Notes from A Cottage Industry

Inspiration Friday - Napkin rings

      I love pretty table settings, and includes pretty napkin rings and place card holders! They inspire me to create wonderful table scapes!
     Today I thought I'd share with you some of my favorites that I have collected over the years. Most of them I have had for fifteen years or more. They never go out of style, and that's why they're such a good thing to have on hand.
    I have plain white ceramic vase style napkin rings that can be dolled up with ivy, or flowers, or holly, or even glittery faux poinsettia's, depending on the season and the formality I am after...

Think of all you can do with these....I have antique silverware handles that have been crafted into dressy rings...

I have these darling ceramic carrots (I've had them for about 20 years now!) that are perfect for any garden theme tablescape, and for a cheery Easter time meal too....oh, I am inspired for spring to hurry up and get here now!

    For breakfasts, or lunch, or when it's just me (yes! I set the table for myself, don't you? If you don't you should.)I have these sweet little tea pots...

    OK, I cheated on this last one. It's a WalMart Christmas ornament.

I changed out the ribbon and I tie it on the napkin...still one of my favorites...and oh, so inspiring.

Inspiration Fridays - Nell Hill's brand new Stylish Weddings Book!

     The newest Nell Hill's book is out, and since I am in the midst of planning the third and final wedding of my three kidlets within twelve months, it was of enormous interest to me.
For the most part it is about wedding ideas, yes, but much more than that, Mary Carol Garrity shares more of her fabulous tablescape ideas and details, details, details.

It will come as no surprise to you that my favorite part of the book by far is the section on using black and cream accent colors...ooooh, I loved it!

While this book doesn't seem to be as long as her others, it is full of great ideas and inspiration, and I feel even more inspired to focus in on the details of this last blissful celebration we're preparing for.

Inspiration Friday - You!...A million thanks.

Seriously.

All of you that are so nice to post comments, to give me feedback on ideas, and constantly shower me with compliments...you inspire me. Inspire me to keep creating, to share more ideas on this Blog, to keep moving forward. You inspire me to look at things from the sunny side of the street. Really.
    I don't know how I can really say thank you so that you know how much I mean it....but, THANK YOU. ALL. SO. MUCH.
   Oh! And thanks for the Blog awards, like this one that Angela gave me.

I'm supposed to share 7 amazing things about myself, but I am stumped as to what amazing really is. I think we're all pretty amazing, each in our own way.

I also was inspired (and surprised!) to be given the "I love your Blog"award from Sher last week!

Not only is it so flattering to be given these awards, it inspires me to keep writing and sharing with all of you.

What I guess I'm saying here is that you tell me I am inspiring...and it's really quite the opposite.

*sigh* Thanks for everything. Your friendship. Your encouragement. And especially your constant inspiration.

Inspiration Friday - snow flakes

     Aah, snowflakes. The universal sign of winter I think.They seem even more popular this year, have you noticed?
    I have them on my tree...

     You've already seen my snowball and snowflake cookies. (but I'll show them one more time...)

    I've got snowflakes everywhere it seems. Glittery, shimmery, delicate, beautiful snowflakes. Some of them are so pretty that  I just may have to keep them out till the end of January!
    Snowflakes on the dining room chairs (oh! I love these!)

     Snowflakes on the stockings ...

on the table...

Here and there around the house....

Yes, these wintry wonderland of snowflakes inspire me to want to make myself a cuppa cocoa (with whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles!) and settle in with a nice book in the corner of the dining room by the fire.(and to make it even more of an inspiration, we're expecting another snow storm this weekend!)

Inspiration friday- Christmas music

    I love everything about the Christmas season. The sights, the smells, and the sounds. The sound of a crackling fire (now that I live in a cottage with a wood burning fireplace!) and of course, Christmas music. It completes the entire Christmas experience for me really.
     Housework in December? This CD for sure, cranked up loud. Oh ya, puts me right in the Christmas cleaning mood. Ready to relax in my bubble bath or sit and enjoy the tree and the fire? Nothing will do except this, or this, or this. Perfect, especially by candlelight.  Feeling like a little MeleKalikimaka?  I've got that covered.
All of these are great for completing a mood, and inspiration... My all time favorite Christmas music  has to be this.

*sigh* Oh,yes. It takes me back to the time when my kids were young, and Christmas was so magical, and it guarantees a warm fuzzy feeling whenever I hear it.

Inspiration Friday- Classic Christmas ball ornaments

     Oh ya, what can't you do with these babies? Pure inspiration is what they are. If you thought they were made to simply hang on a tree, you've been missing out. They're just so perfect in any room, in any arrangement.
    So warm and rich, with that shiny, shimmery glow as the light plays off them. I have them everywhere. Every. Where.
    I filled my beverage dispenser with them (I just turned the spout towards the wall)

    In the kitchen, mixed in with some reproduction mercury glass pine cone ornaments...(I think these are my favorites in the entire cottage)

    In the dining room in my old thrifted urn, in my favorite punch bowl....

    They make perfect place cards (This is a tip from my upcoming workshop tomorrow!The sticker shown is from Martha Stewarts line at Michaels)

Oh, and on the tree (of course!)

Inspiration Friday- it makes scents

     Smell has as much to do with creating a welcome home as the decor does, and I think a scent can inspire us.
     Pumpkin spice, and  cinnamon and cloves just inspire an Autumn nesting feeling.
      Likewise, lavender and vanilla can also complete a soothing and warm atmosphere.
     I like using candles, simmering potpourri, and linen spritzes to add the finishing touch to my cottage, whether it's when I am entertaining, or when it's just me, home after work, curled up in my favorite reading chair in the dining room.
What scents inspire you, and how do you use them?

Slightly delayed Inspiration this Friday

After all of the big events lately (the big engagement party, the big Thanksgiving meal...) and staying up far too late for far too many nights in a row, the pups and I are having a little R & R this morning (No, we're not hitting the stores with all of the early birds! We're just plain tuckered out.)...so I'll be sharing inspiration Friday a bit later today!

Inspiration Friday- candlelight

     This time of year I find candlelight especially inspirational. The warm welcome glow, the romantic light it casts on everything.

Taking a bath by candle light or dining with the flicker of candles makes the ordinary extraordinary. I use candles in most rooms of my cottage to add a sense of calm and peacufulness.

    I like scented candles as well. Lavender, vanilla, peach in summer, apple spice in Autumn...
     *sigh* There's nothing nicer than a room full of romantic candlelight that smells lovely too.

Inspiration Friday- a lttle bling!

    Adding a bit of crystal, or any kind of glass for that matter, adds a touch of class to most any vignette, don't you agree?
     Whether it's a candlestick, or a pretty piece of stemware.....
    When I'm on a cleaning roll, nothing makes a bigger difference than washing up all the glass items, and rearranging them a bit. (That includes the glass on all the many, many family photographs..)

  Finding vintage crystal on my junkin' adventures with the Navigator is one of my favorite finds... *sigh* Aah yes, that touch of bling changes the look of everything.

Inspiration friday - pewter and silver

Mmmmmm, old tarnished silver, and pewter looking metals are so pretty to me.
The soft patina adds  warmth to whatever display they are in. Whether it's for the dinner table ...

or any other vignette..

they just add such a homey feel.

Inspiration Friday- ribbon!

    Have you ever noticed that if you add a bit of ribbon to a thing, it looks suddenly oh, so much more charming? More finished really.

    I have ribbon everywhere in my cottage.

    Tied on baskets, on my little accessories, on jars.

     Why, even just looking at a vintage gym basket full of ribbon snippets inspires me to do a little nesting.

*sigh* Ribbon simply inspires me in every possible way. How 'bout you?

Inspiration Friday- toile

I adore toile. I love it in the classic color on white, and also in multi colors, but my favorite is probably the classic black on white toile.It has such a timeless look to it. So classic. I use it in decorating my home...

in paper projects...

even when I refinish a piece of vintage furniture...

*sigh* the perfect finishing touch, don'tcha think?

Inspiration friday- Pumpkins!

The ultimate symbol of Autumn, in a way.
Oh yes. I have 'em everywhere during the fall season. Inside, outside, real, faux.  Shades of orange to pearly whites. I know I've shared this a while back, but I simply love this old Fitz and Floyd Soup tureen from about 13 years ago when my Mom had a darling little gift shop.

I found these perfectly matching mini soup bowl pumpkins years later at Big Lots for a dollar ninety nine each.(Yippee! I love a good deal almost better than anything on earth)I have eight of them.

Here are some of the set of six (I think) vintage soup bowls the new-Maid-of-Honor got at a sale up in Portland, and sent to me for the Tumbleweed Cotillion. Aren't they sweet?

Oh yes. *sigh* Pumpkins inspire me.

Talk about an Inspiration Friday...Oh my!

Oh my. Oh. my!

     I can hardly believe it, and yet I am not surprised at all. Another wedding! (that's 3 for 3 if anyone's keeping score)
The groom-to-be took me to coffee yesterday morning to ask my permission for her hand before surprising her with the proposal. (*sigh* Now, isn't that the sweetest thing?!) He even showed me the ring. Beautiful.
     I ran out and bought a copy of every different Bride's magazine on the racks at Target and Borders(even a Honeymoon magazine for the groom-to-be) I put little aqua post it notes on pages with pretty dresses and ideas she might want to use and then tied them up to give her when they come to show off the ring later today. Oh, such fun ahead!

     No date picked. Yet. (Of course, I offered up the idea of an Autumn wedding, since I haven't gotten to plan one of those yet...oh! Or a winter wonderland wedding.....)

Oh. my.

Let's see. The newlyweds will stay the newlyweds, at least until their anniversary. The maid-of-honor will now become the bride-to-be and vise versa. Oh, I think you'll all adjust. Sooooooooo exciting, isn't it?

*looong sigh* Now, that's my idea of an Inspiration Friday.

Inspiration Friday-painted and decoupaged furniture

Tied with writing and cupcake baking, I think painting and decoupaging furniture is my ultimate passion. Any piece of furniture can go from good to great with the right color paint, glaze, appliqué or decoupaged flowers or design added. I see a plain Jane piece of wooden furniture, and I am immediately inspired.
     Here is a grouping I had done a  year and a half or so ago for my little shop. (Please excuse the fact that I took the picture in my garage at my last house...)

    These pieces were all thrifted finds, and they make an adorable statement, full of charm and quaintness. Mmm hmm, all it took was a bit of paint, glaze and some imagination.
     I added the decoupaged flowers here and there and voila! Reinvented pieces ready to begin a whole new life in someone's home. Aah, soooo inspiring.
     You can paint and decoupage accessories too, like the watering can above, or these vintage baby shoes, below...just think outside of that box, people.

     Look around. What have you got around your home that needs a bit of rejuvenating?

Inspiration Friday- creative containers

Don't you get all inspired when you see a unique item being used to hold or organize things? My photos aren't too good today (I actually did these Thursday night before packing for the fabulous Victoria trip, and my mind was else ware as you might imagine!)but really, I do like to think outside of the box when it comes to storing (and hiding) things around the house.

     I bet you can't guess what's being stored in here, out of site...all my scraps of fabric! (I know, I know, I don't sew...)

I think it's inspiring to see things displayed (or hidden) in unique containers, don't you?

Inspiration Friday- Ya gotta have heart

Mmmmm, hearts. I love 'em. I have them in all the little nooks and crannies in my home. Charming detail.
     I have them in every room of my home. Some of them are so small you might not notice them on a quick walk through...

Some of them serve a practical use as well. Like the heart shaped baskets I use for serving breads and heart shaped muffins....

and some of them are just to add a touch of warmth to a vignette, and to make me smile, like the tiny dried rosebud heart wreath I've had for about 12 years...

*sigh* Hearts.They're not just for Valentine's Day.

Insiration Friday- thinking outside the box

     Today's inspiration Friday is a little bit different. It's all about being inspired to keep a good attitude.
  You know how I am all about living a beautiful life? Well, that carries over to my grown up girl job as well...
     We recently had a massive budget cut at the not-for-profit organization that is my grown up girl job. Huge. Cut the budget in half. Nine of the staff of 23 were laid off. So sad. Those of us remaining are still a bit stunned. And talk about deflated morale.
     Something needed to be done to rally the remaining troops, to inspire them. My fabulous friend in the cube next to mine had an idea. Let's spice up Friday mornings with something really outside of the box. Over the top inspiration. But what?
     Oh, I don't know. How about one of these, and maybe this, or this?
   That's right people, we brought "Disco Friday's" to economic development in the biggest little city. (and they say econmic development is dry, dull and uninspiring...)
Now, come Friday mornings at 8 AM, the florescent lights in the office are off and the blinds are closed. We crank up the music, turn on the disco ball, and, it's instant dance fever for the first half hour of the day. Moonwalking,the electric slide.Oh, and  Michael Jackson's PYT. It's 1978 all. over. again. Everyone dances. Everyone laughs, everyone feels inspired. Oh yeah. It's the only way to start a Friday at a grown up job.

Inspiration Friday-a truly inspirational person

     Have you read this book? Autobiographies, or biographies for that matter, can be so inspiring, and this book is at the top. I read The Glass Castle just about a year ago. Wow. Talk about inspiring.
    The maid-of-Honor (hmm, what should I be calling her now that the wedding is past?) and I were discussing the book and it's writer last night, and we decided that she is truly one of the most inspiring people of our time.
    You see, Jeannette Walls was raised by two completely mentally unstable parents,(an alcoholic father and a totally delusional mother) along with her two sisters and brother. They lived like gypsies, were homeless much of the time, and yet, found strength within herself, and, banding together with her siblings, was able to to rise above it all, becoming a well known MSNBC gossip columnist. (She recently left MSNBC in July to pursue writing another book...)
     Terribly sad in parts, but fascinating and incredible all the way through, this book is a perfect example of beating the odds. True inspiration.
     When I'm having a particularly hard day, when I am wondering how I am going to get through, I think of people, like Jeannette Walls, and I am filled with hope. I. am. inspired.

Inspiration Friday - old, new, borrowed, blue

It's inspiration Friday, and what can be more inspiring  and full of hope than a wedding? It inspires me to keep keeping the faith. In love, in marriage, in commitment to another, for all the days of their life.

Inspiration Friday- feelin' blue

    Colors can inspire. I've shared similar photos to the one up top many, many times before. That yummy blue wall....If you don't know it by now, my current favorite color is blue. Robin's egg blue to be exact. Mmmmm, yummy color. Soothing. Warm. Welcoming. Inspiring.
I have it here and there, in every room of the entire cottage. On some walls, in the bathrooms...

In the living room...

In the reading corner of my dining room...

What colors in your home inspire you?

Inspiration Friday- time pieces

     **First of all, let me say thank you, thank you (!) all so very, very much for the kind words yesterday!!It was already so fun to be nominated for such a sweet award, but you made it all even sweeter. You really made my day. My week!** Now, back to my regularly scheduled Friday full of Inspiration Blog post:

        Time pieces. Clocks. They inspire me. Full of charm and character, they definitely add personality to any room.
     I have clocks in nearly every room of my home. Big ones, small ones, battery operated and wind up. The only kind of clocks I don't like looking at are digital clocks.

     I got this one about 18 years ago (really!) at JC Penney's catalog outlet store here in Reno for some ridiculous price like $24. It is oak and was simply stained when I purchased it (it was the 80's remember) and I loved it. I still love it. The lines, the detail, all of it. I painted it black and antiqued it about 8 years ago and have never regretted it. Take a look around (and at yard sales and thrift shops) and see if there's a clock you thought looked oh, so outdated. It could be reborn with just a smattering of paint.

     I love the charm the old shabby vintage frame adds to this clock in my bedroom.

     I like to have clocks in places you just might not expect them. Here's one in the laundry room...it's a yard sale find, with just a smidge of a tiny dent up near the top  (it must have fallen off a wall sometime before I rescued it for twenty five cents at a yard sale)and I absolutely adore the flowers on it. Very "Provence" don't you think?

     Clocks don't just add character and charm to a room, and they are a "working" accessory. They tell us what time it is, after all.
     *sigh* if only we could remember to wind them, set them or replace their batteries.

Inspiration friday- hats as home accessories

    

      Way back in the 80's and early 90's I used to decorate straw hats and hang them everywhere in my home, (I think this was right after the original glue gun was invented...) and I have loved vintage looking hats ever since.

     A new vintage or vintage looking hat to add to my collection is pure inspiration to me. I'll spend an entire afternoon finding just the right spot for my new treasure.
     Here's a hat you've seen quite a few times; it is one of my most favorite hats to photograph because of it's simple lines and great color, and it's just a cheapo with great bones from WalMart about 8 years ago.

     They seem to add a softness to whatever corner or area you add them to.

I have them tucked under tables, like this vintage child's Sunday hat,

and on top of things, like the armoir in my bedroom.

I even have my girls hats (all done up by me to match some dresses they wore for a photograph in 1986) perched on the mantle in the diningroom, next to the actual photograph with the hats in the picture.(**Sidenote: the lace tablecloth hanging off of my armoir in the bedroom is the very one they are sitting on in the photograph)

Next time you're trying to add softness and age to a corner of your room, try placing a hat in the area. You just might be inspired too.

Inspiration Friday- tableware

     It's probably no secret at all to you that I have a small addiction to table ware. You know, dishes, serving pieces, flatware, table linens. (well, you've seen my Entertaining Closet) They all inspire me. I mean, charming tableware can make even the most ordinary meal special.  I even like just looking at it in the cupboard.

    I am inspired by the artistry of flatware as well. It's really got personality, and I think sometimes we forget about it as an important detail to our table. It can change the look and feel of a table setting, like shoes can make your outfit.This set has ebony handles with pewter-like details. I love the antique look and feel of it.

Talk about inspiring. This flatware is just so detailed and sweet. Miniature works of art. I feel special using it. Every. Single. Day.

OK, how fun is this set below? If you're not inspired to throw a barbecue and put on your cowgirl boots with a fabulous apron by now, you simply cannot be inspired.

You know, I've had these dishes with the ant trail crossing the plate for about 15 years, and I still love it to pieces. I even have marshmallow roasters that match.

Barbara Bush supposedly bought this set for some big Texas style barbecue back when George Sr. was in office. Really.
     I found the interchangeable sign about five years ago on clearance at Pottery Barn. Of course, the Sewing Queen of northern Nevada made my napkins. Perfect.

*sigh* Pretty tableware. It charming, useful, and it doesn't have to be expensive. More than half of mine is thrifted. It's part of being inspired to live a really beautiful life.

Inpiration Friday- lace

     I thought for today's Inspiration Friday I'd share places in my home that have an infusion of lace. You all inspired me yesterday to go that extra mile and add some lace to my linen entertaining closet! (Extra thanks to Deb for the suggestion!)

          Aah, lace. It softens a room, adds a vintage feel, and can cover a multitude of sins (like a  watermarked table top, or a bad view out a window)To me, lace adds a touch of romance to any room.

I am pretty partial to lace. Back in April, I even shared a wonderfully inspiring book, entitled, "Living with Lace".

A jar filled with vintage looking ribbons and lace, or a vintage lace table scarf thrown over a dressform  adds a romantic feel to a room, don't you agree?

inspiration friday- light up your life

     It was brought to my attention that we Bloggers that are participating in Inspiration Fridays are breaking some kind of copyright laws when we post magazine pictures, so I am going to try and share some of my own "Inspiration Friday" ideas. Let me know if you think it works, or if I should scrap the idea.
    OK, so this week I thought I'd start by sharing something I personally find inspiring to any room. Lighting.  They are the mood makers in the evening, after all.The right light fixture in a room can completely set the tone.
     I love lamps. And chandeliers. Old ones. New ones. Refurbished, reinvented ones.
TJ Maxx tops my list of favorite places to find affordable, fabulous lighting. That's where I got the sweet vintage looking birdcage lamp. See the sweet little bird finial peeking out of the shade up on top? Cutie Patootie.

    Oh, and this chandelier in  my livingroom came from Home Depot. It was pewter-ish (nickel?) colored so I spray painted it flat black to achieve the look I wanted.

  One last thing. Let's not forget my favorite kind of lighting- candle light. *sigh* Talk about setting the mood. Perfect atmosphere for sitting back with a glass of wine on the chaise lounge, listening to some Jack Johnson and enjoying the peacefulness of the quiet outdoors in summer.

Inspiration Friday- let's hear it some more for the red white and blue

With Independence Day falling mid week, we all get to celebrate that much longer. Here are a few pages from magazines past that inspire me.

Decorate indoors and out. I don't think you can possibly have too many American flags. In this case, more is more.
Oh, my! Look at this fabulous table scape!

And, how about getting the entire  neighborhood in on the whole thing? I love this picture.

Hope everyone had a safe and happy 4th, and I wish you all a wonderful weekend.

Inspiration Friday-First impressions

    

     We're talkin' curb appeal, baby. The ability for your home to say, "Welcome, leave your worries at the door, friendly folks live here" just by a glance at the front porch. Now, that's what I'm talkin' about, people. Just look at the top picture of that charming front porch, what with it's quaint screen door, American flag and the fabulous cone basket of flowers. Aah, I just know someone sweet lives here.

How about this stone cottage with the amazing stone fence, huh? My cottage has some stone work on the front of it, but it's not nearly so grand. It goes about two and a half feet up from the ground.(picture your knee cap height.) Someday, when my ship comes in, I'm going to add to it, and create a bit more ambiance, maybe even add a charming  low stone fence like the one pictured here, with a sweet little gate to welcome one and all to the jewel of Norman Drive. *sigh* I think I just might start a coin jar for this very purpose.

Another great close up shot from Romantic Homes a few years back, showcasing the charm of shutters, along with a fairy door. (Anyway that's what I think it is, don't you?) It makes me want to add a fairy door to my cottage in some charming spot.

Lastly, how about this charming cottage look? So perfect. (Very Susan Branch, no?) The rose bushes, (which I now adore with all my heart since moving to my dear cottage) the white picket fence, the shutters, the pergola, the window boxes. Oh, just the warm, fuzzy feel of it all.
     *sigh* Total inspiration for a summer weekend.

Inspiration Friday- cozy bedrooms

       A huge part of living a beautiful life is a cozy bedroom, don't you agree? Winter or summer, it needs to be oh, so  inviting. Like this one above, with the fabulous pillows and iron headboard. (and look at the neat postcards stuck to the wall near the window...too charming!) Or how about the one below, with the great architectural pieces on the wall above the wonderfully shabby iron bed...

A bed that's comfy and fluffy, with a featherbed and not one, but two dust ruffles, thankyouverymuch.

And how about the ultimate guest room that welcomes weary travelers with a stack of charming vintage suitcases at the foot of the bed?

Aah, I love them all.

Inspiration Friday- the Nell Hill's look

Today's inspiration comes fromthe Nell Hill's book, from the Nell Hill's store of Atchison Kansas, which is really more than one store.

     There are several books about decorating and entertaining with the "Nell Hill" look and I wanted to share a few.

     I love this fabulous bakers rack full of ivy greens and silver. I like collections anyway, but never thought of using that much plant accents in one area...love it!

    How about this silver tray with a pedstal on top, and nest and bird theme? So charming.

This table setting totally inspires me to think outside the box. I love the wire basket with the mixture of potted flowers and ceramics. Oh, and the layered dishes!

Now this last room is my favorite of all. Look how inviting that wicker chair is!! And I love the surprise of what all is on the hutch behind it....all of it inspired me to revamp the nooks and crannies in my cottage. *sigh*

All of the Nell Hill's books inspire me, and there is another new one out in the fall. Check them out if you haven't already. perfect reading for a night on the patio.