gathering spriggs

Blog of the Week: Citrus and Orange

When Susana contacted me via Etsy with an interest in some of my vintage items, I knew right away that she was a kindred spirit.  Then I clicked over on her beautiful blog and was instantly smitten!! Susana is an economist by day, mother of two lovely girls and has a passion for all things pretty. Citrus and Orange is where she shares the beauty in her life, decor, design and party tables.  

Her event design is so gorgeous... It is an honor to have one of my Gathering Vintage tablecloths and that Blue Coffee pot(shown above) as some of her props. They are like paints in the hands of a master. (She was featured on the Amy Atlas blog too!) 

Thanks Susana for brightening my day... with your sunshine and delightful styling! 

ps... check out my vintage shop stocked full with all of my latest finds destined for your table, creative projects, tea time or garden! 

all images: citrus and orange

Friends and Faves: Cozy Up

Friends, How was your weekend? Are you ready for this week of celebration? My to do list is not completed as I prepare for the travels ahead this week. So I decided to share with you some of my visual inspiration... my friends and faves on Etsy and blogland through the rest of the week.

Today, meet two pretty blogs and a special shop that have me wanting to cozy up to hearth and home!

ReRae   a lovely approach to a simpler life through resurrecting hand craft traditions. Rerae also has an Etsy store for a beautiful brush with the past. Sophie's Haus is a new to me blog written by a photographer (I love those!) with features on fashion, food and decor~ And check out her beautiful beyond words shop: ButikSophie.

Finally, a perfectly simple and endearing shop from Kathi who stops by often to bring me words of encouragement.  All Things White.  Thanks ladies for the beauty you bring into my life!

May you find peace today in the midst of the hustle and bustle. 

Blog of the Week: Irideeen

Thank goodness for lovely bloggers who bring beauty into my world. Today Iris of Irideeen stopped by and left a sweet comment in which she shares her secrets to surviving this time of year, that brightened my day. So I wanted share with you her beautiful world over at Irideen. (a Dutch word for Iris) I have been familiar with Iris' work over at the Gathering Spriggs flickr group, but just fell in love with her blog. So after a long over due period, I bring you the Blog of the Week, Irideeen !  (Dont worry because she translates into English for us too!) And for beautiful images of her home and Holiday decor click here!  Thanks Iris!

images: irideeen blog

Blog of the Week: Bianca Snow

Happy Friday friends! The weekend is so close I can almost taste it and am longing for the time to process and get caught up on reading blogs + your comments and taking time for goal setting,  soul tending and art making.  You see, its been a long work week (after having some time last week to just pursue Gathering Spriggs) and I've felt the friction between laboring for extra income vs. maintaining a creative life. About mid-week I ran out of steam, felt my creative energy evaporate, and as they dissipated I am left lacking with not much to offer (you). Thank you for your patience and for returning day after day as faithful readers. Your presence offers the hope I need to believe in the future, to hold onto my dreams of nurturing Gathering Spriggs  full time.

So I leave you with a beautiful and relatively new blog from artist/designer, Bianca Snow. Bianca left a lovely comment for me here this week and as I clicked on the link to her site I felt a kindred connection. Plus she pursued one of my dream jobs (one I used to dream about in high school). She studied Millinery in London for five years after leaving her native Australia. Now she is back home crafting a dream, and creating beauty on her blog and in her heavenly etsy shop. So, thank you Bianca. You lifted my spirit today, offered my heart beauty and inspired new dreams. 

++ Also, if you are looking for a fool proof way to help make your dreams a reality and let your finances help you instead of hinder you then stop by Brigitte's blog series called: "Warm Soft Money"

Happy Weekend!! Let me know how it goes and I will see you back here next week!

images: bianca snow

Feel Like a Princess

These images have me dreaming of living in a castle in a far away land. Im staring out my window here in my office today having a hard time focusing. My day dreams keep taking me elsewhere. What are you dreaming of today???

Also, I couldn't wait to share with you some fun finds I've unearthed for you today:

Blog of the Week: This Could Be Me Today

Dreamy Holiday Images to Inspire:  Free People's New Holiday Catalogue

Mellow Music to Top it Off: Zoe Keating, Rosie Thomas, KT Tunstell

 images: this could be me today and free people

Its the Little Things...

 



"Details create the big picture" (Sanford I. Weill) 

Long a lover of the simple, hidden, miniature and minute, I've been creating vignettes or pieces of a story from the beginning of making a decision to live a successful creative life. It's sometimes so easy to be sucked into the belief in a sort of "Instant Karma" or microwave success. But maybe just maybe its about plugging away day to day in the small things in life, which can lead to a bigger purpose (picture). Sometimes I fantasize about overnight success with visions of camera bulbs and interns at my side, but lately (and maybe this is coming with age) I am happy with where I am now. In the process. Sure, maybe, I have made some mistakes along the way or maybe haven't been wise with my finances, but you better believe I learned from them and chose new paths because of them. So, it has been a "live and learn" process. For example, I began this blog in March 2008, which starts to feel like ions ago in this land of Google Chrome and Tweet Decks. I was pretty clueless and as I am slow learner (well all around slow person), I think I will let myself say "I have come a long way". 

Maybe it was purchasing my very first iPhone this weekend and hearing myself tell the salesman that I need the 16GB for my "online business" ( ... it kinda took me by surprise because it felt so official) that led me to think about progress. Yeah, maybe I haven't been featured in a shelter magazine or had 100,000 site hits in a day, but looking back helps me look forward. Besides, it took Martha Stewart 7 years from the start of her catering business before she had a book deal! 

"It's the little details that are vital.

Little things make big things happen." (John Wooden)

 

The festivities have settled and a new month has dawned.

How do you see yourself today after looking back at where you have come?

What is one little thing you can do today to work toward your larger pursuits? 

images: FRYD + DESIGN, Lobster and Swan via Unicorn Dreams Magazine, Quietland, Kootut Murut, Yvestown

Blog of the Week: Two Little Dicky Birds

Have you ever run across a blog or article in a magazine where you think to yourself " Oh, I simply adore this person. Everything they touch is golden and they share in my aesthetic! I bet in real life we would be dear friends or even soul sisters! " That is exactly what I have been thinking about Abby Matthews of Two Little Dicky Birds this week. She probably thinks I am stalking her after I added her as a friend on Flickr, befriended her and "liked" her blog on Facebook, follow her pins on Pinterest and now writing about her beautiful world here! Honestly, I don't know too much about Abby except that she lives in Australia with her husband and two boys and spends time dabbling in photography and designing her home. Her personal style, flavor and knack for gorgeous collages of color themed personal items reminds me of Leslie of A Creative Mint. Simple, clean and saturated beauty!  You will enjoy Abby as much as I have. Just like a delectable dish, she keeps me coming back for more. (I'm licking my platter clean here with each new post).

Blogs of the Week

 

Happy Friday and Happy Weekend dear friends! What sorts of plans do you have this weekend?? Mine will be fun but busy. Catching up on housework, making samples for clients, preparing my home for a very special guest coming for Labor Day ( i will share more later.. but she is a dear friend met right through this very blog). Then after the chores my treat will be going to the flea market on Sunday. 

So if you need a little R & R for the soul and like to feast your eyes for a treat ...take a peek at these beautiful blogs: 

Darjeeling Dreams, is a foodie blog unlike others I've seen. Beautiful images and recipes with all sorts of sweet treats featured along with other photos from photographers and artists all geared to delight the senses. 

Curate and Love is just as divine... as each post is curated truly with love, care and a romantic sensibility. Imagine Rachel Ashwell meets Jane Austen created by Ivy of Grace and Ivy.

So, enjoy dears and give yourself a little hug for a week well done! Can't wait to meet you back here for more! Be blessed this weekend! 

images sourced from darjeeling dreams and curate and love

Photographers Who Blog

Happy Friday Dear Friends!!  Do you have any big plans this weekend?? Are you ready for a little inspiration and a few beautiful blogs to take with you into the weekend? Well, I have just the thing for you...blogs I have discovered via photographs on Flickr. ( my source for creative inspiration). I am constantly amazed how wonderfully talented so many women in the world today are especially when it comes to creating gorgeous photographs. (not an easy task). I realized early on that photography was not my calling so I will stick to paint brushes but deeply admire these talented women who create beauty with a lens.

Betty Jo's View

Post Road Vintage

{...a place for Twiggs}

Do you dabble in photography?? I would love to see your work. If you have a flickr account please join the Gathering Spriggs Group to share your through-the-lens inspirations.

Blogs of the Week... A Roundup

  

Love Stitching Red

Cooking with Chopin, Living with Elmo

 

 

I Love Country Chic

  

 

Miles of Style
  

 Dearests...  Thank you so much for your kindness this week. I have felt your love and hugs across the global digital miles. And I am honored to be a part of such a beautiful circle of friends. Thank you! Its moments like these and friendships like yours that make life worth living and keep me focused on the value of life. Tomorrow I will be attending the Memorial Service of our dear friend Debra who did lose her battle with cancer yesterday. May you rest in peace Debra. We will not forget your warm and gentle spirit. We will live our lives with new fervor in your memory.
In Debra's honor I have been painting more and pledge myself to not give into the lies that keep me from listening to my true heart. Life is too short to not do what we are called and gifted to do.
So I leave you today with a few blogs I have been exploring this week that inspire me to do just that... Live from the heart. Engage in beauty. Create and Explore with hope. Whether in cooking for my family, creating art, or just enjoying nature, I believe in the simple gestures that make this life worth living.
Love and Peace to you all this weekend!