Craving Color

I love creamy white and neutrals in my home, but I have to admit I've been really craving a little color late. I'm using it in my crafts and trying to dress in it.

Our spring weather has somehow turned back to winter--is it the same where you are?

I have these great old bottles I got on ebay. I decided to filled them with water and food coloring for a quick fix of color.

Now as I'm running around like a chicken with my head cut off to get everything ready for the grand opening of the retail space tomorrow, I can glance at this color and it makes me smile.

Happy Friday to everyone.

Put some happy colors in your day.

It's The "Good" Kind Of Stress...

Only three more days until The Country Store open and my little space will be open for business. This is the view of my prime space from the front door. I think I was the second person to rent a spot, so I had my choice.

All the spaces have been rented out! So exciting!

Here's the advertising flyer for the store:

There is going to be a florist with the cutest name - BeBop Flower Shop just across from my space. How wonderful!

I set up some items yesterday and I'll be back there today with more...just keeping the momentum going...

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My garden pots are looking pretty hanging on the trellis.

I found this shelf at the Sunday Sale for $3! A coupoe coats of Rustoleum and it makes for a great display shelf.

The good stress is what helps us to get stuff done....

Bring it on!

Hope you are having a great productive day.

Pillows In The Etsy Shop

I finally got some of my silhouette pillows listed in my etsy shop. Click here to find out more.

I will also be adding a little boy, little girl and baby silhouette to my pillow collection.

Here's a sign on working on for my retail space. I am going to paint the wood Starview. The Sonnet was stenciled on some dollar store plates on had on hand. I'm going to try those new sticky disc plate holders to put them up on the pegboard in my space....hope it works!!

Here's another wine bag creation that I finished up today. I love the vintage bike images.

Sunday Sale Jewel

Look what I found at the Sunday Sale yesterday!

I've been keeping my eye out for a smaller scale desk for our master bedroom to use as a writing and laptop desk. I've searched Craigslist with no luck.

And, then, yesterday--there it was!

It is the perfect size. I am know I'm going to paint it. My bedroom is done all in whites and creams. I would welcome any ideas or inspiration you have for me.

I love the little "lift" compartment on the left hand side. Very cute!

It was marked $75 (and probably worth it, since it is solid maple I believe and in excellent condition), but I offered $50 and they accepted!

Oh happy day.

The painting project will have to wait while I craft away for my little space...

All l you creative women out there...share any ideas you have for this little gem. I'm all ears : )

NOTE: If you have hardware suggestions...the originals are a 2-1/2 inch spread.

Some Fun Wine Gift Bags & Flowerpots

Here's a peek at some of the projects I've been working on for the new retail space.

We live in the Northwest "Wine Country" and spring release is upon us. Lot os wineries...lots of people who love wine. So I thought the wine bags would be great.

The garden gate image is from my friend Karen at The Graphics Fairy. I had painted the flower details and stamped "Toast" and "Share".

I also added some painted ordinary washers to the end of the twine ties.

These are some planters I made in a variety of colors. I added a little garden shovel detail along with more of the painted washers.

These planters have hooks attached to the back and look great hanging on a fence.

I will be displaying these on the trellises I painted for my space.

I debated about putting herbs in them, but decided it was best to display them in the shop with some simple faux flowers.

Ok....I better get back to work...only five days left before the bid day and I also have two custom banner orders from Etsy I have to make!

Have a great Monday y'all!

The New Space

We were busy this weekend preparing for the grand opening of the consignment shop tht we rented a space in.

Here's the "before" picture of the space. It is a great location just off to the right hand side as you enter the front door.

The new owner has done an amazing job of refurbishing this warehouse-type space. It is looking very bright and clean and welcoming.

May 1st will be opening day.

I am very excited about my new adventure.

My husband made the lattice divider to separate us from our next door neighbor. We moved it in yesterday afternoon along with a few tables, a rub, and some trellises I painted my favorite shade of blue-green.

There will lots of photos of the "after" before the doors open for business.

I Saw Something That Made Me Think Of You

Don't you just love hearing these words?

There is so much meaning behind them. It means that someone special is thinking about you.....it means that you express who you are through your clothes or your home or your own gift giving.

They are words that will, without exception, make you feel wonderful.

Well....

I heard those words from a friend a few days ago.

We were brought together by our profession, our jobs. But we chose to become freinds. I don't I have ever an adult case of the "giggles" as fun as the ones I have shared with her. I have been able to share with her things that I never thought I could. We have been through a lot together, my friend and I.

Over the last 3 years or so she has become the mother of two beautiful children. No we have even more in common. It warms my heart to see her in her new role as Mommy. She is a very good one.

Yesterday was a particularly great day AND THEN, that familiar bronw UPS truck drove up the drive......


This is what was in the box.

A gift from my friend.

She knows me.

I ADORE them. I had never seen anything like these.

Measuring cups and measuring "spoons" shaped and hand-painted like flowers.

I had to take some photos in from of one of Giada cookbooks, since she and I share a love of Giada....anotherl thing that connects us.

Thank you for seeing things that make me think of you my dear friend Jennifer.

I love your gift so much.

I hope this Saturday morning finds you thinking of someone who means so much to you.

Here's to friendship and making it last

I Just Know I'm Not The Onl y One....

who does this.....

Yesterday afternoon my house we clean, my kids were still at school, my dog was outside...and I took a moment to just enjoy it in it's temporary clean and tidy state.

No yellow lab hair on the hardwood floors....and isn't the worst time of the year for that with all the shedding?

a kitchen island that is completely clean...no craft stuff...no homework...no mail..no recipes...no crumbs!

dishes all put away in their places..love the way my church sale dishes look in the plate rack with the square ones...

One of my open kitchen cabinets with cheery touches of gold and red...that makes me happy! Also love my vintage salad bowl that I've had for over 20 years.

and a few glimpses of the outside....my window boxes with some new pansies...

and some tulips in a pot on my front porch...

I gave my little chair a coat of bar red paint yesterday....I really love the pop it gives and how it matches my barn red shutters.....

Never underestimate the power of paint : )

I know many of you can relate to a day like this...

It did come to an end at 2:55 pm when the school bus showed up and shoes and backpacks and spelling word lists were scattered everywhere.

Then the yellow lab Bella came in and shed some of her beautiful yellow hair on the clean floors....

That's life at my house.....I wouldn't want it any other way...BUT, I am always grateful for those rare moments when everything is tidy all at once...

Ahhhh....happiness truly is found in the little things.