Shabby Apple Giveaway

Beth over at Old Tyme Marketplace is hosting a fabulous giveaway for all you fashionistas out there! She is offering your choice of three beautiful dresses from Shabby Apple. You'll want to rush on over and sign up...I know I did! When I win...this is the dress I'll choose!

Beautiful!

So hurry on over to Beth's blog and enter for your chance to win!

http://oldetymemarketplace.blogspot.com/2011/07/shabby-apple-give-awayyou-choose.html

Until next time...

Rhonda

Scavenger Hunt #4~ Parts 1,2 & 3

As the scavenger hunt at Gable House Musings comes to a close...I must say I'm surprised to still be in the running. It's been a lot of fun-and some weeks it's been a real challenge to find just the right items on Misi's list! There were a few times I just knew I was on my way out...but here here I am, coming into the home stretch. Yay!

I want to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU to Misi for hosting the hunt and offering such a generous prize to the winner. And although it might sound corny, I already feel like a winner...because in the last few weeks, I've made new friends, shared some laughs, and even learned a few things along the way. And you can't beat that. Misi's game has entertained us, spurred our creativity, and even encouraged us to pamper ourselves a little bit now & then. So, thank you Misi...it's been F.U.N. 

Now, on with the show...

 ~Part 1~

For part one, Misi gave us her personal shopping list. We were to find at least two items on her list, and one item from her hubby's list. I'll tell you, honestly...I panicked when I first saw the list. Although I'm a girlie girl...I had no idea what half of the stuff was. Add to that, Misi is a brunette-I'm a blonde! And I have really curly hair...I don't paint my nails...and who on earth is Bill Compton!? What's a girl to do?

The save for me was soap. 

Yes, beautiful soap is my weakness, my Achilles Heel.

I set out for TJ Maxx with Misi's recommendations in hand...

I not only treated myself to three bars of the CST soap that Misi so esteems...I bought an extra bar of soap by Laura Ashley. Who could resist scents like Vanilla Tangerine, Lavender Rosemary, Eucalyptus Aloe, and Lily and Aloe Leaf? Not I. 

Do yourself a favor..."awaken your senses"...buy this soap. These are huge, silky soft, moisturizing bars...and they come wrapped like a present-just for you. You have to get clean with something, it might as well be this.

I added a small bottle of Bed Head brand hairspray for my second item, and finished part one with Bero's movie choice...

~Part 2~

Now this part wasn't required, but participating means an extra chance to win the grand prize. So you know I'd be crazy not to give it my best try, right? I needed four out of six items from the list. Here goes.

Ruby Slippers/Shoes

"I'm a little muddled. The Munchkins called me, because a new Witch has just dropped a house on the Wicked Witch of the East. And there's the house. And here you are. And that's all that's left of the Wicked Witch of the East."

"Their magic must be very powerful, or she wouldn't want them so badly."
~Glinda, the Good Witch of the North~

Wooden Shoes

It's obvious that these shoes are adorable...but, do shoes made of wood = wooden shoes? I'm hoping Misi thinks so.

Biscotti

Triple chocolate, no nuts...the perfect accompaniment to a cup of Earl Grey tea.

Christening Gown

Antique cotton eyelet gown with millions of tiny tucks...OK, not millions, but you've got to admit, that's a lot of tucks.

Here's a closer view. Just look at the amazing detail!

Dried Apple Gourd 

Nope, don't have one. I have every other kind of gourd, but not this one.

Heart Pantry Cakes

This was one of the things I learned along the way. It was high time I tried making pantry cakes. An easy project with almost instant gratification. I made several batches...these pretty hearts were my favorite.

Which brings me to the final part of the hunt...

Part 3

~Fun with Flowers and Furbabies~

Narcissus, Daffodils, call them what you will...they are one of my very favorite flowers. If you read my story in the spring issue of Mercantile Gatherings Magazine, you know that some of my best memories include these perky yellow blooms.

On the day our sons moved away from home, my sweet Mother-in-love, thoughtfully shared the first blossoms from her garden with me.

Now I'd like to share a few photos of my furbabies with you.

This is my Murray on the first day he came to live with us. He'd just had a bath and wasn't too sure about his new surroundings. He was twelve weeks old.

And this is Murray now, resting his chin on Edith. This is the first thing I see every morning when I wake up. It's a beautiful sight to this dog lovers eyes.

My kids know how to make me laugh...sometime they use cats.

 

Mattimeo fighting zombies.

Well, that concludes the scavenger hunt...best of luck to all of my worthy opponents! It's been such fun seeing what everyone comes up with each week. To be linked to the other participants please visit Misi at: 

http://1890gablehousemusings.blogspot.com/

Until next time...

Rhonda

Please join me...

...on Simply Primitives this evening. 

I hope you'll stop by to see my work, as well as that of the other talented artisans there.

Thanks for looking!

~Simply Primitives Update~

I'm pleased to announce my very first update on Simply Primitives, December 1st, featuring some of my new cut paper silhouettes. I hope you'll join me along with the other talented artisans there.

Our silhouettes are adaptations 19^th century works, finished and framed in the early style. Each image is hand cut from heavy card stock and mounted on parchment. They are then tinted with our special solution to replicate aged paper. Each silhouette comes in a distressed, wood frame, under glass. The back of the frame is neatly finished with paper and comes ready to hang.

Until Next time...

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... 

Simply Good Weekend

I'm one of the lucky ones. I'll be attending the Simple Goods primitive show this weekend with two of my dearest friends. I hope you'll stop by the Mercantile Gatherings Magazine table to say "Hello"...or just tug on my sleeve in the crowd and introduce yourself. See you there!

Until next time...

Mercantile Gatherings Magazine Holiday Issue Giveaway!

Guess what's just arrived in my mailbox? That's right, my Mercantile Gatherings Magazines! I've been waiting rather impatiently for this issue as I am planning a special gift for my Mom based on the article I've written. It's a sort of tribute to my grandparents...remembered from stories Mom has told me over the years.

The ladies at Mercantile Gatherings do a splendid job on the magazine and I feel truly blessed to have the opportunity to write for their publication. This issue is filled with all the wonderful photos, patterns and stories you've come to expect...along with a few new features like recipes and tutorials. I think you'll love it as much as I do.

With the Holiday issue hot off the press, I thought I'd share the love with a little giveaway...

To be eligible to win YOUR copy of the magazine, you must be a follower of my blog, and leave me a comment on this post by Friday, October 8th, one week from today. I'll announce the winner here on Friday evening.

Until Next time...

PS. I've found a peanut doll!!! Shhhh....don't tell!

Local Color

From the beautiful old courthouse on the square, to great eateries and quaint shops, Crown Point, Indiana, “the next town over”, is one of my favorite places to visit.

Majestic Victorian homes are sprinkled throughout the older part of town, and businesses like Papa's Deli, Old Green Shutters Antiques,  Scoops Ice Cream Parlor and The Front Gate dot the square, making Crown Point a great place to spend the day.  Treasure hunters will enjoy two large antique malls and numerous small shops within walking distance of the square, as well as six thrift shops nearby.

The town also boasts the old Lake County Jail, made famous by John Dillinger’s escape in 1934 (using a gun carved from wood), and even more famous as the place where Johnny Depp recently filmed the movie, “Public Enemies”. Both events were a pretty big deal to local history. ;)

Johnny waves to the crowd just outside the old Lake County jail. I just remember being irritated that my favorite thrift shop was closed for a week as a result of filming. Priorities people.

 OK, moving on...

The ever changing inventory at Old Green Shutters, at 118 S. Main Street, is always worth a peek. The owner has exceptional taste and her displays are a great way to get new ideas for your own home.

I love their selection of lace and linens.

Got a bright idea?

 

 

 Need a piece or part for your latest project? They probably have it.

Another great display.

The real reason I adore this shop. TO DIE FOR HATS!

Lace on Parade.

The Button Cabinet

From Rustic, to Pretty...

There's just so much to love at Old Green Shutters.

While I was visiting Old Green Shutters, I met the energetic owner of a shop from just across the square. Marilyne Hamstra, of Dutch Girlz Dezigns, at 125 N. Main, took me on a tour of her gorgeous new shop, which offers floral and interior design services.

One of the things that makes Marilyne's shop so incredible, besides the sheer beauty of it, is that she & her son did everything you see themselves. They took it from a huge empty warehouse to an elegant and charming retail space. Marilyne's background "flipping houses" as well as her experience in restoring one of Crown Point's historic homes, lends itself to her latest endeavor in interior design.

While the overall feel here is elegance (rather than primitive)...the rich colors and dark patinas appeal to my sense of history and beauty.

A large turn of the century pram, filled with dried hydrangea, is a focal point in the window display.

These old instruments, situated just so, were perhaps my favorite display in the store.

Looking for an experienced interior designer with impeccable taste and the energy to tackle the big jobs? I'd call Marilyne.
Just looking for a relaxing afternoon? Visit the wonderful array of local shops in Crown Point, Indiana. 
Until next time...