Same Pictures, Different Camera

Ok, I know you’re probably sick of seeing this same picture.

I promise it’s different though. 

 If you look closely Jodie is standing on my right side & Karla's eyes are open!

(Beth, Baby Jane Nathan, Me & Jodie)
I thought about skipping my round up of Round Top
because I'm so late in posting.
But please humor me & play along like you’ve  never seen any of  it before.

This was my second visit to the ‘Greatest Show on Earth’.  The first time I went for the STUFF.

 This time I went for the PEOPLE!

My girl Anne & her honey of a husband met up with us on Saturday.  James (Mr. Twig to his groupies) really set the bar for Junk spouses.  He was the perfect flea escort.

The booths we saw that day were amazing!!!

No matter what your style, there is something for everybody.

Do you like it prissy???

Pink???

Shiny....

Lacey?

 Or do you like it grungy & prim!

Perhaps a little rust??

The dealers in Warrenton are top notch.

The Seed Box was one of my favorites.

And Miss Gloria of  Sweet Pea so nice!

Her collection of linens were the yummiest I've seen. 

 I've got to get myself to Winnie & Tulua's & find a few pretties for my wish list.

Her displays were over the top!

A perfect marriage of luxurious fabric & mother nature.

 Honeycomb place mats-Brilliant!

All that sweating & shopping really works up an appetite.

So we headed to Royers for the most incredible lunch ever. 

Beth was a good girl & had salad, not me.....

I had the best fried chicken in the world, & I topped it off with apple pie 'a la mode.

Karla had this delicious salmon topped with shrimp in a buttery sauce.  If you get the opportunity to eat there do it, it's worth the wait!

After fueling up we were ready to PARTY!

The main reason I came on this trip was to attend Theresa Cano's famous blog party. 

I was dying to meet the girls I've been stalking following for years & I admit, I was a wee bit star struck.

TOT is someone I've admired for so long.  She is a huge inspiration to me, & I made the creepy doll head cake plate their holding in her honor.

The cake plate was my entry for this years party competition.  The contest was to bring an appetizer & present it in a cool way.  Look how cute it is displayed with Karla's awesome crown cloche. 

I thought we had it in the bag, well.......

 we were ROBBED!

Lost to a pair of melons!

Seriously, the entries were beyond clever & the party a blast!

Theresa Cano's booth blew me away. She is such a huge talent & has a heart of gold.

I was happy to finally meet the sweetest little Pea in blogland.

Miss Shelly of Sweet Pea.

My only regret was I couldn't stay for Marburger so that I could see Shelly & TOTs booth.

Shelly was one of my first blog friends & meeting her & her handsome hubby was a highlight.

My home-girl Charlene was there with Diane Cook & art club pal Joann. I would love to take a class with Diane someday.  Her jewelry is fabulous.

Pretty girls all in a row!

 I was a blob of sweat, & they look as fresh as a flower - all of them!

From left to right, my friend Susan, Elizabeth (Suzanne's beautiful daughter), my sweetheart Jodie (see she doesn't always wear shorts & crocs) & Suzanne of Pink Roses.

I was so busy gawking I didn't get to take a lot of pictures.

 But I'll wrap it up by saying it was one of the best weekends EVER! 

Thanks so much Jodie for putting up with my messy self, & to Karla & Beth for driving 13 hours to see your Texas friends.  I'm already thinking about the Spring show!

Singing the Praises

Thanks to Lori,

(& Katie's Rose Cottage)

 I got my hands on an advanced copy of the new Somerset Life.

It's one of the best ever, so many yummy pictures & great artists.

Including one of my favorites The Tin Rabbit herself, Ann.

Making her publishing debut with not 1 but 2 features!

She wrote a great how-to article about her memory pillows.

Then Kelsi Maree Borland wrote a wonderful piece about Ann's hanging luggage pockets.  That sweetie Ann made one for me awhile back, I blogged about it here.

I feel so proud for her, it's pretty great seeing your art in print.

Way to make your publishing debut girlfriend!

I've been in love with Ann's art & amazing style since I discovered her blog & flickr page ages ago.  I am very inspired & influenced by her work. 

Many of my pieces are now adorned with one of her signature seam binding wads.

I blogger stalked this poor soul for months before a mutual friend convinced her I wasn't crazy.  Now I am proud to call her friend, & on November 6 I will meet her in the flesh at her Tin Rabbit Sale.

Speaking of stalking....I eventually wore this sweet girl down too!

Life has devoted a few pages to Karla's beautiful pieces. 

Oh I love these peat pots...

Especially this one!

In exactly 3 days I'll be partying with Karla & her partner in crime Beth, in Round Top.

Yippee!!!!!!!

(Okay girls, I wanna see you score a church lady hat for $5. there!)

There's another pretty cool feature in this issue! LOL

Remember these?

I taught a second group of gals my 'Elements of Collage' at Cottage Panache a couple of weeks ago.

Maureen did such a great job remodeling her darling shop & designing the perfect classroom.

I am surprised & humbled that people would actually pay to take a class from me.

I know times are tough & workshops are kind of a luxury. Because of that I work really hard to meet my students expectations, pulling out all the stops with great vintage supplies & sharing every trick I know.

But after seeing their finished pieces I wondered who was teaching who!

A precious picture from Charlotte's childhood became her inspiration.

She use a vintage wedding veil as the skirt of her piece & generously shared bits of it with all of us.

Diane combined many different elements & scraps of lace to create her lovely collage.

My Paper Cowgirl buddy Sherry also used a family photo to personalize her work.

She has a great blog Lace And A Few Button's, go say hi!

Another Paper Cowgirl alum Linda, used a pair of Dawns slippers to embellish her collage.

I love how she framed a page from a Victorian autograph book with lace.

My running buddy Charlene from My Hearts Ease did an outstanding job on her collage.

 (of course, all of her art is beautiful)

Like I said, who was teaching who?

I'm very passionate about teaching & do it for totally selfish reasons.  It's certainly not about the money.  If I added up the time spent preparing, the supplies & everything else that goes into a workshop I would go crazy. 

 Also deadlines are not my friend, so I'm usually busting my booty into the late hours getting it all together. 

Around this time I tell myself this is the last time!

Then I set up the table......

the girls arrive & the process begins.

In the end we've spent a glorious day sharing  ideas, stories, supplies & laughs.  It's so rewarding, I learn so much from everyone & float away feeling totally renewed!

Thank you Charlotte, Linda, Charlene, Diane & Sherry for spending your day with me!

Inspiration Friday!

Hi friends,

did you think the kids tied me up & locked me in a closet?

No, just in a blogging funk.

But I'm feeling like my old self & want to dedicate this

Inspiration Friday post to my love of all things spooky!

Halloween is my second favorite holiday.

My favorite bird.....the Crow.

Favorite poet.....well you know.

I'm a ghoul, I admit it.

I buy up all the special issue mags on the newsstands.

And devour every ghostly book I can find.

But to me,

the Witchiest Woman of them all

(& I mean that in the best way)

is Debbie of Curious Sofa.



Someday I want will go to her Halloween open house.

Until then I hang around waiting for the party pics.

And each year is more ghastly than the last!

Heads Hats off to you Debbie!

For more inspiration check out the other Debs blog!

(All pictures borrowed from BH&G.com & Curious Sofa)

Looking for something fun to do this weekend??

Looking for some great vintage treasures?

Look no further.

Maureen is having one of her awesome Sidewalk Sales!

Cottage Panache Antiques

Saturday September 18

7277 Glenview Drive

North Richland Hills, Texas

817-595-4040

There are cool vendors, including my sweet friend Pat of My Tattered Elegance,

Penny & Tracey from Lonestar Antique Mall, Linda Kinnaird Jewery will be selling some of her fabulous designs, & of course my picker extraordinaire Alisia!

To see evidence of her insane picking abilities check out my post about Maureen's last sale here. 

 I'll be there bright & early looking for rust & lace!