PRIM PERFECT...

Oh happy days! Look what I just finished to bring home!!! I've wanted a mantel for quite awhile for our new little nest and I finally got one - I just can't wait to get it home - electric logs and all. it was a creamy white, but that just wouldn't do in our mustard and black color scheme, so out came the paint brushes.
It has been a busy week of getting more things into the shop. It is always such a great feeling to see fresh merchandise!
My very favorite is this Jenny Linn child's bed, including ticking mattress, pillow and quilt. The mattress and pillow are stuffed with corn husks.
Couldn't you just see a collection of dolls sitting in this one?
These cute little tealight holders, both bottle shape and mason jars, are perfect for a porch or patio on a summer's evening.
Cute little Easter socks for adults and babies too.
This old red cupboard is prim perfect! The inside of the door has old printing on it.
Wish this picture had showed up a little better.
I also LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this old red farm table with drawer. It is shown with two old spindle back chairs in perfect condition.
More signs.
And picture frames.
This old crate would be the best coffee table. It has the original printing on the outside. It was sent to Detroit, Michigan from Boston, Massachusetts.
More signs and flowers.
Isn't this breadbox perfect for a countertop?
This dress is so delicate and beautiful.
What a great centerpiece this old strawberry carrier would make.
More and more spring!
These metal flowers would look so cheerful in any garden.
Quilts anyone? This one is a real beauty.
This lamp is unusual. It has a blue plaid shade with a platform to set anything you want on it.
Another beautiful old lamp.
These bedsteps are awesome. The tops lift up for storage. Hope you'll come in and check out some of the great things that are arriving almost daily.
This morning I went to Abbey's school before I opened the shop. The second grade had written fictional "books" to read. We were treated with juice and donuts and it was so much fun. Lucy wants to show you her FOUR new teeth.
Soon it was Abbey's turn to read her book. Her teacher held the microphone for each student. I'm SO proud of her!
After work Rosie and I went up to visit my dad at the nursing home. He is one of the biggest dog lovers I know and Rosie is no exception. She just brightens his day! I give him her leash and she just walks around with him in his wheelchair. All of the patients want to pet her and love on her - she should have been a therapy dog.
Dad and Rosie having a little conversation. He told me that bringing her tonight just "made his day".
So today has been a productive day at Holly Hills and around town. It is supposed to rain in Michigan this weekend, so I hope you come see me instead of staying home with nothing to do!
Until next time...

SHADES OF BROWN...

Happy, sunny, beautiful Sunday morning! Oh my goodness, it is just a glorious day here in Michigan. The sun is shining bright, the snow is melting and I'm just happy to be alive.
I was so inspired by the "shades of brown" out there in blogland and the first one I saw was "Grammy Linda's". It all looked like so much fun, thoughy I'd join in. It is so amazing how much brown is in a primitive home, no matter what other colors we use with it. Next time maybe we should do black???!!!
The picture above is my favorite antique piece. It's an old pie safe with the original tin.
My friend Connie made me this doll for Christmas and she is hanging on an old BROWN chimney cupboard.
I love chalkboards and this is an old BROWN one that my grandchildren love to draw on.
Reproduction BROWN corner shelf on my kitchen island.
Shutters are another favorite of mine along with spool lamps. BROWN of course.
This old piece of BROWN molding was made into a peg rack for my bedroom.
BROWN boxes, whisk brooms and candles on top of my beadboard cupboard in the kitchen.
How about BROWN bunnies - instead of pastels for Easter??
Who doesn't love BROWN cutting boards? The big one was made for my grandmother in the early 1900's.
Can't see 'em, but there two old BROWN ironing boards tucked in the corner.

Little BROWN cupboard on top of a BROWN doughbox. The tin toy was my mother's in the 1920's.
I love this little BROWN bonnet chest.
More BROWN Easter goodies - eggs, carrots and an old BROWN basket.
Nothing would be the same without my BROWN pinkeeps!
Doesn't this light BROWN stitchery just say it all?
An old BROWN drawer is a great place for smalls.
A grandma wingback with BROWN is a great place to snuggle up and read to grandchildren.

Another old BROWN doll that my friend Connie and I made years ago.
And nothing says BROWN like grapevine - whether it's a tree, a wreath or a garland.
Whew! I could have taken so many more pictures, but it's time to get ready to go open the shop. Keep your fingers crossed that lots of people have spring fever and want to come out and look for their own "BROWN" today!
Have a great afternoon!
Until next time...

AND THE SUN DOES SHINE...

Ahhhh! The weekend. A time when families can come together, kick off our shoes, and just be together. What a bonus when the sun is shining and you see the first Robin of the year. Yup, I think spring is right around the corner. The snow is starting to melt and people are coming out of winter's hibernation. This morning our granddaughter even saw her first Canadian geese coming back for the season.
Today was a great day at the shop. It seemed that everyone was so grateful for sunshine that I was busy all day. I sure hope this is a sign of what lies ahead. Guess it's time to start opening on Sunday afternoons again. The whole town seemed to be bustling. What a wonderful sight to behold!
The picture above are our paper mache houses. The one on the left has been our home for almost 20 years, until lately when we have moved to help my mom. The one on the right in our "little house" in northern Michigan. Don't forget, our artist can do your home too! The curtains are made from feedsacks and I just love how they turned out.
Oh yes, time to get more antiques into the shop and more and more handmades. We are going to the markets in a couple weeks, and that is always so exciting. You just never know what you may come back with!
Doesn't spring just lift the spirits? A time of renewal for the soul. It won't be long and it will be time to be digging in the dirt, planting new gardens, trips to the farmer's market... I'm ready for all of it. It has been a very long winter here in Michigan and I can't even imagine what it's been like for our friends in the east.
Lots of new projects planned for the coming week and surprises to share with all of you.
Well friends, hope you have a wonderful Sunday planned. Enjoy your loved ones and count your blessings.
Until next time...

LOTS OF NEW GOODS...

Oh yes, home again! Is there anything better than coming home at the end of the day and being able to just snuggle in for the evening? I'm sure that's why we take so much time decorating and nesting - it's all worth it at the end of the day. Don't you love to turn on your little lights, maybe listen to some music, light a candle, and settle in with some stitching or a great new magazine? Bliss at it's finest!
The picture above is an old one I found that has our shop in it from about the 1920's. It's pretty blurry here, but I was so thrilled to find it.
This is a picture laden post, but I was so excited to share all the new shop goodies with you!
I was so excited to take these chicks into the shop, it's hard to find just the right prim chick!
Aren't they the cutest things???
I got a couple different lamb chocolate molds.
This little mouse really needed a ride on the carrot!
Wouldn't this little lawnmower look adorable in a garden?
Another mouse crawled in on a strawberry.
Now for the antiques! Look at this huge tote! It would look great hung sideways on a wall for a shelf.
My favorite is this little drying rack. It would be so cute as a towel rack in a country bathroom.
This little school desk is prim perfect! The drawer under the seat even has a place for a pencil.
This is the cutest little tin typewriter.
This old framed print is a beautiful towel holder.
Another favorite is this old toy horse.
I got this wicker shopping basket on wheels - cute as can be!
How about enamel ware? Got lots of great pieces.
More books are working their way into the shop too - from decorating to novels.
Isn't this little metal wall-vase adorable?
Another prim stitchery on a board with rusty wire and clothespins.
I love this strawberry "lug" with all the little baskets.
This afternoon, my daughter Ashley and our little Lucy came in to the shop for a visit. We all sat in Janie's coffee shop next door and had a great time. These guys always light up my day!
See - I got teeth now!
And I just learned that bread is really YUMMY! What a doll baby - we're so lucky.
Well, that's it for tonight. Jammie and snuggle time is calling!
Until next time...