...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. 

the rest of the Texas road trip

As promised, this is the rest of the junking expedition on our Texas trip plus our time at the LBJ Ranch.  The Ranch is just outside in Johnson City and there is the school pictured which LBJ attended a while.  The home he lived in as an adult is there.  It is in the process of having the master suites readied for public viewing.  It is a beautiful setting and the people of Texas have much to be proud of.

We journeyed northwest from Austin out along 2-lane highways and hit a few more stores before swing east to Fort Worth.  One of these shops is called "Berneice's" in a town called Evant..  It is owned and operated by a very sweet lady who allowed me to photograph her.  I purchased several things from her - dishes, side tables, and the like.  If I'd had my truck with me I could have made a major haul.  Oh, and I almost forgot the 4 vintage cabinet doors with glass knobs and hinges intact! 

This trip was so fun!  I can't wait to go to Texas again...

Austin in July - Junkin' through all the Small Towns

When Mr. P told me he had business to attend to in Texas I jumped at the chance and said, "Take me to Austin!".  So..we drove, preferring 2-lane highways between Forth Worth and Austin.  We happened upon Stephensville, Hico, Granbury to name a few.  Some shops.  Notice the killer Italian tole chandelier I scored at one such place - keeping this one.  I had so much fun but so many of these darling town squares have shops open only on the weekend.  So we are going back the same direction on Saturday. 

While in Austin, we have been all over town.  We had dinner the first night in town at Perla on Congress, then went across the street to The Continental for late night music. 

For the evening, we had a party to attend outside of Austin, which is the reason we came here. 

Next on the agenda is the LBJ Ranch, Fredericksburg, then more junking on the way home tomorrow.  As they say, everything is bigger in Texas, and so is the fun!

Looking for good junkin' in Austin & my space at Vintage Market

I found this old potting bench, broken apart, and brought it home.  After rebuilding it, powerwashing it, sanding it, painting it, and re-sanding here it is.  I sewed a burlap skirt, complete with stay-stitching, and applied it with upholstery tacks.  I sorta like the hooks to open it.  It is, of course, for sale at Vintage Market.  I think it would make a great work station or even a kitchen island. 

Also, I am going to Austin, Texas soon and will be perusing shops for wares and good finds.  Do any of you have any recommendations for junking or anything else?

blackberry time...and waiting for 14 more followers!

Every year, about this time, the wild blackberries on our land are ripened for picking.  Some years I make preserves;  other years most are given away. 

Today brought only over a cup of berries.  And of course, it's always the hottest days of summer that they are ready to be picked.  I think I'll put some in vanilla yogurt and sprinkle some of my homemade granola  on top. 

Only 17 More Followers Needed!

When my followers on this blog number 25, this hat will be randomly given away through a drawing!  (Hat form not included.)

I embellish these hats with Amy Butler fabric.  Perfect for a bad hair day!

my screen porch...

I love my screen porch.  It is my favorite part of my home.  Mosquitos are in swarms at my house;  we live in the woods of the Missouri River bluffs and we have woods surrounding us. The patio and deck require me to use bug spray.  I just retire to the screen porch instead.

Our property is adjoined on the east by a camp.  During the day and well into the evenings, we can hear the beloved sounds of campers and all their regalia.  It is my favorite part of summer - hearing, distantly through acres of deeply wooded hills, the sound of kids enjoying what will become their favorite memories of a lifetime.

my new home

How wonderful it is to have a home - a home for my junk.  I have found this wonderful boutique in Kansas City's Zona Rosa, just a couple miles south of the airport.  It is called Vintage Market and I am a vendor there now. 

New Vintage Market Pics Coming!

I've missed blogging.  I knew I'd be swamped these past 2 weeks.

 Last Saturday, June 12, was Kansas City Convoy of Hope, of which I'm involved.  Meetings and set-up took up a chunk of the week.  Over 2,000 were served.  I'm so thankful for the chance to have been involved.

Then, Sunday started with preparations for moving into the Vintage Market at Zona Rosa.  I moved in Monday and have already sold my heart out!  In a couple of days should have pics on my blog - it takes awhile to get it all set up, especially when large pieces sell.