Catching Rays

The other evening I was walking through the living room and wastaken by the sunlight filtering in through the shutters and theshadows they cast. 

 My living room has a lot of dark wood and leather couch, soon a dark dreary day, it feels even darker.  Catching the evening springsun peeking in is something to stop and enjoy. 

 A sampler I made many years ago reminds me of thecross-stitch phase of my life.

 I wish I could say these were real forsythia cut from the yard, but alas, I'm still waiting for the outside bushes to burst into glorious bloom.Until then, I'll have to be content with my faux flowers andcatching rays of sunlight.

Linking withThe Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays 

What to Do?

I need your advice.  I found these darling sweet little

Haviland Limoges teacup saucers at Goodwill last week.

 

Twenty of them to be exact ~ only no teacups.  Each one was

sweeter than the next and I couldn't pick between them, so I bought

them all.

 They have no pattern names on the back ~ just Haviland France ~ Limoges.

Nearly every one is different with the most delicate scalloped edges.

I want to sell them at my Open House, but I'm not sure how to use

them to their best potential and I need your advice.

Here are a few of the ideas that I have had.

~

Here I have coupled one with a sweet glass dish and votive candle.

I was thinking of also setting the candle in some loose lavender flowers.

To this saucer, I've added a small glass coaster and large pillar candle.

The typical plate rack display.  This plate is my favorite and is a keeper.

I found an inexpensive tea cup to add to this saucer.  I think they make

a cute couple, but they are definitely not on the same level socially.

And last of all, I've added a glass votive cup and candle.

  I could sell them as they are on Etsy ~ somewhere out there are the

missing teacups.  But without their pattern names, I have no idea of their real value.

So what do you think?  Any advice is appreciated.

 ~

Linking with

~

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

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I Love Pretty Little Things for Friday Pretties

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At the Picket Fence for Inspiration Friday

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Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
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How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday

Boo Hoo

Will it never end? 

Will spring ever come?

Will the forsythia ever bloom?

Will the daffodils ever smile on us?



White on White

Sharing today some of the whites I've collected for my Open House.

Most of the items in these pictures came from Goodwill and 

were collected over time.  The two candlesticks were purchased at

an antique mall, but everything else is from my newest favorite store.

The pedestal birdhouse I posted about earlier this week and is

making it's appearance here again.

These sweet little teacups are white on white perfection and

I was planning on selling them with  a violet planted in them. 

Here is a closer look at the candlesticks and a small daisy 

arrangement I made.

And last is the stack of white dinner plates I'm collecting.  I was thinking

of either letting customers pick through them or packaging them up with

pretty ribbon in sets of four, each plate a different pattern.  I have always 

wanted to set a table of white dishes, all in different patterns.

If you were buying, would you prefer to pick your own or buy a pretty

packaged set?

Linking with 

Faded Charm for White Wednesday

Thrifting Weekend

It was a thrifting weekend for me.  I started with the Scott'sAntique Market which was in town for the last time until November.  From there, I went to Goodwill.  Then on the way to an out of townbirthday party, my sister found a couple more antique stores to visit andI ended the weekend with a stop at another Goodwill yesterday.  I found things at every place I went, but just wanted to share a coupletoday.  This is a lovely round vintage table cloth with cross-stitch. 

 My sister noticed it and talked me into it, so it's all her fault, but  I'm so glad she didbecause I just love it now.  I have a nice collection of aqua things to sellat the Open House, so it will make a nice piece to display them on.  It isvery simple, which is what I like, and has a nice edge to it.

I grouped it with some aqua plates that I'll be selling and some fabricI bought at JoAnn's to make matching napkins out of.  I love the colors inthis little print and it has a vintage look to it while being new.

Lastly I added a vintage turquoise Ball jar which I picked up this weekend.I already have a nice collection of them to sell, but this one has arusty handle on it, making it a little more unique.

Sorry ~ faux flowers again ~ still nothing much blooming here yet.

I think aqua is fast becoming my new favorite color, right after pink.~Linking with A Stroll Thru Life for Table Top Tuesday~Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday~My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia  for Tuesday's Treasures~

House of Grace for Twice Owned Tuesday

Birdhouse Makeovers

I wanted to share some makeovers I did with candle holders and bird houses.  I can't take credit for the idea ~ I did get it from anotherblog, but unfortunately, I can't remember whose it was.~ Here is the bird house and candlestick holder as purchased.

The bird house came from Michael's and the candlestick holder is metaland came from Goodwill.The first thing I did was stain them both dark.  The metal of course wouldn'ttake the stain, so I just "painted it on" so to speak.  Not something I wouldrecommend or do again since it took weeks for it to thoroughly dry.

When the stain was finally dry, I painted both white, distressed them,and then glued them together.

This bird house I've had for some time.  All I did was restain the wood parts, distress it and attach it to another Goodwill candle stick. 

 

Although these pedestal bird houses are headed for my Open House,for now they make a lovely spring vignette  for my mantel when accompanied by pussy willows and a little nest.

Linking withGorgeous and Fun for Being Creative~Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday~Dittle Dattle for Amaze Me Monday~The House in the Roses for Show Off Your Cottage Monday~Boogieboard Cottage for Masterpiece Monday
 

Spring Beauties

Spring seems very slow coming to Ohio this year, or maybeI'm just being impatient.  Even the forsythia seem to be  reluctantto show their color.  It has been cold this week with temps only inthe 30's and 40's and a touch of snow every now and then, butthese little beauties were brave enough to show their sweet faces. 

 I planted these bulbs years ago and every year I find some in newplaces.  I don't think it's because they are propagating, but because thesquirrels are digging them up and moving them.  Now, I've neverreally caught them in the act, but I know I didn't plant them in the grass. 

And I know I didn't plant them with the roses either. 

 I used to dig them up and move them back to the flower beds, butI gave up on that some time ago.  I have chosen simply toenjoy these sweet things where ever I find them.

Maybe this is where the expression "bloom where you are planted"comes from.
Linking with The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays~Smiling Sally for Blue Monday