Girls Just Want to Have Fun

Sunday couldn't have been a brighter day to spend time shopping with my picker sister friends, Michelle and Karen.  We shopped our little feet out and scored some serious bargains at our local flea market and White Elephant shop.  There were giggles and gasps of delight as we uncovered discarded items that just needed a little love. 
I was so impressed with Karen's eye for the rustic farmhouse pieces, and Michelle's vision for everything we touched.  She had so many rusty old items transformed already in her creative mind, and gave us great ideas.
Without further adieu, here is what came home with me...

Amazing old platter, ironstone dish and buttons:

These trophies have seen better days - one is missing a handle and the other is somewhat melted(?).  But they are from the early 1900's:

They are resting on the prettiest twin summer coverlet.  I was so touched that once I met the ladies at the flea market, they took me right over to a vendor selling this coverlet.  It looks to be handmade from the palest of blue seersucker fabric, with white lace trim down the middle and a white ruffle hem.  They knew I would love it! 

Blue and white plates - of course!

I got these other pretty plates to use at my daughter's 5th birthday tea party this weekend.  So sweet!

A charming florentine box...

Michelle and I salvaged these crochet threads from the buck hut at the White Elephant.  Aged to perfection, I'd say.  And look at that adorable candle Michelle gave me with the 'picka sista' bathing beauties.  I love it!

Thank you Michelle!

It's never too early to shop for Christmas.  This Santa caught my eye, as he had a Jeanne D'Arc Living style about him.  I plan to change out his garish gold gifts for something more to my liking:

(oops - gotta wash his face, too)

Is it me, or does Santa look like he's been enjoying the Christmas punch?

And here we are at the flea market.  I think we spent 45 minutes or so in this area alone - those crates nearby are dollar bins.  Woo hoo!  (or should I say yee-haw! in my Texan husband's cowboy hat)

(me, Michelle, Karen)

The first time Michelle and I visited the White Elephant we grabbed some rustic rakes for our blog photo.  It seemed right to keep up that tradition, 'cause we were certainly pickin'!

(Michelle, Karen)

(Michelle, me)

(me with sun in my eyes, Karen)

Of course we had to get that White Elephant sign in our photos, too. 
Thanks ladies - I had the best time!!! Please join us next time, Sandi!
Make sure you visit Michelle's blog PetiteMichelleLouise.blogspot.com and Karen's blog AShabbyMomentinTime.blogspot.com to see their loot (let's just say I was the one that behaved).  Not to mention they also visited a nearby vintage fair which sounded dreamy. 

Oh, and don't forget to enter my Somerset Life magazine giveaway!

Sharing with:
White Wednesday
Vintage Inspiration Friday

Roses and Somerset Life Magazine GIVEAWAY!

I've got some 'New Dawn' roses to share with you from our garden...and a giveaway!

Our rose bush is in full bloom, so I'm enjoying the blossoms indoors...

...and outdoors:

And to celebrate my published article in the summer Somerset Life magazine, I'm giving away a copy of the issue!  It is quite a thrill to see my blog and photos in this splendid magazine, especially considering how I was inspired to write the article.  Having just attended the 'At Home with White' event at the Wrentham Country Store (read about it here), I knew I had to write all about WHITE. 

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED - THANK YOU!

Speaking of that event, I got to spend this morning junkin' with my dear friends Michelle and Karen, who were also at the white event.  We scored some amazing treasures, which we'll reveal this week, and had lots of fun on a beautiful sunny day. 

In the meantime, please feel free to enter my giveaway for the July 2012 issue of Somerset Life. 
All you need to do is leave one comment on this post.  I'll reveal a winner next Sunday evening, July 1st.
Good luck!

Sharing this post with White Wednesday.

Summer Sun at the Breakfast Table

First off, thank you all so much for your kind words of support on my last post about the Somerset Life feature.  I'm so happy to share that fun news with you!

Next I wanted to share a pleasant corner in our house - the breakfast table in the morning.  The early rays of sun hit this spot in just the right way.  It is a cheerful place to start the day.

I captured some peonies from our garden to enjoy here...

They look soft and pretty on the vintage scale I scored at the White Elephant store.  I had to mix in some more blues to compliment it...

The old ladder was also a White Elephant find, and is a perfect spot to hang my hand-embroidered towels...

Storage for the rustic and the necessary is nearby...

I'm sharing this peaceful place with these parties:
White Wednesday
Vintage Inspiration Friday

Evelyn and Rose - in Somerset Life magazine!

Dear friends, I've got some exciting news to share - this little blog, my corner of the world to share decorating & crafting fun - is featured in the summer issue of Somerset Life magazine!
I nearly fell off my desk chair when I got an email from one of the Stampington publications' editors, Jennifer Jackson Taylor.  She asked if I was interested in writing an article about blogging, and sharing photos from this blog.  Although there was no one else in the room, I got that 'is she talking to me???' feeling of uncertainty.  I think I practically shouted 'YES!' in my immediate and giddy response.   

The first Somerset Life magazine I ever purchased was the summer issue of 2009, when I spotted a feature from one of my favorite inspirational bloggers - Heather Bullard.  Since then, I've been such a fan of this magazine, as well as other Stampington Co. publications.  They are chock full of crafting inspiration, beautiful photos and friendly blogs.  This is truly an honor, and quite surreal, to actually be published in an issue!         

The issue is due out on newstands July 1st, but I received my copy in the mail today.  What a thrill to open to page 8 and see this:

 
My dear 'picker sister' friend Michelle from PetiteMichelleLouise blog is also featured in this issue, making it extra special.  The work she contributes to this issue is breathtaking.  What an honor to share this with her and other amazing artists, and quite a dream come true.

Antique French Daybed - Unearthed!

About 12 years ago I purchased a lovely antique French daybed at the Brimfield Flea Market.  Bless my dear girlfriend Stacey for helping me cart the heavy thing home on the roof of her car.  It spent a couple of years in the tiny guest room of my condo. 
After marrying and moving, I'm sorry to admit this treasure has been gathering dust (and rust) in our basement for 7 years!  We just didn't know where to put it. 
This spring I finally decided to unearth this beauty.  I had wanted to paint it a grayish-white for quite some time, and that's what I did.
Here it is in our living room.  We 'found' space by moving some furniture around a bit...

I put my daughter's old socks over the wheels to prevent the floor from scratching.  That idea came from Cindy's home of CutePinkStuff.  She did that with baby socks to her dining chairs - clever!

The living room has a fresh white summery look to it now...

The daybed is now my favorite spot to read books and doze...

I covered it with a monogrammed flea market sheet:

Reflection of the room and our garden peonies:

We removed the coffee table and put the ottoman in the center for a softer look:

Here's how the daybed looked after unearthing it:

And here it is painted and sealed:

I love the detail:

Although it will probably just be around for the summer, I'm so happy to have brought this daybed back to the daylight. 

I'll be sharing it with these fun link parties:
White Wednesday
Vintage Inspiration Friday
Feathered Nest Friday
Show and Tell Friday