Easy Bake Love

This is my Easy Bake Oven which I've had for over 40 years;  probably closer to 45 years.  The original light bulb still works;  this is what bakes the goodies.

As you can see, I baked two cookies in it during my baking marathon. 

I'm so glad my Mom saved this treasure!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to you and all your loved ones today. 

Peace...

Christmas Eve

I am hoping your Christmas Eve is filled with love, peace and joy. 

This best anecdote for the blues is giving.  Reach out to someone less fortunate.  You'll be blessed.

Looking

Where's the One I've waited for?

Short-term Decor

All this decorating we do this time of year - it doesn't seem right to take it down in a few days, does it?

I might leave my Christmas decor in my home a bit longer than usual, some of it, that is. 

Who says it needs to be removed on New Year's day?!  I think joyous, positive elements spread throughout the home are meant to be enjoyed longer than just a few weeks.  

All this...

All this for a King,
Angels join and sing,
All to Christ the King,
"o Praise Him."

Turn Your Ear

Turn your ear to heaven and hear the noise inside.
It's the sound of angels' ah's, the sound of angels' songs
And all this for a King...

More Christmas decorations

While I get bored with my own Christmas decorations, I love to see other people's decorations. 

This cabinet housed all my childhood toys until recently.  I bought it for that purpose.  It's made of repurposed lumber.  When people would comment on it, I would open it and say, "Here is my childhood!" 

I am using it for the Snow Village collection.  On top is a garland with lights.  I added some of my dried honeysuckle vine from the back yard. 

After Christmas, I will leave my childhood memories packed away and fill it with my collection of ironstone dishes!  Pics will follow...

Seeing Red...

Finding the right shade of red for our front door and shutters has been a little tough.  I didn't want a pinkish hue or a fire-engine red. 

My aim was more of a bittersweet red.  I am happy with the results.  It feels wonderful to have our home freshly painted.  

My dream...

This wonderful picture, from the http://www.houseofturquoise.blogspot.com,/ represents my dream:  to own my own shop.  It would be full of vintage and antique finds - home decor, accessories, art, etc.

Just a dream, it is, but sometimes dreams come true.  Maybe.  Maybe not. 

Fun Times in the West Bottoms

It's the first Friday of the month and you know what that means - treasures in the West Bottoms.  Liberty Belle is booming!

Time is running out...

Time is running out for me at Vintage Market in Zona Rosa.  I will be vacating that venue early next week. 

Look for me at Liberty Belle, first-Friday weekends in the West Bottoms.  That's next Friday!

There are so many wonderful people I've met at Vintage Market.  I am so grateful that God led me to rent space there.  But we have to know when it's time to close a door.

My favorite platter

This platter is my favorite platter.  It is by J & G Meakin and perfectly matches the Friendly Village pieces of Johnson Bros.  The large chip on the side adds to its character.  I love making little vignettes with my Christmas decor.

Just for fun, I threw in a couple snapshots from recent travels.  The mission is in Seattle.  Love the sign!  And the church with the Celtic cross is in Chicago, not too far from Michigan Avenue.  I love the beauty of sacred symbols and anything that lures the heart to things of God. 

We have lost the mystery and sacredness of art and beauty in modern Christianity, even though our faith is built on sacred texts.  In trying to be formulaic with our approach to Jesus, we have missed so much.  Creating art is worshipping Him...all good things are from Him and for Him. 

Christmas Decorating with Casualties

Yesterday was a day for decorating for Christmas.  Of course, the trees won't go up until after Thanksgiving.  But I spent fifteen hours dragging tubs out of the attic and pulling out decorations from the upstairs hall closet. 

I had three major casualties:  my fav antique brown transferware plate, a Clothtique santa, and a Snow Village Christmas tree farm shack.  The plate, I'll save for the mosaic graveyard, possibly never to be seen again.  The shack was beyond repair.  Santa might be saved with glue, though.

On a more serious note, I am vacating my space at Vintage Market at Zona Rosa the end of this month.  But I am still at Liberty Belle - first Friday weekend of every month in the West Bottoms.  There are 2 other venues in the same area - it won't disappoint.  All the decorators, collectors, dealers, and designers from the area attend every month.  It's a feeding frenzy! 

The best part of being a dealer is the other dealers!  It's a terrific community with all its' quirks and glitches.  Of that, I am thankful to be a part.

Re-design of a Small Space

Moving around the corner might - you might as well move across town!  All has to be packed up and this was the case a couple of weeks ago.  The boutique in Zona Rosa Shopping Mall in Kansas City where I rent space is called Vintage Market.  It moved around the corner, so I did too. 

My space is square with a large square post in it.  Lemons=lemonade!  I built my space around this post, dividing my tiny booth into 3 tinier sections.  It was full, then I added a truckload yesterday, literally. 

The last two photos are my friend, Kristi's booth.  Don't you love that fab sofa - tres chic, however it was hauled up a flight of basement stairs! 

A lot of the boutique is comprised of new items, therefore, we vintage dealers have less competition.  Stop by and see us.

...for the Love of Ironstone...

I love ironstone.  I refuse to part with most of it.  Here are some of my favorite pieces around my home. 

Later in the week, I'll post pics of my space at Liberty Belle in the West Bottoms.  The sale starts Friday at 9am.  You won't be disappointed.  I've been working on an antique walnut buffet, a matching antique dining table, and 6 lyre-back chairs, which I will paint and recover the seats in burlap. 

That's My King

Spend a few minutes and watch this video.  You won't be disappointed.  It gives me goosebumps every time I hear it!

what's not to love?

Last week's finds were amazing.  Behind these antique chairs is a fabulous buffet, which I will show in a picture next time.  I need opinions - restore to the stained finish or paint.  I found 8 oil paintings, 5 of which I am currently keeping, 6 lyre-back chairs, the table to match the antique buffet, and a bunch of other stuff. 

Liberty Belle

Liberty Belle is located in the West Bottoms of Kansas City.  There are a couple other "first weekend" venues besides this one.  This is my new space.  I love the thrill of the hunt and selling!  My first sale was a handmade wooden box with mosaic-inlay of wood.  Very intricate and detailed, the gentleman from Prize bought it.  He spotted it instantly and picked it up!  What a compliment!

Now, after selling lots of stuff, I am on the quest for new junk...peace...

Appealing Arbors

Arbors are so mysterious and appealing in shops, filled with splendid finds...I plan on duplicating this someday, putting my own touches on it.  It won't look the same but I mentally picked it apart and realized I might actually have some of the materials I need.  I will put it in my space at Vintage Market. 

News flash:  I am going to sell in a 2nd venue - Liberty Belle - located in the West Bottoms of Kansas City and open the first Friday-Sunday of each month.  A couple of vendors from Vintage Market have been there a while - Antweaked and Vintage Boyz of ReDeux.  My soul sister Cristie M. has generously offered to help me stage it.  Yikes!  I need to get home from my trip and get busy.

it's a busy August...

August has been a busy month.  My youngest child went away to college and I spent loads of time getting everything ready for the big event.  

Currently, I am visiting Portland, Oregon.  Here are a few pictures.  I started out in the Sellwood District, which has quite an impressive Antique Row.  There is one shop in particular - Unique Antiques - and Pat directed me to the local haunts - Starz Antique Malls - in the Westmoreland District.  East of there is the impressive, free-thinking Reed College.  I first read about this school in Donald Miller's book, Blue Like Jazz, which is one of my favorite books.  He is a wonderful author who happens to live in Portland. 

Next on the agenda is the Pearl District.  Then, we are off to Seattle.  There will be more pictures to follow.

Hint:  when trying to maneuver around a strange city, don't ask a cab driver to take you to a general area.