Merry Christmas to you.

The infamous cotton. See story below.

Carla and I worked on this tree a bit...but Lily (Lisa's daughter) eventually found collars to add (not pictured.)

It just so happens that I was in her neck of the woods ’round about the time Lisa McIlvain was fluffing her beautiful home for a feature in the Dallas Morning News. I imagine you’ve seen variations (professional shots, even) on my CELL PHONE photos above, and this is old news to you by now. I didn’t feel right breaking a story that wasn’t mine, so I waited my turn. Kindly. Like polite people should do. (And just so you know, all the photos above were from one room in her home, but the entire house was decorated for Christmas. And her studio? I have major studio envy. She needs to be in Where Women Create next.)

What you haven’t seen anywhere is my behind-the-scenes story of a weekend adventure with Lisa. She’s kind of a big deal in certain circles, you know.

So here it is: We made plans way back in October to go junking together in Canton. Then, the DMN feature story got scheduled around the same December weekend and in a fit of panic (or Diva-ness), Lisa canceled our Canton trip. As the date drew closer and the feature interview was complete, the junk beckoned and Lisa relaxed a bit,  deciding she could go missing for a few hours the day prior to her photo shoot.  (Who does that?!!) Canton, here we come!

Mother Nature, however, had other plans. The weather in Ft. Worth was cold and rainy the entire weekend, so we opted for some local junking instead. My crafty friend Carla joined us on our big adventure, during which Lisa may have seemed maybe a bit anxious, with a photo shoot only hours away. But we gave it our all, picking up a couple of treasures along the way to add warmth to an already picture-perfect home.

Carla and I went back home with Lisa after our adventure, and she put us to work. Or pretended to, anyway. (Just for the record, I would’ve done the same thing, but I would’ve been secretly rolling my eyes and changing everything once my “helpers” were gone.) Not Lisa.

Here’s a sample conversation of what went down …

Me, in the garage: You totally need to bring that cotton inside.

Lisa: What will we put it in?

Me: Where’s that loving cup you scored?

Lisa: I don’t have it yet.

Carla: What about that champagne bucket?

(We get busy with the cotton, and I suggest adding a cabinet card. As a joke, I get really specific with the cabinet card we need.)

Me: We need a picture of a boy with a sled. (wink, wink to Carla)

(And I kid you not, it took only seconds before Lisa responded.)

Lisa: How about a dog with a sled?

Seriously. And it was a family photo, to0! Because that’s how she rolls. And the arrangement was mentioned in the article and a photo was included.

Truth is, Lisa didn’t need our help to fluff. (I suspect she planted the cotton in the garage just so we’d feel useful.) She’s a big ball of talent. Her home was beautiful when we arrived. And she doesn’t even keep her kids in cages. They play in the living room. They help. And they proudly tell their friends they’re going to be in the paper.

Beautiful children, beautiful family, beautiful home, beautiful Christmas. As it should be.

And I helped.

Postscript: After the photo shoot, Lisa was busy getting food ready for a party she was hosting that very night. She’s so non-stop. Visit her etsy shop. Buy some stuff. You’ll be glad you did.

Thanks for all the kind emails during my blogland absence. All’s well. No Earth-shattering news to share. Just me doing what I do best, hopping from interest to interest, unfocused and negligent. Even my husband commented on my lack of posts as of late. So… I’m throwing a bone to all of y’all. I’m easing back into things.

These photos are from my wee space which still had a Halloween sign on display until last week. (See? My blog’s not the only area where I’m behind.)

I have other pictures to share — yes, of course they’re from my cell phone. That’s my niche — before the year ends. So hang tight. I know… you’re on pins and needles.

Not yet in the holiday mood? Might I suggest a holiday open house to help put you there? I know it’s early. But it is so inspiring to be smack dab in the center of a winter wonderland, like I was last night in Llano, Texas. And it was a chilly 40 degrees outside–perfect weather for perusing Christmas decor.

All the photos above are from the talented Binky La Faye’s open house. Hope you enjoy them…

Even though there’s not much holiday to be found here in my little corner of the junk world, I’m as ready as I’ll ever be. I skipped out on a sale today, but I’m heading to Llano in a bit for Binky’s Christmas open house. It’s sure to be inspiring.

I returned to San Antonio from the barn sale only to face a shop reset yesterday. AND once again, I got the boot before I was finished. So guess where I’m headed for the day?! Hope you have a great week. More barn sale photos to come!

In the beginning...all the stuff had to get unloaded to get to the walls, packed flat on the bottom of the minivan.

Can you believe I willingly used PEGBOARD? I may have become a fan.

Still in mess mode

Getting better

I also used a cardboard wall between the pieces of pegboard. That's what is behind the linen.

So close to finishing, it hurts! I still had paintings to put on the back ledge, a bit of pricing left to do, and a few items to arrange.

Welcome!

The other side... NO ribbon OR Baja pots sold.

Just look at that beautiful pegboard!!

At the last minute, I squeezed in a card table from home. Good thing.

Loved the lamp lighting. It was worth all the extension cords and crawling on the floor!

Lots of white

A nod to Christmas

The corner of letters

Old pharmacy prescription book, some dated 1908.

Pretty woman

Shoppers seemed to enjoy all the old photos.

Came home with ALL my test tubes

Shopper: How much is this fur? Me: 35. Shopper: 35 hundred?! Me: 35 dollars. (And she still didn't buy it!)

Frames were big sellers.

Like most things in my life, my feelings for this junk show biz can best be explained through words penned by Depeche Mode songwriter/ singer Martin Gore:

Like a cat dragged in from the rain, who goes straight back out to do it all over again…I’ll be back for more.

The barn sale was a blast. Don’t know how soon I’ll hit the road again, but there is talk of a possible Accumulations show in February. Friends in a field of junk is certainly tempting during the junk void that is winter.

All the photos in this post are from my space at the barn sale. And yes, they are cell phone photos! That, my friends, is my niche! Amy Boland was the official event photog, so watch her blog for the complete and pretty picture. I’ll post photos of fellow vendors soon. So much talent in one big barn!

Whew. It all fit. The minivan will haul about seven feet by 45 inches by at least three feet. I can’t do the math required to figure volume, but I think I maxed out the space, taking breakables into consideration. Something will break, however. It wouldn’t be a party otherwise!

All this junk is headed to Rusted Gingham’s barn sale, in case you’re wondering why my junk is suddenly on the move. Let’s see if I packed enough. Maybe too much for a 10×10 space? I’ll leave that math up to you!

I’m as ready as I’ll ever be for Rusted Gingham’s barn sale this Saturday in Gonzales, Texas. Well…that’s not entirely true. I still need to price. And pack. And load. And maybe wax and distress a couple of things. That sounds like I’m not ready at all! Egads. Maybe I shouldn’t have put it down in words. I feel behind now, thankyouverymuch.

Having never sold at a show before, I’m a bit nervous. I’m afraid I’ll forget something important — from clean clothes to cash for change. I’ve had nightmares of the minivan breaking down on the way. And what happens if I sell zilch?! (I realize that statement doesn’t jibe with The Secret. Please don’t rat me out.) But I’m also excited. I know I’ll be among some excellent vendors. Oh, the stories we will tell and the laughs we will laugh.

Care to join us?

From start to finish, galvanized pieces reinterpreted. I’m loving galvanized everything right now. Tubs, pails…anything.  They go well with my other loves: burlap, stencils, prize ribbons, and even tulle.

Who said diamonds were a girl’s best friend? Okay. Maybe diamonds still win that contest.