Christmas lights...

Christmas lights at

Surroundings by Melinda

 

I love Christmas lights...

and these wonderful old lanterns create

fish swimming across the building...

can you see them?

 

How fun is it to see palm tress swaying in December...?

 

Look closely and you will see Miss Peanut

sitting on the wicker chair awaiting guests.

 

I wonder if old wooden sleds work in the sand...

 

Christmas on Sanibel Island...

 

 

my first love

For those who are wondering about my love affair with white...

No worries

It is my first and real true love!

 

There are lots of beautiful vintage white treasures to be found at

 

www.surroundingsbymelinda.com

 

 

From sea inspired framed art to vintage wooden kitchen caddies...

 

to a lovely assortment of doilies...

 

to porcelain and Ironstone...

 

to vintage purses...

 

and table linens...

 

to antique apparel just to name a few!

 

And with all the scraps and notions floating about...

 

I even made room for some Christmas goodies as well.

 

I hope you will find joy in visiting

 

Surroundings by Melinda.

 

And may you have a very Merry and white Christmas

wherever you may be...

 

feeling blue...

Lots of new goodies have been added to my online shop...

 

www.surroundingsbymelinda.com

 

here's a little peek!

 

Jars filled to the brim with sea glass...

and a sea glass inspired necklace.

 

Vintage china like this beauty...

 

And I always have to have a few old bottles

in the most lovely shades of blue...

 

There are also a few floral gems as well...

 

And I couldn't forget Christmas!

I adore these vintage glass ornaments...

 

Okay, so I have been a little blue...

feeling homesick as the holidays get closer.

But these pieces were not inspired by my mood...

they are a reflection of the surroundings here on Sanibel Island.

It may not be the traditional winter I am used to of the North...

but it sure is a lovely place to be!

 

 

Surroundings by Melinda

A very special thank you goes out to Romantic Homes magazine and their terrifically talented editor for featuring my little shop on Sanibel Island in the "Shopkeeping" section of the magazine.

 

 

I would also like to thank my wonderful family, incredible friends and awesome customers and clients that have helped make

Surroundings by Melinda all that it has become.

 

The above article is featured on page 74 of the

December 2012 issue of Romantic Homes magazine.

 

So stop by the shop, visit the website or take a peek at the magazine to see what's new...

Plus I just love hearing from all of you!

 

 

on newsstands now...

I am so tickled that I have three articles out on newsstands at the same time. Here is a little peek at what you will find...

 

Cottages and Bungalows

 

December 2012 issue
Creating ornaments out of vintage fabrics.
"Trim the tree with Vintage Notions" page 18

 

 

Romantic Homes

 

Dec. 2012 issue
Setting a festive table with wonderful vintage treasures.
"Beautiful Boughs of Holly" page 70

 

 

Victorian Homes

 

Winter issue
Creating a whimsical winter wonderland.
"Snowbirds" page 12

 

 

I hope you have a chance to stumble across the issues...

and enjoy the festive fun.

Tis the season...to get crafty!

 

 

blue skies

 

I am still loving my time at the sewing machine.

Time is, however, becoming an issue...

keeping the shop going, tending to design clients, styling and shooting stories for several upcoming magazine articles.

 

It's a lot but I am so blessed that I dare not complain.

 

I have had the best response so far to my little dresses so I thought I would post a few more images.

 

 

 

Okay, enough with the dresses already...

but I really am having a ball! Thanks for all the encouragement.

 

I will get back to design posts now. I have three magazine articles about to hit newsstands so I will be posting some sneak peeks and out takes soon.