Girls, do I have a treat for YOU! Get on in here quick cause we are going to do a little shopping together today. Grab your debit card and away we go.
If you have been hangin’ out with me for a bit, you may remember a couple of posts about dates my PC and I have had based on the book 52 Uncommon Dates by Randy Southern. I had a giveaway for a copy of the book and my sweet, faithful reader Anne Green won. She and her Prince went on one of the dates from the book and shared pics and deets with us, here.
Since then, Anne and I have become Facebook buds and have kind of kept up with each other through social media. I feel like we are friends. So when Anne announced the opening of her store, Anne’s Adoorables, I could not get over to Etsy fast enough. I oohed and ahhed over her “adoorable wreaths with a southern flair”. And then I asked Anne if I could share them with you.
Let me start by showing you the beautiful wreath I purchased.
It was lovingly packed with the sweetest note from Anne. Fluffed up the ribbon and burlap just a bit and then wandered around the house trying to find the perfect place for my wreath. May eventually put it out on my front door but for now I want to enjoy looking at the wreath myself!! So I hung it in the dining room.
Anne has so many unique pieces to choose from but I fell instantly in love with this mix of textures – the lacy burlap, the glittery tinsel and golden polka dots and THAT COTTON. I was so proud that I posted a pic on my FB page and immediately friends began to comment on how the wreath spoke to them.
My friend Dolores reminisced “When my dad was young their parents would take the kids to the fields to pick cotton. 8 kids in the family! Brought back good memories of my dad and what a hard worker he was all his life. Your wreath is gorgeous!”
And I replied “Cotton reminds me of growing up in the mid-south. I remember going for rides and seeing cotton. Getting out of the car and picking it for fun. And then imagining having to pick cotton, day in and day out, from dawn to dusk.”
Here are some closeup pictures of this special wreath.
Isn’t it luscious? Here’s where I have hung it. By all of the family wedding photos on my dining room buffet.
Ironically? Interestingly? Insanely? I used to pretend I was a runaway slave boy when I was in fourth grade. Probably another reason why this wreath spoke to me.
So, I asked Anne if I could introduce her to you all through an interview of sorts here on the blog and she graciously agreed. Gang meet Anne.
How did you get started making creative things?
My grandmother was a school teacher, but an artist in her spare time. Her home was filled with treasures she created including paintings, pottery and needlepoint. My mom (also a retired school teacher) loves arts & crafts and passed that onto me and my older sister. Attending craft shows has been a family tradition. My mom, sister and I attended craft shows together when I was younger, and we would get ideas to create things at home. As a young mother, I would take my children to local craft shows as well. I also have fond memories of attending craft classes with my grandmother-in-law which we both enjoyed so much.
Where do you find inspiration for the things you make?
I get ideas from many places such as Pinterest, craft stores, catalogs and other crafters. My favorite way to find inspiration is to simply go to craft stores and spark my own creativity through searching materials that they offer. I’ve never seen a craft store I didn’t like! (me either!)
When did you open your Etsy store?
I only recently opened my Etsy store. I have had the desire to turn my hobby into a business for the past year or so. After lots of contemplation, a few prayers, and the support of my family I decided to go for it. And I’m so glad I did! I’m wondering why I even hesitated because the response has been very positive.
What plans do you have for future projects and pretties to sell?
Holiday decor is what I am working on currently. I am preparing for a local craft show in September and for a big weekend craft show in late October. I will continue to grow my Etsy business and offering a larger selection of lantern swags and wreaths, but I am keeping an open mind for the future.
Anne included a few photos from her home to share with you.
Can you tell which state Anne lives in by the wreath on her door? And isn’t that a lovely wreath hung at her window?
How about this adoorable lantern swag?
I love it! I need it. Time to place another order.
Would like to invite you to visit Anne’s Adoorables by clicking right here. Be prepared to be wooed. And tell Anne that Leslie sent you. But before you run off to shop, take a moment to enter our giveaway for a lantern swag of your choice from Anne’s shop.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
My last interview question for Anne was:
How did you come across my blog?
Gosh, I have been reading your blog about two years now. I remember coming across your blog from another blog, Two Teens and Their Mama (written by my friend Lana). I have been a loyal reader and enjoy the books you showcase, plus many other posts you have written. Your blog is unique (I LOVE THAT PART) and I consider you a friend (LOVE THAT EVEN MORE) because we have been able to connect with each other even though we have never met in person.
Thank you, Anne, for this sweet answer, for being a reader and being my friend.
Now, gals, I’ll race you over to Anne’s. On your mark, get set… already gone!
Hugs and kisses,
Such a pretty wreath! I want that french one!
I thought of you when I saw that French one. So cute.
Oh, my! I see what you mean. Such pretty designs. I really like the cotton one you chose. My Granddaddy was a cotton farmer back in the ’40s and ’50s. My mother remembers picking cotton every year when she was growing up.
It is so interesting how many folks have a connection to cotton! I have heard such sweet memories. Now I would love to have the cotton lantern swag and two or three other wreaths and swags.
I guess I was supposed to say which lantern swag I would choose. They are all so pretty! I think I would go with the fall one with the owl ribbon because it kinda goes with my current autumn decor.
Isn’t the owl precious? I love it, too. Anne has so many darling things. Thanks for stopping by, Karla.
Thanks for sharing more about Anne – how exciting on her new store – can’t wait to see what is in store for Christmas!
Lisa
Daily Style Finds
Ha! I hadn’t even thought about Christmas but don’t you know Anne will do it up right? Thank you for giving me that to look forward to.
Love all of her wreaths! Good luck on your new venture!
Aren’t Anne’s things so cute? I think I have discovered my new favorite holiday store!
Such a pretty wreath! It looks great where you placed it in your house. And the photos of Anne’s house are gorgeous!
How great that you and Anne met through your blog! It’s so nice to meet people through blogging and become invested in their lives!
Thank you! Love my wreath. Might put in on the front door for a bit in the spring. But don’t want it to get messed up. Anne has been such a sweet reader and friend. You are right about developing real relationships with people through blogging. Like having penpals in the old days.
I love them all!!!
Thanks, Ashley! I am eyeing that cute swag with the witch’s legs. And the owl. And the cotton. Thank you for commenting.
Cute! Love the wreaths! I like the cotton lantern swag!
I like that one, too! I know I will be visiting Anne’s Adoorables on a regular basis.
Love the autumn sunflower lantern swag with acorns, pumpkin and fall leaves…so so beautiful and whimsical!
Yay, you! Thanks for commenting. I am loving sunflowers, too, this fall.
How fun that you met through Lana! I really like the cotton ones! My daddy picked cotton!
I have been so surprised by the number of people who have a personal connection with cotton! I guess a lot of us have family members who picked cotton. I think I probably need that cotton swag to go with my wreath.
All of her items are so cute! Thank you for introducing Anne’s shop to us! I am saving it for holiday time. These are such great gift ideas!
Yay! Hope you will remember Anne’s store for the holidays. I imagine she will have lots of darling things.
What a gorgeous wreath! So cool that you met Anne through blogging! I’m heading over to check out her shop!
Jill
Doused In Pink
I forgot to mention I love the animal print lantern swag! Thank you for the giveaway!
Jill
Doused In Pink
Yay! The animal swag is so fun and sassy. Great choice.
Thanks for checking out Anne’s shop. Hope you found something you couldn’t live without. Keep her shop in mind for the holidays.
How pretty leslie!! I love the wreath you chose…oh those polkas!! And it is just perfect under the stairs!!! I have to look up Anne’s store. I never put a wreath on the door but for Christmas…I feel like I need one!!
Aren’t those polka dots fancy-fun? I stopped by Anne’s today on Etsy and looks like Christmas is already in the air over there. Be sure to check out her Christmas pretties.
Wow. Those are amazing. While I am not crafty or creative I do love seeing what other people can create. Those really are amazing.
Aren’t the lantern swags just so clever? And the wreaths, too, of course. But the swags are something new to me. Thank you for stopping by, Danielle. Can’t believe how big baby is already!
I love the virtual friendships that can be made through FB groups and blogging! So much fun to be connected with girlfriends across the country this way! And cotton is big where I live! Both my in-laws grew up picking cotton, and we drive by cotton fields everyday! In fact, my daughter who moved to Iowa as a new bride, after living her entire life in Alabama, took some cotton with her to display in a vase! It has since moved with her to Hershey, PA, and now Asburn, VA! It is quite the conversation starter!
Love all the ways cotton has touched the lives of my friends!!! Your story about the cotton your daughter took with her from move to move is very special. I have some monkey grass in my yard that was in the yard at my little house where my daughters grew up and before that at my parents’ home where I grew up in Memphis.
I have met so many lovely gals through the GYPO challenges and the blog world. One of my favs is YOU!
I love you, mom!!! Crazy past lives and all.
Thank you, sweet Buffy. I am glad you love all of me, every personality and past life. Your baby has been an angel today…just a sleepless one. I love you, baby.
I’m not sure which one I would pick, they’re all so beautiful!
Aren’t they all so cute? I pick one, and then look again, and pick another and another. And now she has Christmas out in her Etsy store.
The lantern with the fall colors draped across is absolutely beautiful! I love the fall with the wonderful temperatures and colors and I love lanterns in all sizes. In one of the pictures above she has the same piece of furniture that I do. I guess we both have good taste!
Funny that you spotted your shared piece of furniture in a pic. I love when that happens. I feel a connection to whoever it is and obviously, you both have great taste! I love the lantern swags. Love the witch swag with her legs in the air. And now Anne has Christmas out. Payday on Friday! Woo hoo!