COUNTRY CONNECTIONS

Find out what’s new with fellow Country Sampler readers, our social media sites, current giveaways and more!

Find out what’s new on our social media sites.

Something Extra

Did you know you could get inventive country decorating ideas and tips delivered to your inbox every month? The June edition of our free Country Sampler EXTRA e-newsletter will include instructions to create this clever DIY flower-holder frame. Sign up today at www.countrysampler.com/newsletter_signup.php.

Starter Package

Country Sampler fan Claudia Foster writes that she just began collecting, and from the looks of this pretty crock arrangement that she shared with us, she is off to a great start! To complement the crocks’ classic hues, Claudia incorporated a blue shutter as a backdrop and filled out the vignette with other kitchenrelated goods and a handwritten recipe. We’d love to see your inspired decorative displays, too—share them at www.facebook.com/ CountrySamplerMagazine.

Salute to the Fourth

To repin this festive Americana vignette and gather more inspiration for how to give your home summer holiday flair, visit our Patriotic Decorating Pinterest board, www. pinterest.com/CountrySampler1/patrioticdecorating. To see more photos of Kimberly Smith-Johnson’s home, turn to “Parade of Color” on pages 54–66.

Corpus Christi, Texas, resident Pamela Reumuth is a retired American history teacher who says she loves to decorate with patriotic and countrystyle objects. “I painted both the eagle and the Let Freedom Ring plates. The theme continues with the eagle on the lamp chimney and the eagle on the decoupage recipe box. Over 50 years ago, my mother made the flag necklace that wraps around the patriotic bell. A wreath of red, white and blue stars complements the patriotic motif. A blue enameled coffeepot holds the flowers and the American flag,” Pamela explains.

Marge and Barry

Lee of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, enjoy showcasing their collectibles and antiques outdoors, especially for guests at their festive parties. “I decided my outdoor patio needed a facelift, so I sold all my old patio furniture and purchased some collectible antiques and some new pieces. My favorite item is a farm table with 1950s linoleum flooring top. My colors are red, yellow, green and some black,” Marge notes. Some of her special finds that turn this patio into the perfect gathering space include an old cupboard repainted a green hue, a red-top chrome table, new retro red metal lawn chairs, blue Adirondack chairs painted black, a copper-top coffee table, a collection of watering cans, a washtub turned into a bubbly water feature, and a circa-1940 real estate agent sign.

Reader Mail

I fear that I am a “victim” of “OCDD”— Obsessive-Compulsive Decorating Disorder! For as long as I can remember, I have taken on the challenge of recreating the rooms of my home to reflect and celebrate the seasons and holidays of the year. Country Sampler has been my steadfast guide and inspiration for decades! I file every issue seasonally and relish reviewing and rereading past editions as the next season approaches, always discovering new ideas to try out in my home. Pictured here are two seasonal transformations of my dry sink. Thank you for a fabulous magazine that always delights and directs my decorating obsession!

Pam Chaisson Mountain View, Arkansas

Letters may be edited for length and clarity.