How Time Flies

Today is our 15th Anniversary! It seems like it was only a couple of years ago. But looking back, so much has happened in our lives. There have been changes - mostly good. Growing, moving ahead, adjusting, adapting, being comfortable while trying to keep life interesting. Lots of understanding, compromise and respect for one another. Oh, and did I mention love?

Lots of love.

It is an interesting story that began with this little guy...

who decided I needed to be introduced to this guy...

and I ended up with both guys - the apple of my eye and the love of my life.

How lucky am I?!? I thank my lucky stars everyday and know I have been blessed with the best. Have a great weekend! M.

Introducing ... Lily Rose

A few weeks ago I showed you a sneek peak of a special project.

Well, yesterday I delivered that little project to her new home! It was so much fun to reveal her to Connie, her new owner. She was so excited! (Sorry, not the best pic - the sun was so bright.)

I told Connie she would need to name her. She said she had a couple names in mind but would wait until she saw her to decide. Immediately, she said Lily Rose! I think it is a perfect fit.

Miss Lily Rose is a lucky girl. She will be able to enjoy the best of both worlds at between two new homes: one on the lake and the other at the beach. I think I might be a little jealous! M.

Workin' on my Workroom

I picked up the latest issue of "Where Women Create" last week. Not only does this publication make me want to spruce up my workroom, it inspires me to get busy too. Usually that's what I do -- get busy and make something.



Not this time. I decided my workroom needed a little change. Not a big change, but something. It's a really small room so with having to take into consideration closet doors, a window, Internet and TV cables, there isn't much variation with furniture placement. I decided to bring in a little bookshelf that I store in the garage as a prop for shows. What the heck? Why not use it? I moved an old storage piece to the other side of the room and placed the bookshelf on top of my old farm table . I stacked all the cigar boxes and glass jars that house some of my treasures on it. Imagine - more work space on the table top! More workspace is such a bonus. Since my rolls of paper are always a mess and tend to fall out of the old hops baskets, I brought in my market cart. It works great - at least until I need my cart again. I'll deal with that later.



I got this idea from another magazine. I had just taken this old wire dish drainer out to the garage. What was I thinkin'? It makes the best holder for files and pencils!



I didn't do much to this storage piece except clean out the cubbies. I found some great stuff I had forgotten about! Eventually I will add some old pulls to the bottom drawer.

This is where I placed the old storage piece that had been on the farm table. I keep all my stamps, ink, scraps of lace, ribbon, etc. in it. Love it. It sets on another bookshelf where I store my old pics, postcards, etc. behind a little curtain.


Okay, this is where I could use some input. I removed the drawers to a couple of cheap, cardboard storage pieces and repurposed it to hold my wire project baskets. They are tucked under the farm table. Here's my dilemma: Should I paint the icky brown/ivy cardboard boxes ivory or should I add a skirt to the table and hide the storage underneath all together? I know an old, linen skirt would look great, but I would have to push it aside every time I want to remove a basket from under the table. Function or aesthetics? Let me know what you think.


All of that moving and re-organizing led to a lot of cleaning and dusting. What a great feeling! My little mannequin even seems happier!

Now, I really do need to get busy and work on some projects. Let me know what you think: should I paint or make a skirt? M.

Special Little Project

One of the shoppers at the 4 Friends sale in March asked if she could special order a certain item. It was something that I had pieced together over several years and wasn't sure I could find all the items needed to make another.

It must have been "meant to be" because I quickly found all the elements I needed! Here are a few sneak peaks.

I don't want to show too much so I can surprise "her" new owner. Once she is settled in her new home, I will follow up with completed pictures. Hope your week flies by and don't forget the season opening of Barn House this Saturday, May 9! M.

Shopping Extravaganza

If you needed to find that special something to add to your home, vacation cottage, garden -- whatever -- the Whimsical Wishes Show in Camas and the Home and Garden Show at Monticello certainly provided an abundance of temptations and treasures. At both events, there were so many things that called out to me. If you know me very well, you know that I'm not usually a shopper. But Saturday was a different story! I filled the back of Diane's van. Poor Diane! She was so patient. God bless her.

I found several pieces to use as props in upcoming events: two chippy, white tables, a frame which will become a large chalk board and two fabulous, old, tall shutters. I haven't taken pictures of them, but trust me, they are great! I can't wait to put them to work at the next show.

Julie and Christa did a wonderful job at their show in Camas. Loved the warm banana bread. How did they know it is my all-time favorite? The showers and wind didn't deter us. So many great vendors. I was caught up in a little shopping frenzy/fog and didn't get everyone's names, so you need to visit Julie and Christa's blog for vendor information. I did take a few pictures of things that caught my eye. I can't believe how I'm drawn to the cream and sepia color palatte.

I guess the pictures prove it! I did manage to walk away from this great chest full of storage and cubbies. It was tough though! I still love it ... hmm... wonder if it is still there?

After a stop at the Camas Antique Mall and some lunch, we headed to Monticello. Shopping was still in full swing there! We "fluffed" our space, added a few new items, then did some serious browsing. Everyone did a outstanding job providing the most wonderful stuff. I was particularily drawn to Melanie Corson's space. Once again, I didn't take any pictures, but take my word for it - it was the best. I felt like I had stumbled into the most lovely, old garden filled with chippy, white, old iron garden pieces, ferns, etc. This sweet terrarium has a new home on my coffee table. My hubby even thinks it pretty special! Melanie has a shop on NE Fremont (All My Favorite Things) and a space at STARS. I plan to visit her shop during my next trip to Portland this Saturday.

Melanie is the sweetest gal. Several months ago I won her blog give-away and received three doll heads. I have to admit that I haven't been a collector in the past, but I love these three. I keep moving them around in my workroom and switching out their crowns! They even inspired my to make a whimsical piece that is currently for sale at Monticello. Again, I didn't take a picture but it is the only doll head in our space with a nest full of eggs on her head! My husband says it's creepy, but it makes me laugh. Don't worry Melanie, your doll heads are safe in my workroom. I'm keepin' em!

Now it's time to get to work. I have a mannequin to put together and I will take a picture when I'm done! Take care and have a good week! M. PS: I am having problems adding blog links, so you can visit Kindred Roses and All My Favorite Things through links in my list of favorites on the left.

Great Places to Shop this Weekend!

Today begins an antique shopper's dream! The fun starts at 10 a.m. this morning at the Monticello Antique Marketplace on Southeast Stark Street in Portland. This special Home and Garden Show runs through May 24th. Many, many great vendors with loads of wonderful stuff. Be prepared to spend some time taking it all in. It's well worth it!

Then, beginning at 10 a.m. tomorrow morning, the Whimsical Wishes Show opens. This show is hosted by Kindred Roses in Camas, Washington. (Check her blog for directions.) Over the past few weeks, Julie and Christa have been providing pictures of what we can expect to see. All I know is -- I'm getting there early!

I have a feeling that after attending these shows, you will have satisfied your antique/junque need for a while. Or - atleast until the next great show comes along! Hope to see you there. M.

Home & Garden Show - Monticello

I was just reading my last post and noticed that I was going to provide a sneak peek at what I've been working on. Well, I'm a little late! Since the show is almost here, I will just show you what it all looks like set up! Diane and I spent most of Monday arranging our space. We decided to add more color this time - so it looks sweet and lively! Since I'm running behind on time today (this seems to be the norm lately), I will just post some pictures for you.

This show begins this Friday, April 24th at 10 a.m. and runs through May 24th. The entire shop is just full of merchandise and the guest vendors are adding the most wonderful collections to the mix. Hope you can make it! M.