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!
The pictures are from Christmas Eve at my Mom's house. As I mentioned before, she decorates her home so it looks magical!! 
Mike and I.....Christmas love!
My Mom and I in our matching hats that we got at the Swedish shop in Rockford, IL.
My brother and I! 
Here is our table set for a lovely meal! Small table for four....we miss our family that could not be with us....loving thoughts of our Grandmothers, Grandfathers, and family that lives in other states. 
The best Christmas Tree in the whole world! Every ornament picked with loving care and every ornament has a memory!
Mike made some totally great and delectable lime sugar cookies! Big yum!
This is my Grandpa Bates' sled. He carved his initials and the year 1917 in the wood! 
Mom's doll and bookcase....
Are you acquainted with Miss Muffy Vanderbear????? She is pleased to see you!
Mom and her little Hummel tree. Tres cute!
Blurry tree picture........Note to self..need to learn how to use digital camera better!
Uncle Misteletoe.....for all people familiar with Chicago Christmas traditions...
This lovely little ornament was made by the lovely Heather Simpson-Bluhm.....I gave it to my Mom for her birthday and it is perfect near the fireplace and on the tree! It went back and forth between the two for optimal viewing!
One of my Mom's Nancy Ann story book dolls. I believe these were popular in the 1940's. Extreme cuteness alert!
Snowmen and others on top of the speaker.
That little dear in the photograph is my Grandma Bates.
Blurry action, but had to include it as this was such a beautiful tableau done by my Mom.
Love this plaque on the back of the front door.
and a good time was had by all..........................
