Wednesday, April 9, 2014

A Sweet Surprise and Some Spring Decorating



Recently, I was the fortunate winner of a Blog Give-Away at
 Lin's blog @ A Tiny Cottage In The Woods

This delightful package was almost too pretty to open,

but I carefully unwrapped it to reveal....




The Sweetest Surprise! How darling is this?

A lovely cross stitch in the softest hues of spring.

Thank you, Lin!

Lin is a very talented craftswoman and artist, and has the sweetest blog where she shares her beautiful designs, decorating and gardening, along with thoughts on living in her charming, tiny cottage in the woods.




Her lovely gift was the inspiration
 for some spring decorating of my own!




Her sweet wrappings were saved
and put to use to decorate this little basket of eggs.

These special treasures make me smile
and brighten my day.




I am hosting Easter Brunch for my family this year, 
and I know they will enjoy these little treasures as much as I do. 

Now that I have your undivided attention :), 

Come along and I will show you some of my spring decorating
 inspired by Lin's gift. 




My Kitchen Queen is host 
for some of my Dear Mother's wedding gifts. 

This pretty egg platter will be put to good use on Easter, 
filled with deviled eggs from her own recipe. 

The crystal egg is a recent vintage find. 




The cut branches are from my garden and are very fragrant.




I've draped this vintage dresser scarf over the cupboard door.

There is an identical basket on the other side.

I thought this was perfect for Easter.

I like to think about the sweet person who stitched this, many years ago.




My daffodils are putting on a show in the garden,
so I have gathered a few to brighten the table.




A tiny basket of glass eggs* share the hand thrown, 
blue glazed platter that I found for a song 
at my favorite vintage shop. 

My eldest daughter, Heather, buys me sweet eggs and gifts every Easter. As we go along, I will indicate her gifts with an asterisk *.  These little gifts are very precious to me. 




A decoupage wooden egg* nests in a blue berry basket. 




It came gifted in this sweet vintage style box. 




My sitting area gets a little spring decorating, also. 




Some sweet pansies keep a hand painted rock bunny company.




Floppy carries a basket of flowers and wears a rose and ribbon Easter bonnet.




This vintage bunny with pink glass eyes is from my childhood. 




I painted this handcrafted hutch many years ago. 

It once graced a tiny rental cottage we lived in when I was a young Mother. 

When we moved, the owner gave it to us as a gift
 for all the work we did on the little cottage when we lived there. 




A framed handmade card * on the hutch holds a dear sentiment. 




I fashioned the egg tree from branches and silk blossoms. 



It displays fragile glass and hand blown painted eggs*
gifted over time.


My flea market tool caddy 
holds a collection of Italian bottles vases. 


This vintage, scalloped doily, 
also has an embroidered basket design. 


 I've spruced up my 1961 Hotpoint
with some favorite blue collectibles for spring.

(Can you tell I love blue?)


Egg and custard cups, along with Franciscan Ware.


My potholder collection hangs below a tole tray.

A favorite gray enamel tray hides behind.


Embroidered dish towels* -
a gift for my birthday last fall.


My dish shelf gets a nod to Easter
with a carton of blue egg candles.

The framed handmade card*
perfectly captures my kitchen.


I hope you have enjoyed the tour of my kitchen decorating
 inspired by my lovely gift from Lin.

Next time I will show you my spring mantel and living room.
Can you tell I had fun decorating?

Thank you for your sweet visits, Dear Friends, and welcome to all new followers.
xoxo


Friendship is a word the very sight of which in print makes the heart warm.

-Augustine Birrell-


29 comments:

  1. So very pretty! I love your vintage kitchen and stove!!! And your blue is my favorite color other than white! xoxo

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  2. Ahhhh... beautiful. That was such a lovely giveaway.

    I enjoyed the little tour of your home already for your Easter celebrations. So pretty and inviting.

    Wishing you joy....
    Brenda

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  3. Wow Karen it all looks so beautiful and pretty in your house! You are always doing a beautiful job decorating for whatever holiday it is! Enjoy the rest of the week.
    Julie

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  4. What a lovely giveaway prize and what lovely spring decorating. If your bunnies ever want to visit New York they can stay with me. So cute!

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  5. my goodness! that little egg needlework win just rolled all over your place! ;) really cute.

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  6. Dearest Karen,
    You got a lovely egg plate from your dear Mother! Also that special embroidery makes one ponder about those loving hands that once created it.
    The little gift also holds a hint of blue and I can see how it inspired you to add some more touches. Love the rock bunny; so well painted and it takes an artist's instant idea for seeing this...
    Sending you hugs and by the way, what are those fragrant flowers from your garden?
    Mariette

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    Replies
    1. Dear Mariette,
      Thank you for your sweet visit - I always enjoy them so.... to answer your question- the fragrant flowers are from an evergreen shrub called, Sarcococca, or 'Sweet Box'. When I found them in the nursery, it was after following the intensely fragrant scent! There are many cultivars and you must be sure to find one that specifies 'fragrance'. I hope this helps.... Wishing you a lovely end to your week.
      Hugs xo Karen

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    2. Dearest Karen,
      Found it and its correct name is: Sarcococca ruscifolia or Fragrant Sweetbox. It should be suited also for our region but now the hard part for locating one. Yours looked so lovely and being fragrant and also evergreen is an added bonus. We could keep it in a pot on the patio in front of the house, more shaded.
      Thanks for guiding me this far and I keep searching.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

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  7. That gift from Lin is so sweet and lovely!!! How thoughtful!!! And your home just feels like the happiest of spring days! From your mothers dishes to that bunny from your youth!! They are all so beautiful! And I just love all of your treasured gifts from your daughter! Those are the best ever...the eggs are stunning!!! I have no doubt that your Easter brunch is going to be wonderful! Happy week to you...and I just love your blooms! Nicole xoxo

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  8. Hi Karen! I love your gift of the cross stitched piece. That will be something to treasure for a long time. It certainly motivated your decorating for Spring. Love all of your blues. I am your newest follower.

    Judy

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  9. Love all of your blue collection blues. That is a nice collection! I think it is so sweet to decorate with your daughter's gifts. Congrats on your cross stitch prize! It is very nice!

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  10. Hi Karen,
    It's always so lovely to visit you. Your sitting area is so pretty and cozy, the perfect spot for a lazy afternoon! Love the bunny rock too :-) How nice your daughter brings you fancy eggs!! Congrats on your cross stitch, a perfectly springy piece:-)
    Hugs,
    Bella

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  11. The gift is so cute and the daffodils too!!!
    I love the eggs...perfect for Easter!
    xox

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  12. You have received a wonderful gift! All your decorations looks good!

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  14. Dearest Karen;
    What a Happy winner you are(^_^)v The gift you received is proudly decorated♡♡♡ Your blog post is filled with Easter which I feel I wish we celebrate more here.
    Good Luck and Happy your Easter Brunch this year♪♪♪

    Sending you Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*

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  15. Everything looks so pretty. I have some vintage hand stitched fabrics as well....pillow covers and dresser cloths. Yours are so pretty.

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  16. Mrs. Karen, your mother collection are so precious it really makes your kitchen so bright.
    I LOVE the wrapping of the giveaway.
    Also your egg tress is really inspires me to do one like that.
    Everything your treasures that you just shared are adorable and I love them as always.

    Hope you're doing well :)
    Hugs
    Delvalina

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  17. wow! love your Easter post.
    First visit. Please come visit and be
    a follower and I'll do the same.
    yvonne

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  18. Hi Karen, I enjoyed the tour of your lovely kitchen. Everything look so tidy and cosy, so welcoming and so homey. You have one massive stove and is so perfect and compliments your decor. I love Floppy, isn't she the most adorable bunny around? Thank you for sharing your beautiful home.

    Looking forward to seeing more of your Easter decors.

    Hugs,
    Aida

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  19. Good morning, Karen!
    Everything is so warm and inviting ~ the little cross-stitch eggs look right at home! I love the stories that go with everything, making it all so much more special.
    I hope you have a beautiful day ~ we're getting ready to go to my Dad's for a little visit.
    Hugs,
    Lin

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  20. So very pretty! I love all the sweet Spring/Easter touches about your house. The painted bunny rock is adorable, and I love the little bunny from your childhood with the pink eyes!

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  21. Everything is luscious! Oh my that light teal blue...my daughter HAS to see this blog post. She will die! :-) How wonderful to receive the little cross-stitch picture. It was MEANT for you...and angel must have lifted your name out of the hat to win! :-) It looks great with your other spring things. Just love everything! Oh, I have an egg plate too!

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  22. Hi Dear,
    so many sweet little details. I can see a hugh amount of love in your work.
    All the best
    Elisabeth

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  23. I love your Easter decoration and I loved discovering your cottage through this post. I'm in love with the display over your cooking range.

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  24. What pretty, cozy decor you've shared, Karen, all inspired by your lovely gift. I enjoyed seeing all of the pretties that Heather has so thoughtfully given you through the years. You certainly are enjoying sprucing up your cottage for Spring! xo

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  25. What a Wonderful gift you received from a very talented blogger...I adore all the spring & Easter touches to your sweet home....it all looks so inviting... Hugs May x x

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  26. Your gift inspired some sweet spring decorating! I love the bunny from your childhood and your hoosier cabinet.
    Happy Spring!

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  27. What a beautiful gift to have received and what lovely Easter decorations you have put together!! All of your displays are beautiful. xx

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Thank you for stopping by! Your comments are important to me and are very much appreciated. xx Karen

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