Boo

Have a spooky spectacular Halloween.


image from Outdoor Urbanite

Ico Parisi ?

On one of my trips to the Twin Cities this summer, I found this mega thrift store right off the Interstate that has become a new fav. I popped in looking for some more albums and besides coming out with a few of those, I also came out with this table and a groovy, rattan footstool.
Our dining room is a bit 70's chic and felt it would be a really nice addition to the space... and at $7 the price was right.

SO, this weekend while perusing a vintage furniture shop here in town, I see a whole stack of them. Cool. I thought mine was just a random piece. Turns out it is from an Italian designer Ico Parisi, circa 1956, and the value on auction sites range from $495-700. yes, SEVEN HUNDRED dollars. I need to get it appraised to be sure, but the details are pretty unmistakable. I felt like one of those people on Antiques Roadshow.  However, I have also been told it maybe a Franco Albini.  Similar style, but different materials.  

I really love the way it looks in our living room and although I am dying to find out what it is...and its value, I really think this pouf is going to be my deal of the century.

Anyway, without sounding too trite, this proves once again that you never know what treasure you will find amongst the trash. And for all those folks that turn up their nose at second hand goods...you don't know what you are missing.

'C' is for cookie

If you think a cookie is just a cookie, I would strongly suggest that you make a stop at Batch Bakehouse here in Madison and prove yourself wrong.

The other day I checked out this new bakery and could not resist trying one of their chocolate chip cookies that were piled on a big platter. The crunch of the exterior followed by the soft goo of the interior was more than I had anticipated. A hint of salt and the chocolate was so creamy and in perfect proportion to the batter. Seriously, I think it is the best chocolate chip cookie I have ever eaten...and I have eaten my fair share, trust me. I must have talked about it for days until I had the chance to go back and satisfy my urge once again.

In addition to the cookies, Batch offers sinfully delicious, sugar dusted morning buns and of course the fresh baked bread. Started by the clever folks at Ian's pizza (of mac and cheese pizza fame) these folks have got a real winner on their hands. Open Wednesday thru Sunday on the hip Eastside, Batch has become a new staple in my shopping stops, as I am sure it soon will be for you too. If you are in town, or plan to visit, you must put this one on your list.

Where is your spot for the BEST cookie ever ?

a-maze-ing

Our fall here in Wisconsin has been a little disappointing. Cold, wet weather have limited the chances to partake in all those fun, autumnal activities. But, with the forecast on my side and a free afternoon, Friday, I kidnapped Nate to cross off another thing on my list....a corn maze.

It is quite the rage here in the Midwest. Farmers plot out a course and create a path or maze, for the willing to navigate their way thru.

Our choice, Treinen Farm's , near Lodi, is about 30 minutes from Madison. Nate was a bit skeptical, until he saw this years mermaid design spread over 15 acres.

This place is quite the operation. Besides the maze, they have a pumpkin patch, kids play area, pumpkin sling shot and hayrides. They start you off with a small square of the map and it is up to you to find the other squares hidden inside various mailboxes.

It was a gorgeous, early evening. Cool temps, blue skies and a nice breeze that whooshed thru the rows and rows of stalks. Growing up on a corn farm, I was always very respectful of the massive fields. My father, for good reason, made it very clear that the fields were not for playing, it is way too easy for a child to get lost...really lost. But, with my mountaineer hubby as my guide and the map of course, it was quite fun for kids of all ages.

In no time we were collecting our squares and although they say it takes about an hour to find the finish, Nathan found it in about 35 minutes....with only one wrong turn.


and at the end...an observation tower. Although you couldn't see the whole scope of the maze's design, it was a great spot for a sunset viewing over the golden fields of southern Wisconsin.

For a list of corn mazes in your area check here.

DIY Halloween

With a little over 2 weeks until Halloween, now is the time to start planning and making those costumes. If you give yourself the time to gather all the goods, a handmade costume is really not that tough....even if you do not consider yourself crafty. Besides why buy more NEW things, when there is always something old you can transform.

This is me circa 1978 as a fortune teller. Mom's old scarfs, lots of bangles and a styrofoam ball wrapped in tin foil made for a very authentic gypsy. I am sure my 8 year old theatrics helped embody that character just a little. My mom made the BEST costumes.

...and it was as if I was a fortune teller when I made this Max costume for Nate last year. I am sure you have all seen that the beloved children's book "Where the Wild Things Are" has been made into a movie that opens this Friday. This is a great one for all ages. I used a hooded disposable poly suit that you can find at most hardware stores or ReStore (they are normally used for painting), add the big yellow buttons (made from construction paper), a crown and a scepter and you have your own little wild thing.

Keeping with our story book theme, last year I was Madeline. That sweet French girl in her blue overcoat and big straw hat. Not wanting to buy a big blue coat for the occasion, I hit the thrift stores in search of inspiration. The solution. A graduation gown. Bigger thrift stores like Ragstock have entire rounders filled with gowns in ever color. A scrap of white fabric to cover the tell tale 'graduation' neckline and a big red bow was all it took. Accesorizing with some bobbie socks, mary-janes and that big straw hat (also thrift) and this little girl was ready for the fete. Total cost $7.00.

How about the Travelocity roaming gnome ? An outdated navy trench coat, a poster board cone hat, a buckle made from cardboard and tinfoil and a purchased white beard was all this one took to transform Nate into this ad icon...and his companion, I was his travel journal. 2 used maps decorated with various postcards and an airplane headband. We pulled this one together in 24 hours.

AND....I swear as soon as I found out my sister-in-law was having twins, I couldn't wait to make them Dr. Seuss's Thing 1 and Thing 2. Red leggings and long sleeve tops are easy to find at any big retailer add on a ironable chest number and the hair....I took blue fleece hats from Old Navy and hot glue gunned strips of fly fishing hair in that iconic blue. I Googled bright blue fun fur and it was one of the options. Who knew. I would have never thought of that, but because I gave myself the time, and patience, I was able to get an almost perfect match.

As for other ideas...look to pop culture, movies, books, topics in the news, or just hit the thrift stores. Chances are a skirt, a hat or a prop will start getting those creative juices flowing. Remember, these costumes do not need to last more than a night or two, so if you do not sew, duct tape, Stitch Witchery , hot glue and even staples can serve as great tools to construct your costume. The bottom line is it should be comfy and of course safe for the kiddies.


Need more inspiration, or some great "how-to's" ? check out these sites.

a very cute strong man
PBS Craft Apparent


or your own version of "UP"
Country Living

Homemade costumes can be a great creative outlet for your family, usually very eco friendly (as you are using USED goods), a lot cheaper and of course one of a kind.

Happy Halloween !

in the pink

It is hard not to notice the influx of PINK this time of year. My October magazines were filled with some fantastic, charitable buys that help support the fight against breast cancer. Here are just a few to get you started on your holiday shopping.

cozy wren house $65.00 (10% donated to the Susan G. Komen foundation)
Louisville Stoneware




Gerbera daisy umbrella $25.00 ($5 donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation))
Unique Vintage



Marimekko tote (100% donated to the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade)

AVON

Mondrian shelf- Hippie Christmas #2

Another month come and gone and another project completed from my Hippie Christmas segment.

For you new folks.....I live in a university town and when the students move in and out, they leave tons and tons of usable home goods lining the streets. I am highlighting one project a month from my stash this year to show how 'trash' can be easily re purposed.

So this was my canvas this month...a segmented bookshelf or side table. Nice, sturdy and painted all white. Very linear, modern and geometric. Sitting solo on a downtown intersection...how could I pass it up. The empty spaces were the inspiration here.

This is a work from Piet Mondrian entitled 'Sans Titre'. Mondrian is the father of geometric abstraction. Typically only using 4 to 5 primary colors, Mondrian took right angles to whole new level when he combined these shapes and colors and outlined them in black. So basic, yet so complex. These 2 were soon destined to meet.

The colors were easy enough to replicate... your basic artists primary palette. Red, yellow and blue.

After a fresh coat of white over the whole piece, I started choosing the order. 3 to 4 coats should be plenty to give a rich look and when finished off with a black border...the piece is transformed.


Besides a little vision and paint, this project was quite simple. Although it is fun to flip something 180 degrees, sometimes when you work with what is already there....the transformation almost does itself.

Month 3's Hippie Christmas project....the coffee table.

the league of justice chair

More stylish than a locomotive, able to provide a welcome rest in a single sit, its a bird, its a plane its...the League of Justice chair!

Once a plain jane Steelcase chair rescued at the UW Swap this spring, its modern lines, great condition and that back stem, were all screaming for a good re purpose. It sat in my garage for about 4 month until I starting thinking comics.

Coincidentally, my brother in law Darren had recently bought a 1000 piece lot at a garage sale and he, well maybe my sister in law, was more than happy to give me a dozen.

I didn't have brothers, so was never really in to the comic book world, but I love the saturated colors and crazy graphics. Wow, some of these books are quite racy too. I stayed with right angles on all the cuts, thought it would add to the lines of the chair. That and a few nights gluing while Nate and I watched the season one DVD's of HEROES (I know quite ironic) and my mission was complete.
The League of Justice chair has been coated with several coats of poly so although it cannot stop bullets, it is quite functional as well as eye catching. Polished silver tube legs make this chair a welcome spot for your inner super hero.

Coming Monday.....the second installment of my Hippie Christmas challenge. Its a cool one.