Today I Am Thinking Picket Fences

Which is your favorite?

“I can envision a small cottage somewhere, with a lot of writing paper, and a dog, and a fireplace and maybe enough money to give myself some Irish coffee now and then and entertain my two friends.”

                                                             Lt Richard Van de Geer

Dreaming of Hydrangeas

My front yard is dreary! It is deep, full of tall loblolly pines and patches where the grass refuses to grow. Add into the mix, my split rail fence has started to rot and the posts have tipped, causing the rails to fall to the ground. What's a gal to do? I want the house to look softer. I need some work on my fence. I want a cottage garden in my front yard!

I thought about painting my red brick house a soft cottage yellow. Well, that won't happen. Not in my budget.

Maybe I could replace the split rail with a white picket fence. Oh, how I want a cottage look. But my yard it too large and a white fence would look silly with my late forties/early fifties brick ranch, sitting oh so far back from the street.

Then the magic word appeared: hydrangeas!

It was not my word, but the word of a landscape professional working across the street. I always ask for free advice.

"Mulch in the area where the grass doesn't grow and fill it with hydrangea bushes."

Suddenly I can see my ranch become the cottage I long for. Now I am dreaming of hydrangeas and wondering how soon can I make my dream come true!

Could this be me?

Perhaps I could hide the split rail fence entirely!

I could give garden parties on my front lawn!

Pink

or

Blue?

It doesn't matter. I am dreaming of hydrangeas. And now my dreams are expanding. Perhaps a cottage by the sea..... It is fun to dream a lovely dream!

Pleasant Dreams To You!

Romantic Hollyhocks For Your Garden

My Love Of Hollyhocks!

My garden grows wild, unkept by me. I finally realized a few years back that my garden grows on its own. The stronger plants survive and visit me each season without any help from me. The large beds have been established for over 25 years. The plants that come back each spring vary and I am always anxious to see what blooms.

My last attempt at planting flowers was a total disaster. The first week my potted plants looked amazingly lovely. Then the drought, taking care of dogs, and writing, distracted me, and I forgot to water. I walked out on my deck to little brown stubs, that once had been pink flowers. Yet looking out into the yard the greenery was growning tall, my rose bush was flourishing, with its long arms extending every which way. I was sad again last summer that my hollyhocks were gone. They bloomed tall and hardy the first years in my house, then they disappeared, strangled out by nearby butterfly bushes. My butterfly bushes have taken over most of the yard. But how bad can that be? I can see butterflies dancing from bush to bush when I visit the yard.

To my surprise and delight I have a new visitor this spring.  Last week I walked the yard with a gardener, who was there to prune back some tree limbs. I noticed a 6 ft tall stalk with buds starting to open. A Hollyhock had found its way back through the other bushes. I am watching it daily in anticipation of full bloom.

I love Hollyhocks as much as I love roses. Both to me are the most romantic of flowers.

Enjoy a few vintage postcards with pictures that will delight you! These are from my collection of antique garden postcards. If only my yard looked like these...!

I like to think this is my in my garden. The gal in the lower corner with her dark hair, my vision of how I would look gardening in Victorian times!

A dream of life in a garden!

The Little Shop Of Arts And Antiques "Secret Garden" and Mother's Day Big Sale

View my secret garden and celebrate Mother's Day with a 30% shop wide sale! This Thurs/Fri/Sat.

The Lady of Lilburn stands between the two shop spaces and keeps watch over Main Street in Old Town, Lilburn.

The back deck at the shop is truly my Secret Garden! The deck is elevated about eight feet off the ground. There are no steps, just a lovely wood guard rail to enclose the 9 x 14 space to make you feel safe and cozy! The only way to enter is through the door off the second room in the shop. On lovely days it is a grand place to sit and watch city hall, folks playing tennis and the comings and goings on Railroad Street.It is truly my room with a view, as I can hide away on it, and watch all that Old Town has to offer on its park side!  My Secret Garden has charming and whimiscal items for sale - you are welcome to come shop in it - or just sit in one of the big cozy wood adirondack chairs and share a cup of coffee or sparkling water and dream with me!

A peek at the garden shop as you look out the back door.

My charming hand painted sign by Becky Kidd, Snellville artist!

The best view of the city park and tennis courts, yet tucked 8 feet high about ground!

Small live plants and garden pots for sale. Live plants until my brown thumb takes over, that is!

A bit of whimsy - my metal garden dogs!

My favorite garden wreath!

 Check the top of my blog for my latest You Tube video on all The Little Shop Of Arts And Antiques has to offer! There are charming rooms to rent at The Event Center, 96 Main, at reasonable prices for your special event. It is also where we now hold our book signings and soon, art and writing classes. The shelves are packed with treasures for sale, while the larger pieces are for events, and have to stay put for a short while. Come in and say hello!

Special Mother's Day sale this week (Thurs/Fri/Sat) 30% off on selected items. If you see something you like in the shop, tell me! That item will be one of those "selected" sale items!

Happy Mother's Day and Happy Spring!

Pre-Opening Sale for Shop Addition! Savings For All

While I am waiting for my prince I think I'll shop!

The Little Shop Of Arts And Antiques has expanded to include the little grey house 96 Main Street in Lilburn.

Check out my shop blog for details on my 20% off pre-opening sale.

Remember the Lilburn Community Garage Sale Saturday morning. Visit me at 94 Main Street and meet Peggy Sullens, Lilburn artist. She will be painting plen air on the street!

Sneak peek at the beginning of my parlor at shop!

Artist Laura Martinez At The Little Shop Of Arts And Antiques, Sat. March 5th

Meet artist Laura Martinez, Saturday, March 5th at The Little Shop Of Arts And Antiques, 94 Main Street NW, Lilburn, Ga.30047

Laura's paintings express her spiritual journey.

Laura will be at the shop from noon til 3PM. Her work will be on exhibit through March 12th.

This photo collage personalized with Smilebox

New Garden / Western Items At The Little Shop Of Arts And Antiques

New Window Display Brings A Touch Of Spring To Shop! Come visit The Little Shop Of Arts And Antiques, 94 Main Street NW, Lilburn, Ga. 30047.

Mini-Vintage Tooled Leather Mexican Purses!

Boots, Western Themed Vintage Items, More Vintage Mexican Bags!

Boots, Mexican belts, straw cowboy hats - perfect for gardening!

Who can resist a Dog Band for the garden?

Shop hours: Thurs/Fri/Sat 11 am to 5 pm

Also, Saturday, March 5th see new folk art painting exhibit by Norcross artist Laura Martinez. Her paintings are her journey on spiritual healing!

Meet the artist Saturday, noon to 3pm!

Thoughts On Roses

I was shopping earlier today and saw roses ready for a bouquet.  Decided to share some roses with you today!


And she was fair as is the rose in May.  Geoffrey Chaucer

The fragrance always stays in the hand that gives the rose.

George William Curtis

It is at the edge of the petal that love waits.

William Carlos Williams

Postcards from my collection. Enjoy them. All are public domain so feel free to copy if you like!

Meet Artist Becky Kidd At The Little Shop Of Arts And Antiques Sat. Feb.19, 2011

Painting by Becky Kidd

Anyone who knows me, knows how I love dogs! So I am beyond excited about the next event at The Little Shop Of Arts And Antiques!


Snellville artist, and former antique dealer, Becky Kidd, will open her exhibit of dog portraits on Saturday, Feb. 19th. Come meet Becky on Saturday, from noon until 3pm. She loves dogs and all animals, so bring photos of your pets and brag a bit! Her art will be on display through the following weekend, Saturday, Feb. 26th. Visit Becky's blog.

Becky has donated a custom pet portrait to help raise funds for Animal Action Rescue . $2.00 enters you in the raffle. You can enter as many times as you like. Visit the shop, or go to Animal Action Rescue's site, to enter the drawing. Winner will be e-mailed by Monday Feb. 28th and info posted on the shop's blog.

There are some great events in Old Town the next two weeks!

Meet the artist Becky Kidd on Feb.19th.

Then on Feb. 26th, Old Town celebrates Arbor Day in the park. Event starts at 10am. The City of Lilburn and the GFWC Lilburn Woman's Club invite everyone to join in the festivities, and help plant a large Lacebark Elm Tree in Lilburn City Park.There will be kids nature activities, plus an interpretive nature walk along the Greenway Trail. Read more about Lilburn's Arbor Day on Patch.

After the celebration, come to Main Street for live music at the shop. "Questionable Characters" rock!

Visit my neighbor across the street, Antiques In Old Town ,for coffee, shopping and enter a raffle for a small tree for your yard.

All the shops in Old Town say "welcome"!

Antiques in Old Town

Old Town Flowers and Gifts

The Yellow Rose Bridal Shop

The Enchanted Forest

And of course, my shop, The Little Shop Of Arts And Antiques.

As always, free coffee and cookies at The Little Shop of Arts And Antiques. Shop hours Thurs/Fri/Sat 11am to 5pm.

Book Signing, Saturday, Feb. 12 - Meet Marion Davis, Author

Meet the most incredible young author Saturday, February 12th, at The Little Shop Of Arts And Antiques, 94 Main Street NW, Lilburn, Ga. 30047, in the heart of Old Town.

Marion "Abigail" Davis wrote her novel at age sixteen. She published it in 2006. Just in her early twenties, she is an inspiration to all who want to write.

"Tis Agony to Part". Anne Clarke was a simple Irish girl, but when fate took an unexpected twist, she found herself living a life she never dreamed could come true.

She will be signing books from 1 pm to 3 pm at the shop. Books will be for sale. Come say hello, talk to the author, see the new offerings in our shop, and be sure to visit my neighbor, Antiques In Old Town for more wonderful treasures!

Main Street, Old Town, Liburn, is the place to visit on a Saturday afternoon!

The Little Shop Of Arts And Antiques Has An Etsy Shop

Just In Time For Valentine's Day - The Little Shop Of Arts And Antiques has opened an online store on Etsy.

We are adding new items daily for your shopping pleasure. Many friends who are unable to visit the shop, have asked how they can buy! Or at least peek at what is for sale. Now we are on Etsy. Our storefront is ShopOfOnesOwn. Click on shop name and go straight to our sales page.

This will also be a great way for you to meet our artists who will have short exhibits at the shop as their treasures will be for sale on Etsy during their time with us.

Mark our Etsy shop as a favorite and visit often. New items up tonight and each week.

Find something special for that special Valentine of yours! Doesn't matter where you shop - just don't forget that special day. It will be here sooner than you realize.

Keep up with shop events by visiting our shop blog.

Lining up some great events and artists at The Little Shop Of Arts And Antiques. Don't miss out! We are going to rock at 94 Main Street NW, Lilburn, Ga!

Scrapbook of Opening Day Of The Little Shop Of Arts And Antiques

Beautiful flowers from my good friend Cheryl Alexander to help celebrate the opening of my shop, The Little Shop of Arts And Antiques, in Lilburn, Georgia.

Visit the shop's website http://thelittleshopofartsandantiques.com/ and sign up to receive notices of upcoming events!


Enjoy the scrapbook of the day!

This free digital scrapbook generated with Smilebox

Shop Opening In Old Town Lilburn Sat. Jan. 22nd!

This free newsletter created with Smilebox

Click on the arrow and see what is happening on Jan. 22nd at The Little Shop of Arts and Antiques. Hear Huey Lewis sing The Power Of Love! That song fits the shop, it is all about the power of love! Saturday's venue includes:


Special sale to benefit Friends of DeKalb Animals from 11 to 5pm.

Kick-off of 30 day photography exhibit of Haiti after the earthquake, by metro Atlanta writer and photographer, Cheryl Lewis. Read her Skirt article on finding a missing child in Haiti.

Music by Larry Joe Hall noon to 3pm.

Keep up on shop news at The Little Shop Of Arts And Antiques Blog!