For the love of giving

Dear Friends... 

It's been three long months since I've blogged.  

How do I explain that?

hmmmm........

I suppose I could tell you:

       ....I momentarily fell off the face of the earth

       ....or fell into a very deep well...

      ....or won a three month all expense paid trip to "Anywhere I wanted," USA

      ....or maybe I was abducted by aliens....

It all sounds so tempting to use as an excuse!

but the truth is...I've just had to concentrate on my life "journey" with all it's changes, twists and turns.  I will elaborate a bit sometime in the future.   Thank you to those who have checked in on me.  I appreciate it more than you know, and please forgive me if I wasn't able to reply and respond to each of you. 

That all being said, I hope the rest of you still remember me. :)   I've thought about you and all your beautiful blogs so often, wishing I could devote more time to perusing them.

So, I'm thrilled to be back with a post that shows you just a little of my recent shenanigans!  I've been embellishing little gift bags to sell in the shop which I thought would be more unique than what you'd find at the local pharmacy or dollar store.  I'm happy to report they seem to be going over pretty well with the customers.

Sometimes, you just want to add that extra touch to your gift giving, so with that in mind, these little bags were "born".   Here's just a small sampling...most of them are one of a kind unique. For now, I pretty much try to use goodies I already have in the home.  

Do let me know which one is your favorite...

I also wanted to give you a little peek at the natural soaps I've been carrying at the shop. They're so yummy and are infused with Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, and Soybean oil.  Another big hit with the customers.  I've labeled them "A Soothing Moment in Time" since I just didn't think A Shabby Moment in Time conjured up comforting images for a peaceful bath..  :)

And lastly, although this pic was taken before Christmas, I wanted to show you this picture of some of the shop girls at Wrentham Country Store.  From left to right we have Deb, Mary, Mary Ellen~shop owner, me, and Karen C.  We are part of the Sunday Crew (except for Mary...she's a Tuesday girl but usually comes by to visit us on Sundays)  Love them all! A treasure...each and every one!!

For now I'll say goodnight, but I'll be taking some time to visit your blogs this week to see all the lovely things you've been up to.  See you then!
~Sharing this post with Faded Charm for White Wednesday

I'm so far behind, I think I'm in first place!

My blogger friends...I've missed you! I just recently returned from a week long trip to my happy place...

If you guessed someplace sunny and warm... you were right!

Ah...Sweet Florida....

I played hard all week with several good friends, and then came home and hit the ground running.

I began a forty hour a week temp job and the hours are 11:00 am to 7:30 pm five days a week. I'm grateful for the work, but the hours are tough.  I also work at the WCS every Sunday after church, so that leaves pretty much one day now to get "Life" done, if you know what I mean.

So...my blogging has suffered just a bit the last few weeks.  I'm trying to catch up on your blogs and find a way to keep mine updated...

Until then, be patient with me and know that I'm thinking of you all, and can't wait to oooh and ahhh over all your inspirations.

Until next post, I'll leave you with one little Christmas creation for the shop.
I made these little "Twelve Days of Christmas" Ornaments/Tags.

They are crafted from chipboard tags and of course numbers, tinsel, and glitter.

Close up, the glitter on them reminds me of sugar cookies...  mmmm!

These could be used for ornaments for a tree, or a base for an advent calendar, or even sweet gift tags for that special gift.

I think I'll link these up to Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground, since they do seem to have a vintage appeal...don't you think?

Jeanne d' Arc Magazine Giveaway Winner

I want to thank everyone who entered my giveaway. It was nice to see old friends and meet new ones as well.

And now, without further adieu~

The winner of my Jeanne d' Arc Magazine Giveaway is:

Faith Hope Cherrytea

Congratulations and please email me your home address.
(you can find my email by clicking the "contact me" button on my sidebar)

 I know you'll simply love this magazine!

A Vintage Fall Market Weekend ~ Part II

Ok friends~  Here is round two of our Vintage Fall Market Show at the Shop. 

If per chance you didn't see round one...please scroll down a couple posts...you won't be sorry!

This is one of Jeannie's two spaces.  I don't think there is ANYTHING Jeannie can't do or create!  Very talented lady~

Here's a shot of her second space.  Do you see that little vintage writing desk in the left hand corner? The one with the scrolly legs?

Alright...I'll zoom in so you can get a closer look.  All hand painted beauty and it even has a little drawer. See that little sold ticket? Yep, you guessed it. I had to buy it!

Don't know where in the world I'll put it, but as the old saying goes...if you really love something...you'll find a spot for it!

Here we have Sandi's incredible space (better known to all as A Cottage Muse)  Her displays for the show were over the top gorgeous!  Sandi's use of black and creams, mixed with that farm-style desk had me swooning.

Here's a shot of her lovely mirror and you can see some of her other excellent creations in the reflection.

Martha has a sweet space and a wonderful style. We're all loving her burlap banners.

Jackie has two spaces (soon to be three) and she fills them all to the brim with must-have treasures. (woops...didn't mean to show up in the reflection of the mirror)

Here's yet another view of Jackie's goodies....

Karen C. has this wonderful space filled with vintage and antiques. I also have the pleasure of working with her at the shop each Sunday afternoon.

This is the space of the ever lovely Pam (who just so happens to be my cousin) Pam is country/primitive all the way and does a magnificent job showcasing her finds.

Here's another shot of her Fall/Halloween wares

This space belongs to the talented dynamic duo, Maureen and Peter.  There isn't anything the two of them can't refinish or re-purpose.  I have personally purchased more than a few things from them!

Here is Sue Z's space. She is currently directly across from one of my spaces. I was tripping over myself to get to this dresser...only to find it had already sold! WAH!!  The drawer handles are fashioned from buttons....

Jeanine and Susan share the front room of  the store, and their displays always pack a punch. They're a wonderful first impression for the customers entering the store.

Kathy always has the best antique bottles on the block

Here is Nancy J.'s space.  She always finds the neatest goodies! (and I can almost always find something here I want)

Mary and Maureen....two of our shop girls

And here I am with Shop Keeper Mary Ellen. We had a wonderful Fall Weekend at the shop, thanks to all our devoted customers!

Wishing you all a perfect weekend! xoxo

The reward of the hunt...

Even with the busyness of readying for the Fall Market at the shop, I still 

managed to find time last weekend to do a little hunting...

Treasure hunting that is! 

Here's a little grouping of some of my finds.  These were captured (but none were harmed)  from several sources including (but not limited to) yard sales, local antique shops, and of course, right from the WCS where I rent space. 

Always happy to support my fellow dealers...  :)  Anywho...I'll show you close ups

First...I've been so excited to share this. See that pic below...the lovely bottle from The Beautiful Life?

Well, I've been coveting that for a couple weeks now from their website. I'm really loving the French Nordic look lately.  I think the price is around $26.00 and not a bad deal.

But...I was holding off, trying to behave (financially speaking)...ahem...cough cough

And then...look what I spied at a yard sale... and for only $3.00

A French Vinegar bottle which appears to be aged and still full of the vinegar to boot!

Here's the paper tag still on the back that reads product of France.  I just love when the sweet Lord rewards me with something so wonderful, and for much less than the original thing I wanted.  I imagine it makes Him smile when we wait on Him. 

This heavy iron chandelier was also found at a yard sale.  I LOVE the frenchness (is that a word?) of this, don't you?

Little Big Ben is actually a good size and I purchased this from Mary Ellen at the shop.  I was drawn to the aged patina around the edges, giving it an almost zinc- like appeal.

I also found these old covered jars for $3.00 each (at the same yard sale as the French Vinegar bottle) I think I may embellish them with some black numbers.

Here's that cross that I promised you a pic of in an earlier post. Isn't this fabulous? Rusty and crusty in all the right places. My biggest problem will be deciding which room gets to have it.

Picked up this vintage industrial look desk lamp at a local antiques shop for $14.99.  I was thrilled since I saw another like it in the same store for over $30.00.  My lucky day!!

Another yard sale find...an old iron creamer. Painted white...shabby and rusty with drippy paint.  Be still my heart!  This set me back $10.00 but I couldn't resist it's French Farmhouse look.

Lastly, I just wanted to show you a sign I painted for my space at the shop.  My fellow shop girl Maureen suggested I put the little vintage clock faces on the side....

since after all... I am A Shabby Moment in "TIME"

Well, I hope all your hunts are successful, finding that perfect treasure to "mount" on your wall!

I'm linking up with White Wednesday at Faded Charm and Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground.

Oh...and don't forget to enter my giveaway.  You still have until October 19th to enter. Click my giveaway button at the top right of my blog for details.