the musings of the cottage gardener

Posies, Picture Frames and Plastic Eggs

 “Spring shows what God can do with a drab and dirty world.”
~Virgil Kraft

Ah...it's springtime and almost Easter.  I love this time of year - so full of possibilities with every day looking a bit greener and fresher than the one before.  After two months of dormancy, I'm a bit crazy with all the fresh air and jobs to do!!

Anyway.  It took awhile, but I finished the project I began last time I posted.  (Yea! That's one down.) And I wanted to show you the final result. 

Of course you've been faithfully following my blog, so you recognize this mantle from seasons past - always a joy to redo.  This Easter, my client requested I make it over for an event she is hosting in this space (stay posted for blog photos to follow).

My challenge with this project was scale    - that fireplace is HUGE!  I also wanted to add the colors of spring but have it 'go' with the earthiness of a barn.  As you saw in my last post, I worked on the idea of painting, distressing and moss-ing up some old picture frames.  I loved the finished project, but needed another frame to tie it all together.  So I had the idea of taking another picture frame, putting plywood in it and painting the plywood with chalkboard paint.  This would provide the focal point needed.  I threw some left over grapevine over the top of it, added a few springs of forsythia and surrounded it with the other frames.  And it works!




These adorable votive holders (courtesy of Pottery Barn), gorgeous pot with some colorful spring flowers, and a few eggs thrown around make a nice grouping.

















Another consideration in this fireplace, is the hearth.  I moved the heavier cast iron pot and fire irons to the left in hopes the sunlight streaming through the windows would help to soften their bulk.  On the right, I made this little egg tree.  (Now, I've got to confess, I've never been a big fan of plastic eggs hung in trees; in fact I usually make fun of them.  But these eggs were so beautiful and colorful, I had to eat crow a bit and give it a try; hopefully with a bit of flair.) I found this old milk container at a local antique market (LOVE it!), and used dogwood branches because of their great shape and tiny branches. Great color and unexpected sparkle.






The final piece was this cute little bunny nest.  I found a dusty old wreath, added a few new (clean) vines, moss and feathers to make a nest.  It is large enough to fill this space and hold it's own against the egg tree.

 So there you have it.  A few old picture frames, a couple posies and a smattering of plastic eggs.  Fun, inexpensive and unique.