Wave That Flag!!

Bring on the red, white, and blue!! This charming setting is picture perfect....gather up all of your red, white, and blue dishes, pillows, and flags and get ready to celebrate!

I just love how this place setting looks! Maybe you don't have all of the elements above...but I'm sure you would be surprised how you can pull together a similar look by digging around your house....

You mean you don't have an old red pick up truck parked out back?? Why not use a lace edged sheet or shower curtain for the tablecloth and top it with a piece of red and white striped fabric or throw?

Here at the shop we pulled together some red and white pillows along with some blue and white porcelain bowls and vases...

Just tuck a few small flags into a vase......

A red lantern on a blue and white garden bench...and why not a flag pillow on the leopard chair?

We just got in this wonderful blue and white wine cooler bowl...you can remove the wine rack to use the bowl for a centerpiece, some punch, or some macaroni salad!!

This "aged" buffet would look great for a cottage look....paired with some tin lamps and a vintage poster art.

This super-sized cottage table has a leaf that folds into the table for easy storage. We mixed blue, yellow, green, and red chairs in this grouping. Underfoot we placed a Dash and Albert rug for a pop of color!

A couple of the chairs are upholstered in a fun floral that goes so well with the rug...

Also just in...new artwork and mercury glass hurricane jars...perfect grouped together for soft candlelight...wouldn't these be elegant at Christmas too?

Stop by the store to see all that is new...three bookcases in varying widths...you know me and bookcases! Hope all of you can find the time to enjoy family and friends over the 4th....Happy Birthday America!! Take care, Sue

Farewell to a Friend

Ken Honard.....an amazing guy!! Ken passed away on June 7 after a tough battle with cancer. I never saw such courage ...he never complained...always hopeful.....and so inspiring. Ken loved to come to the shop and talk about decorating, reading, children, travel, friends, and his wonderful wife, Deb. He decorated many a Christmas tree for Traditions....his last creation was our "candy" tree. Of course he dressed to match his tree!!

I attended his memorial service on Wednesday at the Warner Theater......the bag pipes playing Amazing Grace were enough to get me crying, let alone all of the wonderful stories about Ken and his life. We had a champagne toast honoring and celebrating Ken's life. We will continue to honor and celebrate his life...he has touched so many....Farewell, but definitely not forgotten.....

Pillows Add Pops of Color

There is nothing like a bunch of great pillows to brighten up a room! We have had great success with these wonderful pillows that bring art to the sofa!

You can choose from so many wonderful floral patterns, along with birds, fish, bugs, and....

beautiful butterflies!!

I just had to post this image from Country Living magazine. There are so many wonderful layers in this room. The settee is simply a neutral color, as are the walls. By adding the colorful drapes, the layers of pillows ( a great mix of florals and a stripe), the items of interest on the tray on the ottoman, and the bright lamp shades.....this vignette comes alive. Take a look at your home and see where you can add a spark of color and interest simply by adding a few pillows and pops of color using fabric as your inspiration!

Take care, Sue

International Quilt Market in Pittsburgh

My Mom, Maria, and I decided to take a quick jaunt to Pittsburgh last month to check out some new Home Dec fabric...I had heard of some of the new designers as well as the reasonable prices..... drew me in! It was like deja-vou.....about 20 years ago ...hmmm...maybe 25,my mother owned a quilt shop and I taught workshops and wrote patterns and books about quilting. We would go on these excursions to Houston in the fall and a rotating spring show which was held all over the states. So, with one as close as Pittsburgh, why not hop in the car?

One of the first stops..and we knew we were hooked! This quilt market is much different than the ones we visited (and I set up as a wholesaler for my pattern and books) years ago....Home Dec has become a large part of the business.

Along with home dec...fashion and accessories play a big role in this industry now. Love this combo of zebra and floral.

Wonderful bright fabrics in all sorts of patterns....

This idea was great. Sorry the picture doesn't do it justice...simply make a "cap" for the top of a simple folding chair to give it some pizazz!!

Again...great fabric combinations for pillows to change out seasonally...or to put on your porch...or daughter's bed...

I meet Kaari Meng who is the owner of the French General...her new book will be out soon...of course I ordered some for the shop! Check out her great ideas at her site www.frenchgeneral.com She also designed some fabrics for Moda. We actually have some of those on order also...I swore that I would never carry fabric by the yard at the store...it was a weak moment!

I couldn't pass up this wonderful fabric...you all know how much I love anything with the printed word on it! This fabric is a heavier weight...going to make some totes and place mats for the store....love it!

My Mom actually made some of the pretty pillows with the ruffles on them. They are in the store right now...come see...

More uses for the "word" fabric...

OK...see the fabric sitting on the table that looks like newspaper...got that too!! Don't you love the combination of fabrics on the tote bag?

I also meet Vicki Payne. Vicki Payne along with her daughter Sloan Payne-Rutter are an internationally known mother-and-daughter team that brings the joy of creating handmade gifts and decorating ideas to the DIY (Do It Yourself) network.They are best known for their work with PBS. They co-host a show called For Your Home. She was so much fun to talk with. I'm going to meet up with her next time I go to the High Point Market.

Some pics of the fabric I just received from her line.

Stacked on the back shelf in the store....now what? Actually, my Mom already whipped up some beautiful tablecloths from two of the fabrics.....now you can order custom sized tablecloths at really affordable prices!! How about window treatments..bed skirts...pillows...placemats...come in and see the beautiful colors and patterns...


That's it for now...stop in to say "hi". Take care, Sue

Fun With Stripes...

I love the look of clean black and white stripes against this aqua wall! Black and white goes with everything and makes everything pop!

What a wonderful way to decorate a nursery...it is still fun and colorful...and the color scheme and design is timeless! Don't forget the ceiling when decorating...especially in a small room. This treatment would be equally stunning in any room!

My new obsession is drapery using the stripes horizontally. I'm looking for a fabric right now for my kitchen area...you must find fabric that is "railroaded" or printed on the fabric horizontally instead of vertically. Most home dec fabrics are only 54" wide, so they are not wide enough to give you a length longer than that unless you seam them. Railroaded stripes enable you to make the length you need without putting a visible seam.

Blue and white is always a crisp combo that looks forever fresh!

Try some stripes on your bedding...Notice that the stripes are horizontal on the bed skirt. You get a lot more visual interest by adding simple stripes.

I live in an older home ...yes, I have to do my laundry area in the basement! I sure wish it was as cheery as this one!

Stripes mix easily with other prints.....

Just visualize how plain and boring this entrance would be if it was pure white!.....see, I told you that black and white stripes make everything pop!!

Simply adore this collection of striped pillows....

Again, picture this cushion cover in something other than this red and white stripe....not as much fun is it?

I'm pretty sure I have used this photo before...but it really says it all when it comes to stripes on a wall in an otherwise "lifeless" room.

Simple and clean....love the pillow!

Bobbin settees are coming back! I should have a few in the store soon. They are great seating options for small spaces.

Again, kind of boring without the striped rug! Don't forget that we carry the full line of Dash and Albert rugs at the store. They come in all sizes and colors and are really affordable! Stop in to check them out and look through the store catalog. There are wonderful rugs for your outdoor areas also...just toss the smaller ones in the wash...the larger ones can simply be hosed down! Check out their website...we have lots of color samples at the store. www.dash&albert.com

Stripes can also be calming and sophisticated.

Paint some horizontal stripes in a bedroom, bathroom, sun porch...well just about anywhere! All you need is a level, good painter's tape, paint and some time !

I'll be heading back to Erie tomorrow...visiting with my grandchildren (and Josh and Em) in Florida. Stop by the shop to get inspired! We will be painting some horizontal stripes in the front area of the store, so we can answer any questions about painting them if you like...or we could "hook" you up with someone who could do it for you. We also are waiting the arrival of a shipment of fabric ...and , you guessed it!...some of them are stripes that can be used for horizontal striped drapery!! and the prices are amazing...Take care, Sue

Our New Grandchild!!

Our sweet new baby boy Weston Forrest Bartlett.....with his big sister McKenna and big brother Landon!! Only...one day old!

Now I have to find a way to get to see all of them...they live in Florida..bettter start checking the airlines....more later....Take care, Sue

Erie Gardens in National Garden Conservancy's Open Days

Mark your calendar for Sunday, May 24th, from 10-4, when six local gardens participate in the national Garden Conservancy's Open Days!!

Don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity to explore these amazing gardens. Visit www.opendaysprogram.org to learn all the details. Click on the 2009 schedule and scroll to Erie... all directions are there for you. Tickets are $5 per person per garden, or discount booklet, 6 for $25. Available in advance at the Erie Book Store or by calling 1-888-842-2442. Check it out! Take care, Sue