Would you like something soft and textural to walk upon, barefooted?

How about this lovely?
















I guess one could set out to make all of these sweet flowers.
OR you can hop over to Serena and Lily.

I will try to get some cuteness from my studio to show you soon.
News on Caitlin coming soon also.  Thank You for all of your well wishes.
It is another point in life that fine tunes one.

Hugs,
Mary

Two posts in one day!  Off and running.
I am ready to introduce a new collection. This is the first piece.   I was inspired by a vintage item
I saw years ago in one of my Shabby Chic Books, by Rachel Ashwell. And then of course,
my daughter Caitlin's beautiful Light Shades!





A peaceful time of the day.



The calm of the evening.





Stop over to my shop to see more.
It is good to be back!

XO, 

Mary

Wishing you a Blessed Easter ~

The sun is out today and above freezing!  Progress that is.
AND I spied a small flock of Red Robins!  They are early I believe,
Good news to me for Spring surly must be arriving ahead of schedule!
Oh Pretty please!

THE ROBIN is the one
That interrupts the morn
With hurried, few, express reports
When March is scarcely on.
The robin is the one
That overflows the noon
With her cherubic quantity,
An April but begun.
The robin is the one
That speechless from her nest
Submits that home and certainty
And sanctity are best. ~ Emily Dickinson ~

May the sun be shining down upon you today!

Hugs, Mary

Shop Update!

One  of my all time favorite songs has lyrics that go like this :

L ~ is for the way you look at me
O ~ is for the  only one I see
V ~ is very, very, extraordinary
E ~ is even more than anyone that you adore

Romance...  that gaze that leading men give their leading ladies in the movies (old movies)  ~ so very romantic.

I am a romantic but do not need the fuss so much.  Romance comes in so many different forms.
Time spent together noted by a special gift.

 Hearts and flowers   ~

Love is not complicated.  It is simple and pure when you get right down to it.

For simple expressions of Love stop by my shop, Oh Merci.
Merci!  :)

XO,

Mary

Big News

My year is starting off with some excitement.




So I need lots of Inspiring visions around me.
And remembering where I started at here in the Big Web ~




And remembering some  of the special people I have met



And The Parties tht Ensued ~




Friendships forged and sealed.






Now for my news!
I am so very excited to have been invited into The Everyday Is A Holiday Design Team for Jenny And Aaron!
I am Thrilled to get started!
You can click on the "Everyday Is A Holiday Design Team" Button on my left
side bar to hop over to their place at any time ~
OR click "HERE" Jenny and Aaron to start meeting the Team as we are introduced!
Thank YOU!

XO, Mary

... I had a moment to play around with sprays at the top of this wreath. 



It has not been often this fall that I have found time to re-charge like this.



Putzing around, fluffing the nest.... a favorite activity of mine ~ in need of restoring.





Here is a link to a new friend who has done such a lovely and sentimental job of getting
her nest feathered!   Do please stop in to say hello to her.

Merry Christmas!

xo,

Mary

Ok,  Ok... no quick chocolate treats that I promised you, yet.  However....

Look what I do have for you!

Life can be so very hectic, even traumatic today. I have started some pieces and stopped,

called away... All good. No worries, "Balance" can be restored.

If you need some Balance in your life perhaps you should visit Oh Merci.

Sweet Sugar Plum Dreams to you all!

Mary

Nativity

Hello!  Is everyone feeling nourished.  The joy of loved ones, laughter and
favorite family foods all combine to make a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend.
Caitlin shared with us the Target "Black Friday tips" video series with us.  Very Funny.

The Christmas spirit kicks into high gear for me Thanksgiving weekend.
So to keep busy at home ~ A Nativity was made! 


"Sweet Baby Jesus" is a nice name.  All of the pieces are hand painted in soft
vintage  shades and a tiered table is made  and fine silver glitter is added.
This is designed by me for You!  Do stop by my Etsy Shop, Oh Merci :) 
I am helping Caitlin again but I do want to get a few pretty necklaces made for you also!

Oh, visions of sugar plums danced in my head just now... thinking of the marshmallow brownie
short cut desert I  made for the chocolate lovers on Thanksgiving Day.
I will make some this week and take a photo and give you the steps to quick chocolate delight!
I hope you like my new design!

Hugs,

Mary

The Shop is Opened!

 

A season of calm and bright.  

That is my wish for us all, dear friends.

For now ~ wreaths, peaceful and joyous.... indeed, ready for a celebration.

Indeed! I did get carried away!



These petit vintage style wreaths have been a favorite of mine for several years now.


I just made mine with a wee loop to place a wire hanger 
within so to dangle from your tree.

A gallant deer, a brilliant candle and ~

Glistening pine cones.


Then, the petit cottages designed by myself for YOU!

******

******



*******


********

*******



It is a time to be so grateful for all of the love we have.
It is an "Oh Merci" Christmas!

***  Please stop by my shop!   ***

With Kindness,

Mary

Trudi Temple!

  
I heard about Trudi through my local nursery, The Growing Place, where I had the honor
to hear her speak of her life and love of gardening.  Trudi started her life and her lessons
in Germany during WWII.  To hear her speak of her journey is as if she is telling
it for the first time... she has such life and JOY within her.
Do you have Market Day at your school?
Trudi STARTED Market Day!
But read  in her book how it started!!!
    
I greatly encourage you to get her book*

and read about how her life was as a young girl  and how she came to America.


Above, in the second photo, is Trudi's front gate and yard...
She uses every inch of space for her beautiful gardens!
Whenever this gate is open ALL are invited in to enjoy her gardens.
Such kindness and hospitality.


Above is a note on the back carriage/garden house door. ~
It invites you to use her "powder room"!



See the water lilies!







My photos do not do justice.
Below is a small view of the BIG protected vegetable garden. (deer, bunnies...)


A view from her terrace~


a beautiful planter~




Oh, need a little cat nap?


Notice the lower structure of this "flower bed" also.



Here is a tip I learned from Trudi~
Save your garden and household vegetable waste and dig a hole, I dig 12"X12" holes.
Cover with dirt and place a garden marker on top like a stone...
this is so that you remember not to plant her for 6 months when the soil will be rich with nutrition for you plants.

If you get her book you will find out how big of a hole Trudi has dug and what
in the world she put in it!

I went to Amazon and found her book.
HOWEVER, for some STRANGE reason the two new books
are priced at $99.99!!!! Something must be incorrect with the listing.
It is a great book... for $29.95, NEW HARDCOVER.  

* Links

Trudi Temple

Book info:
Tittle:
Trudi Temple's Garden ~ The Story of Trudi Temple, Founder of Market Day
Authors:
Laurie Bohlke & Trudi Temple
Publisher:
Goblin Fern Press, Inc.
3809 Mineral Point Road
Madison, Wisconsin,  53705 U.S.A.

Hugs,

Mary