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Today I was going to post some picture of my kitchen...unfortunatly the weather outside is awful! Dark, wet and with howling wind, which ment I did'nt manage to get enough daylight to take some decent photos. I took this picture though, really close to the window, so its a sneak peak at my kitchen ;-) I'll try to take more photos tomorrow..
By now I'm soo bored of beeing at home with pneumonia, but I'm really cheered up by all your sweet comments, and I love reading your wonderful blogs!
While reading the January issue of Australian Vogue I found this gorgeouse boquet from Grandiflora! I visited their website and its a must see, even for us on the other side of the world....even if we cannot order their gorgeouse creations, we can at least take inspiration from their stunning and creative floral arrangements. As you might have notice I'm deeply in love with Helleborus. I think it might be because its the first flower to bloom, long before any of the other plants in my garden, and the simple beauty of the flower. I also love the adorable color variations, that seems to be never ending. I told you a few days ago that my own Helleborus Niger is flowering, unfortunatley its now covered in ice..... strange weather here.... so until the ice melts I keep the spring feeling alive by looking at photos and deciding which variety I'll plant this year ;-) The image below is from Martha Stewart. You can read more about this wonderful plant there , or at Hellebores.com or at Ranunuculaeae Society
I totally forgot to show you my stone egg collection last week, as I was so impressed with your beautiful collections ;-) But here it is, or at least some of them :-) I must admit that I do not collect them for value or rarity, i just buy the colors I like. When I travel I try to find an egg as a souvernir to remind me of the trip, much nicer than the standard plastic souvernirs out there ;-) I display them in jars etc all over the house, for a hint of nature in every room :-)
I'm still sick with fever, as I got pneumonia while I had the flu. So my doctor has told me to stay in bed, and take my medicine....so I'm doing that. Quite tired of beeing sick now, as it is my third week...grhmph! So If I'm a bit slow on posting, and leaving you comments ...you know why....
Today I went to the local antique/flea market. I had a clear agenda; I was looking for milkglass, a vase for spring flowers and old chocolate molds. I found three milk glass items, but none worth buying.. and I did'nt find any molds, but I found this cute little vase! Its so perfect for my spring flowers! It was'nt exactly cheap as it is quite old and in perfect condition ...but a good buy anyway :-) I also picket up som egg cups I'm planning to use in one of my easter projects. They were nearly free though, so I was delighted! I also found a perfect little chair, that I did'nt buy....as I have no idea where to put it... but I'm already regretting it ;-) The market is weekly, very selective and it is quite pricy, so I'm looking forward to the real fleamarket season starts in March!
Do you ever get that garden itch during the winter months? I get it every year ..... I plant my bulbs in late September/October, and after that I start my winter season. My winter season consists of crafting, preparing for the holidays, decorating and doing indoor projects ....even my reading material changes from gardening books and magazines to anything related to interior,diy, crafts and homekeeping.
But then in January/February I start longing for my garden ...I mean its there, but I cannot do anything as its frost in the ground....and I'm going insane, cause i'm itching to gett out and dig in the dirt....waiting for the frost to disapeare, I start digging out my gardening books, old gardening magazines etc ... I decorate my house with ranunucules, primulas, paperwhites and all the spring flowers that start to appear in the gardencenters, and I plan new garden projects, all to keep myself sane and clear of the winter blues .... and suddenly I get this wonderful gift; my Helleborus niger is in bloom, and I have managed through yet another Norwegian winter!!!
Top images: Veranda Feb 2008 Bottom: Isabella Jan 08
Its still Friday (At least in Norway), and here are your collections, as promised!!
If you are not a collector yet, this is the day to get obsessed ;)! I'm so amazed by your beautiful collections! And I love that fact that a collection can be anything from everyday objects to rare collectors items! Several of you have been sooo kind and sent me images of your collections and I'm so glad I'm able to show them off here! Thank you!
These wonderful milk glasses are collected by Mary on Little Red House. I must admit I'm quite jealous of this collection!! I love the way the light shines through the glass! I had never seen milk glass before Mary sent me these wonderful images, but I've now learnt that this was considered porcelain for the masses in The US and UK from 1840 up until the 1980s! Mary's collection started with a few pieces from her mother, but she did'nt get obsessed until last year when she bought a beautiful milk glass urn herself. I can see this collection is going to grow considerably over the years ;-) Actually there is something called The National Milk Glass Collectors Society and you ought to pay them a visit to see more stunning examples of these gorgeouse collectors items.
I LOVE the way Kathrine at Dans på Roser has displayed her collection of interior, craft and garden books by color!! That is such a great idea, and I'm "stealing" the idea and doing the same myself!! I'm a bit of a garden, interior and craft book collector myself....I just cannot stop buying or reading them! Perfect read for a snowy day!!
Mary at South End Blend has sent me these wonderful images of some of her collections! On top her beautiful, rustic Mason Jars.
In the middle her collection of Dalahäster (Sweedish horses) and a rouge rooster. One of the oldest craftsters of theses horses are Grannas and they are still making them today.
and last her wonderful collection of old and reproduction crocks. I really love the color variations on this collection! I'd love those on display in my kitchen ;-) Maybe a new obsession for me ;-)
I love that her collections all started with items from her grandmother! As she puts it :"So, in a bit of away, I am keeping her tradition and classic style alive in my own home. " I love that!!
This is something special; Stone books! They are collected by Ann from Hill Country House. No one really seems to know the purpose of these books but it has been speculated that people carried these to church when real books was rare, or by illitterate people, and that they might have been blessed by a priest for spiritual protection. Other believe they are made in memory of loved ones, and that the closed book is a symbol of a life passed. Most stone books date from the late 1800 to early 1900, and several have Bible or Holy Bible inscribed on them. This is sooo fascinating!! If you would like to know more about these mysterious books you should read this article from The University of Newcastle
Monica Crowe collect vintage bottles, and sent me this image of her collection. The lavender tinted ones dates back to pre world war two, and several of the others are from the depression era. I love the array of color tints on these beautiful glasses! Its so nice to put a collection to use as Monica has done here.
Ok, I must admit I have been pursuing Paul intensly to take this photo of his vintage tin robots! ;-) Thank you for giving in!! I was so fascinated to learn that he collected this, and I just had to see them! What a wonderful and quirky thing to collect?! I'm in love, why don't toys look this good today?! I discovered that there are more Robonuts out there, take a look at this site Robonut
Was'nt these collections amazing? Are you hooked?! I am! Sunday I'm going to the flea market and I'm definitly going to be on the look out for milk glasses! (Someone must have brought that with them from the US or UK during the years!)
And here are my top reasons to collect:
1. The hunt is half the fun
2. A collection adds personality to your home, and is a reflection of your personality
3. A collection of similar items look far less cluttered than alot of different nic nac
4. Its personal, you can collect anything!
5. I'm sure my neigbour does'nt have it ;-) (I bet Sweet Paul's neighbour does'nt have those tin robots either ;-))
You can read more about collecting at Collecting the 20th Century and I find Martha Stewart a really good source for information on collection display, and different collection items.
I'm so grateful for beeing part of the blogging community, you all keep inspiering and educating me!! I wish you all a wonderful weekend!
Image from SweetPaul's blog
I got tagged by Sweet Paul ...not sure about the sweet part after tagging me though...... ;-) Anyway Paul is a really talented stylist, and if you have'nt already checked out his blog you just have to do that, its full of eye-candy, and one of my daily reads!
The rule is I have to tell 7 interesting things about me. I must confess I'm really boring and now I'm outed. But here it goes:
1. I've been with the same man since I was just 15 (Thats the same man I'm married to today, and no, I was not a child bride.) At the time I agreed to be his girlfriend as he was such a hunk, and had the coolest crossmoped....I discovered more wonderful things about him later, and he's still a hunk so I've kept him :-)
2. I have to huge Rottweilers (Hector and Luna) but secretly I'm mad about pugs..
3. I've been working since I was 12 (I did attend school as well though ;-)) I started with washing hair, sweeping floors and mixing colors at the local hairdresser. Since then I've pursued a career as a shop assistant (selling everything from baby clothes to interior items), model, multimediaeditor, multimediadesigner, customer support consultant until my current career as a senior system consultant and project manager in the IT business. And I still don't know what to become when I grow up...
4. I'm a huge geek, and I LOVE a bad movie... I will watch anything as long as the lable reads sci-fi or horror..... My favourite TV series is Buffy and Angel....and I have a bit of a crush on both Spike and Angel ....but prefer Spike as he's more of a bad boy... *blush*
5. I have a house ghost. (No, seriously, its true!)
6. I'm really tall ...1.83 or 6 feet ...which makes me self conscious in public....I wear high heels but it feels like I'm a head taller than all the people around me...even the men....I'm also on a constant search for long pants as I'm abit unproportional with really long legs, and nothing is worse than to short pants ...i'd rather trip over the cause they're too long (Never happened though....)
7. Nearly finished now .... puh....and this is my last and worst confession .... I never allow people to enter my house unannounced....I'm terrified that people might see my dustbunnies (Or as I call the Rottweilerpups) So If you ever plan to visit me, you should now that 1. You have to call first and 2. I've been frantically cleaning the minutes before you arrive, even though I'll open the door pretending I have'nt, and make excuses for my mess ;-) Sorry...I really can't help it!!
No its my turn to pass this along to 7 new victims !! :-) Ps! If you do not answer this I'll pass my dogs on you!! *hi hi* No, I know this has been going around for a while so if you have done it before, or do not like to reveal things about yourself you are excused!! :-) But I would really love to know more about you!
1. Deborah at BonbonOiseau
2. Ann at Hill Country House
3. Suzy at Georgia Peachez
4. Missy at Crafty Carnival
I'm sorry I did'nt manage to bother 7 of you with this ..... ;-)
Btw. I've received sooo many wonderful photos of your collections!Thank you!! (And keep mailing me them ;-)) I'm showing them off on Friday!
When I first discovered blogging the blog who had me addicted was Molly's Heaven. I was thrilled by this (to me) new, nevere empty, inspiration source! Unfortunatley, before I got to know her (I did'nt have a blog at the time, and had'nt quite understood the consept of commenting ;-)) she decided to quit her blog.... My delight was great when a few days a go I got a sweet message on my blog from a Molly, stating that she liked my blog (Jippi ;-)) I clicked on the link, and guess what ,the same Molly, whose blog I adore, had decided to start blogging again!! I'm soo thrilled! She started of with a raffle with giftcards for her GORGEOUSE netshop MOLLY's HEAVEN. Ofcourse I had to join in, congratulating her on starting her blog again! I did'nt win. But this wonderful girl decided to send everyone who commented a gift caringly picked out by her ?!!! And today I received mine! Its a wonderful white starfish that fits perfectly into my house and collection!! Thank you sooo much Molly, what a toughtful gift! I love it! And I look so forward to getting to know you better, and follow your blog and business! Please visit her lovely blog and wonderful shop
Sorry for the quality of the picture .. no light here.. but I'm really excited about a vase I bought today! Its round, and in brass, covered in black glass, and with a silver rim around the edge. It was only 13 kr (2.3 $) at Nille! I was so thrilled! I love finding cheap stuff ;-) Afterwards I went to Rema and bought 12 bright yellow roses for 56 kr (10$) which is really cheap here in Norway. I think it looks so nice on the coffe table, and now I'm even more sure that yellow is the right accent color for my livingroom :-) Well, just had to share this great find ;-) All of you; Have a lovely evening!
More inspiration for you! Here are some images of decorative collection displays I found on Flickr.
I love the bundt pans (top left) hanging on the kitchen wall. The simplicity of the kitchen is a perfect backdrop for this display and the pans adds interest to the room by its shapes, sizes and colors! Image by Hownowdesign.
The colorful vintage birds (Top right) are also by Hownowdesign. I love the fluffy, colorful display on the bare branches!
Something to see's wooden apple display is so lovely! I love the symmetry , and the red apple that adds fun and interest to the display!
How adorable is LushBella's paper butterfly display (above) ? I really like the motion in this display. It feels like the butterfly's are fluttering away !
I have received so many images of your beautiful and interesting collections! I'm amazed of all the things you collect, and how beautiful collections look no matter what they consist of! Please keep sending me your gorgeouse collection images!! (I will, ofcourse, give you full credit for the image, and link to your blog! :-))
