"A GOOD IMAGINATION AND A PILE OF JUNK": NEST AND GARDEN'S CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE



A sample of Kim's clever creations. Here, she has repurposed
a glass goblet and silver-plated coaster to be a tiny cloche
for a tiny bottle brush tree.

Today there's a happy mix of snow and sunshine in Western Washington. It's a good day to be home enjoying both. However, before the snow began last weekend, I hit the blacktops and headed north toward Snohomish, WA to Kim and Luanne's Nest and Garden Christmas Open House held at their Little Red Barn in the country. Kim's motto is Thomas Edison's quote; "to invent you need a good imagination and a pile of junk." Indeed, her creations reflect a whole lot of imagination combined with a fun blend of vintage, rustic, and repurposed finds. Her Little Red Barn was full of imaginative, decorative pieces and the joyful sound of friends and family visiting around the cozy heater. Please see JOYWORKS: Nest and Garden Open House for more great pics. Next, I hit an estate sale in Everett and purchased a Victorian chair with a green velvet, tufted seat. Then, I headed back to Snohomish for a quick spin through several of my favorite shops including Joyworks http://www.joyworks-shopgirl.blogspot.com/, Annie's on First http://www.anniesinsnohomish.blogspot.com/, and Faded Elegance http://fadedelegancestyle.blogspot.com/  to name a few! Then, on to M&M Antiques & Collectibles Antique Mall in Monroe. The shopping was fast and furious as I hurried back to pick up Sweet Girl from school. Despite the fast-pace, the road north led to some great decorating and gift ideas and some wonderful new friends. 

One of my favorite purchases from Nest and Garden.
 Can't think of a better message for the front porch!







The rose barkcloth pillow is from Joyworks in Snohomish.
 This is a great place for reading, writing,
and day-dreaming on a snowy afternoon.



Love this sign (also from Joyworks!) and it
 goes well with my Bluebonnet
 pottery and peacock feathers.



This vignette includes a Nest and Garden tree in
a bottle, and several other old favorites.







A gentle reminder that every creation
begins with a dream or two!



TODAY'S GOOD STUFF:

1. Snow Days

2. Moonbeams across fresh snow

3. Two-stepping with the one you love

4. Birthday Chocolate Cream Pie

5. Thankfulness for abundant blessings and prayers for those less fortunate

Peace, love, and abundant Thanksgiving blessings to y'all!

TIS THE SEASON TO BE JUNKIN'

Lots of great vintage items at 2nd Saturdayz.

Just wanted to share a few pics from 2nd Saturdayz Vintage Market held last weekend at Seattle's Magnuson Park on Sand Point Way. The big ole hanger was full of fabulous vendors with loads of wonderful junk and several clever garden structures by Bob Bowling  Rustics. Check out: www.bobbowlingrustics.homestead.com



Adorable handmade stockings by
Bugaboo Vintage Design.





The Garden Cat booth spreadin' some
vintage holiday junkin' joy.



Brown transfer ware tea cups serving up old
velvet pincushions and Victorian calling cards,



Mark your calendars now for December 11's 2nd Saturdayz Vintage Market -- just in time to find last minute holiday gifts and snag some crazi, cool vintage and antique pieces for your own sweet nest.

Thanks to the always creative, incredible JUNK TRIBE for organizing this fantastic monthly vintage market. 

TODAY'S GOOD STUFF:
1. Reconnecting with friends and family
2. Roller-skating (old school style)
3. Homemade soup
4. Classic movies
5. A favorite sweater

Peace, love, and all the good stuff, y'all!

SPREADING THE JUNKIN' JOY





I'll have several Bliss Bottles at 2nd Saturday.

I dust old bottles with glitter, and layer

 them with wire, vintage bits, and

add happy thoughts before capping them

with vintage shell buttons. 

  Looking for something especially unique this holiday season?  Or maybe you're feeling  nostalgic for glittery decorations like your grandma had back when you were a kid? 
Search no further, my sweet junking buddies!! Thanks to the fabulous, fearless Junk Tribe and their band of funky vendors, 2nd Saturdayz this Saturday, November 13 is bound to have at least a few hundred cool items to fit the bill. This is the largest 2nd Saturdayz Vintage Market to date and will be filled with the creme de la creme of spectacular holiday creations, vintage, and antique items. No doubt, you'll find something you didn't even know you needed! Besides, since you now get an extra hour of sleep, you've no excuse not to get yourself up early Saturday, grab some java and a shopping cart, and join the junking party going on out at Seattle's Magnuson Park's big old hanger on Sand Point Way. I'll be setting up The Garden Cat there with specially selected vintage holiday, shabby cottage, and farmhouse cozy items. Just ten bucks gets you in for early shopping from 8 to 10 a.m.  For more information and directions, check out http://www.2ndsaturdayz.blogspot.com/

Milk-glass pedestal bowl filled with bottle brush trees and glittery stars.



Miniature angel band performing on
 a small box full of vintage glass ornaments.




Just a few of the vintage ornaments
I'll have at 2nd Saturdayz this weekend.



Homemade mini Christmas tree and
 vintage Santa ornament ready
to bring on holiday cheer.

A little of everything, including a box of vintage ornaments,
a hand-made picket fence, and a silver dish
filled with a Garden Cat Christmas garland.

TODAY'S GOOD STUFF:

1. Glitter, glitter, and more glitter

2. Gingerbread

3. Holiday Bazaars

4. Contributing to your favorite charity

5. Kid-made ornaments

Peace, love, and all the good stuff, y'all!

JUNKIN' ROUND-UP



One weekend's junkin' round-up features finds from several estate sales,
 garages sales, and local thrift stores.



Figuring out what to do with the great junk I find is one of the things I most enjoy about my junking journeys.  Case in point, we recently found ourselves in a cool old house in the heart of Seattle full of more than 70 year's worth of accumulation. I bought a pretty chair, a hand-colored picture, some costume jewelry, four glass medicine bottles full of shell buttons, and two old lamp shades.The beautiful buttons will find their places in one of my handmade bracelets or garlands. The lampshades will be repurposed into displays for my Garden Cat booth. Most of the other items will also be for sale at several upcoming Vintage Flea Markets. In addition, we also purchased old pictures, silverware (for different crafting projects), a child's chalkboard, a vintage typewriter, a gold framed mirror, and an old suitcase. To see any of these Garden Cat treasures (or many others in my collection,) come to Hanger 30 at Magnuson Park on Sandpoint Way in Seattle. I'll be at the Junk Tribe's 2nd Saturdayz from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, November 13 and December 11.  Just ten bucks will get you into the Vintage Flea Market for early shopping from 8 - 10 a.m., and it's only $4 after 10 a.m. Check out www.2ndSaturdayz.blogspot.com for more information. The Junk Tribe has done a fantastic job organizing 2nd Saturdayz and plans to continue to host this great vintage flea market throughout the year. These two markets will be jam-packed with an incredible group of vendors with "fine tastes and curious treasures."  

This is a sample of the garlands I make from vintage
costume jewelry, crystal beads, and shell buttons.
 No two are alike and all are created with happy
vibes of peace, love, and a lot of good stuff.





Here's three of my bracelets. I use vintage
 costume earrings and beads to make them.

TODAY'S GOOD STUFF:

1. Walks in the rain

2. Eating by candlelight

3. Brownies (nuf said!)

4. Checking out a local museum

5. Vintage carved shell buttons

Peace, love, and all the good stuff y'all!