Welcome to my blog!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I believe that everyone can have a beautiful home without spending a fortune! One of my favorite things to do is find creative ways to re-purpose things I already have on hand, or have picked up at yard sales and thrift stores. Join me as I share with you some of my favorite ideas for crafting and decorating, as well as travel adventures, and fun things that I pick up on my treasure hunts! Much of my work is influenced by my love all things French, nature, and of course shabby chic! I have gotten so many creative ideas from you very talented bloggers out there, and I hope that I can be an inspiration to you as well!

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Thank You, and an Award

Hello Ladies,

Sorry that I have not been around much lately.  If you read my last post, you are aware that we are planning on relocating to the Seattle area, for hubbys job.  I want to send a big thanks to all of you for your prayers and support during this stressful time.  It means more to me than I can ever say!  
We went there last week for a few days, in search of a place to live. Well, we didn't make very much headway, as for one, there just aren't many homes available for rent, (since we will keep our house here, we are not in a position to buy another home there), and boy, did we get sticker shock!  The cost of living is much higher there than it is here in the Midwest.  So it has only served to add to all of the stress. Also, the area is very congested, and the expressways remind us of crowded LA freeways.  Coming from a semi rural area, that is a huge shock!  We did manage to find a cute little Victorian style town, called Snohomish.  We took a much needed break from all of the stress, and ventured in to several neat shops there.  Of course I had camera in hand, and I thought I would share with you some of the gorgeous things that I saw.
 I was drooling over this shop.  Look at that French inspired burlap covered chair.
 Of course you know how much I love chandeliers!  This one was just gorgeous!
 And here is another neat chair.  It looks so comfy-cozy.
 A cute birdcage, and a neat memo board.  What a fun idea, just add chicken wire to an old frame!

 And you know how much I adore glitter!  These vases were drenched in it!  And they were adorned with the most beautiful rosettes made from vintage sheet music.  I really want to try my hand at making some of those.

 We have that same exact map of Paris, except I like their frame better than the one ours is in!
 Lots of chippy white furniture and pretty pillows.  I could have bought one of everything!

 I thought this lamp shade was neat, made from old book pages.  And I really love the framed corkscrew graphics below.  They were printed on old book pages.  Sounds like a fun project.

 I knew you ladies would be excited over this adorable paper "dress"!  How cute is that?!
And I fell in love with not only all of the treasures on this bookcase, but the bookcase itself.  The inside is lined with vintage sheet music.  Love it.
I'll share more pictures with you another time.

I also was happy to receive the nicest "His Light in The World" award from my two sweet friends, Tete and Cindy.  They both gave me the same award, how cool is that?

So thank you both, I am honored to receive it!
As far as the move, right now everything still seems overwhelming, to be quite honest.  We are in limbo here, trying to figure all of the details out, not sure where we will live, and my stress level has been thru the roof. So I apologize for not getting around to visit many of you.  I look forward to the day when things don't seem so scary and out of control, and I can get back to blogging on a regular basis.  Just knowing that all of you are keeping me in your thoughts and prayers means the world to me!

12 comments:

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Hi Donna,
I will be thinking about you while you are making this transition. It is difficult but I'm sure the right place to rent will come along
and everything else will flow much more easily.
It will take some time to adjust but I know you will and before you know it everything will fall into place perfectly!

I really love all the photos of the fabulous shop. Wow, I could do some damage in there!

hugs and take care.

Sissie

Musings from Kim K. said...

I've been wondering how things were going with your relocation plans. You certainly have a lot on your agenda right now. I'm glad you brought your camera window shopping. What gorgeous stores and goodies. Thinking of you!!

Donna@Conghaile Cottage said...

Hi Donna,
This is such a big transition! I sending you LOTS OF FUN WISHES in your "Hectic Move"... Looks like there are LOTS of great places there! Thank you for the tour and keep us posted on your steps as they unfold!!! I'll be praying for you!
Hugs,
Donna

Susan EvelynAndRose said...

Hi Donna,
I was thinking of you after your last post, and hoping you will have a positive moving transition. I can imagine your stress, but am glad to hear you could relax in this gorgeous store. You could definitely replicate those glitter vases with your talent!
Just believe that you can take the 'Shabby Chateau' with you wherever you go, as it lives in your heart & talent.
- Susan

my Heritage Happens said...

Hi Donna,
Try not to stress to much, things always work out! I know right now it seems impossible and everything is overwhelming, but it will get better. As usual you have a beautiful post and you can see many are thinking of you and wishing you well with your move. Try to enjoy this transition in your life, one day you will be looking back on it!

Anonymous said...

Thinking of you Donna. So glad you'll have a decent shop to explore when you move. I know it's impossible not to feel stressted, but remember most of what we worry about never eventuates. I hope you have some answers to some of your concerns soon.
Oh, and congrats on the award!

Hugs,
Lisa x

Ann@A Sentimental Life said...

Tete was so sweet to award me the same. Hope things come together for you. I am sure your head is spinning about now. glad you took a break

mizdarlin said...

I know this sounds difficult right now (and your sticker shock is my everyday reality!) but a suggestion would be to look in craigslist..many of the listings have photos..just look at all the areas around Seattle on a map, and go from there (craigslist Snohomish, craigslist Everett, etc). Your partner may have a bit of a commute, but that too, is reality on the Coast...
there are so many wonderful little towns with lots to offer in the area..I'm sure you'll be fine..
Also, another suggestion, and this is the way I found my present home, is to put a 'wanted' ad in Craigslist (it's free)..I did that out of sheer frustration at prices everywhere, and finally got lucky with a landlady looking for decent tenants..this might just work for you too..(remember that you two are what landlords are looking for, decent tenants who won't deface the place, or drink themselves to oblivion and set the place alight!)
good luck, it's sort of wonderful that you are keepiongt your own place, but don't be too surprised if you fall in love with the Pacific Northwest..I sure did...

Anonymous said...

Oh Donna... I missed your post about having to move to Seattle. I can imagine how stressful it all must be, especially if you're not thrilled about the city you're having to move to.
I can see you're trying to look on the bright side though and notice the wonderful shops there are for you to look forward to in the Seattle area. That shop is gorgeous!! What fun you'll have shopping there!!
I wish you all the best during this stressful time and hope everything goes as smooth as can be for you both. :)
xoxo,
Jo

Unknown said...

Oh, Donna!!! I just got all caught up on what has been going on. What a decision to make. And to leave all that you are leaving??? You are doing the right thing to be with your sweet husband, even if it means it is bittersweet or just down right hard at times. I'm praying you see the good in all this and that it outweighs your heart ache. Thank goodness for the light at the end of a 3 1/2 year-tunnel! And that you can travel to see your home and MOM!!!
xoxo
lynn

Jill Marcott-McCall ~Feathers & Flight~ said...

Hello Donna!
Oh My Gosh! I'M Drooling over this Store! What an Amazing Place! Do you think you might Try Recovering a Chair with Burlap? Thank You for Sharing these Pictures!
Thank you for your Visit and always Sweet Comments!
Happy Tuesday!
Hugs
Jill

Cindy Adkins said...

Hi Donna,
Okay--so here's the plan--We're getting sleeping bags and we're moving into that store!!! Do you think they'd mind? LOL
Wow--it is amazing...and that dress--can you believe it? It's sensational and even has darts...I can't even imagine how they made it.

And, oh you are doubly blessed getting this blessing from Tete and I both...Isn't that neat? I think it is gorgeous and Tete was really inspired!!!
XO