Warrenton Regrets..

"Regrets, I've had a few:

But then again, too few to mention...."

Oops sorry, just channeling a little Frank Sinatra there!

All in all, my trip to the Junkin' Shangri-la
known as Antique Weekend in Warrenton was a huge success,
both personally and God willing, professionally.
I scored some truly amazing one-of-a-kind finds for my shop,
met and made some incredible new friends,
and took home enough warm and fuzzy memories to last me until,
oh, I dunno, at least

April 2010.  ;-)

But if forced to enumerate some things
I'd like a "do-over" for, here's my list:

1. 
   Wear more comfortable shoes. Yes, my cowboy boots were way cool and kick-azz,  but I came home with a blister on my right heel the size of a lemon. Cow-patties be damned, next time I'm wearing my Birks!
   
   
2. 
   Bring more cash. Seems like a no-brainer, but cash rules.
3. No 3......is actually no 4. Blogger is jacking with me today.
4. 
   Plan on spending more than just one day. I mistakenly thought that our inability to secure lodging in the immediate vicinity would be a deal-breaker. This native Texan shoulda just whipped out an atlas and did the math...lots and lots of affordable rooms to be had in Austin, and it's not that far away.
   
   
5. 
   Actually refer to the map/guide inside the Show Daily Guide Book before the drive back home. Another Captain Obvious mistake. It has a handy dandy cross reference guide in the back to help you locate just where to find which vendor sells what.
   
   
6. 
   Quit rationalizing about all the reasons why you can't go back....already spent too much money, gotta get the booth stuff ready for Saturday, blah, blah, blah, baby fishcakes.....just DO IT!!!! It's like Disneyland only better, it's like Canton on steroids (I totally stole that last bit), it's the most fun you can have smack dab in the middle of nowhere in a cow pasture!!!
   

One thing I don't regret?

This schweeet little purchase right here...

Have you ever seen anything like it?

If you have, you're a better man than I am, Gunga Din.

Cute little Asian inspired crusty child's toy chest, 

or as my husband is wont to call it, the "ugly baby thing".

It needs a little love, but once I give it a good spit shine and some polyurethane, 

it'll be ready to head to its happy new home.

Come see me at Water St. Antiques in Kerrville, Texas, 

for the ugly baby thing and lots, lots more!

Warrenton White Wednesday

I curse you, Kodak disposable camera!

Your pictures stink.

But 'twas I that left the dig cam batteries at home,
so the crummy quality is the fault of yours truly.

Still, I wanted to share some of the Warrenton related
white images I captured this past Saturday...

One of the ethereal, glorious Christmas displays in the
Country Garden Antiques tent. There so much pretty here
that it almost hurt my eyes. Swoon worthy, indeed.

Not White, but here's another one from their tent...

I can only dream of making my stuff look this good.

Love the white frame.

The blinding white flash from my el-cheapo camera, not so much.

And because White Wednesdays should be more about
the images than the words, I'm gonna shut up now
and share a few more white Warrenton snaps.

Christie Connelly's tent is not to be missed.

And a little something I picked up from my BFF Effie in Bar W Field. ..

which will be on sale at 10am sharp in my new booth 

at Sunrise Antique Mall in Kerrville, Texas!

Be sure to visit Kathleen at Faded Charm to see more wonderful white images!

~ Anne

W is for Wonderful (Warrenton update part 2)

...and it is also for Warrenton.

But for this post, it's for a little slice of the Promised Land known as Bar W Field.

For the uninitiated (that was me just last week),
let me give y'all the skinny on just what the fuss is all about:
Bar W is just one of many fields, halls, barns and venues
located in the very heart of Fayette County, Texas.
Twice a year, Spring and Fall, these sleepy little
(and I do mean LITTLE!) farming communities
become home to what is known as Antique Weekend.

This is an event of truly biblical proportions...it is a huge gathering
of antique and collectible vendors from across the USA
and even abroad. Tens upon tens of thousands of folks
descend upon about a half-dozen tiny Texas towns
at a point roughly halfway betwixt Austin and Houston.
Most of the shows are to be found along Hwy 237 in the towns
of Round Top, Warrenton and Carmine,
but there's much to be seen in the surrounding areas as well.

Meet my friend Effie.

She will thusly be referred to as 

The Queen of Bar W Field.

I met Effie only a couple of weekends ago 

at our teensy local version of Antiques Week, Fredericksburg Trade Days. 

She was the dumpster diva who sold me 

these awesome theatre seats, remember?

I told Effie that as soon as Handsome Husband and I hit Warrenton, 

I was going to call her and track her down. 

Well, seeing as how we arived at Bar W Field before 8am, 

we got there before poor Effie had even had a chance 

to get set up for the day! Somehow though, in this crazy amazing mass of humanity 

I managed to pinpoint her, and from there it was on like Donkey Kong, baby!

Effie and a few other insiders had tipped me off early 

to be sure and buy where the dealers buy...Bar W Field.

So buy I did!

I got this assortment of small chalkboards for only a buck each. Score!

The tiered cookie plate as well as the dynamite silver mirror 

in the bottom photo were procured from Effie as well.

I didn't buy these, as they were way too heavy, 

but look what else she brought to the big show....

Bad@ss old turnstiles! And they even register a click each time you walk through!
How cool would one of these be in your shop, eh?

But I believe that Effie's ace in the hole,
what seperates her from the rest of the pack at this gathering,
is some of her ephemera. She recently purchased the entire contents of an old pharmacy!
Can you believe that? She has scads of documents and prescription pads
from said pharmacy with actual copies
of old prescriptions written in the 1930s!!!!

Lookie what I got for $1 each...

And my personal fave...

For a suppository... "insert one each night one hour after enema is expelled."

Poor Old Man Alvey, sure hope he got regular eventually.

Awesome, no?

The Texas Junqueslinger!

LOVE. IT.

Today might be a two-fer, I have loads more pics to post, 

but first things first. There is still much work to be done 

in anticipation of the booth opening this Saturday. 

Cleaning, painting and pricing await. Be patient with me, 

I promise I will satiate your need for all things Warrenton related in due time.

So to my peeps in Bar W Field, Zapp Hall and all points in between,
I wish you fair weather, brisk sales, cold beer and much love! See you again soon!

~Anne

Warrenton in Review, Part 1....

Dumb blonde confession right up front:
About 60 miles down the road, I realize that yes,
I've brought my fancy schmancy digital camera, but that no,
I've left the rechargeable batteries at home. Just great.
So we picked up a couple of disposable cameras at H.E.B.
(to you non-Texans, that'd be the greatest grocery store chain on God's green earth),
and I vowed to just make do.

Here's the skinny if you're new to all this talk of Warrenton... here and here.

My booth space opens up in just 6 days, and this was only a one day trip.
The mission at hand was to cover as much acreage as possible
and score some really good deals to stock my booth.

Mission accomplished on both counts!

My wonderful workhorse of a huband gallantly pushed my
Wonder Wheeler all day long, made numerous trips to the car
to unload treasures, all the while remaining good natured and tireless.
Methinks he's a keeper. Oh, and it's his birthday today! Happy Birthday, Sweetheart!

There's so much to share, so let's just get to it.

Oh, and if I post a pic and don't credit you or your shop,
please, please forgive me! I can match most of the pics with the right dealer,
but hey, I'm the idjit that forgot the batteries, remember?

First up, here's a pic of me and the oh-so-fab Theresa of Garden Antqs Vintage.

She's set up right outside Zapp Hall, and for my money, 

she has some of the very best merchandise I saw all day. 

She is an absolute master with display and setting up vignettes. 

I'm only sorry that my accursed $5 camera didn't capture all the shots 

I snapped. I did manage to get a nifty shot of one of her girls, though....

Theresa was there with her husband Cruz, 

and I was instantly met with warm hugs of recognition. Good people.

I was fortunate enough to get to meet several other blogging buddies, 

each one just as nice and genuine as I'd imagined.

Between Royer's Cafe and Zapp Hall, 

Mindy from Primitiques 'n Poetry is set up.

Isn't she just the cutest little thing?

She's another master artiste from my must-go-see destination shop,
Winnie and Tulula's. This is her first trip to the big show,
but you'd never know it from a quick tour of her tent. Wow....

Girl's got mad skills.

I purchased this sweet little silver vase and platter from Miss Mindy...

She and her boyfriend David, who endeared himself to me 

always and forever when he gave me a furniture painting tutorial, are a great team. 

He's a pro-photog, so check her blog for more pics. 

He was snapping away, and it's a safe bet that his shots look better than mine.

Just to the left of Zapp Hall and within shouting distance of Theresa's tent 

is the awesomely awesome Troy from Junk Exchange.

 I think I remember him telling me this was his first trip to Warrenton, 

but I'm sure it won't be his last. His tent was always packed, 

and he and his partner Rod make you feel at home the moment you meet them.  

Look at the pretties I acquired from Mr. Rash...

Look at that darling nightstand! And ya know what else? 

He has some of the best prices I came across.

Ironstone I scored from Troy. My momentary nemesis Theresa 

was scoping out the Ironstone while I was there. 

I put her in a headlock and walked away with the spoils. 

(kidding, of course. Theresa is a doll).

Random Warrenton Awesomeness...

Right about now, I need to head outside and start cleaning some junk.
Booth opens up in T-minus 6 days,
and I bought a ridiculous amount of stuff.

I have way more pictures to share than I have time,
so please pop in all this next week for LOTS more pics
from my all-too-short day at Warrenton, and for the scoop on Debbie, Cat Daddy, and lots more!

One more thing, if you like my apron, please visit my friend Bunnie at
Apron Unlimited. She made mine, and it got raves in Warrenton.
She'll be more than happy to make you one, too.
~ Anne

Warrenton bound

Where you can find me 

in just under 10 hours from now.

Yee! Haw!

Full report to follow...

The Sandman Awaits....

Yes, I swore that Fiona & Twig, both the blog and the shop,
would never ever feature any cutesy cat tchotchkes
or cat-themed anything (even though my biz/blog is named after two cats).

I have a dangerously low threshold for cutesy.

But I've been sitting on these photos for nigh on a month now,
determined that someway, somehow, I was going to post pics
of my four-legged daughter Winnie in her little antique kitty bed.
And of course, in so doing, not jeopardizing my blog cred
as a cynical, sardonic voice railing against the cutesy.

Blame it on the paint fumes, or all the recent late nights cleaning and pricing
and plotting and planning my booth opening next weekend....
when fatigue sets in, my brain shuts down.
Less synapses firing = less verbosity. So win-win!

You don't have to muddle through another rambling excursion into my pysche,
PLUS you get to ooooh and awwww over precocious kitty pics.

Off to bed now. Say goodnight, Winnie.

Everything you nevah wanted to know about me!

I'd been noticing these Honest Scrap buttons
on some bloggers sidebars, but I didn't really know
what that was all about until my most talented blogging buddy
Marian of Mustard Seed Creations was kind enough to pass this award on to me.
Thank you, Marian!
If you haven't checked out her incredible blog,
you really should. She is a painter extraordinaire.

Sooooo......now comes honesty time.

I am to share 10 honest factoids about myself, pride be damned.

Okie dokie, here goes.

1. I am a spoiled only child. That much is self-evident.
2. I am a spelling bee champion and a spelling snob. If you ever catch me misspelling a word, please mock me mercilessly. Typos don't count.  :-P
3. I am half Danish and half French. The Danish side of me is descended from King Christian of Denmark.
4. I am addicted to Flaming Hot Cheeto's.
5.  I collect Humpty Dumpty's.
6.  I converted to Catholicism 11 years ago, and I love Christ and my Church.
7. My dream job would be to sing the role of Fantine in "Les Miserables."
8. I am an unabashed cat person who unexpectedly fell head-over-heels in love with her two Siberian Huskies.
9. I eat soup right out of the saucepan. Why dirty a soup bowl? (hangs head in shame, Martha Stewart I am not).
10. I love antiques, design, and the idea of having my very own shop, but if one BIG thing came from this whole blogging experience, it would be that I was somehow "discovered" and asked to contribute to a magazine as a writer. Journalism is my first love.

It will be my honor to share the love and pass the Honest Scrap award on,
but factoid #11....I'm up to my eyeballs in projects today,
so I will save that for a decidedly less frantic time!

Again, if you visit no other blog today, please pay
Marian, little Miss Prissy Pants Master Painting Diva a visit.
She is da bomb and the real deal when it comes to being a painting superstar.

Now, off to tackle more vexing painting projects of my own!

Happy White Wednesday!

XOXO,

Anne

Rate My Junk, Tuesday Edition.....

Welcome one and all to the decidedly
white trash version of HGTV's  Rate My Space!

This is a follow-up to yesterdays post wherein I bragged shamelessly
about all the swell swag I confiscated for my booth.

Ready for some more gloating AND the opportunity
to tell me just exactly what you think of my finds without impunity??

Alrighty then, let's get goin'!

First up:

Awesomely creepy little girl doll! Not creepy enough, you say?

Hmmmm, okay, tough audience....

Here's some of her kin just down the way:

Now that's what I'm talkin' about!

You know the whole decorating-with -creepy-doll-heads thing 

we've all been doing forever?

Ever wonder what happened to the rest of said dolly?

Well, wonder no longer! 

Fiona and Twig considers it our civic duty to answer these 

vexing questions which keep you awake at night. Here they be!

Oh my stars, you guys would've gone into an apoplectic fit 

if you'd toured this fab Field of Junk Dreams with me yesterday!

Where oh where to begin?

Feast your eyes....

What the hey??!!

Stroller for 4?

Kiddie-park ride?

No child restraints/seatbelts?

Wheeeee!!!!!

In keeping with our slightly macabre kiddie theme, 

walk another row over and you are met with this:

Do you have to ask twice if I'm going back for this???

And just in time for Halloween, too.

I'm wondering if the genteel locals are going to "get" my 

Curious Sofa-esque Halloween vignette?

Round the corner and all of this 

is pretty much ripe for the taking (dirt, dirt cheap prices!):

I'm in serious love with the garden lounger and birdcage.

As per yesterdays post, I'm breaking up my plentious finds 

from this weekend into several posts, but here's something 

on the more kid-friendly end of the spectrum.

Look y'all, it's Muff's Toybox!!!

Beats me who "Muff" is, but Aunt Jane and Uncle Scottie 

sure did think he was swell...

If I divulged just how cheaply I procured this toy box, 

you might just have to resort to calling me naughty names, 

so let's just say it was decidedly non-spendy and leave it at that.

Coming up on my next edition of Rate My Junk:

Life, Death and a Foe Defeated.

Clear as mud?

Good. I loves me a cliffhanger.  ;-)

'Night All,

Anne

Lock and load, baby....

I'm thisssss close to being ready to stock my booth.

Today was like junking nirvana. Seriously.
The capricious junking gods, with whom I have a decidely love/hate relationship,
were smiling down upon me today.

I've been stressing about not having enough big pieces to stock my booth,
but today's finds put those fears to rest.

I have at least a weeks worth of posts AND pictures
just about todays extraordinary purchases alone,
but due to the fact that I'm pretty much toast right now,
I'm only gonna give you a quick peek and rundown.

We hit Trade Days in Fredericksburg,
which is sort of the local mini-version of First Mondays in Canton.
I met a terrific gal named Effie, who will be set up in Bar W Field at Warrenton.
We chatted for quite some time,
and I was totally jazzed to pick up
these two joined theatre seats from her for $20.

Aren't these just ridiculously cool?

Safe at home!

She has loads more, and not only that,
but she recently purchased the entire contents
of an old small town pharmacy building! How cool is that?
I think I'm staying friends with this chica! We exchanged info,
and she's going to show me the best spots to get rock-bottom deals
while in Warrenton next week.
Wow, did I just say next week???
Should we all just let out a big collective squeal?!

I picked up a gorgeous white dresser w/mirror
which will go over huge with the shabby chic crowd.
I also pretty much stole a vintage 1910 white wicker babies crib
which had been marked down to a ridiculously low price.
Pictures to follow when I go back and pick it up on Tuesday.
Add to that a few roadside finds (including a killer desk)
and about a dozen more Trade Days acquisitions,
and this Texas gal is ready to pack it in and call it a day.

Lots and lots of pictures to follow next week once I refuel and recharge.

Hope your weekend was blessed beyond belief!

Until next time,

Anne

A Heartfelt Thank You....

Sometime this afternoon, my humble little blog
picked up its 50th follower.

(psssst, don't tell anybody, but I'm actually lost! follow me at your own peril!)

It amazes me every day when I sign on and see 

the kind comments you have left for me....the handy dandy tips, 

the generous support, the tireless encouragement, 

even a little hand-holding when I need it.

What an amazing community this is!

I know in the grand scheme of things, and compared to many of you, 

the number 50 might seem small, 

but I genuinely feel that each person who visits my blog 

and deems me worthy of following is God-sent.

I take none of you for granted.

I've only been at this blogging business about a month, 

but I just wanted to thank you all for making me feel not only welcome, but like family.

Have a blessed weekend!

Anne

This post was edited to remove

any photos not taken by myself, Anne Lorys.

I'm legit now!

The card says so, so it must be true!

My business cards and my store banner arrived in the mail today,
and I'm feeling an odd mixture of glee and doom.
Is this even the least bit normal?
I mean, they actually look professional!
Yikes, people are likely to expect something from me now.

True, it's not on the level of a tent in Warrenton
or my own brick and mortar store, but it's sort of a big whoop for me.
Baby steps, I have to keep reminding myself of that.

On the agenda for this week....work my day job as an RT
at the hospital for the next three days (12 hour shifts, ugh),
Church on Sunday like the good Catholic I am,
followed by a quick trip to Trade Days in Fredericksburg.
Before ya know it, you'll be seeing my smiling face in Warrenton!

I'm not due to take over my booth until the 1st of October,
so I still have a bit of time to beef up my inventory
and brainstorm some display/vignette ideas.
Does it always feel like no matter how much time you have to prepare,
it's never enough? No? Just me? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

For all of you getting ready for the big shows in just over a week,
my thoughts and prayers are most certainly with you.
God willing, we will be sharing a tent one day in the not-too-distant future!

Happy Trails!

~ Anne

White Wednesday at Fiona and Twig...

Again, thanks to Kathleen at Faded Charm
for hosting the loveliest day of the week, White Wednesday.

I've been burning the midnight oil all week long
in preparation for my new shop,
so I'm going to keep the jibber-jabber to a minimum
and let the images speak for themselves.

I was inspired by these lovely christening gowns I saw
in the antique mall where I'll be setting up shop next month,
and immediately filed them away for our next White Wednesday....which is today!

Enjoy, and blessings to all.

 

Please be sure to visit all the other bloggers participating in
White Wednedsay and see what beauty they have to share.

Happy White Wednesday!

~ Anne