Hooray for the 40's!

Not age or era, it's temps I'm talking here. 40 degree weather feels like a heat wave after all the sub zero temps and snow we've had! The snow is finally melting, but this is what it has looked like since Christmas Eve at my house.







As much as I love, love, love snow, it's nice to get the chill off for a while, and the next 7 days all in the 40's will be a nice break before we undoubtedly see more winter weather.

If cabin fever is getting to you, you'll want to attend the first ever Winter Vintage Retreat at Farmstead. A day to remember that includes incredible shopping with unique one-of-a-kind finds by Farmstead, A Vintage Mood (that's me!) and Just Claudia in an artful atmosphere where the creative lifestyle and your inner muse are nurtured. Along with great shopping, featured artist Sheila Rumney will be showcasing and instructing three lovingly created mixed media art workshops.







For more information and to register, click here.

Merry Christmas from My House to Yours

A few images around my house this season to wish you a very Merry Christmas.

Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!

Vintage Shopping, Past and Future

What a fabulous event Homegrown Hootin-Annie's Fall Festival was! As guests arrived, they were transported up a long drive by truck or by horse and carriage, and then dropped off to walk up the remaining drive where they were greeted with charming and whimsical vignettes created by participating vendors.






My creation...a faux dress form scarecrow I named Miss Autumn











Unfortunately most of my indoor pictures of the actual boutiques and wonderful wares didn't turn out very good, but I've shown a few (blurry) photos of my own space.








You can see much more by visiting the Farmstead blog here.

Along the lines of fantastic, fun events, I have one more event coming up to tell you about. Then, I'll be taking a break from shows until spring, and HAPPILY will be doing much more blogging than I have in the past few weeks. But first, without further delay, I must announce...


See a window display preview by visiting the Northland Vintage Market blog here.

Only One Day Till Fall Farmstead Fun

Things are cooking at the Farmstead...


It's almost here! Everything is coming together at this beautiful setting. Soon all these stalls plus a ginormous barn, carriage house and 2 out buildings will be brimming with vendors' unique creations, vintage wares and savvy shoppers.










Besides the shopping, there will be all the food and drink you would expect at a fall gathering ~ prize-winning chili, apple cider, smores ~ oh yum! Hope you can make it!

Friday sneak preview 5-8 PM, Saturday 10AM - 4PM
11905 Mellon's Bridge Road, Platte City, MO
For more sneak peeking at the Farmstead and to get directions to the farm visit darling Kelly here.

Homegrown Hootin-annie's Fall Festival

I have an exciting announcement to make, but FIRST, I'd love to share some pictures with you of the fabulous Visions of Paris event held 2 weeks ago at Zona Rosa in Kansas City. The first three are vignettes from my own space.




Some of Jill's woooonnnnnderful handmade soap creations.

A small sampling of the many other multi-talented vendors' spaces.




All of these photos are courtesy of Jill at Bittersweet & the Little Soap Co.You can visit Jilly here.

I'll have news soon of another event coming in November at Zona Rosa. But the real news of the moment, and what is consuming all of my time, energy and thoughts, is a not-to-be-missed, fun and festive fall event that I am so, so excited about.

Can't wait to tell you more about it soon. Must get back to work creating now. But first, big hugs to all my bloggie friends, who I have neglected to visit :( but are in my thoughts and I will eventually make it by to say hi.

Crowns Baby

My most recent rusty wire creation ~ a crown cloche, with a porcelain baby-head finial.



The baby wears vintage rhinestones around her neck. Kinda quirky, I know. I'll be adding this piece to my shop soon.

Peek in the Window at Visions of Paris

Neeeew, neeeew, neeew, not just yet! Window shopping is all that's allowed for now at the store front where several talented vendors will soon be gathering to hock their Frenchy wares.






Northland Vintage Market's Chapter Two event, Visions of Paris, will be held at the beautiful Zona Rosa in Kansas City September 10, 11 and 12. (Window display photos courtesy of Northland Vintage Market and The Pink Chandelier ~ Merci!) I'll share photos of a few of my own displays in a future post. If you live in the Kansas City area, I hope you'll make plans to attend this fabulous event.

Handbag Harvest

This adorable vintage purse came with one broken handle and one handle missing. Sad huh? Not really, because . . . with a little help from some pearls and crystal beads, it will soon get a makeover that will make it as good as new ~ maybe even better. I'm busy preparing for Visions of Paris, and will have photos of that to show you soon, but as soon as I can set aside a few spare minutes, I can't wait to give the veggie handbag its new handle and add it to my store. I'll share the "after" shots with you then. Hope you're enjoying a bountiful summer harvest.

Blooms & Views, #5 ~ Hello Baby Boos

Hello, you adorable Baby Boo pumpkins, how sweet of you to make your arrival. Signaling the nearness of autumn, this is the way my little white pumpkins looked a couple of weeks ago.






And this is how they look now.


They're in various stages, but at least 25 of them are ready to pluck off the vine and be pleasingly arranged into a white on white on silver autumn display. And it's only August! I think last year they weren't ready till the end of August, but they stayed gracefully in service as long as they were needed, through Thanksgiving.
I ©Baby Boos.

Best Catch

Here are just a few of my "best catch finds" on the trip home from our recent fly-fishing excursion. All the items in this pic will be for sale at the next Northland Vintage Market in September (if I can stand to part with them all).

I am on the hunt! In keeping with the "Visions of Paris" theme for the upcoming NVM event, the rest of my month will be spent scavenging around for all things vintage French and French-inspired. Stay tuned...more to come about NVM in a future post. And I'll have news about an October event (oooo, love the fall!) at a different venue that will be a total blast. Can you believe fall is just around the corner?