5 years

Some of my favorite shots from Nate & I's wedding 5 years ago today.

I love you babe.

new media

Thanks to my Mac and Vista Print....I will be debuting these postcards at the upcoming Junk Bonanza. I think it gives a pretty good feel for what I do, don't you?

weekend finds

Some days the 'second hand stars' are just aligned. Saturday, I met a dear friend Molly at an estate sale. We are both gearing up for our perspective big shows...her's the Creative Connection & mine, the JUNK BONANAZA. We have both been burning the midnight oil to bring our 'A' games to these markets, so we felt a little shopping would do wonders for the creative soul...and it did.

I found so many great treasures, most of which will be making their way up north in a few short weeks. Here is a small sampling....

this juicy coral, vintage suitcase

quirky, angry owl coasters

a very deep and low wooden chair...quite comfy too

3 white wicker bucket chairs

a beautifully illustrated, old German school primer (it is an inch & a half thick)

a large zinnia painting (that just might find its way on MY walls)

and my favorite...20 aerial posters from the Wisconsin DNR (circa 1975) of various counties...perfect for framing and oh so graphic....JACKPOT !

So- now with that bit of shopping to refresh me....I am spending the rest of the week transforming all those 'not so ready for sale items'. Pictures, of course, to follow.

VB recap

WOW- now that was a bazaar.

Thanks to all the vintage folks who turned out Sunday (I heard there was over 5000 of you) to score on cool retro & funky vintage finds at the Vintage Bazaar in Chicago.

It was great meeting you all and I hope your new found treasures bring you much joy and a BIG thank you to my partner in crime Diana, for asking me to join her. Some of the big hits that went quick were....

the green lantern

the fabulous Joan chair

and the salvaged door with new glass. If this one slipped thru your hands....I also do custom windows.

Just email me and we can talk about colors....

AND, if there was anything else you saw you liked, most will be available in my online shop in a few days. If not, I'll be back for the next one. I heard it will be around the holidays and in the same fabulous location. OR, mark Nov 20th on your calendars for the Craft Mafia's DIY show. I will be there, along with a ton or craft artists, with some of my own creations. Join me on Facebook or bookmark this blog and I'll let you know when and where once I know.

I was able to do a quick lap of the joint before they opened the doors and found a few treasures of my own. A beautiful turquoise vase and this awesome orange necklace- both for $9...yes BOTH.

Thanks again and see you soon-

the Joan chair

On a recent trip to Buffalo, I snatched up this chair at Second Hand Rose. She was a little beat up and the floral fabric, just did not do that shape justice.

And that shape is what drew me in. Curvy and very 1960's, so it was no surprise that this character came to mind once I got her home.

Mad Men's Joan Hollaway. She just oozes 60's glamour. Sexy & feminine, all while being the backbone that holds Sterling Cooper together.

Always wearing the most fabulous fashions, I knew the fabric for this mod chair had to be just right.

After searching pages and pages of Etsy....I found this.

A 1960's fabric from The Vintage Bag Lady. Cocoa brown, hot pink all in a ribbed texture. Perfect...CLICK- (add to cart.)

For the frame, I went classic. Instead of painting the wood, I sanded and re-stained it a rich mahogany.

Finally, layering new batting, an organic cotton top, that luscious mod fabric & Joan was ready for a long day at the office.

Want to take Joan home with you ? Come see it in person at this Sunday's Vintage Bazaar in Chicago.

recycled art for recycled dogs

Remember this, my salvaged kitchen cabinet art. I made it for an event here in Wisconsin, but turned out they were not into auction items, so back to my studio it went.

Fast forward many months....

While reading Margo's blog (a fellow "junker") I heard about another Greyhound organization, that WAS looking for auction items. Well, she connected me with the folks over at Greyhound Unlimited in Texas and "greyhound dreams" was on the auction block.

I just got word that the auction has ended and my recycled cabinet art raised $151.00 for the pups. I am just beaming. This piece was symbolic in so many ways. Not only the dictionary pages and the flying bones, but since these dogs are being given a second life, it was fitting that the canvas was too.

Thanks to all who bid, and congratulations to Sherry....your piece will be on its way to you soon. I hope it brings you years of joy.

It never ceases to amaze me the random connections that the blogging world creates. Thanks Margo, for spreading the word about this wonderful organization. You inspire me in many ways. Makes me warm & fuzzy all over to meet folks who love dogs as much as I do.

images found here & here

the Vintage Bazaar

no sleep for the weary....I am off to Chicago this weekend to join the fabulous Diana for the Vintage Bazaar. For those who don't know, as well as selling my own transformations, I also have a small vintage business and this is THE show.

Held at the Congress Theatre in Logan Square, the VB (as those in the know call it) is chock full of uber cool retro finds.

In our booth, you'll find lots of old school items...globes, books, & boy scout patch projects.

groovy kitchen wares

and some funky lighting

I found it in Buffalo on a big salvage trip and honestly am having a hard time parting with her.

the event runs from 12-7, so stop in and say hi if you are in the neighborhood. Chances are you will bring home some treasures of your own.

the Camille chair

An unexpected find at a local thrift store, this gilded chair had the most interesting construction.

A double lipped seat, a webbed cushion and a harp-like back made it an instant contender for my latest makeover.

I picked up this sweet, bubble gum can of paint at the ReStore for $2 and this seemed the perfect project to test it out on.

and adding to that girlie factor....

leftover black & white fabric from the Celeste. This girl is like her softer, quieter sister.

A wonderful new foam cushion adds to the comfort & design. Camille will be available in my shop soon and as always local delivery is free.

Thanks to all to came out to the Summer Craftacular yesterday. It was a great turn out and really nice meeting so many of you. If anything caught your eye and you are interested in....just shoot me an email. I am always up for custom work too.

Have a great week.

Summer Craftacular

Oh man is this going to be a fun one. Over 70 vendors, a beautiful lakeside venue & did I mention a Tiki bar ! The 6th annual summer Craftacular is this Sunday the 15th from 10-5 at the Eastside club in Madison.

Some of the best local craftsman will be bringing their 'A ' game to this venue. Jewelry, clothing, and from me, lots of transformed treasures. Fisher Price folks, filmstrips, Vintage racket mirrors and a few new ones, like these......

Old license plates, fashioned into wall sconces. Oh, and the glass votive....recycled from a local thrift store of course.

The event is FREE and the first people in the door get a cool canvas goodie bag.

It not to early to start thinking of Christmas presents, so grab a friend and come on down to the Eastside Club. See you there.

Cherry Bounce

Last December 15th, before hitting our dinner reservations, we stopped into the Old Fashioned and had a drink. Behind the bar, they had these 2 huge jars full of this rosy hued liquid. After inquiring, I was informed it was Cherry Bounce....one made with Vodka the other with Brandy.

This heirloom recipe takes the last harvest of Door County cherries, combined with sugar and liquor all in a sealable jar and is stored at least 3 months, (but tradition says Dec 1st is the un corking date). As soon as I sipped mine, I knew I had to make my own.

As much as I was hoping to make it up to Door County this summer to pick my own, I did the next best thing and hit up my local green grocer, Brennan's and picked up a quart of them (already packed in sugar water).

I split my recipe into 2 jars

a quart of Door County tart cherries

1/2 sugar

1 liter of vodka

...and that is it. Off to the basement canning shelf until December 1st. I'll be sure to report the results.

You still have a little time if you want to make it your own. Otherwise....almost any fruit will do.

Cheers.

the Montana chair

As blue as a mountain lake and as rustic as a western landscape, the Montana is number 2 in the lot to be given a makeover.

Heavy and a little too, well country, here is its humble beginnings.

A turquoise blue left over from this, was 'rustically' painted on this sturdy frame and a scrap of plaid fabric from a thrift store along with new padding was added. Did you know many thrift store sell fabric remnants ? Just enough for a seat cover...brilliant!

The multiple hues of blue blend into one continuous, soothing piece. Modern yet traditional, new but old, the Montana chair brings that Big Sky feel to your neck of the woods.

Find the Montana at next weeks Mama's Happy sale.