The beautiful blossoms and blooms of spring refresh my senses and feed my soul. They usher in warmer days of working in the garden, taking tea on the porch with friends, placing fresh cut flowers in vases throughout the house. Both indoors and out, I love to surround myself with blossoms and blooms and all the pleasures of spring.Outside in the garden, my cheery plot of bright red tulips is among the first to bloom. In the middle of their friendly faces, I plant a ceramic plaque with the words "Welcome friends."
Spring birds, attracted to the rainbow of colors blooming in my yard, inspire me to add pretty painted birdhouses and wrought iron birdbaths so they'll feel at home.Blossoms and blooms are flourishing inside the house too. They grow along the edge of the vintage linen tablecloth I put on the table each spring, in carefully placed threads of pink, red and green. A garden of spring flowers decorates the notepaper and envelopes I keep handy on my writing table and floral shaped soaps rest on an antique dish at the edge of the bath. In my china cabinet, dainty roses and buds encircle much treasured, heirloom teacups and plates.
In my bedroom, another spring garden comes to life. French ribbon roses adorn a favorite pillow. Hand built ceramic roses, replace tired and worn drawer pulls on a favorite vanity. A delicate floral pattern dances around the edge of the vintage handkerchief draped over a lamp shade close by the bed. On the bed, a needlepoint pillow displays pink stargazer lilies surrounded by burgundy roses. I'm almost certain the fragrance of spring hangs in the air as I fall asleep each night.Blossoms and blooms, wherever they may be found, are the heralds of a new season – one filled with sunny days, dear friends, vibrant colors and rich musical sounds. In their presence, life seems more beautiful and my soul feels more alive.
Make Mine Pink
Please join us for shopping with a twist on Friday April 30th 2010 as we present "Blossoms and Blooms"
Photo Contribution 1: Forget Me Not Dreams | Photo Contribution 2: Shabby Shan's Cottage| Photo Contribution 3: Angel Heart Designs
I can remember wanting to be just like Mom when I was a a little girl. And now, with grown children of my own, when I catch myself sounding like my mother, or when other people tell me I somehow remind them of her, I feel a rush of pleasure and nostalgia. I’m proud that I've become like the woman I admired and loved so much.
Giving Mom gifts that have nostalgia attached to them can be a big hit. A vintage-inspired hankie might spark a memory of her mom who carried one just like it in her purse. A pretty vintage apron, bringing back memories of cooking for her own young family. Postcard pictures with images of yesteryear can stir up memories she’d long forgotten.Sometimes a carefully chosen accessory, such as a tote bag specially made for your mother or a unique piece of heirloom jewelry might be the ideal gift. A silver charm can be engraved with a special message of love, or just bear the memory of a daughter who loves her. Whenever she puts it on, you know she'll smile at the thought of having you close to her heart.
Floral designs, lace trims, satin ribbons, paper roses can brighten up just about any corner of her home or her day. Whimsical decorations chosen to sit in a favorite corner, hand-poured soaps to help her relax at night, beautiful albums of cherished memories to place on the coffee table. Carefully chosen pieces to remind her that she's treasured.
There are so many beautiful and creative ways to keep the earth clean. For me, reducing, reusing and recycling is much more than being environmentally friendly. It's creatively repurposing old, forgotten, and vintage items to create some of my favorite things.
Their delicate rose patterns display proudly, instead of a layer of dust. The china cabinet itself was a great flea market find, worn and scratched, but repainted to match the rest of my decor.
There is nothing so small that it can't be recycled into a wonderful treasure. Even the tiniest scrap of lace can be reused to add a just-so touch and create something brand new out of repurposed items. I save scraps of colorful fabric, buttons of all shapes and sizes, bits of embellished paper, single earrings and abandoned jewels. You never know when these fragments will be just the right addition to a new creation.
Spring is the perfect time to start thinking about a romantic re-do for your home. The world outside is changing color and bursting with new life. Let a new season begin in your décor as well. Giving my home a romantic re-do by changing just a few elements is something I look forward to every spring.
In the bedrooms, winter quilts are packed away. Beds are draped with pretty pale pinks, robin's egg blues, and shades of white. The colors of budding flowers and new life. Chenille bedspreads and lace tablecloths draped across the foot of the bed or over the back of a boudoir chair, adding romantic appeal. One of the final touches is a lightly scented candle by the bedside, ready to light on a quiet spring evening.In the dining room, the table is spread with a hand-crocheted tablecloth, each lacy flower intricate and full of spring. Treasured and vintage place settings, covered with pretty spring roses and beautifully etched with time, grace the dining table. An elegant candle in a cut glass holder, it’s simplicity breathes romance.
A sprinkling of the right accessories complete the transformation. Slipcovered couches in light fabrics and spring colors are layered with needlepoint pillows stitched with roses and spring flowers. Brightly colored fresh flowers and handmade silk roses are tucked into vases and creamware pitchers. Even the powder room gets a little romantic re-do with towels trimmed in lace and pretty spring-scented cameo soaps A quick romantic re-do is something that I do every spring. It's so easy to do, and makes my heart feel a flutter of romance.
