Canton, TX... Day two!

And then there were six!

Jennifer and her mom showed up to take on the arts and crafts world with us on Friday! Check out that sunrise. Oh, yes maam, we were the FIRST ones there!! We DON'T PLAY when it comes to the best parking places and getting first dibs on the cutest of the cute! And by the way, would you look at that cart bag? That was Jenn's first EVER sewing project. Oh, girl. It's on like a chicken bone! JinJin wants the IT cart for Canton next year, so now ol Mo has to figure out how to do that... with ricrac, and fringe, and sequins, and..... She WILL be the envy of the Canton crowd. Oh yes. She WILL!

Cousin Cherry Sue and Cousin Sissy had to be there early to get their pick of the electric scooters.

The booths weren't even open yet, and Mom and I had already scoped out some finds. When this dude finally walked up (at opening time of 8:00!), he was fired up that he'd already made some sales.

For instance, I HAD TO HAVE this cart. It is going to get all kinds of use!! First, it is going by my front door with pumpkins and mums, and moss, and all kinds of fallish stuff. And then, what can we do for Christma? I am taking recommendations! The winner will get a prize!! And speaking of, LeaAnn, did you get your present from, oh, about a year ago?!

Second big purchase...

Both mom and I had to have this cute iron carriage. You put a pumpkin in it to look like the Cinderella carriage. I neeeeeeed it to be by my back door!! Or maybe even in my girls' room.

And Staci, do you still read my blog?! If you DO, and you let me know you read this, then I will personalize the six of these that I bought for you to put each family member's name on for your front flower bed. I have pumpkins with all our names on them, and LOVE them! So, I guess we'll see!

I indeed did get that cute little patchwork peace sign dress/ shirt for my preteen!

And then, the heavens opened up and I saw THIS!! I got the cutest beads with Christmas trees and Snowflakes for my Camp Creative kids to make for their mamas in our classes in November. One thing's for sure, their moms will NOT regret their being in my class!! They'll be getting all kinds of goodies!

Oh, and we'll be doing some mosaics on these before long. (probably in the January class!)

And for my upcoming boy class (Girls will do these too!), we'll be making these. I knew I was collecting license plates all these years for something!!

And I've been BEGGING Todd to make these for me to have each kid paint and personalize, then store their weekly project supplies in their own boxes. I think I've just about worn him down!

Jin and I were functioning on little sleep. But then again, what else is new? I kind of got my sleeping habits from her!

So, around 8:30 and when the rest of the world started arriving, mom and I had already been to the car three times. I kid you not!

I had to snap this and also send the picture to Staci because only she would understand and "get" that our mama cannot resist a) costume jewelry, and b) colorful blingy rubber watches!!

And I may as well admit, I cannot resist booths like this.... Meet Donna!

she is a fellow artsy fartsy soul! I bought LOTS of stuff in this booth and can't wait to try and duplicate some of it for Camp Creative. I also think I convinced her that she needs to come to my fabric art retreat. Yes, I am having one ... someday!

She is just one of those people who get just as excited as I do about sharing information and the LOVE of making things. I had to have an Iphone sleeve, an iPad cover (even though I don't have an iPad. I figure I will someday!), a saweet headband, and a couple of gifts for my Camp Creative helpers.

So, if you feel like it, go check out Donna's stuff at www.SewingMendsTheSoul.etsy.com. I went there today, and she has her stuff with her at Canton for now. But, check back later next week. And tell her Melanie sent ya!

See? I told ya! This is our first effort to pack the car!

There are all kinds of transportation we see there. Check out this electric scooter with a pull behind seat from a boat! I can so see my cousins, Cherry and Sissy doing this one year. Come on girls, keep it redneck!

There is no way I could possibly capture the enormity of Canton grounds with photos! We were in some breezeway, and I couldn't even figure out where I was myself. It is acres and acres and acres of buildings and outdoor booths, and I swear, I get so turned around that I can't find my way back without asking for help! By back, I mean to my car.

You can get so many decorating ideas.

And projects for future pursuit! Hey boys, we WILL be doing this bottlecap frame too!

Then there is this whole population of people who feel the need to bring their PETS to the Trade Days. WHY!? This Housewife of Texas felt like she needed, along with her purple halter dress, to bring her THREE dogs, all in outfits and blinged out collars. If you only knew the populous of this place and how crowded things were, you'd understand why I just do not get it! I am sure they'll be fine at home until you get back. Sorry all you animal fanatics, but puhleeze.

Ugh! I really need to lose weight. But I probably won't, so just look at my cute headband instead! Camp Creative girls... I think this is week 3 or 4!

A

nd then we made it out to the acres of garage sale goodies.We actually had a timeline on which we had to stay in order to get home in time for Todd's niece's bachelorette party. Sooooo... I had to skip about 300 or so booths this way! :(

Jinnie really wanted this, but we hadd absolutely NO WAY to get it home.

And just how cute would this be in a pot by the front door?

There all kinds of characters out there. Mama is ducking her head here because she could not get herself together when one of said characters came to our table here and told me, when I inquired about a price, "They are six dollars each or 2 for 5 dollars.".

She was so tickled. She could not get it together. I was saying, "Mom. That's rude! Stop laughing." I suppose being a math nerd, she kinda found more humor in it than I could.

I had the best lemonade I have ever had! I think I've already said that. But, I can't get over that lemonade! Made with real sugar!! I'm gonna miss it.

There is something for everyone at Canton! Did you need a canoe?!

I would LOVE to have this old wagon. It would look really cool in my yard! But even more, I would like the full sized sleigh to decorate with at Christmas. It is behind this wagon, and if you can believe it, I didnt' get a pic of it!

More cute decorating. I love the empty bottles on the table, with moss, sticks, and a miniature skeleton that I happen to know came off a garland at Michael's, because I happened to buy it last week!

And that garland on the mirror over there are black cats cut out of black cardstock. there were also bats everywhere. That's cute, cheap decorating right there!

Last year, Cherry's mom, my Aunt Bonnie, Jin's sister... (get all that!), asked Cherry to get her a turkey. Now understand, this first weekend of October that we choose to meet up every year, there are Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations EVERYwhere! And turkeys abound! But, Cherry chose this "turkey" to take home to her mama!

ANybody get why this is so funny!?

Can you say, P.E.A.C.O.C.K.??

I was just about ready to give this old piece of furniture away, since it's been in our garage crowding me out of a parking place since we moved here, when I saw this...

Oh, yes sir! I WILL be painting it some fun color and sticking it in Miss Gabbi Girl's room! Or somewhere!

And then came time to hit the road.

We had to go back to our original dude, from whom we bought the iron cart, and also from whom I bought this AWESOME 5' or so round iron piece to mount on my house, to come and help us REpack the car AGAIN to get it all in there. He did it, and we were I-20 East bound for West Monroe!

Another year of Canton has come and gone. Inspiring! Fun! Rejuvenating!

Have a good weekend, y'all!

(and can you believe it's October!??)

MO