Raised In Cotton

True Red, White and Blue Spirit

Summer season and I find myself decorating with my Red, White and Blue vintage flags and quilts. The faded reds mixed with the denim blues of the bunting, flags and quilts just make a spectacular back drop in my house. Throwing one of the old quilts across my farm table, hanging a flag above the fireplace or draping some bunting on the porch evokes a much simpler time. 

 

 

Next Monday I will be doing a little interview with my friend Heather Bullard to coincide with the relaunch of her new and I am sure wonderful website. Also, I will have ALL of the products from my latest Jeanne d Arc Living shipment on the website! So stop back next week:)

Jeanne d' Arc Living Magazine Now Available

I just received my shipment of the latest issue (3rd) of the Jeanne d' Arc Living Magazine or "Magasinet" in Danish and it is now available on the website.  The words just simply escape me to describe how stunning this current issue is.  It really does not matter that the text is in Danish because the inspirational photographs will simply blow you away.

 

Also, more good news! My huge Jeanne d' Arc Living order has finally cleared customs!  It took me a little while to get this order in because US customs has changed their policies and requires specific (I mean extreme) detailed information before shipments can even be considered for clearance. I will have ALL of the Jeanne d' Arc Living books available including the "Jul" Christmas book that will no longer be published.  Of course more of their beautiful textiles (wait to you see the curtains) and home decor goods to offer. This line is hugely popular in the Scandinavian countries and I was fortunate to have introduced their lovely products to many of my US and Canadian customers starting in 2006. 

White Peonies For My Dear Friends

Just picked out of my garden~

To share with all of you My Dear Friends~

 

They smell wonderful~

 

Thank You Dear Friends for the continued support of my little blog. I adore all of your lovely comments as you all are true inspirations to me.  I hope you have a beautiful day:)

Georgia Grace

Over the weekend, Karla and I joined bloggers from across the country in Macon, Georgia for the En Le Jardin Art Retreat.  Hosted at the lovely home of Jenn Hayslip, we were treated to a three day event that was beyond fantastic.  

Lush gardens combined with magestic statues were prevelent through out Jenn's area.

 

On Friday, we traveled in a Limo to Savanah for a day of sightseeing and shopping.

 

 

 

A little Savanah shopping~

 

 

Of course lot's of shopping and sightseeing leaves you hungry:) Look at this darling bakery we stopped at in Savanah! They had THE BEST bread pudding ever!

 

On Saturday our Art Retreat day, Jenn made a wonderful brunch for us.

 

 

 

Jenn used a Garden Party theme transforming a white tent into a magical haven for our event. Her attention to detail was evident everywhere you looked. Pastel colored tissue pom-poms and banners were strung overhead. 

 

The tables and chairs were dressed in vintage linens. Did you see how Jenn used this pillowcase as a chair cover?

 

The tables were further decorated with vintage wallpaper crowned garden statues.

 

Fresh flower bouquets and lovely gifts completed the tables.

 

 

Sweet girls in their lovely sundresses~

Jessi and Andrea~

 

Southern Belle Jenn~

 

Kim and Cheryl~

 

Even a afternoon thunderstorm did not dampen our fun. This is cute Tiffany~

 

We ended our day at the home of Suzanne and her lovely husband who hosted a cocktail party in our honor~More Southern hospitality!

The beauty and grace that we were treated to those three days is something I will never forget:)

 

Perfect Missouri Farmhouse

For several years my husband and I have been on the hunt for what I call our Perfect Missouri Farmhouse.  Beautiful land, pond, trees that all surround a lovely house with a big porch. My friend and shop partner Phyllis and her husband just so happen to own what I consider the Perfect Missouri Farmhouse.  Last year I shot scout photos of their farmhouse for Country Living Magazine. Long story short, the editor I was working with is no longer with the magazine so I thought why not share with you!

Phyllis and Roger's house sit on 40 acres of bliss just south of our shop.

 

They built the house in 1988 and placed it about a 1/2 mile from the road. This is the gravel road that leads up to the house. You even have to cross a creek (no bridge) to get up to the house.

 

The wonderful wrap around porch greets you~ 

  

Entry way looking into the kitchen~

 

The main living room and the huge fireplace that was decorated in the traditional period style~

Central staircase~

 

  

Laundry room~

 

 Master bath~Check out the ironstone collection too:)

 

 

Phyllis has been collecting pottery for years~

 

Screened Porch off of the back~

  

Out the front door~

 

So until I can find my own Perfect Farmhouse, I will sit with Phyllis on her lovely porch sipping sweet tea and look at this lovely view~

 

Of course the Perfect Pond view:)

Hydrangea Love

I was out at the shop today fluffing the front porch and took a couple of photos. Hydrangeas are a favorite plant of mine and they go really well with the weathered wood backdrop of the farmhouse. Both of these photos are card designs for the shop.

 

Back at my house, I put a big hydrangea plant in a basket and hung it on a garden gate placing a rusty lantern on the side.  On Sunday, we will celebrate Mothers Day and my Son's graduation from College. This simple display will greet my family as we enjoy the day.

 

 I loved all the comments on the type of camera and photo editing software you use! It is so much fun to learn and practice no matter what type of equipment you own.  

Have a wonderful weekend and a Happy Mothers Day:) 

Photo Editing Ideas For Your Blog

Do you use a photo editing software on your images before you post them to your blog?  I like either Paint Shop Pro or Photoshop Elements and find both of these programs really help put that added touch to my images.  The first thing I try to do before even thinking about photo editing is take the best possible picture I can.  With my Canon 50D and Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens , I shot these photos:

   Using my Paint Shop Pro program, I cropped the image down to show greater detail:

I then adjusted the image with the brightness/contrast button to lighten it up a bit. Finally I added a subtle cooling filter to add a little more detail:

Using the filter's that come with your photo editing program is a way to add some unbelievable effects and tones to your images.

  I used a blue filter on the above image and a cooling filter on the one below.  Once again, very subtle changes.

Of course you can always use one of my favorite editing choices~Black and White!

So open up your photo editing software and create a beautiful blog photo! I am dedicating this post to Suzanne who so kindly honored me with a lovely post on her blog. Thank You Suzanne:)

*What is your camera and photo editing equipment of choice? Let me know:)

May Day

May Day has special meaning for me as this is my sweet Mom Stella Mae's birthday. I have had to face many firsts since her passing last September and my heart especially aches on this day. So in honor of May Day and Stella Mae, let's celebrate with flowers~

 

I love all the blog links you are sending me and Thank You for the wonderful comments regarding the Magazine's. I plan on visiting all the blogs and please send more my way:) Have a great weekend:)