Saturday, April 26, 2014

Orange Day in Holland, The King's Birthday, Part 1.

It's the King's Birthday in Holland this weekend ( formerly known as Queen's Day). With the new King, the first male monarch since 1890: King Willem-Alexander ....., the holiday was renamed to King's Day. It's a weekend of grand partaay-ing, lots of festivities, Parades, flea- markets, and if you're going to participate in the mayhem, wear ORANGE. It is without question, the biggest national holiday in Holland. Come along with us,on Orange Day, 2012.



 First step, figure out how to buy train tickets in Dutch, from a  machine. Took us a while to figure this out.





Onto a bigger train, note to self, they did not take credit cards here, only cash, so another trip to the cash machine.... In Holland, cash seems to be the preferred form of currency.

But wait a minute, are you dressed in something Orange? You must wear Orange on Orange Day. This stems from the Dutch monarchy, the House of Orange. To find out more about King's Day, visit http://www.holland.com/global/tourism/article/queens-day-will-be-kings-day.htm











Too funny, Dutch high-heeled clogs. Might be a tad uncomfortable for all the walking you'll be doing today.

Here we are in the town of Berkel, which is near Pijnacker...... The King's Birthday is also a day when all the kids ( and grown-ups) can sell their unused items in the Town squares without any fees or taxes. of course, I am totally excited about the prospect of finding old stuff, aka, antiques. I've been warned that it's mostly kids toys and strollers, but you 've heard the saying, 'one man's trash is another man's treasure.'
















Yes, there is lots of kid stuff, but in between, some treasures, I had to have those old watering cans. 





And we snagged an old typewriter, complete with original case. Love the pots with the green moss on them. At this point, my Dutch relatives are asking, but how are you going to get these onto the plane...? Good question, indeed! I wasn't thinking about that part.
Onwards to the Markets in Delph, in Part 2, to follow.

Here at #TheCamellia, we are celebrating King's Day with lots of orange merchandise!



Come visit us at The Camellia,
30 Hacquoil Rd. p-807)475-3551
Open Wednesday through Sunday. Open today, Saturday, 11-5p.Sunday, Noon-5p.

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Celebrate Easter & Spring at The Camellia, Thunder Bay



 Hello! It's time to celebrate Easter and Spring...and..and..what Spring? It's completely WHITE OUT THERE! Can a person go beserk from TOO MUCH WINTER?
The only thing you can do is come out and Visit The Camellia! Banish all traces of Winter from your home, add Faux Hyrangeas in Vases, try our Healthy Home fragrances to get that Spring smell into your Home. Make up your bed with our new cotton Bedding collection - Kate.
We are Open Fri.April 18, 2014,  11-4. 
Sat. 11-5. and Easter Sunday 12-4.






 I just want to see green grass...not white, just GREEN. Can you relate?






 We have Flowers to brighten up someone's day - call 1-877-523-7444, or in Thunder Bay, (807)475-3551. Delivery available.





 Easter Fuzzie-wuzzie.




 If I could transport myself...I would be in ..where would you go? For me it would be Holland. Tulips, Daffodils, Keukenhof, Flower Markets......



 Flowers, flowers, I must have Flowers.






 Colour lifts one's spirits. Notice how Flowers are always bright and cheery, seen any grey flowers lately...??




Happy Easter everyone! Come visit us here at The Camellia. We're just south of Arthur St. 10 mins. from the Thunder Bay Airport. Head south along Hwy. 61, left on Hacquoil Rd. #30.
p- (807)475-3551



Friday, April 11, 2014

Spring is here at The Camellia!

Spring is definitely here! The Robins have returned! Even though we still have 2 feet of snow on the ground, it is melting away nicely. A big Thank You to all of you who stopped by our booth at the Spring Home & Garden show, we enjoyed meeting all of you.







We are inspired by Yellow -such a cheery colour. Our Forsythia Birch wreath.






Such a fun purse with the polka dots, and look at that wonderful grey & yellow Bedding - 100% Cotton, which makes it washable and breathable.



 We have loads of realistic Spring Flowers - blue hydrangeas mixed with white Tulips.



 Like our take on Spring?



 Need a great lace Runner for your Easter table? We have lots, in many sizes.




 Our much-loved Tablecloths -water repellent and stain-resistant. Great price - $24.95 and $27.95, and we have sizes up to 126", and 70 "Round. Come into our store on Hacquoil Rd. to get one.





 Just arrived - Kate Bedding. In a wonderful grey and blue washed palette.






 Great Easter bouquet for someone - no-care, no fuss, a great gift for someone in long-term care.






We showed this dresser at the Spring Home & Garden show - a Cottage Paint make-over.
Come into our store at The Camellia, to get some, or take a class in Beginners Cottage Paint.
The Camellia, 30 Hacquoil Rd. 
p-807-475-3551
Open Wed. through Sunday. Sat. 11-5. Sunday 12-5p.

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Happy April 1st.!

Happy April 1st.. and the joke is on us in Thunder Bay, we are in the midst of a lovely ( not!) Springinter storm of snow, freezing rain and ice. Not to worry, Caribbean people living in Thunder Bay will not be bothered by this nonsense. We are packing like crazy, getting ready for the Spring Home & Garden show starting this Friday at the C.L.E grounds and the Sportsdome. We are inspired by Flowers... bright colours....nests...green moss...and Bunnies.








 Fresh Flowers always make you feel better. Go treat yourself to some today.





 In the Spring , there are all kinds of Birds nests to be found in the branches, collect them and display under a glass cloche. We will have some cloches for sale at the Garden show.






 Willow branches seem to signify Spring - none here yet.




 I don't know about you, but here at The Camellia we are craving Green  .... and waiting to see open, running water in all the ditches and local streams. The sound of a babbling brook is so nice.





 The oh-so-cute Easter fuzzie-wuzzies. We will have these at our booth.







Hand-made stainless steel Flowers, deer proof. Get lots of Ideas and products for your Home & Garden at the Spring Home & Garden show, see The Camellia in the Coliseum building, Booths #2 and 3. We will be busy setting up for the Garden show so we will be closed here at The Camellia on Wed. Thurs. and Friday.
The Camellia 
30, Hacquoil Rd. p-(807)475-3551


Thursday, March 20, 2014

Happy Spring!



Yes, you heard that right, today is the first Day of   S P R I N G !!  ( even though we continue to be blessed with gifts of Snow).Shown in the photo above is a mason jar painted with Cottage Paint, holding fresh daffys and faux bulbs, yes you can mix fresh and faux flowers.






This morning, I was once again scraping ice and snow off my windshield, and saying a few choice words. I am looking forward to Spring, and am dreaming of this field of muscari blooms at Keukenhof in Lisse, Holland. Lucky duck who lives there!






How do you get through the Spring blahs....? Definitely poring over gardening magazines helps. We are busy getting ready for the Spring Home & Garden show coming up April 4, 5, 6 , 2014 at the CLE grounds.





Inspired by our Spring colours in Cottage Paint. And hats off to those of you who are painting away, getting all their refinishing projects done before the nice weather gets here. Cottage Paint classes coming up again in mid April, keep checking our website at www.thecamellia.com





Find inspiration in budding branches. You can force them indoors by placing branches in a bucket of water, and wetting them down in the shower. They may take a while, but they will bud indoors.




Yellows and greens seem to be popular this Spring.



Love the Yelows and greys.








Colour is everywhere, as seen in this display of Fiesta ware.






Come visit us at The Camellia for colourful Spring Inspiration. We are open Wed. through Sunday.
Friday.....11-5, Sat. 11-5. Sun. 12-5.
30 Hacquoil Rd. 
p-(807) 475 3551

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Spring, Camellia Style.

 
 
 
 
 
It's Thyme to Uncrate Spring! Brighten up your Home with Spring colours - pinks, mauve, yellows, greens, and blues.
The quickest Spring fix? Mix faux Dahlias ( that's the ones in our photo collage, for sale at The Camellia ) with fresh bunches of purple or pink Hyacinths. Add some branches from outdoors, and voila, instant Spring!
Just in, lovely Tablecloths like the one shown, this is Cutwork with embroidered Daylilies. You simply have to come in to see all our patterns.

Just arrived ...KATE .. a 100% cotton Bedding collection ( featured in upper left corner of collage). Kate is a great choice for a master bedroon at Camp or at Home, featuring washed tones of greys, blues and ivorys. This pattern is part of the Brunelli line, customers often tell us that their Brunelli Bedding  is still going strong 7 years later. And cotton is washable, and breathes, making it a great choice if you share your bed with kids and pets.


BEGINNERS COTTAGE PAINT CLASS - this Saturday, March 15th. 1-4p.

This is a good class to take if you have never used Cottage Paint before. And you have projects you want to tackle now that the weather is getting warmer. Some of you are redoing bathrooms, some are repainting kitchen cabinets, some are planning on redoing furniture out at camp. We have new Summer colours of Cottage Paint in stock at The Camellia.


 Pre-register by phoning us at 475-3551 or email at thecamellia@hotmail.com

The Camellia - 30 Hacquoil Rd. Slate River, Oliver Paipoonge, Thunder Bay, On.

Friday, March 7, 2014

Spring forward, Tuliptime and The Camellia






 It's March ...and for most of us, the only thing that gets us through to Spring is thinking Spring, and looking at TULIPS!! Of course, Holland is the Tulip capital of the world. 





 We are all craving  green, I can almost smell the odour of a freshly cut lawn......sigh. 







Now is the time to banish Winter, and add Spring to your decor. A vase of curly Willow, with colourful easter eggs makes a great display. The willow will root right in your vase. 






Hyacinths and Muscari blooms. 








Treat yourself to White Lilac shea butter Hand lotion...new stock just arrived at our store , the Camellia.





Mr. Benji is awaiting the arrival of Spring ---  and garden tomatoes. 







And the rest of us are awaiting the start of Garden season.....Pansies from Paulusma's Greenhouses, Thunder Bay. And from De Bruins Greenhouses, Highway 61, Thunder bay. 





I'm sure you are looking forward to sitting outside...warm sunshine, birdies tweeting..





Happy Spring! Don't forget - Daylight Savings Time begins this Sunday, March 9th. 2014 . Take our FREE make-it-and-take-it class at The Camellia - Learn how to make a rolled rose, This Sat. March 8, and Sunday March 9th. at 1 -5. Bridal Open house on this weekend - get a free quote on your Wedding Flowers

The Camellia - 30 Hacquoil Rd. Open: Sat. 11-5. Sun. 12-5p.
p-807)475-3551