Our Front Door Basket is Now Red, White and Blue with Lady Bug's, too!

It was time for the tulips to go and give our door basket a new look. Since Memorial Day is right around the corner I decided to go with something a little bit red, white and blue and add some ladybugs, too!

This is how it has looked since the first sight of spring. That post is here

 I found the ladybugs in Walmart a while ago and have been saving them for a summer project. When I came across them in my stash I knew that I couldn't wait and had to use them. I can always get some more!

 I wanted it to have a nice white bow and didn't want to use plain ribbon. 

So, I used a cheap, white, flour sack towel that I had on hand. I cut two lengthwise strips from it and then attached them together to make a long enough length to wrap around the basket. Since it had a knot that showed (in just the wrong place) it gave me the idea to cut little strips and just add more knots.

 That gave it a really unique look and I like it a lot!

The little lady bugs are scattered all around, here and there.

It is a perfect prelude to Memorial Day and summer.

These are the "sit upon's" that I made two years ago...if you missed them, they are in my post here.

Gucci is lovin' the beautiful weather that we are having around here. I hope that you are enjoying some beautiful weather, too!

  Love, Hugs and Kisses,

JP

and Gucci, too!

Can you see him? He's playing "peek-a-boo!

 

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Spring in a Hanging Moss Basket

It's early March and we are seeing some signs of spring here in N.C. 

Daffodils are blooming along with the pansies that have been showing their beauty in many places all winter long. 

So naturally, I couldn't wait a minute longer to have some spring hanging at home on our front door.

It's just a little touch freshness and a subtle hint of what's inside of our little, brick, cape cod.

Last spring the basket looked like this, in it's natural state, on our front door.

 This year I wanted something white!

So, with the magic of  spray paint and some white tulips our basket got a new look...

with some planted vinca, fresh rosemary, a bit of lavender, a burlap bow...

and a real bird's nest with some pearl eggs, too!

Here it is a more distant view....can you see our little "Gucci" peering at me from the window?

Here's a little glimpse at something inside.

Our mantel and fireplace, a centerpiece and bay window re-do is done. So, watch for the posts I'll be posting them soon!

Love, Hugs and Kisses,
JP

and Gucci, too!

A very special thank you to Kathe @ kathewithane  for

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Joy on Our Door for Christmas

This was a fun project that I wanted to put together last year and ran out of time. I am so happy that I got it done this year!

I used three different vintage frames for each letter in joy.

It's now on the door in our kitchen that goes into to our living room. The door always stays opened and is closed only for this pic.

The "J" is a stencil, glittered in gold, with a white burlap background.

"O"  is a wooden initial that is wrapped with a thick, glittered gold, ribbon. I printed out a music sheet for the background. Why didn't I think to go with "Joy to the World" instead??? Duh!

You can stencil directly on the glass in case you want to put something else in the frame at another time.

Oh, it must have been about the bells....the "Jingle Bells" that I added for a pop of accent color....double duh!

 I picked up this clever way to hang anything from a door, somewhere recently. I wish I could remember, so that I could give credit where credit its due.

Inverted command hooks...genius!!! I used two for added strength since the weight of this is a bit heavy and I do not want it to fall.

I joined all three with white and gold wired ribbon, made a great big bow and secured it heavily with hot glue.  Now, this is the way the door looks when it is open. I really love it's impact!

 I'm so excited to show you more and hope to get it all in before Christmas. It's just a lot of work for l'il ole me to shoot pics, edit, write posts and then share it to, hopefully, catch your eye!
I can't wait.....it's a beautiful year!

 Love, Hugs and Kisses,

JP

and Gucci, too!

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An Elegant Garden Theme Dinner for Thirty

We did it... our spring dinner in the clubhouse was another dinner party success!!!

The decor's garden theme inspirations.

Now, for those of you who might not know, we live in a beautiful, community in Bolivia, N.C. called River Run Plantation. It is where our Spring Dinner Party, for thirty guests, was held in our wonderful clubhouse.

I'm part of the social committee of which I have been asked to be in charge of planning and purchasing the decor for our very special gatherings and on rather tight budget.

And since our budget doesn't allow for fancy china and crystal the dollar store, my printer, a variety of crafts and some of my donated additions managed to make it look as pretty as could be.

I painted flowers on dozens of glasses and bowls and made music sheet posies with silverware tucked inside!

Allysum was planted in white painted peat pots and votives got accents in colors to match by some who volunteered to do some arts and crafts.

It all looked so pretty, just as I'd planned.

My "honey" and I were in charge of the menu.
I volunteered him to make his fabulous chicken francese and thankfully after hours of prep and cooking I'm happy to say that the meal was a huge success!

Most photos were taken during the day....though I wish you could have seen it at night!

The tablecloths were gathered and knotted to show the floral pattern at each end.....a brilliant idea by, Eileen, one of our members of our fantastic set up crew!

For our, last three, celebrations for Christmas, New Year's and Valentine's Day we made our own chair covers.....

this time we invested a mere $2 ea. for these universal beauties.

And since they were a bit too long and I feared that someone might trip on the overflowing satin, we tied each, at the bottoms, in pretty alternating knots. 

They were all then accented with mossy, green, organza bows.

Centerpieces were created from dollar store finds. Mossy faux painted pots were adorned with herb printed cards and tied with bright green ribbons.  Live, white ranunculas, faux additions and bright green spanish moss was then planted in each. Flickering lanterns on shepard's hooks and a trio of butterflies added the finishing touch.

 Art created by residents always enhances the room and fit it just perfectly....don't you agree?

  Wisteria grows wild all over the south, so fresh picked it made the room's column a real focal point. Even the wind chime had colors that so perfectly blended with the decor of the room.

My umbrella was perfect to hold this display and decorated a door in a really nice way.

Butterflies were added almost everywhere!

What a day it was, as you can see outside!

A pot from our yard was set in the entry

 that mimicked the theme of the centerpiece decor.

My angel, my Tanya, sat nearby too!

This was a little vignette creation that I brought from home that held a candle votive inside.

Lots of moss and votives were placed in the room.

Even my straw summer hat got a garden themed look with a little bit of added glam.

A butterfly stepping stone just propped in place added more interest to a rather plain space.

This was a gift from my long lost, friend, Pammy, that never fails to make me smile...
just the way she always did!

One last look at the room's decor and I hope that you enjoyed it all!

Now, I must conclude my post with a very special "thank you" to all of my team...Carolyn (our 1st lady in charge), Carol, Josephine, Sharon, Ann, Eileen, Kate, Hannah, Susan, my daughter Tanya and my husband Ralph for crafting, decorating and cooking and of course the clean up which all made this dinner such a great success!

 Love, Hugs and Kisses,

JP

and Gucci, too!

Visiting Southport,  N.C? be sure to stop by my booth @ the Northrop Antiques Mall and see what I may have there for you!
 

A very special "thank you" to Brooke from creativecountrymom  for chosing this post to be one of those featured at her party.

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