Time to catch up!

I'm very bad about keeping up the blog, but as a good friend recently said: bad blogger over the summer = good Mother, LOL.  We had lots of fun this summer, and I had the bonus of the Jenni Bowlin @ Petticoat Junction Retreat.

Here's some of my fave photos from that delicious time well-spent:

The group shot:

lovely porch

brunch with the ladies

room detail

And we took some "local/Ontario" vacations as a family too:

"glamping" in Woodstock

on the road:

 Niagara

Marineland

Then there was a fabulous week at Sandbanks, our annual favoutite-est of all!!

just a note

to say, I happened to land into Tennessee's hottest spell of weather on record, and they have a drought upgraded to severe while I was there...that's why I don't have any lush green country hills and roads to show you!  But here's a glimpse of the third project Jenni designed for us, the key holder danglies

Bad Habits

As in not paying attention to my blog, letting it lapse...so I'm determined to make amends...I've been relaxing the last two days, trying to catch my breath after a whirlwind trip to Tennessee.  I didn't see Dollywood, I didn't see Graceland and I didn't even see Opryland, BUT I saw way more of Middle Tennessee than any self-respecting northern girl has a right to!!  LOL.  (I got a little lost one day & and drove around and in and out of Murphfreesboro several times).

I went to Tennessee for a Scrapbookers' Retreat at the Petticoat Junction in Normandy, a very very small place well off the beaten path but well worth the journey.  As a bonus we had Jenni Bowlin at the Junction all day Saturday, teaching us 3 classes and offering us some exclusive deals at a small store.  Not only did Jenni recognize me, but her younger son is pretty sure he remembers me from Charlotte last year.  Everyone is so friendly!

The third class we did with Jenni used a new product she's launching, a Hotel Key Holder.  We made a series of vintage ephemera encrusted danglies, including a genuine vintage blue velvet blue ribbon!  I don't have any pictures to share of that yet, but here's a few showing the printer's tray I bought from Jenni and filled with goodies from Bell Buckle's antique markets on my return trip to Nashville Int'l Airport:

Another week and more fab finds!

I have to confess I have been to at least 4 different thrift shops this week, and pressed my nose up against a really luscious-looking curiosity shop on Wellie that wasn't open!

The shop is called "June's", and is actually on Somerset West just before it flips over into Wellie (but in my mind that little stretch from the O-train overpass bridge is were Wellington West begins ).

This pic above is one of about a dozen "toy" sewing machines of various sizes/ makes  & vintages...  Very drool-worthy!  Can't wait to find this little place open, I saw no sign of hours open etc., but I may just call June and find out, LOL!

This lovely jar now sits on my kitchen sink window as the repository for corks...if only I could remember why I decided to save corks!? lol  Must be a project on my Pinterest http://pinterest.com/njoyes/  crafty board!

I did manage to get one of my growing collection of kitch-art up on the wall this week, and its officially Evan's fave piece so I know its a good one! 

Another happy and thrify week!

Something *new*

Well new to me!  I've decided to give the blog some direction I'll use themes to help me blog more consistently...and Thursday seems like a good day for thrift-shop blogging!  I love to visit junk shops, thrift shops and antique shops, everywhere and anywhere...here's a few recent gems:

I've recently started hanging new and old pictures, art, prints, etc., and finding old frames to use, re-purpose & play around with is good fun, I especially like "gold" frames, or those that lend themselves to a good coat of paint.

I love collecting old silver, both plate and sterling.  I can't decide if I want to add these beauties to the cutlery drawer or incorporate into "found art" or a  mixed-media piece! 

This little gem I bought from a dealer, its 1860s, a  sterling brayer for blotting correspondence.  The wooden roller has a slot for blotting paper.  Its going into my craft studio for general use.

And how could I resist? 1940s Austrian sterling silver and crystals, Art Deco cuff!  My photography doesn't do it justice. :D

Sugar Cookie!