Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Some Treasures & a Swap

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A week or so ago my friend, Debra, at Common Ground did a post about her space at Spring Creek. While looking at all the photos of her lovely things, I spied something that I had to have. I commented and asked Debra about this treasure. Long story short, we struck a deal and today it arrived.


Debra wrapped it so prettily, didn’t she? Okay, okay, I’ll open it!


Oh gosh darn it, forgive the reflection of my Kansas sweatshirt (given to me by a former student who went to KU undergrad and perfect for me because my brother-in-law was on the football team there.) Don’t you just love this beautiful old print? The collie has found the lost lamb. Dogs, sheep, lambs – I love them. The frame is old and beautiful. The only reason Debra could part with this is because she has one of her very own. By the way, Debra has a gorgeous home. I got to know her through Vintage Black Fridays and was amazed by all of her wonderful vignettes. Thank you, Debra – and thank you for the box it was shipped in. I promptly recycled it to ship out my part of this swap:


Now, I am very new to the swap business. This swap is all hearts – pink, white or red – everything has to have a heart on it or be in the shape of a heart. The only other swap I’ve done was with sweet Elyse. We called it a mini swap. I am not a crafter like so many of you talented bloggers. I stand in awe of your skill. Most of the things I included were vintage. I did, however, step out of my comfort zone and tried a bit of crafting. I’ll share photos with you after my package has been received.

While searching for vintage hearts, I found this for our kitchen:


It’s old and rusty – but look at that bakelite handle! Totally unexpected and totally wonderful!

Thank you for all your advice as to my bulletin board – so many fabulous suggestions! I still haven’t decided what to do – most likely I will make another one. Then I’ll have 2 – and the freedom to have a piece of art and an inspiration board. Thank you, friends.

Have a wonderful day.

Cover for Office Chair & a Sunset

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We have an office chair in the guest bedroom/office/music studio that has been around for years. It is covered in that kind of nubby fabric that draws dog hair like a magnet, trapping it there for all time. If you have long-haired dogs like we do, you know what I’m talking about. Endless rounds with the lint brush and vacuum never really got the job done. Exhibit A:


You see, I’m going for total transparency here (as they say in politics.) Hair. Everywhere. I have this panel of vintage curtain fabric that has been hanging around here for years. The other morning, while Don was in the city for the day, I grabbed the staple gun and the fabric and went to town.


Much better! I suppose I could have made a slipcover for the chair but it is used by my husband and he doesn’t care that much how it looks. I just wanted it to look better – quickly. If you look closely at the chair back, you will see staples. So what? It’s working for me. And for my husband, who remarked on how much he likes the new look.

Yesterday it rained and rained and rained – the kind of windy, sideways rain that is just plain messy. I had to go out and run several errands. Even with my oversize Ikea umbrella (which constantly popped inside-out) I was soaked – jeans, shoes, hair, jacket – completely soaked. I was not a happy camper.

But at the end of the day I saw this spectacular sunset:



Okay, Mother Nature, I get it…it was all worth it.

McCoy Monday (and a Kitten Update)

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Time for installment #3 of McCoy Monday! Today’s piece is a jardiniere in the basket-weave pattern. McCoy jardinieres are quite large and, in this case, very heavy. I’m pretty sure I won this piece on eBay. I love the creamy color and the pattern of berries and leaves, along with the basket-weave. This sits on the step leading down to our den – but tucked safely away from the traffic pattern of humans and dogs.

By the way, do you remember my story last week about the over-priced antique shop on Long Island? They had a McCoy piece priced at $150.00 – marked on sale for $72.00. I was shocked at the mark-up. How over-priced was it? I’ve seen two of the same piece on eBay this week. Both were in wonderful condition. One went for $9.00, the other went for $13.00. I felt like emailing the listings to the shop with a little note about ridiculous pricing – but I didn’t. That was just a little fantasy I had.


Say hello to Lydia and Luke – my parents’ newly adopted kittens. They are two and three months old. Luke is looking at us and Lydia is sleeping on Luke.

Such adorableness.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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