Were You Born In A Barn?

You might wish you were if it was THIS barn in the outskirts of Manteca, CA!


This is Sue's Country Barn where the formidable Sue, herself, (she's hard to photograph as she moves at the speed of light) puts on several shows a year. The current sale is going on NOW through April 17th, and I highly recommend you point your boots in her direction and get scootin'!





Hey, there's Sue!

There are display after wonderful display to examine and find something you didn't know you couldn't live without!




This red metal rack was SOLD, darn it, and waiting to go home.










Even the storeroom was pretty!











I ended up with some pretty French linens and some unique buttons. There are 4000 square feet to explore, but make sure you leave time to make a 20 minute drive to nearby Escalon to visit The Green Pea:


It's run by owner Sandi Vander Dussen.








There are lots of bed springs to covet if you're a bed spring junky like me!




After all that shopping, your stomach and your feet will be happy to know there's a great little sandwich shop, Leonardo's, right across the street. Have a delicious lunch and you'll be on the road back home in no time!



Sue's Country Barn
E. Hwy 120
Mateca, CA 95336
(209) 607-6013


The Green Pea
1802 Main Street
Escalon, CA 95320
(209) 838-1913

Workbench Wednesday + My Sister's Flowers

Here's a pictorial roundup of what's on my craft room table today. Ideas in every stage of the project. Some will be finished at some point, others, sadly, well it's all part of the process! Wanna see the fruits of my sister Joan's back-breaking, knee-bending, blister-handed labors? The final count is: 20 hyacinths 50 crocus 420 Ranuculis 830 daffs. What are the fruits of your labors? Please share!

Workbench Wednesday

Here's a pictorial roundup of what's on my craft room table today. Ideas in every stage of the project. Some will be finished at some point, others, sadly, well it's all part of the process!

What are you working on? Please share!

My Room With A Past

This is my happy place. It's full of dreams and life and echoes of the people, both my fellow dreamers and customers, who have passed through it. When I first started as a consignor here (it will be 7 years next month!), I sometimes would just sit in one spot and look around, soaking in all that happiness.

This month it's also full of things that make my heart soar--birds and old linens (and birds on old linens!) and lots of things I made!

Linens, quilts and chenille bedspreads I found last November are now seeing the light of day and hung on a ladder for display. (There are even more in that 2 door cabinet!)


These are cuff bracelets fashioned from old doilies a friend gave me. I made roses out of torn fabric strips, leaves out of wool, and wove seam binding through them.

Nests under glass, just time for Spring. The dome and pedestals were thrift store finds, glued together. The nests were gleaned from flower arraignments discovered at an estate sale!

Lampshades are covered with more doilies (from that same pal!) and fabric roses.

A beautiful page from a children's story book becomes instant art when antiqued onto a canvas.

An old window I painted in reverse with birds and "Home Sweet Home" becomes art for your nest! Below, bird-topped wands flowing with pastel ribbons from the previously mentioned flower arraignments are not just for the kiddies!

Paper banners shouting "SPRING" are strung on Divine Twine and finished off with a sheet music bird, ribbon and flowers at both ends, and strung from branches decorated with crepe paper flowers.

Single sheet music birds have glittered edges and a tag labeled "To/From" for easy Easter gift giving.

I'm not sure I can part with the huge white suitcase with the purple lining! It's marked "Not for sale--yet!".

Miniature baskets lined with sheet music strips and adorned with Easter lilies are ready to accept some sweet treats and be hidden in the tall grass.

Hope you can make it in and get happy here too! The sale starts tomorrow, Thursday March 17th, from 6 - 9 PM.