Saturday, November 29, 2008

The one with the fabulous gift ideas

Back with more gift ideas. My scarf supplier came in today with some fab things. These are all made with wool, or wool and silk, in India. They are hand washable or dry cleanable and super super soft and warm, not itchy I swear. This one above is so much fun, it's two scarves quilted together.
Nice big pashmina-type shawls in great colors.
Lightweight sheer-ish striped long scarves
Yummy colors in polka dot scarves
These are actually hemp, from a local company, and dyed with bilberry, oak leaves, and oregano
Did you know I carry the Match pewter line? I love the patina and scuffs that come naturally with even the new things. This is definitely a great gift for someone who has everything.
Juliska has a new line of white and burnished dishes. This is one of four designs on the to die for dessert plates.
These paper letters from an old game are great for gift tags.
A myriad of possibilities.
The must have scent of the season, Thymes Fraser Fir candles and soaps
Yummy Olivina candles and bath products in olive and fig
Framed vintage needlepoint dogs, so cute and warm
Framed antique bug prints on a lovely teal-y twill
Antique botanicals on linen mat
And just for fun, a super cute googly-eyed salamander that was in my plants outside!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

The one with most gift ideas under $40

Yes, times are tough but they will get better. Until then I am posting some gift ideas from three to sixty-six dollars. Above are a few of my great preserved boxwood topiaries in concrete planters at $85 each. Preserved, so you can not kill them. And classic and lovely as well...Votivo candles in paperwhite narcissus and newberry holly, many other scents too. $15 and $27
Yum yum yummy all natural perfumes in scents like "gin and rosewater". $32
Rae Dunn ceramic soap dishes/catchalls with crown or hand stamp. $13
the best notepads ever! 2 pads $10
the best mini notebooks, more designs here. $3
locally handmade antique sheet music garland $17 for ten feet.
mercury glass and iridescent glass votives $9-14the gosh darn cutest felted fair trade ornaments $11-15
my newest super cute and soft line of sock animals $19
children must read the classics, here are a few. $20more classics from Munro Leaf $8.95
wonderful cards from local artists, photo and letterpress $5
huge (60 x 78) super soft cotton throw blanket in many colorways $58If you have ever been in the shop than you know I love these juice/wine glasses from Juliska, dishwasher safe yet super delicate looking and such a great gift.


More gift posts to come, I hope I helped! Next week when the economy is all better ;) I shall post some gift ideas for those people you know who have been really very good this year.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

The one with the Dominican Hospital Holidays d' Eleganz fundraiser Christmas tree

Today was the day I trimmed the tree (theme is natural history) at the cocoanut grove for the dominican hospital fundraiser. This idea was my friend Meagans, I had this old natural history book that I wanted to use and she suggested opening it and having a critter be reading it. It turned out so cute! The chapter is called "some wonderful spiders", and is written by Charles Darwin.
Almost done, I'll go back in the am for touch ups. I made the garland today. Little specimin labels with frogs and alligators (yes, there is an alligator in my tree) and ostrich's, what thier natural habitat is, where it was found, etc. Super cute! I hope it goes for lots of money!

update 11-21 here it is in all of its glory! I really love the way it turned out, and the dominican guild members and volunteers did a great job matching it up with some great gifts. It was so nice to see everyone looking closely at all my hard work and really "getting it".

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

The one where I get crafty

Somehow I found a few minutes to be crafty this week. These are some sort of old wooden foundry molds that I've attched vintage flower frogs to for a cute picture display idea.
A couple of vintage cows (I love cows!) that are now sculpture on these old molds/stands.
I found some more fabulous antique medals in Texas and paired them up with these sterling chains to make one of a kind necklaces. Some of them can be monogrammed for a personalized gift. I've already sold some, so hurry in if you don't want to miss out.

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

The one with the before and after paint job

I am so excited to be decorating a room in a lovely Victorian in Los Gatos for The Summit League benefit. All proceeds go to the Pacific Autism Center for Education (PACE). The homes will be open on Thursday, December 4 and Friday, December 5 from 10-4 pm. My room will be the grandchildren’s bedroom, and I am calling it “A children’s vintage Christmas”. I was lucky enough to be able to work with the homeowner, Ann Atkinson on this room. It was her daughter’s bedroom and since she now has her own home and family Ann was ready to make a change. Below are the before and (in progress) after pictures. I have picked many paint colors in my life, but this room in the new blue (benjamin moore 847, sweet dreams) and cream (benjamin moore 943 spanish white) scheme is truly one of the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. The room itself is magnificent, the corbels are Queen Elizabeth with a strand of pearls. This house has amazing Victorian architecture and details. There are 3 wonderful homes on this tour with about 40 designers working on them. Tickets are $40 in advance, and you can purchase them at the store. Information hot line is 408-494-9225 or go to http://summit-league.org/ticket_info.php.

I am also honored to be decorating a Christmas tree for the Dominican Hospital Foundation Guild fundraiser “Holidays d’Eleganz” at the Cocoanut Grove, http://sites.google.com/site/dhfguild/ . This is a 2 day event with a fashion show and lunch on Friday, November 21, and dinner and grand ball with an auction on the 22nd. It will be fabulous with wonderful donated gifts and you can purchase raffle tickets to win one of the amazingly decorated trees, all done by local florists and designers. The theme of my tree is natural history, so you know I'm going to have fun with it.

Also, the Sunset Idea House in Monterey is open until December 7. Hours are 9-4 Friday, Saturday and Sundays. http://www.sunset.com/sunset/marketplace/article/0,20633,1708721~844996,00.html I’m thrilled that they chose to use quite a few of my antiques in the home but besides that it’s just a pretty fabulous piece of land and home filled with great ideas.