Tuesday, March 16, 2010

polka dots + flowers = spring



This morning I needed to stop by Target for some basics like oatmeal and a green shirt for my oldest son to wear tomorrow for St. Patrick's Day. Somehow it turned into one of those trance-like wanderings throughout the entire store. Ever have that happen?



At just 99 cents each, how could I resist these small polka-dotted plates? I couldn't.



I knew they would mix nicely with pieces I already have (some also from Target a few years ago).



And besides, it's the first sunny day in the Ocean State since last week.



I even wandered over to the jewelry section where I spied these pretty earrings



which will go nicely with this dress, which when paired with a cardigan and flats should be very Kathleen Kelly, right girlies?



Last night I embroidered two more squares.



I watched a how-to video and I look forward to attempting new stitches!



Dear blog friends, thank you so much for your encouragement on this new craft for me. I am finding it very enjoyable -- kind of like drawing with thread -- and at 35 cents for embroidery floss, it's a pretty low-risk craft venture. Give it a try!

xo
elyse

ps
I think this post just helped me decide on the white with red polka dots oilcloth!

58 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi Elyse! What a pretty springy post!! I saw those plates at Target last week and you make me wish I had bought them!! I LOVE your table setting!! I think the red polka dot will be perfect in your dining room!! You can never go wrong with polka dots!!
I love that dress!!!
Big Hugs,
Amy

Anonymous said...

Oh! I must get me to Target!!! ☺ I wish is wasn't so far away! ♥

Little Pink Studio said...

I know that trance like state well, it happens to me at Target all of the time. Next thing I know I've spent $200 and my husband is shaking his head at me wondering how I always manage to spend so much money at Target. Needless to say he is not a big fan of Target. :)
Cute plates, and I have some of the others you show there from past Target seasons.
Love your stitching too!
Enjoy your sunny day!
Cerri xo

Jen Kershner said...

Darn you. I will be headed to Target after I drop the little one off at school tomorrow all thanks to you! That dress looks lovely. I'm glad you are enjoying embroidery. I love it too!

Mahek said...

wow
I love your polka dot plates and even before commenting , i have sent an email to my sister who stays in US to go to Target and get me a few HOPE I GET THEM TOO...
Thanks for sharing..

Bunny said...

Ok I want to come for lunch. They are just so so cute. I wish we had Target here hmmmm guess I have to take a ride to Buffalo. Love your squares too great job.

Claudia said...

Dress + cardigan + flats = Kathleen Kelley for sure. Oh, now I have to watch that and the perfect time is when D isn't home! Love the polka dots on the plates - so cute! Embroidery = fabulous, my friend!

xo
Claudia

Lisa said...

Love all the polka dots and flowers. I do think your dress will be very Kathleen Kelly (I can't say her name without giving a little head tilt). I think we need to see pics! :)

stefanie said...

so pretty, how you mixed all those plates, they definitly look spring...and unbreakable. I hate when you go to Target for one thing and it is soooooooo easty to wander, then somehow your cart is full...lol

Anonymous said...

I love your polka dot plates, the colours are so fresh and fun! good going...and I don't think there's a woman out there that doesn't buy something other than what she plans on purchasing in one outing! It's a gift we are all blessed with!
lol

your squares are coming along nicely...what are you going to do with the finished product....pillow? frame it? it will be beautiful whatever you do!

ciao bella

Sarah Sarniak said...

Love the polka dots and flower combination. So pretty.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I love all of your fun Target finds! And you embroidery is inspiring me! I bought a needlework book! heehee! ♥

Free Pretty Things For You said...

lol
that is why i go to target alone.. i could just walk around looking at everything for a couple of hrs.. my hubby hates that lol
what great and pretty finds!!

Bella's Rose Cottage said...

The embroidery is so pretty, love the flowers...looks like a lot of fun. The dress looks cute too! I can't wait wait summer dress weather.. it's all I ever want to wear again:-) Bella

Jill said...

I've often thought the same thing throughout this project-- it IS like drawing with thread!
And yes-- your dress is very Kathleen Kelly-- love it!
Hugs,
Jill

Jessica Rodarte said...

So many pretties in one post! :)

beachvintage.com said...

Oh my goodness I would not have been able to resist theses plates either.

Bethany said...

Elyse, i love the polka dots and your pretty squares. very impressive!!!!

Still laughing about your Mr T comment today at the library.

Connie said...

I shall be heading to Target tomorrow to get some, sweetpea! I love those and need new ones for eating outside.
xoxo,
Connie

Kathy said...

Your flower squares are lovely.

Glitter & Bliss said...

Hi There Sweetie!! I loved your post. So springlike... Those plates are soooo you. Target is so wonderful. I try to stay away. :)

Brenda Pruitt said...

I loved embroidering. Unfortunately with the surgeries in my thumb, I can't do it any more. But you're right. Like coloring with pretty crayons for little money. I was in Target the other day. Didn't see these, or they'd have come home with me!
Brenda

Lisa said...

Glad you have made a decision on your oil cloth! How great! I love all your plates!! I will probably not get any of the polka dot plates from Target as I am on a shopping ban for Lent! I have seen them all over blog land and I am so jealous! I have some super cute ones with flowers that would be great to have these with them! I love your blocks!! I really am going to take a class and learn new stitches so I can do something fun like this! I can cross stitch but that is it! I am so glad you are enjoying your new craft!!
Hugs, Lisa

Hearts Turned said...

Beautiful, Elyse! I love my trancelike strolls through Target! I usually get into lots of trouble on those days, though! Love your polka dots!

Hope you're having a beautiful day!

debi said...

OMG! Your whole pretty post looks so very CK! You're getting me soooo hooked on that look, I'm going to have to change my whole darn house! teehee

I LOVE those dishes...what a beautiful spring table they will set!

And your sweet earrings and dress...definitely Kathleen Kelly!

Your squares are so pretty and dainty. I can't wait to see your finished sampler because right now, it is looking very CK.
Hugs!

Sugar Pie said...

Hi Elyse,Love it, love it,love it.
Love your pretty stitching, Love Kathleen Kelly, love your dress & love your table setting, polka dots & flowers...wow..I think you have the prettiest blog in blogland today.
Have a lovely day,
Hugs Robyn xxx :)

fairiemoon said...

I am now thinking of oilclothing a table in my bathroom. I think cream and black...see anything like that?

Erin :)

fairiemoon said...

I am now thinking of oilclothing a table in my bathroom. I think cream and black...see anything like that?

Erin :)

Cottage Rose said...

Hi Elyse; Love your new Polka dot dishes,,,so so cute and they do go well with your floral ones.... pretty earrings and dress so perfect for spring.... your project is really looking great... you are doing a wonderful job.. have a great week.

Hugs;
Alaura

Lori said...

your table looks adorable Elyse...i love the dots mixed with the florals...so sweet...i just love how your stitching is coming along...your flowers are SO pretty...i attempted a little stitching today...lettering...lets just say i was not impressed with my results...it may have been the fabric i was using...but i am highly suspicious that it was my technique...or lack there of...

I Love Pretty Little Things said...

Target gets me EVERY time!!! But, I always love the things that I buy there. It is F-U-N!

Anonymous said...

Elyse I love your dishes! I am going to have to start going by Target when I am in the big city. I hardly ever hit that place -

You are doing such a lovely job on all the embroidery- love seeing the different squares!

I have been so busy and then out of town that I had several of your posts to read- I never miss any-

Love the oilcloth and thank you for the website that sells it. I am thinking about something like this to cover the tables we got for our fellowship building. THey are terribly old and ucky looking and thought oil cloth might be fun. I was also thinking of painting them with chalkboard paint. THinking it might be fun for the kids to write memory verses on tables- I am wondering if it would hold up to wiping them off lots though.

blessings
mary

Cheryl ~ Casual Cottage Chic said...

Love the dishes! I haven't been to Target in ages...guess I should stop in this weekend. Just to browse...yea, right...LOL!

Melinda said...

Target is a bad naughty store!:)
Love the plates--love the dots.

Melinda

Pansy Cottage Girl said...

You just crack me up! I think when I fly back there we need to do some serious shopping for "Kathleen Kelly" wear! Love your polka dot plates. you have a great eye.

Hugs,
popcorn

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

I NEED to get to Target, don't I?! LOVE the dishes and they are so you ...and me! You are doing a great job on your stitching squares. Pretty, pretty!

Love you dear,
Maryjane
xox

melanie said...

What a fabulous, colourful post. xxx

m said...

what a gorgeous spring coloured post - I love it :o) M x

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

I just love how you know what you like and your home and your life reflect that beauty. Everything goes together and is so charming and colorful. I know that you will make the red & white polka dot oilcloth work perfectly in your kitchen with all your flowers and pretty things. Have a fantastic day. Many blessings, Tammy

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

PS I love your embroidery work, too. Forgot to mention that. I am slowly feeling the need to start cross-stitching again. thanks for the inspiration. :) Tammy

Unknown said...

Hi Sweetie! I just received my May issue of Romantic Homes in the mail. I had to stop by and say Congratulations!!!! I LOVE the photos they used :) Your blog is so inspiring and I am so happy you are getting the recognition you deserve!
Love ya sweet friend,
Amy

Eileen said...

Such a cute post! The polka dots are sooo happy. :) And yes, that has happened to me in Target, too.

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

...ok...back to Target I go. I did not see these! GREAT find, my friend!

Your embroidery is just too cute. So happy that you found a new passion!! You are very good at it, too!

xo
Becky

Dumpster Decorators said...

They are adorable plates. Enjoy.

Kim said...

Trance-like state in Target? Every time I go there! I didn't see that adorable dress when I was there...must go back. Did you check out the Liberty line? Some very cute stuff!

Unknown said...

Hi new friend!
My son is a manager at one of the Targets...I'll have to call him up and give him "what for" tee hee for not giving me a clue on the goodies!
Polka dots make my heart sing too! Starting another give away this weekend over on my blog if you want to join the fun come on along. It's a game show that takes place in an old windmill. It's called The Calico Consignment Shoppe with none other than the host, the famous, Jackie Calico (me). You are welcome to give it a whirl!

Elizabeth said...

love those plates !

Unknown said...

Loving the polka dot plates! and your cross stitch is so pretty! Have a sweet day!

Candy said...

Happy poke-a-dots always sure to bring a smile. Cute earrings for the vintage print dress. Love the cross stitch too.
Cheers ;-)

Merci-Notes said...

Beautiful work.. I like it because for me it is "Rachel Ashwell like" :)hehe
I checked out your post, about shoe shopping with "Kathleen Kelly" and since you too like shopping at target They have some cute flats with big bows.... the sides of the flats scoop down in a very "Audrey Hepburn way" :)
Alas, they are not leather but are inexpensive when stepping between rain drops.
in case you want to take a peek at them they are called "Women's Xhilaration Selene Bow Black Flats"

With Kindness,
Mary

Unknown said...

Hello, friend!

I always know that I can get a dose of spring at your blog!

Like you, I am often found wandering the aisles at Target. I used to just go there to unwind (sad, but true).

I've recenlty taken up embroidery myself. Your's is looking much better than mine! We'll have to share how-tos sometime.

Tins and Treasures said...

Your new plates are so cheerful. I haven't been to Target in a few weeks...but am going to hunt these down!

Happy Weekend ~Natalie

Paula ~ castleandcottagesigns said...

congratulations Elyse!! your blog is sooo pretty, I'm so happy for you!! :)
hugs,
paula

Amy C said...

totally beautiful, you are so super talented.
The polka dot plates are so cute, have you seen the Liberty of London collection at Target?
I think you will like the kitchen chairs and the sweet little frames.

Cottage Flair said...

I LOVE Target. Now I have to run there and get those dishes!
jennifer

Heather ~Pretty Petals said...

ohhhh I LOVE the polka dot plates. They have the best stuff in Target. I could go broke there.

Elyse, your squares are amazing!! You are doing such a good job.

xoxo

Sabine said...

Thanks for your sweet comments on my blog!
I really admire your embroidery skills, and the original concept of the squares.
Spring colours, just what we need after a long winter...

rosanne keen said...

Ohhh....it drives me crazy that we don't have Target in Canada...those polka dot plates are so gorgeous..i love your blog so much..it inspires me and gives me hope.