Friday Shop Hop # 9

 

Between the fall colors and art shows and craft fairs and vintage pop-up sales, there are plenty of things to do this weekend.  If you are in the Twin Cities metro are you should check out the Scott County Art Crawl, and specifically Kristin of YaY! Jewelry.

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What Did You Spend Three Dollars on Yesterday?

Starbucks? McDonalds? Half a carwash?

Three dollars doesn't get you far these days. Heck, it doesn't even buy a gallon of gas.  So when I saw this pretty little typewriter at the antique mall, sitting in it's case, and marked THREE DOLLARS, I grabbed it fast and held it close.

Three dollars? THREE DOLLARS?  Why yes, I would pay three dollars for this solid piece of vintage goodness. Why yes, I would pay three dollars to set this on my desk, feed in a sheet of paper, and type till I hear the bell ring.  

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Crotch and Crotchet

Interesting title, eh? This post is two-fold.  First, I want to talk about jeans.  Back in the day, the day when I earned a paycheck, I used to occasionally treat myself to expensive jeans. And by expensive, I mean spending $70-80 per pair of Lucky Jeans from The Buckle. This probably isn't considered a lot of money by Jessica Simpson or Paris Hilton, but for a drab mid-westerner such as myself, it was (and still is) steep.

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Scary Man OFF!

I've been waiting and waiting for Jack to understand the wonderment of the Holidays; Halloween fun, Thanksgiving turkey, baby Jesus and Santa and Christmas trees. I think we are finally here!  I dug out my Halloween decor last week and set up a few things.  One of those things is a ghoulish moving vampire that was my Grandma's. It's not really old or vintage or anything, but it IS kind of creepy.

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It's Kind of a Freak Show

Yes, I'm talking about the Renaissance Festival.  It's kind of a freak show.  Yah, you might say you go there for the turkey drumsticks and alligator on a stick, but what you really are doing is people watching.  There's the pickle guy heckling the maidens, the juggler man in maroon tights, the dirty whore peasant who can't afford enough muslin to cover her giant and jiggling breasts.  It's the king and the queen and the three belly dancers who look like Kardashian sisters. It's the transvestite who took your ticket as you entered , it's the strolling musicians begging for money with their feathered hats, it's the weird couple who walk around in nothing but fur and boots and body paint.  Heck you may have even seen a goofy girl with a doily sewn onto her shirt.

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It's Still Dark Out

Good Morning Sunday,

I'm happy to be here this early with you; before the sun is up and while the chill in the air is still sharp.

I'm enjoying our solitude, our quiet, my coffee.

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Friday Shop Hop #8

Aloha Friday!

I don't know about your part of the country, but here, in the heart of Minnesota, it was 36 degrees this morning. That's awfully chilly. Where is my Indian Summer?  Sheesh!

Could everyone link up something warm? Sweaters, scarves, hot chocolate... you know, stuff like that :) I had a blast at Junk Bonanza last Friday - you can catch the recap here.  I bought a sweatshirt that says Junk Rescue (yah, I know - nerdy), a tin with 8mm film (not sure if I will list in the shop or use as a photo prop), some little scrabble tiles for an upcoming project and three vintage post cards.  They are wonderful!

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Becoming a Collector

I have heard that once you amass three or more of something, you have a collection.  Following those guidelines, I can officially say that I collect:

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Wordless Wednesday: Basil

We've been getting plenty of basil from the farm share and my fav way to keep it fresh is to plunk it in some water and use the leaves throughout the week.  BONUS... if left in the water long enough, it will root.  ;)

Best use of fresh basil from last week?  Throw a few leaves in the food processor with butter, 2 cloves of garlic and a couple tablespoons of parmesan.  Spread on french bread - then eat it or toast it in the oven. YUM YUM YUM.  And then, store it in some Tupperware by Jessy , one of my LoveBug friends who just launched her facebook fanpage.  If you have a moment, stop over there, give her a like and take a look around her site!

Happy Wednesday peeps:)

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Sunday Morning with Burnette G Pletan

I am still working my way through one of the boxes I bought at an estate auction last week.  This particular box had my favorite red bulls (which is why I wanted the box) and several random plates.  There was one  little painted plate that I kept putting at the bottom of the research pile; I wasn't sure if I would list it in the shop, give it to the thrift store.... or keep it.  I hit google this morning armed with the artist's name and the town where the piece was sold.

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Junk Bonanza Recap

I am a woman on a mission.  I want to be a vendor at Junk Bonanza for 2012.  I've researched pricing and space and I think I could do well there, if I were accepted.  You see, it is a juried show.  You have to submit pictures of your display and products, and a panel will vote on your application. They are definitely going for a certain look- and that look must be at least 40 years old with chippy paint and a good dose of rust.

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Friday Shop Hop #7

Dear Friday, I am so excited to see you.  I have longed for your arrival. You see, Friday marks the day that I am going to Junk Bonanza.  I will roam multiple levels of glorious junk, repurposed vintage, and eclectic collections of rusty stuff. My dream come true! (well, actually, add an empty Suburban and giant pile of cash to make it a dream come true).  Either way, I am GIDDY. Just. Plain. Giddy.

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Cynical Redhead Creations Giveaway

Eek!!!  Stop the presses! Err... or maybe START the presses! ArtsyNina is doing her first giveaway!

I am thrilled to introduce you all to Michelle from Cynical Redhead Creations.  Michelle and I have been online BFF's for several years now -we met on myspace, both followed each others totally rad myspace blogs and have kept up on facebook ever since.  When Michelle started selling on etsy I jumped right in line to buy some of her hair accessories, and have been back several times, because her stuff is AdOrAbLe, unique and priced right.  And when I say priced right, I mean that even someone as broke as I am can afford her cuteness!

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The First Frost

Never before have I paid attention to the comings and goings of frost. I'm a city girl; I just want to know if its jacket or sandal weather.  Or at least I was a city girl. This year is different, and it's all because we joined the CSA.

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Hi Blog!

I've missed you!  I hope you enjoyed your rest. While you were being lazy, not entertaining guests with wit and charm, I was working hard to find new material for you.  I've gathered new stories, pictures and memories.  So get off your arse and get ready to work!

The whole fam spent a long weekend up at Breezy Point Resort.  The weather was out of this world beautiful; upper 80's and low humidity.  It's amazing that we are supposed to get our first frost tomorrow (cover your pumpkins and tomatoes, peeps!)  Here are a few pics.

Chasing these two cousins wears a girl out *yawn*

Mr. & Mrs. ArtsyNina

About to start a friendly game of UNO (I won, hehe)

Probably the last summer day of the year, and we spent it on Lake Pelican :)

I'll be back later to tell you about the neat old timer we met in Pine River, the Gilson lawn tractor that Tom pulled home (oh yes, another project!) and I even have a few recipes to post. Stay tuned!

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Friday Shop Hop #6

Happy Friday Internets!  Hope you all have super fantastic plans for the weekend like I do.  We are headed Up North to play on the water and in the woods with family.  Should be a blast and hopefully I will return with blogworthy stories and pictures.

So what's next? SHOP HOP TIME!  What have you been up to all week?  I am sure there are plenty of new treasures to be discovered here today.  Show us watchya got.

As usual, there are no rules, rhyme or reason.  Link up an item from your shop, a link to your FB fan page, or to the companion blog for your shop.  Whatever or however you'd like to promote your shop - it's all about you!  Thanks to all who linked up last week and hope to see you share something again today.

Most viewed links last week were Greg Pususta's feather and Lil Punkin Creations mixer decal.

And just because I can, I want to show off the totally fantastic red ceramic bulls that I found Thursday night.  AREN'T THEY THE BOMB?!  (who says that anymore? sheesh Nina)  I don't know what or who they are looking at, but I just love them.  I love them so much that I marked them up higher than I probably should have.  Because I love them and kind of want them to stick around.  *silly grin*

OK - time to party.  Have a great weekend everyone!

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Wordless Wednesday: Farm Pics

Jack and I hung out at Greg & Fern's hobby farm Tuesday. The weather was wonderful and we enjoyed our visit.  Jack wore himself out chasing the dogs, cats and chickens.

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Cinnamon & Molasses Scones... and a Snowblower

Yesterday morning was chilly.  But was I going to turn the furnace?!  In September?!  Heck NO. Time to turn on the oven and bake.  I didn't want something super sugary.  No cookies or cakes. I decided on these scones.They were pretty tasty and complimented my cup of coffee well.

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Dinner Is Served Sign

I was inspired to craft this morning. I don't know if the chilly weather triggered my artsiness, or knowing that it's September or what... but I was all about baking with cinnamon and crafting and thinking about Halloween. Fall is my FAVORITE time of year.

I baked cinnamon-molasses scones for breakfast (will post recipe soon!), dug out my craft paints and several projects that I had been stashing. I brought out a witchy fleece throw to work on (*ahem* that I started last fall and damnit, I will finish before October), I have a stack of reclaimed wood just waiting to be turned into signs, and several thrifted items that I want to upcycle.

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Friday Shop Hop #5

It's Friday!  And where am I?  Well... I was a total slacker and enjoying a homecooked breakfast courtesy of my husband.  And cleaning the house.  And watching Charlotte's Web.

Then it hit me... SHOP HOP TIME!

The most viewed links from last week were tied between Addielynns Bowtique and Maggie Janes Vintage. We had 38 shops participate and all sorts of neat items to browse.  THANK YOU to everyone who visits, comments and links up!

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