Saturday, October 30, 2010

Reminscing about the 2009 Indiana Trip

Since my one year Blogaversary giveaway is over at midnight on Sunday, October 31, 2010, I thought it might be fun to show one of my first posts when I was shopping at The Red Barn Antique Mall in Indiana.  It was so beautifully Autumn with all the mums and plants outside the barn.  I'm sharing with Sunday Favorites with Happy to Design since this blog party is designed to share a past post.

  When traveling through Indiana, I picked up a brochure about an antique mall in Corydon. Since it was called The Red Barn, I thought it would be fun to check it out. The mums and fall decor drew me in from the beginning. I always love it when the booths are displayed cute and it is clean....well, clean as a barn can be. I brought home several treasures from this stop.

 Reading this past post makes me want to take a road trip but this Fall Trip we will be flying so I won't get to bring too many treasures back with me but I will be bringing back memories with our son and daughter-n-law.

Enjoy the Autumn time with Friends and Family.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Gail's "Rachel Ashwell" Inspired Girls Night In



My girlfriend gadabouts and I marked our calendars for the Remnants of the Past  antique show in Nipomo California at the beginning of October.  Beverly and Sandi have their birthdays then so we decided to head over for our anxiously anticipated adventure.  Sally, Linda and Ruth went too.  Cindi couldn't go but she was there in spirit since we went in her van.


We did have to get up before dawn to make it when the show first opened. We didn't want miss a minute of the fun.



There is a vendor at the show that produces these pumpkins with sayings on them.  So unique.


One of the highlights of the show was a book signing event with Rachel Ashwell of Shabby Chic.



Sally was having Rachel sign her book



Rachel shared her newest book and told of the journey she was on while publishing "Shabby Chic Interiors".  She was very personal and we felt like we had known her for years.  I guess we really have known about her for years because I mentioned that I had video recorded all her Shabby Chic shows on Style Network many years ago.   What happened to all our great decorating shows we use to watch?  Anyway, my friends said "We need to get together to  watch some of those shows so if you furnish the entertainment ...  we will bring the food" so that is what inspired our get-together last Monday night at my house.


I have a painted black dining table so I knew that was not going to work for a "Shabby Chic" tablescape so I layered a solid white tablecloth then a cream lace tablecloth (for the petticoat) and then I used a pink crocheted tablecloth that I purchased from The Tattered House at the Remnants of the Past show.


Since I have all of Rachel's books, they needed to be the base for the design on the table.


Since we would be seated on both sides of the table, I turned every other book to the spine side.


I chose a silver charger with a pale green dinner plate and vintage Homer Laughlin "Pink Rose" bowls.
This grape patterned silverware is so beautifully detailed, I wanted to include it.

 
The tablescape has items that remind me of the "Shabby Chic" look.  For instance, the vintage floral vase with the porcelain flowers.  The sheer pale pink gloves with just a touch of rhinestones and the vintage pale pink necklace with a beautiful clasp and pendant make a beautiful backdrop for the pink high heel salt and pepper shakers.


I had to include the pink crystal stemware and the vintage pink cloth napkins with the green crystal napkin rings.  The vintage salt and pepper shakers with the hand painted roses just add 
another element of Shabby Chic.

Since it was a "Girl's Night In", I had to include my antique beaded pink drawstring purse and the antique comb set painted by Christie Repasy. 
Just a sneak preview....I will be featuring a post on Christie in the near future. 


The hand painted pink rose teapot, creamer and sugar had to be included.

  
There are so many details that I think I will just give you an overall look.
This is my version of Shabby Chic because I don't think Rachael would have used so many items but sometimes for me.....more is better.


As you can see in the background, my house is decorated in Fall colors so it was a little strange adding all this pink and pastel colors.... I have done a Fall table in soft pastels so maybe that can be another post.


The three rose covered paper lanterns hung from the chandelier.


Several years ago, my friend Beverly at My Sew Sweet Studio made these slipcovers for my dining room chairs out of  my vintage chenille bedspreads.




My vintage pastel chenille covered dress form and crinoline slip had to be dressed for dinner.


Since we were having buffet style, I decorated my counter for the food.


In Rachel's style, I mismatched the tea cups and saucers.


I had to use my Rachel matches I purchased at her Shabby Chic store in 
Santa Monica California many years ago to light the rose printed candle.
Since the matches have a pink tip, I only use them for special occasions.



I don't know if you noticed but I did find some fresh roses from my daughter's yard to replace the silk flowers. .

The guests (Beverly, Linda, Me (Gail), Ruth, Sally, Sandi) arrived so let the video and feasting begin.



You never know what or who will inspire your next decorating project.

Thank you Rachel
for your inspirational talk and sharing from your heart.


Just a quick reminder that my One-Year Blogaversary Giveaway ends at midnight on Sunday, October 31st.  
If you would like to be included click here to enter.



I will be linking to the following blog parties:

Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch


Simple Pleasures Thursday at  A Little of This and That

Vintage Thingies Thursday at The Coloradolady

Time Travel Thursday at Brambleberry Cottage

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home


Thursday, October 21, 2010

Fun Soldering Adventure

First, I am having a one-year blogaversary giveaway so click here to enter.


Last week, my friends, Ruth, Sandi, Linda, and I went on an adventure.  Ruth, Sandi, and I had been looking forward to taking Rita's soldering class. Linda was our chauffeur and did a great job.  Anyway, Rita has a soldering class in a studio on her property in Southern California in a small town called Fallbrook/Rainbow  I'm not sure where one town ends and one begins but the view is beautiful.  

Me, Sandi, Rita, Ruth

 The class was called  "Five Times is a Charm Necklace" soldering class.  I had never soldered before so my necklace is pretty rustic so it is a good thing that I love that look.

 This was the sample of what we were going to make.

.
These are the supplies I started with.


This is part of Rita's workshop where she keeps supplies and items she sells.


You can tell this is serious business when she gets the bolt cutters out.
Actually they were silverware cutters.


Her husband, Dean, cooked us a yummy lunch. He needs to share his recipes. yum...


They are so hospitable and wonderful to get to know.
We so enjoyed our time together.


This is my final necklace and if you would like to check out our fun day or 
see the other classes Rita is offering click on Mammabellarte.
OH.... I have more surprises to share about this trip so come back soon because
she also took us on a shopping adventure.

I am linking to Show and Tell    at My Romantic Home


Wednesday, October 20, 2010

One Year Blogaversary Giveaway

Last Friday, October 15th, was my One-Year Blogaversary.  I have to say this year of blogging has been so rewarding and exciting.  I have met so many new friends as well as stayed in touch with past friends.  The blog world has given me 24-7 fun.  I have planned road trip adventures, taken classes, visited new stores and antique shows, met wonderful people and shared a little of my world too.

To say thank you, I would like to have a giveaway.  This is a Victorian at Heart Tote filled with goodies... some from the present and some from the past.




This is how it will work:


Each comment needs to be separate to get additional entries.


Just leave a comment on this post for one entry.  (You need not have a blog to enter, but you must leave your email address so that I can notify you should you win)


If you are or become a follower of Victorian at Heart Blog tell me in a separate comment.


Blog about this giveaway.  Leave a comment with a link for me to check out.

If you have Victorian at Heart blog listed on your blog as a favorite, let me know.


If you put the Victorian at Heart button on your blog (instructions under button on sidebar) or if you already have it, leave a comment letting me know.  I will give two entries for adding the VH button.






There are six ways to enter to win so just let me know in separate comments on this post.


This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.


You will have until October 31st at Midnight Pacific Time to enter.  I will pick the winner on November 1st so come back and check to see if you won.




Thank you, your support is appreciated !

I always love hearing from you.
 

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

A Walk along the Beach

I guess the best place to start a story is from the beginning. 

At the beginning of summer Mr. VH and I helped with decorating for the Vacation Bible School at our church.  It had a nautical, beachy, pirate ship theme.  It was called Sailing Adventure.

So on a trip with my friends in the summer, I started looking for nautical themed items.  I wanted some pieces with a touch of the past as well as the cutesy ones.  I did a 5-part post on our trip if you would like to check it out click here.

This all became inspiration for a tablescape that I have been wanting to do all summer.  Last week when we were having halibut for dinner, I decided this is the time for this tablescape.  

I am just going to let you take a "A Walk along the Beach"
































Fabric for the tablecloth and napkins was given to me by my friend, Beverly
The napkin rings were a gift from my friend, Sally many years ago when she went to Hawaii
The silver chargers from Target last year
The plates are Fiesta turquoise.  White or sand plates would look great if you wanted to keep it without color.
The shell and starfish plates, garland of driftwood, and rope-like silverware was from HomeGoods.
The starfish and shells are purchases I made from beach stores over the years.
One of my favorite items are the old buoys I purchased from Bungalow in Sacramento California
The vintage nets I have purchased at antique stores and shows when I see it.  The vintage nets have such character.
The shell planter was purchased at an antique store in Las Vegas.
The stemware and votive cups with the wavy glass I have had for a long time
.
I hope you enjoyed  your "Walk along the Beach"

I will be participating in the following blog parties.
You can click on their names when I link them up or on their buttons on my sidebar.

Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch
Vintage Thingie Thursday at Colorado Lady
Simple Pleasures at A Collection of This and That
Time Travel Thursday at Brambleberry Cottage
Strut Your Stuff Thursday @ Some What Smple
Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home