Saturday, August 11, 2012

Hydrangea Window Box

Happy Weekend!

I just wanted to do a quick post today and show you how I utilized  my hydrangeas last year. I have about five big bushes with loads of blooms on them every year.
 My family grumbles about me saving old decorating/gardening magazines but I always find inspiration from them. I saw  a picture in one magazine  (don't remember which magazine) but I believe the name of the article was The Flower Whisperer and the gardener used hydrangeas in many of her floral designs.
Soo.... Here is my take on her creations. I used the dark purple kale/cabbage plant that you see this time of year, Sweet Annie, cut hydrangea from my bushes (when they were the shade of lime green/white/peach), dried orange Chinese lanterns, and dried grapevine wreath twigs. It may seem weird but if you just stick the flowers in moist soil the hydrangeas will stay that color for a couple of weeks As they dry out everything turns to a warm tan with different textures  I keep it through Thanksgiving Day for my family gathering and that night when everyone leaves... out it comes! I wanted to post this early enough in case you were interested as your blooms change color in different parts of the region.










Many Blessings!


Cathy


I will be linking up with At The Picket Fence http://www.atthepicketfence.com/2012/08/its-inspiration-friday-no-77welcome.html

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Aqua and Green Cottage Bathroom Redo

I hope everyone had a great weekend. We finally got some rain today!  Before I get started with this post I just want to thank everyone for their kind comments and emails throughout July's posts. I have had a great time getting to know many new bloggers. Your wonderful photos posted about beautiful gardens, renovations, craft projects, and vintage finds have definitely inspired me. And...I just started joining up with linky parties which was a first for me. I am still on a big learning curve with this technology thing.

A  Big Thank You To:

Common Ground
http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/2012/08/vintage-inspiration-99-miss-gracies.html?utm_source=BP_recent

 Ivy and Elephants
http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/2012_07_01_archive.html

 It's a Very Cherry World
http://suelovescherries.blogspot.com/2012/07/rednesday_17.html

Miss Flilbbertigibbet
http://www.missflibbertigibbet.com/



You have either featured me or left very kind words of encouragement about joining your linky parties and I really appreciate the support!

Today I want to share with you my most recent bathroom redo that took place in June. If you are interested in the before please take a look at my post here.  I actually wrote about some changes we were making to the house in May but then I never posted that the bathroom project was completed! Geez.
The bathroom before was white with grey tile and counter. It had a polished brass light fixture and hardware with traditional towel bars. I really was ready for a change and wanted to give the bathroom more punch-given the living room colors.It you have not seen my living room you can view that here.
 The paint color chosen was Porch which is from Maine Cottage and the shower curtain was my Christmas gift from my neighbor Linda - the fabric is called Shelly.



 We took down the light fixture and I changed out the knobs on the cabinets with distressed knobs I bought from Pick Your Plum (I am a serious Plumster). The counter top and floor remained the same as well as the tall white cabinet. I bought a distressed  open cupboard for above the toilet from one of my favorite stores in Medina called The Cottage Gardener. All the accessories are from thrift stores and garage sales. Apple green just makes me happy so I had several things that color already stashed away.
 Here is the outcome.

There are ridges on the frosted glass which gives it a vintage look.



Vintage Collection of Enamel Flower Pins and
 Pearls Hanging out of Hurricane -   Family Ancestor Pictures



Ink Drawing - I Bought it at Goodwill- Framed at Joann Fabric












Vintage Chippy Door Knob 
Which I use as the Towel Holder -10 cents at a Garage Sale 




Garage sale radio 75 cents

Little vintage basket purse from Goodwill




The art work above the toilet was a poem adapted from a Bible Verse. The calligraphy was carefully penned on a piece of parchment paper that I found it at an antique store in Mansfield for $6.00 and was framed at Joann Fabric. This has moved around to various rooms as it is a favorite.


The Tides of Providence

It's not what you gather but you sow
That gives your heart the warming glow.
It's not what you get but what you give 
Decides the kind of life you live.

It not what you spend upon yourself
or hide away upon a shelf,
That brings a blessing for the day
It's what you scatter by the way.

A wasted effort it may seem
But what you cast upon a stream
Comes back to you in recompense
Upon the Tides of Providence
From Eccl.11:1 

Many Blessings-
Cathy

I will be linking up with Debbiedoo's Monday Linky Party
http://debbie-debbiedoos.com/vintage-wedding-theme.html

   Very Merry Vintage Style
http://verymerryvintagestyle.blogspot.com/2012/07/houndstooth-on-vintage-retro-beach.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed: VeryMerryVintageSyle (Very Merry Vintage Syle)

Coastal Charm
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/

Savvy Southern Style Wow Us Wednesdays
http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/2012/08/wow-us-wednesdays-78.html