Simply Stated Summer Mantel

June 11, 2013 By

Even though the official day of summer has yet to arrive..

I felt the need to make a change to the mantel.

My very favorite garden and gift center is closing…the owner decided to retire….:(

My hubby swears I contributed greatly to his retirement and most likely his child’s college education!

…..I have been taking advantage of their great inventory closing sales.

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This particular garden center is where I had purchased great quality silks…

…..they had some blueberry stems left…..so I purchased them and they have found a home on the mantel.

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I brought the candlesticks from the hearth up to the mantel…

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I added faux sedums to the base of the arrangement….

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How, I will miss this garden center…with the inventory of the faux silks…

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And the personnel there that I have come to know over the years….some actually became friends.

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And speaking of friends…

…..these blueberry branches reminds me of summers spent with friends on Beech Mountain…

………..where we picked wild blueberries for our morning pancakes….they were the best pancakes!

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And these beauties landed on the hearth where the candlesticks were….

I purchased these finials at the same garden center…..on clearance.

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They are solid concrete and so very heavy!…They were initially placed on the front porch….

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They were too pretty to be outside…to not enjoy them all of the time….

…..love to decorate with the “unexpected”. Blending many styles …

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Did I tell you that I love those finials there…??!!

…..My hubby said that I better like them there as they were a bear to carry … as they weigh a ton..

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Pretty as a picture…..

…..and speaking of pretty….

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Look who came to spend the day with me!…My sweetie!!!…

I have been working on my bedroom…a little at a time…

…..starting with paint…

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The ceiling was re-painted first…

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And adding things such as a little faux flower arrangement…

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And a little trim…..stay tuned!!

Have a wonderful day!!!

I am joining:

A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday

From My Front Porch To Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursdays

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday

Stone Gable for Tutorials, Tips and Tidbits

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Christmas Decor has appeared…

November 9, 2012 By

I went to one of my favorite garden center/gift shops a while ago, with two of my sweet friends….

…..to sign up for a class on Christmas mantel decorating by a fabulous Christmas design expert.

When we arrived, this is what was in the garden center..

…..the elves were working night and day and here are some of the spectacular trees and decor.

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I am partial to these “upside down/inverted” trees as I have two of them…

This tree has a woodland/owl theme…

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I was discreetly taking photos with my iPhone….:)

I love this reindeer covered with script paper…I think it could be an easy D.I.Y..

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The Christmas designer owns his own company that sells “all things Christmas”….

He utilizes many large items in his design of the trees..like these wreaths.

…..he ran a Christmas decorating contest last year and I won!….

………..I won merchandise from his catalog and can’t wait to receive my “loot”….

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Owls are still very popular this year…but this cute hedgehog is a new item….love him!!

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It’s hard to see, but there is a large wagon that is incorporated in the base of the tree!

And here are some great letters that are made from books…cut out by using a jig saw perhaps?

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And here is a great idea of “merchandising” a hurricane…

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And yesterday, I traveled to one of my other favorite garden centers/gift shops….

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I needed a few supplies to complete my wreath making….for our community Craft/Artisan show….

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You are greeted by this friendly fella….I cannot believe that I did not buy him!!!

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This is where I purchase quality silk florals…

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Here is a beautiful swag…I bought the materials to make this…

…..and will share it with you soon!

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So this year, I keep seeing the same theme…of owls and decor of woodland themes…

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I have used owls in much of my decor last year and still plan to do that this year…

…..however, I so love the look of a sparkly “White Christmas”

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This week, I have been busy with social commitments and making wreaths for our community Craft/Artisan show..

My hubby’s “man cave” has turned into “Santa’s Workshop”

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So that I can create my wreaths and swags and coordinate my Christmas decorating….

….like this…a little sneak peek of one of my wreaths.

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So now I shall go back to my “Santa’s Workshop” to make more wreaths!!!

Stay tuned for my creations….

Do you make your own holiday wreaths too?

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A Fall Tablescape….Pottery Barn Inspired.

November 4, 2012 By

Who cannot resist the beautiful products of Pottery Barn..I can’t!

…..I saw these plates this Fall and had to have them.

I used them throughout my Fall decor in my home.

So today, I gathered them together and created a Fall Tablescape.

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The table inspiration also came from this pillow from Pottery Barn…

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I gathered my collection of Fall foliage and started creating a centerpiece in my wooden French apple basket..

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This cute faux pumpkin is also from Pottery Barn.

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And then there are the real pumpkin/gourds…love the color!

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I adore my little turkey that I found at a yard sale for one dollar..! 🙂

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A view from the other side of the table:

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These plates really set the tone for the table…

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The square brown chargers are from Tar-Jay on clearance for $2.00 🙂

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I used a combination of silk and dried florals and pods…

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The large dried flowers and pods are also a great yard sale find…

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A few weeks ago, I received this beautiful item that I had ordered…

From Ann of Sutton Place Designs:

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A great addition to my Fall decor:

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Such an incredible time of the year to count our blessings as “We Gather Together”….

I hope you enjoyed my Fall Tablescape today….this is my second one for the year…

…..I did one a few months ago…for a “pre Fall” party…you can see it here:

As I am enjoying the crisp Fall weather and Mother Nature’s gift of gorgeous, magnificent colors…

…..I cannot help but think of the many people who have suffered the devastation from Hurricane Sandy.

We keep them in our thoughts and prayers.

So as “We Gather Together” this season….

HOMETALK is supporting a great cause to help with the victims of this disaster….

…..It is called Socks for Sandy….to provide the much needed warmth of socks, hats and gloves to the victims.


You can help these victims by sending socks, hats, or gloves for any age group or gender…

Please mail by Friday, November 9th…as these items are so urgently needed!

You can mail these to:

Socks for Sandy
PO Box 520
Little Egg Harbour, NJ 08087

For more information, click on the image below…Thank you for your consideration in participating in this great cause….


Or here is another option:

My tablescape and I are joining the following lovely parties:

Amy, Barbara, Laura, and Suzy for Never Too Late Fall Inspirations

At the Picket Fence for Inspiration Friday

A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday

Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday

Anne from Design Dreams by Anne for It’s Party Time

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My Sister Wanted a Floral Arrangement for her Birthday…

September 12, 2012 By

My sister has a beautiful new dining room set.

It is a formal dining room…with gorgeous detailed chairs…and upholstered seats.

The dining room table has a beautiful “real” inlaid pattern…awesome…

…..made by one of the few “hand made” furniture manufacturers left in the U.S.

So, it is only befitting that she have a beautiful centerpiece…

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I had a hard time finding the perfect planter…but I found this decorative covered container…
She can use it in it’s original state when she tires of the arrangement.

She sent me a piece of fabric from which to draw inspiration.

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I think it is a great match.

I gathered beautiful quality silks…

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Time to put it all together…

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She loves feathers…so in they went….

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More peeks of the arrangement….

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So here we go..the big reveal…..are you ready Betty?..Hope you like it!!

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY BETTY ANN!!!

And I hope you all like it too!

I am joining the following wonderful parties:

At the Picket Fence for Inspiration Friday

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

From My Front Porch to Yours Treasure Hunt Thursdays

Katherine’s Corner Favorite Things Blog Hop Party

Stone Gable for Tutorials, Tips, and Tidbits

2805 for Potpourri Friday

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