Barn Sale

Vicki of Accio Fabrics calls to say she's going to a barn sale and do I want to meet her? Oh, of course. I'm thinking, "Well, I need a new hand pruner and maybe there'll be some old wood for projects."
All I can say is. . . glad I remembered my checkbook!

This barn was full of the most amazing crafts I've seen in a while. Absolute artistry! And, there were even art classes by one of the vendors. I did locate a blog about this called Na-Da Farm Life; check it out to find out more about the artists, especially if you live in the Chicago area. All I had was a phone camera so these aren't the greatest. A sampling:

journals, cards, coin purse, candles

"altered books" how ingenious!

that's a real freaking cat, friends.

awesome mirror

hard to see--this is a thimble with baubles for flowers

a leather bracelet with buckle and hanging embellishments

an altered rosary-wow!

the displays went right up the sides of the barn

lace made into a necklace on a paper mache form

"I am a beautiful mess"  mixed media

see the "create"? yeah, someone fashioned that out of newspaper and has a bunch of items for sale pinned to the display

tomato cages, wrapped in lace with gigantic newspaper flowers at the bottom hang from the ceiling

yes, live chicks are part of the display. I was loving the painted wooden doll with text, but out of my price range!

boring lampshade? add lace and embroidery!

tie-dyed lingerie anyone?

boring burlap bag? PUT A BIRD ON IT! Okay, you caught me--I don't really like this 'cocky' bag, but it's a neat idea and a running joke in the crafting world right now...  

straight-up acrylic painting

So, you may be asking, what did I purchase? Maybe not but go with the flow... (and click for a bigger pic)

mixed media journal cover that fits an 8-1/2 X 11 notebook: the heart is a trapunto-style velvet  so it's more 3D-ish.  Amazing, no? Love the vintage bark cloth and saint's medal. I write down 5 things every day that I am grateful for; I thought this would be lovely on my nightstand.

upcycled domino

and some homemade soap from a goat farmer's wife

And for those of you who are asking, where's the freaking fabric?! I scored this load of Marcia Derse's "Third in Line" line at Acorn Quilts:

Did you really make it this far? You're the best! Come back Monday for Sew Mama Sew's Giveaway Day!!