happy halloween

Joan Walsh Anglund

Wishing you a happy and healthy Halloween! I am hoping that my own little trick-or-treaters will be feeling well enough to be out scampering about the neighborhood.

xo

the shabby report

Just a quick hello with news of some pretty offerings from our creative blogging friends.


Vintage Lizzie is having her first giveaway! You are sure to SWOON!


Tami at Cupcake Studio has stocked her shop with adorable treats for the holiday season.


Cindy at Cute Pink Stuff is having a sale!

Happy browser browsing (the online version of window shopping) to all ...

xo

scenic 6A

Greetings! My little Cape Cod getaway was fun, delicious, and as scenic as a coffee table book on New England. Cottages, picket fences, and colorful leaves were everywhere!


Rose Brier Studio

If you are ever (in? on? at?) Cape Cod, be sure to make two special stops along Route 6A. We were heading west (back toward Rhode Island) so our first stop was to meet Marilee of Rose Brier Studio.


Here's Marilee and me (I'm having a naturally curly day) in her beautiful shop.


Marilee is excitedly preparing for Silver Bella, where she will be a first-time vendor.




Marilee's bright and pretty shop is filled with lovely vignettes of china, vintage notions, linens, and much more. It was so wonderful to meet her!


Back onto Route 6A, it was time to visit Vintage Lizzie.


I tell Lizzie that I want to be her intern ...


and ask if she'll be my mentor!


She is inspiring to me in so many ways (GUSH) and her shop is completely dreamy.


This inspiration board hangs behind her desk.


Lizzie doesn't like having her photo taken so I'll use this instead!


Couldn't resist purchasing one of Lizzie's sachets. I even bought a bag of romantic fabric scraps (now that I sew -- LOL!)


A peek at Lizzie's studio.


Just one more pic ... This was taken inside the barn/shop of the Hopkins House Bakery in Brewster. You just know a place is going to be cool when there is a bicycle with a basket -- entirely painted white -- in front of the shop.

Thank you to everyone who took my poll. Much appreciated!

xo

forecast: chowder

New England Clam Chowder

Despite a few obstacles which include a dreary forecast, my sister Betsy and I plan to spend the weekend (on? at? in?) Cape Cod.

I am excited because we will be visiting bloggers and fabulous shop owners, Lizzie and Marilee!

Happy weekend!

xo

it's all about me

Welcome and thanks for party-hopping over to see my "It's all about me" creation!

First, I want to thank party hostess with the mostest and superartist Natasha for coming up with such an inspiring idea:
Create something for yourself!
I used the party date as a deadline to face my fear of my sewing machine and make something already!

I decided to make a cover for the chair pad at my desk.



When some blogger friends (including Natasha) left me the advice to ditch the pattern, I felt an immediate sense of relief. No pattern!



I practiced and hit many, many snags (Oh yeah -- lower the presser foot!) but the party made me move forward.



And here it is! It's not "perfect" but that's what is so wonderful about cottage and shabby style: it doesn't need to be. I used the reverse side of the fabric for the worn and soft, faded look it gives.


Corners weren't looking so tidy so I covered them with appliques purchased from Brandywine Boutique. There are other "little secrets" but I'm glad I finally sewed something. I told my youngest I would make pillows out of his outgrown Star Wars T-shirts. He thinks that's way cool. (Not too shabby! LOL)



Thanks again for stopping by and for your encouragement! I'm so looking forward to seeing what everyone made. Party on!

xo

presents revealed!

** LONG POST ALERT! LONG POST ALERT! **

Thank you so much to everyone for your sweet birthday wishes! I had a great day thanks to my super-sweet husband and boys for making the entire day special.

And as many of you know, the 18th was the day I could finally open my birthday swap goodies that arrived from Debi at Life in My Studio! Debi and I had planned the swap nearly two months earlier. Debi shipped two boxes to me! The box labeled #1 could be opened before my birthday.


Party in a box!

Now onto box #2 ... {All photos are click-to-enlarge}


44 wishes (LOVE this)


Everything wrapped beyond-beautifully!


Like a pretty cake ...


with delicious filling! The box that Debi decorated is a present in itself.


And a tin LOADED with treats!


Including these incredibly cool magnets featuring the little "cottage" cottage!


This Max Factor jar received its own beauty treatment.


The green wallpaper is a returning super-fave from our I thought of you swap. It will be so fun playing with this amazing assortment of vintage paper.


SWOON!


GASP: a Josef Original BIRTHDAY GIRL!!!

When in one's life does one receive treasures like this in the mail?
When one blogs, I suppose! Amazing ...


Debi and I even planned a birthday call. I was so giddy when the phone rang. We had a wonderful and easy conversation all about our goodies, blogging, and how we enjoy shopping for one another!

Here's what I sent to Debi


A little birthday girl!


Crafty treats and finds with an emphasis on pink!




I made this little doll using a clothespin from Debi.





Debi is still celebrating by hosting a generous giveaway! There's still time to enter!



Thank you for sticking with me through this long post! Hope to see you at Natasha's party!



xo

ps

Please take the poll at the top of this blog. Thank you!