my papa's paints

My Papa, who is now 96, used to make all kinds of wood carvings, in addition to the many other things he made from wood. Someday I'll take some photos to share, but today I want to show you what I found.

Last fall my Papa moved from his house and is now in a care facility with an amazing staff who have created a family and home environment. (We are so thankful!) It has come time to sell his house, so there has been a lot to go through. The other day I opened a cabinet in his workshop and found something that I will always cherish.




Inside the cabinet were bottles and tubes of paint, a jar of brushes, and a board with paint samples and names. Each color that he had and used is on here, and I recognize many of the shades from his carvings.

It's a clever and practical way to see the colors and how they look dry, but more than that, it's a glimpse at my Papa's process. The brushes now reside on my shelf and I plan to hang the swatches on my wall.

everyday inspirations: knit chickens

Usually the Everyday Inspirations feature is something from my home that is there all the time or for a long time, and that I am inspired by. This one is a bit of a stretch for the category, but I thought you'd all enjoy these knit chickens as much as I have.

My grandpa's sister knit these a long time ago, and they were recently found and came out for Easter. They are much like the person who made them: a little odd, but you gotta love 'em!





If you can't tell just by looking at them, each is filled with an Easter egg! Although, technically, I think you're supposed to use a real egg (and not just for the holiday) and place them at your table.




I'm not sure how to knit these, and I don't know that anyone would want to, but you can see they look pretty simple. If you're a knitter who likes to experiment a little, maybe you'd like to figure out a pattern and share it with us?

UPDATE: Julie shared the pattern you can use to make some just like this! Find it here. (Thanks, Julie!)

everyday inspirations: wallflowers

Everyday Inspirations is a series about the things that inspire me every day. Really, this is about the elements in my home that other people have put in place, but that keep me thinking creatively. Sometimes it's a decorating element, or a handmade object, other times it's just seeing the special things that make our home what it is. These things inspire me.

When I was a child sitting in the dining room of our home, I would gaze at the wallpaper and try to find the flowers that appeared less than others. I found the pattern and colors to be soothing. As an adult, I still find the pattern and colors to be soothing, but I also find them to be inspirational. And quite possibly the source of my love for Liberty London patterns!




My mom's dear friend helped put up this paper over 25 years ago. It has held up remarkably well, and maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think it looks dated at all. I wish I knew who designed it, but I don't. It's not Liberty London, but it has that same feeling to it, which of course would make it a classic!



I'm also amazed that, despite the fact that the colors are shades of blue, yellow and pink, that lots of other colors actually look okay next to it. But maybe it's because that's what I'm used to? I don't know, but our red shelves don't offend me against this wallpaper.




Promise you won't think it strange that when I just need to chill out and think and process and be inspired, that I still sit and soak up the colors and patterns in this paper!

everyday inspirations: balloons for sale

Everyday Inspirations is a series about the things that inspire me every day. Really, this is about the elements in my home that other people have put in place, but that keep me thinking creatively. Sometimes it's a decorating element, or a handmade object, other times it's just seeing the special things that make our home what it is. These things inspire me.

I feel so fortunate to have creative people in my family. Today's everyday inspiration is a pair of ceramic figures that were painted by my grandma's cousin, whom we called Aunt Carolyn. She gave them to my mom when she was 12 years old. We've had them in various spots in our house, and ever since I was very young, I've loved looking at them.





I love their colors so much...they are bright and lovely! But there's also something a little sad about them. Here they are, with their clusters of bright balloons, and yet there are no smiles. After a long life, this is all they have. Selling balloons. Of course, they have each other, so that makes it better. They remind me of the lady in Mary Poppins who feeds the birds. Is it strange that I've imagined a back story for figurines?




You may have seen some figures like this before, as this seems to be a ceramic form that was available at one time. Royal Doulton had a set that are slightly different in form this, and I've seen vintage versions of them, as well as crafted vintage pieces based on the Royal Doulton figures. For example, here's one that's up on Etsy right now.

Even better still, there was apparently a needlepoint pattern of this design, and I'm really wanting to make a set like this! I think my mom would just love them!

everyday inspirations: on the shelf

Everyday Inspirations is a series about the things that inspire me every day. Really, this is about the elements in my home that other people have put in place, but that keep me thinking creatively. Sometimes it's a decorating element, or a handmade object, other times it's just seeing the special things that make our home what it is. These things inspire me.

Since I shared a bit of my love of books yesterday, it seems only appropriate that I share the everyday inspiration for that love. You see, I live in a house full of books, with a family that can't get enough of them! You'll find books in every room of our house, and having them around keeps me creating every day!

We have old books, school books, new books that look old, craft books, cook books, well-read books, practical books, pretty books. I invite you to take a look:












Bookshelves fill entire walls and are added wherever they can be squeezed in. They make me feel happy and inspired!

everyday inspirations: hearth and home

I'm very excited to be introducing a new feature on Wild Olive. I'm calling it Everyday Inspirations, because it's about the things that inspire me every day. Really, this is about the elements in my home that other people have put in place, but that keep me thinking creatively.

Sometimes it's a decorating element, or a handmade object, other times it's just seeing the special things that make our home what it is. These things inspire me.

Today, I invite you to take a look at our fireplace. This has been in the house for a very long time, but the brick front was looking very tired and dated. And so some years ago, my dad changed it. Tiles surround the opening, but the real art piece is the hearth. Look a little closer.




The brick hearth is now covered with concrete, which my dad tinted. Before it dried, he pressed leaves into the cement, giving it a fossilized look. His idea was that this would appear to be a large piece of rock, aged over the years. He even distressed it and gave it a missing chunk in the front!






Why does this inspire me? Well, because my daddy did it, and because it shows his creativity and appreciation for detail. I love that it uses some of the old, and makes it pretty and new (well...new but looking old!). It's also now a place where you can sit by the fire, and think of new ideas!

Welcome to our inspiring hearth and home.