C is for Crafty.

Do you craft?

If so, do you have a particular place you craft in/at?

Does it look anything like this?

Isn't it divine??!!  Like something Martha Stewart would have at home!

Well, it's a real live regular (yet amazing) person's sewing studio, and I've seen it in person, because it belongs to my friend, Susan from Maple & Magnolia.  She's the creative and decorating genius behind this incredible space!  There are so many more pictures and all the details on her blog, so you'll have to check it out.  I had to share it because it's just so colorfully, cottage cute!  In fact, it's in a cottage guest house on her property.

She inspired me to get it together and work out a space for myself at home to craft/sew in and also use as my office for Cottage Industry.  Mine will never be as big or as awesome as hers, but it will be delightfully colorful, happy and ORGANIZED!!!

Here's the smallest of sneak peeks...

I'm getting set up in what was Maggie's nursery, we've moved her to a bigger "big girl" room (she's almost 3).  I'm keeping the walls the same colors, aqua and red (love those colors), and have gotten two tables for workspace and a HUGE shelving rack for supplies.  It's got a ways to go, but I'm getting there...organizing and making things pretty.  Not sure when I'll have it ready to share, but hopefully soon, I'm anxious to get to work in there!

Other tidbits of news...

We are having a pergola built on our deck and it's almost done being stained.  

I am just itching to get it all decorated for summer relaxation and entertaining!

 {mid progress}

The cottage gardens are blooming in front and back...Yay for flowers!

I received an adorable handmade ball garland 

from Holly at Cutie Pie Cottage for our swap...

She is patiently awaiting an embroidery from me...I'm almost done, Holly!

I can't wait to hang up the garland in my new craft room!!

I have at least 10 new gray hairs in my bangs...what, you thought you were getting a picture of that?!

NOPE.

Hope you have a splendid week!  

Do share in the comments about your craft space, dream craft space, or lack of craft space...

XO,

Stacey

I Never Met A Strawberry I Didn't Like...

Yep, that's true, I love strawberries... in pie (I've got a funny story actually about a strawberry pie), cheesecake, with whipped cream, in yogurt, and just a plain ol' strawberry is fine with me.  However, this post isn't about the strawberries you eat...heavens no, it's about vintage strawberries! 
The kind you see printed on old tablecloths, embroidered on linen, as a plate motif, tied around a waist on an apron.

I'm no stranger to decorating or crafting with strawberry patterns and such, here's some of my greatest strawberry hits!

 {a favorite bowl of mine}

 {treasured sconce}

 {purse I made from a vintage towel}

 {my kitchen curtains made from a vintage tablecloth}

 {close up of the curtain print}

 {photograph I snapped one day}

 {not super easy to see, but the chair is covered in a strawberry oilcloth fabric}

{vintage cross stitch in my living room}

{my strawberry mug on top of my oilcloth strawberry dining tablecloth}

As if I didn't already have enough strawberry stuff, I sure wouldn't mind these juicy additions...

All of the above are from my fave, Cath Kidston

Not to be too greedy, but I also would really like these vintage strawberry lovelies...

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So you made it to the end of this post, a.k.a., Strawberry Fest 2013, and you want to hear that funny strawberry pie story still?  Okay...so I wanted to make this strawberry pie recipe I saw on Pinterest and all went well preparing it, it even looked pretty good before baking. 

The recipe called for broiling the top to brown it a bit in the last few minutes of baking.  Well, I am no expert broiler user, I mean, I NEVER use the thing!  I guess I had the pie too close to the broiler and it caught on fire, like it was actually flaming when I attempted to take it out of the oven!!  In the end I was left with a charred on top strawberry pie...ugh, so disappointing.  The silver lining is that I removed the burnt top crust and the pie actually tasted pretty good, all things considered.

What about you, do you have a favorite vintage motif?  Burn any pies lately??

XO,
Stacey

The Na Da Farm Barn Sale May 2013

Over the weekend I was a vendor at the Na Da Farm Barn Sale in Esmond, IL.

If you're not familiar with the farm or Anne-Marie's blog on farm and family life, 

you should definitely check it out...the scenery on the farm is amazing, 

Anne Marie is a talented stylist and baker, not to mention mom extraordinaire!

Twice a year, in May and October, she hosts a vintage, handmade market at the her farm for two days.  It's all about supporting fellow creatives, laughing, and having yummy treats!

{how cute is the face painting booth?!}

 {Love this couch!}

I think this was my 4th time selling at the market, and as always, it was tons of fun and sales were great!  Thanks so much to all who came out!!

I know you didn't pop over to hear me ramble on, you came to see pictures...so on to the eye candy!!

Here is my space, Cottage Industry...

I sell much of the items you see in my booth at my shop as well.

Here is Fresh Vintage, always love her colorful vintage!

 {I bought the red and blue tables}

Chippy Shabby...

Fragments...

Urban Farmgirl & Tattered Tiques...

Cracker Jax

Open Door Studio with the cutest vintage Camper/Trailer!

Then, there was Anne-Marie's fabulous bakery!

Isn't it so adorable?!  The baked good were super yummy!

There were many more vendors I didn't get pics of, 

wish I could have had time to snap more.

Check out Na Da Farm for a slide show of more photos!

Thank you to Na Da Farm for hosting a beautiful event and to all of the locals and visitors that came to visit and shop, we all truly appreciate you supporting small business!!

XO,

Stacey