Indulge Your Shelf

You have no idea how excited I was that the promised IKEA store opened up this past week in nearby Centennial.  It just appears as if it sprouted up as you come around a bend on Highway 25, and this one is huge!  I've been a fan of this store chain from my days in CA; if you've ever been in one, you know it's just a refreshing shopping experience.  One year, we furnished my son's "big boy room" (when he moved from the nursery) from IKEA, in a lighthouse theme.  So much fun! We had to go on the second day it was open.  This time, I was most enamored by the different lighting they had available... like this one that is actually made from a bunch of thin, paper-like stars! I also found myself wanting a pillow, like this one: or, this one: which would have looked so cute with this bedding set -- and look at those adorable little tube pillows! But, come on.  Me , need a pillow?  I know, right?  I did come to my senses. It's been ...

Do you remember when I blogged about the wonderful time Dennis and I had shopping for Antiques in Florence, CO ? Somehow, a member of the Florence Merchant's Association found that blog post and really enjoyed it.  I heard, via comments on the blog and email, from several of the antique store owners and even the Mayor , who all expressed their thanks for my talking about their town on this blog!  They asked for my address to send their written thanks. The response really made me smile; it's just an example of one of the things about blogging that give me joy.  So imagine my surprise yesterday to receive an envelope in the mail with a lovely note of thanks -- and a pile of gift certificates to those wonderful antique stores! The thank you note reads in part, "We know that word of mouth is the very best advertising that money cannot buy!  We are so glad that you had a fun day shopping, found some treasures along the way, and have shared your experience with the w...

  My Birdsong Tagbook, at home on its rack Ever since Lisa taught me how to weave at the Birdsong event , Jeanelle and I have been wanting to get together and use the same method to weave a cuff bracelet.  But it's been such a busy summer that we've had to cancel or put off crafting together.  The other day I got to choosing fabrics, cutting the strips we would need to make the cuffs, and finding fibers and things to use.  Once I had the basketful I just couldn't wait -- I had to get started! Here's the cuff, sitting in the basket of strips of fabrics.  There are enough pieces for 50 cuffs, I think -- I went a little hog wild! I tried my best with the weaving method, but we had learned how to make a pouch so I had to adapt it to a cuff...and it didn't go as well as planned. I ended up sewing the woven part to an old piece of linen, which I folded around to make a sort of binding on each short end, and then a ribbon tie.  Also -- buttons and ...

I'm a big fan of Vera Neumann, who made a name for herself by inventing the signature scarf.  Even though she passed away several years ago, her company is going strong and keeps a cool website.  I especially like their blog and the information they publish that helps you to identify the age of her pieces -- since her career spanned decades.  I'm also hoping to find Vera: The Art and Life of an Icon wrapped up for my birthday next month! I've been on a Vera kick since yesterday, when I took some time to update all of my listings for Vintage Vera Neumann in my shop .  This included draping the scarves onto my lovely dress form to show them at their best, lowering prices on the already listed pieces, and listing several new pieces I've been lucky enough to find lately!  I also created a shop section just for her stuff since I seem to have a collection now! Here's one of my favorites -- the colors!  It's silk and long and so playfully Vera! And...

That's what I feel like today -- the Queen of the nest! -- after receiving my Birdsong Tagbook swap ! It arrived yesterday, prettily wrapped in a page covered with eggs, tied with Marie-blue ribbon! Karla's beautiful birdcage cover, embellished with... a gorgeous blue bird feather, and her hand painted charm! The reverse of her tag book cover had sweet, tiny rick-rack embellished trim and layers of wallpaper. My first beautiful tag -- a wonderfully layered bird in nest made by Robin Sanchez .  I love, love, love the bird and the tiny farm scene in the lower right corner of the tag, and the shrinky-dink flower that hangs from the bottom!   Look at this sweet, hand painted tag from Laurie May !  I love the soft pink color, her frilly birdcage, and the texture of the piece. Here's the back -- she made is so lovely, didn't she? Terri Gordon's tag -- you already know I think this is FABULOUS!  I adore the paper she used for the background, ...