Wren's Nest

Stitchin' Along...

My love of stitching goes back to when I was a little girl. My mom and grandma always had some stitching going. My gram did embroidery and cross stitch and my mom did needlepoint and bargello (how 70's is that?). I did some samplers too and loved all the colors and textures of the floss and wools! Once in a while I still love to have a little stitching project going. I haven't done any in a long time, but always admire people like Pam Garrison and Teresa McFayden and their beautiful freestyle samplers.  
Here's a little Flickr mosaic of some samplers I like 

1. stitching sampler, 2. flickr.com/photos/13574755@N05/4113843216/, 3. Busy hands, 4. Pam Garrison's sampler 2 

I am completely in love with these looks. So, when I read that Amy was starting a project called 39 squares (it's a grid sampler) and wondered if others wanted to stitch along too...I thought - what a great way to get back into stitching - one tiny square a day for 39 days (it's 39 days to her birthday). I'm really excited to get going, so I'm gathering my floss and embellishments and look forward to a little bit of stitching each day...you can join in too, if you like - just visit Amy at her special 39 squares blog and let her know! Here's a sample of some of Amy's creations too - so amazing!

It's all about Flatware...

Yesterday these lovelies arrived for the shop...

 

and today these beauties arrived from here. They're going in my dining room.

 

There's a theme going here, so I got this out~

This is silverware from a friend of John's grandparents - no one in John's family like this kind of stuff, so I get it! I love me some pretty flatware! 
 

The Little House Guest

Hi- my name is Cody and yes, I really am this cute. I'm here at Camp Cate - I usually live with John's mom and am pampered and brushed and told how good I am, all day long...but she went on a trip at a place that doesn't like dogs - even little guys like me. She's coming home today and good thing because, man, am I worn out!

Things are a little different here...I play on the lawn and get muddy and play tug of war and chase kids and bark at squirrels and birds and everyone who comes to the door. But, really, should I be blamed for dragging shirts and socks out of the kid's rooms? They're the ones leaving them on the floor...and really, those pieces of paper all ripped up - I don't know anything about that.

Big Exciting News...

...well, to me, anyway. I am so excited to share with you that I will have photos of my shop (Dreams of France) and my home in the newest issue of Porch magazine. It was a honor to be a part of their "Romantic French Issue" and to be included with so many amazing and talented bloggers and shop owners. I feel truly blessed and have been excited about it for weeks (though with my pictures due and the rain never-ending for weeks, it was a challenge, but at the very last minute I got 2 whole days of sun, so it all worked out beautifully!)

 

You can visit the Porch website here and can purchase the magazine here. If you have never seen Porch magazines before - they are beautiful and unique and full of inspiration from bloggers and shop owners and the pictures are stunning! A big thank you to Tracie and Polly for including me!!

PS I will have some amazing new soaps, lotions and candles listed on the shop site later today or tomorrow - you will LOVE these, so check in when you can!!

 

 

Tulips for a Valentine

My sweet husband brought me these...

Hope you enjoy your Valentine's Day being with the ones you love! xo

Etc.

THIS is the coolest book EVER!! I am so in love with this book right now...I'm gonna marry it!

I bought it last week or the week before (things are pretty crazy here right now, so I'm losing track of time...) at Anthro. I had seen it in NY in November, but I didn't want to carry it home in my suitcase, so I've been looking for it ever since.

I had no idea even how amazing it was until last night when I read it in bed. OH MY!

First, the cover alone is amazing and textured and fabulous. And just look at the table of contents...

The photography is beautiful, but I'm even more enamoured of the pages with text and pictures and other cool stuff.

Here are a couple of photos...I'll share more another day, but this should get you started!

Oh, and yes, I am a big dork and framed all the pictures just because I can now...I've become photoshop elements obsessed - working on PE6 and just ordered PE8 - it's all that and a bag of chips (to quote my friend Dina).

More from the book later. Also, don't forget, it's the last day for the Madonna pillow cover give away at Frenchie and Flea, so go enter now!

Happy Monday!

Happy Monday...Today my shop (Dreams of France) is being featured at this cute blog!! Thank you Allegra and Emily!! So, stop by and you could be the lucky winner of this beautiful pillow cover (plus an insert).

...and a special discount...but you have to go visit Frenchie and Flea!! Have a great week!!