The Lazy Day's Of Summer! There's Always A First Time!

Yes, there is a first time for everything! 

We got a new artist today! A local artist! 

We are so excited!

And, I've never experienced a lazy summer until this summer! That's also a first!

 I feel as if I'm on a Summer Staycation! Our beach house is rented out for most of the summer…I've worked through it…at least I've tried to!

But... because I'm here I've been blessed to meet Vicki Denaburg and get the privilege of carrying her gorgeous artwork in my shop! We are more than ecstatic! 

I doubt I would've taken the time to search her out if I hadn't been in one place for this long!

We've had several wonderful artists over the years…and each one has blessed me and I hope that I've blessed them even in a little way.  I'm forever grateful for all of them! Right now…I am overwhelmed at the fact that we get the wonderful privilege of representing Lauren Dunn, Melissa Payne Baker and now….Vicki! Vicki Denaburg is a little fireball…full of energy, bursting with creativity and one very special lady!

If you don't believe me…come in and see for yourself! I knew we had an immediate kinship when I asked her how she names her paintings! When she answered me I wanted to fall on the floor AND call my son at the same time and tell him I'm not the only one! She likes to listen to country music…in fact, blare country music and see if a title hits her! I totally get it!

I TOTALLY GET IT!!

In fact, I get a lot of what our artists do..how they paint and how they express themselves! We all have ways that we express our creativity…some just better than others! 

Lauren, Melissa and Vicki have us all beat in my opinion!

What a wonderful group we have in our little shop in Birmingham, Alabama!

Vicki even paints places that are so near and dear to my heart! Like I said, we've had to put our beach house on the rental program for the first time and that has not been easy…I will not tell a lie! But looking at her painting of "Western Lake" near Seaside and Grayton Beach…makes me feel right at home!

Just as the newest painting that Lauren delivered this past Saturday 'Point The Way' reminds me so much of my roots! My dad is an avid hunter as was my grandfather and both of my boys…I grew up with hunting dogs so this speaks volumes to me!

And just maybe…I will have to purchase some of Vicki's art to remind me that my beach house still awaits me…it may not be THIS summer…but it's always there in my heart! And I will most definitely be there this fall! My most favorite beach time!

Beach colors or not…these paintings fit in every home…every type of decorating style…you name it!

The best part for me was to see how well Vicki's paintings complimented both Melissa's and Lauren's work as well! They all work so well together!

These orchids are a particular favorite of mine...

As was this still life! Be still my heart!

 Even Pattie knew I loved it right away!

Pattie and I both decided this was our most favorite painting….shown here and below in different lighting…yes, I need some photography classes! Look past that please!  Plus it was cloudy today!

Don't you just love it? So incredibly gorgeous! 

Her touches of metallic are spot on!

To say we are thrilled to have Vicki Denaburg at Mulberry Heights Antiques is an understatement! 

We are already planning and plotting our next art show!

 What a show it will be!

Just as I'm plotting that next country concert…

Or that next beautiful beach sunset!

It's ok to plan out that next big adventure! 

Just like it's ok to remember the things that you love and look forward to whatever it is that God has in store for you!

You can always find me planning and plotting…and right now, I need to be seeking out a beautiful sunrise! Not for me…but for some of my children that I love so dearly! 

Let's get back together soon! 

just a little verse that was special to me

Jeremiah 42:3 Pray that the LORD your God will tell us where we should go and what we should do."

Wednesday's What If's…"What If Tomorrow, We Could Become Something Different?"

I don't know why that title struck me as my fingers hit the keys…sometimes, I just go with it! And tonight, was one of those times! I'm pretty tense just watching the elections..and then I remember that my Heavenly Father watches over every single thing that happens in my life!
So when things happen in my life that may seem commonplace or 'everyday' to someone..they are most definitely not commonplace to me! They are significant and they mean the world to me!

Which is why I'm thrilled that Birmingham Home and Garden Magazine is including us in their new issue of "Gallery Hopping! If you had asked me a year ago what I would have wanted for my shop…this would have been my answer! I started dreaming about this and praying about this at least a year ago…and now, here it is…and I am just hoping to live up to these artists standards and help them to make their dreams come true! I have truly wanted this for Mulberry Heights Antiques for such a long time! The results of having such incredible artists in the shop has been overwhelming! 

Thank You, Birmingham Home and Garden Magazine for including us in this issue!!

Love their "Gallery Picks!"

I couldn't have picked them better myself!

And the map…for crying out loud! I've always wanted to be on a "map"! Seriously, our "neck of the woods" has ALOT to offer!

And I truly love the fact that they included Emily's work in this issue…especially the piece in Amy Belden's house! Amy is a jewel! She has been in a lot lately and we've had such a great time discussing art with her!

What a beautiful home she has! 
Such a lively, fun environment! Just like her personality!

The only thing I wish they'd done differently, would have been to let me showcase my own artwork of Emily's in my home! I swear, it could be a gallery in itself! It's a little embarrassing..the amount of her work that I have…but it sure is pretty!
Shall I show you the pics? Hmmmm….maybe one day soon! 
Hope we can all have a fabulous rest of our week! I know I will at least be enjoying some delightful food as I am leaving today for New Orleans with Holly and Brad! I can't believe I haven't even seen their first house since they've been moved in to it! I know we helped them find it..but this is different! Wish me luck as we hang curtains…photograph the"Yellow Kitchen" and attempt to antique shop, clothes shop, jewelry shop and eat ourselves into oblivion tonight at Susan Spicer's restaurant, Mondo!

And that's just the beginning!! 
New Orleans….The Big Easy...
Here we come!!!
 I will keep you posted on the assortment of other divine eateries that are on my bucket list! And as always, the places we find that are irresistible to shop in! That is my goal these next 3 days…to be totally fun and enjoy my middle children! This should be a really fun trip!
(not to make you feel sorry for me…but would love your prayers as I have a really bad ear infection and a staph infection! Oh my!)
I deal with ear stuff all of the time…too in depth to go into…let's just say, I am NEVER without an interpreter in my shop if it can be helped thanks to hearing loss…now it's a whole lot worse! Just ask Pattie and Ellen!
Have a wonderful rest of your week...

XOXO

Our Third And Final Artist…for Now!

 I think I've died and gone to 'Artist' heaven…I am not even kidding you!

I can honestly say that persistence pays off because I think I've been trying to get Sonya in our shop for 1 1/2 years! I'm proud of myself for staying with it! It was hard at times because there is a fine line between sounding desperate and then knowing that someone should not only be showing in your shop but would also belong there as well!

 I'm so thankful that Sonya didn't "write us off" but instead was more gracious with each email and each phone call! What a delight to actually meet her in person today!

 I'm truly in love with her work and her personality fits her to a "T"! She is so beautiful, so pleasant and so calm! And I feel like that is reflected in her art! It now has it's own place right across from the desk and it is sooooo soothing! I love being able to view it as I'm working! We took down an entire wall of tole trays that we've loved but we knew it was the perfect spot for Sonya's art!

Aren't these Peonies in the sink just fabulous?

These 'Still Life's' of Figs and Peaches are amazing!

I so wish everyone could attend our Open House on October 18th! We would all have such a great time and see so many wonderful artists as well as my friend's that have started Old Clutch! 
Not to mention the great food…especially the chocolate chip cookies with sea salt! Always a huge hit!
As well as Alison Thomas' of AKT Designs gorgeous flowers!
I would suggest being there if at all possible!

This is the invite that Melissa has on her website or Facebook page..I'm not sure... but she graciously sent it to me so I could put it on this blog post! What a great group of beautiful women we are now representing! I couldn't be any more grateful or proud of them than I feel right now!
Thank you Melissa Payne Baker, Lauren Dunn and Sonya Shinn Edwards and Old Clutch! You can check each of them out on the links I've provided…just click on their names!
Have a wonderful weekend!