Tuesday, May 29, 2012

OLD BOOKS AND PAGES

The other day I was visiting my friend Katy in her AMAZING little shop The Classic Farmhouse.  If you live in Washington, you should absolutely visit her store! She is located inside the Sun Break Cafe in Auburn Washington. Its a great place to have breakfast (Check out my Sunday Brunch review here!) and Katy's shop so much fun to explore after.  She carries lots of fun vintage items, handmade items, beautiful reupholstered pieces that she does her self, and even a few mantiques!  Everything in her shop is priced so reasonably, but believe me, its easy to spend lots of money there!
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This last visit I had with her, I noticed that she was selling bags of shredded old book pages.  How smart is she!  Using vintage books and pages for crafts has become ever so popular.  Its a great way to take something old that someone may throw in the garbage, and find a new use for it.  I had to ask her if she wouldn't mind if I offered the same thing in my shop as well.


You could make sweet little birds nests, or just spruce up a present to one of your closest friends.


This would be super easy to make yourself, but if you would like to save some time and effort, you can pick up a bag in my Etsy Shop, at the Des Moines Waterfront Farmers Market, or at Persnickety's.   Or just swing over to Katy's Classic Farmhouse and pick one up there!


"Beep Beep" from The Little Road!

Saturday, May 26, 2012

NEW TO THE SHOP: TYPOGRAPHIC PRINTS

Hey there friends!
Check out a few new things you can find in my Etsy Shop or come on down to the grand opening of the Des Moines Waterfront Farmers Market on June 2nd to pick one up yourself.... and shop for lots of yummy farm fresh goodies.
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I've been really interested in typography for a while now... So I decided to try my hand at making a few prints myself.... Here's what we've got so far.


This is one of my all time favorite quotes from Elizabeth Edwards.
All of my typographical prints come with a 9x7 Virserum frame from Ikea.


Its hard to tell, but all the letters in this type have sparkly little stars in them.  I think its a perfect font for this quote from Van Gogh.
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Of course I had to make a few special prints for my home town farmers market, here in Des Moines.


Des Moines is a quaint little marina town.  The Des Moines Waterfront Farmers Market can be found right down by the Des Moines marina pier, starting next Saturday June 2nd from 10 to 2.  I LOVE THESE SARDINES!!  I know I'm silly but I'm just totally proud of this print! This just captures the way I feel about Des Moines.
I can also customize this print to any ocean side town your little heart desires.


I also had to do this "Lettuce Turnip The Beet" print for the Farmers Market, just for the pure fun of it!!!
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If you would like to make one of these fun typographical prints yours, visit The Little Roads Etsy Shop.  Or Swing by the Des Moines Waterfront Farmers Market this June 2nd from 10 to 2...... Ooooorrrrr visit Persnkickety's Awesomeness Emporium in Pacific Washington, and pick one up there.  
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 Of course I am always happy to make custom orders with any favorite quote or saying you have.  I can also customize any print with any color as well.  Feel free to message me and let me know what ideas you've got!!!

"Beep Beep" from The Little Road!

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

MY ROOTS LIE HERE

  I grew up in Paradise California.  Yes, it is all its name implies.  A quaint little town nestled between oaks and pines, where the dirt is red and the stars are oh so much bigger and brighter then where we live here in Washington.  The instant you stroll in to town, time lapses to a slow molasses pace, where nothing is worth hurrying for and no one is willing to give into demanding pressure to do anything "quickly."  It is Paradise as far as I'm concerned.  It's a different way to live life, and a different mentality that is excruciatingly rare to find up here in the bustling Seattle area.
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My Dad still lives in our old house at the end of a dead end street, where herds of dear mozy past your window, sometimes peeking in.  He has quite the pact of wild animals that show up throughout the day for whatever treats my Dad may leave them in the back yard or in the old cat dish on the porch... (He hasn't actually had a cat for several years now.)  He does, however, have pet skunks, Hawks, Jackrabbits, Blue jays, and my favorite Mr. Fox.  He tends to keep the shop door cracked, to let the lizards in to eat the bugs, but we've caught a few skunks taking warm evening naps inside from the rain.
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There is an old tree in the back yard that someone, some years back wrapped a hose around, that is now just part of the tree.  There are canyons to explore and iced over ponds to scurry across.  Tadpoles to catch, and june bugs to run away from.  We even have a peacock farm not too far away, so sometimes the occasional peacock will find its way onto our deck.
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My roots lie here. Where the dirt is red and dusty.  Where the cars are covered in yellow dust during the spring.  Where ducks cross the road.... and where people stop and wait for them.  Where the heat is dry but the people are not. Where my family and closest friends are 5 minutes away.  Where we can jump in the flume and let it take you on a wild ride.  Where our favorite secret swimming hole is so deep, you can't even find the bottom.  Where our skin is tan and itchy from poison oak.  Where love and cortisone cream is all around.

My Roots Lie Here.


"Beep Beep" from The Little Road!

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

PERSNICKETY'S GRAND OPENING THIS SATURDAY!!

Im sad to say that I will be out of town this weekend and have to miss it, but you.... you should be in town right?!!  Head down to Pacific Algona this Saturday and be one of the first people to see Persnickety's in action!! Also, be one of the first people to grab some amazing hand made crafts, furniture, antiques and gifts.  There are some amazing creative designers being featured this Saturday, myself included.  "The Little Road" will have over 100 items featured this weekend, and everyone needs a little more "Little Road" right!?

Here is a sneek peak at some items you can catch this weekend from "The Little Road!"


Fancy Antique Door, Chalkboarded to Perfection!



Upcycled Jewelry Organizers!


Oh the places you could go with this Mexi Cali Suit Case!



Golden Seashells Galor In This Vintage Letterpress Drawer.



Fancy Mossy Houses Any Bird Would Love.


An Upcycled Wash Basket.


More WanderFull Suitcases!


And Don't Forget Your Vintage Silver Full Of Living Suculents.

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So make sure you come check it out this Saturday.  Just take the 167 Freeway and get off on 8th Street, youll bump right into Persnickety's!
136 Stewart Road SE Suite E1
Pacific Washington.
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Tell them The Little Road sent ya!!


"Beep Beep" from The Little Road!!!


Friday, May 4, 2012

THE BOSS

I bet you didn't know that I have a boss!  Her name is Tula.
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She supervises all happenings and creations in this household.


She inspects all our projects to make sure they are of quality.


And tells us strait forward when our work is sub par or too over the top.


She keeps us on track at all times.


She makes sure we take our mandated breaks.
And she knows that siestas are frequently necessary, to provide a more energized work period.
And above all else, she knows that friendship always belongs in the work place!
Everyone should have a boss like Tula.

"Beep Beep" from The Little Road!