Jackism

Straight from the mouths of babes!

Our little mister says the funniest (often insightful) things. I try to keep a list going on my mobile of all his silly statements, but I'd have to be a stenographer to keep up with every single one of Jack's wacky sayings... We affectionately refer to them as Jackisms. 

Here's a Jackism I just had to turn into a doodle.

"Eating cake is a piece of cake!" ~ Jack

Jack was absolutely beside himself when he saw that his own words were going to be printed on  t-shirts, mugs, throw-pillows etc... "I'm gonna be famous!" he said.



Get your official Jackism on a at the Dueling Doodlers Society6 Shop!

Dueling Doodlers

I've told you before that my husband, Mr. Galore (a.k.a. Robert Wohl) is an extraordinarily talented illustrator. He also works a 9 to 5 that doesn't leave much room for him to flex his creative muscles.

Sometimes it's easy to get caught up in the whirl of day to day activities & lose sight of ones passions... But I tell you it would be an outright crime to waist such a gift as his. Lately things have become a little too lackadaisical round these parts for my liking. So that's why I recently challenged Mr. Galore to a duel... A doodling duel!

I call it "The Doodle A Day Challenge" & it goes like this: He has to draw one doodle everyday. It doesn't have to be fancy or even finished. Just some markings made on paper each day, to keep those creative juices from coagulating & becoming stagnant.

In order to make it a fair duel, I agreed to do the same.

❤ © Kitschy Galore ❤

Now, I told Mr. Galore that it didn't have to be much, but in reality I was anticipating some amazing things from Robbie's daily doodles.

What I wasn't expecting was to rediscover my own long lost love of doodling. You see...

Once upon a time I used to doodle all the time. Growing up as an only child in the country, my sketchpad was my primary form of entertainment. In recent years my art has moved in a different direction. I've been working mainly in three dimensions. Somewhere down the line I had lost all patience with drawing. Practically the only time I would put pencil to paper was to just scribble out an idea. In fact it had been such a long time since I'd really tried, that I had completely forgotten that I know how to draw & that I actually enjoy it.

Suddenly there's doodles all over the place! On the table & the floor & the couch & the counter etc..

Even the littlest Galore has joined in & he has been yielding some pretty decent little doodles of his own.  

❤ Illustration by Jack ❤

So there you have it. The doodling duel was a success. I presented my husband with a challenge designed to whip him into shape & get him creatively motivated again & something profound has happened... It did... For all of us!


Now that there's all these doodles floating about I decided it's high-time that we did something with them!

Today I’m proud to announce Dueling Doodlers Society6 Shop! Robert Wohl & I will be now be offering our doodles up as iPhone cases, art prints, t-shirts & more here!

❤ © Robert Wohl ❤

See for yourself! And as we're now both dutiful doodlers, we'll be posting more designs soon & often. Of course you'll be the first to know.

Stay tuned...

The Werehouse 2.0 Reboot

The Werehouse first opened in 2008 as a husband & wife mad scientist team. We tinkered with several experiments, the most important of which was The Roogie Cloning Project. This was deemed a fruitful operation. As time went on the clones grew quickly in numbers (as bunnies often do) to proportions beyond our control. We were forced to close the doors of The Werehouse & go into hiding.

In the past five years Robert Wohl (the husband) had to all but disappear. Hiding in the deepest darkest of places. conjuring up new devises & re-imagining a new future for our work. His wife, lab partner & muse took on the alias, Kitschy Galore (that's me), where she has met with international fame.

Together we've had many adventures & enjoyed several successes.

After recent discoveries we've determined The Werehouse is finally safe for operation. The new & improved & completely secure Werehouse will be specializing in Robert Wohl's custom cartoon commodities utilizing his latest & greatest invention yet, The Cartoon-O-Tron!

❤ © Robert Wohl ❤

Ready... Steady... All systems go!

Kitschy Cocktails {Salted Caramel Mocha Vodkaccino}

Here we are, already halfway through the first month of 2014! And while it is not my wish to derail anyone's praiseworthy new year's resolutions, I simply must share with you all this new decedent discovery I've made.

I give to you, The Salted Caramel Mocha Vodkaccino!

A scrumptious blend of rich mocha & buttery caramel, combined with bittersweet chocolate crunchies. The perfect mid-afternoon pick me up... But Beware, too many of these & you just may find yourself on the floor, calling for someone to pick you up.

Kitschy Galore's Salted Caramel Mocha Vodkaccino

Ingredients:

• 1 scoop Talenti Gelato Sea Salt Caramel

• 1 (9 1/2 ounce) Starbucks mocha Frappuccino

• 4 ounces vodka

• whipped cream 

• chocolate syrup *optional
• caramel syrup *optional

Directions:

1. Combine first three ingredients in a shaker & shake it, baby shake it! 
2. Pour into tall glass.
3. Top with whipped cream
4. Drizzle with a little chocolate & caramel syrup *optional
5. Enjoy!

 *Step number five is the most important step.

Cheers Deers! xx

Thrift Store Score Thursday {Hooked on Jesus}

Religious kitsch is one of my most favouite forms of kitschery! I also happen to have a weakness for  latch hook rugs. When I was the age of six or seven I had a panda bear hook rug pillow kit.  I never did finish it, but I do remember the feeling of satisfaction that it gave me when I finally did complete the pandas head.  I guess that's why I absolutely could not pass up this superb specimen of Christ carpeting for $4.99 at Saver's. When I got home, I sprawled it out on my bed to admire. 

I found myself imagining the lady who made this tapestry. In my minds eye, she was in her early sixties & did her work on a card table in her dark wood paneled den. She had sponge curlers in her hair & wore a coffee stained pink house coat. With a Pall Mall pinched tightly between her magenta lacquered lips, her hands nimbly labored away as she watched Judge Judy. I bet once she completed her masterpiece that her feelings were much the same as mine were when I had finished my panda's head.  She never got a chance to block the edges... I wonder why?

Of course there's no evidence that this women ever actually existed outside of my reverie. The rug itself doesn't even carry a trace of cigarette smoke. Still I feel that I owe it to my new imaginary friend to finish it for her.  I'm sure she intended for this showpiece to hang on the the wall. Perhaps above the television set, on one of those wood paneled walls of the very room she created her magnum opus in. 

I just don't see it as a wall hanging in my apartment & it's far to big to be a pillow!  I'm pretty sure it would be an act of heresy to actually use it as a rug. So Jesus is on my bed & I think that's where he will stay after I've turned him into a nice kitschy throw quilt. After all Jesus did say, "I am the bed; the person who lies on me will enter perpetual rest."

Until next time, happy hunting!


Cheers Deers! xx

Kitsch Anthem {Man Man - Head On}

I'm just smitten with Man Man's video for Head On! It features a delicious little ditty paired with a smorgasbord of choice Kitsch flicks... Including a few of my all time favouties: Carnival of Souls & Night Tide... Oh it gives me such thrills!

Thrift Store Score Thursday {Oh Deer God!}

Happy Thursday everyone! I hope you're all having a fantastic week!

Well, here we are again, another Thrift Store Score Thursday! You may remember my first Thrift Store Score Thursday post... Way back two whole weeks ago! I had stumbled upon the cornucopia of goodies that is Vinny's Antiques Center . Ever since then I've actually been dreaming about going back there & exploring further. At night my dreams would take me to doors of forgotten rooms, containing treasures untold. During the day my mind would wonder idly to a few prizes I had regrettably forgone. I'd think to myself, might they still be there or what new arrivals might be in store for me when I finally do return? I think it's safe to say that Vinny's had gotten under my skin.

So last Friday I was in full swing, getting ready for an early Oktoberfest soiree we were throwing at Hause Von Kitsch the following evening. There I was cooking & baking & making decorations feeling pretty confident that I had everything under control. I knew that certainly I wouldn't have to go back out & chase around for anything... Oh but that's when the madness hit! One of those bypassed  trinkets from Vinnie's that had been haunting me suddenly reentered my mind & simply would not go away. A deer head drink poorer! Really, I don't know how I could have ever passed that up in the first place?

Anyway I'm still not quite sure of what came over me, but the next thing I knew I was abandoning my Black Forest cupcakes & Bavarian flag bunting & pulling out of my driveway, heading in the direction of Vinnies Antiques Center.

It was a rather speedy expedition with *sigh* many stones left unturned (after all, I still had so very much to do) but I was on a mission. So I literally ran in & right back out of there, but I am certainly glad that I did!

Here's the Score

• Jägermeister deer head drink poorer $7.00

I am not really a beer drinker & I must say that little bucker absolutely was the pièce de résistance to my Jägermeister cocktails. Wouldn't you agree?

Now don't forget this here's a link party! If you have any thrift store scores you'd like to share we'd love to see them!

Never linked up to a party before? Here’s how: Scroll down, find the little blue “Add your Link” Button and click on that. Follow the instructions on the next page – add a great image of your project and an interesting title. Make sure you link to the direct page of your budget friendly post – not the main page of your blog! Try to visit at least a few other blogs at the party. Be sure to leave a comment to let them know you stopped by! Finally, please link back to this post somehow. There are badges available here; a simple text link is just fine too. That’s it! Feel free to tweet about Thrifty Thursday so others can join the fun, and don’t forget to check back here Sunday morning to see which posts have been featured this week! Link up your creative & thrifty ideas!
Read more at http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/2013/08/22/thrifty-thursday-week-24/#2604RZxqReS3Wkre.99

Never linked up to a party before? Here’s how: Scroll down, find the little blue “Add your Link” Button and click on that. Follow the instructions on the next page – add a great image of your project and an interesting title. Make sure you link to the direct page of your budget friendly post – not the main page of your blog! Try to visit at least a few other blogs at the party. Be sure to leave a comment to let them know you stopped by! Finally, please link back to this post somehow. There are badges available here; a simple text link is just fine too. That’s it! Feel free to tweet about Thrifty Thursday so others can join the fun, and don’t forget to check back here Sunday morning to see which posts have been featured this week! Link up your creative & thrifty ideas!
Read more at http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/2013/08/22/thrifty-thursday-week-24/#2604RZxqReS3Wkre.99

Never linked up to a party before? Here’s how: Scroll down, find the little blue “Add your Link” Button and click on that. Follow the instructions on the next page – add a great image of your project and an interesting title. Make sure you link to the direct page of your budget friendly post – not the main page of your blog! Try to visit at least a few other blogs at the party. Be sure to leave a comment to let them know you stopped by! Finally, please link back to this post somehow. There are badges available here; a simple text link is just fine too. That’s it! Feel free to tweet about Thrifty Thursday so others can join the fun, and don’t forget to check back here Sunday morning to see which posts have been featured this week! Link up your creative & thrifty ideas!
Read more at http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/2013/08/22/thrifty-thursday-week-24/#2604RZxqReS3Wkre.99

Never linked up to a party before? Here’s how: Scroll down, find the little blue “Add your Link” Button and click on that. Follow the instructions on the next page – add a great image of your project and an interesting title. Make sure you link to the direct page of your budget friendly post – not the main page of your blog! Try to visit at least a few other blogs at the party. Be sure to leave a comment to let them know you stopped by! Finally, please link back to this post somehow. There are badges available here; a simple text link is just fine too. That’s it! Feel free to tweet about Thrifty Thursday so others can join the fun, and don’t forget to check back here Sunday morning to see which posts have been featured this week!
Read more at http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/2013/08/22/thrifty-thursday-week-24/#2604RZxqReS3Wkre.99

Simply scroll down to the bottom of this post & click on the little blue button. Drop in your link, add an eye catching title & volia you're done!

You can link to your blog, tumblr, Pinterst, flickr whatever.  Also please be sure to link back here & use the hashtags #thriftstorescorethursday

For more thrift store scores follow Kitschy's Thrift Store Score Pinterest Board  This is a group board. So if you'd like to be added as a contributor email me at kitschygalore@yahoo.com


Until next time, happy hunting!


Cheers Deers! xx

Kitschy Couture {Seeing Spots}

Did you know that you can cultivate & increase your happiness simply by wearing a polka dot dress?  It's true! According to happiness experts & positive psychologists simply glimpsing a polka dot pattern prompts a release of a number of "feel good" hormones in humans, including serotonin, prolactin & oxytocin.

So that means that the mere act of  wearing spots will increase your happiness, therefore your quality of life & ultimately your productivity & enjoyment of your work... Not to mention that you'll be spreading cheer to everyone you see (or rather sees you) wherever you go... Sort of like a good deed doer! So I say don a speckled suit without apology or fear. You'll be doing yourself & everyone around you a favor.

Of course cupcakes & cocktails will always do the trick too! 

❤ Portrait credit goes to Mr. Galore a.k.a. Robert Wohl ❤

What I Wore

Dress ~ shabby apple

Headband ~ Claire's 

Apron ~ thrift gift from my deer sister in law

Shoes ~ Payless

Hope you're all having a lovely day...

Cheers Deers! xx

Kitsch of the Day {Doggy Style}

 Who knew letting the dog on the bed could look this good?

Luxury long pile has long been a classic kitsch staple, but this bowwow boudoir takes it to a whole new level! Just think of the puppy dreams you might have whilst slumbering on this shaggy mongril mattress set. Oh & it comes in three sumptuous shades... Bitchin!

Thrift Store Score Thursday {Pussyfooting Around}

One Wednesday a couple months back I was at the local Salvation Army. You'll usually find me at Sal's on Wednesdays as it is "Family Day" & that means almost everything there is half off!

Well on this particular Wednesday I was perusing the shoe section when I felt someone watching me. I looked up & our eyes met. We stood there, looking at each other, saying nothing. But it was the kind of nothing that meant everything. Oh how I had always wanted a pair of T.U.K. shoes... Of course being the penny-wise woman that I am, I could never justify the $100 price tag that came with them. But  here they were, a pristine pair of T.U.K. kitty-cat Mary Janes staring me right in the face! 

In no time flat I was trying them on. I took a big breath & held it as I slid my toes into those babies &  released a huge sigh of relief when I saw that indeed they did fit... perrrfectly. Then right there on the spot I did a little dance in them because they were mine! And the best part was since it was Family Day they were only $12.50! Isn't that just the cat's meow?!

Here's the Score

•T.U.K. kitty-cat Mary Janes $12.50

Now don't forget this here's a link party! If you have any thrift store scores you'd like to share we'd love to see them!

Never linked up to a party before? Here’s how: Scroll down, find the little blue “Add your Link” Button and click on that. Follow the instructions on the next page – add a great image of your project and an interesting title. Make sure you link to the direct page of your budget friendly post – not the main page of your blog! Try to visit at least a few other blogs at the party. Be sure to leave a comment to let them know you stopped by! Finally, please link back to this post somehow. There are badges available here; a simple text link is just fine too. That’s it! Feel free to tweet about Thrifty Thursday so others can join the fun, and don’t forget to check back here Sunday morning to see which posts have been featured this week! Link up your creative & thrifty ideas!
Read more at http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/2013/08/22/thrifty-thursday-week-24/#2604RZxqReS3Wkre.99

Never linked up to a party before? Here’s how: Scroll down, find the little blue “Add your Link” Button and click on that. Follow the instructions on the next page – add a great image of your project and an interesting title. Make sure you link to the direct page of your budget friendly post – not the main page of your blog! Try to visit at least a few other blogs at the party. Be sure to leave a comment to let them know you stopped by! Finally, please link back to this post somehow. There are badges available here; a simple text link is just fine too. That’s it! Feel free to tweet about Thrifty Thursday so others can join the fun, and don’t forget to check back here Sunday morning to see which posts have been featured this week! Link up your creative & thrifty ideas!
Read more at http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/2013/08/22/thrifty-thursday-week-24/#2604RZxqReS3Wkre.99

Never linked up to a party before? Here’s how: Scroll down, find the little blue “Add your Link” Button and click on that. Follow the instructions on the next page – add a great image of your project and an interesting title. Make sure you link to the direct page of your budget friendly post – not the main page of your blog! Try to visit at least a few other blogs at the party. Be sure to leave a comment to let them know you stopped by! Finally, please link back to this post somehow. There are badges available here; a simple text link is just fine too. That’s it! Feel free to tweet about Thrifty Thursday so others can join the fun, and don’t forget to check back here Sunday morning to see which posts have been featured this week! Link up your creative & thrifty ideas!
Read more at http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/2013/08/22/thrifty-thursday-week-24/#2604RZxqReS3Wkre.99

Never linked up to a party before? Here’s how: Scroll down, find the little blue “Add your Link” Button and click on that. Follow the instructions on the next page – add a great image of your project and an interesting title. Make sure you link to the direct page of your budget friendly post – not the main page of your blog! Try to visit at least a few other blogs at the party. Be sure to leave a comment to let them know you stopped by! Finally, please link back to this post somehow. There are badges available here; a simple text link is just fine too. That’s it! Feel free to tweet about Thrifty Thursday so others can join the fun, and don’t forget to check back here Sunday morning to see which posts have been featured this week!
Read more at http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/2013/08/22/thrifty-thursday-week-24/#2604RZxqReS3Wkre.99

Simply scroll down to the bottom of this post & click on the little blue button. Then follow the directions on the next page & volia you're done!

You can link to your blog, tumblr, Pinterst, flickr whatever.  Also please be sure to link back here & use the hashtags #thriftstorescorethursday

For more thrift store scores follow Kitschy's Thrift Store Score Pinterest Board  This is a group board. So if you'd like to be added as a contributor email me at kitschygalore@yahoo.com


Until next time, happy hunting!


Cheers Deers! xx

Thift Store Score Thursday {First Edition}

Hello darlings & welcome to the first-ever Kitschy Galore Thrift Store Score Thursday!

It's no secret that I have an insatiable desire for the outré.  In fact I'm always on the prowl, looking to feed my addiction. It's true, I scour consignment shops, flea markets, tag sales & the like in search of rare & sparkly things for my nest.

On those momentous occasions when I do discover that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow I become so giddy... I just feel so full, like I might start to spill & I just gotta share my scrimply scrumptious swag with someone!

That's why from this day forward I declare Thursdays to be a day to celebrate & share those finds & maybe even a story or two.

I would also like to invite you to join in... Let's make it a link party! If you have some nifty thrifty finds you'd like to share, scroll down & click on the blue button below & post your link. You can link to your blog, tumblr, Pinterst, flickr whatever.  Just make sure to link back to this post & use the hashtags #thriftstorescorethursday

In addition, I've set up a Thrift Store Score Pinterest Board  This is a group board. So if you'd like to be added as a contributor email me at kitschygalore@yahoo.com

Let the games begin!

So on this particular Thursday I stumbled across Vinny's Antiques Center over in Seekonk, MA. It proved to be an absolute treasure trove & I predict Vinny's will now be one of my regular haunts.

Here's the Score

• Union Empire Snowman $9.50

• Ganiteware saucepan $2.00

• Pink Madonna bust $3.00

• Aluminum lunchbox $14.00

• Enameled sixshooter pins x2 $2.00

• Thermaster cooler $20.00

• McCoy bean crock $12.00

I have to say, on the ride home we did received a bit of attention... But I'm not surprised. Being that I drive I compact vehicle & also having the little mister in tow there was no other place to put the snowman but in the front passenger's seat. So there we were, in the middle of August, bumping down the road in our little double yellow VW Beetle, with a snowman riding shotgun... & me grinning like a Cheshire cat the whole way home.

Until next time, happy hunting!


 Cheers Deers! xx

Holiday Sale!

Friday, November 23rd - Monday, November 26th enjoy FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING on everything in the shop! Visit Kitschy’s Facebook Page for an exclusive coupon code & additional savings! 
                              Cheers Deers! xx

Last time on Kitschy Galore...

I can't believe it has been almost two years since my last post! Needless to say, a lot has happened & I won't bore you with all the details. Instead let's bullet point just a few highlights, shall we?

•  First off, the Galore family is finally settled into the new Kitschy Headquarters, located in the charming little seaside town of Bristol, Rhodes Island.  We absolutely love it here!

• Sadly we've lost a few good men along the way.

Houdini (our sweet little hammie) has sadly passed away. The poor darling. Hamsters are never long for this world.

Also my beloved Spike, our pet pug & my muse of 10 years lost his battle with cancer. I am still struggling with his absence as we approach this two year anniversary of transition.

 Then there is Ouija a.k.a. Hellcat. His is a much cheerier tale, as he has met his happily ever after  with Gramma & Grampa a.k.a. Mr. Galore's Mum & Dad. We could not bring a cat to the new place & as it just so happened Gramma & Grampa had just lost there sweet little kitty a few months prior. So they were in need of a pussycat, Ouija was in need of a new home & I was in much need of some sleep. It was a win for everyone.

The shape of our family has changed very much in these past two years. Though some of the these changes have been rather difficult, we have had many blessings too. I am extremely excited to share this one with you...

• There's a new Galore in town. Officially he goes by Dust Bunny, but he has also been know to answer to Dusty, Dusty Buns & Bundoo. He is so funny & always up to some mischief or another. He has brought our family so much joy & I'm sure this won't be the last post featuring Dust Bunny.

• The Kitschy Galore Etsy shop has undergone a few changes as well. There are some brand new items in the shop & even more to come... So be sure to visit & visit often!  Also, I am absolutely delighted to report that the phenomenally talented illustrator & my partner-in-crime, Robert Wohl a.k.a Mr. Galore has just created a series called 'Roadside Kitsch'. It's a series of prints featuring the most iconic landmarks America's roads have to offer & you can find them exclusively at  Kitschy Galore!

So there yo have it, two years in review. I do hope you'll come back again soon. I promise my next post wont be two years down the road. Until then... Cheers Deers!

Abecedary of Kitsch ~ A

Animal prints have long been synonymous with kitsch, but before they were in bad taste, they were in vogue. For your musings here is,  Animal Prints - A Brief History:


Once upon a time people hunted animals out of necessity. They used the meat from the animals they killed to keep themselves well fed & they used skin from the animals to keep themselves well protected from the vagaries of nature. As people have progressed in evolution, animal skins have too.

The Flintstones source: thecartoonpictures.com

As time went by clothing surpassed the point of functionality & entered into the fabulous world of fashion. Kings & queens & other people of high society adorned themselves in exotic furs sporting speckles & stripes. Animal prints became a symbol of wealth & status.

King George III 1762 portrait by Allen Ramsay

Fast forward a few millennia, & in 1962 first lady & fashion icon Jackie Kennedy departed for a solo tour of India & Pakistan, donning a stunning leopard coat, long black gloves & black pillbox hat... Needless to say the fashion natives went wild! 

Jacquelin Kennedy 1962 source: thestyleandbeautydoctor

The demand for exotic furs skyrocketed!... & where there is the desire for decadence, there is always the cheap knockoffs lurking not too far behind. Reproductions of endangered jungle predators stormed the scene.

leopard décor source: voodootrash

 Throughout the 1960's jungle fever raged on while another scene began to take hold.... The hippie movement & with it so came the "Save the Tiger" campaign.  These righteous activists sent the international trade of exotic furs into decline. The once $30 million business may be all but extinct, but one things for sure....  Polyester pelts, be it faux leopard, tiger or zebra, are one kitsch staple that is here to stay!

Befurred Cadillac source: Feb. 1950 LIFE magazine

kitsch(kitsch)

Pronunciation:/kiCH, kɪtʃ/

noun

• art, objects, or design considered to be in poor taste because of excessive garishness or sentimentality, but sometimes appreciated in an ironic or knowing way:the lava lamp is an example of sixties kitsch

 

Origin:
German 1925;  < G, deriv. of kitschen  to throw together (a work of art)

—Related forms

kitschy, adjective

 

Dictionary by Oxford University Press 2011  

  

 

The Great Houdini

I thought I might take a moment to introduce you to the newest member of the Galore Family... Meet Houdini! We got her (yes her) a little while ago & she has proven to be just the cutest, sweetest, most cuddliest Cricetinae that I have ever encountered.

She is very unique. She enjoys being picked up & played with. She doesn't try to run all around like other hamsters do forcing you the handler, to put one hand in front of the other forming a tiny hamster treadmill. She just sits there, perched in my hand looking up at me, as I pet her. Her cage is located on the bookcase next to the computer, so she is at eye level with me for a good part of most days as I merrily type away. The computer seems to be a great source of entertainment for Houdini, as she spends most of her time plunked down in front of her food dish nibbling nibbling & peering out between the cage bars watching the computer screen flash & flicker. Sometimes I will look over at her & catch her eyeing me. So I will open the cage door & stroke her from her head to her tail gently with my index finger. She responds much like a dog would, by reaching her front paws in front & pushing her back paws back, until she's all stretched out on her belly & thoroughly enjoying her full body massage.

She is indeed a rare treasure & an old soul & I am delighted to have her here in our home & in our hearts.

Oh!... & she really likes it when I play the ukulele for her.

A Chairy Tale Come True

I just finished redoing these old metal chairs ...

I was so dern pleased with how they came out, I just had to share.

It's amazing what a fresh coat of paint will do!

YES UKE CAN!

Wise words from a wise man.

A few weeks back I had the opportunity to attend a ukulele for beginners workshop downtown at Wakefield Music Company. It was taught by ukulele virtuoso Jim Beloff a.ka. Jumpin' Jim. Who with the help of his lovely wife Liz, has produced over 20 ukulele songbooks... One of which I own & am rather fond of & have found it to be quite useful. Jim was so kind as to sign it for me.

I had a lot of fun at the workshop & met a lot of interesting people & I now feel confident that someday (soon I hope) I will be crossing that "learn to play one song on the ukulele" off my bucket list. In truth I can muddle may way through a handful a ditties... but my goal is to play at least one song really really well & when I finally do reach that goal, I will post a video (my world debut) on this here blog.

For now I have another video for you. Apparently The Providence Journal was at the workshop. Somehow I missed that there were people with cameras in the room at the time... I suppose I was just too busy strumming away to notice. My hope is that maybe you will catch the uke bug too. As I share the same belief as the late great George Harrison did... That the world would be a better place if everyone learned to play the ukulele. I know it sure has brought me a whole lot of happiness. Anyway here's the video... Keep your eyes pealed for the nerdy girl in the big glasses! ;D

Flew the Coop!

We just returned from a spontaneous vacation at The Chickie Coop!

The Chicky Coop is the name of the camp my family owns up in Pemaquid Maine. It's just a teeny tiny little place right by the ocean, there's no internet access & barely any cellphone reception... & it might just be the most glorious place here on earth!

Two weeks ago feeling a bit frazzled & needing a break from things, we decided to pack our bags & head up to The Coop for a short weekend get away... But one weekend turned into one week... & one week then turned into a week & a half.

We had a lovely time sunning ourselves on the beach & sea-glass hunting & exploring the towns & meeting all kinds of colorful characters. All of them very friendly I must say. Every house there is just about the cutest thing you ever did see & I swear if you live on any one of the main roads heading to the beach, you can set up shop & sell just about anything you could possibly think of & you'd make a killing!... & do you know what?... they do! We saw little eateries, people selling art & crafts, native blueberries & all kinds of stuff!... Right there in their front yards! I think that is just so exciting! If I lived there, I think I would have to set up a lil' ol' camper & some picnic tables with bright cheery umbrellas & It would be my very own Kitschy lunch wagon... maybe I'd sell hot dogs with fancy qourmet toppings... & of course art too!

Painting by Amy Rice

It is my greatest dream to live in Maine & someday by golly I am going up there & never coming back! But for now we're back home at Kitschy Manor, feeling very well rested & ready to tackle any & all of life's little challenges.

Back to reality!

Ketchup

2010 To Do List -Let's Review!

[✓] Get an awesome website -While awesome may be debatable, a website non the less!

[✓] Start blogging -All be it infrequently... it counts!

[✓] Move "Danger Room" to a larger work space -THIS I am most pleased about. Pictures coming soon!

[✓] Stock Etsy shop -Even more to come!

[✓] Lose 20 pounds -I lost 22 lbs!! However, I first gained roughly 10 lbs since making this goal for myself & so actually it's more like a 12 lb loss.

[ ] Join a street team -Oh but which one?There's just so many to choose from.

[✓] Learn to play at least one song on the ukulele -I'm not that great yet, but I can muddle my way through 2 whole songs & as a matter of fact, tonight I am going to a Ukulele Workshop downtown to hopefully learn a thing or two from the man who wrote the book I've been trying to teach myself from... none other than Jumpin' Jim himself!

[ ] Acquire 3 wholesale accounts -2 so far! You will now find Kitschy Galore's designs at 2 boutiques in Paris, France!

Les Fluers Boutique & Le Corner des Créateurs

[✓] Drink more water -2 liters a day!

[✓] Tame "Hellcat" -He has been much more friendly since we had his pompoms trimmed... Be that as it may, he is now restricted to the confines of the upstairs bathroom (or "The Pussy Room" as we like to call it) at bedtime, in order for me to access a full night's rest.

[ ] Make Kitschy Galore all it can be! -Onward & Upward!!!

I would like to take this moment to remember Rico, who passed away this past April. For those of you who didn't know, Rico was a lifelong friend as true as true can be & the best damn fish anyone has ever had. Goodbye dearest Rico.

R.I.P. Rico 2007-2010