Designer book bundles

You see them everywhere.  You see them in catalogs like Pottery Barn and Ballard Designs.  You frequently see them in magazines like Romantic Homes and Country Living.  Well, I found out how to make these bundles and it's really easy!!  More on that in a minute.

 First, pick up some old books at your local thrift store.  The older the better.  Old Readers' Digest books are great for this.  Just look for older ones.  They take the coffee stain well.

Remove the covers and break the book into sections.  Then dip all edges but the spine in some strong instant coffee.  Set outside to dry.

You can see they look old and stained.  Then I bound them up with jute.

This picture makes them look lighter than they really are.  They are wonderfully stained and great decorator pieces.  Most will be for sale in my booth at Merchant Square.

For more complete instructions, please visit Karen Valentine's blog, My Desert Cottage here.  That's where I found the instructions for doing this.  Quick, fun, and decorative!  Thanks, Karen!

Halloween is coming!

Are you ready?  If not, I will have plenty of little goodies around my booth for your Halloween delight!  But not until the end of this month.  Here is a peek:

Dug out bottles from the stash.  They have been in the garage for years!  Found a little Halloween song that was in an old music text book published in 1945.

Been making flash cards today as well.  But these are not for the kiddies!  They are for all you collectors, junkers, shoppers and flea market lovers.  These would look great on your fridge, your favorite shelf of stuff, whatever!!  Have fun and post your feelings out there!

I love my new blog background!  Karen Valentine did a fabulous job creating this for me and I am "over the moon" in love with this background!!  There is also a tag on the side bar for you to use to get in touch with her.

A place to visit -- The Embellished House

Last Thursday, Joy and I went to visit The Embellished House in Scottsdale after we had read about it on Karen Valentine's blog, My Desert Cottage.  We weren't disappointed!  The Embellished House has a bit of everything!  From the colorful, to the blingy, to the "steampunk", to just wonderful!  All in one place!

The colorful!

The blingy!

Some salvage, some steampunk!

Industrial storage!  Salvage chic!

Clocks and globes!

Silver and glass!  My fav!

Trophy cups!  Why can't I find these?

Perhaps because they are all here!!

Bottles, frames, candelabras, chandeliers!

I love these tags!

The necklace says "collect" on one side --

"lets face it...I want it all." on the other!

I bought it!

I recommend you make a trip to see The Embellished House on Scottsdale Road, just north of Shea.  It's worth the trip!  Take my word for it, there isn't another place like it in Phoenix!  It has something for everyone, whether it's blingy or steampunk, it's there!  Visit soon!

Last shade to share

This is the last shade I have made.  I plan to do one more, but I think you get the idea.  When I get started on another, larger shade, I will share that, too.

I covered the sections with lace trim, netting, and tulle.  This is a vintage flower spray tied with rayon ribbon.  The crystals are from a string of old crystals.

Here you can see some of the laces and tulle.

I got the tutorial from Karen Valentine's blog My Desert Cottage.  The tutorial is an earlier blog and you can find it here.  Karen has good pictures and instructions for you in the tutorial.  I love to read her blog and see all the wonderful things she creates and how she decorates her home.  Be sure to visit!!

For some other blog to visit, check out these!

Recycled Rita -- she hunts for the same type of stuff I like!

Primrose Design -- I think she is still snowed in!  But she does offer a nice variety of things for you.

Country Wings in Phoenix -- glitz I wish I knew how to get my hands on as well as lovely creations.