Graniteware's Newest Color

Hello!  And Yay, it's Friday!

In January, our supplier of graniteware, speckle-ware, splatter-ware--whatever you
want to call it, launched a new color.  Our older customers like it because they say
it looks 'classic'.  Our younger customers like it because they say it looks 'modern'
and 'industrial'.  Since both ends of the customer age spectrum seem to like it, I'd say
it's a hit.  A color I thought I'd never see in graniteware--grey (notice their spelling
of it--I think they're going for class!)

I like it.  I think most ladies will, too.  I'm especially glad that I could find linens that match.  Gray
or (grey)  must be an up and coming color because this year's linens have some gray accents in some
of their design lines.  I especially like pairing it with this coral (or nectarine).  You could start a war
over the specific name or spelling of a color :).
Come in and check our the new color for yourself and have a great weekend!

Setting a Spring Table

It's Thursday, y'all.  But technically, I consider that to be almost Friday!

Don't you love spring?  New life, bright colors, floral fragrances coming from
new blooms!  One way to reflect the joy of the new season is in your table
setting.  A well-set table makes even sandwiches look better.  It sets the mood
for a happy meal time.  It makes those you are serving feel special and cared-for
and isn't that what making a home is all about?

It really doesn't take too much time or expense to make your table special.  You
could buy linens for the four seasons and use them over and over, year after year.
If you think about it:  6 placemats @ $7.50 + 6 napkins @ $2.50 is $60.00.  If you
used them 5x per week for 3 months that would be $1.00/day and if you used them
for 3 years, that is $.33 (cents!) a day.  A very good investment for something so
beautiful and mood setting!

The picture above and this picture show a cabbage leaf placemat.  So fun.  Here is a link to another
picture of it.  Click here www.patscollectibles.blogspot.com/2013/02/something-unique.html

 

I love these, too.  They look great with our blue graniteware.  Add something yellow to your table and you have a beautiful setting!

 

I hope you've gotten some ideas for your table.  Tomorrow, I'm introducing you to the latest color in graniteware.  And it is set on some beautiful, bright linens that will be sure to cheer up anyone!

 

 

 

A Closer Look

I hope your New Year's Day has been restful.  Tomorrow, I guess it will be business as usual. 
As I write, I can hear my oldest daughter taking down her Christmas décor and vacuuming her room.
I need to get busy on my décor, but the time between Christmas and Thanksgiving was so short, I think I might just enjoy everything a few days longer.

The store is all done--for now.  In a few days, another big shipment will be here to price and decorate with.  And then a few days after that, all of our new candles will be in.  I'm very excited to smell
the new fragrances we have coming.

Here are some pictures of displays and then some of individual items.  I'll show those on the blog this
week so you can see things as if you were milling around the store.

 This table features Park Designs new colonial collection in placemats and table runner.  I love the braided rug placemats.  The runner (which is buried under items)  is like 3 of the placemats stitched together.  I think my favorite item on the table is the crackled pear. 

 This bird on a pedestal is on the other side of the table (picture above).  It is my second favorite item on the table.  This cute bird is $22.50.

 This display is in a primitive wheelbarrow.  It has no nails, just wooden nails that fit into holes.

The cutie in this picture is from the wheelbarrow above.  I can picture a young girl in colonial days playing with a doll like this.  I especially like the green button on her collar.  She is $21.75.

Thanks for visiting the store.  I'll feature some more displays and single items, probably tomorrow.
Enjoy the rest of New Year's Day.

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

For a while, I have been reading about and seeing furniture being redone with Annie Sloan
Chalk Paint.  I wanted to try it on some pieces and see if it really was as good as everyone
claimed it was.  I was impressed.  I have a storage bench that seemed like a good piece for
a makeover.


I picked 'Versailles' as my experimental color.  I thought maybe going
over red it would require two coats, but nope...one took care of it.



It may be hard to tell, but it is a soft green.  Not mint, more
of a green with some gray.  It looks like it fades into the
wall, so I think the wall color may change :).  It goes on
as a matte finish (kind of chalky) so you need to add a finish.
It goes on very nicely and if you felt like it was needed, you can
thin it a little.  If you want to thicken, just leave the lid off for a few hours.
I chose to put a paste wax on because I really like the finish wax
gives.  I also distressed it so a little red shows through.



These fun linens are called 'Picket Fence'.  It just sounds summery,
doesn't it?  Placemats are $5.75 and napkins are $3.75.  You can
leave a comment if you would like to order some or email us at
theclaypool7@yahoo.com




All finished and ready to go.  You can google Annie Sloan Chalk Paint to find a store
that carries it.  It is pricey but a little goes a long way.
What summer projects do you have planned for your house?

Things You Might Like

After snow last week, the sun is trying to peek out today.  I hope it is
spring where ever you are.  Here are a couple of things you might enjoy.

It was a cloudy day when I took these pictures so
they are not too clear.  These dishtowels are a muslin
color with burgundy stripes.  The flowers are actually
raised so it's an unusual distowel.  Not your ordinary one.
$9.00 + $4.50 s/h (priority mail package)

Hard to see the details but this tulip coming out of the
bulb and sitting in a nest will compliment any
decor you have.  It's just white and simple and that's
what makes it perfect.
$14.75 + $8.00 s/h (needs to be carefully wrapped
and put in a slightly larger box)
If you will click on the pictures they will be slightly larger to view.

Thanks for looking.  If you are interested, email theclaypool7@yahoo.com
and I will get back to you.

Linens

Aren't these bright and cheery?  They will make you happy just placing them on your table.
The placemats are $4.75, the napkins are $3.25, and the dishtowel/dishcloth set is $7.50.
I can send these priority mail package so shipping is $4.50.  If you're interested just leave
a comment or email theclaypool7@yahoo.com.  Thanks for looking.

Placemat and napkin

Dishcloth/dishtowel set

Something unique

Several years ago, our store ladies went to market with my husband while I stayed home with
my younger children.  Our oldest daughter, Ashley, was our store manager at the time.  One
of their favorite showrooms at market was Raz Imports.  They came home with great ideas
and wonderful things.  One of the best-sellers from their trip was some cabbage placemats.
All of the ladies loved them and they "flew" out of the store as shoppers loved them also and
were anxious to incorporate them with their spring and summer placemats and table
settings.  This year they were featured again from Raz and here for your viewing pleasure
are these fun placemats.  They are reasonable priced $7.25.  Beautiful and will last years.

Aren't they cute?  You can do so many things with them.  Let me know if you would
like to add these to your spring table.  Thanks for looking.