An Autumn Setting

This is a difficult week. We have to say "see you later" to the #1 man in our lives on Wednesday. The deployment we've been dreading is upon us. So, I'll deal with it by ignoring it--otherwise, I'll simply fall apart.

Saturday was busy at the shop, but I decided to tackle re-setting one of the tables. I started by removing the old settings, then I decided to update the centerpiece. Still my favorite thing in the shop--this vase never fails to make me smile. It takes the simplest flower arrangement and makes it something special.

(Sorry, too much flash.)

As I begin this post, I haven't figured out the rest, but intend to do so today when I get to the shop. Okay . . . it's many hours later. The table is set--still some tweaking left to do, but at least it has some plates and napkins. A pseudo "sideboard" is also loaded. Some pictures? Why sure!

Thanks for checking in. Feel free to say a prayer for Darren. I would considerate a personal favor.

Thanks for your indulgence.

~Paige

in columbus on his day

a wonderful weekend.

we ran to columbus, ohio on friday--back by monday. we had a great time. family pics--maybe a christmas card photo? lots of adoration for our delightful and entertaining nephew. a few, too short minutes, with our dear friends, Kate and Matt. came home a little later than planned, thanks to southwest (oh well). checked some emails, then made the list for the commissary.

i was only away for a few days, but was anxiously looking forward to getting to the shop. now's the time for all the cool stuff to start happening. while in columbus, i purchased plates to use for our decorating efforts at the smith-trahern mansion this holiday season. the theme is "songs of the season." seems easy and we've got several ideas, but i feel a lot of pressure to be inspirational. i hope people to see our table and want to go home and replicate it. not because i want them to buy everything i have to offer--in fact, as i just mentioned, i just purchased the accent plates i'll use on the table at an antique shop in columbus. just trying to prove the the point--you need to "gather your home" not purchase it all in one place at one time.

our fall decor is so much fun and i find that i have plans for new displays almost daily--it's just finding the time to do them! thank goodness for creative patty! all i have to do is say, "i was thinking . . . " and next thing i know, it's a done deal!

here are some of the new plates we have recently checked-in. they're from the mary carol line i mentioned a few blogs ago. these will be perfect for any holiday table setting. i love the classic look and scenes--and who can resist the basics of black & white?

I want to make a quick suggestion--if you have an evening available you should try to make it to the show at The Roxy, The Last 5 Years. It's a wonderfully told (sung) story of a relationship. Performed by just two extremely talented actors, this play is honest and, at times, raw. It's only at The Roxy through this Saturday.

thanks for your indulgence.

paige

How Do They Do That? Follow-up

We now know how they do these:

We had a full house the other night--nine pupils, a teacher (Melanie) and a floater (me). Melanie is a jewelry designer extraordinaire. It was my job to make sure everyone had a full glass of whatever and some snacks. (Mainly to distract the participants from the fact that some of our supplies hadn't arrived!)

I was amazed at the variety of the results stemming from the creativity of these ladies. Unfortunately, the actual frame pendants arrived a day late, but we were able to create the inserts, thanks to Melanie's creative approaches and ample supply of materials needed to make individual works of art.

If you want to make a pendant or two of your own, you will find supplies and instructions at http://www.artchixstudios.com/

But let me tell you--we have a lot of fun at our group lessons, so I encourage you to sign-up for the next How Do They Do That? program. Our next program was originally scheduled for Oct 21st, that was before I had Darren's schedule. As that's his last night home before his deployment, I doubt he'd appreciate a house full of women . . . wait, never mind, he'd appreciate it, but it's probably still a bad idea. If you don't mind, we'll push it to Tuesday, Oct 28th.

We'll make the fall door decor you see above. Supplies will be, roughly, $20. Space will be limited, as I need to order supplies--preferably in time to arrive for class!

Send me an email if you're interested in registering for this class.

Thanks for your indulgence~

Paige

do we do it?

do we take the leap and jump into another business venture?
here's where we are:this is the second floor of our building on franklin street and strawberry alley. do we take this space and transform it into an arts and antiques mall or do we wait things out--see how the economy plays-out?

all i know is, now that i've had these openings cut into the walls, i can truly envision the space. before it was a possibility. before i implemented this change, it was still a building belonging to someone else.

a space belonging to someone else.

can i really make it mine? make it something?

the vision is an arts and antiques emporium. a place where people can sell their wares with a minimal investment of money or time.

why do it? well, it's not for the riches. the potential of this space isn't exactly grand. it's what real estate folks call "unimproved;" no heating or a/c and no bathroom. (painting a pretty picture--aren't i?) it's remarkably comfortable, though. ceiling fans keep it cool and the heat from hodgepodge--unfortunately for hodgepodge--rises right up to this level; along with a few strategically placed space heaters, we think we can keep the place warm.

so what do you think? do we do it? is it something downtown clarksville needs? i don't want to sink money into something that won't fly, nor do i want to ask others to believe i can provide them with a business that can support their dreams, if it won't.

i'd love to hear your thoughts.

thanks for your indulgence.
~paige

How did we get to the 23rd of September?

It seems everything I've been focusing on for the past few months centered and apparently ended on the 20th. In case you didn't notice, the 3rd Annual Frolic on Franklin: A Celebration of the Arts took place this past weekend. If I do say so myself, it was a rather successful event. We had more artists than ever, more attendees than ever and more fun that ever!

A good time was had by all--I hope!

Apparently, however, the month has been progressing without me. My world was revolving around the 20th and now, here we are with the 23rd about to end and I don't know how we got here!

I do know we have a lot going on at Hodgepodge. We've been checking-in tons of Christmas merchandise--don't worry, it'll be a while before it hits the floor--but you're going to love it when you see it! We've got a "How Do They Do That" class coming-up on the 30th. Melanie Hazen will teach us how to make pendant frames. (See my post about it here.)

As you're preparing for the season change, why not look around for the items you can pull out of storage and use around the house? It's time to put away the sea shells and trade them for Indian corn and gourds. Simple changes--such as trading the light shades of summer candles for the rich colors of autumn make a noticeable difference. I'll try to provide a few other decorating tips as we move through the season.

Thanks for the indulgence~

Paige

more magazines

I know I've been inundating you with posts, but I've got a lot on my mind! I promise to take the weekend off!

Okay you guys--here's the thing . . . you know about my little magazine problem, but what I failed to mention is a similar disorder with regard to cookbooks. I love cookbooks--I've got more that I will ever use and plan to continue adding to my collection. One thing I noted today was my tendency to combine the two addictions with the purchase of cooking magazines. One of my favorites is Cooks Illustrated. I just picked up the Fall issue--entitled "Fall Entertaining."

I love this magazine. It is all business and it's beautiful to boot! I've often thought of framing the back covers; they're that attractive. They have an online site, too, but I've got to hold and touch my cookbooks.

Not only do they have great recipes, they have great illustrations and photos. They also address almost every issue that may pop-up regarding each recipe. If you don't have this pan, you can use one of these--how to achieve a crustier layer for your beef tenderloin (not to mention how to stuff and tie it, too). I plan to hend this issue over to my daughter and son so they can try-out the "Perfect Potstickers" recipe with Scallion Dipping Sauce.

Then there's the equipment testing which is completely unbiased, as they do not have advertising in their magazine--they're not beholding to anyone to recommend their product. (I need a new pair of kitchen shears an guess what's reviewed on page 21?!?)

On a more, umm, curious note is a new magazine that caught my eye at the Y this morning. Have you seen it?

Only in the south. Here's the link to prove this is a real publication--not some photoshop manipulated laugh point. They're serious. This self-proclaimed "Soul of the New South" is on new stands--has been for a year. Hmm--the name sounds a lot like the soul of the old south, but in all fairness I've been pulled in by the 50 Best list. If I can get past the name, I may have a new siren calling me.

Thanks for your indulgence.

~Paige

floral arranging

I'm not a florist . . . I just play one in my own mind.


I love arranging flowers--I wish I knew what I was doing. So, in an effort to further my career as a wanna-be--I'm going to offer some amateur instruction in floral arranging.


I started with a gorgeous urn--filled it with floral foam then topped it with spanish moss.








The next addition was a section of honeysuckle vine I had clipped last year. I love the texture and "halo" it adds to an arrangement.
(This has to be added now because it's too much of a fight to add it after you've placed any of the stems.)

I then added a selection of leafy stems and florals. Based on the size of my urn--which is rather large--I worked with a minimum of 4 per stem. Here are some of the stems I used:

Then I started adding the layers. I approach arrangements from the outside in--shortest to tallest. I added the leafy stems first, their low, full stature provide a lot of color, texture and screening for the base of the arrangement.

Then I began adding the floral stems. With the final touch of those cool feather looking thingees.

I turned out okay, I think.

Thanks for your indulgence.

~Paige