It's a Spring Thing...

So, Hop on over tonight

For the

Share Your Style 

Spring Blog Hop and Link Party

starting this evening at 7 PM Eastern and 6 PM Central.

Be sure and visit todays links:

Ron at Uptown Acorn

and Amanda at Dixie Delights

Have your Easter and Spring related posts,

past and present, ready to link up for some mega-fun Spring Inspiration.

See you later...

Pansies, a French Tureen, and a Conversation...

My little friends from the Dining Room 

have made their way to the kitchen table...

let's see what they're up to.

A French Country Inspired Spring Brunch Buffet

Hello Everyone, 

we're all so excited to start off this special week of our

 Share Your Style Spring Blog Hop!

This week all eight of us will be sharing some fresh new Spring Inspiration and we hope you'll share what you've been doing to transform your spaces for this brand new Season.

Join us next week for the Share Your Style Spring Blog Hop

Looking for some Spring Inspiration?

Then be sure and check in with us

 starting next Monday,

 March 23-March 25, for our 

Share Your Style Spring Blog Hop, 

and then come back Wednesday evening March 25,

 to link up all your Spring Inspiration posts, past and present during the 

Share Your Style Link Party

 that starts at 7 PM Eastern and 6 PM Central. 

Share Your Style #5

Hi Everyone and welcome to our new weekly party 

Share Your Style!

We're so glad you're here to join in.

In case you missed coming by,

 here are a few pics from my last week's posts

here on Common Ground:

Styling a DIY Seed box, a New Pillow for Spring, 

and an Irish Blessing with Vintage Postcards.

An Irish Blessing...

I've always been partial to St. Patrick's Day. The heartfelt sentiments of an Irish Blessing, the beckoning of ancient castles, and lush green hills. The celebrations of friendships and family loyalties, the good wishes and prayers for a blessed year. There may have been a little Irish from my mother's side, so today I'll celebrate the Irish, and send a blessing to all of you.

Styling a DIY Seedbox for St. Patty's Day

All it takes is a few sunny days where the temps are 50 and above and you'll find me puttering around with seed boxes, seed packets, and some old gardening tools. This week will be the "official" start of Spring so I'm having fun bringing a little green for St. Patrick's Day onto the Baker's Rack in the kitchen sitting area.

A little Birdie told me...

That it will be Spring in just one week!

I had to share this adorable little pillow from Judy.

It makes me want to chirp...

The kitchen sitting area is getting Spring-ified,

and some St. Patty's Green is coming out.

What are you up to this weekend?

Hope it has some green in it!

I've opened a FaceBook page

for the Blog,

CLICK HERE for some behind the scenes fun.

Maybe Instagram will be next,

who knows, I'm feeling crazy...

joining in at:

The Scoop at Cedar Hill Farmhouse

xoxo,

Share Your Style #4

Hi All, 

it's Wednesday, and that means its time for

 Share Your Style.

Early Spring Entry and New Lighting

Since we've moved here to the new place I've been thinking about new lighting on the hall console. I'd had my previous gold tone buffet lamp for over 13 years, and once we moved here, it started to look a little "out of place". The gray shutters, white washed mirror, and silver tray were all telling me something "antique gold", was just one too many colors and textures for the space.

Baskets for Spring Door Decor

I've slowly been putting "Winter" away, and bringing "Spring" into the house this last week. After Christmas I keep some of my winter faux greenery out as a backdrop and base for winter flower arrangements, and in baskets. Since snow covered trees and evergreens have been about the only landscape in sight, I've enjoyed my transition time from Christmas to Spring. But now that the sun is shining and the thermometer is going to be in the 50's and 60's we have a good chance that the worst of winter is behind us.

Share Your Style #3

Hi Everyone,

 so glad you're here to be a part of the fun and inspiration of 

Share Your Style!

Before we get started with the party,  I'd like to share with you a couple of posts from last week here at Common Ground. You can click on the recent post thumbnails at the top of the post if you'd like to catch up.

I'll also be picking a feature each week from here, so be sure and come by to check out who I'm highlighting each week. Today my friend Jacqueline is sharing some of her beautiful antique dishes and linens. If you haven't met her, run by and say "Hi".

Jacqueline at Cabin and Cottage

Share Your Style is open until next Sunday evening, so be sure and come by and link up your posts even if you think you're a little late. You won't be late! We look through all the posts to choose the features, and I'll be updating this Party Post until Wednesday evening, so share your own posts then enjoy checking out the rest of the great links!

So now I'll turn it over to Barbara our host for this week!

Painting Antique Frames

What a joy it was to turn over those calender pages, to see what March will bring. February was cold and snowy and brutal for so many of us. March is my Birthday Month, and it always signals the start of Spring. I feel my optimism and mood lighten with that one little flip of a calender page.

A week or so ago, Hubbs and I hung up a few oil paintings that he's given me over the years. They are my favorites, but I was just guessing at where they should be. Wall space in this house is scarce, and I'm trying to be selective about what I'm putting up. So we ended up changing things around because the space really needed something bigger.

Early Spring Inspiration

I went looking for some Spring Inspiration through my photo gallery of the last week of February and the first week of March. Here are a few images of what I was doing last year this time and the year before. Some of the photos make me tearful and nostolgic, so I'll save those, but here are a few that are happy and briming with the anticipation of all things Spring.

 March 2014 at the lease house 

PayPal Email Scam

I just wanted to quickly let you know about an email scam that is out where someone is masquerading as PayPal, asking you to click on a link and update your account and credit card information. I clicked on the link and filled out my name and address before I realized that it wasn't coming from a PayPal address. dumb. But I didn't continue, and I immediately went over to PayPal and changed my password and called their security line. They assured me they would never send out email links to change security information. They said I did the right thing and that my account and info would be secure, but it still leaves me queasy.

OK, just wanted to let you know, they looked just like PayPal and very legitimate. If you've clicked on this site and given any information, then please go to PayPal immediately, change your password, and call their security to report it.

see you later,

Share Your Style #2

Hello Everyone, I'm so glad to see you back for this second week of Share Your Style. What a great turnout we had for last week's opening. A big thank you goes out to each and every one of you who joined in to make it such a success. I'm super excited to be hosting this week, it's been so much fun for me to get a chance to visit your great links, meet some new people, and see all the wonderful creativity out here.

Side Table/ Conservatory Vignette

I'm still in the process of finding spots for some of my decor pieces. I don't have near as much space to display things as I did at the other house, so I'm thinking "rotation" might be the answer. My husband bought me this little table top "conservatory" several years ago, and it's always fun to change it out for the seasons. I had it on my hearth in the living room before, now it's taking it's turn on the little "entry hall" dresser that I use for a side table.

The Spring Forecast is Green

One of the things I loved most about having a shop space or antique mall booth was the styling and designing. I always had plans for each new Holiday and Season rearranging furniture and displays. That part was something I truly enjoyed, and I've really missed those days that I could bring in some new items and then just "play". Taking a color scheme and expanding on it with prints, dishes, linens, and accessories was and still is, one of the best ways for me to get my creativity and inspiration flowing.

Share Your Style #1

I know we've all been looking forward to this inaugural edition of Share Your Style. Sherry has been busy putting it all together behind the scene; wow, what a job to coordinate it all. I'm looking forward to seeing what you've been creating lately, and I hope you're ready to share it with all of us here. I know the individual hosting blogs will be making each week's party special and "their own". I'll be picking my own feature each week, so I hope you'll come by and join in on all the inspiration and fun. Thanks so much for turning out, I'm thrilled to see you here!

Now, to hand it over to Sherry from No Minimalist Here,

 this first week's host!

The Botanical Window Returns

I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that we started going through some of the many boxes we have in storage marked "PRINTS". We only made it through about half of the boxes before we called it an afternoon. We grabbed several prints that I thought I could use and brought the rest out of our storage space and into the main area of the lower level family room area. They're still wrapped in bubble and shrink wrap, waiting for me to figure out where they might go.

Poor Hubbs, he's the one that had the brunt of wrapping and boxing them all up. He did a great job, so good,  that it's hard to see through all that green cellophane to tell exactly what you're looking at. But one box that I knew I wanted to get into was extra long, and I was pretty sure this was inside!

Objects of Affection

Wishing you a Valentine's Day filled with love and happiness...

images from Inspirational Home

Share Your Style

I'm so excited (think the Pointer Sisters circa 1982) to finally get to share something with you that has been in the works since the start of the year! Sherry from No Minimalist Here is the organizer of this fun new Link Party, that will be starting next week. It will open on Wednesday Evening at 6 P.M. Central Time, and will be hosted by Eight individual blogs.

YEP, you heard me...

8 Blogs!

Moss Covered Heart: How-To

I can't tell you how long I've wanted to make one of these. Working with moss can be messy to say the least, but I had found a paper mache form in the shape of a heart at Michael's, so I thought I might as well dive in. literally. I didn't want to run around town looking for supplies, so I hoped that I had everything that I needed in my stash. (I was a little short on moss since I'd used a bunch on another recent project). Yesterday I shared my inspiration for a Moss Covered Heart for Valentine's Day that will go into Spring and Summer.

Moss Covered Hearts

When thoughts of Valentine's Day and thoughts of Spring collide, I decided a moss covered heart would be fun to create. My inspiration piece has always been this beautiful moss covered heart with Autumn florals and leaves by Robin Gilmore, owner of The Vintage Suitcase, here in Springfield. I've had this photo in my archives and on the blog for several years. I love her work, but wanted something Valentine-y with fresh Spring-y colors. I didn't want to "copy", just give my own interpretation.

Valentine Birdies, a Photo Bomb, and a Winner

For me, Valentines Day signals the end of winter and the start of all things Spring in my decorating. Even though the weather sometimes doesn't agree, I put away all my evergreens and snowy winter-y things and concentrate on bringing in a few flowering faux branches, some lighter colors, and start thinking garden and seeds.

Valentine's Day Shopping

Our area has several wonderful shops and boutiques; many with a mix of antiques, vintage, and market items. Quite a few have added lines of clothing and accessories displayed with a vintage vibe. I've really missed my shopping outings this last year, so last Friday I made a special visit to one of my favorites, Inspirational Home.

Entry Dressed for Valentine's Day

I'm so glad it's February! January felt long and cold and boring. To me, January feels like trudging through mud, creatively speaking. I'm ready for some hearts and flowers, chocolate, and little cupids flying around. So...I'm glad it's time that we can do a little fun decorating for Valentine's Day.

Adding some Valentine's Day fun and a Give Away

One of the easiest and fastest ways to decorate for any Season or Holiday is with throw pillows. Their seasonal colors and design bring instant "decor" into a room. See the little pillow below? I fell in love immediately. Those little love birds kissing, aaahhh...they're just the perfect Valentine's Day fun.

Coming Attractions...

Hi Everyone, I just wanted to give you a quick Heads Up for another fun Give Away from my friend, Heather, from Elliott-Heath Designs. I'm out the door for a little shop visiting, but I wanted you to be watching for it. She has some of the best pillow designs, for all occasions. If you have a minute go take a peek. We'll be doing another "Pin Your Pillow" Give Away!

See You Soon,

Antique Armoire

The post I shared last week about the Kilim rug really started out to be about this armoire. You remember it? I had it in the kitchen sitting area at the lease house as a pantry/cupboard. Before that it was in the lower level family room as a quilt and pillow cupboard. Now it's morphed into a TV cabinet for the Master Bedroom. I added the little Kilim rug to give the space a little interest and "oomph".

Kitchen Renovation in an Historic St. Louis Home

Hey Everyone, I know I promised I'd share more on the little antique Kilim rug and where it is located, but we just got home from a trip to St. Louis (Dr. appt. for me that was a good one) and I wanted to share pics of the kid's newly renovated kitchen. I'm totally kicking myself because these are at night, no tripod, and no wide angle lens. Some are blurry and the colors are a little off, but their kitchen turned out so great I hope you'll just try to "imagine" that a professional" was taking these and not "the mom". so sorry...

Decorating with Kilim and Turkish Rugs

I've been on a bit of a rug kick lately. Actually, ever since last Fall when I needed to decide on rugs for the new house, I've been pinning and perusing "rugs" in all sizes and designs. I had been on all the rug websites and then some. I've saved pics and ideas and sizes and colors and designs for all types of decor.

I even went through some of my old and vintage rugs to see what might be usable here. I found this one in the garage, and honestly, I'd almost forgotten I had it. It's worn and threadbare in places, but it's a genuine one of a kind antique. But more on this rug, some ideas, and where I'm using it later...I don't want to get ahead of myself.

New Rug for the Hall...cat optional

Hi Everyone, hope you've had a good week and are having some fun this weekend. I finally made a decision about Runners for the Master Bedroom and the hallway here next to my office and Hubbs'. I went back and forth, but in the end I didn't feel like I wanted a black rug for the hall; I needed something that was lighter, but on the same scale, and wool like the other's I had ordered last Fall before we moved in. I needed the colors to coordinate, and I was hoping some taupes and grays would match instead of trying to go ivory or tan.

In My View...

I haven't seen but one or two comments or posts here in the blog world on the happenings this week and last in France. It leaves us with a sick feeling and thoughts of terrorism coming back to haunt us here in the U.S. I know none of us feel much like taking on the subject, but I've known since day 1 that God was asking me to share a Christian's point of view on this subject. What EXACTLY IS the subject? God asked me a question, so I'm sharing my thoughts on my other blog, A Day in the Life...

to read more, click HERE

A Temporary No-Sew Table Runner

...or the "I'm lazy 

and I don't want to sew this right now",

table runner.

Last week I was sharing with you all my love/hate relationship with my sewing machine. That I'm not too fond of sewing, but I find myself frequently needing a change-up in decor with pillows, table runners, curtains etc. And actually, my sewing machine is (a) over at the storage unit(s), (b) it's too cold to go hunting for it, (c) I'd have to bribe my hubby to go spend an hour or so messing with it. (Do any of these excuses sound reasonable?)

A new teapot and a bit of Toile

I have to admit, I have a few small rituals that I really enjoy. Having a few cups of hot tea in the afternoon is one of them. This last week has seen really low temps, so that just adds to the comfort level that having something "hot" to sip on can bring. I'm not a cup and saucer and "pinky in the air" type; I love a generous and heavy mug; something to wrap my hands around.

Toile pillows for the sitting area...

If you're like me this first week of January, you're wandering around the house looking for something to "change up". I loved my Red Tartan Plaids in the sitting area for Christmas, and I wasn't even tired of looking at them, but at the same time I needed to clear out the Christmas decor and make January "fresh".