PresentPast Collection

On Location

I bought a Dutch Apple pie and dressed it up to take to my friend Linda yesterday. She's got a beautiful property with a creek, lots of trees and a beautiful barn and she offered to let me use it to take product shots for my website! So, Sweet Girl and I packed up the car with lots props and product until it was about to burst and headed out!

She has so many wonderful antiques scattered about. I would have loved to sneak this wagon home with me!

This is the barn that she opens up once a month or so for incredible antique sales! There are about 12 dealers that bring their wares and set them up in awesome displays inside the barn as well as spilling all around it!  And she's planted sweet rose bushes and lavender around the entrance.

This is a sneak peak inside, they weren't all set up yet so I didn't think it would be fair to the dealers to show you their spots before they were completely done. I think this one belongs to this talented gal. I hope she doesn't mind! Stop by her blog and say hello!

See that incredible dresser on the left? I'm sooo buying that! I might put it outside on my patio to use as a potting bench. Of course, it may end up inside somewhere, we'll see! I will definitely find the perfect spot!

This is a small vignette I set up for some product shots. I think that old laundry cart is the most adorable one I've ever seen!

Linda's business is called La Maison Rustique, such a great name! She doesn't have a website or blog yet, but hopefully sometime down the road she'll have time to start one. She has so much for show and tell! In the meantime, I'll try to show you more photos of the sale and her lovely property. Here's an invitation to her next event, starting this Friday, June 29th!

You can click on the photo to see a larger version. If you live anywhere near Temecula Wine Country, it's worth the trip! You can believe I'll be making the drive!

Simple Office Changes

First off, look what's blooming in my garden! This is the first pick of the season, a single bloom for my desk. I'll be picking all of them before the beginning of fall. I love to see large vases filled to the brim around the house and towards the end of summer I pick the last of them to dry and enjoy year round.

This afternoon I started a small project of transforming some of my file holders in the office. I'd love to have all vintage storage items like locker baskets or wooden boxes but sometimes it's hard to find ones to fit today's file folders. So I picked up a couple at my local hangout (aka Target) and decided to give them a little more character.

I spray painted them antique gold and brushed them with a creamy overlay. Very simple and the paint dries at lightening speed in this heat! To dress them up a little more, I used vintage seam binding to tie on an old millinery flower. Instant office charm!

This is what the file holders looked like before I put my touch on them:

Standard boring black. Don't be afraid to buy something that suits your needs but not your taste. All you have to do is give it a little TLC.

Thanks to all who have signed up for the Newsletter. Such an overwhelming response! If you haven't done so yet, the signup form is located on my sidebar, and it's the best way to be up to date with all things Present Past!

A Little Update

Around these parts, it's been crazy busy!  Everyday I'm working with my website programmer and graphics designer, answering questions that I haven't a clue as to what they mean! Techno babble. At night I practically pass out from all the new computer things I've filled my brain with! It doesn't come easy for me and isn't as enjoyable as looking at pretty things!

So instead of sharing my new knowledge of propagating websites, DNS nameservers, hosting options, transferring domains and the like, I've decided to show you the pretties I picked up over the weekend. Better, right?

I met the sweetest lady at the flea market! She said she had been a crafter all her life and was trying to clean out her stash. Her incredible stash, I might add! I bought tons of buttons in all shapes and sizes. She had rhinestone, shell, mother of pearl, glass and crystal ones. I went through her offerings with a fine tooth comb! Taking my sweet time not to miss a thing.

She must have liked me because she wanted me to take her name and number and stop by her house sometime to see if there's anything else I would want. Is she kidding? I want it all. Orders anyone? I'm definitely paying her a visit, with cake!

I bought every last one of her old millinery flowers.  They look like sherbet. Beautiful colors and just the right amount of age.

Next I ran into a man who used to own a costume shop.  He said he made costumes for Hollywood for over 40 years.  I think he was probably telling the truth, he had incredible fabrics and trims. And a hefty price to go with them, so I just came away with the wide teal silk ribbon. I think there's about 30 yards.  And then I stopped by the Crazy Guy's stall to see what junk he had. Yes, Crazy Guy! Can you say 6 pack at 7:00am? Anyway, he's always good for old jewelry bits and pieces.  And a good laugh, he thinks all his stuff is worth millions. You have to set him straight and say "No, it's just cool junk".  Then he'll bargain with you!  Ahh, fun times.

Today, I just added a Present Past Collection Newsletter sign-up link to my sidebar.  If you would like to know when the website is up and ready for business, please fill in the form completely and hit Join Now! You will then receive a confirmation email to subscribe.  I will also be using this to keep everyone informed about new products and updates to the site once it's running. Thanks for all your support!  Couldn't do it without you! 

My Muse

My Mother is such an amazing and talented woman. I wanted to share some of her drawings with you. She inherited her gift from her parents. I can remember my Grandparents painting all of my life. Beautiful barn scenes, floral vignettes, oceans, cowboys and animals. I have such fond memories of admiring the wonderful things they would create on canvas.

For Christmas last year, The Man and I bought my Mom a new easel and a giant artists box filled with oil paints, pastels, watercolors, drawing pencils. She loved her gift and we hoped it would inspire her to create more. And indeed it has, she's been busy transforming a guest room into her art studio. She's set up the easel, painted the room, installed bookcases and purchased some colorful fabrics to make draperies and pillows.

After years of having her talent hibernate, she recently picked up a sketchpad and drew these two pencil drawings. The little girl reminds me of photos of my Mom and my Sweet Girl when they were little. They have a lot of similarities. Precious cherub faces! I'm looking forward to the paintings and drawings that will be coming out of her new studio.

This is a pair of vintage watercolors that I bought for her over the weekend. The warm pinks, sage greens and soft golds will look perfect in her new artists retreat. So let's all encourage her to shower us with more of her beautiful talent!

Vintage Boutique

In preparation for the upcoming Silver Bella event, I thought it best to start some of the projects sooner rather than later. One of them was making a banner sign for Vendor Night. I'm not very experienced in the paper arts but enjoy giving it a try. And being that it is The Paper Arts Extragavanza, I needed some practice!

This beautiful dove photo is from a vintage greeting card found on one of my flea market trips.

I absolutely love this old rhinestone earring. I wish I had the mate. They would have been very happy here.

I loved hearing all about your Happy Things. There are quite a few I've got to try. You know what they say, word of mouth is the best advertising. But then again, most Happy Things in life are absolutely free!  Hugs to you all!

Happy Things

You might be surprised to know there are lots of other things that make me happy besides flea markets and roses. Cherry season is high on the list. This is by far my favorite fruit. I wish they were available all year long, but I think part of their appeal is the short time they are here for me to partake. I tend to eat them in mass quantities, until the tips of my fingers are pink!

Here's a list of some of my other Happy Things!

1. The longest lasting, best scented candle I've ever found.
2. The most beautiful bottle of bubble bath and next to it, my favorite inexpensive one.
3. A fantastic lotion that was so popular in Europe they finally made it available here.
4. Having lunch on my back patio nearly everyday with the sweetest girl I know.
5. Better yet, having The Man take me to lunch here, here or here!

So now you have to let me know some of your Happy Things. Maybe I'll get some new favorites. Right now there's a bowl on my kitchen counter waiting for me!

Pasadena Rose Bowl

Today I ventured off to Pasadena to wander through the Rose Bowl Flea Market. The most famous one on the West Coast. I think because it's so close to Hollywood and it tends to attract celebrities. None of which I saw today, but have in the past. I found some great old pieces of coral and a few starfish. I'm collecting them to make a huge display on one of my buffets. I hope to be done before summer ends. Will keep you posted.

I picked up a few wooden spools to wrap old lace and netting around. And two tattered lace curtain panels from France, with the labels still attached.

My postcard man was there. I usually buy from him at Long Beach, so of course, I had to pick up a few more!

Old olive colored ribbon and seam binding and a great little metal sign.

Pieces of vintage rhinestone jewelry and shoe buckles, this collection is growing and growing.

These are some great old beauty product labels. I think the graphics on these are fantastic!

That's about it for the day. I'm working on my stash to bring to Silver Bella Vendor Night, so I'm hitting the flea market pavement as often as I can. And I'm trying desperately not to show you everything! Let me know when you're tired of seeing my finds! I did come back with 2 things I really don't like: extra money and a sunburn! Summer's right around the corner!

Ode to Pink

Some interesting things have been going on around here. A new color has been popping up everywhere, seemingly unexpected. When did I start acquiring all these pink things? In years past, I haven't collected much pink. There is not a stitch of pink decor to be found anywhere in my home......until lately. It all started with my obsession for roses, in which I made sure to plant dozens of those big bloomy pinks.

And then there is the addition of the occasional tablecloth for the patio, and a few pink cloth napkins.  As well as, spools of vintage pink thread, in various shades of the color. Most surprising because I don't even sew! I just display them in jars in my studio!

And there are endless amounts of crafty yummies to pick up. Always at the ready to dress up a gift package. They just scream Girl don't they?

Here's the little pink doll dress I bought at the flea market 2 weeks ago. It came home with me because of the pink bow and tiny pink millinery blossoms. Now it provides cheeriness on my inspiration board.

I know there are those of you out there who have embraced your pinkiness in all it's glory. But this has caught me by surprise. After years of training my eye for specific colors while on the flea market prowl, I now have to adjust and welcome the new kid in town. And she doesn't seem to be leaving anytime soon!

Keys and Such

I haven't done a post about collections for a while. Probably because I usually show you my flea market finds, which pretty much sums it up. But I also have an affinity for antique skeleton keys. Well, hardware in general. There is a very long story about why I collect vintage keys but I will save it for another day. It's actually very romantic and is the reason I started my artwork business. When I get closer to launching the website (probably mid-July or so) I will share it with you.

Most of my pieces were gathered piece by piece, which is how collections tend to grow. Although, once I happen upon an antique store that had hundreds and was able to work a deal with the owner. But I like searching for them, like little lost souls. No longer having a cupboard or door to open. An everyday object made so beautifully. Don't you wish we still used keys like this?

In other less interesting news, I thought I should post a more recent photo of myself. The one on my about page was taken last summer when I was blonde. Which lasted about 3 or so years. I got tired of the maintenance and such dry looking hair and decided to go back to what God had intended. And I was thinking that all those gals attending Silver Bella might not recognize me! So for your entertainment, this is me now, at least for this week!

Now be gentle ladies, I had to take this photo myself. At my desk, and under severe lighting conditions! I'm sure you understand. It looks like my eyes are crooked but they're really not, I promise!

Treasures and Props

There were more adventures to be had this weekend in the junkin' department. I went to a Barn Sale on Friday out in lovely wine country. It's such a beautiful drive and my Mom was my tag along for the day, which always makes for good times.

  Here are a few of my finds from the day. I'm loving that old rusty crown! And I bought some props to use in my website photo shoots, like the old tin ceiling tile and the oval frame. And this tattered trim is another one of my Ebay purchases that always seem to be trickling into my mailbox. Sort of like the Mail Fairy, can't remember how it got there?

I thought this pink half drawer was just the cutest thing. Take a look at what they did to it.

It was just a drawer front that they attached a very small pocket type drawer to the back and added some wall hangers. I think it would look so cute in my office filled with cards and letters.

And I can never pass up creamy, rusty, iron roses. Could you?

Hope everyone had a great weekend! I've had lots of emails from gals going to Silver Bella, looks like it's going to be a sold out crowd! If you're going be sure to leave me a comment so I can be on the lookout for blog peeps! I'm very excited to meet everyone in person!