We've got a secret...

That's right, October 9th thru October 20th, The Cottonwood House
will be apart of the "Best Kept Secrets Tour"! There will be over 25 quaint little shops participating. If you're looking for a fun event to do by yourself or with a bunch of your girlfriends, you may want to consider this. Here's what you do...purchase the $6.00 bag either here or at any of the other stores on the tour. In it you'll find a map, location guide, free gifts, a variety of coupons and of course your ticket. Hop back into your car and have fun galivanting all over Lancaster County. Choose whether you want to take one day or the
whole week to complete the tour. And hey, here's a little tid bit for you...those of you who buy the bag
will recieve a 15% discount off your entire purchase at cottonwood for the week of the
tour only. Hope to see you around!

Check out the latest...

We just received a new batch of SOY CANDLES...they're wonderful! My favorite is "fresh linen". It reminds me of laundry days, but in a good way!

Check our what my mom created...

She turned this ugly ducklin' of a piece into a beautiful, toile masterpiece! I think it's the coolest thing ever. All it takes is a little wallpaper, paint and TIME!

A handful of original remnants can always add pizazz! to your home...whether you use them for pillows, a cute chair covering, or a unique purse, color adds punch & that's always a good thing! Stock up and be creative!

Rested & ready to go again...

My Beautiful Family!
Cheers...to milkshakes
"Our home away from home"
My hubby and I doing a little cookin'

This was such a scary moment for me...but Sondra was cracking up!

In case anybody wondered where we were the past week...

we headed to a lake for a little R&R!!!

Yep, that's right...CAMPING! For the last 16 yrs. our family and my brother's family have been making the trek a few hours west with pretty much everything in our trucks but our house. We loaded up campers, tables, grills, food, beds, and yes, even a fridge. When you camp with these families, you're in for a real experience.

We had a blast...and we can't wait to do it again next year!

Hmmm...I think I'll paint it green!

I love this shelf! It was an ugly, dirty, white color with no character to it. I decided to paint it this really cool shabby chic green...oh dear, I was going to tell you the color of the paint but I already trashed it. It's a new spray paint from Wal-Mart. If I can spray it, I will! It's so quick and easy! After I painted it, I antiqued it by rubbing on a stain. BINGO!! Looks like it's been that color for years, and so shabby chic.

Sondra's at it again!

Sondra is becoming a pro at painting and antiquing.

Check out her newest pieces. The pink side table is just too adorable. Imagine putting all your favorite decorating magazines in the compartment below and then having room for your cup of tea on top. Pull up a chair and enjoy an afternoon reading!

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  This single bed was most definitely an UGLY DUCKLING, after Sondra used her magic on it, it's as "CUTE AS A Button"
  
  

  
  
  

too cute!

Did you ever see such cuteness for your fridge!!!!!!!

Sweet Pea's Boutique

Two sisters had a dream...
in their dream they saw...
and these...
more of this...
So many wonderful things at

"Sweet Pea's Boutique"

a special little spot inside

The Cottonwood House

Oh yea, you've already met me, Sondra, let me introduce you to my big sis, the other lifeline to my Mom and my partner with a dream...Carmela...she does everything I don't want to do, boring stuff like paying the bills etc. You see we just pass things off to the next family member...who will be next?

So if you want a little bling stop by our little Boutique...you'll find something sweet!

A little bit of OLD & a little bit of NEW...

I found this adorable little green set (new)...it was the last one, and I just had to snatch it up! I wanted to keep it for my own house, but I told myself, "Now Vern, you can't keep everything you see and like. If I did that, what would I have to offer my customers?" I run into this problem a lot...oh my, what's a girl to do?!

This poster bed was an ugly, old wood tone so I painted it white...when I did that, the paint started krackling and peeling. After I distressed it a little more, I liked the way it turned out, so I left it that way! Hey, if you can't find an old shabby chic pc. from a sale or auction, you make your own!

Meet Sondra...

Meet Sondra, She is my life line here at the shop. She keeps me organized and focused. She also takes care of details that I simply have no time for or I don't like doing. It takes a lot to stress her out. I wish I had more of her qualities. by the way, she is my daughter and I am proud of her. Everything is under control when Sondra is working. Get her to giggle, it's cute!!!