Baskets and Bees. . .

Hello my friends,
each time I walk out into our garden I am greeted with an assortment of baskets and plenty of bees buzzing about.
 
The only thing we don't have plenty of lately, is sunshine.  Boy has it been a wet spring!  I'm not complaining, the garden is loving it!
 
BUT
why today of all days?  The crew is here to frame the 'she shed' and it is raining.
Somehow I don't think there will be a lot of 'singing in the rain' going on.  lol!
 
When the garden comes alive, I like to carry the theme into my home as well.
 
So I pulled out my bee sampler that hubby made the frame for last year and placed it on the mantle.
 
 
Then I added one of my cast iron baskets. 
 
 
These baskets are (one) of my newest obsessions.  Noticed I said, one?  :) Isn't this one gorgeous?  I love the colors!! It went so well with the sampler.
 

My friend, Joanne has an amazing collection; and I was totally smitten!  She actually brought two of these home from Virginia for me (what a sweetheart)! The third one (on the left),I picked up at fleology last weekend.
 
 
The rustic beehive was a thrift find.


 
I also love corbels and brought a few home from South Carolina.
This chippy pair have seen better days, but I adore them just the way they are!
 
 
This mantle is very simplistic and I liked it, but felt it needed just a little something more.  (wink)
 
 
So last night I printed some graphics and made a 'bee' banner.
 



I kept the colors very subtle so it wouldn't take away from the vintage feel. 
 
 I laugh at the things that I save.  It's hard to see, but on the Queen bee there is a little tassel type thing hanging down.  It was a tag that came on some jeans I bought a few years ago.  I saved it knowing I might use it on something.  It actually has the letter 'Q' on it.  Meant to be!  ha, ha!
 



 
I think the banner added that needed touch!  Although I'm thinking I should make one more so there would be 7 instead of 6.  What do you think?
 
Hope you are having a BEE-utiful day!
 
 
And don't forget our Garden Party starting Monday, May 23rd!
Hope to see you there!
 
 
 
hugs,
Jann

I will be sharing with these lovely parties:
Thoughts of Home
 
 

24 comments

Optimistic Existentialist said...

I LOVE that mantle :)

camp and cottage living said...

Jann
Love your mantle! The cast iron baskets are a favourite of mine. I would never find any this far North though.
Your banner is cute just the way it is-six is perfect.

Susie said...

Jann, I love all the bees things you have. I do love honey bees. Carpenter bees...well ,not so much..don't even think about hornets. I kind of just leave those things a lone. Blessings to you, xoxo, Susie

20 North Ora said...

Love the bee garland. Everything is so cute!!

Judy

Decor To Adore said...

This vignette is delightfully bee utiful! We so appreciate you joining the Thoughts of Home on Thursday gathering. May you have a delightfully lovely weekend.

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

Oh you clever woman, it is beautiful and I love it. I think 6 look fine. Everything on the mantle works so well together. Great job!

I am looking forward to the garden party on Monday. Enjoy your Sunday.

Hugs,
Mary

Joy Junktion said...

I don't think I have ever seen any of those metal baskets, so cute though! I love the 'bee' theme in your home, you make it all so welcoming and fun. I keep little things like that tag as well :) Make sure to stop by the blog and enter my give away! Blessings, Cindy xo

Stacey said...

Jann, I love this! Everything about your mantel is fun and unique. The banner is so cute...the fact that you save things like the little tassel is why you always are able to create fun things.

Thank you for linking this with Thoughts of Home. :)

Nikki said...

Awesome idea to add the banner! And the special touches you added to it make it so unique.
:) gwingal

At Rivercrest Cottage said...

Those banner pieces are just the cutest! Love it like it is, but since you asked -- I vote for adding a 7th.

Kim said...

Once again, those clever Jann touches. =) Your mantle is perfect. Love, love, love those baskets!

Rita C at Panoply said...

Jann, I love this! I have one of those doorstops, but that banner is what is stealing the show here for me (I think 6 are fine, btw). I'd really like to know how much of this you created, and how much of it was pre-made. Are the cards with grommets a purchased item? All the embellishments - you added? It's so wonderful!

As for the rain, I hear ya and feel ya. Our porch project went 2X as long due to the rain, and I just yesterday planted my containers - and got caught in the rain (thunderstorm!), only to return later to finish, and saw another .5" in the rain gauge. Looking forward to the garden party. Happy Sunday.
Rita

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Jann,
Thanks so much for stopping by!! I love your mantle!! I have 2 of the flower basket door stops that I found many years ago.....
I hope you are having a great weekend!!
Hugs,
Debbie

Sharon@bluewillowhouse said...

Jann, I love the bee banner. Six is fine unless it is bothering you. If something like that is bothering me I won't be happy until I change it. Your flower doorstops are gorgeous. I have a couple and would love to find more.

AnnMarie aka Vintage Junkie aka NaNa said...

Too sweet! The banner is just perfect. Love the embellishments. I love the whole bee theme and you have inspired me. I bought a bee and hive stencil to make a few things but then decided I might return it. Now I think I have to make a few bee things!!

Sarah said...

Jann, I'm buzzing with joy at seeing this. Your sampler is wonderful and the baskets - well let's just say a new obsession might be brewing here in TX. I've long admired them, but seeing these three really appeal to me. I especially like the tall chippy one. '-)
Didn't know there was another garden party on the horizon. I'm working on a post now about the most amazing "flower field" party I attended last night. Perfect timing! Do you kow about Field to Vase Dinners that are being held across the country? You would love it!

Mary Ann Potter said...

Like everything else you post, this is just wonderful! I love this sampler. And I say yes to including tag #7 since odd numbers seem to be more aesthetically pleasing! Have a creative day!!!

Jemma@athomewithjemma said...

Jann,
You are so clever, and talented! Love it all my Utah friend:)
Great to have you join us at TOHOT too!
Hugs,
Jemma

Creations By Cindy said...

Jann, the mantle is very pretty. LOVE that sweet banner! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

Jeanie said...

This whole set is wonderful -- there isn't a photo I don't adore! Antiques and stitching and the wonderful banner! I prefer my bees that way -- in honey and in art (not so much the wasps that seem to pop out where you least want them!).

I've been doing family history and recently discovered that my great grandmother, of whom I know very little, was a beekeeper and I found something about her in a 1892 aviary journal! The things you find online!

Rose L said...

So creative. Love the corbels and that pillow!

cynthia lee designs said...

I love your banner and everything on your fireplace. So pretty!!
~Cindy

Art and Sand said...

I missed this post - having trouble keeping up with blogs with the weekly party and then the garden party threw me off!

I love that banner!

deb @ frugal little bungalow said...

Jann I just love that bee sampler and the other crafts surrounding it. I made some bee themed pillows a few years back ( well, pillow covers ) and this just reminded me that I should be changing covers for summer. Love your creativity :)

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