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Thursday, December 15, 2011

Shabby Chic Soho Samples & Giveaway

Over 400 samples squares of Shabby Chic fabric from the original 
SOHO store in New York City were
 auctioned off years ago when the store closed.  
These are vintage samples cut from fabrics from the original boutique shop, 
 not to be confused with the Target fabrics.
Last week the buyer put this lot on eBay and I had to have it for my office.
  A huge fan of the Shabby Chic style,
 I imagined making a piece of artwork out of these
 fabric samples in an ode to the genius of Rachel Ashwell.
 Luckily I won the eBay auction and soon I found myself
 with little glorious piles of her original designs.  
They also came with the slender clothespins from the store
 that identified the various fabric samples.  
This extra touch was just thrilling to me~
to own a little part of Shabby Chic history!
I want to share a little of the pretty bounty~
read about the giveaway at the end of the post.
 The clothespins were not attached to the proper fabrics and
 I started to research pattern names, 
many of which are now retired from production.
 The seller sent them to me all bound up in little tissue bundles 
with the trademark petal pink satin ribbon that Rachel favors.
 The little bundles of fabric and clothes pins were so exciting to unwrap.
 Patterns in pastel colors of blue and pink, 
made with linen, poplin, and damask, and chino fabrics.
 The idea I had was to take an existing piece of artwork 
and paint over it to create a neutral backdrop.
 Then attach lines of twine across the frame creating little 
clotheslines for the clothespins to display the samples.

 The fabric board was hung in a little niche in my work room.
 I guess you could say it is a shrine to Shabby Chic~
the style that has captured me.

 I wondered if Rachel herself lettered the clothespins.  It is a nice thought!
 The dreamiest fabrics are in this collection! 
I feel so lucky to own them.
 The doors of the closet were removed to accommodate 
my large vintage trunk that I fill with remnants
 and pillows and old custom curtains no longer in use.
 I'll admit to collecting chairs~here is my french chair 
and next to it is a victorian chair I was given 
from an elderly neighbor once upon a time.
 Cottage lace panels were hung from rod iron poles to curtain off the storage closet.
 You can sneak a peak at my trunk.
This workroom got a dose of  a little  french cottage 
and a little shabby chic~and I am loving it!
I want to offer a Christmas gift to 
anyone who is a Shabby Chic lover like myself: 
 I will put a little bundle of 25 fabric samples together 
for you from the original Shabby Chic Soho
 store complete with two clothespins. 
Just leave me a comment telling me why you would like them~
and please be a follower of my blog! 
 An extra entry if you post this giveaway on your blog!
Or you can like me on Facebook! 
I will pick the winner between Christmas and New Years!
linking to 
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68 comments:

  1. I think I'm a follower...I'll check. I know you're on my sidebar. OH. MY.GOODNESS. I am beside myself! I love, love Shabby Chic - the soft colors, the muted tones, the wrinkly slipcovers. the whole kit and caboodle. I would love to own some of these samples...

    By the way, I love what you've done with them - the idea to display them in the frame is fabulous!

    I'm off to make sure I'm a follower.

    xo
    Claudia

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  2. Rachel would love to know that these samples are in your lovely home!
    p.s. don't enter me....I love Shabby Chic, but it doesn't work in my home of yellows, reds and greens...
    Hugs,
    Penny

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  3. I'm sooo jealous! I love how you displayed them! I would love to own some of the shabby samples! I'm a total shabby freak! I'am already a follower. Traci

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  4. lOVE your art tribute to Shabby Chic:) I have been following Rachel Ashwell from the beginning. She has inspired me in so many ways.I have all of her books and even her dvds. I actually met her in Brimfield and she is just the nicest person. What a wonderful and generous gift you are giving. Would love to win:)
    Thanks for the opportunity.
    ~Debra xxx
    Capers of the vintage vixens

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  5. Tell you why I love them?? Who has words that could describe that?? You just do or you don't... and I DO!!!!!

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  6. How cute and CLEVER is that?!! That looks like something you would see in a Country Living or Romantic Homes magazine! Your workroom is coming along so nicely. I love how you did your closet using the lace sheers. The trunk looks perfect in there. That is such a generous giveaway. I can't believe you have something that was ACTUALLY in her store that she probably had meetings about. Ha! I love the shabby chic style (except I don't use the pink floral all over). I wouldn't mind winning since those fabric swatches are so pretty and they could be incorporated into something really unique!

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  7. I would love to have them ALL so that I could make you a quilted tree skirt for you to enjoy year after year! ;-) (Currently making quilted tree skirts out of my daughters' First Christmas clothing.)

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  8. My birthday is between Christmas and New Years and this would be the perfect present! But I would immediately regift it to Nita cause I would live the smile it would bring to her face and take her mind off her aching feet. (Okay, I might keep one square & clothespin for my own inspiration)

    And why I love Shabby Chic? Not so much for the fabrics (which are lovely), but because of the inspIration of Rachel herself as a re-inventor of oneself, especially in the face of adversity.

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  9. Wow what a delight! and I do love how you are displaying them, a "Work of Art" she did set the bar in the wonderful world of Shabby Chic, we will never forget the original! I would make a display of some kind... not quite sure just how but I know when they arrived that alone would inspire me! HUgs, Diane

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  10. That is such a perfect display for your workroom, Amy! It looks great hanging on the wall from the frame. Love those lacy curtains covering your closet. Very soft and romantic looking.

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  11. I'd love to have some of your fabric squares. Just being able to look at them would make me happy.

    I posted a link to your post on my blog and invited my friends to check out your post.

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  12. Amy.....love that! What a clever idea, that is so beautiful! Love how that came out, adds so much to your beautiful home.
    Well done once again Amy!

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  13. Hi Amy! I love the way you've displayed them across that frame! Looks great! Glad you won!

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  14. I would love to win so that I could see these beautiful fabric patterns up close and personal - I can only imagine...

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  15. Oh they are wonderful! I'm so glad you won that auction. Can't think of a better home for them to be in. I would love a sample as inspiration for the shabby chic albums, wedding guestbooks and journals I'm planning to make in the new year.

    Btw - I LOVE that golden chair frame; especially the way you have left it with no seat and back. It really shows off the frame of the chair for the amazing piece it is. :) Beautiful!

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  16. Hi Amy~ You are soo lucky!!
    I actually want to enter for my friend Tausha who is inspired by Rachel Ashwell and it shows on her beautiful blog ~ Simply Me www.shabbychicgirls.blogspot.com
    Tausha would really cherish a piece of Rachel's collection and history.I have never seen anyone more in love with Shabby Chic than my friend Tausha.
    Please Enter Tausha~ xoxoxoxo Rachel :)

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  17. oh, amy, your post has made by day.

    these swatchess are beyond dreamy, and it's just so right that they now live with you. the images of your office? ahhhhhhh. so serene.

    yours is the most fabulous giveaway i have seen in some time because of the meaning behind it all. i'm sure rachel will be touched when she learns of it!

    michele

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  18. just posted the giveaway link on my blog!

    blessings.

    michele

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  19. Oh my goodness!! I LOVE all these types of fabrics!! What an awesome find for you! I really like how you've displayed them in your office!

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  20. Wow how smart you where to check on ebay...what a great find, so nice of you to share!!! Love it and what you are doing with them. I am a new follower saw your giveaway!! Di@ cottage-wishes

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  21. What a fun auction to have won! I can see so much inspiration coming from those samples. Lot's of fun things come to mind and I really like what youhave done with yours-it's dreamy and so shabby chic! I am a new follower and am so glad to have found your blog!

    ~Trisha

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  22. I sew a lot and these samples would make great sachets since I grow lavender, have a stash of lace and tons of ideas.

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  23. Wow! Your office/workroom is looking so fabulous! I love what you did with those wonderful pieces of shabby chic fabric. If I won, I'd probably copy exactly what you did. It's genius. I'm sure my daughter who loves shabby chic would try to steal, I mean beg it away from me.

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  24. What a wonderful giveaway! I'm so thrilled, also i'm so new in all about Rachel's. I started changing little by little my decor to a more Shabby ambiance according to my budget. This is my first year with a Shabby tree decor I start collecting vintage ornaments since last year, I want to have and collect special and unique Shabby things if a can. You are so lucky on been the owner of this great collection!

    I'm totally in! and of course I will post about it :)

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  25. Amazingly, all of those little swatches of cloth look sweet in that frame. You're so creative. Kathi

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  26. I would make a doll quilt for my daughter. What a great new years project. tlcinpei@hotmail.ca

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  27. OMG I am dying here, I have no idea how you found that listing, i am always looking at shabby chic!! Well, if you have ever seen my blog, you know I live an die shabby, I'm a follower and would love for you to throw my name in the hat!!

    Carol

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  28. Amy,

    what the heck! that's like the cutest, most perfectly shabby chic, charming thing ever! good grief, it's to die for... and, ummmmmm those lace curtains on the closet where the trunk is, are so so yummy... my eyes just want to linger on them.

    Cindy

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  29. Would love to cover a small shade with these fabrics Gorgeous!
    DianeD

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  30. totally beautiful, years ago i was rustic, now the past five years i totally went shabby chic. since it is just me in my cozy little house, shabby works perfect, girly, frilly, candles. these fabrics would fit perfect. i totally follow you every day. thank you for your blog.
    karen

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  31. Amy that is ABSOLUTELY adorable I Love it !! I am going to copy you !

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  32. I don't have a personal blog, however, am signed up to receive your posts---- would love to be considered for the "gifting" of the fabric-what an amazing feat, to actually aquire the fabric that was designed by Rachel;fabric which was considered and utilized for so many unique endeavors! Love what you did with your closet, and had noted your trunk on an earlier post where you had given a step by step scenario on how you refinished it-I have one as well, and it is on my "to do list", and now that I see how you have used it in a closet, I am considering this as well, as I have grand-daughters who have their own shabby chic room at my house, and this closet idea would be perfect for their room since they come only a few times a year!!! Best wishes for the new year and may you and your family have a wonderful and blessed Christmas! I so enjoy your posts and pics, and gracious heartfelt gifts of sharing in re to what you do, how you do it, and the positive spirit in which you continually brighten peoples lives! Deb Murphy
    consultdkm@aol.com

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  33. wow wow wow, what a lucky duck you are!!!! im so happy you got it. id say theres probably a "good chance", that she herself did that. would be amazing huh??? your room is totally beautiful. thats my goal one day. actually im such a shabby FREAK! all you have to do is look @ my facebook page. almost every book i own is rachel, cottage, french country. its horrible. im SLOWLY incorporating all of my loves of shabby into every room in my home. takes imagination, im a goodwill, thrift shop mostly person. theres some things tho, that you JUST HAVE TO HAVE that arent in those stores. if they are its a stroke of luck, and being there at the right moment.:) happens upon occasion.... i just ordered some things from shabbyfufu that were from lourdes, and a pink dyed funeral home bag from d.c. oh well... i love the stuff in your shop, and soon some things wil be in my favor and ill be ordering from you too. i think my friends think im a bit "obsessed" by my "shabiness". but i dont care. its me, and some day my home will look like yours, and some of these pics on pinterest. ok im rambling. but, you asked for us to tell, and i finally got my wish to spill my guts on the subject. i could go on and on and on,.....have a Merry Christmas, happy holidays, good luck all. glad you got those. they are a TREASURE:) oh, i am a follower. here, on pin and f.b. i know its BAD....

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  34. Oh My.....Such dreamy prints, colors and textures! Whoever you select as the winner of these vintage shabby chics is one blessed person! Thank you for your generous heart!
    Blessings,
    Carolynn (grammycarolynn...flickr)

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  35. I too, am a nut for Rachel Ashwell - I adore her fabrics - what a great find for you! Thanks!

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  36. I was lucky enough to visit the Shabby Chic store in London in October this year, after years of following Rachel Ashwell. The lovely manager let me take photos in the store to take home and treasure. Of course I had to buy a beautiful pillow sham to take back to Australia with me to start my Shabby Chic collection at last! I would love to win one of your sample packs and can't believe you would part with one, a very generous thing to do. I love your blog Amy and so glad I came for a visit, you're definitely in my favorites!

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  37. I love what you have done with your work room. I have finally found my true style in shabby chic. I started redoing my down stairs last spring and now starting on the rest of the house. I love your blog it is so inspiring. I can't wait to see you next entry. I would love to be included in the give away.

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  38. I have been a follower of your blog for a few weeks now and have gotten lots of ideas.

    Even though I am teased by my friends for it (because I am a man), I LOVE the shabby chic style and have decorated my home that way.

    I could see the fabric samples being stitched together like a quilt and then using that "fabric" as upholstery on a vintage chair.

    Thank you so much for your blog and for using it as a mean of bringing beauty into the cyber world. :-)

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  39. I am a follower of your Blog and love it. I would love to win these to make a patchwork pillow for my sister. She loves Shabby Chic style and has been redoing her bedroom in the style. Thanks for the giveaway. P.S. I love your ideas.

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  40. oh my goodness!how gorgeous! i would love, love, love to haver these pinned up in my room! i have been inspired by rachel ashwell forever and adore the fabrics. so generous of you to share some of these pretties!
    ~dawn
    dawn.connell@ymail.com

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  41. Amy you did such a pretty job
    decorating the house
    It was fun to see all of the before and after
    pic's love the one of you too
    Merry Christmas
    xxoo
    Pam

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  42. your home looks fabulous. i love your acces. the backsplash is killer. where did you get it? good idea to transform from colors of the b. slash. looks really nice.

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  43. Lucky girl! Good for you.....You have inspried me in many ways. Your (pink now green) mirror Was the beginning for me. I love the way you see a room. Well the board you did with your shabby samples is adorable. It's sweet of you to share you treasure from the Queen of shabby. I bet she has already heard of your give away and would be pleased. Merry Christmas
    Robin

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  44. I love the way you display your samples!!! Thanks for the opportunity to enter your giveaway!!!
    best regards,
    Wanda

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  45. Holy cow....what a great nab, girlie! How in the world did you ever come across those?? LUVLUVLUV her fabrics and I own every one of Rachel's books. Now...I'm just waiting for YOU to publish yours. lol!

    And of course you know I'm a happy follower of yours, Amy! Thanks for this great giveaway!

    xoxo laurie

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  46. Oh, I LIKED you on FB.

    And I just had to tell you how beautiful your work room is. I could live there. You wouldn't know I was there, I promise. :)

    Merry Christmas, sweetie!

    xoxo laurie

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  47. I am a follower and would love to win the fabric samples. You have a wonderful collection. I love fabric of all kinds, have been sewing for 45 years. Come visit me at Hibiscus House and stop over at dollys designs for a look back into the 80s of sewing little retro now. Thanks love your blog

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  48. Amy.....i LOVE that you took the samples and made something so utterly 'shabby chic'. your sample art rocks!

    will be more than happy to mention this giveaway on Mercantile Muse today!

    happy sunday. Pam

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  49. I only wish I had a cute place to display them like you do :(. I remember when the Shabby Chic store closed locally here in Atlanta. Right when the economy started to tank......I was sorry about that.

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  50. I am a new follower and would LOVE to win the Shabby Chic giveaway.Liked you on FaceBook, and put your giveaway on the sidebar of my blog.
    Audrey@eleganteconomies.blogspot.com

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  51. I A-D-O-R-E Rachel Ashwell and anything Shabby Chic. Oh, what would I create with such lovliness? A cushion? Small throw? Piece of art? The ideas are endless! Beautiful post, Amy.

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  52. Shabby Chic... I remember my hubby and I bought our first home in 1991 and this style just suited me then... and now! I remember a friend who asked me at that time, "Do you really think the slipcovered and vintage look is going to last?" She told me she felt it was just a fad. I say, it's a way of life, home and heart. That's why it's still going strong!

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  53. I liked your FB page (as Marie Shopz).

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  54. Who wouldn't like to have those? Oh my gosh... what a lucky gal to win that ebay auction! I remember going to her store in Fashion Island...I would just be amazed... just sit and stare! Her soft hues and they way she does things.. just makes you feel at home and relaxed... would just love to own a piece of that!

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  55. Hi Amy,
    I would love to be in with a chance of winning those pretty pieces of Shabby Chic heaven,what a fabulous giveaway.
    We are still building inside our beach cottage as you have seen and we have way more work to do,when we go on weekends i always take a bag of books with me and after we have worked all day i walk around on an evening imagining how our cottage will be when she is finished,it would be a dream come true to have my own little Shabby Chic fabric samples to take along with my books.
    x

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  56. What a great giveaway ~ thanks so much for sharing your bounty like this. I became a fan of Rachel's when she had her TV show and then I started buying her books. I used to have the perfect house to show off her style but it was before I knew her, and have since sold the house. (Always have had bad timing.) Please enter. I'm a fairly new follower of yours.

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  57. Going over to FB to LIKE for another entry. Beautiful shabby chic room you have there. I'm thinking I could work in there. Thanks for the opportunity!

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  58. I don't know how I missed this post! I love how you displayed the Shabby Chic fabric pieces, what a great find! I love Rachel's line, she needs to bring some of those prints back! ;)

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  59. I love Rachel Ashwell shabby chic fabric. I have loved her style for years and own all of her books. I hope to get to her Bed and Breakfast in Texas someday. I do follow your blog and liked you on facebook. Please enter me in the draw.
    p.s. Your workroom turned out beautiful. I am trying to convince my husband that the French Canvas wall color is not grey. I really want to use that paint color in my home.

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  60. Hi, I am a follower of your web site, I check it everyday to see what you have posted. I do not have a blog, but i sure enjoy reading about all the wonderful ones on the internet.. I love all the things of Rachel Ashwell. I have some of her books, as well as her linens, from sheets, tablecloths, curtains. etc. I would love to have anything that was a part of her fabric..
    Thank you for having this give-away.
    Jeanne from Texas

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  61. This fabric board is so cute! You always have such good ideas and a vision to display your things and decorate your home, I admire that because I don't have this talent. Your workroom is beautiful, I like what you did with the closet !

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  62. A follower...a very nice blog you share with us.

    No personal blog do I have....

    Always a pleasure to win something...and then deside how to make it shine in my home...

    Happy New Year 2012...

    With gratitude,
    ~Sylvia Faye

    If I should win I will give you my email address.

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  63. I love those samples!!! I would use them to make a banner for my daughters "Shabby Chic" themed sweet sisteen party!!! And then,of coarse hang it in her room!

    What a great giveaway!
    THANKS:)

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  64. Oh my goodness what a beautiful and generous giveaway. Yes I am a follower of your beautiful blog. Please count me in I can picture myself creating with these lovely pieces, a pillow perhaps or fabric flowers. hmmm.... Hugs!

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  65. Oh my! I would love to win the samples! I would work the pieces into a shabby chic quilt for my bed!! Pick me! Pick me! LOL! It's all lovely.

    Best,
    Carole

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  66. Oh, my.....I love your beautiful home and your personal Blog that you have created. I seem to love everything that you love!! You should join "Romantic Homes" on Facebook if you haven't already done so!! I love the shabby chic and cottagy style of decorating!

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