July 10, 2012

Thank You Times Three

Guess what arrived in the mail yesterday?




You would be right if you guessed "Vintage by Nina"! I won this in the giveaway at the beautiful "Burlap Luxe" Blog!  A million thank you's Dore!




I absolutely love it.  And it's autographed to boot!  ~sigh



Page after page of eye candy...



Inspiration...



and ideas for every room...


Vignettes to drool over...




and every shade of white and cream in the universe!  Oooh...I'm a happy girl!  
Thanks again Dore!



Then I came home from work  today to find a special delivery from a precious friend!
This beautiful bouquet of fresh hydrangeas...


a pretty journal to record thoughts, prayers, and dreams....



and "tissue to go", because she knows that in this season of my life, 
"Tears are sometimes words the heart cannot say".  Thank you Erin! I love you.


And last but certainly not least,  I popped over to Common Ground Blog this evening to see who the winners were in Debra's giveaway for the much anticipated new Carolyn Westbrook  book "Through the French Doors".  Imagine my sheer delight to find that I was one of the lucky blessed winners!
Thank you Debra!!
What a fantastic couple of days for sure!  So again...thank you times three to
Dore
Erin
& Debra!
xoxoxo
karens sig 2

July 4, 2012

A Fabulous Week in Review

What a wonderful week last week was!  Do you mind if I tell you a bit about it?  First off, I received these darling mini clips in the mail from Rhonda at "A little bit French" ....  They are gorgeous beyond belief...  And can you see those little card stock images behind the clips? Rhonda was so sweet to add them to my order...

 So I used them to embellish a couple of my little gift bags like this....
and this.... 
The last Sunday of June I had the pleasure of "pickin" with two of the loveliest souls you'll ever want to meet.  None other than Susan from "Evelyn and Rose" and Michelle from "Petite Michelle Louise".

I met up at Michelle's house, which is about an hours drive from me.   From there we drove to Todds Farm Flea Market, which is approx. another 45 minute drive...and there we met up with Susan. (oh and can I tell you that Michelle graciously gave me a tour of her home first??  There are no words to describe the beauty, detail and pure style of this woman's home...truly!!!)

Here we are holding some new found treasures from dollar row...
Susan, Michelle and I
This was one of my favorite finds at Todds Farm.  Chippy and Shabby in all the right places.  I used a magic eraser when I got home to clean off the coat of dirt she was hidden under...and just look at her now!!
I scored this print at Todd's Farm also...very Jeanne D'Arc in style!
An old standing fruit scale was also begging to come home with me...but not without a little haggling, hemming and hawing  for just the right price.   :)
Just couldn't resist this vintage evening clutch with rhinestone clasp...along with the softest pair of leather gloves.... Thanks for showing this to me girls...
But this is what totally sold me on the clutch...look at the inside!!!  sigh!
The next stop was at The White Elephant in Essex, MA.  Another treasure trove of fun and excitement for all three of us.  Michelle and Susan couldn't wait to show me the one dollar and five dollar sections. (my personal favorites)



On Michelle and Susan's first visit to the White Elephant, they thought it would be fitting to hold old rakes and pitchforks for the camera since after all...they were "pickin".  We thought it would be good fun to keep up the "tradition". 

Michelle and Susan ~ aren't they adorable?



Michelle and I



Susan and I
Here they are looking over some "possibilities"



Unearthing discarded treasures is such a thrill! And so much more fun with like minded friends!! 
I was so amazed by Michelle's uncanny ability to have a "vision" for every piece we picked up. And right away...she doesn't miss a beat! I came home inspired by her creativity for sure!

This old wheel come home with me...



And I was lucky enough to find yet another Jeanne D'Arc style print....  woo hoo!  But this was at our third stop.... Pettingill Farm's Vintage Bazaar.  They hold a show twice a year, and we just happened to hit it that day. 
You'll have to stop by Michelle's blog to see pics soon of Pettingill Farm. I was too busy with my jaw on the ground...and running from vendor to vendor to take my camera back out.



And if all that excitement wasn't enough, I was humbled to be gifted with this sweet bathing beauties candle created by Michelle. Thank you dear friend... I love it!
And sweet Susan totally surprised me by gifting me with this beautiful copy of Somerset Life, that BOTH SHE and MICHELLE are published in. Thank you so much Susan!!  It went on sale July 1st so be sure to grab a copy.  These remarkable ladies blew me away with their writing style AND creativity inside these pages. ( I should have thought to have them autograph it for me... hee hee)


And are you ready for this?? ... the very next day after this incredible excursion, I found that I won the Vintage by Nina giveaway at Burlap Luxe.  An autographed copy is on it's way to me as I write this.  I'm so thrilled! Thank you Dore!


I know this has been a long post...but I couldn't help it!! Just had so many blessings to share.  I hope to  show you soon where all the treasures land... (and also the ones that I haven't shared here yet) Be sure to check out Susan and Michelle's blog to see all their sweet treasures too.
I'm linking this week with:



 HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY TO ALL!!!
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June 20, 2012

Six Different Whites and Six Bragging Rights

My six different whites are split between home and shop

Three Whites from home...

I purchased this long vintage feed sack from fellow shop girl Martha with the intent of using it on my dining table.  I just wasn't lovin' it there...you know how that happens sometimes??
But I decided I was lovin' it HERE on my little ruffled love seat.  You like?
My second whites to show are these vintage photos that I've tucked into an old typewriter. This sits atop my jelly cupboard in my front hall.
My third white from home is showcasing my shabby, vintage, rusty mailbox on my front porch. It's very similar to a brown one that Sandi (aka A Cottage Muse) has for sale in the shop.  I just love the scalloped edge on the lid!


Three whites from the shop:  I actually took these pics a few weeks ago, but I still want to share them for all the Parties this week....


Look at these yummy vintage Farmer's Almanacs rolled up and tied with lace... Deb had offered these beauties~
Mary Ellen (aka Shop Owner) had this beautiful prom/wedding dress on display...



























And I loved this vignette of Sandi's...the contrasts of the whites, creams and browns were 
TRULY swoon worthy!
Ok...that's it for my six different Whites from home and shop...


Now for my Six  Bragging Rights...Since IT IS White Wednesday....and since FOUR of my six grandchildren have blonde hair...I thought they would qualify for White Wednesday showcasing! What do ya think? Well...indulge me anyway...  hee hee

The following three are sisters and brother:
Meet Emma Elizabeth (almost 7 years old)

Next I'd like to introduce Isabel Jane (5 years old)


Here is Abram Richard  (2 years old...and TODAY is his birthday in fact)

Now only one of the three grandchildren below have blonde hair...but I knew you wouldn't deny me the privilege of showing them ALL off.  These sweetie pies live in Florida so I don't have as many single pics of each of them...but I LOVE this one of them all together. Two brothers and one sweet sister.



Caleb James  is the cutie with the blonde hair (almost 4 years old)
Dustin Daniel is the doll in the middle (almost 2 years old)
Emily Grace is the beauty on the end (almost 7 years old)

I will be going to Florida this summer to visit them...can hardly wait!

Hope you've enjoyed my "whites" this time around.  

I'm linking up with 

                                                               White Wednesday 

karens sig 2

June 13, 2012

"Statue Thoughts"

He:  "So scared and alone... who IS she?"
She: "I don't know, but she can stay over there...I don't trust her"
He: "But why my love? We don't even know her... Shouldn't we invite her over 
and at least say hello?"
She: "But I'm afraid"!
He: "Why dearest one?"

She: "Look at me...I'm so chippy, old, and worn....and she's so beautiful, smooth
and new! How could I ever compare?"
He: "That's not what I see when I look at you.  I see years of a life well spent...of loving, giving, grace, and character.  It takes YEARS to become as beautiful as you!!"
She: "Really?"

He: "Yes, I only have eyes for you...truly!  And besides...have you noticed that we're joined together? I couldn't depart from you even if I wanted to...
(but don't worry...I'll never want to)"
She: "Allright then, I feel  much better now. Let's invite her to come closer"

He:  "See...that wasn't so bad."  
She: "She's very quiet"
She: "And modest too... I'm glad about that"



She: "I think we could become friends ~ We DO have to live in the same house after all..."
He: "And look...she brought flowers as a token of her friendship"

He: "Your beauty compares to none. I will never leave you nor forsake you."

She: "And I love you to the moon and back again.  Shall we go for our evening walk?"
He: "Yes, should we invite her to join us?"



























She: "NO!"


I'm linking up this week with:


                                                               White Wednesday 

karens sig 2