Remembering Easter

Growing up in an Italian household, nothing was ever wasted....my Mom loved to knit and crochet, when she finally sat down after a long day... in her later years, she used all of her scrap yarn, but mostly crochet cotton, to make pot holders....utilitarian necessities for every woman who cooked!

On special occasions and holidays, Mom would gift us with her beautiful crocheted treasures....mine were pastel coloured because of my love of flowers, and Micki, my sister would receive brightly coloured ones to suite her decor!

These are the lovely colours she used for me, and when pulled out of my dining bureau and grouped together they made a
perfect little Spring vignette...

Mom had great tension in her work, and it was executed with perfect stitches....
The small chocolate coated almond candies were Easter staples at our home, and Mom would fill all her candy dishes with them.....

Here you can see here lovely handwork...the soft sherbert colours were perfectly suited to my love of transferware and flowers..and the soft colour ways I prefer to decorate with...

I have a few of these sweet, vintage glass flower baskets which I pull out to decorate with at Eastertime.....they look lovely filled with flowers, and I have grouped white pansies together in them.

I have saved this beautiful vintage card for years, given to me by my sister, Micki....
Anything with personal meaning is employed to remember another time...

The small candy dish is a collectible, Staffordshire with a Crown insignia on the back...

This robin's egg blue Murano vanity mirror is one of my favourite pieces....
I usually pull it out of my bedroom for Easter....

You can see some tatting work, on a hot pad made with a vintage linen round....

I have had this paper mache bunny mask for years, and when the boys were young, they would parade around pretending THEY were the Easter bunny!!!

Nests do not play a large role in Italian Easter celebrations, usually spring lambs and eggs are more preferred symbols of this special and holy feast day....but I have come to treasure this nest....I discovered it at my Mom's grave last Spring, on Mother's Day, nestled in the flower container on her crypt....perfect, with two small robin's eggs...
I was so happy when I found it, I felt as if she was still watching over us, my sister and I...like any Mother would! I tucked it into my urn this past Christmas with greens, and here in my Spring decor...I will store it under a glass cloche for safe keeping...for future celebrations.

For me, Easter is like all my holiday celebrations, recalling memories from my past, and embracing customs and traditions, for my family to uphold and cherish.

It is good to be home, although I love to travel, home is best!

Wishing all my readers a Happy Spring!


N.xo

Repurposing vintage finds...

A quick post today, leaving for sunny Florida for ten days, so I shall be absent from blogging for a little while....
Since my obsession with china has taken over a few spaces in my home, I have resolved to being more creative with its uses....I think that is the secret to making vintage collections, fresh and new, by assigning them repurposed duties in the household...
In the past, I was especially drawn to the large, beautiful wash basins, which often accompanied the pitchers of the same designs...above you can see one in green transferware.

I have relegated it to the guest bath as a towel receptacle...I have also used it at Christmas for holding my eggnog, circled with a fresh green wreath at its base, with a silver ladle for dispensing the nog.  It makes a great centerpiece for the festive table.
It is one of my favourite pieces of transferware. I love the colour green!

Here a small pitcher, of the same wonderful green colour is holding several wash cloths...

This green depression glass biscuit jar is holding scented soaps, which I purchased in Florence at la Farmacia Santa Maria Novella, a fitting receptacle for such a special and luxurious soap.

I love the fresh green colour of this glass and it brings this bathroom a soft country feeling....

The depression glass and green transferware together bring a fresh sense of style to a collectible which could otherwise look a little staid and dated on their own.

Another depression glass collectible, a cake plate, which I have again employed to service in the guest bath....

Holding French hand soap and creams, it elevates these simple little luxuries to a different level....

Another repurposed collectible is the lowly silver chest, here painted and distressed and given a new interior with anaglypta paper...but any material may be used, a wonderful rose imprinted fabric or toile....

It has gone from this, to this....holding jewellery, and other personal feminine items...

Here you can see the interior of the chest, now recovered and repurposed into a new life.....

When looking for these silver chests, I try to purchase the ones with interesting drop handles, then, painted, antiqued and distressed they acquire a wonderful new patina....

And best of all today, our woods are yielding the first sign of Spring...the first of the wildflowers are peeking through the brown layer of fall leaves....
Wishing everyone a most happy weekend.....and Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

I will be back soon!

N.xo

Gentle Arts

Sometimes, in the midst of all the craziness, we all need some little degree of respite and regrouping.

For me it is working with my hands, either arranging flowers, gardening or needlework.

Words I aspire to.

This little project began as a gift to a very worthy recipient, someone who gives to others everyday, through her talent and generosity of heart despite, how very popular and well known she is.

This box is also know as a boite livre a l'ancienne in French, or a book box, for storing treasures, love letters, keepsakes and the like.

I added the old script, covered it over with some scrim and then layered on all the little details, a hand embroidered initial for her name, and some wonderful, old tea stained French ribbon to tie it closed.

I recycled some vintage curtain lining to add the embroidered initial to that was just the perfect shade of old!

The interior of the "boite" was imprinted with a favourite quote which suited the recipient perfectly.

Although I long to perfect some of the forgotten needle arts, I am content to try my hand at little snippets of sewing and crafting which nurture me when I need a little quiet time.

What do you do to restore your spirit?

Please bear with me, this is the post that does NOT seem to want to MOVE ON, in my followers blog rolls!!!!
I am playing around with my settings hoping this will change things, if I repost it with a new time!!!!  Thank you for your patience,  in the meantime, you can receive my new posts via email subscription...THANK YOU, N.xo

Wed when June roses bloom....

In just a few short months the wedding season will be in full bloom...May and June being favoured months to exchange vows.

Flowers are plentiful then and our picturesque wineries are preferred venues for romantic, outdoor celebrations.Surrounded by lush vineyards and orchards, Nature looks after many of the finishing touches!

Here are some of my favourite images for timeless and unforgettable weddings.

Many brides are waiting to marry much later in life than I did, many waiting till careers are set and financially they have more options...
So, to me a simple and exquisite, elegant gown such as this, would be a perfect choice.

Tradition, with elements of Downton Abbey.....
Sublime, don't you think?

A soft and ethereal wedding palette.

One of my favourite applications, the use of cloches in arrangements.This wedding appeared several years ago in Veranda magazine. I used this as inspiration for our wedding post, Shades of Fall. We used cloches to cover small glass pedestals elevating biscotti and chocolates, in combination with other florals.
The bride and her guests were very pleased with the outcome.
It was very different, as well as delicious!

More exqusite tablescapes to savour...the combination of the soft grey green and white and natural elements is a winning combination. An event in the country, but oozing class and sophistication.

Natural elements and luxe together.....

Signature Acorn Lane touches, natural inspired elements with refined
vintage objects....

Heart shaped confections as guest favours or a delicate dessert... my sister Micki makes these fabulous and delicious petite works of art for the discerning Acorn Lane bride.

My choice for mother of the bride (or groom), simple and elegant.
If only my boys would marry!  I am still hopeful....one day.

A bride in my hydrangea garden.....


someday a reality.....




If you are exchanging vows soon, feel free to email me for suggestions and I will be happy to arrange a consultation.Wedding flowers are my passion, and I strive to make each and every one commissioned to me a memorable and unforgettable experience.

N.xo


Images 1,2,3,4,5,12,13, from achived Victoria issues.
Images 6,7,8 and 10 from Veranda.
Images 9 and 11 Acorn Lane Vintage Living.