Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Happy New Year, a Book Review, and News for the New Year


Happy New Year!  This is a rather random disjointed post, but I hope you'll forgive me.  I've been super busy getting ready to open a second Etsy shop.  I'm very excited about it and I hope you will be as well.  My first shop, Elegant Farmhouse, was opened when I had a plethora of antique grain sack pillows that I made that needed an outlet for sale.  I found that some of the other things I loved, such as white ironstone and zinc items, looked nice with the pillows so a shop was born.  I still love all of those things and have fun hunting and gathering, but something has been missing.  For years, I sold on eBay under the name French Laundry, hence my blog name, and there I had the type of things that probably speak to my heart as much as anything in my many collections...beautiful, feminine boudoir and vanity antiques, fine linens and laces, and pretty china.  I haven't regularly sold on eBay in some years and I have really missed working with the pink girlie stuff.  AND did I mention that I still have a huge backlog of items which were destined for eBay but have just been in a holding pattern since I gave up being a regular seller on that venue?  SO, I hope to be up and running in a week or thereabouts.  You all will be the first to know once that happens.  The shop name is The French Laundry and the picture above and below will give you an idea of the feeling of that shop-fussier than Elegant Farmhouse, but still the same service and variety that you have come to know from me.  If you love 1920's ribbon work, flapper items, and Edwardian perfumes, this is a place you will want to visit often.  Let me clarify, I am NOT closing Elegant Farmhouse, just adding a second shop.


Okay, now that the shameless self promotion is done, I promised you a mini book review of the book "Inspired You", written by Blogland's own Marian Parsons, aka Miss Mustard Seed.  


Let me say that I am an avid reader.  Not like I ALWAYS have my nose in a book, but I do belong to a book club and really enjoy reading.  That being said, I can't remember a time that I've EVER read a design or lifestyle book cover to cover.  Maybe it's shallow, but I buy them for the pretty pictures and while I try to read the content, I generally fall short (read "I lose interest").  This one was the exception.  Perhaps because it is more than just a book about designing a warm and welcoming home.  Perhaps it is Marian's down to earth style and way of writing.  Maybe it is because she spoke to my heart on more than one occasion when she reminds us that our goal isn't to live in a magazine photo shoot but to create a comfortable home for our family and friends and to use our God given talents to make that home truly our own.  Maybe it is because she reminded me to be grateful for what I have and not JUST focus on the things I want to change.  Whatever the reason, I loved the book.  It was an uplifting, REAL book for REAL people.  It has a few easy tutorials for projects, some hints on getting low cost and high style, and lots of pretty pictures of MMS's own home.  It is available from the publisher, Thomas Nelson and can also be found on Amazon.  And did I mention, it is VERY reasonably priced?  Well, now I did, so now you know.  I recently met Marian at a workshop she did here in Colorado and she is just as nice as you might think and then some.  I love that.  I purchased some of her new milk paint in Luckett's Green.  I can't wait to try it.  Her color palate is really beautiful and if you haven't checked it, you should.  There are about 100 retailers carrying the line and, if you are fortunate like me to have an Annie Sloan Chalk Paint stockist who also carries Miss Mustard Seed's products, then you really have it made.

Well, I have only tonight and tomorrow off from work, then it is back to the grind for me.  AND there is a good probability that I will be returning to work full time very soon, so I need to get moving while I have the opportunity and finish some listings for The French Laundry and restock Elegant Farmhouse.  Whew!  This Christmas break has certainly gone by fast!  My kids have off until Monday, so they can enjoy hanging out a while longer-they love that and so do I!

I hope you all had a nice Christmas and a good New Year and that 2013 will be happy and prosperous for all of us!

Until next time,







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17 comments:

  1. Hi Judy! Congrats on expanding your internet businesses! Thanks for the review of Marian's book...I have not purchased one yet but after your recommendation I surely will. Hope you and your family have a wonderful 2013.

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  2. Judy- Good for you for taking your business to the next level. Glad for the review of Marian's book, too. Hope you have a wonderful year and I see that you are headed back to work- Enjoy your night- xo Diana

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  3. Happy New Year Judy! Congratulations on re-opening your French Laundry shop. I'm anxious to see the ooh-la-la wares you have such a great eye for.
    And I totally agree with you on MMS's book (I'm nodding my head vigorously). She truly speaks from the heart and is so REAL. It's my fave decorating book I've ever read. The rest of them seem to repeat the same decor tips over (& over) again. So happy you got to meet Marian!
    Blessings in 2013 for you,
    Susan

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  4. Judy congratulations on your NEW Etsy Shop! You are one busy lady with great taste.
    All the best in The New Year ahead!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  5. You make me want to get Miss Mustard Seed's book :) Good luck with the 2nd Etsy shop!

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  6. Can't wait to see the new Etsy shop! Thanks for the review on the book too!

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  7. Oh my, I cannot wait to see the shop if your photos are any indication! I need to get busy with my own etsy shop, I find listing with etsy so much easier than ebay and just like the etsy community.
    I agree totally with your book review - it was the first decorating book that I couldn't put down until I finished it.
    A suggestion for your shop: make up sets of those ribbon and lace cards you made for your craft room. I have had that page bookmarked forever and still haven't made them but would certainly buy them if someone else did the work - LOL!

    Happy New Year!

    Sue

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  8. oh my...your new shop looks to be tres, tres beau! ooh la la..french feminine and chic! i will be sure to check it out mon amie! happy new year! bonne chance!!

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  9. The book sounds amazing and I am right there with you. I buy books for the "pretty photos" and figure that someday I will get around to reading them. They are about to run me out of house and home. ha!!

    I gave up ebay also, but always have a creative spirit so need to keep moving. ha! I sold under all4shabbyroses.
    Happy New YEAR!!

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  10. Happy New YEar! Always love your beautiful posts.

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  11. Happy New Year! And you have started it with a strong and bold conviction to follow your heart's desire! I admire you for that as we all know, taking the first step is so scary! I will hop on over to your shops now and see what I have been missing! Thanks for the posting!

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  12. Thank you for the book review! It sounds wonderful. Congrats on the opening of your new store! I'll look forward to checking it out... Sounds lovely!

    Happy New Year!

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  13. Congratulations, Judy, on the opening of The French Laundry!! It will be a lovely complement to Elegant Farmhouse. I wish you all the best of luck in this exciting new venture!

    Happy New Year! xoxo

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  14. How I love the internet. I followed this pin (http://pinterest.com/pin/184858759676537146/) to your blog & just became a follower, followed you on Pinterest, and just added your new Etsy shop to my Etsy favorites. I get weak-at-the knees over beautiful trims.

    Happy 2013! I'm looking forward to more of what you'll be sharing!!!
    ~ Zuzu

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  16. Hi Judy!
    I must get MMS's new book...looks like a must read!
    Looking forward to browsing your etsy shops, you always have so many beautiful treasures!

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