Down the Poppytrail Path

Down the Poppytrail Path...

Most of my followers wouldn't know that my very first business and dip into vintage was in the early 1990's when my youngest was just toddling.  My older two were in school. The name was The Calico Cow Ice Cream, Antiques and Decor.  I knew nothing about ice cream, antiques or how to run a business, but I'm a quick learner and had a lot of ambition and guts. 

I happened upon a vintage ice cream fountain in Knoxville, Iowa, and purchased it for $200.00.  It was a gem, really, but did need some work to get it operational. It broke down frequently as well. My landlord was more than generous in the very affordable rent, too! A very kind older gentleman who was eager to see something in his vacant building and who doesn't love ice cream, right?  Just one of many who have helped me on my way.

Not without problems and a small budget, plus having a little with me day in and day out, it was open for just a little over a year.  The final straw was when this same little climbed up to the sink and quickly grabbed the cap to the disinfecting solution...with one, teeny tiny drop of solution left in it.  It all happened so fast. Needless to say, she instantly got sick, and I had to take her to the ER.  

I loved my little shop and my first foray into small biz ownership, getting to use my love of decorating and finding my love of vintage.  But I loved my little girl and bigs much more and the time invested took me away from them and the life my hubs and I were building.  The time was not right so I closed. I have only great memories of my time doing this and it sparked my love of small business, entrepreneurship, AND vintage...

During this time though, I purchased my first vintage collectible, which was a piece of California Pottery, Poppytrail by Metlox, Green Rooster pattern. You can find more information here.  

I've since added to my collection, and I love it to this day never tiring of it. Many years later, I was at the Majestic Lion Antique Mall in Des Moines, Iowa (now closed) and I was getting ready to leave.  However, I had a strong feeling to go right, rather than to the left to leave.  So, I followed my instincts...my heart was palpitating (I am NOT exaggerating!) took another turn into a booth and low and behold, there was a huge collection of them. I quickly called my friend Barb, whom I purchased my very first piece from (she had consigned it with me) and she helped me figure out a price to purchase it all.  I was giddy and could NOT get over the pull I felt in my being.  

It was much later, and I was watching yet another episode of The Waltons, my all-time favorite show and I noticed for the first time, out of all the times I'd watched this show, a piece of the Poppytrail to the side of the sink. I had a piece just like it.  Enjoy a snippet of The Kitchen, Part 2 here.

To say I was elated was an understatement. If I could have picked a time that I'd like to have lived in, it would have been the 30's-40's. I always wanted to home-keep, have a large family and the Walton home...well, let's just say I live in a similar style farmhouse today. It was the home of my childhood dreams. The family of my childhood dreams. 

Walton's Photo Credit: Google search

I've always believed that a person could manifest the life they desired.  Not that it would be an easy path without obstacles but, 'going in the direction of your dreams' has always resonated with me. I also believe this is a God thing. 

This friends, is the life I imagined.  My INSPIRED Life where dreams to come true. 

Photos of Poppytrail pottery are from my own collection.

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Homekeeping at Crooked Hedge Farm

Summer is quickly upon us and the temps here in Iowa have been excruciating, to say the least.  It's perfect for the corn (especially sweet corn) as the saying goes, "knee high by the 4th of July".  In many areas, I'd guess this is true, however, eastern Iowa experienced 100 year floods early this spring, and I'm afraid many fields have not even been planted yet, nor will be.  It's been a difficult time for our farmers.  

In amongst the heated days, I've spent much of my time the past week in my garden beds.  They were, and some still are, a disaster.  When I had the time to get in them, it was either raining or unseasonably cold.  Even though it was hot, I seemed to get quite a bit done and felt real good by days end.  There's just something about getting in a good day's work...you're tired; and I mean tired.  A very good tired. 

This week, it's all about prepping for my monthly occasional sale this weekend.  But, before that, we CELEBRATE!  The 4th of July is this week, too, and although I'm not a real big holiday decorator, I have pulled out a few things in my stache of goods.  It doesn't take much, to add a few pieces to your everyday decor to look festive and in the mood for the holiday.  

Our annual outing is to the parade in a neighboring town.  It's always a nice one and we always seem to get our same spot...nice and shady.  I do love a great parade and the 4th of July ones are my absolute fave. YOURS?

The one thing about the summer holidays; Memorial Day to Labor Day, the red, white and blue theme works all season long.  Again, a few additions here and there.  A take away, like Uncle Sam, over there, and your simple easy decorating works.

In this photo, I have a vintage, stand-alone, flower box that sits front and center on my front porch.  Filled to overflowing with annuals, I added a flag that will stay in year 'round, actually.  Uncle Sam adds to the 4th of July spirit and I have a cut-up piece of a South Dakota license plate that fit in perfectly.  Both Uncle Sam and the plate will come out after this weekend.  The rusty, crusty flower stays up all summer, too.  I've had it for several years and I never tire of it.  Made by a local gal pal who runs her own business, I've bought and sold many of her pieces through Burlap & Roses over the years.

I've found another local biz to get my own designs cut, now, so I'll be selling them at B&R starting this weekend.


This display is found in my home.  The large platter is a piece out of a set of Pfaltzgraff.  Love lives here, is a tin tray that I picked up for $5 bucks at Dollar General.  I could not pass it up and it fits perfectly behind the vintage beaded daisies, placed in vintage apothecary jars.  Their little tops sit in front.  I like how this turned out.

Let's just say it's "as fresh as a daisy" in its appeal.  Nothing fancy.  Nothing over-the-top.  Simple in design, clean and fresh.  

I'm inspired by many things.  What inspires you?  A color, flower, barn or building?  Good people doing good things?  Tell me about what INSPIRES you.

A few years ago, a gentleman in Indianola came into my shop and offered to let me and my biz partner come into a home he was going to demolish and get out what we wanted.  As I was walking around the outside, I asked him what his plans were for the surrounding landscape bushes and plants.  He said they'd be destroyed.  

I jumped on that and we saved quite a few of the Hydrangea bushes.  I'm happy to say, mine all survived and have done very well.  

I went out today and got another bunch to replace the original bouquet.  They are lush and vibrant.  I quick made this display using vintage flash cards, old "collectors' stamps and the creamy hued Hydrangeas. 

Bits and pieces come together to make great vignettes with very little time or money spent.  Shop your home...your garden, heck event the garage.  One never knows what you'll find. 

Our lighted flag is slightly swaying today in the mild breeze. It hangs in its rightful place of honor at our front steps, on the old round porch post.  

I've place a solar light in one of our planters that keeps it lit at night so we don't have to take it down daily.  

I think our flag is very pretty.  

RED.WHITE.BLUE!

What are your 4th of July plans?  How do you celebrate?  Please share with me some of your traditions or new things you're trying.  A recipe?  An outing?  Picnic?  Leave it in the comments section on this post.  It makes it fun for me and everyone who reads it. 

Happy 4th of July...and REMEMBER, 

FREEDOM IS NOT FREE 

Burlap & Roses at Crooked Hedge Farm is open this Friday and Saturday, July 5th and 6th from 10:00-5:00.  4500 G76 Hwy., New Virginia, Iowa 50210

You can always SHOP with me on my ETSY store.  Open 24/7 for your shopping convenience. Just click on the link and you'll be taken to my site.  

You can follow me on Instagram: Burlap & Roses

Hey! It's been awhile, but I'm Inspired to get this up and going again.

Gosh, how is it that life can consume you and before long, months to years pass.  Crazy, crazy, crazy!

But, I do have some things to say, so I'm inspired to get back at it.  Sooner, rather than later, I hope😎😎😎  I have been clearing my calendar, to get to do more of what I love.  And, those things are my writing, creating and the biggest part of my 💗 are my five grandchildren.  I, and the hubs, take such great joy in their presence.  It's a remarkable feeling!

As I write this, it's three weeks away from my season OPENER for Burlap & Roses at Crooked Hedge Farm.  I'm gathering new merchandise up, cleaning and clearing out, moving things around...all for YOU...to stop and shop with me on June 7th and 8th, 10:00-5:00.  Shabby, primitives, barn and farm, linens, furniture, cabinets, industrial, garden, rustic, signs, vintage, clothing, home decor, decor, doors, dishes, and more.

We'll be a STOP on the 3rd Annual Backroads & By-Ways Junkin' Tour, which runs from St. Mary's to Osceola, Iowa and points in between.  10 unique shops, pop-up and occasional sales, as well as, a couple great eating spots.  

We hope you will plan to join us on this special weekend in 

south-central Iowa, just about 40 miles south of West Des Moines, Iowa 

or 40 miles north of the Missouri line on Interstate 35.  

How's your spring going?  I hope this finds you doing well.  Please share my blog with your family and friends...I'd greatly appreciate it!

If you'd be so kind, I'd appreciate your feedback, so please leave a comment and remember to share and help me spread the word.  Thanks!

All the best,

Beth

Miss Daisy today

January 6, 2017

Beth Voltmer

What I’ve learned from remodeling Miss Daisy

As we’ve moved through the tearing out of walls, cabinets, flooring and such, there is always a surprise.  The surprise can be good or bad…or just that, a surprise.  Earlier this week, I called the hubs, he was there and I was elsewhere.  He said, “well, you want the good news or the bad news?”  I always say, “just tell me the ‘news’” He goes on to say, “the good news is the wall under the 70’s

Car siding on one wall of the breezeway...soon to be a
laundry/multi-purpose room.  We'll put this all around the room.

paneling is car siding” This excites me!  Then, “the bad news is, I found two bats.”  I was overjoyed by the ‘car siding’ so, the bats, were no big deal.  He didn’t find them in the main house, they were hibernating, and he found where they had gotten in.  No harm done!

The hardwood floors underneath the carpet are beautiful and we’ll sand them down, renting a floor sander from McCoy True Value.  (I just love how convenient they are).  We’ll go a bit darker on the stain, getting it, also, at McCoy’s, bringing it more in line with today’s décor trends.  We’ll have to patch here and there, but the areas we’re tearing out and changing will offer us plenty of flooring to patch with. 

We’re going today to order the cabinetry.  It’ll take about five weeks for it to come in, so time is of the essence.  We’ve measured twice, three, four times, so there shouldn’t be any problems.  The minute I started working at Miss Daisy, I knew what I would do if ever I owned her. #missdaisy #411lincoln #burlapandroses #flippinghomes 

First-timers to our farm

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It's a super day here in the rolling countryside of Warren County, Iowa.  It's brisk, yet the sunshine is deceiving.  It warms the sunroom, from which I post today.

I had some gal pals over this past Sunday.  They were first timers to our farm, and wanted a tour.  We've been here for eight years.  We've worked on many reno projects, and still have some to do.  I love to show off what we've worked so hard on.  Here's just a few snipets.  Enjoy!

the girly room in the house...for our granddaughter

Fabric~my inspiration piece for the room

a wall in our master bath

lace valances in the master bedroom

vintage wire basket turned light fixture

close up of the fall bounty display. i love the colors in the vintage enamel ware. the gourds were grown in our garden

looking on into the sitting room from the dining room

     small mirrored sconce refreshed with Websters Chalk Paint Powder and black paint i had on hand

more from the girly room

i really love these paintings and colors blend in perfectly with the inspiration chair fabric

close up

close up

the wall art changed out and a new lamp

ceramic birds...i love birds

a plaque in the guest bath...have you discovered your passion?

We're moving again...but just next door, on THE CORNER

Our new digs are coming together nicely.

We'll be opening the doors to our "new" location...right next door, exactly on the SE Corner of The Square-Indianola, Iowa.  

It's gardening time and you're gonna find some fun things to add to your garden, the garden shed, or a garden themed patio, deck or room.

We're gonna be adding to our gift lines, too.  Coffee, dips, spreads and drink mixes.

Hope you have a great day!

Contest time...

Bring in the ad from The Goods/DM Register for Indianola Downtown, with your name and phone number on it and I'll put it in the hat for the drawing to be held after my OPEN HOUSE on March 23rd and 24th. Door prizes, grand prize.

the photo is NOT the ad you'll be looking for.

 
 Here's your invitation to the Open House.

 

 In addition, since the open house is during 'spring break' time, come in during the Open House, dressed in appropriate attire for your dream break destination and receive 20% off one, regularly priced B&R item.  Let's have some fun!

You need to freshen your look...POP of Color

Go to: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Burlap-Roses/177248165653789 and answer my questionnaire.  Have fun!

A Fantab Idea

Most anyone who's remotely 'close' to me knows that I'm a magazine junkie.  BIG TIME!  I was chatting with some new found friends, via Burlap & Roses, over coffee the other day and our conversation lead to this topic.

I have stacks and stacks of magazine clippings of photos of homes, rooms, decor, design ideas, etc.  The one thing about doing that, that I don't like is it's not a good and fair way to 'share' the magazine.  Some will be re-sold at Burlap & Roses at a great discount.  Others will be donated to the library, a nursing home, trading with friends, etc.  Sooooo...

One of the gals said, "just take a picture" of the picture, then save it on your computer.  BRILLIANT, I say.  So, when I couldn't sleep last night (up 'til 4 a.m.) I did just that.  Went through my stacks of magazines (in an effort to organize and clean up the piles), took photos of the things I wanted to "keep" and filed them away under my Home and Garden Decor file on my computer.  I will keep them there, AND I plan to share them on PINTEREST...to share the LOVE!  If you'd like to follow me on Pinterest, just click on the highlighted PINTEREST that I've provided.  If you're knew to Pinterest and would like to be invited to join, just let me know by providing me your email address.  I'll help you geet started.  Can you say EYE CANDY?  ; )

Inspiration is the key word here...you won't be disappointed!

Fruit Basket Upset

Fruit Basket Upset...one of my favorite things to do at the shop...both of them, is to do a fruit basket upset and move everything around, give the merchandise a fresh look and placement. 

As I'm sitting here writing this, the photo to the left shows how torn up the place is.  Although I need the business, and my customers don't mind the messiness, I do hope I can get my act together before too many come in.  I get a bit embarrased.  So, you're probably wondering why I'm writing and not "doing"...well, I had a customer come in, took care of her purchase and was inspired to write this little update.  I'm a bit ADD...really!  What INSPIRES you today?  I encourage you to take a gander at the super inspiring home decor at Burlap & Roses boutique and home goods.  Spring is in the air...in here, anyway; )

Sign's up...Open Sign is out!

103 East Salem Avenue...SE corner of The Square

The sign is up...and a huge shout out to Parker Signs and Graphics, Indianola for a terrific job.  Just what I had pictured in my mind.

Our Indianola location has been open one week today; I can't thank the community members and city~county leaders enough for the huge welcome.  

Greatly appreciated and encouraging!  Thanks, also, to the Indianola Record-~Herald for the nice article about the new location.

Open Thursday thru Saturday in Indianola, 10:00-5:00 weekly.  Groups and bus tours by appointment.  Welcoming our first bus next Thursday.  Ribbon Cutting to follow at 11:00.  Here's your invite to stop in on the 17th and be a part of the fun.

Have you 'LIKED' Burlap and Roses and Burlap & Roses boutique and home goods on FACEBOOK yet?  

The shop in photos.

I prefer "Vintage Chic"

Rachel Ashwell coined the phrase, "Shabby Chic", thus giving a name to a style of decorating that I have come to believe describes a "homegrown" lifestyle decorating theme.  I prefer the phrase, "Vintage Chic"...taking those memories of our past, memories of grandma's house, a favorite aunt or family friend, and tangibly replicating them in our homes.

gr. aunt ada and me ca '62

Maybe it's a time-worn quilt, now made into an overstuffed pillow, the cup and saucer grandma sipped from, an old pastoral photo of sheep grazing~a memory of Aunt Ada. Maybe it's a cookie jar, a lamp you read by, a postcard you received...faded fabric, overstuffed chairs, wicker on the wrap porch, birdhouses and birdsong, picket fences, yard games, pretty dishes, a garden rhapsody.  Whatever it is, it conjures up those comfortable, cozy feelings we're reminded of.  Now, we want them in our present and our future...

"Vintage Chic"~old or new items (successfully made to look old) is a relaxed, comfortable and familiar style of living~unpretentious and inviting...but always very CHIC.  Beth Cort-Voltmer 2003

Tricked out apartment...Burlap & Roses style

Our youngest daughter graduated from college last December and acquired full-time employment at Honey Creek Resort  on Lake Rathbun near Centerville, Iowa, where she had interned the previous summer.  

Excitement ensued as she and I spent a couple days apartment shopping.  We found the perfect place and Mackenzy graciously let me trick out her apartment with items from Burlap & Roses... and a few pieces from home, too.  

Her main room is one open area, so we set out to make a couple "defined" areas.  Above left, we set up a small bar area, complete with the once "used as a check out counter" cabinet.  One side has doors to hold extra supplies and an area for mixing drinks.  On top, we added a vintage tablecloth, folded into a triangle shape in the red/black and cream color scheme.  Two black iron stools offer add'l seating when entertaining guests.  The wall board in the back was picked up at a garage sale Mackenzy and I went to years ago.  It's the perfect backdrop for the "bar" area and she's personalized it with her photos and art.  

In the living area, a loveseat, slip covered in cream, signifies the seating area.  The side and coffee tables came from Burlap & Roses, New Virginia.  The black armoir has been used in various places in our home, and is a great addition to the living room in the apartment.

In the photo to the left, on what was a huge blank white wall, we hung a vintage, handmade quilt, which warmed up the space and gave it a punch of color...which was needed.  


The magazine rack came out of inventory, too.  the pillows were re-used from home.

In the picture to the right, the artwork, tweaked by repainting what was pink and changing it to a deep red and then using glitter on the mouth, makes for a unique and modern look to the otherwise, vintage pieces.  Below the painting, another piece from the inventory at Burlap & Roses.

Mackenzy utilizes a black Love Sac chair and a leopard patterned butterfly chair for additional seating. 

A vintage red faux leather chair can be brought to the seating area if more is needed.  Otherwise, it sits just outside the opening to her kitchen.  On the other side of the doorway, Mackenzy has situated another black iron stool with her laptop computer stand...another great "spot" for her when she's working on her photography, chatting on FB or surfing the net.                                          

Moving on to her bedroom area, a vintage iron bed, bedside tables, lamps and small loveseat make their home in this space.  Blending vintage and new, Mackenzy found the bedspread (first) and everything else just matched up perfectly.

The side table and magazine rack are from Burlap & Roses

This dresser made its way to a small alcove in the corner.  This piece, too, has been in use throughout the years in our home.  Painted cream and shabbied up, it's stood the test of time.

Mackenzy's middle name is Grace, named after her Great Grandma Grace, who passed away just 4 days before she was born.  These vintage letters were just the right thing for the built in shelf at the landing of the stairway.  She's added other pieces around it and it's turned out to be a real cute area. 

The apartment turned out so cute and is just perfect for Mackenzy's laid back, comfortable and inviting style.  She's quite at home there and it's a great place to come home to.  Being thrifty is in, quite charming and definitely offers a unique and customized style, and is INSPIRING.  

Do you have an INSPIRED space to share?  Please share your photos with me and your story at:  myfrontporch4500@yahoo.com.  I may feature you in one of my future blog postings.