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Monday, January 23, 2012

The El Camino Project...

A couple of weekends ago we were sitting in the office aka around the fire pit.  while looking on Craigslist for a new cargo trailer, I all the sudden had a mirror ball go off in my head.  I say mirror ball because it's more my style than just a plain ole light bulb.  anyways, I told everyone that I want to purchase a vintage Chevy El Camino.  Reason being, you can haul a trailer with it, and it has a bed of a truck to load more junk in.  What if I want to go shopping when I'm at all my shows?  Where would I put my stuff?  Also, I think it would be great when you are having one of those days when you can't afford a hotel room....and you need to sleep.

If you don't know, an El Camino looks like this.


A lot of times, you see images with some tasteless lady posing next to it..just like in this photo.  I would like to add, that I will look much more appealing to my El Camino than this chick. 


 Seriously?? I'm glad I have some class.

Everyone must of thought I was joking, but I honestly wasn't.  I even added that I would like to locate some longhorns to place on the grill of the car.  I'm thinking I will add some burlap, lace, and some jewels to my longhorn.

The mount would look something similiar to this.  I don't think anyone would take advantage of a lady driving a Chevy El Camino that had horns on it? 


As a true Junkin' girl, I'm always looking no matter what.  While dropping my kids off at school one morning I saw some horns sticking out of some junk on someone's front porch.  I'm glad I ended up stopping there because she had all kinds of neat things.  I even found a quilt for $2!  I know all of you will be jealous of these, but don't get too mad, because I've already dressed them up, and they no longer look this gorgeous!



I took a trip to the local flea market on Saturday to check out what was happening.  I ran into this guy, and he assumed I was really crazy.  When I told him the story of what i wanted to do with an El Camino, I'm not sure if he understood my language, because I thought the story was hillarious, and he didn't even crack a smile...he just looked at me like I was stupid.  Some people just don't get it! 

I took a pic of these and decided that these were bigger and better.  They were only $40 bucks! 


Don't worry, I don't plan on doing anything to this extreme.


All in all...I honestly think the El Camino would be an excellent addition to my stash.  Plus a GREAT project that will be so fun and Exciting!  Keep checking back for the EL Camino project updates!








Determination is never something to waste...

As most know, last Tuesday for me was a bust!  But greatly, I have one of those brains that never stops and is full of determination and strength...oh and all that goo stuff too like romance, talent, ect, ect.

So Last Friday I decided to get up early and get the kids off to school.  I even made me some eggs for breakfast (protein), and packed some steamed green beans for my lunch on the road.  It was going to be a long and fun day no matter what.

First up I decided to stop in a little town called Luling, Texas.  Home of some Texas Mesquite BBQ and the Watermelon Thump.  I found a little shop on Main street called "Rocky's".  I loaded a few mirrors, chair, and some knick knacks.  But I also found this piece that struck my attention.  Rocky said it looks as though it was created in that time era and not modern day.  We cracked up because we wonder how many, and WHO possible smoked some marijuana around this thing back then.  LOL 


I've been debating on if I should add jewels to it or not?  I think it's a great collectors piece and would make an amazing umbrella holder.

After spending time in Luling I got back on the road.  I found a few places along the way to Austin that were open and decided to keep going and if I had time, Id stop on my way home.

  I finally got back to Austin's apparent "bad side" of town (the place I was lost at on Tuesday), and did a U - Turn to visit the little Good Will.  I'm glad I did that because It was a major JACKPOT on some great linens.  I found two sets of Shabby Chic home comforter sets NIP!  Some great throw pillows, an iron candelabra, mirror, lamps, and a purse and scarf.  VEry happy!  I finally got back to the place I found the blue Velvet headboard on Tuesday.  I was so grateful that I did not have to stop at the XTC dance club again.  I did manage to get lost once again...but was able to find my way a little better this time around.


I think this piece is AMAZING!  If you added some soothing and neutral colors to it, I think it would take away from the Cheesy look everyone keeps talking about.  I however, see major potential in it.  Add some white or khaki linens with some crystal chandeliers...so romantic!

Since Rocky from Luling and I already had my old pathfinder loaded down...and Good Will forced me to buy all the other items...I had no room in my car.  The man I purchased this from was so kind.  He and his help wrapped it up for me and tied it to the roof of my SUV. 

 Back on the road again...loaded down!  Just the way I like it!

Started to head on home and just had my eye out for yard sales and such...and I ran into this little run down general store on the side of the road that had a yard sale sign in front.  It also had a great china hutch for only $60.  But I was already over the top with furniture and I could tell the guy wasn't going to get off his butt and help me load it.  I looked around in his very scarce inventory and found this beautiful thing.  I know most of us know exactly what this is a replica of.  Except some of my friends and people in town...they didn't get it?  Do you?


Back on the road and was almost passing thru Luling when i found this Antique store up the hill.  I pulled in and noticed all the portable carports full of wood, furniture remnants, iron, and all that fun and good stuff.  I decided to go inside the store...and when they said Antiques, they meant it.  I couldn't even afford a figurine on display.  I managed to find some lace and such.  I got to talking to the couple that owned it...and I asked them if they would allow me to rummage thru their junk out there.  They had no problem with that.

The older couple even left to go eat and told me to have fun and take whatever I want!  I don't think people understand when they tell a picker or a junker to "take whatever you want" means...we will dig and we will take it!

Here is me starting to rummage.  I got really dirty, but it was oh so worth it!


I found amazing items...stuff I couldn't believe they wanted to burn!  It's a Trash to Treasure Artist's dream to find things like this.  Headboards, vanities, tables, wood works, old metal bed springs, huge roll of rusted chicken wire, chair, iron shelving, cabinets, mirrors, wash tub, and old trunks!
It was H*ll loading everything on my own...I even ran out of rope!  I had to tie more on top of  the SUV.  I know I looked more like Sanford and Son, or the Beverly Hill Billies, cruising home..but I only got a few stares...and I was just assuming that was for my good looks! : ) Or it could be because of the missing fendor on the left side of my car...but I know it's because of the good looks.



It was time to go home.  I was already an hour past the time I was supposed to be home.  But I managed to capture this nice and calm photo.


Shabby Junque couture


Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Texas Road trip and Birthday celebration...

Today I woke up 32 years young.  A very excited and happy woman, but more like excited and happy like a child.  Which I guess is what keeps me young? 

The plan was this: 

Hit the road, and some vintage and junk shops, have dinner with some friends, sleep in a hotel, then come home to my family.

Here is a pic of Farrah and I fixing to hit the roads.


However, the day went more like this: 

Listening to some iPod tunes such as Miles Davis, George Thorogood, Fats Domino, Wade Bowen, Hayes Carl, Earl Thomas Conley, ect ect and loving life and the roads! 

Quickly lead to:

Lost in a strange part of town with strange people, and a bunch of places/business type things that started with the same first name with a different location or business type such as salvage, mechanic, liquor, bar, pottery, metal works.  I'm guessing the same lady or man owned all of those???  Not really sure? 
I found a few bars such as the "El Flamingo Lounge"....of which does not believe in being open on a Tuesday afternoon and was completely shut off with  burglar bars and chains around a fence and a "watch dog" that looked like  the Taco Bell dog instead of a "real" watch dog. 
 Then, a quick pit stop to answer some emails in front of a Liquor store that was tempting me....and to let Farrah do her thang.  Of which she just shook because a cool front blew in.  So she just hopped back in the junk car. 

So back on the hwy we went.  I couldn't find the salvage junk lady I found on Craigslist as her response to me when I asked for her address was "hwy 183 and 21 area"???  I'm assuming that should have been a red flag.  So when I FINALLY got to the area..I was kinda nervous and looking for some type of salvage area that didn't involve rusted old cars I couldn't tie on top of my car or load in my trailer. 

When you are a "TRUE" junker, you really just don't care where you end up cuz normally it always leads to something.  Well, I was led to something alright.  I somehow ended up over here...of which I'm glad I had a knife and rope...I didn't bring the concealed handgun because...I just have this thing about packing guns...even though I love guns...but I get a bad feeling from having one in my vehicle for some odd reason. 

So this is the parking area I ended up in. 
Probley should have not stopped, but I was trying to look on my phone map, haul a trailer,  deal with Farrah, and phone a friend around the Austin area to help me locate myself.  So I was really desperate.  Not to mention I had not had anything to eat all day and it was 4:00pm.  Forgive me.



After telling the guy washing the sidewalk off (I really do not want to know what was on it) that I was NOT his "live" entertainment for the night....I finally stopped at some storage shed or something that managed to have a few nice things that I could rummage through. 

I finished up there and started to head back towards the City...and quickly found myself lost yet again...and somehow got turned around off one of the main hwy's...and back into some scary part of town.   At this point I decided it was best to go back the route I came because Traffic was unbelievable!   I was still lost and saw a lot of weirdos (no offense) walking down the street selling things or themselves along with some guy walking with a guitar, and a lady...that I wish I could help  because I know exactly what she was doing on that corner.  Unfortunately, I felt really sorry for her because she did NOT look like Vivian from the movie "Pretty Woman".

I was thirsty...and I'm so Glad my Dad and PoPo taught me how to survive in the Wild because I had my first aid kit with me. 
It's just not about band aids ladies and gents.  You need to pack the whole sha bang!  Such as a gallon of water, toilet paper, blanket, jacket, matches, beef jerky, beer, and a flashlight.  The beer should be on ice.

I only needed the gallon of water on this trip. 

So now Farrah and I are on some strange road again.  Finally my friend from the Austin area answered the phone...and helped calm me down and figure out where the heck I was at.  I realized I was by the Austin Airport..and decided to keep going South.  Got to the road I needed to turn on and "Hello" Detour..because of construction. 
 So another 15 min down the road...I finally got back to where I needed to be. 
 At this point, FArrah and I were so exhausted.  But she was a party pooper hours ago and slept the entire time.  How lame! 
Once again, at this point, I was too tired, it was almost dark, and I just wanted to cry and go home.  So I cancelled the hotel reservation and started the drive home.

I arrived at home and was greeted with a gorgeous man that is about 3' tall named,  Gunnar.  He picked Flowers out of a field and told me "happy New Year"!  I was so excited to see my kids, and Knew God had me where he wanted me to be.

Then all the kicking and screaming and fighting started between my two kids...and i thought, "Oh Dear, I should have kept those reservations so I could at least have Peace and Quiet. 

All in All...I spent $84 in gas, $1.50 on a beef jerky stick, $2.50 on a tea and a few $$$ on a couple of finds.   And some $$$ on my WiFi data overage. 

But as a determined woman, I managed to still come home with a couple of nice finds.  That does not include the donut seat I had to purchase to be comfortable on this 12 hour journey.

Now time for that beer on Ice!  Cheers!

Monday, January 16, 2012

ABC's Extreme Makeover Home Addition is in our Town!!!

Yep, you heard it right.  
came over to Floresville, Texas this Saturday to build a new home for one of our Wounded Warriors!  REad all about it here!

Monday, January 9, 2012

Hey Y'all go on over and check out the NEW website......

That's right, Shabby Junque Couture now has an AMAZING website!  Make sure to go on over and check it out.  It's got everything on there.  Shopping, locations, hours, links to other shopping locations, and all that Fancy Print stuff.  You'll Love it!

click the Link!


~XOXO

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

You Hollering at me, I'll get back to ya...


2011 was a very Successful Year!  Thank you all from the bottom of my heart!  I couldn't have done it without you, my family, and most important GOD!

Above is a list of the new hours I will be replying back to everyone's messages and such.  I have to ignore my phone a few hours out of the day in order to operate my business professionally.  Still FUN, but I need to be one of those organized kinda people to function properly! 

Lots of fabulous changes are headed your way, so stay tuned!  Be sure to check out my facebook page


Vintage Lace & Burlap....

To all of my fellow junkers..we all know that we have been in love with Vintage lace and burlap since the day we were born.  Seems as though the craze has left our brains and seeped into new comer's brains as well.

I'm a sucker for natural colors, and nuetral colors.  If I could do my whole house in rustic wood and White..with a little burlap, I would!  With lots of LACE!!  But seeing I have 2 kids, 2 dogs and a man to tend to, that's nearly impossible right now.  A girl can dream..

Yesterday I needed to relieve some stress.  I really need to add to my home decor collection over at the shop.  So I wanted to make some wall crosses.  Since the hubs decided it would be fun, to trash all my scrap wood, I was left with this:


It's a small shelf unit I found in a storage shed in Some town outside of San Antonio.  The hubs insisted it was not solid wood and that my idea would not work.  REALLY?  Cuz i think it just did!  Never under estimate a woman with a Saw in her hand and a determined mind.  I know some of you can relate.  I hacked into this as you can see. 

Below is what I made out of it.  Of course after I sanded it, painted it, and added my vintage lace, burlap, and some glittered fabric, along with a vintage broach.

EnJoy!  yes, this beauty is up for Sale!