Tulips and More

Hello everyone!  It's been wonderfully sunny here the past few days and I'm feeling like there's a light at the end of this wintry tunnel.  Yay!  When it's nice outside, I actually feel like leaving my house and going somewhere, as opposed to sitting inside and eating...always a plus.

Anyway, I ventured out and got me some pretty pink tulips hoping to bring a little spring into the house.  Then, I started thinking that I should take a few photos and pop in to talk about this and that...including my upcoming photo linky party!



Aren't these tulips such a pretty shade of pink?  I never see this color anywhere so I was pretty glad when I found them.  I got out this vintage toleware letter holder to add to the flowers since I love pink and green together and then...my big ah ha moment...remembering these old  letters that were my great-grandpa's...perfect to throw into the mix.  Doesn't everything work well together?

All of my photos got a faded and worn texture treatment, in addition to something new, layer masks to ruff up their edges a bit...I'm kind of liking it.  As you can see, I went a little crazytown with adding photos today since I was having a hard time choosing which ones I like best.

Okay, on to something different, think back to my last post...the one about what?  My photo linky party, of course!  Anyway, enough people seem to like the idea so I'm going to give it a try.  Yay!  Can't wait.  I'll have more details coming up soon.  I'm trying to make a button and figure out how to do the linky setup...I'm having a bit of an anxiety attack about the last one there :)

Have a good one ♥ Tricia

I'm sharing this post at:

Vintage Inspiration Friday

Feathered Nest Friday

Show and Tell Friday

Texture Tuesdays

My Big Blogging Idea

Hello!  Happy Friday to you.  I'm back for a little chit-chat.  I've been thinking and pondering and planning a bit about my blog idea.  Do you remember me mentioning that last time, that I had some new plans?  Hmmm...I hope so.

Before I tell you what it is, I want you to do something, okay?  Relax, get in the moment, feel all zen.  Are you ready?

Picture a tasty cupcake piled high with fluffy pink frosting or the sun shining it's soft golden bands of light though the petals of a sweet-smelling flower, envision a stack of vintage books filled with their worn, ruffled, well-loved pages or a baby's soft, chubby little toes peeking out from beneath a cozy, cuddly blanket.  Do you see them?  They would be beautiful pictures wouldn't they?

Think about how everyone enjoys a pretty, lovely photograph.  One that perfectly captures a moment or evokes a feeling.  Since starting my blog, I've figured out that photography is something that I really love, it feels like it's meant for me.  From what I can tell, it seems that many of you have found this to be true for yourselves too.  I've been wanting my blog to be a better reflection of who I am and what I love and I've decided that I want to spend more time with my new BFF...my camera.

I'm wondering if perhaps you'd like to join us?  We could figure out how to arrange, capture and create wonderful images, and then, of course, we would share them with each other.  Do you see where I'm going with this?  What I've been wanting to do is have a party where we can show off our pretty pictures!  Yep, A PHOTO PARTY!

This would be a way to put up a nice simple post.  You don't need to remodel a room or transform a piece of furniture or make a craft.  You just have to look around, find something beautiful, whether it be in nature, a little vignette in your home or your dog's cute fluffy face.  Then just post a photo or two...give us your best shot.  I also think it would be fun if there was a suggested theme like a color or a word, just in case you can't think of anything, not that you'd have to do it, you could shoot whatever you like.

So, what do you think?  That it's an awesome idea?   That there are too many linky parties?  That it doesn't sound like something you'd want to do?  Or that it sounds fun?  Will you participate if I do it?  Tell me people!  Tell me!  Don't worry, I won't cry if you say you don't like it.  I don't think so anyway ;)

Thoughts?  Let's hear 'em.

♥ Tricia

Flowers and Fruit

Hello lovies.  Well, spring has officially arrived and let me just say I'm super happy about it.  Even though I've heard the "S word" mentioned for later this week...yep, snow...I'm going to pretend that that isn't even a possibility and focus instead on something much nicer and warm weatherish, like say, fruit and flowers.

I went out for a bit yesterday and while shopping around, spied these little white roses.  I love how they're so teeny tiny.  I wish I could tell you what they're called but, of course, I can't remember the name.   Doesn't matter, they're perfect for pictures.  It would've been nice if the sun would've been out for my photo session, but things went okay...I decided to add some textures to my pictures...it's been awhile since I've done that.

I think they look quite at home in this little salt box, don't you?

In the midst of messing around with those roses, I started thinking that some of their leaves would look good nestled in this bowl of citrus fruit.  My mother-in-law sent us a boxful of grapefruit, picked fresh from a tree in her yard.  They smell so good and they're mighty delicious too.   And talk about huge!  Gosh, some of them are so big I just can't get over it.  I never see anything like that at the grocery store.

Oh, one other thing, she also sent some caramels.  You know the soft, melty, super yummy, buttery, tasty, handmade kind.   Yeah those.  Notice I don't have any pictures of them?  That's because I had to snarf them down practically the instant I laid eyes on them.  I hate being like that...no self control.  There was a note tucked in with all of our little taste sensations...one telling us to have a piece of candy every once in awhile.  I don't know why she even wrote that, she knows those caramels don't stand a chance.  Good thing the snow's melting and nice weather will be coming round, I gotta start exercising more regularly.

Well, I hope to return soon with another post.  I want to tell you about an idea I've had for my blog.  I know what you're thinking, "ohhh, sounds exciting!"  Yep.  You'll see.

Later ♥ Tricia

Vintage Spring Decorating

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  I wish I had a post to celebrate the day, but nothing really came to me...green beer and whatnot isn't really my thing.  My post does have some green in it though, so that counts, right?  Think about a mix of green, vintage and springtime.  That sounds good doesn't it?  I think so too.

I've always loved antiques and vintage things and have often use them in my decorating.  Searching for special treasures is so much fun and I have, over the years, acquired a few interesting pieces, well...interesting to me anyway.  I don't usually display all of my vintage finds all at once, preferring instead to dig things out when I feel like things need to get switched up a little.

Since Spring is coming, I was thinking about a few things I had tucked away that have a springtime feel, one of which, is this old Ferry's seed box.  I remember looking and looking for one, waiting to buy until I found something with a nice graphic and a good price.  And look, there's some green in there too.

Around the same time I purchased the seed box, I also got this seed display.  I was obviously into some sort of garden decorating style or something at the time.

Rounding off the vintage garden look are these old seed packets.  I was surprise to find some that were unused and have never held any seeds.

Lastly, I have a photo of my oxalis plant. While it has nothing to do with vintage style, it does have a nice springtime look to it and is the perfect plant for St. Patrick's Day since it's leaves look like big three-leaf clovers.

I have a few other items I could've thrown into the mix, but I just didn't have the time to get them out and take pictures.  Maybe they can be part of another post.  I'm still trying to finish up odds and ends in my daughter's room so hopefully, I'll be able to show you that soon.

Hope you're having a good week ♥ Tricia

I'm linking up for:

Vintage Inspiration Friday

Fridays Unfolded

Feathered Nest Friday

A Little Makeover

Hello everyone!  Yep, this is three posts for me in a week, shocking isn't it?  Okay, first of all the photos in this post have nothing to do with today's topic, I just thought they were pretty and I didn't know what else to put here.  That said, let's get down to business.

I've been thinking that I need a makeover.  No, I don't mean me personally.  Although, truth be told, I could probably use one too.  For one thing I could stand to lose a few, I'm feeling a little candy coated if you know what I mean.  I contribute that to being stuck in the house for such a long winter.

Oh, where was I now?  A makeover.  What I'm really talking about is my blog.  I feel like it has the blog blahs. The persistent thought in my head is that it should take a trip to the other side, to the land of two column blogs instead of three.

When I first started my blog I liked the idea of three columns because the post could be centered and everything would be nice and symmetrical.  Ahhh bliss...symmetry always feels good, good, good.  Anyway, I'm starting to feel like I might want to use larger photos and that having the post in the center feels a little bit like it is wedged between too much other information and may make the words and pictures of the post harder to focus on.  And me, well, I like things clean and simple.

So I'm thinking a change may be in order.  I don't know, what are your thoughts on two columns versus three or any other blog design issue for that matter?

P.S. If you come visiting and things are looking wonky or different around these parts, you'll know I've succumb to my makeover urges :)

Hope you're having an amazing weekend ♥ Tricia

Crafting and Creating

Hello everyone! Do you remember when I told you that I was going to redo my daughter's room and I gave you a little peek at the look I was going for? 

Well, I've been really busy, crafting and creating myself silly, trying to whip up some magic in there.  "Trying" being the operative word.  Sometimes I see all the fabulous things people do on their blogs and then I feel like my little creations fall a bit flat.  Please say that thoughts like that plague you too? 

Well anyway, I did my best to quell my self doubts and I thought I'd give you a looksee at a few things I came up with.  Now, since the room isn't quite sittin' right with me yet, I'm going to show you what I've been doing without really showing you.  Yep, I'm sneaky like that.

Of course, we painted the room.  By "we" I mean the Mister.   We also made a bench.  Actually, the Mister made that too :)  I was, however, the designer and the painter.

I also did a bit of sewing.  I made a little skirt with rick-rack on it for the front of my daughter's play sink and a slipcover of sorts for her lampshade. 

I thought a pretty creamy white pennant would be fun, but now I'm not so sure.  My son says it looks like she's at the circus and my daughter thinks it looks like shark teeth.  Soooo, we may be switching to some of those Martha Stewart tissue paper flowers or something...we'll see.

Really putting my sewing skills to the test, I made this pillow.  No, the pillow wasn't hard, but the zipper sure tested my patience since I had no idea what I was doing.  I usually make pillows with an envelope back.

And lastly, I did a little floral pink and white painting and gave it a bit of a distressed look.

Hopefully, I'll have everything pulled together soon and it will feel "just right," then I can show you the whole thing. 

Just as an aside...I'm gearing up for a giveaway!!!  300 followers is the magic number :)

Later lovelies ♥ Tricia

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I'm linking up with these parties:
Feathered Nest Friday
Air Your Laundry Friday
Fridays Unfolded
Show and Tell Friday

I'm Dreaming

I'm dreaming of white sandy beaches, warm sun and the sounds of the surf.  I can picture my toes in the sand and the breeze on my face.  Sadly, I am surrounded only by snow, with more coming my way apparently, so it seems that I'll have to be content with these pretty starfish for reminders of those summery beach feelings.

I bought these little beauties while I was in Florida.  Don't they look pretty all clustered together?  I've been thinking they would look nice displayed in a jar too.  I've been searching for just the right one, but so far no luck.

I hope your day is sunny and bright.

Best wishes ♥ Tricia


Linked to White Wednesday at Faded Charm.

White, Simple and Vintage

Hello my lovelies!  Guess where I am today?  Can you tell from this picture?  Okay, I'll just tell you.  In my dining room.  I know what you're thinking...Again?!  Yes, I know...I just can't help it.  It's such a wonderful room to rearrange.  Really, it's almost like it calls out to me or something.  I didn't do too much this time, I just wanted to make it feel a little more light and airy.  I also thought a few more vintage things would be nice.  Soooo, here's what I got goin' on...

Mmmm, don't you love those binoculars?  I sure do.  Not they we need them in the dining room, but they sure look cool just sitting there.  I suppose we could use them to read those books, if the need arose.  That would look strange, wouldn't it?

I'm kind of liking that little vignette on the table.  It's simple, somewhat unexpected and just the right mix of light and dark.

See those flowers?  Well, I'm just going to put it out there right now and tell you that they're fake.  Sometimes, you just have to go with what you got.  I also had to keep turning them around in the pitcher as I took photos from different angles in the room...now my secrets are out :)

This room gets such good light...so warm and buttery.  It's probably reflecting off of all that snow.  I'm laughing as I write that, but really it's probably true!

This spool of twine was one of those things where you know the moment you see it that you just have to have it.  The textures are just right.  Yep...it was meant for me.

The photo above definitely isn't one of my favorites, but I thought I'd through it in so you could see what the room looks like from the other direction.  I have that black cabinet on my to do list to get a makeover.  I want to paint it white and reorganize all the crafty stuff that's inside of it.  That couch could use a little something too.

I just noticed that it looks like I don't own an iron or something.  I don't know why those slipcovers look so wrinkled, they don't look that bad in person...I don't think anyway.  I probably better check again.  Hmmm.

All done in the dining room...for now anyway.  I have GOT to get working on my other rooms.  My daughter's room did get painted yesterday, so yay for that.  Maybe I can whip it together to show you next week...that might be a good goal.  Yes siree.

Best wishes for a wonderful day ♥ Tricia

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This post is linked up with Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground, Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage, Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home and Fridays Unfolded at Stuff and Nonsense.

Beautiful Blooms

Yay...it's finally March!!  I'm sooo happy, aren't you?  Spring is slowly inching closer, only  to be followed by the real prize...summer!  There's a song in my voice as I say the word "Summer."  I can't wait.  To celebrate the gorgeous colors that warmer weather brings, I thought I'd put up a few photos of some beautiful rosy blooms.

I tried to spice things up a bit with the dots and such using my Adobe Illustrator program.  I've been wanting to get better at using it, so I thought that I could experiment on my photographs.  I think it looks kind of cute...a little time consuming though.  I wonder if you can do things like that in picnik?  I'll have to look closer.

I can't even tell you how much I love taking pictures.  I never realized this until I had my blog.  I told my husband that I actually think I'm a little obsessed with it.  "Yeah," he said, "I noticed."

There you go, a few flowers to brighten your day and give you a touch of spring.  I have more that I saved for another post...when things are feeling dreary.

Hope your day is sunny and bright ♥ Tricia