Notes from A Cottage Industry

silver linings

    Last night I read through some of this past weeks posts, and boy, do I need to BE the rainbow. Was I having a pity party or what?  Sheesh! I hope I didn't depress you all too much. Sorry 'bout all that.
    Mr. Moose is doing fine now, thanks, no cough for 72 hours and counting.
    Saturday I had a good day down at my shop for my final full (4.5 hour) day. Next Saturday I will just go down for about an hour or so. I will remove a few things that I want for my home and visit with my neighbor shopkeep that wants to take over my spot (her shop is in my old space and she wants the bigger one so she can stay inside the shop instead of sitting outside) until her lease ends in October.
    It's going to work out nicely, since she wants to keep many of my pieces on consignment while using them to house her items for sale (she sells Baby items)
    I checked yesterday and I can get a nice spot at the Antique and Art Mall downtown, which is where I was originally going a year ago...funny how this turned out. I will simply move my merchandise from the shop in the mall to my new booth downtown. I am going to put a deposit on the booth space this Saturday.  I will even move my cute sign and my mailbox to hold fliers and such. You know, I am not the first woman to give up a brick and mortar shop space and try something different. Now that the decision has been made and the plan is in motion, I am actually getting pretty excited about it!
    It's all about having faith and looking for that silver lining. It's always there, even when things seem the worst.  I don't know why I ever wasted a minute worrying about what my next move was going to be. Everything is working out just fine, and I should not have wasted one single minute of my life fretting about it. One of these days I am going to learn this!
 

snow at last

Uh huh. Winter wonderland. The skiers and snowboarders will be thrilled.

That's my driveway.
We finally got a good dumping here, after an incredibly dry December and January. I''m off to put my snow boots on and get to shoveling so I can get to work.
I know we need the snow, but I am sooo ready for spring!

Making headway

I spent pretty much all of this snowy cold weekend trying to make some headway on getting my living room and dining room organized and settled. I've been here over 2 and a half months now and I am tired of looking at all the clutter.
I even began getting my Easter and springtime decorations out. I know Easter isn't until April, but I've got spring fever big time.
See this little bunny? He's paper mache' I think. I got him last year from Amy and I adore him. I put breadsticks in his backpack basket once on a buffet table. So cute.
You might notice when you are looking at rooms in my home that I kind of have a bit of a bunny thing going on. Subtle, but it's there.
How about you? Do you decorate for Easter, or for springtime? I'd love to see and hear about what you all have done!

Words to live by (week 5)

 

What really matters

When it rains it pours, my Mom says. It's been a tough week. My house is torn up (boxes are still everywhere it seems), too many meetings at work,  too many things to gather for lawyers, and the mall with my shop has been causing heartburn.
Then...Mr. Moose got sick. He woke me up  at 4:30 Friday with a cough. Uh oh. Last week had had gone for a one night sleepover at the kennel, along with Bear. He has only gone to a kennel once before in his entire life.
I called the vet right away and sure enough, it's kennel cough.
I felt like a mommy that left her 3 year old at a preschool for the very first time only to have the toddler come down with a runny nose a day later. (What nasty playmate had come to daycare sick and spread it all around with the other kids...er..I mean dogs?!)
Poor guy. Dr. G said the cough could last for weeks, even with the antibiotics. Moose got a shot, and we left the vet's office with medicine in hand. I also was instructed to pick up Vick's 44 to use between doses of antibiotics if his cough gets bad.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it clears up quickly and that Bear doesn't catch it.
It's funny how things get thrown into perspective in a split second when someone (or some-dog) you love gets sick, or has an emergency. I was kind of having a pity party for myself this week, and I guess I needed a little reminder. Got it.

Another fork in the road

    The past few months have been full of hills and valleys and bumps in the road.
    When I signed the lease to open my tiny shop almost a year ago, I was determined to give it a year and see where it all went. Aah, life was good. I was carefree and happy, having a great time with my painted vintage furniture business.
    Last September, when my world stopped, and life changed, it was a challenge to keep forging ahead with the shop. I had just moved next door to the bigger shop, and was about a forth of the way through renovating it to be my new space.
    It was like driving into a brick wall going 50 miles an hour. At first I came to a dead stop, then I tried, but  couldn't completely focus the amount of energy to get the shop situated and market it the way I had planned. I was still mourning the loss of my marriage, and trying to figure out what had happened, what I had done wrong.
    Slowly, I kept forging ahead, and the last few months have been a challenge. You know, when your energy is else ware, it changes the whole vibe in your shop. I am convinced people could feel it, a kind of sadness in my shop for a bit.
    In the meantime, the folks that own and run the mall I am in made some changes that were not merchant friendly at all. I have to admit I had been warned before I signed the lease that the women that run this mall are like this- invisible for long periods, then suddenly changing rules and making demands. (In fact the mall was completely empty for over a year at one point before I opened my shop)
    Mall management began making changes with all the merchants, telling us what we could set outside our shops and and for how long. I for instance was told I could have my little skirted cash wrap table outside, but they now, after 10 months had decided it should be a "little bit" smaller. (if it gets any smaller it would be a plant stand) They also decided I could not have my mini fridge hidden beneath the skirted table.  My shopkeeping neighbors received very similar demands, some even more outrageous than mine.
    While these things may sound trivial, when you put them on top of trying to start a suddenly-single new life at the age of 50 and move to a new home all by yourself, well, it ain't trivial. Maybe it's my age, or maybe its just me, but I knew that something was going to have to give, or I would surely end up in a puddle on the floor.
    You have to pick your battles, and know what really matters in life. The mall with my charming shop is very dear to me, but arguing and negotiating with the mall management was not the hill I wanted to die on. I simply do not have another battle in me for something so silly. I realized that to try and work with these women would be futile, and in the end, they would offer no rhyme or reason for most of their decisions. I would have to go along with crazy rules and such when all I wanted to do was create my pieces and sell them in a quaint place that made people stop for a moment and relax and enjoy the charm of it all.
    Things happen in perfect timing I believe, and this fork in the road in my life happened just as my lease is coming to an end. I will not be renewing my lease, but changing my plan instead. (Hey, when life gives you lemons...) I will be doing a Trunk Show from my home at the end of May to share all of my new things I am working on for spring, as well as developing a wonderful new and (finally!) fully operational website that folks anywhere can shop from anytime.There is an antique mall downtown that has a booth space I may take in a month or so as well.
    While this is another bittersweet decision I have had to make, I have learned in a very short amount of time, that I am not really the one in control here. There are silver linings on every black cloud, and I cannot see the entire big picture. Life is all about having your character built, and keeping the faith. I am anxious to discover what new adventures and blessings are coming my way.

Quarter of a century

    25 years ago today, at 8:21 in the morning, my precious second daughter made her entrance into the world. She arrived on her due date, which, looking back, is not a surprise at all to anyone who knows her.
    Looking at pictures of her from that day bring such a flood of emotion and memories that it is like it was yesterday. The feeling of absolute overwhelming joy and love. It all comes rushing back to me; that yummy smell of a new baby, her little hands and toes, her striking green eyes. Oh, the sheer wonder of it all. Looking at her little face, watching her quiet, determined personality emerge right from birth, excited to see what path her little life might take.
    25 years later, this little girl continues to be a wonder. If anyone ever said something could not be done, she did it. No challenge to steep, never settling for less than doing her best. Her worldly achievements are impressive, but they pale in comparison to the pure and simple quality of person she has become, and that is what truly matters.
    I am awe struck as I watch her continue to spread her wings and soar through life as I have never quite had the courage to do.
    Happy birthday Heather Feather. First my daughter, now my friend. I could not be prouder of the person you are.

Another inspirational read

I've got another good book recommendation to share. I know, I've told you about a million times that am a trying to live a beautiful life. Well,  this book fills the bill for inspiration.
It's all about finding beauty in the little things, with recipes and tid-bits on the littlest forms of finding contentment in it. Little things like making a perfect cup of coffee. I don't even like coffee, but I swear I think I may need a coffee press to have handy for the next time I have guests.
Amy posted about this book earlier this week on her Blog, and I knew I simply had to have it. (My gosh, even the cover coordinates with my home!)
Anyhoo, I sat in bed reading through this lovely book last night until way late, fully inspired, and enjoying every minute of it.  I wanted to share, 'coz you just may like it too.

A nesting thing

I have little still life vignettes arranged artfully in nooks and crannies all around my home. This is what I think gives a home personality and a sense of who lives there.
Little things like this old typewriter, suitcases and vintage pictures tucked under my work table in my office slash craft room make me feel warm and fuzzy all over. I am not sure why, except that maybe because they are things from the past, from long ago,  it  makes me feel like there is history there, like a story being told.
While I truly enjoy visiting homes and places like Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel, I do not think I ever would not ever feel really completely at home living in that type of decor. Too new looking. Too…manufactured, maybe.
I also am constantly changing up my arrangements, moving them from room to room, and snatching things from one grouping to put with another. It can change the entire look and feel of a room, and costs nothing.
I think it’s a nesting thing for sure, and I am all about nesting.

What a difference a door makes...

...and a new floor and some paint.
One of the less flattering features about my new-to-me cottage was my front door, and entry way.

Mmm, hmm, that is single paned harvest gold bubbly glass up top there. Now, you don't see that everyday. (well, actually I was seeing that every day) Ya, it must have been trendy when they put that door in, but today, well, not so much.
The previous homeowner tried to modernize things (and make the door safer I am guessing) with the nickel plate knob and deadbolt...but what's with them not being lined up? Ya, goofy.
I like red doors, but this particular red was just not me. And especially not me with the harvest gold glass.

I was told by my realtor friend that a red door meant good luck. (I am pretty sure they teach realtors to tell clients this about whatever color door you end up with)   The best luck I've had was the day I was in Home Depot and found a new door at a huge discount, and it was energy efficient! Good bye and Good luck old red door-No more single paned glass with cold air coming in all around the door frame.
Not only does the new entry door look better, but I bought a door that opened the opposite of the way the old door opened and I got a little more room in the tight entry way as well.

I still need to paint the trim around the door, and I want to change the trim around the door at some point also.

I bought the trim you see pictured on the advice of the Home Depot guy. Well, it's too small looking to me. The thing was, he had me get the larger molding for around my French doors in the dining room, but insisted this was what I needed on the front door. I should have gone with my gut feeling to have them exactly the same.. (note to self: do not listen to Home Depot guys younger than my own kids.)

The rug you see pictured is not the one I am keeping. It was a cheap one from the $2 Fabric store, and the colors are just too vivid. I found one in Ballard Designs that I think will be perfect. I am going to see if it might go on sale anytime soon.

Oh, and the table is just temporary too. It's my daughter's. She had no room for it right now, so it is working out for me until I find the perfect hall table when I am out thrifting....
Anyhow, I think the change is pretty amazing, and I love the warm welcome feeling it now has.
Aaah, another room almost done!

I'm expecting another daughter in March!

Mmm hmmm. And we are all excited as can be!
(As I sat down to write this, I was trying to remember if I had ever told you that my son is also getting married..did I? ) My son is the baby, and the only boy of our family, and he got engaged two Christmas's ago. (I told you Time Flies)
They are eloping on a cruise ship, and getting married in the beautiful Cayman Islands in just a few weeks. None of the usual wedding planning stress...and sooo romantic.

Today we are going to a bridal shower for my soon-to-be daughter in law. We had such fun picking out the gifts, and  wrapping them.

She loves this teal blue-green color, so we found just the right wrapping paper and I just had to share.

Words to live by (week 4)

You must do the thing you think you cannot do. Eleanor Roosevelt

I didn't think I could, but I did.
Wow.
I've learned so much about myself this past year; things I would have said were absolutely not possible...happened, both good and bad.

It's amazing what beauty life holds and what we can accomplish when we have faith and just.do.it.

Ready for spring

OK, I know I said I was ready for snow. But yesterday (before it drizzled rain in the evening) we hit something like 62 sunny degrees, and I remembered how much I love springtime.
    I am ready to bring out the bits and pieces of furniture that I have for my new-to-me backyard, and start potting some colorful flowers...now.
    Still unboxing stuff at my new place, I came across yet another stash of old pictures and found this shot of the table we used for dinner parties and such out in the yard. I love this picture.
    I am thinking my new backyard will have a much different feel than my last one, maybe a bit more traditional, but still just as welcoming. I have lots of rose bushes around the perimeter of the yard and I can't wait to see what colors they all are. I wonder if they might all be the same color, or a mixture of different colors.
    One of my dearest friends had roses all around her yard in her previous home, and they were all white ones. It was striking, like something you'd see in Southern Living Magazine. I guess I will just have to wait and see...

   

Time flies

Wow, it's Friday already. Where does the time go anyway? My Dad told me once, (when I was lamenting about an upcoming birthday) that "the older you get the faster it goes". Now, ain't that the truth. I tell you, knowing this really makes me want to make the most of each day.         

I've got a three day weekend starting today at 5:00, and I have it crammed full of things I am doing, and I can't wait to get started...I hope you have a fabulous weekend planned too.

It's all in the details

I told you it ran in the family, the decorating, cottage-ey, collecting, nesting kind of thing. Well, here is a shot from where my Mom (the Sewing Queen) lives.

Her little place is very English cottage, all in shades of pinks, corals and greens, but it wasn't always like this.

It was incredibly dark when she bought it, and needed lots of updating!It had great bones as they say, and so we set to work, painting and papering. (by the way, I would have posted many more pictures, but the sewing Queen is smack in the middle of making my chair slipcovers and she has fabric, the ironing board, threads, and sewing notions everywhere! I will see what I can do about clearing up a room or two to share with you...)

Now it is too charming for words. Plantation shutters have replaced the heavy layer upon layer of old draperies, giving it a fresh new look. We stenciled above a couple of the windows, both in the dining room and the living room. You like?

Happy Valentines Day!

Just spreading the love today. By the way, don'tcha just love the darling heart I got from my friend Amy? I love everything she sells- it's all wonderful!

It runs in the family

...decorating, nesting, making our homes more "us". My first born caught the "nesting" bug early on.
This morning while clearing out some pictures I came across this picture from the bride-to-be's master bedroom. It's not a new picture. In fact, she is going to be using this bedding in her guest room and making the master more sophisticated, and a bit more masculine now that she is getting married.
Still, I love what she has done with this room. It looks so inviting and comfy. Relaxing and cozy. The kind of bed you don't want to get up from.

When she bought her home she informed me it was going to be a "girly girl" house, all shabby and pastel. It's charming.
Whenever I visit we spend all of our time working on some project for the house, moving things, painting, junkin' and just having a great time. We trade pieces from my home to hers and vice versa...it is not surprising for us to re-invent an entire room in a weekend visit.
You'll find us laughing and bonding in someone's driveway at eight a.m. on a Saturday morning, looking for treasures, and having the time of our lives. 
It's such a wonderful moment when you discover your child has grown up to be one of your very best friends.

furniture re-do 101

Here is the charming little table that I showed you a few weeks ago. It began as a plain wooden piece, rescued by my daughter from someone's driveway at a yard sale.
I thought I would walk you through the process, so you'll see just how easy it is to unearth a diamond in the rough for yourself...Here's how:
1. Prime it. I like Kilz Brand- spray or brush on. (the spray can may clog sometimes, but for spindle style table legs And such it works well)To avoid drips when brush painting, apply a thin coat.

2. Spackle and fill in any areas like holes from previous knobs.

3. Lightly sand.
4.dust with a tack cloth.
5.Paint. I like eggshell finish enamel by Behr. With light colors, one coat will do. For darker shades it may take 2 coats of paint.

6. Antique with glaze or by sanding lightly with 150 grit sand paper,(this is what I do on dark pieces, especially black) depending on the look you want. To make the glaze, mix 1 part paint to 3 parts glaze. (Glaze: I use Behr Brand, sold at Home Depot. it looks white, but is actually clear until you add a paint color.) Add more layers of glaze as wanted.*edited to add: You can glaze light, with a white or cream paint, or dark, with a dark browwn, burnt sienna color. You can brush it on, which works best in creases, or use a rag. I like to wipe it off with a very slightly damp cloth, to even it up.

7. Add knob.

8.Enjoy!

Words to live by (week 3)

Contentment is not the fulfillment of what you want, but the
realization of what you already have.
I bought a card for my husband about 24 years ago that had this verse in it. He never really did "get it" and sadly has spent a very large portion of his life searching for the material things he thinks he needs, never realizing what he already had. So sad.
I have so much to be grateful for; we all do. We just need to realize it.

I heart to bake.

I love to bake, and I used to bake all the time. I even did wedding cakes for a while. Somehow I have gotten away from it the last couple of years. Well, this year, I am going to be baking. Starting now.

I am taking these to my little shop today to share the love with my shopkeep neighbors and my customers. I think they're gonna love them, don't you?

TGIF

I'm so glad it's Friday! It's been a busy week around here. Too many meetings and events and not near enough time to get all the stuff done that I put on my DO List.

I am looking forward to finishing up my bedroom this weekend. Painting a couple of night tables, washing my sheets and putting the final touches on the room.

Then, it's time to relax. Maybe even sleep in on Sunday. Ya, that sounds good.

Quick craft

...I know, I know...It's another suitcase. Didn't I already tell you I collect them?
There are so many things you can do with a suitcase, and they are pretty easy to find at tag sales and thrift shops. Some just need a little sprucing up.
Well, this little decoupage work is the easiest, fastest re-invention of a vintage piece I have ever done. Many of you probably already know exactly how to do this, but for those of you who don't...
Take wallpaper, or a wallpaper border, and cut out the motif (flowers, travel labels, vintage labels etc) you like (piece groupings of flowers together to get a nice big bouquet if that's the look you are after)
When you have the look you want, wet the wallpaper completely, then brush the back with wallpaper paste (I use "Sure-Stik") and apply to the suitcase (or whatever item you are decorating)
Smooth it out with a soft clean rag, removing all bubbles. When dry coat with a light coat of varathane.
All done.
Fabulous.

A place for everything

...well, almost everything.

    I am still working on getting rooms settled in the house, and I am focused on my home office right now.
     Here's a quick peek at the closet in the office. Nice and tidy.
    I use old suitcases to hold photos not yet in albums. It works great because you can put fairly large photos and artwork and such in them and they won't get crumpled.
    Picnic baskets hold stuffing for pillows, (why do I even have stuffing? I do not even sew.) tissue paper and gift bags, and all kinds of wrapping trims for packages.
    I still plan to cover the little magazine sorting boxes on the top shelf of the metal bookcase with cute wallpaper...as soon as I have time.
    I love having this space so neat and organized, and I love opening the closet door just to see all of my supplies so orderly. *sigh* Now, let's see how long I can keep it this way.

Ready for snow

I know other parts of the country have been buried under massive amounts of snow, but little ol' Reno has had nothing but sunny skies and unseasonably warm temps. The skiers are not happy.
    I was so afraid of being snowed in at my last house while I was living there alone in October and November, when the first big snow typically hits our region, but I needn't have worried. The snow never arrived.   
   Now that I am semi settled into my home with it's short driveway, lower altitude,and my new snow shovel, I say bring it on!
     I am ready for a nice big snow storm, so I can light a fire in the fireplace and set my table with my cute little wooden snowmen.

    Here they are in my last home, waiting for everyone to come down for breakfast.
    Mmmm, french toast with powdered sugar, hot chocolate with whipped cream and little chocolate sprinkles. The perfect way to start a winter morning.

Self help junkie

Sheesh. I took a look at the stack of books I am currently reading. If anyone were to happen to spy these on my night table they would be certain I was confused about life on all levels. Yikes!
The fact is, I simply love self help books. They inspire and motivate me. Always have, always will. Always room for improvement I say.
From the top down:
The Bible- I read some and grow every day. (in a way it's the ultimate self help book)
Spiritual Divorce - well, I am trying to have a good attitude about this situation I have been thrown into, and I heard about this book on the Oprah channel (or was it the Satelite Sisters?) on XM  radio. Is this book helping me? So far, not so much.
Cesar's Way- OK, I will let you in on a little secret. My dogs rule the roost.(you're shocked I am sure) I actually had not noticed it until I moved. Suddenly, and I do mean suddenly, they both decided they could sleep on the furniture. Now, this has never been allowed, (they're big boys you know) but somehow, in the move they decided they liked sleeping up off the floor. I thought maybe they were stressed and so I kind of ..well, I wasn't firm enough. My daughter (the bride to be, owner of 4 dogs) gave me this book, and said I was "out of control" (really?)and I have to say am learning a lot from this book. Oh, and they are both back to sleeping just fine in their own beds, thank you very much.
Next, You are your choices- (Alexandra Stoddard- need I say more?) Finding peace and beauty in the little things in life- man, I love her books.
Last book in the pile, Start late, finish rich - I think the title says it all. Nuff said.

Words to live by (week 2)

It's Sunday and I wanted to share another one of my favorite "words to live by" Thanks to all of you that shared some of your favorite words to live by last week! Keep 'em coming, I love reading them.
"Dwell in possibility" Emily Dickinson

I love this quote so much that I painted it on a sign a couple of years ago. It hangs in my home office.
These days I am taking life a day at a time, (I have progressed from a minute at a time to an hour at a time, so I am making progress) and each new day holds new possibilities. Kind of the the glass half full/half empy concept. I am definitly a cup runneth over person, dwelling in possibility.

Early Valentine

It's been a rough week. (OK, it's been a rough 4 months)But, I got home from my little shop today and the postman had left me an early Valentine surprise!
My darling daughter (the bride to be) had sent me something.
You see, Valentine's day has always been kind of a big thing with me. (shower the people you love with love...) I always tried to make my sweetie pie something- one year it was cookies in a decoupaged heart shaped box, another year I got a black and white poster of us from way back in the 70's  when we were dating and had it framed, along with a love note telling of the day we had the giant poster picture taken... and I send my kids silly gifts (like heart socks, and pink pencils) and cookies. Always heart shaped cookies.
This year I was just wanting February 14th to slide by. It's kind of still raw feeling, working through this whole suddenly single thing.

A Valentine box from my daughter was waiting for me. She knows me so well, this little girl with curly auburn ringlets, that grew up to be such a beautiful, caring, intellegent
and compassionate woman.
She knew it was going to be hard. I opened the box.
My, oh my! A treasure trove of vintage Valentine goodies (and Norah Jones latest CD!!)
The most touching Valentine card and love note from my daughter accompanied all of these thoughtful gifts. My heart filled up and I cried for an hour.
I thought I didn't  have a sweetheart anymore.   I was wrong.

short and sweet

...that's what I am. For sure.

Warming up the living room

Help! I am having a color crisis.
Here is one of the corners of my living room in progress.While I am sure of the placement of this antique secretary, I am not sure about the wall color I chose.

The toasted cashew color I have painted the room warmed it up a bit, but I am thinking that a rich glaze a bit darker might give the room more character, like her walls, but lighter. I had glazed walls in a few of the rooms in my last home, and I am still not sure if glazing is right for this little cottage. I have always been a very definite, black and white, make a decision and be comfortable with it kind of person, but lately I rethink (over think) every choice I make.
I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions on this matter. What do you think?

Inspiration

I was emailing back and forth with an online friend yesterday and found that we are both inspired by the wonderful vintage style of Nell Hill's.  I am a huge fan of Mary Carol Garrity and her books and shops. If you haven't heard of her, you must check her out! I promise you won't be disappointed.
Her latest book, "Entertaining in Style"  is beyond inspiring. When I couldn't get it from my local bookseller, I phoned her shop and ordered it straight from the Nell Hill store in Atchison Kansas, and Mary Carol even signed my copy of the book. Her past books have all been on decorating, but this one focuses on table settings and entertaining.
I tell you, it is pure heaven to sit with a cup of tea by the fire and peruse through the pages slowly, savoring each one. It just puts me in a nesting mode, and inspires me to want to entertain with..well, with style.

Another reason I am sharing about this book is that this is going to be my inspiration for ideas for a new fun weekly event I am going to be part of.
One of my single gal-pals and I have decided that we are going to start a "mini supper club" doing dinner together one night a week. We plan to switch back and forth between our homes, and try new recipes and creative table scapes- now, doesn't that sound fun?

*edited to add:Oh! I meant to share where I got that fabulous NeSt tucked into the bowl, and a few other things pictured!
Darling Deb makes them (seasonally) and dear Amy sells them.
The dishes are from SteinMart, and the silverware is from Ballard Designs.