Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Come see us at the Grayslake Antique Flea Market

January 8,9.... 2011

Everything on Sale!

 We're having a year-end sale at  

Gracie's Cottage on etsy.  

Everything is 15% off.

Simply use coupon code 

goodbye2010

at checkout.

(Coupon expires 12/31/10 at midnight CST.)

 Choose from 118 items in our

letters & numbers section,

fun finds like this stencil wheel

grain sacks & textiles

fun antiques like this escutcheon

sweet ephemera like this

...and everything else! 

Feeling A Little Pink Today

Here's hoping that you all had a marvelous Christmas!   The decorating got a late start here at the cottage, but even so, I'm ready to pack Christmas away and look at something else.  

Today....pink.  

 This pretty old watercolor found it's way upstairs.

I love the full, loose, perfectly 'cottage' roses.

And this lovely pink flower...

...is on the most beautiful Victorian child's dress...

...layers & layers of dreamy silk in shades of pink.

It's entirely stitched by hand.

 

But wait...there's more!

The flower isn't pink this time...

...but it's on another amazing pink dress

...suitable for a princess

Sending wishes your way 

for a  pink-a-licious day!

 

We Wish YOU A Merry Christmas

 We've just come in from a walk in the beautiful Christmas snow.

Before the family celebrations begin, we wanted to take a moment to wish each of you a 

Merry Christmas.

Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Guess Who Is Wearing White?

Oh...it's my sweet old dress form!

 As the day gets darker, she gets prettier!

She's wearing C9 LEDs and an old frame insert around her neck.

She will forever be one of 

my favorite finds of this year.

Head on over to Faded Charm for

White Wednesday for some fabulous inspiration!

Finally The Tree Is Up

Real trees are the best but this year I'm really thankful that we have a tree-in-a-box.  Put 3 parts together, plug it in and add ornies. You'd think I'd have had it done weeks ago. Nope. Just wasn't feeling it.  Tonight it had to be done.  Here's where I started.

 My favorite vintage ornaments live in the suitcases.

Each year I wrap them carefully and tuck them away.

The first things I spotted were two hanging cards.

They were from my grandparents when I was very young.

They've been on every tree that I can remember.

This little red bell is not valuable, but it is priceless.

It's from our family tree and I

can still hear my Dad's voice saying that he liked this one.

(This will be his 30th Christmas in heaven...)

 Most of the rest of my vintage ornaments are from 

estate sales and auctions.

I love their simple charm.

This dog always brings a smile to my face.

 And the infant is sweet. 

This is one of the earliest.

See the angel? 

She's perched on a blown glass stem

that's about 6" long. 

It's amazing that it survived.

The blown glass icicles are most at

risk when little ones are present.

They're fascinating and irresistible.

By the time I was finished

I wondered why I'd waited so long to get to 

the tree. Seeing the old ornaments 

was like getting together with old friends.

I'm sorry I waited so long to see them!

White Wednesday

It's a beautiful morning.

Sunny, clear blue skies...

and one degree.  

O-n-e.

Occasionally nature presents us

with a peace offering when we have to cope with extreme temps.

It's called hoarfrost - 'glitter' on every surface.

It's fleeting; once the sun is up it doesn't last long.

I'm always reminded to stop and enjoy the 'moment',

before it's gone.

May you  have many moments to treasure this week!

I'm linking up with Faded Charm for White Wednesday.

You'll be captivated by all of the participants...enjoy!