I'm loving the way my shop looks right now, especially my mantle display, I hate to change it.
Ok I admit it's been a while (and a fun summer so far) but usually I move the store around quite frequently. I like to give things a new showcase so a piece someone might not have noticed over there, they see over here and fall in love with it. Plus, I feel antsy if things are stagnant here. There are usually a few leftover pieces that have no home. Most of the time they go in the back room. Sometimes they come home with me, and I get to enjoy them for a while. In case you were wondering, here are some things I currently make good use of:
This French desk got so much attention, but alas, no buyers yet, so it's perfect as my craft station for a while.
One of my very favorite things, this crock shelf diplays my collections quite nicely, I'm willing to let it go to a good home.
And possibly next, this fabulous English mahogany desk from the mid 1800's. I feel very protective of my finds, I loved them enough to buy them and hope you would love them too. When they don't get any attention I think I feel like I need to take them and give them a good home with me for a while :)
And perhaps this iron base/marble top small console table...better hurry!
Heres a peek at the beautiful trestle table that lasted exactly one week before someone very smart snatched it up.
I'm dedicating this weekend to renew the shop. Let's all hope it's not too beautiful outside or the hammock will be calling my name. I feel guilty if I don't work, and equally guilty if I don't play...
I was thrilled to be able to host a baby shower for my great friend Jessie on Sunday. I was stressing about the backyard with the half done deck, the dead lawn and gopher holes, but everything turned out ok. Because she is a true southern gal, and her favorite movie is Steel Magnolias, I went with that theme. It really hit me that I am so lucky to live on this old chicken ranch. There's an empty acre next door that doesn't hurt the ambiance either.
Our friend Brigit had the brilliant idea to spread straw on the dead grass...
You can't go wrong with white linen on the tables.
I served BLT salad and gourmet mac and cheese. I wish I had a picture of that salad, it was so beautiful.
Here is the cute momma to be! She never takes a bad picture.
Brigit made the delicious red velvet cupcakes that had a little armadillo on top - in an ode to the grooms cake from the movie. She made a stamp by hand!
And here is Brigit and her new baby Finn enjoying said cupcake.
I had hats, sunscreen, and shawls available to keep the hot sun at bay.
We got a little silly with the photo shoots by the end of the day.
The kids table :)
The calm before the storm...
And after...the guests got to keep cool under the plum tree but poor Jess had to open her gifts in the hot sun. Luckily this was one of those perfect Santa Cruz days. Can't wait to meet you, Johann!
Very old collection of Shakespeare's works. The antique box below is a salesman's sample of a trunk. Also something that would look great on a bookcase.
A well loved doll torso with legs, balancing on a flower frog, atop an old wooden mold.
These old print blocks are crying out for a mixed media collage, or pretty enough to just prop up on a bookcase. On the right is a fabulous set of - are you ready? Mousetraps. Numbered. Catch and release. If you have a large bookcase this would be an awesome touch.
I'm afraid my spring fever has turned into the summertime blues...I love it here in my shop but..
I've only been back two months but I am already anticipating a fun trip here...
but here will have to do for now, and here is a perfectly good place to be...happy June! 
