Personal Possessions

I love decorating with antiques, and unique old things found at a flea market. I'm also big on seashells and other natural elements. Leaves and nests and such. I enjoyed recently seeing a wonderful collection of heart shaped rocks found in different places all over the world.

Though I don't have a collection of heart shaped rocks myself, my most favorite things to decorate with ARE things from the heart. Keepsakes with personal meaning. Objects accumulated over a lifetime that capture some of the character of your own nature.

Apart from the obvious Mother's Day offerings from kindergarten, the little white shelf is a keepsake too. I hope it someday finds itself among the coveted few possessions my kids will want to draw straws for, because it was made especially for me by their father eons ago.

This shelf was updated with a creamy paint in the 90's, and now holds shells and driftwood from many forays to the Oregon coast. Bits and pieces of my own natural history. The sea star was a gift, and the first of my collection, a symbol of regeneration to me.

To look at it, one might surmise that I merely like sea themes. But sea stars also remind me that at times I must go far out of my way to find what is worth keeping in life. After all, starfish don't turn up much on the banks of the Rio Grande in my town. On the other hand, I was also greatly influenced by the reading of Anne Morrow Lindbergh's wonderful book Gifts From the Sea in my thirties. In it she writes, "The sea does not reward those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient. One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach--waiting for a gift from the sea."   

I like discovering the interconnectedness of nature, and I see similarities in the shape of little hands, sea stars, and even Sycamore leaves, which are sometimes found on this shelf in the fall. Occasionally a postcard or note will find its way here as well. And I've found that you don't always know at first what a treasure a humble little offering made of plaster will eventually turn out to be.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Ciao! for now!

Jacqueline

Whimsical Linens

Beautiful linens can be simple and practical, lacy and romantic, or charming and whimsical. But if you are a collector of vintage linens, you love all three. I enjoy finding textiles and handmade things that are a little outside the ordinary. Indeed the very one-of-a-kind nature of heirloom linen is one of the joys of collecting.

I showed a dainty beaded doily in an earlier post, and here is another with a little more heft. I doubt I'll ever be able to pass one up again. The technique seems to require stringing the beads onto the ball of thread before starting the project.

Re-purposed linen falls into the whimsy category too. This eyelet lace was given to me by a friend when she didn't want it anymore. Cut from some larger pieces of bedding or clothing in a former life, she used it as shelf edging. I'll probably use it that way too.

One of my bears models a vintage cotton doll dress I found recently in a simple and sweet design. I would collect as many of these as I would ever find.

A wide and long crochet runner drapes the back of my sun room sofa. But I could use it in a hundred different ways.

Another unbleached linen piece with a deep lace edge is folded over a pillow. It may have been a mantel cloth. It would make a terrific valance for the right window. One of my favorite whimsies is the Scottie lace on the lower pillow. It was likely made to lay over the arms or back of chairs. 

I like merely draping my few precious pieces of vintage floral printed cotton cloth like this one. I've never had the heart to cut any of these to make something from them. Forget that I no longer sew anything!

Thanks for looking over a bit of my collection!

Ciao! for now!

Jacqueline

I'm sharing at

House in the Roses

Faded Charm

Savvy Southern Style 

  

Vintage Easter Table

The foundation of my tablescape is an unusual set of vintage blue glass snack plates by Fire King. The color seems perfect for a spring setting.

My centerpiece is placed in a vintage tin garden basket, and the deep color is a good contrast for the rest of the setting. 

I've joined the craze of employing assorted peat pots for decoration. I wish I had more time to dress them up, but a simple ribbon is all that I have used here. Any number of items can be used for favors inside of them.

My napkins are also vintage, and I have used a pretty floral design for a place card.

The French use les petite lapins, rabbits, as a decorating motif year round. This pewter pate tureen was a gift from friends. Diminutive in size it makes a sweet seasonal table decoration.

  

I hope you have a wonderful Easter holiday!

Ciao! for now!

Jacqueline

I'm joining up with

Between Naps on the Porch

for Tablescape Thursday

No Minimalist Here

The Open House Party

My Romantic Home

Show & Tell

Common Ground

Vintage Inspiration

French Country Cottage

Feathered Nest

The Charm of Home

Home Sweet Home

How Sweet the Sound

Pink Saturday

Pottery Portraits

I'll admit it. This post is a bit like a photo shoot of your kids or pets, or the engagement, or senior pictures, or some such. Completely indulgent and excessive. Overboard. Like you are with something you love.

My vintage white pottery is like that. Not a big collection, but a bit dear to me. I hardly ever use these pieces for plants or flowers. They are ornament enough. A bit similar to their cousins, ironstone pitchers, they have their own character in the family, and today they're invited to the reunion. Everybody say cheese!

Now I'm off to see YOUR brag book!

Ciao! for now!

Jacqueline

It's time for White Wednesday

at Faded Charm!

Don't miss the party!

I'm also joining Kim

at Savvy Southern Style