Enjoying My Time Off . . .

I took a few days off to relax and get some mosaics done. I hadn't been antique mall shopping in a long time and have made up for it over this break. Here are some fun things I found at the River Market Antique Mall and at Sentimental Journey in Olathe.

The wild dog is for Brendan's room. It's signed on the back by a boy scout and it says 1955 Troup (sic), Kansas City, Kansas. I'm not sure if 1955 is the year or troop number, but I thought it was cool just the same.

I love the religious figurines and tiny perfume bottles

This tin is great. I actually picked it up at DAV on Wornall a few days back.

I am always interested in the way things are styled and I dig the unique booths. The next four photos are from the same one.



The tag said "black Jesus".

This booth was awesome.




And another . . .


There's a guy named Donnie on the third floor at the River Market and I love everything he has.

This was a mortuary practice head. The sign talked about the 93 year old mortician who described the history of why it was necessary.

This was a work table from a Kansas City, MO fire department.

Barber shop pole.

Piece from a carousel.
The shading on this frame was fabulous, almost looks like frosting.

I took Monday off, too and I'm already thinking about the next destination. Maybe this junky mall up in Claycomo, Missouri or I might just take a drive up to St. Joe. I wish I could do this every day!

Mother Daughter Mosaics

Despite the snow on this first day of Spring, we had a good time in the basement of Stuff grouting our mosaic pieces. Here's Jill showing off her latest frame. I've taught three rounds of classes at Stuff and Jill has been to all of them! Next time around, she is making a switch plate.

Here's Jill with her mom and she loved her frame, too! That's always the best part of class; seeing people really enjoy what they make.

And here's Lanette and her mom with their fabulous switch plates! And another small world story, Lanette's mom is a long time friend of Carol Spinski of Raised in Cotton, one of my favorite blogs! I couldn't believe it!

Thanks so much for braving the snow and attending the class today, girls!

100th Post Giveaway!!

Well, I've been puttering along on this blog for awhile now. Sometimes I go all out and sometimes it goes neglected for a stretch; I am just not consistent. However, I do enjoy it and have met some wonderful friends in blogland who share my love of oddball interior design and artistic expression. I'm going out on a limb and doing a 100th post giveaway. Just leave a comment on this post and I will randomly choose a winner from all 2 of you (ha)! The prize will be a mosaic single switch plate. The one pictured below was a custom job and is just an example and not the prize, that's a surprise. So go on, you have nothing to lose, humor me and leave a comment already! Winner will be selected on Tuesday, March 23rd.

I taught some mosaic classes this week and was lucky enough to have Mary Kay Porter, artist extraordinaire, join me. I just love the frame she did with the chunky grout showcasing bits of silver and black dishes, buttons, and beads with just a splash of icy blue. It was so fun chatting with Mary Kay about art and life.

Here are some wonderful examples of Mary Kay's work that can be found at Stuff, 316 W. 63rd Street in Brookside. If you are remote, call Casey or Sloane at 816-361-8222 and order you up some Mary Kay Porter creations!

I love her tongue-in-cheek style. A girl after my own heart.

And if you ever read this blog, you understand my love of baby doll heads and dress forms.

I am just naturally attracted to her fabulous work.

Gotta get some of these legs for my buddy Jessie Hopeless.

And as I was walking around Stuff last night, I took a pic of this teapot I covered in brightly covered bits of whatever I could get my hands on. New stuff is coming to Stuff. I was up early cranking out the mosaic goodness. Thanks for your support!

Spring Shopping Extravaganza!!!

I made a stop at The Curious Sofa on Friday to check out the Spring digs. To say we are ALL ready for warm sunshine and new buds on the trees is a vast understatement!!

There were lots of wonderful goodies to explore.

If red had any place in my decor, I would have to snatch up these wonderful "Alice in Wonderland" chairs.

Complete with worn velvet - I would not change a thing!

Lots of eggs, and nests, and burlap Frenchy pillows.

And garden-inspired pics . . .

This bedding was to die for, lush light pink with gray velvety detail. Sweet dreams.

And the store smelled wonderful with scents of Hillhouse Naturals soy candles in Fresh Cut Grass and Bloom wafting throughout.

And I finally found a family room chair to replace the broken down one I currently have (complete with some springs sticking out of the bottom). This one is big, fluffy and comfy!

And I ordered it in this Frenchy, scrolly fabric (below). Yipppeeeeee!!! I can hardly wait!

And a closeup of the great fabric.

And I had to take care of some things over the weekend in Fort Scott, KS and while I was there, I explored the Iron Star. Such a wonderful place! Check out the wonderful seafood tureen!

Great portraits and topiaries.

The garden display below complete with fountain was fresh and fun.

The styling in this store was really cool and when I complimented the shop owner, she got it just right by saying we're all just little girls playing with our things, fluffing here, and rearranging there. I couldn't get a good pic, but this ladder was hanging from the ceiling - what a Spring-y idea with the topiaries and greenery strewn about.

Here's a couple views from the outside on this little town square with brick streets and Nat King Cole piping through speakers on the lamp posts (oh, and 68+ degree weather!!). Ahhhhh . . .

And I guess my meandering to the dark side of home decor has hit bottom. The only reason I passed up this tombstone that was for sale in an antique mall was because I couldn't lift it and I thought it was bad form to ask my mother to help me. Good thing because not even Jason was keen to the idea and wondered aloud about the grave that now stood without a headstone. True dat . . .

Birdie Commune

I've been working hard on the Birdie Commune. I am more than ready for spring and these birdhouses just get me in the mood to dig in the garden and take long walks in the warm sun. Anyone else out there agree?!

This little birdie hut is the first in the series and will go to Stuff today. I got the yard sticks at a garage sale over the summer and knew what I was going to use them for at the time I bought them . . . finally!

I love chunks of old metal hardware. It is sometimes so ornate and "Victorian".

The metal circle at the bottom of the front entrance is an old drawer pull.

And I've been doing a few hanging plaques. The dog bone is made of polymer clay.

I had a dream about putting pennies on the roof of this one and got up at 5:30 a.m. one morning to do it. I wish I had dreams about doing housework.

I called the second house in the series "The Pink Chateau". I wonder where I got that inspiration?

Again with the Victorian-esque inspiration! I think the figurine came from Sparks flea market. Can't wait to hit that this spring!

And I love the red and pink combo. I can't remember if it's Romantic Homes or Country Living that features a red and pink home this month?? The story is about an English family who bought a French home and the decor is to die for. Next in the Birdie Commune series: The Tropicana Tweet Club. I think that one will go up to Sister's in Iowa. Off to work I go!