Saturday, April 19, 2014

Inspired By Friends







When you enter my friend

Alison's beautiful home at Easter time

you are greeted by this charming 

figure atop her living room mantel.

The sheer simplicity of it makes me smile.




The mantel in Alison's family room,

showcases fresh peach blossoms from her garden

and a simple metal tree from Mexico.





Simplicity at its best!

These metal trees were all the rage in the 1980s,

and many of us here in Central Texas have these.  

Years ago I shared mine 

decorated for the 4th of July HERE.

Alison has inspired me to pull out 

my metal tree and use it more creatively.




My friend Susan loves to decorate for every season.

Believe me, her home is a wealth of inspiration, and every

year she does something different each holiday.

You can see more of her home 

decorated for Easter HERE and  HERE.





Susan has a beautiful collection 

of blue and white ceramics.

She has inspired me to incorporate 

my blue and white pieces into my Easter decor next year.





Her collection of needlepoint Easter figures 

has also inspired me.  I stitched the petite little white bunny 

with green background for Susan many years ago.





I didn't stitch this Peter Rabbit for Susan,

but I did stitch one just like him for a friend's daughter.





Just looking at Susan's delightful group of needlepoint  

inspires me to get stitching to add a few more 

Easter needlepoint pieces 

to these above that I stitched many years ago.



                        


Perhaps more two sided figures like

this little guy I stitched in the 1990s.





Yes, I'm inspired!

Time to stitch a few bunnies to add 

to my own Easter decor next year.





My friends inspire me.

Have you been inspired by someone recently?

All the best to each of you in this season 

of promises of new beginnings.

Joining
Sarah
Sarah

The summer we married, my husband was in graduate school, and I was employed as a teacher. We took a portion of our savings that summer and purchased a sailboat. We christened our Catalina 22, “Hyacinths For The Soul” after Saadi’s poem. Our "Hyacinths" provided years of pleasure.

42 comments:

  1. It seems you have a wealth of talented friends, Sarah! I really fell in love with that precious figurine on your friend's mantel. I'm not familiar with the metal trees but they look like they would be fun to decorate seasonally.

    I never caught on to needlepoint but I am very big on cross stitching samplers. What you and your friends have created is just perfect for spring and Easter...from the needlepoint to the pretty blossom arrangements.

    Wishing you a wonderful Easter and many blessings, my friend!

    XO,
    Jane

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  2. I love your stitchery:-)
    You just inspired me!
    Happy Easter!

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  3. Lots of inspiration in your photos, Sarah! That is the cutest little bunny girl. It reminds me of chalkware. Happy Easter.

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  4. Sarah- What gorgeous features here. I am always so inspired by so many bloggers. I become a better me because of what I find in blogland. Easter blessings to you as you stitch away- xo Diana

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  5. Oh such pretty Easter goodies! I love the metal tree...I bet she decorates it seasonally. The needlepoint bunnies are just so sweet and a labor of love. Happy Easter Sarah ..you've given me lots of inspiration over the years I've followed your blog.
    Miss Bloomers

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  6. Sarah, I love the little bunny with the green background. I used to do needlepoint, embroidery, and cross stitch and I have all the thread to start cross-stitch again if I just had the time. You have inspired me. Dianne

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  7. What inspiring friends! It all looks beautiful. Love the little needlepoint pieces. Happy Easter!
    Hugs,
    Patti

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  8. Dearest Sarah,
    You show us quite some interesting Easter decorations!
    Wishing you and your loved ones a very Happy Easter.
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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  9. I love the metal trees Sarah! Do the tops get changed out for the seasons? I see your friend's bunny and you have a star. They look like something I'd have a lot of fun with too! Happy Easter-enjoy:@)

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  10. LOVE the metal trees. Happy Easter to you and yours, Sarah! xo

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  11. Isn't it nice when friends inspire us? My friends nearby do and my blogging friends do, also.
    The metal tree is wonderful, Sarah, and I'm sure I'd have fun with that piece of decor. The needlepoint is so lovely. I never did that, but sure did my share of counted cross stitch!
    Happy Easter blessings, my inspirational friend! xo

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  12. I really enjoyed looking at all the sweet needlepoint Easter bunnies. Lovely inspiration for you and then for all of us. Happy Easter Sarah!

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  13. Sarah, the Easter displays are amazing, particularly when one considers all the hours and love that go into the needlework. I have a porcelain bunny that I treasure and a few others that make a small collection.

    Joyeuses Pâques!
    Genie

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  14. Hi Sarah, yes I am always inspired by friends in blogland.
    The talents are many!!
    Love that metal tree on your friends mantel. Your stitched Easter pretties are just darling.

    Wishing you a Blessed Easter.
    Happy Stitching.
    Hugs

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  15. Beautiful images my friend. and you are so very right...I rather be inspired by my Pals in blog land, such as yourself, as opposed to some magazines, or else, for that matter. I love my bloggy friends recipes, tablescapes for every season and vignettes. I adore the Easter tree! Thank you for sharing and have a very happy Easter Sunday.
    FABBY

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  16. I love to do needlepoint Sarah, and yes, you've inspired me!! I love all the little bunny figures!
    Jenna

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  17. Sarah, such delightful Easter decorations - you certainly have a wealth of creative friends down there in Texas! Love the metal trees - must keep my eyes peeled for one of those - perhaps a Texas gal has one in a local consignment shop - time for me to start treasure hunting again now the weather is improving!

    Have a blessed Easter day my dear.

    Mary X

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  18. My dear friend ~ wishing you and yours a blessed Easter!

    Big Texas Hugs,
    Susan and Bentley

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  19. The needlepoint pieces are terrific. I am always amazed by how many people really get into seasonal decorating. I've kinda let a lot of it go.

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  20. How nice that you have a friend who can inspire you like that. I can imagine how beautiful her house it, just like yours. The needlepoints are beautiful!...Christine

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  21. Beautiful inspiration from your friends Sarah. I love the figure with the moss at the base and the adorable needlepoint pillows. It’s always nice to share inspiration with friends. Everything you touch inspires me! Happy Easter.............

    Hugs,
    Emily

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  22. You are so creative! I haven't done needlepoint in years! Thanks for the inspiration! Happy Easter to you and your family!
    Hugs,
    Jody

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  23. I am so blessed to always be inspired by ALL OF YOU. Life outside of blogging does not always inspire the way on-line friends do, who always SHARE what they do. I used to have that exact pillow/doorstop of the needlepoint Peter Rabbit!

    Sarah dear, thank you for coming by yesterday! HAPPY EASTER! I hope your celebration was lovely. We finally had a perfect spring day of 71 degrees!

    Many hugs and hopes for a lovely spring! Anita

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  24. Your friends are great resources. Thanks for sharing their Easter decor with us! I've seen a to of blue and white for Easter this year, and I like it!

    I've been inspired by several of my neighbor's containers. I want to plant some this week!

    xo,
    RJ

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  25. Sarah,
    Add my name to the list who are inspired by YOU! Not only is your blog a lovely place to visit, but your faithful visits to my little blog to leave encouraging words of true friendship brighten my day every time.

    Your needlepoint bunnies are adorable. How lucky we all are to have friends who share our passions, share their talents, and who remain friends for decades.

    I hope your friends who have recently suffered illnesses are well on the road to getting better daily.

    Judith

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  26. The stitchery is beautiful! It is wonderful to have friends who inspire and support us too! A "you can do it" from a friend is worth a million!

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  27. How wonderful to be able to revisit some of the needlework projects you've done, while at Susan's house...she does have a knack for the whimsical!
    I can't remember seeing fresh peach blossoms on our peach tree that we had outside my parents bedroom window when I was growing up. I'm sure it must have blossomed but I wasn't so aware of such things back then. They are very pretty!!

    Hope your Easter was blessed with good food & friends. I'm still pooped from all the work I did, both before & after. Whew!

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  28. What lovely Easter decorations! Hope you had a nice Easter. We were with our grandkids in Houston. Thanks for the Easter wishes.

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  29. Sarah, I love your friend's Easter decorations. What a great idea to display her needlepoint bunnies and eggs in a vintage wooden box. I also like how she incorporated them with her blue and white pieces.

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  30. Hi Sarah,

    Your friends are inspirational. I like the needlepoint idea, and of course, blue and white are perfect for Easter decor. Thanks for sharing.

    Have a Happy Blue Monday!

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  31. I know it's not easy to make needlepoint look so precise and flawless, great work. I like the ripples and flourishes on Peter Rabbit's coat, particularly, and the facia expressions, really inspirational.

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  32. It's all so pretty. I really love the needlepoint.

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  33. Are these cherry blossoms real? They are absolutely amazing!
    Interesting post, with loads and loads to look at!

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  34. Sorrym opeach blossoms, not cherry. I think I desperately need a peach tree ...

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  35. Thank you for sharing your friend's Easter decor with us!! I enjoyed all of her precious needlepoint bunnies!! You have made some beautiful pieces and they look fabulous as a collection, I can see why you are inspired to create more!!

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  36. Sarah,
    Friends are truly inspiring and a blessing!
    Thank you for sharing all the delightful Easter decor of your friend's homes!
    Hope you had a Blessed Easter, dear one!!!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  37. All so sweet.

    Strangers have inspired me this morning. While looking at blogs, I have copied several photos to my desktop to "copy" ideas I love.

    Have a sweet spring day!

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  38. The little needlepoint rabbits are so amazing! What a clever idea!

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  39. What a talented friend! I am always inspired by the blogging community. So many talented and god loving souls. Happy Pink Saturday!

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  40. Sweet vignettes, love the needlepoint!
    Thanks so much for sharing at Amaze Me Monday...
    Blessings,
    Cindy

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  41. Hi, Sarah! I love all of the Easter decorations. Sorry this post is late, but I haven't even stored my Easter things, so I'm right on target.

    I always love your posts!

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