A Few more pictures for you...

Primrose~ The Fun Place to Shop

We had another Fabulous Weekend this past weekend! It was our city's Dickens Festival Weekend which is a quaint and fun time! It features victorian living windows in the downtown shops on friday night... Saturday has a breakfast with Santa, wonderful Tour of Homes, and of course ~ Primrose was open! We invited a few crafters/artists to set up their wares too, and that added a nice touch to the shop.

Pearls, and Pashminas however were on everyone's minds! We received our shipment of Pearls on Thursday, yep, that's right and the shop was open on Friday! So we had to price and display hundreds of pearl necklaces, earrings, and bracelets of all shapes, sizes and colors!

Here are some pictures of the shop this month. Hope you enjoy!

Blessings,
Laura

Happy Thanksgiving & Family Picture

And we did have a Happy Thanksgiving! All of my children were home and we had the most wonderful day. We invited friends for dinner and had many laughs! Then, of course as tradition would have, we watched It's a Wonderful Life~ we didn't however get around to playing the board game. We usually do both, but we had some boyfriends of the girls who were newbies and had never seen the movie before, so we gave them a break... this time! :-)

It truly is a wonderful life!

Many Blessings,
Laura

We had a Wonderful Weekend~

The shop was open this weekend and we had a GREAT turn out!! We had many new visitors stop in to check us out and some repeats from October's Weekend! I tell you, the premise of an "occasional store"... or opening once a month is the way to go! It gets people curious, and excited about what is to come!

Our feature this month was Pashmina Scarves and Pearl Jewelry! Wow, what a hit! We sold about 24 of the 37 scarves and only have about 10 pieces of the Pearls left! Our Christmas merchandise was very popular too!!

What a fun time we had... Mary is a dear friend, and I am honestly pleased to say that we formed this partnership and have worked out all of the wrinkles that were so daunting at first! Couldn't have chosen a better partner outside of my husband of course! :-)

I will post pictures tomorrow of the shop. I am formatting a facebook page too for the shop... so will be a busy girl tomorrow!

Many Blessings,
Laura

Shop is Open this Weekend!~

The shop is looking Fantastic! We just got in a huge order of PEARLS!! Pearl necklaces, bracelets, earrings... lots of colors, styles and UNBELIEVABLE prices! Our Pashmina Scarves will be in tomorrow~ just in time for opening on Friday! So much Fun!!

Blessings,
Laura

Shop News

Well, the shop is coming together...well, not really~ but we definitely have some REALLY neat things! This month we are featuring~ Clever Ideas to Adorn your holiday table, Pashmina Scarves, and Pearls!! Just the neatest, eclectic mix of fun things!! Will take pictures as soon as the shop is put back together.

Bleassings
Laura

Tuesday's Tip~ How to get that peeling paint look on wooden items

Create the effect of peeling layers of paint and an “old furniture” feel using a simple trick for smaller pieces. Paint the object with a dark base coat of your choice — once dry, spread a layer of white craft glue over the painted surface. Wait a few minutes, then apply a lighter coat of paint directly over the glue. When the glue finishes drying, it will split the top layer of paint, revealing dark cracks from the coat below.

Then I take some sandpaper and sand down the cracks and get out my mimwax walnut stain give it a good coat and wipe off with paper towels or a rag. Perfectly aged!

~Don't forget to dispose of your paper towels or rags properly after wiping off your stain. These can combust if not allowed to dry completely flat.~

What a difference a week makes..

Okay, well I am officially better! Our exchange student has moved out, the shop is starting to come along, my husband and my business is running smoothly again. All is right with the world~ Thank God!

I am even getting ready to start crafting and posting work! Soon I will be able to post pictures of our house getting ready for the holidays. I have just 27 trees to get putting up and decorating! So, there will be lots to share.

Have a great day everyone!
Blessings,
Laura

Where has the time gone?

I can't believe how long it's been since I blogged! My life has been crazy. With the opening of the shop last weekend... my parttime endeavor has become more full time thanks to my partner! :-) She has only one child home now, and needs to be "busy"... I have two children home, plus an exchange student, a husband, three dogs, two cats.... you get the idea! I need to be home and not gone so much! Plus my husband NEEDS my help with our engineering business that we run from home! UGH... I need to find balance!

Ok, done with complaining! I need to get to the shop to pack up for an art show this weekend. Taking all of the leftover fall/halloween and dried flower wreaths. Hope they all go~

Will start posting pictures this week, promise. I got some great ones of the shop! In fact, we decided to go to a buyers cash and carry in Columbus Oh last Wednesday. Yep, three days before the shop opened. My DH drove us the 9 hours each way~!! What a saint. Love that man! We picked up some great items, and will share with you later.

Well, that's all for now.

Blessings,
Laura

Happy Friday and Wreath Making Today!

We've been making lots of new wreaths for the shop! Above you can see our Bold Fall Bunch Wreath and one of our everyday lemon leaf wreaths. My allergies are so bad when I am working on these florals! I quite working with drieds a few years ago because of my allergies! I had told Mary that I didn't think drieds would be a good idea... but she talked me into it LOL! Now I have a box of kleenex and double up on my allergy meds just to get these wreaths done! Sneeze, Sneeze, Blow, Blow back to wreath wiring... and repeat. It's just awful. Hopefully people will appreciate the wreaths!! :-)

Have a wonderful Friday and weekend. We have an auction to attend on Sunday and our daughter's Tennis match tomorrow! So busy weekend.

Laura

New Member of the Family & Happy Thought of the Day

Yes, well, I made a promise to myself and family last March... No more exchange students for us. We had such a nightmare last year with our student. She was actually haveing sex in our family's rec room~ and proud of it!~! We had to get her out of the house. So after that; and she was our 9th exchange student; we swore them off. Well, today we picked up number 10~ Lara. She is from Germany and seems very sweet. We are her 3rd family since coming to the states... and I know the families she was with and can see that her personality would not be a match with them. So, my fingers are crossed that this will work out!!

Happy thought of the Day: The route to a happier life is through happy thoughts. Not just because they make you feel better immediately... but because happier thoughts give you a stronger and more stable foundation to your life. You are in control rather than being bounced around by life.

Will keep you posted. :-)

Laura

Working on Smelly Jelly and Laundry Sachets

I worked this morning on making smelly jelly jars for the shop. Fragrances include, Grandma's Spice Cake, Laundry on the Line, Pumpkin Bars, Mulled Cider, Lemon Verbena & Lavener, Pepperberry Wreath and Clear Sailing. Yumm! They came out well, I think. Hardest part is deciding on a color! Printed out my labels today and will have them all finished and ready for the shop tomorrow.

Also made a big batch of Lemonverbena & Lavender Laundry Sachets. If you have never tried a laundry sachet in your dryer before, you must! Ask me for the instructions; because they make your laundry smell so delicate and heavenly. Each one can be used at least 5 times, and could be refreshed if you have all the supplies on hand.

That's it for now.

Blessings,
Laura

Firecracker Kids Fall Giveaway

I just signed up to win Firecracker Kids Giveaway! What a great piece. I have the perfect spot for it; if I am lucky enough to win it!! :-) Please stop by her blog to see her offering, I am sure you will love it!

http://firecrackerkid.blogspot.com/2009/09/firecracker-kids-first-blog-giveaway.html

Monday...Monday....and Happy Thought for the Day

What a busy fun day. My friend and I walked our usual 1 hour walk at 8am; then went straight to work at the shop. we basically unloaded all of the goodies we bought yesterday at the cash and carry; ooohed and ahhed... and then made necessary phone calls. internet; merchant credit card, orders, etc.

It is really coming together... we have a theme, with great merchandise and I am so tickled to see it all come together. Now, we have to design an invitation that will make people want to come in~~ any ideas are welcome! :-)

again...one day I am going to surprise you and myself and bring my camera and take pictures... just you wait.

Happy thought for the day... The route to a happier life is through happy thoughts. Not just because they make you feel better immediately... but because happier thoughts give you a stronger and more stable foundation to your life. You are in control rather than being bounced around by life.

Great Weekend and Happy Thought of the Day!

Happy thought of the day: Happy thoughts connect us with the light, confidence and courage to act... to the power to believe. To live our lives according to our hopes and dreams not somebody else´s.



What a productive weekend. My husband and I attended an auction yesterday. I got some fantastic buys. It's funny I really enjoy going to auctions now... I used to get so nervous! Partly because of money and partly because of calling attention to myself. Not anymore, I really don't seem to care about people & attention anymore, and thankfully, we are in a much better place in the money department.



Some of my favorite buys were: a 15 gal. Red Wing crock for $60; another Red Wind crock that has a crock... but still a fav for $20, Two matching wool oriental rugs that are HUGE room size!! for $50 & $65 (one is in the shop and the other in my dining room); a queen size oak four poster bed for my daughter; a cherry drop front secretary w/ all the little cubbies and sections in it for $10; (okay, it needs a little TLC...but!); a set of square wood canisters with lids that I will paint up and prim and stick a cute label on for the shop... I think they were a whole dollar; cane chairs; needlepoint chairs...etc... I got a truck full and two trailer loads for a whopping $449.00! Not too bad I think. I love it all and that's what makes it even better. There were a couple of things I let go, and I regret, but no regrets with what I was lucky enough to get my fingers on! My husband was so funny... he would take load of what he considered junk to the truck (so thankful he does that for me...so I don't miss a thing) and come back and there I would have a couple more trinkets.

My daughter and her friend came and helped us load and unload the trailer. What a God send they were. We unloaded out at the shop all that was staying out there... and that was the first time they had seen the shop. They seem to like it; and had some cute ideas.

Today, my partner and I went to a cash and carry buying trip in Madison! CRAZY!! but we made off with some great items... at least what I can remember that we bought. People were everywhere just grabbing things up! Anyway, lots of fun and very productive!

I will try to get some pics on here of my finds!!

Happy Day,
Laura

Happy thought for the day...

It is well known that happy people think more happy thoughts than unhappy people. If we think happy thoughts... we create happy outcomes... we create a beautiful aura of light around ourselves... which leads us to happy results. So we create an exciting circle, which in turn makes us even happier.

Thursday,...dinner guests and menu/recipee

Well, tonight my husband called at about noonish... about bringing home two associates. No problem! cacha... right!~So I went to my shoe in dinner menu~ and I would suggest any of you to make this for your family or...unexpected guests!! :-0

Okay, Menu"
Roasted Tenderloin/w/ blue cheese sauce
salad w/italitanvinegrette
baby roasted potatoes
bread w/ balsamic dipping
florentine cookies w/ vanilla ice cream



oven at 350 degrees; nice big tenderloin with all the fat and membrane removed. put a little ring of olive oil in your roasting pan and then place whole or chopped shallots on top... then put down fresh rosemary sprigs on top. place the roast on top and sprinkle with salt and pepper and top with remaining shallots and rosemary. cook till correct temp. Yumm Keep covered with foil to keep from drying out.

sauce:
2 pats of butter
2/3 cup blue cheese crumbled
1-2 tsp chopped shallots
touch of sherry
touch of worcestershire sauce
salt & pepper to taste

heat in sauce pan, but don't let it boil... keep warm until ready to serve.
roast and slice then top with sauce for the table.

Wednesday... Whatcha Working on??

Today I got up with my DH at 3:30 am to get him ready to leave on a business trip. Poor guy, he won't leave the night before because he doesn't sleep well in a hotel, so instead he will drive the 3 hours to Chicago in the early morning. Boy, do I appreciate what he does for our family! I am a lucky lady... I hope he knows that I realize what he does for us. You know how sometimes we just take things for granted... without taking the time out to thank our loved ones?! I need to make a better effort to show my appreciation to him... beginning today I will.

My friend and I are making progress on our shop! We are wiring beautiful fall leaf wreaths, everyday wreaths, potpourri that smells YUMM! We have made the most adorable and fragrant sachets, room fresheners, the sweetest little rosebud wreaths.... and the list goes on. I have even taken my hand at creating fabric witches hats, shoes and manekins. They are grunded to perfection, if I do say so myself. Our handbags are in~ even though I think we need to order a few more; our jewelry and scarves are in.... everyday something new is coming in! FUN!! Our opening is the weekend of October 10~ invitation only for the first weekend, just to get our feet wet. Then we have an outdoor show on October 24&25 and then we gear up for Dickens of a Christmas~ a victorian Christmas weekend in Ripon, WI. Fingers crossed, I think we should do well...

Ugh, some bad news is that my middle DD tweaked her ankle at volleyball. Yep the same one that was jipped on Varsity Volleyball! When I was taking her to the ER for xrays; I wispered to her, maybe now that you are injured you'll make varsity like the other girl who got the last spot and was injured and couldn't even play!! :-) She laughed~ I love that girl. One problem, she needs to let her family do more for her; but she is NOT the type to do that.... she doesn't want to ask for help with anything. She is a sweetheart!! Now if it were my older daughter (and it was her freshman year) snap, snap~ if I gave her a bell she would have used it! Funny how different children who are raised in the same environment turn out so differently! I love them all so much!!!

Well, that's all for this early Wednesday morning. I will post some pics of things I have been creating soon... as soon as I figure out how! :-)

Blessings,
Laura

Happy Monday~

I am so pleased with the design of my blog! Amy from Amybug's Primitive did a fantastic job, and she makes it so easy!!! Next I am going to work on my Ebay design with her!! Definitely stop by and see her work!

Today I will get my first "Real Post" posted. Until then, have a great day!

Plans for my blog

Okay, well I have been trying to organize myself and figure out exactly what I want my blog to be. So, I have decided that starting on Monday I will begin posting my creations as well as all of my prim items and decorating ideas. Hmmm.... so
Monday will be Monday Morning Makeovers" that I have done;
Tuesdays will be "Tips and Tricks"; crafting, homemaking, organizing, etc!
Wednesdays will be the ever popular "Whatcha working on Wednesday",
Thursdays will be "Thrifty Thursdays" where I will show various ideas for living a thrify life as well as fabulous thrift purchases, etc
Fridays will be my Friday Family Menu Planning... which I do every Friday anyway. I actually plan a monthly Menu plan, but Fridays I plan my weekly groceries, Farmers Market Trips, etc. I will post weekly menus with recipes~ another favorite of mine!

And, God willing, Saturdays and Sundays... if gotten to will be a hodge podge of everything. I hope you enjoy my plan. I am finally looking so forward to this! Now, I have to figure out my blog design. :-)

Prim Blessings,
Laura

What a day...

Today has been incredible~ you know how when someone says "it can't get worse" and you cringe? That's the day we have had. My poor 16 year old daughter tried out for volleyball which she has played for the 7 years and gound out last night that a girl who was injured last year in basketball and CAN NOT play this year got the last and remaining varsity spot! My DD was the only junior on JV! She spoke with the coach this am and she was less than sypathetic and said what's done is done! I absolutely despise high school sports politics and they are worse the smaller the town!

This reminds me of something my grandfather always said... God created the country, Man created the city and the Devil created the small town! How I miss grandpa!

On a better note, my mother went to the oncologist today, and so far so good. She had 2/3 of her tongue removed 3 weeks ago. I was afraid I would never hear her voice again... but she is speaking and her spirits are fantastic! God is good!

That's all for now...

25 ways to be HAPPY!

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the Ultimate anti-depressant.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Talk to God about what is going on in your life. 3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'Mypurpose is to __________ today. I am thankful for______________'.
4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.
6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
7. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
9. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
11. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
12. You are not so important that you have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
14. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'
17. Forgive everyone for everything.
18. What other people think of you is none of your business.
19. GOD heals everything - but you have to ask Him.
20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
21. Your job won't take care of you when you are in need. Your friends, following God’s directionswill. Stay in touch!!!
22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
23. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am Thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.
24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
When you are feeling down, start listing your many blessings. You'll be smiling before you know it.