At the Dragonfly Tea Cottage

The sign on the front sidewalk says, "open" 

so let' have lunch at the Dragonfly Tea Cottage in Sylvania, Ohio! 

MJ had told me about this wonderful little oasis and I couldn't wait to visit.  We came in through the backyard garden , passed the welcoming back porch with dragonfly decorated ceramic boots setting a quaint scene.

 

A vibrant sign, just inside the door, greeted us and the ladies smiled warmly creating a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. 

Everything inside the tea house is colorful, eclectic and artistic.  From the charm of mismatched table settings to the whimsical salt & pepper shakers that adorn each table. 

Then....there's the tea and food.  Hot temperatures outside require cool drinks indoors.  We opted for flavored iced teas, refreshing and delicious. And the food....fresh, home made and wow!

Someday I'm going back for dessert!  

Dragonfly Tea Cottage

"We Love Tea Parties!"

5723 N. Main Street

Sylvania, Ohio, 43560

(419) 824-2153

By the way...there's another whole floor waiting for little girls everywhere to experience their dream fairy tea party, but I'm saving that for another post. 

Texture Tuesday: Of Gloves, Hats, & Happy Hearts

Growing up I loved watching Doris Day and Audrey Hepburn movies; one was so blonde and bubbly and the other brunette and witty, but both had a charm about them that made me want to grow up to be just like Doris, Audrey, or a bit of both.  The elegant clothing, the capricious hats, the sexy heels, and oh how I loved the elbow length gloves.  To me those gloves were the height of style and fashion.  So when I go into a vintage shop and see long white gloves, I'm transported to a city, usually New York, where I'm Holly Golightly; my heels mincing down 5th Avenue wearing a three-quarter-length-sleeved, red coat with my purse dangling from a gloved arm.

  

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The photos were shot at The Green Awning Gallery in Stryker, Ohio.  Each photo has at least one layer of a Kim Klassen texture. 

The top photo was processed with Simply Vintage action from The Coffee Shop blog. It's layered with Kim's Cherished texture. 

I used Shine texture on the middle photo.  Another texture by Kim Klassen.

The last photo has two layers of Happy Heart, the texture required for today's challenge over at Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday link party. Why not strut through the fabulous Texture Tuesday photos at...

Texture Tuesday

Do you ever wonder what in the world to photograph?  At times I find myself thinking that there's nothing left to photograph...at least not close by.  I dream of walking the streets of great cities and snapping photos with wild abandon.  I long to visit the elegant, yet haunting cemeteries of Europe filled with exquisite statues in poignant poses capturing their essence as this very talented photographer has.  Instead, I searched the house for inspiration.

 A sweet bracelet my mother wore as a girl rests in my jewelry box. Books and a bracelet...how romantic

I found four slim volumes in French with a 1925 copyright.  There's something about the French language that invites romance, even when I have no idea what the actual words say.   

Dreamy fabrics always catch my eye and once upon a time I had a small shop where I concocted delicious potpourris from the leftover petals and leaves of herbs and flowers. Sweet bags were sewn from the brocades and I recently found the box holding the leftover fabrics.  The soft floral background is one  of those brocades.

    
I added layers of detail via Elements.  A gaussian blur and levels adjustments captured the soft feel I was looking for. Then it was time to layer with textures. I used Solitude by Kristy at Live and Love Out Loud. Kim Klassen's Sweet Treat texture was added twice using soft light mode.

The other two photos also have textures and I used a brush from the French Kiss sampler on the top photo.


I'm linking up with other photographers who are sharing their texture creations at ....

Gratitude & a Gift

 I found memories and creation dreams left behind in a box that remained closed for nearly 15 years. Tucked inside were mounds of fabric, lace, ribbon, and  of all things jingle bells.  The luxurious sheen of a pastel brocade, the sweet fleurs on a French ribbon, and the delicate beauty of cream lace made my heart delight in simple things.  I'm thankful that I found that box filled with such lovely textiles, but I'm even more grateful to be on this journey of finding those things I left behind, rediscovered, and still they bring so much joy. 

This photo, taken in my homemade lightbox, has two textures adding a bit more vintage and age. I used Kim Klassen's Portrait & And then Some textures on the photo after using a sepia tone, faded a bit to bring out the color.  If texture is your thing, check out more textured photos at Kim Klassen's cafe. 


 

What's a Light Box?

If you're as curious as I was after reading this post at You'll Shoot Your Eye Out, then go ahead and follow the trail to Leavesnbloom Photography and just when you think you're there...follow me down the rabbit hole to Ramblings and Photos   Enjoy the journey! 

A Gift for You

I love messing about on the computer and I also love planners.  So I came up with the idea to create a Holiday Planner.  Time is flying and getting organized for the holidays just makes sense. So...you can download the entire planner in pdf form.  Pick up a folder with pockets and voila! You'll have everything at your fingertips from gift list to menu planner to a calendar. You'll also find the websites of angels who offer some wonderful free images and recipe cards. I've included a sugar cookie recipe that is a family heirloom.  These are the best sugar cookies ever!  Just click on the Gift for You page and you'll  find the planner.  

Happy Holidays! 

Vintage Love at The Green Awning Gallery

I'm a sucker for vintage and antique chachka. From thread wound on wood spools to 300 year old houses, I'm drawn into the story.  Everything on this little planet has a story and though I might not know it or ever hear it, I tend to imagine what came before. 

There's a shop, The Green Awning, owned by Tom and Kathy Short located in Stryker, Ohio.  I've known Tom and Kathy since my kids started kindergarten many moons ago.  I stopped by with camera in hand to photograph the shop that displays vintage niceties, antique and Amish-made furniture, candles, and a room full of mixes, jams and jellies.

If you've a moment, come along and I'll show what caught my eye in The Green Awning Gallery.

This table that drew me in right away...

 Halloween will soon be here,but until the calendar says November 1st, it's still all about jack-o-lanterns, goblins, and witches.

Kathy has created vignettes using like items that tell a story....

 The cream luggage topped with a sweet sheet set reminded me of  my sister going away to college in the '60s.

 I fell in love with this charming stove and would have it in my kitchen, if I lived in the right style of house.

And then there were the colorful dishes....

   What an eclectic mix of colors that add vibrance to the table.

There are so many pretties in the shop with the green awning out front.  The clear glass twinkled among fairy lights...

Kathy and I talked for about an hour as I snapped photos.  I mentioned that I'd love to take some photos of the bicycle in her front yard.  She sugested I not only photograph the bike, but walk around the yard and see how she decorated her back fence. Well...the photos of the bike didn't turn out like I'd hoped, but you have to see the whimsy of her back fence....

Yep, all along her fence on both sides are antique and vintage plates and platters; cracked, chipped, and still used for decorationg because each one is lovely. 

   The sweet cluster of flowers in the center of creamy white and the soft green edge of the plate against the fence called out,  "Take a picture of me!" So I did!

The Green Awning Gallery in Stryker is a great place to visit.  The prices are more than reasonable, the proprietors, Kathy and Tom, engaging, and there's so much to see.  I'm planning to go back for the Christmas Open House, November 10th and yes, I'll have my camera with me. 

The Green Awning Gallery

106 Defiance Street

Stryker,Ohio  43557

(419) 682-7432

Owners: Tom & Kathy Short



Across the street from the Green Awning Gallery stands a brick house that I've pined over for 30 years.  I imagined creating an herb and flower shop  inside and gardens outside.  The house is empty now, needs lots of repair, but oh how I'd love to put out my shingle and welcome visitors to the door...

Just one more.  The window above the door is framed in wrought iron and adds more character to the house.

Oh to dream....