Showing posts with label common ground. Show all posts
Showing posts with label common ground. Show all posts

Friday, January 4, 2013

Because I'm Also a Collector...


I'm getting pretty excited for the opening of my new Etsy shop, The French Laundry, on Sunday, January 6th, but I've also been trying to appreciate some of the treasures I have as part of my collection so as not to be tempted to keep everything that I have been finding, either in my existing stash or in my travels.  Antique ribbon, trims, laces, and ribbon work flowers are probably my most valued collection-I love anything that relates to items made by women, for women, to make their environment more beautiful.  I've always done needlework and handwork myself, so I have always appreciated old textiles, etc.  

Aren't the graphics on these bolts of ribbon divine?  I might add that the silk ribbon wrapped around those bolts is equally divine.  Swoon...


These little ribbon work garland sweeties are only about 3 inches long, but they are so intricate and beautiful.  Never used old stock.  They still have their "made in France" tags on them.  The wide metallic lace they are sitting on is a.ma.zing!  I got it from a lady who dressed dolls.


Well, I know this is a short post, but I may have to resort to short and sweet for the most part because I just got a full time day job.  I will be sad to leave my peeps on the evening shift because I love my girls, but life demands full time and days, so after 12 wonderful years of part time evenings, I am making a change.  I will definitely have to organize my time better if I'm to keep up with the things that nurture my soul, like peddling antique pretties and blogging, so wish me luck.  I'll be starting in February, so I have a few short weeks to figure this all out.  Send some positive energy this way, OK?

Linking up with Debra at Be Inspired Friday and Kerryanne at Shabbilicious Friday.

Until next time,






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Thursday, June 21, 2012

No Dear, the Irony is NOT Lost on Me...


 So Peeps,

Tell me...you can be honest.  Have you ever bought a little something, say, a cute stool, and it was old and chippy, and dirty and good bones but kinda distressed.  And then, you spend say a couple of hours over a couple of days a couple of times "refreshing" the piece, only to realize you now had a little something, say, a cute stool, that was old and chippy, and dirty and good bones but kinda distressed?  Only somehow your new and improved version was still better because it was clean and cuter on some level?

Not that that scenario has EVER happened to me...


I was just wondering about you guys...


And apparently, I couldn't stop taking pictures.


Now that she's been redone, I may have to find a place for her in my home...


But, since space is at a premium...


there's a good chance you will see her...


in an Etsy shop near you.  Specifically, Elegant Farmhouse.


Very soon...


In all of her chippy and distressed glory.  Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and clear and dark waxes rock!


 I'm glad you all "get me".  Mr. FL and I did have a nice laugh over this one though.  I missed taking "before" pictures, but trust me, it was worth the do-over.  Really.


Until next time,


Linking up with:
Feathered Nest Friday
Home Sweet Home
Vintage Inspiration Friday
Shabbilicious Friday

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Friday, March 16, 2012

Vintage Pretty is IN THE HOUSE and... a Giveaway


Happy Friday my sweet friends,

I have a list as long as your arm today, but it is Friday, I'm off from work, and I spent the whole morning puttering and foofing, taking photos, and basically enjoying the process.  My husband said "the list" is really not hard and fast, more like a guideline, so if I was enjoying myself, I should deviate from my to do's and not worry about it.  Gotta love that man...

I am still enjoying the beautiful flowers I bought Sunday.  They are fully opened and nothing short of gorgeous.  I set up a little vignette on my favorite dresser in my living room and, although I thought I was doing it just for the sake of a blog post, I am going to leave it as is because I love it.  I needed to redo that spot anyway and, had I been trying to consciously redo it, I know I probably would have come up with nothing near as nice as this little serendipitous grouping.  Don't you love happy accidents?


One of the little things peeking out of my sewing machine drawer box is my grandmother's prayer book.


She was German, so it was all written in German.  It is pristine, so I don't know if maybe she carried it on her wedding, or perhaps just took very good care of it.  I never got to meet her since she died of pneumonia in 1922 when my mom was just a year old and my aunt was 5.  So sad.  I've always been fond of the book since it has this beautiful crucifix inside the front cover and wonderful gilt edges on the pages.






Now that I've shared some vintage goodness with you, I'd like to tell you about a great giveaway that starts today here at French Laundry.  When the nice folks at Ram Sign asked me if I'd like to do a giveaway of one of their address signs for one of my readers, I jumped at the chance.  If you've seen these porcelain enamel signs, you know they are beautiful, sturdy, and oh so simply elegant.


For this generous giveaway, Ram Sign will give one of my lucky readers a house number sign with 1-5 digits of any size and style (sorry, no name plates or addresses, just a house number).  It is open to bloggers worldwide.  Yay!


So, here's the deal.  To enter, do the following:

1.  Leave a comment on THIS POST to be entered.
2.  For an additional chance, go on over to Ram Sign and look around and come back here and let me know what your favorite sign is.
3.  For another chance "Like" Ram Sign on Facebook.
4.  For yet another chance, become a follower of French Laundry (that's me) or let me know you are already a follower.
5.  Blog about it, Facebook about it, or Tweet it, linking back to this post and send me the link.

You MUST leave a separate comment for each one you do.  So that's 5, count em 5, chances to win an awesome house number sign for FREE.  You only have to do #1-if you'd like additional entries, pick 1-4 of the other choices and go for it.  Ram Sign will contact the winner after I let them know who it is and they will take your order for your sign.  Please make sure you leave an email address for me if you do not have a blog.  If I can't get in contact with you, I can't arrange for you to collect the booty and that would make me sad. :-(

Winner to be announced March 31st.  Good luck!

Until next time,




Linking with:
Vintage Inspiration Friday
French Inspiration Friday 
Home Sweet Home 
Potpourri Friday
Open House Party Thursday
Fridays Unfolded
Show and Tell Friday
Pink Saturday
Simple and Sweet Fridays
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Thursday, December 2, 2010

A Sweet Little Doll for Christmas


Those of you who have been following me for a while know that I love to dress little antique bisque dolls.  This one was done up for Christmas in all of her seasonal finery.  Her skirt is original, but I added the vintage lace trim, the bodice is vintage velvet, and the ribbonwork sash is vintage as well.  She is a little gal, about 3 inches tall.  I am linking up with Debra's Common Ground and her Vintage Inspiration Friday Christmas edition.  Pull up your chair, pour a cuppa, and join us, won't you?



Until next time,
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