EASTER: HIPPITY HOP COLLECTION

  

 Just a few years ago

 I completed this entire Easter ceramics collection called "Hippity Hop"!  Sorry about the quality of this photo: I had to scan a catalog page as I don't have anything on the computer. Yes, it was a success that sold well at retail, and especially at the Horchow Collection. 

There has been some discussion in the blog world lately about "good" china and whether we all use the expensive bone china we may have received as wedding presents vs. the very familiar fun ceramics available everywhere now. Those old world, gold flecked, delicate plates that never go in a dishwasher seem somehow outdated. (And yet, there is still a HUGE market for these: just take a look at some bridal magazines.)  What do you think? Are these "good" sets worth storing for that once or twice a year occasion? Or is it more fun to work with an impulse buy from Target or TJ Maxx? Do you use both? I'm going to explore this subject further in a yet-to-be-written post, but for now I would love to hear your comments; yes?

Back to the images at hand: All these designs were done entirely with torn paper and, of course, were lots of fun to create. Each year I almost...forget about it, way up in the cabinet, then something   reminds me to get it out once again.

 So here is the collection:  

                   
               
                    
                    

                     

                    

                    

                     
 
  
 

OUTDOOR WEDNESDAY

Dreaming of Paris!

Will it happen again this year? Am I going?

Some of you will remember this photo of the Musee Carnavalet, one of my favorite places:

And this from Le Jardin du Luxembourg:

Stay tuned to see my travel plans!

This post is linked to: A Southern Daydreamer and Outdoor Wednesday!

GIVEAWAY, AS PROMISED

From GinaB Designs!

    This is a wonderful opportunity to take home your choice of quality, well-

    designed paper stationery products from GinaB Designs, Inc.

       Here is a sampling from her catalog:

                 

    So, which one do you want? Take a look at # 1-4 and make your choice.

              
 
                                           

               
 

                

               

Then, to enter the giveaway "contest":

        1. Leave a comment on this post and specify your choice of either #1,2,3 or 4.

        2. For a second entry either Blog or Tweet this post, and leave me another                   comment saying you did so. That way you will be entered twice! But you                   MUST leave that extra comment saying you have done so.

         3. Entries will be accepted until midnight, April 6 ( U.S. residents only) when           a  random drawing will be held and  the winner announced the next                    morning. Be sure to leave your email (!) so I can contact you if you are the          winner!
 

         GinaB Designs is one of the leading stationery producers! Gina started the company more than 26 years ago and has worked with many artists over the years.... I have been fortunate to be one of them. Aside from her outstanding product line, Gina and her entire team are some of the nicest people you will ever meet! Take a look at her catalog on line and have fun shopping...  

 
 

 
 

PRODUCT GIVEAWAY COMING!

Are you ready?   

        Yes, I'm having a product giveaway! I hope to have it up and posted for        

        you tomorrow morning... so stay tuned.  Hint: it will be from a stationery

       manufacturer! Someone I have known for years (remember...I design for these

       companies....) and who has really, really wonderful products. You will love them!

TRENDY MONDAY: BOTANICALS

Have you noticed? Botanicals are everywhere!

These are a far cry from the traditional botanicals we usually think of..you

know, the very tightly drawn and proper images, like these:

This is reminiscent of the traditional:

chesterfield square from "Little Green"

Floral or Botanical? a bit of each:

Graham & Brown

From a traditional, historical reference, but certainly modern:

Thibaut

To this fun and contemporary:

To this, one of my favorites:

Ferm Living

DIY OF THE DAY : PART I

The time had come to repaint the living room....

This was last October: yes, six months ago I started painting "the dreaded blotches" as my husband calls them, on the walls. I know, from experience, that this is the BEST way to get me motivated to actually PAINT.

 Pretty disgusting no?

Here's the color palette we're talking about:

 
With names like "Kangaroo", "Hush", "Dunmore Cream" and "Hound Lemon" you might think we would go for ONE of these. But no, after about five months I realized they were not right. I needed something lighter, a little cleaner; and so, it came to pass, that when my friend Ellen suggested "Beacon Hill Damask", I tried that and it was al......most there. (These are all Benjamin Moore) On the tri-color tab is the lightest version of same color called "Greenmount Silk". A little light, but everyone else in the house liked it, so that is what I just finished painting the entire room. Am I satisfied? Yes. Am I happy? Is a (color) perfectionist ever happy?

And, I still have one problem and it's the fireplace/mantel. The lines and fabrication are not my first choice, esthetically speaking, but it is what it is, as they say.

At the moment everything (walls, bricks and wooden mantel) are all the same color. My question is: What To Do?   

Here is what goes on the mantel:

 

Our Haitian angel hangs front and center:

Shall I paint the wood one shade darker i.e. the "Beacon Hill Damask"? I would love to do it red but the shape and surface does not warrant special recognition in the room (and would really jump out, I think). If we were going to be here for a while I would opt for some beautiful faux painting on the bricks, but at this point it's not worth it. 

And, to complete the picture, here is a chair that's being recovered:

 

And here is a corner of the sofa with new print pillows from TJ Maxx! love 'em!
 

Send me your comments and suggestions! Don't worry, I won't delete the suggestion even if I don't like it! I'm open to any and all... Thanks!

                                            
  
 

CAROLINA IRVING

I am linking to Timeless Tuesday!
Perhaps these fabrics will become classics...

Oh! The fabrics..... Do you know Carolina Irving Textiles?

Let me introduce you! Carolina was a former design editor at House & Garden and started this fabric company in 2006. She was also featured in the first issue of Lonny Magazine.

"Mimosa":

"Palermo":

"Pomegranate":

"Tamar":

These fabrics are wonderful: they have that aged, time-worn look, and yet oh so contemporary. They will fit with almost any decor: from traditional to shabby-chic to moderne. And, because the colors are muted and almost tea-stained, they can either be the focal point in a color scheme, or blend in with other fabrics and colors.

And, come to think of it, wouldn't these be PERFECT with some of the Farrow & Ball paint colors? How about:

Here is the page from Lonny Magazine. Click here to see this issue.

Enjoy!