Raised In Cotton

Burlap, Pin Cushion and Roses

Random end of the week notes to share with you~

I finally found plain burlap totes that I could stamp my own designs on to. I simply printed "LA POSTE FRANCE" on ink jet transfer paper and ironed it to the front of the bag. I just added both sizes to the online shop! Look under category Cotton Portfolio under Inspiration for the bags.

The darling Pins and Needles "Make Do" is by Lesa Daily, a talented KC artist. I ran into Lesa last weekend at an antique show we both were doing and fell in love with her work. You can read more about Lesa here. She and her daughters also sell on Etsy!

I just love the color of these orange roses, they go so well with my burlap and make do pin cushion. Hope you have a perfect weekend:)

Summer Bounty

I can't resist the fresh fruit for sale at my local farmers market this time of year. The vibrant colors are irresistible and the taste is perfect. 

Of course displaying the fruit in vintage containers is half the fun too. A white washed basket with peaches perfect for my kitchen farm table.

A pretty little glass pitcher for a handful of cherries.                                                          

A stoneware bowl for sliced strawberries.

The ultimate prize for the end of a Summer day~Southern style strawberry shortcake with warm homemade biscuits and sweet cream on top~

Come join me on the porch:)

Reading Room

When I went to Deb's sale a couple of weeks ago, I bought a rustic willow chair to use in my backyard.  I decided to make a small impromptu sitting area for Summer reading and a comfort spot of my own.    

I brought out a couple of pillows that I had made from vintage linens (easy to do by the way) with some fresh flowers.

Don't give up on those old tattered tablecloths or dresser scarfs, just use the good parts and make pillows!

Also, I just love using netting to make a makeshift canopy or tent. The softer netting is much easier to work with but if you can't find it then just wash the stiffer kind and dry it using a ton of dryer sheets.

Speaking of Summer reading, the new Somerset Life is out and I am honored to have one of my photo's in this issue. The magazine is beautiful with many, many talented blog friends being featured. I hope you make your own reading sanctuary for the Summer.

I have to say, the last few days at the lake with my husband and boys were so much fun. The only thing I missed was my daughter who stayed behind because of work schedules. The weather was absolutely beautiful with low humidity, I even wore a jacket in the evenings. Since I had such a good time which I really needed, I thought I would share a few family photos with you. We stayed at our favorite resort Big Cedar Lodge in southern Missouri on Table Rock Lake. My college boys home for the Summer~                                                                                                    

The view from our room~

Beautiful stained glass windows~

Grand chandeliers~

My guy of 28 years~

  Animals around every corner~

On the lake which was way up because of all the flooding~A little hard to motor under the bridge!

Branson Belle Showboat~

Back on land for lunch~

Love this Collections sign!

Night photo's~

Beautiful waterfall~

I hope you and your family have a wonderful 4th of July, thanks for visiting with me.

Kansas City Love

Tomorrow I will be among the throngs of people in Kansas City attending Deb's estate sale at the Curious Sofa. She has rented out the space next to her shop and filled it with what I am sure will be fantastic stuff including some of the things that were featured in the Country Living article about her home. So join me!

I also wanted to introduce you to another Kansas City lady who has a new blog!  Julie Reed is a talented artist who formally worked for Hallmark and now is the art director for K&CO. She also sells on Etsy! So please take the time to visit Julie and tell her I sent you:)

Images To Share

Since 4th of July is almost here, I thought I would share some vintage images with you. Right click and save to your computer:) 

Millinery Heaven

Nelly Don was a famous clothing manufacturer from the 1920's-1960's in downtown Kansas City. A few years ago, I had the great opportunity to organize an estate sale for a lady that was a seamstress for Nelly Don.  Her little bungalow was filled to the brim with trays of buttons, ribbons and trims. A vintage millinery gold mine that had been locked away for several years. Last week I went junking with Karla, who uses her beautiful millinery flowers in some of her projects. I had forgotten about some of my Nelly Don stash until shopping with Karla. I think the contrast of the faded flowers and the rusty porcelain tray is so pretty, I bet Nelly Don would understand.