tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89024040919074905842024-03-18T20:20:41.921-07:00Junque RethunqueJunque Rethunquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07670510181195435203noreply@blogger.comBlogger107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902404091907490584.post-41028921994798501062013-11-09T12:16:00.001-08:002013-11-09T12:19:05.554-08:00Relocating the Junque!!I'm starting this off with a HUGE apology. I have set up a new blog and neglected to put a note here to let you know about it!! Bad blogger!!!<br />
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So, I hope you'll accept my apology and join me in my new online spot...<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://junquerethunque.com/">JunqueRethunque</a></span></div>
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It's exciting, isn't it!? Well, I am excited. I don't know what it is about removing that .blogspot.com bit that makes me so happy. Come follow along and we'll continue the fun hunting junque, making DIY projects, and sharing thrift-store awesomeness.<br />
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See you there!<br />
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<br />Junque Rethunquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07670510181195435203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902404091907490584.post-17760828821496841922013-03-28T18:34:00.000-07:002013-04-01T10:21:21.720-07:00Music to Make By...I've had some discussions lately, and have seen others asking for suggestions, about what creative types listen to while they're being creative. I've found that at work, when I'm creating words and sentences and coherent thoughts and ideas, I have to listen to music that doesn't have many words. I have a couple of stations saved on Pandora and Spotify that are instrumental and acoustic. They create a little white noise so that I'm not <u>completely</u> alone with my thoughts, but they don't distract me.<br />
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At home, it's a different story. I need something with a tune to hum along with, and words to sing along to, and sometimes even a mood that will put my creative mojo into a place that brings about some inspiration.<br />
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I knew that <a href="https://twitter.com/jtimberlake" rel="nofollow">Justin Timberlake</a> was releasing a new cd (um, could anyone miss this information? He's been showing up EVERYWHERE lately!) so I pulled up <i>The 20/20 Experience</i> on Spotify to give it a listen. I also pulled up <i>Justified</i>, his 2002 release. And boy did THAT make me feel OLD!!! It was released over a decade ago, for pete's sake... and 12 years ago I took my then-6-year-old daughter to see N*Sync in Little Rock. I have to say, I think Justin has aged pretty well. :) I'm sure everyone has heard the song <i>Suit & Tie</i>, it's been playing on commercials, he's been singing it on guest appearances on television... and it's probably the most straight up "bringing sexy back" Justin Timberlake tune on the cd. I think it's my favorite, but I also really like <i>Mirrors</i> and <i>Strawberry Bubblegum</i> and <i>Pusher Love Girl</i>. The lyrics on the album are primarily about romancing a woman, and in that way it reminds me a bit of a dance version of John Legend music. I wonder what a collaboration between those two would sound like... hmmm.... *daydreaming*<br />
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I confess that although I love my mobile Spotify app, and am all about keeping up with the new technology that is popping up every day, I still want to own the actual cd. Maybe it's because I'm in my 40s and still have a stack of vinyl from the 80s in my closet... or maybe it's because I have lost photos and other stuff I had saved on my computer and on my phone, so I'm still skeptical of the permanence of anything I am not actually holding in my hand. I'm also a collector, and enjoy keeping things around me that help define who I am. I only recently added an electronic reader to my list of gadgets, but have hardly used it. I just love holding a BOOK, and browsing the aisles of my favorite used book stores. By the same token, I enjoy looking through my cds to find just the right music to inspire me as I sew, paint, or clean house. I am always reminded of a concert I attended, a road trip I took, or someone special who gave me a particular cd (or all three). I've never had that experience scrolling through my .mp3 files.<br />
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So, while I was doing a little shopping for last-minute Easter swag and dishwashing detergent at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/walmart?ref=ts&fref=ts" rel="nofollow">Walmart</a>, I saw a poster for the CD and decided to grab it. I put it in to play while I made dinner tonight, and smiled as I
looked at the liner and the CD itself. Way to go JT, he's not only
brought sexy back, he's bringing vinyl back... sort of. :) <br />
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So if you're looking for a good groove to make by, I give a thumb's up to Justin's new release. Want to see more of my shopping trip? Click <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/115250056131356135419/albums/5860555722935583761" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>. Get your own without the trip to the store - <a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/The-20-20-Experience/23381605" rel="nofollow">order it online</a>! You're welcome<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">. </span></span><br />
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<span id="internal-source-marker_0.09715442570088995" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>I
am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This
content has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study
for Collective Bias® and #JT2020 #cbias #SocialFabric. That said... I really do love me some Justin Timberlake. ;)</i></span></span><br />
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<br />Junque Rethunquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07670510181195435203noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902404091907490584.post-51016058510588117332013-03-17T20:43:00.000-07:002013-03-28T11:11:29.942-07:00Crafting and Coffee and Donuts, oh my!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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that we had a Saturday of temps in the 70s coming up, my sister and I planned
to spend <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the day working on some
re-purposing projects and pricing some stuff for our Junque Rethunque booth.
First, though, we had to meet a guy in Rogers about a couple of tables I found
on Craigslist. On our way home we stopped by Walmart to pick up some snacks to
keep our energy up for the busy day ahead.<br />
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I’m not a two-cup a day coffee drinker, but<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have learned over the years<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to enjoy an occasional cup if it is diluted with lots of sweet creamy stuff. I guess you could say I like my coffee
like I like my wine – light and sweet. When we saw this Delicious Pairings
display in the <a href="http://www.walmart.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Walmart </a>bakery, we had to stop and check it out.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5i-7Rwxr7ChWZeG918ELG3wDelSxcN9Iw-LvrSkf8rArIhK-lWu4uuLONkHJSzPxz9JCInHd8qD6vDCV0u4NSfFJQ0DmJyDcEyAUSlrWHFSkDkyQCBab2XgGVp30Q7xxCBAxp2tV-i0ef/s1600/SF+WM+DP+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Walmart Delicious Pairings Display " border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5i-7Rwxr7ChWZeG918ELG3wDelSxcN9Iw-LvrSkf8rArIhK-lWu4uuLONkHJSzPxz9JCInHd8qD6vDCV0u4NSfFJQ0DmJyDcEyAUSlrWHFSkDkyQCBab2XgGVp30Q7xxCBAxp2tV-i0ef/s640/SF+WM+DP+6.jpg" title="Walmart Delicious Pairings Display" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-O-bxK4DzOnUiC_0a34pTBEZq3xJLZFIJ5wYSYJ7i4rLkAHHZfXCXAwywPS3QLraMnC0lH6RvMuHQUylaHEjCKWZwqcaxztkkFhZgcRhr-E9TxKH5prPL7O4mNru914YzZxKVJjumT4rD/s1600/SF+WM+DP+19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Walmart Bakery donut selection" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-O-bxK4DzOnUiC_0a34pTBEZq3xJLZFIJ5wYSYJ7i4rLkAHHZfXCXAwywPS3QLraMnC0lH6RvMuHQUylaHEjCKWZwqcaxztkkFhZgcRhr-E9TxKH5prPL7O4mNru914YzZxKVJjumT4rD/s640/SF+WM+DP+19.jpg" title="Walmart Bakery pastries donuts" width="640" /></a></div>
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I was scoping out the donuts (mmmmm…. donuts…. I ignored my low-carb diet for the day) and my
sister was looking at the Starbucks coffee to see if there were any new flavors
on the shelf. She is a Coffee Drinker, and tends to like a darker coffee, but she
suggested we look at a light variety to have with the donuts… it was only fair
that if I was buying, I got to pick. :) And since you can't have too many donut pictures...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJyZ8q8pTrdlVwIQzjimP5ZXyM3IhCGhHd37sALXdtMsm_nBGVNeKrUePX26YBbmPu6L4n27RpAHH4i-lOuYCwD__33ZpdcRaCQuZ3Zd2FWOi0ykUvFbXe1-P5Wdfp-sTT6yZftH5Mwi5v/s1600/SF+WM+DP+18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Walmart Bakery chocolate glazed donuts" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJyZ8q8pTrdlVwIQzjimP5ZXyM3IhCGhHd37sALXdtMsm_nBGVNeKrUePX26YBbmPu6L4n27RpAHH4i-lOuYCwD__33ZpdcRaCQuZ3Zd2FWOi0ykUvFbXe1-P5Wdfp-sTT6yZftH5Mwi5v/s640/SF+WM+DP+18.jpg" title="Walmart Bakery chocolate glazed donuts" width="564" /></a></div>
The display makes it super easy to figure out what intensity
each variety of coffee is – simply by putting them in light to dark order. The lighter flavors are in the yellow bags, then an orange design is next, then a kind of deep rose. The
<a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/Starbucks-Blonde-Willow-Blend-Ground-Coffee-12-oz/20709856" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Blonde Willow Blend</a> was at the very far end of the light options, so I took a
chance. I've purchased the instant iced coffee mixes from Starbucks, and even have their app on my phone - I guess you could say those are the "gateway drugs" to buying a bag to use at home, right?? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDajfZHVw1mveQse40c75kAvWzBvOdW-fun95JHYdsQXR7XlcPcc7rOOQ3JsCkCCI-GogcdnW7802iDprRNs9UwV6W-fZc8gGtEFbunHJ9rBDvJPZv9RUq8klYcoFiZBZaQeZujxBk40x0/s1600/SF+WM+DP+7.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Starbucks Blonde Willow Blend coffee" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDajfZHVw1mveQse40c75kAvWzBvOdW-fun95JHYdsQXR7XlcPcc7rOOQ3JsCkCCI-GogcdnW7802iDprRNs9UwV6W-fZc8gGtEFbunHJ9rBDvJPZv9RUq8klYcoFiZBZaQeZujxBk40x0/s640/SF+WM+DP+7.jpg" title="Blonde Willow Blend by Starbucks" width="592" /></a></div>
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Even though I rarely make coffee at home, I do have a coffee
maker in case we have company who would like some. I pulled it out and dusted
it off and we were in business. I put some milk and sugar in my cup and poured
in the coffee… it brought back memories of my mom – the coffee she drank was
always a light tan color too.<br />
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<img alt="Starbucks Coffee and Walmart Bakery Chocolate Donut" border="0" height="628" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgO1ppcU_5Cl2P2diloHY63wpHX4udQF9Eb5rZe2rl7AGknsjCF36OYMPhG_ljMBHOU5X94S1YbUIntnLtnvKSC46gpY1EQDjTHd3KUfsSknqCS_X-Aw-qHOcuMLeVnVHwv75G6PqLTzrr/s640/SF+WM+DP+1.jpg" title="Starbucks Coffee and Walmart Bakery Chocolate Donut" width="640" /></div>
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The flavor was really excellent. It was a bit sweet even on
its own without the sweetener in it, and had a tangy, citrus flavor. I
felt like I was at a wine tasting - except that I didn't spit it into a bucket... It’s amazing how different GOOD coffee is
from the run-of-the-mill kinds that come in the cans. I won’t name names. </div>
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There was no bitter, burned taste to this Blonde Willow
flavor. And drinking it with a bite of chocolate-glazed donut was a great combo.
The citrusy flavor of the coffee went well with the chocolate – it reminded me of the chocolate oranges that I put in the kids’ stockings at Christmas.<br />
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After we spent the day painting and waxing and pricing and sorting, I was cleaning up the mess and found the bag for the coffee on the counter. (I had put the coffee into a vintage coffee jar to store in the cupboard.) I wasn't keen on the idea of throwing it away, since it's plastic, and I have been planning to try making a coffee cuff I could keep in my purse to replace the little cardboard ones you get at coffee shops... so I decided to do a little more re-purposing. It is National Crafting Month, afterall...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbGZDvqG__BLST1WpRPB_Lm4pecHy-g-F4NDwG1XsAm1xetpAxp_U8yhJluTWESxYbuxfWuMjrgjUU0KJt8WqZ4HGs98zdU_hwenuM16JHZblITsa-trxQayE1OuYGtwWZoV8rGV5THfKd/s1600/SF+WM+DP+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="re-purposing a Starbucks coffee bag" border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbGZDvqG__BLST1WpRPB_Lm4pecHy-g-F4NDwG1XsAm1xetpAxp_U8yhJluTWESxYbuxfWuMjrgjUU0KJt8WqZ4HGs98zdU_hwenuM16JHZblITsa-trxQayE1OuYGtwWZoV8rGV5THfKd/s200/SF+WM+DP+14.jpg" title="Starbucks coffee bag re-purposing" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Gy4tOnt-rjD0VoEpSkYdTTicq9IslXjPc5iPeTpbHb20FrmS8kRbEFwiDCnVH6eKr5eJhlKwVSksSmBvEHpMFLfWjgsuNlZbm07NafruGHQiCVvoYTJWnXOHVF15EtK2aX-t1he3yuDK/s1600/SF+WM+DP+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="cutting out the coffee cuff pieces" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Gy4tOnt-rjD0VoEpSkYdTTicq9IslXjPc5iPeTpbHb20FrmS8kRbEFwiDCnVH6eKr5eJhlKwVSksSmBvEHpMFLfWjgsuNlZbm07NafruGHQiCVvoYTJWnXOHVF15EtK2aX-t1he3yuDK/s200/SF+WM+DP+13.jpg" title="re-purposed coffee cuff pieces" width="197" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjon2SmvZoKjCsYP6MKiMKERqmpolW1JqxuMNftM6cM7yFs1DxZiHk7j00a4GuVBSAPLzazYgGh3Srms11xjXGDCp27Suim_JsR6V7EE_Dg8c4DbiXI54kRbq3g7QTSOgVs6A7BzmQTq1sP/s1600/SF+WM+DP+15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="re-purposed sweater project" border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjon2SmvZoKjCsYP6MKiMKERqmpolW1JqxuMNftM6cM7yFs1DxZiHk7j00a4GuVBSAPLzazYgGh3Srms11xjXGDCp27Suim_JsR6V7EE_Dg8c4DbiXI54kRbq3g7QTSOgVs6A7BzmQTq1sP/s200/SF+WM+DP+15.jpg" title="Re-purposed sweater coffee cuff" width="200" /></a></div>
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I used a cuff I kept off a cup of coffee (obviously around the holidays - I told you I don't drink it often! LOL!) and cut out a piece of the bag, and two pieces of fabric from the arm of a wool sweater. I sandwiched them together and sewed them up. Nothing fancy... I like the handmade look with little wrinkles and imperfections.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdC-ZrxDCoR7EFZZAPcM9wdkl56sbyB-w39M5XskKOG_8dody-2a3nU-qgK5onLs6V-obpGwt-N1bGoHEf1QZ0CaVIpYcuPhY-XNjujwbdD3QPY4kuFjQTyvMleffIRHysP925jn2ppvv/s1600/SF+WM+DP+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdC-ZrxDCoR7EFZZAPcM9wdkl56sbyB-w39M5XskKOG_8dody-2a3nU-qgK5onLs6V-obpGwt-N1bGoHEf1QZ0CaVIpYcuPhY-XNjujwbdD3QPY4kuFjQTyvMleffIRHysP925jn2ppvv/s1600/SF+WM+DP+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="coffee cuff made from a Starbucks coffee bag" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdC-ZrxDCoR7EFZZAPcM9wdkl56sbyB-w39M5XskKOG_8dody-2a3nU-qgK5onLs6V-obpGwt-N1bGoHEf1QZ0CaVIpYcuPhY-XNjujwbdD3QPY4kuFjQTyvMleffIRHysP925jn2ppvv/s640/SF+WM+DP+12.jpg" title="sewing the coffee cuff" width="618" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: black;">It seemed to need a little "something" to finish it off (I'm fond of embellishing), and it needed a closure too, so I cut some circles out of the rest of the bag and made a flower. Isn't that black button cute for the center??</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCCks_Pg_7qtg_D1MGqu1rbJKW9lhkP2KmMR0KtWI-J7oSPr7Y7nagAocwHrAd4laPETATXQkQzpD9p5C1LjNnQceRdP4B-rv8uSe9BOgu8NGjuqtHfzsUDiSTBMg2WjgibJklM2Ywfou/s1600/SF+WM+DP+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="flower made from Starbucks coffee bag" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCCks_Pg_7qtg_D1MGqu1rbJKW9lhkP2KmMR0KtWI-J7oSPr7Y7nagAocwHrAd4laPETATXQkQzpD9p5C1LjNnQceRdP4B-rv8uSe9BOgu8NGjuqtHfzsUDiSTBMg2WjgibJklM2Ywfou/s640/SF+WM+DP+10.jpg" title="flower made from Starbucks coffee bag" width="586" /></a></div>
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All that was left was to sew it on. The plastic was <u>very</u> easy to sew through - on the machine and by hand. Ta-daaaaaa!! What do you think?? I kind of love it. :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOsvn7eWNWnOXDcYQpyl9kVyPuzEA6RIykUil1-ut-4-IGK17y2s_v4I5UFfAy07IPAx1AZ6_vcasSQUiRLpzkPN2LhEQuJOqlKyrCEH1xc6JJpXgkp2iUobursF3Co6GjT04WvJeLwt8/s1600/SF+WM+DP+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Coffee cuff made from Starbucks coffee bag" border="0" height="622" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOsvn7eWNWnOXDcYQpyl9kVyPuzEA6RIykUil1-ut-4-IGK17y2s_v4I5UFfAy07IPAx1AZ6_vcasSQUiRLpzkPN2LhEQuJOqlKyrCEH1xc6JJpXgkp2iUobursF3Co6GjT04WvJeLwt8/s640/SF+WM+DP+8.jpg" title="coffee cuff Starbucks coffee re-purposed craft" width="640" /></a></div>
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So, now you tell me... what's YOUR favorite Starbucks flavor - and have you done any re-purposing lately? Have you visited the Delicious Pairings display at Walmart<span style="font-size: x-small;">?</span><br />
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Junque Rethunquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07670510181195435203noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902404091907490584.post-16101897938222611752013-02-25T20:59:00.002-08:002013-02-25T20:59:13.016-08:00A blog crush, and dreams of more space...A few years ago I started reading a blog called <a href="http://missmustardseed.com/" target="_blank">Miss Mustard Seed</a>. I loved that it was written by a funny (funny haha, not funny strange ;)) and personable woman in Pennsylvania who had the nerve to talk about doing projects in her home as though they were things that <u>anyone</u> could take on - not just people who have a background in architecture or a degree in interior design. She took fabulous pictures of the beautiful spaces she created - but she also made it clear that she worked hard to make her home look the way it did for pictures, and that it wasn't that way all the time. What a relief! Here's a peek at her dining room and guest room...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfpFInaXMmude6u6H2UvpkxJjslCig3VnMfE61KSbWpgT5Sl3NhiPVAchROdZ8PHUCDUdWnIiqmMdBcrr7uNfkSBg9C2B_6_Z-W2n-JFFOhBL3z-fHWr5_CqW2UoR0jsjcOUwjKBoRUHN/s1600/milkpaint+marian%27s+dining+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfpFInaXMmude6u6H2UvpkxJjslCig3VnMfE61KSbWpgT5Sl3NhiPVAchROdZ8PHUCDUdWnIiqmMdBcrr7uNfkSBg9C2B_6_Z-W2n-JFFOhBL3z-fHWr5_CqW2UoR0jsjcOUwjKBoRUHN/s320/milkpaint+marian%27s+dining+room.jpg" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXkrPjK8Xj5Nf3SUhl0IA0BkGXJcaJYc1KLgRjnCmk2VkFpFCgOM8yToUgnfbIf7pG4tLzD8v581iKlWq-W1l9BNfzQU2vbQFrFaVYhbvMHYXcg5o94kd-Nf3y1tBV_xO4WCw89xVmGc1a/s1600/milkpaint+marian%27s+guest+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXkrPjK8Xj5Nf3SUhl0IA0BkGXJcaJYc1KLgRjnCmk2VkFpFCgOM8yToUgnfbIf7pG4tLzD8v581iKlWq-W1l9BNfzQU2vbQFrFaVYhbvMHYXcg5o94kd-Nf3y1tBV_xO4WCw89xVmGc1a/s320/milkpaint+marian%27s+guest+room.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The funny (haha) woman also painted and sold furniture at a local co-op, which was something I wanted to do as well. I was inspired by her story: the background in musical theatre (woot!), the support that she had from her mother to do what she loved, the thrifty attitude she made good use of when replicating the design styles she saw in magazines... I thought "here's a woman doing things the way I would do them... if I had time." I already have so many "projects" stashed in my garage and carport and craft area. I just can't seem to get to them!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3Fh4DhL2NLMJaP9JXEbn9P2MmfrcijymauoGWOkKvRILiDKJPVYkoCwMsttEqYg9d69wjvwqp505KA0u2WVOK6tFa6x3FaXIxwM_YFWKX5UEGnrvPR_mccaq2JZntulWW6gAmvxXH03a/s1600/milkpaint+inspired+you.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3Fh4DhL2NLMJaP9JXEbn9P2MmfrcijymauoGWOkKvRILiDKJPVYkoCwMsttEqYg9d69wjvwqp505KA0u2WVOK6tFa6x3FaXIxwM_YFWKX5UEGnrvPR_mccaq2JZntulWW6gAmvxXH03a/s320/milkpaint+inspired+you.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
Last year, this funny woman published a book, which I promptly purchased on my Kindle, and shortly thereafter she was approached by a company about starting her own paint line... or maybe it's the other way around... in any case, good things were happening for Marian Parsons, aka "Miss Mustard Seed", and I was so thrilled for her! Perhaps it is weird, a little, to be thrilled for someone I don't know personally, right? So it is also a little awesome that I'm able to say now that I have met her in person! (Not that I mind being a little weird, but it makes <strike>other people</strike> my husband more comfortable when I talk about her...)<br />
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Last week, Marian came to Northwest Arkansas for a whirlwind of a trip to offer a couple of DIY workshops at a shop called <a href="http://www.thehousespecialinteriors.com/" target="_blank">The House Special Interiors</a> in Fayetteville. I spent a few hours with her on Friday in a hands-on milk paint workshop, then my sister and I attended her lecture/workshop the next morning as well.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiAjeUDJOqkhyzEv7EbAjPvgilaz2fs79XvnmEg1mv6ol7tMZeDDJXKC6fz4OdP9Pe6wfh3QWtashG7eI_2ShaZcquGtmUahO8vx6MZDtE6ngkOXLX8uWQfz3OYQp4RNXOtXDc3Pth2B7d/s1600/milkpaint+slide+show.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiAjeUDJOqkhyzEv7EbAjPvgilaz2fs79XvnmEg1mv6ol7tMZeDDJXKC6fz4OdP9Pe6wfh3QWtashG7eI_2ShaZcquGtmUahO8vx6MZDtE6ngkOXLX8uWQfz3OYQp4RNXOtXDc3Pth2B7d/s400/milkpaint+slide+show.jpg" width="400" /> </a> </div>
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In the DIY lecture part she showed us a lot of pictures of her home - most of which can be seen on her blog - and talked about the (not a lot of) money spent and the sources used to make her home the lovely retreat that it is. She was funny (haha), and informative, and a very real person who knows she has been blessed with some amazing opportunities.<br />
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After the formal talk I approached her to thank her for coming to town, and to wish her safe travels home. We chatted about the difference between being "lucky" and making the most of the opportunities we are presented with. Marian has most certainly had some great things come along for her, but she spoke of her belief that she has a "mission", so to speak, to encourage others in this life. Some may not understand how she can do that as an expert on decorative painting, but if you <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Inspired-You-Breathing-Life-Heart/dp/1400320887/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1361853211&sr=8-1&keywords=marian+parsons" target="_blank">read her book</a>, you'll understand she's not trying to conquer the world of Cottage Decorating - she's just using her gifts to encourage others to take on the challenges in their lives with optimism and creative thinking. She encourages readers of her blog and book to make their lives, their homes, and their families the best they can be. She is making her life count, not only in her own home, but in the example she sets for others. <br />
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Visiting with Marian, and listening to her encouraging words over the two days I spent with her, left me even more determined to make my own dreams a reality this year. I also want to drill down to the core of what my purpose is in this life... and I think the closer I get to my true self, the easier it will be to see that purpose and to execute it.<br />
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I'll write again about the workshop itself, and the tips and techniques I learned... but for now, I'm wondering how I could possibly bring this gorgeous thing home from the store I saw it in Sunday without initiating divorce proceedings... :) Dream big!!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM-_EwV612QRWXcpw37JHCtbJCHYj6UUSzePmXuwJPt17o5Xh7LwwUIiO00y0plxHD8_x1gw02INKS4IuuFweQ2aNdmmHSZtMwDklsaBhlztMmQqiYPPLPnk6UO2QPDR65EXQlWdaBHeuR/s1600/milkpaint+dining+set.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM-_EwV612QRWXcpw37JHCtbJCHYj6UUSzePmXuwJPt17o5Xh7LwwUIiO00y0plxHD8_x1gw02INKS4IuuFweQ2aNdmmHSZtMwDklsaBhlztMmQqiYPPLPnk6UO2QPDR65EXQlWdaBHeuR/s640/milkpaint+dining+set.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Junque Rethunquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07670510181195435203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902404091907490584.post-62956171260692560332013-01-18T01:00:00.000-08:002013-01-18T17:42:01.682-08:00Freaky Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I love thrift stores. I love treasure hunting, and finding brilliant, beautiful, inspiring, forgotten items that someone else discarded and I found on a dusty shelf waiting to be loved again. </div>
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But I also love finding stuff like this. Freaky, odd, simply awful things that are on those dusty shelves for a very good reason. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5wEOT6xwWx5WNOXWHmLJUhLjVZd-M8UEt5s-VC4VXTo8ADGcC-qUNGGPYQMR1ljsf9_U3XJA7uhc6fzliu3gAfBCAtHsv-yOqt2hnfHy7bbwr3bZDlSAwcNmU5zHB8KMb7_04Uy_-EjH/s1600/Baby+Planter+1-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5wEOT6xwWx5WNOXWHmLJUhLjVZd-M8UEt5s-VC4VXTo8ADGcC-qUNGGPYQMR1ljsf9_U3XJA7uhc6fzliu3gAfBCAtHsv-yOqt2hnfHy7bbwr3bZDlSAwcNmU5zHB8KMb7_04Uy_-EjH/s640/Baby+Planter+1-13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Who thought this was a good idea?? </div>
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Do babies really touch their toes? Is he doing calisthenics? </div>
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It's just so inappropriate and wrong that it's kind of awesome. </div>
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For the record, my sister was sad I didn't buy it for her. She thinks he needs some "hens & chicks" growing out of his booty. Maybe she's odd too.<br />
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What's one of the weirdest things you've found while out treasure hunting? Did you keep it, or pass it by? </div>
Junque Rethunquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07670510181195435203noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902404091907490584.post-1157283546082233132013-01-14T20:21:00.000-08:002013-01-14T20:21:57.891-08:00My new crush!A couple of years ago I heard about this allegedly awesome new paint out on the market. It was from England, the creation of some woman who decided she could do better than the latex options that were out there. It was taking the decorative painting world by storm. If you were going for "shabby chic", it was <b>The Paint</b>. <br />
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So, when <a href="http://www.redhillhome.com/" target="_blank">a local boutique</a> started carrying <a href="http://www.anniesloan.com/index.html" target="_blank">Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint</a> last year it was a pretty big deal. There was only one other shop in the state that was stocking it. The whole <u>state</u>! Of course, I had to buy a can. One can of paint in the color <a href="http://www.anniesloan.com/acatalog/Provence_profile.html" target="_blank">Provence</a>, and a can of clear wax. Done.<br />
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Then a year went by.<br />
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I bought furniture to paint, but I didn't seem to find <strike>time space</strike> <i>motivation</i> to actually put paint <b>on </b>any of it. Weird, huh? I'm not going to delve into the mental blocks that may have been in place that were keeping me from being as creative in 2012 as I should have been. You don't care anyway, right? You just want to see the pictures! So let's get to it!!<br />
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I found this sweet little table at an auction last fall, and paid a little more than I probably should have, but I knew it would be adorable with some chalk paint on it. Sometime last fall I also bought two more cans of paint, and a can of dark wax. So I was ready to go. (Pretend the top is still unpainted... I got excited and forgot to take a good "before" photo.)<br />
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I put a coat of Versailles on the whole thing and let it dry, then I watched a couple of videos on how to use the paint... because that's the way I roll. ;) After watching the videos, I decided to go back over it with a little more paint and add a little texture for the wax to dig into. </div>
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Once the clear wax had cured a little (It only took ten minutes or so.) I added a coat of dark wax, very lightly, and started rubbing it in as well, to antique it. Here's the top with half of it antiqued...</div>
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Then when the dark wax was done, I sanded a bit along some of the edges. It's such a precious little piece, I didn't want to rough it up too much. It's classy, not a street tramp I picked up off a curb. Once the sanding was done, I just went over those spots again with a little clear wax, and voila! I literally squealed. I was so pleased with the result and kind of amazed at how easy it was. </div>
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I'm kind of in love. :) And now, nothing in my house is safe... painting will be happening!!</div>
<br />Junque Rethunquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07670510181195435203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902404091907490584.post-66297668031049484162013-01-05T19:55:00.000-08:002013-01-05T19:55:45.768-08:00Just a little thrifty goodness.I stop by my local Goodwill at least once a week. Sometimes I find amazing vintage goodies to resell in my Junque Rethunque booth, sometimes I find beautiful vintage things to give as gifts, other times, I just find things I will use around my own house. Today (and yesterday) provided the latter.<br />
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Yesterday, I found a great handmade cap and a little holiday tin - the hat for me, and the tin for my sister who reuses them to gift homemade cookies and candy (yes, you should envy me!). The cap is in perfect shape... wonder who got it for Christmas? Their loss!<br />
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Today I ran by again to see if a frame I passed up yesterday was still there, which it wasn't, and picked up this great basket. The lid has been removed, but I am going to use it to hold wood and kindling next to our newly-refurbished fireplace. <i>Note: if you see something you like at the thrift store, don't wait - someone else will like it too!! :)</i><br />
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What are some of your recent thrift or junky finds? Share with us here or on our Facebook page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Junque-Rethunque/140160632704272" target="_blank">HERE</a>. Junque Rethunquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07670510181195435203noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902404091907490584.post-58573282100537542982012-12-17T19:04:00.000-08:002012-12-18T07:34:17.884-08:00Secret Santa in Teal I am always up for a little Christmas cheer, and what's cheerier than a Secret Santa swap? When the ladies at <a href="http://arkansaswomenbloggers.com/" target="_blank">Arkansas Women Bloggers</a> presented the idea of swapping handmade ornaments, well... it was a no-brainer.<br />
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I waited until the last minute (no surprise there) before I finally got my ornaments made and in the mail, and while I was at the post office to send mine off, I also picked these up from my S.S., Jennifer Wilson. You can follow her <a href="http://createveryday.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">on her tumbr here.</a> To see all the other links to Secret Santas and their surprise packages, check out the Arkansas Women Bloggers' post <a href="http://arkansaswomenbloggers.com/2012/12/secret-santa-reveal-day/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8SL3wL4KS78P42RhYk_15ZyrIGS9pq6uCMEf3h2t_DhW_cdQyM0EQ83Tu_rZnUM3lvDxpSiDNZTpk6NpsYmVO6DVQMLqmdef23rioXU7tWIHMrZTnMQo5E7UVbQgx96JuYI88mrDX3PBd/s1600/awb+ornaments.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8SL3wL4KS78P42RhYk_15ZyrIGS9pq6uCMEf3h2t_DhW_cdQyM0EQ83Tu_rZnUM3lvDxpSiDNZTpk6NpsYmVO6DVQMLqmdef23rioXU7tWIHMrZTnMQo5E7UVbQgx96JuYI88mrDX3PBd/s640/awb+ornaments.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXPqJzqCqtiCNkNODYARy403KEO9rCvBNrK-SbHYigoPoLUD3lAaAEynD35IfTAuspN3fjDq5mKZbOl6BU1OZD0vd5lQ4D3EX7uV53ATqLRHDVgxrnpRB7H6-6cm1TmPWfGpQSsqegl7-/s1600/awb+sparkly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXPqJzqCqtiCNkNODYARy403KEO9rCvBNrK-SbHYigoPoLUD3lAaAEynD35IfTAuspN3fjDq5mKZbOl6BU1OZD0vd5lQ4D3EX7uV53ATqLRHDVgxrnpRB7H6-6cm1TmPWfGpQSsqegl7-/s400/awb+sparkly.jpg" width="400" /></a>I love the teal and purple together, it reminds me of peacocks. My tree is always very eclectic - a result of years and years of collecting ornaments here and there and everywhere - so the sparkles and feathers and multi-colors fit right in. My mother used to buy ornaments for each of her kids every year, and when we moved out she gave us our boxes of ornaments. I have three kids, and I'm not sure who will get these just yet... or maybe I'll just keep them for myself. :)<br />
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<i>(Sorry for the fuzzy shot...) </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDK9rvDEgLo5gViBFPtcUwPVYYgzzxddsS8SV_i9nSAe1PZ_VThRHl8llGyf20AjZsA1ql7RRXP1yhfW_7j6eW03Fv63uLXpvsLhnLwOETu1zINE2kZ0hOyGXeeycDRnzKKdEnHTXiZUL/s1600/awb+feathery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDK9rvDEgLo5gViBFPtcUwPVYYgzzxddsS8SV_i9nSAe1PZ_VThRHl8llGyf20AjZsA1ql7RRXP1yhfW_7j6eW03Fv63uLXpvsLhnLwOETu1zINE2kZ0hOyGXeeycDRnzKKdEnHTXiZUL/s400/awb+feathery.jpg" width="400" /></a>So do you decorate your tree in one style each year, or is it a mish-mash like mine? Color preferences? Every year I think I'll be more intentional with my choices... use a specific theme of some kind, but I think I'm pretty happy with my current tradition.<br />
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<br />Junque Rethunquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07670510181195435203noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902404091907490584.post-36452292614371606112012-10-28T21:51:00.001-07:002012-10-28T22:03:42.777-07:00Oh, yeaaaahhhh....There is something about being in my craft room, paint brushes in hand, and earbuds playing my favorite tunes... it's such a relief. I have a couple of craft shows coming up in December - which seemed like a LONG time from now a few weeks ago, and now seems like it's just around the corner - and I have been trying to get some creating done for at least a month with no success.<br />
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We had a weekend out of town that got in the way, but it was for a GREAT reason - to finally make my beautiful sister-in-law, Sacha, an official member of our family. She made my brother an honest man. Look at that face he has as he looks at her! Awwwwwww!!! *snif snif*<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Handmade boutonnieres by moi... :)</td></tr>
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Aside from the Wedding of the Decade, it has seemed like no matter what plans I tried to make for myself, my schedule kept being usurped by other people or events or projects that didn''t let me make any headway on my own project list. <br />
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But today... Yes! Today was MINE!!! :)<br />
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I have always loved to draw and paint and piddle around with art supplies, just ask my sister... she was the recipient of some awesome crafty birthday parties when I worked for Michael's in the late 80s... but for too many years I had been forced to put those things aside because I didn't have the time, or space, or money (or all three, usually) to pursue an artistic hobby. I would draw a few holiday greeting cards now and then, and my sweet brother (the one in the boutonniere) would give me books for Christmas about designing greeting cards or making a business of your hobbies, etc... he is a great cheerleader. But I never really did anything with it.<br />
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Several years ago I started sewing some crafty things, and my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/punkinhead" target="_blank">Punkinhead</a> persona was born when I opened an Etsy shop and started applying to be a vendor at craft shows. Then last year I painted a little canvas for a local non-profit fundraiser, and the artist in me was reawakened. That sounds really stupid, maybe, but I think you artists out there get it.<br />
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I was using paint brushes, ink, and acrylics, and I was absolutely absorbed in what I was doing. I loved it so much I decided this year I'd make more than one. I tried a few different techniques, but these are my favorites.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglevZsqhyDpsBgq1WHQX3Aa3qvVrwCIQgDzGcgAgs9aRTXLVIQsa0mghwPj8EfyjP_AzND351fR8RnnzYtQH51gcLdJCR8jgiE65JYJJ8Pb_I_LrXnGO1h5bVvB2O3L5VonoU7uM7eVn5O/s1600/Ants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglevZsqhyDpsBgq1WHQX3Aa3qvVrwCIQgDzGcgAgs9aRTXLVIQsa0mghwPj8EfyjP_AzND351fR8RnnzYtQH51gcLdJCR8jgiE65JYJJ8Pb_I_LrXnGO1h5bVvB2O3L5VonoU7uM7eVn5O/s320/Ants.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW16o-bZGK1vI8rUppOiD9XDxC1aPktStTHNxt1-ON5bcPoq_9dRjNR5CvexdG3FWww634d8ARCF3GLPbOiPeMBAOs6OjexjxrGWeSrIdpDTpTdhgVWP4xGyQW8ZCdeS6RcEnHyu9bJwS_/s1600/Blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW16o-bZGK1vI8rUppOiD9XDxC1aPktStTHNxt1-ON5bcPoq_9dRjNR5CvexdG3FWww634d8ARCF3GLPbOiPeMBAOs6OjexjxrGWeSrIdpDTpTdhgVWP4xGyQW8ZCdeS6RcEnHyu9bJwS_/s200/Blue.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Today, I worked on a couple of things that I want to sell in my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Junque-Rethunque/140160632704272" target="_blank">Junque Rethunque</a> booth for the open house on November 15th. Again, once I sat down and started drawing out the design, I was enjoying myself so much, I found myself wondering how many I needed to make to make a living doing it. :)<br />
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I think many of you would agree that making things just has to be a part of our lives... it's not just a hobby, it's something we are driven to do. It's a large part of what we have to do to stay sane and maintain a balance in our lives. I know for me, when I am unable to do anything creative for a stretch of time, I get grumpy. I feel all clogged up and disjointed, like I need a colonic cleanse of my Chi. So, I am well aware that I need that time for myself... Now, to convince my family it's in THEIR best interest to let me have my time... :)<br />
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Junque Rethunquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07670510181195435203noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902404091907490584.post-85953002877239287492012-10-18T14:29:00.002-07:002012-10-18T14:31:51.884-07:00Fall on RepeatIt seems that fall is just the time that I start feeling all overwhelmed and in need of a good purging. Of the clutter, not the colon. Eww... <b>Unlike the spring cleaning when I just want to open windows and beat cushions and start digging in the dirt, a fall cleaning is all about making my home cozy and welcoming and ready for the holidays. </b><br />
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Last year about this time I wrote a blog post about <a href="http://junquerethunque.blogspot.com/2011/05/cleaning-proverb-sweet-chair-and-table.html" target="_blank">spending a day cleaning out my garage</a> and getting some projects started. Barely. This year, I'm in the same place - except for the actually-getting-it-done part. I'm feeling the need to clean out and organize and get my shit together... so to speak. (Again with the colon references??) I am working on getting a storage unit for my Craft Show display Stuff, and my Projects in Limbo Stuff, and it will give me a place to <strike>hide stuff from my husband</strike> store treasures before they go into my flea market booth. <br />
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I've got a lot on top of me this year, some things I had last year, like a grand-daughter and her mama living with us, and a full-time job, and too many hobbies, and a grade-school-aged son ('nuf said, right??). But I also have been working hard to meet my <a href="http://girlchild.wordpress.com/2009/11/10/but-first-you-must-start-writing/" target="_blank">personal challenge</a> of writing more (yay me!), which takes a lot of time that could otherwise be used to clean the garage (boohoo!), and I have a husband with health issues. Well, I had the same husband last year, but was blissfully unconcerned about what he ate every day. <br />
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Besides the storage unit, which is going to help me free up a lot of space and more efficiently process the treasures I'm bringing home in the back of my jeep all the time, I've also made the positive move of hiring a housekeeper. This is a <u>seriously important</u> effort that will lead to the following <u>seriously important</u> results:<br />
<ol>
<li>Help me enjoy my home more;</li>
<li>Help me feel comfortable having friends over more often; </li>
<li>Help me find more time for the hobbies I'm trying expand into careers;</li>
<li>Help me not become homicidal. <i>(my family appreciates this one, especially.)</i></li>
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I'm paying for the service out of my freelance writing income, so it's also going to be an incentive to keep that coming in. Let me tell you, <b>I walked in the door yesterday and took in a big deep breath of those non-organic Pine-Sol fumes, and got giddy as I ran around looking at all the clean</b>. My neighbors may have heard me shriek about my shower door that I could actually SEE through again.<br />
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It's the little things... <br />
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Here's an update of the chair I showed you in that link from last year... turned out pretty cute, don't you think??<br />
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<br />Junque Rethunquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07670510181195435203noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902404091907490584.post-70189888964945955942012-10-16T22:18:00.001-07:002012-10-17T07:42:31.317-07:00Jack-O-Lantern Envy<div style="text-align: center;">
When my siblings and I were kids (a long, long time ago) we looked forward to Halloween as one of our favorite holidays of the year. We didn't go all out decorating the outside of our house, but we took the costume creation veeerrryyy seriously. We loved thrift stores, and are artsy-fartsy, so we could always be counted on to pull out some fun ones. </div>
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One of our favorite parts of the celebration, though, was the carving of the pumpkin. That's right - ONE pumpkin. Singular. There were three of us for many years, until our baby sister was born, and we all had to share a lone pumpkin. My mom and step-dad created a competition between the three of us to come up with a design for the annual jack-o-lantern. They would pick <u>one</u>. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For the <u>only</u> pumpkin. </span></div>
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You get what I'm hinting at here, right? <i><b>How much does a freaking pumpkin cost???</b></i> I saw them for $7.98 today at Wal-Mart... and of course they'll be cheaper in a week. Would it have <i>killed</i> them to buy THREE pumpkins so that we could each have our own??? It wasn't something I thought of until I was buying pumpkins for my own kids... then I discovered I was annoyed. I have no problem buying one for EACH of my three kids. </div>
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Call me Mrs. Moneybags. </div>
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But you know, I'm a mature adult. I've moved on. ;-) </div>
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Creating jack-o-lanterns are one of my kids' favorite parts of the weeks leading up to Halloween as well. We pick out pumpkins at local pumpkin patches, cover the kitchen island with newspaper, and commence hacking. Some are scary, some are funny... fat... tall... we are equal-opportunity hackers. </div>
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What are some of your favorite Halloween traditions? Home-made costumes? Haunted houses? Bobbing for apples at the block party? Do tell!</div>
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I'm linking this post on day two of the Arkansas Women Bloggers' <a href="http://arkansaswomenbloggers.com/" target="_blank">BLOGtober Fest here</a>. </div>
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Go check out the rest of the awesome posts!</div>
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Junque Rethunquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07670510181195435203noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902404091907490584.post-37212837441432361802012-10-09T09:00:00.000-07:002012-10-09T11:40:39.706-07:00Rusty RingsWhen we were digging through some junk in the back room of one of our favorite local shops, we uncovered a little box of rusty canning lid rings. We're pretty sure a lot of people would have put them aside and kept digging for the <u>real</u> treasure, but we're not a lot of people. We love little boxes of rusty stuff!<br />
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The little box was carried up to the counter, along with a few canning jars with zinc lids, and a few other little odds and ends, and the tallying began. Imagine our delight when the woman dismissed the box with a wave of her hand and declared that it was a freebie! We almost swooned. A little box of rusty goodness... free for the taking. It was destiny.<br />
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The little box of rusty goodness has been waiting patiently for us to have time to make some awesome repurposed rusty goodness out of it. We have a couple of ideas... <br />
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Perhaps this cute thing as seen on one of my favorite blogs, <a href="http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/" target="_blank">Funky Junk Interiors</a>?<br />
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Or this might be a sufficient amount of awesomeness from <a href="http://www.simplyklassichome.com/2012/09/canning-jar-lid-pumpkin.html" target="_blank">A Simply Klassic Home</a>... you may recognize it as the winner of Country Living's Pinterest Pumpkin contest. :)<br />
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So much rusty goodness, so little time... :) Junque Rethunquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07670510181195435203noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902404091907490584.post-18017902878846587002012-10-05T03:00:00.000-07:002012-10-08T14:07:20.634-07:00Pedophile ArtThis week we're starting another weekly feature - Freaky Friday. It's October, so it seems an appropriate time to debut, right? We'll share weird things, odd things, and things that make us do a double take and make a "wth??" face while we're on our treasure hunts, at thrift stores, or - occasionally, when we're creating something ourselves. Hopefully more of the former and less of the latter.<br />
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I'm almost sorry to share this one, as it's got the potential to make you uncomfortable. But that's what "freaky" is all about, so here you go:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLVeK5HWL1YWWtbiGWNjUUWJkN-NI07HDDExX-xqR3Ax_yy5NNMblImo2aRt8V8E0HxE8mI2ZQX0rye-z1DAvz1ZG3nga_gRdsWJqqjDZpWU0eRrhiGtbkCSasNZ5FmvWpQd1jEg6JLIEE/s1600/Pedophile+art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLVeK5HWL1YWWtbiGWNjUUWJkN-NI07HDDExX-xqR3Ax_yy5NNMblImo2aRt8V8E0HxE8mI2ZQX0rye-z1DAvz1ZG3nga_gRdsWJqqjDZpWU0eRrhiGtbkCSasNZ5FmvWpQd1jEg6JLIEE/s640/Pedophile+art.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now, I'm no prude (just ask my <a href="https://idyllhands.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">sister</a>) but I think we're all on the same page here... so let's just put it out there - this has to be intended for the walls of some pedophile's powder room, don't you think? I mean, ewww. It's just wrong in so many ways.<br />
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I see art in thrift stores sometimes that makes me wonder how people could have parted with it, but I'm guessing they couldn't get these two out of grandma's house fast enough when she moved to the old folks home.<br />
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Happy weekend y'all!!Junque Rethunquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07670510181195435203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902404091907490584.post-73755144403762213062012-10-02T03:00:00.000-07:002012-10-02T13:01:06.044-07:00Sweet Hoops<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's funny how, sometimes, when you're not looking for any particular treasure, a whole LOT of something can end up in your possession. This week's Tuesday Treasure is embroidery hoops. I happened upon a couple of stashes of them, and kind of love how they all look just hanging around the my crafting lounge. But, alas, the surest sign of a crafter in need of an intervention is the desire to keep collections like this just for the sheer pleasure of having them. It's time to make something out of these lovelies and let them go out into the world as finished projects. <br />
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We've been enjoying the look of graphic fabrics featured in hoops on walls, like these from Design Sponge and The Cottage Home blog. It's a simple project, and is easy to change out for the season or if your favorite color combos change often.<br />
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So, I busted out the hoops tonight along with a pile of fabric
samples that had been taunting me for a while, and whipped up some
fabulousness.<br />
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I am loving the look of the old hoops
with their natural wood. The ones I have are vintage, so they have a great patina, but you can stain them (like <a href="http://www.rileyblakedesigns.com/cutting-corners/2011/6/7/fabric-embroidery-hoops-tutorial/" target="_blank">this tutorial</a> suggests) or even paint them if you're interested in a matchey, uniform look. I am not the matchey, uniform type. ;) That tutorial also involves glue, which would make it impossible to switch out your fabric later. I'm okay with no glue.<br />
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What stashes are you hoarding in your craft room? We know you have some... don't lie. Tell us about them!<br />
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Junque Rethunquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07670510181195435203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902404091907490584.post-59421083806989650882012-10-01T09:35:00.000-07:002012-10-01T09:35:07.999-07:00And the winner is...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihpnSY6_fJLhLCJyD0qdBJ8UFCgl97n2HesailWv1eZv9f12CAkjvUiC4sCGhswy1MffNmT_l9Ne-L4aW-aNKL_MkEsBq6sJp5x2GgO8tn0kKzjAdb6B0BXorGxfTqM9ugajfgaqHdGGQy/s1600/boots+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihpnSY6_fJLhLCJyD0qdBJ8UFCgl97n2HesailWv1eZv9f12CAkjvUiC4sCGhswy1MffNmT_l9Ne-L4aW-aNKL_MkEsBq6sJp5x2GgO8tn0kKzjAdb6B0BXorGxfTqM9ugajfgaqHdGGQy/s400/boots+photo.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
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I wish I could have given you ALL a free pair of boots!!! I'm just thrilled that I had so many comments on this blog, so to find out that 49 people actually entered the contest was pretty exciting. :)<br />
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The winner, chosen by a number generator at www.random.org is....<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">lorie5534@yahoo.com </span></i></div>
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Yay Lorie5534!!! I have no idea who you are, but I'll be sending you an email to get all the fancy info! As soon as I find out who she is, I'll also let you all know. And if she'll tell us her favorite pair of boots, I'll share that too... we all love to live vicariously, right?<br />
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Thanks to everyone who entered, and who shared their favorite cowboys in my comments. There are several I hadn't thought of, and a few that I'm going to look up. Can't have too many cowboy crushes. :)<br />
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Don't forget to "like" the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CountryOutfitter?fref=ts" target="_blank">Country Outfitter facebook page</a> - they've been giving away boots willy-nilly over there, and you still need a free pair. Or two. Or six. Since you did give them your email address, you'll see an occasional email newsletter in your box, but not often. If you choose to unsubscribe, they're okay with that - but then you'll miss all the fun. ;)<br />
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Junque Rethunquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07670510181195435203noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902404091907490584.post-41277443489544683282012-09-25T01:00:00.000-07:002012-09-25T01:00:05.323-07:00First!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Have you been growing impatient with the lack of chicken chat on Junque Rethunque? My apologies... it hasn't been intentional. I simply have not had anything newsworthy to share. But today... today is big. It's Tuesday's Treasure, straight from the nesting box... isn't it sweet??<br />
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Having six chickens, it's difficult to say who this little brown package of awesomeness belongs too. But we can rule out Bernelle... she's an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ameraucana" target="_blank">Amercauna</a>, so she'll lay blueish-white eggs. I'm pretty sure that Claudia's eggs will be a little lighter... she's a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plymouth_Rock_%28chicken%29" target="_blank">Plymouth Rock</a>, and they usually lay light brown eggs with a touch of pink, and this one looks pretty much straight up brown. So, it's got to be from Pearl, Virginia, Lela or Katy.<br />
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I've been waiting patiently for a month or so now, knowing it was getting close to time for an egg to show up. It's been fun watching the girls grow this summer. They are all so big! I have yet to put a permanent roof on their coop (it's been so dry this year, we have made due with some plywood and plastic tarp.) But it's going to get wet and cold soon, so it's time to put the finishing touches on before it's too late.<br />
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I remember gathering eggs with my grandmother when I was a little girl - and I'm so excited to share that experience of knowing where our food comes from and what it takes to sustain it with my son and grand-daughter in our own back yard.<br />
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What are some of your childhood memories that you're recreating as a grownup?<br />
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Happy fall, y'all!<br />
<br />Junque Rethunquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07670510181195435203noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902404091907490584.post-54242491582039162472012-09-16T21:55:00.001-07:002012-09-28T14:29:13.389-07:00Cowboys and Boots<div>
Today, we’re talking about favorite cowboys. Most of mine, I
admit, are not “real” cowboys. I’m a movie fan, so
when I try to make a list of favorite cowboys they are usually guys who play
them in films or sing about being one on a stage. </div>
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What is it about cowboys that we love so much? They ride around on horses for days at a time, sweating in their leather and denim... not bathing... they're not particularly verbose or genteel... Oh, but they're faithful. To their horse. I don't know. It's that Bad Boy thing I guess, or The Man Who Can't Be Tamed... or maybe we love the idea of a guy who drops in now and then but doesn't live with us expecting us to do their laundry and feed them 24/7. I'm just guessing. </div>
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So here are a few of my faves... and stay tuned for the boot part of this post:</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b>When
I was 14 we moved to Pasadena, Texas, home of Gilley’s nightclub. You may
remember it as the place where <b>John Travolta</b> and Debra Winger scooted some
boots and rode the mechanical bull in the movie <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Urban Cowboy</i>. We got to see them film a few scenes around town, which was fun, and the movie brought boots and pearl buttons into style for the first time since Roy Rogers was sporting them in the 1950s. In addition
to just enjoying John Travolta in a tight pair of Wranglers, the movie had a pretty
great soundtrack. I’m not a huge fan of country music (currently), but “Lookin’
for Love in All the Wrong Places” was perfection with a twang.</div>
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I
didn’t see this film until I was a bit older since I was a kid when it was in
theaters, but <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Butch Cassidy and the
Sundance Kid</i> is one of my very favorite western films. I also love <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Sting</i> starring Paul Newman and
<b>Robert Redford</b>, but there is something about them with scruffy facial hair and
boots… well, let's just say it works. Oh, and then there’s Robert Redford in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Electric Cowboy</i>… totally different vibe, but more of the Sundance
man on a horse is never a bad thing.
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In
my early 20s I lived in the mid-cities area between Dallas and Fort Worth. On the
weekends I would go to the Stockyards in Fort Worth and do a little
two-stepping with my friends who waited tables with me. At the time, cowgirl
boots were only available in serious western stores, and they cost serious
money. Since I was not, admittedly, a “real” cowgirl (and I was a waitress living on tips), I didn’t wear boots – but
I think I looked pretty cute drinking a long-neck Corona with a lime slice
poked in the top of the bottle. During those years, I was a fan of <b>George Strait</b>.
Other favorite singing cowboys that came along later include <b>Alan Jackson</b> and
<b>Vince Gill</b>. </div>
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Now, here’s where
the boots come into the story… Back in August my sister and I attended a
fantastic conference put together by <a href="http://arkansaswomenbloggers.com/" target="_blank">Arkansas Women Bloggers</a>. There are several
reasons the conference was fantastic, not the least of which was the new pair
of boots that each attendee got from <a href="http://www.countryoutfitter.com/?utm_source=Acumen_Brands&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=&utm_content=&utm_campaign=null%7CAWBU_Blogger" target="_blank">Country Outfitter</a><span id="goog_1460282882"></span><span id="goog_1460282883"></span> just for attending. I mean, I’ve walked away from a few conferences with a tote bag full of <s>crap</s>
stuff that I have tossed into the “free” box at my next yard sale – but these
boots will not be going there. </div>
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Rumor has it that cowgirl boots are huge on the fashion
scene this year, and I’d be willing to bet that you wouldn’t mind having a new
pair, right? They’re cute with short skirts, long skirts, skinny jeans and
leggings… there just aren't many things you <u>can’t</u> wear them with. I've seen them
with shorts as well, but I do not wear the Daisy Duke look well… I've decided boots do not pair well with cellulite. ;)</div>
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But here's the best part - we could only accept a free pair of boots if we were willing to host a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">giveaway on our blog</b>. So, who wants a pair of boots?? Country Outfitter carries brands from a ton of great
boot-makers and I’m not kidding when I say it took me a week to pick mine out.
I toyed with getting crazy with color and picking these sweet things: </div>
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But the heel was a bit high for me... so I thought I might take these because the appliques
reminded me of the bags I make for <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Punkinhead-Designs/209416867379" target="_blank">Punkinhead Designs</a>:</div>
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And then I thought maybe I’d move toward something less
western (since I'm a country girl, but not really a COWgirl:</div>
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But in the end, <a href="http://www.countryoutfitter.com/products/20311-womens-dark-brown-mustang-cowhide-boot-l2559:" target="_blank">this lovely dark brown mustang cowhide</a> pair from Justin won out. They’re
dark but not too dark, and they have rubber soles which are <u>super</u>
comfortable. I haven’t had to break them in at all because they are already
soft and pliable. But the best thing - they look great with my skinny jeans. </div>
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But enough of the boots on <u>my</u> favorites list, right? Here’s
what <u>you</u> need to do to win your own… <a href="http://www.countryoutfitter.com/giveaway/junque" target="_blank">click here</a> to enter your email to win your very own boots
worth up to $150.00 from Country Outfitter, and then comment on this post with the name (or names) of YOUR favorite cowboy. Feel free to throw in some off-the-wall
faves… Ronald Reagan, that guy you knew in college, Roy Rogers (there is no
age-limit here!).<br />
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<b>I'll announce the winner via random drawing on Monday, October 1st</b>, so don't wait!! Good luck everyone - I can't wait to announce the winner!!<br />
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Junque Rethunquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07670510181195435203noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902404091907490584.post-20310946332715973182012-09-11T01:00:00.004-07:002012-09-11T01:00:02.498-07:00Handmade GoodnessThis post is the first in what we're going to call "Tuesday's Treasure". It will be a weekly post focused on something special we did or found or made over the previous weekend. This one is a week behind but we'll be more timely in weeks to come. <br />
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Labor Day weekend is sentimental for us. It's the annual date for a local craft show called the Clothesline Fair, which was the first craft show that we participated in together. Erin was knitting bracelets out of thin-gauge wire and adding sparkly beads, I made Snowfolk, and our mom was wrapping wine glasses with wire and beads and making lamp and ceiling fan pulls as well. We called ourselves "6 Hands". We're clever like that. <br />
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The second year we participated was 2008, the year that mom was diagnosed with a brain tumor. It happened the Monday night after the fair. We watched her struggle with balance and mobility all weekend, and she ended up in the emergency room after falling when she returned home. It was devastating, and it has tainted that weekend and the enjoyment I get from the fair ever since.<br />
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This year, however, we had a new reason to be excited about the Clothesline Fair - our booth at Summit Hill Cottage Shoppe! We signed up to work at the shop on Sunday, and on Saturday morning we went out to spruce the booth up a bit and take a stroll through the fair.<br />
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G-Man went with us, and was fairly well-behaved. He always has to jump on some vintage tractors... <br />
I wish my grandpa had lived long enough to meet him, and teach him to actually operate one of those things.<br />
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I lucked into a free piece of pottery when I pointed out a broken bit to the potter, and was happy to chat with one of my favorite local artists, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/people/ArtByTemple" target="_blank">Temple Skelton Moore</a>. My son talked me into a bow and arrow set made from pvc pipe (it's cooler than it sounds), Erin bought a lovely handmade wooden spoon/scraper for her kitchen, but the only purchase I made for me was to replenish my supply of handmade face cloths. I get at least one every year, and have had a few for several years now. They are made from cotton fibers and have held up through washing machines without any fraying or loose knots. They are simply awesome. <br />
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It's a treasure that I get to enjoy every day.Junque Rethunquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07670510181195435203noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902404091907490584.post-51062056155107144682012-07-30T07:48:00.001-07:002012-07-30T07:48:40.440-07:00New Digs for Junque Rethunque!!It's not like I haven't had things to write about over the last six months. I mean, seriously. It's more like the words in my head just couldn't get out of my head and into my fingers and onto the screen. I'm not going to bore you (or myself) by recapping the months that have passed since I last blogged... let's just pretend I was here: <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvrZzIYf4urXG9yzDL7vFwDLwcKgS2SGbnw-T7IUc7yd_Q5G8WORJc5ja_6TroM7FXC4ixLJaBYl7bD-vxZODRm3voOIBauIzplY1k61gqggoDnEbAEWiOndE-Xkuw1fTZtye2NjbrVZq3/s1600/Honduras+beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvrZzIYf4urXG9yzDL7vFwDLwcKgS2SGbnw-T7IUc7yd_Q5G8WORJc5ja_6TroM7FXC4ixLJaBYl7bD-vxZODRm3voOIBauIzplY1k61gqggoDnEbAEWiOndE-Xkuw1fTZtye2NjbrVZq3/s400/Honduras+beach.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><br />
Okay, so here's what's going on currently:<br />
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Last week I took a quick trip out to Prairie Grove, a mecca of sorts for people in NW Arkansas who like antique malls, <a data-mce-href="http://www.arkansasstateparks.com/prairiegrovebattlefield/" href="http://www.arkansasstateparks.com/prairiegrovebattlefield/" target="_blank">civil war battlefields</a>, and yummy Mexican food. (Mariela's!! YUM!). I had heard through the grapevine (i.e. Facebook) that a new antique mall called <a data-mce-href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/SummitHillCottageFleaMarket" href="https://www.facebook.com/#%21/SummitHillCottageFleaMarket" target="_blank">Summit Hill Cottage</a> recently opened. Since my sister and I have been on the waiting list for the larger mall in the same town for over a year, I figured it was worth checking out the new place. <i>Bonus: new place is right across the street from waiting list place. Heehee!!</i><br />
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The flea market we are in currently has been okay, but not great. The key is that current spot calls itself a "flea market" and the new place is an "antique mall". BIG difference. The "aha!" moment occurred the other day when I was looking at the wish list that the owners send every week with items that customers have told them they're looking for. The list goes something like this:<br />
<ol><li>Baby monitor</li>
<li>Deer stand</li>
<li>Blenders</li>
<li>Overalls</li>
<li>Salad spinner</li>
<li>Ceiling fan</li>
</ol>I'm not really kidding...<br />
As I looked at the latest list it hit me - the people shopping at this place are not looking for ANYTHING we are selling!! We have made enough to pay our booth fee the majority of the months we've been there, but for the last few months only barely. I mean, a check for $6.40 at the end of the month really kind of deflates a girl, you know?? Dave Matthews Band tickets don't grow on trees!! And you can't deny this man...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="http://girlchild.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/dave-matthews-dave-matthews-band-62630_440_5601.jpg" href="http://girlchild.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/dave-matthews-dave-matthews-band-62630_440_5601.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image" class="size-full wp-image aligncenter" data-mce-src="http://girlchild.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/dave-matthews-dave-matthews-band-62630_440_5601.jpg?w=430" height="640" src="http://girlchild.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/dave-matthews-dave-matthews-band-62630_440_5601.jpg?w=430" width="502" /></a></div><br />
So, it was obvious it was time to go. Hearing about the new place the same week that I had the "aha!" moment was a little like the clouds parting and a neon sign popping out that said "Do it!" So, I did! I chatted with the owner, Suzy, for a while, she showed me around the vendors' booths and pointed out which ones were selling well and which ones had product niches that they were filling.<br />
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My daughters went with me and were <strike>patient</strike> tolerant of my gushing and being excited... even when a "quick visit to check it out" turned into business discussion and signing of a contract. The place is perfect for the booth that Junque Rethunque deserves to be, and we can't wait to get set up!!<br />
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Suzy used to be a vendor in the Waiting List place and included a lot of detail in the vendor contract - even down to the statement saying that we are not allowed to decorate with feather boas. I think we'll be able to mind that one fairly easily. I also think it will be easy to stand out. There was lots of shabby chic, and some repurposing going on, and vintage kitchenware, but nothing much on the industrial side, not much wire and metal... not many painted signs or lampshades and certainly no vintage linens turned tote bags and home decor.<br />
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Here is the new Junque Rethunque space as it looks right now - pre Junque-ifying:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="http://girlchild.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/summit-hill-booth4.jpg" href="http://girlchild.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/summit-hill-booth4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-963" data-mce-src="http://girlchild.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/summit-hill-booth4.jpg" height="336" src="http://girlchild.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/summit-hill-booth4.jpg" title="Summit hill booth" width="450" /></a></div><br />
This is not our stuff - but don't you love the rough plaster and brick walls back there?? Here's a view down the aisle...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="http://girlchild.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/summit-hill2.jpg" href="http://girlchild.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/summit-hill2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-964" data-mce-src="http://girlchild.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/summit-hill2.jpg" height="336" src="http://girlchild.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/summit-hill2.jpg" title="Summit hill" width="450" /></a></div> <br />
It's just so much better than where we are. Like, times a billion. And cheaper too! We'll be paying $17 less per month for the space, and a smaller commission as well. Look at those painted floors! And the wooden valance that Suzy added. I heart it!<br />
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So... that's what's up right now. We are excited to get in there and execute some of the great ideas we had when we first set up shop a year ago. We'll be putting our display pieces in this Friday night, and plan to be in the space by the end of August, but if it's earlier we will definitely let you know. We hope you'll come see us, and let us know what you think.Junque Rethunquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07670510181195435203noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902404091907490584.post-76416554504033149282012-01-10T21:20:00.000-08:002012-01-10T21:20:43.828-08:00Who you callin' GRANNY???<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>An old friend (as old as me, in fact) recently commented on a photo I posted on Facebook, saying "You've really got this granny gig down, don't you?" It was this picture of a great set of vintage canisters I put in my flea market booth this weekend...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONxCfFwC3TVpMiK5WZSz2guCY3fpzmqKw4YRWmrAtERboPWwL8f7RdwVhCzTDpaEHB26LKhHxsYEneXt82yCJp8HVujkhgYcrRNJkwHlz6Dp8mTC6jN1tQsDlUusf9m1Y8tL6bBtdattJ/s1600/mushroom+canisters+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONxCfFwC3TVpMiK5WZSz2guCY3fpzmqKw4YRWmrAtERboPWwL8f7RdwVhCzTDpaEHB26LKhHxsYEneXt82yCJp8HVujkhgYcrRNJkwHlz6Dp8mTC6jN1tQsDlUusf9m1Y8tL6bBtdattJ/s320/mushroom+canisters+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Now, this friend is a male. And, he is an admitted arrogant smart-ass. But even so, it occurred to me while responding to him that he's probably not the only person out there who maybe doesn't really comprehend how brilliant it is to buy 2nd-hand and use "granny" stuff instead of buying whatever Pottery Barn and Target are selling this week. Kind of suits my "refuse to follow trends" inclinations. Except, there does seem to be a pretty big group of people out there who love the same non-trendy stuff I do. If we all love it, does it mean it's a trend??<br />
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I may not be making my own bread or canning my own veggies like my Grandmother Whillock did, but I do furnish my home with a lot of stuff found at second-hand stores, yard sales and even curbs. My first dumpster-diving experience was with my Grandma when I was probably around 10 years old. We were driving along one afternoon when Grandma spotted a great set of rattan furniture - a couch and love seat I think - sitting next to a dumpster. I don't remember details... did she have rope in the car, or did we go home and get it? But somehow, we got that set up on the roof and hauled it home for my aunt's new apartment.<br />
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My mom didn't really shop in thrift stores or hit yard sales when I was younger, but as I got older we enjoyed hunting flea markets and junk shops together. I think the biggest thrifty genes just skipped a generation, because I definitely got a bunch of 'em! I'm all about getting something at a great price, and turning something a little less than perfect into something brilliant. It was our love for finding a diamond in the rough and imagining what it could be that made us start our business, Junque Rethunque, that my sister and I are carrying on together.<br />
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So go ahead and call me Granny, my friend. I'm fine with saving hundreds of dollars and will continue to believe I'm doing my part to save the planet at the same time.Junque Rethunquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07670510181195435203noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902404091907490584.post-75200412236932325142011-12-22T20:27:00.000-08:002011-12-22T20:40:20.250-08:00My Name is Laurie... and I'm a HoarderOkay, maybe that's a little extreme. I'm not really a hoarder in the true, psychological sense of the word. But I have realized that I could very easily get there if I don't start USING some of the great things I've been buying and putting aside to make awesome stuff with.<br />
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Here's how it works...<br />
1. I stop by a thrift store/yard sale/estate auction during lunch/after work/on a weekend.<br />
2. I find a Sweet Treasure that others have passed up and I know is a brilliant piece of awesomeness.<br />
3. I take it home and stash it in my craft room, after staring at it for a bit and doing a happy dance about the amazing things I know I can make with it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CDi7Vicflro/TvQDDPHRFQI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/X5vIaSfoFg4/s1600/playing+cards+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CDi7Vicflro/TvQDDPHRFQI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/X5vIaSfoFg4/s320/playing+cards+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Here's where the problem comes in...<br />
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That Sweet Treasure will sit in a basket, languish in a drawer, or just remain piled on a shelf... taunting me. It says "I thought you loved me! I thought you boasted about finding me on Twitter! I thought you commented on images on Pinterest about how you were going to make Amazing Creations with me! What happened??"<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Busted...</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">I am a hoarder of Sweet Treasures that have the potential to be Amazing Creations... and which I am afraid to use.</span></i></div><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m0VKdKuSFPc/TvP81no6HUI/AAAAAAAAA6A/pRr1BMQEia8/s1600/green+compote+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m0VKdKuSFPc/TvP81no6HUI/AAAAAAAAA6A/pRr1BMQEia8/s320/green+compote+4.jpg" width="320" /></a>I love the thrill of the hunt. I love the excitement of finding something and watching a dozen awesome ideas scroll through my mind's eye. But then I freeze up. I am afraid that when I cut into that sheet music, or use that vintage photo, or restyle that vintage pom-pom fringe, the Sweet Treasure will be gone. I wonder if I will ever find one like it again. <br />
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What I think needs to happen is that I need to just jump in and get busy... when I get some creations made I'll feel better about using the treasures I find. I have to remember that there will always be Sweet Treasures to be found. I have had a good eye thus far, so what's keeping me from thinking that the luck will continue, you know?<br />
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And, if I only get a few items made out of each Sweet Treasure, well that makes them more valuable. Everyone loves a one-of-a-kind! And I am an easily distracted creator anyway... so having a need to find new things to create won't be a bad thing. I'm sure that if I just get started I can be cranking out stuff as cute as <a href="http://missmustardseed.com/" target="_blank">Miss Mustard Seed</a> in no time! (Look at <a href="http://missmustardseed.com/2011/12/living-room-decorations/" target="_blank">that garland</a> on her tree!!)<br />
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I'm going to have many days over the holiday break to spend organizing my vintage and craft stash, and I plan to get some creating done as well. I'll report on the results.<br />
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Happy holidays everyone!!!Junque Rethunquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07670510181195435203noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902404091907490584.post-39005768417552209412011-12-01T07:32:00.000-08:002011-12-01T07:32:00.288-08:00Holiday time!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7l3RDyWI8MjIeg1giU59eSZv51GbvtSHMCSn22hiR9N21EihEy2tcIZ0Pi9jUfsTQ4hlQYk11p61FLNKWDDW6iH3qUzvNhyphenhyphenQsGH5VC5W9J6rQP2XmlIT8uouSkAnIfjNALWrtEwgUKFG0/s1600/Snowfolk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7l3RDyWI8MjIeg1giU59eSZv51GbvtSHMCSn22hiR9N21EihEy2tcIZ0Pi9jUfsTQ4hlQYk11p61FLNKWDDW6iH3qUzvNhyphenhyphenQsGH5VC5W9J6rQP2XmlIT8uouSkAnIfjNALWrtEwgUKFG0/s400/Snowfolk.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>It's December 1st, so it seems appropriate to turn the talk to things that sparkle and smell like cinnamon and evergreens. Or, if you're me, the things I keep in that storage closet in my house that has never lost the New Carpet Smell. I look forward to digging out the things that I or my family have made over the years to decorate for Christmas... something about the season just makes me more sentimental than, say, July 4th.<br />
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One of my favorite things to put up is a advent calendar that my mom made for me when my first child was small, a replica (mostly) of the one she made when I was little and which hung in our house during December every year. My siblings and I eagerly awaited our turn to pick an ornament from the selection and put it on the tree each day, counting down to Christmas eve. Except for Erin... she was practically an only child by the time she was 7 since the rest of us were "all grown up", so she got to put ALL the ornaments on. Lucky. She also got to design the Halloween Jack-O-Lantern all by herself... unlike we Original Three, who had to actually <u>compete</u> to see who got to have their brilliant artistic stylings carved into the gourd. I believe it's due to the emotional scarring those Halloween contests left on my psyche that I buy all three of my kids pumpkins at Halloween... I mean, they're only $4.00 each, right???<br />
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Oh, sorry... got off track a little... breathe...<br />
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So, back to the calendar... each little ornament is made from several colors of felt, and adorned with sequins and beads and tiny little woven trims. So <strike>tedious</strike> detailed! There are wise men and angels and snowmen, candy canes, stockings, a candle... pretty much anything you would associate with the season. You can imagine how excited I was when, while sorting through mom's belongings after she died, I found a plastic bag full of felt scraps, trims, and tiny little patterns for the advent tree ornaments! My oldest daughter has a little girl now, and it won't be long before I'll have to make time to create a calendar for her. I'm not sure if I'll recreate it exactly, or put my own spin on it by using some vintage fabrics... I guess I'll ask her what she prefers.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Along with the holiday decorating traditions, I'm also trying to "shop small" this year. I purchased a couple of things online, but from small independent companies, and I have been making lists of things I want to get for others that can be found locally and (hopefully) from small businesses. A perfect opportunity to get some things knocked off my list will be at the many holiday markets happening near me this weekend.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_H_qrREr2ahYKrNxuz23ZeaCukDAh6ePqkHYGssf6QLYRYuUhUE_OgkTnZF2Gm4tmdPV5uquDjt9UVGBW3RdKYPjpk0Hm9-8exGMgK3oHRSb4nIlMNThy-Bzvmxam-zVDX8l-SiJwhit/s1600/Elliot+bag+twig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_H_qrREr2ahYKrNxuz23ZeaCukDAh6ePqkHYGssf6QLYRYuUhUE_OgkTnZF2Gm4tmdPV5uquDjt9UVGBW3RdKYPjpk0Hm9-8exGMgK3oHRSb4nIlMNThy-Bzvmxam-zVDX8l-SiJwhit/s200/Elliot+bag+twig.jpg" width="200" /></a>I'm a vendor at a new craft show, <a href="http://thelittlecraftshow.com/" target="_blank">The Little Craft Show</a>, happening at Vintage Fellowship in Fayetteville on Saturday, so you know I'll be checking out the awesomeness there. It's a small event with 25 local folks selling handmade goodies, vintage treasures, and also some yummy treats and music. Come out and help make it an annual affair! If you can't be there this weekend, take a short trip over to Tulsa on the 17th to <a href="http://www.allidayeveryday.com/" target="_blank">The Alliday Show</a>. There will be more handmade and vintage vendors there, and I'm thrilled to be able to be a part of it this year.<br />
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There is also the annual Holiday Market at the Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks happening Saturday, which features crafters and others from the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fayetteville-Arkansas-Farmers-Market/372790109508#%21/pages/Fayetteville-Arkansas-Farmers-Market/372790109508" target="_blank">Fayetteville Farmers' Market</a>. There will be fresh greenery for decorating, handmade pottery, soaps, and more for giving, and probably a few things that you may need to just stick under the tree for yourself.<br />
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Take some time to get your hands busy this year and make something special to decorate your home, or for the people on your gift list. Or, support local folks by buying what they made instead. The handmade things you pull out of the closet each year will become your favorite things to put on the entry table or mantle, I promise.Junque Rethunquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07670510181195435203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902404091907490584.post-7092371017225211022011-09-13T20:39:00.000-07:002011-09-13T20:39:32.644-07:00Good grief.It's Tuesday, and I have several projects that have to be addressed this week, and I sat for 2 hours on my derrier watching a movie with my daughter tonight. Not the most productive way to spend precious non-grandbaby-sitting time, to be sure. But I tell myself that I still have time left in the week. Hope springs eternal, right?<br />
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One project has to be completed by Thursday, so not as much time left there... it's a 5x5" art piece for a fundraiser held by the <a href="http://www.artscenteroftheozarks.org/artscenter/">Arts Center of the Ozarks</a>. I am excited about making it, and I have been putting some ideas together in my head, but the hangup is that I can't find the canvas to actually make art on. I know I brought it home... lord help me and my messy house. I may just have to suck it up and go pay for a new one. It's only $10, so I figure I can skip a couple of lunches. Not that that's a bad idea on any given day! The piece I'm planning involves stichery and vintage fabric and maybe some gesso and spray glitter for good measure. We'll see how it turns out... I'll post pics.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUNxdnv9TOSHQKdVcKYVHwJ4AtZ2S233H5lJluzOgVExGqJYx13rx0XzyPFWDXVPe8uqV1l-UCsAn0LNMIVnR3Lb7X32hhJvSVtyP0qogAIWnw1SCl0CZg4FvFRXxI3wN9ERmed4fstbFW/s1600/sweet+chair+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUNxdnv9TOSHQKdVcKYVHwJ4AtZ2S233H5lJluzOgVExGqJYx13rx0XzyPFWDXVPe8uqV1l-UCsAn0LNMIVnR3Lb7X32hhJvSVtyP0qogAIWnw1SCl0CZg4FvFRXxI3wN9ERmed4fstbFW/s200/sweet+chair+3.jpg" width="149" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkduFQ0pbv6cr70XwY059Y5-Rm93VFTQMsB_KOsTihaCwWygJnyevUSKcj3jiD03jJT2mJesceTQBzzyPhkKv_JAH4yWgUocpJBYy9U2bXHNg9_0vYIlJOWpNCE3am8wCGvfmqGrV2hyphenhyphenK/s1600/sweet+chair+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkduFQ0pbv6cr70XwY059Y5-Rm93VFTQMsB_KOsTihaCwWygJnyevUSKcj3jiD03jJT2mJesceTQBzzyPhkKv_JAH4yWgUocpJBYy9U2bXHNg9_0vYIlJOWpNCE3am8wCGvfmqGrV2hyphenhyphenK/s200/sweet+chair+4.jpg" width="149" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Clizhf5PcWvknn4DoXzvtmSBIBhbJmjUM9gC1aFHlK2TOJBxkMDC-5QycmxUB0-7y2D1BbSc9s60lAa0FMuD6Wp6tUex5MrgI5sUqbZXtjKq7Krul3Q-n6KF7dmKxececPzKdZhzA46h/s1600/sweet+chair+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Clizhf5PcWvknn4DoXzvtmSBIBhbJmjUM9gC1aFHlK2TOJBxkMDC-5QycmxUB0-7y2D1BbSc9s60lAa0FMuD6Wp6tUex5MrgI5sUqbZXtjKq7Krul3Q-n6KF7dmKxececPzKdZhzA46h/s200/sweet+chair+5.jpg" width="149" /></a></div><br />
One of the other projects for this week is for <a href="http://www.girlfriendology.com/">Girlfriendology</a> - a website where I've been named one of their latest "Girlfriend Gurus". My thing is going to be creating thrifty decorating ideas. The first is a vintage chair that's going to become a planter for the patio or front porch. I have this adorable chair I drug home from my mom's place after we had the final sale there, and all I need is an hour and some supplies. I will be taking pics as I go and describing the whole project in a post on their site. They asked to get it by mid-month, and tomorrow is the 14th... I'm cutting it close. I'm going to work on it Saturday afternoon. I considered painting the chair, but the more I look at it, the more perfect it seems to be. The rung on the front has been worn bare by feet... just so sweet! Hopefully I'll be able to find some decent plants to put in it at this time of year.<br />
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Finally, I am needing to spend some quality time with a dust-rag and vacuum cleaner. I have my book club coming over Sunday afternoon, and the house needs a complete de-clutter. We still have furniture and boxes and such in the den that will eventually go in the Hubster's music room (oh yeah, the baseboards are also on my list...) but if surfaces are just clean I'll be happy.<br />
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Wish me luck - and send me some extra time on the clock!!Junque Rethunquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07670510181195435203noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902404091907490584.post-39393521789634341672011-09-12T21:34:00.000-07:002011-09-12T21:34:25.855-07:00We have a (lucky!!) winner!So.... I didn't have use a random number generator or anything to determine the winner of my first blog giveaway. Apparently this blog is not nearly as popular as <a href="http://www.thriftydecorchick.com/">ThriftyDecorChick</a> or<a href="http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/"> FunkyJunkInteriors</a>... :) But I do appreciate each of you five who skipped over here to read my post, browse <a href="http://craftgossip.com/">CraftGossip.com</a> and tell us what your favorite project was! It really is a neat site, don't you think?? The Hubster drew a number from a jar, and he even closed his eyes first. It was completely fair, I promise. <br />
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First, I'll share the loot list:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8prm2sEFtxu6c0Ss0KvgwrR2eU33B7AwO-4_mC_ewXxDSPSL1NwkcQ1UI-IvjQRg2apfLpbylLZf8OvY4sR08L2vEI7tn7-9PjTpHbeM2rgkcHALwwZYeuGcUdP1Z0fXNQzKf3re3_gA7/s1600/edge+puncher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>(Everything is from ek success brands... but they have several brands under that umbrella)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC66xaEAkOAhnUOk-bDY5xCzAoTgKqAJLQg7OQUC8ysvisHbnUtx8JnOIGZ1CPqCQFlaFhOjYVttbWtTdqma0IlvkRuRqNjxADA_hNHH4MGRdW_RcK9CdF0JCzklvD90O7R16hBI_45XWb/s1600/metal+tags.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC66xaEAkOAhnUOk-bDY5xCzAoTgKqAJLQg7OQUC8ysvisHbnUtx8JnOIGZ1CPqCQFlaFhOjYVttbWtTdqma0IlvkRuRqNjxADA_hNHH4MGRdW_RcK9CdF0JCzklvD90O7R16hBI_45XWb/s200/metal+tags.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><ul><li><span style="font-size: small;">set of </span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.eksuccessbrands.com/kandcompany/"><b>K&Company</b></a> </span><span style="font-size: small;">Brenda Walton gauze flowers </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">set of </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>K&Company</b> </span><span style="font-size: small;">Brenda Walton floral tags with metal edges</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">set of </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>K&Company </b></span><span style="font-size: small;">Life's Little Occasions' fall themed stickers </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">a sweet <b>Jolee's Boutique</b> 3-D "mon amour" sticker set </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">neon-colored hippie-style <b>Sticko</b> gel stickers</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Vol. 1 of</span><span style="font-size: small;"><b> <a href="http://www.eksuccessbrands.com/marthastewartcrafts/">Martha Stewart Crafts'</a> </b>Party Essentials craft guide</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Blingy set of Martha Stewart Crafts' wine-bottle labels for personalizing gifts </span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">an ek success edge puncher with a lovely scroll/wave design..</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-size: large;">WOW!!!</span><br />
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And the winner is......<br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: x-large;">Julie of "bright little buttons"!</span><br />
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Congrats, Julie!! I'll be in touch!<br />
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I also want to just tell you a little about the workshop... those few of you who are reading. hehe...<br />
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It's never a bad day when a road trip with my sister is involved, so I'll just put that out there. We got to Little Rock a little early, and didn't want to be goobs and arrive before the registration table was even set up, so we decided it was a must to follow a few yard sale signs... I picked up a couple of cute little milkglass jars for my collection that only cost me $.25 cents each. I use them next to my bathroom sink to hold cuticle doo-dads and jewelry and such. Erin picked up some glass candle sticks that will soon become beautiful dessert stands.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERHGxhUTGne7MQwr-idr-KvJrWcxuRa8lzZDL1f4XBCaj3IWqp4NPxSAvJMFsqbKynAmx64RfiAKWNfufsDHgPRkE4QFv7utmzXeAdT-P1Obzw3c2hvOuE6Fb6-tKJzWPUhWhqyeOcsqB/s1600/country+living+1982.cgi" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERHGxhUTGne7MQwr-idr-KvJrWcxuRa8lzZDL1f4XBCaj3IWqp4NPxSAvJMFsqbKynAmx64RfiAKWNfufsDHgPRkE4QFv7utmzXeAdT-P1Obzw3c2hvOuE6Fb6-tKJzWPUhWhqyeOcsqB/s200/country+living+1982.cgi" width="146" /></a>After another not-so-great yard sale stop, we spotted an estate sale sign and, obviously, we had to go. I have been to some estate sales. And I've seen some collections. But this house was absolutely A.MAY.ZING. The woman running the show told us that the lady who owned the home had been an antique dealer, and that explained everything. Every single room in her home housed a collection of some kind. The overwhelming theme was primitives and colonial antiques. There were even stencils of pineapples around the tops of the walls. She collected so many different things - everything from period furniture, to dollhouse furniture to framed silhouette art to antique needlepoint and cross-stitch samplers. Basically, anything that was published in Country Living Magazine between 1980-1985 was in this house. While that style is not MY style, the sheer mass, and the obvious love that this woman had for her collections was humbling and impressive. We didn't buy much, because everything was priced appropriately (read = not in my budget). I did pick up a couple of vintage black and white snapshots and a book called Arkansas Folkways that I think will be fun to do something with.<br />
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We finally tore ourselves away and got to the workshop just as the organizers were introducing themselves. We ate some tasty lunch and went around the room and introduced ourselves, and then the fun began...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZw2kPtGFHYD6Vd7fFgu6Tnl12ok0A9jQnwHJjlg3mVYCjBpFmFsnsm25luKt9YTGFfM1qvAvlwfvbLamAAqxT9dJ-zmEnzMre0GhmDvLTv2KyzCBB6mxU20eWgdZVCh8gG-XGBBODKXz/s1600/mardi+gras+hat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZw2kPtGFHYD6Vd7fFgu6Tnl12ok0A9jQnwHJjlg3mVYCjBpFmFsnsm25luKt9YTGFfM1qvAvlwfvbLamAAqxT9dJ-zmEnzMre0GhmDvLTv2KyzCBB6mxU20eWgdZVCh8gG-XGBBODKXz/s320/mardi+gras+hat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We all got split up to sit with bloggers we haven't met and each table was tasked with creating a fancy top hat using some crafty items spread out on a table. Our table selected a Mardi Gras theme based on the colors of some plastic beads that were available, and we won! The judge said it was the little mask that we added that put it over the top, and I'm kind of proud to say that it was my idea. That's right, I'm tooting my own horn - what of it?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOd-3pM1A26d_sPExsJLc6cR9Y-o6HWWrvWih7z7Tq4phD27EAn_BwGCH6IcFKx-1BAi6A5ykY_6IF1gbX3mXrJmYNobOc1DAkS3fl3fIrouODn1dsfbzm-V5F_YqhmXfFlkYHZTvHw4zc/s1600/photo-26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOd-3pM1A26d_sPExsJLc6cR9Y-o6HWWrvWih7z7Tq4phD27EAn_BwGCH6IcFKx-1BAi6A5ykY_6IF1gbX3mXrJmYNobOc1DAkS3fl3fIrouODn1dsfbzm-V5F_YqhmXfFlkYHZTvHw4zc/s200/photo-26.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Next we each got a little kit to play with and went to work creating fabric flowers. We used a Laliberi kit that contains enough supplies to make at least 6 flowers. You can make them into pins or hair pins, or rig them to be both. I made one teal flower and it was super-easy and quick to make. The directions have illustrations included, which made it a snap to figure out.<br />
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After we all completed our flowers we were free to pick up the swag bags and start going through them. Listen, when they said we got some great stuff, they were NOT exaggerating!!! HOLY COW! They crammed a string bag full of stuff, and had to put the overflow in a grocery bag. There were 20 bloggers there, and those bags contained at least $200 worth of supplies and goodies. I was beyond impressed with CraftGossip's support of their bloggers and editors!<br />
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Some of the items in the bags will be used right away - like the eyelet paper balls from Martha Stewart Crafts that will be hanging in my grand-daughter's room within the week, and some stickers and permanent pens that will be used to create a piece of art on canvas that I am making this week as well. I am more of a sewer and repurposer than a traditional "crafter", so I will be putting my thinking cap on to figure out ways to use some of the items in the bag. For example, there were lots of lovely scrapbooking bits like 3-D stickers and paper punches that I am going to figure out how to incorporate in some mixed-media art and/or on some repurposed picture frames. But I actually think that's more fun - anyone can just slap some stickers on a scrap book page - but what ELSE can you do with it?? :)<br />
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Before we headed home we stopped by a vintage mall one of our friends in Little Rock recommended, and we found some fun things. My favorite was this table-top card catalog. It had just come in that morning, so it was meant to be mine! Unfortunately, someone had refinished it - probably to make it more "sophisticated" with the dark stain and all - but I'm planning to paint it and use it in my sewing room to hold ribbons, notions and such. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm5FEQcUS67qVQgxqBBOY-aI6SEMoO-u-4-bhD-NRrMkiOVcquhLEVJcAz1TZmjoorlLCE591y4X_vUCD4COS0a_K-5j11wOmFINqcKbiuZzK8V2JnnlvGXNv-yoL1LCamaKaDZc9HWGDz/s1600/card+catalog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm5FEQcUS67qVQgxqBBOY-aI6SEMoO-u-4-bhD-NRrMkiOVcquhLEVJcAz1TZmjoorlLCE591y4X_vUCD4COS0a_K-5j11wOmFINqcKbiuZzK8V2JnnlvGXNv-yoL1LCamaKaDZc9HWGDz/s320/card+catalog.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isn't it sweet!? </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table>Dinner at Star of India was as good as always, and the drive home flew by. I'm looking forward to sharing some of the projects I come up with here in the next couple of months. Hope you enjoy the pics - and come back to visit!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaHuzYtQA3GBQ4ZwVHNBOSRWvTBqRNOj7PHBVEajLE9Wd8LP3Ces9FTxwc9cjFEAiVQSFN-yoArUeE1nXt1eeDsjywS_o8AZjODb3TgzjnkIdXJCrheVlWbc9TO1IlcvY3tlxGxONTpzwM/s1600/samosa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaHuzYtQA3GBQ4ZwVHNBOSRWvTBqRNOj7PHBVEajLE9Wd8LP3Ces9FTxwc9cjFEAiVQSFN-yoArUeE1nXt1eeDsjywS_o8AZjODb3TgzjnkIdXJCrheVlWbc9TO1IlcvY3tlxGxONTpzwM/s320/samosa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Junque Rethunquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07670510181195435203noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902404091907490584.post-71283870110385870722011-09-07T19:51:00.000-07:002011-09-07T19:51:33.807-07:00Who wants a treat??I'm excited about a little road trip I'll be taking with my sister this Saturday! We have some awesome friends in Little Rock who are editors for a website called <a href="http://craftgossip.com/">Craft Gossip</a>, and they invited us to an "invitation only" blogger event. Not only will we be hanging out with some very creative and mighty funny women, but we'll also be eating tasty lunch at <a href="http://www.triosrestaurant.com/">Trio's</a>, playing with crafty kits and supplies, and bringing home some swag bags that include items from craft lines like Martha Stewart, Dimensions, and American Girl.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_s8UD82TNIh9oQkrmZppQ9dDyaYjmkgzOWqAI8NHhXOSMH_p6ZTzpj9_x7dcfl-ZsVr6ATqi30tSUL41dMsb2eAxUk1Q3EqqfwIFNKRo4_7qkGPMPpgZrOa6mWhvYLd20Nd3RdR25nrM/s1600/craft+gossip+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="74" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_s8UD82TNIh9oQkrmZppQ9dDyaYjmkgzOWqAI8NHhXOSMH_p6ZTzpj9_x7dcfl-ZsVr6ATqi30tSUL41dMsb2eAxUk1Q3EqqfwIFNKRo4_7qkGPMPpgZrOa6mWhvYLd20Nd3RdR25nrM/s320/craft+gossip+logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
What's the catch? Stoopid easy: we have to blog about our day and the products we use. Uh, whuuuut??? Don't hate me because I have better friends than you... ;)<br />
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You may be asking how this little trip of mine makes its way into a treat for you? Becaaaaaause... I'm going to pick a few goodies out of my swag bag to share, of course! Here's the deal - go to <a href="http://craftgossip.com/">Craft Gossip's website</a> and take a look around. Come back and share your favorite project or post or hint with the rest of us. There is a TON to choose from. No matter what kind of crafting you like best, you'll probably find it on Craft Gossip. Feel free to share this giveaway on your own blog, or with your Facebook friends, whoever you like! The more the merrier!<br />
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I'll report on the workshop this weekend, and will announce the winner Monday. <br />
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See you this weekend!Junque Rethunquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07670510181195435203noreply@blogger.com5