Welcome Wagon Friday 10/22/10

It's time to circle the wagons. This week I want to introduce you to these four ladies:

Miss Merry's House With The Picket Fence is a blogger in Ohio. She lives in a little gray dollhouse where she has lived for 33 years with her husband, who built her picket fence. She loves to set her table with pretty dishes and dream of fairy gardens with lovely flowers. (Me too!) She quilts, sews, cooks, crafts, reads and daydreams.

An Oasis In The Desert is Cas's blog in Yuma, Arizona. Her husband works for the Navy. And she's recently retired. She loves to play in her craft room all day if she wants to. Loves to decorate her home and make it pretty on a budget. Her newest interest is blogging. (Honey, you're hooked!) And she has a white cat named Abby.

High Street Cottage is Tami's blog. Her style is shabby vintage English country style. She says she can eat an entire pepperoni pizza by herself. Her little toes really do cry wee-wee-wee all the way home. She's frightened of eyelash curlers. (Me too!) She's not above boxed wine. And she's often heard to say: "I meant to do that."

Our Sears Kit Home is Carol's blog. She lives in Pennsylvania. Their home is a 1909 Sears Kit House. Sears sold the kits from the late 1880s through the early 1900s. Right out of the Sears catalog! They are only the third family to own this house. It's fun to watch all they do!

Do your thang, ladies! Head on over and give them a big welcome. This time of year a nice pecan or pumpkin pie might be in order. Sit down with them and everyone get to know one another properly.

Welcome Wagon Friday Anniversary!

Here we are, the last week of October. I posted my first Welcome Wagon Friday on October 30, 2009. So this is my anniversary edition.

I've met so many wonderful people scouting the internet. Clicking around with the dogs snoozing in my lap as I search for new bloggers getting their feet wet.

And I've made so many fantastic friends in the process.

Down to business now. I have four new bloggers for you to visit.

Modern Country Style is Sarah's blog. She lives in the United Kingdom. Her blog is all about renovating her Edwardian home. Naturally, she loves Modern Country style! She has a keen interest in pared-back interiors, infused with the warmth of country. Gentle grays, accents of red, and a hint of industrial.

Craftberry Bush is Lucy's blog. She lives in Ontario. As a little girl, she dreamt in colour, and still does. She says in the winter, she longs for colour, but finds calmness in the whites of snow. Springs welcoming tulips fills her with joy. Summers glow of the sun over the fields of ferns makes her want to dance. And in the fall, as the leaves dress in their royal reds and oranges to say farewell, she is inspired to create.

Foxglove Spires is by a childrens writer living in Australia. The release date for her debut book is January 2011. (Congratulations!) She and her daughter enjoy frolicking in nature, gardening, reading many books, and of course, writing.

Ten June is about a couple who does everything on a budget, and always has paint under their fingernails. Michelle is a lawyer by day. But her true passion lies in all things crafty and thrifty. David is an engineer. Together, they are renovating and redecorating their new-to-them 1952 ranch-style home in Georgia. They have two silly pups, Tucker and Maggie.

Okay, bloggers, put the tea kettle on or start the coffee maker. Get a sweet dessert and bring that steaming cup to the computer to commence visiting. Tell these ladies that we wholeheartedly welcome them to our little community. And spread the anniversary love.

Welcome Wagon Friday 11/12/10

The month of November is moving along at a rapid pace, it seems to me. Before we know it the holidays will be upon us.

This week I'm welcoming the following new bloggers:

French Farmhouse 425 is Rachel's blog. She lives in Seattle. She enjoys decorating her 1930s cottage. She has a passion for flea markets and interior design.

Modern Country Lady is by a blogger in Wiltshire, United Kingdom. She is trained as an artist. She loves all sorts of projects, including art, arts and crafts, gardening and photography. She redid a charming little footstool.

A Rosy Note is a blogger in Minnesota. She has decorated model homes and owned a little boutique. Her heart truly lies in things of a creative nature. She made some adorable ornaments for her daughter's bedroom.

Janie's True North is a blogger that has gardened organically since 1971. She raises chickens and loves all animals, especially horses.

Serendipity Cottage is Glenda's blog. She lives in Oklahoma. She loves garage sales and thrift stores. She likes to do crafts and repurpose old furniture. She is a breast cancer survivor of ten years. Yea, Glenda!

Beautiful Nest is a blog by two sisters. They thought it would be fun to have a shared blog. These are two very talented girls. They do some phenomenal things here. You won't want to miss it!

Please take time to welcome these new bloggers to our community. I'm sure there's a lot to learn from each of them. Which is what makes reading blogs so much fun!

Welcome Wagon Friday 11/5/10

I found some great blogs for you to visit this week. In fact there's five.

Rusty Rooster Vintage is Vicki's blog. She lives in Florida. She "crows" about her family and her town and all things vintage. Oh my, go look at her mason jar lid ornaments from Wednesday! This girl is chock full of wonderful ideas. On Tuesday, she did Pottery Barn copy cat ornaments. She lives in a little town where you can get a Barney's coffee on one corner. And you may have to wait for the chickens to cross on the next. Talented gal.

Cheri's Chatter is a blogger from a small rural town in Georgia. She's a retired teacher, mother and grandmother. She currently works part-time as a mentor to new teachers. Education and family are her passions. (And me thinks this gal loves cherries and red like I do!)

Craftily Ever After is Jessica's blog. Her family blog is Blah Blah Blogging. She's already very popular with her crafty ideas and free downloads. Here's one for Thanksgiving: "Keep Calm And Gobble On." (I love it!) This is one very clever girl.

Till Death Do Us Part is Kelly's blog. They live in Mississippi. She and her husband recently got married. They love the outdoors and all things Southern. She's learning the ropes as a new wife and homemaker. She loves to crochet, bake, craft, decorate, thrift and take care of her beloved cats.

Fin And Gabs is Andrea's blog. (Of Andrea Willis Design.) She is constantly drawing in her sketchbooks. So when an idea pops into her head for a new design, she's ready for it. Her inspiration is none other than the infamous Mary Engelbreit.

Whatever the weather in your little neck of the woods, get yourself dressed and ready to visit. Pumpkin bread sounds awfully nice if you want to pop in with a sweet treat tucked under your arm. I'm sure they'll be happy to offer you a nice hot drink to have with it. And you can commence to getting to know one another.

Welcome Wagon Friday 11/19/10

It's that time of week again. Right before the weekend when you can bookmark some new links to check out. This week I've found for you:

Cottage Hill is Lindy's blog. Her goal is to make every day life beautiful. She says: "I'm crafty, I'm quirky, I'm cheap. I love houses." (Well, we like all of these qualities, don't we? This gal managed to take a couple of vintage books and turn it into a planter. Gotta see her craftiness.

Bees Knees Bungalow is Jeanne's blog. She loves decorating and redecorating. She and her husband raised four kids. They grew up around saw dust, paint cans, wood stain samples and paint brushes.

Custom Comforts is a single mother of a 21 year old daughter. She has always wanted to pursue a career in interior design. While working, she attended classes part-time. Her newly launched interior design business is called "Custom Comforts" to which this blog is dedicated.

Emerald Cove is a blog by a woman whose journey it is to find the simple things in life. She manages to find a lot of pretty things, I can vouch for that!

House Of White Interiors is eye candy you will surely want to sit and eat very slowly, savoring every single bite.

Grab a cup of coffee or tea and sit down to visit these talented and creative ladies. That Welcome Wagon just keeps on moving across the world because of those of you who choose to spread joy to others!

An Early Welcome Wagon Friday 11/26/10

Here we are the day before Thanksgiving. Seems like it was just summer yesterday. Which it is here, sort of. The weather has been in the eighties. But that's supposed to change for us tomorrow.

I FINALLY got my creative mojo flowing. And I've got the mess all around me to prove it.

So for the sake of the holiday weekend, I'm putting this WWF post up today. I know you'll be busy with company and will only get to check in with blogs when you have a few minutes.

And I'm stoked on coffee and have to get back to my glue and scissors and such!

This week I've got for you:

Buckets Of Burlap. Blogger Becky has a heart for the simple life in the country. And BURLAP! Need I say more? We're all a bit crazed right now for that simple nubby fabric, aren't we?

Along A Widowed Road is Viola's blog. She is a South California widowed mom. Her new reality has become learning to tackle life as a single parent, finances, and the prospect of dating on down the road.

And now I'm going to get you started in that vein of Christmas spirit with some holiday crafting.

Dreaming Of Vintage is a blogger from Plainfield, Illinois. She lives with her husband and two fur children. She will show you some lovely altered Christmas bottles.

The Rehab Boutique is Bridget's blog. She lives in New Hampshire. Her real passion is taking discarded pieces and making them into something that can be loved once again. She will show you how to making darling vintage tags for your Christmas presents.

Daydream Designs is Kristin's blog. She happened upon wedding blogs whilst planning her recent nuptials. From those blogs she discovered crafty/design blogs and was immediately in love. She says: "I'm talking...you had me at hello." You'll love her yarn Christmas tree topiaries and the Pottery Barn star knock-off she made.

Shabby, Chic & Charming is Renee's blog. She loves all things French Country and Shabby Cottage. She will show you how to print lovelies on fabric and make burlap bird ornaments for your tree. She will also show you how to make those cute French script candles using a rubber stamp. What fun!

Oh boy, lots more projects to get started. These gals have me buzzed now!

Have a wonderful weekend. And when you're beyond stuffed with turkey and have things cleaned up a bit, stroll on over and meet these ladies. I would bet they'll have you humming while you get out materials and start in on the Christmas decorating we know is coming big-time to Blog Land!

Tell them the Welcome Wagon sent you and that we proudly and merrily run on holidays!

Welcome Wagon Friday 12/3/10

What you see above in my red basket is a glimpse of what I've been up to for the past week. I'll be showing you more soon.

Now for Welcome Wagon Friday, I've found some blogs with Christmas crafting bling!

French Hen Farm are two sisters from Ohio. French Hen Farm is a big red barn surrounded by perennial gardens, an old willow tree, and 100 acres of farmed land. They conduct semi-annual barn sales featuring goodies like antiques, homemade baked goods, recycled & repurposed vintage jewelry, fresh produce and flowers.

Pinecone is by another crafty blogger. She loves all the things we do. She lives in the Pacific Northwest. And yes, her yard is filled with pinecones. (So is mine!) She and a friend have a business where they host home parties with their funky junky jewelry.

Primp is a blog by Michele. She calls herself a blog addict and constant decorator. (I wonder how many of us could add that to our resume?) She has a creative spirit and is happiest when creating something with her hands.

Go visit with these new bloggers and see what they're up to. You will be immediately holiday inspired. I know I was!

Welcome Wagon Friday 9/24/10

Up for you this week, let's welcome these bloggers:

Conghaile Cottage is Donna's blog. She is part of a family of unique one-of-a-kind builders. She loves design and her extensive gardens. She has the home fires burning and ready for you right in her sidebar.

Florida Farm Girl's World is a blogger raised on a farm. She and her husband enjoy traveling in their RV. She's also a quilter, reader, and birdwatcher.

Cottage 960 is just what the name implies. It's inspired living in 960 square feet. You'll love this gal's photography. (...Swoon...) She's started a group for lovers of the color purple and it's growing in leaps and bounds. More on her beautiful blog. 

Design Indulgence is Sherry's blog. She's an Atlanta designer. She loves textiles and repurposing objects. She has an exquisite sense of style. Recently she took her readers along as she redesigned her friend's family room. 

Black And White Nostalgia is Susan's (of Ash Tree Cottage) blog. She will take you back in time to a place when black and white images were commonplace.

Welcome Wagon Friday 12/10/10

Just a few more weeks until Christmas! I've got some new bloggers for you to go by and welcome when you have the chance.

La Vie Quotidienne is a blogger who lives and gardens in Southern California. She loves beauty and any attempt to create it. A photo from her blog:

Her daughter has a new blog at Love & Life At Leadora. Photo from her blog:

Two Story Cottage is a blogger and stay at home mom in North Carolina. She moved to her current house in 2007. After many projects, her home is just now beginning to take on her own unique personality. Photo from her blog:

Step Inside My Home is a blogger in Colorado. She is now an empty nester. And wants to share transforming each room of her home, ideas, shopping adventures, and new creations. Photo from her blog:

Grab a cup of coffee or tea or hot cocoa and head over to visit these new bloggers. They will appreciate a warm welcome, and it will be a nice little present this holiday season.

Welcome Wagon Friday 9/3/10

It's a rainy day here again today, and I'm mighty thankful for it. 

I've rounded up some new bloggers for you to welcome. 

Salt 2 Sea is Chook's blog. She is a homebody living in a coastal town in Western Australia. She loves reading, cooking, gardening, dogs, horror movies, True Blood, music and anything that doesn't involved a crowd. (Me too, sista!) She'd love it if you stopped by and said G'day in her neck of the woods.

All That Glitters is Jennifer's blog. She is a stay-at-home mom in South Carolina who loves to shop at yard sales, thrift stores and flea markets. She freely admits that she breathes all things "junk."

The Chicken Keepers are a family living in the rural Midwest. They raise chickens, pet goats and bunnies. Their egg stats proclaim they've counted 247 chicken eggs in August 2010. This is a fun bunch that will show you what all they won for their entries to the county fair. And give you hints as to how to keep rabbits cool in the summer.

So hitch up those wagons and head out a-visiting. They'll love being greeted. And you'll obviously encounter junk, dogs and a fair amount of eggs. Maybe they'll even fix you an omelette! 

Do remember though that there's a thieving raccoon out there stealing some corn. (They've put a loud radio in the cornfield, so be prepared for some racket.) And another tip: Butch the goat loves people. But Duke is somewhat grumpy.