A little ol' fashion charm

The hubs and I had business in Osceola, Iowa, yesterday, and in between appointments, we had a bit of time to spare.  We did a little exploring.  After brunch at The Family Table, we headed out.

To start, a trip to Osceola is never complete without stopping at Farm & Home.  I walk up and down the aisles discovering so many 'new to me' gadgets and possible project material or supplies.

This mild weather has me thinking it's so much further along in the calendar.  It was no different, as I anticipated hearing, first, then smelling, then seeing the sweet chicks and ducks they have in the spring.  Upon opening the door, I remembered...spring is still weeks away. 

After our visit to F&H, we ventured up to the square and into Robinson's Hardware.  Once again, I found my self sweeping the rows of goods, just looking for the one or two things that would grab my attention.  I pick up and put down, making a mental note to myself for future projects.  I do the same thing at the Indianola hardware store, McCoy True Value.  Up and down, around and around...somewhat mesmerized by all the tools, paint colors, plumbing supplies, etc.  It goes without saying...I LOVE doing this!

Robinson's offers a bit of 'a step back in time' for me.  Varying floors, multiple rooms, and so many things I didn't even know they made anymore and have not seen for years.  If you can't find it at Robinson's, I don't know where you'd find it.  

I could have easily made a few more stops, but the call came that my computer was ready to go...and so was the hubs.  So, off we went...a few treasures came home with me, to be put to good use around the house and at Burlap & Roses.  They seemed practical and a great way to help me get organized.  Time will tell...but, I have good intentions and am Inspired to 'get 'er done'.  

It really is important...today, tomorrow, always

Valentine's Day...a sentimental, romantic day for so many, and for others, not so much.  An "I could care less" or, "it's not important" attitude, deters some from purchasing a card, a bouquet of flowers, a box of chocolates. 

I want to share with you a different thought.  I find it so joyful to pull out a box of mementos from days gone by.  Saved cards, a pretty, but empty box of chocolates, a dried flower saved from a bouquet~maybe the ribbon.  In each one lies a memory.  Some distant, others of a different place and time.  Not all are from my spouse.  Some are from my grandmother (who never missed a birthday), my kids with their chubby fisted signatures, my mom or sister.  They all hold a special meaning and memory for me. 

I can only imagine, as time goes by, a spouse or loved one is gone, the chubby fist is now long and lean, that these things will only hold more value.  When in the quiet hour of the day, a sleepless night of missing someone, comes along.  I'll find myself, with my box in my lap, reading each one, holding it to my chest, shedding a tear or two and remembering a special time, a special love, a special place. 

It is then, that I'll discover just how much love there was, how a simple gift...even just a card~picked out just for me has increased in value over time, and...and, it really was important!

Valentines Day memories...

As I have been spending some time looking through vintage Valentines that I've collected for resale and collage projects, I'm reminded of the Valentine Days of my and my children's childhood.

Remember the boxes we all had to make in school.  We spent time decorating ours to our hearts content.  Just waiting for the day when we exchanged cards with our classmates.  I still look at a box in the store and remember "when". 

If you were like me, you'd go through each card, picking out the right one for each classmate.  Maybe a super special 'person' would get a super special Valentine...but, you didn't want to  be too obvious, that you thought this super special 'person' was super special to you. 

We were never allowed to leave anyone out.  But, me being me, I wouldn't have done that anyway.  And, you sure didn't want to be one 'left out' either.  Even our teacher got a Valentine from each one of us. 

As I look through the vintage cards, I'm enthralled with the beauty of each one.  Some are cute...but, the ones that I favor are the romantic ones with sweet sentiments or simply ask:  "Will you be mine?".  Or, "Happy Valentines Day". 

What are your favorite memories of Valentine's Day?  Mine are the ones from childhood...a young and innocent time.  And especially from my children's youth.  Watching them decorate their box, bring it home after the party and go through each card.  And, of course, now...as an adult, when you know that Valentine's Day is more than a card with a sweet sentiment.  It's what your Valentine does all year long, that makes life Valentine's Day year 'round.

Paperwhites

For the past several years, I've planted Paperwhite bulbs about six weeks before Christmas.  Specially selected vintage and new planters and containers, filled with a variety of mediums set the stage for these winter "forced" bloomers.


My favorite potting base is decorative rocks.  However, last year, I planted the bulbs in shredded paper...and they grew.  They are extremely easy to grow.  The biggest hurdle I've found is finding the bulbs...without a planter and potting mix.  I want to do my own.

My customers at Burlap & Roses have purchased these as thank you gifts, hostess gifts and simply a quick 'pick-me-up' for someone or a Christmas gift.  They.are.fun.  I think if a person were to sit and watch them, they'd see them grow right in front of their eyes.

I've really enjoyed having windows for displays.  Using packing peanuts for snow, I've placed planters filled with bulbs in amongst the 'snow', so as to give the effect of the Paperwhites coming out of the snow...just like they would in the spring. Passersby have stopped and looked at them...some everyday, others once or twice a week. It's been fun for me to watch them 'check out the growth'.

Here's a photo taken of the full grown plants.  Enjoy!

Roses hearts are beating...

 Safe beneath the snowdrifts lie; Rainbow buds of by-and-by. In the long, sweet days of spring; Music of bluebells shall ring. And its faintly golden cup; Many a primrose will hold up. Though the winds are keen and chill; Roses' hearts are beating still. And the garden tranquilly; Dreams of happy hours to be. In the summer days of blue; All its dreamings will come true. 

By: Lucy Maud Montgomery

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!

Martin Luther King Day...a quote

“Never, never be afraid to do what's right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society's punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Sunshine and snow in the same day...

It's so pretty out today.  The sun is shining bright beautiful.  Snow is creeping in to our area later today.  I can take snow...when the sun is shining.

It's the gray and bleak that seeps into my conscience and brings me down.  I.need.the.sun. 

Last year at this time, my hubs and I got to spend two weeks in Santa Barbara, California.  My father and his wife treated us to great accommodations, fun sight seeing, wonderful food and an all around fantab time.  Forever grateful! 

And, did I mention the sun?  Sunshine, sand and water...a great combo.  I instantly feel healthier and want to eat fruit and drink water with lemon. 

If it snows today...so be it.  We've had a beautifully mild winter so far.  Lots of sunshiny days have moved us that much closer to spring and I'll be inspired by that thought!

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!

golden glow

As I awoke this morning and looked out the window overlooking the rolling 

countryside, a golden glow left me speechless.  It was beautiful.  

A great start to an even better day ahead.  A Golden Glow kind of day...

make it the best day yet and ENJOY!

Vintage linen hankies...

I just put out several linen hankies with handiwork on them.  

Made me think about weddings for some reason...

 Some have initials, some are floral patterned and some are plain with delicate edging.  There is one with RAE embroidered in blue and there is one that is just 

dark blue, rather plain, but has a simple beauty to it. 

Last summer, a mother came in looking for a vintage hankie for her son to have in his pocket on his wedding day.  It made me smile.  I know this mom and I know her son.  Appropriate! And, I bet it was used...he may have needed it himself, but I could also see him pulling it out and ever so softly wiping away a stray tear...

Vintage linen hankies...delicate reminders of another place and time.

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; )

off to a great start...day 3 of 2012

happy new year, friends.  it's day 3 of 2012 and i'm off to a good start.  the 2nd day of the year was spent working on my books...prepping for tax time.  it felt good to see the year in review...what sold, what didn't do so hot, just where i need to go this year with burlap & roses. 

and, on a personal level, i know where i want to go, too.  more family and friends, taking time for i and my hubs, hoping to get a little travel in too.  what about you...

share your thoughts with me here and may all your ideas and plans come to be.

Early Closings

Burlap & Roses~Indianola location will be closing early on Thursday, December 29th at 4:00, AND Saturday, December 31st at 3:00.  Have a safe and happy and fun New Year's celebration.

Merriest of Christmas' to you and yours

Merry Christmas~

I wish everyone a very merry and blessed holiday.  

And, looking forward,

May your worries be lighter and your days much brighter. 

May the New Year start in the right direction,

and all your dreams be filled to perfection.

Beth Cort-Voltmer

From my home to yours...Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Beth

Only in a Small Town...

The other day I rec'd a call from someone looking for information on a dog groomer in or around New Virginia.  I asked how she came to call me and she said she found my business in the local phone directory.  "Thought someone with a coffee shop would know what she was talking about", she said.  I was happy to oblige and gave her the name of "our" local groomer.  

Knowing your neighbors, figuratively and literally speaking, and possibly just a little of what is going on in their life is a real special thing in this day and age.  I think it's a fortunate person who can say they live in a small town.

Nothing wrong with larger communities...they just aren't my thing.  And, I would have to guess, most would say there is a noticeable difference.  A "friendliness", sense of safety, and a oneness in a small community; where students and teachers see each other on the street, at church, the post office.  Word of a death passes from neighbor to neighbor in a timely fashion.  A little bit of "Mayberry" you could say. 

Today, as I opened the shop in Indianola, I overheard the postman telling some passerby where the coffee shop was on The Square.  He had done this before, because he directed someone to check out my shop one day,too.  I imagine he does it routinely.  The customer told me that, "the postman sent me here."  How fun is that! 
Not only is he delivering the all important mail, but is a walking~talking chamber of commerce, too! 

Only in a small town...and this folks, is the view from my front porch.

Needle Felting Class...in photos

 

Sue, Uly, Julie and Danielle try their

hand at Needle Felting  

 

                                                   The finished project will be used for
                                                        their own personal cup cozy

 

Isn't this cute! 

Special thanks to artist and instructor, Michelle Morlan.  Watch for more classes to be offered at the New Virginia location after the first of the year.

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.

Whatever your dreams...

I saw this posting today on Facebook.  I like it...

"Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius and power and magic in it….Thinking is easy, acting is difficult, and to put one’s thoughts into action is the most difficult thing in the world." ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

What do you dream to do?  Have?  Be?  Start planning today, your dreams will be reality sooner than you think.  


Be Inspired, Be an Inspiration!

Your life...is it inspiring?

 

Sharing from a Pinterest post.

Fun at the Voltmer Farm...poem by my nephew, Riley

My sister writes:  Was going through some of Riley's folders from last year and came across this:

I Remember

By Riley

The drive down was long

But always worth the time

Never anything really planned

But fun is always had

One year was full of fishing

Reeling one in after another

It was fun then but, 

Fish never bit again

The pond might as well be empty now

Because now we never reel anything in

It doesn't matter what we do

Shooting things

Riding four wheelers

Bailing hay

Swimming

It's always fun down at the Voltmer farm

Thought you might enjoy that!!  Thanks for providing a haven for us! :)

Gina

With a pop, grind, gurgle and screech...

After years of not having any crop, Steve planted and is harvesting the beans today.  Great memories ensue...memories of our early days of dating and marriage.  Nice memories!

With a pop, a grind, gurgle and screech, the combine sputtered to life.  With what seemed like a bit of a hop, it chugged its way towards the field with a very happy man at the wheel.  You can take the boy from farming, but you can't take the farming out of the boy.

When we started dating...24 years ago, my hubs row cropped a few hundred acres.  As the years went by, slowly but surely, so did the acres.  Not for any reason, other than getting a ready made family meant less "single" time and more family time.  Working full-time and adding the responsibility of a wife and kids, it was time to put the row crop to the side.  With the nest empty now, our time is a bit more of our own. 

I didn't realize how much I missed that part of our life...I'm glad I'm home to see it, hear it, smell it.  With a pop, a grind, gurgle and screech, harvest has begun!

Irish Luck...

Irish Luck -

His name was Fleming, and he was a poor Scottish farmer. One day, while trying to make a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby bog. He dropped his tools and ran to the bog.

There, mired to his waist in black muck, was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying death

The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman's sparse surroundings. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved.

'I want to repay you,' said the nobleman. 'You saved my son's life.'

'No, I can't accept payment for what I did,' the Scottish farmer replied waving off the offer. At that moment, the farmer's own son came to the door of the family hovel.

'Is that your son?' the nobleman asked.
'Yes,' the farmer replied proudly.

'I'll make you a deal. Let me provide him with the level of education my own son will enjoy If the lad is anything like his father, he'll no doubt grow to be a man we both will be proud of.' And that he did.

Farmer Fleming's son attended the very best schools and in time, graduated from St. Mary's Hospital Medical School in London, and went on to become known throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of Penicillin.

Years afterward, the same nobleman's son who was saved from the bog was stricken with pneumonia.

What saved his life this time? Penicillin.

The name of the nobleman? Lord Randolph Churchill .. His son's name?

Sir Winston Churchill.

Someone once said: What goes around comes around.

Freshly delightful "boutique" area added

Adding gently used clothing to the line up at Burlap & Roses. In addition, partnering with the unique and fun and lovely re~purposed jewelry and fashion accessories: Keepsakes by Kristi and Lulu's Upcycling Lounge, create, makes the 'boutique' area a freshly delightful spot in the shop.

 Like the outfits to the left...Great fall looks for a variety of outings.  The denim jacket is paired with a two piece green appliqued gauze shirt and accessorizes with a great handmade scarf, fabric lapel pin  and repurposed necklace.  Jacket and shirt, plus size.

All other pieces are in jr/miss sizes (4-10).  Fall into winter...

                               

  Several jackets...just perfect for fall are teamed with lovely neck ware...midgies, long and lean, fun and furry.  Make sure you check them out.

  Black velvet shown with vintage pearls and a       sweet brooch made from upcycled ties.                  

Corduroy w/buckles

Before we know it, Christmas will be here and gift giving will be on our minds.  For something unique and fun, creative and delightful, consider these great finds:

fun and festive earrings

                                                                                                               

upcycled ties & zipper

                                                  

I turn 50 today...here's advise from a 90 year old.

Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old. This is something we should all read at least once a week!!!!!

"To celebrate growing older”, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written.

My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Change the way you think.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. Release your children when they become adults, it’s their life now

9. Save for retirement starting with your first pay cheque.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye.

16. Take a deep breath It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Just because you believe you are right, doesn't mean you are. Keep an open mind.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. Your job is to love your children, not choose who they should love.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come...

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield..

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."