Chicago... so close and yet... why am I not there more? Seriously. I live 40 minutes away--tops. When I am there, I love it. The hustle and bustle, the walk to whatever you need, and the architecture.... that's my favorite thing about Chicago.



They just don't build 'em like they used to. The stone, the bricks, the wrought iron (I love the wrought iron). The curves... the points... it's majestic, in a way.


The towers... the trim... In the midst of it all, it's fall. These are from the north side, within walking distance of the Apollo Theater.


Talk about decorating historical beauty with the colors of fall. I have to admit... it's a fabulous stage. Keep in mind I live in the suburbs. I realize however, my town is a baby compared to Chicago; and it shows.  Do I want to live in Chicago? It wouldn't suit my life at the moment; I like working close to home, enjoy my garden and yard where the my golden retrievers play rough and tumble tag.



I enjoy visiting, dreaming about what it might be like to live in these fabulous buildings. What flowers would I put on the stairs... what type of decorations would I place in the windows for the holidays?

There is pride in this neighborhood. Flowers, pumpkins and little just-right-sized gardens. All these items are accessories of the well-dressed fall home in the city.

These are actually phone pictures from last fall. One of them made it's way into my header and I couldn't let the rest of them lie undiscovered and unshared. I must go back... Nikon in tow!

Without further delay... let's get the party started! I have a few more pictures to gather for my features from last week. I'll spotlight those in another post. A few requests: Link up... look around at the other links. Grab a button from my sidebar and have fun!


 

We've certainly had enough rain to bring it on, now we need the sunshine so I can get out into the garden and actually enjoy my time out there and not get too muddy! There's plenty of green in the yard and on this scalloped tray that sits in my front window. I always seem to stock up on indoor plants come early spring. I love the fresh and simple look.

Just outside that same window is this beautiful tall garden obelisk. It's from Plow and Hearth and when the weather warms up, my clematis will climb all the way to the top. It's really a pretty site when it blooms. Soon, I hope!
I have two weeks of links to highlight from Share the Love Wednesdays. Check out these cute decorative spheres from Details By Kari. Everytime I visit Pier One or Michael's I check out the different decorative spheres they have, but I haven't bought any yet. I would need quite a few to fill the large glass vase on my living room table, and I can't see spending the money on what are mostly seasonal elements.
 What I love about Kari's take on these is that they will work for any season and she made them from old sewing patterns! I love the neutral color and you can't beat the price. There are lots of crafty ideas on Details By Kari--I'm so glad she linked up to STL Wednesday!
 

Last week I loved this powder room at The Bees Knees Bungalow by Jeanne. Check out all the lovely details including the dresser made into a vanity, the vintage wire basket used to hold toilet paper and a display of photos as well! also includes a display of silver and a beautiful chandelier! So elegant and so many details--love it! Check out The Bees Knees Bungalow--there are lots of beautiful makeovers in each room.



Lastly, these beautiful peat pot baskets from Pam at House of Hawthornes are adorable! I think it was the glitter and silver pipecleaners that grabbed my eye. The vintage illustrations are also right up my alley! Although Pam made these for Easter, I can absolutely see these at place settings on Mother's Day, July 4 and Halloween, Christmas, etc... simply adorned with appropriate holiday graphics (and glitter of course). They'd also be really cute as favors for a shower or birthday party. Pam has so many great ideas for home and garden--I love all her vintage touches!

Thanks to all of you who linked up last week! I can't wait to see what fabulous projects and ideas this week will bring.

Linking this post to
Brambleberry Cottage


A few reminders...

• Please link just one specific post you want to feature, not your whole blog (to do this, click on the title of the post you want to link and it will open on it's own page, then copy that url). Any post will work--no theme!
• Please link back to the party so that others can find it. Grab my cute button (code is on my sidebar)  to include in your post or somewhere on your blog; text links are fine too.
• If you have clicked around my blog and like what you see, consider being follower!
• Try to visit a few other links if you can. Everybody loves comments and encouragement!

Easter blessings were definitely sent my way by Patti, my partner for an Easter tag swap I participated in! The swap was hosted by Sandy at 521 Lake Street.

Wrapped in two vintage embroidered tea towels were these fabulous little cards...

Sweet vintage Easter illustrations cut out delicately and layered upon a pretty combination of scrapbook papers...



...layered with ribbon and trims, and touches of glitter {love glitter}. I can tell that each little detail was chosen with care, enhancing the beauty of the original illustration.


 She used punches to craft some of her accents, I recognize the little bird covered in glitter and flowers as punched shapes.


Each one is truly a work of art and I will treasure them always. I was thinking of how I could clip them to the vintage window frame that's on my mantel, or perhaps make a garland banner out of them.


Right now they're displayed like pretty candies in a tiered serving dish. I showed them off at Easter and have picked them up each day to admire their beauty and Patti's artistry.

She also included this beautiful card that is hanging on my bulletin board in my office...


I must be the luckiest girl at the swap! Don't you agree? Stop by Patti's blog at http://paintinpatti.typepad.com/ and see all of her beautiful creations!

Thanks so much to everyone who linked up last week. I'm going to highlight last week's link later in the week since this post is sooooo long! Okay, let's get this week's party started! A few reminders...

• Link to one specific post you want to feature, not your whole blog (to do this, click on the title of the post you want to link and it will open on it's own page, then copy that url). Any post will work--no theme!
• Please link back to the party so that others can find it. Grab my cute button (code is on my sidebar)  to include in your post or somewhere on your blog; text links are fine too.
• If you have clicked around my blog and like what you see, consider being follower!
• Try to visit a few other links if you can. Everybody loves comments and encouragement!

 

I'm linking this post to:
Time Travel Thursday at Brambleberry Cottage
Vintage Thingy Thursday at the Colorado Lady
All things Merry & Bright 
Savvy Southern Style 
Tea Rose Home
Blue Cricket Design 

Wow--so many great links from last week but two really stood out. The first one I've been watching the progress on for a while, and when it was completed, Nita's dining room at Mod Vintage Life was truly fabulous!

Above is a picture of her sideboard (formerly dark wood) that really shines with white paint and the pretty new hardware. But that's only the beginning. She also has painted a dining set and covered the chairs in a really unique combination of fabrics that look so fun. To top it off, she's painted her ceiling the sweetest shade of pink as a contrast to the white walls. I just love the whole room (actually her whole house is gorgeous so definitely stop over at Mod Vintage Life and check it out!


The second link that stood out last night was this sweet kitchen from The Vintage Farmhouse.  There are so many pretty touches--I admit my favorite is the beautiful mirror so unexpected--yet so lovely in a kitchen! A pretty island counter top stands out, as well as a beautiful glass-front hutch. The most amazing thrifty tales are behind many of these pieces, including a cabinet retrieved from a dumpster!


Lastly, be sure to check out all The Vintage Farmhouse little bits of styling that really make this room beautiful... a silver chandelier on the counter, a gilded chalkboard and a peacock in her ceiling chandy!

Thanks so much to everyone who linked up last week! Now add the best of your blog below for this weeks Share the Love (STL) round up!

A few reminders...

• Please link just one specific post you want to feature, not your whole blog (to do this, click on the title of the post you want to link and it will open on it's own page, then copy that url). Any post will work--no theme!
• Please link back to the party so that others can find it. Grab my cute button (code is on my sidebar)  to include in your post or somewhere on your blog; text links are fine too.
• If you have clicked around my blog and like what you see, consider being follower!
• Try to visit a few other links if you can. Everybody loves comments and encouragement!

 

Welcome to Share the Love Wednesday #9! I wanted to share a few links from last week with you to highlight.

This next submission made me take a second look--I really had no idea this was an upcycle at first glance. I love the perfect arrangement of flowers and the spring touch of a nest. It's adorable --Arisha at Joyously Living Life made this lovely creation!

There's something about the contrast between the burlap and drop cloths Elizabeth & Co. used to make this pretty table runner. Her post includes a few tips on working with burlap as well as instructions for making your own runner. The runner could be used any time of year--the perfect neutrals!


 Vintage finds are always better in twos... check out the makeover at Okla-HOME-a of these two nightstands that were purchased for $15 at a garage sale! They turned out beautiful. I love the paint finish.




Last but not least, this recipe for lavender oil from Mustings of a Glamourpuss sounds lovely--such a treat for yourself or for gifts or favors as she suggests.

Thanks so much to everyone who linked up last week. This party is growing a little bit each week! Okay, let's get this week's party started! A few reminders...

• Please link just one specific post you want to feature, not your whole blog (to do this, click on the title of the post you want to link and it will open on it's own page, then copy that url). Any post will work--no theme!
• Please link back to the party so that others can find it. Grab my cute button (code is on my sidebar)  to include in your post or somewhere on your blog; text links are fine too.
• If you have clicked around my blog and like what you see, consider being follower!
• Try to visit a few other links if you can. Everybody loves comments and encouragement!

 A vintage typewriter has been on my wish list for some time now. When I saw this one at an estate sale for $2, well, wish granted! It's not the dream vintage Underwood I had hoped for, or the sweet red and pink typewriters I've envied, but it's a typewriter, it's vintage, and for the price, it worked.

Now I need to try and find a new ribbon for it. It's quite cute on my kitchen desk. Thank  goodness it's a sturdy desk--this typewriter is a heavy load! I think it's at least 20 lbs... no kidding.  Kind of cute how it came with a roll of labels in it all ready to go. When I made labels on the computer it is a little time consuming... find the labels, put them in the printer, turn the computer on, make a document, etc... This certainly makes it easy just keeping the roll loaded in there.

Last Week's Link Spotlight...

Here are two links from last week's party I wanted to share with you. This beautiful table makeover by Rosegirls3 reminded me of the beauty found in old furniture just waiting to be given new life. With a coat of paint and glaze, all the pretty lines and details of this table just shine!


Another link I really enjoyed was the spring mantel redo below at Cottage Living from Beach to Burbs. Lots of white and clear glass with spring touches make for a beautiful mantel. She has such a pretty fireplace to begin with, but I love the simple glass jars filled with seasonal goodies. Very easy to implement. Check out the added touch of lights in the vase arrangement as well! When you stop by Mariaelana's blog, be sure and enter her fabulous giveaway of a Ballard Designs tote!




Let's get this week's party started! A few reminders...

• Link to one specific post you want to feature, not your whole blog (to do this, click on the title of the post you want to link and it will open on it's own page, then copy that url). Any post will work--no theme!
• Please link back to the party. Grab my cute button (code is on my sidebar)  to include in your post or somewhere on your blog; text links are fine too.
• If you have clicked around my blog and like what you see, consider being follower!
• Try to visit a few other links if you can. Everybody loves comments and encouragement!

Check out the parties I'm linking this post to here.

 

My favorite era for vintage illustration is the 50s. It's the simple portrayal of people, places and animals in such a happy, carefree way that I like.

I have quite a few vintage baby cards I purchased as a whole bag for a few dollars. I've always had an eye for vintage pottery and when I saw this cute lamb planter (above) with an adorable face, I thought I might use it as a pencil holder on my desk or to hold scissors on my art table.




I found the above two pieces at a St. Vincent thrift store, and decided to bring them home too. The price was right, and I thought they'd be cute gift filled with flowers for a new mom or nursery supplies at a baby shower. If I didn't use them, I could always enjoy their vintage cuteness for a while and then sell them.

This card looks to be a bit older than the 50s. The new parents are so elegant and the baby looks like Cinderella in that sweet carriage!



That's it for my vintage baby love! What do you have to share this week? Scroll down & link up the best of your blog on Share the Love Wednesday! 

At last week's party, one link brought out two of my favorite things... vintage illustrations + glitter! On Musings from Kim K, you'll find a tutorial for these gorgeous Easter baskets made from peat pots!

from Musings from Kim K

 If you haven't attended an estate sale yet, you might think twice when you read about the estate sale jackpot over at Something Created Every Day. These suitcases are only part of her amazing finds!

 

from Something Created Every Day

 Let's get this week's party started! A few reminders...

• Link to a specific post you want to feature, not your whole blog (to do this, click on the title of the post you want to link and it will open on it's own page, then copy that url). Any post will work--no theme!
• Grab my cute button (code is on my sidebar)  to include in your post or sidebar; text links are fine too.
• If you have clicked around my blog and like what you see, consider being follower!
• Try to visit a few other links if you can. Everybody loves comments and encouragement!

Check out the parties I'm linking this post to here.

I filled my vintage salt and pepper shakers this afternoon.  These are some of my favorites. Of course the round one steals the show--it holds some of Martha Stewart's crystal glitter.

I decided not to shine the tops of the shakers. Although some of them are dark and dull, the glitter and the glass steal the show.


Even though I usually look for silver tops, this pair had such pretty glass texture and shape I couldn't resist. I decided to fill them with white and black glitter, traditional salt and pepper colors.



Of the colored glitters, this light green is probably my favorite. I put it in a special bottle, this one is quite shapely and the cut is really pretty.



I made little paper funnels to get the glitter in the tiny openings. It was a little messy, but in a sparkly kind of way, so that was fine with me! I usually end up with glitter on my clothes and then it gets on my hands and face... but I really don't mind. It beats the dirt after working in the garden.



Some of the shakers are so tiny, but glitter really lasts such a long time and I have lots in little plastic bottles that I was so happy to repackage.

Carrie at In the Hammock, Miss Char and Ann@A Sentimental Life all made comments about the silver tray I featured the glitter on in my Glitter Shakers Part 1 post, so I decided to keep them displayed this way. It will make my studio craft space so much more glamorous! A girl's gotta have some fun, right?

What have you been doing this week? Scroll down & ink up the best of your blog on Share the Love Wednesday! I'll be featuring some of last week's participants on Thursday of this week since this glitter shaker post was so long.

Check out the parties I'm linking this post to here.

 

  
 
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