Most of you have probably perused Poppytalk Handmade, but in case you haven’t here’s a short introduction… Poppytalk Handmade is the brain child of a Vancouver based couple who seek to showcase handmade art from emerging artists.  They have a revolving selection of artist who show their wares on virtual “tables” ~ think of it as a virtual marketplace that you can visit any time day or night {not just on a chilly Saturday morning once a month in a local parking lot}.

Here are a few of my favorite artists from Poppytalk’s Aug ‘10 selection…

Horse Poncho from the Trendy Tot

Texas Wool Felt Pillow from Love, California
There are other states, too. All of them can be ordered.

Upcycled Sport Coat from Cleverscene

Madeleine Necklace from Nest Pretty Things
Sometimes a girl needs something PRETTY.

 
“Your Baby is Freaking Cute” Congrats Card from Colette Paperie

(more…)

I spent yesterday with a great friend and talented businesswoman, Jan Orr Harter from Hot Tamale Antiques in Ft. Worth, Texas. Jan has specialized in Western and Americana antiques for years and it was a great opportunity to shop/junk with her all day with her and see things with a fresh perspective. We stumbled on a gorgeous hooked rug that she encouraged me to buy ~ it really is a beautiful example of Americana Folk Art, all hand hooked with mid-century fabrics. And I love the way that it looks in the store!!

{Americana Hooked Rug ~ $250 SOLD ~ 49″ x 28″}
call 816.386.4013 to purchase

Later last night I was thumbing through an old Country Living Magazine from 2005 and ran across a blurb about HookedonVermont.com… check out their beautiful pillows and rugs…

I’ve seen hooked rugs and pillows for years and normally pass them up without a second thought.  I’m excited to have this fresh idea for our store and the house ~ it feels good to bring a little color into the mix of neutrals!!

** Click HERE for more **
Rustic * Western * Vintage Merchandise LINKS

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The idea of being a real life COWGIRL holds a tremendous amount of romance and intrigue.  For me it does, anyway… the idea of a hard day’s work out under a big blue sky, followed by an evening under the stars being serenaded by a rugged cowboy…  Now I know damn well that isn’t how it really works, but it’s definitely that notion that lures folks from every sort of life to want a little Western vibe in their homes.

Bedroom & Bath Magazine, Summer 2002

This vintage cowgirl room happens to be one of my favorites… more so because I actually slept in this room one night of my life.  It’s a long story of how that happened but imagine my surprise when a few years later I opened a magazine and saw that very same room where I had slept.  So I saved the pic & pulled it out today for a little INSPIRATION & sources for you to re-create this look and your own Vintage Cowgirl Bedroom…

Good Fortune Horseshoe Hooked Rug from Horse and Hound Gallery

 
Newfield Bed from Charles P. Rogers Direct

Double D Ranchwear Bedding from Frontier Outfitters

Star Curtain Rod

Antique Craftsman Table from Whitetrash Upcycle Recycle

 
Vintage Boots from The Lucky Star Gallery

I always say that I’m “all hat & no cow”… just a city girl livin’ a small town life who happens to appreciate the crazy hard work it takes to be a real life COWGIRL.  I’m not sure that my citified bones could what those women do day in and day out.  Either way, I sure love dressing and decorating the part, always paying homage to the girls who are really doing the nitty gritty day to day cowgirl stuff ~ hats off to you.

 ** Click HERE for more INSPIRATION **

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Yesterday was a goofy day full of hurry up & wait, which translated to entirely too much time on twitter ~ and facebook ~ and iPhone apps.  BUT, in the process of seeing what everyone was doing all day on social media, I found three new ETSY sources that made me smile and think about new merch we should have here in the store for FALL.

 
Love Letters from Next Door to Heaven on ETSY

Long Black Cross Pillow from Enhabiten on ETSY

Burlap Farm & Feed Pillow from Wild Whimsy on ETSY

Each of these pillows feature simple graphics on burlap, and also hemp.  They make a striking addition to a room full of color, a great gift for summer weddings, and an organic addition to a space your sprucing up.  I’m picturing them surrounded by pumpkins and velvet and rusty old what-nots. 

Where do you picture them in your house??

Thanks to Come Junk With Us, Deb Kennedyand Dolan & Ali Geiman for the tips!!

** Click HERE for more PILLOWS & BEDDING **

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I found this picture on the Country Living website the other night and I’ve had it on my computer for three days.  For three mornings I have woken and wondered what it would be like to wake up in a CHOCOLATE BEDROOM.  With all that wondering I figured I might as well put it up for all to see…

Have you ever painted a room chocolate brown??  Do you think it would feel dingy after a few weeks??  Should there be a CRYSTAL chandelier abve the bed, or an ANTLER chandelier, or maybe something ENTIRELY DIFFERENT??

Just a few of the questions rolling through my head when I’m avoiding real life questions like, “what the hell am I going to make for dinner??”

** Click HERE for more INSPIRATION **

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Today I ran across the Quilts of Gee’s Bend, a collective of quilters who are all living in a small rural town in Alabama.  Their history is tied to the time of slavery when their ancestors lived and worked on a plantation, after the Civil War the slaves became tenant farmers on the same plantation and all lived together forming a community that was largely removed from the modern world. 

Six generations later it was discovered by the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston that the women of this community had a distinct style of quilting that has artistic qualities that have been compared to Henri Matisse and Paul Klee.

If any of the quilts look familiar it may be because several years ago retail star Anthropologie worked with The Gee’s Bend Quilters Collective to create exclusive reproductions of a select number of their designs.  Other ventures have included partnerships with Kathy Ireland Worldwide {see the lamp below}, Classic Rug Collection, and the designs were even printed on US Stamps.

The story is fascinating, and the quilts themselves are a study in primitive art, color blocking and the recycling of fabrics.  To learn more about The Quilts of Gee’s Bend visit the website HERE or check out the books below.

** Click HERE for more QUILTS **

** Click HERE for more BOOKS **

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I’ve had the picture of this bedroom for YEARS, it’s been in several magazines and a book or two, also.  Today I ran across it again and decided to see if I could find a few goodies that you could use to make this look your own… happy shopping/dreaming!!

{Image from Country Living, May 2004, Photo by Unknown}

Twig Canopy Bed from Cottage Home
I could hardly believe it when I found the exact bed from the photo!!  And it’s available in lots of colors ~ like maybe BLACKBERRY or ARMY GREEN??

Adrianna Bedding from Ralph Lauren Home
Doesn’t get any cozier than a night under Ralph Lauren bedding.  A good investment if you’re able to go for it!!

Shutter Phone Table from Target

Yep, only $135 from Target.  That way you can spring for the RL Bedding.

 
Multi Taper Candelabra from At West End
Every home needs this in at least one place ~ it’s big & dramatic & just a little bit rustico.

Foxglove & Fern Botanical Print from Studio Botanika
Frame a couple of these in simple frames to pull it all together…

** Click HERE for more INSPIRATION **

** Click HERE for more **
Rustic * Western * Vintage Merchandise LINKS

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For as long as I’ve attended Round Top Antique Week, and Marburger Farm, I’ve always loved to look at the displays from J Hill Designs… BUT I’ve never stopped to visit, which is just down right silly, because the owners of J Hill Designs, husband and wife Billy and Judy Hill are about the nicest, and most talented, people I’ve met!!

For twenty years Judy has been recreating and perfecting her personal style which has been referred to as “SOFT INDUSTRIAL”.  Her creative eye is evident in the details of every inch of space of J Hill Designs.  They use a lot of white ~ and zinc ~ and galvanized metals ~ there is a magnificent juxtaposition in their style.

 In addition to attending Marburger Farm twice a year the Hills also attend shows like Urban Market in Houston.  And when they’re not busy on the road they have an open house at their home in Kilgore, Texas, twice a year.  The next one is Thursday, June 10th and I just might be taking a road trip if anyone wants to tag along!!   Mr. Hill told me that  everything in their home is for sale ~ my guess is that everything is amazing…

The most recent endeavor by Judy and Billy is their steps into their own line of bedding.  Made from textured cotton blends, the J Hill Designs are a simple palette of white and oatmeal, but their linens are anything but simple ~ they are durable, rich, organic and full of fanciful character.  They are easy to launder and remain a unique look.

Enjoy the beautiful pics and look for your inspiration from J Hill Designs ~ their website is right HERE and they have a list of all the places they’re headed in the next couple of months.  AND, if you are interested purchasing J Hill LINENS, or carrying them in your retail store, go here for more information.

** Click HERE for more from Marburger Farm**

** Click HERE for more BEDDING **

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Who doesn’t have a drawer full of old T-SHIRTS?? Make a QUILT.

A collection of BEACON BLANKETS?? Make a QUILT.

SCRAPS of fabric from Papa’s Closet??  Make a QUILT.

Beacon Blanket Crazy Quilt Top from Stella Rubin
{I LOVE this one!! It’s from the 1930’s and only $295}

Quilting  like Grandma used to do is an almost 200 year old tradition, and an original art that frequently involved re-using scraps of fabric, usually out of necessity, but also to decorate the home.  In fact it was our grandparents who suffered through the depression that really understand the concept of Recycle * Repurpose * RE~LOVE.  Today the tradition continues of using fabrics that could be thrown out, but instead they’re being re-used to create a beautiful and completely unique QUILTS.

Grandma’s Housecoats Quilt from Passage Quilts & Trade
{Passage / Bereavement / Memorial quilts that represent the passage of time and the events of life. I’m planning to have one made from the clothes in my Daddy’s closet. Some people have them made to commemorate marriage, divorce, retirement, illness, or a graduation. It’s to remind you not to forget.}

The options are endless when it comes to QUILTS, any combination of fabrics can be used to create something especially for you.  And, if you’re like me {a committed non-sewer} then you can hire someone to make your treasure for you.  Often these folks who specialize in creating custom quilts can give you color and fabric ideas that really complete your idea.

 
T-Shirt Quilt from Vickie Howell
{the numbers from your sports tees, frat tees, race tees, concert tees, harley tees… the list goes on and on}

So gather your old serapes, beacon blankets, baby clothes, Dad’s ties, embroidered linens, boy scout & letterman patches, vintage aprons, cigar silks, denim pockets, picnic blankets, sports tees and have them re-created into something that tells your story, and passes your history to your children.

Sari Quilt from Sundance Catalog

Recycle * Repurpose * RE~LOVE

This idea will be featured this morning on the Junk in my Trunk Radio Show {JIMT} which airs every Monday, Thursday & Saturday from 10am till 11am on Kansas City’s 1140am KCXL & 1160am KCTO. You can also LISTEN LIVE on the Internet… visit JunkMafia.com and click on the Little Red Radio at the bottom of the page.

 A few books to keep the QUILT ideas GOING BIG…

** Click HERE for more JIMT ideas!! **

** Click HERE for more BOOKS we Love **

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Raise your hand if you’re ready for spring… Oh my, isn’t it time??   Here in Weston MO the sun was shining all weekend, I took the entire Cactus Creek Store apart and put it back together, vacuumed, cleaned and yes, we are ready for spring. 

This BRIGHT WHITE Lodge Living Room {below} felt light like Spring and therefore PERFECT for some Monday morning INSPIRATION…

GET THE LOOK…

** Click HERE for more INSPIRATION **

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