Thursday, March 31, 2016

Yellow Checked Ribbon. . .

Certain items can be a trigger into one's memory of a time or place.

That's exactly what yellow checked ribbon does for me!


Yellow checked ribbon triggers my memory 
of bows tied up for Spring floral bouquets!

I adore soft buttery yellow flowers for Spring floral arrangements!

While designing a Spring Wreath for 
On Crooked Creektt's  NEW Front Porch (here),
I used soft buttery yellow florals  as my color palette.

* * * * * * * Tutorial * * * * * * *
After I had "Mr. Ed" hang the grapevine wreath to the front door,
I began by sticking yellow wildflowers to the left side of the wreath.































When I was satisfied with the placement of the florals,
I did the same to the right side of the grapevine wreath.


















Next,
I filled the grapevine wreath with soft buttery yellow florals in a random, yet strategic pattern.






Then,
I added a stem of various berries, blossoms and leaves for added texture.






























Quite truthfully,
I could have stopped at this point and been pleased with an early Spring wreath.

Instead, 
I added  soft buttery yellow blossoms 
to fill the wreath with florals that mimic Spring sunshine!


To add another Spring time element to the grapevine wreath,
I neatly tucked inside a rusty tin can containing a bird's nest.






I adore the look of this Spring Wreath 
from the reflection in my French Mirror in On Crooked Creektt's Entry Hall!


This is how my Spring Wreath remained 
during the construction of our NEW Front Porch, Holy Week and Easter.

On the day that I waited for the hand rail construction appointment,
I took the idle time to make the yellow checked ribbon into a bow!

First,
I tied a length of the yellow checked ribbon 
the circumference of the grapevine wreath, attaching it at the top.


Next,
I cut approximately 2  1/2 yards of yellow checked ribbon
and gathered it into six loops, making three loops to each side.


Then,
I tied the gathered loops into a square knot onto the grapevine wreath.


I opened yellow checked ribbon loops and "fluffed" the bow 
until I was pleased and had the desired look I preferred.

Taking a black Sharpie marker,


 I began rolling the yellow checked ribbon,


 from the bottom to the top of the strand,


 then loosely pulling down to relax the curled ribbon.




I repeated the process . . .


until all four strands of the ribbon had been curled. 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 


Yellow Checked Ribbon
tied into a sweet curly bow 
tells me Spring has arrived On Crooked Creektt!



Until next time. . .


On Crooked Creektt will be joining



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As you visit the above host and hostesses,
may you come away filled with inspiring ideas
for use within your own home décor.
Please leave a short comment
to let each of them know how much you enjoyed their linky party.

Friday, March 18, 2016

NEW Front Porch. . .

Our NEW Front Porch On Crooked Creektt is nearing completion!



The process was challenging to both "Mr. Ed" and I 
and to our Contractor and Concrete Workman.


NEW Front Porch and Steps!

One of the main challenges 
was the placement of how close our driveway sets to the house.


NEW Front Porch, Steps and Landing!

The other huge challenge was were to end the steps 
and not have persons walking into On Crooked Creektt's  Rose Garden.


NEW Porch, Steps and Landing!

My inability to draw that which I can see in "my mind's eye"
created a few interesting discussions with "Mr. Ed" and our Contractor!



Thank goodness for our Concrete Workman!
Not only did he understand, but replied. . ."Piece of Cake"!

It's as if "Mr. Ed" and our Contractor kept telling me, 
"You can't put rounded steps inside of a rectangular space."


Layout of the original "Stoop". . .


Layout of the original "Stoop". . .


Layout of the original "Stoop". . .

Once I brought out the chalk,
and instructed "Mr. Ed" to make some archs on the existing concrete,
a design plan was put into motion.


The Design Process. . .

I had "Mr. Ed" draw semi~circles on the existing concrete
from the edge of the driveway towards the rock facade 
of our 1970's Ranch Style Home.

The Design Process. . .

As you can see, there were many trial and error attempts
before we arrived at the finished design. 

The Design Process. . .

Once we had a "visual", 
both "Mr. Ed" and our Contractor were confident to move forward!

DEMO Day #2!
Concrete Demo Day!












Of course,
once everyone, "Mr. Ed", I, our Contractor and our Cement Workman
were all in agreement and "on board" with the design and construction. . .
it rained! 

With rain comes delays.

For three more days we waited.

Forms in place for the NEW Front Porch and Steps!


Forms in place for the NEW Front Porch and Steps!

Ours being a "smaller job", 
we were put on a "low priority" for cement at the cement factory!

Forms were reinforced. . .


and steps reinforced. . .


and landing reinforced.


The sun was shining brightly and my heart was filled with anticipation 
when I saw the truck and cement mixer arrive!

Concrete Workman and the Cement Mixer arrive
On Crooked Creektt!

Such a beautiful sight. . .
Three yards of cement for our NEW Front Porch!

Drum Roll. . .

I was absolutely thrilled that these two men worked
the rest of the afternoon to complete the work 
needed to finish On Crooked Creektt's  NEW Front Porch! 

Concrete Workman doing the "Mud Stomp".


Concrete Workman smoothing the cement.


Concrete Workman bringing the cement down the steps
and into the landing.

Over the past fourteen years
On Crooked Creektt's Front Entry has gone from a "stoop". . .

The original "Stoop"
and the beginnings of the Front Deck!

to a deck. . .

The weathered Front Deck.

to a proper Front Porch!

On Crooked Creektt's NEW Front Porch!


"Mr. Ed's" Seal of Approval!

Of course, "Mr. Ed" and I aren't completely finished.

We both agree, that On Crooked Creektt's NEW Front Porch
needs some custom railings!



It is with a grateful heart that I thank Kathryn @ The Dedicated House

And. . .





Until next time. . .

* * * FYI * * *
Dear Ones,
With a grateful heart, I thank each of you for following along
the reconstruction and finally the completed NEW Front Porch!

Oh, yes. . .
there was ample "happy dancing" as the cement truck arrived!
And even more, as "Mr. Ed" and I first walked out onto the NEW
Front Porch and down the "easy steps"! 

Custom railings are being researched in our area.
"Mr. Ed" and I have been visiting a few Garden Centers 
for NEW Front Porch decor, as well.

Stay tuned!
There's always an adventure in the planning, On Crooked Creektt!

Fondly,
Pat


On Crooked Creektt will be joining





And. . .



And. . .



And. . .



And. . .



And. . .



And. . .



And. . .



And. . .



As you visit the above host and hostesses,
may you come away filled with inspiring ideas
for use within your own home décor.
Please leave a short comment
to let each of them know how much you enjoyed their linky party.