Finally back and Thankful.

It has been awhile since I have posted. It has been an interesting time. No matter how well we seem to plan, life continues to throw us the curve balls.
It is amazing how I take some things for granted...for instance, health. Not only the health of myself but the health of the people that surround me. I guess maybe, that is why life does it...to shake you up...to make you appreciate what you have and to continue to remind you to plan...and to slow down.
Recently, my parents have gotten old. I say recently, because it seemed to happen all of a sudden...at least that is the way that it seems. I am not sure exactly when or how it happened. Silly sounding, I know. It makes me wonder if I was just too wound up in my business and work to notice or if I was just in denial.
My dad has had health issues for a long time but always still seemed happy and strong. He is still happy but is frail and can't help with my mom's ever increasing needs. She has always cared for him and now can barely walk. They need 24 hour help. It has been an awaking of sorts. They are getting older and so I am....hmmm.
I have always been in good health. A couple of weeks ago, I started to feel under the weather. I thought that I had the flu that everyone else in the world seem to have. I ended up having to have emergency surgery. I have always been one of those people that just worked through it...but it didn't work this time...it made me feel a bit vulnerable and fragile.
I am fine now and my folks seem to be doing a bit better too...but it is eye opening and I will do my best not to take anything for granted.
One of the things that I will not take for granted is my family, the people that I care about.
Time marches on no matter what is happening. Winter becomes spring - things come and go - my business continues.
Despite all the things that have happened in my life, my shop is thriving!! That is a wonderful thing. I have gotten wonderful support from the amazing folks that stop by the shop and by friends and family that helped me through.
Thank you to all of you.
That being said....we have some been shopping and adding to the goodies in the store as fast as we can possibly can.
I am usually good about not taking things home from the shop but this is one of things that I am lusting after.
It has already been sold!


It is a gorgeous, antique buffet that my Junk Hunk refinished in a beautiful black. It is so elegant and solid walnut. I love the original hardware that he was able to reuse. I think it would look perfect in my dining room. I have a feeling however, that it won't last that long.

Here is another picture...I just love this.


I also have another new addition that I certainly will keep for my own.



This is my new grandson. He was born Saturday. His name at this moment is "Baby". I am hoping that he will have a proper name before he starts pre-school.
And so life goes on. Please forgive my rambling and absence. Come by and visit if you are in the area. We have new goodies and gossip almost every day.

The Story of Sleeping Beauty

It as been warm here for the last two weeks. At least warm for here - in the 50's last week. This time last year we had record snow fall. My wishing for spring may be working.
Since it has been so nice, things have been incredibly busy at the shop. It has also given us a chance to do some painting.
Last week we found the sweetest, antique full size bed. It was in beautiful condition except for the finish. It is the kind with all of the romantic embellishments and the curved footboard. I love the look of these beds. They are so feminine.
The person that gave it up had had it for about 50 years and she bought it from an antique shop.
We tried to salvage the original finish but it just wasn't salavable...sooo.... out came the primer and the creamy cottage white paint. She now is ready for a new home.
This bed is beautiful. I would put it in my guest room if I could get it up the stairs. I have one of those great old homes that have the cute little rooms upstairs. Unfortunently, you have to scale a very curvy set of stair to get there.
Here are some pictures of this "Sleeping Beauty". I could stay in this bed all day.


This is a close up of the graceful headboard.


Lovin' that curvy footboard.


I am working on finishing up on a curvy dresser shown in a previous post that will
match this bed perfectly. I love when a plan comes together.

I also am working on lots of girlie, pink goodies to go along with this Sleeping Beauty.

And the winner is!!!

It has been so, so busy at the store. It is a wonderful problem to have. We have been moving things and out so quickly. We have been shopping, painting, arranging and starting all over again.
My sweet chaise has found a new home...I am sad to see her go....but a sweet woman bought it for her sister as a surprise gift. She will undoubtedly be loved and cared for, for many years to come.
I have been working on some crafty goodies when I have time to add to the shop. I have always loved the crocheted rag rugs, so decided to try my hand at one.

I used some vintage fabrics and think it turned out pretty well. These are wonderful because they are completely machine washable and so soft but heavy duty.
I am working on some other's with the shabby chic colors. I am happy to take orders for these pretties as well. Cost is only $38.00 plus postage if you would like one for your home.


Even though I love white and pink - I love the simplicity and sophistication of black. We have added some wonderful black pieces to the store.


This is the sweetest, little vintage vanity. It has the arms that you can add fabric to, to make a skirt. It also has shelves to display your fab high heels. We painted it Paris chic black and added a mirror to the top....and wouldn't you know...it sold before I could finish the display.
I also tried my hand at adding some vintage chic to some of my smaller orphans. I love the vintage sheet music look and thought I would try it out.

I am not great at photography but tried to give you a close up look. I am also not as talented as many of the talented artists out there but thought they turned out pretty cute. I think they will easily find new homes.
My jun


My junk hunk took on a bigger project. I love the look of this solid maple china hutch in chic black.

This pretty gal was a little sad looking and outdated, but she had great lines and the nicest plate rail....a little make up was all it took to bring out her natural beauty again.

A great place to display your ironware or some hot red dishes for Valentines decor.

Now for the announcement you have all been waiting for. I wish I had something for everyone that left a kind comment, signed up to be a follower or sweet enough to tell their friends about my blog. It was so excited for me to sign in everyday...many times a day...and see more folks and more kind words.
The lucky winner of the drawing is Dixie of French Lique!!! She has a wonderful blog and is a kind soul.

Thanks again to everyone for playing along. Please continue to stop by. I will have to have another giveaway soon!!! It is just too much fun!!!!

Leslie

Blame it on the Snow!

I wish I could blame my not blogging yesterday on the snow...but I really can't. So back to our giveaway!!
We got just skiff of snow today and then a whole lot of freezing rain. It was a bit like a skating rink everywhere. But that did not stop the pink ladies from coming out in droves. I love when a group of girls come in and shop together. They have such a good time and it just makes me happy to listen to them and meet them. By the time many of them leave I feel like we have been friends for years. I have been racing to try to keep up with things flying out of the store. It is a good problem to have but it is challenging.
Today, a gorgeous, antique vanity was adopted before I even had it put back together. A loving grandma snatched it up for her grandchild. She and my hubby had it loaded into her car before I could snap a picture of it. I also found homes for big, antique dresser with mirror, a vintage table and chairs, a pair of upolsterd chairs, a antique record cabinet and lots more...I have lots of space to play and lots to paint...yeeks!!
I love finding homes for older pieces. I love that other's can see the beauty and character of the previously adored.
I am starting to put out some of my Valentine goodies. I love to decorate for Valentine's Day...probably because I love pink.
I chose this little loverly to add to the giveaway trove.

I couldn't get a great picture of this pretty little heart. It is covered with lots of glitter and has the cutest little cherub on the other side...I could not get it to turn out at all. You will have to believe me when I tell you it is sooo adorable.
I am also going to include a hand poured candle made by the most wonderul candle maker named Valerie. She uses re-purposed containers and soy/palm oil for long, burning, delishious smelling candles. She does alot of different fragrances but including lots of whites and pinks especially for my shop. I love opening the door in the morning - it smells like heaven.

I have lots of new goodies coming in - furniture, jewerly and more candles and soaps perfect for your Valentines sweety.

Tune it tomorrow for more peaks.

It's a balmy 20 degrees - But it's time for Show and Tell.

Today I am joining in with My Romantic Home for Friday Show and Tell. I absolutely love her blog and the gorgeous blue hues of her home make me swoon.
I tune everyday to what new beautiful things she is going to share...I want to "play house" in her house.


Today I want to share a new collection that I decided to start...well, I am not sure that I can call it a collection yet. You see I found the prettiest, vintage cake topper at a yard sale this summer. The woman that was selling said it was her mom's. Her mom was married in 1960. I am not sure why she was selling it...it seems like something that you would want to save. I could not pass it up. It is like new and so beautiful and pink.


I bought it and brought it home. I have been on the lookout for more...so far I have only found a couple of ring bearer pillows but I will keep looking. I love the hunt.

The next thing I have to show is something I actually found. I got this piece for just the hauling. It is not as pretty as it could be but I think it has potential.
Hopefully, I will be able to use it for show and tell next week...looking pretty.

I think I am going to use this in my dining room after it is done.
Head on over to My Romantic Home for other great Show and Tell goodies.

If you would like to enter my giveaway - please feel free to leave a comment on the posting a couple of days ago.
Thanks for stopping by.

Leslie

Snow will not stop our quest for spring.

There is snow in the forecast but I do not care....I think I may be in denial. If you ask my friends they will probably tell you that they have known that for a long time.
Despite the cold and the possible inclement weather it was a busy day at the shop. Lot's of goodies went out the door into new homes today. It is a good problem to have but it is a challenge to keep things fresh and looking great in the shop. I found a couple of forgotten orphans this afternoon in my wanderings that I will be working on to help fill the space. Hopefully, I will have pictures of them for you tomorrow.
I love getting new things for the shop...it is almost like Christmas for me. One of the few vendors that have goodies in the shop brought me some new gifts.
I have the sweetest little gal, Tara, that hand makes delicious smelling soaps, bath salts and lotions. Not only do they smell great but they are goat milk based so they make my dry, old skin feel great. If you are in the area come by and smell for yourself...my favorite is Snicker doodle Cream...I think I may be her best customer...no denying that.



You probably guessed it ladies...the winner of my giveaway will get one of these yummy soaps. These are great little gifts for yourself or someone special. I love the colors as well as the fragrances.

I also had another wonderful surprise. A wonderful woman named Celeste, who owns a great restaurant named "Chaps" came into the shop. If you are ever in the area you have to check out her place. It is completely decorated in vintage and antique decor. The Farm Chicks did their book signing there.

Celeste also does a wonderful show, which she said I would be perfect for...yay!! She has about 100 vintage and antiques vendors from all over come for her terrific gathering. That really makes me ache for spring. Celeste said that her good friend told her that I "had the good junk", and she had to check us out. Now in normal circles that might not sound like a compliment but in my opinion "good junk" is as good as it gets. Celeste took home some goodies including a gorgeous, vintage madonna, along with lots of my business cards to pass along at her place.
It is good to be Queen!

Have a wonderful evening ladies and stay tuned.

Come on Spring!! I hate being cold!!

Yesterday I was just a bit of a funk, wanting to see some sun and hoping for a really early spring. Today, I woke up not feeling great and no heat at the shop. I have lived in Spokane all my life but with heat. I had to leave my sick bed to help my junk hunk work on the furnace. We had to completely tear apart the furnace making a huge mess and then close down to run around to find the part. I was feeling horrible as time wore on. To make matters worse,while we were gone, I got a phone call that one of the famous Funky Junk Sisters was at the store. She and her hubby had stopped by to check out the shop. Ahhhh.....timing is everything they say. Unfortunently, she couldn't wait until we could get back to the shop. I hope that she will return soon.
In the mean time, the heat is back on and the shop is cozy and warm. It is also looking better and better.

I actually was able to complete a couple of projects while we were waiting for the repairman come and diagnose the problem.


This is a gorgeous, vintage floor lamp. It has a large globe and three smaller bulbs that can be adjusted for just the right amount of light. It works great. The fabric on the original shade was pretty sad looking - so I covered it with some vintage backcloth. I love the way it turned out. I may still add some gimp.


I also completed some great lavender filled sachets out of some vintage fabrics. The lucky winner of this giveaway will get three of these yummy smelling loverlies to use in your own home or gift...they will be yours - so you can do as you like.

I added some fabric flowers to remind us that spring is on the way.

Now I am off to a nice warm bath. Thanks for adding my giveaway to your blogs. Chat with you tomorrow.