Junking Bliss

I don't know how else to describe my Wednesday in Warrenton other than to say blissful.  A storm had blown through the night before and the weather was cool, and sunny - a perfect day for junking.  I stopped at Newman's Bakery in Bellville and enjoyed breakfast.  I have {former} friends who revealed a sweet antique mall down the street, Nothing Ordinary, so I made a stop.   Want to see what I found there?



Do you not love these cats on wooden spools?  I think they are so sweet!  I want to make one.





Purple.  His and Hers hand towels.
And the honking crystal - came from Warrenton. 
Biggest crystal pendant I have.



 I ask you, if your air quotes friends air quotes were holding out on you on a place like this, would you disown them?  Around eleven I made my way to Warrenton And after walking around for 6 hours, I finally went home.  With this.



Music Cylinders.  $5 each.  I saw today that
Cathe Holden is teaching a class using these at Silver Bella.



Some sugar molds.  The duck was $5.  A mail slot, sprinkler and hardware. 

Some of what I saw in Warrenton

Probably my favorite is the map with "recalculating".  She also owned that cute little camper that she used for her business cards.  A-dor-a-ble.  My favorite was meeting Karen from Birmingham.  She had some gorgeous burlap curtains and lampshades.  She has a bed in her display AND THEY SLEEP THERE AT night... What a fantastic idea!  The cross was also at her booth - I wish I could have captured the vibe in her booth because it was inspirational.  The doll heads, wooden shoe form and chandelier are from West End Architectural Salvage from Des Moines.  Very hip.  The cowboy visiting in the upper right - it was just so Texan.

I saw some dough bowls and chenille bedspreads and bought neither.  Because.  That's just how I am sometimes.  I think I should go back Saturday morning.  Whaddayathink?

The Day After

It's a bit ironic that on the Saturday night that I invite friends over for crafting, that no one has a camera and although I have several, not one is pulled out to mark the evening.  Argh!  It still is a great evening and last night was another one where we spent more time talking than crafting and strangers arrived and friends left.  Fills the heart, for sure.

I'm home from Bermuda (work, yes work) and happy to be home for a while until May and Inspired Artist.  Here are a few pics from Portobello Road Market in London:



This booth of printers blocks is where I spent WAY too much money.  I just couldn't help myself.



Several booths with old cameras.  And many booths with silver pieces.

Down this road is Mike's Cafe, where I had a wonderful breakfast.

And here are a few photos of the loot I took across the pond, back to Texas.

I loved this set of Roger Bros. spoons plus the odd knife

Cath Kidson goodies, photos and spoons and printers blocks\

Wouldn't that oxo box make a good doll body! 
Loved this stamp and there's some fabric below that looked interesting.



I spent last Sunday driving through Glenwood Cemetary and found about 25+ angels but I couldn't seem to get the right photo.  Somewhere (of course I can't find it now), I saw someone had a poster of an angel over a bed.  Loved it.  Wanted to recreate it... I'll go back and try again on the photos.

And finally, I would like to share one of my favorite FLICKR accounts, someone I found quite a while ago, a pilot (Louis Vest) on the Houston ship channel, who is also an amazing photographer.  Peruse this for a while, especially his Nautical, Maritime set - simply amazing work...you will be inspired.

London

It's funny when you're in London, because the voices in your head talk with an English accent.  Seriously.  I came home yesterday (a day early!) after spending 10 days there - 4 for work, 4 for play and 2 for travel.  I'm still unpacking and washing, getting groceries etc. so in the meantime I'll share some photos.



Fortnum & Mason



One of my favorite stores in London is Fortnum & Mason (thanks to Gerry Averitt for telling me about it years ago).  It has fabulous window scenes and unique gifts - a bit like a smaller English version of Nordstrom.  I bought a Royal Wedding "commemorative tankard" that I thought was pretty.  I have a small collection of Queen Elizabeth 1953 coronation commemoratives that I've collected over the years.



F&M Window - love the English china patterns and tea!  although I drank alotta lattes.





Graphics and Oak, what more can you want.  I loved this display window.



Typical English scene on any work night except this was a bit early and there will be way more people later on.  The Pub originated because the English have small homes and so in their "village" they congregate at the pub instead of their living room.

Green Park, near my hotel.  The spring flowers like daffodils are beginning to bloom and will be goregous for the next few weeks. Its still cold though, coats/scarves & mittens were required all the time, but bonus - no rain!  I scored on Priceline for my hotel - Intercontinental in Mayfair, which was fabulous.

Through Green Park, walking towards Buckingham Palace.



Walked past Clarence House (Prince Charles home) and four cars high tailed it out of there - didn't see who it was.  As I walked further down the Mall, these guys came striding along.

Admiralty Arch, before Trafalgar Square

My biggest score in the flea markets were large printers blocks and some King Edward spoons.  I'll try to take photos of my finds and post this weekend.