Notes from A Cottage Industry

When life gives you lemons...

You know, having the past few months serving as a lesson in "character building" I have more had a few lemons thrown my way. I like to think that I have become some what of an expert at making lemonade.
In the move I found myself with no sofa, and a budget I clearly needed to be creative with.
Not to worry. I searched the more affordable furniture stores. Ouch. Not in my price range, and anyway, I wanted style and personality. What's that they say? Champagne taste on a light beer budget? Hmmm...I then began looking on line. Good ol' CraigsList. There it was. An antique camel back sofa in Chinese silk, ball and claw feet in solid mahogany?...(some type of  dark wood)
Yes, the upholstery was shot, held together with strapping tape, but the cushion was perfect, and the frame were like new. The price? In my budget! I negotiated with the thrift shop owner and traded her a couple of odds and ends from my daughter's new condo that came furnished with a few...well, rather unattractive cheapo lamps. The fabulous ugly duckling sofa was mine, and below the price I was prepared to pay!
I then found fabric at the $2 Fabric Store (where else?) and got myself on the waiting list (7 weeks long) for my friend to slipcover this gem.
I dropped of the sofa with a smile on my face and a song in my heart. Finally, I would have a sofa to fill the gaping hole in the living room.
Then, a phone call from the slip cover gal. The fabric was defective. Yes, pink washes of color all throughout the 14 yards of cream canvas. (No, say it ain't so!) I took the fabric back and had to find something to replace it- right then- or lose my place in the long line of folks waiting for slipcovers.

I roamed the store with my eyes peeled looking for the same fabric. No luck. Something similar. No luck. OK, start over. Take a deep breath, don't cry. I kept telling myself, "it's a sofa for gosh sakes, just get a grip. It's not the end of the world." But it seems that way when you are clinging to sanity with a thread.
Uh huh,  life just gave me a lemon....Then, there it was. A fabric more perfect than the first, more style, more texture, more...everything. Perfection.
I made a b-line for the checkout. Turned out that there were only 10 and a half yards of this too perfect for words fabric. Oh no! Not another lemon.
In the depths of despair, I did one more loop through the store, then decided in a moment of pure desperation to call the friend doing the slip covering.  Yes, she said yes!!! 10 and a half yards just may do it.
We picked up the newly slip covered sofa today at lunch time and it has now proudly taken it's place, front and center in my living room. Tonight I am lounging on it with my favorite throw, chatting with my pups, and again, feeling very blessed.
Aaaah, sweet lemonade.

Suitcase-a-palooza!

Yessiree, it's another collection gone wild. (I know, you're not even surprised) Mmmm hmmm, I collect vintage suitcases. Their textures and colors inspire me. Their history. Where have they been? Did they go anyplace exotic like Morocco, of Timbuktu, or maybe Atchison Kansas?
You can tell a well traveled suitcase by the wear and tear on the handles, and the inside of the case. I am especially intrigued about the person that used this suitcase when I when I get one that still may have a surprise inside. You know, like finding a hanky or a hair bow, left behind on accident by the traveler that used it last.

Besides looking so worldly and being so fascinating, vintage suitcases are very practical. They can be used as an accent on top of a ledge or the top of an armoir to add personality to a space.
Stack two or three of them up and they make a fabulous end table. They are oh so handy for storing things in- perfect in a home office or craft room. I keep old photos in some, and I use a couple more to store  my off season shoes hidden away until I need them. Oh, and last but not least, my all time favorite use for an old vintage suitcase is to create a traveling pet bed.
The ones pictured here are just a few of the many that are down at my little shop, waiting to go to new homes. (Hey Michelle, I am talking to you!)

My favorite 4 letter word: C-U-T-E-!

Actually too cute for words!
I was spending a little quality time with myself Sunday afternoon (during paint breaks...) and my, oh my! Look what I found for sale at the Pink Cottage. Oh, how I admire people that have the patience and creativity to sew!!!
Carol, the woman behind this masterpiece of cuteness, gave me permission to share the picture you see here. She's got oodles more adorable stuff there too...oh, and on a side note- besides her Blog, she has a website called "Chenille Number 5". Now, isn't that too cute? (I told you this woman was creative!)
This hamper is just so charming, all shabby chic and cottage-y looking! I love the way she did it in coordinating fabrics and that interior eyelet ruffle- to die for!
My dirty laundry could be oh so happy and stylish in this, that's for sure.

Words to live by

I have a quotations journal my first born  daughter (the bride -to-be) made for me a couple of years ago for Christmas. She put some great verses and quotations in it, and left plenty of room for me to add more of them. I have added many quotes to it, and it occurred to me this morning when I woke up that it would be nice to start each week off with a good verse, thought or quote. (Darn! Wish I had thought of this on the first Sunday of 2007..oh, well, this will have to do.)
So, with that being said, here is my very first "words to live by" entry:
Life isn't about finding yourself, it's about creating yourself.

Pretty much sums up what I need to be doing right now. No point in looking backwards trying to figure things out. I need to create it; the life I want, and the person I want to be. I'm up for this challenge.  
What are some of YOUR favorite words to live by? Please do share them!

A few more pictures

Here are a few more pictures from the shop to go with my earlier post today...

Some vintage pieces, some new...

Take a peak in the window...

from the inside looking out...

if you're in the area, I'd love it if you came by!

I wanted you to be the first to see...

...this charming little settee that I just got back from my slip cover gal, and I couldn't be happier. I wanted to keep this darling piece so badly, but there simply is not enough room in my new little home...

and it is absolutely too perfect with these vintage dishes, front and center in the shop....just waiting for the right person to give it a good home!

Take a peak at the kitchen

I wanted to share a teensy bit of what's going on in the kitchen. By the way, the wall you see is the only kitchen wall painted so far. I wanted to be sure I loved the color, and I do.
I actually took these pictures (found 'em at TJ Maxx) down and moved them after I took this picture, so it's still totally a work in progress...

Speaking of TJ Maxx (ours is actually  called TJ Maxx and MORE. I was told by an employee that it is called this because it has a very large furniture and home decor section)...oh, I had absolutely no business going in there. I mean, I need to focus on getting settled...but the nesting part of me simply cannot stay away from TJ Maxx for more than about 5 days. (it's on the way home from work you know...) Anyhoo...just look at what I found for Easter time!(I can't really decorate for Valentine's day here at the house 'coz it's so torn up right now) I am crazy nuts for the ceramic pieces that look like chocolate! I think I gained 5 pounds just looking at them.
I have declared to myself that I am going to be ready to entertain in a grand style by the time Easter arrives, so that made this purchase completely legit, right? Right.

Half way there

I thought I'd share a couple of pictures of my work in progress on the living room and entry of my cottage. Remember, it is still in progress.
So far I have gotten the living room and entry all painted. (The hall is still only partially done as you will see in the pictures...I'll finish it up tonight)

The color I painted the rooms is called toasted cashew, and it came out a bit lighter than I wanted, so I may end up doing a darker glaze over the entryway walls this weekend. If I do I will share pictures. You can see a bit of the front door in the mirror. IT is currently a Chinese red, with 60's glass (reminds me of the windows that used to be in the old Round Table Pizza parlors actually...) but my new front door awaits in the garage! I think I am going to paint it black. It will absolutely make the entry hall
The bookcase was the old dining room hutch in my last home. It is was just too perfect to not put in this living room as a bookcase, don't you think? The items on the shelves still need a bit of tweaking.  Also, my Mom is busy making my new chair slipcovers for these chairs. I already had slipcovers, but they were outdated so my fabulous Mom, the sewing Queen of northern Nevada is dismantling one to use as a pattern for the new ones. (thanks Mom!) The new fabric is a mocha and cream large checked pattern. This way I can change the looks out for summer and winter. Pretty cool, huh?
The thrift shop sofa I found is due back from the slipcover lady this Friday. (I have had no sofa to sit on since December first!) It is a solid cream linen/canvas fabric. I have decided that I love change too much to have pattern and color on my main anchor pieces. This way I can change the accessories for each season or whatever and not have any problems with color.
I am very happy with the way it is coming along. It is really beginning to feel like home sweet home to me.

If the shoes fit...

...apparently I will buy them. (Do shoes count as a type of collection? I think they do.)
Here is my newest pair. I got them here. On sale, 50% off. For gosh sakes, look at the lining, all vintage-y and so, so  Anthropologie looking. How could I not buy them?

"Hello, my name is Tracey and I am a shoe addict". I know I am not alone with this addiction. She obviously has the problem too. Possibly so does she , I think. I am confident that there are actually enough of us to start a decently sized on-line 12 step program.

Here are just a few of my current favorite ones for winter. I have roughly between a jillion and a bazillion pair and I love them all. Love. Them. All.
Couldn't pick a number one favorite if my life depended on it. (For gosh sakes, it would be like picking your favorite child!)  I have so many that I have to keep the off season ones in a couple of vintage suitcases up on the shelf in the closet.
I seem to spend part of each paycheck on more shoes…it’s a vicious circle. (What came first, the shoes or the paycheck?)

I am convinced that this is why I keep my day job. Oh sure, I like the job, but between you and me, it's the fact that I get to dress up in trendy business suits and sassy accessories... and fabulous shoes. (the fact of the matter is, I am pretty sure I am known around town as "that girl with all of the cool shoes")
With shoes, it doesn’t matter if I am bloated, having a bad hair day, or how much I weigh. Think about it. Have you ever heard any woman say “Do these shoes make my hips look big?”  I didn't think so.
Oh no, my feet can always look chic…and they do.

Oui. oui..The French Inspired Home

I found this book a week or so ago on someone's Blog. (and I cannot remember who's Blog, maybe hers? If you know please let me know so I can give some bloggy credit!) It must be a red hot seller, 'coz I had to order my copy and I just got this book yesterday. You might need to run out and a get yourself a copy today.
Wow, pure inspiration. Even your laundry room can look romantic and fabulous and possibly even inspire you to like doing laundry, or at the very least, make you want to stand around in your laundry room.

The entire book is full of decorating ideas and so much more. Tags and menu clip-art to copy and use for place-cards and such...oh, and even patterns to make things like a gardening apron.
I'm so inspired that I simply had to share.

You might be a weirdo IF...

Kim tagged me with this "6 Weird things about you" game going around for Bloggers. Hmmm, weird things about me...well, I guess WEIRDNESS is in the eye of the beholder. That being said, judge for yourself....

1. I always get the hiccups when I eat a McDonald's Hamburger. (I actually hardly ever eat them anymore, but whenever I do, you had better believe I will get the hiccups.

2. I absolutely hate the taste of coffee, but love mudd pie. (which is made with coffee ice cream, go figure.)

3.My idea of a dream vacation would be (and always has been) to go to the world's longest yard sale, with a huge empty trailer. (see above photo of my version of a "dream trailer" ) I love thrift stores, yard sales and junking. I swear I would even be tempted to buy my own stuff back if I were to see it at a thrift shop.

4.I was a Professional Party Clown for a bit while my kids were young. The money was good, and I still got to be home with my kids. My "stage name" was Tootsie,(It came from the nickname my father called me when I was young, and as Tootsie  I also gave out Tootsie rolls) and my 3 year old daughter, Heather, (the Maid of Honor) was my "assistant clown" named Bubbles. (she handed out bubble gum)

5. I purchased a child's Jr. bed (it holds a crib mattress) at a thrift shop (see #3 above) for my dogs to sleep on in the garage in the winter while I am at work during the day....think of it as a "Doggie Day Bed" if you will...this is so they don't have to sleep on the cold cement (hey, it snows here ya know)

6. My only requirements ( besides heated seats) when purchasing my car was" how much junk can fit back here" and "will it hold 2 large dogs?" (see again #3 and #5)

Hmmm, now I must tag 6 more Bloggers....well, here goes!
Carol, Amy, Carrie, Alicia, Amy, and Teresa
Now girls, just check out  Kim's  site for all the instructions!(If you've already been tagged, and I missed it- sorry!)

Color me blue

...er, blue, green, gray. I am lovin' the paint color I doctored up for the master bedroom. There were some challenges in getting this color just right, but gosh, it was so worth the work!
I have been counting the minutes until Saturday night so I could finally begin the transformation from stark white to a comfortable, cozy warm blue/green/gray robin's egg color. It suites me just right.
I've off to go get started now..( Of course I will share pictures with you later!)

You ain't nothin' but a hound dog

I love these guys. Always happy to see me. Never in a bad mood. They don't hog the remote, or care if I'm having a hideously bad hair day.
Their names are Moose and Bear, and yes, I am aware that they are dogs, not wild animals from the woods. Moose is actually my son's dog, so you see, in the beginning I only had a dog named Bear, and it didn't sound so ...er...dumb. When my son left for training with the Nevada Air National Guard, Moose came to stay with me. He was with me for 8 months while my sone was in training. After that, I couldn't bear (no pun intended) to part with him after that amount of time.
Look at this face. What's not to love?

Virtual friendship

I think it's so exciting to get a package in the mail. ( I even get a tad bit excited when I get a sample of dryer sheets or some such product in the mail) Nowadays with email, it just doesn't happen that often at my house. Even party invites are "e-vites" quite often now...but, yesterday, when i got home from work....lucky me! Look what the mailman delivered!
My friend (and Bliss Sister) Francie sent me this darling present to brighten my day. Isn't the box lid just about the cutest thing you've ever seen?! The tea bag is real (wrapped so neatly in a cellophane bag) and can be removed to use. There's a darling spoon with a little bee on it, and can you see the little lemon wedge there? Oh, it's all just so cute. The jell candle looks just like tea, and smells yummy, all cinnamon and spice-y. Mmmmm!Of course, the thing that thrilled me most was the dear letter that accompanied the package. I am convinced that Francie and I are kindred spirits.
There I stood at the kitchen counter blubbering and sniffling as I read her note, thinking about how Francie will never know exactly what this meant to me.
What makes this all so very extra special is that Francie and I have never actually met. I mean, not in person. And we most likely never will. But friends all the same. We have a virtual friendship, thanks to the cyberworld.
Ten years ago I could barely work a computer. In fact I don't think we even had Internet in our home ten years ago. Now, thanks to wonderful technology, we can make friends anywhere in the country. Gosh, anywhere in the world. Friends that really "get" us. Friends that we can share ideas, support, hobbies, guidance and friendship with. I have so many friends (and you do too) courtesy of this little electronic set up called a computer. Ten years ago, I could never have met Francie, or Deb, or Jenny. It just couldn't have happened. Wow, is this a great time to be alive, or what?

any place I hang my hat

I am working on the furniture arrangement and set up for my bedroom, as I told you a couple of days ago. (yes, this is jumping the gun, I do need to paint first, but all of the furniture, boxes and accessories are in my way, and I just like fiddling with this stuff..it's theraputic)
I am trying to simplify my life and the look of my home as well.  This  small wall area vignette between the bedroom and master bath is the look I think I am kind of going for. I think, but I am not 100% for sure. I don't want it looking too country-amish if you know what I mean.
Of course, I still have to paint the little table. (so far it only has a light coat of primer and I have not even filled the holes on the drawer) I am not certain, but I think it will be an antiqued, cream color when I am done. I might even take step by step pictures as I do this little gem of a table so you can all see how I do a basic antiquing project....but back to what I was saying..
Can you picture that? The table in a cream with darker antiquing glaze, the little topiary trees and hat rack against the yummy robins egg blue wall? Oh, I think it will be divine.

Everything in it's place

Among many other things, 2007 is my year for getting organized. It seems to me that when things are all in their proper place, the world seems calmer. Life seems a bit easier somehow. You know what I mean?
When I started unpacking at my charming new place I looked at this eensy weensy closet at the end of the hall and thought "Well, this is wasted space. Nothing I can possibly put here except the vacuum."
Oh, I was so wrong. The closet is actually a hidden treasure within my little home. This little baby is so deep that I was able to put in my ironing board, an old too-beat-up-to-be-out-in-a-public-area-but-too-good-to- throw-away tallboy dresser way in the back and still have room for the vacuum up front.
The drawers have helped me to organize a multitude of things. I am going to paint typewriter style lettering on to the drawer fronts later that label what is actually in each drawer. I have candles in one (And boy, do I have candles!) batteries and a flashlight in another, spare light bulbs of all shapes and sizes in one, and all of my cleaning rags and cloths in one. I tell you, it is perfect beyond words. As Martha would say, "It's a good thing." and she would be correct.

Living a beautiful life

Have you read any of Alexandra Stoddards books? She has many, but my favorite one is in "Living a Beautiful Life". She points out that every day is special and we should celebrate and pamper ourselves in little ways, like using our fine crystal to sip water from at lunch, not just saving it for only for the Thanksgiving dinner table, and lighting candles to add romance to a room, even when we are home all alone.
I decided that when I moved to my new-to-me-place I was going to treat myself to some absolutely FABULOUS bedding..on sale or not. I deserve it. I am going to live a beautiful life. It would be my housewarming gift to myself.
I told myself that when, and IF I ever found what I considered perfect-for-me, I would buy it - without looking at the price tag.  I am quite sure I've shared this before, but I am thrifty. Just my nature. I like to find things on sale, uncover a bargain, shop the clearance tables.
Well, I did discover some pretty, perfect bedding. Loved the colors, Loved the print. Looooooved the feel of the fabrics (I am a very textural person by nature…it has to feel good) so, I bought it. Ralf Lauren. Fabulous. Really fabulous. On sale, but just barely. I had to not look at the total when I signed the debit card slip. I winced, but reminded myself that darn it,  I am worth it. (You know, one of those moments like the character, Jack Handey, who used to do "Deep Thoughts"on Saturday Night Live)
I take my big bags of bedding home, determined that the entire room will  have the “perfect-for-me” look. The look that says “This is my sanctuary. I am soooo comfortable here that I never want to leave”. This means I need the perfect wall color, and the perfect ceiling color. Sound easy? Not so much.
I decide I simply must have the enchanting muddy robins egg blue-green for the walls. I take a pillow sham to Home Depot for the computer in the paint department to match up.  The guy at the Depot says no problem and mixes me up a gallon. I scurry home and slap some on the wall. Wow, muddy camouflage gray green. Sad. Depressing actually. No, no. This will not do. Back to the Depot. Re-mix. Back home. More murky green with a touch less gray. Blech!…I decide to mix it on my own. I can do this, I know I can.  I mix in some blue I have for my vintage furniture and a bit of white…a bit more of the white…Voila! I have had a moment of excellence right here in my bedroom! I am thrilled beyond words.
If I didn’t have to get up so early for my grown up girl job this morning I would have painted the entire room last night while watching the Golden Globe Awards. Alas today is only Tuesday and I do have to go to my grown up girl job, so all I have painted is a nice sized splotch behind the headboard.
I love it, I love it, I love it! (Like that girl on Saturday Night Live does…hmmm, maybe I am watching too much late night TV on the weekends.) It is perfect. Really. Perfect. I think I am in love with Ralph (as in Lauren...) My photo does not do it justice.
Oh yes, I am going to be positively blissfully happy and content in this room for years and years to come.

Be my guest

Thank you all for the kind comments from yesterdays post. I am so touched to receive so many caring and compassionate comments and emails. I was really not sure at all if I should share something so personal and it truly warms my heart to know that there are so many GOOD people out there!

My dogs and I have moved from the huge house to a 1960’s “ranch-style-soon-to-be-oh-so-charming-cottage” and are whittling through boxes and piles of belongings each night after work.

Strangely peaceful, being in a new place. My new place.

It is a house with good bones, large windows, a perfectly sized yard, and charm just aching to be uncovered. I am up for the challenge.

I do have my guest room situated, and just 5 days after moving in hosted my very first guest.    

The room was the easiest to do, since the walls were white, and after all, there isn’t much to put away in a guest room. I am sure I will warm up the walls with a more “wheat-like” colored paint at some point, and change out the ceiling light for a chandelier, but for now- it works, and it makes me smile each time I peak into this room.

*sigh* Yes, I think I am going to be just fine here.

Four months ago

...I found myself suddenly single…Suddenly.
Starting over, at the mid century mark. Who would have thought? Certainly not me. Now, all that is left is for the lawyers to finish up dividing what took more than 30  years to grow and by spring we will live separate lives completely.
I have learned a lot in the last four months. That people who say they will love you forever may not, that things simply are not always what they seem, that life can be more painful and sad, and confusing than I ever imagined.
On the other end of the spectrum I have discovered that people you didn’t even realize were your friends actually care quite a great deal about you, that what really matters in life are people not things (I already knew this, but it was wonderful to have it confirmed) that there is power in prayer and faith, and I have discovered that it can also be kind of exhilarating (scary as hell, yes, but exciting and freeing at the same time) to be able to make all your own decisions and choices. All. By. Yourself.
I am grateful for so many things. My spectacular kids, my beloved dogs, my dear friends. A hot  bath each night, and the feeling I get inside every time I realize that I have made it though another day, feeling just a teensy bit better than I was the day before.
I am not sure why I am sharing this with you, except…I think of you as friends of sorts, and if you’ve wondered if I have fallen off the face of the earth…well, yes, I did, for a wee bit of time, but I am going to be fine (actually I plan on being better than fine at some point soon) and I would like you to know that I have missed all of you out there in Bloggyland. I am glad to be back.