Evi's Wonderland

You may have thought I have been sleeping the days away like Sleeping Beauty from reading my last post.

Yes I have been resting more ....and if I thought I could
look like Sleeping Beauty

I'd be sleeping right now:)

but I have to be realistic.

sleep can only do so much.

In between naps I was lucky enough to visit our friend

Evi and Ebie's for a great luncheon at their home.

To make it even better Laura (52 Flea) and Paula were there too along with Mr Flea and Bill(or should we call him Mr Paula?) just kidding Bill 

Like you may have heard Laura and I mention before Evi's home is quintessential european elegance with boatloads of charm 

at every turn. 

Couldn't you just die over that trim? I don't know what it says 

but I love it. 

The wonderful bird cups you see there, Evi and her girlfriend Debbie just bought the same set. 

Paula checking out Evi's newest creation. The angel wings turned out great but it seems that it was harder to put 

together then she'd hoped. It was worth all the effort (easy for me to say) 

Totally adored this wreath. She told us she's had it for years. Spruced it up with

a few silver sprigs.....

and a paper sculpture she bought from me years ago.

This is an original Nicol Sayre that Evi bought years ago when

Nicol was just starting out. 

Did I mention that Evi is an amazing dollmaker?

OMG yes.

I didn't show a lot of her work on this post but you can check out

more dolls in Laura's post HERE

and in her blog shop HERE

Of course I admired this topiary that was made from a false cypress.

False cypress as in "not really a cypress"....but it is a real plant.

A chamacyparis just in case you were wondering

The mantel dressed just the right amount.

She's so good at editing. 

Oh btw I want to tell you to visit 

Laura's post that will show you even more of Evi's house if

you haven't been there already.

It's a must see!

I photographed a lot more close ups.

....you know me I can't seem to do anything else:)

Like these!

Aren't they just the perfect touch. She's had them for years and that's why they have a little patina to them now.

Each chair adored with a wreath and stocking.

This is one of the dollhouses from when Evi was a child growing up in Germany.

I have more photos of it from a previous visit. 

One of these days I'll show them.

Isn't it fantastic?

I took a lot of photos of ornaments but will only show you a few....

the cutest thing or what?

I know I know!!!!

We got a chuckle with this one with his runny icicle nose.

Feels like it could do that now.....it's been in the teens lately.

Bbbbrrrrrr!

but I'm inside so what am I complaining about?

Love the touches of red she mixes in with her neutral palette.

Is that the sweetest face? and take a look at those 

adorable big feet.

Oh and this make-do. Such incredible detail. I just noticed the Humane Society member tag.

Now Evi I have one more reason to love you!

Now we come to this gorgeous enclosed porch. 

You thought the inside was amazing and then this?

I popped out here a couple of times enjoying the sunshine and the view of the woodlands all around........

and this is where the wine was chilling.

haha

It was a beautiful sunny day and a wonderful way to spend time with friends.

I am so lucky to have these people in my life.

I will share our present exchange on the next post soon.

Hope your New Year is going well so far.

hugs

Carole

Christmas sleeping and Happy New Year

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.

It seems every year after the holidays I disappearance a little.

I don’t really know why it happens? Maybe it started on Christmas itself.

I slept more then I have in months.

We had no where to go so no pressure there…..so I just went with it.

I could have slept all day if it wasn’t for needing to eat.

I know you might think I was going into some kind of post Christmas depression

but I just needed

to SLEEP!!!!

ahhh love that feeling of drowsiness just between consciousness and dreamland.

I’d been waiting a long time to have a day like that.

I have days now to reflect on how the season went, what I need to do better, what I did well ( pat on back)

there is always a bigger list of things I need to do better.

It may seem like a long time before Christmas comes back around again but

for many of us in this business it starts back again in the next few weeks and for me in a month when I go back to NYC for the gift show. I had wanted to travel to the Atlanta show this year but decided against it. Maybe when I can talk someone into traveling with me.

any takers?

I hadn’t planned on babbling so much………

sorry

see what happens when I get cabin fever.

I’ve been working on plant orders that I missed doing in the Fall. I don’t know how I did that?

Yes I do,

I forgot!!!! 

So now I’m paying the price of having to get them done now. It’s just after Christmas and thoughts and plans for Spring and

Christmas 2012 are on my mind.

It could be worse…..I love Spring, flowers, and Christmas so what am I complaining about?

I’m still not completely done decorating the house.

So if and when I am I’ll try to show more.

I noticed today that my lense is oh sooo dirty so I’m running to the store

after I post this to get some lense cleaner.

Probably should have taken a different angle of the tree without the chair in the way.

I love the way this tree came out with touches of blue.

It’s a nice change from what we usually do in this room….though there is not a stitch of blue in here.

I’ve had this seasons greeting swag from Sarah Lugg for years and decided to try it on the tree.

the seasons part is above : )

  

New Years Day is just around the corner.

I hope for you a wonderful New Year filled with joy

and promise of new beginnings.

Thank you for making 2011 such a great year!

hugs

Carole

In the details

I couldn't help myself.

I just love to take close ups.

I know many of you have told me that I don't take enough pictures of wider views of the shop.

Without even realizing it I was doing it again.

Just getting the little details.

In my defense I am still having focusing problems with my camera

so seeing things up close I seem to have better luck.

After the holidays I have to have it looked at.....

and I'm sure cleaned.

One of the sweetest little angels. So petite and the last one went 

out the other day.

Now why didn't I save one?  

I wish I had my own tree at home finished but alas I seem to be behind again

this year.

The plan is to finish one tonight.....

and to have some of that wonderful wine Adrienne gave us today.

Thank you Adrienne!

Oh and I also want to bake Christmas cookies....

And send Christmas cards..... I bought new ones this year...

does that count?

yeah, I didn't think so....

and go Caroling....

no not really I can't hold a tune.

But I like the whole idea of it....

and if I went I would want to dress in period clothing.

like those Byers Choice Carolers.

I want to sit around all day and make homemade Christmas decorations.....

like I used to have time for.



I want to do a lot during the Christmas season.

Just never enough time.

It seems to come so fast.

Christmas is only 6 days away.

and Santa will be here, so I have to be good...

for goodness sakes!!!!!

So I'll stop complaining and count my blessings....

of which you are one of.

Hugs to you my friends,

Linking up to my friend Kathleen's

White Wednesday at

Faded Charm