends for decorating The Holiday Cupboard.

 I've tried to make it "The Ironstone Cupboard", 

or "The Transfer ware Cupboard" 

or "The White Only Cupboard",

 but I just can't make those stick.

It always becomes "The Holiday Cupboard".

It's the odd kitchen cupboard and the little chippy dresser that got married.

I always enjoy a good love story, don't you?

It's downstairs in my little sitting area that I showed you yesterday.

This time of year I like to bring in the oranges to compliment the white.

And there are always a few stray squirrels, owls and pumpkins

that need a place to live.

...so they end up here.

There usually is a gardening and nature theme going on

along with whatever "Holiday" might be coming up.

These open books are two old nature encyclopedias from the early 1900's.

My new little "Be-Owled" frames found a spot here, too.

Each time I show the Holiday Cupboard I'm asked about the white suitcases on top. I just used several coats of white interior latex and a lot of time. A small roller on the larger parts and an artist's brush for painting around the hardware. I have several more ratty suitcases that need this paint treatment. I'm a sucker for an old suitcase, if the price is right.

For previous Fall Holiday Cupboard renditions,

look HERE and HERE.

Hope you're having a wonderful weekend,

it turned cool after a day of rain.

Almost time for boots.

yay!

 Joining in on these great parties:

Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

The Scoop at Cedar Hill Ranch

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Knick of Time Tuesday

Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Blissful Whites at Timewashed

DIY by Design

Inspiration Exchange at Ella Claire

TTT at StoneGable

From My Front Porch to Yours

French Country Cottage

Craftberry Bush

The Cottage Market

Today's Sponsor

Sweet Magnolias Farm

Salesman Sample Bag for Fall

I've had this big brown leather bag for I don't know how long. It's always sat at the bottom of the stairway, and often it's just been something to trip over. It's pretty worn in some places, so it's been better at gathering dust and being in the way than being a focal piece.

But I  was determined to do something different downstairs for the coffee table in my little sitting area, so I decided I would try to make this work. These are often confused with doctor's bags, but these salesmen's sample bags are bigger. Doctor's bags are most always black, and have a lower profile even though they are similar.

I wedged an old book between the metal frame of the hinges and stashed in some Faux Fall flowers and bushes. That's one thing I love about Fall, you can take bits and pieces of Fall leftovers and group them together, those wonderful colors and textures are so forgiving!

That's my ceramic pumpkin from the early 80's. 

It's seen better days, but I drag it out each Fall to enjoy one more season.

My red floral sofa is now sans slipcover,

as I was tired of it looking messy. 

Better red than sloppy.

Hope you're off to a great weekend,

rainy and cool today,

The Holiday Cupboard tomorrow!

xoxo,

Today's Sponsor

French Bleu Vintage