Notes from A Cottage Industry

Waiting for time to heal the wounds

I love sharing my decorating and lifestyle ideas with all of you. I sincerely treasure all the comments and emails I receive. I try to be positive, and truly, most days I am completely focused on whatever is good, whatever is right, whatever is just, but some days...some days life is just...so...hard.

Let me start off by saying that my suddenly single-ness wasn't one of those oh, let's-be-friends-and-I-really-still-care-what-happens-to-you kind of splits. I thought I was "happily" married one minute, and found myself suddenly single the next. Literally. Oh, he was still part of a perfectly matched pair, just not with me. (Admittedly, looking back, I foolishly missed more than a few red flags, aparently nine years worth of red flags, according to what he finally shared with me. Dear God, I did live in a June Cleaver fantasy world.) As this past year unfolded, more promises were broken, and many more lies were told. I found out far too many things far too late in the game, so here I am, one year and one month later, doing my darndest to keep my head above water, mentally, spiritually and financially. I hadn't spoken to him in months, using lawyers instead to communicate since only one of us was playing by the rules.

Over this past year I have often wondered (and worried) about what I would do if I came upon him out in public, or even worse, them, out and about, and I knew it would happen at some point. I mean, it's not called the Biggest little city for nothing. We may be nearing a half a million in population for the county area, but it can be a very small town.

Yesterday I was coming out of the office supply after work and there he was, walking towards the office supply...and me. Funny how you can recognize a person from from far away by their walk. I guess after 29 years it's not all that surprising.

My daughter told me months ago, when he first left us, that God wouldn't let me bump into him until I was ready to handle it. I'm not so sure that's true, and after yeaterday, I don't think that day will ever come, when I can really "handle" it.

I can't describe it really, it was like I was thinking in slow motion. So much I wanted to say to him, to tell him, but none of it came out right. He wouldn't get it anyway, that even though he has continued without missing a beat, (or a public party event) some of us are struggling to think outside the box and make ends meet while we finish paying for weddings, and legal bills. I didn't tell him that part of me will always be defective now, a bit weird and "off" inside, that I still don't sleep at night, that a small piece on the really soft spot of my heart is broken to a million pieces and cannot be repaired, and that I fear I will forever wonder what was missing in me that made me so undesirable.

Instead, I asked a few pointed questions and he made another hollow promise about money that he won't keep. (Why did I even talk to him? ) He left to return to his big fine new house with his new life complete with sound system and widescreen TV, and everything else that really isn't important in life. I drove home, naming aloud through my tears, the entire way home, each and every blessing I have to be so very thankful for.   

For the love of pumpkins...

You know we are now planning a fall wedding. The new bride-to-be found this fabulous book at Wal-Mart and it. is. amazing. Really. Fabulous ideas all throughout, and not just for Halloween!

There is an entire wedding done up with white pumpkins,and flowers and fruits in all shades of greens... *Sigh* Oh, it's to die for dreamy. Just look at the white pumpkin with the pearly stick pins...pure heaven! And the wedding cake with the pears and tiny white jack be nimble pumpkins? Too sweet.
It is chock full of inspiring ideas for entertaining and decorating...oh, I love Autumn so very much.

Tumbeweed Cotillion critique

    *see the edit at bottom of this post please... Now that I've had more than ten minutes to digest my thoughts on how the Cotillion went, I wanted to share my two cents.
     I met with my business partner last night to critique the event and figure out a game plan for the next faire. We both agreed that the event was a success! Considering we just met in July and it was our first time planning a such an event, we both are feeling pretty good about it.
    Is there room for improvement? Yes, always. The biggest problem was clear. The mansion where we held the Cotillion was our only real sore spot. The venue was too chopped up and quite cramped for the amount of foot traffic. (Yes, we had foot traffic! Yippee!) Would we use this venue again? No way.  Sadly, the event person we had to deal with at the venue made things pretty darned unpleasant for our vendors, to put it mildly. At the end of the day we gave out surveys to all of our vendors, and each and every one of them commented on just how unpleasant a couple of the mansion folks were to them personally. OK, new venue for sure next time.
     I think our shoppers liked the products we had, but, with this being said, we ended up with only about half of our participants selling true "vintage" items. Many had quite charming things, however, they were newly manufactured items that were mass produced and purchased from suppliers. We will work on developing a more real vintage grouping of products and display ideas.
     I had goodie bags for all the vendors, as well as muffins and juice in the morning, but we all managed somehow to forget about lunch! Let me tell you, by 5:00 we were all starved. We'll include shoe box lunches for our vendors next time, for sure!
     On the big plus side, our musician was beyond fabulous. A beautiful girl with a beautiful voice, and a delight to chat with as well. She sold out of CD's before noon and had to run home for more. The crowd of attendees was huge, and so very friendly, despite having to brave the coldest day we've had this season. Oh, another big plus- all of our vendors said they would like to participate in another faire...so we've begun planning our next Tumbleweed Cotillion, scheduled for early to mid summer (Exact date yet to be decided...later this week!) ...oh, but don't be surprised if you hear that we're doing a holiday Trunk Show somewhere...

*edited to add: I hope you all don't think we felt the event was bad or a failure! Quite the opposite. We are wildly happy with our first attempts at throwing a vintage faire, and we had excellent sales (and yes, the Robin's egg blue buffet sold!) It's simply that we want the event to grow to be a completely-top-shelf, waiting-list-of-vendors, wow-what-an-incredible-event kind of thing, and it is going to take one or two more attempts to be that. Oh, and we will have such fun getting to that point!

words to live by-week 40

    Mmm hmm,once again, it's all about attitude.

My Victoria has arrived at last...

      After checking my mailbox day after day since my first friend on the east coast announced she had received her issue....it finally arrived! (what is up with that anyway?!) I waited till bedtime, with my cuppa tea. I flipped through quickly, then went back oh so s-l-o-w-l-y  page... by page.... by page, lingering...

Now, all of you die hard Victoria fans, I want to know...what did you think of the premier issue?

Inspiration Friday- ribbon!

    Have you ever noticed that if you add a bit of ribbon to a thing, it looks suddenly oh, so much more charming? More finished really.

    I have ribbon everywhere in my cottage.

    Tied on baskets, on my little accessories, on jars.

     Why, even just looking at a vintage gym basket full of ribbon snippets inspires me to do a little nesting.

*sigh* Ribbon simply inspires me in every possible way. How 'bout you?

A new series of classes coming up for November...

     The gift wrapping class went so very well, that I am now going to expand to a new, entire series dedicated to entertaining, just in time for the holidays!
     Yes, I owe it all to my very dear friend Anne, who encouraged me to think outside of the box to earn that much needed extra income, and hang in there when the going gets tough.(She must have been a cheerleader in high school, 'coz she's  always cheering everyone on, inspiring them to do more than they thought they could do, and see the sunny side of everything...thanks Anne! You're my hero!)
     Anyhoo, the class series is going to be called "From the heart of the home" and will consist of 4 separate classes over the course of two weeks. (on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6:30 till about 8:00, beginning November 6- just in time for Thanksgiving and before the rest of the holiday season madness begins!)
    The first will be a class on cupcake decorating techniques, ideas and packaging. Next will be sugar cookies and the many fun things we can do with them. The third class is going to cover ideas and tricks for packaging gifts of food in creative ways- thinking outside of the gift basket, if you will. Last, but certainly not least will, be "creative entertaining on a shoestring", which will cover clever place cards, menu cards, and table scape themes.
   The idea is that folks may sign up for which ever class strikes their fancy, or all four classes. I'm offering a discount for those that sign up for the entire series. We'll see how it goes...

Oh! I am so excited to get things moving on this latest project!

Hey, Mr. Postman...

Have I got a pile of boxes for you! Actually, I am dropping the giant pile off at the post office this morning.
     Yes, the first batch of gift wrap kits are on their way. I cannot thank you enough for your patience, while I over booked myself with the Tumbleweed Cotillion,(or was it the gift wrap kits overbooked on top of the Cotillion?) and had a dear friend family friend's death pop up in the middle of all of this.
     At any rate, start watching for something that clearly resembles a pizza box, being delivered straight away to you if you ordered one!
*sigh*Thank you, thank you, so very much, one more time.

You make ME smile!

Teresa over at Plumbwater Cottage nominated me for this award last week and I was too buried with the Cotillion to thank her publicly until today. Thanks so much Teresa!!!
I am supposed to nominate some others. You are all too nice! Consider yourself all nominated.
Yes, ALL of you!

a few pictures from the Tumbleweed Cotillion...

Thanks so much for all of the well wishes!
Whew! It was great fun, from start...

to finish.. 
There were wonderful vintage things...

from furniture, to drapes, to all kinds of treasures...

 

to baby gifts...


and so much more...

even locally made lavender products (oh, they were so yummy!)

We were inside the mansion...lots and lots of shoppers...

and outside on the porch...

and we plan to do it all again, but much, much bigger, come summer!

Words to live by- week 39

I know the price of success: dedication, hard work, and an unremitting devotion to the things you want to see happen. Frank Lloyd Wright

The Tumbleweed Cotillion is here!

I have the goodie bags ready for the vendors. We're all set up. The baker will be in the kitchen with yummy treats for sale, there will be music, and of course, the main floor of the mansion is filled to the ceiling with vintage treasures and all kinds of charming things to warm your heart and home.
I hope to see you there! (And, if you live to far away, don't worry. You know I will be sharing pictures come Monday...)

Inspiration Friday- toile

I adore toile. I love it in the classic color on white, and also in multi colors, but my favorite is probably the classic black on white toile.It has such a timeless look to it. So classic. I use it in decorating my home...

in paper projects...

even when I refinish a piece of vintage furniture...

*sigh* the perfect finishing touch, don'tcha think?

Blue paint recipe and a few goodies for the Cotillion!

For everyone that asked, I am going to share my "recipe" for the Robin's egg blue paint.(thanks so much for all of the compliments yesterday!!) I didn't start out with this color blue paint. Oh no. I bought one shade of paint and it was too blue. Bought another...too green. I mixed them...a little of this, a little more of that. I came up with this color and took the painted stir stick in to Home Depot when I ran out of the paint and had it mixed to match. It's Behr Brand,and I always buy eggshell finish, except for the paint I used on the kitchen walls and in the bathroom, where I used semi-gloss.(Oh, and on my kitchen and bathroom walls I also added 1/3 part white paint to lighten it up.) The dresser I shared yesterday was then antiqued my usual way in a tobacco glaze.

Anyway, you asked. Here's the answer:

Tracey's Robin's egg blue Behr Brand eggshell finish paint used on furniture

COLORANT     OZ   48   96
Lamp black      0     7     1
Thalo Green     0     4     0
Med. Yellow     0     2      1

Tracey's Robin's egg blue Behr Brand semi-gloss finish paint used on the kitchen walls

COLORANT     OZ   48   96
Lamp black      0     5     0
Thalo Green     0     1     1
Med. Yellow     0     2      1

Now, back to work!....busy, busy busy! Not much time to chat today. Preparing the shipping labels for gift wrapping kits and tagging items for the Cotillion. Just stopped long enough to share the paint recipe and a picture of some of my booth items

..you like?

Petitie french buffet

  Or maybe you'd call it a dresser. Or a sideboard. Or an entry table.
     It was in need of some TLC and my favorite robin's egg blue paint and some antiquing brought it back to life. It's a sweet little piece of furniture that's oh, so versatile.(hmmm, I can see it warming up my new office at my grown up job, holding a fabulous lamp and a photo of my family, with the drawers being used for office storage...) I like it so much, I'm tempted to keep it for myself...it will be at the Tumbleweed Cotillion.

*sigh* That is, unless I decide I can't bear to part with it.

The dog ate my (Gift wrapping kit) homework...

My alarm clock didn't go off. I had a headache. Oh, I've got a million excuses.
     Actually, the DVD's we burned had to be gone through, one by one and checked. Some of them (6 to be exact) had no sound. Mmm hmm, just me chattering and waving my hands around in complete dead silence.  The picture and text for the labels I was making for the DVD's wouldn't center up, and the "Help" people at Avery are not really caring at all about me and my labeling woes.
     Then, I bought all the 15.25x11.5x2 boxes at the office supply and they couldn't get more in until this week. (Yes, I called all around. Apparently it's a very popular sized box...who knew?) I'm telling you, it was Murphy's law in action.
But now, without any further excuses...
      If you pre-ordered one of my "Make it Special" gift wrap kits, the wait is nearly over. I had posted here that I'd try and ship by October 15th, and I am ever so slightly behind, but not by too much.
     The binders are ready, the DVD's labeled, and I am packaging them all up just as fast as I can, and double checking the shipping addresses to get them on their way! I want to thank all of you that ordered them for your patience as I burned DVD's, cut ribbons and tags, printed labels, and pages. Up to my eyeballs in paper scraps and ribbon streamers, I assembled oh, so many kits and I am absolutely thrilled to have so many orders!

They will be greeting the post office lady later this week, and I will keep you posted!

Autumn elegance...and a request

     The new-bride-to-be is thinking of maybe having an elegant, yet rustic Autumn wedding.  They've found a place that just may be perfect, so I am trying out some plans for the decor, you know, in my spare time, just to give us some food for thought. (who am I kidding? I can't even sleep for all the rustic-yet-oh-so-elegant ideas racing through my head!) I'm thinking white pumpkin lined walk ways, with oodles and toodles of tiny white votives and twinkle lights...(My photograph didn't cooperate. It's a pumpkin with pearly glittery confetti, and it actually looked oh so romantic in person, but you'll just have to take my word for it, 'coz the photo above looks like the poor pumpkin has some kind of shiny warts...)

Anyway.

     I saw an incredible wedding article with tons of great pictures in a magazine a few years back (Country Home? Country Living? Mary Engelbreit?) Anyway, it was a fall wedding done in a barn, in Oregon of all places, and it. was. fabulous.
     Well, I tore the pictures out, hoping to someday get to put this plan into action. The new-maid-of-honor had the pictures when we were working on her wedding plans, and as you know, she married before Autumn, so...she tossed the magazine photos out! I have googled till my eyeballs are burning and no sign of the article or photos. If it rings a bell to you, please let me know the month, year and magazine so I can set about trying to get the back issue. (My girls think I am completely crazy, since they said we can remember what was in the picture, but...I fear we might be missing something fabulous. A picture is worth a thousand words you know.)

words to live by- week 38

"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands...."
                                   1 Thessalonians 4:11

Got it.

Autumn porch

     
     Aah, sweet Autumn has arrived in a big way here. Chilly mornings, leaves turning, the smell of neighbor's fireplaces as I walk the pups. Mmmm, I love it.
     My summer flowers finally all played out. I replaced them this morning with some fake ivy and  green moss I found in a bag when I was working on the Tumbleweed Cotillion booth furniture.
My porch was looking mighty sad and droopy, especially with the plant morgue I had going on in the window boxes, so I did a bit of sprucing there too. Looking at this picture really helps me see how desperately I need to paint my front door (what color should I paint it? Tomato red, a medium darkish-wheaty-brown or classic black?) and take down the hose holder. Oh, and add some more visible house numbers. Some black or chocolate brown shutters would be nice on the sides of the front windows too. (Maybe, if I do well enough at the Cotillion...)
  I moved the old worn dresser, formerly used as a sofa table/buffet server on the patio, to my front porch for winter. It's pretty weather worn and this will most likely be it's last stop before I steal the old drawers out and do something creative with them and dump the frame. So, tell me...

What's on your porch for fall?

Inspiration friday- Pumpkins!

The ultimate symbol of Autumn, in a way.
Oh yes. I have 'em everywhere during the fall season. Inside, outside, real, faux.  Shades of orange to pearly whites. I know I've shared this a while back, but I simply love this old Fitz and Floyd Soup tureen from about 13 years ago when my Mom had a darling little gift shop.

I found these perfectly matching mini soup bowl pumpkins years later at Big Lots for a dollar ninety nine each.(Yippee! I love a good deal almost better than anything on earth)I have eight of them.

Here are some of the set of six (I think) vintage soup bowls the new-Maid-of-Honor got at a sale up in Portland, and sent to me for the Tumbleweed Cotillion. Aren't they sweet?

Oh yes. *sigh* Pumpkins inspire me.

from ordinary to extraordinary in just one day

...and just in the nick of time for Tumbleweed Cotillion. (countdown- only 9 more "get-ups" till the Cotillion!)
I loved the lines and size of this sweet table the minute I saw it. Still, it was just a bit too...ordinary for my taste. 
So...
I painted. I sanded, I antiqued. I added some detail work. I stood back and looked. I smiled.
*sigh* Now it's extraordinary, don'tcha think?

Just in time... and I can hardly wait!

      Oh my gosh. Have you heard? Have you seen? (Thanks Trish, for telling me!)
    It will be available on December 1, 2007 and you can look inside it and pre-order it here.
     *sigh* Just in time to inspire us with ideas as we plunge into planning the last of three fairy tale weddings...

Thrifted Props for the Tumbleweed Cotillion!

  My partner in the Tumbleweed Cotillion told me about a little shop in a house downtown that was having a half price sale. I was so excited with what I found there last Saturday that I simply had to share! A vinatge baby scale and an old wicker dressform with no stand.
What's that, you ask? What am I possibly going to do with a slightly-worse-for-wear wicker dressform with no stand you ask? Well...

    I've been a busy, busy girl, making gift tags to sell at the Cotillion.The dressform provides the perfect display to house them. I'm having such fun getting ready for this event, and if you're able to come, please, do make sure you find me to say hello! (I'll have a special treat for those of you that do!)
    Lots more things to come...

Press kits with a delicious bribe.

................................................................................................................
Another Tumbleweed Cotillion update!
Here are the dear little press kits I've been hand delivering to the local newspaper, magazines and television stations.

    I think they came out pretty charming, and will get our message across!

    The plan of attack was this: If the cuteness of the folder doesn't entice you, maybe a cupcake will.
Think it will work?

words to live by- week 37

Every thing.

Oh, it truly does.

    Thanks so much for all of the well wishes and congrats notes on the latest big wedding announcement. I'm so excited that I got to share it with all of you!! (The picture is of a little sign and banner I made for the back door to greet the newly engaged couple as they arrived at my cottage Friday afternoon, since I was at my grown up job and not there to say it in person!)   
    The new bride-to-be and her beau took off early yesterday morning after we all had a nice family celebration dinner and send off the night before. I stood in my robe in the garage waving goodbye and managed to not cry till they were out of site. (I'm gonna miss my sometimes-Sunday-night-slumber-party-buddy so much!)
     Mom tears. One stage of life ending, one beginning. So happy for her, for them both. Love really does change everything.

Nest eggs

  The new maid-of-honor (She refuses to use the term "Matron-of-Honor", and she used to be "the bride"...oh, you get it.)has been asking me for nearly a week now if I've received a package.

No. No package here.

No. Not yet.
     Then, a little box arrived by post yesterday. Inside was this sweet, sweet pin! (Does she know me or what?)I adore it. I put it on right away this morning when I left my cottage.
     I can think of about 12 sweaters, shirts, and jackets in my closet that this will absolutely "make"! She saw it here and ordered it here. (Oh! and notice, once again..3 eggs. Perfect!)
Such a sweet pin!

*sigh* Such a sweetie pie.

Talk about an Inspiration Friday...Oh my!

Oh my. Oh. my!

     I can hardly believe it, and yet I am not surprised at all. Another wedding! (that's 3 for 3 if anyone's keeping score)
The groom-to-be took me to coffee yesterday morning to ask my permission for her hand before surprising her with the proposal. (*sigh* Now, isn't that the sweetest thing?!) He even showed me the ring. Beautiful.
     I ran out and bought a copy of every different Bride's magazine on the racks at Target and Borders(even a Honeymoon magazine for the groom-to-be) I put little aqua post it notes on pages with pretty dresses and ideas she might want to use and then tied them up to give her when they come to show off the ring later today. Oh, such fun ahead!

     No date picked. Yet. (Of course, I offered up the idea of an Autumn wedding, since I haven't gotten to plan one of those yet...oh! Or a winter wonderland wedding.....)

Oh. my.

Let's see. The newlyweds will stay the newlyweds, at least until their anniversary. The maid-of-honor will now become the bride-to-be and vise versa. Oh, I think you'll all adjust. Sooooooooo exciting, isn't it?

*looong sigh* Now, that's my idea of an Inspiration Friday.

A little treat for the Tumbleweed Cotillion vendors

    I know our Vintage Market Faire is still two and a half weeks away, but I just finished the prototype for  something I just had to share!
     The historic mansion we booked for the event is now filled to capacity with vendors (Oh! I am so thrilled about this!) We even have a fabulous baker for the kitchen, and a wonderful musician we are going to have nestled in an alcove! (If you live even remotely close enough to attend, you really should!)
     We're providing a little welcome treat,(some homemade cookies!) along with a list of all the vendors names and a follow-up survey (so we can see what they think we did well, and not so well..)for our vendors... aren't they sweet?
    The tiny old typewriter wording under the vintage photo of cowgirls on the bag reads "Welcome to the Tumbleweed Cotillion". We want to be sure everyone feels welcome, and right at home, and I think this will do the trick, don't you?

A quick Make it Special kit pre-order update!

Sheesh! Two posts in one day..I'll make this short and sweet---Thank you so very much for all of the pre-orders on the Make it Special Gift wrapping kits! There seems to have been a few requests and comments that landed somehow (how does that happen anyway?) in bulk mail, and I skim my eyes so fast past all those Viagra ads subject lines that I missed some of your requests...yikes!So..If you posted a comment on the blog or emailed me for a kit,and I did not respond yesterday, please email me one more time...
Thanks again!
You. are. simply. the. best!

Mail cubby gets a makeover just in time for the Tumbleweed Cotillion

I bought the mail cubby a while back, you may remember. (that's what I'm calling it anyway)
First I primed it, then I painted and antiqued it (my usual way) Then, I added the Fleur De Lys to cover the old cut out heart shape, you know, to give it a bit of a Paris Flea Market look...

Here is the finished product. All set for somebody's office, or kitchen, or maybe even in a hallway. It'll be available for purchase at the Tumbleweed Cotillion.

Just in time for Autumn

Yes! At last. I feel like I've been waiting for-evah.
     The newest Nell Hill's Book. (and believe it or not, I got mine more than ten bucks off, even though the book was only released about three weeks ago, in September. *sigh* just another reason I love Amazon.)
Anyway.
     It's as fabulous as all the rest. Perfect  inspiration for fall. Oh yes, time to do a bit more nesting and fluffing around here this week.
     If you're into Nell Hill's style, this latest book doesn't disappoint.