Cough! Cough! Cough!!!!

Have any of you been bitten by the coughing bug??? Well, if not, let me tell you, when you see him coming DUCK!! I have been experiencing what so many all over the country have.....sore throat, the hardest cough and cold....

This is ME!!..... ........ Will it never stop?
I do feel much better than I have been, so cough or not, my life will go on!! I have no more time to waste.....much to do!!

For the past several weeks, I have been beating my brains out trying to find my website niche....my focus product, the grabber, so to speak. I am not a crafty person but I was determined that, like so many of my Make Mine Pink friends, I needed something unique and created by my hands to be the focus product. Then I read a blog post written by friend and founder of MMP, Joyce, that said:
"What makes you/your business interesting? What’s your hook? Your appeal?
(example) You sell vintage linens.. You also collect them. You know everything there is to know about vintage tablecloths! That passion and love for what you collect along with your knowledge is what will make you stand out. ANYONE can sell a vintage tablecloth. Being established as an expert is what is going to bring people back to you. Now add that to spectacular customer service.. And you can’t be beat.
What things do you know the most about.. No matter how trivial, that information is of interest to someone. (your niche market)" THANKS, JOYCE!!



Well, DUH!! That, friends, is ME!!! So, beginning right away, Grandma G's will make lovely vintage linens the main focus!! I introduced you all to the Vintage Tablecloth Lovers Club (VTLC) in my last post so you are aware that I do love vintage linens, I am a collector of them and through the VTLC I have gained knowledge in identifying, dating, rating condition and the care and storage of these treasures from the past. My intention is not only to sell vintage tablecloths, tea towels, etc., but to also share the information I have gained over the past 5 years. I want to be the "go to" girl for any and all questions re: vintage linens as well as your source of lovely additions to your home!!

Hang in there with me as I refine ideas, add to and make changes to my Grandma G's website.....I've been sick, remember!!

****See below: Date for drawing has been extended!!****
*****Leave a comment and your name will be added to a random drawing for a Heart-Shaped box of See's Candies.....the BEST in the west!!*****
Comments made between Jan 27th & Feb 8th are eligible!

Well, here we are four days into the new year.......do you all have your Santas, trees, nativitys and other symbols of Christmas tucked away for the year? Not me!! It will take me quite awhile to accomplish that chore but my goal is to be finished before Valentine's Day!!!
2008 will be a banner year for Grandma G's.......I can feel it! And what's more, I am working toward it. Many ideas are swirling about, some still just swirling but a few are already in the works.......watch for announcements of exciting changes!! Here are some of the first announcements!

**The first and possibly most wonderful thing is that next month I will open my Little Pink Boutique at Make Mine Pink!!
**I have begun listing a few items in my Etsy shop.....Grandma's Vintage Finds...take a look .......more will be added soon.
**All Christmas items at Grandma G's are discounted 10-50%......add to your collections for next year's decorating!
**New listings are posted for Valentine's Day and still more to come!!



For the past 5 years, I have been a member of a wonderful online group of fun and fanatical vintage linen collectors at The Vintage Tablecloth Lovers Club. The group was formed by friends who had a common interest in learning about vintage 1920-1950's tablecloths and also they had a desire to own and collect these wonderful pieces of American history.

I have acquired over 500 tablecloths and about the same number of vintage tea towels.....some I am selling at Grandma G's. If you have a question about the origin, manufacturer, fabrics, labels and care of vintage linens, the VTLC is THE place to find your answers. We have so many knowledgeable ladies (and guys, too!!) among our members.....several of whom have written books on the subject. Go to Grandma G's, by clicking this link to Recommended Reading and you will see many of their books listed.

I have made many friends through this club and learned all that I know about linens there, too. I also happen to be the Membership Director and I'd love to invite all of you to visit and maybe you will want to join us! Click the club link above and go see what a wonderful place it is!! Oh, did I mention that we have lots of fun, too? We have contests throughout the year, drawings for fun linen items a few times a year, Secret Santa partners and we are now planning our second national convention!! Don't miss out on the fun!

Wishes to all for a happy, healthy 2008!! May each day be filled with many blessings and much success !! Hope to see you all in January!!
Grandma G

Merry Christmas from My House to Yours!!

Can you feel the excitement in the air? Do you hear jingling bells around you? Are you anxiously awaiting the arrival of the jolly man in red suit at your house? If you answered yes to any, or all, of these questions......you know it's Christmas!! I sincerely hope each and every one of you have a wonderful, blessed Christmas full of fun, family and thankfulness for the birth of Jesus Christ our Lord!!

As promised here are pictures of my Christmas tree!! It is more of a memory tree than anything.....decorated with ornies collected during our 41 year marriage, gifts from friends and from precious family members who now spend their Christmases in heaven! Enjoy!! The bell in front of the Joy to the World sign, was given to me by my sweet brother, Geoff......one of those precious ones who spends Christmas with Jesus!

The cute little red and green elf was on a gift from my childhood.....thanks Mom!


Do you see the photos of the three cute little guys? Well, they are Drew, Mark and Nathan and they are the ones who call me Grandma G!! They now live in Oregon, so we won't see each other this Christmas.......I miss you boys!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL,
AND TO ALL A GOODNIGHT!!

Photos of My Decorated Home.....Vol 2

MY KITCHEN SITTING ROOM.......antique stove next to kitchen tree!! I have collected Santas for about 35 years....have so many I can't put them all out anymore! You will see bits and pieces of the collection all over the house!! Corner shelf is to the left of stove; my Mom's china hutch, we painted it after I inherited it....my prize possession! The fireplace mantle and shelves also have many of my Santas......Santa's living room is on one end of the hearth!
His "fireplace" is a vintage tea towel!!
Some of the photos came out a little darker than I like.....we are having a dreary day today!
KITCHEN!

The bowl stand, made by Longaberger, is one of my favorite things in my kitchen....the photo is of my "grandsons"! The two shelves are on the left and right of my kitchen sink!
FRONT ENTRY HALL......The chair sits just inside the front doors......at Christmas, another Santa sits there to greet everyone! The table has my newest nativity, made by Demdaco, the Willow Tree set. My husband's gift to me last year and hopefully more pieces will be added this year.....hint, hint!!

LIVING ROOM......The piano sits in one corner next to the fireplace!! I love the 'Peace on Earth' runner on the mantle....More Santas on the living room cabinet......

The desk belonged to my Grandma, given to her at age 16! At Christmas, it has a book open with my Mom's glasses on top......just like she got up and left it that way....I miss you Mom!DINING ROOM.......I bought the buffet at an antique store a few years back. Not too many decorations here since I will be using it to serve on Christmas Eve!


BREAKFAST ROOM......shelf on the wall...Santa on the top shelf was mine at age 1 year....that makes it, ummmm, REALLY old!




FAMILY ROOM......at the bottom of the stairs leading to the family room, sits a vintage sewing machine cabinet. It belonged to my mother-in-law. A Lizzie High nativity sits on top....
This shelf is on the family room wall......

That's all for this time! One last photo for later this week......Our Tree!! All the photos should be clickable so if you want to see a larger image....click away! Comments are welcome and encouraged!! Merry Christmas!

PHOTOS OF MY DECORATED HOME.....

Okay, so if I had my way, I would decorate for the holidays in pink and all colors pastel.....but my family is NOT crazy about that idea so we decorate in the traditional red and green of Christmas! Here are a few photos for you to see.....more will follow in the coming days!!

The first pictures are of the small tree in my kitchen sitting area. It sits on a wicker table, has a vintage tablecloth under it, a stuffed gingerbread man at the base and is decorated with "kitchen-y" things!! Some are purchased Hallmark ornies, some Longaberger basket tie-ons, some came directly from my kitchen drawers or were inherited plus there are vintage crocheted pot holders in red and white!!








The next photos were taken in the breakfast room. I have a 1930's vintage stove in the corner and love to change the display on top throughout the year. This, too, is decorated in red and green!










In the other corner to the left of the stove is the breakfast room tree.....very simply decorated with lights, pine cones, snow and a tiny red berry garland!! Hope you have enjoyed these few photos......see you next time!! ** You can click on the photos to enlarge them!!