Saturday, June 30, 2007

I wanna take a nap too!


So my girls are sleeping in the backyard and I want to join them. I think I will...bye.

Friday, June 29, 2007

Snakey


Look at this cute onesie I just made. It is a special order for a customer and whenever I make one I think I should make a ton but I just don't make the time. They sure are cute though aren't they?
So the mayor just called me and asked if I would give a little talk about the downtown tonight at a new street dedication street dance party. Of course I didn't do my hair today so I'll have to bust butt to look a little presentable for tonight. I am a little nervous but thinking maybe I need to just have a beer first.

Thursday, June 28, 2007

Goofball at the River Lofts.



Feeling silly today. What I should be doing is paying bills but I find myself stuck in etsy again. That place is supposed to be a place to sell and make some money but if I can't make anything to sell because I'm always chatting I won't be making any dinero at all! I took this picture because a thread on the worst thing anyone ever said to you reminded me of the time in Chemistry class when Corey Deering told me I look like Rocky Dennis from the old movie MASK. At the time it devastated me but now it makes me laugh because come on. I always think all that tormenting I had growing up in junior high and high school made me strong and who I am today. So to all you kids out there getting picked on daily just remember you will have your day sooner than you think.

We took a tour of the new River Lofts that are being built on the river right up the street. It is in an old brick building right on the river and they have it completely gutted right now. It is going to be the coolest thing when it is done I cannot wait. Scott Kindness was the developer I met last night and he gave us the grand tour. He was a great guy who deserves a huge round of applause for investing in our community like he has. We are very fortunate he saw the potential here. I wish I had a bit more money so I could live there!

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

What a beautiful sidewalk.


How cool is this?


So this is Tama and Natalee Ihde. They are from Green Bay and Tama's daughter Carli is a contestant in a very cool local talent contest here in Manitowoc...Lakeshore's Rising Stars. It's kinda like American Idol but here. It is a fun and very exciting thing that happens here in our town! Tama came into the store over the weekend and asked if she could come chalk a master painting on the sidewalk and I said of course! Look at this!!! Hopefully the paper comes and takes pictures I did call them. It's making me think this could be a cool thing to do on a regular basis! So thanks Tama and Natalee for chalkin up my sidewalk and good luck Carli!!!!

Flamingos anyone.



So I just finished my pink flamingo cards for a swap in the ATC yahoo group. I love flamingos so this swap was right up my alley. This one you see up close was my fav. It features a stamp given to me by my new very cool friend Natalie. Her Granny collected stamps and they found envelopes full so she passed them on to me. Anyhow the stamp is deer in the open countryside and the flamingos dream of a life of freedom like the deer. I had fun with these. Another one that is very hard to see on the picture is a couple of flamingos on a background of bacon and eggs and it says good flamingos always eat breakfast. I hope the people who get my cards appreciate my ridiculous humor.

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Little Red Rooster



I found this very cool mixing bowl thrifting. I love the little red rooster on both sides. I'm selling it for a measly $8 at Persimmons right now. That's one thing I don't know if I ever mentioned on my blog. I love to thrift shop and then pass the deals onto others. For me it's the thrill of the hunt more than making the big bucks. I get really excited to find these little usable treasures and know that someone will make popcorn and put it in this bowl and it isn't just thrown in the trash in some landfill. It is such a fun way to recycle. Most of the vintage stuff I sell in here is the $10 or less range. So if you are close and like old cheap stuff come and visit!

Monday, June 25, 2007

My current state of space.


Time to clean?

Lost Banana.






I found this on the sidewalk this morning. It has been on the telephone pole for some time now but someone finally tore it down. I cracked up every single time I walked by it so decided I am keeping it. I hope the banana was found seeing as it was a very loved family heirloom.


I did score some good stuff this am at St Vinnies. I got a scrabble game which is always a good thing. I also got an old lady type cart to carry junk in when I walk. You know what I'm talking about the cart you pull along with wheels. I love it.

Saturday, June 23, 2007

Cotton candy anyone.

My buddy April just emailed me this picture of Molly giving her little guy some cotton candy at Metrojam last weekend. It was pretty darn cute.

The girls and I had so much fun last night. We had a fantastic dinner at the Element bistro in Two Rivers. Of course the 2 cosmos I had before dinner were pretty darned tasty also. I had a really yummy pecan chicken dish by the suggestion of our very friendly server Brian. I talked with the owner Jason a little and he had some fantastic ideas for Sputnikfest. We are going to have a blast with that kooky festival.

We started our day at the farmers market. Molly and I had a delish eggroll for breakfast and watched the bridge go up for a tugboat. There were strawberries but the line was too long so we passed. I am looking forward to the next few weeks for all kinds of fresh fruits and veggies. We really have a great market here! I am pretty darn lucky to only live a few blocks from it!
Today was another fantastic day at the shop. I met so many people visiting from other places this weekend. Just a few places they came from are Salem WI, Texas, Watertown WI,a few from Chicago, Louisville, and Green Bay. To think I have heard some of the haters say we don't get tourist traffic here! Silly silly sillies.

Friday, June 22, 2007

I feel really special....

Check out this on the blogging Manitowoc blog!

Do my new shoes look like trouble to you?


Because my friend Annettee thinks they do. I am going out with my friends from high school tonight and decided to go out and actually get something to wear from a real store. So I found a really cute wrap dress that was way more than I normally spend but it is a real simple design that I can maybe bring to Grandma and have her make more for me with all this vintage fabric I've been hoarding. I found the shoes at Shopko/Payless for only 12.99! Plus it's BOGO time so I got a little pair of Keds for Molly too. It was kind of fun girly power shopping. I really never ever do it anymore because I don't see the point in spending so much money on clothes I just get full of paint and glue.
I just realized I totally forgot to post yesterday! I had a dentist appt. and it totally screwed up my day. There is a Lakeshore Lucky Ticket shopping extravaganza going on in town this weekend so I rearranged and cleaned up for the big sale. So far it's been good but with 40% off all vintage I am finding myself wanting to cry a little when I'm selling vintage tablecloths for $6. People are really getting some good deals! I went to Salvation Army this morning before opening and it's a little sad. Everything is now 75% off so I got a few books for 1.50. I will miss that store alot.

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Crazy Busy Day.

My little wise lady collage>>>
So I had a crazy busy day today. Started with a little dity on the local radio station to try and get more local artists to donate chairs for our Chairs for Charity auction. We still need about 55 chairs to meet our goal of 100. I had breakfast with my buddy Heather and her real husband Chuck. I've known Heather for over a year now and today was the first time I've meet him. Went to the shop and did usual shop stuff until noon when I had to go to the dentist. I didn't love it but I got a good report card for my teeth and lots of free floss. So got back the the store and did a few more shop things and then I was visited by Geri who I met on etsy. She grew up in Chilton where my husband Glenn is from and they kinda knew each other. It's such a small big world. Anyhow her stuff is so so so super cool. Check out her etsy shop here. I think I'll use one of those super cool skirts as inspiration to drop a few pounds. I really hope her stuff sells well at Persimmons because she is swell.

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

My poor little Molly Dolly.


I had to close the store today because she was sick. She was awake most of the night and then today she has a fever and just wouldn't nap. She is just very restless and wacky. She finally just fell asleep so hopefully we will both get some sleep tonight.
She is really cute in this picture sporting old cat eye glasses, faux fur and cupcake shirt.

Monday, June 18, 2007

What a weekend in Manitowoc.


Oh my peonies are in bloom. They are so beautiful and I just love the smell when I step out of my studio.
I really should have pictures of this weekend to show but in typical airhead Kim fashion I forgot to bring my camera to Metrojam. Honestly I really think it was the most fun I have ever had at a concert. The headliner bands were Stroke 9 (Little Black Backpack)and Nine Days (Story of a Girl). They were fantastic! I really got a kick out of Stroke 9 singing the old Bloodhound Gang song about doing it like they do on the Discover channel. It was an annoying song back in the day but hearing it live and loud in Manitowoc was hilarious to me. I did break into the backstage area and freaked out the security guard but chickened out and didn't go meet the bands. When Nine Days started to play I realized I knew a couple of their songs from the radio but when they sang the ever popular Story Of a Girl... well it rocked. They also had Ruby Jane a kick butt fiddle player that performed earlier in the evening come out and play with them during their rendition of Sweet Home Alabama. That little girl can really put on a show and she is only 13! It was just so much fun and I can't wait to see who will be performing next year. Saw David and Kim from Stumpjack there and they told me that a few of the band members from Nine Days were at the coffee shop earlier in the day. The singer saw David in the crowd and gave him a little shout out on stage. It was so awesome for them. David has a little blurb about it in his blog. They may possibly do a little gig there????? Let's keep our fingers crossed.

Saturday, June 16, 2007

My very very pretty new bag....


So I got an email from Stefanie the other day. She makes these adorable bags and sells them on etsy. She was coming to the Manitowoc area and did a search on estate sales and my blog came up! I love that. It is so great to meet fellow crafters that live so close yet so far away. So now I sell her bags, fabric flowers and pony holders here too! Plus now I have a cool new friend!

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Stay away = productive day.

So besides a little lunch break yesterday I pretty much stayed away from my computer. I was feeling a little guilty because I wasted all of Tuesday away chatting on etsy. Well I don't think it was a waste but still I felt guilty. So yesterday I busted my butt and got 7 altered chalkboards, 18 fishing lure cards, and a few bauble pendants done. I feel real good about that. Maybe that should teach me to stay off the computer more often. Yeah fat chance.

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

My new Etsy banner and a kind gal.


So I made a new banner for my etsy shop today and here it is. I also started a thread about it in my favorite place to chat the etc. section. That little thread lead to this very nice seller Onama making a new banner for LuLu. I thought that was so sweet. I just love that etsy!

Monday, June 11, 2007

Not much happening today.


It's been a dull day. Got some pendants started and a few fishing lure hand painted cards drawn to paint tomorrow. They will look like this. I like making them but I really do put a lot of work into those little cards I sell for only two fifty! Oh well.
It is an absolutely beautiful day here in Manitowoc Wisconsin. I went for a very pleasant walk this morning along the lake. Holly had fun rolling on smelly dead fish on the beach and chasing families of geese and ducks.

Sunday, June 10, 2007

A Perfect Productive Lazy Day.

It has just been a very pleasant not too busy but getting a whole lot done kinda day. I bought these white boring shoes awhile ago and intended on prettying them up ages ago. Well in my closet they sat until last night when I picked up a Country Living and they embroidered some Chuck's and wahla ... I was inspired. They really look nothing at all like the ones in Country Living but the idea of embroidering shoes made me want to make them. I have been hoarding vintage fabric for sometime now and decided this project was worthy. I of course only have to use small pieces so it makes it easier. I have a long way to go yet ,I really want to fill those babies up with stuff. I asked Glenn if he liked them and he choose not to answer at all. He did ask if the other one is going to be the same? Yeah I'm guessing not.

So besides my cool shoes we also spent a hefty sum on plants and dirt today at Roorbachs. The planters look just like I wanted them to. I love how they turned out. Hopefully we can make it through the summer without any major destruction!






Crazy Convicts of the Dueno Clan.

So I just found this funny picture in the files and thought I would share. My family is full of crazy people some certifiable (I joke). Really my master sewing granny (in the white) fixes the jail attire for the city. On Easter everyone thought it would be fun to try them on and totally freak out the neighbors. I love my family.
We had fun at the Garden Fair. I saw lots of familiar faces and enjoyed visits with a few old and new friends. We got a few hostas and a very cool wire dress form for the garden. I hung the hose on her and call her the hose ho. Glenn just rolls his eyes at me. I just love community events. I actually was accused of being an annoying cheerleader on the local papers forum (that is full of people who hate living here), that is funny and it made me think about how much I used to think cheerleaders were annoying. Well if loving where I live and trying to spread the love means being annoying YOU RAH RAH
annoying I am!

Friday, June 8, 2007

Garden Fair Tomorrow

So I got this adorable little fly last year at the Garden Fair held in a beautiful little park in the center of town. It is tomorrow and it kind of sucks because it starts at 10 when the store is supposed to open. I think that we will just have to open late. It is such a great little fair. Washington Park is so nice, I love seeing it being used. So many people come to the Garden Fair which is always a good thing. I love it when the weather gets nice and all the fun outdoor events begin! We have so much to do here in Manitowoc despite what the naysayers say.

Thursday, June 7, 2007

Happy Graduation Day.


So as usual I totally spazed and didn't do any graduation cards this year. A few people came in and asked for them so I took this picture that I'll just stick on some cards. Don't they look smart?

Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Earthworm girl



So I just made this and I love it so much I had to post it! I made this background a long time ago and it was from an old Workbasket. Believe it or not back in the 1950's women raised earthworms for cash! I got a few old books yesterday and this little girl was holding a cute and cuddly doll. I accidentally set her on this card and the idea to put a worm in her arm came to me. I love it! I am not sure if I will be able to part with it so I will just keep it for a bit.

Zetti Swap Cards.



I am doing a Zetti Kids 9/8 swap on the ATC yahoo group I belong to and will be sending my cards out in the next couple of days. Here are just a few of them that I came up with. I am so darned addicted to making ATC's. I wish I could just get over the fact that I could list them as ACEO's and sell them. I will be having a little ATC art night tomorrow night and I can't wait. Even more than getting cards from others I enjoy watching them create them with all of my stuff!

Tuesday, June 5, 2007

Readers galore at the Salvation Army Store!


So I totally hit the mother load today at the Salvation Army Store! I got over a dozen reader's from the 40's and 50's!!!

Such fantastic pictures for ATC's and other collage stuff! There is a sad side to this story however...Salvation Army is closing. They did a study and found that the organization could use the money needed to run the store in better ways. I will miss it. At least I still have St Vinnie's on the block.