Announcing the 4th Annual Literary Heroine Blog Party!

You are cordially invited. . . 

To the Fourth annual Literary Heroine Blog Party!

~ February 16-28 ~

Are you enthralled with the charming stories of heroines of yesteryear? Do you thrill at the sight of a lovely, century-old book? Have you ever read a favorite novel up in the airy retreat of a graceful tree? Do you often catch yourself thinking of the inhabitants of Orchard House or Pemberley as not only very real, but intimate friends? If so, I hope you will plan on joining me for this exciting online party.

There will be, as always, an enormous giveaway, and this year I have several additional surprises in store... be watching my various social media platforms (find them all at the top of the sidebar), for updates.

Read all of the fabulous entries from years past!
2013
2012
2011
This has become such a fun tradition for me, as every year on my birthday the LHBP is posted and scores of lovely ladies around the world link up their entries to the blog party quiz.
Celebrating our shared passion for heroism, femininity, romance, classic literature, history, and friendship is near to my heart, and I've become acquainted with so many wonderful friends through this event.

The festivities begin on February Sixteenth, and will extend all the way to the end of the month.  Mark your calendars!

Please, take one of the event buttons below and put it on your blogs (linking to this post) - even do a post of your own about it if you feel so inclined. Assist me to spread the word of the party so that everyone has the opportunity to join in the fun! Let's make this the largest attendance yet.

I eagerly await the pleasure of your company!

(to take a button, right click or control/click the graphic of your choice and save it to your computer like any image)

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P.S. You don't need to, but if you like, leave a comment if you plan to attend!  That way we can get an idea of who will be there, and even make some new friends now. ♥

Announcing the 3rd Annual Literary Heroine Blog Party!

You are cordially invited. . . 

To the Third annual Literary Heroine Blog Party!

~ February 16-28 ~

Are you enthralled with the charming stories of heroines of yesteryear? Do you thrill at the sight of a lovely, century-old book? Have you ever read a favorite novel up in the airy retreat of a graceful tree? Do you often catch yourself thinking of the inhabitants of Avonlea or Longborne as not only very real, but intimate friends? If so, I hope you will plan on joining me for this exciting online party!

The pleasure of your charming company is requested to grace this event, inspired by the myriad captivating heroines of literature. 

There will be a scrumptious giveaway, and much, much more!

Click Here to read all of the fabulous entries from last year, and Here to see the year before that.  Join the scores of lovely ladies around the world who will be linking up their entries to the blog party quiz, celebrating our passion for heroism, femininity, romance, classic literature, history, and friendship.

The festivities begin in fourteen days, and will extend all the way to the end of the month.  Mark your calendars!

Please, take one of the event buttons below and put it on your blogs (linking to this post) - even do a post of your own about it if you feel so inclined. Assist me to spread the word of the party so that everyone has the opportunity to join in the fun! Let's make this the largest attendance yet.

I eagerly await to the pleasure of your company!

(to take a button, right click or control/click the graphic of your choice and save it to your computer like any image)

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--410px wide--

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---200px wide--

     

     

------------------------------------------------ --250px wide-- 

      

P.S. You don't need to, but if you like, leave a comment if you plan to attend!  That way we can get an idea of who will be there, and even make some new friends now. ♥

The story I never wanted to tell.

Well, I've had an unexpected and exhausting weekend.

One that has wrought some rather large changes for my life, my business, and consequentially, the blog.

You see, it finally happened.

I've closed down the Wall Tent Studio.

To cut to the chase, I was defeated by the horrendous winter weather at last.  I'm still in some shock that it all happened so fast, but through it all, God was and is so very good to me.

Last week we got several inches of fresh snow, followed by a torrent of rain as the temperature suddenly rose.  My wood was saturated, and the logging tarp shielding my tent from the elements started to give way.  It was old and threadbare in places, but doubled over, I thought - hoped - it would be okay.  Friday night came with real concern on my part at the amount of water coming in, but I could really do nothing at that point.  The rain must stop sometime, and if things stayed as they were, all would be well.

I took these pictures that night, little glimpses of that dark, dripping, but peaceful evening.  My sister's bouquet of red origami roses.  The wood laid out to dry and my business planning and the walls and ceiling of my poor drenched home.

Little did I know it would be my last night in the Wall Tent Studio.

(Yes, being a little melodramatic here.  It helps:)

I woke the next morning to find that things had not stayed as they were.  The tarp had completely failed at last, and the floor was in an alarming state.  A soaked and alarming state.  The walls, the porch, front and back, everything was flooded.  And with the warm front the weather was bringing, my main concern became mold.

Our car battery had died, so we rode to the post office with a neighbor in the morning (afterwards was able to find the battery charger, thank God!), and a box was waiting for me that was absolutely heaven-sent.

My dear friend Winnie had sent me some of her fresh backyard Florida oranges, homemade marmalade, and French hot chocolate, and I sat down to toasted english muffins with fresh marmalade and Chocolate Francais. 

 All around me, young lakes swam and dripped in my house and dampness reigned.  

There was no help for it.  After breakfast, it was time.

My wonderful brother came down from town (where he now lives and works) with a strong new tarp and good rope, and we disassembled the traitorous old tent fly and set up the new one.  It turned out to be much bigger than before - so although it's not as pleasing to the eye, the danger of the elements getting through again is almost zero.  Lord willing.

Then I packed up all my belongings and cleared the floor.  The amazing providence is that my brother's restored 1945 Beck Bus, just 20 feet away, was empty and waiting, and that's where I went.  I am so thankful that there was a place prepared for me. I'm sitting here now, in this bus, my furniture and things arranged and myself warm and safe.

I've started a new chapter. It's not what I would have chosen.  I couldn't bear the thought of abandoning the sanctuary my tent has come to be to me, even with all of it's trials. But God is always going on before, preparing the way and giving us an extra nudge when we're not ready to step through the door. I am warm.  It's airtight in here, with an electric heater and windows.  Glass windows!  You don't know how huge that is till you've become used to not having them.

I don't have to worry about fires and floods and staying alive now.

And I think God is going to use this in my life to let me accomplish things that were not possible while I was struggling with daily living on such an intense level.

Once everything was out, I pulled up the soaked carpet and took it to the dump - mold is nothing to mess around with.  To do that, I had to disassemble the stove and take it out, then brought it back in and set it up once more.  I built a roaring fire, then got out my scrub brush and mold spray and got to work.

Thank goodness for my wonderful, helpful sisters.  I love you all so much.

A few hours later, every inch of canvas was scrubbed clean and dry, the floor was well on it's way to drying out, and things were looking up.  I pulled up my rocking chair on the bare plywood floor and we watched Christmas in Connecticut, monitoring the fire to keep it blazing hot.  

And took melodramatic self portraits in the stark lighting from the single lamp set on the bare floor.

Delicious.

I have to laugh - now - at how this all happened.  The cold didn't get me.  The snow didn't get me.  The fierce winter weather didn't defeat me - all it took was a little warm weather and a leaky old tarp.

No matter how stubborn we are, no matter how tough, God can always find a way to get through.

The Wall Tent Studio's there yet - empty, still and cold.  Biding it's time till Spring comes again and the next phase of our adventures together come to be.

Because I know we're not through yet.

Not by a long shot.

Grand Opening // the Wall Tent Button Co!

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At last, I am so happy to announce the Grand Opening of the Wall Tent Button Company!

After two years of offering my button badges and compact mirrors in my Kellie Falconer Design shop, the time has come to open a storefront all their own.  

With new designs being added all the time, we have something for everyone, from cute and pithy badges for your jean jacket or ukulele bag to beautiful mirrors for your bridal shower or birthday party!

Plus, these badges and mirrors really are the perfect addition to each and every Christmas stocking.  

Personalized items are always in style, and with the new Holiday designs now available, the sky's the limit to how you can gift these adorable vintage inspired mirrors.

Use as party favors, place cards, stocking stuffers - the possibilities are endless!

What could be more fun than an adorable, useful, and affordable product that can be customized with anything you like in the whole world on it?

Well, maybe meeting David Tennant.  

Oh, which reminds me...

Calling all Whovians - you really need these beauties in your life.  So do your friends.  These are already best-sellers in the shop, which I think is pretty much fantastic.  

Available as badges or mirrors.

So, hop on over and take a peek!  More designs are added all the time, so consider adding the shop to your Etsy favorites to stay up to date!

Happy Monday, everyone, and I hope you don't mind all of this shop talk.  Shop and keeping my fire going is pretty much the story of my life at the moment... besides everything else going on, of course.  Those two things are getting the most time logged each day, though. :)

However, I solemnly swear that I have some posts coming soon that include other equally thrilling subjects.  (A HAIRSTYLE TUTORIAL, anyone? :grin:)

Keep warm, and remember to take a deep breath and savor the joys and beauty of the season.

Much love, 

--Me

P.S. Who's in the mood for free things?  Free things from the Wall Tent Button Co?

Leave a comment if you're game... we just might have a gift card coming soon!

Winner | Gift Card from Kellie Falconer Design

Who's won the shopping spree to KFD?

...

This giveaway was so much fun!  Thanks to all who entered, and be on the lookout for some fun new additions to the shop for the holiday season.

To get right down to it, the random fates that be have chosen...

...#28!

Which is none other then Miss Dashwood!

Congratulations, dear!  Send me an email at

kelliefalconer {at} gmail {dot} com 

to claim your prize.  

Then go check out the shop and start making your wish list! :)

2nd Anniversary Sale and a Celebration!

It's two years today. Two years since I opened my Etsy doors and hung out the Kellie Falconer Design shingle.

We've come so very far since then - the Wall Tent Studio was born, I attended my first (and second!) craft shows, Algy joined the family, I've nearly reached 150 sales.  Over 110,000 people have crossed paths with me and my work here on the blog.  I'm overwhelmed.  I'm blessed.  And you all are the best.

Being able to pursue this dream, in spite of the long and often incredibly bumpy road, has been one of the most exciting, fulfilling, and rewarding experiences of my life.

And to celebrate, we're going to ave a week long party here at the blog, with new product releases, beautiful giveaways, and a few big surprises!

Help me get this party started by pinning, tweeting, or blogging the splash above.  The more the merrier!

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Use coupon code NOVEMBER7 during checkout for 10% off your entire order. Happy shopping!

One week only! Offer expires November 14th.

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Go browse the shop and find that delightful something you've been eying - now's the perfect time to cross off your holiday gift list as well as treat yourself!  Come back often during the upcoming week for all kinds of new products for the season ahead.

Stay tuned for our first giveaway of the week, and so much more to come!

The 2012 Autumn Collection | Preview

 Announcing the Kellie Falconer Design Autumn 2012 Collection.

I've been working night and day on this project, and as it nears it's completion, I'm just so excited to be able to prepare this to share with all of you!

There have been quite a few bumps along the trail, especially as half of my family is in CA to prepare the vineyard for harvest, and my youngest sisters, my wonderful and protecting bro, and I are the only hands on deck.  And as wonderful as Aubrey is, he doesn't cook very often:)  Mega-cooking is the name of the game, and I've been alternating cooking and heating up meals with the Autumn Collection for the last two weeks, rolling this out as quickly as possible for the release.

Everything completed so far (that includes sewing, scheming, pricing, supplying, styling, photographing, videography, modeling, coordinating, and running the farm!) has been done by my 10 year old sister and I - I want to thank her right now for the amazing work she's done on the photography.  With a little coaching from Algy, she's become a photographer overnight, taking all of the photos I am in.  She's done a marvelous, marvelous job!

In addition to beautiful new Fall fashions and accessories in the shop, I have a new video series on hairstyling, as well as my music (I'm a little terrified to share those!), and lashings of Fall fashion inspiration to apply to your own wardrobe in the works.

So stay tuned!