One of a Kind Patriotic Buntings from my heart and my hands ~ Sweet Magnolias Farm Originals

I don't know about You all but I love me some Red, White and Blue ..!!! 

For as many years back as I can remember 4th of July is one of my favorite times of the year .. I have no idea why that is nothing special happened to me personally that made me love it .. beyond loving what it represents.

Maybe it's because my Birthday is just a few days shy of it ? 

Or

Maybe I just love the vibrant colors and the joy they bring to my heart. 

I can remember in the 1990's as a young 20 something young woman .. wanting flag writing pens, a flag jacket, and anything Ralph Lauren bedding that was red white and blue floral. In fact I splurged and bought the RL cottage rose and flag sheets that he put out and still have them to this day .. and love them just as much as when I first got them. 

I guess it's just my thing !

Last year a sweet gal that's a client through my Etsy shop and had purchased some of my upcycled shirts emailed me a little tutorial she had found on making patriotic buntings. Well the tutorial wasn't bad but it didn't create a very permanent bunting.. So I set out to create on for this gal but wanted it to be more traditional but unique in that they are made from vintage and upcycled materials and if you have followed what I love to make over the years you'll know I love creating One of  kind pieces .. so I wanted each one to be a OOAK .. so each person that purchases one and hangs knows that theirs is the only one like it .. I guess to me it just makes the piece a little bit more special .

  

Well this year started out with a bang (Hah no pun intended but I like it) ... and I have been feverishly at my sewing table designing and sewing together buntings for the season.

Here are just a few of them that have either already found homes 

OR

are available in my Etsy shop HERE

 These are a true work of my heart and hands .. 

My Heart: a lot of love goes into making each one and getting every detail

just right. From fabrics the not only compliment one another but really make the piece shine, to loving how it all comes together in the end.

and 

My Hands: well I love the process of piecing it all together, I love the feeling of the fabrics and I love the heavy weight that makes if feel so sturdy when it's complete.

 Each bunting from start to finish takes about 5 to 6 hours depending on how many layers I put together how many details go into it and that big red check double ruffle at the bottom .. well that's the longest part of the process believe it or not. That's a "LOT" of yardage .. approx 14 running yards go into making that long ruffle .. to say that part is time consuming is an understatement.

 One of my favorite parts of making these buntings is the Blue Canton. Deciding what remnant of an old shirt, dress, or linen will make up the piece and make it stand out. This one above ... is made from shirt sleeves.. I even left the buttons on and the cuffs .. this was a bit of piecing work and figuring out how to get it all to lay just right so it looked right .. in the end it took some extra time but I really was happy with the outcome...

 And those Red Rosettes .. those are all handmade .. and they can get a little tricky making each one and having it lay right .. attaching it is also another step I'll admit is what i least like doing .. but that red rosette is like the icing on a cake .. it's just not cake without some good buttercream frosting and it's just not a finished bunting without the beautiful red rosette .. at least in my opinion.

Well If you would like one of these beauties there are currently a few available in my Etsy shop .. I just listed them tonight ..

Oh and did I mention these are wonderfully large .. they are approx 58" wide x 34" L

Perfect for the porch. hung from the mantle in your home since we don't use the fireplace during the summer. They look wonderful over a bed .. or are stunning on the bed or at the foot of the bed. 

Well I hope you all enjoy a little of the work of my heart and hands .. 

Thanks for stopping in .. 

Until Next Time

Sweet Blessings .. Sara

Welcome To Garrison Spring ~ a Hidden Jewel in the Ozarks

I hope you all had a beautiful Memorial Day Weekend. 

Mine was fairly simple and much like any other weekend .. stayed home and did some work around the house. Then went and checked on my shop space at Spring Creek Antiques and a friend of mine who works there reminded me of a beautiful little spot tucked away and about 3 or 4 minutes from the shop ... Garrison Spring. 

I had seen a few photos on line and heard a few people talk about it before but I had yet to go see this place of beauty for myself ..

Abbey was with me and I asked if she wanted to go check it out and we agreed we both wanted to go.

Amazingly this place is tucked away "right in town" .. 

We began our journey down a little tiny country road barely big enough for 1 car let alone 2. The beauty of the Ozarks are the trees and my favorite thing here are the tree canopied country roads so I wasn't disappointed as the entire journey of about a mile was nothing but one long continuous tree canopy.

Upon arriving we were greeted by this welcoming sign ..

We drove further in to the property down the crunchy gravel road .. Green grasses, trees and natural plant life surrounds you in this beautiful jewel of a place ...

And then the crowning jewel .. the stunning spring waterfall ... spilling out and over the moss covered glades the spring water rushed .. the sound was simply mesmerizing. Having lived on the west coast when I visited the ocean I always enjoyed listening to the roar of the waves ... this was such a different sound. There was the large booming crashes of the waves against the sand .. this was a constant sound of water splashing upon the glades and the sound filled the air and bounced back off the trees .. enveloping you. It was indeed a peaceful place.

 A sweet walking bridge and sitting area right next to the waterfall has been provided and one day I will be heading back when I have time to just sit a while and enjoy nature in all it's glory.

 Beyond the springs .. there is a plethora of park like settings .. Benches dot the landscape where you can stroll through the grounds and sit and watch the squirrels play or the birds flit from tree to tree. I even imagine if you're there at the right time you just might find yourself enjoying a few deer too.

The spring water makes it way down the road side through it's own glorious tree canopy .. washing along the rocky bottom, sparkling clear water, rippling along, with the gentlest sound. I'm afraid I could sit for hours with a good book, a sandwhich, some water, and a few cookies and never want to leave. 

Thank you to the Braswells who own this amazing piece of beauty and allow the public to come in and enjoy it too. I'll be back .. for a bit lengthier stay next time ..

Until Next Time

Sweet Blessings

Sara

What's new at Spring Creek, Gone Antiquing, and Allergies on the attack...

It's been a busy week for me how about Y'all ?

First part of the week was spent doing a complete revamp to my shop space at Spring Creek Antiques. Abbey and I added all sorts of new vintage items to my space including some new furniture pieces that are for sale. This weekend we hit up a fun antique sale and I came home with some great finds which I can't wait to get into my shops and in my Etsy shop as well... the down side of the week was the tree pollen got to me again and literally within 1 hour of being out at the antique sale I was sneezing 5 and 6 times in a row over and over then the watery eyes, the sinus issues and a really strange sore throat that still has it's hold on me tonight. I broke down last night and took some Benadryl to go to bed and it did help... today is much better than it normally is when I just ride it out for a few weeks....

So on to sharing my shop space revamp ..

I took this space over from a friend who just did a beautiful job picking products and styling it. And although I would love to say I could make it look like she did .. we all have our own touch and way we see things styled so it will always be different from the beautiful way she styled it. 

When I took it over I bought most of the permanent (Not for sale) furniture items she had in order to make it an easy switch for me. Since taking it over in February.. I decided the last few weeks that I would love to give it a whole new look and I would actually like having a few pieces of furniture that were different and for sale to be part of the space .. 

So this week Abbey and I headed in and added the cute vintage red paint table .. the adorable white cupboard, and all the little tables benches, shelf and our cute lil' ol' dress form "Mabel" all gussied up in her Dress and Apron from the 1940s ..

I offer mainly antique and vintage items with a few new farmy items tucked in. I am generally an all vintage girl at heart .. but I don't mind a few new things if they have the right look, style and are a good quality item. Antique, Vintage and the right new pieces can make a beautiful marriage. So rather you love vintage or new farmy pieces or both you can find a sweet variety in my shop space to choose from...

This little red and white truck is just one of many new but vintage pieces that made it to the shop this week as my heart tugged to keep it. It's a hydraulic truck so the dump back on it raises up .. I could just see it at Christmas with a load of bottle brush trees tied with jute laid in the back of it and a tiny wood sign hanging from the side .. something like "Farm Fresh Trees U- Cut Em"  Right now I have some really cute farm style absorbent stone coasters that are packaged in sets of 4 tucked in .. perfect for these warm summer days when your sweet tea or ice cold coca-cola starts sweating from the humidity and you don't want rings on your table .. and you want something cute to set them on  ..

And if you like some one of a kind pieces .. well the fun red birdhouse is just that a OOAK that Abbey made.. a cute one holer that simply nails or screws to the wall, post or fence .. and has some cute little architectural finds and wood trims she added to gussy it up.  Just below it .. is an authentic piece of folk art .. a handmade rooster and chick sitting on a fence post... what a darling piece for the mantle ..

 

Who out there loves old advertising tins ? My hand is raised in the air and I'm jumping up and down !!!

From Marshmallows. Crackers. and Coffee tins and more.. there's some charming tins awaiting a new home sweet home.

I seriously think I could have shelves full of these old tins or stacks on benches .. I love early advertising pieces that are full of color, great graphic designs and cute fonts...

And of course it's Spring well for some of us .. seems old man winter is trying to hold on with clenched fists this year for some of you .. but for those of us who are now hitting temps in the 80's with lots of rain it's the perfect time to be planting and adding some charm to your farm by sprucing it up with some pops of color. Flowers, Gardening tools, sweet signs and more ...

If you like the cute Garden and Potting Shed signs .. those are handmade and I have one of each available in my Etsy Shop  HERE

Well the shop is choc full of wonderful Farmhouse and Vintage Goodness I hope you enjoyed a little stroll through our shop space ....  if you're local or just passin' through the Missouri Ozarks be sure and take a minute to stop by for a little shopping and while your in at Spring Creek Antiques be sure and grab some good eats at Spring Creek's Tea Room..(Tuesday -Saturday)  From scrumptious sandwhiches, soups, salads...and Oh Girl the desserts are to die for .. you'll struggle on what dessert to choose and you may need a piece for eating in and a piece for taking on the road and a piece for when you get home ... you're warned ... "Just sayin'"

Spring Creek Antiques and Tea Room is located in Ozark, Missouri .. just off hwy 65 and the Jackson Street/hwy14 exit.  .

Until Next Time
Sweet Blessings
Sara

Happy Mother's Day .. to the Momma's of Children and fur babies

Happy Mother's Day ...

 Wishing a beautiful and blessed Mother's day to all of you mom's. Being a mom is a hard job. It's the biggest and most important job that God has Blessed so many women with. Some of us were not called or able to be momma's .. I had the dream in my youth of being married and having 6 or 7 children .. the proverbial home with picket fence, a loving, devoted, hard working and Godly husband. But the years passed and life took me in other directions and that dream didn't happen. Instead the Lord had a different plan for my life and although I still have that faint what if in my heart I know that his plans are the best laid plans .. and I trust him with my whole heart. 

God gave me motherhood through my four legged fur babies...

I've always loved animals from the time I was little. Especially dogs. Growing up I had a Lhasa Apso named muffin that I dressed in doll clothes and put in my baby buggy and strolled around the house with. Then there was Daisy our Yellow Lab who I loved so dearly and made mud pies with... then there was a long gap before Sadie my Black Lab made it into my life as a young woman but I had to let go of her to another home because of her aggression. Then life blessed me with my Golden Retriever Scout and 3 yrs later a second Golden Maggie both of which I raised from 8 weeks to their deaths at 17 yrs old and 13 yrs old and only months between their deaths when my heart was distraught and hurting at their loss .. and I was much older and realizing that my years of child bearing were coming to an end .. I cried out to my sweet Jesus to fill my heart, life and hands with another fur baby .. a little girl with pig tails is exactly what I asked for.. and along came my Sweet Flossie Girl I have now. A springer spaniel with long ears "pig tails" you might say .. and she came in a package that unbeknownst to me as her tiny baby body laid in my hands the day I took her home would need so much care, looking after and lots of love to see her through almost dieing during a vaccination to having an auto immune disease that once again almost took her life at 3 yrs. I remember the heart ache and pain of being in that ER room seeing how sick she was and feeling helpless to make her well.. Having the Dr.s come in and say they had exhausted all resources and knowing at that moment in my heart that all resources were not exhausted because God was there and on our side and either way his will would be done and my faith would see me through .. so I said to my parents who were with me .. 

God told us in the bible were 3 or more are gathered he hears our prayers ..( ¹⁹ “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. ²⁰ For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew chapter 18 Verses 19 & 20)

  

so I said it's time to lay hands on Flossie and ask for her healing. We gathered on the floor around her all laying our hands on her and lifting her up in prayer as tears streamed down our faces, lumps in our throats that God's will would be done to either let her go or allow her to heal. I really had no idea what would happen after that ..other than I knew I had to have Faith that all things would work together for good no matter the outcome. In this case the next 24 hours proved to be a joy and healing began with the Dr.s being shocked at test results coming in... and here we are 3 yrs later with my little sweetheart in remission. A sensitive little one I've been given the privilege to care for and be a mama too. Not in the same way as a human child by any means there are big differences there I'll be the first to admit that .. but when it comes to love, and heartache .. I can begin to understand a  momma's heart. It can be filled with so much joy you want to burst and it can be filled with so much hurt and sorrow you wonder how you will ever mend... 

So God has fulfilled that maternal need to be a mom in a way I never would have expected. To care for the animals he put here among us.

 My own momma and I have been close all my life. We have an unusually close relationship that we treasure as we both know that it is a friendship that most will never experience and some do not understand .. but we feel so very blessed. She has shared with me her joys, and sorrows of what she has loved about being a mom to what she has heart ache over, has given me a little insight into the sheer roller coaster ride of emotions and responsibilities that not only shape the children she's raised but has shaped her as she's grown older. Life has changed her immensely over the years.

I can see that youth and age both have their good in the world .. With youth comes an energy and excitement at all the new and wonderful things that you get to experience as a newly wedded couple with children on the way. To becoming parents and the joys and fears that come with it. With age comes the joy of watching your children flourish..and possibly seeing grandchildren come along or in some cases the sorrow of seeing your children make poor choices for their lives. To even losing children. And hopefully with age comes wisdom.. looking back on those younger years and learning from the mistakes that were made or being joyful about the good choices you made for your children.

No matter what there is so much that goes into being a Mom and no one woman is going to get it all right all the time. 

Being a mom can be as painful as it is rewarding. It's in my opinion from the outside looking in the hardest job a woman can have.

Some are blessed with motherhood and other's are not.. that doesn't make one more or less than the other in this life. God call's us all to different roads .. what's important is that we do our best to Glorify him in whatever road he has called us to travel. 

 

So to all those with a  mothers heart out there today ..I wish you this day ..

A Happy Mother's Day.

May God Bless you and keep you and may he gather you up in his arms and give you rest.

Sweet Blessings

Sara

My new shop space at The Vintage Peddler in Springfield, MO Spring 2019

Well if you read one of my last posts you know I talked about making new changes in my business. I talked about diversifying and getting a few shop spaces in a few different places. 

So my new but smaller shop space that I have taken is at the Vintage Peddler Antique Mall in the heart of Springfield, MO.

For it being a much smaller space than what I had, I'm amazed at the amount of product I have been able to get into it. What a blessing that is. 

This shop space inspired me to design it in what I call "Rustic Romance" .. To me Rustic romance is antique and vintage items that are worn, tattered, chippy, rustic goodness ... items that have a story .. one's that are by no means perfect. And the romance comes in, in soft goods such as pillows, linens and Florals,which I'll be adding in the weeks to come.  We have a pinterest board called "Rustic Romance" HERE.. a style that I love and it gives me inspiration for design and display ..it's been one of my favorite boards that we have created over the years. 

We've got the shop space up and running and of course I still feel like it needs some tweaking and fine tuning and after today's Spring Shop Hop with several items selling it will already need a little TLC this coming week.  Over the weeks ahead I'll enjoy adding more antique, vintage and handmade finds.. I can't wait to get a few more hand made goods added too.

Here are several photos of what we've done so far .. and as I said the Spring Shop Hop at "The Vintage Peddler" Started today and will continue through the weekend .. so if you're local or passin' through be sure and stop by and enjoy some amazing shopping.

Enjoy the photos and address of TVP I will add at the bottom of the post.

You can visit our shop space inside "The Vintage Peddler" Antique Mall.
1432 E Trafficway St, Springfield, MO 65802
 (417) 864-9808


And I want to say a Big Thank You to my Sister in Christ Debra who has a heart after Christ and listened to that still small voice who led her to bless my life and inspire me to make some changes I had been praying about for a long time. Our Dear Lord led her into my life and used her to answer those prayers. Thank You Debra for listening to Gods leading I am ever grateful to you. Much Love sent your way! .. 

Until Next Time...
Sweet Blessings
Sara