Blog Interview #1 of 2010

Because of an overwhelming response to the blog interviews

featured on my blog in 2009,

I've decided to conduct more blog interviews over the next little while.

Please welcome Laura of 52 Flea.

Thank you for doing this interview, Laura.

Please tell us a little bit about yourself ...

I have been happily married for an incredible number of years to my one and only...and we have a wonderful son who just graduated law school and a beautiful daughter

who is a model as well as a talented artist.

I recently left the corporate world where I was Director of Human Resources for a privately owned mid sized company for many, many years.

Since retiring, I am finding my way, loving having the time to pursue my passion for all things vintage and exploring my creative and artistic side.

I have been a collector and decorated with antiques and collectibles for decades!

Why did you begin blogging?

I decided to blog in February 2009 after being encouraged to do so by my girlfriends. It has become my creative outlet and a means to share all my collections and decorating ideas.

52 Flea is an interesting name for a blog. What's its significance?

There are 52 weekends in a year...that means there are 52 opportunities to go to the flea market! The flea market is my favorite place to be...

Do you prefer to blog with words, pictures or both?

My posts are primarily pictures of my collections or adventures flea marketing or occasional travels...with a few words or short stories to accompany them.

Have you met people through blogging; if so,

please tell us about these friendships?

Many, many wonderful people! We took a trip to Italy in October 2009 and made a side trip toLucca in order to meet up with Valentina from Les Cotrions. We had a wonderful visit over several days and correspond regularly now. I also met up with Zita from Mlle. Magpie when we traveled to Montreal this fall. She is a delightful person and I hope to visit again.

Did you design your blog or did you have it professionally done?

My blog is all me....very simply done.

Have you ever been featured in Artful Blogging?

The editors of Artful Blogging asked me to submit an article which I did and then they decided to publish it in Somerset Life instead...the winter edition 2010.

What does your "About Me" read on your blog?

A new beginning... Having recently left the corporate world and while getting used to an empty nest...I am finding my way...trying to figure out how best to share my collections and passion for all things old, antique or vintage...

What is your favourite blog feature?

I love taking pictures and sharing them on my blog.

Is there anything on your blog you'd like to change?

I am always on the verge of taking the followers button off because I find it intimidating. I leave it there because it makes it easy for people to find me if they want to follow along.

Do you ever blog when you don't "feel like it" ~ and if so, why do you?

I never, ever blog when I don't feel like it. But I love to blog so I do it a lot!

What themes would best describe your blog?

flea market, junk, antiques, collecting, art, decorating, travel, gardening, crafts

Do you have any interesting directions you want to take your blog in,

in the future?

I just want my blog to continue to be fun, a place to express myself artistically and creatively...and a place to make connections with kindred spirits...

Do you sell your artwork through your blog?

No, not at this time.

Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers?

I love meeting new people through blogging and I enjoy the camaraderie of our blogging community. It is so delightful to become friends with people who have similar interests.

Visit Laura's beautiful site ~ 52 Flea.

Weddings and Tea

We had a tea for my niece, Thina,

at Leduc's Dr. Woods Museum, yesterday.

The museum's current feature is

Bridal Fashions Throughout the Years.

Isn't it unusual to have both

a wedding gown and bridesmaid's dress (this dress was amazing!)

still in perfect shape from 1959?

What a treat.

I loved this gown.

Circa 1920s

Intricately beautiful headpiece.

I couldn't help but wonder if there is fruitcake under the sepia icing.

I think these shoes would have fit me ~ they were so cute ~ I really wanted to try them on!

Simple, crisp, pretty.

This gown had an exquisite design on the dress ~

unfortunately it doesn't show up in the photo.

These two gowns were some of the oldest in the show

from the early1900s.

Discussing wedding fashions

Thina with a bottle of Mrs. Stewart's Bluing.

Her maiden name was Stewart, so she had to have her photo taken

with the likeness of her mother :)

Another pretty headpiece

What a splendid way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

Whimsy

Whimsy has struck again!

Here are 3 more Wide Eyed Portraits I completed lately


Keyano


Mateaka


Matt

What do you collect?

There are many things I enjoy collecting...

Original ART
China Cup and Saucers
Souvenir Spoons
Van Gogh themed items
Box Cameras
Salt and Pepper Shakers
Vintage Advertising Art
Vintage Suitcases
and now ...

Pretty Cream and Sugar Sets!

My rule of thumb usually is: If I have 3 or more of an item, I collect it. Hmm ... guess that means I collect lava lamps too, but that is a whole other discussion.

What's with my latest collection? I have discovered that I simply adore cream and sugar sets. What good is a set of cream and sugar? Most people simply put a milk carton on the table and a bowl with sugar on the table when they serve tea or coffee. Call me old fashioned, but I love using cream and sugar sets for their intended purpose. However, I also enjoy find other uses for these beautiful items. I think they make perfect bud vases for a flower or two, don't you?

Leave me a comment and tell me what you collect.

Garlic

We discovered some fascinating info on garlic today ...


The American Psychosomatic Society reported testing 50 families and that those families had 8% more positive interactions and 22% less negatives ones.
Apparently garlic promotes healthy families
and
helps ward off vampires!