Ordinary Days

It's been a busy week. Between attending the Simple Goods show, hosting a group of homeschoolers, teaching a friend to sew, blog deadlines, surprise parties, and doctor appointments, I feel like I hit the ground running and haven't stopped. Tomorrow I will sit with a friend who has just had surgery and later in the week I will enjoy luncheon with a group of high school classmates. In between my daily chores I'll try to squeeze in a little stitching. These are the ordinary things that make up my days. As my Auntie used to say "It's better to wear out than to rust out."

I love Ohio...and Simple Goods was, as always, a primitive feast for the senses. Of course they don't allow photos to be taken inside, so you'll have to trust me when I say that it was wonderful. I saw some really beautiful old things and some new things made to look old. I talked with some talented and lovely people. I coveted a red wool petticoat that sold for $400...out of my budget for petticoats, but marvelous all the same. I didn't actually buy very much. My biggest purchase was some old striped floral fabric, perfect for making sewing rolls. 

I also bought this tiny grain painted box from Derek Schmidt of T.F.C. Folk Art.  I added the funny little strawberry on top. It's not attached, I just like the way it looks perched up there.

  One of the things that has kind of become a Simple Goods tradition is that Emily brings a fun and creative project to share with us. This year we spend the evening before the show playing with paper dolls. This project was so much fun that I think I might try it on my own sometime. Here's what I came up with.

~A masked mermaid and a Victorian dog/angel~

~Downtown Granville, Ohio~

Another tradition is a trip south to Granville, just a short drive from Mt. Vernon through the picturesque rolling, farmland of Ohio. Granville reminds me of the fictional town of Stars Hollow, and just might be the cutest place on earth. You won't find Luke's Diner, but you will find great coffee at The Village Coffee Company. In Granville the people are friendly, the shops are wonderful and the pie is homemade.

One of the main reasons for our pilgrimage to Granville is a visit to Green Velvet. 

The entrance hints at what you'll find inside.

Green Velvet is luxurious, and sparkly...a girlie girl's paradise.

The shop was all decked out for the holidays season.

~Spools of beautiful ribbon at Green Velvet~

~Pastel Vintage Glass Ornaments~

~Wonderful soaps and perfumes~

~More Sparkle~

We always try to stop in at some of the really great antique malls on route 70 near Springfield, Ohio on our way home.

Look at this great storefront seed display.

~A wonderful early basket~

 Doesn't this this old blue cupboard have a fabulous finish?

I found this small chest which will serve as a jewelry box after it's painted. It has two working drawers and the top opens to reveal a nice bit of storage. 

And suggestions on what color I should paint it?

 And last but not least...This little wooden tray once painted, will become a sewing caddy.

I have lots more to show you, but I'd like you to be awake for it.

Until next time...