The Revival of Macrame

Macrame.  A lost art?

Think again!  Macrame is back in a big way!  In fact, it's back and hanging in the room I'm staging as an office!  I told you I was changing up the vibe in this house.

I love how this piece adds depth and texture to my office wall.  I also love how you just don't see macrame everywhere.........it's different, maybe unexpected, and definitely one of a kind!  Not to mention, it's the work of a fiber artist, my friend Layne.  She made that beautiful piece.

But let's back up a little bit.

Not too long ago, my friend Layne asked to interview me about my favorite hobby!  She wanted to know a little bit more about my thrifting skills.  Funny thing is, I wanted to know a little bit more about her favorite hobby too.........macrame!  So we traded interviews!  You can check out my interview at her blog The Room Journal.  And you can stay put to hear more about Layne's favorite hobby.......

How did you get into macrame?
My dad got me interested in macrame.  He made a lot of plant hangers, etc, back in the 70's, and he taught me a few knots. But then I became obsessed with it a few years ago when I discovered the work of Sally England.  Seeing her work made me start getting serious about learning more advanced knots.  I am self-taught, using vintage macrame books and YouTube videos.

Tell me about your Etsy shop name Viola Maye....
When I first started my Etsy shop, I called it "Eck Art."  I just couldn't think of a anything pretty, so I went with something silly. But I really wanted to find a name that had a nice sound to it.  Then one day I was digging through a drawer and came across something that had my grandma's first and middle name on it, and realized how much I liked the sound of her name, so I went with that.

What different items can you make? 
I offer pre-made and made-to-order macrame items, including wall hangings and plant hangers.  I also take custom orders.

What materials do you use?
I use cotton rope.  I also use driftwood I find along the coast of Puget Sound.

What gave you the idea of finding driftwood along Puget Sound to use?
I've noticed so many macrame artists using lots of different things to tie knots from ~ dowels, copper rods, lucite, driftwood, etc.  I've always loved the driftwood the best, so I was pretty thrilled when I discovered my new home in the Pacific Northwest had plenty of interesting pieces of driftwood everywhere I look.

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I have driftwood from Puget Sound hanging in my house?!?!?!  That is pretty darn cool!!!  AND YOU COULD TOO!  Layne is offering 20% off orders over $50!  Use the code VINTAGEGROVE20 to receive the discount!  Hop on over to Viola Maye to snag a beautiful piece of your own!  Or you can buy the piece named Evelyn for ME.  I have lots more wall space to fill, and I've had my eye on Evelyn since she added it to her shop!

We can call it an early Christmas present!

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You can find Layne on the internets at.....

*her shop: www.violamaye.etsy.com

*her blog: theroomjournal.com

*on Instagram: @layneeckhardt

Linking up with Two Thirty-Five Designs

Guest Post

A huge thank you for all the love, prayers, and sweet comments regarding my precious Grampy.  While this is still a very tough time, you guys have made me feel very supported and loved. 

I'd arranged to do my first ever guest post last week before it happened.  So I wanted to follow up with a shout out to Great Expections.  She is featuring my blog, along with one of my favorite recipes I've posted about previously.  You'll have to go check it out.........

Thank you again for all the virtual hugs.  The blog will be quiet for the rest of the week.  I'll return next week with a giveaway.

Weekly Recap

I survived the first day of school.  And I love that the second day of school is a Friday.  Because this is usually a tiring, crazy week full of late nights, early mornings, lots of meetings, and even more stress!

But in the midst of that, some fun news........A huge shout out to Ashley who had her baby on the first day of school!  Good thing she's not a teacher anymore! 

Another huge shout out to my mommy!  She is such a sweetie pie.  She made dinner last night.  The mister and I love her homemade pizza..........

Whit and I escaped before Open House for a little snack......

It got downright chilly this week.  It was excellent.  A short lived taste of fall.........

I purchased a bubble necklace on ebay.  It arrived and I LOVE IT.......

And the biggest news.........I am excited to announce a giveaway Because Shanna Said So is hosting!  I'm excited because I joined forces as one of her sponsors this month!  Part of becoming her sponsor included participation in a group giveaway, and the time has arrived!  Head to her blog and get yourself entered!!!!!!!!

Good luck to you annnd happy weekend!

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Follow me on Instagram @thisvintagegrove!!

Linking up with......High Five for Friday and Insta-Friday

Blog Love

It's been a big week in blog-land.

First, the 100 Facebook likes happened.

Then this.......

EEEEEEEKKK!!!!!

Next, sweet Jillian from Hi! It's Jilly nominated the blog for an award annnnd Mehak from The Double "M" Life did too!

I feel loved.  Thank you for that.

Those awards come with some rules to follow.  Answer some questions or tell random facts.....and award others.  You can read my recycled random facts HERE.

As for nominees.  Well, I'd love to still hear from some of my original nominees.  But I've made some new friends that I'd like to give a shout out to......

 Me & the Moon

 My Dear Watson

Hello Sweet World

Simply Rebekah

Surpassing Rubies

Girls, you've been tagged.  Pick your award and tell us some random facts!

And thanks again, everyone, for the blog love. 

You make my heart swell!

The Liebster Award

Imagine my surprise when I received this honor from the lovely Kati of Incorporating Color!

Yeeeehawww!  Thank you Kati!  You really did make my day!!!  

I blog because I love to, but it makes it that much better when someone else tells you they enjoy your little corner of the world wide web.

So with receiving this award comes the responsibility to pass it on.  Here are the rules......

• Choose five up and coming blogs to give the award to, must have 200 or less followers.
• Show your thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them.
• Post the award on your blog.
• List the blogs you gave the award to with links to their sites. Leave a comment on their blog to let them know they have received the award.
• Share five random facts about yourself.

And because I'm not very good at following rules, I may have chosen more than five recipients......

• Jamie at Owl Really
• Jan at Summer Sundays
• Andrea at Spray Paint and a Staple Gun
• Amanda at Wandering on Purpose
• Nancy at The Doubrava Diaries
• Whitney at The Hoodenpyle Family
• Ashley at Sow Much in Love

Go check these girls out!  I love all of them!  And really there were a few more I wanted to give a shout out to (The Baker Family, Newly Loved, and Moments on the Journey).  

Now for five random facts about me......  

• I can play piano!
• I had a seizure in the "House of Mirrors" at the Ozark Empire Fair.  Stupid strobe lights.  Had to be rushed to the E.R.  Hasn't happened again, luckily!
• The day before I was scheduled to get my braces off, I got hit square in the mouth with a baseball. Needless to say, I wore my braces for about 5 more months after that incident. The orthodontist said the braces saved my teeth.
• I could eat out every single day.
• I can twirl a mean flag!  Even after all these years....

 

So that about wraps it up!  Go check out Kati and all the ladies I tagged for this award!  You'll fall in love with them too!

Featured!!

Last week I linked up with Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms.  I participated in her blog hop by posting that pork roast I'd made.

Imagine my shock and excitement when I checked her most recent post and found that my roast was her most viewed recipe that week.

EEEEEEEEEKKKK!!! 

DOUBLE EEEEEEKKKKKK!!!

eeeekk, an update, and a recipe

The eeeekk....

The Vanilla Tulip is featuring my blog this weekend, since I'm a new sponsor!  She posted a short little bio that (I hope) sums up the essence of This Vintage Grove.  It's like seeing my name in big, shiny lights.  I'm sorta giddy.

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The update.... 

Do you remember the ironing board cover giveaway?  Prepare yourself for the unveiling.....

After hitting up two stores for the perfect fabric, Schlager whipped it up yesterday!  Cathy, we hope you love it.  You will receive it this week!

If you wanna know how to d.i.y. head over to Spray Paint and a Staple Gun!!

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The recipe....

And lastly, for all of you who are searching the world over for the perfect pumpkin muffin....

I've found it (via Pinterest).

After trying four different recipes, this one is IT. 

Maybe it's the streusel.

Could be the cream cheese filling.

Recipe!!!

Cute muffin liners never hurt either.

Pumpkin should be enjoyed year round people.