Shop At My Dream Canvas

Its a New Year and there are new goodies at The Shop At My Dream Canvas! Hop on over to check it out :)

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Images: Copyright My Dream Canvas!

A Storybook Cottage "Ellie and Clarence" Nestled in The Cascades

Hello to the New Week! Today, I am taking you along with me on a little trip! I promise. You will enjoy the journey :) "Sometimes when you lose your way you find yourself." I love this quote by Mandy Hale. A few weeks ago we set out on a drive. It was just the four of us and we had no destination in mind. It was a bright and sunny day. The Cascades were beckoning! As a family, we love going on short drives on weekends. The Cascade mountain range is in our backyard and I love to explore every inch of it :)

We took a slight detour and soon reached a pretty little town called Index. With a handful of homes, and a general store thats doubles as the post office, this place is tiny and exquisite :) With a population of 178, this is the smallest town in Western Washington.  The town is only 3 miles away from the summit of Mount Index.  On sunny, wintry days, the snow covered peak glistens and the whole place seems magical.

I could barely believe my eyes, when I saw a sign for gifts and vintage finds along the road! Luckily, I have a family that humors me.  We parked the car and trudged along to find this place! There was snow everyone. It was very slippery and we had to walk carefully! I was on a mission though and nothing would have stopped me that day :)

We spotted this tiny storybook cottage and I was smitten. I could not imagine that a place like this could exist in the middle of nowhere!  We stepped inside to find a friendly lady who answered all my questions about this place! This little cottage was originally a garden shed located on the property of an inn. The inn was established in 1898.

Today, with a new foundation, floor, insulation, lighting, and a comfortable interior this building is now a wonderful place to pick up a gift or local souvenir. This tiny store features the work of local and talented people from around the valley who contribute to its seasonal displays! Their customers include locals, cabin owners, vacation rental guests, outdoor recreationers, and road trippers exploring the back roads of Washington.

I did take a lot of pictures hoping to capture the beauty and simplicity of this perfect little place! For me, it was like a dream come true! The thought of owning a little store filled with vintage and handcrafted goodies fills my heart with glee :)

Do you ever think of doing something out of the ordinary, something out of your comfort zone? Have you made the leap? If you have not, what's stopping you ? I would love to hear your thoughts.

Can you really “Love what you do and do what you love?" in my mind the people running this little store are living my dream!  However, I am sure they have their own share of struggles......

I came away from this place feeling happy and at peace with my share of day dreams :)

That's my daughter in the frame admiring the cottage :)

Here are a few images from inside the store. The store is filled with unique finds. Local artwork, handmade pottery, vintage postcards, handmade cards and gifts abound.

The scenery outside the cottage was stunning....

If you are traveling to my part of the world, make sure you stop by this little place.  It's sure to bring you joy :)

Find this lovely store at 308 5th Street, Index, WA 98256.  They are open on the weekends from 11am to 3pm.  

Images: Copyright My Dream Canvas

Lets Talk Colors...

How is your weekend coming along?I could happily spend it in  a room as pretty as this......but thats not happening....sigh!

However, I can admire and love this color palette.....don't you? Are you thinking of adding or changing the colors in your home in the New Year?  I would love to know?

Image: via

Introducing The Traveling Diary Of A Dippy - Dotty Girl :)

Hello! My apologies for the delayed start to the New Year!! However, I am back with a bang :) Today, I am sharing a design ethos that I hold dear to my heart. I have written lengthy blog posts on this topic in the past.

Here is one of those from the archives........

"I believe that a home looks loved if it is a happy collision of memories, experiences, and the owner's personality. For me, my home reflects where I come from, my personal tastes, and my travels. While we shop at stores, buy pretty things, and decorate our homes......what makes it unique is how we present it!

When you bring in something that is yours, be it a family heirloom or something with a story to share...... you are giving your home its own unique character. I have realized that my home is filled with quirky things. These pieces may not appear to be significant to others, but they mean the world to me! I use a lot of my own photographs from my travels. I also have sea shells that my daughter and I lovingly collected from our trips to the beach.  One of my walls has a collection of postcards that my Dad sent me when he was away on an extended trip overseas. 

I could go on and on.......but you get the drift :) So be different, live your life and your experiences through your decor. Fill your home with pieces that are personal and relevant to you.  They will add warmth and character to your home and you will be surprised how much fun you will have :)  Your home is a canvas for you to express your individuality! When someone compliments you on your sense of style, revel in the fact that it's all you :)

This post is extra special for me as I get to introduce you to "The Traveling Diary of A Dippy-Dotty Girl. This dotty girl happens to be my sister-in-law :) She is a brilliant and accomplished writer and her travel stories are fascinating! You need to bookmark her website and travel with her around the world. One of her recent posts struck a chord with me. Her post "My Cosy Corner of the World" is beautifully written and straight from the heart! In it she talks about how she has weaved her travel acquisitions into her decor. They give her home a unique individuality that I love :)

My younger brother would be miffed if I did not mention him in this post as well :) As kids we moved around a lot and perhaps that is what keeps us going! We want to travel on, and fortunately, we both have life partners that share in the wanderlust :) 

I will sign off with my favorite quote "Traveling - It leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller." For my family, our homes tell the story of our present and they will also chronicle our future!

Here are a few images from my brother and sister-in-law's home. These are the lovely travel souvenirs that fill their wall!

To read the full story, click HERE!


Thank you Arundhati :) 

Images: The Travelling Diary of A Dippy-Dotty Girl. Images subject to copyright!