A Change of Scene is a Good Thing

Yes, a change of scene is good, but what makes it really special is the new little person who joined our family on February 19.  Catherine Ann arrived as the first little girl after two boys, and it is a good thing.  

When the oldest, Andrew, was told there would be a new baby in the house, but that it could be a baby brother or sister, he proclaimed that it would be a girl, because he already had a little brother and didn't need a another one.

 And obviously, they think this tiny little person is quite special.

Nana put a sign on the door of the shop, packed up a few girly outfits, and a bit of nursery decor and headed west to Salt Lake City.What a nice change of pace: cuddling a new baby, and cooking for a family of five instead of for just the two of us, walking outside in sometimes 60 degree weather, visiting with daughter Elaina and being around a couple of very active little boys, who actually couldn't wait for papa to arrive because he is a lot more fun.

And, of course, we had fun dressing little Catherine.

 

And did we mention that she has shoes. One of Elaina's friends has a girl who has outgrown some shoes and she sent a couple of bags of them to Elaina for Catherine. Apparently people love to buy shoes for baby girls. 

It was certainly a full 10 days and we were a bit sad to say goodbye. We won't see them again until May, and there will be such a change by then. 

I do wish families were not so separated from each other. It was really nice to grow up and raise children in the same city as our parents where we could just drop in, as could they, have coffee, go to lunch, etc., but, we will be grateful for messages and emails and photos - until we meet again.

Giving a new look to the shop, Happy Valentine's Day!, and Cabin Fever

I have been working on setting the shop and getting ready for spring. Using a headboard as wall art is easy when it is aluminum - nice and light. This one is for a full sized bed. It was shiny gold, but I spray painted it, so it resembles copper with a bluish green patina. Would work very well in a garden as a focal point and as a structure for climbing plants.

Also, on the wall (beside multiple nail holes) is this old shadow box with vintage satin and lace baby shoes. The shoes are a pale peach color as is the rose in the plated sugar bowl and some beautiful, never-used note cards that were issued by Avon as part of its President Club series. They have delicate embossing around the edges and are over-all very sweet. I wish I were better at note writing. It means so much to take the time to communicate with the special people in our lives. 


 

Speaking of special people, Happy Valentine's Day to you all.  In the valentine spirit, this terrarium was transformed from a shelter for a snowy evergreen and vintage brass reindeer to a display of valentine treasures: a vintage red, velvet-lined, silver tone trinket box; a heart ornament; and a red and white transferware creamer with twigs, all perched on a white paper doily.













Speaking of twigs, we have a few twig arrangements. 
Cups and vases and pitchers have become miniature aviaries attracting at least one bird. They help us look forward to the end of winter and to the possibility of spring.



And finally, speaking of spring, let's welcome it with a great vintage market coming February 21st and 22nd, at Stella & Notte, 1416 N. Main St. in Rockford. 

 How's that for trying to tie together a few non-related themes?

Winter Doldrums, Cabin Fever, and an Indoor Market

Is this frigid midwest winter as difficult for everyone else as it is for me? I slept until 7:45 Sunday morning - don't remember the last time I did that. I sat around in my robe until after 1:00 in the afternoon, since we were not going to church until 5:00. I really want to hibernate.

I was working on a couple of promotional pieces (in my robe), one for myself, an ad for a monthly newspaper, Market Street Press.  Lisa, the editor, publisher, ad salesperson called on me a couple of times, and I decided to give it a try just in time for her Valentine's Day edition.  I added red, my favorite color to an ad I had originally placed in a neighborhood newsletter. I had wanted to use the business card ad shown on the right below, but, it is not as easy to read.

The second project was a postcard for Jeanine who has a new business called Stella and Notte. It is another vintage store.  Jeanine has decided to have a winter indoor market event in her big bright beautiful space with street-lined display windows. She named it, what else, but, Cabin Fever. Jeanine already had the artwork, so after downloading a new appropriate font, I designed the card.

I will be helping her get the store set up for the event.  Markets are fun because you get to hang out with people who share your interests. It motivates me to find new products, develop a theme, work on a display, and hopefully attract new customers.

With Cabin Fever, I will work on a lodge theme with rustic and outdoorsy projects, introducing some spring-themed items since March will be just a week away!

There will be some new and interesting vendors  with hand crafted and, of course vintage goodies. And, we are hoping all of our blog followers who live in the area will put this event on their calendars and join us the weekend of February 21 and 22 from 10-4.

With the cold blizzard conditions descending upon us, a huge pot of chicken soup made, and the shop closed on Monday and Tuesday, hibernation will continue. Stay warm.

Happy New Year, Downton Abbey Fans

 

Breakfast is served. Breakfast time, anytime, it's tea time. And what nicer way to serve it, than in this Ellgreave English china teapot.  Note the hanky in the background.  It is part of a delightful hanky, lace, and girly print garland, hand made and perfect for a wedding, tea party, shower, or any other girly function.
 

Oh, and don't forget the wee ones with this English Royal Doulton delight: Bunnykins  child set of dishes, cup, bowl, and plate. Judging from the mark on the back, these are from the 80's and they are in beautiful condition.

 

At breakfast, you will also want this English plated toast rack. Toast your bread, cut it on the diagonal, and place in rack. Serving it on a crystal/silver pedestal stand serves two purposes: helps stage your table and catch the crumbs. 

Dip your toast in a soft boiled egg served in the vintage stainless egg cups shown behind the rack.

Note the cruets in the plated mini carrier, perfect to accompany your salad luncheon.

And, of course, we have decanters for your post dinner sherry or brandy by the fire.

All occasions call for a "chapeau", a nice little vintage wool hat complete with hat pin, plus a feather or veil.
White gloves and scarf complete the picture.

For the occasional trip to London or the sea, don't forget your train case, complete with long handled bakelite or plated clothing brushes. 

Silver, crystal, finery of any kind help make your Downton Abbey experience memorable.

Enjoy Downton, and visit Just A Second to enhance your decor with a few bits of England.

Peace and Joy

Whether you are home or away, near or far, in a crowd or alone, may the peace and joy of Christmas be with you as you look for the little miracles in your lives. I am most grateful for all of you and wish for you the blessings of this grace-filled season. 

It's not about the Money

As I am sure I have mentioned before, I am a member of "The Mending Club",started by Sandy, and made up of many of us who met through The Pink Cupboard, Sandy's beautiful shop of vintage and carefully selected new goodies, which used to be housed in The Prairie Street Brewery. Many of us have been together since then and a few of us have opened shops. The Mending Club exists to mend hearts, and lives, and friendships.

Last night was our annual one dollar, yes, that is $1.00 gift exchange and dinner party, this time at the beautiful log home of Terri, one of our most recent members.

 

I have to share the dollar gifts, purchased or created by our little group.  Among them are decor items like this stuffed felt snowman hanger and the glittered, stuffed embellished mitten, or the beautiful fresh greens and touch of glitz arrangement in a lovely detailed vase, plus mini silvery acorns used to surround the bleached, sparkly bottle brush tree with painstakingly, carefully created mini banner Christmas greeting. 

 
There are also the antique and collectible items such as this old tin film canister containing an actual film strip. Notice the label on the tin, Christmas Joys. How appropriate and special is that!

Then there are the kitchen items, from recipes, to cookie cutters and cookie mix to the mini cheese grater, to a pot and pan scraper (apparently necessary with said recipe) some with beautiful cards, or hand made tags, or creative packaging, all for $1.00, not including valuable time, of course.

 


Finally, there are the personal goodies from hand made pins, to everyday but essential emory boards (decorated of course), to a detailed felt mini-shoulder bag. Are you amazed? I always am. Let's hear it for the Mending Club and the joyful and creative spirit it embodies!

In conclusion, I wish a Merry Christmas to all, with a reminder to count the many blessings in our lives, one of the most important of which, is friendship.

Just Barely Making Do

We have always cut down a tree, but this year, it is out of the question because of John's recent open heart surgery. So I broke down and popped into the Salvation Army after our monthly "class of '62" breakfast, and there, hiding behind some stuff, was this poor little tree, not pre-lit but strung with lights. 

One string had a bulb missing.  I didn't have much hope that the lights would work.

I put the tree in the back of the van.  It is only 3-4 ft tall, but it was pretty heavy.

When I dragged it through the back door, I wasn't expecting a very warm reception, because John had not wanted a table top tree.  His feelings were better no tree than having no real tree, and certainly not a table top tree. Good thing for him, he did add that he was sure I could make it beautiful.

Lo and behold, the lights did work and I didn't have to add lights to our mini tree.  I replaced random white bulbs with color ones since John has to have some color. I describe it as colored jewels among diamonds. 

simple round ornament with band

I really didn't want to go up to the attic in this cold and bring down the ornament boxes when I needed so few ornaments. I did have a few vintage ornaments I had picked up at an estate sale, so decided to use just those. 

A really worn glass bell

glass grape cluster

Santa in fiber oval with flower and large tear drop

And, then I wrapped the stand in a bit of a skirt with a bell on it, to which I added another old bell and a small train engine.  Does it suggest The Polar Express to you?  It does to me.

Vintage tin Ohio Art tea cup

tree on top of tea table

The tree itself is sitting on the grandchildrens' little tea table, so I thought it only appropriate that there be some Ohio Art tin tea cups hanging on the tree. 

 

We did top it with our traditional cross.

But, all in all, there are not many more of our own traditions on this tree. However, for this year, it is our tree, and it does warm up a little corner of our living room. (John says it looks nice - for a nursing home)