Those Who Bring Sunshine...

"Those who bring sunshine
into the lives of others cannot
keep it from themselves."

~ James M. Barrie ~

I made these tags to price late summer & fall items
in my booth. It's nice to have a few different sizes...
Enjoy!

Here are the free graphics
& sources used in my artwork:

*Internet Archive*
Silver-leaved sunflower

*TuckDB*
Scalloped border

*Lilac & Lavender*
Fabric texture


Thanks for stopping by!

Pitcher & Simple Country Bouquet

I love enamelware pitchers. Add
a simple country bouquet, and you
have a real thing of beauty.

I'm patiently waiting for the perfect pitcher, so I can
have a bouquet like this on my kitchen table. Until then,
 milk glass vases and mason jars will do just fine.

Here are the free graphics
& sources used in my artwork:

*Antique Images*
Enamelware pitcher

*Flickr: perpetualplum*
Umbel illustration, 1917

*Shadowhouse Creations*
Softly aged sepia texture

*Lilac & Lavender*
Berry Seed Co. ephemera

Thanks for stopping by!

Queen Anne's Lace

"The great lesson is
that the sacred is in the ordinary,
that it is to be found in one's
daily life..."

~ Abraham Maslow ~

Printable sets of large and small tags, featuring
my favorite wildflower. Click here to read
a little more about the Berry Seed Company.

Printable Queen Anne's lace stationery (8.5 x 11").

I love Queen Anne's lace. At first glance, it looks simple... but
when you really look, you notice all the beautiful, intricate patterns.
I wonder how anyone could call it a weed. It's welcome in all my flower
beds, and makes itself at home right next to irises, daylilies, and roses.
I don't think I'll ever tire of seeing it bobbing in the breeze...
whether it's along a country road, or outside my kitchen window.

Here are the free graphics
& sources used in my artwork:

*Antique Images*
Queen Anne's lace

*Old Design Shop*
Aged paper texture

*Vintage Feedsacks*
Label ~ "lace" pattern

*TuckDB*
Scalloped border

*The Sum of All Crafts*
Delicate rectangular label

*Lilac & Lavender*
Berry Seed Co. ephemera
 

"The whole world is a series of miracles,
but we're so used to them
we call them ordinary things."

~ Hans Christian Anderson ~


Thank you for stopping by!

Filled With Possibility

"Aaah, summer - that long anticipated
stretch of lazy, lingering days, free of
responsibility and rife with possibility..."

~ Darell Hammond ~

"Time to rise and shine and get ready for school you two!" My son popped right out of bed, while my daughter needed a little more encouragement. Without opening her eyes, she groaned, "How many more days?" I said, "Oh, summer will be here soon enough." I then kissed her forehead, and lovingly whisked away the covers. They went through the routine of eating breakfast, getting dressed, brushing hair and teeth. My son was excited about going to the zoo, and produced a zoo-themed art project to praise. My daughter reminisced about her own 1st grade zoo trip and summed it up with, "You're pretty much gonna love it." We prayed together, then they ran to the end of our driveway to chat and wait. I poured a cup of coffee and heard the bus slow and stop. I waved and they waved back as I lost sight of them down the road.

Where just minutes before there was hustle and bustle, now there was only silence. I looked down and noticed the wisps of steam rolling off my coffee. I admired them while appreciating how the pretty blue and white mug warmed my hands. Glancing out front at the garden, I noticed more purple blooms than yesterday, as well as more green. Note to self: pick flowers and pull weeds... after finishing coffee.

This morning routine will only last for a few more days, then we'll be on to summer vacation. I'm relieved. Although I appreciate the quiet and regained sense of independence when they're in school, it'll be nice to have the kids back home in the nest. There's another kind of freedom and peace in that. Most days we'll have nowhere to be. When we stay home, we'll have a picnic lunch or go for a nature hike in the woods. We might take a bouquet of flowers to the neighbors and return with a bag of green beans or a carton of eggs. Other days, we'll go swimming with friends, go to a 4-H meeting, or a learning activity at the library.

Aaah, summer - that season when I am reminded of the younger years: younger kids, a younger me. It'll be good to slow down and savor these: the long, lazy days, childhood, and motherhood. All filled with possibility. 

Gifts of Spring

"The arms of May are flower filled
With blossoms April showers spilled.
Bright, rainbow-colored gifts of spring
Arrived at her awakening."

~ Nora M. Bozeman ~

Here are the free graphics
& sources used in my artwork:

*The Graphics Fairy*
French lace label
Vintage French roses
French chocolate advert
Back of an old photograph

*TuckDB*
Pink roses
Light pink phlox
Basket of daffodils

*The Old Design Shop*
French receipt
White & yellow daisies

*Vintage Holiday Crafts*
White cosmos

*Little Birdie Blessings*
Forget-me-nots

*Free Vintage Digital Stamps*
Polka dot scrapbook paper

*Digital Two for Tuesday*
Endpaper pattern

*Boston Public Library*
Chocolate trade card

The daffodils and crabapple trees are
blooming... it's good to see vivid greens
and bright blossoms again.
Love this time of year!

Thanks for stopping by!

A Song in Spring

O little buds all bourgeoning with Spring,
You hold my winter in forgetfulness;
Without my window, lilac branches swing,
Within my gate I hear a robin sing...
O little laughing blooms that lift and bless!

Printable sheet of 6 tags ~ spring blossoms and branches.

Printable sheet of lilac, lined 4"x5" note papers.

Printable sheet of 10 tags ~ spring blossoms and lace.

So blow the breezes in a soft caress,
Blowing my dreams upon a swallow's wing;
O little merry buds, in dappled dress,
You fill my heart with very wantonness...
O little buds all bourgeoning with Spring!

~ Jessie B. Rittenhouse ~



Here are the free graphics
& sources used in my artwork:

*Tuck DB*
Lilac postcard
Lilac bunch & ribbon
Forget-me-nots
Red hawthorn branch

*UFDC*
Starburst pattern endpaper

*Vintage Images*
Cherry or apple blossoms

*Old Design Shop*
Aged paper texture

Thank you for stopping by...
I appreciate your visit!

Those Who Wish to Sing

Those who wish to sing
always find a song.

~ Swedish Proverb ~

              How Birds Learn to Sing

                       How do birds first learn to sing?

                       From the whistling wind so fleet,

                       From the waving of the wheat,

                       From the rustling of the leaves,

                       From the raindrop on the eaves,

                       From the children's laughter sweet,

                       From the splash when brooklets meet.

                       Little birds begin their trill

                       As they gayly float at will

                       In the gladness of the sky,

                       When the clouds are white and high;

                       In the beauty of the day

                       Speeding on their sunny way,

                       Light of heart and fleet of wing...

                       That's how birds first learn to sing.

                   ~ Mary Mapes Dodge

Facebook cover photo

*New York Public Library*
Song thrush
Robin
Nightingale

The sheet music is from my
personal collection, circa 1940's.

Thank you for stopping by!

My Heart is Yours

Love in your heart
wasn't put there to stay.
Love isn't love
'til you give it away.

~ Oscar Hammerstein ~

 

This is a sweet c. 1910's postcard from my collection.

Here's a printable sheet of tags ~ enjoy!

Happy Valentine's day!
Thank you for stopping by!

Under the Winter Snow

"Every gardener knows
that under the cloak of winter
lies a miracle... a seed waiting
to sprout, a bulb opening
to the light, a bud straining
to unfurl. And the anticipation
nurtures our dream."

~ Barbara Winkler ~

 

I've made 3 printable sheets of pastel rose tags. They're similar,
with subtle differences. I know you'll put them to good use ~ enjoy!

*The Anthenaeum*
Still Life of Roses by Emile Vernon, 1902

*Vintage Feedsacks*
Perfume label

*The Vintage Moth*
Hand-penned letter


Just remember in the winter
Far beneath the bitter snow
Lies the seed that with the sun's love
In the spring becomes the rose

   ~ Amanda McBroom ~


Thank you for stopping by!