My Top Two of 2011

When I clicked on that button that said

"Publish Blog" about a year ago,

I had no idea what I was getting into.

Through all the ups and downs of my first year,

the one thing that kept me going

was the encouragement and support of my readers.

(That is after I got over the shock that I actually had readers.)

Taking the time to write a nice comment may

not seem like a big deal.

But believe me it is.

Huge.

So here are the posts you liked best.

Post with the most comments:

Before and After of my Back Porch.

This post got exactly 100 comments.

I was honestly stunned.

Who would have thought?

The post with the most page views:

My New Blue Front Door.

I threw in some pics of the rest of the porch so
you could see it all together.
Now I had some help with this one because
I linked up to the Blogger Block Party.
I'm sure most of the hits were from there.
Thanks girls!
This post got 3,612 page views.
Unbelievable.

I hope every one has a tremendous New Year's Eve.
Stay safe.

My Plate Collection...if you can call it that!

For more years than I would like to admit,

I have collected plates.

I love dishes...especially plates and pitchers.

Plates are everywhere in my home...even the bathrooms.

(I'm sorry but I can't show you my loos. Maybe someday...)

Here's the entry plate rack.

This is how it looked until yesterday.

For my January look I went with simple blue and white.

(I guess I need something on that bottom shelf...)

I plan to remove this red wallpaper asap.

I'm thinking vertical blue and cream stripes might make the ceilings seem higher.

Not sure I'm up to all that taping though.  

I have several pieces of I.Godinger creamware.

This plate is one of my favorites.

It's inexpensive and readily available at TJMaxx and on eBay.

These ironstone platters were actually

my first ironstone purchase EVER.

I got them at a church tag sales years ago.

There are 6. I love them as much today as the day I brought them home.

I think the set of 6 was $3.00.

More blue and white in the dining room.

The top 2 and bottom 2 were purchased at my antique mall.

The middle ones are imports but I love the design.

I had 3 of these cabbage plates.

I broke one a few years ago and believe me I just about cried.

I still haven't gotten over it.

This set of 6 dessert plates came from my in-laws.

The marking on the bottom says Made in France

but that's all I know about them.

These 8 dinner plates were also at my in-laws.

They are burgundy with a raised gold design.

Love them.

Here are my Quimper knock-offs.

A good knock-off but a knock-off none the less.

Love them too.

More I.Godinger by the lamp.

Finally here is my plate rack in the kitchen.

I had it custom made after I bought my Liberty Blue dishes.

Several summers ago I sold my set of dishes from Pier 1

and bought this set a few pieces at a time.

It took the whole summer but it was so worth it.

I can't imagine ever parting with it...

but never say never.

So there you have it.
My mis-matched and beloved plate collection.
Hope you enjoyed it.

Linking to:
Saturday Night Special at Funky Junk
Favorites on the First at The Polohouse

Sutton Place Designs SALE

I have been blessed the past few months

with actual sales in my Etsy shop.
I still get excited when I see the
 "Your item has sold" email from Etsy.
Those emails totally make my day.

So...

With a grateful heart 

I would like to offer a 20% discount

through this weekend.

Flat $5.00 shipping on everything.

There are a few holiday items left as well as pieces from my

Linen Collection

and

Grain Sack Collection.

For my customers who have already purchased items,

I would love to give you a 20% discount

the next time you purchase from my shop.

Just comment on this post or convo me at Etsy.com.

I will keep a list and happily issue you a one-time credit.

Just use coupon code THANKYOU20

at check out.

Coupon code will expire Sunday, January 1, 2012 at 6 p.m.

While you're there please visit my sponsors:
The Cozy Corner
Window Treatments by Melissa
and
the petite market

I have fresh ideas for next year swimming around in my head. I hope to add a Ticking Collection and Matelasse Collection to my shop. I have plans to expand the Linen Collection with more options. I'm totally falling in love with vintage linens. The more I learn the more obsessed I become! I am slowly finding trustworthy merchants who specialize in vintage fabric. More of that will come too. Etsy has opened up a whole new world for me and I'm thrilled to be able to share it with all of you. I never imagined my passion for fabric would lead to something like this. I'm ready to work hard and provide a quality, handmade product. 

Thank you to anyone who has

written words of encouragement.

They mean more than you will ever know.

Confessions, Resolutions and My 2011 Top Project

I hope everyone had a great Christmas. Mine was lovely...and as much as I enjoyed it I am glad it's all behind me. The emotional ups and downs, cooking, shopping, wrapping, etc. are finished for another year. As I wander around my now quiet house, I can't help thinking ahead to the coming year. What will it bring? Am I up to the challenge of another year of blogging? Can I keep up? 

I have no answers to those questions. What I do know is this...If I don't give it my best shot and try, I will regret it. Regret is an awful thing. It eats away at who you are and your self-confidence in making decisions.  Trying and failing is easier to accept than never trying at all. There were a few times this past year when I actually doubted my sanity. Was I crazy to try to keep up with a job, family, home, second job and a blog? Maybe I was. Maybe I still am. But I would rather accept defeat after my best effort than quit before I'm sure. 

So...on to my resolutions. First, I want to do a better job at consistent posting on my blog. I need to plan ahead but more importantly I need to THINK ahead.  Last week I cooked and cooked. Several family favorites that would have made great blog posts. I didn't take one stinkin' picture. Perfect example of NOT thinking ahead.

Second, I really want to take and publish better photos. I need to take a photography class of some sort. I am going to invest in Photoshop and the Flora Bella Collection (soon I hope.)

Third, I plan to take my Etsy shop to the next level. Better selection, better descriptions and better photos. 

I've saved the hardest resolution for last. I need to start walking again. About 2 1/2 years ago I began walking almost every day. The walking along with counting calories resulted in a weight loss of 40 lbs. That's 3 sizes. My feet stopped hurting, my blood pressure went down and my acid-reflux went away. I had forgotten what it felt like to feel good. I have a lot of excuses reasons why I stopped...none of which are very good. Anyway, it's something I need to do for my health. I know we hear it all the time but we need to take care of ourselves. We owe at least that much to the people we love. 

OK...enough lecturing. Now for my top project of 2011. It has to be my kitchen. Even though it wasn't a dramatic transformation, I am proud of the way it turned out. The single most important update was changing out all the fixtures. Hinges, drawer handles, lighting and faucet. 

These pics of my kitchen were taken with my old camera. I can see improvement from when these were taken compared to what I'm taking now. I owe it all to my new camera and better editing skills. I actually gave my husband and kids a framed picture of our little dog for Christmas. Photographed by yours truly. A year ago, that would have been impossible. What a difference a year makes.

Linking to:

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

Top Projects 2011 at Southern Hospitality.

From My Home to Yours...

From 
The Drakes