HomeTutorialsArts & CraftsThrifty FindsContact Me

Tuesday, October 20, 2020


 As you can see, it's been quite a while since I updated my blog.  It's saddens me but I just can't find the time to keep it up. Lots of changes have been happening in my life. For one, I have decided to change the name of my home decor business to Modern Girl Vintage Heart. You can find me on both Facebook and Instagram under that name. (I post there much more frequently than here on the blog.)
It's an exciting time as I will be moving into a wonderful, brand new store called Ivy & Sage Home and Lifestyle Co. in Gilbert Arizona in middle of November.

When I am not working hard on shop stuff, I now have a Youtube channel where do tutorials and color alongs for Adult Coloring. It is called Coloring Art by Karen Valentine. I've been coloring for about a year and a half and I couldn't enjoy it more. My Instagram Feed for my coloring is Art by Karen Valentine

The blog will stay here as it is under My Desert Cottage as I still get a lot of traffic here via Pinterest. I hope you will come over and follow along with my journey on one of these other social media sites!!

Thursday, May 9, 2019

Long time no see!

Hello my blogging friends! It’s been waaaay too long since I’ve visited Blogland! I feel like all I do is work! And while it’s wonderfully fun, and I am very grateful to be able to work for myself, I don’t have time for much else. I want to change that and try and have more balance in my life. So, we’ll see how that goes. 😂
This post is sort of a test to see if I am able to create a decent post using my iPad. I’ve had trouble with that before, but I’m trying it again.


This a table I just finished using a technique called cerusing or liming. It brings out the grain using white liming wax and I absolutely love the finish. It’s becoming very popular and I hope to do more pieces with this type of finish in the near future.



This is currently my space at Highland Yard Vintage in Chandler Az. 
There are some pieces  in here this month that I absolutely love. 💕 

  

 This “Blessed” wall hanging is one of my favorite pieces. The top came from an old piece of furniture. I’m not sure what though. I think it would look beautiful in a bedroom again hanging  above a bed. 


I’m very happy with my space this month. It feels very “me” (Although I suppose I could probably say that months since I really doing know how to do anything else. 😂) 

Well friends, this has been a challenging post. Doing posts on an iPad definitely has its issues. I’m not sure why it has to be so difficult. Maybe it’s just user error! Maybe it will just take some practice so I can learn how to work around the quirks. 

I’m going to keep trying. Hang in there with me!









Wednesday, August 9, 2017

"Home Sweet Home" at Highland Yard Vintage

As I shared earlier in the month, I am now a vendor at Highland Yard Vintage, a monthly market that takes place in Chandler Az. I am thrilled to be in the company of so many extremely talented designers, junkers and all around vintage junkies! This months show starts tomorrow, but I thought I would give you all a sneak peak of some of my favorite photos and vignettes from the upcoming show.

I could take all of this home with me!!!


I love this cabinet so much!

I spy a couple of ironstone pichers that might need to be added to my collection!!!

I love how my friend Debbie added these industrial feeling chairs to a traditional style farmhouse table. It makes the whole setting so current and fun!!

I sure wish I had a place to add this huge vintage scale to my collection!!
 

 Its times like this, I wish I had a second and maybe third home to furnish!!!

 Is this bedding not to die for???

 I swear, "The Sheet Lady" makes me want to completely redo my bedroom every month!!

Ummm.... yes please!!!



I wish you could see this dresser in person. It is sooo cute!

This is my space. :)

You should have seen how excited I got when I found this vintage buffet on legs. It is sooo pretty now that its all fixed up!!

I cant believe I put this vintage scale in there, instead of keeping it for myself!!!  

This chair is sooo pretty in person!

Well, I have to go finish painting and getting ready for the show! I hope you enjoyed this very small sampling of the gorgeousness you will find there this weekend.

If you are in Valley and can come out and see us, stop by and say hi!!!


Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Artful Blogging Magazine

 I bet you didn't think you would hear from me again so soon! This must be some kind of record or something!! LOL!
After my last post a couple of days ago, a package arrived in the mail. I'm kind of embarrassed to share it with you since I have been sooo remiss in keeping up my blog. But really I am more excited and honored than anything. I got an email a few months ago from Artful Blogging magazine asking me if I would like to be in one of their upcoming issues! Uhhh. Yes, please!!!

 I knew exactly what my article would be about and how I would start and finish it. You see... back in 2009 , before I started my blog, I had picked up a copy of Artful Blogging on the newsstand. I didnt even know what a blog was, but the pretty cover attracted me and soon as I started visiting the blogs I was reading about, I was hooked! I knew I had to start a blog too.

So, now everything has come full circle and I am in the very magazine that got me started and I am receiving emails and messages from ladies who were inspired by it and want to start a blog of their own! Seriously, how cool is that?????

I am always so thrilled when I can inspire people in one way or another, since I am constantly inspired by others.

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Have they started cloning humans yet???

No, really... have they?? Cause I neeeed one! Seriously though..... You may have noticed my lack of blog posts lately. I know, I know. My News Years resolution was to do more frequent posts. Well, any one who's made one of those pesky resolution things knows how hard those are to keep!!!
I have been a very, very busy lady. And something was bound to fall by the wayside. Unfortunately it turned out to be my much beloved blog.

Fortunately my lack of time is caused by something I love to do. Junking, painting, creating and decorating!
My space at The Tattered Nest is still going strong and I love filling it with vintage goodies and items I both find and create. Here are a few more pics of my just redone space there at the Nest!






So, finding and cleaning and painting and making all takes up alot of my time!
So what did I do???

 I decided I needed to do a second location, and am now participating in a monthly vintage market in Chandler called Highland Yard Vintage!
(Seriously, what was I thinking?? LOL!)

 But truthfully, I am having the time of my life. Being a vendor/designer at two places in the valley is the hardest work I have ever done, but also the most fun!!

The space at Highland Yard is much smaller that my space at the Nest so it makes it a little more managable, but I trully am working 7 days a week to try and keep up.

And that brings me to another little thing...
After much contemplation and arguments with myself I have decided to take a short hiatus from the Where Bloggers Create party this year. (Many of you have probably already figured that out since it's mid July and there has been no party announcement.)  I just dont think I can take on another thing right now. I dont want to let anyone down by not being able to give my all to everything I do.

Thank you all for understanding and sticking with me through these few and far between posts. As always, I will try to be better, but now you know the reason I have been away!

Take care my friends!!! Hopefully I will see you soon! :)
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
09 10