Monday, May 21, 2012

The Potting Shed...Open One More Weekend!

A friend of mine, Laurie, and her husband are sharing their passion for gardening, by opening a
darling little shop at their home that is only open weekends through May...this coming Memorial
weekend is the last weekend to experience this inspiring place named "The Potting Shed."
The surroundings of their home are breathtaking!  This is a MUST...you HAVE to stop by...
6741 Metcalf Avenue, Overland Park, Kansas - 10 to 5 - Friday and Saturday.
She sells beautiful, established flowers in unique containers.
She sells flowers individually as well, along with a wonderful, eclectic mix of
outdoor furniture and other unique pieces to enhance your outdoor and/or porch living...


This lovely, shabby sectioned box is a perfect example of the creative flower boxes
that she sells for you to showcase your beautiful blooms!

I LOVE this old pail used as a flower pot!

It is evident that Laurie and her husband love to create beautiful spaces in their yard,
as you will witness as you pull into this amazing little sanctuary!

The side porch of "The Potting Shed"is full of fun things for you to purchase! 
The shop inside has fantastic little pieces i.e. garden furniture, little potting tables,
flower boxes,  and other lovelies that you will want for your own. 



This is a view of the backyard from the door of the shop...the park-like setting
is breathtaking...see the rest of the photos below that will give you a taste!
One word describes this amazing place...
I N C R E D I B L E!!





The porch is where I'd want to be...ALL the time...
Laurie's very talented husband built the screened-in porch on top of the already existing large deck.

LOVE this unique light fixture!
Laurie's decor is simple, but very rich in character...using pieces that she LOVES...


I am going to have to paint my bushel basket...LOVE the color!

If you live in the area, you SHOULD NOT miss this incredible place!!!


Saturday, May 5, 2012

Needl Love Photo Shoot at My House

I had the honor of having Renee Nanneman of Needl Love bring her
creative team to my home this past week to do a photo shoot of her next quilt book!  
All of these projects are created using Renee's own line of gorgeous fabrics.
Doing a photo is alot of fun...and alot of hard work...constantly
reworking the scene...making sure of the perfect shot!
They reviewed the photos as they were taken on their laptop making sure
that the composition, lighting, and overall look of the photo is perfect! 


Sometimes the lighting was very tricky...they would hold up
foam core panels to reflect the light just right. 



My favorite shot...I have always wanted to put my own iron bed with a beautiful quilt
on it with flowing sheer curtains and a chandelier overhead under my pergola!  How romantic!  
The creative Needl Love team...Amy, Renee and Lesa...
Finding the perfect button {or two} for embellishment of an up close shot.

Time for lunch!!  Need to keep the strength up!




Renee preparing the next shot...
Amy modeled the flea market bag that Lesa designed...
another lovely, and very innovative, pattern that you can make yourself!
LOVE the details....
Renee's new book will be published soon...and will be featured at the
Quilt Market that is being held in Kansas City this month.
I am sure that it will be a hit, as all of Renee's beautiful quilt books are!

Good luck Renee, and thanks for letting me be a part of your creative process!


Sunday, April 29, 2012

My Mom's Creative Touch...


My mom moved in with my husband and I late last summer.  Her living quarters in our home was my art studio at one time, some of you may remember, and has turn out to be the perfect little spot for her.  She has her own entrance through our front picket fenced courtyard, and has her own private access to the patio out back.  

My husband and I spend most of our time outdoors in our picket fenced courtyard - it's like our big "playpen"...we have filled it with flowers, shrubs, trees, yard art, patio furniture...things we love! However, we have never put a whole lot into the patio out back...


 We were thrilled when Mom asked us if we would mind if she put a few flower pots on the back patio...mind?  Heck no!  We gave her "full steam ahead."  Mom couldn't wait for spring to come so she could begin the transformation...  

She is so creative in every aspect of her life...and these photos taken of the patio show how she can really put "it" together...a "few" flower pots...I knew better... ;-)  











 Annabelle Grace, my 17 month old granddaughter, helped her G.G. (Great Grama) water her flowers...she LOVED pouring water out of the watering can!



 My mom spends alot of time out there with her collie, Finnegan...
and we tend to spend more time out there now as well...who wouldn't want to?