Rhino Love - Wednesday Wanderings and the Shops Found Along the Way

Look! Look! at what I found for Noli for Christmas!! Isn't it grand?
It fits all the requirements: it's purple.  it's a rhino.  it's purple!!!

Purple is one of those words that start to look all kinds of funny when you stare at them too long. So when I was changing the purple to purple -- whoops, there it goes again, looking all weird and strange. But I digress.....

CottageQTZ makes all these amazing pillows out of vintage chenille bedspreads -- and here's the best part -- she lives close by! It was really nice meeting another Etsy seller and getting to know her. This is definitely a shop you'll want to spend some time in!

Here are a few of my favorites:

I'm a Louisiana girl at heart, having spent my growing up years and early adulthood in the fair city of Baton Rouge. So this pelican brings back those memories -- WHY, you ask? The pelican is the Louisiana State Bird, of course. And look at him, he's got his lunch hanging out of his beak!!! Did you know that pelicans scoop up fish and then filter out the water, like a sieve? Pretty cool beak on that bird!

No ugly duckling here -- it's already turned into a beautiful swan! I love the way the flowers on the bedspread form the wings.

Oh, you say the Queen is coming for tea? Let's set the table with our finest tea service -- she'll love this teapot and cup with the pretty flowers... Can you tell that the knob on the lid is a tuft from the chenille? 

Thanksgiving is over but it's never too late to plan for next year! Wouldn't this cornucopia be the best centerpiece on your Thanksgiving table and a great decoration for the fall months! It's filled with an apple, green onion, potato, pumpkin and, get this, a rutabaga!! I say that because the rutabaga is yet another childhood memory. My mother made rutabagas mashed up like mashed potatoes and I couldn't stand them! I had to put a bunch of butter on them to cover the taste!! No doubt, I'd like them now if I ever chanced to eat one again... 

And, speaking of decorations -- how about these Christmas lights! Aren't they cute, right down to their clever little plug! Drape them along your mantle or add them to greenery on your buffet -- what a lovely statement they will make!   

This lady can make anything so if you've got some great ideas you'd like to see in a chenille pillow, drop her an Etsy note and let her know. Believe me, you won't be disappointed. And watch out for a majestic cardinal that should be flying in soon!

It was definitely a very pleasant couple of hours spent with an enjoyable new friend. And how nice is that?!!