still dreaming in vintage whites...

It was one year ago today that I sat down and started this wonderful adventure of blogging.  I posted my first photo...

And shared my first thoughts...

Well...I finally did it! I've been wanting to start my own blog for quite a while. I sit at my computer every morning with my coffee (and, yes, many other times during the day too), "meeting" so many creative people, reading their thoughtful posts and looking at their beautiful photos, all while learning, laughing and becoming totally inspired. I've waited long enough to join in on all the fun!

I have met so many wonderful people through their thoughtful posts that I now call friends.  Thank you for your friendship!  I am amazed everyday at the beautiful photos you all share ~ and they just get better every day.  I am challenging myself to take better pictures and thank you for all the tips that you share!  Thank you for all the great tutorials for so many craft projects and painting techniques as well as wonderful recipes and favorite treasure hunting spots.  Thank you for all the laughs that sometimes had me in tears.  There were sad tears too, reminding me that you are all real people, just like me, living life one day at a time.  Hey, that is what friends are for ~ being there for the good times as well as the bad.  Thank you for sharing your homes, your family ~ your heart and soul.  You have inspired me to chase my dreams and to never give up!

Thank you all so much!!

 

Now for the winner of my giveaway (drum roll please)...

 

 Donna said...

Great blog, Sandi! And I love your booth at the store, too. I am in love with your dough bowl and table runner. I'm always on the lookout for stuff like that. Love the changes. Keep on bloggin'... :)

Congratulations Donna! 

Please email me your address so I can send you a little something from me and I am looking forward to seeing what you create with Paula over at Castle and Cottage for your new sign!!

I want to say thank you very much to all my friends and followers who stop by and leave me kind comments and words of encouragement.  My heart is truly touched by your friendship!  A little love goes a long way...

And while my life and nest have seen many changes this past year, I am still dreaming in vintage whites!

horseshoe hill and a giveaway...

This morning I decided to show you the little makeover I have been working on in my kitchen.  Now it is not quite done yet as I still have a few spots to fill but who knows when I will find the right treasure and I could not wait anymore.  So come on in and take a peek...

The sun was shining brightly on Monday...snow today!

Now I did not have to paint or do the floor nor did I need a new table.  I just wanted to take away all the pink and roses from here and give it a french farmhouse touch.  This big old wooden bowl (do you call it a dough boy?) was my Mom's and it looks great on the beautiful runner I won from Maria...

I usually have the bowl filled with fruit or vegetables but I have not been to the market yet this week. 

I found this small old ladder a while ago and finally found the perfect spot...

Then I added one of the french market totes from Andrea...

Yes I have one with a blue stripe in my den!

This is how one wall used to look...

You might remember I moved the square mirror to the little hall outside my bath but the big mirror stayed...

I love this frame but the paper inside, not so much anymore...

So I changed out the paper, moved a few things around added one of my vintage beadboard signs and an old treasure that I found...

Hey, that rhymed!

I just love this old piece, does anyone know what it is...

You can see the new piece of scrapbook paper I put in the frame...

See inside the mirror?  My beautiful sign from Castle and Cottage...

As much as I love this sign I wanted a change.  So I got in touch with Paula and asked her if she could personalize a sign for me.  I told her I wanted it to be the same size with a white background.  I also wanted it to be "farmhouse style"...

After a few days of trying to come up with the perfect sign for my home I finally decided on this...

My family has been seasonal camping at Pinewood Lodge Campground for almost 15 years.  Our site has always been on Horseshoe Hill.  Jim and I were married in 1985.  Paula put it all together perfectly...

I kept my little birds and I just moved my chalkboard over a bit...

Which leaves me this space to fill in...

Yes I am still looking for one of those old fashioned looking phones that PB used to sell.

Now here is an area where I am on the fence...

I got my calendar from Vintage Rescue Squad!

I would love to take these two doors off the cabinets and have that great open shelf look...

Can't quite talk the mister into it...yet!

I was going to change out the curtains for some with a ticking stripe or burlap perhaps but these hung in my Mom's kitchen (she made them) and I just love the fabric...



While this makeover might not be a huge change...

I just love it!  Especially my new sign (thank you so much Paula!)...

And in honor of my One Year Blog Anniversary I am going to give away one of Paula's signs!!  She graciously agreed to personalize a sign just like this for the winner of my giveaway that begins today and ends at midnight February 9th with the winner announced on February 10th (my blog anniversary)!! 

I am going to keep it simple.  All you have to do is leave a comment on this post to be entered to win!

Oh and I am going to mail you a few little surprises too!

I am joining Kathleen for White Wednesday (and boy is it really white here in Massachusetts) as well as Sarah for Good Life Wednesday.  Thank you ladies for hosting and thank you all for stopping by!

shop shots...

Thank You!

Thank You!

Thank You!!

For all your get well wishes, kind and funny comments as well as sweet compliments on my blog.  You sure do know how to make this girl feel better!

For Vintage Inspiration Friday with Debra over at Common Ground today, I thought I would share a few shop shots.  Different treasures seem to catch my eye these days and here is a peek at what caught my eye last Saturday...

I am still trying to fill in a few spots in my kitchen and den and liked the idea of a small sign and I love the color of the old basket.

  You know I am a fan of these...

No pun intended!

I just love sweet vintage books...

Maybe this was Jessica...

Isn't she the cutest ~ she went home with Mary Ellen.

  Want a new collection to start?  How about these...

Wouldn't this look great with a few old bottles holding some spring flowers (if spring ever gets here!)...

I love these too...

I know I have seen something similar in Ballard or Pottery Barn (for a lot more money too).

  If I had a bigger kitchen this would be mine...

Maybe if I think a bit outside the box I am sure it could work in some room around here.

  I love looking at this next piece and admit I will be sad when it sells at the shop and I can't look at it anymore...

If I sewed I could hang it in my studio.  Did I ever mention I have my Mom's old sewing machine and never took her up on teaching me how to use it (pretty stupid I know)!

  Well now it is time...

Time to go visit Debra and see what everyone else is sharing today.  Again, thank you for your get well wishes ~ I am feeling much,  much better!  I am happy you stopped by today and would love it if you would pop in on Monday.  My one year blog anniversary is coming up and I will share how I am going to celebrate it!  Have a wonderful weekend!!