A Blessed Year, In Review

I have spent the better part of today on the computer, looking back through my Picasa albums from this year.  As I glance over our year in photos, I am ever so grateful.  I thank God for all of the blessings bestowed upon myself, my family and friends in 2011 and pray for His guidance and wisdom as we enter the New Year! 

Blogging has been a blessing in and of itself this year.  I have met some really lovely new friends, been inspired by their enthusiasm and creativity, and motivated by their heartfelt encouragement!  Thank you all so much!  Blogging has also been a wonderful way for me to journal my treasure hunt finds, in order to savor a memory of my favorite pieces that have since moved on to new homes.  When I first started this blog, I hadn't considered that aspect of it.  I've been able to let things go easier, knowing that I have photos to look back on and enjoy...helping me to be a better "treasure broker" and not turn into a hoarder (wink!)  I've also had a lot of fun crafting and creating, sharing tips, tutorials and recipes as well as working on my photography skills.  So, in no particular order, here are a selection of my favorite posts from Girl in Pink, 2011...  You can click on the title below each photo to link to the corresponding post, if you like.

Romantic Old Silver and Dried Glamis Castle Roses

Little French Nest

Inspired by Fabrics

Beatrix Potter Inspired Fall Window

Girl in White with a Touch of Pink!

Flowers and Showers and a Successful Sidewalk Sale

Cooler Weather Crafting Frenzy

Repurposed Antique Radio Cabinet

How To Draw a Bunny - An Easter Banner

Floppy Fabric Bow Headband Tutorial

Old Bottle Crate Curio

A Beautiful Day for a Barnhouse Sale

Just Pruning the Roses and Sharing My Loot

Just for fun, I've created a few collages featuring some favorite finds and projects from the year...  Enjoy!

 I can't thank you enough for joining me on this journey!

Best Wishes, Blessings and Happy New Year!

Amanda

I'll be joining the following fun blog parties:
Top Projects of 2011 at Southern Hospitality
Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground
Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home
Potpourri Friday at 2805
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
Wow us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
Fridays Unfolded at Stuff and Nonsense
White Wednesday at Faded Charm

Corner Cabinet Makeover - With Jane Eyre Flair!

Hello friends! I hope your Christmas was peaceful, blessed, and absolutely lovely!  I can't believe it's over!  A whole month of planning, preparation and anticipation and it's here and gone in a flash!  Our day was busy and fun.  It's a bittersweet feeling though, knowing that Christmas has come and gone! 

I had intended to write a post on Christmas Eve, but it just didn't happen.  And then my little pink Acer computer (which I've always blogged from) went completely belly up on me yesterday!  As sad as I am about it, we've since set up a computer in the family room with a rather large monitor and I am finding that it's much nicer for blogging!  And, my husband surprised me with an Android phone for Christmas...which is wonderful!  I feel so technologically savvy now!  It's great for doing so many of the things I did on my little pink computer...and since I have the other computer set up now for blogging, I think I'll survive without my Acer.  It's just a bit sad because it was cute and pink and held many "crafty" files that are probably lost forever.  Thankfully, I had backed up all of our photos on the other hard drive!  Phew!  

Okay, enough about computer issues!  I just had to share this thoughtful and beautiful gift I received from a very dear, crafty friend!  Can you believe this handcrafted tag?  I am carefully putting it away along with the sweet bird bag to use next year (not to regift, but to decorate with!)  Inside was the most wonderful French soap and two votives in my favorite Tyler candle scent, "Chateau!"  The bag is still extremely fragrant, even with all of the luxurious contents removed!  Thank you, my sweet friend! 

The weekend before Christmas, I busted my buns to get a couple of furniture pieces painted and fixed up for the shop.  The Christmas tree I'd had in my space for the past month was crispy and really needed to go to the burn pile. This meant that there would be a big vacant spot in the corner and I've had the perfect piece waiting in the wings.  Please don't look at the messy garage...I am just so happy to have found a before shot for you to see!

  Notice that there was no back to this corner cabinet.  It was originally a built-in, which meant some construction, in addition to paint...probably why it had sat in the garage for nearly 6 months!  A special thanks to my sweet husband for all of the handy help and for putting up with my "in-progress" projects sitting around the garage!  It feels so good to have this piece done!  I really really wish I'd had the time to stage it at home for a proper photo shoot, but I needed to get it to the shop, and it was a bear to move (it would have been a big deal to move it from the garage, to the house, then out the door again)...so I opted to photograph it in my booth space with the less than optimal lighting...but, better than no photo at all. 

I purchased this piece from the sweetest lady!  It had been a built-in in her parent's Portland home, then passed around the family until it ended up in her garage and she couldn't wait for it to be appreciated and loved again.  She had asked me to email her photos once I'd completed it.  Sadly, I have misplaced her email address.  She does live here locally and frequents Camas Antiques, so I am hoping that she comes across it and recognizes it in the store!  I used a vintage copy of "Jane Eyre" to cover the new cabinet back panels that would turn this built-in into a stand alone piece.  This was so much fun.  I love adding book pages or sheet music to vintage furniture.  It gives them so much more personality.  I was careful to feature the title and end pages of this special book. 

It would be a lovely addition to any room!  Here is a view of my whole booth space as of last week.

The little tea/magazine table has sold since this photo was taken.  Time to get back out in the garage and work on another piece to bring in!  I don't think I've shared a photo of my space since I finished the scrapbook page wall treatment.  What do you think?  I like it so much better than the lace I'd had up before.  It was a fun, inexpensive, but time-consuming project.  I hope I don't tire of it too quickly!  In case you're curious, the scrapbook papers were attached to the walls with a small piece of double sided tape in each corner (that was the time-consuming part).  It was so easy though and the papers came from Walmart...50 sheets for $5!  Can't beat that!

I hope you're having a wonderful day!  Thank you so much for your sweet visit!

Best Wishes and Blessings,

Amanda

Joining Kathleen at Faded Charm for White Wednesday!

Beautiful Baby's Breath

I spotted bundles of lovely baby's breath at the grocery store last weekend.  They were quite inexpensive and there was something magical and Christmas-like about them, so I treated myself.  I am enjoying the little bundles in my old chippy white pottery pieces.  Amongst the white village, I think they look like bushy little snow covered trees!

I recently came across a couple of beautiful photos on Pinterest of baby's breath being used in creative and unexpected ways.  I love these hanging poms...

source

This wreath is simple yet so elegant and whimsical...

source

Baby's breath is so often used as filler in flower arrangements, but it makes such a lovely statement on it's own, and not just for weddings!  I think it's going to be my new favorite Christmastime flower!  You may even see it in my Christmas tree next year!

Thank you for your sweet visit!  I hope your week is off to a great start!

Best Wishes and Blessings,

Amanda

Join me at these fun blog parties!

White Wednesday at Faded Charm

Wow us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

Primp Your Stuff Wednesday at Primp

Share the Love Wednesday at Very Merry Vintage Style

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

Sew Crafty Tuesday at Ruby Jean

Please Join Me on a Little Holiday Home Tour!

Christmas has officially arrived at our house!  Please join me on a photo tour...I'll try to keep the commentary to a minimum!  I just have to point out a little gift I bought myself this week!  The vintage birdcage stand you see here, I picked up to hang my mini chandelier from.  This is the chandelier that has been hanging in my space at the store with a "display only" sticker on it for several months.  I am so happy to finally have a place for it at home!  The first thing I do when I wake up in the morning is turn on the chandelier, and the Christmas tree lights!  It's pretty in the daylight... 

But it really sparkles at night!

I also wanted to mention that I've made some changes to the furniture arrangement in this room since I received some wonderful advice from those of you who commented on my "Design Challenge Feature" with Debra at Common Ground!  Of course it looks a bit different when the tree isn't here, but the idea of a cozy grouping of furniture nearer to the fire has made the room so much more comfortable and inviting.  I am still on the lookout for a few key pieces that were suggested.  Thank you once again, Debra for featuring my room!  I plan to post more updates as I continue to make changes here!

We opted for a Frazier tree this year.  I still prefer a Noble, but this one trimmed up nicely.

Instead of ribbon, I used torn strips of natural muslin to dress up the gifts this year.

Moving onto the dining room...

And into the kitchen...

Decor on the Pantry door...

Candlelit kitchen window sill...

Looking in on the breakfast nook and family room...

On the family room mantle...

We are all more than a little excited around here about the quickly approaching holiday!  Here I captured Bootsie intently staring at the Christmas clock!

And that brings our little tour to an end.  Thank you so much for joining me!

Best Wishes and Blessings to you and your family, this Christmas season and always!

Amanda

I am thrilled to be joining in these fun parties and can't wait to make my way through blogland to be inspired by all of the talent and creativity being shared this week!

 "Vintage Christmas" Block Party at Common Ground

Feathered Nest Friday Holiday Vignettes at French Country Home

Fridays Unfolded at Stuff and Nonsense

Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home

Christmas Trees Block Party at 2805

          Christmas in the Kitchen Block Party At the Pickett Fence

Pink Saturday at  How Sweet the Sound

Show off Your Cottage Monday at House in the Roses