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Thursday, April 30, 2009

Which Chandelier Decal Would You Prefer?


Last week I posted about the vinyl decal I had won from Laura at Décor to Adore’s Friday Freebie giveaway. Well, artist, Paul David Wilson of Wilson Graphics is graciously allowing me to have a giveaway of a Chandalier Wall Decal. What’s more, you have a choice of the wall graphic in black or in white.



Paul Wilson started making wall graphics in 2006 part-time. During the day he worked as a publication designer and in the evenings and weekends he created designs for home decor and advertising. In 2007, after receiving a promotion at his job he made the decision to take the plunge and go full-time with his business.
"While the stability of a paycheck was nice, the satisfaction from my job just wasn't there. When I was promoted I was no longer doing day to day design work but was overseeing designers, budgets and sitting through meetings that were endless. I lasted nine months and decided I had to get back to full time design."
Since going full time Paul has increased the number of designs he offers in his Etsy shop (www.wilsongraphics.etsy.com) to over 170 and has a couple hundred rough ideas in the works. His work has been featured in Romantic Country and mentioned in Mary Jane's Farm.
"If I had one bit of advice to offer to creative, crafty people it's do something with your talent, find a way to make a living with it and it will be more than just a job and you'll have both an income and the satisfaction of doing what you love."

The decals are easily applied and many can be repositioned. Several are also available in a wide variety of colors. Here are some examples.

The Poppy Fields design will work well just above baseboards and trim:

The silhouetted Virtue Series is quite charming as they urge kindness and other good manners.

You may also choose from Vintage Odd Canvas Prints such as “Elizabeth Was Such a Wall Flower”


The "I Can Fly Woman" expresses the freedom to be ourselves with exhuberance.



Nature themes – butterflies, birds, insects and other images such as sea shells
*By the Sea Shore set of Shell and Starfish decal

The Porthole series is very realistic and comes in several views.

The "Cherry Blossom and Dove" decal provides a since of lovliness.







The "Plane Pulling Name Banner" will be customized with Your Child's Name

These four decals (3 Clouds and 1 Hot Air Balloon) will cover about 27” wide x 21.5” tall






Here are links to:
Paul’s Etsy Shop

Wilson Graphics business site

Paul’s online magazine, Small Town Living



Please visit Wilson Graphics Etsy site and take a look at the selections. Then return here and leave ONE comment telling me which is your favorite decal image.

One randomly chosen winner will be announced on from all the COMMENTS TO THIS POST received by 12 noon on Friday May 8. I will contact the winner for a shipping address and Wilson Graphics will send it directly to the winner.

ABCs of the Word - L

Pam at Grey Like Snuffie hosts ABC’s of the Word to focus on a scripture in which the week’s letter is highlighted.

This week’s theme letter is L


Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God
with all your heart and with all your soul
and with all your mind.'
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it:
'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
All the Law and the Prophets hang
on these two commandments."

Matthew 22:37-40 NIV

This implies that as members of Christ’s kingdom of heaven, we His followers, live by the principle of the kingdom which is Love.

For more ABC’s of the Word visit Pam at Grey Like Snuffie.

clipart - DoverPublications.com

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

What’s On Your Walls Wednesdays – Eclectic Wall Grouping


This post is for a delightful weekly blog event called What’s On Your Walls. Barb hosts it at Grits and Glamour.

In the hall to the bedrooms and study, just across from the door to the guest bathroom, is an eclectic medley of framed items including a mirror, watercolor, two Asian prints and a wooden pineapple plaque.




The mirror has a stylized floral border in an Art Nouveau style. (Please overlook the dust!)

The blue and white souvenir plates on the guest bathroom walls are barely visible in the mirror.



Here is a vintage Japanese print framed in a bamboo frame. I bought this at a junk shop that is now closed. I enjoy looking at the placid landscape, with the mountains, trees and lake with tiny boat.

Hanging above this is a second Asian print. It shows a pair of Chinese panda bears enjoying a bamboo patch.

I found the print at a junk shop and then had it matted and framed. The print came with the inner gilt mat.

The round wood plaque is the seal of the Republic of Honduras, in Central America. My aunt brought it back in about 2003 when she and my brother’s daughter went to visit relatives. Our family moved to NYC from Honduras in 1959, so this souvenir means a lot to me.


Another round item in the wall grouping is this watercolor of a lotus flower painted by one of my sisters. She placed her painting in an old wood frame with gilt edging.


This is a vintage print of George Washington’s home in what seems to be the original frame:


The print is titled "The Piazza at Mount Vernon, VA" and was copyright in 1930/// by the Mt. Vernon Ladies Association. The artist is Elizabeth O’Neill Verner.


I enjoy the perspective of this drawing of the piazza.

The next item is from Marshall’s. It was made in South Africa and shows a lady made of real butterflies. I posted about it for a Show and Tell in 2008.


Finally, the wall group includes a carved wood pineapple-shaped plaque.


The carving is very realistic.


Thanks for looking at this display of some of my wall art. Do some again and please leave a comment.

See more wall display ideas and treasures at Barb’s blog.

Word-Filled Wednesday - Acts 17:26



Clip art www.graphpaper.com


From one man he made every nation of men,
that they should inhabit the whole earth;
and he determined the times set for them
and the exact places where they should live.
Acts 17:26




For more Word-Filled Wednesday please visit Amydeanne.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

A Blog Party About Blogging


On Friday May 1st Joy at Cupid’s Charm will sponsor a Blog Party about Blogging, called Beautiful Blogging. This will be "a party where everyone can share their insights, inspirations and reasons for blogging."

Joy asks that anyone wanting to participate should confirm by leaving a comment at this post to let her know to add your name to her list. The deadline is Wednesday, April 29. Your post should be published by Friday May 1 and have the subject "Why I Love Blogging."

Friday, April 24, 2009

Friday Show and Tell – Pineapple Motif

Show and Tell
Show and Tell Friday is hosted by the very talented Kelli at There is No Place Like Home

In my second post for this blog, on September 25, 2007, I wrote about my use of pineapple motif items in my home. The pineapple is a symbol of hospitality. Years ago in New England a pineapple was prominently posted outside the home when the ship’s captain returned from a voyage. Friends then knew that visitors were expected and welcome.

Then in November 2008 I wrote about a large watercolor painting I’d gotten for just fifty cents.

Today I’d just like to share three of my pineapple items. First is a 12-inch tall green ceramic container, hand made in Portugal by Deartis.


I’ve embellished it with a white bow, which contrasts with the sculpted green surface.


This finial was a gift from a friend and sits on top of a small cabinet in my study.


It looks like carved wood, but is some sort of resin. It stands 14 inches tall.


The last item is in the dining room. It is a large 23-inch tall ceramic piece which I found at Marshall’s several years ago.


The pineapple is set in a large urn and reminds me of a topiary.


I hope that each of these pieces enhance the décor and add to the sense of welcome here at Oak Rise Cottage.

Thanks for stopping by today. Your comment is welcome. Visit more Show and Tell at There is No Place Like Home.

Hopeful Friday - A Mindful Attitude


Cielo at The House in the Roses began Hopeful Friday to give blogger friends another opportunity to " celebrate God, to celebrate His mercy and unconditional love, but also a day to celebrate positive thoughts. We need hope to replace our restlessness, we need courage to replace our fear, and we need faith to replace our doubt."

Earlier this week I read the following advice from the apostle Paul sent to the Christians in Philipi. I was amazed at the excellent principles outlined in these verses, and thought I share it with you for Hopeful Friday.
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ,
if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit,
if any tenderness and compassion,
then make my joy complete by being like-minded,
having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit,
but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
Each of you should look not only to your own interests,
but also to the interests of others.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Philippians 2:1-5 NIV

I wish you a wonderful and rejuvenating weekend!

To see more of today’s "chain of positive thoughts and inspirational messages" please go here for Cielo’s list.



Tag by Cielo at House in the Roses

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Thrifty Thursday and Tablescape Thursday – Vintage & Thrifted Luncheon Setting

In this post I will be participating in both Thrifty Thursday and Tablescape Thursday.
Thrifty Thursday
Some recent bargain finds which I am incorporating in my thrifty tablescape are:
2 charger plates at 5 cents each = 10 cents for both.


4 contemporary bowls from Noritake Misty Isle Collection "Ireland" pattern at 25 cents each, = $1.00 total.


A 45 x 50 inch pale pink cotton tablecloth for 25 cents

[Bought at the same time was another deeper pink cotton tablecloth, size 50" wide x 69" long, 50 cents.]


Last year I bought this small cream ceramic cornucopia design vase in a thrift shop for just 50 cents. It has a decorative oval with pink flowers on each side.


Visit Leigh at Tales From Bloggeritaville for more Thrifty Thursday posts.



Tablescape Thursday
A simple luncheon for two uses the two chargers and two bowls. The bowls are set on clear textured glass plates in "Fleur" pattern by Arcoroc from France. They allow the floral pattern to show through. The green on the bowls picks up the green of the chargers.

The dessert plates are by Noritake, made in Japan.


Pale pink hem-stitched cotton luncheon napkins are simply folded over. Last fall I bought them in a set of 12 with a large matching pale pink tablecloth for $35 total at a consignment shop.

Pink Depression era pilsner glasses in a set of four were a birthday gift from my sister and brother-in-law.

The centerpiece incorporates two pink depression glass candle holders, and between them is the small ceramic cornucopia vase holding white flowers.

A pear-shaped salt and pepper set in light green adds more color.

The flatware is Mikasa "Estasi". They are stainless steel with a gilt stripe.

A light meal of soup and sandwiches will allow for leisurely conversation in a pleasant setting.
Be sure to visit our hostess Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for more Tablescape Thursday posts.

Edited to add:
I just learned about Thrift Store Thursday with hostess Holly at Homebody, so I’m linking up for that as well.