Wave That Flag!!

Bring on the red, white, and blue!! This charming setting is picture perfect....gather up all of your red, white, and blue dishes, pillows, and flags and get ready to celebrate!

I just love how this place setting looks! Maybe you don't have all of the elements above...but I'm sure you would be surprised how you can pull together a similar look by digging around your house....

You mean you don't have an old red pick up truck parked out back?? Why not use a lace edged sheet or shower curtain for the tablecloth and top it with a piece of red and white striped fabric or throw?

Here at the shop we pulled together some red and white pillows along with some blue and white porcelain bowls and vases...

Just tuck a few small flags into a vase......

A red lantern on a blue and white garden bench...and why not a flag pillow on the leopard chair?

We just got in this wonderful blue and white wine cooler bowl...you can remove the wine rack to use the bowl for a centerpiece, some punch, or some macaroni salad!!

This "aged" buffet would look great for a cottage look....paired with some tin lamps and a vintage poster art.

This super-sized cottage table has a leaf that folds into the table for easy storage. We mixed blue, yellow, green, and red chairs in this grouping. Underfoot we placed a Dash and Albert rug for a pop of color!

A couple of the chairs are upholstered in a fun floral that goes so well with the rug...

Also just in...new artwork and mercury glass hurricane jars...perfect grouped together for soft candlelight...wouldn't these be elegant at Christmas too?

Stop by the store to see all that is new...three bookcases in varying widths...you know me and bookcases! Hope all of you can find the time to enjoy family and friends over the 4th....Happy Birthday America!! Take care, Sue

Farewell to a Friend

Ken Honard.....an amazing guy!! Ken passed away on June 7 after a tough battle with cancer. I never saw such courage ...he never complained...always hopeful.....and so inspiring. Ken loved to come to the shop and talk about decorating, reading, children, travel, friends, and his wonderful wife, Deb. He decorated many a Christmas tree for Traditions....his last creation was our "candy" tree. Of course he dressed to match his tree!!

I attended his memorial service on Wednesday at the Warner Theater......the bag pipes playing Amazing Grace were enough to get me crying, let alone all of the wonderful stories about Ken and his life. We had a champagne toast honoring and celebrating Ken's life. We will continue to honor and celebrate his life...he has touched so many....Farewell, but definitely not forgotten.....

Pillows Add Pops of Color

There is nothing like a bunch of great pillows to brighten up a room! We have had great success with these wonderful pillows that bring art to the sofa!

You can choose from so many wonderful floral patterns, along with birds, fish, bugs, and....

beautiful butterflies!!

I just had to post this image from Country Living magazine. There are so many wonderful layers in this room. The settee is simply a neutral color, as are the walls. By adding the colorful drapes, the layers of pillows ( a great mix of florals and a stripe), the items of interest on the tray on the ottoman, and the bright lamp shades.....this vignette comes alive. Take a look at your home and see where you can add a spark of color and interest simply by adding a few pillows and pops of color using fabric as your inspiration!

Take care, Sue

International Quilt Market in Pittsburgh

My Mom, Maria, and I decided to take a quick jaunt to Pittsburgh last month to check out some new Home Dec fabric...I had heard of some of the new designers as well as the reasonable prices..... drew me in! It was like deja-vou.....about 20 years ago ...hmmm...maybe 25,my mother owned a quilt shop and I taught workshops and wrote patterns and books about quilting. We would go on these excursions to Houston in the fall and a rotating spring show which was held all over the states. So, with one as close as Pittsburgh, why not hop in the car?

One of the first stops..and we knew we were hooked! This quilt market is much different than the ones we visited (and I set up as a wholesaler for my pattern and books) years ago....Home Dec has become a large part of the business.

Along with home dec...fashion and accessories play a big role in this industry now. Love this combo of zebra and floral.

Wonderful bright fabrics in all sorts of patterns....

This idea was great. Sorry the picture doesn't do it justice...simply make a "cap" for the top of a simple folding chair to give it some pizazz!!

Again...great fabric combinations for pillows to change out seasonally...or to put on your porch...or daughter's bed...

I meet Kaari Meng who is the owner of the French General...her new book will be out soon...of course I ordered some for the shop! Check out her great ideas at her site www.frenchgeneral.com She also designed some fabrics for Moda. We actually have some of those on order also...I swore that I would never carry fabric by the yard at the store...it was a weak moment!

I couldn't pass up this wonderful fabric...you all know how much I love anything with the printed word on it! This fabric is a heavier weight...going to make some totes and place mats for the store....love it!

My Mom actually made some of the pretty pillows with the ruffles on them. They are in the store right now...come see...

More uses for the "word" fabric...

OK...see the fabric sitting on the table that looks like newspaper...got that too!! Don't you love the combination of fabrics on the tote bag?

I also meet Vicki Payne. Vicki Payne along with her daughter Sloan Payne-Rutter are an internationally known mother-and-daughter team that brings the joy of creating handmade gifts and decorating ideas to the DIY (Do It Yourself) network.They are best known for their work with PBS. They co-host a show called For Your Home. She was so much fun to talk with. I'm going to meet up with her next time I go to the High Point Market.

Some pics of the fabric I just received from her line.

Stacked on the back shelf in the store....now what? Actually, my Mom already whipped up some beautiful tablecloths from two of the fabrics.....now you can order custom sized tablecloths at really affordable prices!! How about window treatments..bed skirts...pillows...placemats...come in and see the beautiful colors and patterns...


That's it for now...stop in to say "hi". Take care, Sue