Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Spring is in the air.....at least in my house!



Last day to be eligible to win the beautiful silver tray for my one year celebration! Click here to visit that post for details...winner to be chosen tomorrow!

OK yes after a ridiculous amount of snow this season we have finally been having some milder days! At last we are hitting the 50's...and it feels positively balmy out there! No complaints form me, when I see the temps creeping up and the sun blazing, I am a really happy girl. However I am not so naive as to think its over...we have been known to get one last blast of winter when our guard is down, so I am not discounting even more snow or frigid temps.

 However just because I can't control what goes on outside doesn't mean I can't let things feel "spring-y" indoors and that is exactly what I am doing! I went to my favorite nursery and filled my cart to the brim with the prettiest array of spring flowers that I could find and came home and had fun filling all my containers with them. Then I got really ambitious and took on a little do it yourself project and from afar they look pretty darn good....blue and white Easter eggs! So here's what I have been up to.....

It all started with this  innocent darling basket of spring beauty that a friend who stopped over dropped off....



 And soon my "spring flower bug" bit and off to the nursery I went.......


And then I got busy choosing various containers for all the flowers......








 Love the way the pale pink hydrangeas look in the blue and whites...so fresh!


 Added these beautiful double ball topiaires to my black tole planters

And these pretty white azalea topiaries in my blue and whites


Isn't this planter a beauty? Brand new style soon to be listed in my shop...just got it in!

 More topiaries looking for a place other than my breakfast room table..I SOOO NEED a  greenhouse!

These are tall about 3 feet so need a special place.........

Gardenias  require a  lot of sun so hoping their new spot will get them blooming again!

 Beautiful pink hydrangeas fill my oversized blue and white bowl
 Love this pair near my sink....they just make me happy


I did not forget about my powder room, here a pretty pink hydrangea plant graces my newest silver planter




And finally I am not exactly a "do it yourselfer" but every now and then I do enjoy trying to tackle a project here and there.....so I tried my hand at making blue and white Easter eggs, they came out very pretty, as long as you don't look too close!




 I cut napkins into mini triangles, got some mod podge with a paint brush and started pasting them on, a final coating all over the egg seals the deal, let them dry for about an hour and you are set!


And then when dry I put some in my small William Yeoward dish and some in my spring flower arrangemtnets...


And when added to my flower arrangements, they were the perfect touch of spring!








And I was experimenting for a small spring lunch I might be hosting....think this is a neat idea. I put waterwith some baby spinach leaves a few fresh flowers (or whatever you have in the house) in a square container and froze it, I ended up with a "frozen plate" on which to put my salad....isn't that a neat idea? I will use a round mold for this next time, as I think it will sit better on the plate. I think it would be beautiful for shrimp cocktail or some kind of seafood appetizer.....







So....has the spring bug bit you yet? I have to say though I actually like winter, this year I have had more than my fill! I really love the idea of flowers blooming, crave the smell of fresh cut green grass and cannot wait to fling open the windows while belting out a spring-y tune (OK for my kids sake, I will not do the last thing) but you get what I am saying.....I am ready for spring to arrive! Enjoy your day.........
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43 comments:

  1. Tina! I see the Easter bunny is now laying eggs in Chinoiserie! teeeheee

    I saw a big bunny in my garden last night, enjoying the PUDDLES! So spring is coming to town here in Minneapolis! HAVE FUN! Anita

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  2. Tina everything looks so pretty and it definitely looks like spring has sprung up in your home! I love all your arrangements and if you ever get bored being a blogger/decorator you could easily become a florist!

    Love the iced plated idea, so clever and your eggs are just beautiful. How long did it take to do them? I would love to attempt this, with my girls who love crafty projects. Always great ideas here!

    Everything looks just beautiful. Hope spring comes soon, here we have had nearly 70 degrees!

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  3. I'm in the Easter spirit now! LOVE pink hydrangeas. All of your arrangements are so gorgeous and love your creative easter eggs!!! xo

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  4. I love the eggs! I have to do this, Tina!
    Your flowers are gorgeous in their royal containers. I am certainly in te Easter spirit now.
    Happy Tuesday.
    Teresa
    xoxo

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  5. Tina, what I like so much about you is that - when you have an idea - you go at it with such passion. I love having flowering plants in the house, too, and currently have 2 blooming cymbidiums. And, do I spy a Limoges plate? When we lived in Tokyo, I took a class on how to make washi eggs. Here's how http://the-cute-storm.deviantart.com/art/How-to-make-washi-eggs-102939796.

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  6. What a beautiful post. This has me in the mood to do some spring planting of my own. I love your do it yourself projects and may attempt both myself.
    All the flowers are just picture perfect. Always fun to see what you are up to and yes I think you need a greenhouse!

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  7. You dear lady need an indoor potting room - a little sink a'la counter area to play with the indoor plants. Everything looks great in your beautiful containers.

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  8. Well, I'm in the mood now! Going to go out and get some plants today.I usually come home with one or two,but after seeing this I am going to load up the cart.Haven't seen Teddy in the picture lately.Hope he is well.

    Debbie

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  9. Grey and raining here and the perfect reason to go flower shopping! Thanks for the inspiration:)

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  10. I love all the flowers in your home. The little basket with flowers your friend brought over is adorable. It's been so rainy here with gray skies that I think stopping in at the florist today is a must. Some beautiful flowers is just the remedy to brighten the day up. Thanks for all the inspiration.

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  11. Love all of the easter eggs you made. So many beautiful flowers on your island, it looks like you need a potting room! Ready to start adding a touch of spring to our home as well. We seem to have the same snow storms dump on us here in Indiana before they make it to you. Maybe I should start shouting out a warning! Have a great day. -Tonya

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  12. Oh dear Tina!! I am so looking forward to Spring and seeing this post of you made my day!
    Here in Belgium we have a snow storm at this moment and it is soooo cold!!
    I can't wait to have Spring around!
    Snowy greetings!
    xx
    Greet

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  13. This made my morning *so* much brighter, thank you. (Especially since we once again have that white stuff coming down from the skies above, blech.) Love all of it, the tulips are particularly beautiful, so full of color and promise, one of my favorites. I like the eggs too, I have never actually seen a primer in how to do it yourself, it's not quite as hard as I expected!

    Sending you a smile,
    tp

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  14. Hi Tina. Wonderful post. I can imagine what your kitchen smelled like with all those flowers. I see we are all alike -I can spends hours creating and baking. Today we are having lots of rain, but I love it. Everything in moderation please. Oh, I must tell you, I had a friend over for coffee and she gave me an adorable, small chubby blue and white vase. My first! What has she done! Of course I thought of you. and so it begins......
    Valerie

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  15. Such lovely images. Hydrangeas are about my favorite, and along with all the blue and white paint a lovely flow. I am so eager for Spring and digging in the dirt. Last year it got warm early and the planting bug hit, and then for a couple of weeks in mid April, quite unusual, we had a spell of very cold weather and I spent a couple of weeks covering a huge amount of plants every evening and I vowed not to do that this year. And it is hard!

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  16. I'm in heaven here Tina! The flowers are so pretty and look all these gorgeous photographs! The pink/white hydrangea is so pretty against the blue (is there any color that isn't? Lol!) .. and look at how crafty you are! I love the eggs! Such a great idea and they look darling peeking out of the flower filled containers.

    Although we've had a few gorgeous days, we too aren't out of the woods and can .. and will get lots of rain and some freezing temps so I have to wait to start planting outdoors. In the meantime, I'm with you and I'll be filling up my indoor containers!

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  17. All of your spring fleurs are gorgeous, and you are adorable! What a perfectly delightful post! Marilyn

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  18. SPRING is beautiful in your home! Love your idea with the napkins and eggs....So Easter lovely!

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  19. I had to smile when I saw your 'frozen plate' because I do something similar...stepped up a notch. I place herbs, carrot and tomato skins (curled) inside a Savarin ring mold filled with water, then freeze. The frozen unmolded ring gets placed on a flat, cloth covered board (charger) which absorbs the wet, and then a small battery light is placed inside the center of the ring and a shallow soup bowl is placed on top (to not touch light). I like to serve chilled Gazpacho this way. Of course the maximum effect is in low-light evening dining where the light can sparkle through the ice. I got this idea many years ago from a restaurant in Malaysia and was determined to replicate it. It's hard to orchestrate individual molds for multiple guests, so just one placed on a sideboard, buffet style, is more manageable. Love your drive Tina!

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  20. Thanks for the great photos. I am always trying to find options for cheap home decor online. Do you have any other suggestions? Thanks.

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  21. Tina hello! your idea is genius, the frozen flower and greens are beautiful and I would adore to see shrimp cocktail on it (:
    Your hourse is beautiful, but you know that and the flowers make it happier for sure, love your powder room ...
    Enjoy your own spring, hugs Z

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  22. Tina....everything looks gorgeous! Love the flowers around your home and the eggs...what a great idea!

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  23. It's wonderful what flowers can do to perk up your home and your mood! Very pretty! Your eggs came out fabulous and I love the idea of freezing the vegetables and flowers for salad plates...I have to try that! Thanks for all the great ideas!


    XO,
    Jane

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  24. Tina,
    The flowers are all so pretty and you definitely know how to arrange . I am looking forward also to see what you have on your front door before I do mine !:) Thanks for the inspriration.

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  25. I Love the frozen plate idea! very easy yet creative!

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  26. With all of those gorgeous flowers, you now must host a party...it looks GORGEOUS!! Just love the idea of the frozen "plate". I have frozen ice cubes with pansies in them before to use in drinks, but have never seen this idea...lovely for a Spring luncheon!

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  27. Lovely to see you're in the Spring of things...lovely and I bet it smells fantastic too! Spring always tosses so twists and turns our way and this year I'm sure we'll be surprised again.

    Your egg project is really in the spirit of blue and white and looks perfect from here.

    Awaiting spring and my wellies are calling my name..soon enough it will be time to dig in!

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  28. What gorgeous flowers, Tina!! Even on a dreary day like today, your house must be bright and cheerful!

    xoxox

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  29. Tina love all the flower arrangements, it must feel so cheery in your beautiful home. I love how you added the eggs to make it feel like Easter and the blue and white eggs are quite amazing what a neat idea. And the frozen plate is genius. I am going to be a copy cat and give it a shot.
    Always fun to see what you are up to..and I definitely think you need and deserve that greenhouse or at least a little potting shed!

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  30. What a beautiful idea. Hubby is making some planters for me from some of our old wine barrels. I could save a couple for bulbs and, as you did so well, get some daffodils, etc. to enjoy in the house. Then when they've faded I can move them outdoors. Thanks.
    Terry

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  31. Your blog is beautiful and you have a lovely way with flowers! How do you protect the silver before putting a plant in it?????
    Love all your blue and white.
    Thanks,
    Janie Horn

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  32. I love how that small bouquet of flowers exploded to your island being covered in them! We must be cu from the same cloth. I was getting ready for friends to come over for dinner recently, and my (usually very sweet) husband quipped, "You don't have to make it look like we're having a wedding reception." You get the picture. heehee. All your beautiful spring flowers look great, as do your decoupage eggs. What a clever idea.

    Speaking of clever-- I'm keeping your ice plate idea in mind for some spring patios. I like your idea of shrimp cocktail on it.

    cheers,
    Keri

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  33. Love all of the spring flowers you brought into the home. You really have a beautiful way of arranging them all. May need to add some in my own home. I do have things starting to bloom in my yard, which is always nice to see and of course, so happy the days are lighter longer!

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  34. I am MORE Than ready for spring!!! Leaving this Thursday for the beach for my husbands 50th celebration even though we had an early one this past weekend. Nothing like warm weather, our beach home, long walks, long days, and no more fires in the fire place!! As cozy as they are! I'm ready for open windows and fresh air! Congrats on your one year Facebook page! One of these days I will learn to do a celebration of some sort! For now…just glad to be reading your wonderful posts!

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  35. Aww thanks for bringing us Spring ealry! I love all the flowers and the paper mache eggs are wonderful!
    xo
    Sharon

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  36. Tina, I love your little eggs in the planters! So cute and so elegant at the same time! Linda

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  37. Tina, you just amaze me with the things you do and your home is too gorgeous! I have to ask..do you really plant those flowers in those beautiful containers? The silver ones you have are just beautiful!
    Love your blog!
    BettyMarie

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  38. So fresh and spring-y! Loved the hydrangeas you picked - such pretty colors!

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  39. I wish I had a nursery near us like yours. I am desperately trying to find nice small pretty little plants for indoor pots and planters, but having trouble. Just would love a few neat little topiaries for the kitchen etc, but no luck. And the few I bought for outside are just so high maintenance. It's been so hot here, like 100 deg every day, so they turn up their toes very quickly. Your Easter eggs looked beautiful and perfect placed around your plants. So pretty. I envy your pot collection!

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  40. clever, crafty, and my fav is the pale pink in the powder room. verrrrrry inspiring, tina and makes me think i might want to transform a guest bath into a pale pink paradise...

    love to you on a blustery narsty day that makes we wanna say bad words and deliver a roundhouse kick to winter's throat.

    michele

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  41. This post seems like the most beautiful fresh flowers gallery . Spring is the season of growth. Enjoy different colors of it with beautiful fresh flowers .

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  42. Really i love your pretty tastes and your great blog

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Would love to hear what you have to say......happy thoughts only please!!