Monday, March 21, 2016

Garden Show:Navy Pier


Chicago Flower and Garden Show at Navy Pier, Chicago 

Navy Pier celebrates its 100th year anniversary in 2016. We usually go to the Spring  flower and garden show every year, but we missed it this year. I so enjoy smelling dirt and flowers in the middle of a Chicago Winter. These pictures are from the 2013 show, but just looking at them, I swear I can smell wafts from the tulips and roses.


"Built in 1916 as Municipal Pier #2, Navy Pier was planned to serve as a cargo facility for lake freighters and to provide docking space for passenger excursion steamers.
However, with the onset of WWII, the Navy needed much more space for technical training.  In August 1941, Navy Pier was closed to the public, and converted to a Navy training center designated to accommodate up to 10,000 service personnel. A large hangar-type building and a drill hall were built on 20 acres just west of the pier. Six days before the attack on Pearl Harbor, classes began for aviation machinist mates, metalsmiths, and diesel mechanics.

In mid-1946, with WWII over, the Navy returned the pier to the City of Chicago. In the four and one-half years under the Navy, over 60,000 servicemen from the U.S. and Allied nations trained at the pier."

 http://www.chicagomaritimemuseum.org/archives/navy-pier/

Source

Today: Celebrating it's 100th year anniversary in 2016, Navy Pier houses: the Chicago Children's Museum, dockings for various Lake Michigan and Chicago River Cruises, 3-D IMAX theatres, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, hosts the Tall Ships, America's Cup (sailing race), various shows, exhibits, cultural and social events, multiple restaurants and shops, and a lots of international kiosks. Parking is below, and the facility is served by the trolley system, buses, taxis, and is a doable walk from the train stations on a really nice day. In the summer heat, the pier is always breezy and cool, jutting out into the lake.

THINK GREEN!

One of the first views in the show, was this great collection of Tulips, all in full bloom.

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 You can't help but hum, "Tip-toe, through the Tulips", while walking around this exhibit.


One of my favorite venues is the tablescapes which incorporated the theme, "An Art-Full Table". Each year some table arrangements are displayed with a theme. Sometimes there are specific culture themed tables,  one of my favorites was this Asian inspired table arrangement.


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From the antiques and Chinnoiserie fabrics, the pearl-inlaid chairs to the gorgeous blue and white porcelain chairs and vases, this was so my style.  I loved the fabric and the simple use of grasses, branches and simple white mums.

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More elaborate was this sumptious display of vegetables, succulents, roses and grapes from Mariano's, a grocery chain in Chicago which was also a sponser for the show. Love all the colors here...nothing really screaming at you, just lush, rich, and beautiful.


A unique exhibit of shoe/art, from a group of artists:Women's Journeys in Fiber presented Footwear: Women's Stories. They were all gorgeous and unique. I thought these two caught the flavor of the show.

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"Experiencing The World - One-Step-At-A-Time" Jean Reed 

This represented being in the gorgeous outdoors, and also my well-worn boots I wear while gardening. These sandals are so much fun, with natural fibers, cork, and felted flowers.


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"Cattail Memories on Honey Lake" Julia Rivera
These sandals are so much fun, with natural fibers, cork, and felted flowers.
 
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Most of my pictures were of greenery and garden accents. I loved all the welded sculptures made of old machinery parts and castoffs.  Perfect DIY projects.

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This bronze sculpture of a boy flying a flag is perfect for the Windy City. I didn't find the artist's name. As a mother of boys---their exhuberance is aptly depicted. So was the exhuberance of the daffodills. Mine are out of the ground about 4" and just waiting for a warm day.


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We have a small yard, but our favorites were the water features. Love this quaint Oriental bridge...or is it the bridge over Monet's Giverny pond? This was a sand island, completely surrounded by flowing watercreeks and a huge pond.

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Hiding beneath the bridge were Koi, too skittish to tread water for a picture.


Piano Waterfall Source
Other unusual garden ideas was the Piano Waterfall built into walls of rock and water spilling out of the keyboard. Here the maker's from Aquaspace, Inc. are are celebrating a job well done.


"There's Music in the Water, if you listen!" annonymous
I love the Papyrus. Mine was so root bound last Fall, I let it die. Four years is a long time to keep a papyrus, hauling it in and out of the cold.


My husband would love to have this going into our small pond under the kitchen window...sigh! Someday, maybe.

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I love hosta, which we have many. This lime green plant was particularly interesting, not sure if this striped plant was a hosta or in the dracena family. The azaelas to the left were just beginning to bloom. Thirty-foot Pines and Spruce were dragged in and planted into huge mounds of dirt.


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I covet these metal mushrooms. I wish I had made some pottery ones, when I could. I guess I will just have to watch for some this year. We have a new plant bed...under the small Maple in front we planted late in the season last year. No pretties in there yet, (Gardener'sheimers) I have no idea what I all planted there, now.

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A funky salamander and dragonfly on a lily pad, here...so fun. Love the chippy/rusty look of these among the Huechera/coralbells. We have six varieties in our yard, and I'm always on the lookout for more as we have so much shade.

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This large bowl pond would be great for any yard or patio. Lots of little fish were hiding in this one.

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Some sort of daisy here, really not sure, Gerbera or Transval, but they were very fluffy and pale in tones.  I love the mini fern underneath. There were lots of miniature plants in the vendor area for fairy gardens.

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 The vendor area was filled with: home improvements, garden ornaments and furniture,  kitchenwares, wine, bulbs, plants, statuary and just about everything else. 

I half expected to see Dan Akyrod and his "Bass-amatic". But, I always buy some bulbs. It was the fresh flower vendors that took your breath away.

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I had edited this picture to make into a card...back before windows10 updated and ruined my photo program. I love the fuzzed out edges and the look of a Parisian flower market, too pretty for words.

Now if you are hungry---Navy Pier has umpteen fine restaurants, and many food vendors and carts. But, what about dessert? The flower show even provided a food contest.

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An "In the Garden" bakery exhibit, was perfect for dessert.  Here, Chicago bakeries took on the flower show. Bakeries are no longer just bakers, now they are artists as depicted by the painter/gardener. this was made by Central Continental Bakery.com


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They were all gorgeous but this was adorable, a trio of gnomes in an all edible garden. Notice the two fishing and the one has a pink flower hat on. The bakers that made this were from Lovin Oven Cakery, another old Chicago area company.

What could be more fun than a Flower and Garden Shop.  Hope you enjoyed the mini-tour at Chicago's Navy Pier.


Thanks always for stopping by, hope Spring has come to your neck-of-the-woods, we are still waiting in the Chicago burbs.

 All the opinions and photographs in this blog are my own unless noted.  I have not been paid or reimbursed in anyway for my opinions or posts. Please do not use photos without linking back to this blog without my permission. Thank you for your cooperation, Sandi Magle
 I'll be sharing at these fine blog parties:



Sandi
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Wednesday, March 9, 2016

OLD NEW Bunnies in the Chaos

Spring finally peeked in on Chicagoland. I took the plaid covers off the porch chairs, while the temperature hit over sixty degrees. THINK SPRING!

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THINK SPRING!



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This NEW little bunny plate wandered home with me a couple of weeks ago, only $3.99 from HomeGoods.

I'm trying to use items I already have for decorating. But this was so sweet. I also bought matching tissue from Worldmarket, which had the most adorable spring items, it was really hard to walk away. I only bought the tissue to decoupage eggs with.



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These little NEW bunnies came from Menards/lumber yard. They are destined for the planter cage on the front porch and are cement, with BIG eyes. I thought they were cute, but they creeped everyone out at a family dinner two weeks ago.


 The light was not cooperating.

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Brilliant sunshine to gloomy shade in seconds.

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Right now the bunnies are protecting the daffodils in an OLD blue stoneware pot, a favorite of my mother's. Every Spring it would be filled with daffodils I would bring her as soon as they began appearing in the grocery stores.

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When the daffodils along the the house popped up, it was never empty. The OLD fishpoacher is filled with paper grass and a couple of toys from the grand. The cement bunnies protect some bubble wands Hubby brought home. Perfect for a spring day.


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The light was not cooperating at all.

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I resorted to the flash. I either have GLARE here or GLOOM!


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Here is Harriet and Harry Hare....gracing my white cabinet in the kitchen. I found them Thanksgiving weekend stuffed on a junk-filled shelf at a Thriftstore for $7.00 each. They are heavy--heavy--resin, highly detailed and marked copyright 2000, but nothing else? A small gold foil label is scraped off?


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Who could turn down this detail and the sweet face of Harriet. Outside we had intermittent sunshine so the pictures are all over the place with tones.


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Harry is so dignified with a gentlemanly air. I did one small repair on them...which took a few seconds, otherwise I won't change a thing. Their grass fill baskets will eventually hold --special eggs yet to be completed.


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The kitchen is the only island of peace in the chaos of the remodel. However I had to move pieces of drywall to get at the washer/dryer last night. So I collected my bunnies and made a display....which will probably change. Small toy bunny in a blue and white planter, the bunny cake mold (which needs a bow), a child's book, some beaded flowers with a spring bee nestled in them in a jar.

The unusual flexible metal flower frog may hold chocolate foil covered eggs for Easter. Right now the window gets hot sun early in the morning, so it's not such a good idea.


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The sun peeked out and then I had problems with the photos. My Rosemary plant was in a bright orange pot---I covered it with a Spring HomeGoods bag for 99cents.


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 Bright sun outside---not enough light though. Impatience is my middle name.

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 Then the glare of using a flash. 

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The GREEN Ivy wreath urn, with an OLD porcelain bunny planter (my Grandmother's) where some summer plants will go when I move the urn outside. The bunny is probably German porcelain from the early 20th century. I added some peeps and garden markers the Grand painted in glitter paint.

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Hiding in the top of my OLD Grandma's enamel coffeepot is a little rubber rabbit of the Grand's. She has workout clothes, tennis shoes and a headband on? But she's a bunny!


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In the center of it all is my Granny's glass cookie jar, stuffed with peeps. Well not stuffed, they have been dipped into---for hot chocolate and the Grand spotted them and has a weakness for anything marshmallow!


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I used the old glass inside trick, I may turn this around and use fresh flowers when I have some and I will add more PEEPS!


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The cookie jar will be very cute with daffodils inside.

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Sweet little bunny here and there and everywhere.

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And the light goes Ka-Ka again.


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Another nest---lovely OLD chicken baske has almost opaline on the edges, it was my mom's, and I always remember her having it. Silly bunny cake plate, NEW hubby picked up.

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Another hint of spring---my geranium at the sink, is blooming...it can't wait to get outside. I didn't amp up the color either ---this is the screamin' brilliant red/orange is real.
  
I can't wait for SPRING!

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Happy Spring from my Old New Bunnies in the Chaos and thanks for stopping by. I will be happy to answer any questions or comments.

All the opinions and photographs in this blog are my own, I have not been paid or reimbursed in anyway for my opinions or posts. Please do not use photos without linking back to this blog without my permission. Thank you for your cooperation, Sandi Magle
 



Sandi


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Monday, March 7, 2016

Junkin' Finds

Our house is so ripped up with the REDO---I took these pictures on the floor by our front door.

OY! I have had a little luck doing 'Junkin' out in thrift stores the last couple of weeks. My kitchen table is covered in Easter eggs and wood cut-outs from painting with my daughter-in-law and Granddaughter yesterday, so this was the only place not covered in canvas and drywall dust to catch natural light.

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Here was last week or so's haul. Mind you I'm only buying OLD items I have a use for or may sell.

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This sweet little chest was very well made and in good condition and will be fun to REDO for myself or our granddaughter. Also, her Barbie/Ken chests here at the house are in need of painting too. This was $4.99 but was in such super condition I couldnt't pass it up.


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It's a long time until garage sales here in Chicagoland, so I don't mind paying a bit higher prices at the Church and Charity Thrift stores. This solid wood pink bin was only $2.00 though. I'm collecting OLD storage containers for my craftroom REDO. This one may end up in hubby's room though.



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I actually ordered this on Etsy, because of its size, shape and pattern. I broke my pedestal off my Westmoreland cake plate (honestly it just fell off) for about the fourth time...and I deemed it risky at best to repair it again. So, I have been watching for the perfect base, something more substantial.
Ta-Da---this should do the job for the REDO.

When we have it safely secured, I will post the finished result. Total cost with shipping was about $14.00. (I know this is Indiana glass---but it has grapes on it and is a good match for the Westmoreland and I'm not interested in reselling it.)


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I snagged/found two great tablecloths---for only $2.00 each. This was lovely and had BLUE--- and was just so Spring.

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This is a gorgeous---never used I think, cross-stitched Linen tablecloth with lilacs. What can be more SPRING than lilacs? Although we wont' have lilacs here for two more months.

Interesting side-note...the metallic thread down the middle and a bit more on the edging. Very nicely done and never used. I think I may send it off to be cleaned and then use this for a Spring birthday gift....for a friend who loves purple.


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My DEAL of the week--OLD Bunny Cake Mold from Wilton for $3.00 and listed several places at over $20.00. I bought this to use...so it will definitely be a keeper. He's so cute sitting in the kitchen with my Spring things...I may have to find him a darling bow.

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You haven't seen my collection of Japanese Yelloware Biscuit Jars and Tea plates which have been packed away. These were popular in the 30's -50's and are freely painted 'majoilica' style on an earthenware slip---usually cream or creamy white with bright colors with underglazes. Then the pieces were fired with a clear glaze and now show a lot of crazing. This plate has just about all the colors used in these wares.

They are very 'kitschy' and 'cottage' style. Before I inherited all my blue&white Copenhagen Porcelain, I had these pieces all over the kitchen and livingroom. These tea plates originally had rattan handles which have long since disintegrated, I use the handle holes for ribbons and hang the plates on the wall. This plate was 50 cents. Usually they are $8-20.00. Biscuit jars go for $12.00-35.00 or so here in Chicagoland.  I can still find pieces reasonable though. I only buy what I really love or is unusual now.

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Another one of my searches is for storage for my craftroom redo. I keep my eye out for large tins or storage bins that are attractive or unusual. The top tin is quite large and in great condition, cost
25 cents and the lid fits nicely.


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I love this metal picnic basket, complete with swinging wood handles. Another item that someone had on the shelf and never used. One small bend on the side I popped out right away. I'm hoping to have the entire shop done in recycled containers a GREEN thing to do.


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This will be a great piece for the craftroom---and it already has dollclothes patterns and a project stored away in it. Cost $6.00.


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This Rustic wood bucket, sealed and a delicious rusty red. Looks great on the porch already on my rustytable. I will have to find some yellow tulips for this in the garage this week. Too soon to plant real plants here---! Cost $8.00 and I will need to look for a liner...before I plant with real plants.


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Lastly another Etsy find. This gorgeous full-circle, wrap, lined skirt of homespun weight cotton. It has a dusty pattern with natural wood beads added in my colors I can't wait to wear this, it's a vintage Chico's piece. Total cost with shipping, $22.00. I seldom even look at clothes but knew the quality would be there with the name.


Hope you all have a great week. From my dust, clutter, refuse and the remodel going on, Sandi. I will be happy to answer any comments or questions.

All the opinions and photographs in this blog are my own, I have not been paid or reimbursed in anyway for my opinions or posts. Please do not use photos without linking back to this blog without my permission. Thank you for your cooperation, Sandi Magle


I will be sharing at these fine blog parties:
Inspire Me Tuesday
Amaze Me Monday
Let's Talk Vintage 





Sandi



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