Friday Junk Finds

Well, those crazy Washintonians managed to throw a FEW Garage sales today,,,,inspite of our Winter-like Weather! I didn't buy Much,,,but I think I got some pretty good deals for my $14 Bucks!

Actually, I'm cheating a bit, because I bought this paded Chest of drawers Yesterday out in Monroe.....

2 Bucks!

It'll be great in my Studio to hold Papers

The Brackets 25 cents and the dented up old Watering Can,,,,,a Buck.

So I'm up to a grand total of $3.50.....

Also found these fun old Garden Tools,,,,,,a Qtr each!

The little turquoise dish was Spendy,,,,$3.00! But I loved the color and the shape....

Free Turquoise Bias Tape.....

$1.00 each on the Vintage hangers......a Bit steep, I know!

Grand total to this point was $9.00 Bucks........

My "Big" Purchase...$5.00!

Then, I stumbled on these Vintage Japanese Butterfly Picks....The Seller Hardballed me,,,,Ya know, I just have to buy this Funky old Whimsical Stuff when I see it!

(He did throw in the Vintage lace bias tape above,,,,so I didn't feel totally robbed!)

Well, not any HUGE finds,,,,but my $14 Bucks went pretty far!

Have a GREAT weekend, whatever you do! I'm headed back to Joyworks tomorrow after being gone for 2 weeks! Between first being sick and then going to Farm Chicks,,,,,I feel like I've been gone forever! Can't wait to see what's NEW in the store!

Hugs Love and a "Junky" Bus on the Cheek!

Shell

Day from HE......Double Hockey Sticks! Ackk!

So? Last nite, I found out my mom's BF Helen (91) got a bite from her POM last week.,,,,when Helen woke up in the middle of the nite to go to the Loo,,,,,aka Water Closet......and as she stepped out of her bed, she landed on her BF, "Mikey" and well, suprised little furball that he was,,,,,,he BIT her.

Long story Short, Helen got a bad infection from the Bite,,,,,and ended up in the Hospital......Where I visited her today! She's 5ft nothin', a former gymnist,,,,,,alligator Hunter and one of the most interesting people you could ever meet! I stayed with her for several hours today,,,,and after they examined he infected foot, She did a maneuver,,,that many of US 50 somethin' gals could only dream of! I swear, she could have wrapped that leg around her neck,,,,,she's so flexible!

Came home and tried to log on only to fail after abour 4 attempts and spending,,,,,,I kid you NOT, HOURS with a Techie, Cindy, from Frontier........I of course, do NOT blame her, but I have had TONS of log on problems,,TV problems,,,,since Verizon cheked out........

I've decided after Cindy FINALLY helped me log back on that I'll tell my "Boys" I want them to name my first Grandaughter after Her.......it's only right, given her patience and help.........

And THEN? I loaded up the dogs and figured I'd hit the last of the Farmer's Market,,,,,only to see them close everything down...Okay,,,,it was a BIT late,,,,,and hopefully they sold all there stock,,,,,,and those last couple of slices of Gourmet Pizza I've come to love.........

So,,,Before Shell heads home,,,,,,,she hits the Best Mom and Pop Drive in in town,,,,,,a "short order of their Fish and Chips for Me,,,,,,,and a SMALL cone for the dogs....ONLY,,,,I let my food off the Break,,,,,,,And,,,my little Focus "kissed" the Bumper of the HUGE deluxe SUV in front of me........I actually thought, initially,,,,,it was kind of Funny, because I almost didn't feel it.....And then the "Soccer Mom" from HE... came out and looked at her bumper,,,,,,and I did Too,,,,,and said she THOUGHT MAYBE there was a scratch in her pearlized Paint Job......So I gave her my Info,,,,,,,,and as she's writing it all down, she's telling me she's Divorcing her Husband,,,,,,,,the,,,,,,,,Tada.....Insurance Adjuster......

Well knock your socks off Missy,,,,,truly, I didn't SEE any damage,,,,and any "Scratches" in your pearlized paint job could have been put there by the Body builder you had rub out your last wax Job.......

So,,Not a fun day,,,,,well other than "Little" Helen made me laugh in the Hospital........I guess having a sense of Humor gets us through a lot!~ Again,,,,,,,,Pssssst, Thanks to Cindy at Frontier,,,,,,your job may be a pain in the arse at times,,,,,,,but YOU my dear were great! And to the SUV MOM?,,,,,,,I hope you figure out what is important in this life,,,,,and what isn't! That might have saved your Marriage too,,,who knows?

Goin' "Junkin" a bit tomorrow,,,,,,great stress reduction! Have a Great Friday!

Hugs, Love, a heavy sigh, laugh and a Bus on the Cheek for those that HAVE figured out what is important.......and what is not!
Shell

(Prayers for Helen, to get back home SOON! She's too fun, to feisty and generally to healthy to do otherwise!)

"The Hurrier I go, the Behinder I get!"

I can't remember where I heard that phrase,,,but it certainly applies to me this week! How can it be Wednesday already???? I feel like I just got home from Farm Chicks and Shew! Half the week is gone!

I DID get a few orders finished today,,,,including this Custom Crown,,,,which I think turned out pretty cute...Okay, honestly? One of the funnest things I've ever made!

Full of Vintage Goodness....including a little shell Cabochon from Cheri to embellish the "B" emblem....

I used some of the Vintage Wallpaper from the Book I found last month......Just loved this paper! Vintage Flowers, Ribbons,lace, pearls, shells and some Pink Dresden stars thrown in for good measure.....

Hope the Birthday Girl (and Grandma) Like it!

I also got some "Wands" done today,,,,,,(Elise) and got boxes and padded envelopes to send out a few other things tomorrow! I'm making headway,,,,,I THINK!

Hugs, Love and a Happy Wednesday Bus!

Shell

Farm Chicks,,,,Part Deux

Sunday Morning, Mary and I headed back for "Round Two" of Farm Chicks. It was a BIT less hectic and offered a few more photo ops! As far as Booth Designs go, I'd have to say  it was a Toss up for me for Favorite Booths,,,,,Vintage Charm's Booth,,,Complete with "Designer Chickens" in a DRESS form,,,,I know,,,,,Shut up!

Where I ran into my friend Rene' Groom.......and also bought the CUTEST shopping tote EVER! Ackkk!

Check it OUT!

My fun, Grain Sack Shopping tote.....Love it!

But right across the way was THIS darling booth! I loved everything about it........

A little bit Whimsey, a little bit Country, a bit of Romance........

Too Cute,,,,,I'll be following their blog and if you'd like to Check it out here's the Linky  Lipstick Gypsy

I also stopped by "Blue Canoe." They come up from Southern California every year and have the most amazing Antiques and hand crafted items! I picked up a little "Somethin,' somethin.'

If it's got Cherubs or Wings,,,,,,I've gotta have it!

Last year,,,,,,I bought a Dress form at Farm Chicks from a gal that uses the old French technique.......She explained to me at the time that the dress makers re-created a 3D form of their clients to produce clothing to size. I tried to get a Business Card from her,,,,a Internet site, an Email,,,,you name it. But she doesn't "DO" all that. So I hoped and prayed that she'd be at the show again THIS year. I wanted another one for my Art Studio. I didn't find her on Saturday, last year she was by Deb's Garden Party booth.

BUT,,,,,,I did find her on Sunday and I was SO excited to see her and buy another dress form!

Here's Sharon, hiding a bit behind my purchase.......Love it! This one covered in a French pattern. So here's the deal.........I want to get Sharon to come over to Snohomish and give a Class. If you are interested ,,,,,and you SHOULD be if you're local......leave me a comment or send me an Email! How fun would it be?
Well, right after I left Sharon's booth, I fell in love with the ultimate "Party Dress." No,,,it won't fit my middle aged bod,,,but it WILL be cute in my Studio!

Voila!

And, well, then.......Shell found a bit of Whimsey. here and there.....Fun things to use on Birthday Hats, Boxes, Crowns and the likes........I'm somewhat embarrased to say I got a whole bag of Japanese "Whimsey" for $2 Bucks..... And check out the "GIANT" Ballerina's and Clown heads.....Not your standards,,,,they are HUGE! I wish she would have had more of the Ballerinas!....And yeah, I know, the Clowns are a BIT creepy,,,,,,,and yet....

I love these Pink Beetles from Japan.....well, ya know, it's the LITTLE things!

I found this fun Collar Box at one of the Vendors I found last year.....kind of ironic that you gravitate towards certain Spaces.....

This old Rusty Car was a Whoot! I loved the colors that they embellished it with!

Side View......

How FUN would this old Car be in your Yard???

I liked the "Cleaning in Progress" sign too,,,,,Perhaps I should put it on my porch,,,,,that way, people would ignore the Clutter and THINK I was actually Cleaning! HA!

A few last photos of Friends and Fellow Vendors......There are many I missed! Love you all and BIG thanks for making it such a GREAT SHOW!

My Friend Linda-Crafter/Junker/Antiquer helping out her Artistic  Fabric artist, Jo Marie........

The Sweet and talented Joy of "Auntie Joy," Pictured here with "Mr. Joy." Their booth was Hoppin'! Always fun to see what they're up to!

The Multi-talented and Dear Isabel from Maison Douce'........Always a Show Favorite and one of the BEST! This woman keeps more balls in the air than anyone I know! Juggling Family, Shows, Junkin' and crafting,,,,,,A-Mazing!

Her Accomplice, Friend and Partner Lisa from "A Thing For Roses."  Always LOVE to see these two, whether we are doing a Show together,,,,or whether I'm buying their goodies! I met Lisa through Blogland long before I met her.....Love her to pieces! I don't think I've EVER seen her without a smile!

There were TONS of other Vendors and Shopper friends that I WISH I would have gotten photos of. This was the FIRST show in a long time that I just attended......didn't have a  Vendor space! And yes, it WAS my vacation! The elegant Hotel, Quality time with my Sis-in-Law....the Shopping, the Time off from Joyworks, from orders pending and plans for future Classes and Shows.

Today, I organized my Studio a BIT.....partially in preperation for Karen's "Where Blogger's Create" Event, and partially to add the bits and bobs I bought at the show.......

Tomorrow,,,,I'll hit the ground running, finishing some orders, sending some packages and goodies that I've put off after doing 2 Shows, being Sick and leaving Town...So if you don't have it, you WILL soon!

Hope you're having a great week! I'm feeling inspired and directed.......Leave a LINK if you'd like about YOUR Farm Chicks experience! I'd love to share!

It was GREAT FUN!

Hugs, Love and a BUSY but directed Bus on the Cheek!

Shell

Chicks, Junk and Friends.....Farm Chicks 2011 Part 1

Wowza! What a fun weekend in Spokane! My Sister in law Mary and I headed out on Friday Morning, for the 300 or so Mile Drive -to Sunshine, the Davenport Hotel, Friends, Antiques and Junk galore,,and Oh yeah, a couple of REAL chicks thrown in for good measure........

This is a long post,,,,but it was SUCH a fun filled weekend,,,,it was hard to leave anything out! So read, or peruse as you will........

Historic Downtown Spokane.....

Mary, my awsome "sis-in-law" since the age of 9 and "Antiquer extrordinaire"....... and "Mr. Davenport "in the Lobby of the "Old Davenport"

Gorgeous Hotel! (We stayed in the "Towers" across the Street)

 A few Random Images from Both Buildings........

After we got settled in, it was back over to the Main Hotel and the legendary Peacock Room for Dinner.......

Complete with an Albino Peacock!

When WHO should we run into? But Some other Gorgeous "Chicks!"

(Andi, Cheri, and Jana (my co-worker from Joyworks))

Tired, but we're SO happy to Be here! We had an awesome Dinner and a Glass of the Local Wine! Yummy!

And in the Morning,,,,,,,on to Farm Chicks! (I know you're saying, Shell, it took you long enough to post what we really wanna see!)

First Stop, my dear friend, Deb Bock's "Garden Party" Booth!

Stop IT! She was Hoppin'! So a Quick Hi, and Back later for a "Photo-Op", How Cute is She,,,,and her Booth!

Deb's Fun "Live" Dress Form,,,,complete with Flowers.......

Too Pretty!

(If you're local and you missed Farm Chicks, You can catch Deb and the "Junkin'" Gang NEXT weekend at Second Saturdayz in Seattle)

Then I was on to-----(Breathe Shell, Breathe)  my "Drug of Choice" Dealers,,,,,Jennifer and Diane......

Jennifer and Diane,,,,

Vintage and Antique Ribbons/Trims, Pearls, Millenery, Oh My,,,,,,

This is my FAV!!!!! I want it ALL!

A few of my Finds there:

Vintage Velvet Ribbons ,,,,,I'm in LOVE!

Pearls, Feathers and MORE Ribbons, DUH!

And, of COURSE, I found MORE Lace,,,,,and a few fun Porcelain Heads elsewhere!

During my Hunt, I ran into a  lots of Snohomish friends and Joyworks Customers,Vendors and shop owners, including a couple of Folks that I've come to know and Love this last year....

The talented and Colorful Maxine (Ctr) of Maxine's Floral Design fame in Seattle and the dear and handsome Todd, from Bountiful Home in Edmonds, along with a dear friend of theirs, that, honestly? They introduced me to, and in the Chaos of the Show, I've forgotten her name! (Maxine was my pink hair inspiration, after I met her last October,,,,,and I thought, I am SO about that!)

Much more to share tomorrow in "Farm Chicks, Part Deux" but I'll leave you with a pic of Moi and Jenny Doh at the Saturday Nite "Farm Chicks Dinner."

Jenny and Moi,,,,,too fun! She's the Bestest!

 I knew she was coming to Washington to promote her awesome new book, "Signature Styles," but, it was SO fun to see her this weekend again! My "Crafting Buddy" from Silver Bella in Omaha. Jenny and I shared supplies and tools at the last art session of Silver Bella and then chatted extensively over cocktails on the closing nite. I really enjoyed getting to know her and sharing our mutual "horror" stories of growing up as "1st generation" Americans to immigrant parents.

But, too funny, at the  Farm Chicks Dinner? Jenny introduced me to Heather Bullard as her "Party Friend from Silver Bella." So,,,,, I just had images of wearing a Lampshade at the Next venue Jenny and I attend together! Okay,,,,but it's going to be an ALTERED lamp shade! (Too bad I can't attend Kim Caldwell's next event in a couple of weeks-I'm sure there will be a few gals there that would be game too!,,,,)

I'll share the rest tomorrow-more fun booths, friends, purchases, etc! And I'll link to some other Farm Chick Posts.......please feel free to add YOUR link to this post, or tomorrow's, if you attended the show or had a Booth! I'd LOVE your "take," and I'm sure others would love YOUR perspective/Pics too!

Hugs, Love and a "Chicky" Bus on the Cheek!
Shell

Farm Chicks Rocked!

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwww! Farm Chicks Rocked! Can't wait to tell you more tomorrow! Stay Tuned..........

And in spite of all the Fun,,,,,,there truly IS, no place like home!

Hugs, Love and a Bus,

Shell!

Where Blogger's Create Event

I WAS going to wait and post after I got home from Farm Chicks next week, but my Blog friend Karen Valentine posted info today about THE 3rd Annual "Where Blogger's Create" Event,,,,Which will be starting, July 15th for viewing.  But, IF you want to take part and show your workspace(s), you need to respond on  Karen's Blog  at
MyDesertCottage  If you'd like to view any of the over 300 of the blogs that took part in LAST years Blog Event, she's got links up at her site now to review those.

 This will be my 3rd year participating, and truly? More than anything? The first year Karen encouraged me to participate even though I was a new blogger...She was so sweet and so upbeat that even though I was a bit dismayed by my then Studio, I couldn't resist. And, well, for the last two years, her event has been a trigger for getting my space more organized and creating a more inspirational "zone," if you will, for me.

So,,,,,even though it's kind of like "getting ready for Company",,,,I have kicked into high gear to photograph my little work space in this old house and my previous studio in the last two years..... I've gained insight and inspiration from others and have continued to evolve/alter my creative space. Love this Event!

Last year, Karen teamed up with "Stampington" and  the "Where Women Create" Publication, And, a couple of lucky participants in Karen's event were included in those Quarterlies. THE "Brass Ring," if you will, on the Creative Carousel. You do NOT have to have aspirations of being published to participate.....just sharing your storage ideas, what moves you to create is inspirational to all......I've gained a LOT from even the simple concepts, and I'm sure you can too!

So,,,,,all that said, stop by and leave a comment with Karen, if you want to Enter. If you just want to check out all the creative space ideas, You can stop by here in about 6 weeks and I'll share the link.....OR add Karen to your "Fav" blogs and check out last years spaces....and This years too!

(Checkin' my  packing List for Farm Chicks! Leaving Friday Morning! Hope to see you there,,,,,or I'll share MY experience at ....."The Historic Davenport Hotel.", The Farm Chicks Event Sat., THE  Farm Chicks Dinner Sat Eve, and a wrap up on Sunday! ) Yeeeeeeeeee Haaaaaaaaaa! Spokane or BUST!

Hugs, Love and a "Chicky Bus!"
Shell