Happy New Year

Well it's that time of year.....when I spend a day planning and organizing, etc.making my New Year's Resolutions.  This year instead of resolutions I'm calling them "Intentions".  I have good intentions for the new year.....  and here's what they are:

• learn photoshop
• eat more veggies, drink more water
• plan Molly's wedding....  and have a lovely, fun wedding

Merry Christmas

May all your Christmas's be White!!!

Looking forward to celebrating....church tonight and a breakfast at church in the morning followed by a Christmas worship service.  I will have a few hours to get things together for our family Christmas.  I've been cooking all day today and I won't finish till much later tonight.    

Missing Molly who isn't able to get home for the holidays.

Hoping you all have a wonderful Christmas!!!!

Weekend in California

My weekend in California was really fun.  I am mostly a stay-at-home kind of gal and enjoy the little pleasures in life but last weekend I boarded a plane and flew out to visit Molly in California.  We enjoyed a non-stop shopping weekend.   By the end of the day I fell into bed and slept soundly every night till morning and that doesn’t usually happen.

One of the highlights of the trip was going to the Vintage MarketPlace.  It was such fun for me to look at all the booths and see how they decorate and what they are selling and to compare it to what is selling here in rural Central Pennsylvania.  I gotta say, I’m much more in love with the whites and pastels and burlap in So. California than the “country” colors and stuff that sells here in Central Pennsylvania.   I am gradually making some converts.  The white shabby furniture is really selling at my booth.

I love TJ Maxx so we shopped there on Friday, as well as Marshalls, Home Goods and the Coach store.  We don’t have any of the fun stores here! (thank goodness).  

Saturday we shopped in LA and I enjoyed “the Grove” and “Farmer’s Market” and then on to Santa Monica so I could see the Pacific Ocean and more shopping.  Sunday we went to Temecula, wine country and visited a few winery’s followed by more shopping. 

A big thanks to Molly who had the whole weekend planned and to Matt for not complaining about any of the shopping, etc.  My suitcase was only 7 lbs. overweight so I stuff seven pounds of stuff into a paper bag and put my purse on top and called it my “carry-on” so I was able to get everything home!   If I ever recover financially from this trip I may do it again!

Fun in Southern California

Last weekend I went to visit Molly and Matt in Southern California.  Molly had a lot of things planned for us to do but first on my list was the Vintage Marketplace December Show  It did not disappoint, the artists were amazing.  I loved so much of what I saw.  We just don't have good "stuff" like that in Pennsylvania.  I got some good ideas for my booth for next fall.   I purchased some great pieces while I was there and am enjoying them in my home.  Here are some photos that we took.

Look at the windows on this booth....can you imagine what it took to put it together?  Wow!  I love it.

Another of my favorite pieces that I left there for someone else.  This was on a mirror....  how did they do that?   Did I mention that the vendors had the best stuff?!!!                 I may have to plan another trip out there next December.

I've been really busy at the space I rent at Street of Shops.  It seems that I can not keep small furniture in stock.  I'm so glad that people are buying my white furniture, but it keeps me busy.  This weekend Mr. Kay and I took a Bakers Rack over there.  I painted it "Duck Egg Blue", I almost hope the color doesn't appeal to anyone and it stays for awhile.   It makes a great display piece.  

This weekend I painted another dresser and another display piece to replace the one that sold this week.  I painted this display piece "Paris Gray" and did a white dry brush over top of it.  I won't care if that sells, I still have another one of those in the basement all I have to do it paint it. 

I am working on some picture frames to take over there but it doesn't look like they will get there before Black Friday shopping.  

It's time to shift gears and plan for the Thanksgiving meal I'll be preparing and serving later this week.  

Have a Happy Thanksgiving.  If you plan to shop on Friday remember the antique and junk dealers in the small shops that reuse, recycle and reinvent !!!!

A Perfect Weekend

I just had a perfect weekend.... Molly came home Friday morning so I finished up my work at the office and came home and hung out with her.  We talked about plans for her summer wedding and then cooked and got ready for company for dinner.  Very soon my blog will turn into a wedding blog as Molly's wedding will be here before I know it and there is lots to do....

Saturday we were up early and off to Williamsport to TJ Max, Olive Garden for lunch and then Macy's.  We ended up at the Susquehanna Valley Mall.    I bought a new suitcase for my trip in 18 days and some clothes for Molly among a few other things.  She bought a pair of boots that she loves. 

Saturday evening she went out to visit friends and this morning we went out for breakfast before she had to leave to fly back.  The weekend went by much to fast and I forgot to take photos!!! 

Now I need to get into the Thanksgiving mode and start planning the meal, etc.

Productive Weekend

This weekend I was determined to do some painting and get some projects finished for the shop.  Here is a photo of the stuff that I was able to finish or just about finish.  I need to make a cushion for the bed I am calling a dog bed.  I think that will be really cute when finished.   I love the little stool that I repainted and reupholstered.  I don't think that will stay at the shop very long. 

I also painted a cute little message board that I found at a yard sale on Saturday.  I have been selling a lot of those but none as cute as this one with the tulips on it.  The doll bed I'll be using to display pillows this weekend at a friend's open house.  A small white box will be perfect to put potpourri in at the shop and the other finished project is a kid's chair.  It is really sturdy and very nice, I'm keeping it for now. 

I've got a couple more projects that aren't ready to show yet.....  I love that Annie Sloan paint!!!!

Beaver Fair

I've been so busy that I haven't taken time to blog....  last week was the Beaver Fair and I entered a couple pillows that I've recently made.  I got first prize for each of these as well as "hobby, 5 or more specimens" which also was crazy quilting, I just didn't photograph them. 

Anyhow, the large pillow along with another one I finished earlier this week are both over at Street of Shops in my booth for sale.  I'm working on another one that will soon join them.

Just finished this one this afternoon.....     

Savoring Summer

I'm sitting on my front porch tonight savoring what is left of the summer.  I have seen a lot of "back-to-school" sales and at the shop where I rent vendor space I noticed many are decorated for fall already.  Fall is definately in the air....as I sit and hold on to the last of summer I can watch the middle school kids practicing for football in the fields across the street from our house.  I also hear crickets chirping which also reminds me of the nights getting shorter. 

I love the summer and the hot sun beating on my face,  I like the smell of a chlorinated pool and not wearing a coat or sweater, I like sitting around a campfire and making s'mores with the kids, I like pulling weeds and the flowers in the gardens.   I'm holding on to summer until mid-September when the calendar actually shows that fall has arrived.    What will you miss about summer?

Linens

I spent the afternoon today ironing linens. I have acquired some new pieces that I want to take to my shop this week so yesterday they spent the day soaking and today I starched and ironed everything. I find it very relaxing and enjoyable to look at all the pieces and enjoy the stitching on each one as I iron them.

I also have a lovely old wedding dress from the early 1900s that got ironed as well.