Pages

Thursday, July 31, 2014

Design Book Library ~ Cottage Style

I’m not going with any designer name in my title this time around because this is a Better Homes and Gardens book and includes many various designers within its pages.  This book is another favorite, as you will see from the pictures.  Lots of eye candy in this book and if you love cottage style, this book is for you!

SONY DSC

This book is a little older than those I’ve shared previously, but I think a lot of the elements used in this book could still be used today.

SONY DSC

SONY DSC

I think the one thing you can count on with this style is florals.  Florals figure into all these pictures in one way or another.

SONY DSC

SONY DSC

Plates as accessories is something also seen quite a bit.

SONY DSC

SONY DSC

SONY DSC

You’ll also find bits of whimsy involved, too, whether it’s painted floors, painted furniture, pattern mixing, or the decorative accessories themselves.

SONY DSC

SONY DSC

SONY DSC

And you’ve got to have a porch of some kind.  My favorite would be a screened porch.

SONY DSC

SONY DSC

Of course, you can’t forget the ever popular cottage garden!

SONY DSC

This series has been unexpectedly helpful to me as I have come across some books I haven’t pulled out to look at in awhile.  In the coming weeks, I will have some books featured that I will be looking to pass on to more interested individuals {i.e. giveaway time!}.  So stick around and maybe there will be one that interests you that I will be offering up.

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Christmas In July ~ Etsy Shop

Before the month totally gets away from me, I wanted to run a Christmas in July special in my Etsy shop.   You can get the code below. 

Expressive Creations banner

Here is a small sampling.  I’ve got some home décor items.

Blue and White French Couple Decorative Plate

French Boulangerie Wood Bread Board

French Gentleman Figurine Statue

I’ve got some little girl’s aprons.

Little Girl Tea Room Ruffled Apron - Black and Hot Pink

Little Girl Storybook Apron

Little Girls *Love* Apron - Blue and White - Polka Dot Ruffle

Some pillows.

Neutral Canvas Crochet Pocket Pillow with Side Ruffle

Love Mini Pillow

French Farmhouse Style Bakery Pillow With Ruffle

Christmas items.

Vintage French Pirouette Ornament

Black & Tan Plaid Gift Bag, Make-up Bag

Christmas Stocking ~ Black and White Toile, Ruffle

Christmas Wine Bottle Fabric Gift Bag

I’m getting ready to make up my Halloween items ~ I’ll have some banners like I had last year. 

SONY DSC

SONY DSC

Also, the pillow I made for my son {that seemed quite popular} will be listed as a made to order item.

SONY DSC

This was a double-sided pillow.

SONY DSC                        

And I’ve got a bunch of other stuff, too!  I will be offering 30% off ready to ship items {this excludes tea towels}.  Just use code JULY30 when checking out.  This code will expire on August 3, 2014.

Sunday, July 27, 2014

The Artist Behind The Etsy ~ Marionberry Cottage

button_edited-1

Being a part of the Etsy community, not only as a seller but as a customer, I have come across many talented individuals.  With this series, I hope to introduce you to some of these creative people, finding out where they find their inspiration, and a little bit more about them.

I am very pleased to introduce you to Debbi of Marionberry Cottage this week.   Debbi not only has an Etsy shop, but she also has a blog and a website.  If you embrace the cottage lifestyle, you will just adore Debbi’s creations!

 

I am Debbi Oeltjen, I live in western Oregon in a small rural town called Sublimity. Named by the early settlers because the green rolling hills were simply “sublime”. My husband Jim and I have two grown children and two granddaughters Lynsie Jean and Lilian Grace. We love to vacation in tropical destinations with our favorite being the big island of Hawaii. After many years of working a day job and pursuing my art as hobby, I decided two years ago to live my dream as a full time textile, mixed media and graphic artist.

Multi pocket craft/sewing organizer Blue/Pink Vintage Cottage Southern Belle shabby cottage ECS, rdtt svfteam

Kindle Nook Kobo Sleeve Cover French Subway words Paris Eiffe tower Black ECS

I opened my etsy shop in 2007. I had sold on ebay for a few years, but got discouraged with the high fees. Joining etsy opened many new doors of opportunity and lasting friendships with other sellers and customers. I also joined a ning group Etsy Cottage Style and eventually became the administrator. Today the community is called Embracing Cottage Style. http://embracingcottagestyle.com

Cottage Kitchen towel OVEN Sun DRESS Shabby Cottage Chic Cameo pink roses ecs  svfteam

I find my color inspiration from nature and the flowers of the garden. I am a passionate cottage gardener and grow many English and old fashioned roses. Many of my designs are centered around roses. I also have a love of old lace and crochet, collecting pieces both perfect and tattered. I am always finding new inspiration with these well loved treasures.

Retro  pink roses on yellow vintage jello mold Pin/Jewelry Keep ECS svfteam rdtt

Netbook or tablet sleeve Vintage crochet soft yellow floral cottage roses

One of the most enjoyable aspects of my art is being able to see a vision in my head of what I can do with a single piece of fabric, a box, a frame, or piece of crochet. I rarely have a plan or a pattern, I let the vision or idea guide me as I design. Therefore my creations are truly one of a kind.

Vintage crochet Gypsy Boho handbag with claret floral ruffles slouchy purse tote rdtt svfteam

Cottage Rose Pillow French Toile Provence pink roses on blue pillow ecs rdtt svfteam

I have 2 etsy shops and a website
http://CottageRoseGraphics.etsy.com
http://MarionberryCottage.com
http://TheFridayFlea.com

 

Debbi

Thank you, Debbi, for sharing your creative journey and inspiration!  You can visit Debbi at all three of her site links (above).

 

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Design Book Library ~ Mary Carol Garrity

SONY DSC

Getting back to my design book library series this week ~ some of you may know these next books by the name “Nell Hill”.  These books are a favorite of mine and they are definitely my “go to” vignette idea books.  I probably pull these three books off my shelves more than any of the others.  The three I have are Christmas at Home, Style at Home, and Feather Your Nest.

SONY DSC

The Christmas one is the least favorite of the three only because I expected more from a Christmas decorating book.  If I had to recommend any of these three it would be Style at Home or Feather Your Nest.  This would be a super long post if I tried to show you an equal amount of pictures from each book, so I’m just going to give you a random sampling. 

SONY DSC

One of the things I really like is that she will show you an area, whether it is a wall or a tabletop decorated three different ways.   Note the picture above and then below the three ways she has decorated the wall (showing one side) as well as the table top.

 

SONY DSC

Here is another table top that has gotten made over three different ways, with the lamp staying the same.

SONY DSC

The pictures share vignettes throughout a home, from the kitchen

SONY DSC

SONY DSC

SONY DSC

(Notice how this little terrarium holds silver pieces above and china cups below.  Simple changes that give this terrarium a different look.)

SONY DSC

through the dining room

SONY DSC

SONY DSC

SONY DSC

to the living room.

SONY DSC

SONY DSC

Even the laundry room!

SONY DSC

And all the rooms in between!

SONY DSC

SONY DSC

SONY DSC

And I think you can guess these are from the Christmas book.

SONY DSC

SONY DSC

SONY DSC

SONY DSC

Lots of great ideas and inspiration from these books. Many of these little touches and vignettes you could put together with items you already own or for very little money.