IT WAS Maaaaavelous. . .

What a weekend @ the Farm Chicks Show. . .

So, where do I begin??? I have to first thank all of those folks who made this possible for me. I wouldn't have been able to get 'er done had it not been for them!!! John and Kellan, you know that I love you more than life and I really promise that I will cook again and maybe even fold your laundry instead of dumping it on your bed!!! Judy and Jerry . . . who could ask for better neighbors. You have tirelessly supported this crazy life of mine and helped out in SO MANY WAYS. I owe you BIGTIME!!! Tammy, who spent the day and priced every piece of jewelry, and folks, that was a ton. Rowena, girlfriend, you were a Godsend!!! Peeling and sticking, cutting and stitching. Joey, my bro - can you come back soon and help paint? Thanks for chipping in while you were here working!!! You were amazing! Deb and Bob Kennedy - thank you, thank you for allowing me to inhabit your "Taj Ma Tent" for the weekend. You have taught me how to be gracious and thankful for everything!!! xoxoxo I know that I'm missing many of you, but let me also mention all of those who made a special trip over to Spokane to see me and check out this fantastic show: Cindy & Devon, Teresa & Greg, Pam & Courteney, Megan, Cindy and Cindy from Haley's Cottage, and all of the Come Junk with Us Girls who stopped by. You're all amazing and I so appreciate it!

My booth was . . . well it was darling. Am I allowed to say that? Of course I went with my signature Tippy blue - a shade of aqua that I love, love, love!!! I have been fortunate in the past few months to acquire a couple of great pieces of furniture. They were for sale but didn't sell, but that's okay because they make for amazing props. The space was filled with everything that I love . . . jewelry of course, pillows, my wonderful new totes (they will all be for sale on my Textile Website @ http://www.tippystextilesnstuff.etsy.com.), lavender bundles, sachets, lovely new candles in yummy scents.

I love this sweet little garden chandelier that I made. YES, it Sold!!! It's going to a woman's home to become the centerpiece of her dining room full of silk greens and candles. I am on the hunt to find more chandy's. I'll have them at Deb and Bob's Petite Retreat on Saturday, June 26 on Camano Island, and at my own Studio Tour and Show on July 24!

Fabric Flowers . . . who knew that these little babies would become the hit of the show. Again, more are in production and will be on my Textile site. It was so much fun to have a chance to take a stroll through the show late on Sunday and see all of the folks who had bought these little gems with them attached to their lapels. It made me smile. :)

And Pearl, my constant friend and companion. She was all decked out in her new apron (thank you Judy). Someone bought the apron so she was back to wearing her lovely tulle skirt. Yes, Pearl we will make you a new apron. Judy and I visited our favorite Vintage tablecloth guy at the show and bought up a bushel of new pieces that will be turned into lovely aprons very soon.

Have I mentioned that I HATE having my picture taken!!! Well, here I was on day 1 having a really bad hair day! But my outfit was really cute. White ruffled skirt, my signature apron, jean jacket and you can't see them in this photo, Tippy blue cowboy boys. Your darn tootin!!! Thanks Cindy!

Day 2 brought a few changes. I moved this lovely wicker piece to front and center. Gladys got all of the attention wearing all of the beautiful orange jewelry I have in stock. So sweet!

There's a glimpse of the whole booth. So much fun, so many great memories!!!

While us girls took a stroll, here was our helper dudes. We told them that they could work in the booth only if they donned our aprons. Aren't they cute???

And here's the really tired guy . . . he hoofed it all out of the trailer and into my space and then hoofed it back into the trailer for the ride home. Thank you my dear. And did I mention that load in day on Friday was a monsoon??? And it was our anniversary??? You're the best Mr. Mackey!!!

And finally on Sunday afternoon, my sweet friend Tiffany dropped by to see me. She had the most spectacular assignment for the show. She was with Jo Packham from "Where Women Create" Magazine. She was the photographer for the show. How fun was that??? Hey Tiffany, we have a date soon, right??? That's Julie in the middle from The Little Red Shop in Cle Elum; another new friend. I love that!

It was such an amazing weekend. 4,300 people on Saturday crammed into the building; not sure how many on Sunday, but it was a lot! Will I go back next year??? Heck yeah, count me in Serena! And thank you for your graciousness - you are a lovely woman! See you next year @ the show. June 4-5, 2011 @ the Spokane Fairgrounds.

Black Friday is History, but there's always Cyber Monday

Black Friday came and went. Were you one of the early risers out there looking for great deals? I can honestly say that I have never done that. There's nothing like sleeping in a little longer after a long day of eating, drinking, playing games, watching movies. Sleep in, a little coffee, get the Christmas boxes out of the attic and get going on decorating the cottage. So, in just a couple of days, Cyber Monday descends on all of us. Since this is my first year with a website, I'm not sure that I even know what to expect, but I did decide to jump in with the rest of the world and offer some discounts for all of you to get your Christmas shopping started. Over at www.tippystockton.etsy.com, I'm offering a 10% discount on your entire order + free shipping. I have sooooo many lovely pieces available right now. I'll be listing a few more in the next couple of weeks, so always check back. That's just a sample of the things that are available.

Then over at www.tippystextilesnstuff.etsy.com, I'm offering a 10% discount on your entire order. I have lovely scarves in a bevy of colors, sweet little decorated boxes (they have been the hit of the season), vases, wands, pillows . . . My Joyeux Noel pillow was featured in the Atlanta Journal Constitution Gift Guides this weekend. How fun is that?

I have just a couple of more shows left before I can relax, well sort of. I'll post later the details on those upcoming shows, one of which includes my own Holiday Open House. So you can guess what I am doing on this Thanksgiving weekend. Yes, you guessed it. The cottage is getting glittered up, the stockings will be hung, the outside lights are up and lit. Christmas is definitely here! Hip hip Hooray!!! I love Christmas! Cheers and blessings to all of you!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

I know this post is a little late. I have so many things to be thankful for . . . family, friends, a lovely home, food in my cupboards, and a little business that is humming along. I hope that you had the opportunity to slow down a bit, enjoy the day with the people that mean so much to you, and feel grateful for all that you have. I know I did. Wishing you all the blessings of this wonderful Holiday and may the upcoming Christmas Season be blessed with love, joy and happiness.

It's Beginning to look a lot like . . .

Kellan - Halloween 1989.

Okay, okay. So I know that today is Halloween, but I just can't help myself. You see, I really am not a fan of Halloween. I'm not going to go into the details, but I was scared to death at a school carnival when I was a child and ever since then . . . well I just don't like Halloween. I'm trying to be nice to all of you who love this Holiday. But for me, this just means that we are even closer to the Holiday that makes my heart sing . . . Christmas! Have I told you that I love CHRISTMAS! I love Christmas - I love cooking, baking, entertaining and especially decorating our little cottage. Oh and one more thing, I LOVE Christmas music. Yes, I have already listened to a CD or two, or three, well okay 5. It was purely for inspiration, I swear!!!

So today, I thought I would give you a peek at some of what happened with that "inspiration". Here's a little sample of some of the things that have already made it to the website. Trust me, there will be plenty more. Happy Holidays to you!!!

You can find all of these lovely things on my websites @:

www.tippystockton.etsy.com (jewelry)

www.tippystextilesnstuff.etsy.com (textiles, bottle vases, pillows)

If you have any questions, write me @ tippystockton@aol.com.

Next stop for Tippy Stockton. . . a Trunk Show in Lynnwood on Wednesday, November 4.

6:00 - 9:00 pm @ 3711 - 164th St., SW in the Clubhouse. See you there!

Studio Update

My new Studio odyssey began on July 4th weekend. I can't believe how quickly my new space is coming together. The Weekend Warriors have been working away and with each passing day, I'm beginning to see what will be my new digs. John has become quite the little construction dude. I really think I need to get him a tool belt.

I will have great height inside - plenty of room for a small loft space for storage.

Chloe is constantly giving me updates on what the "boys" are up to.

I outfitted the new Studio with reclaimed windows from "Restore" in Ballard, WA. It was great to save a few really great old windows and it certainly adds to the charm of the structure.

Jerry was so kind when I kept adding more electrical outlets. I have power tools, and lots of them!!!

We used glass blocks for the windows on the back side of the Studio. This side backs up to a unsightly chain link fence and some over grown shrubbery in the neighbors yard, so now I can benefit from the light, but I don't have to look at the mess.

Two of the larger windows are on swing out hinges - just like Grandma's old house.

I snagged a beautiful "new" French door from Frank's Door in Shoreline. Hey, hot tip!!! If you live in the Seattle area, always, always check out their scratch and dent section. This door was a steal!!!

It's hard to get a great angle on the whole Studio because it's tucked just perfectly at the back of our property.

And I love the fact that it's just steps from the house. No more flashlight at night trying to get back inside during the dead of Winter. I have been known to do my best work at night!

Here's a kind of overhead shot from our roof top perch. As you can see, it's really tucked in. I'm hoping that all the mudding/sanding will be done by the end of the week so we can paint on the weekend, put the floor down, install the overhead lighting and fan and then it's MOVE-IN Day!!! I'm truly excited to get going, get organized, and start diving into Fall and Holiday. Holiday . . . OMG, it's going to be 97 here today. Good grief!!!

Treasury x Deux

Wow, two treasury selections in one day . . . Thank you Kristend12 and Windyriver. You made my day!!! In the first set, second row middle - Playland Earrings - inspired by my days in Rockaway Beach at the amusement park with my Nanny and Pop.
Great memories . . .



My second treasury featured my "Queen for the Day" pillow (top row, right side) and was on my new website - www.tippystextilesnstuff.etsy.com.

In honor of the 4th of July, check out my SUMMER SALE now going on at www.tippystockton.etsy.com. I have pulled together a few Summer favorites and have slashed prices by up to 40%, so go check them out. Over at Tippy's Textiles, a Grand Opening special goes on until the end of the month - 10% off your entire order. (does not apply to special orders or wholesale purchases). www.tippystextilesnstuff.etsy.com.