Wire-Paper-Glitter!

As I write this post I am trying to make a decision. I have a sisters weekend planned for the Jersey shore (wonderful cottage-y shops, even an Anthropologie en route from the airport) for this weekend but now I'm not sure whether or not to go because of swine flu reports and advisories. Well, in the meantime here's my latest post ...

Instead of Rock-Paper-Scissors, today I am playing Wire-Paper-Glitter. Not sure what beats what, though?

Wire
I picked up this beautiful iron wire basket in antique pink at my new favorite local shop, the greenery. (Attention admirers of weathered wire: there is still 1 available in white!)


I hung it from the pegs in my kitchen but wasn't quite sure what to place inside. Too far from the stove for cooking utensils; too in-reach for the boys for gardening tools; I decided on some faux wildflowers that I wrapped in a piece of newspaper. What do you think?


Paper
I just received this fabulous catalog from Cath Kidston. It's like a magazine devoted to fun florals and polka dots. There are even pretty dish gloves! Currently there are no shops in the U.S. I had to request a catalog (free online) after seeing the cover at Fitty's blog!


Closer to home, I found Cath Kidston napkins at the good HomeGoods.


Glitter

My oldest sister brings me things to tinker with for her. Last visit she left behind two small, dark metal birds. I wish I'd thought to take a true "before" picture. I painted them blue with white bellies and then completely sugared-them up with glitter.
[Betsy: No peeking below!]


I thought it would be fun to pack them up in a plastic berry container that I had saved for possibilities.


I'll let you know if the little birds and I keep our plans for the weekend!

xo

ps
[To answer a few questions: My essay in Romantic Homes will appear in the June issue. I don't think it's on newsstands yet. Thank you SO MUCH for asking!]

Added 5/1/09
Happy May Day! I am going to New Jersey! See you in a few days, Sweeties! xo

Thank Yous and Sweet Treats

Recently I received the sweetest collection of treats in the mail from Jen at The Cottage Nest. Jen was one of 5 bloggers selected to compete in the BHG 24 Hour Challenge. For her project Jen designed and built a beautiful potting shed that doubles for outdoor entertaining. It's awesome and Jen thanked me with all of this just for cheering her on. Gulp.


Look at all of these pretty things! My very favorites are the birds and plastic rose. Jen is a Silver Bella gal and I am in awe of her creativity.

I also want to thank all of you for leaving me the most heartfelt, warm and enthusiastic comments on my last post about my essay being published in Romantic Homes. Your support means more to me than you can know. I am touched, thankful and feel very blessed.

xo

from MY pen: June issue of Romantic Homes

A couple of posts ago, I hinted about being in an upcoming magazine but was too excited/nervous about spilling any beans just in case it didn't appear (ever get like that?). It's the June issue of Romantic Homes. I subscribe and was calculating that the issue might arrive in about a week or two but it came TODAY!!!

My heart is racing!

This is my first published essay. It's titled, De-Stressing by Distressing: A Mom Embraces Cottage Style. I am thrilled about the two-page layout with an illustration! So funny because without ever seeing my sons, the artist Danijela Dobric gave the boys in her drawing light and dark hair, which is true of my boys. I haven't even read my article in print yet! Too excited.



Okay, time to calm down and enjoy the rest of the issue. Well, maybe I'll just stare at pages 76-77 a little longer . . . I hope this post makes sense!

xo

Branching Out

Tinkered Treasures is branching out. A few of my things are now available at a very cool shop called the greenery, located in historic Scituate Village, Rhode Island. This came about from chatting with the owner Bridget, while making a purchase (or two).


I'm very excited to have some of my things at the greenery. Bridget has her shop filled with all kinds of unique hand-made gifts, painted wire baskets (ooh la la!), jewerly and more. It's also a flower shop so it smells wonderfully fresh inside!

A few of my birdhouse will soon be available at Pink Cloud Boutique, located in the Hudson Valley town of Harriman, New York. This venture happened through Etsy conversations.
Merci, Marci!

Remember my chick-photo-shoot-phase?

I still adore my Etsy shop but am excited about these new opportunities! Thank you to all of my blogging friends for your encouragement!

xo

Giveaway winner

Happy Monday!

Thank you to everyone for stopping by to enter my Pink Saturday-inspired giveaway. Using random.org, Elizabeth, who has the smiliest photo of herself on her blog, has been selected as the winner of this set of Cottage Clips. Congratulations!

I am off to ship a few Etsy orders. Yay!

Have a great day.

xo

A Pink Saturday-inspired Giveaway

Happy Pink Saturday!

I bought this pretty plate at an antique shop with the intention of using it outside in my garden border (as seen here) but I liked it so much that it's on a wall in our dining room instead.


This delicate dish was my Nana's and had been stored in my oldest sister's basement until recently. This is the right time for me to have it because I really appreciate its beauty and history. Honestly, earlier in my life and decorating style, it would probably have been tucked away in a box.


• • • • •

And now for the fun part ... I have been making lots of Cottage Clips for my Etsy shop and thought it would be fun to celebrate Pink Saturday by making a set of 5 just for Pink Saturday and have a little giveaway. I use these clips everywhere. They are a sweet way to keep notes together; hold a card to a gift bag handle; keep a small bag closed; and more.

To enter my Pink Saturday Cottage Clips Giveaway, simply leave a comment on this post. I will select a winner this Monday. Comments/entries are welcome until I have announced the winner in a new post.



Thanks as always to Beverly for hosting Pink Saturday. Don't worry, Beverly, there's already a set with your name on them. Literally! (Just email your address to me)

Happy Pink Saturday!

xo

My magazines: Here, there and everywhere!

I keep some of them in here . . .


There are more in here . . .


A short stack over here . . .


And a few over here . . .


Of course I'm referring to my collection of magazines and I have a hunch that you have stashes of them, too. When I see a good cover, I peek inside and if there is at least one photo that makes me GASP! – I'm in.


I just picked this one up last time I was food shopping. BHG magazines are 10% off at Home Depot but I couldn't wait. It's a Best Of and being such a magazine maniac, I have many of the issues originally featuring the design idea "re-runs." Like this page (below) which completely inspired the color palette of my living room:


Lots of cool ideas I hadn't seen before, too, like this . . .


and this . . .


And here is a little hint of someplace you'll find me next month . . .

I'm too excited to say anything more just yet!

xo

Pink Saturday Eve Eve!

I haven't been online much (again) this week. My youngest has had a terrible cold (boo!) and was home sick from school for most of the week; meanwhile one of my two sisters is visiting from New Jersey (yay)!

In between a doctor's appointment, an airport pick-up, picking up piles of tissues and more, I managed to make this "Cottage Sweet Cottage" frame in teenie-tiny increments and posted it at my Etsy shop. I was THRILLED when it sold within HOURS. I plan to make more (even one for myself). [Note: Just added 2 more to my shop]

Because I have still have a busy weekend ahead, I am putting together my Pink Saturday post tonight–Pink Saturday Eve Eve! If you are curious about Pink Saturday, please click here and Beverly will tell you all about her inspired idea!

• • • • • • • •

April

bring May

• • • • • • • •

I love gerbera daisies!!! More pink "signs" of spring ...

Both signs (top: in my kitchen; bottom: The Painted Cottage Studio) painted by the amazing and multi-talented Valerie Boothroyd.

Happy Spring! • Happy Passover! • Happy Pink Saturday! • Happy Easter!

xo

What's new?

Lucky for me, having my computer repaired didn't take the 7-to-10 days originally estimated (and didn't cost much). So what did I do while briefly unplugged? Well, I played Legos, did some spring cleaning and organizing, and I got crafty!











All of these tinkered treasures are available at my Etsy shop.

What have you been up to?

xo

ps
To keep things moving and grooving at my Etsy shop, I just lowered the price of the spring chicks and egg baskets to $5.00 each.

The iMac is Back!

Dear friends,

I am so happy to report that my iMac is back! Thank you for all of the warm words & empathy! I hope to take some pics and be back to my regular posting self tomorrow.

xo

iMad

My iMac is at the Apple Store being repaired so I guess I'm more iDisappointed than iMad. I won't be blogging much until my computer is back.

I have been fitting in lots of tinkering so when all systems are go, I will have new items for my Etsy shop. Lots of blue!

Well, until then, iMiss you all!

xo