One of my most favorite things to do...flea markets. This past weekend was Antiques by the Bay in Alameda. Stephen and I always make it a fun weekend getaway. This weekend was touch and go with the weather. The storm front was to come in the afternoon of the market. We woke to cloudy skies but oh...they were so beautiful.
A hole in Heaven.
Then I look the other way toward the city and the Trans American building is lit up.
We narrowly escaped the storm but I came home with some goodies.
After unloading the car, I dove straight into my Christmas decorating. Here is one of my vignettes.
Many of these decorations are from my favorite store Tancredi & Morgan. I have lots still to do but I love it! Christmas music, a roaring fire, and a glass of brandy. Perfect! Now...if I just could get a little elf to clear up the aftermath of decorating for Christmas.
We have so many things to be thankful for. Number one is to finally have a child that is old enough to do the cooking on Thanksgiving. Stephen, Ryan and I headed down to Santa Barbara to share Thanksgiving with our daughter Devon and her boyfriend, Tim, and Tim's family from Arizona. It was wonderful! This is the table Devon laid out.
Transformation of Tim's mantel by Devo.
Then went on to a 2nd annual frozen turkey bowling game. The Gobblers vs The Gibblers.
Devo catching some air here. The Gibblers won by seven points.
Special family time...
And of course a game of spoons and some silliness.
Stephen and I snuck away for quick get-away to Carmel this past weekend. We have friends that share their charming home with a few friends. Aren't we fortunate to be in that group! It was the perfect weekend for Carmel. The weather was chilly and the crowds were gone from summer. Little did my husband know that I had an agenda. I have to visit my favorite store, Tancredi & Morgan. I knew that Marcia had been busy created all her fancies for the season.
I love this metal container. It used to hold champagne bottles. It looks great with this red fabric. Hummm...This would make a great light fixture, also.
One of Marcia's creations. Isn't it fabulous!
Then we headed off to drive the 17-mile drive. We haven't driven this in over 20 years.
This is the lone cypress tree. It is over 250 years old. Beautiful!
This is called the Ghost Tree.
Just a little cottage...
Now...this is my idea of a cottage.
It was a wonderful weekend with my honey and now we slide right into Thanksgiving. We are spending it with my daughter and her boyfriend. They are cooking. Yeah! What are your plans for Thanksgiving?
Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise,
Give thanks to him and bless his name. Psalm 100:4
Artist and designer April Cornell has delighted us with her linens, bedding, and women's and girl's clothing for years. Her colorful interpretations of nature in the fabrics she creates and the artistic, feminine details of her clothing styles bring beauty into many women's lives. She and her team are coming all the way from Burlington, Vermont to be special guests at Remnants this weekend.
I have long been a fan of April's work, but what really draws me to her is her heart. April is a citizen of the world. If you follow her blog, you'll see she is all over the world in search of inspiration and sources for her designs. But her spiritual home is in India, where she has a home and factories. Years ago, seeing the needs of those around her in India, April founded the Giving World Foundation. The foundation serves mostly children and women who she likes to say need "A hand up rather than a hand out." One of the projects she supports is the Sai Kripa school which you see her and Donna Larrabee visiting last month in the photo above.
April has a truck full of her trademark linens and a sampling of clothing with her for the show. Her booth will be a warm, colorful meeting place for creative kindred spirits. A percentage of the entrance fee is being donated to the Giving World Foundation. I'm Looking forward to a wonderful day with April in our midst.
Well...the tents are up and I can't believe the day is arriving. My husband always says, "Didn't we just have the show last month?" Men aren't they funny! I am off early this morning to get my booth ready. My special guest, April Cornell, is arriving this afternoon. Everything is just about ready. Gus and I are anticipating your arrival on Saturday.
Gus doesn't look like it but he really is excited to see everyone!
Mary Lou participated for the first time in my April show. She was referred to me by a friend. I remember the day of set up and walking by her booth and stopping in my tracks. Mary Lou definitely has a flare. There were displays of French enamelware, cottage accents and vintage textiles. You will definetly have to make her booth a definite stopping place as you meander through the show. Mary Lou just arrived home from France. I can hardly wait to see her goodies.
Susan and I met around ten years ago when I had my store out in the wine country of the Central Coast. We became fast friends. Over the years, we have shared dreams, passions and ideas. When I came to a crossroads in my life a couple of years ago, Susan asked me to join her staff at her studio in California. I LOVE IT! I have never worked for a company that there is so much respect, encouragement and genuine fondness for each each other. Susan is extremely creative and an amazing writer. If you haven't read her Autumn book or her Girlfriends book you are missing out. One of her most popular items that Susan creates are her calendars. They sell out quickly! I have invited Susan Branch Studio to participate in my show on October 10th. Susan cannot be there, she is in Martha's Vineyard writing her next book, but Kellee, her graphic artist, will be there selling Susan's 2010 calendars. Please stop by and pick one up before they are sold out.