Poppy and Ivy

Yep...it was HOT

Yes sirree Bob. It was HOT.

I'm on my way to Fred Meyer for lemonade (for the stand tonight) and fans. MULTIPLE fans. My husband is going for a portable A/C.

At one point yesterday, I thought I was having a stroke. I had double vision, I felt goofy, then a gal comes in and says "OH...it's MUCH better in here".

WHAT?

Then I bucked up a bit, stepped outside and went "Oh yeah...it's a scorcher". It WAS better inside the shop!

I don't care though. I'm still going for about 3 fans. Kid you not. NOBODY wants to shop when they are hot and sticky. Because that's icky.

Look at me...I am Seuss.

So....off I go! It's going to be a PERFECT Last Thursday. The weather is on our side! I hear a bit cooler today and by evening it will be FANTASTIC! Yeah for no rain!

And...I DID get tons of new "old" stuff out! I did it!

Even though it was difficult to move my limbs at that point....:))))))))))))

100th post!

"Is it hot enough out there for ya?"

I will try REALLY hard not to say that ten times today. I have a BAD feeling that the shop does not stay cool in this kind of weather, so I am bracing myself. I don't have time today to run to Costco for one of those upright air conditioners, but I fear I should MAKE the time before tomorrow!

WHAT A DAY! It's amazing outside. We have seen it all this year. I LOVE Oregon!

Tomorrow is Last Thursday. How does that come back around SO quickly? It sneaks up on me every month. We are so lucky to have so many events up on Alberta, but events take planning and JUST when I get my head back up from under the water, there is another event! I do love it.

I don't have much new "new" product coming this week....but I spent MOST of last night cleaning and unearthing bags from estate sales that I haven't TOUCHED for weeks...so lots of new "old" stuff! I was washing, ironing, cleaning last night like a crazy woman! Aprons, linens, ice cream dishes, tea cups, blouses, skirts....you name it!

I think I'll have a little sale today too. The store is closing in around me we have so much stuff!!!

My daughter will be outside the shop tomorrow with her buddy selling lemonade for a fund raiser. They are both traveling to Lee Vining, CA in July to build homes for Habitat for Humanity.  She is so excited about her trip and contributing money to the cause! Stop on by for some lemonade and know that you are supporting a great cause!

I'm going to go fluff and pretty up the store for the gaggles of people tomorrow night. It always blows me away how many people come out of the woodwork for this event!

Happy Sunny Wednesday!

Link-a-licious

Ohhhhhh....I feel the stress peeling away. Yes I DO.

I still have a very full attic calling to me, about 30 cards to make for Collage and myself, some projects that need some attention...but I DO feel good!

I even had some time to go on my blog roll reading. A bit of a marathon you might say!

I found some yummy places and I wanted to share!

http://kisskus.typepad.com/kisskus/

Simple Sparrow

Rummage

Hula Seventy  (This gal is a local to me which is just the bees knees.....I have gone to several places she has mentioned and she was SPOT ON. Love it!)

Bits and Bobbins

Vintage Pretties

There you go! Happy reading to you!

A Day in the Garden

Loooooonnnnnggggg weekend

Don't we all need one of THOSE????

I have made a QUICK decision that I will be closed tomorrow. The family is calling, the two employees I have are both busy with THEIR families.....so I can only say "I need a BREAK!!!!!".

So...farmer's market in the morning, a stop at Trader Joe's for snacks, then a road trip to Mt. Hood to visit some friends. YES......I need some peace and craft time! Kate (The Canvas Bird Chick) is on board. We will sew (we can do that now), make some wax art and some cards. Yes........

I am torn of course. It's not about missing out on sales, but I DO love being open and accessible...I AM a business owner....but MAN....I am a business owner that needs some family time!!

Here are some pictures from my daughter's camera. Bless her heart....she says that now my camera is broken I can use hers as long as needed. And I'll tell ya....Santa treated that girl to a NICE  camera!!!!

New ribbon! I love ribbon. I ordered more ribbon for home decor and presents. I could really look at ribbon catalogs ALL day long!

Love this piece. Seriously cannot believe I still have it in the shop! The price is amazing and it's in PERFECT condition. The flip side is....I will cry when it leaves. I love looking at it!

I got this new Miso Pretty Berry Body Splash. I get quite a number of younger gals (late teens...20's-- that's YOUNG to me!!!)  in the shop. I thought they'd enjoy this. It smells so fresh, but the bottle is MY favorite part!!! Blue Q always has the BEST packaging. Great marketing with this company.

A tidbit tray FULL of baubles. Gotta love that.

I have done so well with these five leaf servers, that I decided to go with the plates too. I really like how they look all together. I feel so badly for my shoppers that they need to make CHOICES!!!! How DO they do it?????

The five leaf servers are so great for your little craft projects too. Thai dipping sauces or brads and paper clips.....YOU make the choice!!!!!

And last...but NOT least...I tried my peony shot one more time without breaking THIS camera!!!! I saw a blog entry today featuring peonies that said "The girls are back in town"....I feel that way too! WHY do I not plant these beauties in MY yard??? Our good friend up the street 3 blocks gave me these last week and they STILL look amazing!! I look at them all day long. I have 4 babies in my kitchen window. LOVE 'em....

Happy Memorial Day Weekend to you ALL! I hope you spend YOUR long weekend with those that you enjoy! I know I will!!!!!!

I saved some parade pictures!

My camera is STILL not working and it's not looking too good.

But here are some shots from the Alberta Art Hop parade!

These guys are "vintaged up" and ready to toss some beads New Orleans style!!!

Pooped Out Parading Pug

This car was right behind us with the HILARIOUS gals from Frock. I am JEALOUS! I want this car!!!! This car just happens to be their store color! That is crazy perfect.

People on stilts! I can't even walk on heels...I'd be broken in minutes.

My view during the parade....LOL. This is the back of our friend Mitchell's head. I pushed him in a vintage wheel chair. He loved the free ride, but was worried that people thought he was ill, so he took every opportunity to stand up and shake his groove thing.

And last, but not least (we hope)...the last photo before the end of my camera's life. The lighting was so bad that I was going to delete it anyway-before The Big Drop...but CHECK out these amazing peonies.

Feeling queasy and shaky....

You'd think it might be the flu...but it's not.

I think I just broke my digital camera.

My life line.

My little buddy.

My constant companion.

I was taking pictures of new fun finds, peonies, flower boxes and then my cat (because he's really cute) and then bang....it slipped off my wrist and it is non-responsive.

My heart missed a beat at that last line.

So. I think my "day off" (giggle) just turned into a trip to the camera repair store. AHHHHHHH. Don't you love that? It will be that moment that you have to say "Yes....I will fix it for 100.00" or you buy a new camera for 250.00 while Al Gore, Leo's face and landfills float in a cartoon  picture bubble over your head.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

I do have a little sumpin', sumpin' for y'all. I showed it last week, but this stuff blew me away Saturday. It may have paid my space rent.

 

My best seller for Art Hop AFTER vintage clothing and jewelry (FINALLY!!) was Next to the Last Supper gum. It even has a Jesus Trading Card on back.

Turns out Jesus doesn't have a lot of walks, but when he does...his are on water.

The trading card says so.

Happy Tuesday!

Remember that part where I said........

....That I would provide you up-to-the-mintue Alberta Street doin's?

Well...I was a fool.

Sleep? Who needs it?

Kids? They are smart..they can raise themselves for a couple of days.

My husband and his softball " sliding injury" that requires HOURS of laying down with his leg elevated & me running his errands?...don't get me started.

Family Commandment #1: Thou shall not get sick or laid-up in May because it is a hectic month.

He WAS so kind as to give me a little break from my cardboard box & new shipment craziness today and I checked some places out!

First stop...Origin Flowers.

Origins is also home of the Webkinz line that my son is OBSESSED with. One new box came in and I ran up to get them while they were hot. We are the proud owner of "Alley Cat". Not familiar with Webkinz? I wasn't either. It's a sweet little stuffed animal you can buy, then register at the Webkinz site. The children get to play games to earn points to buy treats for their animals. LOVE this concept. I am pro sweet games. There is enough violence and ick ahead in life...play with stuffed animals while you can!!!

On to Garnish....I LOVE Garnish. Owner Erica is an amazing designer.

And she has a new featured artist this month. I regret that I didn't get her name, but she was busy trying to hang her new art and I didn't want to interrupt her. In retrospect, she probably would NOT mind me having her name!!!!

And sadly...my time was limited and I didn't get over to my favorite peeps at Mabel & Zora. Owner Tiffanee busted her hump getting stuff together for the Art Hop parade tomorrow. We all got signs, boas (we are Boutiques on Alberta....BOA!) and even poles to put our signs on. She's a living doll...just a super nice person. I wanted to bring you pics of her shop.....but it wasn't in the cards today.

And MY new loot is exciting as well! I've been an unpacking FOOL!

TONS of my favorite candles in the new scents. I honestly stand behind these candles 100%. I had bought them for my home YEARS before I had the shop. The oil is throughout the candle so the smell is more consistent. They use natural oils so it's never that fake smell. Tangerine smells like you just broke open the peel of a tangerine! Also...while burning time is long, they are just as effective sitting in a window sill on a sunny day. I can't say enough great things about this line of candles.

Whew...that is only half of the photos....but this Mama needs some sleep for the BIG day tomorrow!!! Dance recitals, parades, new inventory to check in, big sales, family in town......whew. Where is my Costco sized Calgon? I need to be taken away!

Getting ready...still

Oh yes...events are my THING!

Well...half  "my thing"...half the "thing" that makes my tummy curdle.

I enjoy it once it is in the groove...but the lead-up KILLS me. And it kills my family too. :)))

This week is double nuts. We have my daughter's HUGE dance recital. And the other pitcher on my daughter's softball team broke her elbow! OUCH. So...it's down to 2 pitchers and three games this week.  And I have order upon order coming in and I am NOT quite sure where I plan on putting these orders. And I have a huge parade to provide models for, but NO MODELS due to the aforementioned dance recital. My daughter and all of her friends will be dancing Saturday...no time for parades for those cutie patooties.

Whew.....

And suddenly we have a funeral that needs to fit in there somewhere.  (That IS how funerals generally work). Not QUITE sure where I will fit it in..... But I WILL attend. 

On a happy note (and there so NEEDS to be a happy note now)....my Curly Girl order arrived!! And I had quite a few UPS stickers on my front door today when I went to drop stuff off at the shop.

Here's a sneak peek....

Some favorites....

I HEART Curly Girl Design.

I can hardly wait to see what else The Guy In the Big Brown Truck  has brought for me! Wa-hoooooooo....I love deliveries!

Art Hop

This weekend is the Alberta Art Hop! All of us are busy stocking, shopping, fluffing & preparing for it...getting our parade information set. Yes...a parade! I love a parade!

Okay...not really.

I'm not good at parades.

If I am watching them....I get antsy and if I am IN them....I am not sure where to wave, when to stop, if I should smile...look serious. Too much going on. Too many decisions.

But this next weekend....I get a feather boa, big sunglasses and a Hawaiian dress. Like a big ol' disguise......

I have some friends helping me because I am just not sure how else to get "parade walkers". Can't find THAT category at the Kelly Girl Service site. Even in Portland.

So.......The low down is this...Art Hop is food, entertainment, TONS of artists set-up on the street, vendors galore....pure FUN.

FAMILY fun. 

I am excited. I am also doing the "Lovely Weather All Day Long Dance & Chant" starting now. I am scared to even look at the 10 day trend.  This is such a big day for shop owners too.  We get to meet folks we've never met, people who travel over the river to see "The Crazy Alberta" neighborhood.

Hope The Clowns up the street are in rare form. Those visiting folks won't know if they love us or hate us after that!!!!