Thursday, January 24, 2013

That's The Way I Like It

Since I began blogging, I take all of my decorating decisions much more seriously.

I was ready to remove New Years from the mantel, but I couldn't decide on a new vignette. 

Lots of different ideas have been bouncing around my brain and today I finally felt like I had it.

First, I had to change the painting over the mantel.


I wanted to use a painting Steve did of a red tulip, but he told me it is going to a show this weekend so I found this painting in the garage.

Fifteen years ago when we moved into our little cottage, we each surprised the other with a little red wagon for Christmas.

This is the wagon Steve bought me - rusted and well used.

 It sat in the front yard planted with flowers until one day, while planting flowers, my trowel went right through the bottom.

Thankfully, Steve painted me a reminder of the little red wagon.

With the painting hung, I just walked around the house looking for anything with hearts.

There is a whole drawer in the attic full of Valentine decorations, but I wanted to use what was already out.


I just made this little framed heart and it was definitely going on the mantel.

I gathered up books with a heart theme.


A favorite Mary Emmerling book,


a little photo album covered with hearts,


and another photo album became the anchor pieces.


The red card with the quilted heart was hiding in my Expedit.

Some hands from my hand collection


were brought into the mix


along with a  bottle opener in the Valentine theme.


A few little hearts


sitting in a basket were chosen for the mantel.


Voila!


Keeping it simple.


Using what I have.


That's the way I like it.

........................................

I'm linked up at

Rooted in Thyme

The Charm of Home

Chic on a Shoestring

French Country Cottage

Jennifer Rizzo

 Common Ground


My Romantic Home


No Minimalist Here


Creative Cain Cabin


Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson


Shabby Creek Cottage


The Busy Bees


Posted by at 12:30 PM
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26 comments:

  1. Patricia @ 9th and DenverJanuary 24, 2013 at 1:48 PM

    This is so SWEET! I just love that little wagon in the painting. I like the Symmetry of your mantel.
    I really should decorate a mantel. (faux mantel...cause I don't have one.)

    Don't you just love when something so simple comes together? Pat

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  2. AnneJanuary 24, 2013 at 2:36 PM

    Oh I love that sweet little wagon painting!
    xx
    Anne

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  3. Acorn to OakJanuary 24, 2013 at 2:39 PM

    I have a hand collection too! And, I have some of the same ones you do. How fun to meet someone else that collcts hands. I love the idea of putting hearts in the hands for Valentine's Day. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  4. a breath of fresh airJanuary 24, 2013 at 2:49 PM

    Lovely and just glanced round my home and was surprised at the amount of hearts I have too, feel a blog coming on.
    Annie

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  5. Little Miss MaggieJanuary 24, 2013 at 4:10 PM

    Very nice vignette and a fun reminder of your little red wagon.

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  6. Brenda PruittJanuary 24, 2013 at 5:03 PM

    Looks wonderful! I adore that painting he did for you.
    Brenda

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  7. Danni@SiloHillFarmJanuary 24, 2013 at 5:52 PM

    Wow! You totally pulled that together in an amazing way! I am somewhat fascinated that you have a hand collection. What a fun thing to collect! Saw you over at Chic on a Shoestring and am happy to be following you via GFC. Stop by for a visit sometime!

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  8. My Garden DiariesJanuary 24, 2013 at 9:06 PM

    Unique and perfect! That painting rocks!

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  9. JunkchiccottageJanuary 24, 2013 at 9:27 PM

    Wow your valentine vignette is so cute. I love wagons too and I love that little wagon painting. Very sweet.
    Kris

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  10. PaulaJanuary 24, 2013 at 9:41 PM

    I LOVE that painting! Your husband is so talented! I can't wait for him to meet Charles!

    Your vignette is so sweet! I don't have many little heart items, but I did find a couple of hearts connected with string, I am assuming they are meant to be hung up. They are painted pastel pink and blue, but I am going to cover them with paper. I have a cedar heart that my sister in law made for me - I might have to sand it to get it to smell cedar-y again. I don't want to cover it because it smells so good! I think I will look for hearts in my house - I might uncover a few more...I definitely have lots of red: bowls, mostly! I think I will have to make some felt hearts to fill the bowls with! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  11. Sherry at The Rusty PearlJanuary 24, 2013 at 10:53 PM

    You really inspire me. I love your choice of colors and your so talented on what you mix together... I love the unexpected touches of the hands and hearts too . I never knew that there was a hand collection > I LOVED it !!! YOUR blog is amazing and you mentioned on mine that you will retire one day ...YOUR not allowed to stop blogging... LOVE, YOUR blogging sister ... See you make new friends all over the world... Have a blessed weekend my friend .....HUGS

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  12. farmhouse-storyJanuary 25, 2013 at 3:55 AM

    darling mantle! i esp. love hands and your beautiful wagon painting, carol! and your kitchen changes below are just darling:)

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  13. Manuela@A Cultivated NestJanuary 25, 2013 at 12:48 PM

    Totally pretty! Love the painting and the colors you used. I'm going to work on my Valentine mantel this weekend.

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  14. KarenJanuary 25, 2013 at 3:51 PM

    My favorite type of decorating, using what you have. Your mantle is perfect for Valentines day, all of your decorations are so pretty.

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  15. must love junkJanuary 25, 2013 at 6:51 PM

    I love all of your fun heart treasures! You put them all together perfectly :)
    Susan

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  16. Jennifer @ Town and Country LivingJanuary 25, 2013 at 8:06 PM

    Love all your hearts ... especially that framed one! And I love Mary Emmerling. Does she still have a magazine?

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  17. DawnJanuary 26, 2013 at 5:55 AM

    Darling look and that that painting is beautiful. I love it, and would love to won it:) Thanks for sharing at the Cabin party!

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  18. SusanJanuary 26, 2013 at 10:00 AM

    I found your blog from a comment on Garden Diaries. I'm trying to live the life etc. Sort of retired but busier than ever with a new project. Moved to the coast. Anxious to get a garden planted.

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  19. Cassie CridlebaughJanuary 26, 2013 at 10:21 AM

    Love that painting. The wagon is adorable. :)

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  20. CindyJanuary 26, 2013 at 6:08 PM

    That a fabulous painting, I love it!

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  21. Butterfly 8)(8 Bungalow January 27, 2013 at 10:23 PM

    I love the hand holding the heart!

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  22. karen@somewhatquirkyJanuary 28, 2013 at 6:14 AM

    You've got a little magic going on here. I'm always amazed by your artistic mind. I wish I lived down the beach from you.

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  23. Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. OlsonJanuary 29, 2013 at 5:03 PM

    Love it all! I didn't know that your hubby was an artist. Love the painting. He hands are so fun and I love that bottle opener. Very unique. It all came together nicely. Starting Feb. 1st I am posting "showing a little love" each day. I will feature a couple of Valentine posts. I will want to feature this and will let you know when. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  24. Stan and Jody GabaraJanuary 29, 2013 at 7:52 PM

    I love everything! The painting of the wagon and your collection of hearts is just what you need for Valentine's Day. So pretty! Thanks for sharing at Simple & Sweet Fridays.

    Jody

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  25. UnknownFebruary 5, 2013 at 1:47 PM

    Gorgeous little hearts! I have a couple too <3 Please stop by, I have no followers yet :( Take care

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  26. Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. OlsonFebruary 13, 2013 at 7:59 AM

    I am featuring you today at my 'showing a little love' challenge.
    hugs,
    Jann

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