Hearts big and small

Y'all probably know already that I am a collector -- I'd give up goin' to the movies or a sporting event in order to go to a flea market or antique shop instead.  I'd much rather find a cute ironstone pitcher than a nice piece of jewelry.  Crocks?  Baskets? Old quilts?  I'm there!  And I love anything with hearts and/or stars -- always have and I'm pretty sure I always will.

Hearts are always tucked into unexpected spots in my home so when Valentine's Day comes, I tweak what I have, move things around a little and kaboom! I'm ready. Oh yeah, then there's the fact that red is one of my favorite colors and I adore old quilt pieces that have been repurposed so it all works. Enjoy.

Primitive country Christmas in the suburbs

Merry Christmas y'all!  It's been a long time since my last post but I figured better late than never with my holiday decorations this year.  I wanted to go all natural and decided to use only handmade ornaments (some by me, some purchased from local artisans) and highlight my collections of crocks, Santa's and ironstone.  Lots of raffia, twine, burlap and homespun ribbons.  My continuing love affair with all things primitive is alive and well as the photos will show.

Have a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends and don't forget the cookies and milk for Santa!

Tweak-It-Tuesday #121

Natural fall mantle make-over

I don't know where the time goes but it's fall already!  So time to spice the place up with a little fall color and decor.  I always start with the mantle and spread out from there.  This year I thought I would stay with the white tones to enhance some of my ironstone collection using as many natural things as I could find.  We have a terrific pumpkin farm not too far away so as soon as they opened for the season, I was there!  White pumpkins and gourds, corn from our own farm, dry twigs from a dead fall in the woods, a few dried gourds that I grew years ago and some early bittersweet.  In full disclosure, the cotton stems are artificial.  I guess the Halloween decorations come next.  Enjoy!

Show and Tell Friday

More primitive Christmas

Only 13 more days until Christmas!!!  Yikes!  I need to get down to business here and finish shopping and wrap all the presents because as I looked at my tree earlier today it dawned on me that something was missing -- no wrapped gifts!  What's a tree without presents under it?  Our son-in-law told me the other day that one of his best Christmas memories is of the 1st time he came to our house for the holiday's and couldn't see any of the carpeting for the packages all over the place! Okay, I admit it, Christmas has always been a big deal for me.  It's how I was raised and I don't know any different.

Y'all have probably noticed that I have spent waaaaayyyyy tooooo much time stitchin' things!  Pillows, ornaments, pictures, wall hangings, stockings, even a quilt with red and green trees.  I never wanted to play Bridge or tennis or do laundry or clean the house -- but let me have the time to make something and I am a very happy camper.  They don't call me the "Stitch Bitch" for nuthin'!

We found this old pine cabinet at a local flea market/antique show years ago and it's had a lot of different uses.  It sits now in my entry hall and while the ironstone is always stored there, the other items change with the season and holiday.  I love the patina of the pine.

The small pine wall cabinet contains 2 little glass guns with screw tops that belonged to my dad -- he received them for Christmas when he was a little boy. The baskets are hand-woven and I really like their tiny size.  The tobacco dryer in the upper right corner hangs in my dining room and has something different hanging from it depending on the holiday -- vintage parade flags for the 4th of July, bittersweet for Halloween and hand painted eggs for Easter.  The old screen came from my husband's grandparents farm -- since I don't have a window in this kitchen, I decided to use it as a "faux" window and change out the decorations on it also for the seasons.  The old Mason jars were my mother-in-laws and I had them wired to use as task lighting -- they have a dimmer which makes them perfect for any time of the day or night.  The hand towel holder was my grandmother's meat grinder.

Last, but not least, are my extra little trees.  I have one in the dining room with white lights and white pip-berries.  My husband loved all the Christmas lights and to honor him, I keep this tree up year round.  Again, the trim and bow change with the seasons but it is always lit -- sort of my eternal flame for him.

The tree without lights is on my kitchen island and the small tree on the old water cooler is in a corner of the living room opposite the big tree.  

I have given you the tour of most of my home and it's primitive furnishings and hope that you have enjoyed it.  Have a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends.  I am grateful for everyone in my life who has helped make this a good year for me -- my children and grandchildren, old friends and new, their presence gives me strength and is deeply appreciated and valued.

Share with Show and Tell Friday  Tweak It Tuesday #69