What Are You Waiting For?

Each year around this time, most people set a New Year's Resolution. Those little somethings we've been meaning to take care of and keep putting off until the new year.

All year we collect and push our goals until the all mighty January rolls around. I'm the worst! I have never been good at a New Year's Resolution. Now that I think about it; I'm not so sure I've been good at a resolution at any time of the year. Maybe it's the fear of failure, humiliation, self (or other's) disappointment. I honestly can't say.

A few months ago while thinking out loud about something I wanted, a friend piped in and asked, "What are you waiting for?" I'm not sure she really intended to get an answer but those words resonated in my head. What AM I waiting for? The stars to finally align, the Farmer's Almanac to give a hint, a burning bush perhaps? Truth is...I'm waiting for courage.

Trusting yourself is difficult when the territory is unchartered. Oh, I know. That's the excitement, the risk, the thrill of it all. But somehow, more often than not, the lack of self trust wins out.

Not this year! What's different? That little voice that kept whispering, "What are you waiting for?" is now starting to shout.

I already have used it to do cleaning that I put off until the proverbial Spring. I quit waiting to purchase healthy foods since they are located right next to the other kind. I have begun to put things I want to do ahead of things that I feel should be done (I'm sewing more!). I hope the list will continue to those things that take self trust and courage.

So, if you struggle with a resolution and need changes in your life then WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

Craft Show!

One thing I love is to see someone's expression of talents and gifts in their craft. Next week Red Books & Chairs will have a traveling store at the Asbury Fall Craft Sale. But you never have to wait for an organized craft sale to get true one of a kind, unique items. Red Books & Chairs is always looking for items to showcase from crafters.

Gone are the goofy souvenier-type crafts. Today's crafters know that there is a need and desire to have items made by hand. Those that purchase these items do so for more than their practical use but also because they are true works of art.

This Christmas stocking is made of vintage kitchen linen, vintage satin & cording and embellished with a beautiful vintage string of pearls. A gift that would delight any recipient.

What child wouldn't love these adorable, hand-knitted caps from Katie's Kids? Each hat is completely different by style and yarn. RB&C carries Katie's Boys, Katie's Girls, Katie's Guys, Katie's Gals and Katie's Caps; something for every size and style.
Vintage, cottage & retro baby bibbies, burpies, lappies, and blankies are an RB&C original. Vintage, cottage and retro fabrics and inspiration create these adorable baby items in both boy and girl fabrics.
These beautiful sachets are so wonderful. Each sachet is made from a lovely vintage hankerchief filled with the most fragrant lavendar. Sunflower Harvest owner grows her own lavendar and hunts for the most amazing ribbons to tie it all up. These are perfect for stocking stuffers, new mama's, brides and a wonderful 'get well' surprise.
Snoozies are also made right here in the Ozarks. These amazing neck rolls are made of the most comfortable fabrics and filled with a neck molding fiber. The size is perfect for the back of your neck and babies love snuggling up to them. They come in a variety of sizes, colors and fabrics.
Cottage Sue makes these delicate floral arrangements using narrow neck vaces, vintage fabric pieces, vibrant colored posies and a vintage broach to bring it all together. This is a popular gift idea whether for a friend or a gift to self!
If you've read previous blogs of mine, you know how much I love to sew. These pin cushions are sure to delight the most experienced seamstress to the novice mender. Each made of fabric from years ago, embellished with vintage buttons and notions. So pretty to look at and nice to hold.

This is the season for craft sales, shows & festivals. Get out and see what local artists have to offer. Remember to come by the store for great handmade gifts and visit us at the Asbury Craft Sale located at 1500 S. Campbell, Springfield, MO, November 1st from 8:00 am - 2:00 pm.

Construction - Week Ten

The little wicker chair is in front of my door;

this view shows Eclectic (with the OPEN sign to draw attention

down the street where it's blocked off) and further down is Fusion Glass Studio.

As you can see, the revitalization is coming right along. We now have extended sidewalks, garden areas and a lovely crosswalk made to resemble cobblestone.

Each place on the sidewalk where an orange cone is will soon be a light post that is fashioned historically. I will have one right in front of my store which will wonderful for late night shoppers.

My orange cone needed a Halloween flair so I glued a black felt jack-o-lantern on it. It gets a bit of attention from passer-by's.

The street will be paved once the entire project is completed. What a great day that will be! The street in front of Red Books & Chairs is currently open while the crew works on the other end of the street so you can park close - you'll just have to u-turn to get out.


See you soon!

Back to Blogging!

My sister, Cathe gave me a nice digital camera. I take the camera everywhere - literally. I keep it in my purse with a rubber band around it so the batteries won't come out. I'm such a nut about documenting life; I journal, photograph, collect and draw any time I can. So you can imagine how distraught I was when my camera quit working! I think I have the problem figured out so the blogging will continue.

A wise blogger once told me how important it was to have photographs to go with your blog and I believe she was right. I decided instead of taking a picture of my camera in the mirror that you might enjoy these photographs of older cameras.

I remember how exciting it was to finally pick up your photos after developing them; standing at the counter watching the person in front look through their envelope with delight. Once in awhile I'll find rolls (or sometimes cartridges) of film that I had no idea what pictures were taken but I must have them developed pronto! Thank goodness for the 1-hour service that came along.

The cameras on this page are from the neatest antique store next door to my little Red Books & Chairs. Mr. Eclectic has something from every era and beautifully displayed.

I'll be posting construction updates soon - so check back!

Quilts - Appliqué

My friend, Sharon is an amazing artist. Her medium? Fabric! She makes the greatest quilts out of the tiniest of fabric pieces. Her mind is an endless resource for creative quilt art.

This quilt is named "Jungle Jim" and is full of bright colors, designs and stitching. Sharon also has a softer side as depicted in the below quilt that is yet to be titled. What would you name it? What I love about this quilt is the 3-D effects throughout (see the daisies?). I love how Sharon took a traditional craft and made it contemporary! I hope you are as inspired as I am.

Writing - Journal Cigar Box

I've always enjoyed writing but when it came to keeping a baby book on my girls I failed miserably. I remember as a kid looking at my older brother, Tim's baby book filled out so nicely. When I looked at my big sister, Shelly's baby book it had a few details written in. But no matter how hard I looked there was no baby book for me or my baby sister, Cathe. What happened?

When you have your own baby you soon find out what happens! You can document in your prettiest handwriting the baby's first sneeze and hiccup or you can sleep.

I have kept a journal most of my life and just couldn't NOT write about the fun things my little darlings said, got in to, caused, or created. The journal cigar box was born.

I picked up the cigar box at a local humidor because I thought it was pretty not to mention free. I sat it on my night stand next to my bed and filled it with little snippets of memories. Regardless of where I was or what writing resources I had I would write about whatever my little girls did.

In my cigar box are dated entries on paper coasters, napkins, torn box tops, scratch paper and receipts. Here are some of my favorites:

This is a little entry I wrote 20 years ago when my daughter Stephenie was five. I hope you can read the dialogue.

One night while tucking my little Elizabeth in she informed me that she didn't like potatoes and that's why she hadn't eaten them at dinner. I called out to Daddy to make a note that she didn't like potatoes. Just then Elizabeth yelled out, "And write down that I don't like fruit-n-cotton-tail!" To this day, 14 years later we still call fruit cocktail 'fruit-n-cotton-tail'.

This is a little card Elizabeth filled out in school when she was 10 years old.

I love that she was 'usually happy'.

Don't let formality hold you back from documenting your children's life. When you get to my age you will be happy for any nugget that links you to those chubby cheek children of yesterday!

Construction - Week Four

The constant rain this week has halted work on the street. You can see by the photo that my little 'OPEN' sign shines bright in spite of the current demolitions. I'm not going to lie to you, my faithful reader, business has been affected. It's difficult to see that the stores on the construction block are open because your car cannot get close enough to see the signs, but WE ARE OPEN! So, grab your pals and spend the afternoon or 1st Friday together on C-Street. We'll be open until 10:00 pm (September 5th).