fairies

There a few wonderful and mystical things that my grown-up little girl mind still wants to believe in.

 

At the top of the list are

 

garden fairies

 

In honor of my beloved garden and the whimsical creatures that come out at night, here is my ode to fairies.

 

 

I studied everything I could find about fairies when I was little. I would set out acorn caps full of strawberry or grape jelly at night. Sometimes the caps were empty by morning and my heart was full. To me, there was no doubt that the fairies had come to visit.

 

My garden is a magical place by day and by night. Sometimes I peek out on a bright and starry night and I once again become a little girl just hoping to catch a glimpse of a majestic sprite or fairy.

 

Do you believe in fairies...?

 

I do.

 



birthday girl

Keeping it short and sweet.

 

To:

 my dearest friend in the world,

and the best mom

a girl could ever ask for...

 

Happy Birthday

 

 I wish we could be together to celebrate.

I love you and miss you very much.

 

 

I can't wait until we can be together again to get into all the silliness we somehow seem to enjoy.

 

I love you!

 

From:

AKA lil one

 



May Day

What is May Day?

 

To be honest,

I had to do a little research.

 

I think of children dancing around a May pole and people sprinkling flower petals about...as a celebration of the welcoming of the new season of spring.

 

It turns out that May Day has a rich history around the world. It's folklore and traditions vary depending on the heritage.

 

I would like to think of it as a time for new beginnings for all of us. We could use a little positive change...

 

How about a May Day project?

 

May Day Baskets

 



 

A few years ago I wrote an article about May Day Baskets for a magazine. May Baskets are a Victorian tradition from the 19th century. Hang a cone of flowers or special treats on the door of friends, family or even an unsuspecting sweetheart.

 

It's an easy project and perfect for children.

Just gather some craft supplies...

 

 

and lovely scrapbook papers and tassels.

 

Wrap a piece of paper into the shape of a cone and secure it with a staple, glue or tape.

 

Affix a ribbon or lace as a handle and embellish with buttons and other vintage trimmings.

 

I even dug into my stash of broken costume jewelry.

 

The cones can be made any size

and personalized for the special recipient.

 

I filled some with hand painted eggs and chocolates.

 

 

This year we are stuck making them for one another in the household.

 

Since we are self isolating this, it makes this tradition a little difficult to share with neighbors. Next year I think we should all make dozens of May Day baskets and hand them out to all of the lovely ladies in nursing care facilities around the country!

 

I sure hope next May is much healthier for use all...

 

Happy May Day!

 

ahhh flowers

Turning a handful of flowers

into a house full of flowers...

 

 

My local grocery store sells bundles of flowers 3 for $10.

 

That's really all you need!

 

No arranging necessary...

 

 

Simply cut the stems to length and place impressive flowers like delphinium in a beautiful vase or pitcher.

 

 

A large bundle of baby's breath in an old metal bucket are an unexpected yet gorgeously elegant display.

 

If you are feeling brave,

mix two kinds of flowers in a large bowl.

Hydrangeas and roses are a perfect pairing...

 

 

Once you've mastered this,

try mixing three types.

Lilies, roses and hydrangeas...

stunning!

 

 

The idea is to keep it simple yet impactful.

 

It's important to do small things to make yourself smile right now. Life is so hard and the future totally uncertain.

 

Step back from the fear and surround yourself with little things that lighten each day.

 

quilt project

Well it's official.

I am obsessed with quilts.

 

Oddly enough, I tend to gravitate towards them in the spring. Probably because the ones I collect are fresh, cheerful springy colors.

 

Of course I love the pristine ones, but I also love the overly cherished and snuggled ones too. Those are referred to as "cutter quilts" because you can cut away the good sections and use them for projects.

 

One of my all time favorite cutter quilt project was upholstering my vintage recliner.

 

 

I found it when I was a new college graduate and had just opened my first shop. I was leaving my shop for the day and I spotted it in a dumpster.

 

It was red velvet and tragic.

 

I recovered it in a neutral fabric years ago until it became tragic once again. So when it was time to recover it, I dug into my collection of cutter quilts!

 

 

The chair is a remarkable design for an antique recliner. The body lifts out of the frame. When it is in the frame, there is a bar in the back with notches that allow you to recline in 3 different settings. (Much like a beach lounger!)

 

I used the main part of this lovely old quilt to cover the front of the chair. I didn't have enough for the back so I covered it with an old white Swiss dot baby blanket.

 

 

I painted the frame a soft matte white and slightly distressed it to give it a subtle aged patina.

 

Lastly, I used a new trimmings to hide the staples and give the chair a beautiful finished look.

 

 

I took to my sewing machine to make a few pillows.

 

 

Now she has an entirely new look

thanks to my stash of cutter quilts!

 

I am such a hoarder when it comes to

collecting old notions.

 

 

Sometimes I just bundle small quilt scraps with elegant ribbons and use them in place of pillows.

 

 

Somehow I find a use for all of my collections.

Are you the same way...?

 

I'm odd but I'm good with that!

I hope you are all doing well while sheltering in place.

 

This too shall pass...

 





springtime porch spruce up

Nothing beckons spring like a call for outdoor living. The porch is a good place to start. A thorough sweeping, wipe everything down with a lemony fresh solution and it's time to decorate. Let the colors of springtime be your guide...

 

 

All that's left to do is make some fresh squeezed lemonade, brew a pitcher of sweet tea, cut up a bowl of delicious seasonal fruit and bake a batch of sugar cookies.

Enjoy...

 



daddy's girl

To the most amazing dad

a girl could ever ask for...

 

Happy Birthday Daddy

 

 

One of my fondest memories is the year my dad built me a dollhouse for Christmas. I will never forget the moment I saw it. My eyes filled up with tears, then I looked at my dad and his tears were as big as mine. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen in my short life. I found out much later in life that he had dressed up in tennis clothes and headed out to play several nights a week for several months. Instead he was at my great Aunt and Uncle's house making this incredible gift.

 

I still have my beautiful dollhouse.

 

One of many special memories I have

of the most special father.

 

I love you daddy...

Happy Birthday!

 

 



flower garden, sort of

With spring in full bloom,

for some lucky folks,

many of us are just itching for an abundance

of fresh flowers from the garden.

 

What if you don't have a garden...

or a green thumb?

Create an indoor garden of sorts.

 

Surround yourself with flowers like...

 

 

vintage millinery flowers

 

 

vintage floral prints

 

 

vintage linens

 

 

vintage floral ephemera

 

 

vintage porcelain

 

 

vintage china

 

vintage ceramics

 

vintage stoneware

 

And no garden,

indoor or outdoor,

would be complete without a

 

beautiful bird's nest

 

 

Flower gardens are a blessing from God.

We have to count our blessings every single day.

 

Especially right now.

 

So if you have a garden,

enjoy it to the fullest.

 

If you don't,

be creative and make one of your own!

 

Stop and smell the roses...