What's new?→→ → I have moved 'The Little Shop' into a large space in the 'MY FAVORITE THING'S' Antique mall in Post Falls.  I will no longer be having monthly sales at my home.   Last year was a great success and so much fun for me.  So many faithful customers went out of there way to seek me out and shop!!  THANK YOU SO MUCH! 

2010 is bringing some changes and challenges to us!!  We have sold our home... long story... and a while yet before we move, ... but the 'down-sizing'   process is beginning with moving my inventory to the mall!  Also, Paul (The Gathering Guy) has gone into business with ourn son Todd... another long story... now CLASSIC ELECTRIC, LLC (208-215-1711) ... so he needs a wee bit of space in our basement too ... (sorry, 'Little Shop', you're going to have to move out!)  It's an exciting and busy time for us.  THE GATHERING GAL will be at the Spokane Garden Expo in May, The Farm Chicks Show in June and the Vintage Barn Shows in July and September.  I'll look forward to seeing you all at these events.  In the meantime, you can find my Goods  now every day of the  week at 'MY FAVORITE THING'S '  ... 503 E. Seltice Way in Post Falls, Idaho ... 208-773-4110.     

                                          HAPPY HUNTING!!!

 The Gathering Guy wants to stay busy... So he's decided to do occasional side jobs as well as keeping me well stocked with funky primitive inventory!!  If you need some Electrical work done or 'Honey-Do's', give him a call... If we're home... Paul and Sherlock will be glad to help you out!  208-215-1711

  WHOA!!!  STOP THE PRESS!  HOLD YOUR HORSES! 

                and PUT YOUR EARS ON!

  There is some big news coming down the pike!  My dear husband and   'Gathering Guy'  has taken a big leap of faith, and finally decided to 

                            "RETIRE!"

 This Great Guy (his real name is Paul), has worked hard for our family all of his life at many things, most recently completing 30 yrs as an electrician,  and retiring out as V.P. of Technical Operations.  Don't you think it's time for a change?  But...

 Now What's he going to do?                                                      

WELL, YAH ...THAT  TOO.... but he's ALSO going to keep working with me ...   making funky, primitive furniture... and doing more shows!!!  We are planning to travel to some shows out of our area and see what kind of a response we get.  Our plan is to haul the old trailer (chock full of our special brand of treasures!!) and return home... with our trailer (chock full of new treasures )...  Look out next year's Farm Chicks and Vintage Barn Shows... we're coming home!  

► ► ► Another News flash...  We have actually put our large, beautiful country home up for sale thinking we'd like to down size, simplify, and have more time in our life for doing the things we love the most!   We're staying in our local area for sure, all of our kids and grandkids are here.  Haven't found the right place for us yet, but we keep looking!  My hope is that we will be blessed with another setting that will lend it's self to having my "Little Shop' on the premises again..... but that will be another up date to my 'Happenings'.   In the meantime,  'The Little Shop' is open and going strong.  Whenever we show our house I just say to the people "Now clear your mind and focus, this is really a nice large bedroom, and not an 'Antique Shop'!  What more can I say, Im just a quarter bubble off!

So... now we're counting our days... 14 as I write this, till the next chapter of our life begins.  We are very excited and looking forward to another crazy, wonderful ride together... always has been for the last 42 years, and counting!  The real question is, just how long will it take Inspector Sherlock to realize our life has become nothing but Saturdays?  

 The September 26th & 27th opening of 'The Little Shop' was a great time!  The weather was warm for the out door browsers and the Shop was full of my newest Finds, as well as what was left from the recent show.  I pride myself in giving folks a great shopping experience every time they come to my Little Shop!  Presenting a lot of 'not seen before'  merchandise is always my goal.  I'm often told that I am known for that... what can I say?... it's just who I am... and what I do!   Take a Look-See...........

                                             Poor 'Inspector Sherlock'... 

                       He gets so bored when I'm busy rearranging the store!

   The Vintage Barn Antique Show was held again the 12th of September.  We had a warm Fall day, with many people turning out for a great time of fun, food and shopping!  I'm always so amazed and delighted with the unique assortment of treasures at this show.  The vendor's definitely bring their best to this event, and it is never disappointing!  Below you see me with my faithful supporter and enthusiastic 'Gathering Guy'!

These are some of my favorite vendor's and special friends!

Right to left (top) Ann & Andy of 'Nestting', they travel to the midwest every year and bring back fabulous finds!  Sharon, maker of all things hand sewn   'extrordinaire'!  Steve & Jewell from Wigget's Market Place who have the wonderful booth next to mine, Brenda & Ron of 'Past Blessings' fame lower left, featuring Brenda's specialty hand painted furniture.  Dear Arlene, who creates wonderful hand crafted items in her 'magic room'!  See her work at heartrockshome.com  Robin and Anne, fun and so talented from primitives to Parisian Chique!  Finally Kathy who displays a variety of lovely vintage and nostalgic finds!

                                              I just  their stuff!!

Some of my own Fun & Funky special finds are shown below...

And finally... The Vintage Barn Shop... Hostess Rolane and her little Vintage Girl's!

         A Big Thank You to everyone for attending this wonderful show!!!!!!

  August 27th was a fun day at 'THE LITTLE SHOP'!  My friend Robin was host-ess with the most-est this year for her annual 'Cousin's' reunion.  On their way to lunch and the lake, she brought them by my store for a morning of treasure's shopping.  They ooh'd and awe'd and laughed and had fun, remembering things from Grandma's house and projects they'd done together in the past.  Each left with a special treasure (or two...or three) and a Good's time was had by all.  Thanks Robin, for including me and my 'Little Shop' on your list of things to do 

  The semi-annual VINTAGE BARN Antique Show was a happening time in Rathdrum, Idaho on July 11th 2009.  It was a beautiful warm day for this much anticipated open air event.  The venue is a wonderful old farm, home to Rolane & Dean Hopper, complete with restored vintage Farm House and of course, a great old vintage BARN .    I just  this show!  So many creative vendors, live music and yummy food.  Folks line up well in advance waiting to hear the sound of Rolane's cow bell, telling them the Goods are ready to be      'GOT'!   Thank you to all you shopper's out there for supporting this really fun day... because of YOU... we ALL have a really 'Goods time'                             

   Co-Hostess, Sharon

Some of my many 'Goods'...

    Below is my sweet friend and fellow vendor Arlene.  She makes the most wonderful handcrafted aprons, bags, totes and many other items.    Check her out at HeartRocksHome.com!

  The FARM CHICKS™ annual Antique Show was held in Spokane, WA. June 6th & 7th 2009.  What a delightful event to participate in.  So many vendors, and such quality Goods.  What always strikes me most at this show, is just how happy the customers are to be there!  A lot of fun is had by everyone, and the special treasures found are unbelievable.  As a vendor I know for a fact, that the very best of my GOODS always go to the shows!   A HUGE thank you to all the faithful customers !!  Without you, there is no show!

and finally... The Farm Chicks™, themselves, Serena Thompson and Teri Edwards, enjoying a laugh in my wonderful vintage 'Samsonite' chairs!

 May 24rd &h 2009 24t... The first monthly opening of my new 'Little Shop'... a little of this & a little of that!  What a great weekend !  70 people from my local area visited my shop.  I received so many positive and encouraging comments.  I sold a lot of items, picked up new entries for for my mailing list, and was told by many that they will definitely be back!   This is music to my ears!  My June sale will be Saturday (only) June 20th.  Unfortunately this is the Father's Day weekend, therefore I will not open on Sunday.  Between family doing's and scheduled show obligations, I am unable to choose a different weekend in June.  Plan to check out the 'Little Shop', I will be displaying many new items in June!!