We had quite a time with snow and ice last week ... power outages, no school. So I got a bit behind on posting and the whole studio clean-up thing. But I'm back at it today.
While moving some things around, I came across this round robin journal I did a few years ago based on the "True Colors" theme. I chose white. Thought it would be fun to share on this snowy day.
Be sure to check out the latest postings at the store as well ... http://www.thepaperfleamarket.com/
I determined today that if I didn't go to another yard/estate/flea market sale all year (perish the thought!), I'd have enough inventory to last the rest of the year! I came to this conclusion as I was digging through some cabinets today, where I found a couple boxes of these fun word teaching cards from 1944 ... just posted them to the store ... 2 cards for only $1! Hop on over and take a look! http://www.thepaperfleamarket.com/
OK, now who out there *didn't* like covering a shoebox with red paper and white doilies and red foil stickers? And remember the anticipation of reading all those little perforated cards in the flimsy envelopes with the tiny lick -n- stick flaps? And maybe (oh joy of joys) getting one from that special someone in class?!?
Last evening I went through all my vintage sewing notions (I just can't resist them at a yard sale!) I've put together a bunch of theme packs, all priced at $3.00 each. Take a look-see!
http://www.thepaperfleamarket.com/sewing-theme-packs.html
Went through more of my rubberstamps last night ... and posted a BUNCH today! Take a peek! http://www.thepaperfleamarket.com/clearing-out-the-studio.html
It's amazing what you find when you're cleaning out an old box that was once filled with your son's old toy instruments! Just posted these to the store ... hurry, hurry! www.thepaperfleamarket.com
Oh my gosh this studio-clearing is a big task! Yesterday and today I unloaded bookshelves full of stuff and made big piles on the floor in order to swap those shelves with some others in the house. At one point I was feeling pretty frustrated ... how did I ever accumulate so much stuff?!?! At that point, I just walked away and got a sandwich. When I came back, energized, I realized that this task is akin to losing weight ... I didn't bring it all in on one day, so it's going to take more than a day to sift through it, purge and reorganize. I'm hoping to get a comfy chair back in here ... that's kinda keeping me going.
This is the sign you'll currently find hanging on the outside doorknob of my studio door.
One of my goals this year is to organize my workspace! I feel like the walls are starting to close in on me and that it doesn't have that inviting feeling anymore ... and that just won't do!
I'm in-between shows and deadlines, so I've decided that NOW IS THE TIME! I'll still be posting to the store and journaling (can't go cold turkey!) but thought that by announcing this in blogland, I will be held accountable! As much as possible, I plan to use existing furniture and only purchase some storage bins and baskets (and maybe one comfy chair with a small footprint ... oh, and a new desk chair ... my mother insists!)
Here's where it gets good for you ... now through February 28th, I will be posting craft books, rubber stamps and other non-vintage supplies that I've decided I can live without. I started this evening by going through my books and am offering them for $5 each (all were originally between $12 and $20)! Hop on over and take a peek! http://www.thepaperfleamarket.com/clearing-out-the-studio.html
Well, nothin' says "celebrate finishing your sketchbook project" like a day of snow tubing! Anybody ever been? It was my first time ... ever ... to a winter sport resort of any kind! My son (who also completed a sketchbook!) had no school today, so we both went and had a blast!
As a bonus, my radar zoomed in on an "antiques" sign on the highway, so of course we had to pull off and stop in for a few minutes. I found this *fabulous* skinny journal and couldn't resist! I think it might become my next journal ... now if I only kept cows ...
Finished the sketch book tonight! And not a moment too soon as it must be postmarked by Saturday (I think I'm going to send it Friday just to be safe) Here are a few more glimpses inside (and out ... I usually save the covers for last)
Wow! The first set of French fashion sketches I posted sold lickety-split! So I've just posted 10 more. I'll continue to post more in the next few days.
And here's an update on the Sketchbook Project ... I'm just about done! Got the covers and one more spread to do. I like this spread ... I used the little fluted papers that come in a box of chocolates (you can see how many I had to eat ... moo ... although I did have some help from a certain little boy). Anyway, I had my sketchbook in my bag on the floor. Next thing I know, I see Daisy crunching away on something then she heads back toward my bag ... the little snort ate one of the paper wings off my butterfly! (see the one in the upper RH corner is missing a wing?) Guess she couldn't resist the smell of the chocolate. So I fixed it (of course, that meant another chocolate for me ...)
What with the flea market, a new year, Christmas, a coupla shows, a ruffled tablecloth, the Country Living Fair, um, what else ... I kinda let the Arthouse Co-op Sketchbook Project fall off my radar. Until I got an e-mail reminding me that there were just "2 weeks left"! When I first signed up in June(!), I felt I had forever. But forever doesn't last as long as it used to. So I've been working as fast as I can to fill up my sketchbook. It's gotta be postmarked by Saturday (yikes!)
The theme I chose from their list is "I am a scavenger" ... I mean, is that perfect or what?
Day 1 at the Big Flea was great fun! Met a lot of wonderful people ... and managed to squeeze in a little shopping thanks to my booth neighbors and a friend who stopped by. Here's my display ...
I loaded up the wagon today ... it's so packed that I was forced to tie sawhorse legs and a tabletop to the roof rack (only time I ever use it is to bring home the Christmas tree!) When my husband came home this evening, he asked when I was going to put the rocking chair on top for Granny ;) I think I'm going to have to make 2 trips.
Rolls of yummy vintage wallpaper, a metal dollhouse, oversized calendar pages from the 1950s & a bamboo birdcage ...
... an old croquet set, a vintage metal bread box, an old hatbox from Hechts and some old wire record racks ...
Been busy pricing lots of goodies for the flea market ... got an old birdcage, some metal trays, a folk art bird house embellished with soda pop tops, books, albums, games ...
... old fabric, vintage kitchen canisters, cigar boxes... The old lampshade in the top photo is going to be part of my display. I can hardly wait!
My first bit of news for the new year is that The Paper Flea Market will be at the DC Big Flea January 8 & 9! The DC Big Flea is located at the Dulles Expo and Convention Center in Chantilly, Virginia. We will be at booth 951 North. This is my first big "booth" show, and I'm very excited. In addition to the sort of merchandise you'll find on the store site, I'm bringing larger items that I've collected that are just too cumbersome or expensive to try to ship so I've never offered them online.
If you're in the area, please stop by and introduce yourself! For directions and a coupon for discount admission, just click here http://www.damorepromotions.com/Chantilly/chantilly.htm
... imagine the possibilities.
