Mimi's Rose Chenille Boutique Blog: November 2008

Friday, November 28, 2008

TRULY A BLACK FRIDAY!!!

I am so excited, today was the first day of the show in Virginia Beach and it was above and beyond my expectations! The doors opened at 10 and people were waiting to get in! I saw so many of my old loyal customers along with their beautiful little girls! Some of these precious little girls have been getting their chenille outfits, special Christmas outfits and jackets from me since they were 2 and now some of them are 5 and 6! Each year, they come in, give me a hug and usually bring me a little something, but the best gift I receive is the hugs and even "sugar" they share with me and now tell me what they want and try things on and say "Mimi, do you like this"? This is the reason why I do the shows, I have become a very special part of these precious little girls! Their moms bring me pictures of them in their outfits and I am so honored because their moms let me share in the memories of their lives! To all of those special customers, especially the moms and their little girls, I want to say "thank you" for allowing me to be a part of your special little girls lives! It is truly a joy for me to know I have made each little girl happy

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving !

I will post some pictures of the show when I return from Richmond, which is December 8 or 9th.

Mimi

Friday Flea Market

I didn't post any news Items for Friday Flea Market this week! I am at the show in Virginia Beach, VA ~ The Virginia Beach Christmas Market. Check back after next Friday, as I will be in Richmond at the Bizarre Bazaar next Friday. I promise to have some great finds the following Friday! Happy Friday Flea Marketing at my sister blogs!

Mimi

Monday, November 24, 2008

Off to the Shows!

The trailer is packed and I mean to the hilt and it's a 24 foot one at that! I didn't realize I had so many things! I always worry about not having enough merchandise to take to the shows, but I am well stocked! At least that's what my husband said! We will be gone until December 8th, doing a show in Virginia Beach at the Virginia Beach Convention Center and then The Bizarre Bizaar in Richmond, Virginia! It's been a very long day, but I just wanted to take a minute to wish everyone a joyous and thankful "Thanksgiving". This is the time of the year we all reflect on what happens or has happened during this past year and years before.

Remember to take time to smell the roses, give your little ones a hug and be thankful for each and everyday.

Happy Thanksgiving ~ Mimi ~

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Crossing Rainbow Bridge ~ Old Friends, New Friends!

This little fella is the newest addition to our family! Meet "Cody", he is the cutest little black/tan cocker spaniel and he certainly a "little dog, with a big attitude'! He has become my husband's buddy and they go everywhere together, along with my granddaughter, Lauren, when she is here!

We had a wonderful Chesapeake Bay Retriever for 15 years and she crossed the "Rainbow Bridge" on September 19th. She was a very special dog and a part of our family. She used to go to the race track with my husband, where everyone knew her and they all loved her. The kids would feed her hot dogs, much to my husband dismay, because he didn't like her eating "people food". She was the most loyal dog and we miss her!

Here is a beautiful poem about Rainbow Bridge:

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...

Friday, November 21, 2008

Flea Market Friday ~ Celebrate the Holidays with a Great Butter Cookie Recipe!

I am just about done with everything for the shows! YEAH, it's been quite hectic and honestly I didn't have time to think about "special cookie recipes" for Thanksgiving or Christmas. Every year after the shows, my daughter, granddaughter and I get together and make these wonderful cookies. This is an old recipe which I have used for about 35 years and you don't find it in the newer cookbooks, so I thought I would share it with everyone! Our cookie baking and fudge event has become a tradition in our house. I have had to rewrite it many times, because it just fades as the years go by, but the tradition will not fade, because my daughter also does it with my "little rose" and hopefully she will carrying on the tradition when she gets older! We all look forward to doing this, sometimes even the teenage girls from next door and across the street come and join in the fun! We also do ole fashioned popcorn balls! This is the one my husband gets involved in, because he loves them and they are too hot for us to make the balls, so it's his yearly job!

I would love to share the "Butter Cookie" Recipe with you! So here goes: (Looks like it's time to rewrite again, the paper is tattered and worn!!

1 cup butter
3/4 cup of sugar
1 egg (beaten)
1 teaspoon of Pure Vanilla
2-3/4 cups of white flour (not self rising)
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Work butter until soft, add sugar and beat until soft/creamy
add vanilla, stir to mix
add egg, stir until egg is blended well
add flour, 1 cup at a time, blend well
shape into ball, refrigerate for about 30-45 minutes
Roll dough out, a little thicker than piecrust (I do mine a bit thick) cut with your favorite cookie cutters.

Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes (this will depend on your oven), but we like our cookies soft, so if you like them a bit crisper, than bake 12-15 minutes. Remove from cookie sheet and frost with your favorite frosting (we use the buttercream frosting) and decorate to your hearts content!

I usually make 3/4 batches at one time, you can freeze the dough and just pull it out before the holidays or company arrives! The house will smell wonderful and your guests will love them!

I hope you enjoy these, they are the best tasting cookies! I received this recipe from a friend over 35 years ago and we have been doing them every year, watching our family grow and just making the most wonderful memories! Enjoy!!

Oh, let me know you like them, they are so good...

Mimi

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE MY FRIDAY FLEA MARKET

SPECIAL FINDS FOR THIS WEEK! 11-21-2008

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Mimi's Rose Friday Flea Market Special Finds!

A True Special Find for Friday Flea Market ~ Lefton China Pink Swan!

This is the Prettiest Lefton China Pink Swan! It is marked on the bottom, still has the original gold label with "Lefton" on it and is numbered ~ MW8059. It is so shabby chic and just speaks to you! There are three flowers on one of the wings where the upper petals are broken, but it's very hard to see, because of the intricacy of the design. The flower is also missing in the center of the swan's head, but honestly, who cares, it absolutely so vintage and chic! A true and rare find! I don't think it will stay nested where it is right now for long! Just click on the "Buy Now" below and you will be directed to Paypal. Don't forget to visit my website too!

$29.00 plus shipping

Buy Now

Bakelite (?) 10 Drawer Shabby Storage!

Looking for the perfect little desktop storage, this is a must have! The colors are perfect, pinks, white and a creamy color on a soft cream colored background. It looks like the colors have been swirled together to create this wonderful unique piece. It has nine (9) drawers and then a larger one on the bottom. It measures approximately 7-1/2" tall x 6" deep x 9-3/4" wide. Perfect for your bathroom or desk! I think it is made from old "Bakelite", though I am not sure. I have never seen one like this before! It goes so wonderfully with Lefton China Pink Swan. Just click on the "Buy Now" button below and you will be redirected to Paypal.

$59.99 Plus Shipping

Buy Now

These items are truly shabby and oh so chic! I love both items and though they are a bit pricey for flea market items, I think because of their uniqueness and rareity, they are worth the extra little they do sell for! Shipping on each item is $2.80, so prices do reflect the cost of shipping via USPS Priority mail. Each item will be packaged to insure there is no problem when you open up your Christmas present to your self, especially if you love a "Pink Christmas"! Insurance will also be included to ensure it arrives to your door safely!

Enjoy browsing all the blogs on "Friday Flea Market", it's such a fun way to find the special things you are looking for, when you can't hit the other flea markets! Thanks for taking a peek at my "Friday Flea Market" finds. Sometimes, as is the case with these two items, they are "Friday Flea Market Special Finds!" ~Mimi~

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Thank Goodness for Daughters!! Listen to "Don't Forget to Remember Me"

Listen to the beautiful song by Carrie Underwood, while reading this post! It will bring a tear to your eyes!

I have to tell you, I have a daughter and she has been the biggest Godsend! She has been helping me prepare for the shows by doing the inventory, pricing and just generally keeping me organized and doing all the computer wizard things she does, that I don't know how to do!!!
She does all of this, while attending college, working full time job as an RN and completing her masters so she can become a Nurse Practioner! Yes, she is very intelligent and also pretty, plus not to mention the fact, she is my "Little Rose's" mom!

I honestly don't know where all the years have gone, but for every mom out there who has little ones, enjoy them, spend as much time as you can with them, give them all the support, praise and love you can give them, because they will reward you like my daughter has me! Children are Gods' Gift and certainly something to be treasured!

The Holidays are very special and a wonderful time to share with your most favorite friends and family, especially a daughter and granddaughter like mine! So make the most of every moment you can! Your children will reward you in ways you never thought possible!

This is a picture of my daughter on the left and my "Little Rose" on the right, she looks just like her mom! We spent a week in Williamsburg, VA year before last, they were both "acting up", so I locked them up for a bit! They are my pretty girls!

Cherish every moment! "Listen to "Don't Forget to Remember Me" when you read this post, it will surely make you stop, think and smell the roses along the way with your children!

Mimi

Oh No, less than a week before the Shows!

It's almost time to the hit the road for the shows! I can't believe they are just around the corner! Where did the time go??? Funny how you think you will have the time to do everything you need and then bam ~ before you know it, the time has gone by right before your eyes!! I am very excited about going though, setting up the booth is my most favorite part, I get to have a shabby chic Christmas booth and every morning when I go into the show, it just makes me smile!

We will be leaving a week from today, for the Virginia Beach Christmas Market" (here's the link :http://www.emgshows.com/ ) Tuesday, November 25th, setting up on Wednesday and then, can you believe it's Thanksgiving!! The show starts on Friday, the 28th, so it is definitely crunch time!

Here's just a couple of items will you see at the show!

This is another "Pastry" from my new "Vintage Chenille Yummy Confections Bakeshop"! It the prettiest chenille cupcake you will have ever laid your eyes on! It's almost 5" tall and looks good enough to eat! You can use it as a pin cushion, a paperweight or just the best "eye candy" to display with your shabby chic decor. Visit Mimi's Rose "Vintage Chenille Yummy Confections Bakeshop", for more scrumptious freshly baked goodies on menu!

This is just a sampling what I will have this year. The pink coat is my favorite one to make, it has gorgeous Swavorski Rhinestone Crystal Buttons ! Your little princess can wear this swing coat or jacket with jeans or for any special occasion, it's truly beautiful.

The "Romantic Eye Candy String Light Confections" are simply so shabby chic, perfect for all your "Pink Christmas" decorating or for that matter, all year long. These are also great for weddings. Dress up your mantle or use on your gazebo for a wonderful shabby chic festive look! They are available in different colors! You can see more at my website: http://www.mimisrosechenilleboutique.com/ "click" on "Romantic Eye Candy Light String Confections to see what's available!

Watch for items for "Friday Flea Market", which will be posted on Friday, this week!

I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a "Happy Thanksgiving"!

Mimi

Friday, November 14, 2008

Friday Flea Market Finds From Mimi's Rose!

1 Yard of Henry Glass's "Tis The Season" Fabric by Debbie Taylor Kerman! End bolt piece! $6.00 Original price on my website was $8.49 a yard! Use the "Buy Now" button below to make your purchase. It will take you directly to Paypal! If you should encounter any problems when purchasing this item, please email me at mimisrosecreations@yahoo.com Thank you!

Buy Now

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Friday Flea Market

I am so excited, I have just become a member of "Friday Flea Market". I will selling items through my new blog! Some of the items you will find at Mimi's Rose at the Friday Flea Market are, fabric remnants, ususally less than 2 yards, which are leftovers from sales on Mimi's Rose Chenille Boutique and will be greatly discounted! Other items will be vintage table cloths, old shabby quilts and whatever wonderful items I find when I go on a "treasure hunt" or even my vintage chenille clothing!

You will also be able to purchase these items directly from the blog, no emails, no waiting, so you can get it now! Paypal will be the preferred payment method.

I will be listing some items sometime within the next couple of days, so please check back and make sure to check back often, this is the area will my overstocked items will come from the website ~ kinda like a clearance area for Mimi's Rose Chenille Boutique.

Have a wonderful day!
Mimi

My Hubby's 1932 Ford Coupe

Thought you all like to see what my retired husband does for his hobby! We have been married almost 39 years (oops, I am almost telling my age) and he has built cars since he was 16! His wonderful father taught him everything he knows! So this was his latest venture! He retired almost 4 years ago, wow, where did the time go! Anyway, he worked on this car, day and night for over a year! We go to Rod Runs, car shows and just out for a cruise on a Saturday night! This is his passion, but again, he is now ready to move on! I honestly was hoping this would be his last one ~ but no ~ he's got the bug again, so he has put it on eBay ~ not sure he will get what he wants and certainly deserves as a price, but it has a reserve, so I am not worried!! Thank goodness!

I honestly can't remember at this point, how many he has done, but he loves it and so I also enjoy what he does. My granddaughter, Lauren, (my little rose) loves to go for a ride with him on Saturday mornings, they head out for their breakfast together every Saturday! It has become a ritual! It's a real pleasure to watch the two of them take off.

Here is the video on You tube, it has some great oldies music and pictures. Enjoy it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2aJrTX8m_8

Busy Day in my studio!

It's been a busy, crazy day in my sewing room! I have gotten all the Grinch dresses ready for the shows. These are really cute, some have the "Grinch Stockings" and the word "Grinch" which I embroidered on them. So they are now ready to pack up and take to the first show, which is now just right around the corner! The twirl skirt sets are almost complete, I still have another six shirts to embroider, which I will do tomorrow.

I have completed my "teacup lights", and they turned out so pretty! I ordered some of the gorgeous Royal Doultan "Cameo Roses" pattern and a few other pretty ones from them, I will post pictures sometime in the next few days, after I have done all my other things first.

There will also be gorgeous vintage chenille Christmas Stockings, plus, of course, my Boutique Clothing line created from only the finest vintage chenille.

I must say at first, I was a bit concerned because of the economy, gas prices and the election, but things seem to be settling a bit! I checked gas prices in Virginia today and the lowest price I found, was a $1.85 a gallon! Can you believe that!! I honestly didn't think the price would ever fall below $2.00 a gallon!! I am hoping this will relieve some of the stress to everyone, especially with the holidays right around the corner. I am being very optimistic about the upcoming shows, and all the items for the website.

I sent out my first newsletter yesterday, using Constant Contact, I love this site, it was easy to do and their fees are very reasonable. If anyone wants info, just email me and I will be happy to give you all the information. I didn't realize I had so many email contacts, there were 691 to be exact! So doing the newsletter this way, was so much easier than the way I had done them in the past. I was able to add a coupon at the bottom, which they can print out and bring to the show, which I thought was wonderful!

Being a member of Shabby Lane Shops is so much fun! It's like a one big happy family. All of the members are truly wonderful and we all help and support each other without worrying about "the competition" between us, which to me, is absolutely wonderful! Catherine has created such a wonderful atmosphere for all us and I am most indebted to her. If you are looking for a great place to promote your website, then visit Shabby Lane Shops! Catherine is fantastic!

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Mimi's Rose/Shabby Lane Shops on You Tube

I created this montage for You Tube last week. Take a peek at it, there are some of baked goods from the "Vintage Chenille Yummy Confections Bakeshop" in it, along with some gorgeous items from "Marionberry Cottage" at etsy.com, beautiful handpainted shabby chic items with roses from Graceful Rose and Shabby Cottage Designs, and beautiful Handmade Jewelry, Artistic Home Decor from Rebecca Rose Designs. All of these wonderful boutique owners are members of Shabby Lane Shops, visit www.shabbylaneshops.com to find all the items featured in the montage!

Here's the link, enjoy!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xjZ_kO2zbM

Upcoming Holiday Shows

Shabby Chic at it's Finest! Fun Chenille Clothing
& Home Decor created using Vintage Chenille!

This is my first post, I am so excited to find the time! I am busy doing final touches for the upcoming Holiday Shows I attend. The first one is "The Virginia Beach Christmas Market", held at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. I have the same location as last year, which is right at the front door. The promoters, EMG Shows, Inc., are such wonderful hosts. Linda, Steve and Erin all do such a wonderful job! This is really a great show, you will find all kinds of great juried items. Show dates are November 28-30th! "Black Friday", as referred to in retail, yes, it starts the day after Thanksgiving and they swarm into the show! I truly think they hit the "early bird" specials at the stores and then head to The Virginia Beach Christmas Market. Here is a link to their website, hopefully it is updated: http://www.emgshows.com

The second show, is "The Bizarre Bazaar, 33rd Christmas Market in Richmond, Virginia. The show starts Wednesday evening, December 3rd with a "Gala Preview Event" and all proceeds from tickets purchased go to the Virginia Massey Center ~ for cancer, so it's a great cause! The show officially opens on December 4th and concludes on Sunday, December 7th. This is my first Christmas show in Richmond, but it is anything like the Spring Show, it will be great.

Below are some pictures from the 2007 Virginia Beach Christmas Market. My booth was full. Setting up the booth display is my favorite part, other than seeing my customers I only see twice a year, so I have a great time!

I have sent out my "Holiday Discount Newsletter" for those who have subscribed to my mailing lists. If you haven't signed up, now is a great time to do so! I am offering 20% discount for those who attend the show. For many, unfortunately, won't be able to attend, there is also a discount code for you to use. There are many great items on the website and many items which will be at the shows. If you are looking for something special, you can contact me and I will be more than happy to get back in touch with you!

Here is the link to sign up for my mailing list, I will be sending another one, later this month before the shows begin. Great way to save on your Holiday Shopping!http://www.mimisrosechenilleboutique.com/pages/newsletter.php

I have added a lot of new items to the website, make sure to Visit the "Vintage Chenille Yummy Confections Bakeshop"! Beautiful chenille baked goods which look like they are real, but don't let your hubby or kids eat them!

http://www.mimisrosechenilleboutique.com/catalog.php?category=38

This gorgeous Yummy Confections Creation is freshly baked and decorated at Mimi's Rose Chenille Yummy Confections Bakeshop! This is just a sampling of what's on the menu! There are delicious cupcakes, teacakes, cake slices, and the most beautifully decorated cakes you will ever see! Use the cupcakes, teacakes or cake slices as a Pin Cushion! Click on the link above to see all of our "mouth-watering" Chenille Pastries!