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Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Heart and Hand


I've been in a changing frenzy for the last few weeks.

First I changed the Expedit in our guest bedroom.

I took things from all over the house leaving empty space wherever I "shopped".

Over the weekend, I finished organizing the guest room  leaving the mantel empty.

I raided my hand collection.


and my heart collection


to create this mantel.


It just wasn't doing it for me so I left it as is for a few days waiting for what I call my "aha" moment.

The moment came last night while reading  Poofing the Pillows.

A stack of books on Stacey's shelves gave me the inspiration to get me to a "happy place" with my mantel.

A newly painted red caddy sits center stage.


 Mary Emmerling's "Hearts and Flowers" and a heart photo album tie the "Heart and Hand" theme together.


I have given up trying to decorate around the painting over the mantel.

This is Steve's most recent painting and it is going to a show next week.

 Who know what will appear next?


It is less than a month until school is out ( Steve is counting) and my retirement party is exactly one month from today.


I have to finish four more pillows for the fire pit.

And two cushions for the patio chairs.

The changing frenzy must end.

Let the creating frenzy begin.

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

I am joining everyone at the following parties

Lavender Garden Cottage - Cottage Style Party

Savvy Southern Style - WOW Us Wednesdays

Green Willow Pond - What We Accomplished Wednesday

Pretty Things for You - Whatever You Want Wednesday

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38 comments:

  1. AnonymousMay 8, 2013 at 4:53 PM

    Can't wait for that retirement date to come so you can play!!! ;)

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  2. UnknownMay 8, 2013 at 5:10 PM

    You have the greatest collections! I have always loved the heart in hand. Happy happy retirement! As creative as you are, you'll be busy busy!

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  3. Sherry at The Rusty PearlMay 8, 2013 at 5:19 PM

    LOVE this and your blog sister .. I am back.. Missed my sweet friends blogs... HUGS

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  4. AnneMay 8, 2013 at 5:34 PM

    Your fire place vignette looks perfect.Yes that tote it is the perfect balance of proportion and color!
    xx
    Anne

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  5. Brenda PruittMay 8, 2013 at 5:44 PM

    How wonderful to have your husband's paintings on your walls! I love the red on the mantle. Just the right touch.
    Brenda

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  6. DawnMay 8, 2013 at 6:22 PM

    I love that you are always changing stuff. I do that to, it makes it feel fresh and clean again to me.

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  7. Vicky HuntMay 8, 2013 at 6:29 PM

    What an awesome collection of hands! So unusual...but so cool! How did you start collecting hands?

    Blessings, Vicky
    Life On Willie Mae Lane

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  8. ReneeMay 8, 2013 at 7:03 PM

    The addition of the red box really brought everything together.

    I hope you love retirement as much as I do. Congratulations.

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  9. Patricia @ 9th and DenverMay 8, 2013 at 8:06 PM

    Hands down, I love your mantel.
    to me it looks like the hands are waving to the folks on land...lol!
    Curious, do you speak ASL ?? That is a lot of hands. I also know that you collect letters of the alphabet...a couple of your hands resemble alphabet signs...You have an "A" and "B" and the one holding the heart has the fingers turned down, resembling "I Love You" in sign!
    Is this just a coincidence or what?
    I'm very curious now!

    Pat

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  10. MelanieMay 8, 2013 at 8:44 PM

    You know that I love your heart and hand collection - a couple of my favorite things, too! Your mantle looks great. I'll bet you are so excited for your retirement. :-)

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  11. JunkchiccottageMay 8, 2013 at 9:14 PM

    Carol,
    It looks great. The heart and hand collection is great. Wooo Hooo so close to retirement. I bet your are so excited!!!!
    Kris

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  12. My Garden DiariesMay 8, 2013 at 10:00 PM

    Ha! Does it ever end?!?! I love your aha moments! The caddy is perfect right there on the mantel!!! And ohhh what I would do for a fire pit!!! I am so darn happy for you about your retirement. My mom finally retired last spring and it has been so cool to see how much fun she is having!!! Let us know how everything goes!!

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  13. Mary@mydogsmygardenandmaryMay 9, 2013 at 1:05 AM

    I bet your so excited to retire... what fun your going to have. Sleeping in - shopping or simply doing nothing but reading a book.
    Mary

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  14. fiona andersonMay 9, 2013 at 1:30 AM

    Retirement party ! I can't imagine you ready for retirement, though I'm sure you're looking forward to it. Everything in your house is so pretty, and now I've got a nicer garden to work on, I really want to take inspiration from yours. I just wish we had the sunshine over here too !

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  15. Between You and MeMay 9, 2013 at 4:07 AM

    RETIREMENT! WHOOO HOOT!
    I'm so glad you stopped by...it gave me a chance to come over and see your mantle, too!
    I love how you are making your house your home. :)

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  16. Acorn to OakMay 9, 2013 at 8:31 AM

    Looks like you're having fun with two of my favorite things...hearts and hands. I have a hand collection too! :-)

    How exciting that your retirement is coming up so soon. It'll be here before you know it! :-D

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  17. ~Lavender Dreamer~May 9, 2013 at 8:32 AM

    I love hearts...I'm drawn to them. I've found a heart shaped rock and shell and saw fish swimming in the shape of a heart! I should do a post on hearts! lol I love Stacey....she's such a sweetie and I love the red caddy. It's perfect for your arrangement! Enjoy your day!

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  18. PaulaMay 9, 2013 at 8:49 AM

    I really like it! You do such a nice job with your changes.

    And now, getting ready for the big change: RETIREMENT!!! I am so happy for you - you will love it! I have really enjoyed being retired. I don't do as much tweaking and decorating as you, but you are inspiring me to do more.

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  19. Down by the seaMay 9, 2013 at 11:34 AM

    I always enjoy seeing the changes you make around your house, another great mantlepiese!
    Sarah x

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  20. Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouseMay 9, 2013 at 11:43 AM

    I love Steve's painting over the mantel. I like unusual collections like your hand collection. School won't be out in France before July 5th... I'm counting as well as I have lots of work to do in the house during the summer holidays!

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  21. Linda @ A La CarteMay 9, 2013 at 1:13 PM

    I love the hearts and hands mantel! It is fun to be retired!! I love it!

    hugs,
    Linda

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  22. Mom E. May 9, 2013 at 1:15 PM

    So pretty,
    I love hearts and Hands! I have a saying you would love and a few fun things, Maybe I will post about them and let yiu know when it happens!
    Congratulations on your retirement! My children have loved their school teachers and still go to visit them sometimes or keep in touch with them on facebook. some of them are MY dear friends now and it is wonderful.
    Thanks for your sweet comments on my blog, I hope your party is as fun as you want it to be!
    Hearts,
    Betsy

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  23. StaceyMay 9, 2013 at 2:26 PM

    Aw you're so sweet to mention me. Love the heart and hand theme. That's always been a special sentiment to me. I'm so jealous of the real artwork your husband makes for you. :)

    I know you are counting the days until school is out. You'll miss it but you'll love it too. :)

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  24. DianeMay 9, 2013 at 4:20 PM

    What a wonderful "hand" collection! I guess that I am beginning to understand why you redecorate so much. Some of it is a necessity, when paintings are hung and, then, taken away! I love see your husband's art and they way that you adapt your decorating to the pieces. You two are a great combination!!

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  25. Laurel StephensMay 9, 2013 at 4:27 PM

    I love that you have a hand collection and that you say it like, "doesn't everyone?" Charming!

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  26. Miss LindaLeeMay 9, 2013 at 7:51 PM

    I love what you did with your mantel, and that red box goes up there perfectly! Love it!

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  27. chateau chicMay 10, 2013 at 4:21 AM

    You have a wonderful heart and hand collection. Love how you used them on your mantel with the books as a good anchor.
    You will have a photographer at your retirement party, right? We're going to want to see lots of pictures!!
    Mary Alice

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  28. Jemma@athomewithjemmaMay 10, 2013 at 5:51 AM

    Oh my goodness, retirement and all of the creativity that you and Steve have! Exciting times, beautiful and quiet experiences-trips and such! Love your Mantel!
    Happy Mother's Day Weekend!
    Jemma

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  29. Ricki TreleavenMay 10, 2013 at 6:25 AM

    Your heart and hand mantel is inspiring. I love it! You have a fantastic hand collection. :D I love Stacey's blog, Poofing the Pillows. She has fantastic taste!

    xo,
    RJ

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  30. Butterfly 8)(8 Bungalow May 10, 2013 at 8:40 AM

    Love the hand collection! My daughter is a pianist and she wants me to find one that is articulated.

    Everything is so pretty and I love all the accents of blue.
    Thank you for your comment. I can see why you liked the blue container :) Happy weekend to you and the countdown to retirement as well!

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  31. MicheleMay 11, 2013 at 4:14 AM

    Love your poofing. The "hands to service, hearts to God" has always been a great favorite theme for me and you've done it beautifully. Congratulations on your upcoming retirement. Its going to be so much fun.

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  32. Kathy @ Creative Home ExpressionsMay 11, 2013 at 5:01 AM

    Love your hand collection, Carol! Great idea to bring them together for display. Great tote, too. Love the keyhole plate you added to the front.

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  33. prince snow farmMay 11, 2013 at 5:15 AM

    I am so jealous! Does your husband sell online? If not, you should put a painting a week on your sidebar. People could pay through paypal. I bet they would sell like hotcakes....love what you did with the mantel.

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  34. Laurel StephensMay 11, 2013 at 10:38 AM

    Congratulations on becoming a contributor to Cozy Little House. I think your styles fit together like two peas in a pod!

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  35. must love junkMay 12, 2013 at 2:45 PM

    I always love a changing frenzy! :)
    You've got such fun collections-your mantel looks great!
    Susan

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  36. Vickie @ Ranger 911May 13, 2013 at 7:17 PM

    Your mantel looks lovely! I didn't realize you are retiring in just a few weeks. You're going to have so much more creative time!!!

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  37. Deborah@Green Willow PondMay 14, 2013 at 6:27 PM

    What a great collection. Your mantle is charming. Thank you for sharing it at to What We Accomplished Wednesdays. Have a great week!

    Hugs,
    Deborah
    Green Willow Pond

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  38. karen@somewhatquirkyMay 16, 2013 at 6:13 PM

    You have perhaps the worlds best hand collection! Love the combination with hearts. Wish I could come to your retirement party! Wake up early the next morning an get sweaty in the garden!

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