Cement Block Cottages...

In Ireland - most of the buildings are constructed of cement block.  Many are plastered over in varying textures and painted in an 

array of pretty colors.  But for today - let's take a peek at a sampling of Irish cottages in white.  Cement block never looked so good...

 A sweet tea room...

 Our first dining experience - the Taste Cafe...

here and there...

a great looking village restaurant...

And a parting shot of the Ballindrum Farm Bed and Breakfast.  

We liked the hospitality and service of this place so much 

we stayed two nights.   Thank you Vincent and Mary!

 Linking to White Wednesday and

All Things Inspired

Today's Etsy Listing
1915 American Indian Story Booklet 

 

Old Picture Frames...

Cheap but chic - that's my goal.  At our summer cottage - we have original unpainted wood walls.  My Love wants to keep them this way - so I try to work with it.  In an attempt to lighten this wall space - I painted a plain picture frame and added some lace 

and a $3 berry wreath... 

The wall planter and cherub plaques ($14.99) are inventory until they sell...

 I'm late - but I'm linking up with Funky Junk's Saturday Night Special.

The Cross...

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.  

I Corinthians 1:18

In a remote Ireland cemetery.

Wheelbarrows...

Loved this sighting in front of one of the village stores in Ireland.  What a great way to display and sell vegetable plants...

(Sorry my posts are all about Ireland right now.  Just started a new job since we are home and I am running to catch up.)

Pink Transferware...

In Ireland, we stopped at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park.  We loved the little village there.  Inside the pink 'wealthy businessman's home' - look what we found on the dining room table...

 Here are some other views of this adorable thatched pink cottage...

Great architectural elements...

And since I'm a lover of linens - look at the lovely crocheted bedspread

and ladies fashionable clothing...

Joining Vintage Inspiration Friday and

Pink Saturday.

Today's Etsy Listing:

15 Vintage Black & White Formal Girl Photos

Great for cards and projects

Treasure Hunting...

We're home - from a 10 day trip to Ireland.   One of our favorite adventures was stumbling upon this woolen mills.  We followed 

a road sign and sure enough - there was a real wool mill 

with a little outlet store at the end of a country road. 

All the employees had gone home for the day (it was after 5:00) 

but the owner hadn't closed up yet and let us poke around.   

Nothing was 'staged' here - this was the real deal.

Of course we did a bit of treasure hunting in the little shop 

and came home with some wool scarves.  What an honor to experience the heart of Ireland in this fashion.
Thank you Kerry Woollen Mills.

Joining Treasure Hunt Thursday at Blue Creek Home.

Today's Etsy Listing 

60's Animal Flash Cards (47 of them!) 

$10.99

Great information and graphics

for you paper and card lovers.

On Holiday...

Surprise!  I am in Ireland right now (at least I hope so.)  

We've been gone since May 15th.  Did you  miss me?  

(I had pre schduled posts to keep you inspired.)  My Love and I 

are celebrating 25 years of marriage via a road trip in this fair country.  We hope to return home to the USA tomorrow...

Source

A photo of us last year...

Friends...

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return 

for their work:  If one falls down, his friend can help him up. 

But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!"

Ecclesiastes 4:9,10

Red and White Treasury...

A sweet gal in Etsy land created a Red and White, Vintage Stripe treasury.  She featured my Hotel Newton tablecloth.  Love this treasury by one30oneDesign.  Click the link to check out her shop.

 It just says 'summer' doesn't it?

Photo Prop Inspiration...

Since I sell on Etsy and Ebay - I'm always looking to produce interesting photos of my wares.  I need photo taking ideas that are simple and don't take too long to put together.  These photos,

mostly from Etsy sellers, offer great inspiration.  Take note 

of the backgrounds and props.  In this first photo - 

a green chair makes a nice table and adds a pop of color 

to the otherwise neutral elements.  

Item being sold is the little set of drawers...

Source

Love this display of books, etc., used to highlight the lamp.  Everybody has some books!  Great background on this one too.  (Technically, this one is not selling something - but it could be!)

Source

This muffin tin would not be nearly as exciting if it were empty...

Source

Sometimes - the props can be just about anything to add a little interest.  Who would have put rolled up sheet music and a 

folding ruler together?  This seller did!

Source

The graphics and coloring of the book make a great 

background for this ring...

Source

You can't go wrong with painted brick walls.  Lovely use of items to sell the wooden oval clock case...

Source

Hope you enjoyed the photo taking inspiration as much as I did.  I might do this again!

More Victorian Home Goodness...

Today - a few more shots of my friend's lovely Victorian home.  First up, her entry way...

Beside her entry - her Victorian living room or parlor...

 

 

Of course, this old house has a formal dining room.  Love her simple Easter centerpiece (telling you how long ago I took these photos.)

And her sideboard in the same room...  See those tall marble lamps?  She bought them from my antique booth.  I don't often get to see where my wares end up - so this was fun!

There is a small pantry and laundry type room with a sink station.  Perfect for all those odd jobs you'd rather not do in the kitchen...

And finally, I'm sharing this wonderful floor vignette that I loved...

Thanks again Cathy for your warm hospitality and all your creative inspiration of  incorporating thrift finds into a gorgeous home!

(To see more - visit yesterday's post.)