The many faces of Cape Cod

Tuesday, June 3rd

“DRIVE BYS: AROUND THE WORLD”

You are just in time for a brand new event in Blogland, hosted by The Inspired Room.

Washline, originally uploaded by bluebirdsandteapots.

Melissa from The Inspired Room is INTRODUCING “DRIVE BYS: AROUND THE WORLD” on her blog today. Melissa always has the most gorgeous posts describing and showing images of the beautiful neighborhoods nearby her home. Melissa's "DRIVE BYS" are filled with gorgeous photographs. Now she has expanded this tour to include her friends worldwide. I always love going for rides to see homes, gardens and admire all the curb appeal. Today, you don't need a gallon of gas to tour the many neighborhoods over at Melissa's blog, The Inspired Room.




There are many faces of Cape Cod that I enjoy, and no matter what season I always find inspiration to take home with me. I love bringing my camera and enjoying all the sights that I find there. The possibilities are endless...I found this gorgeous washline last summer which inspired a few paintings and cards.

Lovely Washline, originally uploaded by bluebirdsandteapots.

The season of washlines is one of my favorite seasons. As a little girl I will never forget how good the linens smelled when the linens had been hung outside to dry.

A favorite washline was inspiration for this painting. I just added a print of my painting called Summer Breeze Washline to my Etsy store. The original painting is a watercolor, I used a technique called passages of white to make the white spaces flow and hint the leaves so that the emphasis would be on the linen instead.

I remember telling the framer that I wanted the mat board to reflect the color of apple green summers to make one feel that they could almost hear the crickets. I chose a white frame to reflect the color of linen. I found this dreamy cotton canvas textured cloths to use for my prints. The bright white of the cloth gives me the same crisp feeling that I wanted for this piece. The feeling of the print accents the texture of the design that I found in the linen sheets hanging on the washline. The print image is 8 x 10 with a white border for framing

Summer Breeze Washline, originally uploaded by bluebirdsandteapots.

Gardens, gardens and more gardens bloom on the Cape.




I love watching the ferry to Martha's Vineyard from Falmouth.



The typical Cape Cod cottage with weathered shingles and garden charm.




Sometimes I get so caught up in capturing all the eye candy, I forget about all the places to visit. I have gone antiquing on the Cape because there are so many and you can find such unusual nautical things. I had never thought of consignment shops.



I guess what I love about consignment shops is the idea that instead of people discarding things, they offer them as new treasures to someone else. I love to see old objects become some fixed up, painted or spruced up treasure. One of my favorite blogs to visit is Daisy Cottage. Kim is the perfect example of someone who can take old things and with a bit of paint, a dash of love and the flair for decorating, she can create a beautiful home filled with unique things. What fun I just found out that Daisy Cottage was featured on Cottage of the Month, on a blog called The Old Painted Cottage...another fun place to travel.


On Friday I was on the Cape and visiting some of my favorite places near Falmouth when I stumbled on something new. The store front of this consignment shop caught my eye as I was driving on Route 28. D's Home Again had such a wonderful variety of things.






There was wonderful transferware, a china cubboard filled to the brim with all kinds of dishes, china and special pieces. I saw a gorgeous old typewriter sitting on top of an old fashioned school desk, Nantucket Baskets, furniture, linens and art. There were lots of old books, jewelry and some great furniture pieces.


I found a wonderful casserole dish that matches my set of dishes that I purchased in Hong Kong in 1992. Wow! I still use these dishes, and I never get tired of them. When I returned home I left it out to admire on my kitchen counter.




I left D's Home Again in East Falmouth with my find, and a brochure that gives you a map and lists all the Consignment shops on Cape Cod. Consignment shops are those hit or miss adventures that make you feel so lucky to stumble across a great find.


With map in hand I set out to visit some of the shops listed on Consignment Shops of Cape Cod. I got to see quite a few. Another favorite was I love It Consignment & Gift Shop in the town of Cotuit. This shop was such a cute surprise from the doorstep to the little entranceway. There was clothing, shoes, handbags, special treasures on consignment as well as lots of art from local artisans and some new things as well. As soon as I walked into the door the splash of color everywhere was so welcoming.






How could you drive by this, and not stop to see what was inside this shop.?


The last shop I visited was Second Time Around, which is located in Mashpee and had a beautiful selection of clothes, shoes, handbags and accessories. The shop was decorated beautifully and the owner was a delight.






There were so many consignment shops on the brochure, and I can't wait to return and check out some more on the Cape over the summer.



Before I go, I just wanted to leave you with some images that reflect the many faces of gorgeous Cape Cod. The song for this post is Old Cape Cod, sung by Patti Page, and a melody of sounds from the ocean.

Of course the favorite drive-by would be the view of a sunset reflected in a lighthouse window, or simply from the shore.






Make sure you visit all the Worldwide Drive Bys at The Inspired Room.

Happy Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day, originally uploaded by bluebirdsandteapots.

While enjoying the Park in Boston the other day I couldn't resist photographing the American Flag peeking through the trees against the backdrop of a gorgeous blue sky.

The Boston Common is the oldest public park in the country, and while I was in Boston on Friday and the sky literally took my breath away I had to stop by the park. Huge puffy white clouds against a gorgeous vivid blue sky. Musicians serenaded the park's guests, while children played, people picnicked and people on their lunch hours took a lovely stroll through the park.

The lilacs were in bloom.



I love all the statues in the park.



The swan boats are such inspiration for so many artists. I have often seen artists painting in the park in the summer. I took these photos of the park last summer.










I love Boston, it has that wonderful feeling that you can put your arms around the city. The old buildings, the history and this incredible park.

My creation, originally uploaded by bluebirdsandteapots.

Did you know that the restaurant "Cheers" from the original TV show is just across the street from the park? Well, I found the music "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" from the original soundtrack from the television show.




where they filmed the show Cheers







I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

MISS POTTER

Isn’t it such a blessing when female friends know you so well? There is something so heartfelt when you know how much another being knows your own heart. I have been blessed with several women in my life who suddenly will suggest a book, movie or song, or send along a gift, a card or a call that reminds me how well that they know me. My sisters, Susan, Lynne, my friend Judy and my mother all make me feel loved by reminding me time after time how well they know me.



Beatrix Potter has always been one of my favorite writers and illustrators. One of my first purchases was the little set of Peter Rabbit stories for my daughter when she was just a baby. My husband used to read the story of Peter Rabbit to her using a Scottish accent which would make Sarah laugh hysterically. I am inspired by her storytelling and enchanted by her artwork. Years ago my friend Judy gave me the book Letters to Children by Beatrix Potter, funny enough it was written by someone with the same last name, Judy Taylor. My sister Lynne telephoned a while back and suggested I watch the movie Miss Potter. She said that I would surely love it, and she was so right, I have fallen in love. I had missed this movie when it was in the theaters, but now it is available to rent or to purchase. The movie was so well done, and the scenery, illustrations and story are beautiful and romantic.

Abagail Bunny, from my sketchbook of Beatrix Inspiration
Beatrix Potter owned a wonderful home in the Lake District in the UK. In the movie the setting takes your breath away. One of the many homes that she owned has since become an incredible hotel and restaurant. On their web site it states: "Lindeth Howe Country House Hotel & Restaurant is situated in the perfect Lake District location. Set in its own private gardens, extending to 6 acres, just a mile south of the village of Bowness on Windermere. Views over the lake and to the fells are spectacular whatever time of the year. One of Lindeth Howe's most famous owners was the popular children's author Beatrix Potter. Why not come and visit us?" Oh, now that would be a wonderful place to visit with a paintbox and some brushes.

Well, if you haven't already seen the movie Miss Potter, I highly recommend that when you watch the movie that you pour yourself a cup of tea and plan on getting lost in a dream. If you would like a preview of the movie, just go to the Miss Potter web site




Rhondi of Rose Colored Glasses stopped by with a wonderful link of Hilltop. She actually visited this enchanting place...lucky girl. I love to listen to someone with an English accent narrating a story. On the web site about the Lake District you will find many podcasts to download for free. Scrolling down I did find one all about Beatrix Potter and the many ways in which her life and work touched the lives of the people who live there.


I found music that is played in the movie called When You Taught Me How To Dance. It is very short, but I just love this song. Here is another wonderful link to a map of the movie.

Don't you just love Enya, this second song is called Love Song. If you're looking for me today, I will meet you in Mr. McGregor's garden near the cabbage patch.


Rabbit Photographs are compliments of Miss Bunny, our very own resident storybook friend

BRIMFIELD'S

Brimfields, originally uploaded by bluebirdsandteapots.

I was told that Brimfield's is the largest flea market in the country, and when I showed up this weekend I wasn't disappointed. My favorite entertainment was the people watching though. There were ladies with dogs in strollers, people carrying huge headboards, wagons, and carts. You could buy anything from antiques to canoes and even a cart if you forgot yours.








There were tents with everything known to man for sale, and every food temptation you could invent.




I had yummy home-made lemonade and the best french fries I have had since I went to Coney Island as a kid. There were venues that you had to pay to get into, but most of the tent areas were free to roam and buy. I saw one woman who had a double stroller with twins and wearing a baby carrier with a little baby. Yikes, now that is a shopping experience. The tents went for miles and miles and miles.





Brimfield's flee market is evidently the largest market of it's kind in the country. Located in Brimfield, Massachusetts, thousands of people flock to sell everything from food to statues of the Blue's Brothers and Victorian fancy treasures. I had never been there before, so I set out to see what I could find. My favorite two vendors were the friendliest and had the most special things for sale.





Nancy Stillwagon of Gunther Hall Ltd from Alton Bay New Hampshire. stole my heart when I passed by her booth. She had gorgeous hand-painted prints framed in beautiful frames. There were Vintage prints, wedding announcements, birth announcements and framed Vintage print images printed on fabric. She also had her own paintings framed in the same beautiful way.



It took me a long time to decide which lovely treasure to take home. I finally selected this gorgeous hand-painted print of Raggedy Ann framed in a lovely frame that matches my guest room. My guest room is filled with old children's books, a few toys and lots and lots of prints.




I found the perfect place to display the bluebird hand-painted print framed in a double frame of ornate gold. My favorite!





After I purchased my treasures from Nancy, I was off down the land of tents to look for something special for my sister's birthday.


This entrance had me at "hello"



This door and wreath at the entranceway of Tickled Pink and Little M's Posies had me at hello. The friendliest and the most fun two ladies in the entire market were originally from Long Island. Well, of course they were...my home, my planet. Hilliary Boris owner to Tickled Pink located in Seymour, Connecticut was a doll. These two fun ladies mentioned a few bloggers had stopped by their tent also. Linda and Hillary were the highlight of my day, and I will be meandering to be Tickled Pink very soon.

Tickled Pink, 27 Bank Street, Seymour, Ct.

Their tent was filled with gorgeous things. Hilary owns her own Home Furnishings and Giftware shop, Ticked Pink which is located at 27 Bank Street in Seymour Connecticut. So, if you are visiting that area be sure to stop by. She is a delight. Her sister, Linda of Little M's Posies makes the most gorgeous designs. I bought my sister a bag from her and the cutest little faux cupcake. She had jackets, pillows and the most stunning sack bags for sale.

I left with another delicious lemonade, two treasures from Nancy, a beautiful bag for my sister, Lynne's birthday from Hillary and Linda and some nice photos to share with you. All in all Brimfield's is quite the market.

The song for this post is YOUR SO COOL by Hans Zimmer. I love all of his music.






Welcome to A New Blogger
P.S. When visiting the amazing Kari and Kijsa I read about a new blogger who dedicates her blog to saving money. The name of her blog is Centsiblemommy and her name is Jaime. We can all use that these days. So, stop by and extend a welcome to Blogland to Jaime and see all of her tips and information about how to save money.