There was a movie called Under the Tuscan Sun that came out in the early 2000’s (2003?), that helped popularize the trend, but it had been growing before that too. Things that suburban moms thought the Italian countryside was like. Dark woods, warm brown and terracotta tones, vineyard inspired decor, glass bottles full of ingredients like split peas or red lentils, that you didn’t actually eat. Just kept as decoration. It was heavy, dark, and supposed to be opulent. Lots of stuff that was for decoration, that just collected dust on top of mom’s cupboards for years.
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For Christmas, all my nieces bought me those bottles of decorative foods in bottles…nice colors but, yeah, dust collectors. My old kitchen was painted that red. Lots of baskets, pictures and bottles on the top cabinets…it was stylish but so glad it is over. My current kitchen has that tile. We modernized the cabinets but we’ll have to get to the tiles later.
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There’s nothing inherently wrong with any of the tiles or cabinets. Fads come and go, but good cabinets or tile last decades. That kitchen above could look great with a fresh coat of paint over the red (maybe un-texturing the walls if they did that faux plaster texture), and swapping out the decorative items. The baskets and apothecary bottles on the bottom of the island are certainly back in. I’d definitely ditch those tall chairs though. They look uncomfortable, and like you might break a toe if you stubbed it just right against the metal legs. 
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Things can really change with paint. I agree that even changing some small things can make a room feel so different. I guess that is why I like to keep decor items from previous homes. They look different depending on how they are styled. Lots of fun!
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Hello Friends! Today is SENDOUTS. For those of you who have not sent yet, please check in with me today when you do send, or if you are going to be delayed for any reason.
Special request from your Organizer: Since some folks sent a week ago, we should have goodies start showing up soon. Please keep an eye peeled, and be sure you know WHO you received from when you tear open your Scrappy Mail! Be sure to message that sender AND me. There are 75 packages to keep track of this round! Last round we had one package we thought was missing but wasn’t, because someone waited several days to post, didn’t remember who sent it, and tossed the envelopes.
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I sent the remaining ones yesterday! I had issues with picture upload yesterday, but I’m going to try again now.
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SENT! Here’s a snip of the very long receipt 
@EclecticDreamer
@MistressJennie
@gozer
@Immaculata
@Abbeeroad
@MamaRhi
@sloth003
@Edel
@Audiobooklover
@marionberries
Hey, y’all, you each have the “legal” amount of correctly measured squares but there may also be extras of irregular size and shape, just for funsies. Thanks for swapping!
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Thanks for the pic!
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Today was day 1 of vacation but I ended up putting in 5 hrs work (oops). I had to buy a new rotary cutter last night… not sure I’ll make getting valley out tonight since post office closes in 30 minutes. Umm 20 minutes
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All my envelopes are on their way! Now comes the unfun part of having to clean up all the fabric and get it all put back away. However, in my search for fabrics to meet different wants, I did come across a project that I’d gathered all the fabric for and then kinda forgotten about. It’s for a Happy Fall flag, so hopefully now that I’ve been reminded of it, I’ll finally get it made!
In other news…I’ve received my first envelope of fun fabrics! I’m going to go read to LittleBookLover now, but keep your eye on the gallery as I will be posting soon!
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Okay! I managed to get 4 to the post office today.
@Immaculata , @MistressJennie , @Abbeeroad , @CtrlAltCraft
My other 6 partners will mail out in the morning.
Also: received from @MistressJennie, @CtrlAltCraft, and @MamaRhi today. I’ll open and post after I finish getting my other 6 together (just got home)
Also: I’m a little jealous of the stamps on the envelopes I mailed. Origami Cranes! I was tempted to buy one just to keep, but you guys got the last 3 she had
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I received from @CtrlAltCraft today!
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Sent the rest of my envelopes 8/25:
And received from @Abbeeroad
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I’m now stressing I didn’t send enough in my envelopes! I also got at least one envelope sealed, turned around, and saw fabric I’d cut specifically for that person the night before sitting right there because I forgot I already had a stack started. (I met the swap requirement, but everyone seems to have gone over)
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I sure did. Because I have a monstrous stash and got easily distracted. But comparison is the thief of joy. No bad feelings, as long as swap requirements are met. The rest of us are just rule breaking degens. 
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I was feeling the same way and I did add extra. No worries though! We did fine.
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Meeting the requirements is wonderful! Amazing, appreciated, & exciting. I cannot wait to peek into everybody’s fabric stashes!
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I’m a bit concerned that none of mine have arrived yet, not even @Edel I think? I checked the rules and weighed and weighed again and I don’t think I broke any rules in Europe (technically I can only send paper to the US but in previous fabric and tea swaps nothing went wrong).
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Our lovely @Edel is away from home right now, I will let her tell you all about it herself when she’s back home with solid internets!
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Oh, that makes sense! I hope the others will arrive soon too but mail across the Atlantic can easily take weeks.
I will be away for a few days starting tomorrow, so I won’t be seeing any mail this week either.
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