Preparing for the next BIG event

We know it's still more than a month away.... but Amy Butler will be visiting the store for a trunk show and book signing in February, and we need to get the store in perfect "Amy" style before she arrives.

The bed is dressed with beautiful Amy Butler patterns that mix and match perfectly. We've even covered the lampshade with a coordinating fabric.

So you're wondering.... how this ugly ottoman (it's actually a sewing box) going to make the store look better?

It's new and improved! Covered with beautiful Amy Butler fabrics.

I think the ruffle trims of the bottom nicely....don't you?

I'm still working on improving that technique.

I thought it would be fun to add a little detail of the larger print to the side panel. I think it adds a nice touch.

Wouldn't it be great to pack this full with Amy's patterns, fabrics and her In Stiches book?

And, of course all the threads and notions you would need for any project.

A "sweet" gift from Judith

Judith surprised me with what she knows I love the most.....sweet treats. Aside from the goodies that are found in this gift.....the packaging is just as sweet!

A little drawer to hold all the sweets, a handmade pedestal made with vintage finds, and a little crochet button.

Muffins, a unique blend of hot cocoa, and special mini marshmallows. Yummy!!

And a little Asian treat....goodies from Natalia's trip to Japan
This is such a beautiful gift....packaged with so much love....thanks Judith

These are a few of my favorite things

When the dog barks, when the bee stings, when I'm feeling sad........I simply remember my favorite things and then I don't feel so bad.

Little vintage ornaments.....perfect as gumballs in my gumball machine.

A pack of letters I bought last year at McMaster & Storm are sprinkled all over...I had to get very creative with the spellings of some words.


Stockings for the kids made out of a vintage quilt....and each labeled for santa with their initial


Holiday pictures from years past....I love the addition of the number plates.
And the clock is set for 12:00 (when Santa arrives)

These beaded ornaments are my favorites.

A couple are from my own Christmas tree as a child and others are flea market finds.

Sam's gingerbread house.......so cute! The gumball trees are a pefect match.

coming soon...............Judith's and Beth's favorite things

I'm keeping it

Aren't these fabrics beautiful? I've had this ottoman in my work room (i.e. my basement) forever. And the fabrics are Shabby Chic samples that I bought at a sale over the summer.

I combined two of them and added a little patchwork design to bring them together. It turned out great. And I have the perfect place for it in my family room.

I have more fabric and another project I'm going to use it on for the store. I'm on a role so I'm going to start that soon. I'm so excited that this great piece of furniture has a new outfit. Everything is more fun with a new outfit.

New creations by Judith

Judith is on a role with these great "new" necklaces. And, of course, by new I mean new to the store but made with vintage finds. She has incorporated these great vintage pins and embellished with buttons and vintage finds.....They are awesome, and truly unique!
You have to see them up close.

For anyone that's out there... I've updated the newest finds section on the website. You've got to see what's new. Soon our web site will have a link to the blog and also will sport the new look we have created. http://www.bloomsburyloft.com/

Today, I'm working on another slipcover project for an ottoman. Much smaller and easier. It's turning out great. I'm using a combination of two Shabby Chic fabrics I bought over the summer at an awesome sale. I'm actually not sure I'm going to be able to part with it.....I'll keep you updated.

I think I'll also start making some Christmas cookies while I watch one of my favorite movies....which happens to have a Christmas theme.....Love Actually. I totally love all the stories going on in that movie. If you haven't seen it.....you really need to.

More work at the kitchen table

Okay, we really do use the kitchen table for homework and meals but while the kids are at school, I make a huge mess and work on my projects.

These are my little bubble resin charms that I make for the store. This time I concentrated on letters and numbers and I did another batch of pretty papers. They turned out great. They look really good clustered together on a ball chain necklace. And, of couse, I have 18" chains available at the store for just that purpose. On my necklace I have an M for MacKenzie, a J for Jake and an S for Sam.....and I added a little pretty colorful charm for fun.

I use this mold and resin to create the little bubbles. I need to get a few more molds. They take almost an entire day to harden, so I have to wait quite a while before I can make another batch. I go through all my vintage books and cut out whatever looks interesting to me. It's a fun activity that is always more fun while I watch a good movie.

I'm hoping you'll be seeing some more fun work soon by my "silent" partners, Judith and Beth.

They also have a lot of fun things to share ~karla

A little Thanksgiving visit

We had the pleasure of a Thanksgiving visit from the cutest nephews ever....Anthony and Dominic. They are sweet and completely adorable in their holiday outfits.

I couldn't resist taking the Bloomsbury china home from the store to set my Thanksgiving table. Love it!! And I thought it would be fun to use these vintage tags as place setting.

I love these tulips for my milk bottles.

Happy Holidays

The party was great!

We love to see so many of our Bloomsbury friends. It was such a fun night celebrating with so many people who are a big part of Bloomsbury Loft. Thank you for spending your evening with us and admiring our shop...we couldn't do it without you. And I hope that all of the people that I introduced our blog to will start reading and keeping up with our news...I'm talking to you Terri and Diana. One special thank you to Stacey for forwarding our newsletter to so many friends....you are so sweet...thank you.

Enjoy your holiday weekend and be sure to share our special shop with friends and family.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Diana......I hope your loving this new bracelet. I'm glad it will be part of your collection.

Creating with lockets

Each of these new pieces has a vintage or new locket. A couple "new" charm bracelets with vintage finds including earrings and pendants, even brass tags which are great. I added some crystals to give them the needed sparkle. And I really think I've got some great new earrings and necklaces for the shop. I'm excited about these new creations. Hope you enjoy them.

More sewing.......Pete always in the middle of things

I bought this completely beautiful sewing machine from a customer at the shop. It sat around for a while until I found the perfect "home" for it in my family room. Now instead of lugging my not- so-pretty sewing machine up from the basement and taking over the kitchen table, I can sew anytime and not interupt the "flow" of the house. I put together my vintage fabrics and holiday tablecloths and made tons of pillows. I had such a nice day! It was a little too much for Pete. Come to the open house tomorrow night and see all the new handmades. ~ karla

It's finished and Pete loves it!

It's done and it turned out great! I think the mix of fabrics is just right. Bold but not too crazy.

It was a learning process and I'm going to continue my slipcovering "education" on more projects in waiting. This ottoman looks great in the store. Hopefully you'll see it when you come to our Holiday Open House on Friday night.....5:00-9:00. Don't miss it. We will have lots of goodies and we have great door prizes.

Project under way

Okay, I'm ready to tackle this "major" project of making a slipcover for this awesome ottoman.

I took apart the original to use as my pattern and I think I can do it. I decided to use our Anna Maria Horner fabric. These prints are bold and completely fun! And I thought it was a good idea to use a nice chocolate fabric for durability.....wish me luck, I think it's going to come out great!

Preparing for the holiday

We are preparing for the holiday open house......mark your calendars Nov. 21st 5-9 and throughout the weekend. We'll be showing off our holiday look and offering special pricing on merchandise all over the store. This weekend is supposed to bring in some chilly weather and we're hoping it gets you into the spirit of the season.