Almost there...

The mural is looking good! Now you can really see where they are going with this. Nice design, don't ya think?!

Let's Go Fly a Kite!

Today we had a busy day at the shop, but I had to go out to the south edge of town and check out the kite flying event going on. The Chicago Kite Club, the Kansas City Kite Club and the Illinois Kite Club were all on hand with beautiful kites.
Some were huge and some were small. Some were being flown in formations almost like airplanes!
These kids were trying to get these crazy animal kites off the ground. They were made by people in one of the clubs.
Kids of all ages were flying...anyone could join in.
Check out all the strings on this giant!

Coming right along...

The Diazs made some more progress today...but they had to quit because we had another batch of storms coming through. I talked to our city administrator today. He said they are going to get rid of the parking spaces right in front of the mural, put in some landscaping and also a pad were you can drive your car up and pose in front of the mural. That should be popular with all the vingtage car lovers!

Progress...

Even though it rained today, they somehow got some more painting done!
In this picture you can see how the old firehouse (now the Rt66 Hall of Fame Museum) is connected to the old city hall building (now Old City Hall Shoppes and the Livingston Co. War Museum) by the upper floors. Yes, those are bars over some of the windows..those are old jail cells.

Route 66 Mural

Pontiac is getting a new mural celebrating its place on Route 66 in Illinois. The mural is being painted on the back of the old firehouse part of our building complex. The Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame Museum is housed in this building. Above is how it looked yesterday.
Today I caught the artists painting. The sign was designed and is being painted by Diaz Sign Art...a very talented family of sign artists from our own hometown of Pontiac.
In this one you can see a glimpse of the design taped up on the wall next to the painters. I'll keep you updated with pics as more progress is made. They estimate 5 days to paint the sign...but of course I'm sure much depends on the weather.

Back to School

I just registered my daughter for school, so I thought we better revamp the displays in the store. It was fun to use warm autumn colors.
We have a great little painted twin bed for sale. I love the coverlet too...it's a traditional woven spread, but with a fun daisy motif. I think Red Riding Hood is something that was used in a store. The painting on it is wonderful.

Heritage Days

Heritage Days is an event sponsored by PROUD celebrating our heritage. People demonstrating old time crafts set up under the trees all around the Livingston County Courthouse.
Making bowls the old fashioned way.
Tim Fornero has been caning chairs since his father taught him when he was 9 years old.
Cathy Grafton makes beautiful quilts embellished with silk ribbon embroidery,
and she even has a book out on the subject.


Dancing....clogging?
Dad selling raffle tickets for our quilt raffle.Jim Dixon sawing.

We also had blacksmithing, sheep shearing, puppet shows, clowns strolling the square, stained glass making.

Feed on the Word

Ever want to start your day with scripture but forgot? I'm sorry to say that does happen to me. But now we are carrying a new line of dinnerware called "Feed on the Word" that will help remind you of the truly important things in life. Each place setting features scriptures centered around a different theme. A truly unique way to keep the word before you.
They are dishwasher and microwave safe and many different serving pieces can be ordered. We have chosen several to feature for our first order in stock.
They are simple enough to go in a contempory home and classic enough to mix with vintage china and glassware. They make great wedding or housewarming gifts. Stop by and check them out!