Creativity Under Construction

The past few posts have showcased my porch transformations over the past years. I know I said I'd show my porch for the 4th..........
well, life happens so, this Summer's porch will be a constant work in progress.
You remember the new block quilt, That is still in use, but I've changes the table............

 As you see I have added a new table topper, a ceramic pitcher in the 'Cades Cove' pattern that was purchased as premiums in the early 90's at Meijer grocery stores. The painted colonial lady is really a vintage Aunt Jamima syrup dispenser that a neighbor hand-painted. The crochet-lined basket filled with apples is always on the table. I added some Country coffee table books and the little watering can was a windchime that had lost it's chimes.

The new topper is a section of is vintage table cloth in a native american pattern

Last year...late fall...Jim surprised me with a new table and set of chairs for  the front porch........................................

 It was $40!! 2 extra chairs we $5 each. Its brown with red, blue, and green stripes on the chairs and the table is copper tone with glass top. It fit perfect.

I topped it with my brown gingham table cloth gifted to me by my blogpal Cindy at Whimsical Musings. The coffee pot, creamer, and sugar are in the center. I added vintage ceramic gingham inspired accents...
                              A pie plate and covered bowl.

You may recognize the center red, white, and blue runner..........yes, it is a piece salvaged from this once useful plastic table cloth that finally shredded. And, the best thing is actually matches the quilt....

 
.

See the floral print in the quilt. I can't believe the table cloth matches being purchased a year before the quilt. 8)

 I also have the little aluminum table still covered by a vintage hand-embroidered cloth....there are rust stains on it from when I bought it so I knew it'd be fine for outside.....and topped it with my Pigeon Forge Pottery bears, my wicker and aluminum basket filled with a spider plant We're nursing back to health, a hand-painted bottle, and 2 books on flowers and wreaths.

This shot shows my small raised garden filled with Chameleon plant, ivy, mint, and cedar. The trellis did have my Butterfly Bush growing on, but the winter did it in. You can see I have placed another rusted new oil lamp over this table too.
The other pair is still next to the swing.





Sigh......That's what's new on this porch. I was also able to start fixing my Kitchen porch....................................

This is a little tease for my next post......doesn't it look 60-70's?

Red White & Blue Rednesday

It's Rednesday Wednesday here at Brown Gingham Creations

That means we're gonna have a RED White and Blue

Blog Fest for the 4th of July week!

Rednesday is a weekly blog party celebrating everything RED. Sunset reds to garnet reds....tomato reds to strawberry reds...and every shade in between. I especially love this time of year with the patriotic reds....geranium reds....barn red....sunburn red...wait, wait sorry just kidding I am just  soooo excited it's Summer. LOL.Posts can showcase vintage finds. collections, decor, fashion, designs or items you have for sale, seasonal items, recipes,etc. The connecting thread will be the color RED

Okay, before you take off stop by my party table

grab a seat.  Here's something cold to drink

You'll find the recipe Here or try this it's non-alcoholic

It's recipe is HERE

Don't forget your sandwich

Recipe HERE

And, come back for your piece if cake

Recipe HERE

Alrighty then all comfy? Let's go Blog Hoppin!

An InLinkz Link-up

As the Porch Changes

Thanks for coming by the porch for a visit. Today I'll show you a 're-do' for part two

A new porch quilt for the swing. Okay for $9.99 on sale at Wal-Mart I couldn't pass it up. As you can see I don't change things too much year to year. Indoor decor/outdoor decor I add to my collection. 

I found this little ceramic cruet for .50 at an antique mall. I could not believe it matched the quilt when I got it out of my cabinet

As I said before things don't change much just get rearranged and added to

Remember my porch wall?

With the Lincoln commemorative plate?

Well lookie what I found.......

A new oil lamp with a floral motif that matches the the flower pattern of the plate and the cup that went with the plate

The cup was again an antique mall find for $1..the oil lamp was a yard sale find for $5. We also got our vintage glider from the same yard sale for free, but that's another post.

I added a new tablecloth which is a vintage hand-embroidered multi-colored piece. 

We also added a few hanging oil lamps in a rusty finish we found up in Amish country

I also rearranged my redwood seating area table

My MIL gave me the ivy candelabra, which works perfectly.

 These plaster pansies add a little color to the porch posts and also reflect the floral motif on the opposite porch wall

I can always find plaster fruit from the 30's and 40's, but

flowers not so much.

So this is today's installment of 'As the Porch Changes'

What will be different tomorrow.....what new piece will be added next? And, what about the Kitchen Porch!?

Stay tuned.

Oh, and don't forget to go to my Blog Party Page HERE to see all the fun parties I link to.

Past Porch Decor

Hey, Thanks for comin by. Come on and sit a spell...I thought since it's 4th of July week I'd post my past Summer porch decor.  

This was my fav Summertime quilt...from Kohls and pillow...from the Lawrenceburg Antique Market........but alas the elements took their toll on the fabrics.

I always love this vignette  the Brownware plate on the wall is a broken souvenir from the Lincoln Memorial in Harrodburg, Ky

The flowers hide the crack very well.

I love the small blue Ball jars for candle light and calico is always my fav. especially for using as a quick table cover.

Now you all know how I love hand-wrought aluminum, so I couldn't not use it for outdoor room. The coffee set was purchased during the Longest Yard Sale many years ago. The bowl too.

I think the whole thing was $10 from different vendors! Oh, and the pottery bears of course are from Pigeon Forge Pottery.

Throughout this retrospective you notice not a lot changes just things are added. My Jim says I'm an 'organized Hoarder'.

But, he doesn't have much room to tease.....

This was the beginning of his outdoor man-cave til a storm came up and blew it apart. Mother Nature must have had an argument with Father Time and took it out on poor Jim. She tore his Mac tent up.

He's going to move it inside the garage.

Okay, stay tuned for more pics of porches past leading up to my newest Summer Porch. Don't forget Rednesday Wednesday here for my Patriotic Red white and blue party. And, stop by Embracing Cottage Style Blog for a week long party to Show Your True Colors.

A Red Hot Rednesday!

Rednesday is a weekly blog party celebrating everything RED. Sunset reds to garnet reds....tomato reds to strawberry reds...and every shade in between. I especially love this time of year with the patriotic reds....geranium reds....barn red....sunburn red...wait, wait sorry just kidding I am just  soooo excited it's Summer. LOL.Posts can showcase vintage finds. collections, decor, fashion, designs or items you have for sale, seasonal items, recipes,etc. The connecting thread will be the color RED

Here in Cincinnati it is a wonderful 75* at Midnight!

In the Northern Rockies of Montana...there is a snow storm goin on...phew...I will take the humidity..rain..and 90's later this afternoon 8)

Today I thought I'd share this delish recipe I found HERE

Dump Cake

Print

This recipe is adapted and can be found in ABWA's Key of Friendship cookbook (Salisbury, Missouri)

Author: Donna Cravens via My Kitchen Addictions

Recipe type: Dessert

Ingredients

• 1 can crushed pineapple, with juice
• 1 can cherry pie filling
• ¾ cup chopped nuts (I use pecans.)
• 1 box yellow cake mix (dry)
• 1 stick butter (I use salted.)

Instructions

1. Use a 9x12-inch pan, ungreased.
2. Spread in layers, crushed pineapple, cherry pie filling, chopped pecans (reserving (1/4 cup), dry cake mix, butter (cut-up in small pieces) and remaining pecans
3. Bake about 25 minutes at 350 degrees or until golden brown on top.
4. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

Don't forget to grab your piece before you head out to the other partiers! And, wouldn't it be fun to eat it in this kitchen! It's a 1940's Nairn Linolium ad. 

Okay....got your cake? Found your seat? Let's go....

An InLinkz Link-up

Welcome to Rednesday

Rednesday is a weekly blog party celebrating everything RED. Sunset reds to garnet reds....tomato reds to strawberry reds...and every shade in between. I especially love this time of year with the patriotic reds....geranium reds....barn red....sunburn red...wait, wait sorry just kidding I am just  soooo excited it's Summer. LOL.Posts can showcase vintage finds. collections, decor, fashion, designs or items you have for sale, seasonal items, recipes,etc. The connecting thread will be the color RED

Welcome BlogPals! 

I'm so happy you stopped today. Can't wait to see all your posts.

Remember to pick up you 'piece' of Strawberry Shortcake........

Here's the recipe.....

Hope you enjoy it...it's perfect for a June day. Now let's all sit back and enjoy this red letter day!

An InLinkz Link-up

I've had stitchy fingers

It is sooooo nice to have Summer here. while I'm typing right now it's very gray and rainy, but in the 70's...I am not gonna complain...it could be windy and stormy. 
I have been able to put thread to needle lately and here's what I've been working on...................................................

There was a Baby Shower recently and I created a little Momma apron using a vintage embroidery pattern and flour sack material. I'll embroider the baby's name on it and in the future more names can be added to make this a sweet family heirloom. A new baby bib and pacifier was included to complete the set. 'm also gonna add  the baby's name to the bib.

I found this vintage crocheted apron and a very faded vintage towel, which I embroidered and embellished with beads. the embroidered piece will make a pocket for the apron. I was thinking of adding another coordinating fabric to make it a bibbed apron, but it's still in the design state.

I also found a pretty leaf and flower hand-tatted piece and immediately  thought it would make a great apron, so, I found this perfect 

Hydrangea fabric..I love the color combo of pinks and browns.

This is a future project I can't wait to start.

This is my keeper apron. I was born in California so I collect things with this theme. It's a 1950-60 souvenir apron. I embroidered the California to make is pop. 

Naw, I didn't get this stitchy...hehe

This is my Wal-mart quilt for my porch swing. I love to sit out here at night with candles burning and night sounds. So relaxing.

Well, I gotta get goin. I'm goin out to trim some gardens..well help Jim do it.

Welcome BlogPals!

Rednesday is a weekly blog party celebrating everything RED. Sunset reds to garnet reds....

tomato reds to strawberry reds...and every shade in between. I especially love this time of year with the patriotic reds....geranium reds....barn red....sunburn red...wait, wait sorry just kidding I am just  soooo excited it's Summer. LOL.Posts can showcase vintage finds. collections, decor, fashion, designs or items you have for sale, seasonal items, recipes,etc. The connecting thread will be the color RED

An InLinkz Link-up