A Grand Flag, Indeed. . .

Retirement affords one with the gift of time!
For many years, 
I've wanted to do something "more" for Flag Day!

This year, On Crooked Creek,
I'm paying tribute to our Grand Old Flag 
along with honoring two of my former students 
now serving in the U. S. Marine Corp.

I've chosen the Entry Hall On Crooked Creek
for A Grand Old Flag themed vignette.

I began by decorating my Victorian chalkboard
with the Red, White and Blue and a phrase dear to my heart
from the lyrics to You're  A Grand Old Flag.

Red and white gingham checked ribbon, 
blue faux hydrangeas and a 4~inch American Flag 
greet our family and friends upon arrival On Crooked Creek. 

To set the tone for this Flag Day vignette, 
I angled a small American Flag with a slight drape.

Then, I placed my white lidded urns
atop the flag to ground the vignette.

Since both of my students photos are the same size,
I chose "Mr. Ed's" copy of Book Of Worship For U.S. Forces,
as a riser to vary the heights.  

A vintage cream ware USA vase 
holds an arrangement of red faux hydrangeas
and three 4~inch U.S. American Flags.

Having recently received my male students photo

upon his graduation from Boot Camp, 

a quick shopping trip was needed to find a suitable frame.

Using a beaded napkin ring,
I added a decorative touch to the sconces.

The photo above is an heirloom from "Mr. Ed's" Grandmother.

I adore how the couple 'giving thanks' for their bountiful harvest

looks down upon my students photos.

For an added touch of blue, I place an acrylic paperweight 

next to the vintage counter check holder.

This is the view of A Grand Old Flag tribute On Crooked Creek 

as you enter from the Kitchen to the Entry Hall.

A visual reminder for me to pray daily for

Matthew Bradley, my favorite male U. S. Marine. . .

and for Kaley Binford, my favorite female U.S. Marine. . .

as they serve our Country striving daily to make this 

"The home of the free and the brave",

under A Grand Flag, Indeed. . .

Until next time. . .

Downsizing Shelf Space. . .

Back "in the day" when Studio One 
was my Handmade Cards with a Vintage Flair
homebased business, I needed huge amounts of display space.

"Mr. Ed" made this display shelf to measure
8 feet long X 14 inches wide. 

A great space for my Seasonal display accessories,
this shelf is the entire length of the area 
along the North Wall in Studio One!

As seen above, 
it had become an obstruction of the vertical space in the room!

Now that the shelf has been removed 
you can actually see its enormous size!

Updating the shelf is a job for "Mr. Ed"!!!

Once the final decision to the new size was determined,
new ornate brackets were purchased at Roadhouse Antiques!

 "Mr. Ed" applied two coats of the Sherwin~Williams  
SW 6071 Popular Gray to the Glacier White paneling. . .

and the new downsized shelf!!!

Downsizing took the 8 feet X 14 inch shelf
to a more suitable displaying shelf of 6 feet X 12 inches.

Once an obstruction, this trimmed, streamlined shelf 
has now become a graceful display space 
in the continuation of updating Studio One.

* * * * * FYI * * * * *
On Crooked Creek will be joining
Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life for
Table Top Tuesday to reveal 
the vignette atop the downsized shelf!
Be sure to stop by Marty's on Tuesday!!!

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Until next time. . .

www.betweennapsontheporch.net

On Crooked Creek will be joining 

Susan @ Between Naps On The Porch for

Metamorphosis Monday!

Be sure to visit

for you’ll come away

filled with amazing inspirations

for use in your own home décor!

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 

Susan @ Between Naps OnThe Porch for

Tablescape Thursday. . .

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

Mary @ Little Red House for

Thursday's Inspirations!

Be sure to visit

for you’ll come away

filled with amazing inspirations

for use in your own home décor!

Streamlined Vintage Tablescape. . .

 

Once the Christmas Roses
and the Christmas decor had been removed,
a much needed streamlined vintage tablescape
to welcome in 2013 
seemed quite fitting On Crooked Creek!




















Soft, creamy ivory blossoms
combined with an icy crystallized Boston fern
in an etched lead crystal vase,
makes a striking centerpiece.




















Placing the vase atop a vintage rose bordered silver tray
allows for easy removal during mealtimes.

























Encircling the base of the vase,
I wound strands of varying hues
of heirloom vintage pearl necklaces.
The insertion of a gold leaf pin
and gold link bracelet help to reflect the soft glow
of the stripe frosted glass votive.

























Rim shot of my everyday white porcelain dinnerware.
A perfect choice for a Winter evening dining experience
On Crooked Creek. Everyday stainless flatware
combine with our rose etched crystal stemware
atop a black and white toile place mat.

























Our vintage rose etched crystal stemware,
with these beaded base detailing,
adds a romantic ambiance to our dining table.




















The features that swayed me to make this choice in dinnerware
are the embossing on the dessert / salad plate
and the huge SNOWflake
embossed into the inner being of the saucer!!!




















On Crooked Creek
an overview of a streamlined vintage tablescape
just in time to welcome 2013!



Until next time. . .

On Crooked Creek will be joining our dear hostess, Susan
@ Between Naps On The Porch for Tablescape Thursday

www.betweennapsontheporch.net

AND. . .













our dear hostess Debra @ Common Ground for
Be Inspired Friday!


Be sure to visit each of these dear ladies
for inspiration in your own home decor!!!