photo above from B Designs website

Here are my neighbors from the boutique last weekend.

Karen and James

of

B Designs Letterpress

A wonderful photo

with the design duo.

Husband and Wife team

so happy

and such

beautiful letterpress stationary.

Their products were a big hit at the show.

Karen is the artist and James is the letterpress guy.

I enjoyed getting to know them.

Here are a few more shots of their paper

The paper is in boutiques all across the country.

and you can order online

check out the full line of stationary products here

Everyone needs some special paper on which to write their

thank you notes.

Christmas and presents and other holidays are right around the corner.

Everyone loves to receive a hand written note.

A thank you via e-mail, no thanks!

Now is the beginning of the exciting daily mail ritual -

Christmas and holiday cards

and then notes from nieces and nephews...

Each day I scurry to the mailbox

to check out the new cards.

So much more fun than the standard bills and junk.

When you check out the B Designs Letterpress website

be sure to read about their dog, Lucky

Jardiniere Ltd

A few years back, at one of my many trunk shows, I was positioned next to a booth called Jardiniere; the owner of the shop was a charming and pretty lady about my age. She seemed familiar but I couldn't place her. As the day went on and we chatted, we discovered that we went to college together and dated roommates; my time with the roommate was short-lived - a disaster of a romance - better that it ended quickly, but I liked Kathy.

So almost 25 years later we find ourselves in another phase of life - with children in college and running our respective businesses. We both love the excitement of entrepreneurship. Kathy had a store back in 2007 when we first reconnected. These last two years we met up again at the Church of the Redeemer boutique in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts where Kathy sold her fabulous english toffee. Kathy has been making and selling this scrumptious toffee at Christmas boutiques for the last 10 years or so. When she has an idea, she runs with it; other businesses have been floral design, window box design, and her beautiful home goods store in East Greenwich, Rhode Island which was called Jardiniere. Kathy has a flair - just look at her table at the recent Church of the Redeemer boutique and the candy is delish! It is packaged in tins with giant red grosgrain bows or red toile bags and boxes topped with the same giant red grosgrain bow. And this pretty drawing for the label hidden in plain site on my messy desk below. If you like good toffee she might have some left. I will give you her contact info if you are interested.

We also discovered that we both loved Dominique Browning's book Slow Love: How I Lost My Job, Put on my Pajamas & Found Happiness. Someone you know might enjoy this book for

Christmas.

Last show of the season under my belt.

I will do a couple of profiles on my boutique neighbors later this week.

You can see the Letterpress folks next to me busy at work.

Right now, old man winter has blown in -

Oh the weather outside is frightful,

But the fire is so delightful,

And since we 've no place to go,

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! ...

I have lots of orders to finish

and the studio in the garage is just too cold and drafty

so I moved the studio inside the house

a crazy mess

but so cozy

Just back from a whirlwind trip to Boston. I pulled out of Wilton before the crack of dawn on Friday and returned late Sunday afternoon. My Boutiques are now finished for the season - phew - but I am still delivering product to retail stores. Just dropped another 2 dozen frames and a few memento boards at the Wellesley Boutique, 100 Central Street, Wellesley, Massachusetts.

Stop by if you are in the area. You will find a wonderful assortment of presents etc for the holidays.

A few weeks ago a commenter asked if the economy looked any better from my perspective as I sell at boutiques from Washington DC to Chestnut Hill MA; it is tough going. People are being very careful with their spending this year. So while the economists report that we are technically out of the recession, the buying public is still in the trenches. But today I heard a good piece of news; Pam Lofblad, owner of the Wellesley Boutique, told me that business was very good at her shop. She has a "pop-up shop" in Wellesley, MA. The shop opens seasonally for a couple of months at a time. Pam is a savvy entrepreneur - she has terrific inventory and vendors that change weekly so there is always new merchandise. People keep coming back to see what is new. She only pays rent for two months and works non-stop. But it is worth it. The place was buzzing with people and excitement today. Fifteen people were waiting to get in when the shop opened today at noon. I was thrilled to hear that because I just dropped off more frames. One final push for the season and a few more orders to complete.

I plan to the visit some other stores this week to see if they might want a few more frames for the season. At the other end of the spectrum, two stores that I have sold to for the last few seasons have decided to close. I think it is going to be a long, slow climb out of the deep financial hole in this country and abroad. There are bright spots here and there, but mostly it is hard work. There is not much a robust recovery in sight.

So try and make the best of it... find something good about each day and be grateful for that.

Make each day matter. You never know what tomorrow will bring.

My next show

Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts

Please stop by if you live in the area

lots of wonderful people and treasures

I have always wanted to do before and after pictures...I arrive at a show with boxes and boxes, then I must transform a new space. Sometimes it looks better than others.

I had to work with a a tight space and a large black grid backdrop next to me...and I was not close to home so I could not run home to pick up extra material to hide the black screen...and I was split between two shows so my regular table covering was in Wellesley, oh well... The show was good and people loved the frames. I was asked to do more shows in the area which is always a goal - gotta keep finding new customers.

The final set-up

not my best

but it worked

catching up on my rest

ready for a peaceful few days ahead

Not great photos...but you get the idea.

Pam Scott

(left)

Owner

Catch-All Boutique

at

Time for Lyme Boutique

Greenwich, Connecticut

Also pictured is Libby Tuttle, (right)

another entrepreneur I know from the circuit.

Her business is called Designing Women.

Pam at the

Spring Boutique

at

Doubles, NYC

I met Pam about 20 years ago when I first created my business,

mrr design.

Pam is an inspiration to me.

She may not know it, but I have learned so much from her.

Pam's entrepreneur skills and winning attitude have been a model for me.

Over the years, I would see her at show after show.

And she has the most beautiful smile.

Her customers love coming back to her booth year after year.

She has quite a following along the east coast

from New England to Florida

and

the mid-west.

I do not how she does it year after year.

Pam must do about 20 shows in the fall/holiday season alone!

She has been in business for 31 years.

She is truly a delightful person

with lovely taste.

Here is line up of Pam's amazing assortment of products:

Elegant linens for the bath and tabletop

Beautiful nightgowns for ladies and children

Wonderful wraps for any and all occasions

Handmade decorative accessories

Monogrammed travel accessories

Candles and diffusers

Baby gifts galore

I am proud to report

that Pam is now carrying my monogrammed frames.

Very exciting for me

because

Pam is one of the first people I got to know and admire

on the boutique and trunk show circuit.

Thanks Pam for all I have learned from you about the boutique business.

You are a wonderful example of a successful boutique entrepreneur.

Pam was always ready to share information with me;

not everyone will give out advice or tips.

Often I encountered a survival of the fittest mentality,

but Pam was generous in her conversations with me.

And I am grateful because I have avoided some mistakes.

Pam stays at it year after year.

Her inventory changes a little bit each year

to keep up with the trends.

Charitable groups are continually seeking out Pam's expertise

for the organization of boutiques for their charity events,

like the Time for Lyme benefit in Greenwich, CT

For many years Pam organized the Breast Cancer Holiday Boutique

in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Here are just a few of the places that you will find Pam

this holiday season.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

November 10, Wednesday

Greenwich Womens Exchange

at

Round Hill Country Club

Greenwich, CT 9:30am to 4:30pm

~~~~~~~~~~~~

November 19 and 20

The Twig Fair at the Apawamis Club

Rye, New York

Friday, November 19th: 12 noon to 8:00pm

Saturday, November 20th: 9:00am to 5:00pm

~~~~~~~~~~~~

November 30, Tuesday

Holiday Gift Boutique at the Greenwich Country Club

Greenwich, CT

Tuesday, Nov 30th, 6:00pm to 8:00pm

Wednesday, Dec 1st, 9:00am to 5:00pm

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Stop by, you will be glad that you did.

Pam travels all around the country

up and down the eastern seaboard

to the midwest

and lots of stops in Florida.

If you want to find out where she is next

beyond the Connecticut area,

just e-mail me and I will have Pam get in touch with you.

PS. I have been wearing one of Pam's beautiful nightgowns for years.

Beautiful, soft, and white with exquisite smocking detail.

If you miss these shows,

check in next year

at the Holiday Spree

in early October

at the Shenorock Shore Club

in Rye, New York.

Stylebeat proclaimed on May 20th

"Stylish trends:

it's all about mini florals"

Looks like I hit the mark on this one.

These wonderful reproduction 18th and 19th century fabrics,

reproduced by Liberty and V&A, London

for the current Quilt Exhibition,

are perfect for the mini floral design trend.

Everyone loves these pretty blue frames.

A few ladies coveted the fabric for a dress or flowing skirt

Don't forget if you are in the Boston area

there is a great show at

Church of the Redeemer

on Sat and Sun, May 22 & 23.

15% of all my profits will go to the mission fund project

click here for more info

Spring Fair

Mission Fundraiser

Saturday, May 22^nd

from 10-3

and Sunday May 23^rd

from 12-3

Redeemer Undercroft

at

CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER

379 HAMMOND STREET

CHESTNUT HILL, MASSACHUSETTS

Canonica Verde (Italian olive oil & honey)

Capriccio Arts (visual art)
Circa Design (gemstone jewelry)
Dean’s Sweets (chocolate)
Dede Cadieux (beaded and pearl necklaces)
Giardini di Sole (Italian ceramics)
Janet Egan Design (silk jackets)

Miatela Studio (scarves and textiles)

MRR Design

(padded picture frames and noteboards)
MY Design (decoupage)
Nest Gift Shop of Dedham, MA

Margaret Remensnyder Illustration
Sumner P. Bennett (Shaker Style boxes)

Simply Made (quilts and handmade cards)
Tina Lang Creations (custom jewelry)

Whimsey Books (children's books)
Whitney Prints (framed antique prints)

Come see me at the fair!

15% of all my sales

goes to the mission projects.

A project associated with the Church Service League, our annual Spring Fair raises money to support Redeemer mission projects, particularly summer mission trips to the Gulf Coast to help rehabilitate individual homes post-Hurricane Katrina. The spring fundraiser is in its third year.

Over fifteen vendors offer everything from gourmet foodstuffs to toys to women’s apparel, with spring-themed merchandise and an eye towards graduations and Father's Day.

The Spring Market is open to the public at the above posted hours. Everyone is warmly welcome to attend.

This is a great show.

Some of my frames and boards will be there

plus all sorts of goodies from Sis Boom

Beautiful, happy, colorful fabrics

and you get to meet the beautiful, happy, and colorful Jennifer

and beautiful, happy and colorful quilts etc

from Go Make Your Bed

get directions here

Back from the Azalea Festival at The Landon School

in Bethesda, Maryland

and all tuckered out

great success with the monogram frames

ACK frames - sure to be a hit this summer

Here I am in the studio in the wee hours before departure,

while I still had energy.

Back soon after I rest up.

If you live near Bethesda MD stop by the Azalea Festival

April 30, May 1 & 2

Here is a list of the vendors

Lots of great stuff

and beautiful plants

And I certainly don't have a 'look' -- just a mishmash of everything that somehow, by instinct, usually turns out to be a warm imaginative, 'living room'."
Sister Parish

I think I will enjoy this recently published book...hint, hint, double-clue.

So I did a little research and learned that book events were scheduled in my neck of the woods.

I could not attend the book event, but I discovered a new store called NEST in Dedham, Massachusetts.

So I jumped over to NEST's website, read a bit, then decided to pitch my frames to the five co-owners, thinking, if the owners like Sister Parish's style enough to have a book event, then they just might like my work, which embodies so many of the same characteristics as Sister Parish style: colorful, fun, unique, and handmade.

My instincts were spot on - I just sent an order of brown zebra frames and brown suede desktop memento boards.

If you live in the area, stop by Nest - the photos on the website show a wonderful assortment of goods. I wanted to stop by for a visit after my show last weekend but it was just too busy.

And to top it all off, my neighbor at the show last weekend, Church of the Redeemer Christmas Market, heard me giving my spiel to a potential buyer about how wonderful the frames are..."so easy to change the picture...just slip the photo in between the fabric and ribbon... the frames are in lots of fabulous boutiques... including NEST" - and low and behold, this gal's cousin is one of the co-owners of the store. Just goes to prove the old adage, the older we get, the smaller our world becomes. This same gal and I also went to high school together - imagine that - I ran into a lot of people at the Church of the Redeemer Christmas Market - it was wonderful to see old friends and to be back in the Boston area...

HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT POP-UP STORES?

It is the latest entrepreneurial wave in retail.

The press has reported on many NYC POP UP stores

aka

GORILLA BOUTIQUES.

Here this month, gone next month.

Last year these two clever gals and entrepreneurs

noticed one empty storefront after another in Wellesley, Massachusetts.

They missed the fun, specialty stores.

So Pam Lofblad, above, and Jana Peretti, below, took a leap and created

a POP UP store last May.

It was such a success they have opened another

for the holiday shopping season

in downtown Wellesley.

Check out the link above.

You will find my frames there now too!

After a successful show in Chestnut Hill

and a nice weekend visiting family in Wellesley

I popped into the POP UP store to see if they needed any more merchandise.

And they did!!

The store was buzzing with activity - lots of great products

and each week the guest artists change, so keep going back.

Today, a group of carolers came to sing when I was there.

Wonderful.

And there was a snow storm on Saturday night.

Sunday was beautiful with the fresh snow and brilliant blue, sunny skies.

I forgot my camera this weekend so no photos to share.

I did a little research and discovered that one of the earliest POP UPs was in San Francisco in 2003: LOCAL PATRON. Since then, lots of stores appeared and disappeared quickly in NYC, with the idea of generating buzz and excitement. It is also a way for local artists to display their work and for the local community to support the artists and entrepreneurs.

Here is how Pam and Jana describe their POP UP PLACE:

A Unique Boutique

What makes the Wellesley Holiday Boutique so special is our fabulous product lines and our amazing guest artists and designers. Every week we host different artists with exciting new merchandise... it's like a whole new store every week. Be sure to stop by often as you'll see something new every visit!

Support your local artists and become a LOCAL PATRON

sis boom show goes thru today

check out headboard created by mrr design

behind the sweet little girl

lots more to see at the show

The location of the show is
40 East Meadow Road
Wilton, Connecticut 06897
(203) 761-0442
Get Directions to the Show!
See you there!

I am excited; I just got the ok to participate in this show.

Last minute room for a newcomer!

Stop by if you are in this neck of the woods

lots of great items for sale.

Buy a tree or a wreath or just get into the spirit of the season.

I am burning the midnight oil these days

and the candle at both ends.

(sorry for the weird formatting -

I cut &pasted and cannot make it look better)

Christmas Market December 4th, 10 am - 5 pm December 5th, 10am - 4 pm $1 admission a bargain and all these great vendors - come check it out CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER CHRISTMAS MARKET 2009 379 HAMMOND STREET CHESTNUT HILL, MA FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4TH 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5TH 10:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. LUNCH 11:30 A.M. - 1:30 P.M. B DESIGNS – Elegant letterpress printed stationery and gifts BALBIANELLO, INC. –Luxurious apparel of the finest natural fibers for men and women BOOK AND TACKLE SHOP – Rare and out of print books CATCH ALL – Unique linens for bed, bath and tabletop, personalized accessories CIRCA DESIGN – Innovative and contemporary natural stone jewelry with a classical persona DEAN’S SWEETS – Extraordinary Maine-made hand-dipped dark chocolate truffles DEDE CADIEUX DESIGNS – Freshwater pearl and semiprecious stone jewelry DESIGNS BY LILLIE – Needlepoint shoes, pillows and more DISCOVERY TOYS – Award winning educational and fun quality toys GALATEA FINE JEWELRY – Fine and fun jewelry and accessories GIGI AND ME – Unique jewelry, accessories and gifts HENLEY AND SLOANE SHIRTMAKERS – Classic, English style shirts, ties and accessories ISABEL HARVEY– Fun, chic and trendy jewelry J. MCLAUGHLIN – Classic clothing and accessories for women and men JACARANDA LIVING – Fine embroidered linens and hand made gifts JARDINIERE – Elegantly wrapped, delicious toffee JAY’S TREEWORK – Turned wood gifts KATE LANDERS EVENTS – Children’s custom clothing, partyware, tableware and gifts LIZA HENNESSEY FINE LEATHER GOODS – Handbags and blankets MOLLYGOGGLES – Hand felted scarves and wraps, luxurious baby wraps and sweaters MADELINE’S HOMEMADE LLC – Homemade fudge sauces MY DESIGN- Handmade decoupaged plates, trays and coasters MY OILCLOTH INC. – Inspiring oilcloth handbags, totes and accessories NOTABLES – Stationery, monogrammed gifts and accessories THE RED PILLAR – Decorative arts, antiques and whimsical watercolors SARA CAMPBELL, LTD. – Festive clothing and accessories for women SARAH MORSE JEWELRY DESIGN – Handcrafted gold and silver jewelry RUSSIAN TREASURES – Handmade Russian Christmas ornaments SMATHERS AND BRANSON – Hand-stitched needlepoint belts and accessories THREE HOUR NAP – Children’s bibs, blankets, shams, loveys and accessories …and other vendors HANDMADE WREATHS, CHRISTMAS TREES, BAKED GOODS AND MUCH MORE! ADMISSION - $1.00