Thank you so much to everyone who came out to Sand Point this weekend to see us! We had a great time seeing friends, making new ones, and talking decorating & shows with our 'tribe'...
We had a lovely visit from Beth Evans-Ramos & Lisa Hildebrand from the Salvage Studio .... imagine, these two out shopping on a weekend, instead of having to work a store! ;0) They were having a blast, and everyone was thrilled to see them. And the photos Bob took of me with them didn't turn out at all. ;0(
Our booth neighbor was our Faded Elegance neighbor, Debi Burton of Ormolulu, and we had fun chatting all day (and sneaking our bird eggs under her rooster whenever she moved it in her booth!). Debi says she's glad we brought a radio to play jazz throughout the show...she's a music lover like me, who can't be without some happy tunes playing!
Thank you to my friend Lisa & her gal pal Irene for taking time to come visit us... Lisa is my former cohort at Columbia Winery and oh MY did we get into a lot of trouble together! We frequented the showrooms & gift show - She bought the merchandise, I displayed it. Since Lisa retired and I have ended my consultancy with Columbia, I don't see her very often. Irene came in one year and helped my crew with the Holiday product prep, so it was nice to see her again.
Mari, the sweet shopgirl from Faded Elegance , & her hubby Rick came by to shop, browse, and visit, and they arrived just as the sun came out! I've always said that Mari lights up a room.... now I have proof! ;0)
Our booth neighbor was our Faded Elegance neighbor, Debi Burton of Ormolulu, and we had fun chatting all day (and sneaking our bird eggs under her rooster whenever she moved it in her booth!). Debi says she's glad we brought a radio to play jazz throughout the show...she's a music lover like me, who can't be without some happy tunes playing!
Thank you to my friend Lisa & her gal pal Irene for taking time to come visit us... Lisa is my former cohort at Columbia Winery and oh MY did we get into a lot of trouble together! We frequented the showrooms & gift show - She bought the merchandise, I displayed it. Since Lisa retired and I have ended my consultancy with Columbia, I don't see her very often. Irene came in one year and helped my crew with the Holiday product prep, so it was nice to see her again.
Mari, the sweet shopgirl from Faded Elegance , & her hubby Rick came by to shop, browse, and visit, and they arrived just as the sun came out! I've always said that Mari lights up a room.... now I have proof! ;0)
Debi Bock of Garden Party stopped by, too - she is such a ray of sunshine! Her cheerful smile is contagious, I tell ya'.
A couple of darling gals let us know they know us from our booth at Faded Elegance (thank you girls!) and others from this blog or my design blog (and Thank YOU, as well!). Always nice to meet new friends! The gentleman across the aisle from us heard some of these comments, and engaged Bob in conversation about how blogs make this possible. He got an earful!
We met Jermonne of BarnHouse Boys fame when he came over to introduce himself. My, what a charmer he is! Joe (the other half of Barnhouse Boys) was hard at work on the incredible booth setup so I didn't meet him until later. Let me tell you, these are two very talented young men. SO inspiring, and a great attitude to boot. No wonder they are so succesful!
I had to laugh when Cindy, the Queen of Tarte herself, came over and looked at me for a minute and then suddenly said 'I just figured out who you are! You changed your hair!!!!' I met Cindy last June at Farm Chicks, when I was filming videos for the Gift & Home Channel. (And I was a blonde then, thus her confusion!) Our booth location for Farm Chicks this June is catacorner from Cindy's, so I will get to watch her magical booth setting unfold. She's a master - um, mistress! - of display and I SO wish we could have included her booth in the video shoot last year - the producer was the one who chose the locations. pffft. (I also have to add that Cindy & the BH Boys are total PROS at load-out: I've never seen that much stuff packed into a trailer so fast in my life!)
We also met Kimberly Taylor, a charming young woman who came into our booth and with a practiced eye took in every detail.... then asked us if she could photograph it for a blog post. Of course we said yes! You can see her lovely shots of our booth on her blog, mimi charmante, and some she took of the Barnhouse/Tarte booth, as well. Beautiful shots, Kimberly! (I meant to get shots of BH & QoT.... but I was too busy)
I hope you've enjoyed the show report...now, this very tired girl needs to get some sleep. It's been a crazy five days! Edited to add: I was so tired that I forgot some people when I originally posted this last night, and also forgot the linky love. Bad Deb! I fixed that...
First, I am headed to Julie Neill Designs - The wonderfully creative and artistic Julie Neill, will be meeting me and showing me some of her exciting new products and designs. 
We have had so much interest in antique grain sacks over the past few weeks! First with the different ways you can use linens and grain sacks in your home, and, secondly, rare, antique grain sack pillows and upholstery from textile artist, Kym Fraser at Three Fine Grains.
To celebrate the launching of her new website and on line store, Kym is offering one of our readers their choice between two rare, antique pillows.
Or this German Grain sack with roses which are very rare and usual? It has a wonderful original patch at the top which is amazing. This is the only one she has ever seen with roses before. This pillow is from 1899 Authausen, Germany.
Just leave a comment below and you will be entered to win one of these pillows. I will randomly select one winner from the comments next Thursday and Kym will ship you your choice of one of these two pillows.
And I love her collection of new Bolster pillows!
And here are some of her new German Grain sack pillows!
Love these two matching pillows!
But here is my favorite new item:
To see her entire collection check out her website
Elle Decor says: La dolce vita is as iconic a film as they get. Fellini’s masterpiece has been referred to throughout fashion, film, architecture, philosophy and music. As the title suggests, “The sweet life” is about frivolity, glamour, fame, style and surrounding yourself with beautiful things and people. This shoot pays homage to Fellini and the film in its black and white style photography by Fulvio Maiani and luxury setting at Grand Hotel Rimini in Italy.
The styling by Chiara di pinto and Arianna lelli Mami is seamlessly co-ordinated with the vibrant, cleverly designed furniture and interiors. “Lounge chairs” scatter the foyer, poolside and club room as if to challenge the viewer with their positioning. Sky high heels indicating power and prestige work with designer swimwear, head scarves, capelets and jewels which allude to “dressing up” for a leisurely lounge by the pool.
Like the film, the series of images presented by Elle Décor end on a reflective note, showcasing the human desire for masking the tragedies in our lives by living and searching for beauty and enjoying the sweetness of life! - Kate Vandermeer 
The rooms are still decorated with Venetian and French antiques of the XVIII century, and the original wooden floor (parquet) and Venetian chandeliers have been restored.
Plaster work has been restored it original grandeur.
In the restaurant and the other banqueting rooms, the furniture, the paintings, and the lights, reinforce the original atmosphere of the past.
Here is the Grand Ballroom - done in lovely soft pinks. Notice the ceiling is also painted pink highlighting the plaster work. Also notice the arched french doorways. Stunning.
Here is a smaller more intimate dining space. Notice again the chandelier. Mirrors are also used very often - see the very large one in the far right of the photo.
Lets go up stairs to see the more private rooms. Notice the iron work on the staircase - again the large mirrors reflect the gorgeous interiors. Beautiful carpets add another layer of luxury.
Here is one of the sitting rooms and bedrooms in one of the Hotels many suites.
Here is the sitting room in the Fellini Suite. When I visited I had the opportunity to spend time in these famous and lovely rooms.
Above the adjacent sleeping quarters and bath of the Fellini Suite. Though difficult to see, the floor to ceiling french doors in the bedroom open to a spectacular view of the ocean. Again many mirrors, Venetian glass chandeliers, plaster mouldings and marble abound.
The outside grounds of The Grand Hotel are equally as beautiful.
Here a semi-outdoor pavilion has a permanent painted "tented" ceiling. Notice the gorgeous floor. 
More outdoor dining, with a spectacular view.
A beautiful tablescape with the Hotel as a spectacular backdrop.
Make sure to reserve your private cabana.
Evening parties on the outdoor pavilion!
