Monday, December 11, 2006

Fun, Friends, Antiques, and a Giveaway!

This past weekend was so delightful and full of fun! I got to meet my blog buddy, Kim, in person. She and her partner Julie came into town to visit Chicago and go shopping on Michigan Avenue. Miss Jane joined us as she is a kindred nutty spirit! I can't figure out how to post a picture from my email to my blog, so please see Kim's blog for a picture of the four of us taken on Sunday night when we were getting ready to go out for a Mexican food dinner! Ole'!!!!

It was as if we had all known each other for a very long time, we just felt so comfortable together. Also, it was lots of fun to show off the beautiful city of Chicago to someone (Kim) who had never seen it before. We picked them up from the airport and I drove them into Chicago via Lake Shore Drive. It was nightime so all the lights of the city looked extra special. They stayed at a swanky hotel, The Knickerbocker, which is right near the Hancock building and in the midst of all of the posh stores. Friday night we ate dinner at the hotel restaurant and it was divine! We also exchanged some little presents and had a few tutorials (again with the Gamsol, I am like a professor with that stuff! Must show everyone!).....

On Saturday Julie and Kim shopped on Michigan Avenue and found lots of cool stuff. We all got together again Sunday for a day of antique shopping! Many, many treasures were found! We also found the Somerset Gallery 2 at Borders so we were tickled pink about that!

It is so amazing to me the friendships that can be made across the miles through the Internet! Things like this were just not possible even a few years ago. All I know is that we will be friends forever! Along with our other new forever friend, Beth, we hope to go down to St. Louis next year to make a pilgrimage to Red Lead!!!

Now on to see some of the things I got this weekend at our local antique mecca, Jackson Square Mall in La Grange, Illinois.
I love this picture!! Those are great glasses! This lady is sure to come back as a 1920's Maude on my blog banner!
I was so jazzed to find some really cool old patterns with great illustrations! When I found this one I did a little dance!!! Who did not want to be a baton twirler and a figure skater at the age of 10???????? I know I did!!! Sadly, I was never either, but darn it all now I am a professional transcriptionist!!! Oh the lofty heights I have achieved!!
I spied this deck of cards. They turned out to be Rook cards.....don't know the game, but the cards are perfecto for using in projects!!!
I could not resist this watercolor!!! I should have taken a close-up of the lady, girl, and little dog cause that is what sold this picture for me!!!! I want to have it cleaned up a little and reframed.
Get this!!!! Three totally cool blue leaping deer glasses with a silver ball in each for only eight dollars!!!! So cool!
This little birdie thing is a planter! But I plan on putting some markers or supplies of some sort in it!!!! I probably would never have gone for something like this in year's past, but after seeing some thrift store finds on other blogs I have widened my horizons!!! Love this!
The new item here is the girl with dog figurine! She just spoke to me. She goes well with my stamp! Also, see the little birdie with the q-tips, that is from a trip a few weeks ago to Wisconsin. These little planters are just perfect for holding q-tips!
White pottery bowl with silver balls (and that darling little girl in the picture is my Grandma Bates!)

Now that you have read this far, here is the Giveway deal. About a week ago I saw a post on
Lora's Keyhole.....

"The first five people to respond to this post (via the comments section) will get some form of art made by me. The only catch, of course: as with most memes, if you sign up, you have to put this in your own blog as well."

Well, I did not read all the way through before signing up, just saw the get some art from someone else, and I was off to the races. So, now I am following through, BUT WITH A TWIST!,

The first five people to respond to this post will receive a very special individualized present from me to you!!! It is not a piece of art per se (I just can't conceive of making anything right now, at least not anything worthy of this giveaway...), but I can promise you it is something I would be thrilled to receive if I was the recipient!!!

GOOD TIMES PEOPLE!

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Alright Laura - I just love reading your blog - and of course I just get so jealous because of all the fun you guys are having up there. What I wouldn't give to be having that fun with you. Great buys from the antique store. I can just imagine that Janie bought a bunch of goodies too.

Anonymous said...

No - not anonymous - it's Liz.

Anonymous said...

Hello... greetings from Ohio. Listening to the CD you copied for me during the summer. Of course...I should be getting out those christmas carols. Sounds like a fun weekend.

beth said...

YIPPEE....I made the cut-off....but do I count since I know you so well and you already send me goodies just for the heck of it ???(loved my "happy" card by the way)
Loved the pics of all your new goodies and dang...wish I had been there !!!!!
The only thing I'm confused about is what I need to now put on my blog....help !!!

Melinda said...

wow...I found out about you via my sister......I am also a medical transcriptionist!

Kristal said...

You always have such wonderful goodies to look at. And again a big Thank you for pointing me in the direction of Heather. She was amazing!! Did I make the list? Either way, great post :0)

dogfaeriex5 said...

damn you! i wanted in on this, i cannot explain the friendship and the feelings i have ....it is kismet, it is right on, it is a tab kind of feeling and like you said we are forever friends!!! you and jane are in my heart....
xoxo~k

JJ said...

It was definatly a splendid weekend - I felt like I knew everyone but really just heard one sided telephone conversations between Kim and Laura and misc. stories of Jane over the last few months...but it was great like we knew one another for ages! I must admit, however, that I am not the antiquing type and did sneak out and spent some time in Starbucks and just missed an Open House by minutes....wanted to check out that Chicago real estate market :)

--Julie

Heather Simpson-Bluhm said...

OMG that birdie planter is sooo cute. I am so jealous of the great thrifty finds you found. The figurine with the girl and doggie is darling too. I am so glad you had such a wonderful time with Kim. I can't wait to meet her in person at ArtFest!!!!

One Crabapple said...

oh my goodness. so much to see and talk about with this post.

The Chicago trip sounds wonderful and I saw all of your bright shiny facees and wished I was there !

I just love girls with glasses photos too....I think it is the awkwardness that is so endearing or something, don't you ?

Baton twirrrling. laughing. Yep! I had forgotten all about that. Remember practicing over and over and hitting your wrist , etc ... ?
ouch.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
~ Medical Transcriptionists RULE ~
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

I really do love that watercolor and those deer glasses ! so koooool.

Your birdy holder is the perfect thing for holding pens and stuff. I might have passed it up too but I see what you mean - it is great for that. How cheerful !

The Girl & Dog statue will haunt my dreams - so cute ! and I LOVE that stamp !!!!! is that your Christmas card or tags ?

But Grandma Bates lit the whole entry up for me and I could see nothing else after that. That has got to be THE MOST PRECIOUS PHOTO of a little girl EVER ! How wonderful that it is actually your relative!

Good luck with your give away. You are so generous and GOOD !!!

LOve, S.

Babsarella said...

What a fun weekend. Wish I could have joined you!!! Looks like you got some really fun items!

Anonymous said...

I see "snooze you lose" is really the deal here! Not only am I not in the top five..heck I am a day late to boot! Just so glad you have recovered, as truly you girls had more fun than humans were ment to have!