Spring Swap Goodies

I joined in on a Spring Has Sprung Swap hosted by Tabitha at Creative Wings.  We were paired up with two partners and mine were Adrienne and Susan of Eclectic Shorebird.  Here is what Adrienne sent me.

Such precious little nests ~ one on the basket and one extra.

Lots of crafty things and some bling.

Not to mention the beautiful and very creative little basket she made for me. 

And that extra little nest fit perfectly under a tiny cloche and dish I got from Deb at Garage Sale Gal in another swap. 

Susan sent me these gorgeous items. 

She made this 3-dimensional piece as well as the pretty white basket.  Another very creative lady!

She also included some crafting bits and pretty lace.

And here are a couple of pictures I swiped off Susan’s blog of what I sent out to both my partners. 

In addition to a bunch of little goodies I made them each a bunny lavender sachet.

Thank you Adrienne and Susan for all my goodies!  Thank you to Tabitha for being our hostess. I enjoy joining in on swaps from time to time.  I feel that it keeps me challenged with some of the creations as well as helps to keep those creative juices flowing.

Happy Easter!

Rustic French

That little rustic table I found for my entry/foyer at the local antique mart received it’s bit of French touch.  This table wound up being just the right width for behind our front door, so it came home with me.

Not something I would normally get, but I figured I could give it a touch of French.  I used these appliques that I’ve had for some time now {I won a gift certificate to an online store that had appliques and corbels a few years ago}. 

I painted them with a flat white paint that I already had and attached them with wood glue to the sides.

So far, I like it.  It seems to be working out here and unless I find something else that fits, and that I like better, I think it will be staying here for awhile.

Guest Posting At A Cultivated Nest

Happy Wednesday!  Today I am guest posting over at A Cultivated Nest.  Come see what I did with this old ceiling light I picked up at the Restore.

Among other things, Manuela and I share a love of toile.

Gardening.

And using what we’ve got to change up our décor.

I hope you’ll come by and see me!

Spring Vignette

The sun was shining here the other day.  I was taken by the way the rays of sunshine were landing on different things, but especially this area.

This is one of my favorite areas in our home.  It was also one of the first I decorated when we first moved here.  I was very happy that I was able to use my egg prints in this area.

While most of this vignette stays the same, I’ll add a small bottlebrush tree to the top teacup or a nest as it is now, I tend to keep my vignettes the same when I like them.  I do like to change up the cloches though.  I didn’t have much going on with this one except for some ceramic letter balls I had found at Michael’s one year.

Until I got the faux books I ordered from Rosemary!  I think I ordered these seconds after she listed them.  Aren’t they beautiful? 

This is how they came ~ tied with twine with two little rosebuds.

They suit this area well with the brown and cream that is going on.  And this has become a favorite vignette once again!

Linking up with

Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Be Inspired at Common Ground

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Antique Mart Finds

I’ve had no luck finding a bench with the dimensions I need to fit behind the front door in my front entry/foyer, but I did find a small table at the local antique mart.

It is kind of rustic looking with a weathered gray finish.  The size works though.  I have a couple of appliques I think I will paint white and attach to the sides.  Since it is not something I would usually go for I am going to live with it for a bit to see how I feel about it.

I also found this pretty oval frame.

I originally thought I might paint it, but I am kind of liking the gold.  I’m going to see if I can incorporate it into the gallery wall I’m doing in the foyer.

I put the French basket and the painted books on the table already.

I’m just waiting on a few things I ordered from Etsy for the gallery wall before I show it off.  

Kitchen Dreaming

The kitchen here at the condo {above} will never be my dream kitchen since it lacks natural light {i.e. windows}.  I can, however, try to give it “something”.  We are hoping to do a few things this year ~ new countertops {leaning toward quartz over granite}, a new sink, a backsplash {something reflective perhaps}, and better overhead lighting {which different bulbs might resolve}, just to name a few things. I’d love to change the cabinet handles, but have a feeling that because of how long they are that would be difficult without a lot of wood filler and not being able to match the color of the cabinets.  Meanwhile, here are some inspiration pictures I found on Pinterest.

I really like these farmhouse sinks and understand Ikea carries an affordable version.  I have to make sure I can have a two-sided sink, though, since we have a disposal on one side.

Source: Home Bunch

I’ve been thinking about adding corbels underneath our upper cabinets, like these pictures below.  I will, of course, wait until after we decide on what we are doing for a backsplash.

Source: The Happy Home Body

Source: Addicted2decorating

Source: Pretty Handy Girl

For the countertops, I had always wanted granite.  Until we went to a local home show last month and I saw and heard about quartz.  It looks like granite but doesn’t require the maintenance that granite needs.

Source: Cottage Living From Beach to Burbs

As far as the backsplash, I think that mirror would probably be the best option since I have no windows in here and have to rely on the natural light that comes in from the other rooms.  If not mirror, maybe a glass tile would at least add some reflective quality.  Still thinking on the options for that.

Source: White and Gold Design

 Source: Cohen-Hacker

I’d love a chandelier like in these pictures, but the ceiling is vaulted throughout the condo, kitchen included.

Source: Casa Decora

Source: Brabourne Farm

Source: Urban Farmgirl

You can see the rest of my Kitchen inspiration pictures on my Pinterest Kitchen Board here.  I’m not sure when we are going to get to this project since we have a lot going on in the next few months, but I’d be happy enough if it can be done by Fall.

On a totally different subject, I’ve been reading about the Google Followers widget going away come July.  I have, so far, signed up with Bloglovin’ and added that widget to my sidebar {right above the Google one}.  I will be taking advantage of following blogs with that widget or the Google + widget for following, because I don’t know how this change will affect those blogs I follow.  I’d love it if you would follow me by these other means as well!