Welcome to my blog! (3rd anniversary giveaway)

I can't believe it's been three years since I started my blog.  The time has flown by!   It's time for a blogiversary giveaway.  I'll chose the winner on August 1 and the prize will be customized to the winner.  All you need to do is leave a comment.

 

Below is my first post:

 

 

 

 

 

I have created this blog with the intent of meeting fellow corgi lovers, miniature addicts and nice people who appreciate simple things in life!

This has been my first summer of retirement and it has been wonderful!  I've spent lots of time searching through flea markets, checking out a 43 mile yard sale,  going to lunch with friends and family and taking afternoon naps.  I have managed to do some redecorating in my house, catching up on some sewing and working in my flowers, with the help of my  corgi girls.

 

                          

I have a passion for vintage linens, old dishes and Susan Paley vases.  Susan's vases were made by Ganz and the collection was retired in 2006.  My daughter and her dear friend introduced me to Susan's work and I quickly became one of her greatest admirers.  Her lady vases are very cheerful and the colors are beautiful!  She is a very talented artist!

 

Rosie

Rosie

Last weekend I went to the Farmers Market/Flea Market in southern Maryland.  It was a beautiful Saturday.  I enjoyed seeing the Amish vendors with their baked goods and small animals.  I was looking for small furniture items that I could fix up for my shop. 

The only thing I bought was this magnet vase for fifty cents to add to my Susan Paley collection.  Her name is Rosie.  I love her red hair and blue eyes.

 

I have four of these tiny vases and I like to keep flowers on my refrigerator door when I have something blooming in my yard (even if it's a blooming weed).

 

 

I hope you've had a great weekend.  I really haven't accomplished much but have enjoyed being at home with my furkids.

 

 

New Mantle

I just couldn't wait to show you what I've done with the beautiful mantle top I wrote about earlier.  It isn't wide enough to serve as a mantle on my fireplace so I am using it as a shelf and it's sitting on my existing mantle.   I love it when things turn out so perfectly.  No complicated installation for this project!

I decided to use it to display my collection of Susan Paley vases.  I've always wanted to have a place to put them all together.  I've written about these vases several times so if you're interested in their history, check my archives under Susan Paley.

Hope you're enjoying your weekend.  I spent the day with my high school girlfriend and we had a great visit!

Claire and Tina

I recently added these cute little ladies to my Susan Paley collection.  They are salt and pepper shakers  designed by Susan and manufacted by Ganz.  Her lady collection was retired in 2005.

I actually bought these from Susan on Ebay.  She lives in California and is in the process of downsizing.  Many of the vases, etc. that she lists are hard to find.

Hope everyone has a great week!  Enjoy the beautiful fall foliage because I believe it's on the way out in the next few days.

Susan Paley Lady Vases

It's been quite a while since I added any new vases to my collection.  I found this little beauty, Maya, at a consignment store this week.  She is part of the birthday series and has an emerald necklace for the birthstone of the month of May. I haven't seen her before and fell in love with her soft colors and red hair.

This little lady is Roseanne. I found her at an estate sale a few weeks ago for $2.  She's in perfect condition with no chips or cracks.  Both vases are about 5 1/2 inches tall.

In case you are not familiar with these vases, the artist, Susan Paley, lives in California.  She designed a whole series of these ladies and they were reproduced and sold by the Ganz company  until the entire line was retired in 2006.  They are becoming very hard to find.  Her work is beautiful and I love the fine detail and their smiling faces. I  display mine with the pretty lace on my vintage handkerchiefs sticking out of the top.

Swansboro, NC

A dear blogging friend suggested that we might enjoy the small shops in Swansboro while we're in this area.   Swansboro is a small waterfront town located at the mouth of the White Oak River, where the river joins the Atlantic.  The weather today wasn't great for picture taking but I have a few.

One of the most interesting things about Swansboro was the muscovy ducks walking on the sidewalks.  One of the shop owners told me that the ducks were brought over on a ship in the 1700's.  

We had lunch in an adorable 50's restaurant that was full of Elvis, Marilyn, etc. memorabilia.

The sun came out this afternoon and we enjoyed Morehead City and Beaufort, NC.

                                                     

Last but not least, I was so excited to find "Pearl" at a consignment store this afternoon for $5.  She's going to be a great addition to my Susan Paley lady vase collection!

A Message from Susan Paley

I don't think I've mentioned before that I've become friends with Susan over the last several months.  She's the type of person you immediately feel like you've known forever.  She very witty and tells the most interesting stories.  We keep in touch through email.  With her permission, I am posting this picture and short note from her.

Greetings from Southern California

I am honored to have Valentina appear on your blog.  I can't think of a nicer place for my ladies to be.

I especially love your minature house and the cat hanging on the toilet!

HAPPY NEW YEAR SHARON!!

Susan

Valentina

I don't think I've introduced you to Valentina.  I found her at the flea market last fall and she is the latest addition to my Susan Paley lady vase collection.  I love her red hair and green eyes!

If you've recently joined  my blog and are not familiar with Susan Paley, here's a little history of her vases.  She is an artist who lives in California and designed these cute little ladies for Ganz.  They were mass produced by the Ganz company until 2006 when they were retired. 

Don't you love her little red nails?
 

Wonderful Gift!

I have been looking for a long time for just the right shelf to display my Susan Paley vases on.  This week my friend gave me this oak shelf for an early Christmas present.  I have it sitting on my china cabinet and it is perfect.  I am blessed with the greatest friends!

Tonight I am having an open house/jewelry show   for my neice who lives on the Chesapeake Bay. She makes beautiful sea glass jewelry.  I've been cleaning and decorating all week and I'm excited that she and her husband are coming to spend the night.

Susan Paley Chirstmas Salt and Pepper Shakers

Kay and Cara

I bought this set this past summer and I'm so excited that I now get to use them.  They are so pretty and the colors are so festive.



Every day I keep thinking I'm going to start my Chirstmas decorating and it just hasn't happened.  I'm hoping that today is the day!

Susan Paley Cats

(l to r:  Granny Cat, Gypsy Rose, and Stella)

This is my daughter's collection of Susan Paley cats.  They are so detailed and the colors are beautiful.

(l to r:  Tabitha, Felina, and Catrina)

Susan Paley Pitcher

This is my daughter's 2-quart pitcher by artist Susan Paley.  I have posted about her vases in the past and thought you'd enjoy seeing this pitcher. There are different ladies painted on each side and the colors are beautiful. I think it's my favorite Susan Paley piece that I've seen.

Vera and Kallie

Vera and Kallie

This set of salt and pepper shakers is the latest addition to my Susan Paley collection.  Susan did several ethnic vases, etc. that are absolutely beautiful!  I love their little sundresses with the vibrant colors.  They are about 3" and 4" inches tall.

The attention to detail on their pretty faces is amazing.