Plush Pumpkin Season Approaches

. . . and I couldn’t be more excited!  It’s my favorite time of year and I am ready to make the transition to Autumn.  I will however restrain myself a while longer.

In anticipation of this wonderful time of year, I will be placing an order for Plush Pumpkins.  I’ve decided to make a special offer . . .

Any prepaid orders for Plush Pumpkins, placed before August 24th, will be discount 20%.  Now is the time to place your order—remember, too, that they make great gifts! 

All pumpkins are handmade in America and are accented with “really real” squash stems—making each pumpkin truly one-of-a-kind!  (how great is that?!?)

The color samples are below—choose your color(s) and size(s), then call the shop during business hours (We’re on summer hours until after Labor Day, so call between 10am -  4 pm, Mon – Sat) to place your order.  You are, of course, welcome to come in to see the fabric samples “live and in person,” too.

2” pumpkins  $9.95

3” pumpkins $15.95

4” pumpkins $22.95

5” pumpkins $30.95

6” pumpkins $39.95

8” pumpkins $47.95

10” pumpkins $53.95

 

Still not sure if you should order some?  Take a look at how we’ve used them throughout the shop (throughout the year, too!).

 

If I get enough orders, I will place two orders, one on the 17th, then again on the 24th (for the fence sitters)—the earlier you order, the earlier you receive!!!

Summer sidewalk sale

So, you’ve heard about the sale, but you’re thinking—Sure, I  like it and what a great deal, but what will I do with it?

Let me see if I can help with a few suggestions . . .

Basic white canisters will work in any décor.  For use on the kitchen counter or in the pantry, this canister set has a a tight seal to protect contents from pests and humidity.  Think:  your own kitchen or a great gift for newlyweds.

A utensil basket of goodies . . . here you see a basket perfect for use as a utensil caddy, with a large slot for napkins.  The red is ideal for summer entertaining, as well as the holidays.  It would also be perfect for organizing a desk or a vanity.

Also shown are our vintage-style utensils (all are on sale for 30% off)—at this price you can afford a special set for summer tables or your other special occasions.

Basic cream and and black bowls for 50% off would work on almost any table.  They would look especially great paired with our winter wildlife salad plate, also in cream and black (70% off).  Know anyone who likes to entertain at Christmas?

Know anyone who collects owls?  (Need I say more?)

Do you like to serve cheeses or pastries or know someone who does?  This covered dish takes your presentation to a new level, while keeping your food fresh.

This generously sized cake pedestal is perfect for a summer table (be sure to note the snail on the base), but can adapt to a holiday setting, as well, with a few strategically placed bits of pine or ribbon.

 

This tunic is the perfect beach cover-up, but will transition into fall as a great blouse over jeans or leggings.  I am sure you know someone who would look great in it.

Jute tote with a batik-style print is the perfect weekend, get-away bag.  At this price, you can afford to fill it with a few items for a great gift for your friend.

This picture is is full of ideas.  Start with cloth napkins—set a beautiful table and do something good for the environment (all napkins are on sale); the green plates are made in Portugal are the perfect accent for a variety of settings. 

Know anyone who likes to decorate with a nautical theme? We have a variety of items suited for lakeside décor—starting with these nautical knot napkin rings.

Our lovely trio of green pedestal bowls stack or separate.  Reproduced to mimic depression glass, they add a vintage feel to your table or sideboard.

Classic black accent pieces with brass deer head handles are great for fall/Christmas décor (mismarked here—they are actually 50% off).

Teapot, sugar bowl and creamer, mugs and pedestal bowls would make a great gift for your mother or grandmother.  At 50% off you can buy several!

A silver plate coaster is the perfect purchase for a wine connoisseur; available in a variety of designs, it can also be used as a trinket catch-all or a candle stand.

Black glass candlesticks are elegant and classic, but can easily transition for an elegantly spooky Halloween scene.

These classic hurricanes are lovely with a candles or other decorative elements.

Reproduction prints from our Williamsburg collection keep the man-room from being taken over with scenes of blood letting or football.

Gilded terra cotta accents are perfect for holiday décor, but work well everyday, too!

50% off of vintage-look baby bibs are great gifts for new grandmas or to keep at your house for visiting babies/toddlers.   You can never have enough photo frames—neither can your friends, so pick some up to give as gifts!

Here are my favorite melamine plates.  I would keep these on hand for visiting children and for patio parties.  Again, you see some of our discounted flatware.  Great for everyday or special occasions.

So, if you’re wondering whether or not you should come down to shop the summer sidewalk sale . . . wonder no longer.

Thanks for your indulgence,

Dog Days of Summer Sale

Wondering what’s on sale during the Dog Days of Summer event at Hodgepodge?

Here are a few items . . .

starting top left and working clockwise—burlap pillows 30% off; hand-crafted champagne flutes 40% off; little black dress apron 40% off; le jardin melamine plates 30% off; bubble glass serving bowl, 40% off and decorative orbs 30% off; duvet and shams 40% off; enamelware-look shell bowls 40% off; boho votive holders 50% off; girls set of 6 bracelets 30% off and canvas bags 30 % off.

starting top left and working clockwise—whip stitched napkins 50% off; rag rugs 30% off; flameless LED candles 50% off; ivory handled dinnerware 30% off; fluted serving bowl on pedestal, 40% off; pink glass petal plates, 30% off; vintage couture aprons (full and half) 50% off; key to my heart gift 50% off; Scout bags and storage 50% off; porcelain gardenia votive holder 30% off.

AND THAT’S NOT ALL!  There are too many items to show here.  Rest assured, though, it’s worth a look-see.

Sale ends Jul 31st.

We are offering an additional 10% off of one sale item if you bring a donation for

Shawnie’s Rainbow Rescue.

Or you can drop a cash donation at the counter!

Hope to see you in the shop soon!

Thanks for your indulgence,

Dog Days of Summer Sale

We are in the midst of our biggest clearance sale ever.  Come in and take advantage of our need to create some space!  Click the photo below for a link to the low-down.

 

Dog Days of Summer Sale

Also, we still have some room for participants in our Chalk Paint™ Decorative Paints Basic workshop this Saturday at noon.  Call or email me to sign-up now.

More details available, here.

Thanks for your indulgence!

Themed trees

My article for Dec 25th . . .

Well, I’m still planning menus and hoping to find time for another foray toward Exit 4 for a few more gifts—I’d rather stick hot needles in my eye, but I love my kids! (Which reminds me, I’d appreciate it if someone would open a book store downtown!) I know at some point I’ve got to just surrender, but for now I’m trying to plan out my last 12 hours pre-extended family time.

I am looking forward to the arrival of our Virginia sister and her family, but especially since Mom is coming, too. We’ve had a rough couple of months since the death of my Dad—“our” Dad—and this trip will be a difficult one—especially for Mom. I hope we are able to transition to happy memory sharing, rather than breaking down at the mention of his name. If, however, my emotional state as I write this is any indicator, there will be a lot of tears.

I have found that keeping busy is good for me. Dad was a busy guy—didn’t sit around much, until his joints forced him to do so. I guess my busy nature is part of his legacy. Thankfully, I have been very busy with the shop and home decorating. Therefore, in that vein, I will get busy writing my column about home decorating.

I recently overheard someone lamenting about the fact that, while she loved their traditional family tree—with all of the gathered ornaments representing their years together—she would love to have a themed tree or two. She went on to say she was hesitant to initiate a new tree due to the expense and space. Her thoughts were that it would be difficult to find somewhere to set-up another full size tree and very expensive to deck it in the ornaments necessary to outfit her proposed theme.

It was then that I, as I am prone to do, insinuated myself into her conversation and made a few suggestions. The first thing I told her was to buy tabletop trees to start her theme. A small tree is, obviously, going to be less expensive and will require fewer decorations to get started. My second suggestion was to use a lot of inexpensive filler until she reaches the desired level of ornaments for her collection. For instance, if you want a tree with only red to adorn it, buy only the red ornaments you really love. Use red tulle and red bows to fill-in the rest of the space. As you acquire more ornaments, you can remove the bows.

(Here’s a sample I found on the web—turns out it’s on a very nice blog.  Take a look if you have time.  NOTE:  you do not just wrap the tree in tulle—you need to tuck it into place.  See below.)

Sticks (here I go again) are another great “go to” source for filler. They can be spray painted to match nearly any theme. Just stick them into the branches of the tree so they protrude slightly beyond the pine. There are also very good quality plastic ornaments which can be used to fill-in, as well. These are all items which can be used to transition to a larger tree when you feel you’ve got enough ornaments to justify it. I still use my filler ornaments on our family tree—we hang them on the interior of the branches or at the bottom of the tree, where presents and nosey pooches tend to knock them off.

Of course, by the time you read this, most stores have marked down their holiday merchandise, so you have the perfect opportunity to pursue that theme tree for next year.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas surrounded by people you love. Talk to you next year.

(Okay, that wraps-up 2011.  I’ll post that one later today, then I’ll publically make a bunch of promises I’m not wholly convinced I can keep—sometimes referred to as resolutions—but feel chances are better if I share them with the world!)

Thanks for your indulgence!

A Wonderful Repeat

So, Martha asked me if I’d mind if she asked her husband, Glenn, to make a copy of my vintage platter rack (one of my favorite finds before leaving Germany).   Are you kidding me?  I’ve been wanting to have a copy made for years!   I love this rack.  It displays my large platters, as well as a portion of my transferware collection.  

So, one day they arrive with paper and pencil and the process began.  A few weeks later, the proto-type is complete.  A few weeks after that, Glenn hit a home run with a paint job that rivaled the original!

Here’s the original:

Here’s the reproduction:

The original is made from a unknown wood (it’s painted), but I can tell you it is heav-y!  The replica is made from sturdy, yet light-weight pine. 

And now, the really great part . . . they’re available for purchase!  For $140 you, too, can own a vintage platter rack.  They’re available in two colors—antique white and black.

I think you’ll love one of your own.

Thanks for your indulgence!

Hens in The Roost!

Okay--it wasn't stellar event I had hoped for, but it was a good start! Unfortunately, Clarksville was experiencing a deluge of rain it hasn't seen in three decades! I was so happy to be joined by our friends--Candice, of Artsy Tartsy Jewelery.
Tabitha of LilyBelle Antiques--a stellar vendor at ARTifacts.
Jane Burney of Lovin' Spoonful Cafe.
I was joined by the talents of Martha Felton in my booth. She was displaying her handmade jewelry.
They braved the record breaking rainfall and we really enjoyed ourselves. The Roost was full of hens clucking over the great deals and the creative displays. Unfortunately, as is usually the case for me--I failed to take any pictures during the event. I did, however, take a few pics after the show. My booth was the only one left in tact, so I snapped a few photos of the leftovers!
The best sellers for the day were my vintage slip dresses. I've been wearing them for quite a while, but just started the process of "hippin' them up" with a little tye dying. I LOVE them and the consensus was they were too cool to pass-up! I was delighted to see them so well received!
Here's my blue dress.

The back view.

The addition of this vintage apron was the perfect accessory!

Here's one on the vintage dress maker's mannequin I purchased last week--she once served as a
body double for a lady with a little junk in her trunk!

Here's the remainder of my inventory--not a lot to choose from, but you can contact me for sizes and availability.

A project two--no, three years in the making! A porch swing bed!

A sparse little end-of-the-day display.

Martha's handmade fabric baskets! So many uses--my favorite being "cookie server."

Vintage silver plate flatware--mix-and-match place settings of your choosing! Only $3/piece!

Some porcelain figurines I found. They look sweet perched on top of my cupcake pedestals.

Vintage ceiling tins made useful with hooks.

I hope we'll have more vendor participants at our next sale, but I am so proud and happy to have shared the space with such great ladies! Thanks, too, to everyone who braved the elements to join us! It was great fun and I look forward to June 5th and The Roost Vintage Sale!

Thanks for your indulgence!

Paige

Something New, My Lips are Blue!

What's the second thing everyone is looking for in the shop (the first being deals on Christmas decor--no, really, the first thing they're looking for is warmth!) . . . the new stuff. What's new? Well, I'll tell you.

We have these cute, beaded bookmarks in flower and butterfly themes.

You'll always find birds at Hodgepodge--here are some darling applique hand/dish towels.

Beautiful soaps are always welcome in my home! You've seen these soaps at Hodgepodge before . . . the butterfly shape is attractive and the light gardenia scent is lovely.

Scarves serve you well year 'round. Just in are these beautiful floral scarves in 40" squares with a great, but not overdone fringe on two sides.


Another signature offering at Hodgepodge has been vintage and new aprons. Here we have a mix of vintage-look fabrics on practical, yet pretty full aprons. Too cute!

Vintage-look fabric for half aprons, too.

Okay--another thing you can always find at Hodgepodge is vintage keys. I love the look of these key pendants--a little bling with a vintage nod.

Another scarf in a madras, patchwork--about 6 feet long by 13" wide, it'll wrap around and keep your neck cozy right into Spring.

There is much more to come! Come in to Hodgepodge and see for yourself.

Thanks for your indulgence~