New Favorites...

I have just added two new "Favorite Places to Visit." I wish I could tell you from where they come, however, I don't speak/read German, Danish, Finnish, etc. I really don't know where they originate, but the pictures are INCREDIBLE!! I found it kind of fun to try to pick out a word here or there and I find it interesting how English is interspersed throughout. Anyway...enjoy the view!!!

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The first one is called Blomsterverkstad. It looks like three women have a business of making wreaths and other beautiful creations. Check out all the old posts also. Great pictures!! This picture is from their site.

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The second is: Min Lilla Veranda. Here is a little picture from (her?) blog. Maybe this woman is a photographer or stylist. She puts some beautiful things together.

I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

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Warm wishes....Sweet dreams....

Carol

SHOW TIME!!

My next show is on the near horizon. For some reason, I found myself dragging my feet a bit. I tend to get in over my head at times, but it feels good to start directing my every waking hour to this next project.
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Another part of my little business is decorating. I am currently working on two fairly large projects (one a master bathroom renovation and the other a kitchen [and other rooms]). I will share some pictures as the projects start coming together. I have been very blessed to have made connections with some great people. My clients are truly my friends. I guess that is when you know it's going to work.
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Anyway, back to the show prep..... I will be at the War Memorial Auditorium on August 4 and 5 for the Ft. Lauderdale Antiques and Collector Fair. I am really looking forward to this show as it is kind of a cozy atmosphere with about 60 vendors.....much smaller than the WPB shows, but just as interesting. The Fair opens on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. The $5 entrance fee is good for the entire weekend. Not bad....

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I am really excited to be offering some new items. The orders are in. I'll just be sweating the arrival like always. It seems to work out though. I'm still in the hunt for some cool old stuff. I have one really neat secretary top that is sitting on an old iron stand that I keep debating upon keeping for myself. I think that defeats the purpose though, right? It is truly one of the most interesting pieces I have seen in a long time. I'm sure it will be with me at the show. I'm going to tweak it a bit with my own custom look and will share some pictures prior to the show.

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Well, back to work for me. I'll be back soon with more news.......
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"Be the flower that blooms...butterflies will come."
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Warm wishes. Sweet dreams. Carol

Liberty and Justice for All....

This is coming to you a day early as I will be away from my computer tomorrow celebrating my freedom. I am sure I am not the only person who reflects over the last six or so years and thinks, "my, how times have changed." Our safe cocoon was shaken and we came together as a great nation. It is interesting how common place it is now to know we have to pack differently when we travel by air and we might have our car checked a time or two before we even get in. I am proud to say that we follow those directions quietly and humbly as we know what could happen, and we're thankful for those who are looking for the "what ifs." It's okay with me.....look all you want. I want to keep enjoying my freedom.

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I pray you all enjoy the freedom of a day off, time with friends and family, good food, good times, and fantastic fireworks!!

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Raise your flag in honor of those who will not be with family tomorrow, but who will be fighting for us so we may. May God bless you all and keep you safe.

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Warm wishes. Sweet dreams.
Carol

Rainy Days and Thursdays

It's a rainy day here in South Florida today. We need it so badly, I really cannot complain. I know my garden and garden friends are enjoying it immensely.

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Last weekend we had the sprinkler on and it was creating a mist that a Cardinal couple was enjoying so much it made me think they hadn't seen water in awhile. I am sorry I did not have my camera at the ready to take pictures to share. They sat on the edge of the green fencing we have to put around the beds to keep Jasper (our German Shorthair Pointer) from stampeding through everything, and fluttered their wings in pure enjoyment for about 5 minutes. The way the sun peeked through the branches and such, it was incredible. You almost couldn't look away.

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Like when we were in Camden, Maine....if you've ever been to the Camden Deli and sat in the back overlooking the harbor with the mallard ducks floating just below the window, perhaps you have found, like me, that you really can't take your eyes off them. It's like watching another part of the world that carries on while we are carrying on in our own. When you think of it, there really is a lot going on that we don't really notice. When I actually do notice it, it stops me in my tracks for a few minutes. It's a good reprieve from the day, really.

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Please enjoy the day with Warm Wishes and Sweet Dreams........Carol

Secret Garden

"There is one gift valued above all others, and that is the gift of oneself."

~Theresa Ann Hunt

As promised, here are pictures from our not-so-secret garden.

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This is one of my favorite views from the garden gate.

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The crepe myrtles are beginning to bloom. Pentas and lavendar in front of the bird bath. The birds are loving it this summer.

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A close-up of Myrtle. She's so pretty!

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One of our two dozen roses with lemon grass in the background.

Warm wishes. Sweet dreams.

Carol

Dreams and Such

"Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream, so shall you become. Your vision is the promise of what you shall at last unveil." This quote by John Ruskin has so much truth in it. I have had the dream of decorating and having my own store for so long that it appears to actually be coming true! It is true that I have been decorating for a few years now, but I am always surprised that when I've accomplished something that I ask myself, "Where did you get that idea from?" It is truly a gift from God. It has taken me a long time to find my gifts, but that is indeed what it is. I have had the opportunity to work with some wonderful people who have become my friends as well. I will show pics soon of a bathroom renovation I am working on. I am happy to call this client a dear friend as well.

As far as the new part of the business goes, I am pleased and excited to be among greatness. I met with Denise Cote of Our Cottage Garden.com this past week and it was like we have led parallel lives of sorts. She has an absolutley beautiful home and garden in Historic Flamingo Park and has surrounded herself with loveliness. Check out her website and eBay offerings.

My point here really is that everyone I have met has welcomed me into the fold. There is a camaraderie of sorts that I am very proud to be a part of. I have much to learn. Everyone I have met has put their own spin on their business to make it their own. I am still working on finding my own niche, but it is there, I know it. I'll keep dreaming and so shall I become!

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Isn't this picture beautiful? It is a Blue Wave Hydrangea, as seen in Country Living Magazine. I have this thing for blue and purple flowers, and love to mix them with anything white, pink and yellow. That is pretty much what my garden looks like.....not this flower, unfortunately, as it does not grow in Zone 10, but the color scheme is there. I will take pictures of our gardens as it is at its peak right now. Sometimes the summer heat is too hard on the flowers and they start fading. Hurricanes don't help either, but we were lucky last year. I hope we will be spared this year as well. We've started to finally get some of our summer rain, so everything is coming back to life....in the garden that is. With the rain comes the humidity and I, on the other hand, start to wilt. I'm a Fall and Winter kind of gal, but tolerate it, I do.

Have a wonderful day and week all.

Warm (and I do mean "warm") wishes. Sweet dreams.
Carol

My First Show - Part II

With a wave of my magic wand, my first post will reappear! OR.....it is here again because I had to retype it. I vote for the second one.

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Well, all the work was worth it. I was very nervous that this little show would end up looking like a garage sale. I spent weeks looking at everything I could get my hands on for display ideas. In the end, I was pleased. I looked very different from all the other booths. I received many positive comments and flagged the ever popular question, "Do you have a store?" or "Where is your store?" My response was always, "This is it for now, but I hope to have one some day."

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Iwas tickled to have sold an architectural piece with my own custom finish. That was very cool! (It's the sunburst arch in the above pic.) I was also surprised to have sold so many plants. I had a few that were in old containers (like old oil cans or coffee pots) and also a few just wrapped in burlap. (NEW ENTRY: Since the posting of this entry originally, I am happy to report that I have also sold the cabinet and floor mirror, both of which are custom finished. The little chest sold at the show, but I can't take credit for that particular/very cool finish.)

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The Barbara Schriber cards were also very popular, as well as the Cathy Penton charms (from Australia), and the Bittersweet Designs small composition books. I will be restocking these items for my next show, as well as adding some new things.

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I will have original artwork by Patti Gainey, a very talented artist from Georgia; some beautiful jewelry from These Flowers, This Moon; and organic soap and soy candles from WoodSprite Organics and A Wild Soap Bar. I had a lot of requests for aprons, so I'll be working on getting some of those in also.

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It is my goal to have a few pieces of custom upholstery (actual reupholstery) that I have designed and possibly an example of custom bedcoverings. I really love textiles and love to mix beautiful fabrics for a one-of-a-kind result. Of course, there will be plenty of "new" old stuff. That is my favorite, after all!!

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On to what's next.....I was invited to have a booth at the Ft. Lauderdale Antique and Collector Faire. At first I didn't know what to think, but after discussing it with my hubby, we decided that "YES" would be the right answer. The dates are August 4 and 5 at the War Memorial Auditorium. More information on that will follow soon.

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Following that, I will be back in West Palm Beach in November for their first show of the season. That looks like it for this year, but if plans change, you'll be the first to know. I really want to thank all of you who came out to see my little show. Your kind words went right to my heart (and to my head in the form of ideas for next time). This is my first attempt at this blog stuff that appears to be so popular. I welcome your comments and will try to remember to update it in order to keep you posted on what is to come.

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Warm wishes. Sweet dreams,

Carol

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P.S. Here are a few more pictures from the show.