Patriotic Holiday Decorating

I love the Patriotic holidays! You know, it starts with Memorial Day, the official start of summer, then comes the Fourth of July and finishes nicely with Labor Day, the official end of summer. I used to just bring out all my red, white and blue for the Fourth. Now I realize I missed a great opportunity to enjoy the pomp and circumstance longer. If I decorate for Memorial Day and leave it up through the Fourth, at least.
I hang my big flag out front. Remember, I live where it snows in June. It just did, in fact, a few days ago. I wish I could let it fly all year long but it does bring a smile during these precious summer months. I also put little flags in my newly planted porch planters and also red, white & blue pin-wheels, for fun. It doesn't cost much to just add a few patriotic touches to your home.
Inside, I hang plaques, plates, garlands, stars, ornaments and place figures all around my home. It just makes me feel good to see the glory of my country all around me. I think too of those that fight for our freedom, including the families that are apart while we enjoy our barbeques and fireworks. We are desendants of Francis Scott Key, so I love things with the Star Spangeled Banner on them.
You will find goodies on my website, at Target, Dollar Tree, flea markets and the like, especially this time of year. I keep my eyes peeled year round for special treasures. 
So, go buy a package of small flags and see where you can put them around your home. They will lighten your heart.
Melin

Do you "Pin" on Pinterest?

Pinterest is a fun website for bringing out your creative ideas and sharing them with others. You find pictures on the web that you love and "pin" them on to your board in any catagory you choose. A board is like you own dream or bulletin board, so to speak.
I have several for example, Places I Have Seen (and Love), Sweet!, Organization, Let's Party!, and Lovely Gardens. I have some "pins" from websites, some of my own photos and others that I re-pinned from Pinterest.
You can use Pinterest to plan...decor, wardrobes, weddings, nurseries, parties, trips and tonights dinner. The possibilities are endless and so much fun! The more you "pin", the more creative you become.
Wondering how to get Started? Go to http://www.pinterest.com and request an invitation or email me and I will invite you. You'll get an invitation from Pinterest to create your login. Go to "About" in the upper right corner and download your "Pin it" button from Goodies. I have my "Pin it" button handy in my favorites. Anytime I am on a website and see something I love, I hit my "Pin it" button and several images come up from the page. Select the one you want, "Pin it" and save it onto the board of your choice.
You can follow other pinners, who's boards you enjoy, and they can follow you. Please follow me at http://www.pinterest.com/wrenlizgifts/. It is fun to check out what is popular for fresh ideas. You will love it, so hurry and get those creative juices going and "pin it"!

What is A Jellycat?

What is a Jellycat?

It is neither a cat nor jelly. Jellycat is a premium soft toy company that began in London in 1999.

They are a favorite at Wren Elizabeth Gifts for their design, quality and feel!

 Each one is unique but they are the softest, cutest and or squishiest that WE

have ever seen and our customers agree!

They also have creative and fun cloth and board books.

I wish the computer had feel-o-vision, so you could feel them for yourself. These cuties don't dissappoint. Check out all our bunnies for Easter. If you want a design that WE don't currently have in stock, WE are happy to special order it for you. Hop to it!

Spring Open House 2012

Thanks to all our friends who came out in the snow for our Wren Elizabeth Gifts 2012 Spring Open House. I thought I would share some photos of the holiday and home treasures.

This is just a small part of the Easter and spring goodies.

The birthday party table had yummy treats, especially the pink or blue tablecloths from moda. 

                              We have wedding items to help plan a beautiful wedding or shower.

                        St Paddy's Day just past but these lucky decorations are sure to last and last.

                     Valentine's Day is a fun holiday for kids and grown-ups too, not just lovers.

We have two open houses each year, in the fall and spring. Hope you can make it to one and touch and feel the treasures too. Lucky our online store is open 24/7 year-round.
Hugs,
Melin

Bethany Lowe in Atlanta

While in Atlanta last month, my friend Linda and I were fortunate to have been invited to a special party at the Bethany Lowe showroom. We got to meet Bethany Lowe in the photo with me above. I am not sure why it this pic came out so small. I love Beth's costume...perfection!

We got to meet five designers and each signed a keepsake for us to cherish. I am pictured above with Teena Flanner who's glittered creations have been a favorite of mine for years.

We received Bethany Lowe totes and walked the line to meet each designer and have them autograph their specially designed pins.

These are my treasures! What a great time we had. It was a fun and joyful party.

We were in Atlanta for fall and holiday buying for my company, Wren Elizabeth Gifts. We carry some of Bethany Lowe's fine line of fun gifts and collectibles.

Calendars

I love my calendars in the new year! Yes, these are all mine. They are filled with birthdays, anniversaries and other happy days but not appointments that make up most of our hectic lives.

A new calendar brings hope for the future and a promise of wonder-filled days ahead. How will we fill in these blanks? Let's make some of them days for just doing whatever brings us pleasure and peace in that moment, nothing planned.

There is joy too in our busy days, party days and family days. Sometimes even our busy days feed our souls.Wishing you a fun calendar for 2012!

Melin

Antiquing in Springfield Oregon

I took these images on vacation at a wonderful antique co-op in Springfield, Oregon. I loved the care the vendors took with their booths and their great displays. I wish I could tell you the name of the store. I will get better at this, especially with the details and photos as I go along, I promise.

It doesn't matter what you love...country and romantic or modern and minimal, something wonderful happens when you gather things together that you enjoy.

As these photos show, just grouping your treasures by color or like items let's us enjoy them in a whole new way.

Time to get out your crystal and polish up your wedding or grandma's silver for holiday entertaining. You can group them together for a shiny new display. You can leave out all through he holidays with just a few added ornaments, ribbons or greenery but that is for a future post.

Melin