Be it Ever so Humble...

Well, the Yankee and I have finally found our way back to our humble little home! 

When we left around the middle of July–for the Brimfield Antiques and Collectibles Show–we estimated we'd be gone about two weeks–tops.  It's five weeks later, and we're just getting back. 

Did you miss me?  ; )

There are lots of fun things I want to share with you from my trip up north.  And you've actually already gotten a glimpse of some of the wonders of New England from the terrific old barns I showed you–during the Barn Chicks party.

Since I've received several e-mails, and a few comments, requesting a peek at the Brimfield show, I decided to make that the next thing on the agenda.

By now, you should know that when you see an image of festival tents in one of my posts, you're about to be shown some of the fabulous finds from the show I've done.

The area you see above was across the street from where I was set up.  There was something over there that really grabbed my attention. 

Can you guess what it might have been?

It was this amazing vintage pediment.  It kept calling to me until I finally paid it a visit.

And take a gander at these terrific architectural pieces that were right behind it!

As I walked a bit further down the street, I spotted this booth overflowing with the most incredible garden elements.

I was really quit smitten with this gorgeous fountain. 

But, I'm afraid it was a tad to grand for my little farmstead.

Without a doubt, this vendor had some of the most beautiful garden adornments I'd ever seen.

Walking around the various fields of vendors, I saw much of the same types of antiques and collectibles I see at every show I participate in.

But, I must say, this particular show also offered some rather unique–albeit quirky–items, as well.

For instance, this vendor had a tent full of oddities...

including these wax figures.

I truly like one-of-a-kind items, but these guys gave me the heebie-jeebies!

This is Erica...a real flesh and blood figure.  She was one of my friendly neighbors at the show.

I spent a lot of time ogling the sweet shabby pretties available in her tent.

She offered everything necessary to create an utterly romantic home décor.

This is Christina and Gallo...

two more of my wonderful neighbors from the show.

Their tent was totally packed with lovely, sophisticated pieces like those above and below.

Not only was I impressed with the beautiful, quality pieces they had for sale, but also with the fact that Gallo paints each of them himself.

Meet Tricia of the Red Door Antiques. 

She was set up in a different field than I was, but her tempting treasures lured me right to her tent, nonetheless.

The old chicken feeder-turned-dish rack she was selling was a little more befitting of a cottage farmhouse, wouldn't you agree?

And the cards in the back of Tricia's tent summed up one of the things I enjoy most about doing these shows–making "new" friends.

Indeed, we have made friends at each show we've participated in...including Brimfield.

But...

we also experienced another very special treat while there.

Numerous vendors had told us that Brimfield is a show known for bringing out many among the "who's who" crowd.

We didn't really expect to see anyone famous at the summer show, however.  Traditionally, that's the slowest of the three shows presented there during the year.

But...

See that little sticker?  Stickers, like that one, are placed on all the pieces purchased by...

 none other than...

Rachel Ashwell–the queen of Shabby Chic herself!

Yep.  That's right.  She visited our tent, and bought one of our pieces!

We were thrilled–considering the unbelievably large number of vendors she had to choose from.

We would have been excited just having her come into our tent.  But she actually liked our offerings enough to come inside...

and buy something!

Though I had created a lodge vignette (definitely not shabby chic) in a section of our space–using that table as the centerpiece–her keen decorator's eye homed right in on it. 

I'm not one to be starstruck.  But I must admit...

it sure was fun having someone famous buy one of our pieces!

I'll be sharing the pinks in these pics at Beverly's Pink Saturday.

Better Late Than Never

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE DETAILS FOR ALL THREE NEW LINKY PARTIES HERE AT THE COTTAGE!

Back in the spring, the Yankee and I did an antique show in Cameron, NC.

 I got so busy preparing for other shows–scheduled back-to-back–I failed to post about this one. 

But this town is so unbelievably quaint, I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to share it with you.

I didn't have time to browse this adorable little shop when I was there, but the peek inside makes me want to go back as soon as I get the chance.

As I walked the main street to take pictures to share with you, I was sooo tempted to stop in each and every antique store along the way.

But there were just too many–in addition to the street vendors–to even consider it. 

It amazed me that there was so many terrific shops in such a small town, considering the population of Cameron is under 200. 

Maybe they're all shop owners!  ; )

As if all the antiques and collecibles weren't eye candy enough, the houses that line this main street made me wish they also offered a historic homes tour.

And I actually got to meet a fellower NC blogger at this show.

Tammy @ Tattered and Timeless had some of the sweetest offerings in her booth.

Be sure to stop by and tell her Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage said hi.

Believe me; there were sooo many wonderful things to look at, I couldn't take it all in in the brief time I had to snap these few photos.

Let me show you where the Yankee and I were set up.

We were in the backyard of an old tea room that is no longer in business.

The owners's daughter tried to convince us to buy the place and restore it to its former glory. 

Oh, how I wish that were possible!  It's my dream to own a tea room and fill it with creations from the Brambleberry Cottage.

Maybe some day!

It was truly one of the most delightful places to be a vendor.

Tucked among the tall trees and set up next to an old barn, it was almost like being back home on our farm.

Even the old pecan grove where we slept–the night before the show–was serenely beautiful.

We will definitely visit Cameron again.

Next time, I want to go a few days early, so I can visit each one of those shops.  Want to come along?

If you look closely, there are splashes of pink in these pics, so I'm sharing at Beverly's Pink Saturday.

A Mooving Experience

This year's Memorial Day weekend was spent doing an antiques and collectibles show in the beautiful mountain region of Hillsville, VA.

The lovely country setting above was what I enjoyed each day as I looked out the front of my booth.

And the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains provided a gorgeous backdrop to the left of where I was set up.

I know I usually share with you the vendors' offerings that I find most interesting from each show.  But I'm afraid I have none to share from Hillsville.

Oh, there were ample goodies to photograph, and I did make an attempt.   Honest...I did!

But most of the vendors were down in the valley, and I was set up on the hillside.  And no, it wasn't the walk that deterred me.  I love to walk. 

It was the heat.  With temps in the upper 90s, it was almost unbearable. 

We positioned our tent on the hill to catch a breeze and to provide shade throughout most of the day.  So our site was one of the coolest places to be.

When I finally ventured out of my booth to take pictures, the heat was so awful I hotfooted it (literally) right back to my shady little spot.  Sorry!

But I do have something very special to share from the show.

Meet Redrock...the ten-year-old, 2400 lb Brahma bull. 

You can't really tell from this photo, but this guy is huge!

You see, Redrock spends his days touring with his human family, letting folks ride him and get their pictures taken with him. That's what he was doing at this show.

His owners began domesticating him when he was ten months old, so he would be totally calm and gentle around people.

Being the animal lover that I am, I spent every spare moment I could petting him. 

During one of my visits, his momma (owner TJ), told me that he really likes having his neck scratched.  So I happily obliged. 

I could tell that he thoroughly enjoyed being petted, by his response–much the same as a dog having his belly rubbed. 

At one point he even put his head on my shoulder.  Awww!!!

I cannot begin to describe to you just how sweet this animal is. If ever there was a "gentle giant," Redrock is it!

I also discovered that his very favorite treat is a honey bun.  That's TJ rewarding him for being such a good boy.

I had fully intended to have my picture taken with Redrock on the last day of the show. Unfortunately, an unexpected downpour sent everyone into a frenzy trying to pack up goods before they were ruined.

I missed my opportunity for a photoshoot with Redrock, but I hope to see him again at the fall show. 

And I'll be sure to bring a pack of honey buns.  Because he is such a good boy!!!

Sharing the beautiful blue sky, Blue Ridge Mountains, and Redrock's blues at Sally's for Blue Monday.

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE THREE NEW LINKY PARTIES HERE AT THE COTTAGE!

In the Pink

Some time ago, I promised I would show you the type of goodies I sell at the antiques and collectibles shows I do.

To narrow it down, I've decided to focus on a pink theme. 

Remember how I shared with you that selling pink pretties is one of the ways I get my pink fix? I just use it at home, for a time, then sell it.

The beautiful 1950s Pinkie print, pictured above, hung in my bedroom for a while.  I loved the soft colors of this vintage print and the sweet face of the young girl. 

 

That's her hiding in the background–hanging on the vintage shutters–at a show I did at the Raleigh Flea.

I was torn about removing her from her place in my cottage.  But she ended up going home with someone who had been searching for her for a very long time.  She has taken up residence alongside Blue Boy in her new home.

There are splashes of pink throughout this vignette.  Isn't that 50s record holder the bomb?

Say hello to Molly.  She collects vintage toiletries and fell in love with this old Oil of Olay jar in my booth.  She cleans the vintage containers she purchases and refills them with her brands to use on her vanity.

What a great idea, Molly!

I sold this wonderful old farm cabinet at the antique fair I did in Cameron, NC.  I'll be sharing more about that show with you in a future post.

Though I owned this piece for about fifteen years, I never used it inside my other home.  When we moved to the farm, I brought it inside to house my TV and stereo equipment.

Did you notice the pretty pops of pink on top?

Because of my love of children, I'm always drawn to vintage baby items.  

Here are a few of the things I displayed at the Big Classic show back in April.  The face on that baby in the print above was just too cute!

Now follow me over to Beverly's place for the second birthday celebration of Pink Saturday.

Liberty Revisited

The Yankee and I have returned home from Cameron, NC, where we just finished another show.  I thought I would share a few more of the fabulous finds featured at the Liberty Antiques Festival–from last weekend–before I launch into the more recent event.

One of the most prevalent colors I spotted on items at Liberty was aqua–in many variations.

If you remember, that was the color I saw most frequently at the Metrolina Big Classic.

Take a look at my last post, and you'll also see it in a number of different applications at this show.

I thought it looked simply fabulous on the plant stands above, on the adorable apron on the left...

and this cute vintage hat.

The last two pics above are from one of my very favorite booths at the Liberty show.

 

Deborah and Jeanne created such a wonderful space–absolutely brimming with girly items.  Hmmm. I'll bet that was one of the reasons it was one of my favorites!

 

Not only did they sell wonderful vintage pieces–like the aprons and hats–but their wares were displayed in such cute vignettes.

Don't you think the mannequins are just terrific?!

Their space was a total delight for the senses.

There was more incredible eye candy to see than I had time to take in. The music playing in the background was gloriously soothing.  There were sensational Yankee Candles perfuming the air, and a multitude of vintage tactile surfaces to embrace–jewelry, hats, linens, aprons, scarves, and beautiful decorative items for the home.

After days spent in the sweltering heat–in the middle of a pasture–these ladies knew exactly what this lady needed to make her smile.

 

I know where I'll be taking my breaks during the fall show!

I think I'll share some of my favorites from the Liberty show at Mary's for Mosaic Monday.

And, there is plenty of blue to share at Smiling Sally for

 and splashes of red to share at Work of the Poet for Ruby Tuesday.