Ruffled Nest - The Studio Sale

Many of you probably already know A Ruffled Nest and the inspiring blog writer and shop owner, Sherrie.

Just last week I luckily read her post about having a sale at her studio that Friday and Saturday. I was so happy to discover she was only a 30 minute drive from where I live. Isn't it funny in blogland how close {and also how far} you can be and not realize it? Her shop is located in the very charming town of Sycamore, Illinois.

Ruffled Nest - The Studio

I vowed to try to make it to the sale if I could book a babysitter {my hubby was at a mandatory coaching conference}. Well, our summer babysitter is back at college - BOO! Not for college, but for us missing her. And our other regular babysitter I had come on Friday. She was so worn out by my lovely littles that I just couldn't bring myself to ask the poor thing for Saturday - or, worse yet, have her say NO because she never wanted to babysit again. :(

L*O*V*E the window panels with old handkerchiefs!

So, I took the risk of bringing my little ragamuffins with me. Please don't get me wrong. I love my children. In fact, the majority - if not all - of my life is based around them. But they can drive a momma crazy after a long, hot summer. And a girl has to carve out her own identity now and then. Painted furniture and Ball jars are how I stay sane. Can't explain why - it just is what it is.

Two-tone purple and cream highboy, painted frames, comfy chair

I am so glad I made the trip - despite playing referee every 5 seconds. After putting a dime in the parking meter on Main Street - {YES, parking meters still exist! So charming this small town was, I tell you.} - and followed the sweet, shabby signs directing us around back to the alley.

Adorable little pink table with vintage finds for children's rooms 

I was afraid there wouldn't be much left on Saturday, but I was pleasantly surprised at all the wonderful eye candy. I do believe there was probably constant rearranging going on to fill the space.

Fab old doors, cute fabric garland, aqua Ball jars, twine...what more could a girl want?

Please excuse the camera phone photos - I did not plan to bring the good camera and the kids. That's just crazy talk.

Had to get a photo of this - very enviable - arched screen door and chippy windows above.

I was in such awe of all the amazing salvaged doors and windows. I asked Sherrie if I could do a post. I hadn't planned it. I just knew that taking photos just for kicks seemed strange. But writing a post seemed less stalker-ish. :)

Turquoise painted dresser topped with great vintage glasses and linens

One of the items that caught my eye in Sherrie's sale preview post was the vintage glass set in the photo above. {My photo does NOT do it justice. You must click here to see her photo.} Anyhow, I actually was so distracted that I forgot to buy them! And a little side table in the back, too. :(

Huge shabby bird cage with great details and selection of books and gift items.

Sherrie has such an eye for display. I just wanted to spend time scouring each vignette.

Big cabinet filled with so many vintage goodies and new handmade bags 

Sherrie's sister sews the purses on display. The messenger bag above in the cutest grey and yellow pattern had tons of pockets inside and out - zippered pockets no less. Very impressive handy-work if you ask me.

Adorable display of doilies as bunting, along with many french inspired goods

There were touches of shabby chic, vintage, French inspired decor - and great lighting options - lamps and amazing chandeliers like the little beauty below.

great little chandelier - and loving the white painted brick wall

Sherrie's talent was obviously not limited to the displays, but evident in the all the painted furniture throughout. I bought a great desk & chair for my son and a gorgeous vintage mirror for my dining room, despite my distractions. {I will post photos once they are in their rightful places.}

Amazing aqua highboy, peacock feathers and a cage hanging lamp

But this piece above was such a show-stopper. I am still kicking myself that I didn't buy another house to have somewhere to put it! Wouldn't this look perfect in a lake or beach house? Of course, it could also make for beautiful and spacious craft/art supply storage. :)

a plethora of vintage china (with the cutest apron skirted display table)

There were little surprises around each corner. I found this mock kitchen in the back of the store. SO CUTE! I kind of just wanted to pull up a chair and have coffee. Ignoring the distant distress call from my son that my daughter had just bit him. But, alas, the life of Mom is never dull.

Honestly, if I had just 20 more minutes and less worrying that my kids were burning the place down, I would have cleaned her out completely! {Well, truthfully, I would have needed a bigger vehicle - or less passengers.}

a small, shabby vignette in the powder room

I was so inspired by Sherrie's shop. She also had some help with setup - her mother-in-law and Anne Marie from Na-Da Farm Life were there. {Um, How exciting!} I have been a follower for a long time. Anne Marie was wonderful. Very calm and welcoming in spite of my obvious disarray.

Sherrie and Anne Marie

Sherrie could not have been more gracious and lovely. Just like her shop.

If you should find yourself in the vicinity of Northern Illinois - I highly recommend scheduling a trip to Ruffled Nest - The Studio. It is located at 113 S. California Street in Sycamore. The following is from Sherrie's blog with sale dates below.

image via A Ruffled Nest

Sometimes I link up with the following fabulous linky parties: 2805, The 36th Avenue, A Ruffled Nest, At the Picket Fence, Be Different Act Normal, Beyond the Picket Fence, Blissful & Domestic, Bowdabra Blog, The Charm of Home, Cheerios and Lattes, Coastal Charm, Common Ground, Country Momma Cooks, Crystal & Co (The Mommy Club), The Dedicated House, DIY Show Off, Elizabeth & Co., Faded Charm, Family Every After, Fireflies and Jellybeans, Free Pretty Things!, French Country Cottage, Ginger Snap Crafts, Home stories AtoZ, House of Hepworths, I Heart Naptime, Lil' Luna, Ladybird Ln, Mandatory Mooch, Milk & Cuddles, Mod Vintage Life, My Repurposed Life, My Romantic Home, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Nap Time Crafters, The Nature of Grace, Nifty Thrifty Things, Not Just a Housewife, One More Time, Primp Your Stuff, Redoux, Shabby Art Boutique, Simple Home Life, Six Sisters' Stuff, Someday Crafts, The Shabby Creek Cottage, Stuff and Nonsense, Tatertots and Jello, Twigg Studios, Uncommon Designs, Under the Table & Dreaming, The Vintage Farmhouse, ...