Happy First Blogging Anniversary to me! (and a little giveaway too)

Hello all (from the heart of "SnOHIO - yep it just keeps coming)! 

I can't believe it's been a year since I wrote my first post on my blog - "Collecting" my thoughts and other random junk.    I guess the old saying that time flies when you're having fun is true...

I wasn't exactly sure what I was going to talk about, well I guess I knew it was going to be about the stuff I love to do - collecting (or some might say "hoarding"), fleamarketing, traveling/junking with my friends, making new friends, etc..........  Anyway, it's been fun - and a learning experience (I haven't passed "Blogging 101" yet, but still "studying")!  And, it's amazing how you can visit a blog, and one leads to another, to another, to another - kind of like the Energizer Bunny - they keep going and going and going and going........and it's such an amazing journey of people sharing the "loves" of their life - collections, projects, experiences, and just life in general.

I've had fun coming up with "junk" to write about, and "meeting" new friends in blogland (all over the country and even other parts of the world) - (and some in real life too).  I've met a few in Ohio, some in Minnesota - and will hopefully be meeting many more in May at Art & Architecture, JUNKMARKET Style.  My friend, Terri, and I are planning on traveling west with my fellow JMS contributor (junksophisticate) and friend, Candy Allen (visit her blog at Junk Sophisticate). 

Candy and I traveled to Minnesota last August and it was "friends at first sight" - good thing, because it was almost a 13-hour roadtrip!  No worries though...we talked our way cross country!  And, we even....oops - drove through a toll booth... (see my post on that trip - Candy & Kathy's Excellent Junk Adventure).  It was awesome - meeting fellow contributors from JMS, Lani, Amy, Gretchen, Kimberly and of course Sue Whitney of JUNKMARKET Style (who I had met before at the Springfield Extravaganza) - as well as other members and junkers at our first ever blog party at Oronoco.  A fellow Ohio blogger (and friend), Sue Sullivan (Sullivan & Murphy) is hoping to get a group of us Buckeye bloggers together this year too - can't wait! 

Anyway, I'm looking forward to what 2010 will bring in my blogging adventure.  Bloggers are all very generous in their posts - sharing their talent and projects, ideas, resources, unbelievable humor, amazing photography, etc.   Thanks to you all for the inspiration and support you give!  You're the greatest!!

Wishing you sunshine, smiles and big hugs!

Kathy

P.S.   Oops, did I mention a giveaway??? Almost forgot...(drum roll).........

In honor of my "first" blogging anniversary, I will be putting together a "junky" surprise gift package for one lucky winner.  All you have to do is become a follower of my blog (if you aren't already), and make a comment for a chance to win.  If you mention my giveaway on your blog, you get an extra chance!  The deadline is Saturday, March 6th at midnight.  Good luck, and trust me, it will be a great little package 'o' junk!  (Be sure to check back on Sunday, March 7th to see who the winner is and maybe a picture or two of the prize package...don't forget - it could be you!  You know I'd love to come running up to your house with a giant check and balloons, but I don't have Ed McMahon's budget...darn it!)

P.S.S.  My friends the JUNKFEST Girls are in a decorating contest and they need your votes...please visit and check them out... So you think you can decorate. 

P.S.S.S.  (You thought I was done, right??)   More details coming soon on Art & Architecture, JUNKMARKET Style - It's going to be the ultimate junking weekend - a party, shopping, and LOTS more!

Thanks for stopping by!!

BREAKING NEWS....MAJOR JUNK EVENT - Art & Architecture JUNKMARKET Style

Come one...come all...ART and ARCHITECTURE and JUNK - come together in a BIG way!

It is with great pleasure that Sue Whitney announces the collaboration of Art & Architecture and JUNKMARKET Style in a retail affair of unrivaled quality. The inaugural sale of the dynamic duo is scheduled for May 6th, 2010 through May 9th, 2010. A charitable kick-off gala will be held on the evening of May 5th, 2010. Their goal is to provide uncommonly good vintage furnishings, stylish art and re-designed accessories for your home, finery for your garden, and many other embellishments to suit your fancy….all under one roof. In addition, classes will be available for those of you who want to be in the know. The event will be housed in the historic Art & Architecture building located at 3338 University Avenue S.E,, Minneapolis, Minnesota. A full floor of architectural salvage, an outdoor garden annex, an artist’s loft filled to the brim, and classrooms with character all await your arrival. There will be something for everyone…. from stuff in the rough for the do-it yourselfers to turnkey designs and everything in between.

Mark your calendars for this amazing event!  May 5-9, 2010 in Minneapolis, MN!

More details to come - so stay tuned to my blog AND JUNKMARKET Style.  Visit the site now to see what junkers are saying...ART & ARCHITECTURE JUNKMARKET STYLE

I'm making plans to come with a couple friends (I've got fingers and toes crossed - hoping everything falls into place), and I know a few other contributors will be in attendance too, along with our fearless leader, Sue Whitney... 

I'm hoping to meet many JMS members and fellow junkers  (who seem like good friends already).  It's gonna be BIG, BIG fun!!

Gretchen, me, Sue, Lani & Candy

Have a great day!

Kathy

Enjoying the Sunshine State - AND some great junk!

Well, we're ending week #2 in Florida - had fun, enjoyed the beach (wishing it was a bit warmer, but don't want to be greedy - there's been two winter storms in Ohio the last two weeks...), and we've been doing a bit of junking, antiquing and flea-ing - oh and a found a few good restaurants!  So, since vacation fun is winding down...time to share some junk with my friends!

Over the last two weeks, Robin and I hit some thrift stores, antique shops, and the fleamarket at Volusia County Fairgrounds - it's held every Wednesday morning (from about daybreak till 12:00pm...or until everybody gets packed up - and that's the time to get some bargains). 

Palm trees and a fleamarket - great combination!   

Some beautiful orchids - winter is seeming far, far away...

And some fresh citrus...OK - winter is a distant memory!

These little guys are getting ready to hit the race track...it IS Daytona after all...

I made a new junk friend...Cindy Cross from New York - she travels and sells her great vintage wares! 

She told someone she lost her "I"...darn, I hate when that happens! :)

It was great meeting you, Cindy - hope to see you on our next trip to the Sunshine State!

Vintage Christmas bulbs - one of my very favorite things.

More great stuff...

A heavenly collection...

So much to see.

Hardware with the perfect touch of rust!

Trims and fabric

Need a haircut??

Typewriter keys - can you spell "cool"??

The happy (?) couples (not sure about those hats though girls...)

Robin perusing some glassware

 (yep, we had to wear our coats...it was only about 45 degrees)

Anybody need a VCR?  I didn't think so...

And what's a fleamarket without the hotdog guy??? 

Yep - he's the one in the hat!

And a little music to flea by...

We're not fans of boiled peanuts...

I was even brave enough to pet the alligator

(and yes, he had his mouth taped shut)!

Before we left, we had to grab a bag of kettle corn (our junk food lunch).

Here I am - my little cart filled with a bit 'o' junk!

And, now for my finds!

These candlesticks were found at the fleamarket, thrift stores, and antique shops (I don't think there are any left in Florida!).  Terri and I will use these to make some vintage servers (a little Gorilla Glue epoxy to attach an antique plate, and "voila"!!).

Robin and I bought a big box of random pieces of silver junk...lots of project possibilities...

One of the things on my list were paperweights. 

I think I hit the jackpot - ready to be re"decorated" with some great little pieces and parts.

I think this one is a keeper - no need to re-do - it'll be great on my desk!

A collection of small vintage NFL pennants (with my brother Scott in mind...)  He really loves me!!

These great pieces of iron have a lot of character - a shopper, a painter and a gardener - very fun don't ya think?

I found these in Brunswick, GA - the man said he had bought out a locksmith about 35 or 40 years ago, and this is what he had left - and I wanted them all (quantity, you know!!). 

And, since we were on vacation - we had some time to spare - and thought we'd count them (thanks, Rob!).  The man said he thought there were about 800...we counted over 900 - these will be useful for jewelry, wind chimes, and whatever!!

The keys again, but don't you love this old glass container.  I was told it's an antique battery case...I don't care what it is, I'm just gonna have some big decorating fun with it.  I've been on the hunt for an old fish aquarium, but since they're so hard to find (JUNKMARKET Style junkers have scooped them all up - ha ha - and you know who you are!) - anyway - this will be my version of the aquarium! :)

  This is my second favorite find of my vacation...keep reading to see what my favorite find was...

And look at these keys - Junkunc Bros.  (how cool?)

A vintage soda pop bottle - a gift for my daughter's boyfriend...you can guess what his name is, right??

And last but not least...this is my fav find - an antique scale.  I found it in Brunswick, GA.  It was found in an estate in jolly old England, and it's now going to reside in my home - not an estate, but it'll be right at home-sweet-home!  I LOVE IT!!!!

Lucky for me that my friend Robin and her husband are driving a van back to snowy Ohio.  They had a bit more room to take our goodies back - and our little car is going to be packed to the limit too!!!

Before I go...here's Jim and I - we went downtown Daytona and listened to Foghat (2 original members) - some great 70s rock!

And here's a reminder for us...we'll be heading down that road in a couple days - goodbye Florida, goodbye sunshine, goodbye fleamarkets ---- hello SNOW-HI-O!

Thanks for stopping by my blog and sharing in a little bit of vacation time with me!  Since I found so much great junk - I've got a lot of project material now - no excuses - time to get busy!  That's ok - I can't wait!!  (A good way to spend the rest of the winter...in my basement!)

Hugs, Kathy

And the winner is....

OK, so this picture has nothing whatsoever to do with a winner for my giveaway, but just wanted to share what I left a week and a half ago...and they're getting more - so, needless to say, heading back to Ohio isn't at the top of my "to do" list right now.  I'll just enjoy the sounds of the waves on Daytona Beach...(yep, that's me in the pic)!

ANYWAY - We've got another winner....  I had to draw a new name (my previous winner didn't contact me in time) - and the NEW winner is:  Joanne (aka suewannabeinkc at JMS)!  Joanne, please email me with your mailing address so Sue can get your package in the mail - you're gonna love it!!  (deadline for contacting me is this Saturday, February 13th at midnight).

Thanks all for participating.  I'm planning another little giveaway on my first anniversary post later this month - so stay tuned...  I can't believe I've been in the Land of Blog for almost a year - time flies when you're having fun...and I still have lots of people to meet and "junk" to learn! 

Hugs, Kathy