Junk Market 2010

{Jill, me and Suzanne}  I am the orange tinted chick in the middle.  Whenever I need a pick me up I get a spray tan.  However against the lovely ivory skin of my friends I look like one of the little people in the Wizard of OZ;) 

For the past several years I have attended the Junk Market Bonanza.  It's a fabulous mix of flea market type vendors that gather together over a three day period.  It appeals to me because you can find all kinds of old repurposed items and some really special finds that can give your house a unique one of a kind feel. 

Suzanne, my new blog friend and partner in shopping crime;), picked me up bright and early on Friday and we made our way to Canterbury Park.  I finally got a chance to meet Jill from Forever Cottage...a.k.a. gym stalker in person;)  She had a role in the whole Junk Market thing.  She wrote on their home page and put together a fun tablescape from items all found at the local ARC store.  She was great.

These pictures are horrible, but it kind of gives you a little idea of what the Junk Market is.  Basically it's old junk that has been geniusly displayed to give you ideas for other purposes.  These people are brilliant in finding ways to reuse and repurpose things. 

Layla from the Lettered Cottage was there.  She's the little blond being followed around with a camera crew.  How weird is that?  Amazing what opportunities and doors can open from having a blog!

I got to meet the super sweet and talented Beth Quinn.  It was fate.  I just happened to be walking by and we both kinda recognized each other.  I'd heard about her and had been to her blog a few times...come to find out she reads MINE:)  Yay!!!

When I read this my eyes filled up a little.  It seems like she made it just for me.  Of course it had to be mine along with...

this beautiful piece...and a few others.  Let's just say Beth Quinn broke the bank!

Oh and remember Melissa from Two Little Tots?? The girl whose house I just painted. I ran into her as we were leaving. The blond tots are hers. Her neighbor has identical twins too. They are all BFF's. Isn't that the cutest thing?:)

I couldn't wait to get home and play with some of the items I bought.  That jewelry display thing is actually an old crib railing.  It worked out perfectly to hang my necklaces on.  LOVE IT!

 

Later that night Jill had planned a little after party at a local coffee house.  I wasn't going to go because honestly that kind of stuff makes me really nervous.  But curiosity was killing me.  I wanted to meet some of the bloggers I had read forever...and well anyway I just did it.  And I'm so glad I did.  I had the opportunity to meet Tracey from French Larkspur.  I always thought she was really sweet when she commented.  It was nice to know she's just like that in person too.  I couldn't really remember what she looked like though until I met her because she never posts pics of herself.  But isn't she a cutie??


We had a nice little chat about color.  Her home is gorgeous...all whites!  She's going to be in a book for heaven's sake.  I feel like a dope now, but I actually said that I didn't know how she lived without color.  I have it EVERYWHERE.  Everything I buy is a color.  If I tried it I know I would mess it up somehow.  She said she would love to incorporate red but she doesn't know how.  I suggested that she do an all red Christmas tree:)  She looked at me like I'd lost my ever-lovin' mind:)  Now that I think of it maybe she thought I meant an actual red tree...oh no!  But isn't it funny how we stick to things we are comfortable with?  I guess that's why God makes us all different.  The world would be pretty boring if we were all carbon copies of each other.

{Mary, Traci, me, Jen, Suzanne}

There was Mary from Urban Farmgirl...KNOCKOUT!  She doesn't put pics of herself either.  I knew she was going to be there, so I went to her blog the night before and searched and searched to only find one tiny little picture of her from like 1999.  Why in the world??  You all know I'm the queen of putting myself out there.  I do it because when I read a blog I like to see who's talking to me.  It makes them real and more relatable.  So don't be afraid.  I want to see who you are! 

Then there was the amazing photographer Traci Thorsen.  Gorgeous!  She reminded me so much of Elizabeth from Bachelor Pad.  It was Elizabeth, but with fiery red hair and a sweet personality.  Then there was Jen Rizzo from Sanctuary Arts.  She was just too cute!  I felt tall next to her.  I always love that.  She was dressed in the cutest outfit.  Spunky to the core.  Don't you love when a person dresses like their personality!  And then Suzanne...tall elegant Suzanne.  Who I learned so much about just from the way she decorates her house.  Like her love for things NOT made in China...HA!  And all things British.  She was just so fun to spend the day with.

I have a few other treasures from the day, but those will have to wait for another time.  Junk Market 2010 was definitely a hit in my book.  Can't wait for next year:)  Maybe you'll be joining us too!

Have a blessed day.

Yes...you are invited:)

Hi girlies...I'm throwing a virtual baby shower for one of my very favorite bloggers today.  Her name is Dawn and she writes the cutest blog called Spontaneous Clapping.  Isn't she a doll??!!  She's due to have her very first baby in October and me and few others...

 thought it would be nice to surprise her with her very own shower.  Isn't that the best idea EVAH!!!

If I could be with Dawn in person and design and create her shower it would look like this.  I love anything backyardish.  We'd have twinkle lights around trees and...

tables with lots of food.  Dawn's a foodie.  It would have to be all her favorites...like meat pie from New Zealand and chocolate covered bacon from the fair...squid or octopus.  HA!  Seriously this girl will try anything.  We'd have to have some unique things.

I'd have a picture line with photos of her and her sweet hubby from when they were little.

Maybe we'd have a cute little theme.  She's having a boy and she lovingly refers to him as peanut...so maybe a circus theme or elephants:)  I thought the Curious George theme was cute.

I'd do the tables with vintage tableclothes and little personalized flower pots.  Kind of girlie, but that's what I know:)   How cute would that be???  All of you would be invited of course;)

And each guest would bring their favorite children's book to stock her little one's library.  Those are some of my favorite memories for sure.  Reading to my first born...hours spent cuddled together...bonding.  Oh how I miss those special moments.

 

These are two of my all time favorite children's books!!  What are yours??

I'd also paint her something for a little boy.  She likes bikes...her baby's nickname is peanut.  I'm not used to boys so it will probably turn out a little ugly.  But maybe it will work;)

We'd have fun cupcakes.  LOTS of cupcakes!!! 

We'd play goofy games and tell stories and share advice. So what better way to give Dawn a real shower than to do just THAT.  If you have some sweet words to encourage her...any advice to pass on or fun stories to share please do.  I know for me that was always my favorite part of any shower anyway:) 

My advice is to not sweat the small stuff.  The baby will adapt to you and your lifestyle.  You don't have to be like so and so.  It's your family and you will be equipt to handle whatever comes along.  Also don't worry about crying.  I remember with Big Chick stressing out trying EVERYTHING to get her to stop crying.  But sometimes they just have to cry.  My doctor told  me once...that babies can't die from crying.  Whew!  As long as you have met their needs and they are safe, crying won't hurt them at all:)  For a new mom those were comforting words.

I am so beyond excited for you Dawn, as you get ready for this next part of your life.  You will make such a great mom.  Can't wait to read all about your new adventures.  Great thing is I'll have a front row seat.   Your little peanut will be real to me...just like you are:)  Love ya!

Have a blessed day.

All photos courtesy Martha Stewart and The sweetest occasion.

A sweet idea!

I had a "client meeting" this week.  Doesn't that sound impressive...HA:)  Melissa commissioned me to paint her house like my blog header and I jumped at the chance.  It's her anniversary today (happy 10th anniversary girl) and my painting is their gift to each other this year.  Isn't that the sweetest idea:)  Her home was soooo cute and a perfect fit for one of my whimsical creations.  She loved it and so that just thrilled my heart.

When she first drove up I was chatting on my phone.  I saw her pull into the space directly across from me and then she immediately backed up and found another spot.  I was like hmmm that's weird, but it didn't register. Not until I asked her why she moved did I see the HUGE "no restaurant parking" sign that was right in front of my face.  At least it wasn't a handicapped spot that would have mortified me.  Anyway I moved my car...cursing my lack of attention to detail.  Have I mentioned I'm not the most detailed person in the world. 



I'm still getting over my nerves about meeting fellow bloggers in person.  I shouldn't worry, because it always works out.  She was SO easy to visit with.  We were both just talking a hundred miles an hour.  Our husband's actually work for the same company and we have a lot in common.  I have a feeling we'll become really good friends. 

Okay so this was her house in emailed photo form. 

This is my interpretation:)  If any of you are interested I would love to do a custom painting for you too.  Just email me for more info.

Have a blessed day.

A nice balance

This is my first quiet week.  Last week I surrounded myself with friends.  If I wasn't with one I was on the phone with one.  Learning to be alone is interesting.  I'm trying to focus more...listen to what's going on inside.  What I keep hearing over and over is be nice.  I have a tendency to push.  I'm a goal driven person.  I make lists.  And that's good.  It helps me accomplish things...feel good about myself.  But it can also feel strict and rigid.


So today instead of running with my heart thudding out of my chest I walked.  Do you know how nice that felt??  Instead of listening to my "butt sweat" music I turned it off and listened to all the critters in the weeds singing...birds chirping.  It was beautiful.  For lunch I didn't have a turkey and cheese sandwich for the millionth time, I had crackers and hummus with some greek yogurt.  And right now I'm going to go take a bath and then maybe read a book!  It feels good to be nice to myself. 

All this probably stems from a new series at church we just started.  Our pastor is challenging us to live like we only have one month left.  There's a book that goes along with it called One Month To Live...Thirty days to a no-regrets life by Kerry and Chris Shook.  I haven't read the book yet, but it's got me thinking. 

What if I did have only one month left?  Would I be watching tv, running, eating leftovers??  Heck no!  I would be soaking everything in.  Surrounding myself with everyone I loved.  Eating whatever sounded good.  Saying exactly what I think.  Blogging like a crazy person...wanting to get in every last thought.  Telling you all that the only thing that matters in this life is to love your people and to love the Lord with all your heart.  Living intentionally...focused on the important bigger picture and forgetting about all the unnecessary little distractions that consume so much time...THAT'S what I would do!

My Honey gets weighted down with this kind of talk.  It's just too much for him.  The death of his dad has made him extremely emotional and sentimental, and if he actually lived like he only had 30 days left...he'd quit his job in a heartbeat, scoop all of us up and take off.  So in reality it's not always productive to think this way.  I think finding a nice balance is key.  Learning to have goals, strive for success all the while still allowing yourself to appreciate and love life......now that's the ticket.  What do you think?

Have a blessed day.

God handpainted the sky for us on our way home from Duluth.  I couldn't put my camera down.  These pics are completely untouched.  It was an amazing show.