The Farm Chicks are heading to the Junk Bonanza!

Recognize these gals? Yep, they are Serena & Teri, The Farm Chicks! I got a call yesterday from Serena confirming they are coming to the Junk Bonanza on September 17th in Shakopee Minnesota! They have graciously offered to sign their newest book, The Farm Chicks in the Kitchen, and join in the fun at our Happy Trails Meet and Greet Blog Party! Details to be announced next week.

Wait till you hear who else is showing up at the party! I can't wait to share more news!
Peace,
Ki

American Junk Idol

You won't find me waiting in line for an autograph from Brad Pitt. I don't scream when I hear David Cook in concert, and I rarely go out of my way for a book signing. I am not easily impressed by celebrities. I am however, thoroughly in awe of my good friend and notorious junker, Cammie. She is an American Junk Idol. She knows good junk and she knows where to find it.


I have had the opportunity to ride along with Cammie, junking the back roads of Nebraska, South Dakota, and Iowa in search of the best America has to offer. How she finds some of the places...I don't ask. (That is privileged information.) She is trusted, respected, and well liked by her sources. Many don't understand why she would ever want their dirty, crusty, old junk and are grateful to have her haul it away.


When I am busy at my computer, Cammie is kind enough to let me junk vicariously through her. She treats me to live photos by phone and I feel as if I am right next to her, smelling the junk. Thank you Cammie! (Photos are courtesy of Cammie's recent excursion to Wendall's Junkyard.)


Check out her blog and you will learn how a real junker lives and breathes good junk. Tell her I sent you, I am hoping for a good deal on the truck door (above) she is bringing to the Bonanza!

Matthew and I are working like crazy on our new magazine, Flea Market Style! Will let you know as soon as the blog goes up so you can get an inside peek at making a magazine...bloopers and all!
Peace,
Ki

Sprinkler T.P. Holder Junk Project.

Not so extreme makeover. Keep extra rolls close at hand!


When I looked at this sprinkler....


I saw a toilet paper holder. You too?
Peace,
Ki

A Door Opens. Flea Market Style.

Standing in line at the grocery store a few days ago, I scanned the magazine racks for something interesting, entertaining, and inspiring to bring home. Nothing! I had already savored the 2 home decor magazines that interest me and was hungry for more. Sadly, my favorite publications have disappeared from the newsstands and my mailbox this past year, along with my job as editor-at-large for Country Home Magazine.

They say one door closes and another opens...well, it flew wide open! The big news I have been dying to share with you is..Matthew Mead, style expert and friend, and I are partnering to create and produce a new magazine titled Flea Market Style - a 144 page newsstand magazine chock full of vintage style decorating, fresh projects, collecting tips, special features and more, to be released early spring 2010. Whew! I didn't know how long I could keep a secret!

Matthew and I are thrilled to welcome some of the most talented folks we know to join our magazine team including Linda MacDonald of Restyled Home and Heather Bullard. We are also in the process of creating a blog dedicated to the making of the magazine (including bloopers) and will let you know as soon as we have it up and running, hopefully mid-August!

I will be crazy busy this summer with Junk Bonanza and Flea Market Style; so if you notice I am slacking off on my blog, it is only because I am working my butt off and having tons of fun!

I think I can say a new door just opened...a really big garage door!
Peace,
Ki

Road Trip. Oklahoma & Missouri.

Bet you were wondering if we ever got home. Fortunately our road trip from Florida to Minnesota via Texas didn't take as long as it has taken me to blog about it!

Kerry and I allowed ourselves a mere 2 days to drive the last leg of our junkation, Tyler Texas to Long Lake Minnesota, so we had to speed junk along the way. (I am hoping for a do-over someday soon, so I can visit all the great shops and sales I know I missed.)

I was the navigator and kept my eyes peeled for billboards and signs broadcasting antiques and sales. Antiques Etc. 580-226-3490 in Ardmore Oklahoma proved to be a fruitful stop. My purchases included a brown pottery pitcher and bowl for the Bonanza and a Boy Scout merit badge sash.


We investigated historic downtown Purcell Oklahoma on a hot, humid, and sleepy Saturday afternoon. We found more than 8 charming and friendly antique shops to visit.


Folks along the way enthusiastically shared their must see towns and shops. Guthrie Oklahoma was mentioned more than once.


Discovering Guthrie was like going back in time. The city is alive with shops, theatre, trolleys, & horse drawn carriage rides and has preserved the rich heritage and unique history as the first state capital of Oklahoma.


While chatting with the gals at Recollections 405-260-0101 we found that Casey Affleck, Jessica Alba, and Kate Hudson were in town shooting a movie The Killer Inside Me. We learned that the production had purchased antique furniture and props locally and when finished with them would auction back to the community. Great idea!

Hungry, we asked where to eat and were directed to the Boneyard Grill 405-293-9615.


Yummy recommendation!


The bugs had taken over our windshield and the trip just kept getting better, as you will see!


Jim's Antique Mall in Bethany Missouri 660-425-6020 was recommended by a Junk Revolution member (Artifacts and Architecture). As we drove up, my heart skipped a beat. A junker's delight!!










Are you still breathing? What was I thinking driving in with a loaded vehicle. I told Dean I would be back this summer...with an empty trailer.


Sorry for the out of focus picture. My hands were trembling as I eyed this area in the far corner of the shop.






We were still full from breakfast, but knew from the Junk Revolution message boards that Toot Toot located just off I-35 on Hwy.136 (right down the road from Jim's) was a must eat stop. So we did! Stop and eat. The lunch buffet with mash potatoes, gravy, fried chicken, ham,...you get the picture. Yum!

Small world. When we returned home I noticed the turquoise wood trunk I had my eye on at Jim's and was planning to go back and purchase, showed up on a Bonanza vendor's blog. It is coming to the Bonanza...just not with me.

Had a incredible time with Matthew Mead in New Hampshire this past week. Can't wait to share my visit with you!
Peace,
Ki