tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68667531409060571252024-03-21T11:50:34.234-07:00Cola's CottageCola's Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704428384084374720noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866753140906057125.post-39891658656244989262010-07-27T11:10:00.000-07:002010-07-28T06:26:54.210-07:00A new beginning<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My new gypsy carriage</span><br />
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</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size: small;">Hello blogger friends : ) It has been far too long since I have last posted. I believe I have been on a journey of finding where I belong and who I am as an artist. I put my business aside for a while and concentrated on my family and home. I needed to step back and evaluate my life. As an artist it is very hard to balance time for creating and family life. Being the goal oriented person I am I find myself doing one or the other. When I am preparing for a show my home falls apart. The family feels neglected and I feel guilty. When I give my family all of my time I feel guilty for not working in the studio. These feelings were weighing on me and was stealing the joy from life.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size: small;">Having this time has helped me to think of what it is I want to be as an artist. Being an artist must be fulfilling or it just becomes a chore. Being and artist is a passion. I feel driven and it becomes a roller coaster ride of highs and lows. Finding balance seemed to always elude me.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size: small;">Throughout this time I have been making baby steps in my art and my business. I created a new web page with the help of my friend Jill Serrao. She is beautiful talented lady who owns </span><a href="http://www.rosecottagechic.com/"><span style="font-size: small;">http://www.rosecottagechic.com/</span></a><span style="font-size: small;">. When I first began my site she was one of the first friends I made. She paints beautiful roses and creates gorgeous web designs. I have also been designing new card and pendant designs. I will show them to you in a future post. I have stepped back from painting roses to incorporating my art in mixed media designs. I find joy and freedom in this art form. I love using vintage and handmade materials in my art. As much as I love painting roses I feel I am expressing my true self in my new art form.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size: small;">Months ago I promised myself that I would begin posting again after my "cottage on wheels" was complete and last weekend I had my very first sale out of it. I had always dreamed of having a traveling studio where I could bring my creations to shows. My talented husband built me my dream and now it is reality. As always I used as much salvaged material as I could including the steel siding from the dump : )</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6MuOpXnf00PrZaFCAi6ZDE1kkCSz_wxLIrcuuFH7WP-OwExozdf1Qh2IZyCHIbwDA_JM2mARx4nDgkSIhJDPq2tFJICzVC0A7fsQhYvs9UvXBkZEV4HUz4gPapRacTdHGMIH8E5wdztI/s1600/cowb4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6MuOpXnf00PrZaFCAi6ZDE1kkCSz_wxLIrcuuFH7WP-OwExozdf1Qh2IZyCHIbwDA_JM2mARx4nDgkSIhJDPq2tFJICzVC0A7fsQhYvs9UvXBkZEV4HUz4gPapRacTdHGMIH8E5wdztI/s320/cowb4.JPG" /></a></div><div align="justify">The picture above is my carriage in construction. The bead board doors I had been saving for years for the right project. We used them as the interior walls.</div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">The picture below is a side view. I have some painting to do on it yet to add more personality and charm. I plan on painting awnings on canvas and attaching them to the wood. The floral streamers on on the corners to prevent someone from bumping their head : ) Below on the window frame I have vintage hardware attached to use as hangers for my creations.</div><div align="left"><br />
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</div><div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Above is a lampshade that I stripped and added vintage lace to showcase my ribbon rose pins and wrist cuffs.</div><div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Both sides of my trailer open up so that the shopper can shop from the outside and I don't have to have them come inside the small space. They get the experience of a "shop" without going inside. Above are my paper creations with my own art and mixed media.</div><div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Can you tell I am a girly girl and love pretty things lol : ) I love tags with beautiful imagery and meaningful quotes. I embellish them with buttons, jewels and vintage ephemera. The beautiful frame was from a mirror that my parents had that had broke and I saved it to reuse one day. I put screen behind it and painted it and it makes a wonderful display piece.</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This picture is a view of the ceiling of my carriage. I sewed pieces of upholstery together like a patchwork quilt and attached it to the ceiling. I needed to keep the building materials light for travel and it was a nice fit. It makes it look like a bohemian gypsy trailer. I am half bohemian and I like that I am able to honor my heritage : )</div><div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As I am writing this post I realize that my baby steps have amounted to something wonderful that I am proud of. In my journey to find balance in my life and my art I have created this. It brings me immense joy to share it with people and see it anew through their eyes. I hope that you liked it too and as always I love to hear from you also.</div><div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Take care and God Bless : )</div><div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nichole</div><div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table>Cola's Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704428384084374720noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866753140906057125.post-62542010288371497002009-11-25T19:26:00.000-08:002009-11-25T19:28:19.289-08:00Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!I enjoy this Holiday and giving thanks for all the goodness in my life. I love sharing these times with my family and loved ones. As we get older and are children are into more things our lives become hectic and busy. Unfortunately we don't get together as much anymore. It is when the holidays come around that we can slow down to relax and visit. Ok, maybe relaxing isn't quite the truth LOL! We are usually running around like chickens with our heads cut off, getting everything ready for the big feast. But when the table is set and we gather to pray, we relax and we enjoy the good food and company, and count our blessings.<br />
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My daughter Alison is six years old. She is a "mini me". She is a girly girl and loves to draw and decorate. Today I was shopping for some last minute turkey day stuff when I saw the cutest little pink Christmas tree. Of course it was on sale and I knew I had to buy it for my little girl. I had only $16 on my debit card and I had a dilema. I needed to pick up some neccesities and so I had to be a frugal shopper. I found everything I needed for my meal and had just enough money left to buy the tree. I felt so elated I couldn't wait to see her reaction when she saw it.<br />
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When I did show it to her she jumped and clapped and squealed. Then she said she needed to go out and scream outside because she was so excited (I don't let my kids scream in the house lol!). As we were decorating it my daughter said " Oh thank you Lord!", in the most sincere way. I say that daily as I always give thanks to God for every good thing in my life. Hearing her say that filled me with so much joy, to know that she has God in her heart and that she expresses her gratefulness so genuinely. Later today she said this was the best day ever... what more can you ask for? I have a lot to be thankful for, and I am happy.<br />
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I have been painting up a storm this week to get some new things listed for holiday shopping this weekend! Here are some of the new items that have just been added.... : )<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It has been nice to paint again. Working on sales in my studio is fun, but having time to paint again feels good. I hope to keep doing so and building my inventory. I will be busy creating some pieces for Christmas gifts and custome orders, so I hope to keep in touch with all of you during the holidays. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I wish you all a very blessed and happy Thanksgiving. I am thankful to have all of you to share with and I am thankful to you all for sharing with me too ; )<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Many blessing and hugs to you all! Love ~ Nichole<br />
</div>Cola's Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704428384084374720noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866753140906057125.post-7090268110725280102009-11-13T10:58:00.000-08:002009-11-13T10:58:49.095-08:00Fourth Annual Enchanted Christmas Sale Event<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Hello my dear friends! For many weeks now I have been preparing for tonight and tomorrow and I cannot believe it is finally here! I am having my Fourth Annual Christmas Sale this weekend and it is by far my most favorite of sales. I love the magic and enchantment of twinkling lights and glittery ornaments. I wish all of you could come in person to visit my cottage, but as you cannot I am happy to share photos of my sale. This is what you see when you walk inside the door....<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHAVJ4ld6d2QwGsnvGp9CDf_P5Yb_nvFpAcqKrlAyfv4O6Rm2JwqkGlhCZBnO_fLgo4i6lqNBENy-tRCT2u8aesPoPJuNO7yZt89sywKdXt_jr0UGuKyaRTd8DO06VxXDiu3_ngBbuJ8/s1600-h/2009chrsfrroomview.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHAVJ4ld6d2QwGsnvGp9CDf_P5Yb_nvFpAcqKrlAyfv4O6Rm2JwqkGlhCZBnO_fLgo4i6lqNBENy-tRCT2u8aesPoPJuNO7yZt89sywKdXt_jr0UGuKyaRTd8DO06VxXDiu3_ngBbuJ8/s400/2009chrsfrroomview.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">To your left you see this. I have golds, greens and some shabby pinks, and beside that is my beloved primitive hutch.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-YgWfF4eZ-s3OpMPALfMd0TqRXVspN6-gb7bGU-qAsZpvhXzO9fsVu8g2m-qdl5FXHO8IEDLvPxHfmxe00QQsePLL83ezf0Gw3yTbC11o_tmNv8xWWg5x74vX9Rm5zUjVhiCln4mT6CA/s1600-h/2009chrsleftfront.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-YgWfF4eZ-s3OpMPALfMd0TqRXVspN6-gb7bGU-qAsZpvhXzO9fsVu8g2m-qdl5FXHO8IEDLvPxHfmxe00QQsePLL83ezf0Gw3yTbC11o_tmNv8xWWg5x74vX9Rm5zUjVhiCln4mT6CA/s400/2009chrsleftfront.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Ornaments adorn this hutch by hanging on the greenery and from the lighted shelves. I like this display for the ornaments because it is easier for people to see each individual ornament.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">When I began getting ready for my sale and dreaming of how I wanted it to look, I began in this corner. I had this primitive cornice up before creating a room within a room but I had it moved back so that I could open the room up more. I wanted to have a grand table in the center of the room and the cornice made a beautiful back drop for it. It is also my blue and silver area. I think it is my favorite of the whole studio.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ0JiZTk-M-3uVftO-ULf3Y6IqkE-Ur89KuH2x6s9AzlfaBR0mUz_TIi8ETxWzyBZ7CXhvaZkZIDbJj1MuEfT_WouBe4qt53Dp3scq0YRPzLm5PajURzo6D1dgbilEaEwK3lO0ytWtm6k/s1600-h/2009chrcornice.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ0JiZTk-M-3uVftO-ULf3Y6IqkE-Ur89KuH2x6s9AzlfaBR0mUz_TIi8ETxWzyBZ7CXhvaZkZIDbJj1MuEfT_WouBe4qt53Dp3scq0YRPzLm5PajURzo6D1dgbilEaEwK3lO0ytWtm6k/s400/2009chrcornice.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8gBZEAgDOKpjld1HuPJMUah4piWr8CNblU2f_8pcX4cXO3ATcryb1k-LDbVdOSqBXjn5zic9nefgeAkmY5rNJm2ZAahCw34xiQF2FxA2GNhOe61DeEHNRF-hjt586tKwZF5agtb-Hpc/s1600-h/2009chrsdresser.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8gBZEAgDOKpjld1HuPJMUah4piWr8CNblU2f_8pcX4cXO3ATcryb1k-LDbVdOSqBXjn5zic9nefgeAkmY5rNJm2ZAahCw34xiQF2FxA2GNhOe61DeEHNRF-hjt586tKwZF5agtb-Hpc/s400/2009chrsdresser.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">On this side of the studio I have the traditional red, blue and gold Christmas ornaments and wreaths. Beside this it moves into the softer colors, with a lot of vintage shabby decor.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2yz2utIqhsvfpHPEKbkk0UBdbMpV3n61968RpJNX0ChUg-8QkYE2QLAFRtZti4VGjaiI9uQpMtIOb2UDF2dwnZemcfm2skTL7fMVz3JJFkzTj6UrKCHxw6q5PlbJOx58jX56KqgEWT64/s1600-h/2009chrsfrontright.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2yz2utIqhsvfpHPEKbkk0UBdbMpV3n61968RpJNX0ChUg-8QkYE2QLAFRtZti4VGjaiI9uQpMtIOb2UDF2dwnZemcfm2skTL7fMVz3JJFkzTj6UrKCHxw6q5PlbJOx58jX56KqgEWT64/s400/2009chrsfrontright.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I painted this old tressel table pink. I can't help it I love pink! Now not everyone will like a pink table but I think it is perfect in my studio. It will be hard to sell it, so I secretly hope it doesn't. It is the perfect table for me to have workshops in my studio. On top I have candle holders made from banister posts. I have had the white ones forever, but the chippy blue green ones I got at the flea market I sold at this summer. They are very hard to part with also, but I saved a few for myself to have. The tops of the candle holders are mixed pieces of metals and tin cups and parts of old light fixtures. Before my sale tonight I will be adding more pretty adorned pointsettia with bows to soften the display.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxHrjZ55hO9GDiDQ2kT5od7aIiR0SYs8ufE6oyTYD9kIyRyoq1mOpIcFcZEwSP7kcWHXpTUWH66gf4cTUBd2Kd9fuiX_8Y23GAaRkyY8paaxAXHxOfNbN1YhYipboRfLoJTw_r7BztVM/s1600-h/2009chrscandle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxHrjZ55hO9GDiDQ2kT5od7aIiR0SYs8ufE6oyTYD9kIyRyoq1mOpIcFcZEwSP7kcWHXpTUWH66gf4cTUBd2Kd9fuiX_8Y23GAaRkyY8paaxAXHxOfNbN1YhYipboRfLoJTw_r7BztVM/s400/2009chrscandle.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Below is the backside of the studio. It is where all of the creating happens. Right now all of the creative mess is cleaned up and put away for the sale. This room holds all of my little boutique goodies. I have purses, crocheted hats and scarves, prints, signs, cards, journals, jewelry, pendants, ornaments, embellished jars and gift tags.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJMwToOLTf1RXJ0UpO00drP9VvWEggX6wJQAA29xLKjdGGnHMx-DQlwYMrd1PAHO7S9zko9F3rGCLb3mJ3kBjKVqCUorVsgpzItwLfv18eo9eo4ZxDK9opNhtBGzqoqjXI4usgRonREZI/s1600-h/2009chrpurses.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJMwToOLTf1RXJ0UpO00drP9VvWEggX6wJQAA29xLKjdGGnHMx-DQlwYMrd1PAHO7S9zko9F3rGCLb3mJ3kBjKVqCUorVsgpzItwLfv18eo9eo4ZxDK9opNhtBGzqoqjXI4usgRonREZI/s400/2009chrpurses.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The hats and scarves are made by my mom, Susann. She is very talented and everyone who owns one of her hats is thrilled. My daughter has many and she gets compliments daily on her cute hats. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmqq5L-GDd0TA6NQWky2aALqRnbYDUNMjbTUigpj24EiVhpIyhiT0XotdAjngk02yPPwdXlhWsvvLTwEMaP0vSDBVDdSKKNBkVKABqFrrb6VdCRZV5m33lCNDer0KtnfUV5ZMc2s7N_Zw/s1600-h/2009chrstable.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmqq5L-GDd0TA6NQWky2aALqRnbYDUNMjbTUigpj24EiVhpIyhiT0XotdAjngk02yPPwdXlhWsvvLTwEMaP0vSDBVDdSKKNBkVKABqFrrb6VdCRZV5m33lCNDer0KtnfUV5ZMc2s7N_Zw/s400/2009chrstable.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2dnTYHNvueAgW-lTVxCBkTSXU4aHce-VXl3ahIkD3nge-iCo4p-hOzSVpadvYtlrZG8wOmb6NS0J-CFAxLCGAzIMD3kndCM6ZKtpPLS7GiuI0fLHwVh-wgWKZIG3qmmRTm3myyZYX5o/s1600-h/2009chrstableclosup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2dnTYHNvueAgW-lTVxCBkTSXU4aHce-VXl3ahIkD3nge-iCo4p-hOzSVpadvYtlrZG8wOmb6NS0J-CFAxLCGAzIMD3kndCM6ZKtpPLS7GiuI0fLHwVh-wgWKZIG3qmmRTm3myyZYX5o/s400/2009chrstableclosup.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Below are ornaments that I soldered. Soldering pendants and charms is my new endeavor. It is fun and challenging and I have a lot of practice ahead of me to get good at it. They are not perfect by all means, but I kind of like the imperfection of it. Hopefully others will agree for the sale!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVyY2ivS08hyohbyFzEwAPRS_E5KqIKF4A0erCZHizlVThonGR33IE2ocRHHLIgMF-5-onQjcpu1JVwBVighBdpX5cjupRTcIXfq_k7hyFjDQq54geKU9dMwGihs74XiJ4P2O9nSwk6jU/s1600-h/2009chrspenorn.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVyY2ivS08hyohbyFzEwAPRS_E5KqIKF4A0erCZHizlVThonGR33IE2ocRHHLIgMF-5-onQjcpu1JVwBVighBdpX5cjupRTcIXfq_k7hyFjDQq54geKU9dMwGihs74XiJ4P2O9nSwk6jU/s400/2009chrspenorn.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">These are the pendants I made from vintage paper. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Thank you for visiting my little shop. I hope it is a success and that everyone enjoys it. When the sale is done I will be listing items on my site so visit soon! <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Take Care, Blessing to you all ~ Nichole<br />
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</div>Cola's Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704428384084374720noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866753140906057125.post-89523814626852981632009-11-01T07:42:00.000-08:002009-11-01T07:42:33.599-08:00Halloween FunThey say necessity is the mother of invention, and it is so true! I find that when I have little means that is when I come up with something really neat. This year our Halloween budget was non-existent. After buying groceries at Wally World, there was no money left to buy the kids costumes. Instead I bought $2 worth of face paint and decided I would paint their faces. With Alison it was easy because she wanted to be a princess and she had a lot of dresses to choose from. The boys however were a challenge. Jacob wanted to be a zombie and Isaac wanted to be a vampire. That was easy enough for me to paint their faces but I had to come up with costumes. For Isaac I recreated last years costume to make a cape. I cut the fabric and used spray adhesive to put a piece of card board in between the fabric to make a collar. He was so excited to be in costume! Once the fake blood was on he was stoked! For Jacob I took an old curtain and ripped it into strips. I then dipped it in coffee with some grounds in it to give the fabric an aged look. After throwing it in the dryer I preceeded to hot glue it on my son!! I was giggling the whole time. I kept thinking, I am actually hot gluing on my child LOL! Here they are sitting in the back of our old jacked up Jimmy.....<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This picture below the kids are about to trick or treat at the first house.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love taking photos like the one below. Alison is so excited that she skipped the whole time from house to house. As you can see we had just gotten snow. Most of it had melted and it was nice enough for the kids to go out without coats.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In the end the kiddies got a lot of candy and had fun trick or treating our family and friends. It is moments like these that the kids will remember, and it was even more special because their costumes were handmade!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I hope you all had a wonderful Halloween too!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hugs ~ Nichole<br />
</div>Cola's Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704428384084374720noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866753140906057125.post-83341747347014678982009-10-29T07:40:00.000-07:002009-10-29T07:40:26.327-07:00And the winner is.....Hello my dear friends! Thank you to all who visited and left such heart warming compliments. This has truly been a wonderful gift to me and I am grateful to <a href="http://natashaburns.blogspot.com/">Natasha</a> for hosting this party. So without further ado I will announce the winner! And the winner is.... Julie Marie of <a href="http://idyllhours.blogspot.com/">Idyllhours</a>! Congratulations and I hope you enjoy your little package of holiday goodies!!<br />
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I am excited to give you a little peak into my world in my studio. It is usually really messy with projects going all over the place but I tidied it up a bit to snap some pictures. I am in the process of setting up for my annual Enchanted Christmas sale event!! It is by far the best and most favorite sale I have for the year. I wish you could all visit me personally and share my it with you. I live in a very rural community on the edge of a town with the population of 2200. My mailing list spreads over many miles and people come from all over. Our little town bursts with tourists who come to see all of the holiday boutiques in our local area. We have wonderful, talented artisans and it is a treat for some happy shoppers.<br />
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So here is a sneak peak....<br />
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The picture above is my work space of my studio. My sweet loving hubby built it for me out of new and salvaged materials. I regreted not having more windows in this back space so I bought this mirror mantel at a yard sale for $3 and it opens up the space and reflects light wonderfully. It just needed some paint and I think it turned out beautiful! One day I dream of having more windows and some skylights. All of the furniture in here is vintage, even the metal stools.<br />
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Below is the backside of the front of my studio where I showcase my creations. Every sale that I have has a new theme. I paint walls and move things around. This beautiful old cornice was in here before and made a room within the studio with it. I have a table now where it used to be so Justin (my hubby) moved it back for me. I love how it looks with the chandelier in front and the beautiful leaded glass window behind it. It feels so magical and warm to me. Chippy and well loved is what I have a passion for in my decorating.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Above in this corner I am going with a silver and blue theme. In front of this (not pictured) is an old tressel table that I painted PINK!! I don't think I will be able to sell it. Not only because it is pretty but because it is very functional. I can use it for when I have workshops.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thank you once again for stopping in. I look forward to sharing more as I get closer to the date. The sale will be on November 14th with a preview sale for friends and family the night before. I hope to make it magical with lots of twinkling Christmas lights!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hugs and blessings ~ Nichole<br />
</div>Cola's Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704428384084374720noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866753140906057125.post-73380622953714043192009-10-21T15:22:00.000-07:002009-10-21T20:34:45.439-07:00It's All About Me! Party and Give away!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">A couple weeks ago I was invited to join Natasha's blog/swap party. This is not your average, ordinary swap party however...instead of creating for someone else you were asked to make something for yourself! Right away I knew what I wanted to do. Although I had planned to do more with it, I ran out of time. I am also having a give away ~ please scroll down to see what the prizes are!<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Sooooo....here it is! Portraits of my children! They are older now but I always wanted to do one of them at these ages. The first one is my oldest Jacob, then it is Isaac, and my baby Alison.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7-41wHmbmGBNkse8q6MPHMg5RmGHNSUYn9HnppLZBOwR_8DlUjENqc08Q470AdYb7egwsgxLSTLULupDTiaJEwaM6_2aSeczMuZAWnoqWQ_qqG-IHZl3sTVntUKYykRAzeY0xLhy0io/s1600-h/sepiablogjacob.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7-41wHmbmGBNkse8q6MPHMg5RmGHNSUYn9HnppLZBOwR_8DlUjENqc08Q470AdYb7egwsgxLSTLULupDTiaJEwaM6_2aSeczMuZAWnoqWQ_qqG-IHZl3sTVntUKYykRAzeY0xLhy0io/s400/sepiablogjacob.jpg" vr="true" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYykBSuwRkKcHrBpZHWYi4ag_t0DHCmxLkWOszYObxmSkZaHSPv70gbxRt-01h3No_MDaoH4vfNAtRdgmYIu9b1aHEFkuxO9HfddEaDUN_tdOYiKvv9qX4WzwNJe2QDW16Obukjz440h0/s1600-h/sepiablogisaac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYykBSuwRkKcHrBpZHWYi4ag_t0DHCmxLkWOszYObxmSkZaHSPv70gbxRt-01h3No_MDaoH4vfNAtRdgmYIu9b1aHEFkuxO9HfddEaDUN_tdOYiKvv9qX4WzwNJe2QDW16Obukjz440h0/s400/sepiablogisaac.jpg" vr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5QxEI2GLaa7dTcJd9W17tsa-ga-Oz7KCSd0n1ijLe5KP4yFnvDrvkHLui_-_8t9W6sWwG8lU3Zm_7QP0cLC1_kSQpnj4lPKXef1YIixaUfYFlV1_bC1cBkhTfv1GLXhiUp7b5l6ECrE/s1600-h/sepiablogalison.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5QxEI2GLaa7dTcJd9W17tsa-ga-Oz7KCSd0n1ijLe5KP4yFnvDrvkHLui_-_8t9W6sWwG8lU3Zm_7QP0cLC1_kSQpnj4lPKXef1YIixaUfYFlV1_bC1cBkhTfv1GLXhiUp7b5l6ECrE/s400/sepiablogalison.jpg" vr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">The portraits are done in graphite pencil and after taking pictures of them I edited them on my photoshop program. I added a frame to the portrait and made it a sepia color for softness. It gives them a vintage feel which I love. Initially I wanted to take these images and make a soldered pendant with them but I ran out of time. I have yet to use my soldering iron too...one of the many things on my list I haven't done yet....but now I can cross off drawing portraits of my children from my list of things to do : ) In the past I have painted my children, but I have never done a pencil portrait. It was quite an experience doing this, as I think I know my children's faces better than anything else I have drawn before. I experienced myself what many may feel and think when they see a drawn portrait for themselves done by me. My children are a little older now and they have changed in a lot of ways. I am so glad to have done this and I love how their characters shine through. Jacob is my smart and witty boy, with an awesome sense of humor and loving heart. Isaac is my little character full of grand imagination and wonder. Alison is my little princess and my shadow. She is a loving little girl and one day will work along side me in my studio. It is so much fun to share my creativity with all of them and they are my best creations by God's loving grace! They all love to create and it truly is a blessing to share.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Thank you Natasha for putting this party together! Please visit her <a href="http://natashaburns.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a> to see all of the participants of this party and see all of the lovely creations everyone has made. Natasha's project is a painting and it is breath taking, you must see it! <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">And now my dear friends, I am happy to have my first ever give away!! Below are pictures of the items I made to give to one special person : ) The gift package includes hand made embellished ornaments, a vintage style tree topper, an angel magnet, a gold grapevine angel,a vintage style gift tag and note cards designed by me. I hope whoever wins it will enjoy it all! To win this prize all you have to do is leave a comment.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieYYf3DPmHEYAMLXUYFxhdZSYhyphenhyphenOMbhitET2iH85Uu00FFRbWksEZF2WFkRBAvex_4muyz0Y9OZdMkzpKv8xhgyD2VfCQrtSQhd0VZvNxj7qk7s2xpTcvjIuZR2Srin2r9iw2YfLICyfY/s1600-h/blogorngiv3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieYYf3DPmHEYAMLXUYFxhdZSYhyphenhyphenOMbhitET2iH85Uu00FFRbWksEZF2WFkRBAvex_4muyz0Y9OZdMkzpKv8xhgyD2VfCQrtSQhd0VZvNxj7qk7s2xpTcvjIuZR2Srin2r9iw2YfLICyfY/s640/blogorngiv3.JPG" vr="true" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYp6rwsMRnBwKhGgyZGA-Fh9Mv6dW6zE6Js3Efjdex-nE_ue2RcTlXKABPKTIq4037c1IKXtgxgGy6LN6SJ0sDUjsHc3FMjb90qXXYep5Cy1oEm_tzvLf2XFIgu-f5MaUSdSqoWZtb0dc/s1600-h/blogangtaggiv.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYp6rwsMRnBwKhGgyZGA-Fh9Mv6dW6zE6Js3Efjdex-nE_ue2RcTlXKABPKTIq4037c1IKXtgxgGy6LN6SJ0sDUjsHc3FMjb90qXXYep5Cy1oEm_tzvLf2XFIgu-f5MaUSdSqoWZtb0dc/s640/blogangtaggiv.JPG" vr="true" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMNtzzs5vUogDSlnfTpvX9BHaGc_aOI0cYrr9KOhOcpDHn7W3CAYBpts5b8O6yvyyM_sK3M8HALouiMyWY9OKPjSrvORK519S96iqCJO9AoJpJWf86qCCZ7C_fVklRdevoCABxyF1RsEY/s1600-h/blogcardgiv.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMNtzzs5vUogDSlnfTpvX9BHaGc_aOI0cYrr9KOhOcpDHn7W3CAYBpts5b8O6yvyyM_sK3M8HALouiMyWY9OKPjSrvORK519S96iqCJO9AoJpJWf86qCCZ7C_fVklRdevoCABxyF1RsEY/s320/blogcardgiv.JPG" vr="true" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I look forward to hearing from you! It has been a lot of fun doing this and I hope you enjoyed visiting and letting me share my art with you. Have a wonderful and blessed day! <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Hugs ~ Nichole<br />
</div>Cola's Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704428384084374720noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866753140906057125.post-4577912503068921942009-10-16T12:52:00.000-07:002009-10-16T12:52:43.446-07:00Looking aheadHi friends! I have enjoyed so much reading all your blogs and sharing your fall pictures and stories. This time of year however, my mind is on the upcoming Holiday sale in my studio. So much time and preparation goes into each sale. It is a lot of hard work, but so rewarding. For every sale I redecorate everything. I paint walls, floors, even build and move walls (with my hubby's help). It is all worth it to share my creations and imagination to those who come and shop.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So, as I am now in the planning stages and setting up the foundations for my new themes for this sale I look back at the photos from years past. The photo below is from the very first year I had a sale. My husband and brother started building my studio less than two months before I had it! I think back and wonder how I did it all? I am not sure how well you can see the framed print or not, but this was my first print. It was from a pastel painting I did of my sister before my children were born.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I love making garden chandeliers for christmas time. I love the look of rusty wire and the glitter of silk pointsettias and ribbon.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The following photos are from my last years sale. As you can see the look had changed dramatically!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The picture below was of my daughters play house that we decorated for the sale. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">This picture below was from some pictures I took for an upcoming Christmas ad.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">It is neat to look back and see what I have done and look ahead now to another Holiday sale event. I am not sure what "theme" I am going for this year. I am excited however for the fun projects that I am making for it. I hope you enjoyed looking at the pictures and letting me share them with you!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Many hugs and blessings to you! ~ Nichole<br />
</div>Cola's Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704428384084374720noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866753140906057125.post-74209719570388163182009-10-09T08:26:00.000-07:002009-10-09T14:37:22.281-07:00New Tags<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;">I have been a busy bee! Between the kids, keeping house, numerous appts, and all that life brings it is a wonder I am able to get out to the studio! I have a sick little kiddo here at home to that I will be bringing in to the doctor today. You can't be too cautious with all of the bugs going around. Since I am in the house caring for my little girl, I thought I would share some of my new tags I have been working on : )</span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;">Inside my head I have a ton of ideas that I want to create, and never enough time. For now I have been working on making some tags with images that I have already made. Soon with some of my new paintings and drawings I will be printing more to use in my art. I am also excited to be joining </span><a href="http://natashaburns.blogspot.com/2009/09/announcing-its-all-about-me-youre.html"><span style="color: #444444;">Natasha Burns Blog Party</span></a><span style="color: #444444;">. On October 22 we will be showing our " It's all about Me!" creations. It is an opportunity for you to take the time to treat yourself to something you have always wanted to do but never take the time. I am going to finally do something that I have never done....but I am not ready to share yet : ) I am very excited about it and cannot wait for the big day!</span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;">So here are some of the things I have been working on and will soon be adding to my site. Right now I am kind of "playing" to get an idea of how and what to make.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6rrTRBE9cuZwbx1DK1LqmkrRvjxW8r9bBisZhubon-fcRE0_3rzwCBUz-d25orqYZFnZEVYwL1gOsAE33UN5y8xXRk6O96-H1pqeFQhqAt6hbC0N1OGOJR3gbNyA1874akF3EaupeCg/s1600-h/blogbrownpinktag.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><img $r="true" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6rrTRBE9cuZwbx1DK1LqmkrRvjxW8r9bBisZhubon-fcRE0_3rzwCBUz-d25orqYZFnZEVYwL1gOsAE33UN5y8xXRk6O96-H1pqeFQhqAt6hbC0N1OGOJR3gbNyA1874akF3EaupeCg/s400/blogbrownpinktag.JPG" /></span></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqUjvFRc8SiYOZNHpyvW7b7ug72BT9SESfhr-0jwzc1EPHr6hugc-S0kAKm1_ORdGIciyEeqJlrBf1j79HbCyFTSvMGfteGqjOIHYBhq1xCTFvZyctyh5KNaTFhAJ4lDATj_wvk74LQo/s1600-h/blogalisontags.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><img $r="true" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqUjvFRc8SiYOZNHpyvW7b7ug72BT9SESfhr-0jwzc1EPHr6hugc-S0kAKm1_ORdGIciyEeqJlrBf1j79HbCyFTSvMGfteGqjOIHYBhq1xCTFvZyctyh5KNaTFhAJ4lDATj_wvk74LQo/s400/blogalisontags.JPG" /></span></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpm6r1aENTIMjGgw68OC6N5fD7uEB4GaHSV8K3co7F6sLcQMZb_gBRjxIZ5bmykpb9EXW9siB_Gi3cxoppJN-rZNtnN-Q_LwHm7VlxAyyAy0DU5ZNw1r7BfmiNcgSRIwrM5BUBQeVB4wM/s1600-h/blogbrowntag.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><img $r="true" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpm6r1aENTIMjGgw68OC6N5fD7uEB4GaHSV8K3co7F6sLcQMZb_gBRjxIZ5bmykpb9EXW9siB_Gi3cxoppJN-rZNtnN-Q_LwHm7VlxAyyAy0DU5ZNw1r7BfmiNcgSRIwrM5BUBQeVB4wM/s400/blogbrowntag.JPG" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">The tags with the little boy and girl are from pictures I took of my daughter and my friends little boy. They have since grown up some : ) The original portrait was done in pencil and I printed it in a sepia tone. I then colored in the bib overalls and tinted their skin with a touch of pink. I wish I had a better camera because the details are missed in the photos. I have a Cricut machine that cut the tags and I embellished them with german glass glitter and lace.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">Thank you my friends for visiting again and I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! It has been so nice to meet so many nice people who have found me through sweet Amy's ~Bunny Rose Cottage! I look forward to getting to know you all better : )</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">Blessings and hugs ~ Nichole</span>Cola's Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704428384084374720noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866753140906057125.post-25383575338733028492009-10-02T16:42:00.000-07:002009-10-02T16:42:23.539-07:00Mom's giftI have an amazing mom! I admire her selfless love that she shares to all who know her. I was blessed to have my mom stay home with us while we were young. She was always there for her kids and she was our safe place to land when the world outside was rough. My mom is also an amazing artist. Growing up I wanted to draw and create just like her. She could draw portraits that looked like photographs. I was so impatient when I was young and wanted to do what she did right at that moment. I learned that it takes time and dedication, and she helped me along the way. It is nice to have her critique my work when I have a hard time "seeing" something that may not be quite right.<br />
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</div>My newest painting that I am showing you is of my mom and I. I have loved and cherished this picture all of my life. I always new one day I would paint it. It is even more special to me now, having my own children. I was the oldest of four children, and at this time of the picture I was the most precious thing in their life. I had the same exact feelings when I had my first child and the fierce love and pride I had for every new thing he did. Nothing is more powerful and great as a mothers love for their child. This painting I feel reflects that and that is why it is so special to me personally. I hope that others would feel the same as they look at it.<br />
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I have a very talented family who are all artists. I look forward to sharing their art with you in future posts. As artists we live to create and share. As a family we appreciate and support one another. So I call this painting Mom's Gift. Not only because this is my gift to her, but because I believe she is my gift from God, as was I to her. So mom, I love you with all of my heart. Thank you for all you have done for me : )<br />
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Thank you all of my friends for letting me share this with you!<br />
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Hugs and Blessings! ~ NicholeCola's Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704428384084374720noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866753140906057125.post-56724789765728239642009-09-29T06:27:00.000-07:002009-09-29T06:41:11.567-07:00Fall is HereBRRRR!!! Fall is definitely here! It got below freezing last night and the leaves should be turning soon. In Minnesota we go from 80 degrees last week to mid 40's this week. This weekend was beautiful and we were able to get the yard ready for winter. Now I just need to tackle the house! <br />
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Since the kids have been back in school I have been so productive. I wake up every morning ready to tackle the world. Before my eyes even open my mind is thinking of what I will be doing that day. What a blessing to be excited to go to work. The only complaint that I could have is feeling like there is not enough time in the day to do all that I want to do.<br />
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I wanted to show you a painting that I created for my new friend Amy. Her blog <a href="http://bunnyrosecottage.blogspot.com/">Bunny Rose Cottage</a> is a delight and I invite you to visit her : ) It was so neat to meet someone who has the same passions as me. She also told me of a wonderful blog by Heather called <a href="http://prettypetals.typepad.com/">Pretty Petals</a>. She is hosting a journal making workshop. I love her journals and the beautiful ephemera that she creates with. Both Amy and Heather have a way of talking to you straight from the heart and inviting you into their world.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I was very pleased with my roses after not having done them for quite a long time. I have been so busy with my sales this summer at the flea market that it left no room for painting. Soon I will be sharing my newest painting that I am making for pendants and small prints. It is a picture of my mom holding me when I was four months old. I treasure that picture and I hope that I can do it justice! My mom has no idea (unless she is reading this now lol!) and I hope to surprise her with it : ) <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Blessings ~ Nichole<br />
</div>Cola's Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704428384084374720noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866753140906057125.post-67084833383058752972009-09-23T05:56:00.000-07:002009-09-23T06:40:47.942-07:00Finished portraitsHi there ~ I have been quite busy since my last post. I have been working in the studio catching up on my custom work that has been put off over the busy summer. I know so many talented women who have shops like me and they are so gifted at what they do. It always amazes me how they can create, advertise, list their products and keep up with all that a business entails! I keep myself busy and work hard but I struggle with the business part of it. When it comes to creating though, there is no problem. I could loose hours painting, drawing, cutting, glueing, glittering and bejeweling hehe! I love it and it is a true passion! Of course Iam a perfectionist to a fault and always look at something that should be changed but that is what makes a good artist, striving to do better. I have found that there is always something to learn, and mistakes do happen. Sometimes they are happy mistakes and other times you have to just scrap it and start over.<br /><br />This painting below was painted for a customer of mine. She has become a very good friend, something I love about this business. It is a portrait of her sister, which will be given as a gift. The original was black and white which was a challenge for me. I had to add color where there was none. So the perfectionist that I am had to overcome painting what I saw, and what should be painted.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWAP-orH_BDYQ25MG9SciPOABW-OEGgQUR4y9ZC7brHl13fXU6ckURVwOuq405Z0tL2GCxVLd4wLl_SoEM1hgOyR7f3rE-N7Gy6o68Rh25Qad1ZeeuiM-a7Tny1mf7f6Foc45cOgL2DAg/s1600-h/2ndnancy.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 324px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384647785428935490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWAP-orH_BDYQ25MG9SciPOABW-OEGgQUR4y9ZC7brHl13fXU6ckURVwOuq405Z0tL2GCxVLd4wLl_SoEM1hgOyR7f3rE-N7Gy6o68Rh25Qad1ZeeuiM-a7Tny1mf7f6Foc45cOgL2DAg/s400/2ndnancy.JPG" /></a> This painting was definetely a learning experience! I struggled with color because I had none to judge it by. In the end it turned out well and my customer was pleased. I cannot wait to hear what her sister says when she gives it to her.<br /><br />Below is a portrait I completed yesterday. It is a colored pencil portrait. It was done for a wonderful talented business lady and mother of two wonderful boys. A while back I was commissioned to do her oldest son, and between busy schedules and finding the right pictures it was delayed. After the birth of her second son we decided to do a portrait of both boys. She was brave enough to let me choose a picture from a group of shots. I choose this one out of the many because it captures a moment in time. The sentiment is so precious of big brother gazing down at his new baby brother and giving him a kiss. <br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVIguxZhkJYPO1GfAIbeY7q4IxgWvOW0Mvvuag_9np2yS7CnxNpU4vci4MMVJDh3vcxbI5wnXK9SnZk5XNdDYC2lHXGimyjo25qV7EHOOpaH3C70Zfa_pFZh_P4RH_xrlzg-2DvrqzqNQ/s1600-h/colorpencilDandC.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 375px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384647621809158242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVIguxZhkJYPO1GfAIbeY7q4IxgWvOW0Mvvuag_9np2yS7CnxNpU4vci4MMVJDh3vcxbI5wnXK9SnZk5XNdDYC2lHXGimyjo25qV7EHOOpaH3C70Zfa_pFZh_P4RH_xrlzg-2DvrqzqNQ/s400/colorpencilDandC.JPG" /></a><br />I wish that I was able to take a better photo, but lighting and glare from the color pencil makes it hard. The original is not as dark and the skin tones are much brighter.<br /><br />So now that I have these done and one more custom painting to do today, I can begin on some of my own projects. I cannot wait to continue to make note cards, journal and tags. I love the freedom of altered art. As you can see above, portraiture is exact, and sometimes taxing. But when I am able to take my paintings and incorporate it into other forms of mixed media then it feels like playing. There is a freedom in it and I get lost in the process. I finally feel like I am becoming the artist I want to be, and what is great is that I know it will keep changing and getting better. I thank God for His blessings, and giving me this crazy creative mind. I love that I can see things differently and see potential out of something that I can create. I love taking something from the past and giving it new life.<br /><br />My biggest new venture will be making pendant jewelry with my art. I have never soldered before and I will be getting a new soldering iron tomorrow. I am so excited, and I hope that I can do it well. It is the perfect artform for me because it is wearable art in a perfect little frame! I hope soon I will be able to show you some! I have a lot of new paintings to work on and some that I have to finish. Thanks for letting me share with you : )<br /><br />Blessings ~ NicholeCola's Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704428384084374720noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866753140906057125.post-30282124295481515402009-09-11T06:20:00.000-07:002009-09-11T07:50:32.943-07:00Hi there ~ as I sit here, I am trying to draw some inspiration to write and I am struggling with how to begin. It may have something to do with an active, restless mind the last few nights. I am so excited about some new projects that I dream about creating it all night long! This desire is so strong I feel like it is bubbling up inside of me ready to explode if I cannot do it. What a blessing from God to have this passion, I am so grateful. It is not always easy, and it is long hard work sometimes, but it is very gratifying. I find it hard to tear myself away and I get lost in the process.<br /><br />When I began my business, I was painting roses on vintage <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">pieces</span>. I love roses and making an old treasured everyday item beautiful with paint. I still love to do that but my passion for vintage has broadened. I have found a new love in altered art. It started by finding a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Somerset</span> magazine. I love all of there publications. Creating with mixed media, papers, ephemera, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">jewelry</span> bits and baubles, vintage textiles, words and art....I am in love!! The fact that I can infuse my own art into these <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">pieces</span> is what fulfills my desire. I can express myself in so many ways, with different media.<br /><br />Below are some tags that I created using my art and vintage jewelry, buttons, lace, and glass glitter etc. The possibilities are endless and no two pieces are the same.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-Z-1p2SKYpMGR3k4xglhjup2HlogZr4CKaA3ZqRPDGNkrop9wk4ak1ZiCwt3a20ncoOkg042NnOS9QfaxqT13JCquQlPbUZGCXS7hBOjp1ckslmnoLyYB1kXHKtLmwVyWyrJ4io4-A8/s1600-h/augtags.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 315px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380201002509647826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-Z-1p2SKYpMGR3k4xglhjup2HlogZr4CKaA3ZqRPDGNkrop9wk4ak1ZiCwt3a20ncoOkg042NnOS9QfaxqT13JCquQlPbUZGCXS7hBOjp1ckslmnoLyYB1kXHKtLmwVyWyrJ4io4-A8/s320/augtags.JPG" /></a> I love this piece of altered art that I created with a print of my daughter that I painted. I could create like this all day long. I love old keys with the rust and tarnish, and to add pretty vintage lace, the juxtaposition is beautiful.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCsmBXNCw6MAS0ZrwnrfY5RWJ7o0bzEok6xlxpUnKqeWhVtBH_SbY7ASUv-08ALV4ZHYsuSNhU2qzXLzyUxRbxAO28Qnfm3QZKVsAZW0KgrAWBR66oit4mIbHYhWzWDn4GTlNR_KiwzIc/s1600-h/alisonaltered2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 231px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380200866119004274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCsmBXNCw6MAS0ZrwnrfY5RWJ7o0bzEok6xlxpUnKqeWhVtBH_SbY7ASUv-08ALV4ZHYsuSNhU2qzXLzyUxRbxAO28Qnfm3QZKVsAZW0KgrAWBR66oit4mIbHYhWzWDn4GTlNR_KiwzIc/s320/alisonaltered2.JPG" /></a><br />This piece is a vintage jewelry box that I embellished. I love the saying and the picture I drew of my sister as a baby with angel wings is befitting. I then painted roses to tie the image together.</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7AED27V59eUmNKKnMXidmlgKMxw87GGZaLcqVRg8e4bALetVFDdPNRlBWbYtxK5o39q2uuAmVEHPJ5oGusj7WegWXyEhVztsIdEebPCGxuoVlIFOJRYagsQ7xlrntT18HUXOyfZGfYfA/s1600-h/julyjewelrybox.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 216px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380200721311320338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7AED27V59eUmNKKnMXidmlgKMxw87GGZaLcqVRg8e4bALetVFDdPNRlBWbYtxK5o39q2uuAmVEHPJ5oGusj7WegWXyEhVztsIdEebPCGxuoVlIFOJRYagsQ7xlrntT18HUXOyfZGfYfA/s320/julyjewelrybox.JPG" /></a><br />I have so many plans to paint more signs like the one below. I love to paint roses. Words are beautiful too and they are inspiration and a reflection of oneself. It evokes feelings and brings joy. I am excited to get back to making more soon. With the kids in school again and my summer sales behind me I hope to have more time to devote to painting signs again.</div><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhliMjrhd5_GH8WOp2zRMpJ6p7RBe1mRNNdkASZWGj7B7ZKc1ATMItKxcAWTfI23wdCPWauea0YujsfNFvAuqL65QJjWq1EHzuqAX_3Rzb_BdlPEQZq0v6BksuYm3MP50J0LFDOpT6IJM8/s1600-h/hpfleamarket.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 186px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380200559156761618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhliMjrhd5_GH8WOp2zRMpJ6p7RBe1mRNNdkASZWGj7B7ZKc1ATMItKxcAWTfI23wdCPWauea0YujsfNFvAuqL65QJjWq1EHzuqAX_3Rzb_BdlPEQZq0v6BksuYm3MP50J0LFDOpT6IJM8/s320/hpfleamarket.JPG" /></a><br />Another new love I have found is embellishing vintage jars! These are so much fun to do!!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAF351it13CvMmNz56D1by9V_x9VqI_A7CegO-9WN3WvMOavcQ1mk_Wd8royQ3CmPkZww5-m894TCLywIuDSW372y4aADilBEKHNjvlkHI0cHkZlwqMg0adomluUXhRz5il36pv4KFlSY/s1600-h/lovejar3.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 199px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380200347376237186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAF351it13CvMmNz56D1by9V_x9VqI_A7CegO-9WN3WvMOavcQ1mk_Wd8royQ3CmPkZww5-m894TCLywIuDSW372y4aADilBEKHNjvlkHI0cHkZlwqMg0adomluUXhRz5il36pv4KFlSY/s320/lovejar3.JPG" /></a><br />Lastly I wanted to share two pictures I took. The one below is a rose that I wanted to take for reference. I was trying to take a picture of the petals with the light shining through and I was happy to see how it turned out.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzP3IBk36vTnArqHganHtjy0mq4SeKUrYVTenpVN42jkMzvA6HBP5jU8nMrXM4QdgT9ZQN73Q19Cow0SFnGugOnjwQSSpCBMa025MTbgo7qINnTK2rYM57_rriv1LGS9Rg0vY0JVdxutM/s1600-h/yellowrose.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 264px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380200175777274322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzP3IBk36vTnArqHganHtjy0mq4SeKUrYVTenpVN42jkMzvA6HBP5jU8nMrXM4QdgT9ZQN73Q19Cow0SFnGugOnjwQSSpCBMa025MTbgo7qINnTK2rYM57_rriv1LGS9Rg0vY0JVdxutM/s320/yellowrose.JPG" /></a><br />This is the view from my back yard. I love this time of year when the air getts cooler and the river bed behind our place has a beautiful mist every morning. The picture does not do justice for the beauty of it. One day we will build our dream house (we live in our garage) and this will be our view from our back porch.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5BXGuETIAiIgWb0FBmG3sosqC12VrI0s3S6Z-2L_fLsKbxjbjkrv4Wz_u47FoQHIUpLVwIhJ2J6H9y7VIY1ZgFPH9w6JBYNk2qNFCAMX2ziaNsvvMX9bcXu7bSX4iaaHXtZPf2sUzOQ/s1600-h/backyardsept.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380199947605496962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5BXGuETIAiIgWb0FBmG3sosqC12VrI0s3S6Z-2L_fLsKbxjbjkrv4Wz_u47FoQHIUpLVwIhJ2J6H9y7VIY1ZgFPH9w6JBYNk2qNFCAMX2ziaNsvvMX9bcXu7bSX4iaaHXtZPf2sUzOQ/s320/backyardsept.JPG" /></a><br />Thanks for visiting, and I look forward to hearing from you! It brings me much joy to share and hear your comments. </div><div></div><div>Many blessings! ~ Nichole<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Cola's Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704428384084374720noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866753140906057125.post-71809625256809207512009-09-04T05:40:00.000-07:002009-09-04T06:30:04.803-07:00A look back...Hi there ~ it is hard to believe that summer is coming to an end! I love the change of seasons and the crispness in the air. The suns rays are less harsh and it casts lovely light and shadows. I always get nostolgic and reminiscent this time of year. The garden season is coming to an end and it is time to put the gardens to rest for the winter. I always have this intense desire to clean house and get ready for a long winter. It must be that nesting instinct LOL!<br /><br />Well it was a full summer and I had a lot of wonderful shows, beginning with my June sale in my studio. Below are some pictures of it.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmPoVoGdmQn1D6eNlv94TeYQGPsSh-QY2utt1ZggXPsUkqfTbraDrnNUJOLPjrtOu1xojDblb0s3FHV-odBLoCdR9v45ceJdhgnFNulAjQ2vFY_JE41MNPN5Fp7agQswKHrtcgxMaDNwc/s1600-h/juneleftcorner.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 282px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377594171239953170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmPoVoGdmQn1D6eNlv94TeYQGPsSh-QY2utt1ZggXPsUkqfTbraDrnNUJOLPjrtOu1xojDblb0s3FHV-odBLoCdR9v45ceJdhgnFNulAjQ2vFY_JE41MNPN5Fp7agQswKHrtcgxMaDNwc/s320/juneleftcorner.JPG" /></a> These colors are so much fun. I love greens and blues with white furniture. I change the studio for every sale and for the last two I haven't been able to repaint these walls. I love the green. I think I may keep it for a while : )<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOhY2D3QQMnyRzisLgTT83hAAAsSibJqx7d5V5ypgvDmdqUq41DCSx_4OZcLQu-NcX75tDh6gMOCmIMKdOSFGNMXKDNSr53PPeLGpel0hh3FsHFNFg-M1f9i9fHZHw3qIWUKi3d-P_gM/s1600-h/julyfrontright.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 276px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377593944851541906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOhY2D3QQMnyRzisLgTT83hAAAsSibJqx7d5V5ypgvDmdqUq41DCSx_4OZcLQu-NcX75tDh6gMOCmIMKdOSFGNMXKDNSr53PPeLGpel0hh3FsHFNFg-M1f9i9fHZHw3qIWUKi3d-P_gM/s320/julyfrontright.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDdLq5rGcEClqIwnqtoPBPiXFBRqOzVCd1KDcrnlNzYmBVlDIVNqgjeW0trFhUX1Lj9IJAEPw3rdFe7X6O01z8yzr1tJoU9FryyAXyQO5fGcv9ixjtvivb9qPz-VC0XkME2hkIXmP_30/s1600-h/junefrontleft.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 274px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377593681021070690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDdLq5rGcEClqIwnqtoPBPiXFBRqOzVCd1KDcrnlNzYmBVlDIVNqgjeW0trFhUX1Lj9IJAEPw3rdFe7X6O01z8yzr1tJoU9FryyAXyQO5fGcv9ixjtvivb9qPz-VC0XkME2hkIXmP_30/s320/junefrontleft.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOoGZWuNZ_xEoQm0EAN00IEatydJg95TATOy3qwyqHmOY6KYV3d0C4gGrd9lI_2hUsefyV-Jk8tycVi3k2a1uHBPxaCWy8fl2du8idHhOq8OQE8skbxoEuEYxAfEJnnZjnonF9Tf4dcwM/s1600-h/julybluebrown.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 297px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377593477503259378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOoGZWuNZ_xEoQm0EAN00IEatydJg95TATOy3qwyqHmOY6KYV3d0C4gGrd9lI_2hUsefyV-Jk8tycVi3k2a1uHBPxaCWy8fl2du8idHhOq8OQE8skbxoEuEYxAfEJnnZjnonF9Tf4dcwM/s320/julybluebrown.JPG" /></a> I love this picture! I love the old bike and the shadows that are cast. My daisies were in full bloom.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbfRPH0D4l9aFtcqF-ETYEfUx47Od68S1_bA2tjSP79k4fA8ihUwKSpC_RDyDugt8dwK3-TK_dCnPrTJ4zWoJsWy7Xic8XLR52TxPShK0fozSZ8f-wtcuRvY0jF2IjrgFWf__9uU-o8Lk/s1600-h/julybike.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 233px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377593281783669970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbfRPH0D4l9aFtcqF-ETYEfUx47Od68S1_bA2tjSP79k4fA8ihUwKSpC_RDyDugt8dwK3-TK_dCnPrTJ4zWoJsWy7Xic8XLR52TxPShK0fozSZ8f-wtcuRvY0jF2IjrgFWf__9uU-o8Lk/s320/julybike.JPG" /></a> My latest sales have been at a wonderful flea market in Detroit Lakes. It is called Shady Hollow and we were lucky enough to rent a building for the month of August. It has been exciting and fun. My friend Tracy and I have been selling our treasures together for years and having a building at this wonderful venue has been a gift.</div><div> </div><div>Below are some pictures of our shop. It changes every weekend as we sell and move things around to create a new atmosphere every time.<br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyVJQSZREtW893864aHaXL6r-xwdVw65xTpgOiJ5nO_1dn-B5vZoxWZQNqreR_P07ydqR_-uDacJjDcUILKAhdakDj22WUn02fV1luPFWVvfWvpF5hv6yGUREvDjhROoRjWubfsW8QCK0/s1600-h/fm1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 313px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377592858665314050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyVJQSZREtW893864aHaXL6r-xwdVw65xTpgOiJ5nO_1dn-B5vZoxWZQNqreR_P07ydqR_-uDacJjDcUILKAhdakDj22WUn02fV1luPFWVvfWvpF5hv6yGUREvDjhROoRjWubfsW8QCK0/s320/fm1.JPG" /></a> Our building is a wonderfully old wood structure with a neat front porch. The window boxes are fun to set up displays on. Our items for sale are shabby chic, repurposed and painted furniture, vintage clothing and antiques. I have been creating new and fun altered art. I have found a new passion for old jars, paper, ribbon, buttons, and jewelry. I have had so much fun it should be a sin! I can get lost for hours with these unique finds and creating with them. Even the tinies thing such as a gift tag or little embellished jar can be a beautiful peice of art.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LbTU7Q79h5w2EivllbZjwDldZXgq0xJVcuHIr1bzdDg7_PtS3hzmvj7GPHrzoHuTIgR7RFe9fZn9dzrbbwNYmBbupjPkg_DtJ63m26RNLeYJIdNRlo8WbSww-tlNGOLpeDRAnxdGsLY/s1600-h/fm2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377592734575400354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LbTU7Q79h5w2EivllbZjwDldZXgq0xJVcuHIr1bzdDg7_PtS3hzmvj7GPHrzoHuTIgR7RFe9fZn9dzrbbwNYmBbupjPkg_DtJ63m26RNLeYJIdNRlo8WbSww-tlNGOLpeDRAnxdGsLY/s320/fm2.JPG" /></a> Our shabby, romantic decor looks great against the dark wood walls.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyA_wuuIcX0-Nt3St9nU9Jx2e9FlQls8Z_sFxoGqxqJUX4MrALYfjsCU-VAi8p_QwQT72yK0rVfeLkUhXt92NzlxY5Qz8xih7M08P9v87RtShmpAWsdOfvHKSBtNxbU_5X60cpmweoFiw/s1600-h/fm3.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 246px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377592608748608338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyA_wuuIcX0-Nt3St9nU9Jx2e9FlQls8Z_sFxoGqxqJUX4MrALYfjsCU-VAi8p_QwQT72yK0rVfeLkUhXt92NzlxY5Qz8xih7M08P9v87RtShmpAWsdOfvHKSBtNxbU_5X60cpmweoFiw/s320/fm3.JPG" /></a> I wish I could share all of the pictures with you, and better yet I wish you could come and visit in person! We have one last weekend which is Labor day and I am excited for it. It will be a three day event and the weather looks great for it.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXuUhFgmRHf1aM0SiI1_GYGVHxMuq2J-qKUINrNYDlJESDkjfC6GKeuEk8lWuJoTP8Jesj1F6sxHUZU97GR9tTkhYnJ330-iPXhBB_uC-kzCn2geLXNBfcp9j5Tpa-DLS6IsGkzIAp2c/s1600-h/fm4.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 242px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377592474125733922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXuUhFgmRHf1aM0SiI1_GYGVHxMuq2J-qKUINrNYDlJESDkjfC6GKeuEk8lWuJoTP8Jesj1F6sxHUZU97GR9tTkhYnJ330-iPXhBB_uC-kzCn2geLXNBfcp9j5Tpa-DLS6IsGkzIAp2c/s320/fm4.JPG" /></a><br />Soon this weekend will come and go and the kids will be back in school. I am looking forward to my new ventures in creating and cannot wait to share them and add them to my online shop!! Just this week I have a new desire to create pendants with my art and I am fired up about it. I have to learn something new which is a little scary, but it is also part of the fun. I love the challenge when I have the resources to accomplish it. I just get impatient and want to do it now!! It must be the impulsive artist in me : )</div><div> </div><div>I look forward to sharing more and I hope you have a wonderful Labor day weekend!</div><div> </div><div>Blessings ~ Nichole<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhztG1Nf_GHvbHfFmHsPfajk76utDy4_4SBjgz_Fiqcyc8ygwUb8Wj_IsJElP_OBsQ18HDDi_rdVJUEjwOiLUzdM1ftd7BRl-j6uLLB1bOCbwf4YGgz-b_v7nGuLMBoRiKsBewNMGwsFcQ/s1600-h/julyfrontright.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn78-r63De7VMccwa_pthB_k75bHKYN6v9cc5r9b1YMD0Ri_dyIFCI0P8YzJ61eHHt54kfk71Fx7vA0fh4NX3Syg_PZco4KiotjsvTsmA2NZWZsQXYpKumFCdmzNFIrk7uf8m1aYTtgNg/s1600-h/juneleftcorner.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Cola's Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704428384084374720noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866753140906057125.post-48479301483022266722009-06-15T07:41:00.000-07:002009-06-15T08:50:24.825-07:00New Beginnings<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFzfUwPbfflNQera3jtvEdPQsqcnF4WBpPlEDz51JnOb9DDG5w1qBu4hOS1MkHlbBanQJRRdBZUaIBinsGNJpAdFR8VpR7XtM7gGLejzQLT7R5zH1KH5aab7JDAt1Hn9IAEqPaf4omGI/s1600-h/juneoutsidestudio.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 252px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347579351645339954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFzfUwPbfflNQera3jtvEdPQsqcnF4WBpPlEDz51JnOb9DDG5w1qBu4hOS1MkHlbBanQJRRdBZUaIBinsGNJpAdFR8VpR7XtM7gGLejzQLT7R5zH1KH5aab7JDAt1Hn9IAEqPaf4omGI/s320/juneoutsidestudio.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div>Hello friends ~ It has been a while since my last post. I have experienced a loss in my life from someone who I loved to cancer. It has been a very long winter and spring and a healing process. If you have experienced this kind of loss you understand that change is inevitable. Having faith and knowing that it is not goodbye forever, and that we will be reunited in heaven brings peace. God's grace and time can heal our pain.<br /></div><div>Unfortunately in my life and in my family's we have experienced loved ones called home too early. Along with the sadness that it brings, it has also brought out love and hope. Through our grief and pain, we find loved ones supporting each other and we celebrate their lives while they were with us.<br /></div><div>I have found that through my art I have been able to bring healing and it has brought about new purpose in my life. I lost my sister to a genetic illness at the age of 19. After her passing I found healing in drawing her. After loosing other loved ones I have shared my gift with their families through my art. It is a blessing and gift from God that I am able to give. </div><div><br /></div><div>I hope to continue this and give to others through my site, and offer art and gifts that celebrate life and love. Sadness and grief has given way to love and hope. Passion for life and how we touch each others lives is what life is about. I want to share that to celebrate the joys and moments of our lives.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I have been busily creating now inside my studio with my new found purpose and had my first sale of the year. It was a lovely day and had many dear friends visit me. I would like to share the day with you through my pictures. I hope you enjoy!</div><div><br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 249px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347576577969599122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoOX0FLzEmznaaRkXbFBc1_JXUbWe4z2wYkkgRktaJ-jX1fVtxPrx-XCwyBoV8-dwLndgtgwlRck9PewH_nVThfr6XqUjbcNtKNXq-uW-pZomWhTPb8d9WXl1wT7SAf3e06tc4_jWCVLg/s320/junefrontshop.JPG" /> </div><div>This is the front of my studio. We created a room within a room with the banisters and cornice. The cornice is from the 1880's and has the old square nail heads. I love color, but we went with a monochromatic theme for this sale. <br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 272px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347573360778622258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPLjdpW2UwkHnHChSbowzZn1EKroER_WvRCvNDkE76af7Y5KjT-xe3GEO-oSaw6x2Utli6b3Ar0hxkfUDyJFqV4AD-qj7j-9-EoybGsm1ngwhxTHd9QvZoK3lkDR2BfGGPQ6_I82ZwI8M/s320/junealisonplaque.JPG" /><br />These are my new creations I plan to infuse into my site. I love the mixed media, altered art form. I have long wanted to print my own art and have started to do so. By creating one of a kind peices adding yarn, vintage fabric, buttons, jewelry, keys and pretty papers with my printed art, I create something unique and beautiful. I am able to put my love for drawing and painting together with crafting from vintage finds.<br /><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 229px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347572944236076898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6SQjLHN38WXwCP5Wokw8Y_Eu7CSba6cEEM5-OI-R803znxVNaHbBUNOfNXUVWXVpqFUs-0T5xMxVs1c60U9rHf8FV_cFSG9bteH2Jgiq8jRw6RibbaLQLe4NzUZxDHKeajDDzoeVkRp4/s320/junealisonlove.JPG" /><br />The picture is of my sister who passed away. It has been over fifteen years now, and it brings me joy still to create with her in my art. I look forward to sharing more with you in my next post. I have more pictures to share with you of my sale, my gardens and my art. Thank you for visiting and I would love to hear from you!</div><div> </div><div>Hugs and Blessings ~ Nichole<br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Cola's Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704428384084374720noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866753140906057125.post-66700438673230920422009-03-17T10:41:00.000-07:002009-03-17T11:06:26.180-07:00Finished painting<div>I am so grateful to all of you who visited my blog and left such wonderful comments about my painting. It was exactly what I needed to complete this painting. Since I last posted I have been working hard to finish it, and besides showing it to my family to critique it, I think it is done! I always like to set it aside for a few days and then I can look at it with "fresh" eyes, so I may change it a little. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314215445564607010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 223px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQKl3XKzBFWWo7lDD5Om4MS6DzoQvycI4GiVnoS7z0su5HXrnUIMT55pdpK6J8TlmjbS3KaODo3tThyphenhyphenb1S5cNOI1vbotpZ5EDfR-suqTHTv0t-y81IwZ6fkPcEl10YRAYJean0S641uB4/s320/girlspaintingproof.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><p>This is a painting of my daughter Alison and her friend Alexis who is also the daughter of my friend Tracy. Tracy and I are partners in our seasonal sales that we hold in the studio. One day we hope they will participate in creating with us as they are both very artistic. I am very fortunate to have them as adorable subjects to paint!</p><p>It has long been a dream of mine to have my art in print and to be a plate artist. One day when I have a good portfolio I will send it in to Bradford Exchange...one day! For now I am happy to be creating in my studio and having my online business and seasonal sales. I cannot wait to begin another painting. It will be a companion to this one. I love to paint roses and flowers along with children. My passion for flowers and gardening carries through from the earth to my paintings. I thank God for His many blessings and giving me this gift to share through my paintings. Thank you to all of you too for letting me share it! Very soon I hope to offer this in print on my site along with my other print of Alison. I will keep you posted on that!</p><p>Blessings ~ Nichole</p>Cola's Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704428384084374720noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866753140906057125.post-16913197386836036692009-03-01T12:13:00.000-08:002009-03-01T13:03:41.456-08:00Please take a peak!!<div>As an artist it can be both a blessing and a curse. In one moment you are elated and inspired and then when things aren't working then you are tortured by insecurity and doubt. I try to explain this rollercoaster of emotion to others and they look at me kind of funny, hehe! Being creative and artistic is either a blessing that naturally flows or it is a draining and sometimes frustrating experience. To create on demand when you are not inspired is hard.</div><br /><div>I am happy to say that as my kids have grown older my passion for creating and painting is in full force. I still have my days where I feel like pulling my hair out but for the most part it is fulfilling and rewarding. I thank God everyday for His blessings He has given me.</div><br /><div>Years ago when my children came along and my life revolved around changing diapers and feedings I lost my desire to create. In the beginning I did not mind. I was in that"baby bubble" and I was content. About the time that my daughter turned two I started to feel something was missing. I started to dream about ideas and put them on paper. It took a few years but I now have my own online boutique where I sell my creations.</div><br /><div>I have been painting on canvas for about a year and a half now. Between my business and family it is hard to find time to paint but I have three paintings now. One is completed and I have it for sale on my site and the other two are a work in progress. I am going to be brave and show you one of them that I am working on. I was hoping that by doing so I can get some feed back. Most of the time I don't like to show my work in progress. Sharing your work can be scary and humbling. An artist puts so much of themselves into their work and they always want to do their best. </div><br /><div>This painting is of my daughter Alison and her friend. I have been working on this painting off and on for about a year. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308325485798275858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh12jTaVvQkI_4CmVDD3wBX0dcYPrX3fgx9e99dvSwr-9BDUn5x8dzBXrYPih1EqgCXv4LuXmWgWDiydC5NM6zSGPrKtJGA3vzL70Z9N0WutB73jDhwTlQWRsccV2DpT9i-unie-3OQ94/s320/blogphoto.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><p>As I have just uploaded this I cringe a little because I can see what I need to work on. I am also a little excited though too because it feels good to share. I sit in my studio and paint my little heart out with no one to show it to. My goal is to have this done very soon because when spring comes it will be hard to work in the studio when my gardens and the birds are calling me to be outside. I cannot wait to hear from everyone who sees this what they think!! : )</p><p>Blessing ~ Nichole</p><p> </p><p> </p>Cola's Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704428384084374720noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866753140906057125.post-50803538437422706692009-02-10T13:59:00.000-08:002009-02-10T14:19:34.214-08:00Hello again!<div>Hello All ~ It has been a while since my last post but I have been quite busy in the meantime! I have fulfilled a dream I have had of designing my own line of note cards. I have created two that are in print and I am in the process of drawing and designing more.</div><br /><div>My artist friends and I constantly joke about how cool it would be to have clones of ourselves and then we could accomplish all that we want to get done LOL! I have so much on my plate with my own art and then custom work that I recieve it is hard to get everything done. I am anxious to get all of my work done so when spring arrives I can be outside gardening, which is my second love to painting and creating. I am hoping that waiting for spring won't be as painful as it has been in the past because I have so much more to work on in my studio than in years past.</div><br /><div>Below are the new note cards that I have created. They are available for purchase on my site.</div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><p align="left"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301294331061444866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 255px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihsBaD8ZKde50pl2L-w6CClKFhvn6-NlnWRxQIYfw03et6S0Y-PRRxGRrawm8wAkIN3REgVmpfEbGO4tMyhVtdSZehZ3RXyuXWvhgb7lzATkEccSQCEI6bZff072EeRryLXFH8DSl0qJk/s320/shwcasecard1.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><br /><p></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301294827903229650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZvQ4Ck8kl0NE2fzYaJPyuM8VIopxdbVoFyHV7fXA9ctmDzif0SIzgyUjZy7VovF06AhavcYZARWgHLXMu7cLcsGYOzGYlJtgFB6JkrqQ25EtqBLaANs4-qiIZ3rZepvqikp1DdrPp08/s320/shwcasecard2.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p></p><p>The top one is a drawing of my daughter and my friend's son. They were a little younger and have grown too much since! The card below is a drawing of my sister who passed away at the age of 19 from an illness she was born with. I love to draw her and it has been a healing process and wonderful memorial to her. </p><p>All of my drawings and paintings mean so much to me. I am afraid I may spend too much time on them, and they are invaluable to me. That is why am so lucky to be able to offer them in prints and note cards.</p><p>I will try and keep up on my posts and keep you informed on all of my projects. Soon I will be able to share my photos of my gardens again!</p><p>Have a wonderful blessed day! ~ Nichole<br /></p><p></p>Cola's Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704428384084374720noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866753140906057125.post-49706671034442583152008-11-18T14:08:00.000-08:002008-11-18T15:06:32.932-08:00Our Enchanted Christmas Sale Event<div><div> </div><div><div><div>Once again we had a wonderful sale and it truly was enchanting. What fun and joy we have doing this for our customers! Our sale began Friday night and when you walked in the door the sound of Christmas music and the smell of Apple cider filled your senses. As in years past we redecorated and surprised our friends with a new cottage.<br /></div><div>Thank you to all who came and made this sale a wonderful experience.<br /><br /></div><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270124453796460130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 209px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWXEo5lzQp8yAXxnYpNrtzyb1chI4AjpX5ROLagD89eqv3ZMoxniCkuW5z9EnfTvvW0VW5jU83nY9BHWaMOEqWiotaV9vdpCzHHUq5dXJTSiM2L9pwCrrRgR9mOzWXErbNsaj9LhiVBoA/s320/chrstudio.JPG" border="0" />If we had more extention cords we would have had more lights, but as it were we used everything we had. At least this year we did not blow any fuses, lol!<br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270125196445683090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 294px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifFjNhwXSfCPP9y3Xj6jLbqe1U2_FGhC4-vhGv-5GZofe0SPsLTP-qnNKk-7zrJyptMw_MpwKzzcKmj7uw2bC31SgkabROIIMAN3g-mUwqLcWgLE4mGJ7aDugsQB95Jy0s-tLm4D05-k/s320/chrsinterior.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div><div> </div><div>Our new feature for this sale was this room within a room. My talented husband built this frame from an old 1800's architectual door frame piece. Old banisters were used to support the opening.</div><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270131969722085618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwcbsYAwvldfO3tUO7k2gU-ReEp2QJWr8H_wtXQGUNuvzOlLchOBpWeVNExP7lzKfEhagqOwQcsJvj4zb59kphdQ03IhigOZCpjfHiOt73TZ2RDTxx15kcSFu5uxgPmZHoGfoVvKvccuY/s320/chrshutch.JPG" border="0" /><br />My hutch was decorated with moss and hydrangias and the traditional tree was replaced with tree branches painted white and lit up with white lights.<br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270132712448294130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI9xE6ma6I0PjJdml7LKDpbMFDjw66IHLobhrDfp6fjZNCaILKwXLuqE5XKTAIBxx2XgLXMwTwPyURfqRhApvk7SoCyMivSinkVh6gmAaNtTXj4QlW2jSY6SnIyjImXPyt2u9MYiSREQ8/s320/chrsleftcorner.JPG" border="0" />I love this room so much, I just want to put it in my house! It is so calming and beautiful! One day when my kids are older I may be able to have that.</p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270134208425178178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 306px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKRDSpAqSxLxEVeBRiYTI-gMU-mb6HuFhSQRmnKnubljz5rUzLC3ml9x0gqUgjQphhxQDnwADaEhb-9BYzIsUMA_yRIgPeoLz-9PZaFxBQlpjdCCsrN799_nuesm1wmn2mhw-_BJYN3FI/s320/chrshats.JPG" border="0" />These hats are made by my talented mom. All of her hats are original and she does not follow any pattern. They will soon be on my site and I hope that she is successful at selling them! Everyone who has one loves them and everyone who sees them comments on how nice they are.</p><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270135154693423042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 314px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8RXBu0ffjiNCLGKth3EGaIKZk0wxvX1K5dO938qx-cPButE6u11bQvAteur-y64c6GJ8nZxetWJ7wyXX3sPB8eTOzeKP4c13sFN_odKscVC24tMHIUigBv6xvb5fBZ1jyHsGSoFeQ3gY/s320/chrsrose.JPG" border="0" /><br />This room is my daughters play house. She loves it and wants to keep it this way forever. We moved all the pink and roses out here and decorated the ceiling with white lights and a pink crystal chandelier.<br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270135250890064530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsaq9B7h-X3X9xrgP-xFGULR9oz7HyQNrYXvpNfi0cxoc4O7f6RRbQC6Ae5sN3pD0sdFo2y2-glIkMe_hEWXLPiC8384do6PTMvNBTTkoN9_FlJNXC4c6r9QJ21PZjRgbOWHoTyYgVMs4/s320/chrsceiling.JPG" border="0" /></p></div><br /><p>Now I can look forward to decorating my house. We usually have two trees as my kids love to have one in there room. I am feeling like I want to have a vintage style tree, wheras I have had a pointsettia and floral tree in the past. We will see what I come up with and I will share it with you!</p><p>Blessings~ Nichole</p>Cola's Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704428384084374720noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866753140906057125.post-28349392726440356082008-11-09T16:45:00.000-08:002008-11-09T17:10:36.880-08:00An Enchanted ChristmasOnce again we have been busy getting ready for another Christmas boutique sale event. This year our theme is An Enchanted Christmas. Along with getting ready for this wonderful sale I have taken on a seasonal job making Christmas wreaths for a local landscape and nursery company. Trying to do both has been challenging, but I am determined to do it all. If no one has ever told you how hard it is to make wreaths I will tell you now that it is so.<br /><br />My friend Tracy and I have luckily been working on setting up this sale for a while now and it is coming together nicely. Every sale and every year is a little different. This one will be no exception. We cannot wait to see their faces when they walk in the door! We have a wonderful guest list of ladies who shop while the men folk are hunting. It is fun for all and we create tours as other ladies do the same at their places.<br /><br />Here is a sneak peak at our studio!<br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266826163007786706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 298px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpqK2fVmsrD49GUlqGaPeKOs6mZa5l3LPZPuWxqpOsZ11KLx3dddN9X2Iy_JsOEBCUppbjzJVnhLZfA6PYWV0eQGAlhviu24OpJ_DBNajVcRLAHG9Kco3eotxhY0-cUWXyl5PSPB0Jpc0/s320/chrstmspstcrd.JPG" border="0" />In years past we have always done the traditional Christmas trees in our studio and this year we decided with our space being so precious we would do something different. In my next post I will share with you the photos and tell you all about it. I cannot give out too many details or I will spoil the surprise for our shoppers!<br /></p><p>Here are a few of the things I have been working on with my rose painting...</p><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266828542880009970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 263px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5r0TKRkZ6wromA2ctr9-HN__ZZ-zT_sV2w5xRHq28f6ora8hYSiR4befowj4KFR4NVqiqxKQ-skmJglzysUaMZL9ULIXiWu97uR9DKOwSrPXPCgf4fZ4DWTLyQ5zTdq8mMqrJNe_rV8/s320/chrstmsad5.jpg" border="0" /><br /></p>Above is a canvas giclee print of my painting that is stretched on stretcher bars. I have also been working on note cards of my print. Along with that I will be offering gift tags and more note cards and tags with other art I have created. I am so excited to share it with you! <br /><br />Blessings ~ NicholeCola's Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704428384084374720noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866753140906057125.post-51491335591289911312008-11-02T18:16:00.000-08:002008-11-02T19:06:20.733-08:00Marie Antoinette Blog Award<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyHKiMRbq_shtc0mcJ-56nbqnrAjm_-hmm9vGow1pSkxZuWigNCweiETjSYOShi14g-OICCkMS4mDnO5rbArIQdQDi85k2Y8kDtqZHlx1rrdWMKtot59adCa9A6lvDwleCGmDoZa52hIE/s1600-h/blogaward.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264254245397350594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 272px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyHKiMRbq_shtc0mcJ-56nbqnrAjm_-hmm9vGow1pSkxZuWigNCweiETjSYOShi14g-OICCkMS4mDnO5rbArIQdQDi85k2Y8kDtqZHlx1rrdWMKtot59adCa9A6lvDwleCGmDoZa52hIE/s320/blogaward.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>I have been awarded the Marie Antoinette Blog Award by two lovely ladies ~ Jacalyn at RME Bath and Body Shop and Katie Newman Gifts and Home. Thank you for the honors! Please visit their blogs at <a href="http://rmebathproducts.blogspot.com/">http://rmebathproducts.blogspot.com/</a> and <a href="http://www.katienewmangiftsandhome.com/store/blogIndexWs.asp">http://www.katienewmangiftsandhome.com/store/blogIndexWs.asp</a> . </div><div>Here are the rules:</div><div>1. Please put the logo on your blog</div><div>2. Link it to the person from whom you received the award</div><div>3. Nominate at least 7 or more blogs</div><div>4. Put the links of those blogs on your blog</div><div>5. Leave a message on their blogs to tell them (I'm letting them know here too)And the winners are:</div><div></div><div>~ <a href="http://www.cottageviolets.blogspot.com/">http://www.cottageviolets.blogspot.com/</a></div><div>~ <a href="http://www.aunt-mays-cottage.blogspot.com/">http://www.aunt-mays-cottage.blogspot.com/</a></div><div>~All in my cottage @ <a href="http://www.cgtreasures.blogspot.com/">http://www.cgtreasures.blogspot.com/</a></div><div>~ <a href="http://www.isabellasroses.blogspot.com/">http://www.isabellasroses.blogspot.com/</a> </div><div>~ <a href="http://www.pawshpoodle.blogspot.com/">http://www.pawshpoodle.blogspot.com/</a></div><div>~ <a href="http://www.mylulabelles.blogspot.com/">http://www.mylulabelles.blogspot.com/</a></div><div>~ <a href="http://www.rosepetalsandblooms.blogspot.com/">http://www.rosepetalsandblooms.blogspot.com/</a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div>Cola's Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704428384084374720noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866753140906057125.post-31186979415409357472008-09-25T06:25:00.000-07:002008-09-25T07:02:29.247-07:00Wonderful news!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgko_gGvA8iGkrOzbdJxz4GlvQjm_RVo5Cvhsz6kZLn2gMqn0zCXhLtlq_xgo_6CajXnP681u7hW80j18k1gKHAc4MFWp_uyERX0oscihfmm2WmEdcNhp4877NCxNPvCrLwPgNy1nes63g/s1600-h/theone.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249951690428170354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgko_gGvA8iGkrOzbdJxz4GlvQjm_RVo5Cvhsz6kZLn2gMqn0zCXhLtlq_xgo_6CajXnP681u7hW80j18k1gKHAc4MFWp_uyERX0oscihfmm2WmEdcNhp4877NCxNPvCrLwPgNy1nes63g/s320/theone.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I am so excited to announce that prints of my painting are proofed and will be available for sale! It has long been a dream of mine and to finally get to this point is wonderful. I feel as though it has been baby steps all the way. I am determined and driven, and I am proud to make it this far.</div><div> </div><div>This print above will be a giclee available on canvas and archival artist paper. It is printed with archival ink and insures lasting beauty. Along with this print I am currently finishing two other paintings that will be in print too. I am also working on gift tags with my art. Being able to put my paintings in print gives me limitless opportunities! It is so exciting and overwhelming. When you have a creative mind like mine it is hard to shut it off. Sleep can be impossible, and I am constantly looking for inspiration. I must have five notebooks that I use to jot things down in. I have literally hundreds of magazines that I collect and drawers full of tear sheets of the things I love. </div><div> </div><div>With all of this going on with my business I am happy that the garden season has come to an end. There would be no way to do both. I know that come January I will be pulling out the seed catalogs and dreaming of gardening again. Living in Minnesota the winters last fooreeeveer!! It is always hard to wait to begin to dig in the earth and feel the sun on your skin. I love to hear the birds sing and I feel so much contentment and joy. It is a great time to pray and give God praise for the miracles and life all around you. Thinking about it, I am a little sad that it is over. I am hoping to have plenty to do in my studio to not dwell on it this winter.</div><div> </div><div>I hope that you follow me and enjoy sharing my journey. If I could not share my work with others it would not be as rewarding as it is. My dreams are big and I have so much to share. I look forward to the next post to give you an update on my prints! </div><div> </div><div>Hugs ~ Nichole</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Cola's Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704428384084374720noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866753140906057125.post-87040055192794278772008-09-19T07:16:00.000-07:002008-09-19T07:45:58.629-07:00A new venture!<div> </div><div>Where does the time go? It has been too long since my last post and summer is ending. Right now we are experiencing our Indian Summer, and are nearing 80 degrees. Fall is in the air still and the leaves are turning. My mums are just starting to bloom and soon it will be time to clean out my flower beds for the winter. I love to do that. It is rewarding to know come spring your flowers will benefit from the TLC you put into it.</div><div> </div><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247738388167507842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7EsUsm95BiYDMScfH7wTA-qgblraGPQ-Np4_U7MRYe3orx61Bk5IHpQqezlStvwQi69dl63rpKh2ZFeYvz6UlrGsKzGcATdfgRjHwSBE1mD2Q-G4E28dZWqvAJw8JkfyTK-3OefQlv5E/s320/gardenaug.JPG" border="0" />In some ways I am looking for a reprieve from gardening, because I am beginning a new venture!! For a very long time my dream for my art is to be in print. I am happy to announce that my dream will be reality very soon! I will have prints, note cards and tags of my art all made by my very own hands. The prints will be available on canvas and fine artist paper, framed or unframed. The note cards will be designed by me using my art. My gift tags will be hand embellished and OOAK little pieces of art. All of my creations will be signed and dated. </p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247742081241321458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-M0qAMG7YYznfcnYMa6Xy8U4YOTG4flHyZ-85ZuD1NV5XddNcjz6F6fRxQuKecZ7QBYyqMHsT7HfGEq-e6r2JK3jRGPhB7wzugehrbMuXyiKwD7V3_n9Nt48FMaUEvARg_wph9wtZu6w/s320/septad4.JPG" border="0" />My first print will be of the painting of my daughter. It will be so exciting when I can announce that it is available for purchase! I thank God for blessing me, he gave me this dream and my gift and I can't wait to share it. I hope you keep in touch and watch for new developements!</p><p>Have a blessed day! ~ Nichole<br /></p><br /><div></div>Cola's Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704428384084374720noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866753140906057125.post-13876988905938043942008-08-20T19:33:00.000-07:002008-08-20T20:11:19.776-07:00Annual Fall Event<div><div><div><div><div>As much as I hate to see summer end, I love to decorate for fall. I love the rich colors of autumn and the crispness of the air. I am going to share photos of our sale and I hope you enjoy them!</div><div> </div><div> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236796217673108626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9xrfQ9lToeAZJyNDdfExfE8MLHtwdVNwKOueD8yz-5S8kz1OTmTCHuBr9s1DUnyie1Z-Tpc6chapzu0XGaHVaOwcSoekDuXJaFUPXOkTtajjcMEq0Wl8ieU8yXhKNXlJwAcVOC9XNUbw/s320/fallcc2.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236795709660165090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODWyn8vs1l92YXjWtdvkHHEsku7P_XcM2gwgp8zZH9hNkYADa1zp2vqt4AuLpyn0yuj25zn_rwaQrZw6KLmAB-wvRF32P7ReythB1uSCSzck5sJGvR67aFZ8nd1mXPTeyQ5wrKN0nVfY/s320/fallcc.JPG" border="0" /></div>Having the corn crib to decorate in is wonderful. Every season we decorate for is new and exciting for each one. As much as I love the shabby chic look I also love reds, golds and greens too. I love change so much that I redecorate constantly. Having my own cottage/studio gives me the opportunity to do just that.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236796691780178674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0S2ASwHHpItoMrBfUxd6qsKWo6NdjC6n2kUmZ6yBoEB_NWq2xYzBW4_33-RVNI91_E338NLG0FrfstfxiycQ-h1F9acdTbsONCv6Gc7WHwmmS4Bw9gMw3B8R9QfuXNeE8v3IhR-sXAk/s320/fallcenter.JPG" border="0" />My friend Tracy and I decorated the front room of the studio in whites with a little pastel mixed in here and there.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236796857456306034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7zS095vfA-b-BqqKWwTdVYKvM1nVwZhcsp_8IVzLrXUM4aeC3ysCon6MFBXXtNWlCzjvkRvlwpOMrl3lrhbsMUaYj7j7uyNc3TZ0Ed0wxrDXKn9_QajMgh3iVkPuXiG53refiHlSkKDA/s320/fallbluewall.JPG" border="0" />We also mixed in some greens and browns in the photo below. The steps were a wonderful find and perfect to set up displays on. It is so much fun to use architectural cast offs and give them a new life.</div><div> </div><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236797153302386882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwiDXkZSZilvijNKPc0ruwSiBelHi6Plt5rjkXumygS1Iamar-6NZN9kDPAzFGe0mRFJwkkc7eCweZjrklmnGvhl6ipcaeEMTizMuDxUKI8TfvuHSi0tNO1Idu9y2lyOjM94FKvPc3eA/s320/fallgreenwall.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>Our back room of the cottage was decorated in the gold, red and black colors. The fireplace mantel was made from old barnwood. </div></div></div></div></div><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236797497513762210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlLGbqueF2u7KC1SIejur4ZSyoqDft1U6aSusuoc6tRghUQuHEOoMTpqCukTp577zLdTirfw87d0YSmczZySmkmapH037M0VCvVCaL-ReqyGJb5r51JXXjJV-0Xlbql3EgG4UxqtY7zaY/s320/fallyellow.JPG" border="0" /></p><p>Outside in the courtyard we brought out all the pinks. They looked so great with all the flowers and herbs as a backdrop. </p><p> </p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236797313891976674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlSdn7KXUD7QY7I1j-Uh4sbshDpNE_msWDri9OSGXX3z-UnTMCdxMOMDz4RzDZz30PQrG60cb9m4h2ExLPgI1b6yL8TGOW5i4RZjilNltxP0qRVGLCaZjf5uvukRBK1p8qjJgS9k0lLQk/s320/fallcourtyard.JPG" border="0" /></p><p>We are going to have our second weekend fall sale coming up on Aug.22 and 23. I have been busy painting away and rearanging for customers to come and shop. I love to revamp and have them return and be surprised at the difference. </p><p>With the end of summer approaching and the end of my sales for the summer I am looking forward to fall house cleaning and preparing my gardens for the winter. I am also very excited to say that very soon I will be offering prints of my paintings! I will keep you informed on that when I have more to tell.</p><p>Thanks for visiting and check back as I will have more photos of this next weekends sale!</p><p>Blessings to you and yours! ~ Nichole</p>Cola's Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704428384084374720noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866753140906057125.post-35685742916435358862008-07-14T13:35:00.000-07:002008-07-14T14:52:35.552-07:00Mid-Summer Arts and Crafts Show<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF2Fcg7V2QqjSwrDtHFD5wUypx04BffdyAQLSn4-veMLqpsd9TyJVk55M1f81aFAI4vRYiatqNsNtYKFKnkDRNl1PRkgg5V6-Oe4EqsQaxjwcbYEHfvr1Fv7vwKtZswkn0dDwpTEir-yM/s1600-h/closeup.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222974351849035522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF2Fcg7V2QqjSwrDtHFD5wUypx04BffdyAQLSn4-veMLqpsd9TyJVk55M1f81aFAI4vRYiatqNsNtYKFKnkDRNl1PRkgg5V6-Oe4EqsQaxjwcbYEHfvr1Fv7vwKtZswkn0dDwpTEir-yM/s320/closeup.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Wow, where does the time go! It has been over a month since my last post. Summers are so busy and it is almost half over. I feel like I have not slowed down to enjoy it. This weekend our town held our mid-summer arts and crafts show down by Spirit Lake. My friend Tracy and I coordinate the event for our local C&C. </div><br /><div>This year was especially fun for us because we invited our junking friends to join the show. It was such a blast to share and laugh with these ladies. We love and admire each others talents and different styles. We joke that we just keep buying from each other and eventually something will eventually work its way around to all of us.</div><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222976324658555026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx2a4-dJRmJgHziugTYwukRSc08O2ItD5M9zHysxE3lkNq_k-_o40FZ0x8sibCM1_arlCimkQ3_D6OvCsw5aK9gQL372vGDbPz0osrWoVbjJ89ugZFiWp17loXGzwAg12oULImwFxRnvA/s320/whole+pic+craft.JPG" border="0" />Of course with these talented ladies joining our show, I had to step up my game a bit! I wanted to make sure I had nice display for my creations. I asked my hubby to make me something that was light enough to transport, and still be a big statement. So between the two of us we came up with this arbor made of corn-crib panelling and barn wood. It was a wonderful airy back drop for my art.<br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222978931563492018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF9ftFun9tOcnml0UOVUEwYKh-Iv3n3l265Q7qdRYKSPP5XEGKtNdU6sSJubaaGcRksnRadcbRadF0fRZyn_H-hbCeJH5tzPIYc4MLciGJVbZaGZPESgXgWFLIVUEomUWaaHRHmpKwewc/s320/closeup2.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div></div><br /><p>Our other display piece is one of my favorites too as it is my hubbies childhood swing set. When we hauled it out of the woods a couple years ago, Justin thought I was crazy LOL! What on earth was I going to do with that pile of rusted metal?! Of course in my mind I thought of many neat things I could do with it. So now this worn out, well loved swing set is now a fun display piece.<br /></p><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222980633169064178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8Ozf4p823k5LpR34MeZiHU6cDLFlgnlo5ahG9bc4_3MZi77CuByULKmPYoSX7iZp-N8AcX2KRhP-Qa7oV4f6G9Ll9NR-1euKxI-EuHeSEV6pyaiYZYqz06jVxpzOrrSWPiQr-jEarRw/s320/swing.JPG" border="0" />Tracy's "up north" art and my garden crafts display nicely on it. Originally this swing sets braces were bent and rusted, so Justin took them off and made new braces out of barn wood. Then more barn wood was used for a table. Its next use I think will be a buffet table for our next BBQ, or maybe I will have stools made and it can be a table for seating! Can you imagine that, and having a lovely garden chandelier hanging from the bar as a centerpiece hehe?!! What fun!! If I do that I will take many pictures and share them with you. </p><p><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222984851035813922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfPYQHThGeZj1N_QE7DaShW2mfFUcJVSgkd49j0y0S4Bwd4U-2uWQhRIkSh1-gJGu3FuwCupS7403bJzRyw-6ud82wR-RZN5l99NM3gPLwyznMqUdzguS-fEaeAENhTVKC-XNH7uo56L8/s320/gardenstudioview.JPG" border="0" />Besides working on getting ready for the craft show I have been busy in my garden. I have finally gotten a handle on the weeding by amending my soil and mulching. Wow, what a difference that makes! My flowers are doing better than they ever have. I still have a lot of work to do and some of my flower beds are needing some tlc. Gardening takes patience and it sometimes takes years to see results. </p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222986181898812562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLstLcwmFqmVrIV4lUXHpxosH-eun2dODh8Nbye0XIQDMThihbddi6eYroeeunHrS2kgRT7OUMYw_rQ7rNsWnXBRsYY6JFsn1ZHEDZrfGpzFgTFbfBUJpsly2Fd3I4q8fgadTFycqE4Y/s320/newgarden1.JPG" border="0" /></p></div></div></div><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222986566163196418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwWYGiLBHQS-Au9nF3ta7_BfChjq8kfIYrQ0PDJaEZfIzvosVERbyQIio4UKqflUGNZFhkWN3rWLi48izmmZtnIi9vgR2duKnNakSv8J6twnGwPKYI2mWx5hWXV9dane4j9ZQwVj2XimI/s320/peonies.JPG" border="0" /></p></div></div><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222986788635651042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhJbQAv6MB2ueWrK2vdUTCyE9GyjlAjXqLn87eketoVUwIWytes_MjnV2VzEs28Q9LNWRvTa_d1lzUCRJQHAYx_ubAocTBE5enH_13LZZbv9FgPwnlbalm_nZs-CILOY4nPo78uhmQKs/s320/roses.JPG" border="0" /> Two of my favorites are pictured above ~peonies and roses. I am hoping my roses survive as I have always dreamed of having roses. Between the cold winters and the animals I have not had much success with them. These roses above are a hardy species and I have been told they should survive the winter.</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222987832964233298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPAaTCgcIHDI8oVAgeeXwuO6pJyQHe96OZfFRGl4BVWxWFMj-fbBLUl0o55ZX2UwfH-_z2E-njFDxL-LRorZQdIE9v5LcfzQOSgi2c4TEgNvN4PFbyDWqG-1Yuyb4RzOFvArEOG_tstc/s320/yellowchair.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p>Ahh, summers are too short. I will miss working in my gardens and will look at these pictures longingly this winter. Spring and Summer are definitely my favorite seasons. I feel so alive when I am out in my yard working. It is where I feel close to God and I thank him for my many blessings. </p><p>I hope you are having a wonderful summer, and I will talk to you again very soon!! </p><p>Blessings to you and yours! ~ Nichole</p>Cola's Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704428384084374720noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6866753140906057125.post-90990857629246526172008-06-08T18:46:00.000-07:002008-06-08T20:11:48.648-07:00What a beautiful day!!<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Hello all! What a beautiful day we had for our sale! Many weeks of creating and preparation came before the big day. Besides all the time it takes in shopping for treasures and then recreating them, I was also hard at work creating a magical place to visit. We had old treasured friends come back to visit us and made some new friends that we hope will return to see what else we bring in our future sales. I thank each and everyone of you who came!<br /></div><div>I took many pictures of this special day and would love to share them with you. I hope you enjoy looking at them and wish you could have been here in person to share it with us!</div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209695448754385730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxUSj6Uoe4ewsg1R2YDxKrF2yHZRlJBm7sLykSHqQCWOyUc7P5_ddHpAf-HVJFsojCxebSHSY043sjkYwUl-vov9fPveRM6e4WfVTifPH6ZgfIk7q_UrQepG5vt2d6HwRxc8cgzNELzjU/s320/cottagefront.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209695943487889106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioThd_njaIJJ0o6PuRBCFuk5mTHZ9uJjF7pav8khcy5rquyA1sgbnx8SM2Vr3XXYj-rWK5TOPUnPxmt-rhbybHp-whEhBu_2ipdrf0Qpm2wDQpylVey9L1xtCLMwlDm43uFVI8SwCm0YA/s320/leftcorner.JPG" border="0" /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209696294658977890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOQ9byrkkjCfWkWMzpZMtcNZi57ra-e0WU1byHpdqNR8x56C7STTNW8yo0ZHB4VT9j9l30zFhFeWHrfd4iMcqtGpMF-80pM0m2xF0RXHs7YH-NP0kO1sQzFB6i5w837SsfPimAqQ0yQI/s320/right+corner.JPG" border="0" /></div><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209696644650941698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdgupN329uio6UWXRA2iEv98X1iH4BvobZ3KNA9-jZu22_gK8H_H5NGpP0i5vBh0MUCf4ZHUx3B3KS_-EzMBYnWwDA2clow77MGyRpOdi4IPP3GhSXFdaqXFxCQtkGC3mDqsI-DUcbrU/s320/picture+window.JPG" border="0" />It is always fun when we have our sales because with every one we have it different for every sale. Our last sale was our Holiday Boutique sale and we hold it over deer season. We coordinate it with other talented women who have the same kind of sales and make it into a holiday tour. For this sale we went with a garden theme. I love to mix rustic and romance. In fact it is my passion!! I love to take "junk" and make it beautiful! Old things have soul and were lovingly used. I love to give it new life and make everyday purposeful items beautiful and useable again.<br /></p><div> </div><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209698481676574418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Ue4OL8aycRzZgfi7uHYWcWJfFTuZ1UAPIZW3n2aj-EYpMg4ASPxcVjMrv-oS0RaiRsJX_aP845S2jtVIfT1-9fTxV0CL4PGez2lvjxr0WxrQTbcfL3RoCBFHXiKgch6O751byZ0tONs/s320/back.JPG" border="0" />This is the back half of my studio, which is where I do a lot of my painting and creating. It rarely looks nice like this as it is quite messy when I am making things. This winter as I was building my web site business I also repainted every surface of my studio. I love the warm yellow on the walls. For this sale I displayed the items in this room that I have painted and are featured on my web site.</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209699759952909522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBN2BYUIYb8Xe1XdogBkzsrb0Eitqlrq9kwuKzWjcZlikTqxJ7zafO2GCEggxc9vRSa50402tMGATjDz-qmGF1VXcKT2k3I6RHpEJeASCePfigPZQBmKIyOYxxCrQ5HZjxL6ZLzpzOjsI/s320/back+left.JPG" border="0" />I wish I could show you a better picture of my ceilings as they are quite neat. My friend Tracy and I did a tissue paper technique on them and then this winter I finally painted them creating a sky effect. On my floors I painted a faux stone look on the concrete floor. It was a lot of work, but very rewarding.<br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209701054623201602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSdd6xbI28EvL_9MsB0hiHCFzJypnQ-iBT8enQuNz6ezg4SON8tPfR-be6bJhJLi5Nh8L2ChSQEMmxEyY7mPd-ZidaNTgdSwp8p6OjixCA3ZtFcthp0sEA5gUjPXM2HwdQFHAN1Pxhlg/s320/vanity.JPG" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209706782890103538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0P33SutWjL0xLdmgK3wa62MyVvGW_dVj3wl-p8jy4HmdxqccusxRQ0ZogSk7hmiyKR8SbzIUhjwtYrMneQKZLtoDNgKwHzB-xuInY_bSGVuqFENVSbC82cntQ9rtWl-NQbWHDqhddd0/s320/salelamp.JPG" border="0" /><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209701663271211538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXbUyhXW6kl7D9YH9OjBzjnjkz5HiEQgp-FPRzvzyNrwGeuQzjSxb3o5oLIS5KPb0fpYYinrCqnjjBDLLPRmgPKkeqB1q7SyoHaRFMJXr2h24I3HYpdYO9Pzqegev5DiiUbw5aaaL5luY/s320/corncrib.JPG" border="0" />This is my corncrib gazeebo that I display in for my sales. It is so much fun to decorate and for this sale we went with a romantic garden feel.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209702319053857906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6M22hghBLEnZ2FpiYfzDQ66BBsujbg3EUvz5rWhZuIOPtFY90tUAQQy7ZJ1o_oBgCA_K1KlotFDXufyNL1rc73m16KTHvBrIXhhELGgBnvCsBzfun6fHC3w7kERLl-raJ2kv1kfWgBeM/s320/cc.JPG" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209702778484962322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLacX6o4MfzQRQadLWqbP1xx7UUitRwYPZykswByknK6cmUtxOF2u5AEy9jz609pH_8VEiFc1D0-g2XWvjUlME-opeteFDIKiXOxV3cAFHxjbQiAf66OHwNBAgBiF0vztgLsxczKGi4xk/s320/bench.JPG" border="0" />This beautiful garden bench was made by my husband Justin. It is created from an old metal headboard and some reclaimed barnwood. Sitting on top of it is a flower box made out of barnwood and peices of an old fence. I love it when he helps me!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209703699279965570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ_bThcjJcr2k-z_Q7q759e88vxkuQtpEP9_acJY40_gLYRojduoyjc53lh-XPcW4YEc1nlSl4aig-GBVbX2w8Q6vhJ0jka5BdOjSIg-A4N0JWmKVYmUYuCOpv5LZ9ls2t46zGx1Kf2Gs/s320/girls.JPG" border="0" />These lovely girls are my daughter Alison and my friend's daughter Alexis. Tracy and I thought it would be lovely to have them be a part of our sale and they were great! They were the perfect little hostesses and sold lemonade and cookies. The girls were set up on the porch of Alison's playhouse and it was a picture of sweetness!!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209705509533078994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsS0eNcljpXcbCkmA3izOzub6idfqtoAnvb8ROUtqHH0a4dNIca4AqgrB7BlY-onhOGq9TrRZOOXhF456Py-zwR4b2UkYkCO_H5uw4wS1hpsfe44BL5MMZ6Peb-Bl5vI0EFHkt5nQASnI/s320/girlsone.JPG" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209706352668995602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPI823f3XZ4fswT4gF4qkoQ65Vc7SMFe7atre8JXucqkqHtqO-OY4xzYKIcWyHgsjIYZHGO2rsE7nGpuLd1YK29wQBrycXKgdnEtf20MtEZswpw6kH5VQjgtxqdbC52jgfLJS9SedMrk/s320/insidecrib.JPG" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209707259344957874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizeegNwBpmjKpLNFl0jAP8H49OHYOJzaLGVuHkVU0MzEQUOwwJL5PFfhfgJMl5Fpj0bn9scX28T3B0nXcMeWQ3nf10vDoci0pUta4Su-soavByRfPOaJKDH_o02aftRd6d27t3N80oDAg/s320/outhouse.JPG" border="0" />This above is my outhouse that I had my husband bring over from a farm from out of town. The fence behind it came from the dump. Can you tell I love old things LOL!? For this sale we decorated it in a retro red and aqua theme. My friend Merry who creates all the lovely pillows and linen creations has love for this style, along with the romantic country style, so a lot of her creations were displayed in there. She has made a beautiful and functional line of aprons that I will be adding to the site very soon.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209708925908766002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn0s_psQK9bRHJnqR2ZQw6WcfYxpwHnqwPObSdqUpiNF_qiOYqLEUdwGv2UECUZapTnijmq7Fx4cA7K08lW2xPNv2X0KJ3SmXfg_rIkBh_fgIczbfrVrNJPemWXBa9_s_7phWuUrXgiK4/s320/statue.JPG" border="0" /><br />This picture was taken after my sale had ended and I was reflecting on what a beautiful day it had turned out to be. God had shined down on us and I was blessed with the glorious weather and wonderful friends who came out to share it with us. I also want to say a big thank you to my Mom who always comes for my sales and helps out. She is a beautiful loving and giving person! She is also a wonderful talented artist and I cannot wait for her to add her touch to my web site.</div><div> </div><div>Thank you to you too for visiting and letting me share this day with you. It is a dream come true for me to be able to do this. Also I have to thank my husband and children for being patient with me when I am getting ready for these sales! I am looking forward to relaxing a bit and spending some quality time with them.</div><div> </div><div>Hope you have a wonderful and blessed day!! Hugs ~ Nichole<br /></div><p></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Cola's Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704428384084374720noreply@blogger.com4