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Hi everybody! Please don't beat me up, but this is another short newsletter. My DSL at home is acting up, and I just don't seem to find the time at work to sit down and write. 

Don't know if I've mentioned this previously, but we bought a new
(different) house last spring and we finally moved in on Jan. 1st.
Actually, the reason we couldn't procrastinate any longer, is because we flew in guests for an Open House, and it only seemed proper that we were also living at the property. (Bad taste - to invite guests to your home and then, not even live there). And I knew that unless I gave ourselves a really good reason to move, we would wait forever. (You know, it's like cleaning your house. It just never seems to get done, until you invite people over). So, my house got cleaned! We've been remodeling, and I didn't want to live in the dust, but again - you have to jump in some time. We're still living with a bit of dust, but not too bad. 

So, that is just a little taste of what is too come. I'll include pics in the next newsletter, but there will be a link for them on the website, as I know, some computers don't download as quickly.

Take care, see 'ya in the days ahead, and keep sparkling!

Hi everybody!

OK, this is the newsletter about my Mom's house. We put the pictures on the Web site, and there will be a link from the newsletter, so it won't hurt in downloading the news and you can view the pics at your leisure. But, in case you have a fast hookup, as I describe each picture, you will get a link and be able to see what I'm talking about. 

I've written about this before, how Barry and I wanted to decorate my Mom's townhouse. She had never had coordinated furniture in her life, i.e. you go out and buy all the pieces at once and everything is matched and you know, decorated. She would buy one piece at a time, and fit it in the color pallet, but just not like HGTV. Well, I've gotten to be a HGTV fanatic, and I just had to do this once for my Mom. She's a great Mom and really deserved it. So, we did this actual remodel last June, '03. You see how long it takes me to sit down and get it together? I have you all fooled, don't I? 

So, of course, I didn't think to have her take pictures of how it all looked before we came, and by the time I thought of it, she had already given away or sold what she absolutely didn't need. So, the before pictures are pretty skimpy, but you'll get the idea. Just look at your parent's homes with odd, but nice furniture, and you're already there! 

It actually started though, with my wanting a different couch. Ha! see how unselfish I am. I thought if I gave it to my Mom, I'd get something new and so would she. Well, at least new to her! And then, I forget to even take a good picture of the couch, so you could actually see the start of the inspiration. I'll take one when I go home this June, and if anyone still cares, I'll put it up on the Web site. So, the couch is a pretty kind of buckskin color, which didn't go with her carpeting. She didn't get a chance to pick her carpeting, because her home was already done, but new, when she bought it. So, they put in that nice off-white neutral color. You know, the color that really doesn't go with everything. Well, of course it didn't work with the pretty couch, so I sent for samples from S.C., you know those carpeting ads in the back of women's magazines? They send you any kind of carpet samples you want, you pick, order, they ship and you install. Really does work nifty! So, we conferred, picked out a short frieze, and got it ordered. On Mom's end, she got an installer and lined up the dates. Then we decided that linoleum in the front entry, just wasn't cutting it, so off she went to pick out tile. Of course, it wasn't just the front entry. Oh no, that also affected the laundry room, and the guest bathroom. Wasn't I lucky? Only thing I got out of with that, is that the kitchen wasn't attached and we decided to leave that. So, you can kind of see where this is snowballing.

Then, she came out last Christmas - '02-'03, and we went to pick out furniture. We took her to Wacky Wicker for the sunroom and Lazy Boy for the recliners. Her sunroom is all year round, but it is off the small patio and we just call it the sunroom. To me, sunroom said wicker furniture, so here we are. We made her sit in every chair and loveseat, to make sure it was what she was comfortable with. Then, I kind of picked out the upholstery, because I of course, was behind the master plan of coordination. But, it really was pretty. Leafy, with khaki, and greens and pinks. Then we got the end table and window table to finish out that room. On to the living room.

Barry and I had already scoped out the stores and picked out what we thought she'd like, she had to do the sitting test. My Mom likes recliners, but before they had always been big and bulky and not very attractive. So, we picked out 2 smaller recliners, more feminine and she did like them.

One, we made in to a rocker - swivel, and the other one was a straight rocker. I actually like the swivel feature, but everybody thought, as she got older, it might not be as convenient for her. We went and picked out the upholstery, 2 coordinating in a small print and a larger, kind of leaf design in cranberry, moss green and tan. Then, of course, we saw the 2 perfect lamps. All I can say is, they could have been less expensive. But what can you do after your mother has seen the perfect lamps? Buy them, right? She really loves those lamps, and like I said, she has never even ordered furniture before. More like, you pull up to the loading dock and get what they have in the store. Nothing custom, not ever. Except her drapes in her previous house. She may have had the furniture, but that woman does love her drapes. 

OK, now we have the big pieces in place. But, as we go to pick up the furniture, we see some end tables we like. Now, we had been looking for end tables, because Mom had country pine. That did not fit in my scheme at all.

She liked them, but they were definitely not HGTV. So, in Lazy Boy, they had an end table, with a magazine rack on the side, dark wood and a pull out shelf for drinks. Of course, they were perfect and what's a person to do? Charge it!

Then, between Christmas and June, we went shopping for accessories, paint ideas and wallpaper borders. Now, the pictures that show the fruits of our
labors:

This is the sunroom with the walls painted in the khaki color. My Mom has never had walls with anything but white, so this was QUITE the change, but fortunately, everyone loved it.
For picture, click here. 

This is the living room, where we used two colors of paint and a wooly roller that had 2 rollers and you used a divided paint pan. It did take a while to get used to this, and of course, I started on the big wall to experiment. Barry had to paint it the undercoat a couple of times before it started to look right. the wallpaper border carried the colors of the cranberry and tan, and it had a lazer cut edge. It was really beautiful. We put up the first strip without reading the directions, I thought how hard can this be. I'm surprised that first strip is still up. We used regular room temp. water, and didn't let it soak, just wet it and put it up. Do you know what a difference it makes, if you use warm water and let it soak for awhile? It was amazing how much better it stuck. At least this time, I started in a corner of the kitchen where it didn't show. 
For picture, click here. 

See, standing around while I do all the work. Actually, I think it was a small break. As you can see, we painted above the border, the darker color of the two that I used, and it made a striking difference. I did have Barry start painting the ceiling the same color, but we decided it was too dark and didn't really need it. You can imagine the relief he felt over that one. But, he is such a great guy, he would have done it for that HGTV look.
For picture, click here. 

This is now the decorated sunroom. We brought all the accessories that we had bought in CA out to MN, in a U-haul trailer. Barry drove it out, started painting, and then he picked me up at the airport. Gave them some, Mother, Son-in-Law bonding time. Ha, do you think I want to drive that far?  I have to get there yesterday, so I'm not one to drive when I can fly.  Besides, I didn't have to check any luggage. That was great! So, we brought the new standing lamp, the furniture and all the accessories.
For picture, click here. 

We went to a home show in CA and saw this mirrored fountain that hangs on the wall (it's behind the palm tree - silk of course), and had to have it for Mom's sunroom. Didn't think any of the neighbors would have it, and of course, the whole point was to make Mom's home extra special. 
For picture, click here. 

Picked out the monkey lamp and pictures in CA @ Steinmart. Between Steinmart and Home Goods, there are no better places to shop. Great stuff and at great prices! The red leaf placemat made a nice covering for the new table.
For picture, click here. 

Of course, this wouldn't be as much fun, if we couldn't show it off at a party. Invited Mom's neighbors, who are sitting in this picture.
For picture, click here. 

Barry is standing between my Aunt Kathleen and Uncle Kurt, and then Mom's next door neighbors. 
For picture, click here. 

Here is Barry again, can't keep him out of picture! And I had a choice in this picture, either I'm in the sun - no picture, or they are, so guess what? On the far left is Pearl and on the far right is Warren. My Mom has known them forever and as long as I've been around. Then my Mom and her good neighbor, Carol. Carol is a sweetheart, takes my Mom places and keeps an eye on here. A good friend for Mom to have.
For picture, click here. 

Here, of course, is you know who and my 2 brothers. Dale is on the left and Dean is on the right. My brother Gary works in St. Paul and couldn't make the party. Now, we're serving free beer and food - why aren't they happier? 
For picture, click here. 

Another silk tree in the living room. It's not that my Mom doesn't have a green thumb, but she goes a lot, and no one has to take care of these. And you see a bit of the leather couch that started this whole quest and a gorgeous chenille throw - with all the perfect colors of course!
For picture, click here. 

These angel pictures were another source of inspiration. My Mom does beautiful cross stitch and hardanger, and here is where I picked my colors from. I wanted this to be a beautiful focal point in the room. My Mom had had them hanging separately, not really as a grouping. So, HGTV strikes again, and originally, we were going to paint the wall behind the pictures cranberry, frame that section, and then hang the pictures on the painted part. But, then since we had done such a pretty wall treatment, I couldn't bear to paint part of it this cranberry square, we went to the framers and had him put plywood in the frame and a full mat on top of it. So, this is a very heavy picture. Then, we put velcro behind the pictures and on the mat and stuck the pictures to the mat in this fashion. It's a good thing there are no earthquakes in MN, that is one heavy picture! And of course, the framer got it done the evening of the party, so 1/2 hour before the party, I'm sticking! the pictures on with velcro and trying to hand it even on the wall. No pressure here!
For picture, click here. 

Now you see where my brothers get their facial expressions - just kidding Mom! Here are the new recliners, lamps, end tables and very expensive throw pillows on the couch. I cannot believe how much just decorative pillows can be. And again, they were just perfect - so couldn't walk away from them.
For picture, click here. 

We used a scarf treatment above Mom's living room window. Lest you think I forgot the window coverings, I of course, procrastinated and they didn't arrive until we went home. I'll get to see them this June. I'll take pics.

Notice the new curtain rod and all the candles. My Mom has never bought decorative candles in her life. Of course, what are they really good for?
We can't burn them, because they won't be nice and perfect!
For picture, click here. 

We had been looking for something to go on the wall to the right of Mom's living room window, but we had that light sconce and light switch in the way. Well, when we went to set up the car show in St. Paul, there was a lady there with watercolor paintings. Of course, the perfect one! It was painted on an angle and had all the right colors. It was a perfect fit. 
For picture, click here.

Ok, you asked for the full story and you got it. I don't know the age bracket of the people on my newsletter, but I'll throw some food for thought out there for you all. If you have a Mom like mine, she doesn't ask for much, just a little attention, remember the big occasions and call once in awhile. When we had the party with her friends, you should have heard the comments. They couldn't believe we had gone to all of the trouble.

Spent our vacation working on my Mom's house to make it prettier. You see, all of their homes are white walls. They don't have the energy or strength to be able to paint or move things around or even go out and buy big things, because they'll need help in some way of getting it all together.

So, painting or helping put things together or just taking them shopping will go a long, long way. No preaching here, but I love to shop and and I did this for my Mom, for my enjoyment as much as hers. Their comments really made me think, that they were kind of wishful that a child had thought to do this on their own. (of course, a super husband does put you ahead of the game. Barry loves my Mom and would do anything for her. He realizes how terrific she is and that she won't be here forever. We love you Mom, and since I know you're reading this - Happy Birthday and Happy Mothers Day!)

Oh, did I tell you guys? My birthday is the same as my Mom's, so we're flying her out to CA on a free ticket, to spend our birthday and Mother's Day together. I'd rather fly her here, than fly anywhere on a vacation. I travel too much already.

Take care everyone, will write more about the business and my new house next time. Happy Mother's Day to all of my dear mother customers!

Hi everybody!

We're off to Reno. I'm sorry, but I wasn't able to get any discount or free tickets. The good thing is, the parking is free. Many shows are anywhere from $4.00 - $8.00 for parking, so I guess that does help.

Barry has his gambling genes in gear, so let's hope the show and the gambling is good. Me, I'll be working. I've been doing lots of new designs, and my webmaster is putting up about 15 in the next 2 days. And then, in the coming month, we'll have about 75 more. I think I'm getting the hang of it, they look pretty cute!

We've just been working on the house. We live in the warm part of San Diego, so we've put up overhangs and awnings to cut the afternoon sun. Now, it is probably too cool. Never happy, are we? I did a mosaic in my kitchen and if my webmaster still has the picture archived, she'll put a link up for you to see. If not, I'll include it next time. It wasn't hard to do the place settings, but when you get toward the end of the countertop, nothing seems to fit any more. All the pieces seem odd.
Here is the link.

Take care for now, see you down the road.

Hi everybody, hope everyone is doing fine. We are great, just got finished printing the new 12th edition catalog, so that is a big relief, it was a lot of work. So, if you haven't been to the website lately, take a look - you'll see lots of new stuff. A few designs aren't in yet, but will probably be in next week. Check out the red hat witch on pages 3. We have her in black too, but couldn't resist this red hat craze. My mom's neighbor is a red-hatter, so I'm going to make her a shirt, for helping out my mom from time to time. So, a great gift for your favorite red-hatter.

Let's see, what else has been happening. One of favorite workers is moving, Cindy. She and her family are moving to TN. We're going to miss her, but also wish her well. Her sister Shelly is our mail carrier, so who do you think Cindy got to replace her? Her aunt Judy! Pretty soon, the whole family will be related to us. Judy is catching on real fast, and we'll get a picture of her to put up on the website. 

Barry is fine. He put in new grass seed last week, and it is already really green. Amazing what warm weather and water will grow. New grass is so pretty, and smells so great when you mow it. Doesn't look like to many weeds either, lucky for me. I'm the chief weed picker. I love to pick weeds, but as you get older, do you notice how hard it is to unkink your legs after sitting on the ground for a bit? Painful! Just one of the things that reminds you, you aren't as young as you used to be. As if that is just one of the things, but we won't go there. No sense getting depressed.

Well, this was just a short note, to let you know how we're doing. We're getting up early Thursday morning to drive to San Mateo. The first big show of the season. As always, it will be great to see everyone. That is truly the best part of the shows. 

Then, on to Novi and Chantilly, VA. Barry and his Rodney are doing Novi. Rodney has done Denver with us several times, so Novi is in for a treat. That boy can sell crystal. My friend Martha and I are doing Chantilly. It is a new show for us, so wish us luck. Then, Martha is helping Barry with Pomona and I'm doing Chicago with another friend. 5 shows in 3 weeks. I am certifiable and will also probably be dead after that. 

I'm sorry, but we didn't get any extra tickets for San Mateo. It is getting harder and harder to get them. But, I did have some tickets for Pomona. So, you may request more than one, but you may only receive one. They are limited also.

So, be well, be happy and hopefully we'll see all of you down the road.