The last Two Months....

 It's hard to believe that I have my own store.

The Cottage Collective is about 2 months old now, and I still stand in shock.

So many pieces, like this vintage red restored locker, have come and gone. I am so proud of each of them.

 The routine has gone a little something like this.

Monday: sand and prep

Tuesday: Paint, distress, glaze, antique, etc.

Weds. Rise early to finish up and place finishing touches.

Late Weds night, get a sitter, load the suburban and truck and head to the store.

Unload the vehicles. Kiss my hubby goodnight.

Grab a diet coke and re stage the store, while pricing the new stuff.

Collapse into bed, typically around 1 am.

Thursday: Do the breakfast\carpoool\make lunches\get everyone dressed\get home and shower\ head to the store:

 open by 11am.

Friday: Visit with the best shoppers around. (I love our customers!)

Pizza night with the family

Saturday: Work 10-4

Sunday: Church, rest, and pick pieces to start all over again on Monday.

(insert the daily's like food, laundry, errands, school events, etc!)

 But when I walk in the room full of my hardwork, it is all worth it.

Every week the store has looked different. I am so humbled and blessed that I have to replace pieces weekly. It is such an honor.

 Below is one of the first shots of the store, how I loved that duck egg blue desk!

 Gray and yellow, it is a new favorite of mine! The dresser below however left with lime green knobs, to fit a little guy's nursery!

 My favorite "black" display. I love frame and mirror collages. I can't get enough of them.

 "All Dolled Up's" take on turquoise: soft, and fun. With a restored wood top!

I like to stack....

Below are some of my favorite Shabby Chic pieces.

I love soft feminine colors, they just make me think of a sweet little cottage nestled in the woods.

(These are the things I think while painting late...late...late at night!)

And a little farmhouse...

my love for farmhouse is growing... and I am currently obsessed with this finish...

That is a post on its own!

This isn't even a quarter or what I have done, loved, tagged, then sold, and loaded in happy new homes in the past 2 months.

It's overwhelming really.

This dream of mine seemed so big.

And sometimes it doesn't seem real.

Thanks to all who believed in me, encouraged me, and most of all prayed for me.

Here's to an awesome "all dolled up " summer.

I hope to get some before and after posts going soon!

Wish me luck on that! HA!

Sew Easy Valentines Decor

It's getting close to the Day of Love, and who doesn't love to have the excuse to decorate with red and pink for a little while? (Mommies of Boys that's who!)

Anyways- I wish I could show you a darling mantle or centerpiece I did, but my house is currently a storage unit for my store that is opening soon, so you will just get some basic tutorials today and hopefully a bit of inspiration!

Felt Heart Garland:

1. Take a sheet of red felt and cut in half. 

2. Sew down the bottom leaving a small seem on the edge

3. Flip the sides inside out and stitch along the other bottom half the same way.

You will get a heart shaped tube:

4. Then cut the hearts in about 1\2 inch sections

5. Thread some yarn with a long yarn or upholstery needle 

*Tip, thread the yarn through the top of the heart, not the center, so the hearts don't topple over when strung.

6. Knot the ends with a double knot, trim your yarn and enjoy!

{The pink topiary is a round Styrofoam ball, covered in crepe paper rosettes, a straw in the middle, stuck into a block of floral foam, then covered with moss. I have used these for showers and other holiday decor! So cute and so cheap!}

Wonders With Ribbon:

If you are on Pinterest you have seen the cute wreaths everywhere! I can't get enough of wreaths!

This one took no time at all.

1. straw wreath

2. several multi-patterned spools of ribbon

3. some cut felt hearts

4. some paper flowers

5. matching buttons.

6. hot glue

7. few push pins

Simply wrap your wreath with your ribbon, securing with push pins when the strand  changes.

Hot Glue different sized felt hearts on one side. Then glue the paper flowers on and a button in the center.

(I despise my boring brown front door, but hey, the wreath helps!)

With the remainder of the ribbon, I stitched some ruffles along a 8" panel of cream burlap.

Then I cut triangle pennants out of the panel.

Simply stitched some jute twine along the top and you have a darling alternating bunting.

 All the decor ready to head to the store!

 I loved searching for fun felt this year. I did a few with black and white hounds tooth, and damask prints as well! 

So fun and chic!

(I cut these while in bed, hence the nightstand full of lotion, Kleenex, and diet books! )

 For these garlands just sew down the middle, with the hearts either side by side or top to bottom, and cut a 6" ribbon to attach to the ends. 

 (sorry about the boring display, this is my craft room wall and it's the only place not overcome by furniture!)

Happy Valentine's Day, dear friends, hope you feel loved and cherished!

Valentine Give-Away!

Since Valentine's Day is around the corner, and since I LOOOVVVVEEEE all of you guys, I whipped up some of my shabby pennants in yummy valentine colors to give away!

Here's How you, and a FRIEND (yeah for love!) can win:

Go to my FACEBOOK PAGE and

1. "Like" All Dolled Up on Facebook!

2. "Like" my new store, "The Cottage Collective" on Facebook!

3. Tag the Friend you love in your comment under the picture

..and..

YOU BOTH could win a pennant banner!

I will be giving away {2} sets of these guys!

HURRY! Winners will be randomly chosen at 2:14 pm (get it?!) SUNDAY THE 22nd!!

And be sure to check out the new website, thecottagecollective.com,  and read all about my newest adventure! You are going to love all the vendors!

BIG NEWS for 2012!

MERRY CHRISTMAS FRIENDS!
I am so excited to announce that I, along with 6 other women will be opening a store this spring featuring handcrafted goods, and vintage decor. Not only will this store be stinking cute and full of wonderful locally made things, but it is supporting some pretty amazing women, and their families. Each of us have dreamed of "our own" store, but the task was much to daunting for any of us to make it a reality...especially with little ones at home.
Until a couple weeks ago... when I walked into a sweet old home- turned boutique and had the vision.
There are lots of details still in the works... and I am still praying about finding a few more vendor... BUT- this is a dream realized for all of us! I will be blogging about the whole whirlwind soon. It's a good story! I promise!
Let me introduce you to our little family of vendors:

All Dolled Up and A Prairie Market will be selling vintage, shabby chic, and farmhouse decor.

Marigold Road will make you swoon for these yummy wool felt accessories and super-cool mod vintage finds.

A Lady With a Baby will make you and your home darling with her delightful handmade aprons, scarves, bibs, wreaths and more.

Poema Creation will base out of the shop so not only can you grab these crazy cool handmade polymer clay pieces, but you will be able to take classes from the artist herself!! How fun is that?!

Paper Good Creative will feature unique and personalized paper goods of all kinds.
Zerbers will exceed your expectations for cuteness when it comes to hand sewn and custom monogrammed dresses, outfits, blankets, and more for little ones. My little Maggers was a hit in her Zerber's Christmas dress this month!

This shop will be a one stop shop for all you home, personal, and gift giving finds. Not only are you getting one of a kind goods, but you are supporting local women who strive to put family first, honor God, and support their families with their gifts.

We will aim for a March Opening, and will be located in the Green Elephant Village in the Historic College Hill District of Wichita.



how cute is this place?!

 Let me say it again.
I AM SO EXCITED! {Go ahead and "like all those FB pages why don't ya?}
Stay tuned.... :)

MORE ABOUT THESE GALS:
A Prairie Market Etsy

Marigold Road Etsy

A Lady With A Baby Etsy

Poema Creations

Retro Chic Pink Chair {Giveaway}

My friend Ashley has some awesome giveaways on her blog... And this week it's a pretty cool pink retro chair with lime green seat... By yours truly!

I think it's pretty fun.

 So does my daughter!

Hop on over and sign up to enter if you are local.
HERE
{And I am way behind on posts... I know. I know. I will be uploading a plethora of posts soon... I promise! Hefe?! Do you know what a plethora is?}