LIFE AT THE COTTAGE

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Time Travel Thursday #103 & Talented Time Travelers #102


"We all have our time machines. Some take us back, they're called memories.
Some take us forward, they're called dreams."
~Jeremy Irons~


Welcome to the 103rd Time Travel Thursday linky party at The Brambleberry Cottage!

Are you ready to share your fondest memories, grandest dreams,
and most creative projects? Great!

Let's showcase a few of our talented time travelers
 from last week's party before we get started.


Lynnie @ Vintage Gal Style has the perfect set up
for shabby-chic picnic perfection.

Her choice of accessories are like whipped cream
and cherries atop a pretty pink parfait.


 If you're looking for a cute wall décor idea,
 take a peek at this bedroom @ butterfly and bungalow.

The ability to change on a whim what is displayed on the suspended
wire makes this a very versatile decoration.


A visit to Italy has been on my bucket list
for a very long time and, unfortunately, is still on the list. 

By visiting Erin @ Just Grand I was able to get quite a sightseeing
tour—but not enough to remove it from my bucket list.    ; )


Do you have a stash of vintage sheets awaiting a repurpose?

Then perhaps you would like to take a cue from Holly @ Damita's Pretty Wrap,
and turn them into charming cottage curtains.


I've carved my share of watermelons into fun shapes
over the years—baskets, whales, etc.  And I've seen a number of other
creative ideas that I've never tried myself.

But this baby-shower melon bassinet
@ The Madatory Mooch is just way too cute!

Now show us how creative you've been lately!


IF YOU LINK TO THE PARTY, PLEASE BE SURE TO
LINK BACK TO THE BRAMBLEBERRY COTTAGE ON YOUR BLOG.

Thursday, June 21, 2012

The French Connection Giveaway




Thanks so much to all who entered my French-inspired giveaway!

If it were possible to do so, each and every one of you would
win the prize.

Alas...
there is but one winner and her name is...


Tanya @ twelve-0-eight.

Congratulations Tanya; you get to walk away with the goods!  

And don't lose heart dear ones!
Another even bigger giveaway is on the horizon!!!   ; )


Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Time Travel Thursday #102 & Talented Time Travelers #101


"We all have our time machines. Some take us back, they're called memories.
Some take us forward, they're called dreams."
~Jeremy Irons~


Welcome to the 102nd Time Travel Thursday linky party at The Brambleberry Cottage!

Are you ready to share your fondest memories, grandest dreams,
and most creative projects? Great!

Want to take a peek at some of the loveliness linked last week by
our talented time travelers?  Of course you do!   ; )

FIRST, A REMINDER:
TONIGHT IS THE LAST NIGHT TO ENTER MY


I love, love, love hydrangeas and peonies!
There's something so romantic, so feminine
about their showy blooms.

When I saw the numerous lovely vignettes created—
using soft-hued hydrangeas displayed in pretty vessels—I knew you would
want to go visit Mary Alice @ Chateau Chic yourself.


I think we could all agree that it's
 the little touches that make a home unique.

This pretty piece of wall art, fashioned by Doreen of Hymns and Verses,
is just such an example.  It is but one of the little touches that fills her 
newly updated bathroom with cottage charm.


We're all familiar with the transforming power of paint.
But those magical makeovers never cease to amaze me.

You'll have to visit Julie @ redheadcandecorate to get
the full impact of her painterly touch in her kitchen.


While we're on the subject of paint,
Melissa @ Daisy Mae Belle found a wonderful old frame that she gave the
Annie Sloan Chalk Paint treatment.


It works beautifully in the foyer where she showcases her three sweet
little Southern belles—Daisy, Anna Belle, & Lila Mae.


Everyone has cans they've tossed or are preparing
to toss in the trash, right?

Why not turn that trash to treasure?

When Becky @ Timewashed saw the beauties above, created by
Viola @ Shabby Chic Inspired, she knew she just had to whip together a set for herself.


Becky also shared a terrific tutorial
for this timeless transformation.


Now, are you ready to party?

DON'T FORGET THE GIVEAWAY!


IF YOU LINK TO THE PARTY, PLEASE BE SURE TO
LINK BACK TO THE BRAMBLEBERRY COTTAGE ON YOUR BLOG.

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Time Travel Thursday #101 & Talented Time Travelers #100


"We all have our time machines. Some take us back, they're called memories.
Some take us forward, they're called dreams."
~Jeremy Irons~


Welcome to the 101st Time Travel Thursday linky party at The Brambleberry Cottage!

Are you ready to share your fondest memories, grandest dreams,
and most creative projects? Great!

FIRST, A REMINDER: 
THERE'S ONE WEEK LEFT TO ENTER MY

Now on to the features of our
talented time travelers from last week's party.


Don't you think it's fun to see all the knockoffs
floating through the blogosphere?

Sometimes I even like the knockoff better than the
 original inspiration piece.  Such is the case with
 this lovely wall art by Catherine @ Hello, New Day.

Catherine even shared her how-to, so you can create your own
 knockoff of her knockoff!   ; )


Do you have the perfect lamp but are lacking the perfect shade?
Why not just cover an existing one to your liking?

Kristie @ MARKET NINE home shared her wonderfully
detailed step by step instructions on how to do just that. 

Her custom-designed shade looks gorgeous, doesn't it?


Lynn @ UpCountry Olio created this lovely
 faux-quilt wall art.

It's the perfect complement to the fabulous floor rug
she painted in her upstairs hallway.


If you ever find yourself with a plethora of paint sticks,
you might just want to consider this pretty project by Tanya @ twelve-O-eight.

And since the sticks are freebies...
that makes it an even sweeter deal!


Since I'm not a big fan of shiny, polished brass, anything that
can transform the look of it gets my nod of approval.

Heidi @ OneCreativeMommy did a fantastic job of camouflaging her
drawer pulls and shared the how-tos with all of us "boo on brass" fanatics.

Well, that wraps up this week's features.  Now show us your latest creative endeavors.

DON'T FORGET THE GIVEAWAY!


IF YOU LINK TO THE PARTY, PLEASE BE SURE TO
LINK BACK TO THE BRAMBLEBERRY COTTAGE ON YOUR BLOG.

Thursday, June 7, 2012

100th Time Travel Thursday - The French Connection Giveaway


It's time to celebrate!!!
Last night marked the 100th party post for Time Travel Thursday.

And you know what that means—a giveaway is in order!!!   ; )


For this very special occasion, I decided to have
the giveaway follow a French theme...

and 
tie into the time travel theme, as well.

The metal clock face represents time, the vintage wood and metal shoe stretchers, travel.
They are part of the prize.

And all of the treasures in this giveaway—except one—are vintage.
Their past lives provide yet another nod to time travel.


I selected some beadboard from
 the stash in the barn for this gorgeous box.

The beadboard we pulled out of that old Victorian years ago has provided us
with so much character-filled material to work with.

We've created quite a few of these charming boxes
each with its own unique, timeworn patina.

I showed you some of the others in
the post where you caught glimpses of one of my porches.

But, I have to say...
this one is my absolute favorite so far—
making it quite difficult to give up.   ; )


This tiny vintage brass and glass case is
from my private collection.

When I posted about my collection last summer, I only showed you
a few of the different styles I have.

This beauty will go to the winner.


Remember my lovely French book collection?

The winner of this giveaway will receive a trio
of these beautiful Classiques Larousse books


and...
a bunch of fabulously fragrant Provence lavender from
 the gardens of Brambleberry Cottage.

Last, but not least...


one the fabulous "Paris Cafe" tea towels
from All Tea Towels—will be added to the bounty of giveaway loot.


Here's how to enter the giveaway:
1.  Visit the All Tea Towels online shop and choose your favorite towel,
then come back and share by leaving a comment on this post.

2.  "Like" All Tea Towels on Facebook (a comment there would be appreciated),
then come back and leave a comment on this post.

3.  If you are a follower of The Brambleberry Cottage on Google Friend Connect,
leave a comment on this post letting me know.
(You can double check by clicking the Sign In link.)

4.  If you are a follower of The Brambleberry Cottage on Linky Followers,
leave a separate comment on this post letting me know.

5.  If you party at Time Travel Thursday,
leave a comment on this post.
(What, you've never partied here?!  Well, it's not too late; the link is still up.)

6.  Put the party button below on your sidebar, so others will know where to go
for a great giveaway.  Then come back and comment on this post.

7.  Tweet about this giveaway, share it on Facebook, post about it on your blog,
and use any other means you can to get the word out.  Then come back and leave a
separate comment for each shout-out you've given.

The more you do, the more chances to win!   ; )

This giveaway starts June 7th and ends June 20th.
The winner will be announced on June 21st.




Joining:
 Beverly's Pink Saturday.
Kathleen's White Wednesday

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Time Travel Thursday #100, Talented Time Travelers #99 & A Giveaway!


"We all have our time machines. Some take us back, they're called memories.
Some take us forward, they're called dreams."
~Jeremy Irons~


Welcome to the 100th Time Travel Thursday linky party at The Brambleberry Cottage!

Can you believe we've already partied for
 100 weeks?!!!  Goes to show, time really does travel!   ; )

Of course, we'll need to celebrate this most momentos
occasion with a giveaway.

I think something with a French flair would be nice. 
Oui?

But, there's a catch.  You'll have to come back tomorrow
 for the details, 'cause we need to get this party started.


There's just something so special about taking in all
 the sights, sounds, and scents of a beautiful garden.

And Deidre @ SIMPLY SIMPLISTICATED has created a
gorgeous nature haven in her own yard to do just that.


If there's one thing you can always count on when you
visit Country Gal @ OUR COUNTRY COVE LIFE it's beautiful photography.


I was doubly delighted during my recent visit to see some of the
 lovely birdies she captured with her camera.


Since I love to garden, it's always fun for me to see
what others are growing in their little section of terra firma.

For Denise @ Second  Time Around Finds
pretty poppies are poppin' up everywhere.


Flowers in a flower garden are a given.  But it's
often the hardscaping that really steals the show.

Brooke @ Creative Country Mom put together a lovely
container garden and used this fabulous fairy as the
hardscape centerpiece.


A touch of whimsy is always a fun
element to add to any garden display.

Linda @ WHITE WEATHERED HUTCH  created this
cute little garden guy from terra cotta pots, and it
definitely increases the smile factor.   ; )

Now bring on that creativity again this week gang!

And...
don't forget to come back tomorrow for the
giveaway details!!!

IF YOU LINK TO THE PARTY, PLEASE BE SURE TO
LINK BACK TO THE BRAMBLEBERRY COTTAGE ON YOUR BLOG.


Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Tea Time

I know that tea time is something many of you look forward to.


As a matter of fact, I'm aware that
a number of you have blogs devoted to all things tea.

From reading such blogs—those linked to my
Time Travel Thursday linky party—I gather that for many of you
tea time is a time to relax, a time to while away the cares of the day.

But for others...


And while here on our little farm we do enjoy a spot of tea
occasionally, we would much prefer to...


As a matter of fact, one of my favorite daily rituals 
involves rising early, making a pot of coffee, opening all the windows,
and sinking into a comfy chair to listen to the joyful sounds
of the songbirds, just outside the cottage.


The soothing sounds and hot java
are part of what help me...


for the rest of the day.   ; )


Introducing... 
 All Tea Towels online shop!

The examples above and below are but a fraction
of the superb quality tea towels available in this UK shop.



Keeping in mind that...


with 27 different categories of towels, you are sure to
find something that speaks to your design aesthetic. 

And the selection of organic,
unbleached cotton products sweeten the pot even more.

I have 3 of these terrific towels from All Tea Towels.


I'm thinking of framing this one and hanging it in the kitchen
as a subtle hint for the Yankee.   ; )

And I have special plans for the other two
involving you!

As a special incentive, Al at All Tea Towels has offered
to extend a 10% off discount for all towels purchased by
the readers of The Brambleberry Cottage.

Just enter code 10 at checkout. 

Please note, this discount only applies to the actual price of the towels, not shipping.
And it is only good through PayPal and NoChex card services—not applicable to Google Checkout.

Be sure to drop by the shop
and see the wonderful selection of tea towels.

"Remember the tea kettle is always up to its neck in hot water,
yet it still sings!" ~Author Unknown