Friday, April 30, 2010

Booth Love ...And A Little Giveaway love, Too!


Just felt like showing my booth a little love today,
so I dropped off a few recent finds.
Let's have a look!




Super amazing antique leaded window.
One of a pair, one's in the booth, the other's at home...for now.
It can be in your home if you pop on in and do a little shoppin'
at Sunrise Antique Mall in Kerrville, Texas!

You more in the market for tarnished silver?
Gotcha covered!


You say you're more of an ironstone gal (or guy)?
Oh yeah, we've got that, too!



Feeling a little frou-frou?
Right this way!




And if you can't find exactly whatcha need in my booth,
I'm sure you'll be able to locate just the perfect piece in someone else's space.

Heck, you might even walk out with this fella...


Mall owner Bobby says he's not for sale,
but if I had just the right side table AND unlimited funds,
I'd make an offer on The King! And I'm not even an Elvis fan!
That's how rad this piece is!

So, for all you folks in the Austin area, San Antonio, or anywhere in the vicinity,
I sincerely hope you'll pop in and pay me a visit.
And let me know you're coming, too....I love to meet blog buddies!

Fiona and Twig has just the right accent for your home or garden, and at prices you'll love.
We're located inside

Sunrise Antique Mall
820 Water Street
Kerrville, Texas
78028


 Shifting gears, a couple of my blogging buddies
from Warrenton/Round Top are having wonderful giveaways!

First up, Shelley from Sweet Pea Home is having a 200th Post Giveback..



Here's what's included...per Shelley's description:

"My all~time favorite candle in the entire world from where else... Anthropologie! If you've never walked into Anthro and caught a whif of their Volcano candle, well you're in for a sensory treat.

My favorite CD in the universe, Bird On A Wire by Toby Lightman. I can hit replay all day on this one.

Three different shower gels by Philosophy. I adore Philosophy. These smell so good you will want to literally eat them.

A brown and white transferware butter pat. Yummy.

An assortment of teeny watch faces. I am addicted to these.

A fab flower frog from my personal collection. I hope you treasure it.

French script stamped seam binding. Say that three times fast... I love me some seam binding...

Three fabulous gift tags in the French theme of course...

Some surprises are bound to find their way into the mix as well..."

Pretty great, huh? I sure think so!
Enter HERE.

Next up, my pal Rebecca Ersfeld is celebrating the opening
of her WONDERFUL Blog Shoppe with an over-the-top wonderful giveaway!



 Rebecca says:

"I am giving away a fabric collage...
 made to order, in other words it will be like this one only with your pictures and colors of your choosing. The winner can send me pictures of their kids or grandparents or parents or just photos they like and I will make it  personal for the winner."

Pretty fabulous, right?

But that's not all!
Rebecca continues...

"Because it is also the same week that my feature in Where Women Create is coming out, I am throwing in a copy of the May issue of Where Women Create signed by yours truly... woohoo!
 

Enter HERE.

Have a wonderful weekend!




Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Where The Wild Things Are


Okay, enough about little blue farmhouses!

I paid my best friend Tom a visit yesterday,
and he provided me with some wonderful photo op's!
He has several hummingbird feeders on his deck,
so I thought I'd attempt to take a pic of some of the zippy little fellas.
I didn't hold out hopes that my pics would be any good,
as I don't have a fancy SLR camera,
but I was pleasantly surprised with what I captured!




His little bird feet just crack me up in this one!

Moving over towards the fence,
Tom has a neighbor with a llama named Jacob.
We like to feed Jacob carrots, and Jacob humors us by eating them.
Here's Tom and Mr. J...


Heading inside the house, Tom recently adopted
a furry little gal named Wednesday.
She's next to impossible to photograph, as she is a perpetual motion machine.
I need to have Winnie give her lessons in posing, as the Winster has it down.
This was the best I could do of Wednesday the cat...




Speaking of Winnie, she is never one to miss a chance of a photo-op,
especially if it means she'll be all over da interwebs again!



Hi Winnie!

Finally, I went looking for Mr. Twig this evening,
as I hadn't seen him for a bit.
I went outside and saw this some 20 + yds from the casa...


"What are you doing?", I asked.
"Just being a pack." Mr. Twig replied.

Wishing you and your pack a Happy Wednesday!



Tuesday, April 27, 2010

DO YOU BELIEVE IN COINCIDENCE?


I don't.
And I'll tell you why.

If you'll recall, I posted about the dreamy, little blue farmhouse
that I've been stalking for the past few months right HERE.
Go back and read that post, I'll wait for you.

So anyway, almost 70 of you weighed in on what you thought.
Most of you agreed that it is indeed a gem,
and certainly worthy of further consideration.



Fast forward a week.
I'd spent the day at my booth and a couple of estate sales, just keeping busy.

I come home and see that I have a couple of new posts on my old blue farmhouse post.

****************

 Kay said...I'd say go for it!! The little house out back is a small studio with sink and window AC. One of the upper rooms is a studio. That's my art work on the walls. I'm an artist and do watercolors and oil..and a few mosaics... and some of this and some of that. I should know, it is my house you're in love with!!!;-) I was in Sunrise Antiques today just after you left and casually mentioned my house being for sale. The listing has run out so you may talk directly to us. Jim and Kay (phone # edited out)

Kay said... I will say the wiring has been updated before we bought it but still needs some more. Plumbing is good, we have worked on that. Bunkhouse has its own bathroom that's why there are two septics. Main septic was pumped 18 months ago. Nearly all realestate is overpriced around here and these old houses are hard to come by. The ceilings are 7 1/2 ft. Looks like they started out 8ft when they first built. The paneling up now covers original beaded board just like the upstairs.  

**************** 

Coincidence? Or as I've heard it called, God-incidence?
As Kay (the homeowner) said, she had popped in to my antique mall
and casually struck up a conversation with mall-owner Vickie.
Kay mentioned that she was selling her farmhouse about 20 miles away.
Vickie asked her where the house was located,
and when Kay told her, a funny look came over Vickie's face.

"Is it a little blue farmhouse?"
When Kay said yes, Vickie immediately told her that she knew 
EXACTLY which house it was, and proceeded to give Kay 
one of my cards with my contact info and blog address.
That's how Kay ended up here on my blog 
to leave those comments on my little blue farmhouse post.
Incredible, right?




So I called Kay, and me and Mr. Twig headed over last night
and spent almost TWO HOURS touring the house and property
and just visiting with this wonderful couple!

So.....is it as amazing as I had hoped it would be?

Let's just say it's pretty darn amazing!

I didn't take any new pics,
as I thought that might be considered crass with the owners right there.
But I can fill in the dots a bit.

The kitchen?
Has incredible built-in pie-safe type cabinets. LOVE these!



There's a dreamy sun-room that's just off the kitchen...
The original hardware on many of the doors and cabinets
is the sort of stuff we all just eat up.

The upstairs?
Better than I had imagined.



I can't begin to describe how perfect these painted gray wood floors are!




And the outside is just rich with possibilities, too!
All sorts of fruit trees, a grape arbor, pecan trees,
and these 200 year old majesties framing the back of the house...




Remember the unfinished bunkhouse?



It's thissssss close to being finished!
It has a full kitchen, two LARGE rooms,
one of which could be used a living room/game room,
and another that could serve as a bedroom.
And there's a finished bathroom just off the back room, too.
Could easily serve as rental property or even a B&B.

So....what are ya waiting for, you're asking yourself?!?!

This is where real life kicks in and the dream gives way to reality.

Yes, we're still interested.
And yes, we're checking with the bank to see about loan approval.
But we can't carry two mortgages for an extended period
until our current home would sell. This isn't even an option.

And as dreamy as my little blue farmhouse is,
it would still need some updating. Not having a home inspection yet,
it's tough to say just how pricey this might actually turn out to be.

But we're talking. And praying.
And researching just how feasible this whole thing might actually be.
And our lovely hosts told us....sincerely....to come back and look again anytime.
And so we will.
So that was my big adventure last night!

Please keep us in your prayers, that everything happens just as it's supposed to.
That we don't rush or force anything,
just that we remain open and level-headed to whatever may come to pass.

Thanks for reading this far!
And thanks for being a part of this journey!


Monday, April 26, 2010

AN UNEXPECTED BLESSING


The thoughtfulness and generosity
of bloggers continues to amaze me!

About a week ago, the lovely Sandi of
A Cottage Muse asked for my address.
Little did I know she was planning something amazing,
and this past Friday, I discovered an unexpected treasure in my mailbox...


This darling gal had sent me the two skeleton keys,
the door knocker, and the doorknob you see in this photo, along with this note...



Is that not the sweetest?
I certainly never expected this...when I feature a fellow blogger,
I figure they're doing me a favor, too!
They're providing with me inspiration,
not to mention gorgeous images to place on my own  blog!




Thank you, Sandi...you'd better believe that each time
I see these thoughtful treasures,
I'll be keeping my eyes on the prize...Fiona and Twig, the Shop!

And I had one more incredible image I just had to share with all of you-
another scan for you to get all crafty with. Click to enlarge, then right click to save.


How amazing is that cover, I ask you???

I grabbed this 1912 book at a garage sale
a few weeks back for...get this...50 cents!
I simply had to have it for the killer cover alone,
and I knew instantly that it would be a fab gift
for all your crafty guys and gals out there. Enjoy!

I'm off for the day, I have a pretty exciting adventure
I'm headed out on this evening. I can't wait to share with all of you later this week!

Have a beautiful Monday!

Sunday, April 25, 2010

IRIS AND MAGGIE


I have a couple of presents for all you artsy, creative types.
Or just those of you who really love vintage cabinet cards!
I scored a big old box of cards and photos at yesterdays estate sale for a pittance,
and wanted to share them with all of you.

First up is the cutest little gal I think I've ever seen...don't forget to click to enlarge...



Meet Iris Bridges, 14 months.
Photo taken August 22, 1902.

Isn't she adorable? I can't wait to see what y'all create with this wonderful image!

Next up...well, to borrow from my friend LuLu Kellogg
this is where sweet and sinister meet!
Found in the same box of cabinet cards...meet Mrs. Maggie Henderson...



Get a load of those spindly fingers!
You think she and Iris were related? Surely not!
Anyway, I really can't wait to see you folks 
get your craft on with this chick!

So, enjoy!
And enjoy this lovely Spring day, too!




Saturday, April 24, 2010

MY HUSBAND SAYS HE'S LEAVING ME....


...if I bring home one more creepy inanimate figure!


I rescued this little orphan girl
from a local estate sale this afternoon.
She had belonged to the lady running the sale,
said that her name was "Becca".

The ladies husband, Mr. Estate Sale Lady, looked pleased to see her go.
He threw my husband a sympathetic glance as if to say
"Good luck buddy, devil dolly is your problem now!"

Sheesh, sometimes I think people watch entirely too much TV!
I mean, just because she has an unfortunate bit of red paint there
on the corner of her lip that sorta resembles blood...


Hey, how'd that pic get in here???

Anyway, here's Becca just hanging 'round the homestead this afternoon...


Living way out in the country = no nosy neighbors
thinking you're nuts for having a naked child mannequin in your front yard.



I'm taking Becca down to the booth next week,
just as soon as I find her some suitable attire.
I'm thinkin' a vintage girl scout uniform would be sorta cool,
what do you think?

If she sells right away, great, if not, I'll change out her attire
to fit the seasons or holidays.
Mr. Twig will just be relieved that she's leaving the house, no doubt.



Oh, and Mr. Twig didn't really threaten to leave me,
that was just the "grab" to get you in here.
He's far more tolerant and understanding of my weirdness than I probably deserve!

I scored lots more wonderful goodies at the sale,
including a treasure trove of 1937 ledgers. 
Photos coming next week!

So, what did you find on the garage/estate sale trail this fine Saturday?


SUPER SIZE ME...

Howdy!

Welcome to Texas.

Where we do EVERYTHING bigger, including blogging.

I've been up all night giving my blog
a Texas sized face-lift, can ya tell?
I switched to to the Minima Stretch Template,
which will now allow me to super-size my photos,
and just basically do everything bigger, better,
and more like the Texan I was born to be.


(Photo courtesy Angelique)

That's me and the inimitable Angelique of Six in One Hand.
She's a Texan, too...and I know for a fact
that she believes in doing things up BIG just like I do.

Go over and check out her blog,
she's given it a fresh coat of paint for Spring, I think you'll love it.

And while you're at it, go pay this gal a visit, too...


My buddy Debra of Common Ground has been sprucing up
her little corner of the blogosphere, and I'm certain that she'd love to know your thoughts.

As would I!

Pull up a comfy chair and take another look around the joint.
I'll be here when you get back, eager to hear what ya think!


Friday, April 23, 2010

AMAZING GRACE




She had a dirty face.

And a missing arm.

Her dress has seen better days.

You see her cap?

Look there, on the left side.

You see the red cross?

She must have been a nurse.

World War II, you think?

I do.

She called to me at Warrenton.

She must have known I was a health-care worker, too.

I named her Grace. As in Amazing.

She made the trip back with me, and now sits in my locker at work.

To inspire.

and encourage.

And to remind....

That those of us who tend to the

sick

and dying

and the imperfect in body

Have our own imperfections, too.

A good reminder.

One I need at times.

Like today.

Thank you, Grace.


Wednesday, April 21, 2010

LUCKY GIRL!


That would be me lately!

After a loooooong dry spell, I've actually won
THREE incredible blog giveaways in just the past month!
I've already received the first two prizes and the third is on the way,
so here's a peek at my recent windfalls...

First up, I returned home from Warrenton to discover
that I had actually won this stunning work of art...


Titled "Star Quality", this is an assemblage piece of art
created by the supremely talented Patricia Chapman of Assemblosity.
From her profile, Patricia "creates assemblage and collage art
using found objects and found images, text, and a large measure of humor.
I draw my subject matter from life, love, and other impossible situations."


You really owe it to yourself to visit Patricia's amazing BLOG,
her work is cutting-edge, one-of-a-kind, and for sale!

And next up...

Just look at what I scored from my dear, sweet friend LuLu Kellogg!




'Tis one of her highly coveted jewelry creations,
this most divine lampwork ring!




Stunning, eh?
Thank you my friend, to borrow a phrase from LuLu, I pink puffy heart this!

Not enough riches for one woman, you say?
I couldn't agree more!

Just look what's headed to me from Libbie at The Middlest Sister...




I know, I couldn't believe it either!
My very own, five year old Harajuku Girl!

Alas, sadly, Libbie isn't letting go of Annie, but instead will be
sending me the next best thing...
these wonderfully colorful journals and bowls from Target!









Whew, that's a lotta loot, right?

As long as I'm on a roll, I see a lottery ticket with my name on it
down at the convenience store!
Little Blue Farmhouse, here I come!

Happy Wednesday!

Monday, April 19, 2010

BRANCHING OUT


Inspired by displays and vignettes seen in Warrenton,
I headed down to the booth today to play.
I've said it before, but it bears repeating...click pics to enlarge!



Take a few willow branches...




Pages from an old book take the place of leaves...



Just branching out and trying something different!


Unrelated to that, have you shopgirls and booth owners
ever purchased something intended for the store,
only to fall in love with it yourself? (raising my hand!)

Meet the latest object of my affection...




Oh yeah...I can hear ya swooning from here.











I couldn't bear to take it to the booth, can ya blame me?

Have a great night and a terrific week!


Linking with Cindy at My Romantic Home