Wonderful news & a giveaway for you ~

Hello sweet friends! I've missed you! I've been waiting to post so I could tell you this amazing news . . .

Last Friday an email was sent to me from the new publishers of Victoria magazine. I looked at it and thought "oh, this must be about my subscription." Well, it wasn't. It was an invitation to attend a "Weekend of Bliss" in Dallas, Texas next month!! I read it, and read it again ~ I just couldn't believe it. Me?

I've loved Victoria for so many years, I don't know how long it's been. Almost thirty years?! How can that be? I bought it, I subscribed to it, I cut them up, I cried when they stopped making them, I collected them passionately all over again from antiques stores, thrift stores or anywhere I could find them. I even have duplicates! And now, to have Hoffman Media rekindle that wonderful fire we all knew and loved so well, is such a gift.

Well, on with my news. I struggled with this invitation. How can I go? Such short notice ~ it's been quiet in the store due to the oppressive heat. Well let's just say, where there's a will there's a way and it's gonna happen!!! The dates are Sept. 21, 22 & 23. It will be a gathering of around 300 or so, meeting with the editor and staff of the new Victoria. We will be exchanging ideas, what we loved about the old magazine and what we would love to see in the new one.

THAT'S WHERE YOU COME IN! This is my contest. If you will please leave me a comment on this post suggesting what you would love to see in the new Victoria magazine ~ or what you did love about the old publication, you will be entered to win. I will be drawing three names and giving away three different prizes!!

• One is a Victoria book From Heart & Hand ~ beautiful, timeless treasures for you to create

• Two is a sweet lavender pillow/sachet I made with beautiful lace ruffles, accented with vintage lace pieces and filled with fragrant lavender buds

• Three is another a sachet I made using a Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic fabric piece that is from my collection, filled with lavender buds and accented with a vintage button

I will end the giveaway at 6:00 pm next Tuesday evening, August 28th. The winners will be announced the following morning. Please help spread the word about my giveaway because I would love to have as much input as I can get.

I hope you can give me some wonderful ideas to take to Dallas. I have my own, but would love to know yours as well!

xxoo, Dawn

We truly are like little birds . . .

As women, we are the nest makers. The ones who really make a house a home. Surround yourself with things you love. As you walk through your home and you see your found treasures, momentos of good times had, photos of loved ones, you will smile . . .

A little section of my mantle ~

Can you tell that I love old things? My mantle has no rhyme or reason, but holds a collection of treasures that I have gathered over the years. Some are gifts, found items and some things I've even found in our own store!

Isn't it amazing that as you bring these items into your home and group them on a shelf, a table or mantle ~ they look as though they belong together. Mismatched, yes. Imperfect, yes. But now that they are here, together on my mantle . . . they are home.