Brainstorming a Vintage Name

If any of you have read much of my blog you will know that I've been dreaming of opening a brick and mortar store. I've had a few opportunities but it was never the perfect one to fit into the plans of my Maker. from FishBones1

Now I have the opportunity once again but need a name! This will be a partnership with a good pal of mine and will be located in the upstairs loft area of a current home decor store and we are looking for the perfect name! Idea's we've stormed or words anyway...attic, loft, modern relics, vintage loft, the loft, nest, nesting, renest but I feel they've all been used? or maybe I'm being hypercritical? What are your ideas, words, takes? from StreetTreasure

Do we go really out there like The Pink Elephant, classic like Modern Relics? Homey like The Swallows Nest? HELP!

Rainy Afternoon/Bullfrogs

I've always had a thing for frogs and toads. Rescuing them out of our window wells so they didn't' meet a frying in the sun fate, saving them from the neighborhood baseball game, I even made a frog piggy bank in high school pottery-Oh yeah and I named my store after them! In October we moved from our home that was also home to many, many, many toads....on any given night you could count 35+ toads sitting in our driveway catching bugs.

No one was allowed to pull into the driveway after dusk, Toad Crossing by ButtermilkHollow

I combed our yard and caught toads prior to mowing...get the picture? All winter I've been worried about whether or not we'd have toads at our new house, maybe worried isn't the right word-more curious and brainstorming how to attract them.

Toad Palace by ClaySoul

Last night we had a beautiful thunderstorm and it has carried into an afternoon shower, opening my window I was super excited to hear BULLFROGS! My house is finally home (weird huh?)

Pay it Forward

My family and I have been so truely blessed this year.
It may have come in an unexpected way and at an unexpected time,
it may have not been written in MY plan but HIS plan!

I am joining Jeane
from Junxtaposition
in 2011's Pay it Forward.

Here is how it works...
The first FIVE people to comment on this blog post
(don't forget to leave an email address!)
will receive a gift from me, either handmade or vintage.

In return you must FIRST write a blog post
explaining Pay it Forward 2001,
then send out a handmade (or vintage) gift to the first five visitors
who comment on your post!

Please do not pressure yourself or worry yourself about the gift, give with a joyful heart and it will be a joyful experience!

"It's not the size of the gift that matters,

but the spirit of paying it forward."

Ranger Retailer!

Its been a long 4 months since I've posted, but I'm back with some great news! I am now a retailer of Ranger Products! That means when you need anything from Distress Crackle to a Beeswax melting pot to jewelry embellishments to scrapbooking papers....I am your woman!

Ranger bring you Jim Holtz, Adirondack, Idea-ology and many many more, check them out here, and them check back in my Etsy shop and see what I have listed! (You can contact me for special orders as well!)

Failures vs. Setbacks

The weekend of my first physical sale has come and gone...how did the sale go?? It didn't. After spending all summer readying the garage, house and inventory the store will not open. I didn't say will never open, however things didn't quite come together as planned.1934 Vintage Uncle Sam Toy Cash Register, by Durable Toy and Novelty by calloohcallay

First to come about was my husband's new job offer, that includes housing. Okay fine, we'll move, find a renter and continue to use the garage as a store. Sounds all well and good until I start thinking, would I really like living 10 ft from someone a store, what happens when someone stops in "on the fly" to shop? What happens when I'm at the store and have to go to the bathroom or use the sink?

Vintage FOR RENT sign tin metal rusty red by MySeriousSide


As bummed as I am, I know that everything happens for a reason. I put some of the inventory at Red Roof Antiques in North Platte, added some inventory to my booth at Accent's Etc here in McCook, and will continue online. When the opportunity arises to do a physical store again, yes I will jump at it, because it really is what I long to do.


As Steven Tyler has said time and time again "Life is a journey, not a destination" What fun would it be if life was all smooth sailing?


Through the Viewfinder Photograph 5x5 by jillruthandco


Did my store fail? NO!

I fully believe that the timing was wrong, when the good Lord see's the timing as right, things will fall smoothly in place. Setbacks are His way of showing us He is really the one in control and if we fully give our lives to Him amazing things will happen!

Faith Color Block Wooden Cross by MagnoliaMarket

"Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith
bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience."
James 1: 3

19 days okay, maybe 33 days

The sale is going to be pushed back to the 15th of October!

Tying tags, sweeping the floor, making fliers, finishing up furniture pieces, panicking. School has started, fall yard work needs done. Baby is walking now too. Oh yeah did I mention we are moving into a new home?

This is going to be a busy busy 33 days! I am so excited for the sale, nervous that no one will show up, but look at all they will be missing!

This amazing green cupboard will be hard to part with, so will this white and red set (perfect for a creation room!)

White shelf I'd love to keep for my daughters shabby chic room (there is a fabric covered foam board insert, with interchangeable fabric, bulletin board style!)

beachy chairs

dining room table

and so much more!

We've been spending every free moment planning and stocking. There are things we wish would be ready, but won't (that just means surprises for the Christmas sale!)

Somerset Holidays and Celebrations is HERE!

I was out of town at an auction on Wednesday and my daughter calls and says "were you expecting a package?"

I pause and try to think "which of my Etsy orders came? my tags? my price gun? did I order something else and forgot?"

so sounding like a child on Christmas I say "open it, open it!"

"a bunch of the same magazine, its you know those magazines you love, but a bunch of the same one"

"well what's it say?"
"Somerset Holid-"

"Oh the holiday magazine is here! ooh ooh ooh thank you for calling! Don't ruin them before I get home!"

See I've been so busy with the store, I haven't been all in my head. I completely forgot I ordered magazines to carry! The best part is, they are not in stores until September 1st!

So if you are looking for a beautiful, keep forever until its pages fall out, so much inspiration that you won't be able to pick your first project type of magazine, head HERE and pick up your copy!

If it says Sold Out, check my store home HERE!