Moving Day...

This past week has had a big change for me. 

I moved out of the antique mall where I've sold for over 15 years.

 

And today I began the move into a new space in a different location...

 

It's a little scary...  The shop is small and trying to get revitalized.

  While I was setting up - it was encouraging to see the shoppers

come through.  There were even several familiar faces! 

Will they like my stuff is the question. 

I definitely have a more 'cottage' flair than the other dealers.  

But - I get a whole room all to myself and look at it...

 

 

 Those old white board walls practically beg for 'cottage'. 

And it also has 3 windows!  They hurt wall space a bit -

but you can't beat natural light!

This old built in cupboard opens into my room and is available for my use. (squeal!)

And my heart skipped a beat when I noticed the old lace curtains

 already hanging at the windows...

 

 

I'm thinking it already feels like home.  And there's a peace in my heart.

 The rent is right - I got my favorite room in the whole building -

 there is a new (very busy!) ice cream restaurant across the road -
 the people are very nice - God seems to be saying 'yes' -

so we'll give it a whirl!

Change is good for the soul I'm finding...

 

Decorating A Room With 'Issues'...

 Are there areas or rooms in your home that you almost despise
 because they have 'issues'?  

Perhaps the floor needs replaced or the ceiling isn't finished... 

 

Today I helped a  friend see past the 'issues' of her basement. 

 I have no 'whole-room' pictures to show you because there still

 piles of things that need going through.  But after getting the furniture

in a cozy arrangement - we worked on a few vignettes.

 These help distract from anything in the room that is less-than-best.

 

Amazingly - she had just inherited an awesome dome topped trunk.  

A little stool inside for height would have been perfect - but we had none. 

So we stood up an abandoned drawer (yes really) and covered it in lace.

 

 

The lamp is electrified and needs rewired.  But here?  

It  doesn't matter if it works or not!

 

 

I was delighted to find some old books on her book shelves. 

This Mother Goose piece is a gem!

 

This next grouping on another old chest was a happy coincidence.

  We started with the child's chair and the window (another recent acquisition).  

Then we found the checkers game packed away in another room.

  Perfect!  

I'd like to believe that someone just may decide to play with it again,

now that it's 'out' and looking cute...

 

 My friend has blessed me many times over the years. 

Today - I had the privilege of blessing a bit in return -

all while doing one of my favorite things! 

Life is good...

Linking to Knick of Time's Vintage Inspiration Party and
What's It Wednesday

 

Throwing a Party With A Busy Schedule...

I decided to throw a Girl's Day Out Party
at our nearby summer cottage.   
As usual - I had precious little time to plan and create. 
So I resorted to my 'panic' method. 

 

First - I pray for ideas and a bit of creativity. 
Second - decide on a simple menu and ask others to bring something. 
Third - plan a simple décor. 
Fourth - think of an activity or 2. 
Fifth - be OK with what doesn't get done!

 

For this party's decor- I was thinking 'feminine'
 and 'What do I already have on hand?'   
I chose lace tablecloths, flowers from my garden and aqua mason jars. 
I also wanted something to serve as a canopy to say 'party'. 

 

I ripped an old white tablecloth into strips and tied them together
to create a long ribbon and then tied on shorter pieces 
here and there for a cascading effect.  
I may have spent about an hour on this project the night before. 

 

As I was hanging the bunting the next morning -
my neighbor  thought it looked like toilet paper.  (smile) 
 

I arranged bouquets onsite from a bucket of flowers from my garden at home - also snipped the night before. 

I figured whatever I didn't get done in décor before everyone got there -
we'd work at together once they did. 
(A great way to take pressure off!)

 

 

 

Bouquets were scattered on various lace-covered tables...

 

 

...and I called the 'decor' done! 

 (Amazingly - I got done before any guests arrived!)

 

So what was my simple menu?  

Chicken Salad (with grapes) on Croissants

Strawberry and Walnut Lettuce Salad with Celery Seed Dressing

Fresh Fruit Platter

Candy

 

I asked everyone else to bring (if their schedule allowed)
either a snack, appetizer or dessert.

Activity?   After lunch some went hiking and some went thrift shopping. 
We connected again at the cottage for a bit of chatting before we departed.

 

Worked out great!  Thank you Lord for an awesome day with friends!

Linking to the Let's Talk Vintage party

Big and Simple Bouquet...

Proof post that simple is often best...   

My hardy dahlias always fall over and alas - I don't have them staked.  

No worries.  The drooped stems make a great excuse

 to cut a whole bunch and bring them indoors.

Now I've one massive sunshiny bouquet by my front door... 

 

And it's just one flower variety...

Yeah for simple pleasures!

 Have you been bringing in garden cuttings?

~~~~~~~

Today's Etsy listing - Vintage 14" Braided Mat