Kathy & Terri's Excellent Adventure!! (at Ellen's)

Going to our friend Ellen's house is one of our favorite things...it's great girl time... So, this past Friday, we headed down to Columbus (although Terri did have a little "technical difficulty" before we left my house...). She was putting on her make-up and her eyelash curler was missing the little rubber pad thingie...we almost had to cancel the trip! But, she sucked it up - and, with eyelashes smearing her glasses (not really)...we were on our way!!

We had our "to do" list...Ellen was pretty specific on what she needed to have done - and we had to have time in between to hit a couple shops (wait till you see what Ericka and I bought...), and "do lunch" with Ericka!! (Oh...and a few minutes to stop in at Joann's too!) It wasn't a huge list - just building/hanging a shelf, hanging mirrors (you can never have too many mirrors, anyway!!! - but she probably has more than anyone I know...), hanging some stained glass windows, etc........... It was a relatively easy day, considering we weren't doing any major construction or faux painting.. I'm sure her kitties were glad when the day was done...we kept them on the move all day - they love being where all the action is - and we were ALL over the house!! :)

I took lots of pics around the house - it's just an endless amount of very cool, elegant junk! She's got great taste - and it's like walking into a treasure chest every time we visit! I'm going to try to put a slideshow together - with glimpses of the rest of the house (that's another post...).

So, here's the "virtual" tour with just a few notes... I'm hoping it's not "photo overload"...

We hung two beautiful stained glass windows above the kitchen sink...

One mirror hung - in the entryway...Having BIG fun hanging a three piece mirror in the dining room...

Ta-da........................Okay...the mirror really is back there - behind all that fantastic crystal...

Another mirror hung in the bedroom - "Victorian" meets Pottery Barn...

This should be in a magazine - old porch door converted into a fabulous full-length mirror...(we didn't do this...it's all Ellen...) Great pieces for a shelf...

Yep...it fit together perfectly.
And...of course we couldn't leave the shelf empty for one minute...
A little closer - beautiful needlework

We hung a cute little shelf by the bed with care...in hopes that some pincushions would soon be there...(sorry, that was bad...) Very elegant pincushions by Terri...
Another mirror hung...

Just a break from all the house stuff... On our trip to some antique shops, Ericka and I bought a couple "vintage" bottles... I know it's hard to read on the glass, but these "cute" little things say "urine specimen" on them. Yikes...who collects those kinds of things?? BUT...we had to buy a couple. I put one in my husband's bathroom with one of my button bouquets in it...he didn't even notice what it was...that's so like a guy, isn't it??

OK...back to the house...

Here's a peek into the Garden Room (that was a fun project...)
A great place to relax...
Gnome-one is gonna stop this little gardener...
And, let me tell you - the kitties of the house eat in style...
(handpainted dishes...that's the cat's meow!!)

And, speaking of the kitties...Harvey took a break from playing with the neighborhood squirrels.

And...mirror, mirror on the floor, who's the one that I adore???

It's Max, of course!

And, in the dining room...Luna is wondering what we're up to...

Miss Annie - in the Garden Room...looking for some birdies flying by...

Here's a cabinet just bursting with feline chic! We wouldn't say that there's an obsession going on here...but it's definitely on the edge...

Here kitty, kitty...Here's one of my pincushions...

I'm hoping I didn't bore you all with too many pictures...I think Ellen's home is amazing, and so is she!! Terri and I met Ellen a few years ago at an antique show, and it's just grown from there - visiting each other, working on projects at her house, antiquing, etc... Ellen is a great collector of many things, but one of the most important things she collects is friendships. I'm reminded how much I cherish all my girlfriends and the special things we get to share. I just feel blessed...

Terri, Ellen, Kathy & Ericka (Christmas 2007)

(Sorry, El...I had to post this pic! I think it's a great shot!)

(Next month, we're all heading to Burlington, Kentucky together... to buy, sell, and have BIG fun...woo hoo!!!)

P.S. Thanks for the necklace, Ericka!

Thrift shopping on a Friday...

And for the sweet price of $10.10...

Well, normally my Fridays are spent with my friend, Terri in our workshop...painting, creating, laughing, planning...etc...our dream "job". But, we had a day off while Terri was off to sunny Arizona visiting her grandbabies - so, I muddled through.

I had a list of errands to fill my day (doctor's appointment, groceries, etc.) - at the top of my list was a stop at the local Goodwill and Volunteers of America thriftstores (and they're right next door to each other...one stop shopping!). These stores are usually VERY "hit or miss" when it comes to finding things - and my last few visits have been pretty noneventful. Sometimes I actually think it's going to be my last trip...but there's the little junking voice in my head that provides perpetual hope...or maybe it's my obsession...you make the call! (I know you all hear that same voice...)

So, heading into the Goodwill (with lots of time to peruse), I actually found some clothing - new/like new (and in style...very cool), a vintage basket, the cutest little cup that says "whistle for your milk", and the bird on the handle is actually a whistle...just a tiny chip on the tail. I looked them up on ebay, and they're from the 1950s-60s (made in Japan), and were made to encourage kids to drink milk - they're very cute, but some Oreos would have done the trick for me!! And in perfect condition, I saw them sell for as much as $60.00 (I spent 50 cents...).

After I threw that load into my van, I headed over to the Volunteers of America - and noticed a bunch of stuff piled out front (a recent donation not yet brought into the store). There was a dresser, bed, old sewing machine, etc...I didn't really look at it too closely - I was on a mission to do a "sweep" of the store. I went in - and followed my normal route - along the wall to check for pottery, glassware, project pieces, and then furniture - and clothing last... I found a "Flinch" game (don't know how to play, but the cards were cool...project stuff), flash cards, a bud vase, and some dominoes (now I can do a JunkMarketStyle "inspired" project...stay tuned). So...some goodies - but the best thing wasn't even in the store yet...

When I walked outside, I gave the sewing machine a second look - it was half buried by other "junk" - and it was beautiful - an old Singer treadle sewing machine (awesome iron base), great detailed drawers, no machine inside, but that's ok - the cabinet was beautiful. I went back inside to see about the price, and the salesclerk said it would be awhile before they got to it, so I (reluctantly) decided to take care of the rest of my errands and stop back. I figured if it was meant to be, it would still be there - and the "price would be right"! I came back about two hours later (nothing outside), and checked inside. There it was...with a price of $10.10 on it... Well, I tried to contain myself and not run up to the cash register, but zipped up there and bought it on the spot. I rolled it outside (noisely - rusty wheels...) - and a woman heading into the store offered to help me load it in my van (I don't know how I thought I'd be able to do it myself...). A happy girl was heading home!!!

Anyway, my junking angel was with me on Friday - and put a "hold" on that sewing machine until I returned. At first I thought I'd piece and part it out for projects, but have since decided to keep it intact - give it a coat of some "magic" white paint, and either use it for a TV stand in my sewing room (I've got one in there now, but it's newer and very plain) or in my dining room to sit plants on at the picture window...decisions, decisions!

So, here are pics of my excursion and my finds!

Happy junking, happy spring, blessings to you!!

Kathy

P.S. This Friday (no thrift shopping for me...), Terri and I will be heading to Columbus for a bedroom redo for one of our best friends, Ellen (of "Garden Room" fame on JunkMarketStyle.com):

See parts 1 and 2...

http://www.junkmarketstyle.com/item/5277/we-interrupt-winter-forellens-garden-room-part-1

and

http://www.junkmarketstyle.com/item/6166/the-garden-room-part-2details-details-details

So...stay tuned for pics and details next week - it'll be big fun and hopefully lunch with one of our newest junking buddies, Ericka.

Just a few goodies...

I love old handled baskets - great storage, or packaging for a gift...wrapping paper is overrated! "Whistle for your Milk"! How sweet... Pass the cookies, please!

Flinch... More shots of my great buy...

Beautiful drawers...

They don't make 'em like this anymore... And...the perfect way to finish the day - a java chip frappuccino...

A Self-Imposed Junk Intervention...

This is a job for... Okay - I'm sharing...this is hard, because there's so much...BUT, I'm sure I'll feel much better after I let go of this problem I've got...well, maybe not let go, but try to put it in its proper place and perspective - so I'm able to prioritize my thoughts and deal with all this "junk" that's accumulating and screaming to be helped...I'M ORGANIZING MY BASEMENT WORKSHOP...

There is so much stuff, and it's all been piled up, tucked away, pushed aside, stuck in corners, collecting cobwebs, and needs to be brought out into the light to realize its full potential (it's really not quite as serious as all that, but it's right up there with cleaning out my closets...but the closets can wait - I've got my priorities!!)

Here are some pictures of the "almost" finished product... I know you're going to see lots of possibilities in all this - feel free to make suggestions!! I always appreciate a little help from my friends (and fellow "junkaholics")...

OK - here goes...

one workbench and two worktables - they're usually full of projects "in progress"...My workbench (one of them...) in all it's shelved glory...

A little closer - string, wire, glue and lots of stuff...Crystal clear storage

My old fashioned "wireless" computer - I mean typewriter...

I get old tablecloths from the Goodwill to cover my worktables - and pitch them after they've been "overworked".

Some supplies for garden totems, etc...Here's the place where collages happen.Collage supplies ready and waiting...old basket/purses hide paints and stuff.An old baby bed spring - now an inspiration board...Pieces and parts - all in plain view..."Junk ointment" it doesn't cure junkinitis...(it actually says it's for piles...ewww?)Shelves - what a great invention!

Need an old insulator?? and other assorted goodies...

And no workspace is complete without an "entertainment center"?
A few "chick flicks" down below for passing the time...Sleepless in Seattle, etc...

Paint central...

hanging on the left there's a shower caddy that holds paint brushes, stir sticks, etc...Mosaic supplies, etc...(of course) And, every workspace needs a mascot...
Hope you enjoyed the tour - I feel better now...

Time to git-r-done (lots of projects await)!