Some definite signs of Spring.....

Yesterday it hit 80 degrees in Missouri and overnight the wind blew with a vengeance and it got cold again.  At least the sun is out today and tomorrow we're back on the road to Spring.  This is Spring break for my grand kids and except for today has just been perfect weather.  Here are a few signs I've seen.....

My first wasp.....

The moss is so green down around the creek.  Made me want to take my shoes off and walk on it.

Stella and I went for a long walk on Sunday and managed to get some really good pictures with my new camera.  Stella is such a fun subject.....

 

 

 A nice gentleman offered to take a picture of us.....

 I know it's hard to tell but this is a heart-shaped rock that Stella found for me....

 It was such a beautiful day and so appreciated after so much cold...

 

We're so glad we put off our Spring Open House at Leola's until next weekend.  It's so hard to get any motivation when it still feels like winter but these last few warm, sunny days have inspired me to get some things done.

 

Hope it's Spring everywhere very soon.  



Spring Open House time at Leola's.....

This picture came from Pinterest and not sure who gets credit but I loved the purple tulips.  I'm going tomorrow to buy tulips for Leola's open house.  I want the real ones....I need fresh!

The mood seems to be lifting, thankfully, even though it was so cold here today.  The wind blew so hard and it was freezing.  Wouldn't you know that I would have to load my car at home and then unload it at the shop.  I just keep telling myself that it's almost over.  I actually saw a jonquil in bloom down the street from my house.

Tomorrow will be another long work day but it's such a great joy seeing the shop transformed.  It's going to be amazing!

Back to work!

Is it Spring yet.........



So darn mad at that groundhog!  I took him at his word and started thinking "spring" and what happens......winter happens!  It's been so hard getting my mind out of the doldrums.  I've tried everything I know to do.  My garden seeds are now under the grow light, I've been making lampshades in soft colors and forcing forsythia but can't seem to bring enough light into the house to get me out of this mood.  It happens every winter, even with meds, but doesn't make it any easier to get through.  Every winter I tell myself that next winter I'll leave for awhile but time goes by and another "blue mood" is upon me.  Next winter.....for sure!!!!

 

We begin this week trying to transform the store into "SPRING".  Next week, starting on Thursday evening, is our big Spring Open House.  There are lots of ideas swimming around in my head.  One of the other women at Leola's, Pam, taught me to draw pictures of what I want things to look like.  It's really helped me to remember all those ideas once I start working.  Today, I'll concentrate on finishing some of my projects and pricing (my least favorite activity).

 

Say a little prayer that the sun will come out and the temps will warm.  I need to get my hands in the soil and spend some time with my best friend "Mother Nature".

 

Have a great weekend!



A busy weekend........

Finally finished the girls' clothes and they loved them.  I'm going to try again with Phoebe's and make it a little bigger.  Sometimes I'm amazed at how big they're getting.....after all, they are 8 1/2 yrs. old.  How did that happen?

Yes, they are twins but so different.  Phoebe is so much taller so could have used a little more fabric on the bottom but Stella's top had already been cut out....ooops!  I completely made up the pattern without them with me.  This is how I did Phoebe's....

The colors on these two pictures didn't turn out the same but they are the same fabric.

I used the original neckline and sleeves and just cut them down.  Also used the waistline as it was.

Loved the printing and it worked out perfect both front and back.

Sage decided to try a photo bomb.....so I left him in.

Sisters and I did a little antiquing on Wednesday.  Didn't find a lot of things but found this wonderful bowl.  Wish I knew more about it but feel certain it's quite old.  Picked up a couple of things that I'll do a little work on but spring open house is coming up so have to build up my inventory.

This was purchased at an auction and is actually a table top.  I have the table bottom but think this would be so great on a wall ( say over a bed).  Think I might hang it at Leola's and have the bottom if they want it.

Another busy week ahead but looks like it will be nice weather.  Hope it's a good one for you.

Springtime at Leola's.......

It's Monday, the sun is shinning, & all is right with the world.  Usually I work on Monday but Kelli was nice enough to work today (I know, it's getting to be a habit).  This is our week to get the shop ready for Spring Open House which starts this Friday.  What's really crazy is that we have flowers in our yards and buds on  our trees.  So often, we've had to deal with cold & snow when getting ready for open house.  This is great!

I've been working the last few days on pillows.  These are all linen and I'm so in love with the fabric.  I'm thinkin' about doing my porch in linen this summer.  It washes wonderfully and the more it wrinkles, the more comfy it gets.  Wondering how Mom would feel about having her picture on the front of a pillow, not to mention 1500 postcards that went out in the mail.

Also found these white McCoy and Hager pots that are wonderful.  There are probably 8 smaller ones too that are all this same kind of linen white.  Sometimes it's so hard to sell things but can't wait to see how they all look together.  My room at Leola's has been so dark through fall & winter but I've sold my dark pieces of furniture.  Now it's going to be really light & summery for a change.  Plus I've painted several things a bright green color.....love it!

Better get back to work.  Hoping it will get warm enough this afternoon to paint in the garage.  At least the wind has died down.......what's with the wind, anyway!!!!!  Hope everyone has a wonderful week and if you're going to be near Springfield this weekend, please come visit us.

What a day.......

It was such a great day.  We all worked so hard but laughed and encouraged each other and offered assistance and made Leola's one incredible shop.  It's so great to see everyone able to actually make merchandise to sell -- that's truly American-made. 

It's going to be a beautiful weekend so we're really hoping for a great turnout.  It will be worth the trip to Ozark.  Hope to see you!

Projects, projects, projects.....

Can't stand watching basketball but can't stand to miss it.  Our Mo. State University Bears are playing for the conference title and are losing by just a couple of points.  I had to turn it off or have a nervous breakdown.

Thought I'd show some of my projects I've been working on.  I was bummed because the door on my little chimney cupboard didn't turn out the way I wanted it too .  I've resanded but will have to wait to paint until it warms up a little.  Such a waste of time.

 

Did get Linda's chair done.  The chair ended up being more of a re-upholstery job then a slipcover.  Too many things to go around so just got out the old staple gun & went to town.

These are two of my lampshades.  The first is a chenille and I had several of these little while milkglass lamps.  They're perfect together.  The second is a work-in-progress.  Thought the red ticking would go with lots of things.  I'm thinking I'll make one for myself to go on the backporch.  I love a lamp on the porch.



I purchased this painted canvas with wonderful tags on it.  It's really a work of art with wonderful little treasures attached.

Better get back to work.  Spring Open House is this coming weekend and I still have a million things to do. 

Have a great week!

Spring is popping up at Leola's......

Leola's is brimming over with new merchandise and looking great.  I worked on Monday and we were so busy.  It was a holiday so lots of people were out and about.  Luckily, we've had some great weather so the ladies in the shop have been able to get some outside painting time. 

Several have asked about Spring Open House and we decided on March 11, 12 & 13.  By then, it should be nice enough to have some flowers outside.  It's been such a long, hard winter for many of us that it will be such fun to celebrate Spring.

My day includes getting a new furnace.  It is the original furnace in this house & is almost 30 yrs. old.  I feel we were lucky to get 30 good yrs. out of it so it's time.  Hopefully, it will help sell my house when the time comes.  If you know of anyone who wants a 30-yr.-old house with everything new in it, tell them to call me.

So I'm off to get a haircut then back to finish some things up at the sewing machine.  I've been working on pillows this week then I'm going to start working on a chair I'm slipcovering for sister Linda.  She says she trusts me to do it so we'll see.  Have a great day.

What a great open house....

We had an amazing open house at Leola's.  After we finished last night, most of us went to eat at a new Mexican restaurant in Ozark and just talked about what a great time we had.  It was hard work but so worth it.  How nice it is to put so much into it and have people recognize it.  Very gratifying.

Thought I would show some pictures of our visitors.  Unfortunately, when Debra andMandy were in, I was too busy to grab the camera but I did manage to take a few as the day progressed. 

This first picture is Chelsea.  She bought 2 necklaces that Kelli & Kristi made and they looked so good that I had to show her.   

These 2 lovely ladies are Katie and Dulcy who are always there for us.  Dulcy is recuperating from foot surgery so she really made an effort to be there.  Thanks Katie for being such a good nurse maid.  Katie wrote a great post on her blog about us and took some awesome pictures so run on over & check her out.                  

This little girls' name is Kayleah and her mom got her this adorable Easter bonnet.  Is she not the cutest thing.  The hat is white with little strawberries on it.  Too cute!!!

               

I feel so bad about not getting these 2 ladies' names.  They were so nice and the lady with the hair that looks a lot like mine, reads my blog all the time.  There's nothing nicer then to have someone actually tell you they read your blog.  Thanks ladies for coming to visit us & supporting our efforts to actually keep a shop (that's not a flea mkt.) running in an area that has very few.  We appreciate you.

Wish you could all hear the birds chirping in my backyard this afternoon. It's absolutely gorgeous out and has been a day when I can sit on my backporch & appreciate the sunshine.  It makes me want to start digging in the garden -- but I know better.
Tomorrow I'll go to Leola's to work again & I'll gather all the entries for my give-away and have one of the girls draw a name. Thanks to Debra, I've been amazed at the number of entries. She mentioned the store, my blog & my give-away & posted wonderful pictures. Could hardly believe what happened. Thanks, Debra, for your friendship and support of Leola's and me. We soooooo appreciate it. Have a great week.