pay it forward...

photo found here

Pay It Forward 2011...

Perfect for this girl who is feeling very, very lucky these days and wants to share her happiness.

I first read about this project over at Petite Michelle Louise and then again over at French Laundry.  I am so happy to be taking part in what Michelle describes as...a wonderful way to share friendship, inspiration and creativity all while "paying it forward."

Here is how it works...

The first five people who comment on this blog post will receive a handmade gift from me ~ Sandi of A Cottage Muse.

In return, you must first write a blog post explaining "Pay It Forward 2011".

Then you must send out a handmade gift to the first 5 visitors who leave a comment.

Take your time...you don't need to send them all today or tomorrow. Good things come to those who wait!!

This is such a sweet way to make new friends and share the love of things we create with our hearts and hands.

Michelle has a great way with words!!

"It's not the size of the item that matters, but the spirit of paying it forward."

So start celebrating Spring's arrival today and Pay It Forward!!

Thank you for stopping by!

spring in my step...

Good Morning!

I am very happy to say that is it raining this morning!!

Happy that is because it is not snow!!

I hope you all enjoyed your weekend!  I sure did...I went out Friday, Saturday and Sunday!  While I had my hopes set on going to my favorite antique spots and catch up on treasure hunting, my outings consisted of going to smaller places ~ a local consignment shop, a thrift shop and Michaels.  We also were treated to dinner at our good friends house on Saturday night (thanks Leslie and Joe!).  I went food shopping with Jim Sunday morning (did not miss doing that at all).  On Sunday afternoon we went into the shop then out for dinner!  I am so happy that I feel so good when it has only been a little over 2 weeks since my surgery!

We went into the shop because I finally sold the white desk...

The mirror and chair have also sold!

I brought in this vintage rattan, glass top coffee table...

  I found a few sets of those old shutters on Friday and thought they would add a great pop of color (turquoise?) to my booth.  I also added a few items to help welcome Spring...

It feels great to have a little spring in my step again!

Thanks you for stopping by today!  I am off to see what you all were up to this weekend.  I hope you all have a wonderful week!!

old beauty...

Happy Friday!  To celebrate the day I am joining Debra over at Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday!  I thought I would share with you this old beauty I received from my thoughtful sister in law Christine...

A wonderful chippy old cracker tin!  Thank you again Christine, you are so sweet! I found the perfect place for it on the ledge above my couch...

It also looks great holding all the beautiful cards I received from family and friends...

As the beautiful flower arrangements I received are beginning to fade away I had fun saving a few blooms and scattering them around my nest...

...inviting Spring to hurry up...

I am keeping my fingers crossed that I feel well enough to do a little treasure hunting this weekend!  What do you have planned?

I am so happy you stopped by and hope you have a wonderful day!!

at home with white...

Spring is almost here and the thought of going to flea markets and yard sales is giving me something to look forward to.  Although I must admit I am envious of all the lucky ones who are gearing up to go to Warrenton Texas for some fabulous treasure hunting at places like The Zapp Hall Antique Show.  I love to visit Theresa's blog and see her inspiring displays and read her posts full of excitement and anticipation for the show.  The latest Flea Market Style magazine highlights her blog...

 If you are like me, heading South soon is not an option (although it is on my pixie dust list) so I guess I will patiently wait for Brimfield in May.  I would also love to go to one of those fabulous Barn Sales that some of you have ~ especially Rene's...

I love reading along as she gets ready for these events and love even more when she shares photos like this...

I would love to get Jim an outfit like that!!

While I am lucky to have booth space at The Wrentham Country Store I would really love to have a big ol' barn to have a sale like this myself.  I would love to get a chance to create over the top displays and bring some excitement of the big Texas shows or a vintage barn sale to my neck of the woods.  I would love to put something like this together...

  Now Jim will not be building me a big ol' barn but he says he will wear the suit and get a paint spray gun and help any way possible if I ever get a chance to sell at a big event.  Well, suit up Jim...

I get to work play at the shop on Saturdays with Mary Ellen who owns the shop.  We really "get" each other and she loved the idea of creating something different and capturing a little essence of being under those big tops in Texas or browsing an ol' barn in the country.  That is how our At Home With White Event came about.  We will be creating a vintage market place full of whites complimented by textures of the past for any style home.  With having so many different styles under the WCS roof we knew that white would be the perfect common ground to unite us all to hunt for treasures for our customers and showcase them in a different, fun way!

The energy at the shop right now is very exciting.  I can not wait to see what the other shop girls put together ~ I know it will be fabulous!  As for my own display, it will not be what I had originally envisioned but am very happy to be able to participate with help from my family and fellow shop girls!  I am hoping to feel better than ever by then!!  Our At Home With White theme will spill over to our porch and will be highlighted throughout the store as well.

I am sure, being this is my first attempt at creating a big display, that it will be more of a learning experience for me.  I hope to make this the first of many special events for us at the shop.  If you have any tips to share with me I would love to hear them! 

So if you live in the area save the date, April 9th and 10th.  I originally wanted to put together a little blog meet to get a chance to meet some of you local bloggers.  I am not sure if I will be able to pull that together now but if you plan to come to the event let me know ~ I would LOVE to get to meet you!

Thank you Rene for letting me share your photos today.  You always inspire me!  Thanks also to Kathleen for hosting another wonderful White Wednesday!  Last but not least, thank you Mary Ellen for the beautiful flowers and for letting me cross off another item on my pixie dust list...