Thursday, March 28, 2013

Some Easter touches & some self doubt


Hi there Peeps, well a few more Easter touches before Easter is actually OVER. For some reason I have never been able to get a good picture of  the kitchen nook. Must be the combination of  the lighting & my crappy photography skills. Speaking of photography skills, I thought I moved that ziplock bag on the kitchen island out of the way before taking the picture.... uhhhh apparently NOT! Well here we go....
 I love this Candle Chandelier I found in Germany a couple of years ago.


  I added some fake grass, some little eggs and a cute little primitive bunny named "Jacky" I found at one of my favorite stores  Wisteria Cottage. It is always a bit challenging for me to decorate for Easter with all the beautiful bright Easter colors, because a lot of my walls are very rich, such as this chocolate brown in the kitchen. The wall color just really clashes with most of your typical Easter colors, so I try to keep it really simple. I actually bought some chocolate and cream colored Easter eggs to match ..haha
     
The table runner used to be a curtain from WORLDMARKET. My Mom made it into a shower curtain and the left-over fabric was enough for this little runner 


Some Easter string lights stuffed in a glass jar 
  
My Foyer, not happy with it but I ran out of steam. Nothing I did seemed to work that day! Most likely I will re-decorate the trunk the day before Easter...lol
 
Forsythia branches in a basket
  
 Ops, I can see my head sticking out in the mirror. Oh boy oh boy, I still have a lot to learn about Picture taking.
 One can never go wrong with chalkboards
      and nothing beats an old rusty bucket!
 And last, here is a little snap shot from the formal Dining Room. My Mother-In-Law is an Artist and she drew these pictures of Robbie with Pastels. Don't they look great with the Forsythias?

On a different note, some self doubt

For those of you that have been following my blog, you know that I am still a Newby. I have to be honest, the more blogs I visit and the more awesome & creative things I see, the more I doubt myself. It can be overwhelming. Take this Easter Post for example. As I am writing this post I can't help thinking about all the beautiful Easter Decor I've seen on other blogs, some of them good enough to be in a magazine. And suddenly my pictures don't seem so nice anyore. But then I remind myself of why I started a blog in the first place. It was to stop spending so much time "LOOKING" on Pinterest and start "DOING". I want to get inspired by others, I want to improve my house and blog about it along the way. Having a blog is a tool to get me motivated because I have "TO DO" things to blog about, right??? I have already learned a lot and met some wonderful people in a very short amount of time. So hopefully each time I blog, I will improve a little bit and next years Easter post will be better than this one!!! So that being said, I want to THANK everybody that signed up to follow my blog and made comments. I have had over 11,000 page views so far (where are they all coming from)?? lol....You guys ROCK...please stick around and bear with me!

A very special thanks to these gals for helping me along the way. I don't know what I would have done without having you guys to pester with questions about Blogland.

Holly at Down To Earth
Donna at An Anglo In Quebec 

Christine

69 comments:

  1. Christine,
    I am so happy we found your blog. You have a lovely home and I like your style. Thank you so much for sharing some of your spring / Easter ideas with us for our readers! You have every reason to be proud.

    Mary

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    1. Ahh Mary thanks so much for your sweet comment...so nice to see you come back and visit!

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  2. Christine! You're so talented - love your creative ideas and your blog!! :D Michelle

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  3. I really like what you've done in your home for Easter. It all looks so nice. I'm so glad that I've been able to help you in some small way with getting your blog off and running. I think you've done a great job on your own! If you're needing better pictures, it's not always by your camera. Are you editing them afterwards? That's what I do. I often start out with pictures that are crooked or too dark. I edit them and that helps a lot!! I edit mine in Picassa. But alot of people like picmonkey too. Hope you have a wonderful Easter!

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    1. Thanks Kelly, yes I do Picmonkey...wonderful tool....I simply need a better camera and a few lessons...haha....Have a wonderful Easter and THanks for everything!

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  4. I love your blog! You always have great ideas and your home is adorable. I would never have even noticed the baggy if you hadn't pointed it out.

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    1. Thanks Kimberlee for stopping by and commenting, have a very Happy Easter

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  5. Hi Christine, I'm so glad you stopped by my blog so I could find yours! I love the Easter touches you incorporated, Jacky the bunny and the hen in that bucket are soo cute! Keep up the good job, don't compare yourself or your blog to others!

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    1. Thanks Christina for stopping by and commenting....Have a Happy Easter

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  6. Christine,
    Hi I meant to send you this earlier, but I got sidetracked when I was looking for the printable I wanted to pass onto you... anyhow, I know exactly how you feel!!!!! But we have to evaluate why we are doing the blogging. I think your blog is wonderful and it looks like one of the pros! We all have our strengths... I wish I had a beautiful house to be the backdrop for my photos. I have to cover the mirrors when I am taking a photo so that no one can see the state it is in and I would love to renovate it and blog about it, but we can't afford to. But I am trying not to let that get me down and am focusing on inspiring others with my diy projects. And I am hoping to be able to help support my family one day from blogging. This is what keeps me going. You have take the time to help me with my own blog and am very appreciative of that!!!

    Don't give up and PLEASE CHECK OUT THIS FREE PRINTABLE that I will be printing and posting on my craft room wall.
    http://debbie-debbiedoos.com/2013/03/dont-let-comparison-steal-your-joy.html

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    1. Hi Lucy, thanks so much for your sweet comment...I am sure we all go through this at one point or another....I will make sure to check out the link you send...Have a Happy Easter and thanks again for commenting!!!!

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    2. omg Lucy, that was a great link to send me...perfect for the current state of mind...hahha Thank ya Lady

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  7. Hi Holly, thanks for the longest comment ever...It cheered me up a lot...Thanks for encouraging me to start a Blog. Uhhh and thanks for Pinning some of my pics today!!!

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  8. Girl...you are already a step ahead of the blogging...look at your comments and readers. They like you, they really do, for you:) You just keep putzin and doing what you love. Your photos will improve in time, and with practice. Heck they are good already. You should see mine from the start...ugh, I hate to even look back sometimes, but then again, I do, because we all have to start somewhere:)

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    1. Thanks so much Debbie for the sweet words. I follow you and also linked up for this weekend at your blog....Happy Easter and thanks for hopping over

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  9. Christine:
    I love the blog...you are doing a great job showing us your beautiful home and decorating ideas come to life.. be proud of your initiative.... and abilities.!!

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  10. Christine, I just found your blog today via Romantic Homes. I love it!! You home is just so beautiful. You are so brave to start a blog. I feel that self doubt you are talking about. That is what has stopped me from having my own blog. I keep thinking I will start one this year, and then self doubt sets in. I hope to get over my fear soon. Your Easter decor looks great. I have signed up as a follower and look forward to seeing what you post now.

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    1. Thanks KC for your sweet comment...I am thrilled when I get new followers.....Happy Easter and will see you come back soon

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  11. Just 'POP'ping over from the "Power of Pinterest" party. I posted right after you! Love your Easter decor and I hear ya' - my Dining area is lacking good natural light so pictures are tough sometimes. I love Jacky the rabbit. I love the Easter lights in the jar. I love the pastel drawings. I love the trunk. And I love the ziploc bag (because that menas you're human).
    On the self doubt: I was at the Blissdom conference last weekend and the closing keynote speaker Jon Acuff said this:

    "Don't ever compare your beginning to someone else's middle."

    Whoa. So be inspired by other blogs, not discouraged. I've been blogging six months this coming Monday. Eeeek!
    Hang in there. You'll find your voice. :)
    xo, Claire

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    1. Thanks so much Claire for your wonderful comments and advice..I will check our your blog after the Easter rush...busy busy..Happuy Easter

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  12. I love your Easter decor. It is so clever and I love what you did to the chandelier! That is really cool!

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    1. Thanks Martha for stopping by my new blog !!!! Hope to see you come back

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  13. Well, I think you are doing a wonderful job with your blog! I understand you thoughts, because they are identical to mine, even after a year blogging! :) By the way I love all your Spring decor! I have a new weekly link party which is live now and I would love if you stop by and link up this wonderful post! Hope to see you there! http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/ I am your new follower! Hugs, Maria

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    1. Thanks so much Maria for stopping by. I did link up a couple of posts at your PARTYYYYY...will follow you. Thanks for the sweet comment

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  14. Don't be unsure of your blog. I love it and so do a lot of other people. You have great ideas. I hope you will join my blog and read about my life as a Missouri Farm Girl and much more.

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    1. Thanks so much Missori Farm girl..lol...for your sweet comment...will check out your blog!!!! Thanks for stopping by

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  15. I totally LOVE that candle chandelier and pinned it! What a GREAT find!

    hugs x
    Crystelle
    Crystelle Boutique

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  16. I love your mix of rustic with the elegant, it is so perfect. The candelier is unreal and I also really love the rustic chest. Thanks so much for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty

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  17. Your Easter decorations are so cute! You have a great blog! Never start with the comparing thing - it will zap your creative energy! Just do what you love and share with the rest of us! Life to the full, Melissa

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  18. Hi, I am new to your blog and have fallen in love with your style. Thank You! I saw that you are using forsythia in your spring decorating and my little problem on top of my china hutch is now solved! Forsythia will be perfect. Did not even think of that until I saw it on your blog.

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    1. Thanks so much for your sweet comments...I am flattered!!!!

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  19. I saw you at TDC linky party. I love your post and totally appreciate it as a newbie too. Your Easter decor is very nice and I love your Germany chandy. What a find! You have a great blog, I will visit again!

    Kristina at www.thriftysouthernpilgrim.com

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    1. Thanks so much for stopping by Kristina..will have to go check out your blog

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  20. Hi Christine,
    I love that chandy and the basket of forysthia. Your home is very inviting.
    I can so relate to your comments about being new to Blogland. I started when on medical leave and found it to be a form of happy therapy! Before that, I hardly knew what a blog was and still have so much to learn. It can be overwhelming at times but the main thing is to do what you love and enjoy the journey. I'm back to work and enjoying it more and more each day. I have even travelled by plane to meet a new friend I made through the bloggysphere! I hope you'll visit me at my online home sometime...
    Hugs,
    Linda at Beautiful Ideas

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    1. Thank you Linda for your sweet comment...and you are absolutely right....Just enjoy the ride.....Thanks fo rstopping by and I hope to see you come back soon!

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  21. I love all of your Spring touches throughout the house...you have so many cute little treasures!

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  22. Hi! Your blog looks fantastic!! I'm new to the blogging world as well. I've been blogging since January mostly about cooking. I have four kids and that seems like all I do is cook so I thought why not blog about it. I do love diy projects and home decorating. Hopefully when my two youngest boys get a little older I can decorate more.
    If you wouldnt mind sharing with me, how have you promoted your blog. I noticed you have had a lot of page views. How have you gotten the word out? I'd love to hear back from you.
    Thanks,
    Deanna
    gloriouslymade.blogspot.com

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    1. Hi Deanna, I replied to you on your blog in the ABOUT section...thanks so much for coming to visit me!!!

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  23. Blogging is about growing. My early pictures and posts were ekk! But, I am getting better. I still look at my pictures and think ho hum, blanks look so much better! But, you do grow and you do get better. Then you will see a talent you didn't realize you were so good at. That is the nice thing about blogging, friends and exploring your God given talents. There is a lot of talented people out there!! I think the magazines are the ones who need to be worried. I pick up mags and think , wow, so and so has a blog better than this. Thank you for joining Home Sweet Home!

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    1. Thanks so much Sherry for the sweet comment. I am thrilled you stopped by!!!! Greetings from WA

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  24. I love your Easter décor! Your home looks beautiful!

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  25. Featuring your pretty decor at my Friday Fav Features tomorrow. Stick with it!!!! It is good enough and we all started somewhere :)

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    1. Hi Shannon, I am thrilled...checked out your blog but couldn't see it yet...will double check later....Thrilled and Flattered

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  26. Ah Christine, how sweet of you for that shout out. You are mastering blogging much better and faster than you realize. Keep having fun with it. Don't feel pressured to perform, just keep it real. There are a lot of hoops out there to jump through if you choose.... but decide which ones speak to you and what you want from your blog. You have already established a phenomenal rapport with your readers. We all see how genuine you are, so hold on to that. You will see how wonderfully supportive the blogging community can be.

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  27. Love your style. Found you through, Our Home Away From Home. You inspired me to stick a bunch of our Rosemary in my husband's rubber boots that he keeps on our front porch! Hilarious! Now, my perspective on them has totally changed! Thank you for being a marriage counselor! Carmen Bertram, Texas

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    1. That is such a cute and funny comment...Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment...fill up those boots

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  28. Such beautiful touches of spring throughout your house! I think this is my first time here, such a beautiful home and blog you have! Thanks for linking up.
    XO
    kristin

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    1. Thanks Kristin, My blog is new. So glad you stopped by. I do follow yours....Greetings

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  29. Thanks Kathy for stopping by...will head on over now

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  30. Your blog is lovely! And your spring decor is beautiful.. keep blogging as you and great things will happen~
    xoxo
    Amie @ Pinkapotamus

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  31. I love all your spring decor. That chandelier is so pretty and unique. Thanks for linking up.

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  32. THanks Rena for visiting my new blog...will visit yours now

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  33. Everything looks so darn cute, and the chandy is my fav. Thanks for linking up at the Cabin:)

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  34. Wow, pretty cool and the decorations look so fresh and unique. I was initially looking for some easy Easter crafts for kids when I came across to this post so I was really amazed with that decors and crafts here. Thanks for inspiration!

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  35. Your pictures are magazine worthy!! You have a wonderful blog! Very beautiful!! Thank you for the inspiration.

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  36. I enjoy your blog very much and find a LOT of inspiration here. Mostly I use that inspiration to do the floors and maybe suck some cat hair off the couch, but hey, someday, right? I got a grin out of your comments about photos - I have had that conversation with a number of people - how we don't see some of those little realities of life until we look at the photograph. I have seen things in photos that I have walked past DAILY and never noticed. Like the ski pole stuck in the ground pole next to the just built garden house. In July. A. Ski. Pole.
    I had photography class back in the Pleistocene, when we had to get it right the hard way. Now I point and click with my phone camera and let a free little bit of software called Paint.net tweak the lighting and tighten the shot.
    Happy Spring, Happy Easter!

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