the best laid plans ~

i had everything set to go...bella workshop schedule printed out with a very detailed, highlighted, doodled on system for class choices,
links all opened in several tabs, credit card ready...

and the link would N-O-T open!!! believe me, it was not pretty. my visions of glitter and bellas and blissful creativity were quickly dissolving before my eyes, and no amount of refreshing made the magic link appear...then queen teresa jumped in, always so gracious, trying to help. finally, another sweet friend, sadie, offered the magic link, and *poof* all was right in my world!
it was a cliffhanger, but i'm going to silver bella!

and the icing on the cake...i'm going to be a vendor!
when i got the e-mail from teresa i was over the moon thrilled to say the least! hubby and big girl were in the kitchen and i was dancing around...well, hubby says i was jumping, and big girl says i was skipping, anyway i could not be contained! very excited and so thrilled to finally meet more of my wonderful blog friends and customers in person ~ the icing on the cake for sure!

sweet bella dreams ~

a totally random post

this was how the morning started ~ i heard a strange noise and looked out the window, aren't turkeys supposed to gobble? this one cackles. poor thing doesn't know what to do with itself, it's been hanging around for a week now, separated from it's flock. guess he's trying to make friends with smoochie ~ they went round and round the car, it was so funny! a couple days ago, when the little one was going to walk downtown, she came back in screaming, the turkey was apparently guarding the driveway and wouldn't let her out. yesterday, mr. turkey came right up to big girl and her friend while they were laying out by the pool ~ they screamed, and he flew way up into the tree. i thought turkey's couldn't fly? what's up with this crazy turkey ~ poor thing. not sure where he went, but i'm sure he'll be back! screaming and all he's just looking for a little love.

a lot of excitement can happen before 6 a.m. at least that's what i tell my kids, as they sleep their mornings away. i love starting my days in the garden, it's so peaceful ~ what? doesn't everyone garden in their jammies? i've claimed my daughter's crocs as my gardening shoes ~ the rest of my gardening attire hasn't come as far!


front porch ~ not sure why they call these roses "carpet roses," mine grow right up the porch

the wisteria didn't do much blooming this year ~ not sure why, but i love how full it gets, you can hardly see the pergola, and it's so fun to walk under!


my little garden by the shed ~ the pink roses are bursting!

loving these sweet fresh strawberries picked right from the farm down the street why can't we have delicious strawberries like this all year ~ yummie!

breakfast ~ couldn't help myself!

i'm declaring friday's this summer ~ NO WORK days! enough already, it's summer after all, and they're way too short here. my biggest challenge ~ getting teenagers out of bed before noon ~ maybe i can bribe them with strawberry shortcakes!

have a beautiful day!

drumroll please ~

i truly wish i could send each of you a prize!

but here we go... and the lucky winners are ~

jill ~ cottage memories

peggy meyer graminski

and here you can see the mountain of crepe i need to package and ship out this morning! to the lucky winners, please send me an e-mail with your picks
(peek in my shop for choices.)
i'll get them right out to you!


to everyone who played along and stopped by my little corner of the world, thank you for all your sweet comments, i appreciate and treasure each and every one! if you'd like you can use the coupon above for your next purchase of crepe ruffle trim, ~ just convo me on etsy to redeem.

favorite flea finds ~

good morning everyone, and happy father's day!

here are just a few of my favorite flea market finds ~

this first one is a McCoy birdbath pot. when i saw it my heart definitely skipped a beat! i knew i had to have it, but thought i'd have to brace myself for the price. turns out i got it for a song, didn't even barter ~ $15! i love the vintage aqua blue color. i bought it at brimfield market many years ago.

isn't the little bird just so sweet?
she has a curious little expression on her face

here are some of my italian tole chandeliers
(and a candelabra)

the pink rose chandelier (top left) is very sentimental to me.
about 15 years ago it was the first piece i spied at the brimfield market, but $160 was a bit steep for me. i couldn't get it out of my head though and went back as we were leaving ~ at this point i had to borrow a few bucks from my girlfriend because it was coming home with me!
when i walked in with it hubby asked where is that going?
now he gets it and asks, where do you want me to put that?
it is the piece that started a huge shift in my decorating, and little by little my cottage was transformed into a home that looked like i lived there. i love when people say, "that's so you," don't you?

have a wonderful father's day! i will be updating throughout the day. you can see the list of bloggers participating in my previous post. i'm off to bake 4 dozen cupcakes and a lemon meringue pie for my dad. it's his wife's b-day too so we're having a big celebration!



p.s. sherri (tied up in ribbons) please leave a link so all of us can see your lovely treasures! and everyone, don't forget to upload your treasures to flickr!

show & tell sunday ~ flea market finds

Hello everyone!

I am so excited to host this week's Show & Tell Sunday!

The topic this week, June 15th, will be your Favorite Flea Market Find(s.) You know, the one that made your heart skip a beat when you spied it out of the corner of your eye, the one you slowly meandered towards hoping not to draw attention to, then casually asked the dealer in your calmest of voices, "what's your best price on this?" Which was quickly followed by, "I'LL TAKE IT!"

Post about your treasured piece(s), or collections ~ we'd love to see them, and read their story of how they came to you!

Enjoy ~

Here's the list of bloggers joining in ~

Teena ~ Kitschen Pink ~ Musings of an Eclectic Mind
Creative Musings with Mya
Stephanie ~ Angelic Accents
Polly ~ Counting Your Blessings
Melissa ~ Charmed Life
Miss Rhea's ~ Sweet n Shabby Roses
Jenn ~ Mysteries of the Juniper
Creative Rants from Nerissa
Rene ~ Miss Gracies House
Joanna ~ Sweet Finds
Kristin ~ My Polka Dotted World
Heidi ~ Just Being Crafty
Kathy ~ The Apron Queen
Di ~ Mamma B's Attic
Jeanie ~ The Marmalade Gypsy
Sadie Lou Who ~ Whimsical Creations
Couture de Papier
Sherri ~ Tied up in Ribbons
Lorena ~ Rose Chic Friends
Elly ~ My Everyday Things
Vintage Looking Glass
Lisa's Retro Style
Nancy ~ My Crafty Little Page
Steph ~ Sunshine and Ravioli
Barbara ~ Oodles and Doodles
Shannon ~ Faith and Chocolate
She's Sew Pretty
Karen ~ Cider Antiques
Andrea ~ Vintage Paper Bella
Fitty's Pinky Rose Cottage
Jill ~ Cottage of Memories
Vickie ~ Hollyhocks
Dolly ~ From My Cherry Heart
Karla's Cottage
Dede ~ Dream Create Share
Cerri ~ Little Pink Studio
Laverne ~ Riverside Studios
Mary Ann ~ Firstborn
Keli ~ A Galloping Horse
Black Eyed Susan's Kitchen

everyone into the pool ~

if you live on the east coast i don't need to tell you it has been H-O-T!
we have spent the last couple days by the pool trying to stay cool.

one of the best things about working from home - no stuffy dress code.
today my "office" attire has been a bikini and bare feet.
i know what you're thinking, and no, photos will not be posted, phew!
with no a/c i've moved operations downstairs to my dining room which hubby has named my official "seat shop." he's just kidding of course, i mean, it doesn't get much cooler than being able to work in your bikini!
one of my sweet customers said, "i could just swim in these ruffles!" that's what i've been doing, swimming in piles of ruffles! thank you, i really appreciate all your support! after many requests for pale blue ruffles, i'm happy to announce i have finally found a color and quality that i like in a pastel baby blue. i'll have them listed
in the shop tomorrow!

and don't forget to enter my giveaway, click the link to leave a comment for a chance to win!

stay cool ~

fun stuff & giveaway ~

so much to tell all of you...

if you are looking for the perfect bridal shower or wedding gift, look no further than these lovely gift baskets full of treasured keepsakes, that sadie lou put together with the help of CSST contributing artists ~ too much fun! they are being sold on etsy, so go on over and take a peek!

more goodies...

these little candy cups were my contribution
each is adorned with vintage lilly of the valley millinery

this month's offerings at glitter & grunge
a cottage mirror, summer journal, sweet nest, and whimsical bird basket

a while back kara & darcy from mcmaster & storm contacted me about creating some little lovelies for their sweet department store ~ here's a sneak peek at one of the petite treasures that will be available soon. they were taking their sweet time arriving ~ hope they're there now!

and for a limited time ~ crepe trim collection in patriotic stripe,
the perfect touch to spark up your summer crafts and festivities!


just in time for summer travels and lazy days ~
i'm having a blue skies & sunny days giveaway!


two lucky winners will win six packages each of ruffled crepe trim!
it's my way of saying thank you to all of you who have supported my little business and my blog. the best part is that you get to choose the colors and styles you want! make sure to leave a link where i can reach you.
take a peek in my shop to see all the delicious colors and styles.
drawing will close on june 17th at midnight est, and winners will be drawn june 18th.

best of luck!

~ bridal basket photos taken by sadie lou