Bottles Laden With The Sea

For me, half of the excitement of opening up a bottle of wine or champagne is having the chance to use a special bottle stopper.

Right now, I'm not quite sure if my shop could procure the necessary license for serving up spirits.  At least of the alcoholic kind, that is.  Rest assured, there will be other spirits that may be seen from time to time in my shop.  After all, what would a shop on the Coast of Maine be without talk of a legendary haunting!  

So for now while I'm sitting here being a teetotaler, I may as well use a bottle that spent some time in the sea to display this pretty sea horse bottle stopper.   Washed with barnacles it's a dreamy sight.  

Can you imagine the excitement of standing on the shore and having these lovelies wash up at your feet!

Here's a little closer look at Mother Nature's handiwork, in case you're a little like me and find it hard to decide which is your favorite one. 

Secretly,  I hope my shop does that to people.  

I envision a display of these bottles running all along the window sills of my shop where they will catch the light, as well as the eye of a passing potential customer.  

~ ~ ~

The Possible's slow fuse is lit by the Imagination.  

                                                                                                   
                                                                                                           ...Emily Dickinson

Treasures For My Shop

When I imagine the type of wares that would be found in my shop, my mind conjures up images of exotic cargo carried on sailing ships from faraway places.  I imagine trunks filled with aromatic teas, scrimshaw, English ironstone and brightly colored fabrics depicting the romance of the high seas.

In my shop, there would be yards of fabric spilling out from well worn trunks, in colors that are easy on the eyes.

Scrimshaw brooches hold romantic reminders of the past and could be incorporated into the wardrobes of both ladies and men who long for the sea.

These dishes with a pattern of sailing vessels are casual enough to be used as everyday tableware yet are formal enough to include in a collection of vintage English transfer ware.

I think they would make a pretty accent displayed inside a glass fronted cabinet too.  

In my shop, stacks of tea cups would be plentiful and within reach for anyone longing for a hot cup of tea.

Or for those that prefer coffee, my shop will serve that too.  

I'm very accommodating like that in my imaginary shop by the sea.  For now, I bid you farewell, like the sailor's depicted in my teacup pattern, as I'm off to dream of what other treasures a sea faring vessel would bring to my shop.  Thanks for sailing in to see me!

                                                                           ~ ~ ~

Far away 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

Gold Leaf, Garden Pots and a Unique Timepiece

Here I am back again to share a bit more of my dreams with you.  I really want to thank everyone who has stopped by to encourage me, I admit I was holding my breath a little when I rolled this out for fear of what you might think of my little "pretend" situation here.  But you all are terrific, just like I "dreamed" you would be! 


In real life, I stenciled the name of my shop right across the top of this wooden table using a pot of liquid gold leaf. It even glows when the light catches it which makes me dream of a light and airy place with lots of windows.    

A handful of scallop shells help soften up the edges and give it a coastal identity.  

Now that I have a place to sit and gather my thoughts I think a hot cup of tea is in order.   My rose patterned teacup, purposely mismatched with a vintage ironstone saucer, hints at the scent of wild beach roses that would be found right outside my shop.  

I envision the shop of my dreams to reflect the world right outside its very walls, doors and windows.   Like these smooth granite stones collected from the shore that are tiny masterpieces worthy of their own nest.  

It's also part of a birdie motif that I envision.  Like my garden pots that I keep making up with wild abandon.    

This scallop shell turned time keeper is both useful and practical.  And kind of a dreamy way to keep track of time too, don't you think?    

I really thank you for stopping by to play along with me today.  And now I'll leave you with a quote I came across this week that pretty much captures my feelings to a "tea."  

~ ~ ~

We were always dreaming of how it was going to be.

                                                                           
                                                                 -George Lucas