~Proud Moment!!!!!~

Okay, I can finally spill the beans on the exciting news I've been holding onto forever. I am featured in the Autumn 2011 issue of Jewelry Affaire magazine! 8 beautiful pages, I am completely thrilled and so proud! This has been a dream of mine since I started designing jewelry 2 years ago, and for Jewelry Affaire to consider my designs to be even remotely good enough to be featured in this amazing publication is awesome!!!!

Thank you so much Beth and to Stampington & Company!!

Have a beautiful night all.

Sincerely,

Melinda

New Treasure

Hi all, hope your having a great week. I received a wonderful treasure in the mail today from Tracey at French Larkspur. I had ordered this jute rug a week ago and when I opened the package I loved it even more in person!! Tracey packaged it so beautifully, I didn't want to unwrap it.

I ordered this jute rug for something special that's hopefully  happening next month, so I can't show you what it looks like just yet. Just a little sneak peek!

I got this cute little vintage English marmalade pot from Country Roads the other day. I think it will look beautiful with flowers in it.

Well, I'm signing off for now. Have a lovely night.

Sincerely,

Melinda

Re~Arranged & New Paint

Hi All, and Happy Fall! No, I wasn't trying to rhyme. :)

I spent all day yesterday painting my living and dining rooms and re-arranging furniture and then I spent this afternoon finally putting my jewelry in my booth at Country Roads. So needless to say, I'm pooped! I wanted to re-paint my space, but I just didn't have the energy.

I'm not sure if you can see my new wall color. I got the color idea from Maria at Dreamy Whites. It's called Newsprint by Martha Stewart. Maria had this color in her daughter's room. I love it because throughout the day it changes color. It's a really pale gray, and so pretty.

This is my table center piece I made using a large white Fairytale pumpkin, mini white pumpkins, shredded paper, and vintage books in an old wooden crate.

I put my collection of vintage French tea towels on my old blanket ladder.

One of my ladies. She's my petite one.

I hope you all have a wonderful week. Talk to you soon.

Sincerely,

Melinda

Getting In The Mood: For Fall

Hi all, hope your having a great week. It took me a little while, but I'm finally getting in the mood for Fall.

I went out yesterday and checked out my booth at Country Roads and straightened up a little and added a couple of new things. I purchased my jewelry case and put that in, now I just have to clean it up and put a couple of locks on it.

While I was supposed to be making money, I spent a little too. I got some great things for my bedroom for its Fall transformation. I love the way it turned out!

As you can see, I'm posting here again. I know I'm a pain but I'm not quite sure how I like Typepad yet, so until I figure it out I will be posting here and there.

Now on to the photos.

Have a wonderful night.

~Melinda

I got this awesome vintage ceiling tile and vintage basket from Hungary from this wonderful store in Old Towne Orange called "Eikon". If you live in the area and haven't been to this store, you have to check it out. The owner has the most beautiful things and a lot of his vintage stuff comes from Europe.

I love the color of this chippy ceiling tin, it's a chocolaty brown. It's perfect for Fall don't you think?

I also picked up this little scalloped mirror from "Country Roads". I have 3 of these vintage mirrors now. I think it would look gorgeous to have a collection of these grouped together on the wall.

Some vintage grain sack linen pillows from my home line. These are perfect mixed with your Fall decor!

Linking up with Debra @ Common Ground.

New Blog Address

Hi All. I just wanted to let you know that I am switching my blog to Typepad. Here is my new address:

http://alabasterrose.typepad.com

I became a bit frustrated with all of the issues I was having here, so I felt the need for a change.
I hope you'll all follow me to my new blog. 
Have a beautiful weekend.
Sincerely,
Melinda

Vintage Favorites....

Random photos from the around the house.Vintage favorites...
Enjoy.

{photo by me using a texture by Kim Klassen}

Just checking in to say "hi" and I hope you all had a lovely weekend. I stopped by my booth at Country Roads today and was so excited that I actually sold some things. I was a little worried about not selling anything.

 I also found the perfect, and I mean perfect, jewelry display cabinet, so my jewelry will finally be in the store by next Monday. 

I'll show you some photos once it's set up.

Hope you all have a beautiful week.

Sincerely,

~Melinda

Remembering

 I didn't plan to post on the 9/11 anniversary, but I spent a good portion of my day on the internet reading about the lives that were lost and the heroes that emerged on that same tragic day 10 years ago. I found this incredible poem that was written about 9/11 that I wanted to share. It's a 4 part poem written by the British poet, playwright, and novelist, Simon Armitage.

"9/11: Out of the Blue"

I tried to embed the video to my blog but it wouldn't let me. So just click on the link above. Make sure and watch all 4 parts.

***Please take the time to watch it. It will truly move you. The reading by British actor Rufus Sewell is simply breathtaking. I know it will touch you in some way!**Not everyone is going to like this poem, it is very raw and quite emotional and some of the footage shown is from the actual day that the planes hit the towers. I just know that it moved me beyond words!!

My heart goes out to all of those who were affected by that tragic day 10 years ago.

Bless you all!!

Rustic Meets Elegance

A few weeks ago I purchased "these" at the flea market and wondered how I could spruce them up. Well I think I figured it out.

Take a look:

Vintage rustic crates lined with elegant vintage fabric.

LOVE!!!~~~

These will be available next week in my booth at C.R.

Have a great day.

Vintage Bracelet

I just designed a new bracelet that's a little different for me, but I like the combination of all of the vintage rhinestone and hazy aqua Czech glass together.

I still have my designs available through my Etsy site until I can find a glass cabinet for my space. Hopefully I can find one soon!

And of course, one photo with textures. I know I'm obsessed lately with these textures!

Hope you all are having a great week, my oldest starts 2nd grade tomorrow and I think I'm more nervous than he is. I feel like I'm the one starting back to school!

Sincerely,

~Melinda

Moving In...

Hi all, hope you had a wonderful weekend. I had a busy few days painting and moving into my new space at Country Roads. It was a bit difficult due to the Orange street fair, but I got most of it done thanks to my amazing husband!! 

I took a few photos of how it's looking so far, but believe me it's not even close to being finished, I'm not happy with how it looks yet, I just can't seem to get it right! 
I just found a beautiful antique cabinet today for an amazing price to house my pillows and such, which hopefully I can get in the next couple of weeks. I'm also frantically trying to find a glass cabinet for all of my jewelry, but so far no luck!

I painted the walls "Light French Gray" by Behr, but I'm thinking it might have turned out a little too blue. 

Can anyone recommend a paint color in a pale gray?

Please excuse the ugly mattress behind the table. These barn doors are so fantastic in my space!!

I also have this great vintage door and window, I think it really adds to the charm of the space.

Thanks again to Sue and her Country Roads family, they have all been so warm and welcoming to me and I am so thrilled to be apart of such an amazing shop!!!

Have a great week.
Sincerely,
Melinda 

Okay, I'm Tellin'

Okay, I can't hold it in anymore and it's happening tomorrow!!! I will be selling my jewelry designs and my home line at............

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R

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Yea, can you believe it?!!! I am beyond excited, thrilled and hopeful!! Thank you so much to the amazing Sue and her wonderful CR family. Thank you for welcoming me back in with open arms!!!  I'll see you tomorrow!!
Now I'm off to paint furniture and to do a million other things. Isn't it funny how you think your prepared for something but when it comes down to it, you remember a million other things you need to do? I'll be running around like a maniac today, but I'll love every minute of it!!

****Oh, and by the way, this is a wonderful weekend to stop by Country Roads if your in the area, Monday, Sept. 5th CR is having their "I survived the Orange street fair" big Labor Day sale. Tons of fun to be had and you can go home with some fabulous new treasures!!!