beauty that moves

yo-yo giveaway!

The sun is shining! I've been taking pictures for the new shop and having great fun with that, until it came time to photograph the yo-yo's. Wow, it's just hard. Like you know how photographing a window is hard? Kinda like that. Just hard.

Aren't they beautiful though? I hope you will enter a chance to win these lovelies by leaving a comment at the end of this post. A  way to celebrate the opening of May Berries Vintage. Thank you for a warm welcome yesterday, it really is a lot of fun for me over there, and crawling around under tables at flea markets.

Several thoughts about the woman that made these are in my mind, what she intended for them to become. How she would feel knowing that there is an entire community of women today swooning (I hope you are swooning) over her delicate craftsmanship. Her fabric choices are so sweet. But were they choices? Or were they all that was available, scraps left from making her children's clothing?

You are entering to win two yo-yo samplers... each is 15'" square and they are hand stitched together. The fabrics date to the 1930's -1940's and are cotton. They could be stitched to a pillow front, framed and hung on the wall, made into a doll quilt... who knows. I will draw a winner Friday afternoon, hope you play along!

may berries vintage

I have spread my wings a little and started a vintage shop. It is filling up with pretty things that remind me of simpler times, cool summer evenings on the front porch, and families spending not scheduling time together. I know it wasn't all roses, but I've always been drawn to days gone by.

My goal is to offer affordable items that may be just the little something you are looking for - for yourself, a bridal shower gift for the hippest brides (very good idea), a treat for your girlfriend. I hope the items that are purchased through my shop are used lovingly in your everyday.  I'm of the belief that we shouldn't put trinkets of happiness on a shelf only to dust them once a week.

I must tell you I have many many many more items to list at May Berries Vintage, but spring rain has finally hit New England and photography is on hold until the sunshine appears again. So please stay tuned... vintage fabric is arriving, vintage luggage, more dishes, clothing, the list goes on. Basically, fabulous finds will just keep rolling in over there until the snow flies, then I imagine things will slow down. I'm really looking forward to building the selection so there is plenty of variety.

Oh... the name. Basically there was nothing that was jumping out demanding to be the name of my new shop... but one has to have a name! It's a play on Mayberry, of course. I know the show contains all kinds of inappropriate social context, but those first couple of seasons were so funny... and the kitchens were super cute and tidy... and the aprons... and Aunt Bee bringing the boys lunch everyday in that basket. Seriously.

So, welcome! Thanks for stopping in. As soon as the sun appears and picture taking resumes I will be posting about a grand opening giveaway!! Make sure you stop back tomorrow or the next day for a chance at that... it involves yo-yo's... that's all I'm saying. Have a great day everyone!

lunch... outside!

The deck is officially open and from here on out very few meals will be eaten inside before October. Makes me happy.

We (Adam) spent the day digging up a fairly large part of our shady backyard to attempt a vegetable garden this year. I think it was key for us to switch our thinking that it needed to be a high fruit producing garden in order to be worthwhile. I will try a couple of tomato plants, peppers, etc. but my expectations are a little low, we'll see. It's okay though because what I realized is that I'm fine with growing tons of things that require less sun... we eat salad and dark leafy greens every day... I'm thinking peas would do well... what about potatoes? Does anyone know about potatoes. A shift in attitude has created more possibility it seems. For the last few years I just thought "nope, we can't grow veggies here," now I'm not so sure. Plus I keep watching this video over and over, sobbing and cheering at the same time. The folks at Path To Freedom are so doing it right.

"Get rid of negativity. We are all plagued by doubts... you have to take a risk, go out on a limb and say maybe I should try something I've never done before. Just stop being negative and try something positive." ~Jules Dervaes owner, Path To Freedom

Alrighty then, we will try this year to grow as much food as we can in a marginally sunny yard. If any of you have experience with vegetable gardening with less sun, please advise freely. You are my hope... and my new best friend. The area where the garden is gets maybe 2 hours of direct afternoon sun per day. Will this be enough?

Be back in a couple days to share something that I've had way too much fun putting together than should ever be allowed.

a tiny break

This weekend my family headed up to Massachusetts to be a part of the The Creative Family book tour. It was such a treat to finally meet Amanda in person, lovely lady that she is. An added bonus was meeting Melody of Little Home Blessings. A blog I've loved for a long time and am always so inspired by. To me, blogging feels a bit like a dating service for friends; you connect with all kinds of people here and we are drawn to one another because of common interests and lifestyles. Then, when there is an opportunity to meet in person, it feels... easy. I like that, it's really nice.

I've got a super busy week ahead and think I'm going to have to take a break from the blog. There is a lot of activity at both yoga studios right now and I need to place most of my energy there for the next several days. There may be a photo or two that pops up over the week, but otherwise I will be back over the weekend or early next week... with some exciting news. Taking in the photo above, any guesses?

Have a great week friends, see you on the other side.

::edited to add:: ummm... it occurred to me that based on that wee vintage baby outfit in the photo you clever, imaginative ladies might  think i  was expecting.  no no no, i am not... seeing as i'm going to be away from here for a bit, i wanted to set that straight. my news would be terribly disappointing if you went about the week thinking i was going to announce an addition to the family! plus my mom and my sister would be freaking out the whole time... although adam thought that would be funny. no baby folks... not now.

posies

May your weekend be filled with seedlings, hiking trails, sunshine, and posies.