Saturday Morning In Mid-Town

This morning, the girls were on the road, at 7:15 a.m.! While cutting into my beauty sleep, it was all for a good cause! Searching for tomorrow’s treasures, that’s what we do! Today’s loot includes pillow fabric, that makes me happy, including what I think you’d call a toile. Very frenchy! Next to the vintage…

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A New Love for Old Linen & Lace

I used to see women digging through piles of linens and lace at estate sales. I never could understand what the attraction was. But now, I think I know! My mother was the consummate entertainer. Every dinner party included linen napkins that she carefully washed and ironed. In the early years, she would always include…

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Making Pillows with Vintage Fabric

Hello there! What a day! I was so excited about yesterday’s monogrammed pillow creation, that I got to thinking about all the different fabric options that I could use to make soft, feminine, dare I say “shabby chic” pillow covers. I think I’ve unleashed a sleeping giant! Watch out! As I was combing the treasures…

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Monogrammed Pillow Tutorial

Oh my gosh! Wait ’til you see this! Last week, when I was going to mass produce beautiful custom painted tea towels, that turned into a craft-disaster, the project went bust and I was left with 13 plain, white cotton (Wall Mart flour sack) tea towels. Well…drum roll please…tonight I turned two of those $1…

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World Market’s Come A Long Way

Greetings!, While I was out, looking for a colorful outdoor umbrella, I decided to stop in at World Market, formerly known as Cost Plus. While they haven’t really changed the type of things they carry, the selection seems to be quite a bit nicer. Cool jewelry, hats and scarves… …to outdoor or indoor furniture and…

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The Box Arrived!

Hi there!, Life is finally getting back to normal, after having been gone for two weeks. What’s better then getting a package in the mail? Shortly before leaving for Italy, the shipment from my New York shopping adventure arrived. So I thought I would share it with you, my shopping buds! First of all I…

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Lillian August Showroom, NYC

When I’m in New York, you may recall that I love to visit the Lillian August Showroom! In another case of “the pictures don’t do it justice”, I hope you can visit her Connecticut or New York stores soon. Showcased, is a terrific blend of the new and the old. Like the old shoe trees…

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Serendipitous Shopping Excursion, a la Subway

Sure, I know how to get around on the NYC subway! No problem. Except for the minor issue of missing my desired stop by 14 blocks. But, here’s where it gets good! If I hadn’t been in a daze, looking at e-mail, I would have gotten off the subway where planned and gone directly to…

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At Veranda Antiques this Weekend

Greetings, friends! Big things are happening at Veranda Antiques! Fran’s taking more space, here in the cottage, bringing more fun painted furniture into the place! Come check it out. I’ve got my latest restoration projects in the shop and looking good, if I don’t mind saying so myself. I’m heading down to San Diego to…

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Dressing Up a Plain Pillow, Jacket, Scarf…

Hello my dear, In between customers today, at Veranda, I made these crazy fabric flowers. I made a prototype out of some scrap material and think they’d look especially cute in some bolder, summer fabrics. My first effort turned out larger than I’d like. I started with pieces of fabric, cut in airplane propeller shapes.…

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