Our Homes @ Christmas

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, every where you go." Ha! Ha! Well finally at our own homes anyway. This was the second year for us to decorate homes for some of our clients. Thanks again to all of you that allowed us to help you out this holiday season. We really appreciate you trusting us with your holiday decorating. We both love to decorate and enjoy using everyday items such as sap buckets and McCoy flower pots as holiday decorations. Here are a few pics of our own homes @ Christmas.

Julie's Home:


















Shannon's Home:











We will be getting back in the full swing again after Christmas, shows, I-24 Antique Mall and our Etsy. Wishing you a MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

And to all a goodnight!!!
Shannon & Julie

Country Living Fair South

It has been a little over a week since we got back from the Country Living Fair in Atlanta. This was the first year for the fair at Stone Mountain Resort outside of Atlanta. What a beautiful place!!! The weather was perfect and the show was just great all around. We met a lot of nice people from Stella Management, to our neighbors, and all of the great customers. People sure are friendly down South. This was our last show for the year, so now we are ready to get our booth in order at the I-24 Antique Mall and restock our Etsy store www.gatheredcomforts.etsy.com. Here are a few pics of our booth at the show. In the photos you will see some of the really cool vintage Christmas decorations that we had accumulated over the summer from several estate sales. We wanted to keep it all for ourselves but you just can't keep everything. (or we would be called "hoarders") Every time we looked at them, they brought back memories from when we were kids. It was soooo much fun decorating with them. We sold the majority of it and have a few items left that we will be selling or fighting over. We haven't decided yet. Ha! Ha! Ha!













"Showing off our Great Hats with Lori (Big Sis)"


With the holidays just around the corner we will be busy decorating homes for ourselves and others. Check back for Christmas decorating tips and pics, because we sure do loveeeee Christmas.

Shannon & Julie

Country Living Fair 2010--Columbus, Ohio

Hey all, well we are back from Columbus and getting ready for the Atlanta Country Living Show which is October 22, 23 & 24. The Columbus show was soooooo AWESOME, below are a few pics from our booth. Everyone was so kind and helpful to us. Thanks so much to all of you that visited our booth and for all of the great comments, we really do appreciate it. We will be listing some new items on Etsy this week, so check it out if you can. If your in the Atlanta area stop by and see us at the fair. Thanks again!!!

TIME FLIES, WHEN YOU ARE????

We didn't know whether to put "having fun" or "working", we have been doing both. Where did August go? We both have been busy with vacations, school starting and most of all working on getting things ready for the three upcoming shows that we have. At times it has been overwhelming, wondering if we are ever gonna get it all done and still have a life somewhere in between all of it, but just like anything else you find a way to do it. One thing I have always remembered from my high school basketball coach was: "If there is a will there is a way". I have used that so many times in my life when I didn't know how it was all gonna work out. So, yes we are finding a way to make it all work out. We have had a few moments when we wanted to kill each other, but we are both still here and alive. Ha! Ha!

Our first show is the Springfield, OH EXTRAVAGANZA it is at the Clark County Fairgrounds, September 17th, 18th,& 19th. Our booth number is 828 & 829 stop by and check out all of our great finds from the estate sales and auctions we have gathered from this summer. For more info on the show check out their website at www.springfieldantiqueshow.com.


Next on the list is the Country Living Fair at Columbus, Ohio, September 24,25 & 26. The fair is at the Ohio Village, in the Ohio Historical Center located off of I-71 @ Exit 111, across from the Ohio State Fairgrounds. Our booth number is S 16. We have saved some really great items for this show along with our re purposed and vintage mdse. We can't wait to go, not only to exhibit but to shop and experience all it has to offer: Great Food, Exhibits and Excellent Shopping.

Last but not least is the Country Living Fair in Atlanta, GA at Stone Mountain. The dates for the show are October 22nd, 23rd & 24th. Check back for more info on booth number and directions.

You can find out more information on both Country Living Fairs at their website: www.countryliving.com or at stellashows.com.

In closing we both hope that you can attend one of the shows not only to visit our booth but to have a great time experiencing all that the shows have to offer.

"Things Happen for a Reason"

I really believe that in life things happen for a reason, sometimes when it happens you question why and don't understand but then later on down the road it becomes perfectly clear and the big light bulb goes off and you say to yourself AH-HA!!!! If you would have asked Shannon and I a year ago what we would be doing or if we missed our retail shop, you would have gotten the answer "nothing much just raising kids and doing the everyday things that compile a day in the life of a stay-at-home mom. We always wanted to do shows, but never had the time or it just didn't work out. The past four months have been an AH-HA moment, we now know why we have went down the path that we have and are so excited, amazed, and thankful for this opportunity that God has given us. We have been working hard this summer to get items made for the "Three Big Shows" this fall. Shannon has been hitting those estate sales and auctions, while I have been hauling kids all over the countryside for sports and things. We have managed to put some things on Etsy and our saving most of our stash for the shows. When Shannon purchased these jars we had no ideal what we would do with them but then the light bulb came on again and then we knew why the jars had came our way. Check out the before and after pics below of the jars and what we did with them. They can be purchased on Etsy and at the I-24 Antique Mall.

In closing, remember that things come your way or happen for a reason and sometimes the smallest thing could turn into something wonderful and life changing for you.


"Misc Jars from Estate Auction"


"Cleaned and Ready"

"WAH-LAH"

OMG!!!!!!! Country Living Fair 2010

OH! MY! Gosh!!! It was a raining like crazy, thundering and lighting and we were getting ready to go junking.(That is what we usually do on Friday mornings.) We decided to check our email one more time before heading out the door and there it was. "We are pleased to notify you of your acceptance in the Country Living Fair." Yes that's right, we are going to Columbus and Atlanta in September and October. We are so excited!!! This is really a huge opportunity for us and we are thrilled. So, we have got alot of work ahead of us. Keep checking back and we will keep you posted of what we are doing for the show and for our Etsy account. We have some great vintage finds in our Etsy shop. Click on the Etsy Link to the right to see the shop.

Let the Fun Begin!!!
Shannon & Julie

Vacation Won't Come Soon Enough!!!!

Like everyone else we are concerned about the oil spill in the Gulf. Our families have had a vacation booked for some time now in Destin, Fl., and now we are unsure if we will be able to go. We all love the beach, that includes the sand, the shells, sunsets and all of the activities that go along with it. More than anything we are concerned for the wildlife and local communities that have been affected by this tragedy. So for now we are dreaming about the beach, remembering all of our good times and hoping for the ones to come. Praying for everyone and everything involved.

Today we restyled our booth at the I-24 Antique Mall. Started out by painting our galvanized metal siding. Wow what a difference a little paint makes!!! It sure lightened it up. Then while we were adding some new finds to our booth, we decided to add some seashells for a beachy touch. We use shells year round in our homes to remind us of good times and beach vacations we have had with our familes. Who can help but to pickup a shell when you see one. (even if you already have a bag or two already full) They are all so different, truly a gift from God.

Well we hope everyone is having a good summer and if a beach vacation is in the future we hope it is a good one!

Shannon & Julie

Here are some new photos of our newly restyled booth @ I-24 Antique Mall.

Working Wednesday

We had our very first sale on Etsy yesterday, Excitement!!!!! We were back at it today listing more items with still more to come. This has been an adventure but so much fun. We also staged some of our items for an upcoming show application. Our kids and family have been so supportive, thanks guys. We have posted some of our snaps below. Until the next time . . . two working women ( not really) Signing Off

Shannon & Julie