Maybe you noticed that I have not blogged all week. No? I KNEW you weren't paying attention!
We took a spontaneous road trip. I love road trips. Usually we take off for a few weeks in the summer, but it is too difficult this summer because of the Workshops, which, by the way, are great fun. More info later in this blog entry.
So we decided to throw a few changes of clothing in a suitcase and took off on a junking trip. I cannot believe my luck every time we do this, that John is 100% into this, too. We stopped at a number of antique shops and malls.
Do you have a preference when shopping? Do you tend to stop at this type of display:
Or do you prefer something a little more organized?
I fell in love with this seating piece. It was really comfortable. The sign said it came from a Foresters Lodge. We couldn't have fit it into our car much less our house. Note, too, the beautiful dresser in the background. I am not really into big pieces of antique furniture, although I have a couple of pieces I love, but I enjoy looking at them and wondering what kind of house they were part of originally.
The photo is a little blurry, but it isn't it wonderful?
The last and much anticipated stop was a huge antique swap meet that only happens once a year. In fact it was the main reason we took off for the week. We got there at 7am, waited in line, paid the premium price for getting in early and grabbing the "good" stuff. Unfortunately for us, the majority of the vendors had watched the weather channel as we had not. Few of them were open and about an hour after our arrival, this is what it looked like:
Note the height of the rain drops after hitting the ground. You can't hear the thunder or see the lightning. This was Friday and we had to be home by Saturday because John is in a Golf Channel tournament this weekend. I am sure the shoppers on Saturday and Sunday had a great time but we lost out. Oh well. There will be others. It was a long ride home in the rain and storm.
Okay. Have you signed up for Ingrid Dijkers' workshops in August? Ingrid does wonderful altered books and journals. Her techniques can be used for numerous other projects. I love her work and in fact, she is the only instructor this series that I have not met, but I really needed to take her workshops!
Look how colorful and whimsical her projects are.
So many interesting attachments and ideas.
Look at this great tunnel book.
You can sign up for her workshops here: Small Studio Workshop Series.
So did you buy any of the yardsticks in the second photo?? I would have!
Posted by: Lelainia | Sunday, 11 July 2010 at 12:36 PM
Road Trips! I love 'em. Ingrid's workshop looks fabulous; I wish I could take it.
Posted by: Judi | Sunday, 11 July 2010 at 02:44 PM
Gosh, there's so much there that i would have bought! Yummy!
Posted by: Rachel Greig | Sunday, 11 July 2010 at 08:59 PM
What a fabulous trip (minus the rain part)! Pretty much my dream trip, but unlike lucky you, not my husband's. Maybe I'll be able to convince him one of these days. :) I like the messier displays personally, but it all depends how much time I have to dig.
Posted by: Shelly Massey | Monday, 12 July 2010 at 07:20 AM
Fear not, I knew you were off having fun when your blog wasn't updated in a week. I would love that kind of trip, but he would be pulling MY hair out!
Posted by: Maureen | Monday, 12 July 2010 at 08:01 AM
Ginny, you will love Ingrid! I took a class from her at CHA, and she is very warm and friendly -- and OH SO talented! Wish I could join this class. Her workshop should be wonderful!
Posted by: Bonnie | Monday, 12 July 2010 at 01:37 PM
Nothing like a road trip to stir the soul and the creative juices! Oh I wish I could take a class or two, or more!
Posted by: bkasstle | Tuesday, 13 July 2010 at 06:43 AM
Great blog...great pictures....fun trip. I thought the reason that you had not blogged for a week is that you were mad at us...
Posted by: Leslie Gfeller | Tuesday, 13 July 2010 at 10:43 AM
Love spontaneous or planned road trips! Looking forward to my trip to see you for Teesha's class in a couple days...any suggestions where to eat dinner on Thursday night? Looking for ethnic or fresh local fare...
Thanks!
Posted by: Maria | Tuesday, 13 July 2010 at 04:05 PM
If you are staying near Crocker Park in Westlake ( Residence Inn, Hampton, etc) there are a number of restaurants there.
Alladins serves Middle Eastern food.
Near the Landings is a Thai Chile place.
See you soon!
Ginny Carter Smallenburg
WEB http://www.smallstudioproductions.com
ETSY http://smallstudio.etsy.com
BLOG http://smallstudio.typepad.com
Posted by: ginny carter smallenburg | Wednesday, 14 July 2010 at 11:46 PM
I am not entirely certain, but...I believe the antique seating piece you picture is from a fraternal organization called The Oddfellows. The Three Rings at the top of center seat are a sign of that organization.
Probably 'The Foresters Oddfellow Lodge'.
Posted by: beckie | Tuesday, 27 July 2010 at 06:06 PM