Ye Old Curiosity Shoppe, also known as a little slice of cluttered Heaven and a Scentsy GIVE AWAY

I sometimes get emails or visitors who will ask where I've gotten a certain piece of something or other in my home.  It's OFTEN from this GREAT little store a couple miles from my home.  Long time Whimages readers will remember that I posted about this treasure trove last year.  It's been awhile, I figured you could use a bit of eye candy from Bob, the proprietor of Ye Old Curiosity Shoppe.  You can spend hours here and not see a fraction of what Bob has.  Everything is packed in like sardines but usually you can ask if he has "blank" and he will!  Even after being there yesterday and then looking at these photos, I still see different little goodies that I hadn't seen while there.  There is SO much to see, so enjoy!  Remember, you can click on the photos to make them larger and if you have any questions don't hesitate to call Bob and tell him Robyn sent you! His number is 410-734-6228     
NOW for the give away!  This is going to be a "where's Waldo" sort of game.  Email me with how many different ROBOTS (pretty popular in little boy rooms) you can spot.  If you are correct, I'll put your name in for a FREE SCENTSY plug in warmer and 2 scent bars including the scent of the month!  My email is robynlbedsaul@gmail.com  GOOD LUCK!




I love this purple hued bottle!



Vintage iron and a sweet doggie bank (I think that's what it was!)

There are several of these enamel wash basins around the shop.

These antique and repo airplanes would be awesome hanging in a boys room!

Bob holding a turn of the century sprinkler.

Looking toward the back of the store.

Also looking toward the back but from the side.

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I LOVE this green juicer and measuring cup...I also ADORE that silver pedestal to the left and that Jadeite bow in itl!

Bob has many pitchers throughout the store.  This green one would be AWESOME with bunches of daisies in it!

Sweet slim ironstone pitcher.

Shelving at one of the sides of the store.

Shelving. If you look closely there is more of that green depression glass that's so pretty.  You could probably start a collection immediately!

Obviously, I've got a little crush on this green pressed glass pitcher!

Pansy pitcher.

Another pitcher...and the Pillsbury doughboy too!

This shelf is the first place I hit when going to Bobs, I've gotten several cool little goodies here.  Look at those cobalt blue salt and pepper shakers and those very pale blue ones further down.

The store has quite a supply of carnival glass.

I've found several goodies in this stack of plates.  One of my favorites is in my foyer, it's a divided transferware cafeteria plate (there is one at the bottom of this pile) from a restaurant in Baltimore.  Bob calls them "grill plates".

More airplanes to the right.

There is a bunch of this clear glass withthe balls on the end (I don't know what it's called, sorry) all over the store.  Again, instant collection!



Most inspired post EVER!

Last night I wrote the MOST inspired, fabulous and engaging post in Whimages history only to wake up this morning to find it gone!  Ok, so maybe it wasn't that fabulous or inspired but it took me a while to write!  It was a bit lengthy.  This time I'm just going to give you the facts. Jack. 

Our living room has somehow morphed into the room that our teenage twins like to entertain their friends.  I think it has more to do with the fact that WE are not in there than it attracting them style wise.  Regardless, it's ready for a little makeover.  I have NEVER like the paint color in there.  It's a soft lemon yellow when it was supposed to be matched to our kitchen and foyer which is a soft, warm butter yellow.  We've decided to put wainscoting and crown (which might be a long while!) and paint the top a gorgeous Sherwin Williams color I saw on HOUZZ called Tidewater Blue.  This is a totally different method to choosing a paint color than what I normally do.  I usually "see" the color in my head and then go pick it out.  (that sounds like I'm some freak)   So this is a stretch for me...I hope we love it! It's the color of the walls in the first photo from yesterdays post.  We also want to have the furniture slip covered in some super incredibly durable and washable fabric.  I think we'll get this all accomplished when the money tree we planted in the backyard starts to bloom.  In the meantime here are some of the rooms that have been inspiring me!  (I hope this post doesn't disappear!)

traditional living room design by chicago media and blogs Lola B's

traditional living room design by san francisco architect Mahoney Architects & Interiors

traditional living room design by dc metro kitchen and bath SKD STUDIOS

traditional entry design by chicago architect Mandy Brown

traditional living room design by san francisco interior designer Amoroso Design

Living Room

Okay, seriously!  I wrote a LOOOONG post last night about re doing our living room. AND...It's. GONE! ARGH!!!

traditional living room design by charleston photographer Julia Ryan

traditional living room design by tampa general contractor Ramos Design Build Corporation - Tampa

traditional living room design by bridgeport architect Austin Patterson Disston Architects

traditional living room design by toronto showroom Vanessa Lazaroff

traditional living room design by media and blogs The Lettered Cottage

traditional living room design by media and blogs The Lettered Cottage

traditional living room design by philadelphia media and blogs Mustard Seed Interiors

eclectic living room design by media and blogs Dreamy Whites

Let's talk CAKE! ...and a Shabby Apple WINNER!

 While looking for cake ideas for Peyton's party, I came across this gorgeous rose cake.  I couldn't get it out of my mind.  This weekend we had a Scentsy open house and also a Stella and Dot trunk show.  I figured that would be the perfect time to test out this cake decoration on my unsuspecting friends!  Unfortunately the only photo I took of the cake was the side that had the mistake.  Sorry!  The other side really looked better!  If you want to try your hand at this pretty cake (btw, I only did the outside decoration like hers, I actually made a 5 layer carrot cake) there is an easy tutorial on the FAB blog, I am baker.  It's very easy, I think you'll be surprised if you try it.  I'd love to see your cakes if you decide to make one! I had to modify the tutorial because my cake was much taller than the original rose cake and I used my favorite deluxe cream cheese frosting instead of the buttercream recipe in the tutorial.  It's such a pretty, creamy white. I also made mini blackberry cheesecakes, lemon squares, apple pie and chocolate covered strawberries.  I don't need much of an excuse to bake!

Totally off the subject, Callie got her pointe shoes at the beginning of January.  I think pointe is so pretty!  We finally had a pretty day in Maryland.  Callie had been waiting for a nice day so I could take a photo of her shoes for her facebook profile.  It turned out sort of cool with a little help of a wee bit of cross processing.

We have a Shabby Apple Winner!  Julie, number 15!  Julie lives in my town so I'm hoping I'll get to actually see it.

EDIT:  This is the last piece of the rose covered carrot cake.  It's looking a bit sad but still delicious.  I thought I'd share it with you and the good news is you can enjoy it this way without ANY calories! Yay! ...that's me, always looking out for your well-being.

Out On A Whim: Pretty Little Studio

Vintage style die cut from Pretty Little Studio



Rainy weather vintage style diecuts from Pretty Little Studio



Vintage style flash card from Pretty Little Studio



I don't remember how I came across today's OUT ON A WHIM last week, but when I did, I couldn't stop looking at all of the FABULOUS vintage style goodies in this SWEET and HAPPY little store!

 PRETTY LITTLE STUDIO is a delightful site that has many inspirational nooks and crannies.  From the first page of the website, you know you are in for a TREAT!  There is the store of course and the Etsy store too, but there is also an inspiration gallery, a Twitter, a Facebook and a BLOG .  Even if you don't scrapbook, this store has so much to offer.  I discovered that they will personalize their flashcards with whatever you want!  This is such a COOL gift to give someone and at $2.00 for a 5 x7 and $4.00 for an 8 x 10, they are cheaper than a greeting card!  How cute would these be as a gift tag?!  I had to get some flashcards for myself.  They really are so cute and great quality.


My personalized flash cards. I LOVE these!



Personalized nursery rhyme. HOW COOL?

Flash card that adds up to my family number!  I love this!


* I am in no way affiliated with Pretty Little Studio and I was not compensated for this review.  It is just a great little company with products I fell in love with!

Sew much FUN!

Sorry for the blurry photo, it's all Martha's fault. 

 I'm going to be completely honest with you here,  I really don't know what I'm doing with a sewing machine. I have probably mentioned that a time or ten.  However, I have fallen in LOVE with this reversible purse for my girls.  Although I'm thinking they will use it as an overnight bag.  I think it's just ADORABLE, I'm in love with the asymetrical handle!  It adds just enough FUNK!

The extent of my sewing knowledge is slim. Basically it would fit in a thimble! (HA!)  I usually leave the stitching to paper projects.  I Love to sew on scrap book pages or tags for presents.  I've got the sewing on them down pat!  Part of the reason is on paper it's kinda cool to be a bit messy so that the project has that "homemade" feel to it.  I'm thinking that messy sewing is all I can accomplish and it may not look so cool on an actual project!  Regardless, I'm taking the girls to the fabric store to pick out 2 fabrics each.  Sewing the banner for Peyton's party really got me in the sewing mood.    Stay tuned to see how bad I can mess up this project!  I'm sure Martha won't be pleased.  Her directions are below...

EDIT:  Fabric choices are at the end of the post.  I decided I wanted to make one for myself too!  The fabric was so hard to resist!

This simple reversible purse is a wonderful project for beginning and advanced sewers alike.
Tools and Materials
Bag template
Heavy paper or cardstock
1/2 yard of patterned fabric
1/2 yard of solid fabric
Pencil
Fabric scissors
Pins
Sewing machine
Coordinating machine-sewing thread
Iron
Needle and thread for basting stitch
Reversible Purse How-To


1. Download, enlarge, and print template on heavy paper or card stock. Trace template twice on each fabric and cut out.
2. Align and pin the two solid pieces together, right sides facing. Do the same with the two patterned pieces.
3. Using 1/4-inch seam allowance, sew along the top of each handle and along the bottom curve of each pinned piece, leaving both sides of both handles open.
4. Turn the solid piece right side out, and insert the solid piece into the inside-out patterned piece. Line up seams, raw edges, and handles.
5. Pin the edges of the "neckline" of the bag and sew with a 1/4-inch seam.
6. Going through the longer handle, turn the entire bag right side out (patterned fabric on the outside). Press all seams.
7. Fold raw edges of "armholes" in 1/4 inch and press. Baste together. Topstitch 1/8 inch around bag handles to finish.


Read more at Marthastewart.com: Reversible Purse - Martha Stewart Crafts

I couldn't resist this pretty botanical print Callie showed me, that's when I decided I needed a bag too!

Callie chose this HAPPY bright stripe and pink polka dots



Peyton picked this pretty pink, white and grey floral and the light pink polka dot as her contrast.  It's funny because this pink polka dot fabric is one I used for her table runner and banner at her sweet shoppe party!