It’s already incredibly hot here in Texas. So I decided to add more blues to my indoor landscape. I started with my bedroom. Now I’ve moved into the garden room. The last couple of days I’ve been working on these seashell terra cotta pot projects. I totally stole this idea from Andrea of Opulent Cottage. You can see hers here. Great design, Andrea!
I had all sorts of nautical paintings and such out stored out in the garage. So I hung them in the garden room.
Last week I brought this mirror out of the garage storage room and hot glued sea shells to it.
I changed quilts behind the couch. For summer, I thought I’d go with a blue-themed one I sewed years ago. And then changed out the quilts on the couch and chair.
I was inspired by Barbara Jacksier’s book Waterside Cottages. This one is signed by the author herself. A wonderful book!
I’ll always have red in my decorating, I believe. Just love it too much to change now!
Small change over here in the “library corner.” I used the centerpiece glass jar for storing ribbon. But added some vintage images inside also.
I happened to also win this Cath Kidston book from Andrea that I received last week. So I put it next to a basket of seashells with a coffee-scented candle in the center. Yummy scent!
The seashells glued to terra cotta pots is fun, easy, and cheap. A good project for a hot summer day.
I haven’t been around Blog Land as much lately. I’m getting to know my sister. We email and talk on the phone a lot. We’re hoping to see one another next month. We’ve needed this past month to get acquainted. When you meet at this point in your lives, there’s a lot to catch up on! I will be writing about her here soon.
As you can see, I’ve changed my blog up with the new Blogger Designer. I caution you to start a test blog to play around with this new feature. Some have learned that you can’t just change your template back as you were once able to. Then if you like it on your test blog, I’d write down what changes you preferred, then add them to your actual blog. I found the green sidebars to be a very soothing addition. Let me know what you think!
(Edited to add: Someone just emailed me that they cannot read the font on this post. That the letters and words are jumbled up together. Is anyone else having this problem?)
I have glass jars like your ribbon holder, they are filled with mementos from this and that. One has dolls, one has blocks etc. I love this look. Also makes for less dusting – which makes me very happy. Adore the seashell pots!
HI Brenda. It’s nice to see you again. Have been wondering how you are. I’m so glad you are getting to know your sister. My gardens are a pitiful mess this summer. Not sure what all is the problem but I am really grieving not having gorgeous flowers this year.
I love seeing yours though.
Brenda, you take all the time you need to get to know your sister. We’re cheering for you!
I think red goes great with a nautical look. It’s a perfect match for blue. So your red looks snappy with all the nautical touches!
Love your craft projects. I have so many I need to do, and I need to just do them. Other things are calling my name. Hopefully soon…
XO,
Sheila
You did it – both the blog background and the shells. Love the new background. I think you did a bang-up job with the shells and the pots. The design is wonderful, especially with the touch of blue.
xoxo
Claudia
I love your nautical look Brenda!
The shell pots are just great, I may need to steal that idea too!
I love how you always are changing the look of your couch with your quilts, and I love red too!
Such a great color!
Oh, and send some of that heat up here, we’ve been rainy for days!
Cindy
Your projects are wonderful, Brenda! I just love making things with shells!
Brenda, you amaze me! The seashell pot looks like something you paid a zillion dollars for in a specialty shop. Gorgeous!
It looks wonderful, Brenda.
I’m working on a little nautical something, here at the condo.
The sea shells and the blue change your little just enough. You can’t loose the red for sure. Everything looks as cozy as ever.
So glad you are getting to know your sister. Hope that you get some leads on the other sibs one of these days. ((((HUGS)))
Adore your Summer look! And I have the same book…I love it! Thanks for sharing…that blue quilt behind your couch is a stunner. xoxoo
Now you’ve given me an idea to glue some of my seashells on pots! heehee! Everything looks so pretty at your house. The blue goes so well with the RED! I love it! I have touches of slate blue and red throughout my house! ♥
Really like all your shell decor and your new background. I need to take the time to “spiffy” up my blog and make some changes. I wish you nothing by happiness in getting to know you Sister – you two have so much to get caught up on.
Hope you are having a great week.
Glenda
Girl, your pots are fantastic!! I LOVE how you mixed the different shell colors, it’s so fresh and summer-ey. The mirror is awesome, too. Now I’m going to copy you! So glad you are enjoying your sis, what a special thing for you to share with us all. It makes me smile!
Luv, Andrea
Brenda, I am loving your new look in your house and those shell pots are great. May have to copy that. Love your new blog look, too.
I am so happy for you that you actually get to talk to your sister after all these years.So much to talk about and catch up on each others lives and family.
I love the new summer look I admire you to be able to change things at whim like that.
Diane
I love the blue and I love the quilts! Soothing Summer….ahhhh.
All of your nautical touches are perfect for the summer months! I love the blue quilt you made and Barbara’s book is such a great go to read for beachy inspiration!
And the green is very soothing…love the new look!
Kat
I love the bit of seaside you added to your home. I always have some beach things around since my husband is a surfer. Blue and red always looks great together too. Thanks for the tip about a test blog too.
Blessings,
Marcia
I love nautical anything…I grew up in Florida and just love beachy things, shells and the blues of the oceans…my precious beach is being bombarded by oil now…I can only pray they get the oil stopped soon! Love your post!
Miss Bloomers
Brenda – can you please box me up some of your energy and a few hours of your day to add to mine! I’ll pay Overnite Shipping! Please? I wish – I WISH I could have the energy and time to change my home around the way you do yours. By the time I get home from work – I AM DONE!
Love it all!
It seems I’ve been working a lot lately. Hmmmm . . . I thought we were supposed to work less the older we got? What’s wrong with me?
Boy – is my mailman going to run if I see him coming up the walk with a box . . . hehehe.
HUGS! Karen
Love the nautical theme! I have an ocean/coast theme going on in my 1/2 bath… I guess in Texas they call them powder rooms??
So happy you found one of your sisters and you are getting to know each other better. I read the story in your previous posts of trying to find family members. It’s very riveting and yet I cannot even imagine how hard it has been to have some many unanswered questions and not knowing a whole lot about your siblings or your birth parents. I hope you continue to have success in locating the other siblings.
You do red very well! I’ m just venturing into red as a theme and I wonder why I didn’t do it sooner!
You and your glue gun have been busy! Love the nautical touches. Stay in and stay cool.
Dear Brenda, love how you are able to incorporate these changes into your home so easily. Looks great, but then again, everything you do does look fabulous. I wish I could change things up with the season. I think being organized would help and that is one thing I am not. I have some seashells hanging around here. But my glue from my glue gun seems to be dry before I can get anything to stick. Either the gun doesn’t get not enough or the air here is too dry. It’s been up to 120 and is just way, way, way too hot! Best wishes to you, Tammy
I love how you have decorated with a sea theme. I did our guest bedroom in the sea. I just love the flower pots and the painting you have on the wall.
Just beautiful.
Willow
Always inspiring, your way of decorating and redecorating never ceases to amaze or entertain me. I get so many good ideas from you.
♥, susan
Love your summer decor.
Love all your changes… Summer themes at home and new blog look.
Yes, so wise! Make a private test blog, to try stuff out on, first.
So glad you are spending time, getting to know your sister. Wonderful.
With all that summer heat in TX, I wonder how you “live” as it were… I mean, do you spend most of your time inside, in A/C? Can you enjoy your beautiful garden area, early morning and evening maybe? Etc.
It’s kind of interesting to find out how people spend seasons, in their own “neck of the woods.”
Btw, we had sun on Tues. and it’s back to cool and over-cast on Wed. But, I won’t complain too much. It will be hot and humid eventually, for a while, and I’ll be complaining about that. lol.
I think I read your blog for hope– hope that some day the beauty, style, and urge to decorate and clean house will rub off. That it has not does not deter me. I hope on.
And now I’m off of here to actually make a bit of order in my home…well, maybe to water outside. We have been without rain!
xxxooo
The mirror and planters are so pretty! All that lovely blue is so soothing and cooling (at least in my mind it cools me off LOL)! Yet your home is still as cozy as ever.
I’m so glad you are getting to know your sister. I’m sure you two have soooo much to catch up on!
Manuela
Brenda, your nautical touches are wonderful! Great shell pot!! And of course one can use a pot for storage too.
Oh Brenda! What a perfect, perfect Summer transformation! I love it – just love it!!!!!!
Brenda, I am beyond thrilled for you, to get to know your sister. I am cheering for you, and praying, too.:) How exciting, we just never know what will happen any given day, week or month.
Your home is warm and charming, just like you. You have made it oh! so cozy. xoxo Lidy
Your post looks fine to me, no jumbling of words. Your pots are pretty and I love the addition of the blue around your beautiful home. Barbara’s book is one of my all-time favorites. ♥
I’m happy for you that you get to talk with your sister!
I’m really liking all the seaside decor it sure looks good!
Font is fine, easily read, Brenda. Love all your shell work!
Look at all of your pretty shells and I love all of your blue and white. Something about summer makes me spread shells around the house too.
Your new blog header looks great and I am not brave enough yet to play with the new blogger features. Just a tad reluctant to change.
No problems reading the font here. And the soothing green sidebars is a nice summer time change, just like your blue redos in your home.
Love the new theme!! Happy Summer! I am glad you are spending time with your sister! You need that! I appreciate all the info on the new blogger. I haven’t thought of a test blog! THANKS!
Hugs, Lisa
I love the nautical look, Brenda, and I love the sea shell projects. I’ve done some myself ~ lots of fun.
No problems here with your blog font. Very nice!
Hugs,
Donna
Hello Brenda!
You did a great job bringing summer into you home! I love the beach. Collecting shells is my favorite thing to do! I love all the shells you used to pretty up your clay pot containers. The blue is the quilts looks like a sweet cool breeze coming through the window!
Hugs,
Maryjane
Hi Brenda! Oh, I just love all of your sea shell projects! You did good and they do look so beachy!
I can see all of your writing just fine. The little green stripe looks nice! I’m afraid to mess with this new design thingy! I make my little headers in a program I like and then just upload it!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia
It’s lovely and nautical Brenda!
I adore your blog this new fresh way. Very pretty colors and it’s easier to load and read. Well done!
Blessings to you sweet friend. ~Melissa
Your home looks beautiful.
My son wants his room to be nautical…it seems to be becoming popular. I like it.
I like the colour of your blog and no i am not having any trouble reading it.
Have a great day Brenda!
Pamela xo
Can’t wait to hear about your sister that’s exciting!
Love your nautical touches! It is so fun to change things around for the seasons. I am with you on red – love it and can’t seem to do without it!
Hi Brenda! I’ll try to send some cooler temps your way. It’s going down to 43 degrees here tonight!!
Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo
lovely summer transformation! thanks so much for your kind message. hope everything went well with the biopsy. you take care brenda…verbena cottage
Hi Brenda, just lovin’ all your nautical touches, especially the painting. Great new blog look too!!! Deb
I feel like sailing right over to your place and sit and create with your wonderful shells.
Have a great inspiring week.
xx
Dore
Your nautical theme is lovely. Makes me want to hop in the car and head to the beach:)
Brenda,
Love the nauticals! Please pop on over and collect your Sunshine Award!
xo
Robin
My darling Brenda, I can see everything perfectly well. I can see in deep detail your wonderful seashell creations, adding a fresh touch to your cozy and beautiful decoration (in reds).
Did I already told you that I love your new blog design?? well, I love it!!!!!
Much hugs and joy,
maria cecilia
Awesome shell collection! And I’m so happy to know about the “Waterside Cottages” book, I must try to find it, looks like it’d be really helpful for decor for the New Zealand cottage we’re renovating.
I do like your new blog design (not dipped my toe in the water yet but I must….) and I can’t see any problems with jumbled text that you refer to in your edit.
Thanks too Brenda for popping over to my blog, – the sky (and everything else) is exactly as you see it in the picture. I’m not surprised that you noticed the blue sky since I see that you are on a bit of ‘blue kick’ at the moment
Brenda, I can read your posts fine, and your new design looks light and summery. I enjoyed seeing your shell projects, new pillows, and such. I am avoiding the heat as much as possible too. I keep having to run out and water the poor plants who wilt again about as soon as I turn my back to come back in!!
Lovely, just lovely…
the font is alright…perfect indeed…but i’m sure by now that you know that to be true!
love decorating for the seasons…i put away all the heavy blankets and throws and replace them with light weight crochet ones…
this shell project idea is awesome!
thanks for sharing..and for dropping in to see me!
ciao bella
creative carmelina
gorgeous flowers and shells. Lezlee
loving your storage ideas!!
shells are so fabulous.
we have shells in a vase and every so often my little one will rummage through them and listen for the waves.
happy week Brenda ♥
loving your storage ideas!!
shells are so fabulous.
we have shells in a vase and every so often my little one will rummage through them and listen for the waves.
happy week Brenda ♥
loving your storage ideas!!
shells are so fabulous.
we have shells in a vase and every so often my little one will rummage through them and listen for the waves.
happy week Brenda ♥
loving your storage ideas!!
shells are so fabulous.
we have shells in a vase and every so often my little one will rummage through them and listen for the waves.
happy week Brenda ♥
loving your storage ideas!!
shells are so fabulous.
we have shells in a vase and every so often my little one will rummage through them and listen for the waves.
happy week Brenda ♥
loving your storage ideas!!
shells are so fabulous.
we have shells in a vase and every so often my little one will rummage through them and listen for the waves.
happy week Brenda ♥
loving your storage ideas!!
shells are so fabulous.
we have shells in a vase and every so often my little one will rummage through them and listen for the waves.
happy week Brenda ♥