Studio stuff...

Take a look at this beauty...
No photos of this weeks haul just yet, I was too busy getting this baby cleaned up and ready for my studio, not to mention getting up extra early Sat. morning to go back for it's friend... I knew as soon as I got this cool cubby home on Friday afternoon that I couldn't bring myself to part with it. The guys at the sale kept heckling me about the other one (which is identical) but since I tightened my budget, I just smiled and said no thanks.

I RETURNED to the sale promptly at 9AM Saturday made a bee line to the back with my fingers crossed, the same bunch of guys resumed their heckling because they knew what I was after.

So...as the saying goes: one for me/ one for you...

Lesson learned! Tragedy averted!

Now, off to fill up my treasure with items I like to have in plain sight but have tucked away because I can't stand clutter in my creative space....Which translates: I may actually use some of my hoarded hidden goodies on the cool projects they were intended for. Which translates: more room for more stuff!!! And oh how I love stuff...

Good Friends are hard to find...

Here's the story:

In the Nursing home where I worked before shop life, there was a girl to which I refer to as, "Debbie-doodle-hopper", (for those of you that don't know me well, I tend to make up names for people, things, tools, your usual everyday life stuff, the longer your around me the easier it is to understand to what it is I'm talking about, hence the name above) any ways...Debbie-doodle-hopper is a fellow junk aficionado, collector of things, obsessor of decorating much like myself, I happened to mention I have a penchant for Mannequins, low and behold doesn't this gem get delivered to me by my BFF, not an aficionado shall we say, after a luncheon at of all places the Country Club (No, neither of us are members by any stretch, but that's a whole other story...) I squealed loudly, with joy, I do believe the fella's on the 8th hole were perplexed as I scooped and danced my way back to the car with this baby. My BFF shaking her head asking, "What the ....never mind I know you love it!"

And love it I do!!!!
My plan is to make her look very vintage, neutral beige, French stamps etc.

Let the fun begin...

Even my sweet pooch ('Cuse) to which I refer to as Dolly or Dolly-pop, again with the nicknames, wanted in on the action!!! She is very prissy and loves to stick her fat head in a good photo-op, usually I edit her out but they both looked so cute, good thing she's a quick ol' gal, or she may get added to my vintage make-over list...

Thanks Deb!

Friday Finds and Saturday Treasures Continued...

You know your life is out of control when:you drive around for

5 days with a full rig of goodies that you don't have time to unload...

So...

Yesterday I got to enjoy a mid-week dose of junk as I unloaded all of my treasures. It was like the thrill of the hunt all over again. (Sometimes on the second day of an estate sale you just grab stuff and toss it in your Mary Poppinsesque bag so no one else snatches it up before you do, sounds a little crazy I know but it's a jungle out there!!!)

Who could resist vintage cake decorating and the sweetest baby book.

These are the coolest numbered tacks you've ever seen...

Great vintage ribbon and trims, and the little covered dish is filled with the sweetest little vintage hair pins.

This mailbox is waiting to be transformed into the true beauty I know it is...

Great old file folders, and oh the joy I felt when I scooped up this amazing French themed hat/wig box, with the Eiffel tower and all, don't get too excited girls this ones staying with me....

Among things not pictured well were a vintage metal flower frog, 4 wonderful French books, bingo cards, kitchen utensils, laundry basket and cool old suitcase...

Shop talk...

This photo speaks for itself, how such a simple collection of mismatched do-dads can sometimes just artfully come together...

My September window front is in the works, I'm thinking warm creams and vanillas mixed with browns and soft neutrals, a hint of warn silver, and texture, loads of texture.

I hate to rush summer but my head is spinning with fall ideas.

and,
here is a little peek at a few weekend finds:


More to come...

Shop fun...

5 Things

you would put in a trap

if you

wanted to catch me....

Buttons, buttons glorious buttons, any size, shape, age or color, but if you put mother of pearl buttons in the trap I would break my leg getting in.

Need I say more!!!

Vintage salt shakers, is there anything as simple and sweet???

Why pack light, Seriously!!!

And the trap wouldn't be complete with out a touch of the sparkle...

This blog was brought to you with inspiration from:http://vintagerescue.typepad.com/vintage_rescue_squad/

Out and About...

The road to Madison Bouckville was long and hot but sooooooooooooo worth it...

Over 1,000 vendors very diverse, but for me there were 3 stand outs this trip:

THE FIRST WAS:

French Vanilla

So visually appealing, so French and the owner of the booth Peg Van Dyne was lovely.

THE SECOND:

A-R-T-I-F-A-C-T-S

Beth Cunningham has terrific packaging, great, inexpensive soldered charm jewelery, pendants, vintage typewriter key bracelets, lavender, the sweetest ephemera packets. This is were I spent the most money. ( Just for me!!!)

AND THE THIRD:

Denise Russo, from New Castle, PA

She was very helpful when asked, What's it like to do shows?" Just in case I may head down that road?????

Her booth was so shabby, so me!!!!

Loved it!

Inside my bubble:

I have been in a bit of a funk lately, the shop is slow, the search for new goodies is just not panning out, creatively sapped, financially strapped, blah blah blah right. Everyone is feeling the poor economic climate, and the summer heat has finally hit. Sooooooooo...

We hit the road, Rob and I had a great time at the splash park this past week, he played while I caught up on my pile of magazines and new publications. Seeing all the delicious pics in the new Where Women Create and Summerset Home stirred my creative juices. Went to Buttermilk Falls on Friday with a crew of gal pals and kiddo's, also a great time.

Hit 2, yes 2 fab estate sales on Saturday morning before opening the shop, it was like something was nudging me to go, thank heavens I listened, great photos on the way. Then, the granddaddy of Antique Shows on Sunday.

New Creations!!!

3 pretty blue canning jars embellished for the beach...

Friday Finds and Saturday Treasures

This weekend was a little sparse but I did find a good selection of glass:

I'm not sure why but I seem to be collecting beautiful shoes, all to small to cram my big fat foot into, however there is a project out there just waiting for them I'm certain of it...

Great Book!

Yesterday I bought Blogging for Bliss at Barnes & Noble,

Love it!!!!!!!!

Anyone thinking about starting a blog or enhancing their existing site must, must must grab this book... You can also check out Tara Frey's blog at:http://bellapink.typepad.com/

Shop talk...

I'm a beach baby at heart!!!!

There is nothing like a day at the beach even when you live in Upstate NY...

The jewels are a creation of "Designs by Sandy," they will be on sale at the shop for the month of August. Sandy is a great local gal, who is also a beach baby at heart, her collection is fun and affordable. Be sure to stop in to check out all of the new goodies.

Shop talk...

Signs Signs eveywhere Signs...

In preperation of the new window theme I have been working on some beachy signs:

Stay tuned for my progress!!!

Class is in...

This past Tuesday I taught my first non-nursing class!!!

I was nervous, excited, worried, excited, freakin' out, excited, you get the idea.

...But as I began gathering supplies from my studio trying to keep within Lindsey's Wedding theme and colors I began to notice that the doo-dads in and of themselves were beautiful, falling together in a natural stream of simplicity, putting my nerves somewhat at ease. Take a look:

Lindsey is getting married in the fall and has wonderfully creative ideas, a girl after my own heart, so our goal was to antique and embellish photo frames to use as table markers for her guests. As you can see even Dollar Store frames with a little love and glitz can become the sweetest works of he"art".

Thanks for a fun night girls!!!