antiques/junking – Page 22

What can you get for under $100 in Lawrence, KS on a Saturday morning?

antiques/junking, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), flowers, Hand Painted Furniture

By Karla Nathan / July 18, 2009

Ahh! That's better. I've had a rough day and a pale pink rose sure helps!

Its not been a bad day, just an exhausting one. Well, I guess the part about my computer refusing to recognize any Excel programs is kind of bad… Mostly it was just a long and tiring day. Sugarwings woke up with the sunrise this morning, so she and I went garage sailing together. (and yes, I have goodies to add to the giveaway, and will take photos soon. You can leave a comment on any post to enter the drawing)

Usually, the baby and I don't try going to garage sales together, she'd rather have a lazy morning telling stories and making pancakes. But when I saw an ad in the paper for an All Shabby Chic estate sale, I packed that kid up fast as I could and headed out. This table and chairs wasn't something I actually needed…. but won't I enjoy having it right outside my studio's back door?

I kind of repainted it, but not totally. I wanted it to still look weathered, just not so shabby it was looking trashy. So I misted some spray paint on lightly and evenly to clean it up, and then sprayed a bit more heavily in other places.

And of course, I didn't NEED this either. But for $35, I sure wanted it for my studio. I can get rid of some cluttery small pieces of furniture and consolidate the stuff in them into this.

It almost didn't make it home, on one corner, the top of the hutch went sliding and tilted out over the bed of the pickup. I drove slow and with my flashers on the rest of the way home, and we made it ok. Ryan helped me to get it out of the truck, and we almost lost it again then, when it came sliding down a little faster than we thought.

When I bought it, I thought it would be a simple slap of paint and I'd be done. Then, I saw to my absolute horror, that the person who painted it before DID NOT PRIME or sand it!!!!!!! Their paint could be peeled off in long strips. Which I did, for about an hour.

Then I finished it with the steps on my side bar, primer spray and glaze. The glaze is cream. I might add vintage wallpaper to the inset panels.

These were at the same house. I think they are meant for hanging on a chandelier. Not a bad sale, huh? And when we got there it was all picked over, I'd love to have seen what was sold before we arrived.

It would have to be a heavy chandy to hold these fruits, they have some heft to them.

Sugarwings spent the day with her Hippy Chick Mommy and is back for tonight, so my little "shadow" and I will have some play time tonight. I hope she is in the mood for something less strenuous than usual. Last night, I was the flying monkey and she was Dorothy and I had to scoop her up and run to lock her in the Wicked Witch's castle. (over and over and over) After hauling and painting furniture all day, I don't think my flying monkey wings will flap tonight.

Scrapbook swapping ettiquette woes

antiques/junking, flowers, Sugarwings, swaps

By Karla Nathan / July 16, 2009

Wouldn't your heart skip a beat if you were invited for a craft day, and when you got there, this is what was waiting for you?

Mine sure did! When I saw this entry, I knew this was going to be a special place.

I was tempted to say, "The heck with crafting, where's my margarita?" and just plop down on the porch without even going into the studio.

But as good as the patio was— the inside was even better!

Laurie rents out her studio for the day, as well as teaches classes. It was a fun place to meet up, and gave our group a break from all having to drive to Lawrence to come to my place. All of them live in KC and Laurie's studio was more convenient for them.

Her home is chocked full of vintagey fun, and I had a hard time concentrating on what I wanted to work on, because I really wanted to explore and look at all the art and fun finds she had on display around the room.

Like this piece that I was really attracted to, even more so, when I saw that it said "Nathan & Co." on the top of the card.

Actually, it wasn't just the surroundings that kept me from getting to work. I'd brought photos from my trip to Jenn's event last May to add to the Flower Fairy Scrapbook that a group of us from there swapped pages on.

The book was gorgeous! So pretty that I was hesitant about using it. But- we all made our pages with the intent of adding photos, so I starting gluing. Plus, all the people at craft day assured me that they had been in swaps like this and swappers understand that the pages get altered a bit when you start adding your own stuff.

So, I got out the markers and pens and added journaling bits and swirls and doodads (according to Beth's last post, Journaling is the New Black). I snipped off bits of the ribbons that Kim tied to the beautiful cover she had made for it and used some of those inside on the pages to trim pictures. I also created pockets on some pages to add the pictures in, while saving the artist's original work and adding it to the top of the pocket, or on a tag to tie into the book later. I also took the liberty of re-distributing some butterflies and adding sparkle marker and details to them when I glued them back to the page around the photos.

Hopefully, I kept the intent of the artists intact and haven't offended anyone. I was so impressed with the care and skill that they all put into the book!

Was I wrong to add my own touches and drawings, and scoot some other artist's work aside and move it to make room for photos? I'm feeling a bit guilty…. What do you think?

I sincerely hope that I haven't offended the other artists and that they know how much I will treasure their work in this lovely book.

Mementos of a trip are important, and I will enjoy that book for a long time! I made up a little something for Sissy as a souvenir and thank you for her help on our trip to Florida to Aunt Caroline's funeral. She loves crows and witchy things, so when I saw this pink hat on a doll while we were shopping together, I knew exactly what I was going to do with it when I got home!

The hat got a foofing with some old flowers and tulle trim, then I glittered up the bird, gave her a necklace and plopped on the hat.

And none of these girls needed the hat, once I was done with their makeovers. I hope to get a few of these little Miss Vintagey gals listed in the shop today, along with more millinery, if the cloudy skies ever clear up so I can take a good photo!

I'm cleaning up the Boutique, deleting all the sold goods ( by the way, THANKS!) so you could shop more easily there and even created a new category- Sale Priced Goods

And don't forget, what ever is left in the Etsy shop is half off the price it is listed at, details in the previous post.

edit- there are sequinned girls, millinery packs, and new (old) jewelry added to the Boutique now.

No matter how much you spend on cupcake decor, if you can’t get the icing right, the cupcake still looks homemade

antiques/junking, Etsy Goodies, Food and Drink, give away

By Karla Nathan / July 15, 2009

Today is craft day, but with a twist, I am not cleaning up my studio and inviting friends over, we are using a rental studio in KC. ( I'll have details when I get back, I lost the blog address and am rushing right now).

But first, I wanted to take the time to thank you for your purchases and to remind you that the sale is still on at the Etsy shop . Details are in the previous post, but I also want to remind you that you need to purchase the items from Etsy, go to the check out, but do NOT pay with check out. Email me and I will send you an invoice for half off whatever is left.

I'm fine with you just emailing me the info and I go to the shop and delete the items, but I doubt if Etsy would like it, and I might get booted from there, because they don't get their percentage that way. I've done this for a few people, because it was quicker and easier than explaining and no problem to do, but I really don't want to make the big ole Etsy goliath mad at me.

I've made up cup cakes to take today, because crafting in packs is hungry work. We all get nibbly while we are cutting and gluing.

And you know, I really, really, sincerely tried to make pretty cupcakes. These are okay, but not what I wanted. I saw some on Andrea's blog once that made me sigh they were so lovely. So, when I spent a day with her, I asked her secret and she took me to her cupcake decor source, where I bought a big bagful of icing roses.

But, its not the same. Oh, yes, they are the same roses. They just don't look as good without her magic cupcake touch. She has that touch with everything. Heck, she could probably have a cupcake hanging out of her nose, and everyone would think it was the most beautiful cupcake they ever saw. She's that good with making things pretty.

I even tried the edible Glitter that I was introduced to at Debbie's party. The glitter and the roses look good, but with my sloppy icing job and skimpy crooked cupcakes, it just isn't the same.

Well, they might not look like they came from a classy bakery, but they are tasty. Pillsbury strawberry cake mix and a can of cream cheese icing, yum!

See the stack of books? I can't believe it, but I found more of these at a sale yesterday! I listed a couple, the last ones went fast. They are in the Boutique. There are some sale prices here and there in the Boutique, but the Etsy sale is Etsy only.

These teensy framed prints were at the sale too, so I bought a bagful. This one is being added to theJULY GARAGE SALE GIVEAWAY PRIZE PACK, a couple others went into the Boutique, and I kept a few for myself to deconstruct and use in projects.

But what is the most special thing in the photo?? Ahh, aren't these just the best?? Aunt Caroline had her pink pearls sent to me. Sorry for the bad picture, these deserve better than that. But I need to throw some supplies and crap in a box and get my butt to craft day, gotta run! (that butt that is a bit bigger after making sure the cupcakes were tasty even though they only looked average)

A fine feathered mess and some mosaic madness

antiques/junking, family, Food and Drink, give away, parties, Sugarwings, the Boutique at Karla's Cottage

By Karla Nathan / July 11, 2009

Sugarwing's Princess bed is coming along… but there have been a few hold ups. Its painted and pretty, that part was easy. But- a regular crib mattress wouldn't quite fit, so I am custom making one. Now, I might have mentioned that I hate to sew- but I seem to get stuck doing it a lot. Well, as long as it is a straight stitch and there are no zippers or buttons involved, I can do it. But I complain a lot!

Add in two bags of feathers and 3 bags of poly-fill fluff, and I have to tell you, it does become any more fun. I am sewing a giant, fluffy pillow for her out of waterproof, flannel backed fabric and trying to get more feathers in it than on the floor. (I bought two down filled pillows on clearance for $7.99 at Tuesday Morning and am using that for part of the stuffing. The pillow cases that came on them are going to be cut up into ribbons, they are silk!)

After that, I'll need to custom make the sheets! I think I'll go with giant size pillow cases.

Oh, but she is worth it!

Before our trip to the zoo, we threw a fairy tea party for Sugarwing's little cousin, Pixie Pie, who just turned two this week.

Then, all the grandparents took the cousins to the zoo. Because the heat was so bad and there had been storms earlier in the day, the place was deserted, like a private playground for these little fairy babies.

I don't know why this was set up at the zoo, but we came around a corner and there sat a jump house. Like I said, the park was our own private play ground, so we wriggled in under the flaps and jumped away. Mostly we just fell down and laughed till our sides hurt.

There is nothing more fun than being a grandma.

Well, garage sailing is pretty fun too.

I had sugarwings till almost noon today, so could only get to a couple sales. But I found some goods, and at one estate sale, I had a long conversation with the family after seeing a billion old patterns. Now, I am not a pattern person myself, but I love old trims. I figured if there were patterns, there were sewing supplies, and they said yes there was. They just didn't think anyone would want them! They said they would give me a call and get a box to me.

For the July Garage Sale Giveaway Prize Pack, I found a little bit, not much. A doily, a bag of buttons, and a pretty button card. I also bought a bunch of ribbon roses, not new, but still nice to use. I tied up a bouquet of them to add to the giveaway. All comments, all month are entered, and I will add more to the package each week.

See, these ribbon roses aren't the same as the vintage millinery that I love so much, but they aren't bad at all. I'm just a bit spoiled by finding old ones so often.

There was a big bag of buttons at a small sale that didn't even look like it was worth stopping at. But since I hadn't been to many at all and it was late in the day, I wasn't being picky, and I stopped anyway. I was glad I did, not because I particularly need more buttons, but because they are always nice to find anyway.

I listed this bunch in the Boutique. There are some sweet ones in the group.

These miniature farm animals too. Aren't they cute? I kept part of the set, some little wooden houses. I want to paint them up and glitter them to use in Christmas decor. I think they are pretty old from the looks of the other things at that sale, but can't say for sure. The person selling them said they were her Mom's and she played with them as a kid.

OK, gotta go. stupid Typepad keeps locking up my screen! Plus, I can't ignore that giant pillowcase waiting to be made so that Sugarwings will have a new Princess bed waiting for her. (I found floral king sized sheets for 15 cents each today too, and am using those to make the sheets for the new bed).

Damsels in Distress

antiques/junking, fairies, family, flowers

By Karla Nathan / July 1, 2009

The trip to Florida wasn't all sad stuff. My Aunt's funeral was uplifting, so many people had such good things to say about her. She was gracious and kind and a wonderful role model to live up to.

While down in the Sunshine State (where we were just about guaranteed a big blast of heavy rain every afternoon), my Sissy and I road tripped it from coast to coast and saw family (and antique shops) all the way.

We stayed with baby bro, Randy, and his family in Jacksonville. This mosaic is of my furry little niece and nephews. (Yep, that represents more Picassa fun time there, I learned a few more editing tricks!)

Randy and Kevin's garden is set up as an open invitation for fairies to come and play in the flowers.

Butterflies too! The yard is pesticide free, so the soon to be butterflies will be safe.

The place was so inviting, all I wanted to do was explore all the nooks and crannies, because there were such delightful surprises tucked in under the blooms!

And what did I buy on the trip? Well, I have to say that my hat whispering skills were top notch!

It was heart breaking to see that Mt. Dora is no longer chocked full of antique shops. Even so, we did manage to keep busy and I over filled my suitcase. To the point that it was over the weight limits, and I thought I'd have to stuff my carry on bag full of the heaviest stuff (5 rolls of gorgeous old wallpaper for $2.99!!!) But the Southwest Airlines agent let me leave it as is and didn't charge me for the overweight bag. SW is always the BEST.

These girls were so wrong, they were right. They caught my eye right away, well, with those garishly bright colors how could I miss them? But I saw potential in them, even if they are so unattractive they are too embarrassed to look at the camera as is.

First thing I did was cut those extra long, monkey styled arms in half! Then, on this one, I pulled off the brightest of the trims, and added some pretty pastels. Old crocheted lace, millinery flowers, a new hat (made from velvet flower petals), and of course, some fairy wings!

Now she is feeling self confident in her appearance and is saucily looking right into the eye of the camera.

Her formally red, white, and blue sister (who looked a bit too much like Wonder Woman to start with) really had a beautiful design of sequins, I just couldn't live with the colors. So, a little bit of spray paint with glitter sprinkled on while the paint was still wet gave her a makeover.

She also got a flower petal hat, more flowers on her gown, jewelry and a magic wand made from a hat pin. And of course, no more monkey arms. She has dainty little fairy wings, that don't show in this photo.

Sometimes I wonder about what I spend my time on. I am so far behind from being gone on one trip after another and I know I need to get caught up, get things listed on line and clean up my Etsy and Boutique, but I couldn't help myself. I saw these poor ugly ducklings and had to be their fairy godmother and turn them into swans!

I'm also finishing up the books I promised to list and will add all the new items to the shop at once and have a much needed makeover there too.

For now, it is back to my job as a fairy godmother, there are a few of those girls still waiting for my help!

Oh, and the winner of the June giveaway is:

Becca of Bluebirds and Roses. She was one of my very first blog friends, how nice!

Don't forget, a new contest starts today! All comments, all month are in the drawing for whatever the heck that prize will be.

Girls Trip times Three

antiques/junking, celebrations, Food and Drink, Moving to DC

By Karla Nathan / June 17, 2009

Washington, DC is a beautiful place to be. Even if you are not a huge museum fan, simply wandering about is pretty entertaining. Our Girls Trip was such fun. I even let them drag me from one museum after another with few complaints. One thing that surprised me, was how much I knew about the exhibits. I guess from reading Time and Newsweek, I see reveiws of art and absorbed it without even noticing.

One of my pals had lived in the area previously and knew where to go and what to do. Of course, I kind of live here part time, but I sure didn't know much. I can tell you where the best antique shops are, though.

Her advice on lunch? When you go to Chinatown, don't stop on the first block, like a tourist. Go down a block and over and get deeper into the area. Seemed to work for us, my lunch was delicious!

Even though we had some gloom and rain, we kept going. We didn't get too wet. And luckily, we changed our schedule to go and see the Portrait Gallery before the Haulocast Museum. Because if not, we'd have been there during the tragic shooting. That is the stuff that nightmares are made of.

No tragedies in our group! Even Jen's lost wedding ring turned up in her suitcase later on. My husband had to go out of town at the last minute, so it was just us girls. We stayed up late, sipping wine and telling stories all night. Now, to me, that is the best part. It doesn't matter what location you are in, where the trip takes you, it is who you are with that counts.

While we were exploring the Adam Morgan (?) district -in a down pour that kept us from seeing too much- we did get to see some Hollywood set crew guys taking down a scene from a movie being filmed there. I guess we were a bit late to see Reese Witherspoon, but it was still interesting to watch a fake brick store front being carried away.

This week has been extra special to me, not only did I get this Girl's Trip with my friends from Lawrence, and the Blogger's Day out in Leesburg with those pals, I had Beth come to hang out too. It was like a Girls Week on steroids, three gatherings in one!

After dropping off my first set of pals at the airport, I picked up Beth for the 2nd leg of the journey. We explored Baltimore a bit, drove down to the Wharf and ate crabcakes and walked through Little Italy.

With a GPS, you can go just about anywhere! I had some time between dropping the first batch of friends off and picking up the 2nd, so I drove around a bit all by myself too. Then, on the way home from the airport, Beth and I took a little side trip to Kennsington to look at the old Antique District there.

My husband got back in town just in time to take Robin, Beth, and I out to the Tower Club for an extremely schmancy dinner. I usually photograph the gorgeous food there, but my new camera is so much bigger and brighter, it seemed a bit obnoxious. So, my husband reminded me not to disturb the other guests and to be polite. That isn't easy for me…

Its also not going to be easy for me to get back into a routine of being at home and doing my normal chores, not being wined and dined daily while giggling with girlfriends. But, Sugawings is around and I have a feeling there will be plenty of girly gigglling time with her!

I’m shallow and I admit it

antiques/junking, Moving to DC, Travel

By Karla Nathan / June 15, 2009

Wow, how much fun can you jam into a week away? Enough that when all the running around stopped, I slept for about 12 hours straight last night! And today is a day of goofing off and that is about all. Since I don't fly home until tomorrow, and I have literally shopped till I dropped, and seen all the sights to see, today I am not doing much of anything but staying at the computer in the apartment.

I've been exploring Picassa as an editing tool and learned how to make a collage!!!

On the way to taking Beth to the airport in Baltimore so she could fly back to Kansas City, we started early and made a few side trips. I'd heard a lot about "Accessories of Old" in Bethesda, but had never been out there yet.

Now, I had a great time exploring DC with my friends earlier in the week, and seeing all the monuments and museums. BUT- to me, this stuff was every bit as full of history as that was! Am I shallow? Or ignorant? Well, possibly, but I sure loved being surrounded by all these old, beautiful things in this shop a lot more than looking at the Washington Monument.

Yes, I'll have to admit, I am not very deep. All I need is something pretty to look at and I am happy. Add a touch of sparkle and I am thrilled.

Everything in the store is OLD stock, that was stored and never, ever used. Some of it looks brand new, it is in such good shape. Not just some of it, most of it. I'm used to seeing worn out, dog eared button cards at flea markets and antique stores. Not brand spanking new, straight from the factory cards that have never been messed with, but are still about 100 years old.

That is how I love to see history!

Its lucky that Beth had to get to the airport, or I'd probably still be sitting on the floor in that shop going through bins of trinkets.

They had everything, from buttons and trims to jewels and supplies. I was enthralled by it all.

As a painter, I really did appreciate spending time in the National Portrait Gallery in DC, and going to museums. So, I am not completely uncultured. Although, my very favorite part of the city was some extremely old flocked wallpaper on the walls of a store we stopped into. But in my defense, that was paper like I'd never seen anywhere, a real heavy velvet, not a typical flocking!!!!

Next time I go back to Embellishments of Old, I'll be picking up a few of these to dress up a sweater for Sugarwings. There was even one with a Big Bad Wolf, one of her favorite characters. That girl loves the spooky parts of stories, and always prefers the wolf to Red Riding Hood. She is also crazy about the Wicked Witch of the West, but not more so than Dorothy.In Sugarwing's world, Dorothy is the biggest star on the planet, and Ariel is right after her.

On our way to Bethesda, we stopped at Sue's yard sale. She gave us some spectacular deals and I found a pile of cute stuff.

I wished this $20 chair would have fit in my suitcase.

Driving between Arlington and Bethesda, we saw some beautiful scenery. The GPS took us on a round about way, through some old neighbor hoods we would have missed if we'd stayed on the interstates. That kind of sight seeing is one of my favorite things to do. Its much more likely for me to drive around an old neighbor hood and explore there than poke around a museum when I travel. I like to think of it as "living history". But on the other hand, maybe I am just not very deep….

PS- I learned how to make a mosaic just in time to join "Mosaic Monday" at Mary's. She has a list of links to other mosaics that you can check out too.

Heading to Leesburg

antiques/junking, celebrations, Moving to DC, parties

By Karla Nathan / June 14, 2009

What a fun group! Here we are in front of Prom Dress Central, other wise known as the "Anti- Hope Room", (Hope is such a funny person to be with, and she came up with that name, since it is pretty over whelmingly beautifully stocked with froof, and she doesn't care for that stuff)

Pictured in the back row is: Jessica http://www.suchprettythings.typepad.com/

Pamelahttp://www.suchprettythings.typepad.com/

Lori myfaeriewindow.blogspot.com/>

Amy http://www.inspireco.blogspot.com/

Heather prettypetals.typepad.com/>

Andrea http://www.velvetstrawberries.typepad.com/

Front is: Hope http://besottment.typepad.com/

Beth http://bethleintz.typepad..com/

Stephenie justalittlebitpink.blogspot.com/>

and Robin http://thriftymissprissy.typepad.com/

We were at On a Whim, a place of pink polka dot loveliness (that I don't have the web address for right now, sorry). One room there is nothing but vintage gowns and hats. I've been there before and have made the appropriate sqeally noises when I first saw the room, so really enjoyed listening as each new person came in and saw it all for the first time. There might have been a happy squeal or two…

The owner, Donna Trexler has done a breath taking, squeal producing job of displaying her gowns.

And her HATS!!!!! I was in love with the hats!!

What better backdrop for a group photo of this group?

By the way, I am loving my new camera! I'm getting used to it, and learning a few tricks. Plus, I downloaded Picassa photo editing and have had a chance to experiment with that. I'd love to learn how to add tint to a sepia photo, wouldn't it be pretty if I had been able to add a blush of pink to the roses in this one?

The Cottage ( www.cottageatleesburg.com ) was as cute as a bug, just as its welcoming front porch implied.

There was lots to talk about all day, and you might think it was complicated for a big group to shop together, but we all had such similar interests we had an easy time staying together while we poked around here and there in Leesburg. There was time to mingle and talk one on one too, and talking to Amy and Andrea and hearing about thier toddlers helped my homesickness about missing Sugarwings. (only 4 more days till I get to hold my little Fairy Grand Baby again!!)

Here is Andrea, Hope, and Amy. I've met them all at Silver Bella, but never really got a chance to spend time with Hope or Amy till yesterday, and am so glad I got a chance to hang with them both.

This year have been lucky enough to get to visit with Andrea once in April, then again in May, and now here in June. We both have husbands that travel a lot, and she joked that we might see each other more than we see them.

Amy has invited me to come to a craft day at her home when I "head" back this way again. Can't wait.

Most of the things that I was really attracted to, like this statue, weren't feasible for my suitcase. I guess the shopping part of the day was more for social than for buying purposes for me. The stores in Leesburg will always be some of my faves, but on this day, I was too busy chatting to be seriously shopping.

Although, this little guy might have fit into my suitcase…

We did manage to buy a few goodies, and Pamela provided the cutest travel folders filled with pockets for receipts, business cards and custom tags with our names on them to tie onto our shopping bags so we could tell whose was whose. When Beth, Robin, and I loaded my trunk, Beth saw this and said we had to snap a picture of the tagged loot.

If you travel with bloggers, there is one photo op after another!

I'll have some pictures of the little (did I really say little? I meant extravagant and generous) gift exchange as well as the haul from shopping later on.

Thanks, Heather for pulling it all together for us to meet! What a fun group, and a beautiful day.

Back Pain Relief Recipe

antiques/junking, how to's, show and tell, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / May 30, 2009

Before I hurt my back this week while on vacation, I started a few tags. I was thinking about making some tag books, but decided that these wouldn't fit into the binder with all the 3-D stuff on them, I'll need to add doodads after binding the tags, not before.

These colors are a bit different from what I usually pick out. Beth and I have a Wallpaper Pact, when one of us scores some vintage paper, we share with the other. She gave me the border that I used across the bottom, and if went perfectly with a playing card I got in the En Le Jardin swap.

When my back cooperates and I can sit at my desk again, I'll be adding ribbons to these and calling them finished. Then, I'll start over on the tag books. So, this batch isn't exactly a waste of time. I just about always finish what I start and make it work somehow.

This is the statue that I bought from Carol. For now, she is gracing one of the dining room tables in my studio. I might bring her into the living room later on. I already have a couple in there now, and I do think a collection makes more impact when it is grouped together, but on the other hand, I like having my favorite things all around me. So, maybe she'll stay out here in the studio to keep me company while I work.

Last Saturday, at the world's greatest estate sale, I found this punch bowl. I've been wanting one forever, but didn't want to spend much. This one is cracked, so it was cheap, only 5 bucks. I don't mind the crack, since I am using it for something that won't leak, not punch.

There was also a giant box of cushion sized slip covers at the sale, and they were only $7.50! I immediately put some on my porch furniture. The rest got washed up and look even better. The pink background shows up a lot prettier when it isn't dirty. I'm not quite sure what I'll do with the rest of them, its gorgeous fabric, some of the prettiest that I have found. And while it isn't old-old, it is older. Hmm, does that make sense to you? Not antiquey old like bark cloth, but not made all that recently either.

There were a few round pillows in the box too. And I almost didn't buy any of it, I wasn't sure if the size was something I could use, but Beth told me that the fabric was worth a lot more than $7 to have for cutting up. She's right, I'm glad I listened.

Notice these photos are focused only on the chairs? I've not done any planting and my porch looks desolate and lonely without flowers! Of course, with a sore back, I won't be doing much gardening this weekend, so it might be a while before I get plants set out.

Years ago, I fell off a pony and fractured a couple of vertebrae. Now, I wasn't thrown from a horse, I just carelessly slid off the back of a small pony. Like a klutz, nothing dramatic about it.

I had a few surgeries, cortisone epidurals, lots of rest. But, I was in bad shape for a LONG time, till I finally found a Dr. who got me to physical therapy. Since then, I've controlled the back problems by sort of keeping in shape. Not the kind where I look good, but the kind where I stay flexible and can move.

There is also a routine I go through if my back gets sore and it usually works in a day or two, I no longer have months of pain like before. My trouble now, is that my back went out on me while on vacation and I didn't follow my recipe for healing, since, not only was I staying at a hotel, we were sightseeing and hauling around a 2-1/2 year old.

Here is what I usually do, and am doing now. It doesn't work as well if you don't do it right when injured, but it still helps:

Back Pain Relief Recipe

Equal parts of rest, laying and sitting. Do not stay in one position too long.

Equal amounts of ice and heat, taking turns with each.

Walking and stretching in small amounts to start with, then building up to more. DO NOT rest too much, you have to MOVE or you'll cramp up.

And last, anti-inflamatories and muscle relaxers. I use Ibuprofen and Skelaxion, neither make me drowsy.

You will also need a stack of movies to watch. I'm going to go watch Diary of the Dead, it seems fitting, since I have the zombie shuffle walk going on right now.

And for now, I have probably sat too long at the computer, I need to walk and stretch. But before I go, I'll tell you the winner of the Cottage Charm giveaway, my May prize. Thanks, Kim, for hosting this annual event!

And the winner is:

Jenny

By the way,Beth is having a fantastic giveaway full of Victorian scrap! Go enter before its closed!!

Visting Carol and maybe Caroline

antiques/junking, the Boutique at Karla's Cottage, Travel

By Karla Nathan / May 25, 2009

Beth and her husband treated my husband and I to dinner out on Friday night! It was such fun, but like many "double dates" after a while the guys talked golf and we started talking junk. Then, we realized that dinner was over and we still had a lot to say, so we made plans to continue the conversation Saturday morning at estate sales.

Beth took me to the world's BEST Estate sale in Kansas City. The BEST. Everything was exactly to my taste and style and the prices were reasonable. Luckily, it was the second day and the good prices were cut in half. Sadly, because it was the 2nd day, most of it was gone. I still seemed to manage to get some things that I just love (sorry, no pics right now of these- you probably wonder why I even am yammering on about it if I am not going to show you stuff, huh? I'm just still excited, it was such a fun day out.)

Not only was the estate sale a blast, (who wouldn't want to wander around in a Shabby Chic, French style, antique filled palace and shop at garage sale prices???) but the whole day was fun. My couple of hours turned into all day, and we went to visit our pal, Carol at Raised in Cotton.

(these pictures are from her shop)

This is a bit embarrassing to admit, it was my first trip to her store. She is a treasured friend, and has been my roomie on a couple of trips. We email chat constantly, but Raised in Cotton is on the other side of Kansas City and I just never get that far.

But, now that I have seen it, I'll be making the trip again. I loved everything about it, and saw lots of things I wanted.

Maybe I get too attached to my purchases?? I'm falling for statues now, and have started a collection. I was thrilled to find one here! Have you ever noticed how hard it is to find one of these girls with a pretty face? Often the faces are flat looking or the girl has feet like a man. Why is that always happening with these 50's and 60's ladies? I see it all the time. But this girl is a dainty one and I just love her.

I also bought the vintage lace shirt. Its a bit snug, but I'll wear it unbuttoned. (I know this is a BAD photo, makeup from the night before, bed head and a red nose. No, I am not a drunk, wasn't hung over. I just left for garage sales at 7am and am not a morning person)

We are doing our Memorial Day weekend a bit backwards. I worked all day Sunday, adding some items to the boutique, and cleaning the studio. Then on Monday, we are taking off on a trip. My handsome husband and I are packing up the fairy grand baby and all her paraphernalia and heading to Sioux City, Iowa to see family.

We hope to stop at the Omaha Zoo on the way home, weather permitting. If all goes well, on this long trip with a toddler, we might go to Florida next weekend. The baby is staying with us for a couple of weeks while her Hippy Chick mom is vacationing, and we are using the time to do as many fun things as we can.

Although, our reason for the trip to Florida is not so fun. My Great Aunt Caroline is in hospice care now. She will turn 101 at the end of June and knowing her will, she will make it and will probably keep on going till 102. But… I can't help but worry.

Last year, blog readers generously made 100 cards for her 100th birthday, and she was so touched!

I'm hoping a little dose of Sugarwings will be good for her, so we are tentatively planning a trip down to Howie in the Hills, Florida to see Caroline. She is the best story teller I have ever met, and I'd love for my little fairy grand baby to hear one of her tales.

But for now, off to pack and get ready for Sioux City!

When I get back, I'll announce the winner of the Cottage Charm Giveaway.

You can enter my drawing by leaving a comment on any post. To enter other giveaways, visit Kim for a list of sites.