The Withie's journals featured in Somerset Studio!

Isabella and I love to visit Julie Verburg's beautiful art studio in the Portland area. Her home and studio is full of whimsy, charm and you might even find a fairy tucked away in her lovely garden.  For the last 3 years I have had the great fortune of hand picking from her wonderful creations for Thea's. There is no end to the treasures to choose from when I visit her studio, the layers are amazing.

The Withies journal

In the newest edition of Somerset Studio, The Withies Altered Art Journals have been featured. These treasures have been a favorite for our customers and Julie has just brought in a wonderful selection for Thea's. Each journal is unique with fun embellishments such as key holes, metal fragments, ribbon, buttons, birds and anything else you can image. The wonderful thing about each embellished journal is that they are functional as well as beautiful. The pages are full of blank note paper, glassine envelopes, and vintage finds for you to record your memories and keepsakes.

"Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not

 reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in

 them, and try to follow where they lead." 

Louisa May Alcott

Thea's Interiors

What we found in Seattle!

Chris and I were itching to get out of town for a weekend so we hopped in the van (hoping we would find a few large treasures) and set off at 5:30 am so we could make it to the Second Saturday Flea market in Seattle by opening time. We arrived a little late so I missed some great items but I scored on a beautiful Victorian satin ball gown. It will be perfect for a window display with maybe a French theme, ballroom theme or maybe a Valentine's Day window, the possibilities are endless, stay tuned!!

I also picked up some great large letters!!  So here is a little sneak peak as some need to be cleaned up before they are brought into the shop. 

We had such a good time finding a few new antique places to go to,  seeing friends like Dawn with Great Findz and visiting Haystack Antiques in Bellevue, Washington.

I did find 2 great antique wood molds from Haystack Antiques. They are going to be great side tables when I find the perfect size glass for the tops.

 We bumped into the always delightful Celeste from Chap's restaurant and bakery (located in Spokane), she always puts a smile on my face, she is full of song! After a full Saturday of shopping and driving, we went to a great Japanese restaurant called Wann with our other good friends from Seattle. I have had a lot of different types of Japanese food but I never had Japanese Nabe before.

 I am adding it to my new favorite foods list.

The snow was crazy on Sunday but after eating a great breakfast with Dawn and Jeff we headed to our last stop. We picked up 2 really cute pieces of furniture and headed out of town before the snow got any worse than it already was. We had to miss a couple of our favorite stops, Susan Wheeler Home and Kirk's but will make a visit next time.

We are already planning 2 more small road trips in the next few months. We will be heading to Alameda in March and Spokane in April. I will also be heading to Las Vegas for my mother's 70th birthday!! Any suggestions on antiques in Vegas??

Sweater tree!
Let's continue the treasure hunt!

Thea's