Sweet Breezes

A couple weeks ago I had an unusual conversation with my 9 year old daughter. We were standing over a most scrumptious smelling box and debating which of the gifted sample size soaps that we loved the most. She lined up the varieties on the table and said, "I can't decide... This one smells like honey candy and this one is pretty like a flower but this one smells like the wind."

I had been packing giftbags bound for various destinations and Marie, from Savon Marie, had gifted an amazing amount of soaps for the bags. She graciously sent a few extra and said I could pick a couple that I liked. I let my daughter make a selection and she has been hiding it from her brothers, using it sparingly. But who am I to say she's being silly? I hid my vanilla fleur de lis from the boys and from my daughter. *smiles*

Here's a little info about Savon Marie...

At Savon Marie, we make hand crafted soap to order using quality ingredients. We also offer complementary items including Body Wash, Lotion Spray, and Luxury Body Mist. You will be delighted with our variety of fragrance choices, and your skin will benefit from formulas containing goat milk, oatmeal, honey, aloe, and a variety of botanicals.

Our products are reminiscent of everything we love about the south of France with just a little romance. In fact, we are inspired by all things French. However, some of our favorite inspirations have come from our customers. We love our customers, and we are very proud of our excellent record of customer service. We look forward to seeing you soon at http://www.savonmarie.com/

Posted by: Polly - Counting Your Blessings

Back Through Time

A few years ago I met a gal through an ebay transaction. I missed out on an auction that I had been watching and I was devastated. The auction was for the most gorgeous vintage curtains that I'd ever seen and I was just heart broken that I'd missed winning them. I contacted her and asked if she had any more. As twist of fates go, this was a beautiful one for me because she did have more! And to make things even better, something clicked and we became friends. She owns an antique mall and even though we live hundreds of miles apart and have never met in person, I've gotten some amazing treasures from her antique mall.

I thought you might like to meet Michelle too...

Everything I create is vintage inspired ~I always use vintage bits and pieces in all of my designs. Besides loving all things old, I believe it makes each and every item unique and one of a kind. I was making things out of old buttons and lace when I used to go to my grandmothers house, gee that would have been 40 years ago. I must have been born with the will to create and for the love of the past.

I am inspired by my surroundings of antiques (my antique mall), flea markets, auctions and of course always looking for new life in old junk. Sometimes I find things that I can't use but I know someone else can, so I sell it. I can't keep it all even though I would like too!

I hope you take the time to stop by and visit me at both of my etsy stores~back through time and the vintage flea market

Posted by: Polly - Counting Your Blessings

The Little Extras

I think the “little extras” are what make a home cottage cozy.

Just something small added to a venue gives it extra charm and warmth – a handmade doily or a pretty hanky underneath a small collection gives the grouping a stage.

A delicate teacup with a vintage silver teaspoon on an elegant tray is so inviting!

These little touches make a home so welcoming.

The Pink Rose Cottage ~ Vintage treasures for your cozy cottage home! A large variety of vintage chic items from vintage linens, ladies vanity items, shabby silver, cozy kitchen items, and all things for entertaining vintage style.

Cottage Violets

I love the look and feel of fine English bone china.

And I prefer my altered art with a softer, gentler look.

I would call my style English Cottage or perhaps, Cozy Cottage.

I believe we should all let the child in us live and breathe, play with paperdolls, have an imaginary tea party, relieve the stress of a hectic world. My little Cottage Violets is full of English china. We also carry paper dolls and linens, tchotchkes and crafts.

Just for fun, I have included Gabby’s Bunny Tales on the site. It is the story of Miss Violet Teacake and the happenings at the Old Vicarage in Harrington Woods (ie, Cottage Violets). Don’t miss out on the story of Gardenia Abigail Bluebell Boxwoody, the girl of all-work. I love my little Cottage Violets and hope you will too.

I am inspired by English china. The look, the feel, the myriad of patterns, the beautiful ring it has when lightly tapped. I am inspired by the thought of a gentler time. A time we might all have if we bring peace and quiet to our cottages, the intimacy of family worship, a time to explore beauty and words without outside interruption.

Lord Byron said it best in “She Walks In Beauty”. Why not walk in beauty and let your home be a reflection of that beauty? Here is an excerpt:

SHE walks in beauty, like the night

Of cloudless climes and starry skies,

And all that's best of dark and bright

Meets in her aspect and her eyes;

Thus mellow'd to that tender light

Which Heaven to gaudy day denies.

Theresa - Cottage Violets

Gypsy Junkin

I began “junkin” mostly out of necessity when I first moved out on my own. I started with pots, pans and all the staples one needs. Then it evolved into the furnishings for my very own place.

Fast forward 20 or so years... I decided to start selling my wares and share my eclectic style. I opened a few booths in local co-ops then eventually graduated to my very own store. It had always been my dream, It was the most amazing and educational experience of my life. It was a huge pivotal part of bringing me to where I am today. It helped to wake up my soul and face it in the right direction of where I need to be. Due to time constraints eventually I closed the brick and mortar shop and moved the goods home, selling mostly on-line.

It's finally all in place and balance, now I can really concentrate on what I love, making art, displays, and picking. Nothing can beat a good hot, sticky, grungy day at the flea market. Now, that is heaven to me. Not only the finds but the cast of characters and the thrill of haggling down to a great price. Simply divine!

As well as my online store, I also run a monthly Gypsy Barn Market with my close friend Jill and travel with my wares to shows incorporating all the things I adore.

(Click Here to Visit Gypsy Barn Market)

For me things are ever evolving. I just run with it and know that I'll always get where I'm going. I just have to buckle up and enjoy the ride.

Beth - Gypsy Fish Studio

Vintage Cottage Style

I would describe my style as “vintage cottage”, a blend of vintage and cottage style pieces that are chosen simply because I immediately fall in love with them.

Despite their random discoveries, they blend well and can be arranged in a visually pleasing manner.
I love browsing flea markets and estate sales looking for items that speak to me. That’s where I get inspiration, amongst all the vintage trinkets and treasures.

PINEY ROSE VINTAGE COTTAGE DÉCOR – Piney Rose offers hand selected vintage collectibles and inspired upcycled creations for a softly romantic, yet comfortable, décor.

Forget Me Not Dreams

The creative owners behind Forget Me Not Dreams: We are Karen & Eileen who started as two work-from-home moms, making and marketing holiday and home décor products 20 years ago. We both love working with our hands. When our children were young, we made the decision to stay home with our kids and earn a bit of extra money by making craft items to sell at bazaars or shows near our homes. What started as a show here and there, quickly mushroomed into a full time job, creating and buying products for nearly 20 different shows all held within a three month period! Crazy? Yes, but we love it!

How they met: One of the areas largest and most beautiful shows was owned by Eileen and her husband. Karen, a long time talented crafter, was juried into the show, and that’s how we met. Becoming lifelong friends was so easy! We share a passion for our faith & families… their growing up tales, leaving for school, the joys of 3 marriages in one year, and a beautiful grandchild arriving… changes in our lives. Did we mention the excitement of mentalpause? Two minds working as one half? Sharing it all together!

What inspires them: Opening Forget Me Not Dreams together truly has been a life long dream and a wonderful blending of talents. We love junking and collecting together, sewing and creating together. Our passion is taking something old and making something new and wonderful with it, so we love the thrill of the hunt at flea markets and fabric stores!

A lifetime of experience & sharing a vintage future: Together we have nearly 40 years of business experience, working in both the wholesale and retail home décor markets, so you can buy with ease and confidence from us. We love meeting new friends and building relationships. Our hope is that you will love what we collect and create too. We look forward to meeting you and adding you to our list of Forget Me Not friends.

-Eileen & Karen (Forget Me Not Dreams)

Crinolines, Paperie & Inspiring Kits

This is one of my most favorite pictures lately! I love the serene dreamy-ness of it. Although acutally a vintage inspired paperie with altered journals and tags, my friend, Carrie, often frequents flea markets for special vintage pieces and home decor items for her online shop, Noelle Garret. Anyone who can make an old crinoline look so divine is on my list of favs!Carrie is inspired by soft, dreamy colors and anything with a romantic touch. She likes to mix the old with the new and always find inspiration in chippy, rusty treasures paired with something feminine and dripping with lace. She also looks to Victorian, Parisian and Art Deco styles for inspiration.

She carries one of a kind art kits full of treasures to create your own pieces, and even accomodates wholesale orders.

Well, don't just stand there like a rusty ol' dressform! Hop on over to Noelle Garret for a visit.

Posted by: Polly

French Cupboard Goes to the Texas Shows

Well, sorta... We were there by proxy. Theresa from Garden Antiques has a blog party to kick off each season at the Texas shows and she so graciously allowed French Cupboard to send some gifts to hand out at the party.

(above picture by http://gardenantqs.blogspot.com/)

That's Jodie holding one of our goodie bags. Thank you to all the gals attending who took pictures and have been sharing them on their blogs!

(above picture by: http://redneckchic.blogspot.com/)

Theresa had a name tag contest and some of the gals got a Gypsy Brocante rosette in their goodie bags! That's Jo Packam from Where Women Create donning one of Jill's rosettes.

(I'm sorry - I borrowed the above picture from someone and now I don't remember who. If it's your photo, let me know so I can add your link)

And Heather Bullard from Flea Market Syle also wearing her rosette.

(above photo by: http://redshedantiques.blogspot.com/)

No two bags were the same and everyone got different treasures. I love the lacy charms! And the Honey Lavender soap smells soooo amazing.

(above two photos: http://countingyourblessings.blogspot.com/)

There were even a few things to inspire you to create your own treasure...

(photos above and below from: http://rockinm.blogspot.com/)

We're so grateful to have had the opportunity to be part of Theresa's blog party! If you would like to find some of the items from the goodie bags, visit the shops here.

Will there be more goodie bags at the Fall blog party? Steve and I hope to attend the Fall shows in person so maybe we can plan something special with Theresa *wink, wink* Be sure to stop by Zapp Hall.

Thank you to Theresa and all the gals who shared photos. And big thanks to the Cupboard gals who donated items!

Posted by: Polly - Counting Your Blessings

Sweet Harvest Farms

Is that a gorgeous picture, or what?! A little over a year ago PORCH Magazine was doing a Valentines issue about different types of romantic things: Romantic Paperie, Romantic Textiles, etc. I was searching for some bloggers to add to the Romantic Rustic area when I found Sweet Harvest Farms. I couldn't take my eyes off her photos. Like most artists, she was skeptical about anyone using her photos, even if it was for a magazine. PORCH was a year younger then and not quite as well known so I didn't blame her. We worked together a bit and it was the start of a sweet friendship.

I thought you might like to get to know CJ too...

It has been almost 30 yrs. since I began my small and humble business. I have always taken pride in being able to offer not only the unique, primitive, shabby tid-bits and homemade bath and body, but also other items and creations of the highest quality possible. That's what Sweet Harvest Farms has always aspired to and what my customers have come to expect.

The good Lord has blessed me with an abundance of talent and I love being able to share it with others. I feel He requires that of all of us. From my All Natural Luxurious Homemade Soap to Aromatic Potpourri and my Whimsical Folk Art, I find it fulfilling to know that others enjoy and appreciate the things that bring me joy as well!

What inspires her: Nature & Other Artisans that give of themselves to the needs of others. Everyone deserves a little something to make them smile! It’s not always about the money.

-Cheers, Cynthia Young Jennings ( CJ) Sweet Harvest Farms-

I have appreciated CJ's boldness from the very start, whether it's about her photos or about her relationship with God. If her words or her photos have captured you as they did me, you can visit CJ's shop HERE or her blog HERE

Color Inspiration

What inspires the color of your home?

Is it beautiful pictures from your favorite magazines...

An old family photo...

A lovely old slip...

A stack of wonderfully aged books...



A collection of beautiful transferware and ironstone...

Insipiration is all around us...What inspires the color of your home?

~Andrea from Faded Plains