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

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Jackson Street Gallery-Historic Downtown Millersburg

I am quickly winding down my vacation days and as a result am feverishly trying to squeeze in every festival, parade, yard sale and favorite all around shopping experience I can muster. I just posted about the awesome Summer Market I attended in Avon Lake this weekend and today I want to take you on a journey to Historic Downtown Millersburg Ohio. You  can easily spend an entire day shopping in stores specializing in antiques, vintage upcyled furniture, jewelry, and a shop that will knock your socks off (or flip flops depending on the season)  called Jackson Street Gallery.

 The manager and buyer is Tracy and let me tell you- she has some serious retail swagger going on in this store.She was originally a retail stylist from Chicago but located to rural Ohio when she got married. She has been employed at some wonderful stores in Northeast Ohio . She started manging this shop about 12 years ago. The store has two floors of furniture and has flooring, accessories gifts and art.  I want to take you on a photo journey looking at some of the cool items she has in the store.


These bells are not only beautiful but have a great deep resonating tone to them when rung

Wow on the galvanized containers

Beachstone placemats and rugs

Stone Mushrooms

So many unique pillows

When you enter the shop this tree is loaded with seasonal displays


No reproduction here- cool vintage telephone booth

Love this old chicken coop!



These candles were wonderful smelling



Mercury glass bottle bird house- what a combination!


Friend bought this drift wood mirror frame

This was in someones barn without a top so she had a glass top made-move over Pottery Barn

You don't have travel far in Amish country to find feedsacks- a local lady makes these for the store


Jackson Street Gallery 56 East Jackson Street Millersburg, Ohio 44651
Open daily 10-5

The one thing I want to point out is even though this post featured Jackson Street Gallery they have wonderful antiques shops in Millersburg. We stopped at two of them that were open ( we were there on a Monday so a few were closed) and purchased some fun things. The prices are great.  We went to the Pioneer Loft and Starlight Antiques. Pioneer Loft had some cute upcycled furniture and vintage treasures and Starlight had some beautiful typewriter jewelry and cool stuff toward the back. I bought a couple of enamel flower pins, cute vintage bottle labels, and a perfume bottle.



facebook.com/starlightantiques

This Saturday August 4th Historic Downtown  Millersburg and Starlight Antiques  are holding one of their bi-annual Antiques in the Alley Celebrations from 9 am-5 pm rain or shine. There will be 50 vendors in the alleys and sidewalks and also all seven antique/collectible shops will be supporting this great event.

Additional Notes- Bags or Hotel Millersburg are nice places to eat oh ... and do not forget to go to an awesome thrift store south on 83 close to Dairy Queen called Save and Serve. The Inn at Honey Run is a quiet retreat out in the country that also has a nice menu beautiful accommodations.

If you do ever shop in Millersburg at Jackson Street Gallery tell Tracy you saw her shop on What's Old Is New.

If you can't make it this weekend on October 6th and 7th is the 50th annual Antique Festival in Millersburg.
Thanks for stopping by today and I hope your eyes were entertained with this latest adventure. It is like virtual window shopping!

Cathy