gathering spriggs

Guest Post: Loving White Porcelain

First of all, I wanted to thank Heather for letting me be a guest on her blog! It really is an honor. Second, let me introduce myself. My name is Lori and my “home” is over at ChicGeek Designs. So please, come visit me if you get a chance!

 

When I was trying to think of what to write for Heather, I knew it had to be something with simple, beautiful images because that’s what one of the first things that comes to mind when I think of Gathering Spriggs. Thankfully, this was perfect timing with my obsession with white porcelain this week. I have recently hung some hot pink cube shelves and had put some white porcelain animals in two of them. But I’m missing something in the third cube! So has started the hunt! But in the midst of the hunt, I have fallen in love with the simplicity and loveliness of these white porcelain pieces.

 

I LOVE the last item – I mean white porcelain bracelets?!? So awesome! What things do you have in/around your house that you look at and they remind you of simplicity/loveliness? If you can’t come up with anything, then you need to find at least one thing. I believe that everyone has to have some simplicity in their life and needs a small token reminder of that. So go, seek it!

Thank you for reading my guest post! Please come visit me at ChicGeek Designs, I’d love to have you!

~ Lori

Images: Collage 1 (L-R) 1. Suite One Studio 2. Isabelle Abramson 3. Isabelle Abramson 4. White Earth Studio

Collage 2 (L-R) 1. Suite One Studio 2. Isabelle Abramson 3. Kim Westad 4. Rebecca Humphrey

 

  

Fashioning a Fall Palette

 

 

Have you ever wondered how Rachel Ashwell decorates her home for Autumn or say someone else with a defined stylistic color palette ?? Yesterday I had a little time before finishing my paint project and packing for my trip, to ponder my own Fall Interiors Palette. "How can a girl with a penchant for pastels inject Autumnal hues without straying from form", I asked? So I rounded up some treasures from around the house and began some color collages. Now, I am no Leslie of A Creative Mint, but this was a really fun (and therapeutic) project. And although I have been accused of making too many vignettes I realized its in my blood. I love my little vignettes as stories to my soul. (did you notice the one signature item that finds its way in all i do?) So in this little research project I found the answer to my question. It is possible to forfeit the local craft store decor in order to stay true to one's own style. And you?? What's your personal style and color palette?   and how do you do your home for Fall? 

Please share your Autumn inspirations over at Gathering Spriggs Flickr Group! I would love to see your inspirations and perhaps even a vignette or two! 

images: heather spriggs thompson for gathering spriggs

Making our Mark

 

 

Hello Lovelies! Happy Tuesday! Thank you so much for all of your well wishes for me and my family (especially). I know all will be okay. Your hearts and souls have been (to borrow an expression from a dear friend) a balm on our weary and bruised spirits. In the midst of the pain and confusion I have been battling with how to express myself (you may remember this post)  But I think I am finally getting somewhere. I have been reading alot this week. For one, a fabulous new book, (sent to me by an even more fabulous friend) The Art of Non-Conformity by Chris Guillebeau. A feild guide to taking your dreams seriously and choosing to create an unconventional life. Highly recommended! Also, I came across this post by my friend Elizabeth reflecting on the possibilitiy of creating from our weakness...making a mark on our world from the brokeness and the passion within us. : She says it best here:

“your passion is your edge,” and those words seemed to clear a path for making my best work.  But it seems also true that your woundedness, your disability, your struggle can be your edge. Maybe those things aren’t too far from your passion anyway, with all the ingredients of that which “is within” us mixing together like an intricate marinade for a delicious feast, if only we would have the guts to honestly face it…no, to soak in it …with dignity, patience and grace.

So I took the plunge last night and created from this place. Im not quite ready to show my work yet since it feels fresh and raw but here is an artist that resonated with me on the subject: Veroncia Ballart Lilja 

How about you?? How are you making your mark on your world today, this week, this year? 

A Few of My Favorite Things

 

So Very Pretty +  Kerry Berri

Gathering Spriggs + Yellena James +  Seesaw Designs + A Field Journal

Elle Interior SE 

Hello dearests! How was your weekend?? Restful? I sure hope you are ready for a new week full of grace for us! I know I am! I'll take all the grace I can get. Its going to be a busy one. I am right in the middle of finishing up a huge home project for a client (including vaulted ceilings, marble columns, trim, wainscote, niches,and more). Plus on thursday I am off to visit my sister in Kansas City to console her in her loss and be with her during my (2 yr. old nephews operation) ! She has been through such a hard time so please send your thoughts, prayers, hopes and love her way. She needs it right now.  While I am away I have another string of fabulous guest writers lined up for you... You will really love all this new material! Beauty, business tips and more! For now, I must leave you with these images of some of my favorite things that have me dreaming of a season of gifting coming up!  p.s. I am anxious to show you some new pics of my home but the image of the bed is a little corner I worked up this weekend complete with new coral sconces available in the shop.  ...... Hugs, Heather

A Lovely Giveaway: Ivy Style

 

Line 1 .1.Frozen music ~ 2. Handwritten Love ~ 3. Boats of Hope ~

Line 2 :4. Aqua Dream5. Winter walks in Mallorca ~6. Half a pebble heart ~

Line 3:7. Cupcake Love ~8. Heart Circus ~ 9. Perception ~

 

Happy Friday dear readers!! Yay!! Im so excited to celebrate the weekend with a very very special giveaway from Iro-Ivy of New Ivy Style. She is giving away a fine art original print in a 5X5 square format + a card and envelope set of your choice of one of the above photos from the Mosaic collage. Entering is easy!! Just leave a comment stating the title of your favorite photo from the first collage. Then I will announce the winner next friday, Oct. 1 (using Random.org)

Some of you may know Iro-Ivy from her prolific activity on flickr  (she contributes regularly to the Gathering Spriggs group among others). She also authors a daily journal Domestic Stories with Ivy and keeps her shop stocked with fine art prints of her latest inspirations from travels to such places as Greece, Mallorca  and Italy! 

+++ Also, Iro-Ivy wanted me to let you know of a very important cause she is participating in: Etsy Project Embrace. The project works on two levels: raising funds to be donated for the Research in finding a Cure for Cancer - in which sellers offer the ammount they desire to the cause by participating with some items of their shops. For the time being New Ivy Style is  offering 33% of the earnings of the three prints appearing in the collage. 

So have fun entering this very special giveaway and have a magical weekend!! 

Blessings to you,

Heather

 

The Gift of Self Expression

 

Its kinda funny how I speak of myself as an artist, even as a job description, but rarely do I actually practice or use my art as a vehicle for self expression as I once did. But today, I find it so much easier to be in the business of busyness: doing chores, making lists, daily tasks even art for clients.  Yet, I've been noticing a yearning, a heart calling, even a slight pain in my chest the last few days. And what I tried to dismiss as stress or tiredness grew into a deep need to find my creative soul again. The beautiful part of this discovery comes from you. You (and this blog) are the reason I began to search within to really ask myself what was truly going on. I had a momentary temptation to do a post with pretty pictures that was disconnected from my true heart, but I remembered you and your encouragement of me along this creative journey. So I come to you with my genuine "not so put together" self today to say "Thank You". Thank you for being my friends, cheerleaders, and soul sisters. 

And to ask... what do you do to help yourself express your true self instead of repressing it? 

image: heather spriggs thompson ( digital still from a performance piece entitled " Deflation"  Senior Thesis 2005)

Fair Weather Fall Collections

 

 
 

 

Happy Wednesday dear friends. At least I think its Wednesday, right? My brain is still in a bit of a fog as I try to adjust back to normal life. Today is my first day back to work and I am really trying to pretend like I have it together and can actually make it out the door in time. But before I do, I wanted to send you a good morning hug and show you these two companies I found recently and fell in love with. I love a good seasonal catalogue to imagine my life by and these two did just the trick. First is the Swedish home and fashion accessories company, Ceannis. Then, Dejeuner sur l'herbe, French ceramics with a quirky twist. 

How is your mid week going so far? Do you have any inspirations for Fall to share. Its been unseasonably warm this week (still in the mid 90's) but it can't stop me from dreaming of cooler days ahead.

 images: ceannis and dejeuner sur l'herbe

  

 

Gathering Generosity

 

Hello dear friends! After a 10 day hiatus from Gathering Spriggs, I am back to bask in your presence once again. I've missed you all dearly while away. Honestly, I was amazed at the sincere feelings of lack in my heart from not being here with you daily. However, I was checking comments daily and felt your care, concern and wonderfully generous spirit.  Thank you for your heartfelt concern for my sister's loss. (She too was blessed by your kindness). She is feeling renewed after many days of grieving. Over the weekend she and three of my dear friends from high school came up from Texas for our annual Girls Weekend retreat. It was magical time for healing, laughter, tears, joy, conversation and of course ...shopping! You can read more about it and view some new images of my home at my dear friend, Ginny's blog. 

Yesterday I received a special surprise in the mail from a blogging friend and as the tears formed in my eyes I was reminded how generous our online community of soul sisters really is. So thank you! Thank you dear dear sisters. There is emptiness without you. 

All my love,

Heather

ps. thank you Holly and Leslie for the mention on friday! always an honor to know you are my friends too!

pps. also, my home was featured this week on the lovely, Once Upon a Tea Time blog. 

image : heather spriggs thompson for gathering spriggs

 

Guest Post: Favorite Wall Art

 

 

Hello lovely Gathering Spriggs readers! My name is Rachel and I blog over at Lovely Clusters. I am a huge fan of Heather's beautiful blog and I am constantly inspired by her amazing finds. I am especially fond of her artists features and her knack for finding vintage treasures. Such a treat to be here!

For my guest post today I decided to share some of my favorite wall art from very talented artists featured on my site Lovely Clusters.  I chose pieces that felt fitting to the romantic style of Gathering Spriggs. I hope that you will enjoy checking these artists out. Thank you so much for having me!

Row 1: postroad vintage, lovely sweetwilliam 

Row 2: stephanie ryan art lovely sweetwilliam

Row 3: Rocky Top Studio, leaves and feathers

 

Guest Post: Pink!

 

Hi, this is Lana from lanalou style and it's great to be here in Heather's world for a day!  I thought I'd share a few pretty, pink inspired images with you, I find pink always lifts my spirits and makes me feel young at heart. What do you think? Are you also a fan? And don't you just adore those 'LOVE' pillows? I've been eyeing them for sometime now! Thanks for having me here, Heather!

Image credits: 1) Anna Williams,  2, 3 & 4) Selina Lake, 5 & 6) Polly Wreford