changes are afoot

there are few things that get me as jazzed about being a shopkeeper as doing a BIG switch-a-roo at the shop.  we have new things rolling into the shop, so my creative juices have been flowing.   it takes  a while to build-up to making such a big change, but once i decide the major pivot points—so to speak—we start the shuffling.  we move the small pieces off of the display furniture, reposition the furniture and start putting it all together again. 

we work the new merchandise into the displays and show new ways to use and display the items we have had for a while.  what better way to show folks that we offer home décor that they will use year ‘round?  i mean, when you decorate for the various seasons you choose to celebrate, you don’t move all of your existing furniture and accessories out of the house—you make additions (along with a few subtractions).

I hope, if you live nearby, you will come in for a “look-see” yourself, but here are a few pictures to show you a few of our changes.

 

I will be posting some detail shots of the inventory and displays later this week, but as I said—I hope you plan to come for a visit soon.

thanks for your indulgence,

Winter Vignettes or “How I beat the post-Christmas decorating blues.”

It is a well-documented fact that many of us dread the post-Christmas “blah” that is our home décor.  For many folks, it is the dread of the process of preparing our Christmas decorations for another 11 months of storage—that is part of my issue.  The larger dread, however, is due to the seemingly stark appearance of my house once I’ve stowed all of the greenery, lights and ornaments.

I guess that’s why my post-holiday decorations have begun multiplying and taking on a life force of their own.  I have started using many of the items I would normally display or store in our china hutch and making them a focal point.

I have also started collecting pictures with winter scenes—anything with snow will do.  This includes my every growing collection of vintage photos of children dressed in their snowsuits or finest winter coats.  (Credit for this idea goes solely to Auntie Bliss!)

My winter Santos fairy takes center stage on our living room mantel.

This year I’ve added a frosty bird’s nest or two, some pinecone candles and faux bare braches with hints of frost, as well.  as I’ve mentioned before, my velvet pumpkins are always on display, as evidenced here on the mantel . . .

. . . and here on a side table . . .

I am not a big fan of using hearts in my decorating.  {I blame this on the fact that I had started setting-up our first household  when country-style decorating was at the height of popularity, thus explaining my aversion to ducks and geese, as well.} I will, however, make the exception for vintage hearts and any hearts embellished with real glass glitter!

As I mentioned in my post yesterday, I am making a concerted effort to carve out a little time in my schedule to nurture my creativity.  I’m finally acknowledging creativity takes many forms (more on that later), but the form I am referring to at the moment is that which requires the use of scissors, glue, ephemera and other bits and bots; thus, the decorative bottles seen in this vignette.

I used these great bottles, which formerly contained a very nice bourbon, and decorated them with pages of a very old music book, vintage Valentines and ribbon.  My dining room table has been a wreck for two weeks as I disassembled Christmas, sorted through end-of-year papers and periodically applied Mod Podge  and tied ribbon to these bottles.

For my final winter offering, I will leave you with this . . .

I hope you are enjoying your winter décor as much as I am enjoying mine.  I’d love to hear about the ways you beat the doldrums, so please share.

Again and always, I thank you for your indulgence.

a merry “little” Christmas

it is December 3rd and I’ve yet to post a picture about the Christmas décor you will find at Hodgepodge, so here goes . . . a little Hodgepodge Christmas, before it’s all gone!

We have a variety of decorative accessories to help you create a traditional table setting or a vignette for your sofa table.  The vintage style “Merry Christmas” sign looks great on the table top, but will hang nicely on the wall, as well.  (We also have a super-sized sign for your lawn or house.)

Here is our Christmas blessing Santos; she holds a glittered silver egg.  This table combines soft greens with mercury glass, glitter silver bell garland and a few rustic touches, as well.

 

The snowy scene on our black and white transferware plates will carry your table settings through the winter.  The simple wreath is a perennial favorite of ours—perfect for a place setting or as a decorative accent on the back of your dining chairs.

 

I’ve said it before, put “it” under a cloche and elevate “it” to place of special interest—doesn’t matter what “it” is! 

These ceramic skates with a mercury glass finish are lovely on their own, but under glass they are truly special.

 

A touch of  sparkle with the glass glitter “Noel.”

These mercury glass canisters are perfect for year ‘round use, but especially appreciated during the holidays.  Incorporate them into a display of vintage ornaments and accents or put them to practical use storing pens and other desktop needs. 

It wouldn’t be Christmas at Hodgepodge without a suitable amount of  burlap!  These burlap trees, matching wreaths and distressed iron finials add a touch of rustic elegance to this display.

 

Here is a pair of winter white owls—perfect for perching in a bookcase.  I would put them on a stack of books and surround them with greenery.   

 

This year we have an nice selection of tree toppers.  Here’s my favorite, a paper cone adorned with  a glitter bird on a nest and a “NOEL” banner. 

 

I plan to post some pictures of our trees in the coming days, but first I need to google tips for photographing Christmas trees.  (Tips provided here are more than welcome, as well!)

Thanks for your indulgence!

An Attempt to Embrace Spring

This time of year always finds me struggling with the love of gardening—the desire to enjoy some quality patio time with family and friends—and the knowledge that the heat of summer will be on the heals of this short-lived season.

So, I decided to make an effort today.  I took my camera into the garden and took a close look at the “positives” of the season.

I was also attempting to take better photos with my SLR camera.  While I was pleased with the results, they don’t seem to be transferring to this software.  Anyhoo, I will learn how to take better pictures, but in the meantime I hope you enjoy my yard!

 

The garden on the right as you approach our patio area.

We’ve discovered a few plants that really like Clarksville, TN—Lamb’s Ear is one.

The Salvia is a great contrast to the Coreopsis in the background—then backed be the Hosta.

(Umm . . . can’t remember, but it’s beautiful isn’t it?)

Looking forward to the blossoms on this hydrangea!

New Calla Lily with begonias.

Lavender plant from last year—was even able to over winter this one right here in these pots!  The only plus about our too mild, too short winter.

 

The herb garden is already filling-out—the sage is lovely.

Horseradish—I will do a better job of harvesting it this year.  The angel my dad gave me is extra special.

Can I grow some oregano or what?

My Lemon Thyme is huge this year!

More of that Lamb’s Ear and Bearded Irises.

This bush will soon be covered in blooms like this . . .

Irises in front of a chair with the perfect patina.

Solomon’s Seal—the flowers are fading, but they are still lovely.

Not the prettiest garden, but we’re working on it.  This has been our challenge . . . we intend to declare victory this year.

This is how we’re dealing with the erosion issue.  (Our neighbor wasn’t aware you could grow wine bottles until these appeared.)

The only portion of the garden to enjoy a little mulch.  A few more wine bottle ledges before we add more mulch.

Oak Leaf Hydrangeas are my favorite Hydrangeas.

So have I mentioned how well the Lamb’s Ear grows?  I look forward to the Wisteria climbing our new arbor.

The view over my left shoulder in from my favorite chair . . . the Adirondack chair my husband made for us more than 20 years ago.

Okay, perhaps Spring does have some redeeming qualities.