Meanderings in the Countryside ... Farm Roads and Country Drives ..

This last week we were out meandering in the countryside on an overcast cool day. Enjoying the country roads .. seeing the farms dotting the countryside.. and all the cows out in the beautiful green spring fields munching away on the new sprouts of goodness shooting from the earth... 

We had driven by this abandoned farm a few times and on both occassions I had left home without my sidekick ..no not Abbey .. but my camera .. but on this day out I happened to have it with me so we stopped and walked the grounds and enjoyed the old place. 

This farm had 2 beautiful old wood barns .. the first of the two was slightly smaller and had an amazing shake roof ..

When I went to photograph the front of it I was delighted to see that the barn had a face and it appeared to be smiling at me .. can you see the face and the 1/2 smile ?

Many of the fields have purple blooms throughout .. and they are simply breathtaking sort of puts me in mind of lavender fields .. however these are just pretty weeds ...

The old white farmhouse still sits proudly at the front of the property with the old trees surrounding it. The trees are just budding out so they are still looking a bit dreary and dull from winter but I imagine this weekend after an abundance of rain and now sunshine those branches will be overflowing with beautiful green leaves of goodness. 

The fields to the right of the house were brilliantly lit up in yellow and white .. although I would love to say they were some amazingly beautiful flowers.. this was simply a field of yellow and white dandelions .. nonetheless I thought it was quite pretty ...

The 2nd barn and the biggest barn on the property looks like a beacon of strength from the front .. but sadly it has fallen in on the back right side .. you can kind of see day light through the front opening there ..  

The inside is still beautiful .. and I think with some love and tender kindness the barn could be saved if one had a mind to do so ... As the stalls and pens and rafters still all looked in amazingly good condition considering .. 

As I turned around at the end of the barn and looked back out the doors I saw to my delight that the opening of the barn "the eye of the barn" .. was looking back at the farmhouse making a stunning frame around it ..  what a fun photo to discover and I was thrilled to get home and see it had turned out. 

And you know that feeling you have that you're being watched .. we seemed to have that feeling that day .. as we headed back to the car .. across the farm road .. we had quite the audience. The girls had walked in from their beautiful field of green goodness and were quite the curious ones looking on at us as if to say "Hey what are you all doing ?" 

We love cows .. so we ventured to the other side of the farm road and gave them a day they won't forget their very own "Glamour Shots" .. I think they did well posing don't you ?

Well it's Friday .. and who knows what we'll be doing this weekend .. thus far no plans .. but there's always the hunt for something vintagey awaiting .. or a country road that needs exploring .. or just a relaxing weekend at home enjoying the quiet and contentment of one's own home. 

"Happy Easter" ... He has Risen ... Praise the Lord on High !

~ Creating Vintage Charm ~ Farm Fresh Clothespin Bag just in time For Spring

Well just as promised I'm back and finding time to blog again .. Yippee !

 

And What a great Start !

 

Sonia Crouse is the Editor in Chief of "Creating Vintage Charm" a Lovely Magazine that can only be purchased online. It is a Printed Magazine and is delivered to your doorstep...

 

 

This Beautiful Spring Issue is compiled of some wonderful Artisans and Simply Beautiful Pictures.

 

You can grab your Copy HERE

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were absolutely thrilled when Sonia Contacted us and wanted to add our Charming "Farm Fresh" Clothespin bag to their Marketplace pages .. Thank You Sonia !  We are ever so Grateful.

 

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So Here's the Pin Bag that you'll find in the new issue ...

Designed here at the farmhouse in Vintage White Eyelet Yardage With Ruffled Eyelet Trims, And Vintage Lace Embellishments ...Plus the addition of the words "Farm Fresh" Appliqued to the front .. this piece is on of our "Sweet Magnolias Farm One of a Kinds" ..

 

 

We love designing and creating unique pieces with Vintage Materials ..that way the person that makes this piece part of their home, can enjoy that it is unique to their home.

 

 

With Springtime now here and arriving throughout it's the time to let the nature do the work for us. To let the Rays of the Sunshine pierce our clothing and linens with it's warmth, drying them to scrumptious perfection .... And why not keep the pegs and pins in a charming bag that's easily carried from Laundry Room to Line ...

 

Available HERE

 

Hope you all are having a Beautiful Sunshiny Sunday afternoon ..and if not I'm sure a little sunshine is on it's way ...

 

 

 

 

 

The Marketplace on Monday ~ Whimisical Upcycled Garden Planters

  

 Good Monday Mornin to You All !

 

It's a beautiful Monday here at the farmhouse ..it's a rain filled Monday and I "Love" the rain. We don't get rain all that often here and it makes the times it does rain all the more enjoyable. I love hearing it fall .. the smell of the freshly wet ground .. the sound of it dripping from the porch rafters and the cool humidness of the air. And I can't wait to see things green  up and bloom out even more.

 

Well it's that time again .. time for "The Marketplace" every Monday over at Common Ground ! If your not familiar with The Marketplace it's a link party for Online shop owners rather you have your own website or sell on Etsy... etc. you can link up a few of your items you are offering for sale ..and then go shopping at everyone else's shops  ! It's a lot of fun !


Also linking up with Tuesday's the Scoop

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This week I'm feeling the beauty of Spring and Garden Season ... and reminiscing a bit.

 

I was remembering one of our June Markets when we were still selling at Christie Repasy's home before the vintage marketplace grew and it had to be moved to a larger venue. Abbey and I had a blast that April and May ..of 2010 getting ready for the market creating some One of a Kind Garden Pieces ...

 

 

This Sweet Old Chair most likely from the late 1800's early 1900's became a planter .. We dressed her in white .. gave her a crown and some sparkling prisms .. added some old lace trim around the bottom and a cute vintage crystal plate garden stake. Needless to say this chair didn't stick around very long at all ..

 

 

 

 

 

This too sweet piece we upcycled from an old tool box .. I believe this carried a large electric saw in in at one time and was red when we got it.. We bathed it in a beautiful aqua .. added some old burlap and a mirror to the back of the lid .. some chain to the sides to hold the lid up from falling back all the way...and Bed Spring Feet ..and yes it bounced when the wind blew ..I loved how whimsical this piece came out !

 

 

 

And this old Metal Locker/Trunk ..we found laying in the trash at no less a local antique shop ..what were they thinking ? Well as they say another man's trash is another man's treasure and we saw what this piece could become .. This piece was originally black which was a perfect under layer for the pink paint we put on her .. Then we added some turned wood legs ...I had an oval mirror which I soldered some scalloped edge too and added it inside the lid ..along with a cute metal and prism banner that reads Dream. Abbey wanted a miniature trellis for the pieces so she built that sweet trellis from 1/2 round trim. Too too darling ..well girls this piece didn't find a home in 2010 ..so it came home with us.. and to this day it grace's our Garden .. I love looking at it every time I go in the back yard. And with all the weather she has aged to perfection wonderfully rusty and worn.

 

 

 



So Being in the Spring And Garden Spirit ..This week at Common Ground ...I featured our new line of Bath Soaps and Lotions we are offering in our blog shop.

 

Wild Rose, Verbena, and Lavender Flower. Oh my gosh these are so wonderful ! I used to carry these in our shop when we had an actual brick and mortar spot ..and decided we had to start offering them here online for everyone to enjoy ! ..These are made with shea butter and are just positively luxurious and smell divine !

 

And If you love the Charming Faucet style soap holder they are pictured in ,..those are available in the blog shop too ...

 

The Soaps Lotions and Faucet Soap Holder can be found HERE

 

 

 

 And this week I did a second feature .. I couldn't resist with spring and garden being in mind ..!

 

So I featured our Oh So Lovely "Time Began in a Garden" flour sack towel.

 

 

 

It's Bright, Cheery and Refreshing and just welcomes spring in to your Home ..

 

It's available HERE

 

 

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Wishing you all Beautiful Spring Day's Filled with Beautiful Blooms... the one's in your Garden and in the Garden of your Heart !

 

 

  

Garden Art .. Bicycles and Posies

As the warmth of spring bears down upon us all .. our hearts navigate to the outdoors .. where the rays of the sun warm our bodies and the beautiful blooms of God's handiwork Warms our hearts ...

Planting colorful flowers in the garden is not only good for the soul ..but it makes for a beautiful place to relax and enjoy..

I have always loved old bikes used as Garden Art  .. and here at the farmhouse we have a sweet old bike in it's original rusty and crusty blue paint that leans upon an old pine tree with a sweet wood bird feeder above. The birds use it to perch on during the day while taking turns at the feeder ..and I have always enjoyed it. Normally I would take a photo of it to share with you all ..however I must admit it's been neglected since winter began and it's really time for us to clean up the foliage and begin to re-plant ... but we just haven't had a moments time to get out there and spruce it all up .. ..

Bicycles make such great garden art.. especially for those who may have a small yard space .. being that they are long and thin .. it makes them easy to stand alone or lean against a tree or fence .. and create a fabulous backdrop for your garden ...

Any old bicycle will work even a newer one that you may find at a flea market, garage sale or even put an add on craigslist that you want an old rusty bicycle .. you would be surprised there's more out there than you realize  ...and if you find a bike that's not your taste in looks just paint it the color you desire and Voila .. you've got yourself  some lovely Garden art as these below ..

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Be Still my heart with this Pink Sweetie .. I love the use of the wooden baskets on this bike ..and the Wildflowers blooming so heartily in them !  The Pink really gives such a dreamy feeling to this garden...

 And this Beauty all bathed in pristine white ..is just stunning .. I love the use of the large round wire baskets ..and especially the watering can in front . Not only is this one Garden Art ..but such an amazing Garden Display ... !  

 And  I love Love Love this Red bike .. with the natural basket and Straw Hat ... So very Country and Farm Style .. such a true down home appeal to it.

Here Comes A whole Ray of Sunshine ... Now this bike just makes your heart scream out and sing ... It Says' Happy all over it ! Yellow really gives off a lot of positive energy ...

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Vintage Bikes as Garden Art .. Just another way to make your garden and those who enter it smile ! And as you can see .. Any color looks amazing ..and really sets the mood and tone of the garden ..so consider what feeling you want your garden to express.

A few tips on adding Baskets .. if you can't find actual bike baskets .. as you see in these photos .. any basket will do .... even old crates or buckets can be used.  I have found that wiring or using zip ties or even twist ties work well to hold the baskets onto the bike.

Also when planting your baskets, if they have a lot of holes in them be sure to add plenty of Moss to the inside, ... This will help to secure the soil and hold in moisture ...and you also will need to water more often if you live in a drier climate like we do.

And always when buying your flowers consider where your bike is going to be placed in the garden and how much full sun it gets. You want to be sure to buy the right flowers for the right setting be it shade, partial shade, full sun or partial sun .. ..

Happy Gardening to all of you .. May your Gardens Be Cheery and Bright ..a place to make your Heart Sing and Your Soul Calm ..

Linking up with Debra @ Common Ground for Be Inspired

# 2 Sneek Peek ..headed to the show...

My Brain is a bit fuzzy...My feet are aching ..and my body is asking to sit in my cozy chair in front of the t.v. and put on a good british movie ..like Emma or Wives and Daughters .. ..but On I push ...and Abbey too ..preparing for Next weekends show...

I promised I would share a sneek peek every day until the show of some of the items headed to the show and here is the 2nd sneek peek ....

This ever so sweet Au Natural Bird on a Branch ..Spring Basket ..Made from some of my most favorite materials ..Burlap...Eyelet ..Vintage Sheet Music ...Lace ..and more .

Of course with our creations being One Of A Kinds ..this is the only one like this ..there will be several other baskets to choose from ...but get there early to get first Pick ..Promptly at 9:00 a.m. on Friday the 19th.

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Today I have been working on our Special Business Cards we will be handing out ..all handmade ..I'll share a sneek peek of those hopefully tomorrow with you ..Abbey has been working on making Aprons for both of us to wear ..She has finished mine and I am in love with it !!! I know where's the picture of it ..Well truth be told I crawled out of bed today and have stayed in my P.J.s all day ..I still have bed head ..so no pictures today ...I'll try to share the aprons and the business cards with you all tomorrow.

O.k. More work calls ...my excitement is growing and I'm looking forward to Friday morning ..when the Real Fun begins ..Lot's of Girl Chat ..and Great Finds ..to Dress up the farmhouse !!!

Hope to see you there ..and if you are not located close enough to join us ..don't despair ..about a week after the show I will be updating our website and our Etsy Shop with all new offerings and handmades....

Have a Beautiful New Week ...Blessings ..Sara

A Beautiful Day !!!

Today as I sat here at my computer ..reading the headlines of all the snow falling across the south and about the snow that those of you in the east are still digging out at ..I looked out the back windows ..and thought of what a Beautiful Day it was here ..and thought it would be nice to share some of God's Beauty here in our part of the west.

And of course I know so many of my friends that live in the east have spring fever ..they are just waiting for the cold and snowy days to pass and for spring to roll around. Well our spring isn't quite like those of you across the nation as we are in an arid climate ..so we are very limited to what will grow ..but Geraniums are a given in this area and we do have a few that grace the outdoors....

This Red Beauty ...is planted just outside the window in our antique grocery cart ...It is growing heartily from the rain we have had over the last few weeks and has 2 stems growing tall with gorgeous blooms upon them.

This Beautiful Greenery I don't know the name of ..but it's a micro vine ..that is planted also in the grocery cart ..within the sides of it ..and grows out lush like a green blanket...

Here is one of the first buds on our David Austen Rose Bush ...Isn't it just lovely !

God's handiwork is truly amazing ...to think of all it takes for this beauty to grow ..is just awe inspiring !

This Pink Beauty ..we have planted in an old pot and it sits in an old folk art shabby chippy white table that was handmade ..... I love the look of them together ..

Alysum grows beautifully in our climate and thrives ...and it has to be one of my favorites ..the flower heads smell of honey ...a lovely fragrance ..that truly touches the senses.

My Maggie Girl ...followed me outside today and decided that she'd do a little sunbathing. She's such a sweetheart. I've had Maggie since she was just 6 weeks in age and actually picked her out ..or should I say she picked me out ..when she was just 3 weeks old. I was able to visit the litter at 3 weeks of age ..I sat in an enclosed area with all the puppies and didn't encourage them to come to me but sat quietly ..I waited for about 30 minutes to see which puppy approached me most often ...and Maggie was the one. She has truly been an amazing companion ..and the joy of my heart. Maggie will be 14 yrs old in March. She's such a happy dog, always has been ..I always say the day God was handing out happy Maggie got it all ..!!! Maggie is ridden with fatty tumors on her body ..and has severe arthritis ..which we treat with adequine ..a shot form of glucosamine ..she has responded beautifully and even ventures up the stairs a few times a month. This week I found little blood spots tracked through the house ....I tracked them right to her ..and her back paw ..was bloody up inside between her webbed foot. It was swolen and weepy. I've been treating it with warm water baths ..Betadine flushes ..and then packed it each evening with antibiotic cream and put a sock on her paw. Her paw is looking so much better today ..and she's quit trying to chew it. So good signs she's healing up. I'm glad she's getting better for her own comfort. I always think how hard it must be for animals unable to communicate their aches and pains ..and at the mercy of their cartakers to be aware of their needs. If you have a pet ..or pets ..be sure to give them a big hug ..and make sure to always look them over and watch them for signs of ailments that they need your help with. They so depend on us !

This sweet scene is in our backyard ..and old glass panel door makes the backdrop with antique wire hanging baskets filled with geraniums ..an old wood bench painted in white and aqua stripes and a lucious fern ..over growing it's pot from all the rain we have had. The rain really has brought out the beauty of our landscape.

Lastly this is our Sweet Scout ... named after "Scout" the baby from the show Evening shade that was aired in the 90's. Our Scout will be 16 years of age in March .. Yep both our girls were born in march. Scout is our little miracle ..she was given to us free as a gift ...and from the day we received her she was ridden with health problems .. I know your saying Nice gift ! Actually we were so very thankful that of all the puppies we recieved that we got Scout ..we were told from day 1 by Vets that most people would have immediately put her down ..as she would have been seen as a problem and a big Cost to the budget. No doubt she has cost a lot ...and we quit counting long ago ..but she's been worth every penny. She's such a sweetheart and a joy. She has doggie dimensia now. Even though she is a house dog ..she prefers to be outdoors in the sunshine from the time the sunrises till the time it goes down. When the night comes she asks to come in ..has her dinner and then continues to go to the back door and asks to go out until we go to bed. We open the door she looks out smells the air looks around and then lays down in her bed ... that's the routine for 4 hours every evening ..we finally realized she's looking for the sunshine. In fact the sun is jus now going behind the coastal mountains ..and she's headed for the door. She's like a clock ..LOL !! We will cherish her and Maggie for as long as they are to be with us ..God Gave us 2 wonderful creatures ..that have brought such Joy and Love into our lives which we are ever so thankful for.

Well I hope you have enjoyed our Beautiful Day ..and have enjoyed our western blooms.

May Spring come your way ever so soon!

Blessings ..your Kindred Friend ...Sara

Pretty in Pink ...and Spring time

I guess my body and mind are running ahead of the seasons lately ..I was working on Christmas in September of 09' and now Spring has been on my mind lately ...Abbey and I were up in the workshop ...going through boxes of vintage lines and such ..and came across some sweet pink pieces. Immediately ..I knew what I wanted to do with the pieces ..and this last week it all came together.

Mrs. Rosenblooms

~ Spring Fresh Laundy ~

Clothespin Keep ..

I love how it turned out ..and I think this is a beginning to some more Pink Creations to come.

I just listed this piece on Etsy Last night ..Click HERE to visit our Etsy shop.