Notes from A Cottage Industry

Prepping for guests

     My mind is spinning as I begin planning the upcoming double baby shower and I am extra excited because I will be hosting out of town guests. Oh, how I love entertaining and making people feel welcome, friends and family alike.
     This Saturday I will begin my time line and prep work for the shower (and my guests!) and there are so many ideas in my head that I am not quite sure which path I'm taking yet. The decorations will have to wait until we see if Peanut B is a boy or a girl (oh!! I cannot wait to find out!) and the menu is up in the air for now too. Then, there are the other meals for my guests...and of course, having all the family together. There are sheets to be washed and groceries to be bought...yes, I've got to get my plans nailed down this weekend.

One thing is for sure though, I'll be baking and serving cupcakes.

Vintage ironng board romance

     Here is one of the treasures from last Saturday. It's a vintage wooden ironing board that I reinvented with a bit of paint, antiquing and decoupage. Here's the ironing board in it's "before" state with some other finds from the day.

      This is one of my favorite kinds of projects. I just love the charming look, with that Robins egg blue paint, the bit of ribbon and the flowers.

        How cute will this darling ironing board be to use as a little buffet server, or a cute prop in the corner of a room? It's headed down to my Antique booth tomorrow.

Who says an ironing board can't be romantic?

Last Saturday's bounty

 
      I ended up with a most unusual (and all fabulous!) assortment of goodies from this year's annual Hidden Valley neighborhood yard sale. A tiara (I know I shared it yesterday, but it's so cute I took pictures of it in a few spots...it's going to be altered and foofified for the Sewing Queen of northern Nevada) a crinoline slip (pictured above, and a fabulous find at $3) some large botanical prints...

....a vintage wooden ironing board, a slipper chair, vintage Christmas ornaments, some perfectly aged old silver serving pieces, a giant old dictionary (I use to pages for making banners) and the most charming rabbit I've come across in quite some time. (can you just see him outside of a playhouse in Gramma Cupcake's backyard?)

    All of this, and still I didn't get the "buy of the day", (Although we all agreed that the $3 crinoline slip was a close second as far as pricing went) Nope, the "buy of the day" went to my friend Tracey, who scored an entire box of absolute mint condition bottle brush Christmas trees ( and assorted santas and snowmen!) for a whopping two bucks from an older woman who was enjoying the morning sitting in her driveway, with all her goods on a table under an awning with a freshly made bloody mary, thankyouverymuch. (Now, that's the way to enjoy running a yard sale.)

     Most unusual thing we saw all morning? Um...that would have to be the Cinderella style real  wedding gown hanging in a large tree in someone's front yard. (What the heck is wrong with me?! Why didn't I take a picture?!) I of course immediately wanted to snag it for a future display in my antique booth. (...to put on my dressform in my booth some month when I am showcasing a "something borrowed, something blue" wedding theme...) but, when we asked the price, we were told "Seven fifty".

"Seven dollars and fifty cents?" we asked.

"No, seven hundred fifty dollars." she answered.

"Oh." (insert eye rolls and small gasps here)

     After all, she explained she had paid $4,000 for it. Um, ya. If you're serious sweetie, the way to sell it wouldn't be hanging it in a maple tree in the front yard hoping a potential bride in a size 8 wanders by in search of the perfect gown (perfect other than slightly soiled, probably from the many attempts it took to get it hung just so from the branch of the tree) to complete her wedding plans.

*sigh*  It made for great conversation the rest of the morning.

Words to live by - week 81

Faithful friends are gifts from heaven; whoever finds one has found a treasure. Unknown
    
     Saturday morning was spent at the annual mother of all garage sales in the biggest little city with three of my friends. Scouring driveways for treasures, conspiring to get reduced prices on all of our purchases, and occasionally even critiquing people’s fashion choices for the morning, we had a fabulous time.
     I look forward to this event each summer, (We've been attending this sale for years) and it occurred to me today that the reason it is so fun is not the treasure hunting, or even the goal of being the one shopper in the group that got the official “buy of the day” but the blessing of spending this time with true friends. That is the real treasure.

Friday night cupcake love

    

     Three cupcake orders this weekend, and lucky for me, two of the orders were for the same colors and flavor. The cupcakes pictured here are the tiny ones (I call them babycakes) but it's hard to tell that in the picture, since there isn't really anything to reference it by.
     Lime green, orange and white baby cakes, with whimsical little details. I make the swirls by  piping melted candy melts through a parchment bag onto freezer paper. Once I am done, I put the freezer paper in the refrigerator to firm it up, then lift off the swirls and pop 'em on the little babycakes...so cute. 

And so yummy too.

Darling diaper invites...

     You know I am all about family. And nesting.
I'm planning a double baby shower for the two mama's-to-be, just 'coz I think it will be so fun, and I love them both so much. (and I am just dyin' to do some entertaining!)

Anyway.

    This brings me to my little dilemma..er...challenge, and I'd like your input. Okay, let me begin by admitting right up front that I may be a little..OCD, and I really have trouble making up my mind on things like color ways for table scapes, invitations and all that. Really. 
     In this case the decision to be made is the invitations, made with my new tool, 'natch. (Yup, it makes the diaper die cuts...in any size I want! Have I mentioned that I love this new tool?) It's about color (or lack there of...) and really, what lead the choices for paper and pattern was that I have only green, tan and chocolate brown mini safety pins. (...just try finding these locally in the biggest little city.) We know that Peanut R is a little boy but we won't know what Peanut B is until a week before the shower, so I am designing the invites to be more uni-sex, neutral...ish. So...here is option number 1, which is pretty colorful, and while it may not remind you immediately of me, I do love the bright cheerful splash of color:

And option number 2, which is more soothing and subdued, and is of course, my favorite Robins egg blue..it's pictured up top, but here's another shot that might be a tiny bit more clear:

And option number 3, which is more vintage feeling (and it reminds me of my sweet friend Dawn!)....

     OK people. Don't hold back. I value your input and I can take it. Which one is your favorite? (Oh, and keep in mind, this will have no bearing on the decor for the party...that will get decided the minute I know what Peanut B is!)

Gold rush.... armchair observations on the Olympics

 
     With the exception of an occasion show on the Food Network or HGTV, or Oprah if I am lucky enough to be home at 4:00 once in a while, I'm really not too much of a TV person. This week is different. This week I am all about the Olympics in the evenings. How about you?
    Oh ya, I'm a Phelps phan. (Isn't everyone?!) I had errands (and two meetings) after work and thought I was going to miss part of the Olympics, but I made it in the door just as it was starting. (I needed my Phelps phix) I mean, is this kid amazing, or what? And he seems so nice. (and his Mom even seems so nice, like someone I'd swap recipes or run to Target  with) That just makes it all perfect television for me.
     It's kind of funny, I'm not an athletic person by any stretch of the imagination, and I never have been. I played badminton in high school (notice I didn't say I lettered in it, and yes, it is too a sport.) I don't watch any kind of TV sports and I only ever cared about the sports my own children participated in as they were growing up, but... I don't know. There is something different about the Olympics. Maybe it's the fact that it's all about the world's best young athletes, still mainly unknown, giving their all out there. Or all the ceremony of the award presentation, and the fact that yes, if you are talented enough and work hard enough you can do it.
     Everyone has a story, and they are all fascinating. (How about Germany's gymnast, Oksana Chusovitina, who left Russia for Germany to get her son medical care? Now, that's a story.) I swear, I think these stories are every bit as interesting as the Olympics themselves.
     Another observation from my cozy chair in the living room, is tattoos. Have you noticed how many of these young athletes are sporting the Olympic rings tattood somewhere on them? The shoulder seems to be the most common location. While I am from an age group that are not necessarily fans of body art, these look kind of cool and I can understand the symbolism of it all.
     Besides Phelps, and the swim competitions, I'm also totally engrossed in watching those tandem (synchronized? Whatever.) divers. How do they do that? Wow. (There isn't a better descriptive word for me to insert here. Just WOW.) Oh, and the gymnastics.The strength. The power. The balance beam? Come on. If that doesn't impress you, you need to get yourself checked.
    My third favorite event is volleyball. Mens. Womens. Oh yes, people, volleyball. And for me, with the volleyball event, it's not just the volleyball game, it's the fact that it's in the sand and I love those cool little covered benches to take-a-break-and-have-a-sip-of-water areas they provide for the players. So cute, with the fan-type flipp-y awning tops. (You see, in the end, a little part of it is about decor and details...)

Completed vintage baby rocker re-do

All done. (...except for the babies, of course.)

I used my QuicKutz Silhouette machine and made my own stencils...gosh I love that toy. I added bits of Robin's egg blue stripes here and there...

Remember it before? (I hope it did it justice...I'll have to see what the card designer thinks)
How do you like it?

Repurposed victorian spooner top

     Remember this from a week ago Saturday? The Victorian spooner was really in pretty dismal condition, with a missing (well, unattached at least) handle, no spoons, and hardly any silver-y finish left. (and clearly it wasn't even silver-plate, so I didn't feel bad painting it) Parts of the base almost appeared to be plastic-ish, if there is such a thing. (Mmm hmm, that's what a quarter buys you these days, people.)

Anyway.

     I spray primed the lid, then painted it a pale cream and antiqued it (really, it took all of three minutes.) Then, I took an old apothecary jar, removed the attached glass top and added the now fabulous re-invented lid to it. It holds my small collection of pearly colored buttons.
     Hmmm, looking at it now I do think I need to add a length of vintage seam binding ribbon around the mouth of the jar at some point, but for now, I am quite happy with my transformation.

*sigh* Pretty good for twenty five cents and five minutes work.

Words to live by - week 80

Nothing happens unless first a dream.

                                                                                        Carl Sandburg

A most special Friday surprise

    I arrived home from work last night to find 2 large shipping boxes on my front porch. I hadn't ordered anything...what could they be?
     I opened the boxes to find the most beautifully wrapped presents! Each one a work of art, wrapped in sheet music and vintage wallpaper,adorned with old buttons, vintage ribbons and crystals and accompanied by the sweetest handmade collage notecard from Susan G. (That's the darling notecard in front!) They were all so lovely that I couldn't bear to open them, so I just admired them on the counter in the kitchen for nearly an hour.
     I had a friend coming over and so I decided to wait to open them so she could see the incredible wrappings. Once she arrived it was just like Christmas. Really. I opened all of my sweet gifts and found the most precious black and creme colored ceramics!! Susan had thrifted most of these treasures and thought of me.(How nice is that?!) She said the pitcher was from TJ Maxx. (does this girl know me, or what?!) I cannot wait to use it!

The gifts are fabulous, but much more, I am so touched by her kind note, and her thoughtfulness that I do not have the right words to really express it. "Thank you" definitely doesn't begin to cover it. Susan, your wonderful note and gifts from the heart have me grinning ear to ear, knowing that I have so many wonderful friends out there. We may never meet face to face, but we're kindred spirits just the same.

You touched my heart and I thank you sincerely.

Life's little big moments

 
    I meant to share these pictures last week and somehow forgot to. Then, last night I was telling a friend on the phone about my last trip to my beloved PTown and I remembered that I forgot (oh, you know what I mean...)

After attending the Barn House Sale in Battleground, we headed back into Stars Hollow Camas to check out another fair supposedly happening there, but we never quite made it. We had to stop because certain streets were closed, due to the "Camas Days Parade". (What?! Oh. My. Ga. Yet another thing to love about this sweetest of small towns...)

It was a true Stars Hollow moment, I tell you. I hung out the car window snapping pictures and taking it all in- the homemade floats, the proud members of the community out there curbside supporting their  little town. Gosh, I loved it.

The highlight (for me anyway) was seeing this...

 

     If you can't read it, let me tell you what is says: "CITIZEN OF THE YEAR, Wilson Cady". Oh, how I long to live in a small town community where each and every one can aspire to become the citizen of the year. How magnificent!

I asked my daughter what Mr. Cady did to receive such an honor. She said she had read about him, or maybe it was on the TV news, but she couldn't remember exactly what it was. (Sorry Mr. Cady.) I felt the sudden urge to jump from the car and locate the Taylor Doose or Miss Patty of Camas to ask them. They would know.

At any rate, the reason I share this, is that we need more of these kinds of things in our daily lives. (at least I do) More Camas Days parades. More Citizens of the Year awards. More little big moments.

Let's celebrate everyday life.

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful boy.

 
Aah, the words from that sweet, sweet song by John Lennon touch my heart so.

Yes, Peanut Roberts is a boy!

Better late than not at all...a little peek at the vintage rocker redo

I know. I said I'd show you the finished product tonight.
Well....I thought I'd get this little cutie finished up, but.....an errand after work and phone calls to make had me running very much behind, and I want it to be exactly perfect (it's for my grandbabies, you know!) so I didn't get it antiqued yet, and I have a wee bit more detail work to add here and there...but here's a little snippet of what I'm working on... I'll show it in it's entirety when it's completed, I promise!

A treasured gift

I was so touched and honored that I cried when the card designer arrived last Sunday she surprised me with this family heirloom treasure. Her father-in-law had made it for her girls when they were wee small babies, and she knew that with my love of vintage items, I would adore it.(Oh,and I do!) I will cherish this precious piece always, not just because it is so charming, but because my dear friend thought enough of me to entrust me with it's care and keeping.

She said she wanted me to reinvent it with my paint, and I know that she is anxious to see what I do with this captivating little rocker...so, today after work I will have it completed and share it with you all tonight.

** I will give you one clue...I am using my new "Silhouette" tool to add a bit of vintage charm to this sweetest little bit of nostalgic furniture. (and I know this will thrill the card designer even more!)

My newest favorite tool of the trade

  
    I love making banners. Big or small, vintage looking or colorful and hip, I am all about thinking up new ideas for banners and garlands. The card designer told me about this incredible machine that actually cuts letters (or shaped die cuts) in any size you can want.Oh, and you can use the remaining part of the paper with the cut out space as a stencil.

Really?! 

Really.

     It's called the "Silhouette". I got confused and referred to it as "the Stiletto" (must be my shoe addiction kicking in) It's a "digital craft cutter" and it. is. way. too. cool. (If you have one of these, I'd love to hear what you make with yours!!)
     A little bit unusual but oh, so meant-to-be string of events ended with me as the proud (and slightly scared) owner of one of these babies. Proud, because, once I mastered the machine, the sky would be the limit for me to create new things with lettering. Scared... for two reasons. First, it was an investment type of purchase. (cha-ching) I don't make purchases like this often, and I was totally freaked that it might not be all it was cut up to be.  (pardon the pun, I couldn't help myself) Second, scared because the computer and I go way back, with me always managing to jack something up each time I want to install new hardware or try to download anything other than a photograph (I once ended up with Chinese writing all over my desktop when I installed too many fonts. It wasn't pretty, and I remember that I had to do an intervention, or a reinstall or some such nonsense to get my computer world right side up again.)

Anyway.

    The machine has been sitting on my work desk in my craft room, waiting for me to have a go at it, since...oh,  the first week of June. I've studied it and I've stared at it. Finally, Sunday, the card designer and I tackled it, head on.Oh. My. Gosh. (did you hear that squealing? Yes, that was us.) So easy peasy. I am in love. The sky is the limit. (What was I afraid of?) This little tool has rocked my world, let me tell you.

     My picture doesn't do any of it justice. I'll show more later in the week when I have time to actually create some banners, place cards, invites..oh yes, I have big plans for this little machine.

What really matters (or..."Real friends don't care if your blue cupcake frosting is droopy")

 
     Let me start by saying that I spent the most wonderful Sunday afternoon having lunch and visiting with my friend, the card designer. From the moment she arrived we were laughing and chatting; sharing mom stories (yes, we still do that even after our kids are grown) and secrets of the heart. A perfect day.

     You know how sometimes you have one of those days where everything goes just enough off schedule or hiccups ever so slightly to keep you off your game? I had one of those days yesterday. During our perfect visit, the card designer pointed out that folks out in blogland most assuredly think that I never set a table without cute little place cards, and extravagant desserts. (Well, I am here to shatter that fantasy today, people.)

Arriving home later than I planned after church (OK, they had a root beer float event going on after the service and I stayed a little too long chatting with a friend) I realized I needed to run back to the grocery store for some ingredients for my luncheon (Curry chicken salad, my favorite summer meal!)**edited to add: Click here for the recipe. I use yellow raisins instead of grapes. This extra trip to the market cost me my leisure time of doing a cute table scape, so I had to settle for a basic set up...knife, fork, spoon, napkin and plate. (Sorry Melissa, there were no "You" and "Me" place cards....)

 I then got carried away and made enough salad for a small army (or the Osmond family, take your pick) and was in the middle of attempting to doctor up some existing  frosting for the chocolate cupcakes when my sweet friend arrived. The reason I was doctoring it up? Well, I had done a cupcake order on Thursday for a Hawaiian surf party theme, where the birthday girl wanted blue and orange cupcakes. I had leftover frosting, but I myself have an aversion to eating anything that bright and unnaturally blue, so I thought I'd tone it down to my favorite Robin's egg blue with some freshly made white buttercream. (don't even ask me why I didn't just simply frost them with white buttercream...) In my haste, I added about a fourth of a cup of milk to the frosting, making it very thin...and therefore, when frosted, the cupcakes appeared to be... uh..well...depressed I guess would be the best description. (Believe me on this one folks, they were so droopy that we had to eat them with forks.)

The reason I share this is because while it is nice to set a pretty table or to create a dessert worthy of a cover shot on Bon Appetit's August issue, it is not what really matters. It's about investing yourself in a friendship and letting others know you value and treasure them.

But you knew that. 

Words to live by - week 79

Don't go through life, grow through life. Eric Butterworth

Lean pickins out there today in the biggest little city

    The Navigator and I headed out at our usual 7:00 a.m. time, although the newspaper didn't show too many sales, which is kind of odd for early August. We held a good thought though, remembering that it only takes one good sale to make a morning.
This was not the case this morning, however. I was back at my cottage by 9:20 (and that was after we stopped at our favorite spot for French toast) and I only spent $7.25. This was really kind of sad, because my antique booth is screaming for a dresser, or cute tiered table..something with some height.
    The duo of charming yellow picnic baskets will go straight to my both at Junkees later today, while the suitcase will be decoupaged and..well, I have yet to decide what I will do with the little covered bowl with the sweet bird lid. If you have any ideas for me, let me know!

(You know I am just a sucker for anything bird-y or nest-ish, and it was only twenty five cents, so I had to grab it, even if all I end up doing is using the lid in a vignette of old photos and memorabilia..)
     The biggest neighborhood wide sale of the summer is coming up here in a weekend or two, so I'm not gonna get too panicked over the puny little sales around town today. In fact, I think I'll use the rest of today to get things completed in the garage and get a load down to my booth, so I'll be ready for the treasures that I am bound to be bringing in later.

I hope you are having a productive (and fun) Saturday!

A charming backyard retreat

     I was treated to a trip to Monticello Antique Marketplace straight from the plane ride to Portland last weekend. Oh, what an incredible store this is.
    We entered through the side door and this is what we saw. The perfect sunny retreat to put in a backyard. No worries if the forecast is rain, this darling structure is made from nothing but recycled windows and French doors. Simply close the windows and still enjoy all of your garden.
      I immediately pictured a small vintage cottage table and two weathered chairs (all in Robin's egg blue) with a candelier hung above, right in the center of this sweet little space. Aah, the perfect spot for a leisurely morning breakfast with a friend, or for reading the paper...or for working on the book you're writing. Of course, it's not so small that there isn't enough room to have a dog or two sleeping at your feet. (Just small enough to be cozy, you know?)

Cost for one of these beauties? Around $4,500. I'm betting it's worth every penny.

A second little post for Thursday...

This seems to be a habit, these random second posts.
Since I just shared the Portland Peanut's nursery, I just had to share one of the treasures that will showcased there, above the changing pad, in the charming hutch. See the incredible little shoe on the left? That one is mine. I bought it from my wonderful friend Dawn. My heart melts each time I look at these sweet baby shoes. I'm going to use the baby shoe pincushion to showcase some darling vinatge diaper pins that a dear friend surprised me with yesterday. (Thank you again, Tracey! I love them so.)
    Now, that's not the only reason I am sharing this second post. Here's the cool news. Dawn is now selling tutorials for her fabulous projects on a second, new blog for selling her newest venture- Online tutorial kits, called the Speckled Egg (love the name!) and so I also bought the tutorial (it's basically an online kit of step by step instructions for event he most 'fraidy-cat beginner!!) this morning for how to make more of my own baby shoe pincushions.The tutorial arrived in my email inbox and let me tell you, the directions were great, and the pictures were close up and it's all so easy to follow. Actually, the tutorial photos are so nice that I just kept looking at them over and over!
     Why did I buy the tutorial when I already have a darling shoe on the way? I am so glad you asked. I want to make several more of these darling pincushion booties myself, and attach vintage looking tags to them to serve double duty as place cards and favors at a joint baby shower I plan to throw for the two Mama's-to-be! How cute will that be?! Oh, I am sure there are many other uses...in fact I am thinking I may make a couple of Christmas ornaments this way, skipping the cushion part and just decorating the shoes as Dawn instructs. Would that be cute?! The possibilities are endless...

See? I knew you'd want to know about this.

A nursery begins to take shape...

Are those just about the cutest little bunny slippers you've ever seen?! (They are! They are!) I got them for the Peanut while we were shopping on 4th Avenue in sweet little Camas Washington. Oh, but that wasn't all we found on the street of dreams.
One of the highlights of the past weekend's trip to Camas was playing with the furniture in the nursery, arranging it and staring at it, imagining it full of baby sounds, sights and smells.(and I knew you'd want to see our progress!) The nursery is a wonderful large, sunny bedroom, with high cathedral ceilings and it's own fabulous walk-in closet (with a window, no less!) and it's own bathroom.
     Because of the nice high ceiling we knew we needed something with some height in there for a focal point....but what?
Well.....The Mama-to-be discovered this incredible "changing station" while we were in Camas Antiques. (it's actually a reproduction piece!) We were so excited to show it to my son-law, who so sweetly said they should buy it right then and there. (He's such a good sport! I actually think he thought that's what the piece was designed for as my daughter explained that the little alcove was for a diaper changing area.) Okay, technically it's a hutch, but open your mind. Think outside of that hutch box. It's a piece of furniture that will work pretty much anywhere in a home (in so many places, and with so many options for use!) for years and years to come.
   The changing pad we bought fits perfectly in the alcove, as though it was made for it.(I am picturing a wee little banner hung back in there against that green backdrop)  Imagine this beauty filled with onesies, diapers, story books and stuffed bears. My mind reels just thinking about it.
    Since the thrifty couple had bought the crib and mattress on craigslist (which we promptly painted and antiqued to go with the feel of the room) and had a reinvented dresser and charming little table from Gramma Cupcake, (the dresser is in the other corner of the room, not shown in the photos) they decided to cut loose and buy this beautiful piece for the huge back wall of the soon-to-be nursery.

**edited to add: Here is a picture of our "practice baby" the adorable Mona Fleasa!

   This, along with the rocking chair that was used to rock my babies and some incredible old hinged doors from the fabulous retreat  team round out the room quite nicely and it is really beginning to take shape.

Now, in another couple of weeks when we know if we're having a boy or a girl, we can really get the ball rolling.

A new collection has begun...

     **Before I start this post, I'd like to comment...to thank...you for the many nice comments I received on the topic of my hair. (my hairdresser slash super model, Alexis, thanks you as well, as I was in her chair yesterday getting my "highlights" touched up..) And, the comments on my age....well, I'll admit I am a bit concerned that a lot of you folks pictured me looking older than I do. This is what 51.7 looks like, people. (I'm more than a little worried that many of you may have been picturing me all this time like Estelle Getty as Sophia from the Golden Girls.) Thank you so much for all of the oh, so kind comments. Seriously. You made my week!**

Now, on to my post about my newest collection...

I'm going to blame her for this new addiction. I heard about hers, then I saw it on her blog (I know it's wrong, but I covet her collection!!!) and I knew I wanted to begin a collection too.I had one vintage cake topper, and I got  two more last weekend on my trip to PTown (one at Monticello Antiques and one at Molly Mo's Booth at the Barn House Sale!)
     Next to a new baby, what could possibly be a happier thing than weddings? To love and to cherish and all that goes with it. Yes, even if mine didn't go happily ever after, I am a hopeless romantic.
     You know, where there is love there is always hope.These sweet wedding cake toppers symbolize this to me in such a charming way. White lace and promises, a whole new clean slate ahead. Someone to snuggle with, cry with, and share your big and little moments with.

Oh, I love everything these little cake toppers represent.

Barn House wrap up... and Bake off.

   I know everyone that attended the event has been sharing, but here are just a few pictures of the fabulous Barn House Sale....

So much to see that we had to walk through three times...

...and midway through all of this glorious eye candy, we stopped to judge the Bake off! ( There were six entries, but I missed photo ops on some of them...)

We loved the Barn House Boys Peach Cobbler...

...and Auntie Joy's Poppyseed cake was to die for!

Here was the winner... a coconut lime bar that was decadent and deee-lish.

*sigh* We loved every minute of the whole event.

Back from the Barn House Sale.

...and, as always,  my trip was too short.
So much to show and tell. Let's see, how can I describe the trip? It was heaven on earth, really.
     The Auntie-to-be and I jumped out of bed, showered and were on the road by 7:10 on Saturday morning.  We picked up her sister, and after a quick stop at Starbucks were on the short ride down the rural road to Battleground where the Barn House Sale took place.
     For starters, it was the perfect weather and location for a vintage fair. A grassy pasture (with roosters crowing and walking around, no less) The booths were incredible. In-cred-i-ble, I tell ya. But that wasn't nearly the best part. No, the best part was meeting so many people that I have admired from afar, through the internet.       
     The first celebrity I came upon was the Lisa Johnson, of Ticked Pink and A thing for roses fame, and I wasn't bashful about approaching her. (Ignore my squinty eyes. It was very sunny.) Such a warm and friendly gal in person (I knew she would be!!) I met her partner in vintage vending, Isabell, but somehow missed getting a photo of her.

I met up with Krista Colvin (I'm so glad she suggested I fly up for this fabulous event!) and we got to visit before judging the Bake Off (more on that tomorrow!) Oh, and do you see that guy back there? That's Joe, one of the Boys of the Barn House, standing in their booth. (such fabulous stuff!)

Then, I got to meet Joy, from Auntie's Joy's. (What exactly is up with my squinting...and that cheesy, goofy smile? Sheesh. I look like a chipmunk that is really overdo for a haircut. This is why you seldom see photos of me. I'd much rather you all imagine me as an incredibly attractive, slender, non-squinting down home gal from the biggest little city.Oh well, we've shattered that myth all to heck today.)

Anyway.

Where was I? Oh yes, Auntie Joy. Her blog is called "A Day in the life"...you know her too, I am sure. Another fabulous woman. I got to meet her darling sister Toni, too. We all chatted our heads off like we'd known each other for half of our lives.
     My daughters and I had so much much fun meeting everyone, and visiting, and shopping. A perfect day, in my world. There were so many treasures to see (and buy) that I'll have to do a second post on this (not to mention, showcase the Bake off that we got to help judge)

Words to live by - week 78

...pretty profound when you think about it.
The Auntie-to-be sent me this quote on the front of a card. I like it so much that I am going to frame it and keep it on my desk as a reminder.

Barn House Flea Market or bust!

   My bags are packed and I'm all ready to get up to PTown for a jam packed weekend of fun and family time. First stop, Monticello Antique Marketplace. Ya, baby. This place is so big that it has it's very own cafe' and upholstery shop. (I am thinkin' the Auntie-to-be and I will have lunch here ) Then, Saturday will be spent at the Barn House Flea Market of course, shopping, meeting online friends and judging such yummy treats as peach cobbler and cupcakes. I've never been a judge in a baking contest so this will be a real treat. (pardon the pun)
     I have no doubt we'll wrap things up with a trip to Camas Antiques at some point on Sunday, (oh just wait 'til you see the hutch they found there to use as a changing table in the nursery! It's magnificent!) which is the day we plan on focusing our energy on getting the nursery layout set up arranged (How fun is that going to be?!)
     Of course, I am quite sure that the real highlight of the trip will be all the good times together; giggling and girl talk in the car, enjoying time together on the new patio the Auntie and Uncle-to-be just built, laughing, planning the details of the Peanut's room and just enjoying being together for far too short of a visit.

A second post for Thursday....

Meet Krista. (Is this gal cute, or what?!)

Make sure you pop on over to Krista Colvin's Blog at some point soon. (OK, today I am her featured "guest blogger" and I am pretty darned excited about it!) Krista is on the AM Northwest television show in the Portland Metro area, as well as a Lifestyle Expert + creator of www.theShebang.com The Smart Woman's Guide to Doing it All!  (I have had her fabulous blog linked on my sidebar for quite some time and I really enjoy her organizational tips!)

OK, one more tidbit of exciting news in my not-so-ordinary life...I'll be meeting Krista, in person, this Saturday at the oh-so-fabulous BarnHouse Sale. And I'll be meeting the incredible Joe and Jermonne, of the Barn House too (Along with some of my very favorite vendors of vintage treasures from the pacific northwest!) So, if you're anywhere near close by, you must come say hello!

Oh, and that's only the tip of the excitement  here, people. We'll be judging the Bake off at the big Barn House Sale! Oh, you know I'll have pictures and facininnating stories to tell from this big event.

*sigh* Silver linings here, folks.

Home tour!

      As promised, here are some pictures from my girlfriend's petite French country chateau. (and for the record, the red paint in her home and that I used on her furniture is Behr Brand Cinnabar, in eggshell finish!!!)  Every time I visit her I am inspired. Rich jewel tones, with ceramic roosters and charming antiques....it's such a happy house. Here are several more shots (I just love looking at all of it in detail!) from different angles of her living room and the dining room area...

And here is her oh-so-charming kitchen nook. How sweet is this space for a nice little breakfast or a cozy dinner?

...and from a different angle...

Last but not least is a shot of the family room...my photo is a little dark but you can see how wonderful it is...

It's so fun to visit my friend's homes, with such different decorating styles. It inspires me to look at my own nooks and corners with new eyes. I hope you enjoyed the tour.

Seeing red. (And neutrals and a little Robin's egg blue...)

      Thank you all so much for all of your color choice input yesterday. Lot's of great advice, and in the end I decided on keeping a lot of pieces neutral, with a small number of accent pieces in the Robin's egg blue. (My neutral pieces still need to be antiqued, and the chalkboard painted and inserted in the frame, which I will get to tonight!) I also painted two chairs, but they didn't quite fit in the picture, so I will share them later.
      I got my friend's order completed as well. Those are her red pieces in the photo up top. Her home is French country and it. is. darling. (I'll see if I can take some pictures when I deliver her order and share them with you. You'll love it!)
      I do think when autumn comes around (and it will be here before we know it) I will change things up and do a bunch of black pieces, along with some reds, mustards and deep sage greens, but for now, I am staying with the softer color palate.

Taking inventory

     My booth at the Antique Mall is looking a more than a bit sparse and I desperately need to restock. Last night I took a quick inventory of the pieces in my garage and discovered that I have unknowingly managed to start a collection of teddy bears. I also have a pretty nice selection of furniture pieces to choose from to paint, so I need to just dive in and get busy already.
     My dilemma is this: do I paint the pieces a neutral, like white, black or cream, or do I get a bit bolder and paint a few items Robin's egg blue or baby pink? Maybe a nice sage green on a table or two? A more bold Country French red?
     What are you more likely to purchase when shopping one-of-a-kind? A piece in a neutral tone, or one that is more unique in color? Hmmm?