Laid Back Sunday

Hello Friends,

Just a quick check in to say I hope you are enjoying your Sunday.  I bought a pretty white Stock bouquet yesterday at the store just because.  We are not fortunate enough to have a Trader Joe's around here (although I keep hearing rumors that we will get one), so fresh flowers are more of a "treat" than a regular occurrence around my house.  The stock is a flower that I've never had any luck growing in the garden despite repeated attempts, but I love it.  Not only is it a pretty little stalk, but it smells WON-DER-FUL!  Might be too sweet for some folks, but not me.  Anyway, I put it in one of my favorite old transferware pitchers on the center of my dining room table which is transitioning from the Valentine table to a more springy look.  No major decor just yet, but get ready for my big pink clown Easter bunny coming soon.  I'm really excited since I "lost" him in the ruckus that is my house a couple of years ago and only found him this summer, so it has been a while since he's hopped into spring.

Not that I'm dreaming of spring JUST yet when we have some more winter weather in us, but a little touch doesn't hurt.  The photo below shows you how pretty our town looks with some nice winter snow frosting everything.  I should mention that the view is not from my home, but from the Garden of the Gods Club a few miles away.  A good friend belongs to the club and I get to tag along with her to happy hours now and then again.  I never tire of that view, no matter what season it is.

On a different note, I've put a few new things in both Etsy shops, so stop by and take a peek.

This pretty Wedgwood compote is such a mellow creamy color.  I love the embossed edge.  It is here at Elegant Farmhouse. 

This adorable shelf will hopefully be listed on Elegant Farmhouse this week although seeing how cute it looks all styled up, I might have a hard time getting that little listing done!

Check out this amazing 4 inch wide 1920's lace that is here at The French Laundry.

This beauty emerged from the pile of goods destined for The French Laundry.  Swoon...

Well, laid back Sunday or not, I do have to tend to a few things before we jump back into the work week, so have a great week and hopefully, I'll get to stop by and see what you all are up to. 
Until next time,

Happy Valentine's Day

A Belated Happy Valentine's Day to all of my Bloggie Friends!  I hope you all had a day filled with love.  My sweet boys and I stayed home and just hung out.  The mister and I will go out for date night this weekend.  These are a few photos of my Valentine decor this year.  Nothing too serious, just fun. 

I love pulling out all of my little heart things...

I have a lot of cherubs in the house, so they get to come out front and center for Valentine's Day.

I'm working full time now (second week, still training, lots to learn) so I must get some sleep and let the pictures do my talking for me.  See you all around...

Until next time,

Valentine Shop Hop, Part 2

My apologies for not getting back to you for part 2 of my shopping spree through some of my favorite Etsy shops, but life kind of got in the way.  Whew!  Busy weekend and I'm going to need some retail therapy to unwind...

First stop is my blogging buddy Debra's fun shop The Petite Boutique.  I'm sure many of you know Debra from her blog, Common Ground.  She hosts a great Friday party and always has some great decor posts, but in her spare time, she loves to play with old keys and fun findings and she makes these cool necklaces.  She has some new ones posted for Valentine's Day, so pop on over and check them out.

I discovered Julie at GoGoSnap purely by accident, but I was so enchanted with her beautiful designs for business cards that I had her make some up for me.  My design that I picked out was the wonderful lady in the center.  She does invitation packages for weddings, notecards, thank you notes, and save the date cards.  Her designs are all done on a real Heidelberg Offset press, so not digital or laser, and she has high quality thick paper.  I mean really high quality.  She is not cheap, but trust me, you will be thrilled with the result and Julie is great to work with. 

Another face that may be familiar to you is Rhonda from A Little Bit French.  She is a blogger as well and she makes the most wonderful things out of fabric, lace, jewelry, and paper.  I love everything she creates and whenever you buy something, she spoils you with little extras.  Go check out her shop if you haven't yet because you will love her French style.  

Susan at Evelyn and Rose is a blogger and DIY decorator who has been featured in the Somerset Life magazine a couple of times and she makes some awesome things for her shop, namely pillows.  One of these days, I'm going to get one of these beauties for some place special in my home.  She's super nice too and that's always a plus, don't you think?

If you love pretty paper tags, journals, and other paper whimseys, you will have a great time poking around Dorothy Jane.  She is a an old soul and loves anything Jane Austen.  Her work is beautiful and a real treat for the eyes.  I bought the Souvenir de Paris tags on the right and they are quite fun.  I can't wait to do something awesome with them.  Give her a look, you'll be glad you did.

And, while I was trying to behave and not engage in shameless self promotion, it is my blog after all, so I guess I will attempt to prod you to check out my new listings at both of my Etsy shops, The French Laundry...

And Elegant Farmhouse.

So, that's it for our pre-Valentine's Day shopping spree on Etsy.  I hope you enjoyed yourself.  I know I did.  For now, it is time for this little chickie to go to bed.

Until next time,

Spreading a Little Early Valentine's Day Love

Well, the hearts are beating and cupid is sharpening his (her?) arrows...St. Valentine's Day is just around the corner.  I thought I would share a couple of things with you in commemoration of the event.  I've spoken before of a gal who I found on eBay by the name of Judy McCallum who makes these amazing and I do mean amazing little mixed media booklets.  I received this one in the mail today and it did not disappoint. 

I shouldn't  be telling you about her because once I won one booklet a few months ago I've wanted another one with her images of little kiddos.   I think I have bid on at least one every month since and have been outbid every time.  Her popularity with the bidders has gotten crazy and I thought I was never to win another one.  But finally, persistence paid off and I scored a little bit of a "sleeper" so I didn't have to take out a second on the house.  Smile...

She uses an abundance of layers of lace and fabric and the effect is sooooo dreamy and romantic.

How precious are these two???

As I was photographing this yummy goodness, my mind started to wander (don't judge) and I started thinking about my Etsy shops and how much I love selling AND buying on there.  Then I had a lightbulb moment and thought perhaps I could take you on a little tour of some of my favorite shops on the site for romantic handmade goods since February IS the month of romance after all.  These are only a few of my favorites, but it will definitely make you want to hunt around on your own.  I know that some of these talented gals will be familiar to you and some might not be so familiar, so grab a cuppa whatever suits you and let's go shopping!

First stop is a new one to me, Handpainted Pink Roses.  This lady paints on lots of things, but she paints small.  Like really small.  Makes me cross-eyed to think about it.  I bought some of her flowers done on buttons and they are even more beautiful in person.  Super nice and super quick shipping, always a plus.

Next, we head on over to one of the true romantics, my pal Rosemary aka Ozma of Odds.  Rosemary is one of a kind and although we've never met, I love her sense of style, her beautiful spirit, and her lovely treasures.  We both love the sea and live in landlocked states.  Go figure...

Around the bend is Anista Designs.  This gal is in Canada and makes beautiful paper goods to order so you have to be patient, but the product is worth the wait. I bought two sets of the heart tags and they are nice and heavy, almost like the disposable beer coasters that you sometimes get at a bar (continue not judging :-) LOL!)

 

Next stop,  another Rosemary who you will probably know, from Villa Barnes.  This dear lady works her buns off creating and re purposing items like nobody's business.  She's a real innovator and comes up with all sorts of cool techniques to romance up her pieces. AND she shares her techniques very generously on her blog. AND she's a real sweetheart to boot, so every transaction with her is a pleasure.

We're going to make one more stop in this whirlwind tour of romantic shops, this time at a very well known blogger, pinner, and shop keeper, Michelle of Petite Michelle Louise.  Another sweet lady with talent galore.  I've loved everything I've ever purchased and when it comes, the packaging is almost as good as what's inside.  LOVE that!  Michelle has been published several times in the Stampington magazines and her talent for seeing not what something is, but what it can be is astounding.

Well, I'm getting tired, so need to hit the hay.  I think we shall resume our shopping spree tomorrow when I will share the final 5 romantic shops on my list.  Rest up and be ready!

Until next time,