Notes from A Cottage Industry

Junker's Jubilee 2024 Roadtrip Edition 2.0 Deluxe Attendee Kit For The Other Tracey.

It's a second post!

Okay, so I shared the loose history of our Junker's Jubilee in my last post, and now I will share this year's over-the-top Deluxe Attendee Kit that I sent to the Other Tracey last week in anticipation of our roadtrip, which we are heading out on tomorrow, April 30th!

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeek! 

Here is a photo dump of all that went into this year's "Road Less Traveled Junker's Jubilee" Kit, followed by a few details.....

The starting point was the cover...

...followed by the route and stops, which proved to be huge, and the other pages that created this year's flipbook!

Once the flip book was created, I decided we needed shirts, mimicking concert tees....(Okay, note to self for next time, the front artwork needs to be smaller. Much smaller.) 

Once I designed the shirts I wanted to have some flair... and something for us to pin that flair to...fanny packs slash crossbody bags were now a must have. 

Then, we needed Treasure Journals. (Of course.) We learned the hard way last year that our memories are in their senior years now, and no longer can be trusted as to where we bought what and where we need to revisit....

A receipt envelope, and some other must-haves for the trip, tucked inside a cutie-patootie box....

My signature "packing taffy" for the win.

I packed everything up in a box...

The details: We begin the trip tomorrow!!! We are taking a longer route, (The road less travel, so to speak...) going over the sierra mountains to the Sacramento area and heading north from there.

I will fly into The Biggest Little City in the morning. The Other Tracey will pick me up at the airport, and from there we will hit every thrift store in the Reno Sparks area until we hot them all, or they close, whichever comes first. We will then go to her home to unload all of her treasures thus far, and head to Donner Lake to spend the night at her cabin. 

The next morning we will make the trek over the Sierras (stopping at several stops along the way!) and make our way to the Sacramento area. We have no idea how far we may (or may not) make it that day, but we do know it will be fun!!

I'll be posting updates, so stay tuned.....

Up close and personal with A Girl in Pink.

It's no secret that I love old, chippy, vintage treasures, as well as using those kinds of things in unique ways, staging them creatively in my home, and in my booth. Because of my passion for junk, I have had the idea brewing in my head to share a closer look into some of the amazing junkers I come across. I figured if I was curious to know their techniques, likes, and dislikes, you all might too, whether you are junker yourself, an aspiring antique booth vendor, or simply a human who appreciates a good behind the scenes interview.

Anyway.

A while back I put my idea into action. I interviewed one of my most favorite fellow junk vendors at Camas Antiques, the incredibly talented and creative, Amanda Bachelder (aka Girl in Pink) and I'm sharing it at long last with you here today....

 

How long have you had your booth at Camas Antiques? Eleven years! I've been there since the shop was two years old. I grew up in Camas and loved it. I always thought to myself, "I’d love to have a store here."

After I got married, I was painting furniture and putting it on consignment at the Daisy Patch, and I also did bazaars. People would ask if I had a store, and it got me thinking about a store. I started at Camas Antiques by selling there on consignment, and then I got a booth downstairs. JoAnne moved me upstairs, and I spent five years in a room there, and then I moved to another booth for six years.

Ever feel burned out on it? Hmmm, no....I don’t know...when I go to an estate sale, and I have fun...I think I’m going to do this forever!!!

How large is your booth? It's a 10x10 space.

What do think your hot ticket items are that customers just can't get enough of? It always changes, but I'd say that consistently, painted dressers sell really well for me. Also, light fixtures...they are hard to keep around! I am always in the hunt for them.

What are your slow-selling, or hard to sell items? Nothing specific, but I know I have tried to bring in things that are not my style and trendy and might sell. I would then have a hard time displaying them, and sometimes they wouldn’t sell. It has to do with the things other vendors sell, and they look good with their stuff, but they don’t blend in with my things…really rusty, crusty…..I can sell it better sometimes at street fairs.

How would you describe your style? Romantic vintage...there is a quote I have on my inspiration board. It says, "Inspired by the patina of age and romance of history."  

I use movies for inspiration. I will watch Jane Austin. I like that time period. I try not to get too carried away with it though. I can go too lacy...I try to have some rustic to compliment the feminine.

Speaking of vision boards...tell me about yours. I have done it for a long time...next to my computer...little odds and ends at estate sales...I stick up there, and pictures from a magazine of a display I love...when I feel like I am losing my style in my booth I look at this to bring me back.

Oh! I love that idea! Do you think the shabby look is still in or are you seeing less of it now? I think it is popular, but it has shifted more to shabby farmhouse as far as trends go.

Do you utilize social media? If so, which ones work best for you? I have had the best success with Facebook...instagram I am a little bit newer at. I have gained sales from Facebook both in the store and shipping items...I have regular shoppers that keep an eye on the store posts and I will ship. A lot of my blog traffic comes from Pinterest...You need to pin your own things.

How many days a week do you work your booth? What is your system?? It changes...I definitely put in a good 40 hours, working in things in between cooking meals and driving kids around...it fluctuates for sure. Some weeks are busier than others. I try to paint at least one substantial or 2-3 smaller pieces each week...Anyway, that is kind of my goal.

Why do you think your booth has been successful? Ha! Probably the first eight years I made just enough to shop to replace what sold and a few things for our own home...the last four years I feel I do contribute to our family income to some degree.  I think it is a standard knowledge among junkers that you only buy something that will fit in your own home. Buying what you love, and can barely stand to part with, are the things that sell.

What advice would you have for someone going into business for themselves? Hmmmm...Be purposeful in your shopping...that is the most important thing. Be thoughtful in your purchases...but what you love, and you know people can use in their home. Consider your style, and make sure you combine a couple of favorite styles. Don’t want to have too much of a mix...narrow down your style to what works together..think about how you are going to display the item. If the item is great, but hard to display, it probably won’t sell...think of how they will perceive your display.

What do you think the biggest mistakes are that vendors make? Probably...hmmm...being desperate for inventory...buying things sometimes that are not really their style (out of desperation to fill a space) or paying too much for something because they love it and then cannot make a profit. It’s ok if it make s great display or something but you’ve tied up funds in things…I am guilty of all of these things!

Do you do any barn sales or Vintage Markets? If so, how many a year? I have only done the Camas Street Fair, and one other. I always plan on the Camas Street Fair. With three kids at home I feel like I can’t commit to any other shows, but I hope to do more in the future. I don’t want my booth to suffer, and if I commit to more shows, I might not have enough. My booth is my priority. I will do Annie Sloan Paint demonstrations at the sidewalk sales.

I once did a blog post about doing ten projects using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. I was painting with latex and didn’t enjoy it. It took weeks to finish a piece, but I loved the look. I started reading about Annie Sloan Paint and I checked it out. No odor! Dried fast! I could paint in my house and finish things quickly! My husband said, "It's expensive. Are you gonna make a profit?"

I did a blog post with one quart of her paint, and Annie Sloan commented on my post!

That had to be exciting! Yes! This gives people a visual of how far the paint goes. I was then sold on it. I went to sf and met Annie Sloan, at a workshop. They said we should sell chalk paint in Camas…and I suggested it to Jo Anne, and I offered to teach workshops each month. Now I do two workshops a month with a color of the month paint sale to coordinate. I try to use that color on pieces in my booth with tags to show it is the color of the month.

If you could change one thing about your booth what that be and why? I’d like to come up with something more unique for the walls. Burlap is practical and cheap but, I am always looking for unique fun backdrop. Someday I will find something!

How do you stay motivated? Doing displays inspires me. I look at my vision board, and go back to my blog to old display pictures…the display part is probably my favorite of all. I actually set up displays in my dining room. I accessorize them and all...we eat in our kitchen nook! I look at it all day and get ideas...thinking about my display, what I need to shop for, and all that. Making a good sale motivates me too! If I go a day without a sale, I lose my motivation a bit...

Do you carry seasonal items for the holidays or seasons? Yes, I do to a point. I love to bring in Christmas and Easter stuff...they work with my style and colors. Fall is harder for me, but I am getting more into it. I do think our customs are shopping for seasonal things. I am planning on doing more of a real theme for the street fair..incorporating fall into my booth doesn’t mean just using a lot of orange, but I have found some rustic elements I am planning to bring in! More burlap and rustic things. I didn't in the past, you know, because of not wanting to store it, but now I have started buying Christmas at summer sales and am putting it away for this year.

Thank you so much for sharing a peek into your style! To learn more about A Girl in Pink, and to follow Amanda, you can find her online here:

 

www.onegirlinpink.blogspot.com

 

https://www.facebook.com/onegirlinpink/ 

 

https://www.pinterest.com/girlinpink/

 

https://www.instagram.com/onegirlinpink

 

 

 

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A little time out for some soul restoration.

I'm crazy busy.

I know, I always am saying that, like I'm busier than anyone on the planet. The sad truth is that I probably am not crazy busy, but am in desperate need of a time management twelve step program.

Anyway.

 

I'm prepping for this weekends Holiday Open House at Camas Antiques, and while I should probably be frazzled, I am very nearly floating on air.

A dear friend from the biggest little city is arriving today for a visit. (I  have been hounding her for eight years now!) and since Ralph was going to be out of town this week, I realized it could be a perfect girls only get together, and I was nearly blown over when she said she was coming. (Finally! Yay!)

We will be laughing, and talking into the wee hours of the night (or morning, however you like to look at it....) and I'll take her to see the store. (She can browse while I stock my booth) and I'll be showing her some of the sights. My heart is so happy that she is coming, and this visit is exactly what both of us have been needing for a long while.

Life is insane these days, and we need to always, always, make time for the people we love most. It's good for the soul.

A peek into the other Tracey's aah-inspiring home.

Oh yes, it's awe....(as well as lots of ooh's and aaaah's) inspiring, for sure.

While I'm here in the biggest little city I got the chance to pop in and tour The Other Tracey's newly redecorated home with her fabulous remodeled kitchen.

(It's all fabulous!)

Take a look for yourself...

I adore this sign she hung as you head down her hallway....

Her bedroom is so inviting, with her antique dressform, and her amazing headboard, made from the door at 41 Taylor. (How cool is that?!)

Her living room and dining room were equally fantastic, and my favorite part was her bar set up on her sideboard....

It's all so perfectly Tracey. She describes it as vintage with a slant towards Ralph Lauren, and I think that is pretty accurate.

It's warm, welcoming, and full of rich deep color. Simply stunning, my friend.

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More mingling.

About two and a half years ago, give or take, I shared this fabulous compiled-pages-of-entertaining-deliciousness magazine with you all.

Aah, Mingle. You had me at your title.

It comes out only four times a year, and while Pinterest has provided countless hours of inspiration in-between issues, nothing compares to the feeling of the latest issue of this treasure in my hand, as I carefully peruse each and every page.

I realized that the latest issue was out when I spotted it at Camas Antiques, while The Other Tracey and I were taking a little shopping break during my booth set up. I snagged a copy, and had every intention of giving it to the Other Tracey, for her to read on her flight back home to the Biggest Little City.

She texted me at Christmas time, and had only just then discovered this amazing publication. Can you believe that?! I do not know how I had managed to have never mentioned it to her before then.)

I slid the freshly purchased new issue of Mingle between the car seat and the console and...promptly forgot about it. We loaded The Other Tracey's bag into the car that evening and off we went to the airport. When I pulled in my driveway after dropping her off, I realized I had not given her the magazine.

(Aurgh. I hate it when I do stuff like that.)

I'm finally mailing it to her now, but as long as I forgot to give it to her, I went ahead and looked at it... repeatedly.

(Trace, I hope I didn't dog-ear it too badly.)

(Just kidding. It's in almost-like-new condition.)

(Hehe.)

I'm sending you the back issues I had here too, since we were both so dog tired by the time we went to bed each night you were here, and you didn't get to really read them.

Bringing my booth vision to life, with (more than) a little help from my friends.

The last five or six days have been a blur of happy chaos. I was getting ready to build out and fully stock my booth by Friday morning, and then be ready for our inaugural motor home get away on Saturday, as well as one of the grands birthday celebrations.

Let's start with the build out of my booth space for Camas Antiques, shall we?

Wednesday is dealer's night which meant the store closed at 6:00, but all the dealers are able to fluff and fill their booths until 11:00 at night or so. I got my Rock n' Roll Buddy to help me schlep down a ginormous weathered eight foot long white weathered picnic table and benches down to the store, and then down to the basement. It was at this point we realized the picnic set was far to big for my booth.

Uh oh.

We decided to leave it in place, and headed back home, while I would try to decide what to do.

We then hopped back in the car and drove over the bridge to the airport, because The Other Tracey was flying in to lend her creative expertise. (Exciting, I know! It was so much fun, and I am still pinching myself that we coordinated her short, fabulous trip with only six days planning.)

Once The Other Tracey arrived, we ran back down to Camas Antiques to assess the giant table and bench situation, and tackle my ceiling idea for my booth.  Agreeing that the table would indeed need to come back home, (After we would use it as a scaffolding for doing the ceiling work) we started with my newsprint with scalloped edges idea, up there by the black painted basement ceiling.

Sadly, what I envisioned in my head did not translate onto the joists of the low ceiling. The paper crumpled, and creased, and refused to cooperate. I tried the rag-tagged shabby twinkly lights with the bad paper and with out, and for some reason, it now more resembled more of a weird Hawaiian lei, or possibly a very long feather boa, but nothing even remotely close to what I was after.

Mildly frustrated and tired, (but having the times of our lives, if that makes any sense at all) we left the shop at 11:00 and headed to my home for the night, brainstorming about the challenges the ceiling presented. The Other Tracey had an idea. (She is a masterful visionary!) What if we replaced the newsprint with a ruffled bed skirt?

Oh. My.

Now you're talkin'.

(She's brilliant like that.)

I squealed as I envisioned it, and, thankyouJesus, I had a spare white ruffled bed skirt in the closet. We left my cottage at 8:00 or so the next morning, and whipped into Home Depot for a staple gun to attach the bed skirt to the ceiling.

Another fiasco, as we managed to have not one, but two staple guns (one electric, one manual) that malfunctioned.

Repeatedly.

Long story, getting longer here, we finally got one of the staple guns to cooperate and ...voila! The bed skirt idea was a success.

The rag twinkle lights were swagged across the beams as well. They looked even better than I had envisioned it to look originally! We both stood back admiring our work far longer than we probably should have, but we were so excited to see it beginning to come together that we couldn't help ourselves.

The Sewing Queen was on hand, (thanks Mom!) busily hand tying dictionary pages together for the side wall with small strips of embroidery thread.(I got this idea long ago from a post Debbie Dusenberry did on her Curious Sofa Blog.)

Before we hung the book pages, we first assembled the left side wall out of shredded sheets, with a printed vintage photo....

and then tackled the book page wall....

(Do you love it?)

We stopped many times to admire our work.

Many times.

Once the ceiling and walls were sufficiently foofified, we lugged the huge picnic table and benches upstairs and outside to sit for the day while we ran to my home to get my truck, loaded with large pieces for my booth.

A couple of trips later we were carrying in boxes and tubs of smaller items. (By this point it was well past 8:00 on Thursday night.)

Friday morning we were up and out the door at 8:00 to pick up some pillow forms at Walmart and get to Camas Antiques by 9:00 to price items and do a bit more tweaking before the anniversary sale began at 10:00.

(We did it!)

I was thrilled when on of the first shoppers in the store bought the charming sofa table across the back wall of my booth just ten minutes after the store opened. (Thankfully, she wasn't taking it until late in the day...) We left to hit a few thrift shops then and circled back to my home to pick up a sweet little wicker desk and chair to replace the table that sold.

We moved the sold table out and then loaded in the desk, and re-fluffed the booth as the store was getting ready to close Friday evening, and we felt pretty tickled with the work we had done.

I know none of this would have come together this way, were it not for my dear sweet friend, full of her over-the-top creativity and killer skills at putting things together in such a charming way. 

 

Getting my crafting mojo going....

My newly engaged friend is hosting a surprise brunch today. She invited each of her closest girlfriends one at a time to come by for breakfast, not knowing each other are invited.

Once they arrive, they will be surprised to find that it is a very special champagne brunch where each will be asked to be a bridesmaid!

(Isn't that the sweetest idea, ever?!)

I got to help out by making the oh-so-special cards that will be on the table with little prezzies for the soon-to-be bridesmaids (and Maid of Honor)

Here is the front of the card...

...and the inside...

So fun! I will be adding this to my easy shop shortly as a e-kit, so stay tuned!

A lil' sumthin' for my friend, the bride-be.

How cute is this?!

As soon as I saw these on etsy, I knew I'd be ordering one for my (at the time) soon to be engaged (Now, newly engaged!) girlfriend.

When it arrived, I liked it even more. (Can you just see a stunning wedding gown hanging on this? And later, maybe a yummy soft robe?)

The easy shop will do any words, so I am now thinking I need one for my guest room closet to hang my guest robe and slipper socks on that says something clever, like "be my guest" or "Stay awhile". What do you think?

Door number one, number two or number three?

I want to say a huge thank you to all of you who put in your two cents on the paint color combo for my cottage. You will be happy to know that I have in fact, chosen a color combo.

Oh, yes indeedy, I have!

(And I am gonna wait and surprise you with it once it is complete!)

Now, I need your opinions on a new front door.

Remember the outside of my cottage in this post?)

My old one is pretty much a train wreck, and I am going to replace it in the next couple of weeks with a new one. I have narrowed down my choices to my top three selections and here they are, in no particular order:

This one has a cute craftsman style window at the top...

(Oh! Picture all of these doors painted to go with my new house colors, of course!)Number one could look something like this....

Or, maybe door number two, with a little more of an arch?

Which could be pretty cute, like this one...

Or number three; the basic door that can easily be cutie-patootie'd up for any season or holiday?

And, it could look kinda like this....(Love the welcome on it!)

I am torn in three directions, and I so value your input! Please share your thoughts, and other door options, if you have a better idea that what I have come up with!

The Molly Mo show in Sublimity.

I have been helping my number two daughter and her family as they get ready to move, and I left work a little early last Friday to drive on out to the new place. In between unloading things, and cleaning things up a bit, we incorporated some retail junk therapy into our evening with a short drive over to the cute town of Sublimity.

The Union Hill Grange Hall in Sublimity was the site for the latest Molly Mo's vintage fair, and it could not have been a more perfect location for the event!

Outdoor vendors had some fabulous treasures, and great displays...

...along with food and drink....

and some great music. (Sorry, I didn't get the band's name, but they were fantastic.)

(Notice the incredible attention to detail with the additional Molly Mo's signage, and flowers n pots? I love that!)

More booths inside the hall...

We managed to find some treasures that were just too good to pass up for their new home, and two carloads later, we were done. We both agreed that this was one of the best fairs we have ever attended, with every detail attended to, and a perfect venue to boot.

So. uch. Fun!

A quick trip to Camas Antiques and a little purchase.

I took a quick trip through my favorite shopping spot in all of the Pacific Northwest, Camas Antiques, during the day that we spent at the Camas Car Show, and I wanted to share a few bits of eye candy....

I ended my trip to the shop with a purchase of some pretty fabulous (to me at least) flatware. Two place settings of utensils, with handles that mimic vintage french dishcloth.

I can't wait to use them.

 

Old people rock.

...er..make that older people rock.

(I always forget that I am getting dangerously close to sixty myself, which is old to some of you.)

That cutie-patootie gal in the top photo is Helen. My Rock n' Roll Buddy and I met Helen and her equally cute sweetheart, Jonathan, at a local Pub here in the 'Couve this week. Helen is a petite little wisp of a gal, in her early 80's we guessed, weighing no more than 90 pounds, soaking wet, and she's clearly not your average granny.

Helen and Jon were both participants in the Taco Tuesday weekly Pool Tournament at this Pub, and through a happy coincidence, they were seated at the table right next to ours.

We chatted them up about classic cars, and billiards, and as it turns out, Jon and Helen are regulars at the weekly Pool tourney. (In the end, he took first place and she took fourth, out of sixteen players in the tournament.) They come in from the neighboring town of Longview each week to play.(I don't know why I didn't ask them to pose for a "couple" picture!)

Anyway.

It was such fun to watch them play.

I think the sweetest moment of the entire evening was when Helen nailed an incredible shot and Jonathan happened to have just finished his current match and watched her sink it. She beamed and he effortlessly slid over to her in one smooth stride and gave her a congratulatory that's-my-girl kiss on the lips.

My Rock n' Roll Buddy and I let out soft aaaah's in unison as we turned and looked at each other. (Okay, and I may have teared up just a little bit.)

*sigh*

Oh, yeah, old (er) people rock, alright, and Helen and her sweet beau are proof of it.

Happy go lucky.

When we were in Spokane (Yes, it's another post about our fabulous trip. I am sure I told you that it was a spectacular girlfriend-vacation.) I told you we started off our Friday at Chaps. From there we drove the short distance to Celeste's newest venture, which is her oh-my-gosh-cuter-than-we-could-have-imagined shop, Lucky.

The Other Tracey and I decided that the building her shop is in must have formerly been a gas station, but that's just our best guess. Our experience began the moment we drove up and parked.

Such cute signs.

And a vintage sofa full of flowers. (There were cookie sheets on top of the sofa cushions.)

A row of soft pink petunias hung from the old rusted awning frame.

Ca-razy cute, no?

The inside of the shop was equally fabulous. We shopped around in there for quite a little while and both managed to drop some of our shopping dollars without any hesitation.

*sigh*

An adorable shop that is a must-see on your stop-by list if you are ever in Spokane, for sure.

Eat more desserts.

Yes, please.

Jenny Keller, of Jenny Cookies, who is a baker-turned-cookbook-author, was at the Farm Chicks Show, signing copies of her new book.

Of course, the moment I saw the cover of her delightful cookbook, it was love at first site for me. The Other Tracey is not so much a baker as she is a fabulous gourmet cook, but even she couldn't resist this charming little gem.

(Ignore the photo-bomber-guy in the bright blue vintage themed tee. There were over 50,000 people there, so it was pretty much unavoidable.)

We spent Saturday night after the long day at the show, propped up with our feet on our matching beds in the hotel room, both of us, flipping through or books, squealing and calling out page numbers for the other to check out.

Speaking of the hotel room and beds...we had the oddest sized bed pillows either of us had ever seen. Eensy-weensy-very-nearly-square as opposed to standard bed pillows.

Odd, no?

And the little yellow thing on the headboard that looks like a Post-it note?

Yeah, that is what it was, and both beds had one. My picture is a little blurry, but it reads, "Note to Guest, {Sheets, Pillows, are fresh and clean"> Well, yes, we would hope so.

Not sure why they felt the need to have printed Post-its to share this expected condition of our beds.

Again, I have to ask..odd, no?

Anyway, we stayed up way too late that night (As we did each night of this fabulously fun trip!) laughing and talking, and going through our matching dessert cookbooks.

Such a fun way to spend a Saturday night!

A sweet stop in Spokane.

As I shared a few days ago, One of my amazingly fabulous blog-readers, Kori, had sent me an email before the Farm Chicks trip, sharing all of her favorite stops in Spokane with us, and we left a day early on our trip just to spend the day checking them all out. (And, boy oh boy, were we glad we did!)

Probably the most memorable stop for me that day was "Sweet Frostings". It was truly a treat.

This bakery was done up in the most cheerful aqua and white color palate, with a coordinating floral wallpaper on the walls.

The baked goods were simply precious. Cakes, and macaroons, and sugar cookies, oh my! Sensory overload, for sure.

One of the most clever displays for sweet little headbands, done by hanging them all around a birdcage. (I bought two of them! Adorable for summer!)

A party room in the back area was equally charming....oh, it reminded me so much of the cupcakery my daughter and I had dreamed of opening nearly eight years ago...

 

 

Anyway, it was a little slice of heaven on earth, that's what this place was.

(Kori, you done good, honey. We LOVED this place!)

Our haul from Farm Chicks. (Part of it anyway....)

Well, part of what all we purchased wouldn't fit in the car, nor could the Other Tracey get parts of her pile loaded up anywhere for the plane ride home.

Luckily, the couple I bought a fabulous old rusty bike from (To place in my yard!) live not too far from me in Oregon City, and they offered to bring it home for me. (I will be meeting up with her at Camas Antiques soon to grab my bike)The Other Tracey had a friend with a booth at the Farm Chicks Show, and they offered to truck her large items (A set of grey and navy blue vintage suitcases, a wooden medic box and seven vintage Flags with a vintage French metal flower bucket!) to Sacramento for her to drive and pick up. (A two hour drive over the mountain for the Other Tracey, who happens to have family in the area as well.)

As for the stash of treasures that did make it into the car for the five and a half hour ride home, there was plenty! I scored 5 vintage camp stools (two metal ones and three wooden ones!) that will be used later this summer when I plan to host y first annual Camp Cupcake with the big-enough Grands. (Labor Day Weekend is the planned date.)

To go along with the camp stools, I landed a boy scout hat, and a girl scout sash full of badges (We will need badges at Camp Cupcake, after all...)

I got a spectacular vintage quilt in whites, creams, and a splash of red. (It was my first purchase, just about 15 minutes inside the grand event.) I also bought an old shutter to use as  a table runner, and a white wooden toolbox to set on top of it. I'll show that to you up close and personal tomorrow, all dolled up for the 4th of July!)I got the most incredible silver plate dome that is now proudly hanging on my kitchen wall above a sweet little chalkboard.

My favorite purchase was a vintage laundry cart that I plan to use in my craft room to hold all of my loose snippets of ribbon.

The other Tracey and I both bought quite a lot of vintage flatware. (We both are in mad crazy love with the look of mix-matched flatware on our tables.)

I'm not certain what the Other Tracey's most favorite find was, but I can tell you she bought a lot of table and bed linens.

A lot.

And all of it was wonderful.

She has a thing for vintage jewelry boxes, and she added another one to her collection. She also bought an enormous amount of unframed oil paintings to make a grouping in her hallway at home.

Oh, the list goes on and on! It was a junker's heaven for sure. The time flew by, and we were on such a steady stream of adrenaline that it felt like one day in Spokane, and not three.

So. Much. Fun.

(I know I keep saying that, but it's true!)

One more post about the fabulous eye candy at Farm Chicks.

Last post about the event itself, I promise.

Oodles and toodles of cute stuff, and fantastic signage on almost all of the booths.

Did someone say wild animals in paper hats?

A picture is worth a thousand words, as they say. These pictures are going to take me back to a million and two happy memories with my dear friend.

Fifty thousand new friends, give or take.

The Farm Chicks Show, twenty-fifteen.

My, oh, my.

I'll get back to sharing the incredible, fabulous, better-than-either-of-us-could-have-ever-imagined day before the Farm Chicks soon, but I really want to share some pictures from the actual event today.

We went to bed late (crazy late) the day before the event; Friday evening, after purchasing our Farm Chicks tickets out at the Fairground Friday afternoon, and woke up early 5:15 to be exact) so we could be ready and waiting in line by 6:30 for the 9:00 show opening. (The crowds number in the tens of thousands, don'tcha know.) We were very near the front of the line to waiting to get in the show (we were only about 50 or so people back!) and we got to park in the second row. (That in itself is huge because that means when we needed to schlep out our first big load, we didn't have to far to schlep!)

We entered the show, eyes darting to and fro, checking out any and all possible gotta-have purchases and we worked our way back. (I was doing double-duty, as the designated photographer, catching all ideas that inspired us, and things I wanted to share with you.)

Have you ever been to an event/party/whatever that was so fun for such a long period of time that you feared you might expire from the sheer length of time you remained in a gobsmacked state?

Such was Farm Chicks.

(I was slightly concerned we might need a defibrillator for one or both of us at any given moment as day one unfolded.)

(I must say here, that it was doubly fun, as the Other Tracey and I think so alike that we often finish each others sentences, and so we would both squeal in unison when we saw something extraordinary.)

The clever displays.

The think-outside-the-box signage.

Oh, my. (again.)

The coolest of cool merchandise.

To use the Other Tracey's current favorite quote... "It was just TOO MUCH!!!"

By 4:30 or so, we had made it through the entire event, and we had the car a bit more than half full. We were blissfully exhausted, and so we headed back to the hotel to rest our-by-this-time very weary feet.

After a short rest, we headed to dinner at the Davenport Hotel, and then back the room for more girl-talk and laughs-till-we-nearly-cried, and then finally drifted off to sleep some time around midnight.

There is no substitute for time spent with a good friend.

(More Farm Chicks pictures to come!)

Saying thank you doesn't seem enough.

My heart is overflowing with gratitude for the many, many prayers, and thoughts, and kindest words from you!

Not only did my brother come through his surgery incredibly well, but once inside, the doctor's determined things were not nearly so bad as anticipated, and only had to perform a single by-pass, where we were expecting a triple or even more serious, a quadruple.

Can I get an Amen?!

He's not out of the woods just yet, as the days following surgery are critical, but we are all praising God for the blessings so far, and keeping the faith that good progress will continue.

Thanks you, thank you, my sweet friends. Thank you ever so much.

Love the home you have.

Do you ever read The Inspired Room blog? It's one of my personal favorites, for many reasons. Melissa has great style, is all about making her home a haven for her family, and I really enjoy her authentic, easy-to-relate-to writing style. (She also has some pretty adorable dogs, one of whom has his very own blog and facebook page, lives in the Pacific Northwest, and is a 12th woman. Need I say much more?)

She has just had her first book published, and the title already has me excited to read it. ("Love the home you have" is pretty much what I am doing in real life, so how would I not be excited to read it?)

So often we get carried away wanting to be able to snap our fingers and have a room (or two, or five) done up, and have the latest, most trendy decorator items.(anyway, I know I do on occasion.) It's sometimes hard for me to look at the giant TO-DO list I have created and not want to run out and charge up a blue streak, getting a few major projects whipped out so I can have some instant gratification, and the very concept of loving the home I have(In it's current state no less) puts it all in perspective for me.

Whether we own, or rent, or live at our Mom's place, we need to count our blessings and love the homes we are so blessed to have.

I can't wait for my copy of this sweet book to arrive in my mailbox. I know it's going to inspire me.

Road trip to Farm Chicks in 2015!

Eeeeeeeeeeee!

Farm Chicks, the biggest vintage fair on the west side of the united states, is coming up the first weekend in June, and I just made plans with The Other Tracey to go!

We've talked about doing this for I don't know how many years, and this is gonna be the year we finally do it. We'll be making it a whirlwind trip, with her flying up on a Friday,and us hitting the road right away.

I'm envisioning a lot of talking, and laughing, and maybe even a stop at a Dairy Queen. We will be sure to stop in at Chaps (I've been dying to go there someday, and I know The Other Tracey will love it too.)

Oh, there is so much planning to do, and so very much to look forward to! I can hardly stand it.

 

More eye candy from Camas Antiques.

Oh my. I never tire of stopping in at my most favorite shop of all time.

So much inspiration, everywhere you look.

Last Friday was "First Friday" in sweet little downtown Camas,when all of the shops and restaurants stay open late, and I brought my camera along with me. Spring has sprung and there is a nice selection of Easter decor....

....check out these cute little Easter charms made from bottle caps...

...and, apparently I am not the only one who thinks little birds are party animals...

I never get tired of admiring vintage silver and silver plate pieces, and there were some beauties.....

This charming little ice bucket was just too fabulous to leave behind, and it ended up in my bag.

I left there, as I always do, overflowing with inspiration, and excited to get back to my cottage and do some nesting.

Memorial Day, twenty Thirteen.

The words from one of my personal all time favorite patriot songs is most approriate today:

 

And I'm proud to be an American,
where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me. -Lee Greenwood

Getting ready for Snap!

It occurred to me as I started to write this post taht I don't think I have mentioned that I am getting ready this week to attend the Snap! Blog Conference with one of my daughters.(Carter, Coen, and Keaton's Mama!)

The conference starts Thursday, and has a wide assortment of great courses (Business stuff like Branding for Bloggers, and Advanced SEO, along with really inspiring creative courses like upholstery and Printables with Pow!) and inspirational speakers. There will be fun breaks, like a craft night pajama party, and amazing sponsors like Annie Sloan Paint.

Tonight I'm working on my business cards (they said to plan on sharing about 200 of them) and trying to decide what all to pack. (There will be a shopping night, so I want to be sure and leave a little spare room in my suitcase!)

Have you attended a Blog Conference? If so, what tips can you share with us? We're oh, so excited, and we want to arrive prepared!

Camas Antiques Eye Candy....

I popped over to Camas Antiques on Saturday, and brought my camera so that I could share some pictures that I am sure will inspire you!

I am still lusting after a few items....this fabulous tool-type painted box...
and, my-oh-my! The Metal Double Sided Cubbie Shelf in Clark's Booth Space... ...and this sweet broom with charming grey wool cover....

I am always inpired to get home and work on feathering my nest when I leave Camas Antiques, whether I have spent, or not, (Okay, I cannot recall a time that I have not bought something.)Are you like that?

Sweet little onesie.

You know how much I adore Camas Antiques. Well, I am not sure if I have ever shared this or not, but one of the booths there is full of the most adorable baby items you've ever seen.

My hairstylist recently had a baby girl (Piper! How cute is that name?!)and I knew exactly where I was going shopping for a baby gift.

I don't sew myself, so I am always impressed by these kinds of handmade items. I love the look of this handcrafterd darling onesie, with it's embroidery stitch details on the little fabric applique, don't you?
*sigh*

Just. So. Sweet.

I think I'm just a little obsessed with all things baby these days, with two more sweetie-pies on their way in my family, and more baby love popping up all around me these days!

A walk through Camas Antiques....

I popped over to Camas Antiques on Mother's Day with the Sewing Queen and one of my daughters, and I remembered my camera for a change! Here are a few shots of areas of the store that I found to be extra inspiring....

OOoooooh, how I want this lamp. I stood there for five minutes trying to think of a place in my home where I could put it....I'm still thinking...

I'm telling you, if you're in the area, you've gotta stop in!

Have you been to The Painted Home?

Just when you think you've found all the great blogs that cover vintage style, you stumble across one that you somehow missed....

I wanted to share an inspiring decorating blog that I just this week discovered through some photograph I came upon in Pinterest. Maybe you already read it, (and if you do, why haven't you told me about it?!) but just in case...it's called

The Painted Home

Denise does some pretty fabulous stuff. I mean, just look at the bedroom photo up there. You all know I am a huge fan of the vintage book page wallcovering, and I am lovin' the trunk at the foot of the bed, along with the splash of black on the headboards and lil' bookcase, don't you? I like her style- not too foofied up, and just the right amount of weathered charm. I am feeling incredibly motivated to redo a big list of things around my teeny tiny home now. (as soon as Barn house is past, that is!)

Very Pinterest-ing.

I am guessing many (most?) of you have by now heard of, and now are using Pinterest. I myself am a little late coming to the party, but I am here now, baby.
My daughter (Carter and Coen's Mama) first told me about Pinterest a while back and I checked it out but I was too busy to really poke around too much. (...or maybe I was just not really "getting" it fully.)


Anyway....in case you didn't know...

Pinterest is a Virtual Pin-board.

It lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pin-boards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes....the possibilities are endless! For..well, what seems like forever, I have been grabbing pictures online from my favorite blogs and websites and saving them in Word documents and such to find inspiration. Now, not only is that unnecessary, we can all gather our photos, organize them by topics we choose ourselves, and share them with ...everyone!


 I'm not at all sure how Pinterest began, or how they make money, but I am quite smitten with the entire concept, and I'm thrilled to be able to save (and share) so many cool pictures of inspiring things.
If you have a Pinterest Page of boards, I'd love to check them out, so let me know! 
If it's new to you, and for any reason you have trouble joining, send me an email and I can send you out an invitation. It takes a few hours or so before you get a reply, so be patient....the wait will be worth it!

The new front window display at Camas Antiques.

The girls at Brocanteur Vintage have got a definite eye for display and detail. One look at their booth and you know this....

They've just taken over the big front window at Camas Antiques, and they are doing a fun lil' Easter-time discount idea.

Pretty clever, huh?
...I love. it. all.

 
Industrial, rustic, weathered and worn...everything goes together in a vintage-y kind of way. I love it all, (even though my own personal taste for my home leans a little more toward the refined side.) and I find it a very refreshing change.

A new decade begins.

Well, it is here. A brand new year, a brand new decade. I have shared this before, but here is one of my most favoritest quotations for new year's....

Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right. 

                                                                                                         ~Oprah Winfrey

Happy twenty-eleven, my wonderful, treasured friends!