I just wanna fly...

This Saturday i will attend the 'Fly Girls' event at Rolling Hills. I love their catch phrase...Some of the Best Fishermen Aren't Men...A charity event for women who have, or may have had, breast cancer. Along with other independent shops, I will be setting up shop, and I fear that sometimes I bite off more than i should! A bit nervous as I am definitely a 'newbie' at this...my first show to be exact! Wish me luck. Now, i will go make my lists, check 'em again, pray...and sleep...and go on with the show!

when i get back i just want to soak...

No, i wish this were my bathroom......and No, Robert Redford will NOT be washing my hair...that's okay. Tim always offers to massage my calves when i hop out of the shower, after an especially long day...and that's okay!

Spring Flingin' it...

The Cottage Tour was wonderful last weekend. The weather was beautiful, the artists were lovely, the homeowners gracious, and the attendees extremely courteous! We don't have a final count on ticket sales just yet...but it should be good! Thank you all for attending this inspirational event. Thank you for supporting our local Women's Refuge. Women helping other women. You ladies ROCK!

Another Event?!

Yes! Join us for 3 full days of Spring Goodness! Attend all 15 shops, (grab a Shop Hop Map), within the next 3 days, and enter a chance for 1 of 3 lovely Spring Baskets! It is a celebration of Spring and YOU, our lovely customers. Refreshments, various door prizes, and fun throughout the weekend. Stop by to say 'hello'. I'd love to see you.!

XO

Monday Musings...a few Cottage 'Pre Tour' images...

Yesterday was our 'pre-tour' for Sunday's 3rd Annual Cottage Tour. A smooth day overall, (with the usual minor glitches of parking issues & signage to be made). It was a nice opportunity for the homeowners to meet eachother and share inspirational ideas. This year, we plan to sell 300 tickets and proceeds benefit our local Women's Refuge.

First home on this year's tour, Tanya Williams with Cottage Tour participants, in her 1800's farmhouse kitchen.

A place to hang your hat. bear rug...
beautiful brass bed in this 'Cowboy' themed guest room...
We then headed to the second farmhouse-style home near Shasta College...Ladies, this home is on the market and i SO want to move in!
loved the kitchen nook...looks out to the surrounding property just off the sun porch.
The third home was the 'doll house'...this is her 'Paris' themed bedroom...
everything is put together so sweetly...
a tribute to her parents...letters her father sent to her mother during WWII.

The garden was so enchanting... just wish i could take more photos! But, we had to move on...

to the fourth and final home on the tour...this 'Westside Story' home reminds me of a cross between Veranda magazine and Better Homes and Gardens...

divine kitchen...

terrific bedroom terranium next to a fainting couch...

so many lovely items throughout these homes that i could spend an entire day shooting images and it would never do them justice. These homes are simply beautiful. The owners are beautiful for sharing their inspiration for a great cause. Women helping other women is key. By purchasing a ticket for this year's Cottage Tour, you help women towards a better future. Proceeds benefit our local Women's Refuge and we will treat you to an Art Faire with various artists, musicians, and refreshments at the old Village Schoolhouse location in Market Square following the tour. So, grab a pal, go for a Sunday Drive, and prepare to be inspired!

shop local, save your local economy...

This morning, I shared this with our Shop Hop Team. It's a nationwide movement to save independent, local, brick and mortar shops. If we all did our share by shopping local, we help preserve our local economy that this country was built on. Not just small retail shops, but also our local grocer (Sunset Marketplace, Holiday Market ), your local dry-cleaner, baker (Sweetspot, From the Hearth Bakery), butcher (R&R Meats, Kents), restaurants (Your fave here!)...the list goes on and on...

Check out the 3/50 project website @: http://the350project.net for more info. Oh, and thanks for stopping by my shop and saying 'hello'. You're the reason i opened a shop in good ole' Redding!

Magical nights of Spring...

Saturday night's Art Hop was a magical night...thanks to Heather. Her show was divine & her images now grace the shop this month of April. Perfect for Spring's Month of the Child. It was so much fun to see her glow! Honestly, the whole shop was glowing as well! So many fresh, new faces, & so many, many, flowers! It seemed that everyone had a fresh bouquet in hand! (We looked like a floral shop in the back room!). I can see why everyone gifted her flowers. Heather definitely brings out the best in people...not only in her images, but in true life...

...some of the Spring items Heather photographed.

...& a bit more.
Speaking of magical nights...Spring brings magical days.
By the end of April all will be in full bloom! The 2009 Cottage Tour takes place on the last Sunday of this month. So, mark your calendar, grab someone special, and take the tour on Sunday, April 26th.

3rd Annual Cottage Tour 2009
Sunday, April 26th
11am-4pm
with a Grand Finale Reception Art Faire
2pm-6pm
Art, wine, refreshments, & music
at Market Square
(old Village Schoolhouse location)

tickets cost $20 ea.
limited number of tickets available can be purchased at any of the 15 Redding Shop Hop locations. see: shophopredding.com
proceeds benefit our local Shasta Womens Refuge

This is a fun event featuring 4 creative, casual, cottage-style homes! Makes the perfect (early) Mothers Day gift as well!

more Heather Love...

more images taken by Heather.

Something in the way she captures my shop is magical. It shows me my everyday displays through different eyes. I don't think that even if i had her equipment/camera, that i could capture things the way she does. I feel like the Grinch when his heart gets so very big that it bursts out of it's restraint. Thank you, Heather Armstrong. Thank you with all my heart!

Heather Love...

photo taken by Heather Armstrong

I am so delighted that I my heart breakdances knowing Heather Armstrong, local photographer, is my featured artist for April's Art Hop, this Saturday!

This month is a celebration of children being 'Month of the Child', featuring childrens' artwork. I chose Heather because of the fabulous way she captures children & families through her photography.

She is one talented chica. So, go grab a cup of tea, coffee, a glass of wine, what have you, and check out her website @: http://www.heatherarmstrongphotography.com/. Lovely!

Prepare to be inspired!