We don’t often think of “shabby Chic” style as being very harvest-y or using the typical Thanksgiving fall colors of deep greens, reds, oranges and yellows. I mean you wouldn’t even think of using a soft, pale green tablecloth, sweet pink roses or trailing ivy right?
I mean that doesn’t sound very harvest-y!
Or would you??

If you are looking for a Thanksgiving table scape with a very soft, pretty, romantic feel, yet still captures the look of Thanksgiving. Take a peek at my shabby chic style Thanksgiving dinner table.

I began by layering a soft green square brocade table cloth at an angle, on top of a rectangular green tablecloth. I love the layering effect on tables is adds so much character and texture. Then I set my table using my soft green dishes, flatware, goblets and gold napkins.

For the centerpiece I used a fun ceramic vase which has a lovely harvest fall scene painted on it and then filled it with wonderful flowers from my back yard (Yes, I do live in sunny California). I chose pinks, oranges, reds, and yellows. So yummy!
I added greenery like trailing ivy and lemon tree leaves for a full rich feel. Around the base of the centerpiece I added more ivy and lemon leaves. Then added hydrangea blossoms, and several tiny pumpkins. Anchored on each side of the vase were pewter goblets filled with spice potpourri and candles tied with a soft orange ribbon.

Most of the items I used in this Thanksgiving table scape were found from around my home or yard. I totally love that! Just going around your home finding things that you already have and putting them all together in a new and lovely way!
So, try something different this Thanksgiving… add a few roses…find a couple of your treasures from around the house and create your own unique and Shabby Style table setting.

Let me know if you think that maybe pink roses and ivy do say Thanksgiving. Well at least a “SHABBY” Thanksgiving!!

I know Halloween is almost here, but trust me there’s still time to pull of an adorable yet spooky table scape for your Halloween dinner. Many of the items I used, you may already have in your home or from past Halloween parties. Start by thinking roses and skulls!! “What did you say…are you crazy??” Don’t knock it till you see it. It’s pretty festive and I call it “Shabby Shriek“. Take a look below for creative ideas. Turn an ordinary black plastic cauldron into a breathtaking shabby centerpiece using lovely fall flowers (even add violet roses!), or try setting your table using spooky black coffins and skulls, or for the garden lover plant a little pansy in a tiny tin jello mold painted black. Now, these may not be your typical decorations, but they are sure to delight your family or guests and they will add the perfect balance for the woman who wants to decorate for Halloween, but keep that Shabby Chic (Ooops!! I mean Shriek) flair!!

So…. what do your think?

Well, I hope that you saw something that got your creative ideas flowing!! If so, then head off to the Party Shop. Target, or the florist and start creating!! You’d better hurry tho, no time to waste!!
Be sure to have fun and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

What a thrill it was for me today to see “Curby’s Closet” and our little quilted baby shoes featured on “Mammalicious Finds“!!! “Mammalicious Finds” is a wonderful site where they feature and review new finds for Moms and for their children. They review and show new things every day. “Mammalicious Finds” is the creative talent of Amy and Shara. They have a terrific variety… everything from “Diapering” to “Room Decor.” They also have TONS of “GIVEAWAYS”!!! It is really a fun place to spend some time and look around. Add them to your favs and check back often cuz there’s always something NEW!!

So, click on the link and go to “Mammalicious Finds” and take a look. Amy took the sweetest pics of the “Curby’s Closet” baby shoes. If you like them head on over to my etsy store and buy a pair.
I promise they make the cutest gift for a baby girl!!

www.mammaliciousfinds.blogspot.com/

I am so excited to have my “Silver Bella” press kits finished and mailed off to Sadie of “Lollishops” fame!! I am told that Silver Bella is an amazing once a year huge craft show. It’s the ticket EVERYBODY wants or wishes to have right now. I believe that the guest speaker this year is Mary Engelbreit. Pretty cool huh? I would love to meet her. Anyway, I was one of 50 vendors to be able to make 10 press kits for Sadie to give out at Silver Bella to promote “Lollishops” and the 50 vendors!!
I thought that this was a wonderful opportunity and was so happy to be a part of it. I included my original design, vintage style quilted baby shoes for each kit and then added “Curby’s Closet” magnets, some vintage lace and a photo card showing samples of “Curby’s Closet” vintage baby clothes. They were fun to make and I thought that you might like to take a peek!!!
I wish I knew which 10 people will be getting mine. Hmmm maybe I will!! Would you want one?

Remember: “LOLLISHOPS” will be opening in Nov. so mark your calendars and check back here at “Curby’s Closet” for the Grand Opening date!! It will be a fantastic shopping experience and your gonna love it!!

I participated in my first swap this past couple of weeks and it really turned out wonderful!! My swap partner was Carmen of “Annie Design” she crochets the most adorable flowers and leaves. She also does hearts too. She uses bright fun colors or soft pastels. They are so cute almost good enough to eat! They can be used as embellishments for clothing, pillows or most any craft projects. She also makes pins and barretts out of them. She is a very talented gal from Ireland. I think that is totally cool!! Take a look at the sweet things in her etsy shop AnnieDesign.etsy.com
Thanks for everything Carmen. This was really a fun swap!!

Aren’t these cute??

I am still fairly new to this blogging world, but I am getting much more familiar with how things work by joining groups and forums that are interesting to me or who reflect “my kind of style”. So, I would like to share with you some of my favorites and why. I sell some of my vintage baby clothes on ETSY and have for several months now. And through some other vendors there, got introduced to “ETSY COTTAGE STYLE”. It’s a terrific group and if you love Shabby Chic or that Cottage style… this is the place for you!
The next group I joined was “VINTAGE PULSE” a informative place to meet and converse with vintage minded people. We sell vintage, wear vintage, make vintage items, shop at vintage places, etc. it’s really awesome and very useful. (Eco friendly too!) Next, I put “Curby’s Closet” on “COTTAGE FRIENDS EMPORIUM” a place where cottage minded people sell their items and designs. A great way to find more of US out there. Then I joined “LOLLISHOPS” and “LOLLISHOPS GUILD”. “LOLLISHOPS” is not quite open yet… but you’re gonna want to check it out when it does! (I’ll keep you posted) “LOLLISHOPS GUILD” is for those who are vendors, ready to talk shop and who love everything darling, pretty and Sweet! Another group I’ve joined is “MARMALADE PINK” a little more for the business side of selling and very worthwhile. And last but certainly not least… I joined the forum of “MAKE MINE PINK” a wonderful network of gals who support and befriend you in the most inviting and comforting way. Perfect for chats, info. networking and of course shopping!! You’ll have to check out their very shabby, cottage style boutique stores.
I truly have enjoyed and learned a great deal from each one and I just wanted to share my take on them with you.
If you sell or buy Shabby Chic, Cottage, Vintage or love Pink!! Click on the button, badge or widgets on the right side of this blog and take a look. Leave yourself plenty of time, cuz there’s lots too see!!!
Let me know which one “floats your boat”!!

I was watching a design show on one of the cable channels the other day. It’s the one where designers compete for the title of “DESIGN STAR”. It was the episode where the designers task was to re-do country singer Sara Evans hotel suite in a “Shabby Chic” or “Country Cottage ” style. I was very intrigued and excited because I really love both of those design styles. Well, I won’t recount the whole show and all its events, but I will say that the “Professional” designers aka “Judges” pretty much let it be known, that these two design styles are not really even styles at all. I was kinda shocked and stunned!! I must say that it did offend me a bit!! ( Don’t worry I’ll get over it!) I don’t really understand why on these design shows you must either be contemporary, modern, or traditional. There seems to be no room for anything else.  I mean what about English or French Country style? What about a Romantic or Garden style? I guess that they wouldn’t be crazy about those either. I was delighted that Sara Evans liked the soft lovely “Shabby” kind of style. I bet if you asked successful designer Rachel Ashwell she’d say that “Shabby Chic” was a very wonderful style.

Just a thought… What do you think?

HAPPY 4th of JULY everyone!!

What a wonderful day to think of all our freedoms and blessings. What a wonderful day to think about all the brave men and women who serve and protect our great country!! THANK YOU ALL!!

It’s also a great day for decorating and breaking out all our red, white and blue. Be sure to fly the flag!!

For doll and bear collectors it’s always fun to dress our special little treasures in holiday wear. So, I decided to make a fun table scape by using my sweet bear friend “Bear-stie Ross” to help celebrate Independence Day!

It’s really fun to dress these cute bears and dolls in vintage baby clothing. This little bear is wearing an adorable 1950’s red cotton dress with white collar and cuffs and the most terrific white smocking across the chest.

Tie a sweet bow on her head and cluster birdhouses, flowers, and of course lots of flags and you’ve got a very amazing and unique centerpiece. Your family and friends will be very impressed. And you can have a great excuse to show off that darling doll or bear that you love so much. This kind of display would be perfect for your buffet table, coffee table, a picnic table, an entry way, on your front or back porch, or anywhere you’d like to add a little holiday spirit.

Remember vintage clothing always makes dressing your bear, doll or baby and memorable experience.

So think VINTAGE!!