Notes from A Cottage Industry

Holiday event at Monti's....

Oh. My.

 I made it to the Monticello Holiday event opening day just a few minutes after 8:00 a.m when the event opened. The booth spaces were fabulous, with so many wonderful ideas to inspire! Today's post is mostly pictures, because there was so much to see, and the old saying that a picture is worth a thousand words really rings true here.
I wandered through the huge mall for nearly two hours before finally making my way to the checkout; my head spinning with inspired ideas for my own booth display at Camas Antiques....
Hands down, there were two items that literally every booth had tweaked to their own style...
First, Christmas stockings....in burlap, cotton, vintage fabrics- and each one more charming than the last.
The second hot ticket were all of the many bottle brush trees....
green, pale pinks, or bleached...
glittered, mounted on vintage candlesticks, and sugar bowls, displayed in a variety of clever ways, atop silver candlesticks or sugar bowls, and in every size imaginable.
The event goes through the holiday season, and the vendors will be replenishing often, so I am sure I will be heading back over to take another peek before Christmas arrives.

Portland thrifting tour and other big doing's.

When I first arrived in town here about two months ago (Can it really have already been two months?!) I received an email from a wonderfully thoughful blog reader (and former shop keeper) offering to take me around to all of her favorite thrifting spots.

We finally got things coordinated and spend this past Wednesday morning out and about, thrifting and chatting. (just wait until you see my latest treasures!!) My new friend even went to the trouble of creating maps for me (knowing I was directionally challenged!) so I could find these fabulous places again at some point! Thank you so very much, AJ. I had the best time!

Today I will be finding my way over to Monticello for the first day of thier holiday event, (if you see me there, come say hello!) and then tonight, I will head over to my beloved 4th Avenue in sweet lil' Camas, as it's the First Friday event, (All the shops, including Camas Antiques will be open late!)and the annual Christmas Tree lighting ceremony. 

*sigh* Living in the pacific northwest. I love it.

2009 Holiday Home Tour, part two.

 
The tour continues! (As always, click on the words printed in blue to hop over to tour a blogger's home for this years tour....) We're going to continue with our holiday home tour today, starting with Sue's place, over at "A work in progress" blog. 

From there, let's pop on over to see what Cindy has to share over at her Romantic Home!!! (You know Cindy will have some incredible ideas!!!) 
Cheryl has some adorable ideas for decorating this holiday season, so we simply must pop by her home next!
Next up is Roxanne, with her wonderfully charming cottage full of Christmas cheer....

....Next stop on the tour will be Gayla's home, and her cookies look absolutely delicious, so I can't wait to see what else she has in store for us!

Then, Lori sent me a lot of pictures of her sweet Oklahoma home, but if she has a blog, I couldn't find it...but I did want to share a couple of pictures anyway...
Then, we'll scurry on over to see what Lisa at the tarnished and tattered cottage has to share with us today!(I really do love these silhouettes in the picture she sent me, but I don't see them on her blog anywhere, so you'll have to ask her about them!)

...And we'll end our tour for today. Thank you to everyone that participated with pictures and blog posts!!!! The pictures from my holiday home will not be up until next week sometime, as I am in the process of moving right now!

2009 Holiday home Tour, part one.

Happy December everyone!What better way to start of the month and the Christmas season than with a holiday home tour? We're going to start this years tour at Debbie's home (How cute is that decorated candy cane up above?!) .....

....and then, it's off to Janelle's sweet home to see her holiday decor and treasures...

...followed by Carla's home and her new blog to see what holiday cheer she has cooked up!

From there, we'll want to be sure and stop by Donna's charming cottage, have some tea and take a tour....

then, on to Jill's home for a nice lil' visit... tomorrow we will show the rest of the tour! Thanks for coming along with me...

Out and about Sunday thrifting in Washington.

 
I am thrilled to share with you that I found my way to my first-ever-as-a-Washingtonian Estate Sale yesterday and I scored some wonderful items for my booth space at Camas Antiques, as well as a couple of things for my own home. That wasn't really the exciting part for me though. No, not by a long shot. The exciting part for me was finding the location all by myself.

I am sure I have shared this before, but I literally have no sense of direction. Nada. I've been this way since birth, and my entire family, as well as every one of my friends are painfully aware of it. Trust me, it was challenging enough living in little old Reno, Nevada, with only two freeways going through town, but now that I am up here in the pacific northwest, well, it's nothing short of a miracle that I found the place, and an even bigger miracle that I found my way back home.

I have a Garmin on loan from my daughter, but I haven't quite mastered that little tool yet. (Don't ask. Please.) Anyway, the important part of my story is that I found the location, I shopped, and I drove home, without incident. (Well, that is not entirely true. When I went back to the location in my son in law's truck to pick up a large chair that wouldn't fit in my car, I had a slight mishap. A huge rock bounced up off the freeway and clobbered the windshield, leaving a chip out of the glass the size of a nickel, and me in a cold sweat.)

The point I am trying to make with this post is that I am, all be it ever so slowly, learning my way around the area, little by little, and that makes this place feel like home.

*****Just a little reminder here for those of you that are participating in this year's Holiday Home Tour tomorrow....send me your pictures TODAY if you haven't already!!!!*****

Words to live by - week 144

If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.
                                                        -- Meister Eckhardt

Black Friday.

Can you believe it's really here, the start of all of the holiday festivities, joy and madness? I am guessing that even as I type this post, many of you are already out there, amid the crowds, shopping for bargains. I have never actually been one of those folks out there at 4:00 am, but I have many girlfriends for whom this is an annual tradition, and they look forward to this day very with unparalleled excitement.

If you are one of those folks, I wish you happy shopping, amazing deals and a really close parking spot! As for me, I will be spending today some of my favorite people on earth, enjoying a day-after-Thanksgiving-but-still-oh-so-thankful turkey dinner.

Happiest holiday wishes

Happy Thanksgiving Day, sweet friends! I am feeling incredibly grateful for so many things in my life these days, not the least of which is this little blog of mine and all of you who faithfully read, and comment, throughout all of my adventures and challenges that pop up along the way. (You have made my world a much smaller, friendlier place to live and I am thankful for each and every one of you!)

We'll actually be sharing our day, and our meal together tomorrow, as my daughter (A nurse) is one of the many people that will be out there working today. However, wherever and whenever you are celebrating, I wish you a wonderfully happy holiday, and a joyful beginning to the season that always reminds me of just how blessed I truly am.

A lil' Camas Antiques booth update....

I am thrilled so far with the response to my booth space at Camas Antiques. (I only wish I could manage to get the edge on keeping it stocked!Well, maybe once I get moved to more permanent digs...) I took a few pictures the other evening while I was restocking. 
...lot's of silver pieces that make great "propper-uppers" for trays on buffet set ups...
...kissing balls and glitter snowflakes....
Good thing I took pictures when I did, because a lot of this is already sold, and I now have a black iron French Daybed in there (pictures of that coming soon, I promise!)

Pleasant living in Oregon's wine country.

There is just so much to do and see living in the pacific northwest! Two times a year, at Memorial Day and then at Thanksgiving time, many of the wineries in the area open their doors for tasting, and so, this past Saturday the boyfriend and I spent the day visiting some of them. (Many of the wineries up here will be open this coming weekend as well, so if you're looking for something to do besides shop with the crowds next weekend, remember this.) I must tell you that I think the landscape in the pacific northwest is beautiful anytime of year, but seeing trees with bright orange and yellow leaves make this time of year especially stunning, even if it is a bit late in the season.

It's interesting how each winery or tasting room has it's own personality and style, much like we all do in our own homes.(And, truth be told, I was probably more interested in the style of each spot we stopped to visit than I was the wines) Oh! And I got to meet so many nice folks. Seriously, the people in the wine business rival the people I know in the junk business and blog world in terms of being authentic, genuine good people, who all go out of their way to make you feel welcome in their establishments. (Okay, and having a taste of wine only adds to that warm and fuzzy feeling) They are the real deal.

One of the many stops along the drive was to a charming little (and I mean eensy, weensy, small) community named Carlton, in Yamhill County. Carlton boasts a population of around 1,600. (According to one website I checked...although it felt even smaller than that, if possible) The tag line for Carlton is showcased on the side of an old building that faces the main street in town. (It reads" Where farm, industry, and town unite for pleasant living.") Aaah, small town America. You gotta love that.

The main road through Carlton has become a bit of a hot spot for wine tasting rooms. (Literally, the street was door to door tasting rooms!) We were there to visit the Seven of Hearts tasting room, which I had heard about here. The really cool thing about these people is that it is not only a tasting room for their wines, but also for their chocolate company, named appropriately enough, Honest Chocolates, which I have tried for an hour to link to here, but it simply won't work for some reason...so, just google them. I love the name, and the chocolates were fabulous!

Oh. My.

Talk about to die for.

Like I said, living here in the pacific northwest there are just so many things to see and do, and so many great people to get to know.....Pleasant living, indeed.

Make it Special Furniture Painting DVD kit!

Thanks to a lot of work by my dear friend Anne, (Who directed and filmed me) and my daughter, (Who edited and produced the dvd) it's finally ready! The first run of my latest DVD kit, "Make it Special, Furniture Painting" is available in a limited quantity. The DVD and handy booklet cover everything you need to know, start to finish, for painting small items like chalkboard frames (...which is what I have my students do in an actual hands on workshop...so easy and it takes all of the fear out of learning the techniques of painting!)
...to large pieces of furniture
....to painting cupboards and cabinetry in your home.

If you requested a pre-order, you should have already received your PayPal invoice. Current supply is limited with more on the way very shortly. Simply click the Buy Now button to order your copy. Get 'em while they're hot, and just in time for Christmas!

Price is $30.00 and includes shipping within the USA. (For shipping outside the  US I will email you any additional cost for shipping)

Words to live by - week 143

To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant,
to enact gratitude is generous and noble,
but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven.
Johannes A. Gaertner

A little sneak peek at my new home.

I have received emails from so many of you asking about my new place, and so I thought I'd share a couple of pictures I snapped the other evening when I was there. (Elaine, this is for you, sweetie!) 

My daughter and son in law found and recently purchased a wonderful home that is perfect for their growing family, and I will be renting their current home from them!(With the tough housing market, it worked out to be a win-win for both of us. I am so blessed to have such wonderful children!) It's three bedroom townhouse, with high ceilings, plenty of wonderful light, and a fabulous kitchen....and it's a completely new style of home for me. I am more than excited as I plan where my furniture will be placed and how I will decorate. 

You've seen some pictures of this home on my blog before; some from the engagement party, and then later, pictures of my grandson's nursery. (The nursery will now transform into my dream workspace for crafting and writing!)

As you can tell from the photos in this post, things are moving right along (no pun intended) and the double move will begin in just another week and a half. Once my daughter's family gets moved and settled into their new home I will make my move to the townhouse, just in time for Christmas and New Year's Eve!

My life is so not ordinary.

Moving up here to the Portland area and to be able to have the opportunity to follow my bliss has been an absolute dream come true so far, and yet, it is not without it's bittersweet moments as well.

I am realizing that things always seem to take longer than expected. Things like getting my booth set up at the Antique Mall, and learning my way around my new community. I am also discovering that I have still got a lot to learn about time management, now that I am partially self employed.(People who know me well are rolling their eyes as they read that sentence, I know.) And, if it were not for cell phones and unlimited minutes, I would bet you my very last dollar that I would be much more homesick for the friends I left back in Reno than I could bare at this very moment. Finally, having someone new and wonderful in my life has brought along with it a huge resurfacing of fears and anxieties I now understand I only thought I had overcome. It seems to me that memories of past broken promises somehow return to blossom into a sea of insecurities for the next attempt to share your heart.

As I slide into my cozy bed each night I find myself often times trying to figure out exactly what I got accomplished on a given day, only to remember 16 things I meant to do, but somehow managed to forget. I find myself a little bit lonely as I thank God for those cell phone minutes, as well as my dear friends and family, and praying that, where matters of the heart are concerned, I actually am brave enough to look forward and not back as I approach the new day tomorrow and all it has to offer.

A little catching up...

I have been busy with my booth at Camas Antiques and I am still up to my eyebrows in boxes, which will continue until I make my move in mid December, so it's been hard to do any sort of decorating at all. (but, just you wait until I am settled into my new place!)

Anyway.

I thought today was as good a time as any to do a little catching up, a reminder...and announce news of my newest DVD kit, which will be available very, very soon! First of all, I have gotten several emails about my Cookies and Cupcakes DVD, as well as my Gift Wrap DVD kit, and yes, they are still available on my website, by simply clicking here.
Both of these DVD kits are perfect for holiday time. (and they make great gifts too!)

As for the reminder, I am thrilled with the response so far for the December first holiday home tour. If you want to participate and have not emailed me, please do. After all, the more the merrier!(And feel free to snag this logo for your own blog...)

Last, and most certainly not least, my newest DVD kit, which includes all of the how-to's for painting furniture, will be available within the next couple of weeks!It's been filmed, and edited, and now is in the final stage of being burned and labeled. Cost of this DVD kit will be the same as the last two, which is $30 and includes shipping and handling. If you'd like to reserve your copy, simply send me an email to be added to the list for the first shipment.

Words to live by - week 142

No man can be wise on an empty stomach.

Inspirational field trip.

The girls and I went on a little field trip this morning over to Monticello Antiques. So much to see! My favorite little shopping buddy came along with us.... The Christmas season has very clearly arrived at Monticello and I was immediately inspired... just take a look, and you'll be inspired too! 

 

 

*sigh* The holidays will be here before we know it!

All Things Cottage.

I was very flattered this morning to open an email from Jack Mitchel, the publisher of All Things Cottage and discover that I had been chosen as a featured blog for the month! If you have never been to the All Things Cottage site, stop on over and check it out. There are so many great ideas, as well as many wonderful featured blogs to inspire us all. (I was even more flattered when I looked at the other blogs being featured on the site!)

Thank you, All Things Cottage, and Jack!

Remembering how to relax.

I'm a little (okay, a lot) tardy in publishing today's post, I know. I spent today in a slight state of slow motion, savoring the residue of the most relaxing weekend I can remember in a very long time. I realized at some point this weekend, that I actually could not remember the last weekend (or weeknight for that matter) when I simply relaxed at home, flopping on the sofa, watching television, or just vegging. I have been in a constant state of motion, and projects, and problem solving, and stress, for a pretty long stretch of time. For such a long time in fact, that it became habit, to not just relax. Ever.)

Anyway.

We were hit with a nice, heavy rainstorm on Saturday, complete with high winds and thunder. I realize that this might not thrill anyone but me, but I have been longing for a nice heavy rainstorm ever since I arrived here a little over a month ago. I was in heaven. Perfect weather for staying in, cozying up on the sofa, and just enjoying being home. (Yes, I am an incurable romantic, so, if you live in the pacific northwest, don't even try to convince me that I will eventually tire of this weather.)

And....What could be better than staying in and enjoying this fabulous weather, than a meal of the most fabulous comfort food I've ever had? (and that I didn't have to cook, I might add) Mmm hmm. You got it. The boyfriend (I love saying that, even if it does cause him to roll his eyes at me) braved the storm, and the thunder, and arrived with all of the fixings for the perfect rainy night meal. It was a pork fennel stew, and what made it extra yummy, was that there were two kinds of olives in it. (He shared the recipe on his blog today, so you can simply click here for it.) Sooo good...and even better by candlelight, and shared with someone special. (Oh, and just so you know, this stew was even better two nights later, when I reheated the leftovers for my dinner tonight.)

Suffice to say, the yummy stew set the entire tone for the rest of my weekend, and I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I still remembered how to relax and enjoy a day at home, simply hanging out and doing nothing.

I hope your weekend was equally fabulous.

Words to live by - week 141

Above all, be true to yourself, and if you cannot put your heart in it, take yourself out of it.
                                   -- Author Unknown

Camas Antiques Holiday Open House and more.

There are so many things to do up here in the Portland area. This weekend alone, there are several Vintage themed events, and Camas Antiques is hosting one of them. There is also an event out at Cindy's place in the land of Tate (with the Barn House boys, no less) and Molly Mo's Holiday Treasures is going on too!

Carter's Mama and I were down at Camas Antiques Holiday Open House yesterday, refreshing my booth a bit, shopping, and looking at all of the new holiday items. So much to see, and very nearly every booth had all of their merchandise on sale!

They were giving out gifts for the first 50 shoppers (and they'll be doing it again today!) along with cider and snacks, and carolers in the afternoon time.
The thing about Camas Antiques is that there are just so many nice booths. I'd be hard pressed to pick an absolute favorite. I am thrilled to have a booth space there, and hopefully within the next couple of weeks I will have it completely re-stocked and done up all over again with a winter theme going on.

We managed to find a few things for my daughter's new home, and even got the seal of approval on her purchases from our very own little shopping critique.
If you're anywhere in the area, be sure to stop in today and take a peek at all of the fabulous things, just in time for the holidays.

10 things.

Sheila, over at Tattered Goods left me an award. (Thank you so very much, Sheila!) I am supposed to share 10 things about myself, which might sound easy, but when I sat down to create the list, I struggled, went blank, struggled some more, and finally, managed it.

Actually, I did a post with something similar a long while ago (when I still worked in my Monday through Friday 8-5 career job) here. Other than the fact that I have moved past my crush on Donny D, (sorry Donny) my old list still pretty much stands, but, when I remembered I had that old list, I had already created the new one. (It figures. That's just how my life goes.)

Anyway.

Now, here is the new "10 things about me" list for you :

1. I have no sense of direction. (It appears that I was born without the chromosome that does that.) Just ask anyone that has ridden in a car with me someplace.

2. My dream vacation would be to just stay home for an entire week, sleeping in, having breakfast on my balcony (Yes, my new place has a balcony off the master bedroom!) reading, and nesting.

3. Although I am a complete and total shoe nut, I am very nearly always barefoot when I am at home.

4. I misplace my car keys and my cell phone in my home at least once a week, and every single time it happens I swear to myself that it will be the last I let it happen.

5. I love to go for long car rides or road trips...if I am not the one driving. (It goes back to that no sense of direction thing, I think, and my amazing ability to chat and ask questions for up to 12 hours nonstop)

6. I have a toaster, but never make toast, a waffle iron, but never make waffles, and a coffee maker, even though I do not drink coffee.

7. I am a "more is more" person. Especially when it comes to dishes. And shoes. And coats. And grandbabies.

8. I had a very short side career as a fully-trained-balloon-animal-making party clown a long, long time ago, when my own children were young.

9. I have a pretty substantial crush on Jason Mraz .

10. Given the altered path my life has taken these past 38 months, I find myself surprised to have discovered that I remain desperately romantic, am quite naive, and continue believe in happily ever after.

I can't possibly pass the award to only 10 more blog friends, so..how about this- consider yourself tagged, and if you're inclined to share your list on your blog, please say so in the comment section, so people can click over and read yours, okay? I know I'd enjoy reading them from everyone.