Off to the Olde Depot JUNKtion!!

Yesterday was a doozy of a day! The truck is loaded, jewelry is priced, I didn’t give up, but truly wondered if I would be successful!

So excited about the show!!

We are going to have So. Much. Fun!!

Hope you can join us!!

Have a FUNtastic weekend!
Kris

Treasures & Displays

A few quick photos today… The necklace above one of my fav’s… Funky vintage hinge pictured on a box from my Grandparent’s estate.

The same necklace pictured on a cool little book I bought at the sale… Notice the Tiffany’s Ad… The book is from 1911.
Here is another shot of the ad.

And I an not sure what this was, but it is going to be a part of my new jewelry display… I remember seeing it in my Grandparents attic. I quickly laid some necklaces on it.

I am going to have to be a little more deliberate with their placement.

Hope you are having a magical day! Kris

Love! Love! Love!

Good Morning My Friends!
It was a whirlwind of a weekend and this week is going to fly by too.

I am feeling pressure (self induced) to try to accomplish everything I want/need to accomplish prior to the weekend. It is finally here! The Okde Depot JUNKtion! I am incredibly excited, especially about my display! For Mother’s Day, Tom and the kids built me a frame for a burlap background. I can’t wait to show you pics!

Saturday we had a blast at the Cystic Fibrosis walk. Two families in our circle of friends have children that are affected and they are the most amazing people! Thankful to have been
A part if it. I have some cute pics but they are stuck on my camera and I need to charge it to get to them.

Later in the day, the boys were four-wheeling down by the river.

Oh. My. Word.

This was earlier, before his buddy got stuck in the mud! Wish I had thought to take pics later!

Keegan gave me a ride down to see the muddy mess his friend was in!

And his friend had to be towed out. Good lessons!

Yesterday was bittersweet. It was the auction of my Grandparents Estate. It is sad to see so many years of amazing collectible items sold at an action. Items their loving hands touched over the years. There was more emotion behind the scenes, but I won’t go into that here.

The sweet part was that I did “win” some pretty fantastic items.

The moment I saw it, I knew that this was the item that I wanted. It is very primitive, kind of rough, but totally me. I am pretty confident it was at my Grandparent’s hardware store they used to own.

It took forever to get to it. I was filled with nervousness and anticipation! Can I tell you that I was in shock that apparently someone else wanted it as much as I did… A bidding war ensued, and I was the victor!! I payed way more than I wanted to, had some regretful thoughts about spending so much, but I am incredibly thankful I got it. This morning I woke with a happy feeling that it will stay in the family!

My jewelry trays fit perfectly!

I know my Grandpa would have wanted me to have it.

I bought some cool architectural wood elements too, super excited about taking photos with some of my family treasures.

Love! Love! Love this white architectural piece.

It’s kind of dark & gloomy out this morning so the light wasn’t perfect for photos, but I had to show you!

I hope you have an amazing day!!
Kris

Meet Noble (No Bull)

It was a crazy week. Fun… Jam packed… Fulfilling.

I had a fun girls day with my friends on Thursday. We went to many garage sales. (Missed you G!) We had a fantastic dinner outside on the patio at a local restaurant.

I found some incredible vintage treasures… And found a treasure trove of volleyball clothing, brand new with tags on! Truly a lucky day!!

Yesterday I had a fun visit with Melissa and her Mom, stopped at a few antique stores.

I had a joyful visit with my sister at her store, Bloom Coffee & Floral. I took a few pics of her latest work to show you.

Meet Noble (actually NOBULL) lol. She is incredibly talented!

Here he is settled in his current home.

And here is my sister’s spring vignette.

I found the coolest rusty old drawers that I hoped would work for a display for all of my new cuffs…
I am so excited, they work perfectly!

And look who’s helping me take photos …
Mr Putter!

We celebrated the final track meet of the season last night… Brr. It was ccccold!

I am creating with a vengeance for my upcoming show. Hope you are having a terrific weekend! Kris

Happy Days!!

Happy Mother’s Day wishes to each and every one of you (Belated! Sorry!)

Special Mother’s Day wishes to my Mom! So thankful to have her with us to CeLEbRaTe!!

For all of you selfless Moms, I hope someone pampered you!!

My kids (and sweet husband) did a fantastic job of pampering me Saturday. It was so much fun! And we had a fun family day Sunday!

I have been creating with a vengeance since that time. Having a blast…

Here are a couple of my newest…

Okay, time to get back to work!
Have a great day! Kris

Sunshiny Saturday

Happy Sunshiny Saturday.

It is hard to believe that another week has passed in a blink of an eye. Just a few more weeks until school is out for the summer.

I am so excited about being home with my kids this summer. I know it promises to be busy, but it will be fun too.

Today in Minnesota is a sunshiny Saturday. We have very few obligations today which is unusual. I have a lot of jewelry to make, but it promises to be a joyful day.

I hope you are enjoying your sunshiny Saturday!

Stunning Sunsets

It was such an incredible evening last night at Sawyer & Kya’s track meet. We actually had high seventies, the sun was shining and it could not have been more beautiful.

Of course, I had to take advantage of the fantastic opportunity to create.

I made two cuffs and two necklaces in the four hours while watching events.

It wasn’t all sunshine and happiness. Sawyer had a tough time in one of his events. I snapped a photo of him and you can see the defeat on his face. I got the “Mooooom” comment, but it is such a cool photo I had to share it. Some of the life lessons that sports offer kids is how to win AND how to lose.

The sunset on my drive home was nothing short of dynamic.

As I drove away, I was stunned by the beauty in my mirrors…

It was fleeting, but I could not resist snapping a few shots.

Here are the necklaces I made last night.

Hope you have a happy Wednesday and my your sunsets be stunning! Kris

New Treasures

Some new treasures…

I had to fit a little antiquing in over the weekend.

I found some if the most amazing vintage rhinestone costume jewelry.
I am super excited to create with my new loot.

Time to buckle down and keep building my inventory.

May today bring you great joy!
Kris

From FlipFlops to Boots

Earlier in the week, I enjoyed wearing flipflops… The sunshine on my toesies felt so fantastic.

Suddenly I had to switch back to my boots. Ugh. The temps have been sooooo cold. Low 30′s and chance if flurries. Not typical weather for spring.

I have so much jewelry to photograph. I created this minty bluesy necklace the other day. I really have to work on finding time to take photos.

I hope you are having an enjoyable weekend, even if your toes are warm and cozy in boot. Kris

Happy May Day!

Monday all three of my children had their first spring sporting events after three weeks of weather delays. It was a gorgeous sunny day. The temp was a warm and happy 74 degrees. Kya and Sawyer had track. Keegan had an away golf meet.

I took a photo of Sawyer throwing discus, I must admit I wanted to get out there and take a spin with it, just to see if I could still do it. For the sake of Sawyer, I resisted the temptation! He didn’t need the public humiliation!

He also ran the hurdles and did the high hump. He got the highest jump for his grade on his team. Pretty cool for just learning.

Kya ran three relays and hurdles. Kya’s friend captured a fantastic photo of Kya mid jump.

(Photography Credit Samantha Torborg)

Keegan had a fun time golfing in his first JV Meet and he was happy with his performance.

Today is May Day! I hope someone leaves a May Day basket and dings your doorbell! Our May Day surprise is a 30% chance of snow today!!

Here are a few more pics from my muffin tin challeng

Tones of greens and blues…

Hope you have a Happy May Day!! Kris

Muffin Tin: Self Challenge

As I was browsing through my containers the other day, I started sorting fun and brightly colored elements into my vintage muffin tin. I lean toward creating neutral colored jewelry and I have received feedback requesting more bright colors.

I decided to hold my own little muffin tin challenge to inspire me to create more brightly colored jewelry.

I decided to hold my own little muffin tin challenge to inspire me to create more brightly colored jewelry.

I will be showing you more photos over the next few days.

It is so easy to create this way because it takes less time sorting through my containers to find similar colors.

Have a FUNtastic day! Kris

Celebrating Creatives

I woke up at 3am yesterday to drive to Wisconsin for the Creatives Retreat. I was so grateful to have arrived the entire trip without a hint of snow or ice!

It has been so much fun connecting with many friends that I have met online over the past year and a half and meeting new friends. We had a fabulous meal at the incredible resort on Lake Geneva that we are staying at.

We giggled until almost 1am last night until I crashed into a deep slumber.

I have so much to tell you, but I am afraid it will have to wait as I have to get my bells on and prepare for the day ahead.

This is the view out of the room that we dined in last night.

More fun stories ahead. Have a joyful day! Kris

Bluesy Turquoise Love!

Happy Monday!

I am very excited about the upcoming week! It is a major week! Trying to get all of my ducks in a row for the crazy week ahead.

I am hoping for good weather for my drive to Wisconsin!! I am incredibly excited for this retreat! We are going to have so much fun and I wish you were all joining us!

I am sharing a little Bluesy Turquoise Love today. I made this necklace the other day. Notice my new chain. I am so excited about it, but I only have it in limited quantities. I wish I could get more!!!

Have a FUNtastic Monday! Kris

Heart. Full.

Today I have a full heart. I am so grateful for so many positives:

Keegan is making an incredible recovery, the last week has found me awestruck. He ditched the crutches and all pain meds by Tuesday, removed all of the stitches himself by Wednesday and yesterday went the full day without both boots. Seriously in awe of this kid. Truly grateful for no surgeries in the horizon!

We are on our way to the last volleyball tourney of the season. It has been such a rewarding experience.

Looking forward to an incredible week. Hope you have a Heart Full too!
Kris

Necklaces. Patiently. Waiting.

Look at all of the necklaces patiently waiting. Wait, there’s more!

They are waiting for the photographer to arrive … Ha, guess that’s me! There has just been no time this week so far!

We haven’t seen any snow yet! Tonight is supposed to be the night!

Enjoy the rest of your day! Kris

Captured Heart

A few months ago I bought a soldering iron and I have played with it a few times.

I never seem to have a decent amount of time to spend and as I played I was creating little miscellaneous soldered elements. The other day when I was blinging up my keys, I decided to capture this heart with some vintage pearls.

I am happy with how it turned out, protected and ready to wear.

Today I am creating greeting cards with my brother in law’s incredible art for his upcoming fundraiser. I’ll take some photos and share soon. But for now, I really need to get to work.

I hope you are having spring weather! We however have winter storm warnings again, just in time for Sawyer and Kya’s first track meet in Thursday.

Have a Springtastic day!
Kris

Things are looking up!

We are at Keegan’s post op appointment today. He is hoping to get one of the boots off today. The past few days have been pivotal in his recovery. His strength and stamina have improved and pain has decreased. So Thankful!

We are thinking he should be able to handle a full day of school tomorrow.

Kya’s volleyball team took first place in Gold again. They are so much fun to watch! Last tourney next weekend!

I was able to create quite a few necklaces yesterday, but the light was not great early this morning for photos. Here is a quick peek at a necklace I created yesterday.

More to come!

Hope you have a terrific spring day today! Kris

Blinging Up Some Keys

Yesterday I had a fun day of blinging up some keys.

I made quite a few and started creating necklaces with them, but it was a little late in the day to take photos so I will share some finished pieces with you tomorrow.

I must say, I love the rustiness with the sparkle!

We are off to volleyball today. Have a fantastic Sunday!
Kris

Creative Minds are Rarely Tidy!

Whew, I admit I am a bit of a procrastinator when it comes to paperwork. So it would not shock anyone to know that I continued to put off sorting and organizing until a few days before our appointment with our accountant.

I continue to live by the quote that
Creative Minds are Rarely Tidy!

My sweet husband and kids got me the best Christmas present this year and because it related to paperwork, it remained in it’s pristine packaging until yesterday. (I am so bad!)

Yesterday I bit the bullet & opened up my NeatDesk. It is a dynamic product that scans receipts, documents and business cards. It recognizes text, dates, and amounts and automatically enters, sorts and categorizes the fields on receipts to break them down into your expense categories! You verify the amounts are correct, but I even scanned a receipt from a paper bag! I must say it is incredible!

I scanned 156 receipts yesterday. It saves an image of each receipt too, I love it. (I am not getting paid to tell you my opinion either!)

So now I am in great shape for my meeting with my accountant! And I will be so thankful to have tax time behind me!

I hope you have an incredibly creative day! Kris

Kris Lanae Vintage Medley Necklace: 2007

Well I never did get a nap yesterday. I was so close! It just never happened.

I still have more hopping to do on the bead soup blog party, so if I have not visited your blog, I promise I will. I started at the bottom of the list and I am going backwards. If you are looking for my bead soup post, click here.

Today I have to finish preparing docs for our taxes… So. Much. Fun.

Yesterday as I was searching for some keys…

Keys just make me happy.

As I was searching, I discovered the necklace pictured. This was one of my first vintage medley necklaces (it was actually a bracelet and I made it into a necklace). It was the first time I created the large wire opening so I could wear a variety of chains with it; I am guessing it is from about 2007. Gosh, I look at it now and admit it looks a elementary.

After I posted my blog yesterday, I realized that I had just posted my 600th blog post! I cannot believe it! I can’t believe how long many if you have been on this journey with me. I just want to tell you how grateful I am fur your continued support!!

Well, I better get back to work! Have a marvelous day! Kris