Spring is in the air, The Camellia, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Spring is approaching ... today is the first warmish day, a good day to step outside and do some shopping or go for a walk. It will be a while before we can be dancing among the Spring flowers, but it's coming. It is true, Canadians are obsessed with the weather......when will all this snow melt, and when will it be Spring? I hope the weather is beautiful where you live. 

At this time, we all hope for World peace, and an end to a senseless War. The World is still battling Covid, and now THIS. 

    Spring is in the Air. It's time for a refresh of your Home. Add some Spring flowers into a Vase, tuck a bird's Nest into a wreath, and maybe a new Tablecloth for your dining table. Visit us in store to see out water-repellent, stain-resistant Tablecloths. 

This is one of our Cottage Paint stencils which we sell in our store, the Camellia. These can be used as Easter goodie bags. 

A quick refresh for your master bedroom - a set of microfibre oh-so-soft Clara Clark Sheets. This colour is very popular - Tiffany Blue. 

Paint is an easy way to change a room - our Serenity Cottage Paint comes in 58 lovely colours and can be used on walls. For more information, visit https://iwindowshop.ca/collections/cottage-paint

March is the month to start your flowers seeds indoors, I usually start Sweet Peas and Morning glories indoors. Every available table near our south-facing windows is usually covered in seed trays. Our Northern Ontario growing season is so short,  which is why we have to start some seeds indoors. 

These Garden Rose blooms are lovely, and a lot of hard work goes into producing them. If you are looking for an easy Rose, try Drift Roses. https://www.driftroses.com/

This year, there will be no Spring Home and Garden Show, there may be a Show in September. Stay in touch by following the show on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Springhomeandgardenshowtbay 

Come shopping at The Camellia, at 30/32 Hacquoil Rd. Thunder Bay, Slate River, On. IG@camelliafromnaturetohome

Thunder Bay Flower & Gift shop

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Dreaming of Your own Potting Shed? The Camellia, Thunder Bay.

 

It is still winter here in Thunder Bay, with temperatures in the -30C range at night. Everyone is tired of it all, especially with having to snow-blow every other day. The snowbanks are 4 ft high or more.  

Perhaps you are dreaming of having your own Potting Shed, a place where you can tend to your houseplants, start your seeds, and putter away from everyone. 

Nothing calms the mind more than a day spent in a Summer garden.... especially when Peonies are in full bloom, like this beautiful Peony from our Garden. 

Glass houses have been around for a long time, and were especially popular during the Victorian era. You may have been cruising on Pinterest, looking at Potting sheds built from leftover wood pallets, and windows, and it all looks so easy. Do your research before you start building, especially if you live in a cold climate. The Glasshouse above is from a display at Canada Blooms, in Toronto, Ontario. 

It's always more efficient to have a place where you can store your Garden supplies, like twines to support your plants, stakes, scissors, shovels, and so on.

Of course, if you are like me, you have a million pots of various sizes, piled high, ready to topple over.  

You may want to store your Summer outdoor garden ornaments in your shed, it seems like every Spring your garden ornaments are nowhere to be found. You can purchase this Chickadee metal Art hanging in our store, the Camellia, at 30/32 Hacquoil Rd. in Thunder Bay, On. 

A potting shed is a great place to hide away from everyone, a good book, and a snack is a must. 

This can be a wonderful place to Paint.... to start using that collection of Art supplies you've been collecting for years! You may have said....When I retire, when the last kid has left, when .....??? We all have reasons why we can't start on something we really, really want to do. 

If you would like to send a Gift in Thunder Bay, Slate River, & Kakabeka Falls, we have Potted plants, Spa, self-care Baskets and more. Shop online at 

https://iwindowshop.ca/ and at 

https://www.thecamellia.com/

You can stop by our storefront at 30/32 Hacquoil Rd. Slate River, On. 

IG https://www.instagram.com/camelliafromnaturetohome

p.807-475-3551

Valentine's Day at-home, Gift delivery in Thunder Bay, The Camellia

Thunder Bay Flower & Gift shop; Valentine's Day 2022

Traditionally, Valentine's Day is all about red Rose bouquets and chocolate, at The Camellia, we like to think outside the box, and would like to offer some alternatives to the usual. Above is our Napa Spring Spa gift set, with a Eucalyptus Spa Napa Soap from St. Helena, a handmade weighted Eye mask, and a Spring potted hyacinth plant. The Eucalyptus Spa soap bar is reminiscent of a Day at the Spa, and contains peppermint and eucalyptus essential oil. It feels good to be pampered. Buy online https://iwindowshop.ca/collections/sleep/products/napa-soap-eucalyptus-gift-set. $49.00 +hst and Delivery. 

This brightly coloured Lavender bag is a small something for a friend, Lavender is known for its calming properties, and Goat's Milk soap is wonderful for your skin.

https://iwindowshop.ca/collections/sleep/products/petite-lavender-gift-bag . $29.95+hst+delivery. 

A Lavender Gift set is the next best thing to being able to visit a Lavender Farm in person, we hope that Covid restrictions will be lifted this Summer. Buy Lavender bunches here: https://iwindowshop.ca/collections/sleep/products/lavender-bunch. 

$17.95 + hst+delivery. 

Who hasn't thought about the luxury of being able to spend a Day in Bed? This is our 'A Day in Bed' Gift basket, with a cozy pillow, a comfy ribbed throw, and a Dried Eucalyptus Spray. Priced at $150.00 +hst. Phone to order at 807-475-3551. Buy online at  https://iwindowshop.ca/collections/sleep/products/a-day-in-bed-gift-set. $150.00+hst+delivery. 

While we all wish we could visit a Spa in Bali, like in the photo above, the next best thing is to order one of our Spa-at-home gift sets for your Valentine. 

Shop online at https://iwindowshop.ca/

Phone The Camellia 807-475-3551

IG https://www.instagram.com/camelliafromnaturetohome/

Holiday Gifting, The Camellia.com, Thunder Bay, On.

Hello!  The most glorious of all seasons, the Christmas season,  is approaching. Images of cozy evenings by the fire, cookies baking in the oven, and unwrapping gifts under a beautifully decorated Tree, come to mind. Maybe this Christmas, we can get back to enjoying a meal with family and friends! We are taking part in ARTISANS NORTHWEST online : Nov. 22nd.-Nov. 28th. 2021. And we are part of CRAFT REVIVAL VIRTUAL MARKET: Nov. 21st. to Nov. 27th. 2021 WE ARE OPEN FOR IN-STORE SHOPPING: WED. 11-5, THURS. 12-5,  FRI. 11-5, SAT. 11-5p. SUN. 12-5 Wear your mask.   Beautiful Winter decorating starts now. A Wreath on your front door, a table centrepiece and some glitzy ornaments, along with bowls of fresh greenery & potted plants. I was so lucky to be able to visit Biltmore estate in Asheville, North Carolina. They were getting ready for their Christmas season, and putting up all their Trees and many over-the-top decorations, check out this fabulous Tree below. We are here to help you find the perfect Gift for those special people on your Gift list. Oprah's Favourite Things list was just released, and it's no surprise that our Beekman 1802 Goat Milk products are on her list. Goat milk has vitamins A, B1,B6,B12,C,D,E and Selenium, which is known to prevent skin cancer. We have Plumberry spice foaming hand soap ( made by a local soapmaker).  Heat/cold Therapy packs are a great Gift idea, for anyone suffering from pain. Weighted eye packs, Mitts for Arthritis, Eye packs, Neck packs, and bonus, they are all made locally.

NEW!!!  COTTAGE PAINT GIFT boxes!!  These are a wonderful Gift for your friends who have admired your Cottage Paint projects, and want to get started on their own projects! 2 jars of 8 oz. paints + 1 varnish, and a brush, packaged in a beautiful gift box.  We have lots of Cottage Paint in stock, and have been working hard at updating our website. To see our Paint collections, click here: https://iwindowshop.ca/collections/cottage-paint   . We have the following colours on sale: these are being discontinued: Khaki, Grape, Black Hawk, Tangerine, Kiwi and Pumpkin. COTTAGE PAINT Colour & Seal  An easy way to update your old golden oak cabinets, furniture, or stair railings without having to strip down to the bare wood. Forget about stripping. With our Color & Seal products, bring tired old wood back to life, saving yourself from the mess of renovations. Discover the full color range in our store, The Camellia.    The Camellia, 30, Hacquoil Rd.(off Hwy.61). See photo of store below.  Open Wednesday through Sunday.  p.807-475-3551

We are OPEN online here at the Camellia, Thunder Bay, Ontario.

We are OPEN here at The Camellia. While we know a lot of you do not feel safe with a second wave of Covid being predicted for this Fall, we have launched a Shopify website for you to shop or browse online. You can shop and pay online, and do contactless pick-up. We can deliver your order ($), or you come into our store at 30, Hacquoil Rd. Slate River, Ontario. Fall is coming as our August nights are getting cooler. We've had a lot of rain last night, which was very welcome. 

Some of you are thinking about painting your old Kitchen cabinets with Cottage Paint. Think no more, just do it. You will get a new kitchen at a fraction of the price. We may have a Cabinet painting class coming up soon. For more information, go to http://www.paintoldkitchencabinets.com/

Here is a dining room set with chairs that were in the garbage, and rescued with Cottage Paint. The colour Driftwood was painted on the chairs. There is no need to buy new furniture, why not check the second hand stores and revamp something old? Thrift shops and Buy and Sell sites are booming at the moment, as everyone has had time at home to clear out their unwanted goods.  

It's time to put out a Fall  ' Magic' tablecloth, these are water-repellent and stain-resistant, they are perfect for everyday life. 

There are 2 ways to shop at The Camellia. 

1) Browse on-line at I window Shop.ca, pay on line and arrange for no-contact pick-up or delivery.

2) Shop in-store at 30, Hacquoil Rd. Open Wed. through Sunday, maybe. Phone to check for current hours. There may be a 2nd. wave of Covid, in which case hours will change. 

p .807-475-3551. 

Here is the link to our online site: https://iwindowshop.ca/

Thank you for supporting small, local businesses in Thunder Bay. 

How's everyone doing? July 26, 2020. The Camellia, Thunder Bay, Ont.

It's July in Thunder Bay, and it has definitely been hot and humid. The heat makes it even more uncomfortable to wear a mask. It's now the law that you must wear a mask in Thunder Bay. According to the Thunder Bay District Health unit's website, " As of Friday, July 24, 2020 at 12.01 am. all businesses and organizations in the Thunder Bay District Health Unit area must adopt a policy that requires all members of the public and employees who enter or remain in an enclosed public space to wear a mask or face covering, under instructions issued by the Medical Officer of Health."

More information can be found at https://www.tbdhu.com/mandatorymasks

Most of us are fed up with the whole Mask/noMask debate, and just want our lives to go back to "Normal", or what life was before Covid-19. If wearing a mask helps us to cut down on the spread of Covid-19 , then just wear it. When coming to our store, do bring your own mask and put it on before entering our store. 

Our gardens are loving the heat, and recently we have been having tropical downpours, so we have beautiful Blooms and our Veggie gardens have been prolific with beans, kale, lettuce, peas and more. 

This is despite the recent invasion of Japanese beetles. 

Now, more than ever, it is important that we take some time for self care. Soaking in a bathtub and reading a good book is good for taking your mind off all the what-ifs. Visit our store, or call us (we offer delivery and curbside pickup), to pick up Lavender bath bombs, and Napa Soap bars. 

We know many of you have been using this extra time at home to do some painting with Serenity Cottage Paint.  You have been painting old Kitchen Cabinets, walls, and furniture. Thinking about painting your old oak Kitchen Cabinets? Go here to get the How-to: http://www.paintoldkitchencabinets.com/

Here is a dining room set which was given a Cottage Paint makeover, with the colour Expresso on this chair's frame, with some yardage from our store, this is a beautiful Delph blue Waverly toile fabric. 

Serenity Cottage paint can be sprayed, this is an old metal shelf sprayed with the colour 'Country Manor.'

It is important to add texture to your Home, and fabric is perfect for that. This bright Provencal blue burlap will add colour to your outdoor or craft room projects. 

Visit us here at TheCamellia.com. for #CottagePaint, Home decor, Cotton and linen fabric, and much more! Open Wed. through Sunday. Do bring your own mask, we do offer Delivery( $), and curbside pickup. Our Shopify store will be up and running soon, you will be able to order Cottage Paint, for pick-up or shipping in Canada. 

https://iwindowshop.ca

Paint pouring Supplies, Cottage Paint at The Camellia, Thunder Bay, Canada.

You may have a bare spot on your wall and you've heard about Paint pouring...why not try it? 

What is Paint pouring?  First, it is best to paint your board white. You will need some plastic squeeze bottles ( the kind you put ketchup in which you buy at the Dollar store). Mix your Cottage Paint colours with the Pour medium ( we'll show you this shortly) and water.  You can use the original Cottage Paint, Serenity , Urban Paint and Colour and Seal which is semi transparent.  Your paint should be the consistency of melted ice cream.  Watch the video below...

https://www.facebook.com/gail.rogers.376/videos/2136546539893062/UzpfSTQyODA3ODczMDYzMDc0NzoxNTQ5MDk0Nzk1MTk1Nzk2/

If you doing a Pour on a Table top, make sure your table top is level (use a level) - the formula is 1 cup of pour mixture per square foot of table. It takes 24 hours to settle and a week to dry. Wear gloves and tape off edges of Table. White is heavier, and all paints  have different weights, so don't mix your paint until you are ready to pour. Cover your work surface as this can be messy.  You will be tilting your table, and doing some disturbing. You will get a marble, veined look. Check your edges which you may have to touch up with a paintbrush, putting it on nice and thick. Keep checking your pattern, and tilt your Table top. Let it dry for a week, then put 2 good coats of Cottage Paint high gloss varnish on to protect, putting on a heavier coat of varnish, which should be dripping down the edges ( paint varnish on with a brush).

Once again, make sure you watch the above video! Have some shims and blocks on hand. You can also try this technique on mason jars or old glass vases. Use baking foil pans as a drip tray. You may need a hair dryer to help push the paint over, if your piece is too big to tilt. 

This is our pouring medium which has a faster drying time, the usual medium  we would use is Easy-Glaze. Priced at $36.00 Canadian for a quart size. You can purchase at The Camellia in Thunder Bay. p 807-475-3551

For a step-by-step Marble pour, read this blog post below!

https://cottagepaint.com/all/guides/urban-pours-finish-2/

This is Urban Paint made by Cottage Paint, it is metallic and we have used it to redo metal light fixtures. It comes in several colours. 

This is Serenity Cottage Paint, which comes in 60 colours. you can purchase Cottage Paint at The Camellia in Thunder Bay. 

For information on Paint Pours and Cottage Paint, visit The Camellia, at 30/32 Hacquoil Rd.

Slate River, near Thunder Bay, Ontario. 

Open Wednesday through Sunday, 

12-5p.

p 807-475-3551

https://camilleovermeer.square.site/

Escape to your Summer Porch or Veranda, The Camellia, Thunder Bay

Hello everyone! It's June and we have been having some incredible, hot, tropical weather. It is so wonderful to see so much green outside, with all the trees in leaf, and Crabapple blossoms in pink and white. Rhododendrons are in bloom, and even though we are still under restrictions due to Covid-19, the world in the Summer is still a beautiful place to be. 

Marsh Marigolds in an amazing display of spring colour. This is our view at The Camellia, we are close to the mountain. 

I have great memories of swinging in a hammock on a Verandah. 

A Verandah is the best place to try and catch a breeze on a hot day. Add a book, and a tall glass of something icy cold. Hot days are the best spent outdoors, lazing around....

Wooden sayings are great for a Porch, above a door, or just perched beside plants. They add some whimsy to an area. They are hand painted here at #TheCamellia, you can pre-order your sign with a custom saying. 

Outdoor Porch signs, old wooden windows, Watering  cans and clay pots are all important elements of styling a Porch. This wooden bench is a relic from my Father-in-law's Farm on Broadway Avenue in Thunder Bay. The bench was refreshed with Cottage Paint - colours used were Sea Turtle and Sky Blue Waters. 

Here at The Camellia, we sell Cottage Paint. This colour is Lichen, and is a nice, soothing gray-green that blends well with a neutral colour scheme of taupe, and black and white Garden or Porch signs. 

To create this look on your Front Porch or Verendah, ask for Driftwood, Lichen, and Black or Soot Cottage Paint. For more information on Cottage Paint, visit https://cottagepaint.com/

If you are looking for unique finds for your Summer Porch or Verandah, visit The Camellia, at 30, Hacquoil Rd. in Slate River, Ontario. We are 10 minutes from the Thunder Bay Airport. 

Open Wed. through Sunday. 11-5, or 12-5p. 

p 807-475-3551