CRAZY QUILT PUMPKINS

Hey, Y'all! It's pumpkin time!! Now, before you go getting your pajamas on and getting a glass of warm milk, stay with me here -- it's really PUMPKIN TIME!! You know, time for football watchin', hot cocoa sippin', leaf- kickin', gingerbread smellin', sweater wearin', nature inspirin' . . . AUTUMN!!
One of my favorite times of the year.

Recently I was inspired by some wonderful antique silk crazy quilt pieces I found at The French Farmhouse's booth at the (first ever!) Monroe WA Flea Market.

I'm not really much of a seamstress, but with a little thread and stuffing I was able to take each square and make a running stitch around, folding in the corners, and come up with a kind of pocket. I then filled the "pocket" with about a cup of dry pinto beans (to give it a little weight and more shape) and a lot of quilt batting. I pulled it all together to meet at the center then stitched it together. For the stem, I used a wine bottle cork cut in half and hot-glued to the top.

I'm thrilled with the way they turned out -- silk-crazy quilt-perfect imperfection and full of wonderful fall color.

Peace, love, and savor each golden day of Autumn, y'all!!

SHARIN' THE JUNKIN' LOVE

As most of you know, I love a good road trip and this summer was full of road-trippin’ adventures all over the Lone Star state. Athens is just south of Canton (see previous post for info about First Monday Trade Days and all the other wonderfulness in Canton!) and home to Winnie and Tulula’s located at 119 East Tyler (“not your mother’s antique mall.") Besides The Sweet Pea collection of fine European linens and furniture, Winnie and Tulula’s hosts spectacular vendors such as Terri of Gardenworthy,Margo of Ruff www.robolady.com,

Deb of www.talkingwhitetrash.blogspot.com, and Mo of www.rubbishandcompany.com to name but a few. In addition to the eclectic wonderland of all things vintage, quirky, romantic, euro, soulfully hip, glam, tarnished, rustic and cottage, this incredible place also has a lovely, yummy restaurant on-site! Sweet Peas Bistro featuring Chef Jeff Redden is open for lunch Wednesday and Thursday from 11 am. -3 p.m. and for lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. -9 p.m. Tell 'em I sent ya!

As if that weren’t enough – buckle your seat belts, turn up the tunes, and head south toward the land of Blue Bell ice cream and antique roses.  Leftovers Antiques Home and Mercantile just outside Brenham on Hwy 290 West is a must-see warehouse- sized place full of antique loveliness and vintage curiosities. The day Sweet Girl and I stopped by, owners Ed and Michael had just received numerous containers from Europe and were busy arranging them in time for the upcoming Warrenton, Marburger Farm and Round Top Antique Shows (September 21- October 2). Bountiful vignettes take up every nook and cranny including everything from blissful concrete pigs from England to chic burlap lampshades. Eye candy for sure!

Somewhere along the way we were able to catch up with Junkin’ sistas in San Antonio. Amy www.amyboland.com and the www.thegypsychic.wordpress.com, Suzanne www.rustedgingham.com, Kristi www.junkology.wordpress.com, and I spent the entire morning (and a little of the afternoon) sharing junkin' stories and lots of laughs. It was wonderful to meet Kristi and Amy in person and to see Suzanne again, although we missed her sister-in-law, Tracy. Sweet Girl and I met Tracy and Suzanne last March at Theresa's www.gardenantqs.blogspot.com Bloggers' Party.

Suzanne and Tracy are gearing up for their big'o Barn Sale from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Saturday, November 5 at JB Wells Showbarn in Gonzales, TX. It’ll be a humdinger of a good time with lots of great shopping and fantastic vendors.

Next time we're together in blogland, dear friends, we'll head on over to Whimseys and Binky La Faye's in Llano, TX. Until then, Happy Junkin!

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

DETOUR TO FIRST MONDAY TRADE DAYS

One of the highlights of going to Texas this summer was knowing I would be able to hit Canton, Texas home to the world-renowned First Monday Trade Days Market. It has long been one of my favorite monthly flea markets and is even the initial setting for my cozy mystery FIRST MONDAY MURDER. It is a huge market (read acres!!) of both indoor and outdoor booths. I was surprised by all the new buildings there now. Many vendors have regular indoor spaces there, but rest assured there are still lots of junky treasures to be found in the "unreserved" section across the creek. On the day Sweet Girl and I made our way there, it was an especially stifling hot one -- the dreaded August market -- only dreaded because of the oven roasting temps and lack of the usual Texas breezes. I choose to look at the bright side -- less traffic. We took provisions to take on the heat including wet bandanas, mini-water spraying fans, icy water bottles, and good spirits. Sweating so profusely has never been more fun! In addition to finding some great junk, I also got to meet my facebook friends Cathy and Deidra of Girls Gone Junkin’.  Their space, recently voted one of the top five at Canton's First Monday by Southern Living magazine, didn't disappoint. At every turn there were white lacy confections, rusty metal pieces, and even a bit of alluring leather. The combination was unique and wonderfully refreshing. For more info check out http://www.girlsgonejunkin.com/.

 These photos were taken at other indoor venues at FIRST MONDAY.  I love the looks and inspiration.

For more info on First Monday Trade Days check out http://www.firstmondaycanton.com/.

Did I mention Sweet Girl and I keep up our super junkin' strength by sharing chocolate pie?





Peace, love, and pie-lovin' goodness to y'all!!