This is a "sticky" post and will remain up at the top of my blog for the duration of the class.Please scroll down to read newer posts!
Since returning from our Florida adventure, I've been knee deep in Bella preparations. I've set up 3 tables, as a practice run to see how everything fits and what I need to bring. Since we have a SHORT set up time and I have a LOT of crap, I mean, beautiful and precious things, I needed to do a dry run.
One table is all jewelry and foofy stuff. One is all Christmas and hand made stuff and the third is supplies.
After setting up the displays, I tagged everything and started packing it all up in a way that would be easy to pull out and set up quickly. Well, at least that is the plan... I'm crossing my fingers that it works that way!
All lighting, table clothes, tools, tapes, extra tags, calculators and cords go in one container.
Last year, I made a lot of display mistakes that I think I might have corrected for this year. But who knows. I'm crossing my toes as well as my fingers that all goes well.
For 2008, I'd stocked too many flower packs in one small area. Now, I have less, and have them divided into two containers, easier to shop through.
I'm also bringing a lot more supply type things, like the big 4" x 8" shipping tags that I like to use myself. I have cases of them, so might as well put some out. They are a great size to work with.
And do you remember the vintage glitter that my friend gave to me? I reproduced the label of the can and added some of the glitter to jars with the "old" labels. I had more than I'd ever use. And they make such a cute display on this spice rack that I got from the Good will and painted white.
So, 2 tables are packed and one to go. I'm getting close! Now, I'll have a few days to enjoy gathering up supplies for the workshops, and gifts for friends. I'm meeting a bunch of people a day early, and then going to Wallpaper Heaven again!! Can't wait.
But I've got to run now to make it to the PO before it closes. I'll announce the winners of Aunt Caroline's trim bundles next post. Your comments can still count on this one too.
Your comments on my last post were very moving, I can see that so many of you care about mementos of the past and understand my joy in receiving some of Aunt Caroline's things. My heart feels for those of you who were not allowed a remembrance from a loved one's estate.
I've been on both sides, when my mom passed, my sisters and the rest of the family were giving and caring. We were all careful to make sure that anything with a sense of family history stayed with a family member and wasn't accidentally sent to auction. But when I lost my father, it was a different, and not so pretty story, due to completely different circumstances (nothing to do with my sweet sisses, of course!)
Losing a person you care about is hard enough. Dealing with ugliness at that time is devastating. As crushed as I was to lose my mom, I will always remember the days after she died with joy and deep love for my family. They made those days beautiful, even with the heart ache.
Knowing that you all understand and feel the bitter-sweetness of my trip to Aunt Caroline's home makes me doubly happy to share some of her treasures. So I am keeping the giveaway open, and offering a second bundle of trims to give.
All comments on the previous post, as well as THIS post are entered.
Thanks for caring!
The reason for our trip to Florida was for me to meet my sisters at Great Aunt Caroline's home to help our cousin organize for a sale. Our generous aunt had remembered each of us in her will, and over the years had sent packages of sentimental goods and gifts to us from her possessions. The home and contents were left to our cousin, who was every bit as generous as Aunt C. and told us to chose anything at all that we wanted from the home.
Funny, we didn't grow up knowing this charming lady who passed away right before her 101st birthday in June, but you could sure tell we were related by her taste in furnishing and collections! Looking through her things, I felt so "right at home". She and I had such similar favorites, everywhere I turned, I was squealing with excitement over some little tid bit or goody.
I felt the same way a few years ago, when I first saw a painting done by my great grandmother, who I never knew. I looked at it and thought, 'that could be my work'. Same style, same feel.
When I first got to know my greatest of Great Aunts (in my thirties), the connection was immediate. We loved many of the same books, colors (her house was full of PINK!), artwork, etc.
So, it was an emotional day, when we were visiting her home without her there. Sad that she was gone, but warm and happy, seeing things that she had loved and knowing how thrilled she'd be that I loved them too.
Of course, I was worried about being greedy. I didn't want to take stuff that others might want or that my cousin could sell for a profit. But she was every bit as generous as Caroline and kept assuring me that my selections were just fine and Caroline would have wanted to share.
I was in HOG HEAVEN with the 100 years of craft supplies!!
So, I loaded up on laces and trim, beads, and baubles. And didn't put a dent in it. She had boxes and boxes of trims and ribbons and laces and jewelry making supplies. Our cousin had already donated most sewing supplies to a local quilting guild, but the amount that was left was still overwhelming.
I filled a vintage suitcase with trims and supplies, but then was worried about checking such a delicate piece of luggage, so I packed that suitcase inside my other suitcase and boxed up things to check. (gotta love Southwest Airlines and their free baggage policy!!)
The trims and supplies that I got will be used and enjoyed, and I know that Aunt C. would have been happy with that. Over the years, she has given me many remembrances, so I won't feel guilty about using the things I got from her home.
But I did get a couple of sentimental keepers too. A couple of her hand made pot holders, some little glass birdies from her sunporch, and this table cloth. I've spread it on the bed to show it off, but it is actually for the dining table.
My great grandmother made it, with silk from WW1 parachutes and hand crocheted squares. It is in beautiful condition, and I'll do my best to keep it that way and pass it on to Sugarwing's grand kids someday.
Caroline liked to make jewelry, using old pieces, just like my sister and I do. We discovered that her grandfather used to make jewelry too. The crystal beads are some that my aunt strung, and the necklace on the left is one that Sissy made by taking apart a necklace our great, great grandfather made.
Every time I wear it, I'll be feeling the love and the history wrapped up in it.
Remember the 100 cards that kind hearted readers made and sent in for Caroline's 100th birthday? She treasured those cards and loved to look through them all over and over.
Family members went through the cards to take some as keepsakes. I got a few for myself too. Thanks again to all of you who helped make her birthday special!
I'd like to offer a bundle of old trims as a remembrance of Caroline. If you'd like to win some, leave a comment on this post.
I just wish she'd could come over to my home and de-clutter my life the way she de-cluttered my blog.
And now, I need to announce the winner of the October Giveaway, a Grumpy Fairy book. It goes to:
Sorenthe
And a giveaway for the Artist Class paper doll supply kit goes to:
Jane Palmer
(more drawings coming for that one, too! If you want to enter, details are in my sticky post at the top of the blog)
If you are ever wondering when the perfect time to visit the beach in Jacksonville is, I think I've discovered the answer. Late October, midweek, mornings are PERFECT!
The water was just the right temperature, there was a gentle breeze. The sand was warm, but was comfy, no running tip toe and trying to keep my feet from frying like I have to do when I been on it in the summer.
Plus, we were just about the only people there. Sugarwings called it "her beach".
The only company we had was from these guys.
Because the beach was so bare, we could let our fairy fly free, and she ran up and down the beach pretending to be a bird, with no worries of kicking up sand on others or stepping on sand castles. (or being hard to keep track of, we couldn't miss her, she was the only thing out there!)
She found balloons that had washed up on the shore, and you'd have thought that it was Christmas morning. Little gifts can sometimes bring the most joy, huh? (we popped them and threw them in the trash as we left, so no fish or birds would choke on on a balloon left to float)
Everything about the part of our trip to Jacksonville was just the best. Uncle Randy has a beautiful garden, designed just for fairies, so Sugarwings fit right in. He even bought her a new fairy gown to wear, as well as wings for the rest of the family too. (I got to be an angel, that was a twist for me, I'm usually a trouble maker)
Uncle Randy gave her a flute to play to entice fairies to come and dance with her.
Everytime I visit Randy and Kevin's home, the garden gets more beautiful. Its a vacation in itself to sit out there and sip a glass of wine and just relax and take in the view. Of course, the gourmet cooking that those two guys spoil us with doesn't hurt either.
Their garden is welcoming and interactive, so many hidden treasures to find in the plants. But knowing our rough and tumble, curious little pixie, Randy was kind enough to give her an area to dig and make mud cookies too.
Sugarwings thought that Tillie was dressed in a party hat just for our visit, and told her over and over how beautiful she looked in it.
I missed having my good camera with me on the trip, but we decided to be very streamlined in our packing, since we were traveling with a 3 year old. So, I kept a small, light weight camera in my pocket instead of the heavy (but adored) Rebel that fills my purse.
I'll leave you with some photos of Randy and Kevin's home. You can see why I looked so tired in the photo of the three of us on the swing. There is a lot of stuff in their house that attracted Sugarwings, and I was on high alert, two steps behind her, and keeping her busy so she didn't indulge herself in exploring all the pretties!
And my favorite thing about Jacksonville?
The most fun baby brother anyone could ever have!
Happy Halloween!
We are back from our fantastic trip to Florida, in time to send Sugarwings out trick or treating with her mom, and for me to get caught up with my pal, Hope on the blog redo.
Isn't it beautiful???? She has been working away on it while I was gone. What a wonderful "treat" for me to come home to.
I hope you're having a sweet holiday too!
While we are in Jacksonville, we'll be staying with my brother-in-law, Randy and his husband, Kevin. They are two of my favorite people in the world, and I wanted to make something special for them, since they are going through some trouble baby proofing their house before we arrive with Sugarwings. These two guys collect valuable pottery, and their house is pure, vintage perfection. Not exactly a perfect playground for a 3 year old....
Randy loves fairies as much as I do, so I fixed up this antique hankie box for him, using lots of sparkly elements, and his face cut out of a photo and attached to a flower fairy cut out out of a book. I tell you, it was not easy to size the head to fit the body... it took a few trips to the printer to finally get the size copied right.
Since I am going to be away from my computer for a few days, I thought I'd leave you with some spooky pictures for Halloween. Although, this sweet witch (my niece, JoRenda) is way to pretty to be spooky, huh?
After spending some beach time with Sugarwings, I am going to meet up with my sisses and help our cousin go through some of Great Aunt Caroline's things. It will be an emotional trip, but there will be lots of fun too.
My little Fairy Grand Baby is going to go to a Halloween party at Sea World on Friday, with my husband while I work on the house. We are going to get her a mermaid costume to wear, so she'll fit right in there. She pretends to be a mermaid most of the time, any way. I have a feeling she is going to love Florida.
Thanks for all your interest in the pastel bottle brush trees and the Grumpy Fairy book. More Christmas trees will get listed when I get back. The shop is open, of course, while I am gone (ya gotta love online shops!!) but the purchases won't be sent out until after I get back, November 2nd.
(these two photos are from my favorite antique mall, Rusty Chandelier- they can sure decorate with style at that place!)
This is a photo I took of a votive holder my Sissy bought on our last trip to Florida when we went to Great Aunt Caroline's funeral the day after she would have turned 101. The shot is as is, I don't know why the lightning is shooting out of its eyes, but love the effect!
In person, this guy was much cuter. In photos he kind of looks like flaming poo with eyes. But I did think he fit in very well for my spooky Halloween post.
I hope you all have a wonderful holiday and that any witches you run into are the sweet kind.
And remember, the most wonderful day of the year comes the day after Halloween- HALF PRICED CANDY DAY!! I'll be hitting the store before I even unpack my suitcase to snap up some M&Ms and Reece Cups!
