If you tried to describe the style of Gooseberry Patch, we're betting that two of the words you'd use would be farmhouse and country. That's why we were so tickled to find this week's Featured Friday blog...
Dee is the voice behind this great blog and we love her combination of vintage art & postcards, present-day photos of her own decorating plus lots of neat photos from the past. It's one we visit regularly for a little eye-candy and a whole lot of inspiration. We know you'll love her blog as much as we do...or maybe it's already one of your favorites!
We asked Dee to give us a little background...who she is, how she stays inspired and more.
1. Tell us a little about yourself and your family.
We live on the East Coast in the Pine Barrens of NJ. Our farmhouse was built on the site of a one-time flower farm. I will be married 17 years this year and I've been a stay-at-home mom for the past 16 years and feel blessed beyond belief.I have two daughters and one son, two kitties and chickens.
I make signs that I sell both from my sale blog Farmhouse Mercantile and now in my Etsy shop. I love the farmhouse style and all things country, antiques, vintage handmades, daisies, gardening, rusty peeling and chippy...you name it!
I also love to repurpose things, like the one-time shoe rack turned pot rack that hangs in my kitchen! Most of all I love being with my family...they mean the world to me. I am so grateful for the time that I have been able to be at home raising my children.
2. What originally inspired you to start blogging?
I was inspired by RuthAnn's Warm Pie Happy Home blog. It was the first blog I discovered and I was instantly hooked. I decided after reading her blog for some time to give it a try.
I loved to write and take pictures so it was another creative outlet for me. I also thought that it would be nice to make an online diary of what goes on in my family throughout the year. It is fun to look back on, now that I have had my one-year blogging anniversary.
There are so many blogs out there that I love to read and I have made so many friends through blogging. It warms my heart to know there are like-minded women out there sharing encouraging and kind words.
3. As a mom of three, how do you find time to be creative, whether writing, decorating or cooking?
As a mom, I have many creative outlets. Aside from being creative with the signs that I make, I love to decorate for the holidays and I like to sew (even though I am a novice). Stitching is a favorite pastime of mine and I love to throw some creativity into hosting parties for my children's birthdays and seasonal celebrations.
Making our home a warm place to be is another way that I like to be creative using unconventional items in decorating sometimes. I love to cook, especially with my husband for the holidays. He is a wonderful help in the kitchen and we have made some wonderful holiday meals together. I especially love to bake.
4. Have you always been a creative soul? How did you get your start and who inspires you?
I have always loved to be creative, drawing and coloring from the time I was little. Making doll furniture for my dolls or sewing Barbie clothes with a friend. My father bought me my first professional oil painting set as a surprise when I was a teenager and, for a while, I painted and used chalks.
There are so many creative people in my family that have inspired me in so many ways. My mother taught a ceramics class when I was growing up and always encouraged us to be creative. My Aunt Midge taught me how to sew and boy, can she make some beautiful things. She is just amazing. She has helped me put together some great costumes for my children over the years.
My sister-in-law got me started with scrapbooking years ago. She makes some beautiful banners and paper-crafts. They all inspire me and my parent's love of antiques and all things country is where I attribute my decorating style. I try to encourage my own children the same way. Being creative is such a healthy outlet...gives your mind the time it needs to ponder things!
5.Since you've been published in our books, we know you're a great cook too. If you only had 5 ingredients to whip up something yummy, what would it be?
Cheese, bacon, grilled chicken, peppers, onions...you didn't say something healthy did you? Smothered chicken! You can never go wrong with cheese and bacon. Add it to almost anything and you've got a winner.
Here's one of our favorite posts of Dee's all about breakfast!
6. Tell us something that no one would guess about you.
Hmmm......that I laugh hysterically when I am very nervous. I get the giggles really bad! It's something that I have done since I was a child. I also like to sing in the shower, quite loudly, and I sing "good morning" in my opera voice from the top of the stairs in the morning! I am a night owl,that is when I am most creative.
Thanks so much for sharing with us, Dee...and thanks again for creating great posts!
Grab her button below if you'd like to link to Farmhouse Country Style...we know you'll enjoy reading!
