The simple pleasures of home shine brighter
when the spirit of God intertwines our hearts
with His gentle Joy.
Showing posts with label Cloches. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cloches. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Promise Of Spring. . .

Spring arrives in the Guest Room,
On Crooked Creek, with pale hues to promote tranquility.


Eggs are the one decor accessory
that whispers ever so softly ~
Spring has arrived!


Removing the white Tea Set,
I chose a Gold Crown pale Aqua saucer
to place under my short cloche.
Soft buttery  yellow paper shreds
gently create a nest for muted blue and green eggs.
A faux blossom and double satin ribbon
in soft butter yellow brings harmonious balance.


With Easter rapidly upon us this year,
I've added  a "pair of hares" to this trayscape 
to welcome our guests.


I adore his sailor collar, bow tie and gingham checked overalls.
The floral and ribbon garland softly encompassing her head
reminds me of May Days of years past. 
She dons a rose apron piped with pink bias tape 
and red satin ribbon rosettes!


The dusty blue lace neckroll
creates a soft backdrop for our Guest Room Spring Trayscape.


The feminine poofy quilted block bedspread
is adorned with lace and ruffles.




A petite night stand holds a vintage blue glass lamp
complete with glass ruffled lampshade. 


The framed print was a gift from a Pen Pal.


A vintage Baby Ben clock is a recent Antique Mall find. 
Wound daily, it keeps accurate time.


A sweet touch of Spring ~
two faux eggs nestled atop soft butter yellow paper shreds.
The platinum rimmed Lenox China dish 
usually holds chocolates for our guests.




An heirloom, vintage secretary 
rests to the right side of the Guest Room bed.



Above the secretary,
is my MoMa's baby dress, tattered and torn. . .
but still intack and hand stitched by my maternal Grandmother.
Moma was born April 1916.



The pastel hues of my Precious Moments collection
continues the tranquil mood of our Guest room.



This precious soldier reminds me of the hymn,
Onward Christian Soldier; however he was purchased
to commemorate "Mr. Ed's" years of service in the U. S. Army.



I purchased this figurine as a gift for my parents
to commermorate the 40th Anniversary of my adoption. 
My Dad returned the figurine to me
shortly after my MoMa passed away in 1994.



A precious gift from the parents 
of my Pre~School class students 
during my first year of teaching.






In this era of technology,
with written correspondence nearing extinction,
I feel continually blessed to have three precious Pen Pals.



My first Pen Pal is from Pennsylvania.
After arriving here on the Prairie, I aquired a second Pen Pal
originally from Illinois ~ now residing in Tennessee.



Just recently, a new Pen Pal from Florida.
I enjoy hearing from these ladies on a continuing basis.



As you can see here, 
the Easter cards are already addressed and waiting to be mailed!





Howling winds may still be ever present On Crooked Creek,
but I'm hoping it won't be much longer 
before the full onset of Spring!




For with the promise of  Spring ~
                                                             comes the possibility of guests!!!


Until next time. . .

Monday, February 11, 2013

Ribboned Sweetness. . .

Thank you to our dear hostess,
Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life for 
extending an invitation to participate in 
A Winter Cloche Party!



While preparing My Sweet Little Valentine Tablescape,
I brought out all my fabric valentine's 
made from vintage elements and materials.

Last year, after purchasing these handmade Valentine's
locally @ Roadhouse Antiques and Gifts,
I displayed them in our entertainment Center
On Crooked Creek.



This year, the Vintage Valentine's 
were moved to the built~in china cabinet off the dining room.
I've paired them with some heirloom silver 
and vintage ironstone in keeping with a lighter decor scheme.



Once I removed the mercury silver snowflake ornaments,
I needed something seasonable and short 
to fit under my cloche.



This petite shadow box 
 filled with a heart made from creamy ivory buttons
and framed with soft buttery yellow grosgrain ribbon
atop Frenchy script paper is a gift from a former co~worker.



Beneath the cloche,
I layered my Gold Crown China. . .
a bowl, a bread and butter plate and a dessert / salad plate.
Then, I dropped a few soft buttery yellow faux petals
and tied a double bow in satin ribbon of the same hue.



This sage green urn is one of my favorite pieces 
for decor in the dining room. Its height and the mouth
allow for easy and stunning floral arrangements!
This is a lighted cherry blossom bush. . . ^sigh^. . .
now they have battery operated ones!!!



I placed the vintage Valentines along the buffet
to fill in the voided spaces.
Bringing them  front and center required the use of easels!



A vintage ironstone platter placed as a backdrop
tones down the red of my wallpaper for this subtle hued vignette.
The miniature vintage Valentine 
rests against a crystal votive holder.



Trying desperately to capture the lighted cherry blossoms
with my camera lens!!!  



Practice, practice, practice!



Sweetness, either in the miniature Valentine 
or the heirloom cream and sugar 
that accompany my heirloom silver coffee urn,
sweeps across the buffet.

Below are some random photos 
of these intricate vintage Valentines for you to enjoy. . .





Vintage buttons, trailing embroidery, seed pearls 
and a stamp~size Edwardian photo!




Strands of pearls in various hues and sizes 
making strands at the base!




Seed pearls, a miniature locket 
and a crocheted lace rosette!




Delicate seed pearls, lace and linen fabric blossoms 
with vintage button and seed pearls!




Vintage buttons and lace in various hues and sizes, 
embroidery stitches, ribbon and seed pearls!




The Edwardian postage stamp~size photo 
is the essence of femininity!




Vintage buttons, Battenburg lace, 
seed pearls and a lace bow!!!



Ribboned sweetness in these vintage Valentine's
is the added romantic touch needed On Crooked Creek's buffet!





Until next time. . .


www.astrollthrulife.blogspot.com


On Crooked Creek will be joining
Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life for
Table Top Tuesday's 
Winter Cloche Party!

AND. . .

www.commonground-do.com
Debra @ Common Ground for
Be Inspired Friday!

Be sure to visit
for you’ll come away
filled with amazing inspirations
for use in your own home décor!

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

My Sweet Little Valentine. . .


Retirement and finally having time to spend together 
has certainly made a new twist in how "Mr. Ed" and I 
will celebrate Valentine's Day  2013!



I met "Mr. Ed" when I was 13!
We are High School Sweethearts. . .
but this Valentine's Day On Crooked Creek
is all about celebrating the love of our family!





Together, we've created a Valentine centerpiece
with heirlooms and memorabilia from the 1950's ~ 1970's!


Once the Christmas decor was put away,
I wanted to utilize my cloches 
that are stored in the upper level Guest Room closet.


Because my largest cloche is really tall,
I knew I would need to fill the space 
from the tabletop to the bottom of the cloche.

As my eyes glanced across the numerous hues
and titles from my collection, they landed upon  
A Key To A Happy Heart by Chet Stein.



On the same shelf was The Locket by Richard Paul Evans.
Books, cloches, hearts, keys, lockets. . .
everything needed to make 
My Sweet Little Valentine tablescape!




I began with the books,
then I added a sweet white handkerchief  with red hearts
belonging to my beloved Mother~in~law. 
The silver embossed locket, a gift from my MoMa,
holds photos of "Mr. Ed" , our son as a toddler and I.



Three skeleton keys tied with two hues of ribbon
represents the bonding of "Mr. Ed's" family and mine
which ultimately resulted in the making of our own family! 




"Mr. Ed's" Aunt Elinor Stein 
is the dear lady in the photograph beneath the cloche.
Chet Stein, author of A Key To A Happy Heart,
is her husband.



Beneath the smaller cloche 
is a miniature heart made from vintage lace
and embroidery stitches on brown velvet!
The gold locket is a gift from my late neighbor
which holds a photo of "Mr. Ed". . .my sweet little Valentine!




Not wanting to distract from the family heirloom centerpiece,
the place settings are composed of simple elements.
Vintage Johnson Brothers China from England
in creamy ivory serves for our dinner plate. 
It is topped with our ivory reticulated salad plates for romantic ambiance. Each place setting holds a silverplated heart tied with a sheer white bow featuring embossed French words of love. 



Soft, muted floral napkins are drawn together 
by dragonfly wrought iron napkin rings.




Once again, 
I've used my beloved Mother~in~laws
silver flatware for our heirloom table setting.



My favorite vintage rose etched stemware
mimics the floral theme from the place mats and napkins. 



My sweet little valentine's completed place setting. . .


and
                                                                              a place setting for me!




Incorporating two table cloths,
I've created soft layering and draping,
for a more dramatic and romantic appearance.



 A square, vintage ecru linen table cloth
with detailed scallops gives the illusion of ruffles!
Beneath is a creamy ivory,
rose embossed damask tablecloth!



Brown velvet lumbar pillows
with sheer ribbon rosettes,
combined with ivory seat cushions,
make for more comfortable seating 
with our farmhouse dining chairs.




On Crooked Creek,
celebrating the love of family with an heirloom tablescape 
for My Sweet Little Valentine!




Until next time. . .


On Crooked Creek will be joining 

www.betweennapsonthporch.net

AND. . .

www.astrollthrulife.blogspot.com

Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life for
a Winter Cloche Part @ Table Top Tuesday! 

AND. . .

www.dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com

Thursday's Inspirations!


Be sure to visit
for you’ll come away
filled with amazing inspirations
for use in your own home décor!