Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Fa-la-la-la-LIS - 'Fleur De Lis' That Is...

Found a handful of these in California last week...
They're finials off an old fence, and because of that
nice square base they will stand alone.
 Can you imagine how beautiful that fence must have been?
Maybe something like this, (from google images),....
 Way cool!

(A few of these are available in my etsy shop.)

Sunday, November 28, 2010

A Christmas Memory & Cyber Monday Sale Reminder

A  quiet weekend afforded an opportunity to list some vintage Christmas finds on etsy & ebay.
These little boxes brought back childhood memories of getting a 
box of hard candy at church each December.

Sweet.
Treat.

DON'T FORGET - 
15% OFF EVERY ITEM PURCHASED 
IN OUR ETSY SHOP TODAY.  
Enter coupon code buynow15 at checkout.
*Does not apply to previous purchases, ends at 10 PM CST today, Nov 29, 2010
 



Thursday, November 25, 2010

Tis The Season - Etsy Sale!

Update:  Thanks for the great response; we're going to
extend the sale thru Cyber Monday - (Nov 29th)


We're having a sale in our etsy shop... enter coupon code: BUYNOW15 
at checkout to receive 15% off every item you purchase from Gracie's Cottage
 The fine print:  
Does not apply to previous purchases, expires Saturday, Nov 27, 10 pm CST

If you are an etsy seller having a sale this weekend, 
feel free to post your coupon code in the comments.

 

Thankful

So many of our friends have faced storms 
in their lives this year
Some are enduring serious financial hardship,
some are battling cruel diseases...
A 25 year-old friend with bone cancer...
life interrupted...no complaining.
He's won many battles and is winning the war.
 A young dad with three little ones; his stomach has
been removed and his earthly future is uncertain.  
His students are learning much more than math from him
as he continues to teach; they are watching faith
alive as he trusts completely in his 
loving heavenly Father.
  On this day of giving thanks, I'm reminded to
really be thankful. Thankful for each day of life here with 
a loving family, treasured friends, an occupation that I love, and
all of you out there in blogland that inspire me daily. 
.

Most of all I'm thankful for a loving heavenly Father that
sacrificed his own son, to grant eternal life to all that believe.
"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." 
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! 


Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Gathering - A Shop Filled With Delights in Willows California

Willows is a small farm town in Northern California.
It looked pretty much like this until they tore most of it
down in the early 70's, to 'modernize' it.
When I was growing up there, the only really 'special' thing in town was the vanilla Coke at Foster Freeze.  There was no ice rink, no Macy's, no ocean...none of the things that the heroines in the books that I devoured got to enjoy. So I left.   
(Now I'm living in the Midwest, 
in a little farm town with no ice rink, no Macy's, no ocean....)

Imagine my surprise when I returned to Willows for a visit last week and discovered that there was something very 'special' there;  A shop named 'Gathering'.
It's a charming place filled with artfully staged shabbies & primitives...
...with some great gift items mixed in.
My favorite part of the shop is the little courtyard out back.
(I'll admit that I was a bit jealous of the lush
plants thriving outside in November.)
One of the owners of Gathering was working that day.
(I'd show you her picture but she was camera-shy).
So I'll show you one more photo of the shop instead...

...and tell you that the camera-shy lady was none other
than the mother of Corey Amaro.  (Corey's amazing blog, Tongue in Cheek, is  favorite of many of us.
I've never met Corey; she was a kid when I left Willows.  After meeting
her Mom and seeing the shop, it was easy to see where Corey's talents come from.)

Next time you're traveling up I-5, zip off at the Willows exit and pay a visit to Gathering.
You'll be as delighted as I was!


Monday, November 22, 2010

Thank You Grayslake!

I'm a week late, (more about that in my next post), but would be remiss if I didn't send out a big "thank you" to everyone that shopped my space at the Grayslake Antique Market on November 13th & 14th.  It was great to meet blog reader Jean, who scored the fabulous "Christmas Trees" sign.  (Thanks Jean...I'm glad it found the perfect home!)  
Things were really hopping on Saturday and dealers loaded the hall with great finds. The pace was more relaxed on Sunday.  Rhubarb Reign, ChiPPy!-SHaBBY! and many other dealers had enticing displays...I only wish that I'd had time to shop!  
THANKS for a great show. 
I'll be back at Grayslake after the first of the year.
In the meantime, I'll be loading my 
etsy shop with more fun finds!

Friday, November 12, 2010

Preview - Grayslake Antique Market Tomorrow & Sunday

Can it be Friday afternoon already!  In about fourteen hours I'll be on the road to Grayslake, Illinois to get set up.  In addition to my usual assortment of vintage goodness, Christmas items are coming along.  I'll be in space #101, near the entrance.  Here's a sneak peek:


 l-e-t-t-e-r-s

Adorable Danish Nisse

Cubby, (filled with dancing shoes!)

Locker baskets & architectural elements

Silk Christmas ribbon with a 1907 calendar
 
A key, a tree, and a fleur de lis

Hope to see YOU there!

Monday, November 8, 2010

From A to Z

Remember the road trip find that wouldn't fit in my van? 
I rented a big red Silverado last week and brought her home.  She's hefty, all metal, and measures a big 52" x 52" x 19"...too big for the spot I had in mind.  If any of you local dealers or customers are interested her drop me a note!  She's for sale, but will have to be picked up in Racine County, Wisconsin.  All metal and charming, she'd be very useful if you have a spot for her.

My friend Kathy went along to help pick up the cubby and hunt for treasures. We channeled Mike and Frank as we picked through four barns, two sheds and a trailer.  As it turned out there wasn't a lot for us. I've never seen more horse tack.  Sadly, the owner wanted retail prices so there were no stellar bargains to be had. If we picked up something that looked remotely interesting, she wouldn't sell it..."that's old - I'll have to check on the price before I can sell it..."

On the happy side, I did come home with more letters to love and I've been loading them into my etsy shop.
They have that great mid-century industrial vibe.
Some are faded...



...a few are rusty & chippy


...some are "hot" 60's colors.  
(In my 7th grade photo I'm wearing a sweater this color - yikes!)

and there's everthing  from...
 to...

...numbers too!

I'll be adding more of these to etsy as the week goes on, 
in between getting ready for Grayslake this weekend
and catching up on little things that need attention here in the cottage!
(I'll post a sneak peek of Grayslake goodies later in the week!)

Monday, November 1, 2010

Winners! The Great American Grain Sack Giveaway

Drum roll, please............
First number generated belongs to:  Kim at Savvy Southern Style . She wins the Fulton sack!
Second winner:  Theresa of 612 Riverside gets the Bemis sack.
Third winner:   Cindy at Oakview Cottage gets the Bemis 2 1/2 bushel sack.
Congratulations!   Please e-mail me: cobblecreek(at)wi.rr.com with your shipping address so I can get them on the way to you.

Thanks to each of you that took the time to enter and to those who earned multiple entries; wish I could send one to everyone. This was great fun and we'll do it again some day!