Charming Embellished Umbrellas

I am so pleased to share that the May Issue of Creating Vintage Charm Magazine 
features one of my own spring / summer decor ideas:
Embellished Umbrellas

 Creating Vintage Charm is a PRINT publication
that inspires and shares your excitement in creating and crafting,
by featuring your handmade and repurposed creations and ideas, 
beautiful and colorful images, 
featured artists, studios, shops, blogs, galleries, 
tutorials and tips and more...

available here

The umbrellas shown in the magazine and here in these photos
have been embellished with 'everyday' items to create beautiful effects:

 * The umbrella on the right is a 4' white nylon beach umbrella,

covered with a large white crochet lace tablecloth.

The lace creates beautiful patterns in the shadows beneath the umbrella!

* The umbrella on the left is a 6' diameter white canvas market umbrella, 

adorned with a white satin & tulle bridal petticoat!
The fullness of the tulle layers create a gorgeous ruffle all the way around!

These were the perfect toppers for a refreshment table at the Spring vintage show I hosted on my farm.

At another vintage show, I sold ribbon parasols...

I had a half-dozen regular umbrellas, and just ripped the nylon covers right off of them.
Then I used vintage seam binding, ribbon, and torn silk strips to create a new kind of cover
by tying the strips together in all kinds of patterns and configurations.
[They took FOREVER to make!]

They were very summer-y and fun, and though they wouldn't protect you from rain or sun,

they certainly added feminine charm to the setting.

Prettily embellished umbrellas are a perfect idea for photo props, 
and as event decor for garden parties and bridal & baby showers!

 for more decorating ideas for every season,

  visit the HOMEWARDfound blog 

and these social networking sites:

Dome It!

Using a cloche is a simple way to give small items presence in your decor.

Most cloches / domes are made of glass, especially the vintage ones... 

but you know I love using unexpected materials in new ways,

so I created a dome from a wire tomato cage!

I showed it covered with ivy in a past post, but of course it can be used WITHOUT the ivy...

 You can find my tutorial for this project here

The wire form is an industrial-style way 
to create a 'cloche' effect:

Place it over several small items to add the finishing touch to any vignette.

It's also indestructible, great for use outdoors in EVERY season...

[and at @ $2.99 per wire tomato cage, 

it's a VERY inexpensive way to get a lot of usable style!]

 You can find my tutorial for the seed packet tin can vases here

Another easy way to create a dome is to use a metal lampshade frame...

Simply remove the fabric, and use the bare metal frame to top a gathering of items.

Lampshades come in endless sizes and styles, 
so you can create dozens of different domes!

This is a great use for old lampshades, since the fabrics get stained and torn -

you can pick them up for a song at thrift shops and the Goodwill outlets!

 for more decorating ideas for every season,

  visit the HOMEWARDfound blog 

and these social networking sites:

Sweet Summertime Front Porch

Memorial Day is just a few weeks away,
so it's time to start thinking about SUMMER!
To me, summer brings to mind front porches...

I love front porches, and dreamed all my life of having a home with one.
The swing was my favorite spot to sit on the front porch
of my island home in Washington state...

smelling the field grass and the sea air, all at once.
Watching the birds and eagles and deer and horses.
Enjoying the sunshine - and the rain - from this safe little perch.
Looking out across the fields where my antique show was held...

 I was lucky enough to have this one for just a while.
It really, truly was my Retreat ;0)
[My friend Elise of Elise Marie Photography took these two photos and I am SO GLAD she did]
 

I don't live in this beautiful farmhouse on five acres 
on Camano Island, Washington anymore...
but I still love the memory of it. 

 No, I didn't prop and style the heck outta' my porch for these photos - 

this is how it looked every day, all summer long. Simple.

 You may find that really funny, coming from a decorator, stylist, and writer

who is photographing her porch for a magazine story, 
but my thing is I just wanna' be REAL.

That's why I loved writing for FOLK Magazine back then...
It was all about Real. American. Living. Not photo sets.

You can create a simple front porch setting, too:
* Gather up a bench or a few chairs
[check craigslist, thrift shops, and of course curbs on trash day!] 
* Add a table to hold a drink 
[what about an upside-down crate, or plant pot?]
* Finish with a few pillows and colorful decor accents.

Whether it's sprawled across the whole front of your house or is a small covered entry,
your porch can become an oasis of relaxation this summer.

I had another small covered porch on the back of this house, just off the dining room.
I tucked a vintage metal folding bed out there, positioned like a lounge chair
(with the back up at an angle) piled it with pillows,
and hung curtains on the porch posts to enclose the space a bit.
It was a lovely, private place to greet the morning sunrise...

I love this photo!

If I do a decor book, this will be the cover.

The quilt on the swing was a family heirloom. 

The flags popped into a Coke bottle were a last-minute thought!

To change the look of the porch,
it was easy to replace these simple colorful accents with something else.

 Since we are working with a Red, White and Blue theme here today,
I thought I'd share a 'Fast, Cheap & Easy' party tip:

A refreshing and very patriotic version of flavored water

Just put layers of frozen blueberries, ice cubes, and fresh strawberries 

in an old glass jar, then fill the jar with water.

They flavor the water ever so subtly - SO refreshing on a hot day!

Below is a shot of my 'Sweet Retreats' column in Issue V of FOLK Magazine in 2012,

using some of the images I am sharing here...

 My post is also featured in a hometalk e-newsletter!

What about you? Where is YOUR favorite place to relax and while away the summer?

More late Spring and Summertime inspiration coming up!

 for more decorating ideas for every season,

  visit the HOMEWARDfound blog 

and these social networking sites:

Mothers Day: In the Bag!

Flowers from the grocery market or corner florist are the default Mothers Day gift... 

every mother knows that.

[sorry, gang, it's not a secret.]

But I have a flower-giving TIP for you!
If you are grabbing a bouquet or potted plant on the way to brunch with Mom,

here's a way to make those flowers look like ANYTHING but 'last minute'...

1. Run to Ross, Marshalls, Walmart,

OR a vintage fashion boutique or thrift shop...

2. Grab a cute, colorful PURSE or HANDBAG or TOTE BAG...

3. then put the grocery store flowers into the purse!
[for extra brownie points from Mom, add a matching scarf]

it's GIFT and GIFTWRAP all in one!

A simple and inexpensive grocery store bouquet of tulips in a double-layer plastic bag 'vase'

is tucked inside a vintage beaded evening bag.

A pair of lacy gloves are the perfect finishing touch...

Potted plants from the hardware store are slipped into a plastic grocery bag, 

then nestled inside a bright, colorful spring purse.

Again, a coordinating scarf is an extra-special finishing touch!

Now sit back and wait for the compliments [and glares of jealousy] you'll get from others

when you present YOUR flowers to Mom! ;)

Happy Mothers Day!

 for more decorating ideas for every season,

  visit the HOMEWARDfound blog 

and these social networking sites: