This is a test!!!

Helloooooooooooooooooo Blogland!

I have allowed myself exactly 3 weeks to skulk, wallow, moan, whine, and carry on about my plight...

The stroke of midnight tonight will officially start 2010, leaving behind unrest and insecurity about my future.

During my 3 week pity party I have been trying to decide if keeping the shop is a good idea.

I have been asking for a sign, a light bulb moment so to speak and I believe with a fair amount of certainty that I received just that this past Tuesday evening.

( I will preface this story by saying my conflict lies within the simple fact that I feel torn between my home and the shop, despite an incredibly supportive family I feel as if my heart has been so focused on the shop that I have lost sight of my home, things are constantly a mess, I'm not organized which drives me insane which in turn is taken out on those who mean the most and there are piles of stuff needing my attention everywhere. My soul continues to tell me that despite the need to be creative my heart belongs at home.)

So, my light bulb moment or lack there of came as quite a shock!

I arrived home from my big girl job Tuesday evening to find that our home was completely dark, and a little chilly.

Using my cell phone to shine enough light to find some candles. My first call was to my husband who asks, "did you pay the bill?".....................long pause...............my next call was to the electric company, and for the amount of $71.00 that I somehow forgot to pay, without warning they shut our electric off!!!

Can you do this without warning? Informed they do not leave messages on an answering machine in regards to a shut off, therefore if you work between the hours of 8 & 4:30 you are S.O.L in this department.

I make a payment over the phone, plea with the not so nice and or not so understanding customer service rep to hear: "it will be turned on in the next 24 hours!" The fact that it is 31 degrees outside has no bearing on this policy what so ever. In the flickering candle light strewn about the house we decide that David still has time to make it to Lowe's before closing for a generator.

Thank God for a handy husband! Thank God for an understanding family! Thank God for my sign!

(I will be the first to admit that sometimes I need to be hit over the head to drive the point home)

What was confirmed:

My home is where my heart needs to be!!!!

What was decided:

On the 19th of each month we will spend from 7pm to 10pm in the dark!!!!

there is something magical about candle light and quiet

What is meant to be:

Will be!!!!

Let 2010 unfold

For now I am

ready...

I'm back!

(a sigh of relief)

Up for a photo montage?

Thank you for visiting!

A sneak peek:

Here are a few photos of what is heading to the Holiday Family Festival this weekend:

I am trying to stick to a very vintage feel as the general crafters in our area don't usually mix old and new. The show is a bit of a gamble for me I could be the sore thumb sticking out or the booth with something fun, funky and fresh. We shall see!

I have to admit the show carries much less pressure than the day to day shop operations, however I did realize that despite my efforts I can not do it all... I am focusing on the show for now, then I have 2 weeks to focus on the shop to prepare for the Holiday Open House weekend then I can shift gears and concentrate on my family holiday.

Keepin' those creative juices a flowin'

xxx ooo,

Erica

A treat for myself!

This is the cutest little bag ever!!! I adore vintage velvet, in case you were wondering.
It was hand crafted by my friend Maureen, she has a totally cool shop in a neighboring town and the best stash of vintage textiles you have ever seen!

you can check her out at:

http://www.thoroughbreadthreads.com

Did you ever carry a bag that makes you feel pretty?

Oddly enough sometimes that's all it takes!

A few goodies; fun tags and lucky numbers!

This sign is made out of an old door molding:

(it is sparkly, but hard to see in the photo)

This is the chair and table from the previous post lightened up a bit!

Alive and Kickin'

or at least I think so...

In my infinite wisdom, I signed on for a 2 day show the weekend before Thanksgiving, still continue to work a big girl job in the mornings before opening the shop and am switching out Halloween/fall for the full on holiday experience...

I am weary, a tad bit grouchy, and constantly questioning, "What in the world am I doing?" "Is this worth it?"

If you are a voice of reason and would like to send a little advice my way, I would gladly accept it!

In the mean time a few photos of what's new:

A good stash of sparkle and a few furniture pieces.

I forgot to get an after of the little 3 drawer dresser, it was white shabby and sold quickly!

Before and After

You may remember:

Now: with a little make-over magic:

Fabby/shabby goodness!

Just Arrived:

These are the most lovable bears made from vintage findings! They are created by Ronda Powell, she lives about 2 hours south of us in Pennsylvania. A few weeks back she was on a shopping weekend with a friend and happened in, isn't it amazing how kindred spirits find one another? A great conversation, a few emails, a couple of photos and voila!

She has graciously allowed me to name them, so I thought tags of vintage little girls and fun old fashioned names would be fitting.

Lola, Ophelia, Ruthy, Gittel, Mitzy and Caroline are waiting patiently for new homes, that is if I can "bear" to part with them...

I love the first snowfall!

So,

Waking up, yesterday to this was a special Birthday treat:

My next special treat of the day was delivered by my very, very special friend, September, a pumpkin latte (yum! my fav!) and a little jewel that caught our eye a few weeks back

Threw in a little junkin'

Went to dinner with 5 gal pals at my favorite Restaurant. Was graced at the end of dinner by a delightfully large almond amaretto cake that we were thinking was way too generous of this restaurant to provide, however my Mom and Dad snuck in before we got there picked it out, paid for it and had it delivered at the end of our meal, sweet huh?

And ended the evening snuggling with my husband and son who gave me a gift card for the mall to buy all the things I need but hate to spend money on...

I am so thankful for all the wonderful people in my life...

I could not have asked for a better day!

Thank you to all that came out for:

"Moonlight and Magic"

This was my first 4 day open house, despite the fact my OONTHEJS was in overdrive, I loved every minute of it!!!

{**OONTHEJS-overly obsessive need to have everything just so.}

{as a medical professional I have been an advocate of this diagnosis for years, remember friends you heard it here first!!!}

Anyway:

All heading to the shop for the open house. Remember the buffet/credenza type thingy... this is it, in all its pretty shabby glory!

This is Melanie from Sugarhill Farm, she has wonderful essential oils, vinegars, creams, bath salts and much much more, not to mention she is a total cutie pie.

You can check her out at: http://www.sugarhillfarmonline.com/

This funky, fashionable hat ends up on every fun loving chick's head! What is it about pink flowers?

And don't think for a minute that I didn't get up at the crack of dark Saturday morning to search for goodies that I couldn't possibly live without:

Jack pot!!!*8* French books!!!

A pile of over 25 matching doilies.

Some groovy vintage purses.

An awesome blue enamel tub, sweet green vintage wicker hamper, cool rose waste can, another (I know what you are thinking) covered cake plate, the sweetest pink and blue vintage quilt, and a tapestry pillow.

BUT, the most interesting was this:

An antique wine shipping crate from Portugal 1941...<>