Notes from A Cottage Industry

A little sneak peek at the latest project around the house.

 I am finally, finally, tackling my craft-room-slash-home-office, and, because it's going to be my creative space,  it's a real labor of love.

Now, you would think since it's so close to my heart, I'd be moving faster on it, but...no. I've been oh-so-slowly working on this since...gosh, I think just after Christmas.

Eeek.

Well, I'm getting focused in on it now, and moving along at a slightly faster pace, and so I thought I'd share a little sneak peek.

I'm still trying to organize all of my assorted types of paper, and litle bits of ribbon. I'm still searching for the right rug, (or not) and maybe some item for the center of the room (a chopping block type of island, about three by three)...or maybe I just need a rearrangement of furnishings?

 

 

Gosh, I just don't know.

When I am trying to figure out the best room arrangement, I use graph paper and use one square per foot. I measure the room, the windows, the doors, and then all of the major furniture pieces. (Do you use this method?)

You know, you don't even have to buy graph paper anymore, you just google some up and print a page.

How easy is that?

I always make sure to have around three feet of walking space around pieces that stick out into the room. Make sure you don't ignore how many little one foot boxes are between furniture pieces, so you end up with enough walking room.

I'll be sharing an update with more complete photos soon!

 

 

 

Have I been to one too many Vintage Fleas?

One of the charming vintage shops in Vancouver Washington came up with a not-new-but-new-for-our-area event…a monthly Vintage Flea Market, to be held on the first Sunday of each month through summer.

Last Sunday was the first one. Both of my daughters and I had discussed getting a booth space in the parking lot, but...the weather here in May is dicey at best, so we chickened out, and decided we would just attend the event as shoppers. As it turned out,the event was great, and the weather was perfect, other than some pretty heavy winds, which were playing havoc on some of the booth displays. I took plenty pictures, but as I edited them, I realized that what I was drawn to more than anything else, was the fabulous art of display these talented people have.

 

 

The place was crowded with shoppers…lots of browsers and looky-loos, and folks eye candy shopping for inspiration. I say this because I didn’t see a wave of near hysterical shoppers running at items as I have witnessed in years past when the crowds of women scampered to grab what they could before someone else snagged it. Out of the three of us, only one daughter bought something. She got two darling wooden turquoise children’s chairs to go in the playroom.

It got me to wondering. (And maybe I’m wrong. I often am, you know.)

Could it be?...Have I seen it all? The weathered creams, whites, and burlaps. The feed sacks, the chalkboard painted buckets, tables, dressers...you-fill-in-the-blank. 

Now, don’t get me wrong. I like this look. 

Heck, I love this look. ( I have a version of it in my own home, and my daughters have their own versions of vintage in their homes too..)

But I seem to have it already. So do my girls. I do not seem to come across anything that I feel like will add to my spaces with such impact that I am willing to pay a high price for it.    

That brings me to the other thing that we all noticed. (and I am wondering if you have noticed this in your area as well, as this was not the first event I have noticed prices edging up.) People seem to have really raised their prices. (and this may have been why nothing really grabbed me hard enough to buy it.)

I mean, I am not expecting yard sale pricing by any means at all, but eight bucks for a small metal tag that I was thinking could be too-cute tied with jute around a cloth napkin at a summer barbeque? That’s just not happening at my house, when we are eating off my thrifted-for-twenty-dollars-six-years-ago pfaltzgraph Filegree white dishes, and the handmade cloth napkins my mom makes for me with discount fabrics. It just seems that as a vendor in afair, without the overhead that ashop owner has to bear, the prices would be a little lower. 

 

Am I  getting out of touch?  Right now, the things that send me to the moon  all seem to be table setting related, or for parties, or a small intimate event. (Like a cozy breakfast for two)I never to seem to find any gotta-haves for my own home decor these days.

I am hoping it’s not that I am “getting old”. You know, like before you know it I will be sporting sensible shoes that resemble men’s house slippers, (gasp!)  going to bed with the chickens, and saying things like “he hasn’t got the sense God gave a goose”.   

What do you think? Are you feeling like you  have seen most of the ideas and pieces, or are you still finding so much stuff you need a pick-up to take it all home? I’d love to hear your thoughts on all of this, and also, I’d love, love, love to read what kinds of things currently do inspire you right now into nesting mode over-drive...

**Edited Tuesday, May 7, 2013- While as of now, I have not had any negative comments here from readers....I want to apologize with all of my heart to anyone I inadverently offended with this post....those that had a booth in this fair, and to Billie who owns the charming shop as I stated in my first paragraph. I did not realize....(obviously, I had a complete brain lapse, and ...I did not think.) as I wrote my thoughts, that anyone involved in the fair would take offense. (Not sure why, it just didn't enter my mind as I wrote. I think maybe it didn't occur to me because I didn't say anything negative about the products- quite the contray, they were all fabulous, or I wouldn't have taken so many pictures.)

The main point I was sharing, (or...attempting to share) besides noticing pricing on the upswing, was that I am kind of surprised at myself, at not being swept away in a vintage frenzy, as I have been only a few years back. The fact was, it crossed my mind that I might be thinking more these days like...ehem...an older lady. (No ofense meant to any women out there older than me. Especially not you, Mom.)

Again I want to say, to Billie, and to the vendors in the Flea Market event...I am sorry if I offended you in any way.

Truly.

(Insert large embarrassed cringe here.)

I will not ruin a perfectly decent apology here with excuses. I will say that Cottage Vintage Home's next Flea Market will be held June 2nd.

All you need is love.

And...Love is all you need....along with a little paint, a few flowers, and some elbow grease.

After I shared my photos yesterday, it occurred to me that I had some old pictures of the house...before.

Before the thrifted and moved (and moved) adirondack chairs came to live in the yard.

Before the little wicker chair and rain boots found a new home on the doorstep.

Before we drove around for more than two hours and then knocked on some stranger's front door to ask her what the name of her house paint colors were.

And she happily shared them.

We didn't spend a lot of money, but the changes are priceless when I look at the before and after shots side by side.(Oh, keep in mind that the before picture was taken at the end of summer, when a lot of lawns here look rather dry and...dead.)

 

 

Mmmm hmmm. I likey.

 

See what a little love can do?

 

 

 

The living room takes on Christmas.

Yes, I know this post is over-due, and Christmas Day has come and gone.

Whatever.

So.

The living room.

At Christmas time.

I had originally wanted to do a ginormously tall, but slender noble pine Christmas tree in the living room this year, but, even though Thanksgiving came a little earlier in the month this year, we ran out of time.

(That seems to be a pattern with me these days, I've noticed.)

This year, the big tree found it's home in the corner of the dining room. Then, what we ended up going with in the living room was a fabulous on-loan-from-my-daughter thrifted small white artificial tree, which I placed on the trunk at one end of the sectional.
I love it!(Is that an incredible tree for two dollars at GoodWill, or what?!)
Splashes of red, grey and black added more Christmas-y color on the white sectional..(See my vintage red and white quilt? I adore it!)
....with snowy, glittery accents around the room...
along with lots of family Christmas photos.
The best part of all of this is the fact that I can keep the festive reds and greys going through winter, for Valentines Day, and then, when I am tired of it (and you know I will be) I can pull out my favorite-color-of-spring, Robin's egg blue, to change things up.

...and to all a good night.

Even our bedrom got some Chritsmas little touches this year. Little details like stockings hung on the footboard of the bed...
and a sprig of evergreen tied with a red satin ribbon on the headboard...
Keeping my main pieces neutral, in whites, creams and tans allows for lots of looks, by simply changing a few items. For the Christmas season, I traded out the white duvet for a red and white ticking one with matching shams. I then found some euro shams with red detail stitching and a felted red and white snowflake pillow for a holiday pop of color.
I think this colorway will be great through winter, Valentine's Day and all the way through until spring hits.

A tree with white twinkle lights rounded out the holly-jolly-and-a-little-romantic look, and adds a warm glow to the room. Little unexpected touches make it all so special.
Once New YEar's arrives, I will remove the all-out Christmas items and change them to something more geared towards winter and then Valentine's themed, but for now, I am just really enjoying the magic of the holiday season.

Oh, baby.

Bouncing Baby Boy Number Three will be here sometime near the end of August, and the vintage bassinette I have had for a while now has a new home at my daughter's house. (Remember it here, with my sweet lil' grand daughter?) The Sewing Queen worked her usual magic on it, making it more fabulous than ever.
We chose three different neutral patterns in the absolute yummiest flannel I think I have ever touched, and she used one fabric for the sheet, and coordinated with the charming balnket and rouched bumper.
I got the most presious white crocheted baby blanket last week at a tag sale, and it completed the look perfectly.

Oh! I just can hardly wait for these next two grands to arrive!

Cute as a button.

Let me start by saying that I found true love today at World Market.
You know I am all about one-of-a-kind-thrifted-repurposed-reinvented-or-what-have-you, but mixing in pieces from department stores is not only necessary for certain things. (towels, bedding, mattresses...)Once in a while, I hit the Home Decor stores to see what's new and today on my lunch break was one of those days.

Ohmygosh, ohmygosh, oh my gosh! Have you been in World Market of late? Well, people, if you have a World Market near you, you might want to pop on by there to get yourself inspired. (I was so wishing I had my camera, but no...so pictures from World Market's site will have to do today.)

Be still my linen-loving heart. The sweetest little love seat and coordinating chair, aptly named the "Erin Cute as a Button" set.
The photos are pretty atrocious here, but in person...oh my. They look like a million bucks! Both covered in alinen looking fabric, and tucked backs with assorted printed vintage looking fabrics covering the buttons. So charming.
If only I had a spot in our place to put one of these lovelies.....

If you liked those pieces, trust me, there was so much more...bar stools that I would have grabbed up in a nano second, if I weren't in a convertible VW Bug, (and if my Rock n' Roll Buddy didn't seem to be so attached to the two heaviest-in-America counter stools we already have)and oodles and toodles of accessories that could warm up a corner of most any room.

I came back to work from my early lunch feeling inspired to get home and fluff and decorate. I swear, lunch breaks like that are like taking a mini vacation to Tracey-ville.

 

A little patriotic touch for the table.

I've added something new to my etsy shop!

Are you ready for the 4th, and summertime celebrating, and all that comes with it?

I am.

Several of our neighbors have already hung their red, white and blue swags and decorations across porches and windows, and I will be pulling mine out this very weekend.

I'm pretty stoked about that, because little seasonal or holiday decorations around a home make it look so much happier....don't you think?

My favorite (and easiest) touch for the different holidays and seasons is throwing together little tablescapes, even when it's just the two of us at the kitchen counter. It's simple, and festive, and makes any meal a celebration.
How fabulous is this fan as a patriotic detail for July? I can't even tell you how excited I was when I found them! Not only are they charming, they are useful in the summer heat. (Not that I can say we have had actual "heat" yet here in the Pacific Northwest.)

And they fold up skinny so I can stash them away when not in use easily....unless I let my friends take them home as favors from a barbecue. (How fun is that idea?)

You can find these fans for sale in my etsy shop,(by clicking the hot lin here) if you're feeling like adding a little red, white and blue to your home too!

 

 

B L O O M.

At the beginning of January I hosted a word of the year banner giveaway, and the banner I made for the winner was the word "Bloom".

After designing the banner, I printed one for myself, and decided it was just too perfect for springtime, to not share. (After all, "Bloom" is such a positive word, and one that I have used for myself very nearly as often as I use "Bliss" I think.)

I looked bloom up in the dictionary, and here is what I found:

bloom/blo͞om/

verb.  blossom - flower - flourish - fluoresce - thrive

Mmmm hmm. I am thinking this is the perfect time of year, with things beginning to bud, and blossom, and flourish, to have this sweet word hanging in my home.

I printed mine on old dictionary pages, which you know is my signature look, and matted the pages against pink paper for a little spring pop of color, but the letters and vintage flowers would print just as nicely on plain card-stock. The completed banner measures about five and a half feet wide, with each letter panel being aporximately 6 inches wide and 7 inches tall, so it makes a really great statement in any room.

If you'd like to make one for yourself, my e-kit is available in my etsy shop for $10. The kit arrives right in your in-box, with directions, letters and flower pages to create as many banners as you like!

Go big or go home.

....er...check that. The title should be "Go big at home".

So many of you have left comments and sent me emails asking when I  am going to share some projects from my new home. I'll be honest here and tell you that I was beginning to wonder about that one myself. 

Living with a man that last purchased a home and home decor in the late 80's, and is still enjoying it just fine, thankyouverymuch, has been a...um...well, a new experience, to put it mildly. 

Three and a half months into this sharing-your-space-and-personal-tastes living arrangement, and my Rock n' Roll Buddy has decided he is up for stepping things up to twenty-twelve (Be still my beating heart!)...and he has jumped in with both feet.

What I mean by that is that we are not taking on a starter project, like changing the paint and a towel bar in a bathroom. And we are not stretching these projects out over the course of a year. No. We are changing the carpet throughout the house,  adding hardwood, painting and doing some electrical work and slight remodeling to the entire house, with an anticipated date of completion set for two weeks. (Pinch me, somebody! I am pretty sure I died and went to decorator's heaven!)

I promise to share before and after pictures, but for starters let me share my favorite purchase for the projects to date. First off, you need to know that my Rock n' Roll Buddy is, by a landslide, the best bargain shopper I have ever seen in my entire life, hands down. (My Gawd. He's very nearly perfect. As if playing a wicked guitar wasn't enough already.)

Anyway.

He managed to finagle the absolute deal of a lifetime on hardwood flooring. I mean, it was an even bigger savings than I think he expected to negotiate..It's Chilean Cherry hand-scraped engineered hardwood, (ooh, I love how that rolls off my tongue...)and you'll be seeing it in the entryway and long hall, as well as the kitchen and dining room. It has lil' scrapes and knot-holes and looks like it came out of a historic old building. (Does that sound like me, or what?!) Instant weathered beauty and history on the floor, adding character and personality, warmth and sophisticated charm the minute you enter our home.(Here's the picture of the flooring from the craigslist ad...)

 

Yeah baby. That's what I'm talkin' about. Let the transformations begin.

Peace, love, junk.

Today I am thankful for all of the inspiration from my friends out there in the Junk World. Thanks to the internet, this world is a much warmer, cozier place where we can share clever ideas and stimulate our imagination for re-purposing things to make our homes our havens.

Especially now, when so many of us are on budgets, and have more time than money, it is gratifying to be able to use discarded items in new ways, without breaking the bank.

Let the Itty-bitty-teeny-weeny patio make over begin.

*sigh*


I've decided to stop waiting for actual honest-to-God summer weather to arrive (and stay) here in the Pacific Northwest, I'm going for it.


My Barbie Condo has a patio and back yard made to scale appropriately with the size of my little home-sweet-home, which is to say that it is...miniscule.. inky-dinky ...almost non existent....cozy in size. The good news about this is that it makes it pretty affordable and easy to decorate.

I fell into a steal of a deal on a darling reproduction French bistro set (anyway that's what I'm calling it.) Originally a Christmas green table with stop-sign red chairs, I am midway through re-painting the entire set a shabby white, and it's gonna be sue-weeet when it's finished, baby.


My potting table will double as a buffet server, and I think the mirror adds a much needed touch of foofiness to the area, don't you?

I am even adding a thrifted army cot for lazy day napping. (Who am I kidding? I won't have time for a nap, but I know a certain yellow dog that's already got his eye on it....)


I'm picking up more flowers tomorrow and planning on hanging the rest of my old white outdoor Christmas lights on the overhang this weekend, and since  the weather guy is (once again) promising sunny weather all weekend, I just may need to break in the new outdoor dining area on Sunday...."After" pictures to follow!

A home office that's fun, stylish and functional!

Carter's Mama has been hard at work with oodles of home projects, as well as getting ready to leave the country in just a few days (more on the latter later.) One of the re-do's she did recently was the home office.

Formerly the formal living room of the home, it has now been transformed into a fabulous home office workspace, (there is also a huge great room style family room so the living room was never used at all) complete with plenty of storage for gift wrap, craft items, computer supplies, and multiple spaces to work.

She added some whimsy and style by using her Silhouette machine to cut out vinyl lettering for a quote on the wall, and big bold numbers on the cupboard that were just installed from a closet organising company.

It's amazing what a little touch of the unexpected does to take a room from good-and-workable to wow-and-wonderful, don'tcha think?

Everything old is new again....

That seems to be true in the case of my friend's choice in appliances for her kitchen anyway.

Mmmm hmmm. Isn't this range stunning?! It's not a vintage piece.

Nope.

It's new. She did in fact buy a vintage range, but when the inspector took a gander at it, he informed her that it would not pass some sort of code. Disapointed, she gave the vintage range to a relative to put in his cabin, where the code wasn't an issue. She then found these amazing new-to-look-fabulously-retro appliances and the rest, as they say, is kitchen heaven history. (She also got a wall oven, and a coordinating fridge, shown here in a not-so-fabulous photo I took, but I wanted to share anyway...at least you cna get the idea of how great they look in her kitchen...oh, and I was lovin' the fact that she had the foresight to think to add a modern day touch- a flatscreen TV in a cupboard that was hard to reach anyway...so perfect for keeping an eye on the football game while cooking the bird and prepping the feast on Thanksgiving.)
Pretty cool, huh?

**On another note entirely, I am thrilled to share thta I have been featured today on Jenny Doh's wonderful Crescendoh site! Check the site out here!**

Downsizing.

Well, I get the keys to my new place on Monday, and I will spend the enxt couple of weeks packing and schlepping and moving lamps and pictures and fragile things to my new place before I have the movers move the big stuff around the 15th of November. (How did I manage to do this again...move at the holidays?!)

Anyway.

I have not quite decided which table I will be using to dine on once I move. (Should I use my sweet lil' round drop-leaf table, or the petite farm table from my workroom? Both of them fit the space...hmmmm...I may have to try them both out in the space to really make my mind up...) At any rate, there is not enought room in the dining area for my vintage shabby dining room set, and neither of my girls have a use for it...so that meant I could sell it in my booth at Camas Antiques, which is not the best option, as it will completely fill my boothspace...or, I could put it on Craigslist..which is exactly what I did yesterday.

**If you live in the area and are interested in my set, shoot me an email. The enitre 7 piece set is listed at $700 which is a steal! I priced it a bit low because I need it gone before the 15th!**

Besides my dining room dilemma, is the question of exactly what to do with my spare bedroom...and I'd love your input once again...

Do I use it as a guestroom with an armoir holding (and hiding) my printer and all of my crafty supplies? Or....do I make it an workroom slash office as I have currently, so I have a creative space to do my arsty stuff? I only had company stay with me about 4 times this past year...that's about once every three months...and I could borrow my daughter's air mattress for those occasions I suppose...but..I could craft at the dining room table if I do not have a work room...

I'm torn.. What do you think?

 

Autumn touches.

There are so many things I like about this time of year. The weather, with the crisp bite in the air, and the pretty fall colors. Pumpkins on my porch...

...and all around inside my home. Making soups and chowders and chili. Mmmmm, ya, it's most definitely my favorite time of year.

I just thought I'd share a few pictures from my home, so you can see my Autumn touches..

once Halloween is over, the crows and spiders will disappear, but the pumpkins will stay until Thanksgiving. (My favorite holiday of the entire year!)

 

(Dried) Flower power.

The mantel in my bedroom got a charming new addition last night. You know, hydrangeas are my most favorite-est flower, and they grow like crazy-mad here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. My favorite Portlander has a hydrangea bush. (plant?He actually dried these beauties himself in his basement, and offered to share some of them to me.

It didn't take me long to decide exactly where I wanted to showcase my newest treasure. Remember when I shared my bedroom fireplace..here? And, a little later..here?  Well, I have never been happy with my not-at-all-real-looking-faux-ivy that filled the basket o the fireplace mantel,but it was all I had at the time, so I made it work... I pulled all of that out of the basket, and replaced it with the gorgeous tea-stained-periwinkle-blue colored dried hydranas. Mmmmmmm, dreeeeeeeeeamy.

These delicate dried blooms add to the vintage feel, and romance to my already serene bedroom. Of course, each time I look at these fowers I will think of my friend, and just how thoughtful it was for him to share these beautiful flowers with me, which makes them all the more special.

 

Comfort foods for Fall.

  
Autumn arrived in full force at last here in the Pacific Northwest, with nearly two days of solid rain, (Oh! I loved it!) and all I have been able to think about for days is...grilled cheese sandwiches.

Actually, it started with the last Issue of Martha's magazine, where she had an article titled "Grown-up Grilled Cheese". In the article she (okay, "her people") went on and on about using whatever assortment of cheeses you happen to have in the fridge on a gotta-have-grilled-cheese-sandwiches day and any bacon, ham or what have you that is also just lying in the fridge waiting for it's encore presentation. You jazz it all up with dill or basil, tomatoes, or onions...and grill it up for a fabulouso Autumn meal.

Okay, so, as I said, Autumn screams for grilled cheese sandwiches, and I didn't actually have any cheese in my fridge, except for shredded cheddar, and a block of parmesian. Not to worry, I headed to the never disapointing QFC market's deli counter to round up some great cheeses for this mouth watering meal.

If you do not have QFC's where you live, let me tell you that it is rather like the Nordstoms of the grocery store world...more of a high end type market, catering to a more sophisticated palate, and ingredients menu. They have everything, food-wise, for a price. These days, QFC is not on my usual weekly stops, as I am more of a WinCo slash walMart shopper, looking for the bargain food basics, but when I'm wanting somethng special, it's the place to go...and it's always a treat to peruse thier deli and meat counters.

The deli girl at QFC didn't let me down. She gave me a slice of the Horseradish cheddar to sample. Oh, Mama. So good, and just the right amount of horseradish-ness to add a lil pop to my creation. Baby Swiss, some Creamy Harvarti, and Smokey Gruyere rounded out my cheese purchases, along with half a pound of Canadian Bacon. I grabbed a loaf of thier freshly baked sliced sourdough on the way to check out, and I was good to go.

In the end, I opted for making these yummy sandwiches in a purist fashion, without onion or dill, and it was still dee-lish. I used the Other Tracey's top secret caterer tip of using mayo on the outside of the pieces fo bread instead of just butter, and along with some salt and pepper potato chips, my Autmn meal was complete, and my craving for comfort food was satisfied.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

A bowl of tomatoe soup would also be a nice addition to this savory fall meal, now that I think about it, topped with a bit of grated fresh parmesian, and a couple of homemade sourdough crutons.... Hmm, maybe when I use the now left-over cheeses in my fridge I will do that.

A little Halloween decor.

Can you believe that autumn is upon us?!

I typically decorate for harvest rather  than Halloween in my own home, but with grandbabies in the picture now, I am getting back into the fun of decorating with a few touches here and there for them. That prompted me to add a few touches of the spooky holiday to my space at Camas Antiques!
I used a vintage secretary that is painted black as the backdrop for my Halloween items...(it worked out perfectly!)  and I lined the back of the secretary with my signature vintage book page decoupage. I am, all be it slowly, stocking one lil' corner of my booth with some Halloween items, and I am having a lot of fun creating banners and flags...and a few more surprises. I will have the last of my Halloween goodies in my space by the end of September. The little banners shown in my post are all available in my previous online Halloween kit, if you want to make you own.

I made a version of my flags with a Halloween theme, (like the one's I have in this online kit!) which I think are great to use at place settings on a table, tucked into a bow on a package, or sticking out of a bouquet of fall flowers...now,  I'd love to hear what you are doing for decorating for this spooooooky season...do share!

Closet hoarder.

 
I discovered that I am a clothes hoarder this past week, and never really knew it. Just like those folks on that TV show, I missed the red flags waving, as I purchased black tee's and white French cuff button down shirts season after season without so much as a "where-am-I-supposed-to-fit-these-in?" thought.

Mmm hmm. I spent a few hours this past weekend cleaning out my clothes closet. It occurred to me that I hadn't done this is since...well...judging from some of the items hanging in my closet... the mid-to-late 80's.

GoodGodAmighty.

The thing that prompted me to clean things out is the simple fact that, when I sit up in my bed, reading or on my laptop, or whatever...and the door to the walk-in closet is open, I have a straight on view of things (the photo above is the view from my bed, when the closet door has been left open...)....see what I mean?

Ya baby. I apparently heart me some white shirts. And brown And black. And...well, you get it.

Anyway.

I realized that I had quite a few white shirts and tops hanging in a long row there, which graduates to the mochas, the browns, the oranges, the reds...(I guess what I am saying is that I keep my clothes color coordinated in my closet, as well as by what they are- shirts, skirts, pants, dresses....It's easier to find things this way, and I like the way it looks, all peaceful and orderly.) and looking at them that particular evening from my bed, I suddenly realized that I still manage to only wear the same six or seven outfits every week of my life.

I began at one end of the closet and started looking at things, trying some of them on for size and such, going down memory lane. ( Oh yes, I wore this at the Pops on the River party three years ago...) It had me wondering in some cases, what exactly possessed me to purchase some of these items in the first place. I mean, just how many black cocktail dresses are too many? (If the answer is six I am over the limit.) Am I ever really going to wear that silver crocheted top out in public? (If the answer coming from me is yes, someone needs to stop me.) Is that maxi length velvet (Velour?) jacket a little too "early-70's-Stevie-Nicks", or "the-artist-formerly-known-as-Prince" looking to be out and about in this fall? (Ummm-ya, probably so...) This conversation in my head and decision making went on for an hour and half, folks. Then, I took a break and went to bed, and finished things up the following night.

Once I finished with all of the hanging items, I fearlessly tackled my lingerie area. Now people, I knew I was a shoe girl, and openly admit that, but I hadn't realized myself just how much I apparently also covet pretty underthings. (Again the questions began in my head, like.... if a girl has more than 12 bras should she find herself a 12 step program for that? ) What can I say? I have a weakness for girly underthings and nighties with satin ribbons, or lace...or both. And...if it's pink, it's even better.

In the end, it still appears that I have enough clothes, unmentionables and shoes to last me through the rest of my fifties, even after I filled three over flowing plastic trash bags with items for donation.

Now, if I can just remember to look past my favorite few outfits and wear the rest of what's hanging here, I'll be doing great.

Life is as sweet as we make it.

I was thinking last night as I was baking and decorating cookies for really sweet friend that it really takes so little to show someone that you think they are pretty darned special. It doesn't take an outrageous amount of money, or a lot of work. It just takes a little time, and a little effort. It's all about making the ordinary...extraordinary.

Mmmm hmmm, it's all in the presentation. A cute box or bag, some ribbon, a handmade tag and you're good to go. I buy these cute lil' acrylic boxes online, but you can find them at places like Craft Warehouse and Michael's Craft Store, and put a stack of cookies, or a cupcake in them for an Oh-my-gosh-how-thoughtful-was-that look on your friend's face when you give them their little prezzie.

I used my cheesy print program to make my tag, but you can use WORD on your computer, or hand write one just the same and make is just as cute as mine if computer-y stuff isn't for you. My print program creates ten tags per page, so I put the extra nine in a drawer where they will be easy to find the next time I want to use this idea again!

Ordinary cookies (mine are my frosted sugar cookies, but any home made favorite will be a hit and look every bit as cute) become fabulous when presented in a creative way. Spend an extra five minutes, and make your friends feel really special. Think about this the next time you're taking a hostess gift, or simply surprising your friend, sweetheart, co-worker...or your favorite postman with a little somethin' somethin' to remind them that they are special.

After all, life is as sweet as we make it, right?

Living vicariously through my daughter's sectional.

Remember my should-I-get-a-sectional-or-keep-my-vintage-sofa dilemma? Mmmm hmmm. I ended up keeping my sofa, at least for now. My daughter, on the other hand, just bought one. (Wait till you see her newly re-invented living room....in just a few more posts!!) She considered the one I liked at JC Penneys, and we even went and test-sat on the ones at Pottery Barn.

The big challenge for my daughter was the fact that, while she wanted to try a light colored slip-covered sectional, she has three dogs that all live inside and outside with her, so the thought of investing too much money in this was more than a little bit  bit scary. (Who wants to be out $3,000 on a Pottery Barn sectional, only to find out after 23 months of use that the pups have created permanent paw prints everywhere, and daily doggie hair removal has become too much for you, but you paid a fortune so now you're stuck?)

After some debate, she came up with the perfect solution. We went to Ikea and got this little gem in the picture above. The complete and total steal of the century, delivered two days after she bought it. Oh, and it's comfy to sit on! We flopped on it Saturday evening to watch a movie, and it was fabulous. We discussed it and decided that, worse case scenario, if the idea of a light colored sofa turns out to be unwise in 3 years....not the end of the world, since the price was so affordable. Brilliant.

And, oh, just so cute.

I can now have my cake..er..sectional, and sofa too. All I have to do is pop over to my daughter's home for an evening of sofa sitting.

A charming little settee is reborn.

A couple of months ago my daughter came across this little settee on good ol' Craigslist. She sent me the email thinking I might want it for my booth space, but after purchasing it, we decided it was simply too sweet to part with. It has a down filled cushion and, besides being so charming, it is exactly what I would imagine sitting on a cloud would be like. (Um...other than the fact that the fabric was nothing like a cloud...it was a very busy, cheerful floral. So not my daughter's style...)

Not to worry. My girls hit the fabric store one morning and found the perfect shabby-but-classic linen type fabric. We found an amazing slipcover gal on...Craigslist. (Where else?)

Oh yes, it's sweet as can be. Like I said, it's just as I imagine sitting on a cloud would be like, and it's the perfect finishing touch for her bedroom. Here is the finished product... Let me show you the other side of her bedroom, which she is very nearly finished decorating.(All that is left to do is add some personal details and finish up her window treatments!)

I found her the exact same headboard I have on my bed (Although mine has a footboard)...except I found her's at an estate sale and snagged it for $25. (Can you believe that?!)
Her walls are freshly painted with a really amazing color from Restoration Hardware. In some lights it looks like it has a hint of green, other times it appears blue-ish, and more often, it has a gray-green look...at any rate, any time you look at this color, it is soothing. Spa like if that makes any sense. It's a deliciously calm and neutral color.

Her duvet set on the bed is from Target, and it looks like a million bucks. (Seriously, why pay a fortune when you can make it all happen with thrifted finds and bargain store bedding?) She's still got to finish out her window treatments and add a few little somethin-somethin's, but the room is complete for the most part....and it was all done on a shoestring of a budget.

It's the perfect retreat, and the little settee was just meant-to-be in this room, don't you agree?

Ever growing inventory....

 
 .....not only for my booth space at Camas Antiques, but also for two upcoming summer shows I have coming up in July and August. Things are piled high and layered in, waiting patiently to be re-invented.I spent a couple of hours last night attempting to organize the massive piles into some sort sort of order and I am proud to say I succeeded! I was able to park my car in the garage at the end of the task and I am anxious to begin creating some fabulous new pieces out of these thrifted treasures.

The biggest challenge for me now will be which piece to start on first....

Where THIS blogger creates...

....when I am working indoors. (I paint my vintage furniture in my garage.)

It's the Second Annual Where Bloggers Create Party, with over 450 bloggers participating!! Welcome to my workspace! I consider myself to be very blessed  to have a master suite as a workroom in my newest home here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Formerly my grandson's nursery, I was thrilled to have inherited the soft mocha and cream striped walls, as well as the wonderfully high ceilings, a ginormous ledge for display, and the large window that lets in so much light.

The room is still very much a work in progress, as I only began to figure out what to put where and how to arrange things about four weeks ago, when I decided I wanted to enter the Where Bloggers Create Contest. (I only moved into my newest home in December, and to say life has been a bit crazy is an understatement. That, and I am...um...on the slightly disorganized side. Creative minds are seldom tidy and all that, you know.)

Everything in my workroom is  re-purposed, recycled or renovated. (I am all about living that charmed life on a shoestring!)

My computer desk is actually a vintage dressing table (Don't look too closely! You will see I haven't put the knobs on yet...I am painting them up this weekend...) and I am using my various clipboards as organizational tools for sorting receipts, to-do lists, my calendar, and works in progress things. My bulletin board over the dressing table is an ever changing inspiration board.

A basic small farm table works as a center island for me, and is the perfect spot for me to do assembly work. I like to work standing, and I can look out the window while I work. The book cases house all sorts of things....vintage bicycle baskets hold oodles and toodles of idea folders.....
..which are just about my favorite form of inspiration. I pull out folders sometimes at night and crawl into bed to flip through the pictures (all set up by category...such as Kitchens, fireplaces, entertaining, etc.) for ideas.

The long skirted table between the bookcases is actually a very old hutch bottom that I have had for at least 12 years...it has been in my dining room, office, my patio, my deck...and now...my workroom! The piece above the long table is an old vintage baby crib mattress spring...perfect for showcasing memorabilia.
An old weathered metal rack is the perfect solution for housing my many rolls of ribbon. The chalkboard up above is perfect for putting a quote of the week to add more inspiration.
An old weathered and chippied bench sits under the window and holds my stack of vintage dictionaries, which I love to use when making banners and flags.

As I said, the room is still a work in progress, and will be fully completed in the next couple of weeks...and I'll be sharing ore details...including the fully organized walk in closet with a window.

Thank you Karen, and Jo, and everyone at Where Women Create, for hosting such a fun, fabulous contest and party!

Cozying up the front porch.

 I am living in a town home these days, and I must tell you that I am surprised at just how much I like the town home lifestyle. No yard work, (Just caring for all of my flowers and herbs in pots!) a park like setting to enjoy...and I don't hear my neighbors through the walls, which was one of the things I had wondered about.

Another thing about town homes is that the outside of the homes are connected, so obviously, we are all the painted varying shades within the same same color scheme, and everyone's porches are very similar. I wanted to add some personality to my porch, and I started working on this project last weekend. After all, my front porch area is the first thing anyone sees when arriving to visit, and I want it to make a good first impression- a friendly, welcoming impression. I thought I'd share the "before" and "almost all the way after" pictures...

(I say "Almost all the way after" because I do have one more little project I am working on for the porch area, complete with a tutorial, which I will share as soon as it is complete!) In the meantime, I am happy with my progress on the porch so far.

An attempt at restoring order..and..the reason I cannot seem to get my act together.

 ...in the arena of organizing my home and my life, that is. I've decided it's not my fault. 

I'm thinking it's a female thing. (And they say identifying your problem is half the battle, right?) I honestly do not think men have this problem. Mmm hmmm, I think it's gender-related. 

I was rehashing and beating the topic half to death discussing this problem with my good friend Dona the other day, because she had boldly decided to clean out her make up drawer. (I know, it's a scary place for most of us girls) The discussion began when she called me and asked me to guess how many lipsticks she had unearthed in her make up arsenal. 

me: Ummm..ten?

her: Fourteen.

me: Well, I guess you're lips are set for the rest of your life then.

her: But this is ridiculous. I tried to get rid of some of them, but when I open one up I think, oh ya. I like that color. But do I wear them?! No. How many do you have?

me: Two. One in my purse, one in my teller drawer at the bank.

her: (short pause here) Oh. 

me: Just don't ask me how many brown eyeshadows I have. Please.

We discussed this topic for several more hours and came to the conclusion that it's part of being a girl. (We got all the good stuff- cramps, labor, menopause...) We're at the store and we can't remember if we have an item, (this situation is far more prevalent with girls old enough to receive a monthly issue of the AARP magazine I am noticing, now that I am one of them) or we're at home and we cannot find the item needed, or we are out shopping and we suddenly find ourselves buying a "new" shade of something (insert item here: nail polish, lipstick, eyeshadow, etc.) only to get home, open the item, and discover that:

a. We already had the item, in exactly the same color even. In the drawer it goes.

b. The item really isn't "us" but, we just opened the item and now we can't return it, so we feel the need to keep it in the drawer.

c. We are thrilled we bought the item, because we are sure that we must have been out of the item, since none seem to be in the house...and, a month later find the other bag-box-whatever of the said item.

Another case in point... after coming to the conclusion that most of Dona's lipsticks could in fact be donated to the Women's Shelter, she was on a roll, and set out to clean out the entire bathroom vanity. 

She texted me with a progress report about an hour later. It read:

"Apparently I am having a love affair with cotton. Cotton balls, cotton swabs..."

Oh. My. Gawd. I can so identify with that. I have the very same phenomenon going on in my vanity, only the products that appear to be reproducing durning the night at my home seems to be self tanning lotions and nail polish remover. (And, for the record, I  cannot remember the last time I polished my own nails)

It all got me thinking and I have decided that it comes down to organization. And, less is more. When there is order, we feel more at peace..and, more importantly...we can find things when we need them. I personally am sick to death of breaking out in a cold sweat each time anyone asks me if they can borrow my tape measure. I am here to tell you that those days are going to be gone for good from my soon to be organized life....that's my new plan anyway.

You know, I've already organized my sweet lil' dresser-turned-buffet in my great room, and I. am. loving. it. It's arranged perfectly, holding all of my anything-and-everything for my table settings, including place card holders, tea lights and matches to light them. I got rid of the table setting accessories that I hadn't used in ten or more years. (Pretty sure if I haven't used it since 1991 I am not ever going to use it.)

While it might sound like I am a complete goofball, organizing all of this somehow eliminates stress for me...and I think it looks so nice and tidy that I will occasionally go over and open a drawer to take a peek and marvel at my accomplishment...okay, that does make me sound like I am a goofball.

The bottom line here is that organizing the little buffet has inspired me to try to to restore order to all of the rooms of my home now. 

On the flip side of things....While items like nail polish remover and self tanning lotion seem to be multiplying at night in the vanity cupboard, other items disappear without so much as a goodbye-it's-been-real...mainly rubbermaid lids. Or bottoms, but never from the same size combo. What is up with that?

Having breakfast with someone special.

 Me.

Yup, it's all about living a charmed life on a shoestring, and actually using the good stuff. Feeling special. Everyday.

I was reading my sweet friend Carol's blog last week, (I love her style, her photography, and the fact that she is such a real and genuinely nice person, don't you?) and I absolutely fell in love with a table scape she had created  for a luncheon for some friends. I especially loved her wicker trays she used as chargers under her plates. Oh, how I coveted them!

Not in my budget, (Around $5 each, and you had to buy 8 of them, plus there would be a shipping charge...) but I couldn't quit thinking about them. Then, while out thrifting, (at the Vancouver Goodwill...) I ran across some very similar basket trays, priced at just 99 cents each!...okay, so hers are square and dark and mine are round and light, but still....the very same concept. I grabbed 'em up, and I'm breaking one of them in today at breakfast. Look how great the handle works as a napkin ring....
I usually have the same thing each morning....vanilla yogurt, (with almond vanilla granola) a banana and a hot cocoa. (which I usually eat standing over the sink while Moose peers around the corner into the kitchen hoping for some crumb to fall to the floor.) Not today. Today I am going to enjoy a leisurely breakfast with myself, sitting at my charming little table, listening to Norah Jones latest CD, watching the rain fall, and thinking about all of my lil' grandbabies. (Pictures coming of sweet, sweet brand new Bronson Cole...gosh, it's hard when they live in another state!)

*sigh* I think I could get used to doing breakfast this way.

(I've added this post to Tablescape Thursdays...)

A new use for old curtained shutters.

This is the latest vignette in the side corner of the window at Camas  Antiques, and I thought you might get a bit of inspiration from this idea. I put a cute little corner writing desk in the alcove and I needed something as a backdrop up on top of the desk. 

I discovered a pair of sheered curtain shutters in a fellow junker's booth space at Camas Antiques and I placed them, slightly folded, across the two back sides. Using Italian paperclips (they look like little spiral circle things) I hung some old snapshots. (You could do the same thing with postcards, old letters, or quotes) Aaaah, instant charm. 

The fabric adds texture and the wood frames add interest as well. Plus, when used in a corner like this, they extend the desk area up to eye level when looking at it from across the room.(I think this idea would work great above a dresser too!) It's funny, 'coz I've seen old curtained shutters a few times at thrift shops and salvage yards, and just passed them by. You can bet that I'll grab them up next time I see some.

Miles and piles of picnic baskets.

As I began writing this blog post, it occurred to me that I shared my love of vintage picnic baskets before with you...and when I checked, it was actually more than once here- last time, it was a few years ago..and before that, I first shared it...what feels like was a lifetime ago, (or..maybe...was it someone else's life?) back when I still thought I was June Cleaver.

Anyway.

My passion for vintage picnic baskets has turned out to a very good thing. The fact is, they are so pretty to look at, they never go out of style, and they store all sorts of things. I keep baking supplies like all of my cookie cutters, and fondant molds in one of them. I keep fabric in a couple of them. (No, I don't sew a lick, but I do re-cover things like cushions on piano benches and dining chairs)

Currently I keep part of my collection (ehem...yes, it is only a fraction of my collection....) on the landing of the stair area that leads downstairs.I think they look pretty danged cute here now, but I have rather big plans for them though, just as soon as I wrap up my turn doing the window at Camas Antiques, and I will then share the new look they will be sporting. The reason I am sharing my collection once again is simply to remind you to think outside of the box when looking for storage ideas. This is especially good when space is at a premium. The only somewhat challenging part for me seems to be remembering what is in which basket, but labeled manila tags hung on each basket can help with that!

Dream job.

 I spent a fair part of yesterday organizing my booth inventory, and I am thrilled to tell you that I can once again park my car in the garage! (At least for this week)   I've got some charming vintage pieces, some waiting to be re-done, others already complete; most of which will be making their premier appearance in Camas Antiques front window display, which I will be creating after Mother's day.

I still can't decide what I like more; the junking part, the re-inventing part, or the arranging the booth space part of this business. It's just so good to be doing what I love.