Sunday, July 26, 2009

Sew What

I recently did some updates to my arts-n-crafts room I thought I would share with y'all. I have a little spot that I love to hang out at....my little sewing table! I bought the table at a garage sale for $10 and it was painted metallic turquoise blue....hours and hours of sanding and I finally got to the wood!

I found these giganto wood scissors at Michael's Craft Store and HAD TO HAVE THEM!!! I painted them to match my room and painted the "blades" twice before I got the right shade of silver.

I bought these two toile inspired pictures from a co-worker at her garage sale as they were the perfect color for my art room.

My little collection of pin cushions and I bought Heather Bailey's pattern booklet to make even more! I can't help it, there are so many cute things she has! Below, I sewed the curtains myself, a little idea I borrowed from a cute little shop in town, of mixing prints and used gingham, toile and a paisley mix. I added some decorative trim and I thought they came out so cute! I love the way they look when the sun is filtering in through them in the morning.



I decided to do what Nell Hill does, and hung a little picture board between my windows.....speaking of which we are getting new windows this Wednesday!!!! I am so very excited! Our house was built in 1942 and we still have the original windows....on the old rope and bar weight system. Some of you out there are scratching your heads saying WHAT IS SHE TALKING ABOUT???? That's right, because they are so ancient and made waaaaayyyyy before most of your time, you haven't even heard of it. Let's just say about 80% of them don't work, and I am so delighted we will have functioning windows! Right outside this view are where my peonies grow, and right now sweet peas, my all time favorite flower. It's a cozy little spot to be in our home. Nothing like listening to some Stacey Kent and humming away on my little machine.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Country Drive

Dan-the-Man and I took off for a wonderful country drive this Saturday. Various c.d's where selected for the drive, sunscreen lathered on, cold beverages to enjoy and off we went. Top down on the bug-de-doo we hit the Highway and had Styx blasting in the bug (when those bands are etched in your memory from High School, you have to rock out sometimes). I had 3 or 4 Farms for us to visit in Missou-RAH, and it's always an adventure getting to them, especially when the address starts as "RR 1", you know you will be on some gravel roads hoping that map quest doesn't fail you! Of course we always come upon the loveliest homes in the country, especially when passing through small country towns that make me wish we lived far, far away from the bright city lights. Above is my dream fence and flowers, just as cute as a button. We changed gears and were listening to Italian instrumental c.d by now as we floated through the country roads, watching the fields change from one patchwork of farmland to the next...Heavenly!

We stopped at Beckner's Orchard and Farmer Beckner had some healthy looking produce. Although the big sell is peaches, his candied onions were to die for. He said they are so sweet, you can eat them like an apple. His favorite sandwich isn't a BLT, it's a BOT (onion). We had some in our garden salad for dinner and they were out of this world!

Here's another beauty of a stand....oh they had trouble items! Fresh baked breads, cinnamon rolls, produce and all sorts of little canned things you just can't say no to. We bought the best blueberry syrup and had them on pancakes Sunday morning. Three ingredients....blueberries, sugar and lemon juice....just the right consistency and so yummy!
Missouri believe it or not, has some excellent wineries. We stopped at two that day and found a new favorite Baltimore Bend . Everything we tasted was delicious! After we had the bug loaded down with a whole watermelon, cantaloupe, tomatoes, cucumbers, bread, cinnamon rolls, honey, blueberry syrup, salsa, pickles, salsa, wine, and did I mention salsa? (someone has an addiction ....DAN!) we headed home. Now, if only i could find a job where I could get paid for scouting out the best roadside stands and wineries. Public Television DO YOU HEAR ME????



Thursday, July 16, 2009

Provence on the Prairie

I bet you thought I was making up cool names for Kansas....THIS IS FOR REAL MAN!!!! Just when I think things can't get any better around here I lucked upon this store. Dan-the-Man and I were taking a leisurely country drive one day, and there was a detour that lead us directly on the street when we were heading back to civilization and I SAW THIS SIGN!!!!! My heart skipped a beat, I made him pull an illegal u-turn (law enforcement folks, pretend you didn't read that last statement) and I bolted out of the car up to the store front with raccoon eyes peering in.
First thing I noticed were my most favoritist candles in the whole wide world "Nouvelle" and immediately I knew I would be back to shop. (have you ever smelled Nouvelle's scent Tuscany Currant?.....heaven, simply heaven)
There was this adorable french table and chairs... perfect for have your French pressed coffee at on a dewy morning while watching the morning glories bloom. It doesn't know it yet, but it's coming home with me soon.
C'mon now.....how cute it that! Notice the little fleur-de-lis in cornflower blue? Melt.....heavy sigh.

Notice the cute little Provencal print cushion? Perfect spot for kitten to curl up and have a nap on! The shop owner had so many wrought-iron treasure in the front yard. I wanted them all!

The shop owner bought this little home and with the help of her handy -can -do custom -carpentry -on -the -side- contractor of a husband, put up bead board, built custom cabinets and all sorts to cute little finishing touches inside. Now I wasn't my usual obnoxious self, taking pictures of all the treasures inside like I should have...but the owner reassured me she is working on a WEBSITE, and you will all be the benefactors of me sharing that information....Let's just say the store is trouble with a capital "T"...dishes, lavender, clocks, furniture (custom made), candles, food treats, and all sorts of lovelies for the home.
Kansas Rocks Man!!!!!
You can come out and visit this gem of a store at: 141 N. Nettleton, Bonner Springs, KS 66012 Phone (913)441-6491.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Antique Sale!!!!!

I am doing you all a disservice by not showing you more pictures of this grand home known at the Bingham Waggoner Estate located in Independence, Missou-RAH. It was originally owned by George Caleb Bingham, a famous 19th century American artist and Missouri Politician. When my best buddy Melinda announced that there was going to be an Antique/Crafts fair on the grounds.....all focus was centered around what treasures could be found. For those history buffs out there, I don't want you to feel slighted, and would encourage for some "real" photos of the house and history that can be found at www.bwestate.org We tried to have some assemblage of a path, but sometimes certain things just call out to you saying "take me home, take me home" like this chair below.

This was a really interesting bird cage, that unfortunately your truly was not able to capture to show off the true magnificence of the artist. It was a looking box that had all sorts of interesting details.

This is a wonderful paper designer named Michele Grotenhuis who has a business called Dandeline Design. We have had the good fortune of running into her a few times at local crafts fair and she is as sweet as can be! Her scrapbooks are the cutest things ever if you want something custom to just plunk your pictures into!


This was another little diddy asking me to take her home. The cutest old tea pots that found a second career as windchimes!

There were lovely antiques everywhere. This beautiful leaded glass would be a fantastic piece in a cottage home!

This was a fun artist, Ann Jansen, whose business is called "The Key of A". She takes old typewriter keys and makes jewelry from it! Her website is www.thekeyofa.com and her etsy shop is www.ajsoftail.etsy.com


Treasure abound around every bend......


These two ladies are Chasity and Debbie Heck, sisters & owners of The Wild Raspberry....don't you just love the name? They have a variety of handcrafted goods & unique gifts and their booth was trouble with a capital "T". I bought a lovely door hanger (an inspiration for The French General Sewing Book) that just happened to be in the right colors for my art room! They had aprons, scrapbooks and all sorts of little treasures! I also bought some cloth covered clothes pins they made into magnets for the fridge, or file cabinet.....cute, cute cute and so very sweet! Their website is www.thewildraspberry.org and they also have a lovely blog www.thewildraspberrysisters.blogspot.com which is just a breath of fresh air and sunshine


The minute I saw this booth I was in love, and low and behold, guess whose booth it was?
Carol Spinski from Raised in Cotton! Now Melinda and I traveled to her store.....she wasn't there...she was at an antique show that day, and we didn't get to meet her :(......today I luck upon her booth, and guess what.....she wasn't there. She was THERE at the show, but happened to get up and take a breather......strike two NO FAIR!



This vendor had the cutest magnet boards and made handmade magnets to go with....she didn't have a web site or blog for me to share will you all, so please forgive me, I wouldn't hold out on you....cross my fingers!



After ensuring we went to every single booth, the 95 degrees plus humidity finally caught up with us. I four wheeled it with my bug, driving over sidewalks and the grassy knoll and managed to get the bug-de-doo up to the booth and get my new/old chair into the back of the bug securely fastened down. Melinda and I had a great time as always but we needed a cold drink like there was no tomorrow! Until our next adventure!!!!!! Enjoy visiting the websites. Hope we don't get you into too much trouble :)


Thursday, July 2, 2009

Off to Langley on Whidbey Island, WA

My tattooed son the mechanic and beautiful future daughter in law (that's how I like to think of her) are off to see my son's Godparents up at beautiful Whidbey Island, Washington today. My best friend Cindy and her husband built a beautiful home up on the Island and I have yet to go visit, but feel confident this year IT WILL HAPPEN!
This is a picture Cindy sent me of the Langley Lighthouse. Nearby, she goes clamming and make a mean chowder! Nothing beats having the freshest ingredients right at fingers reach!
Cindy could be an interior decorator by all rights. She has supervised enough remodels, including her gorgeous home in California, and natural has a gift for choosing classic furniture pieces and clean lines.
The deck accessible by the french doors overlooks a beautiful wooded area. Out front Cindy has planted tons of french lavender bushes that must smell heavenly with the mix of pine trees and fresh ocean air.
This is a pictures of the beautiful stone fireplace which she helped build. She found the perfect piece of driftwood and has that for her fireplace mantel. I'm sure the two lovebirds will have the time of their lives. Cindy and I have been friends since of freshman year in High School and she is a true blue friend. She has been by my side through the peaks and valleys in my life and is like a sister to me. I know she will spoil them rotten on their vacation. She just doesn't know how to do things any other way. She is giving with a capital "G", a fantastic cook, tour guide, and has a heart of gold.

Springtime!

Spring has sprung and I am enjoying every little blossom and bird that comes my way! Have a beautiful day my friends!