art junk girl

Illustration Friday~ Legendary.

for my son Richard.

Show and Tell Sundays!

Dear Friends,
We are going to talk "junkin'" again today! I decided to participate in Show and Tell Sunday's theme this week, entitled, "show us your favorite antique/fleamarket, etc. shop". Technically, the challenge this week from one of the group leaders, the lovely Cerri of LittlePInkStudio was to go on a "fieldtrip" there. Well, I just happened to be there a few weeks ago. I don't get to go but twice as year as it's not near my home. It has been, however, my fave place to go "junk huntin'". I looove Antique Malls, especially this one. The reason is that I know the booths quite well, and they have been, for the most part, usually the same trusty and wonderful vendors.

For instance, I always b-line it straight to "the pin lady's" booth. No one is there usually, so I don't know her name, but I do know she has a collection of junk jewelry and I love purusing through it each time I go. For a while, she carried these crown pins. I only have one left. I bought one for each of my bestest friends here in town and they all have a different one. I didn't see any this last jaunt, so I suppose they've become more sought after in the last few years or she has exhausted what seem to be, a never ending supply of them!

Emmitsburg Antique Mall

Now, I don't have lots of pics of the inside of the mall, as I often feel awkward taking pictures and am usually too shy to ask...so I only have a few pics of the outside sign. Click on the above link to see their website/pictures of the shop!

Here are a pics of a few more finds I go this week. I love these barbie cases, and this one was a steal.

I also can always find boxes of vintage cards here for a steal. You can check my "summer junkin' trails" photo album on flickr to see more shops I've visited. Summer is usually the only time I have to go huntin' and I am pretty well stocked right now..but I'm sure I have a trip or two in me this summer and I will share it with you here!

xo lia

Scrappy Jessi's Favorite Childhood Toys Party!*Updated* post

toy party, originally uploaded by scrappyjessi.

Hello dear friends!!
I will be posting later today for this fabulous meme!! You must go to scrappyjessi's blog right NOW and check out the one's that are already up or click on this photo and it will take you to her flickr and you can start there!!!!
xo lia

p.s. stop giving me a hard time for being late with my "homework" Mar's!!!
:)

************** Ok, I just came up for "air". I totally love doing meme's like this as it always makes me happy to travel down memory lane. Especially vintage toy lane! For those who don't know my work well, much of it comes from my love for vintage imagery and nostalgia. I grew up surrounded by it as my parents had kids later in life. My Dad, a WWII vet, used to walk around saying, "I've been around since speak-easy's"! LOL. He was a hoot. He has since passed away and doing my art is a way I stay close to him...putting all those fun little bits into my inchies and such. Although I don't talk about it alot, many of the collages I've made are about my Dad, my chilldhood moments or things I loved growing up. I also surround myself with many childhood books, cards, and toys in my studio.
So, without further ado, I will give you my top favorites (it was, ahem, very hard to narrow down!)

1. Dolly's, of course. I loved doll babies most. I still do, but now they are mostly of the "rag dolls" variety, oh and real life babies, of course! I've always had a strong nuturing instinct. The photo above is of me tucking in my little baby doll. Oh, how I wish I still had that little carriage!!

Now, here's the one of me (on left) holding "Sharon". The only prooooblem was, that, "Sharon" was NOT my baby dolly. No. She was my sissy's (seen here obviously allowing me to hold her, as, if, it looks like I was ever going to let go). You see, "Sharon" was given to my sister by her Godmother (which, by the way, always gave her the coolest gifts). I remember her being so cuddly, more than any of the "other" dolls we would get. I think my sissy still has "Sharon"! I will have to check. I guess she eventually pulled her out of my hands somehow.

2. Kaleidoscopes.

I remember always being fascinated with these Kaleidoscope cones. I distinctly remember twirling it round and round and being mesmerized for the longest time. I loved how the colors mixed and twirled. I still love lots and lots of color. I remember these were always plentiful when I was a kid, although I don't have one now. In fact, I only have one of my actual childhood toys (I think), as I believe my Mom got rid of them early on. Not quite sure why! She held on to almost everything else!

3. My baby lamb.

I have this one in my studio now. (seen here in my play pen) I don't know how it made it through. I'm sure there is a story. I am told by my kids that the eyes, "freak them out", but I love my little lamb!

4. Viewfinders.

I remember spending hour upon hours clicking this toy viewfinder. I wonder why I had this as we were of modest means. Again, I don't know what happened to it, but I remember the slides well and be fascinated with the mystery of it all.

I guess my tastes have not changed much as I still love all these things! Thank you for travelling down memory lane with me again! What was your favorite toy? Do you still have it? xo lia

illustration friday~"garden"

illustration friday~"garden", originally uploaded by artjunkgrl.

"A Little Madness in the Spring Is Wholesome even for the King." ~Emily Dickinson.

illustration friday~ leap

leap 2 view for illustration friday, originally uploaded by artjunkgrl.

Dear Friends~
I have so much to share with you but I am short on time (and I am a bit all over the place in my projects, so it's hard for me to organize them all into one post!)
I have often thought of having a day a week where I discuss one of my many interests. I am starting to expand into more blogs and I'm trying to keep things organized, but it's SO difficult, with so many interests and fun things out there to do!
I started an art journal blog a few months ago as a compliment to my "journal junk" flickr photo group. Lately, I've been adding posts to it and have more planned. This blog is solely dedicated to art journalling resources and will highlight journal work from artist's in the journal junk group, as well as outside resources and vlog pics that I think will be helpful to those starting out (as well as those of us who can't get enough of art journalling!)
So, speaking of new projects..I am also going to start participating in Illustration Friday, ie. following the weekly prompts and posting. I am so intrigued by illustration as well as painting these last several months. I will start sharing the links that have given me the "fever" in future posts.
Last, but not least....I wanted you all to know that I took the "leap" and signed up for an "abstract painting and color" class for this Saturday. It's a day class, and I called the store and got the "last spot"! I can't wait. The instructor is a real one Artist, as my kids say. lol. Ok, that's it for now my friends. I will let you know how the class goes! I'll be back soon to share more pics of my journal and painting.
Off I go. life is waiting....xoxooxo lia