Vintage kids shop update!

I just loaded my etsy shop with perhaps the biggest (and most fun) update I've done so far. Lots and LOTS of really fun summer vintage kid (or kid at heart!) themed treasures that I've been collecting and making for some time. Make sure and look at all the photos for each listing. Most have several items included. Enjoy!!It's all HERE....Enjoy!!!

I also did one trim pack filled to the brim with supplies in a wonderful tin. I will be doing more of these soon. SOLD! Thanks.

A week of green...

I've been lacking in green pictures this week for Sara's shades of inspiration. So I thought I'd play a little catch-up. Found this cute little ditty today at an estate sale. It's like a spring meadow of vintage millinery. Cute.
When I think of green, I think of Katie Runnels. My first wreath from her (below) is in the most gorgeous shades of spring greens.

A new vintage purse found this week. Yum! More on this later.

Lovely shades of green in this purse made from Amy Butler fabric.

Another green bag of mine. This made by Jenny at Frecklewonder. I've been carrying this all spring and have had so many comments. Love it!

Found this guy hanging out on a lawn chair in the backyard.A new apron in gorgeous shades of vintage greens.

A lovely vase I received for Mother's Day. Love the sage green.

Some reading material...

I'm excited to share with you two articles that I have wrote recently that were published this week. Many of you have been very helpful in answering my interview questions for my JunkMama Journals column over on the Wishstudio blogzine. Vol. 2 of JunkMama Journals is now published HERE. I included quotes from several of you, so check it out!

I also was asked by Laura of katydid designs to expand on my self publishing journey that resulted in my book. Many of you have bought the book and I have received such kind, thoughtful comments. Thank you! If you want to hear more about my thoughts on the process, and the results, see the article HERE.

P.S. I also updated the red, white and blue kit that I have in my etsy shop. Added some trim, textured wallpaper (that I use for banners) and big sheets of vintage crepe paper. You can see it HERE. I hope to add more items in the next few days, so stay tuned.

20 summer questions...

I'm participating in the Parasols, Pink lemonade and Polka Dot swap over on Sweet Goodness Swaps. I'm thrilled to have one of the hostesses, Heidi as my partner. They asked us to answer the following questions to get to know each other a little better. So here goes... All photos from my flickr faves

1. What is your favorite Summer Drink(s)? lemonade or ice tea, better yet a Long Island Ice Tea

2. What is your favorite Summer Activity? swimming, BBQ, hanging out near a lake

3. If you could spend a lazy afternoon reading, what would be in your hands? Most likely non-fiction, probably a home decorating or craft book. Although right now I am reading The Girl with No Shadow and Garden Spells.

4. What is your favorite type of craft/art medium? mixed media with vintage materials

5. What is one art/craft supply you absolutely have been dying to have or try? Working on wood as background for assemblage mixed media, using beeswax, flocking my own paper, also Love Elsie's new recipe idea box for scrapbooking

6. What are your favorite colors in our 'rainbow sherbet' theme? Pink, lime green, yellow, orange, aqua (or blue)
pink or red, green, yellow, orange

7. What is your favorite sweet treat? ice cream cone or berry pie

8. Are there any craft or art supplies you would NOT be interested in receiving? Not really into beads or "bling" right now.

9. What is your favorite song today? hmmm...anything from Volume One by She and Him or the Juno soundtrack

10. How do you 'pamper' yourself during the hot summer days? Sitting in a hammock in the shade on a lake.

11. Do you have any kidlets or pets? two kiddos- Chloe age 3 and Lowell age 4 1/2

12. What is your best potluck dish for summer get togethers? fruit salad

13. If you could take a summer vacation anywhere, where would it be? Alaska- such a marvelous place..water, mountains, wide open land.

14. Describe your decorating style. Does that say anything about your personality? Ecclectic with lots of vintage and lots of one-of-a-kind arts and crafts.

15. What are your initials? KR

16. Why do you like to join swaps? I love to get mail, I love to meet new bloggers and most of all love to put together a special package with a theme for my partner.

17. You have 25 dollars to spend just on you for a little treat. What do you buy? (you can list more than one thing) A new bag (wouldn't mind the one above from Beth's Bagz) or a sundress and flip flops.

18. What's one craft supply or art supply you absolutely can not live without? vintage trim...yum!

19. Who's the last person you hugged? my daughter before her nap

20. What's your favorite number and why? 44- always has been and I have no idea why:)

Velvet Monday...

I just had to share these yummy hats I found at an estate sale this weekend. All at the same sale! Love all the vibrant velvet flowers and fruits. Oh yea, and the head too. Love her!

Stay tuned, the new color for Sara's shades of inspiration is green!!!

Market Sunday-

My final installment for Sara's week of I saw red is at the downtown Minneapolis Farmer's Market. What a visual feast.



Chloe and I with my dad (w/Lowell on his shoulder's) in the background.

Hope you're having a great weekend!

Take flight!

Sara's week of I saw red is winding down. What fun it has been. Thanks for all the wonderful comments on my photos. I had fun keeping my eyes peeled for red items all week. I just love these butterflies that I found at an estate sale today. Don't they look real?

I added a few items to the shop tonight.
Check them all out HERE!

Have a great weekend!!

I spy something red

....in the garden!! Could it be that we got to make the first pick of the season in our new garden?! Oh yes...and it happens to be a big red radish. Chloe and I had so much fun:)

And a chair full of freshly picked lettuce.

Playful red...

Thanks so much for all the kudos on the new look. I am thrilled with it and glad you are too. The background is a scan of my actual inspiration journal. The house inspiration board on the banner you probaby recognize as the class I'm teaching here in August. So fun to use personal items in the design. Sara was a joy to work with. Love her style and creativity. Speaking of which, the I saw red challenge continues all week on her blog. I thought these children's book illustrations from the Corally book I found at an estate sale the other day were just delightful. Love the red emphasis. Enjoy!

Retro toy red....and new look!

Some exciting changes are in store here in ArtsyMama-land! As you can see, I have a new LOOK. What do you think? I've been doing some inner-work reflecting and re-defining my blog and my business and hope to see some positive changes in the near future.These photos are for Sara's I saw red challenge this week on her blog Sadie Olive. They also hint at some new things coming up in my etsy shop. Sara is also the one that did the fabulous blog makeover that you see here. She is incredible and wonderful to work with.

Happy June!

I took this picture to start out the I saw red challenge this week on Sara's blog Sadie Olive.

Life is a bowl of cherries. Not always, but this picture helps remind me of that:)

Also added some red, white and blue vintage wallpaper packs to my etsy shop.

Happy Sunday!