It has been a whirlwind since the last post that documented the move into my little Storybook Studio.

Thank you for your incredible patience.

In April, I traveled to Round Top, Texas, to attend the Shabby Chic Workshop at

The Prairie by Rachel Ashwell…

conducted by Rachel Ashwell.

We gathered in the Ranger's Lounge there, on Friday afternoon,

and I claimed space on a big comfy chair …Eliza takes up quite a bit of room, you see...

There were 18 women in attendance, and we were able to enjoy a meet and greet

connecting with friends we had only known, thus far, through the internet.

(There's quite a shabby chic sisterhood on Instagram)

Sweet Dee Magdalina, was one of those precious ones...

And then she was there…as lovely in real life, as we had all imagined...

It wasn't long, and we were on our way for a tour across the property.

My mother always taught me to sit at the front of the class, for that's where you will learn the most,

so I headed for the front of the line…so I could learn from the best...

In the midst of the tour, there was a moment for a quick photo...

On the tour through the darling little cottages, Rachel shared her vision for the property and we saw all the many elements of her famous Shabby Chic aesthetic..

vintage wallpapers and massive white framed mirrors ...

I love the sweetness of the prints and the soft palette…

Follow the leader into the Blue Bonnet Barn…

Inside the Pearl Barn, all of the images I had studied in her book…they were all before me...

Rachel's incredible collection of vintage prom dresses had been hung and appeared as if they were dancing amongst the rafters….

The Junk Gypsies created the "25" lighted marquis for the "25 years of Shabby Chic" celebration…

featured on their episode that aired July 10, 2015

We made our way back to the Ranger's Lounge, where a feast was being prepared…

Danny, the man with the big boots and hat, happy to wear a Shabby Chic apron, prepares fried chicken and french fries…

and sweet Kathy, one of the women who would "wash mousie dishes"..

falls in love with a certain little mousie girl, Eliza...

While the preparations are being made, Rachel invites me to the porch…where there is a bit of quiet..

and she meets this little mouse

in a tiny tutu, and tiny slippers, and a tiny tiara..

and a tiny millinery crown (a gift from one talented artisan named Rachel, as well)

and Eliza can hardly contain the joy.

They are fast friends…

It is time to eat.

We take a seat

and accept a gift…

Rachel collects cameos, and she shares.

The horseshoe is in honor of the great state of Texas.

She welcomes us to the table…her farm table…

with its pitchers of roses

and jelly jar glasses

and

pretty prairie dishes..

Dinner is scrumptious

conversation is riveting and lively

and then it is time for school

and we enter the classroom….

As it turns out, the big comfy chair I chose, is right alongside her perch.

That stool, there, is where she will sit

and we will take notes and hang on every word.

Shabby Chic History, The Shabby Chic Aesthetic, Business

These would be the subjects covered in each session of the workshop

The next morning, we enter the classroom once again, and by noon,

another delicious meal is prepared.

We are then given the choice to spend the afternoon shopping in town

or to hang at The Prairie,
as helpers for a photo shoot of the new comforters in the

Simply Shabby Chic line of products.

Eliza and I are all about helping…

This suite in the Liliput Lodge is a favored dressing room for Brides-to-be,

and this darling girl, Valentina Pollard, is in awe of its beauty…

and the fact that it is hers to enjoy for the weekend, has her completely overwhelmed..

Add that it is the site for part of the photo shoot.. there are just no words...

Enchanted by the lighting…

Off to the Pearl Barn, to collect a barrel of silk flowers,
and we are treated to a peek inside Rachel's bag of "bits and bobs"..
vintage millinery and laces and ribbons…
those seen in countless photos and even the
Junk Gypsies episode...

The barrel is retrieved and we make our way to the clothesline…
(The Blue Bonnet Barn in the background)

Every detail tended to …every single one…
until it is perfectly charming…

We were able to help a bit, but mostly it was watching and learning.

Her process of creating the "beauty of imperfection"

is something to behold.

And then it was time to clean up.
As these twin sisters carried away the barrel of flowers,
I snapped a photo…How could I not…

Ali and Jen, you are two of the dearest and sweetest!

I was taken with every aspect, every detail of this place…this little piece of heaven..

with its fences and ivy and roses…
and enjoyed capturing some photos of my own...

Saturday evening at dinner, we realized a band from Australia, Heart Collectors, was in town,
and would be coming to serenade…

…and they did..

and we danced and sang along…

Before we could blink twice, it was Sunday morning…
and as I slipped out to the balcony of the Liliput, still in my Shabby Chic jammies and robe,
I spied sweet girl,
cup of coffee in hand, gazing down that long drive,
pondering the future..filled with promise...

and I do the same...

After a hearty breakfast, and conversations of reflection around the farm table
(with sweet Carolyn, from Australia)

it is time for the final session of the workshop.