Camp Turlington

"Bee" by Deryn Mentock

"Having a great time.  Send money!"  Yes, I've been away for the last few days at Camp Turlington.  My dear friend Sally was Camp Director and, boy, did we have a fun, artsy-fartsy time!  As Wife Whisperer is fond of saying, "It was more fartsy than artsy!"  That's right.  We spent three days goofing off working real hard at camp activities.  Sally lives in the enchanting little town of Huntsville.  All campers are required to take an auto tour of Huntsville.  We toured many scenic spots including the town cemetery (Sam Houston is buried there), the shortest highway in Texas (about a block long) and the infamous Walls Unit (home of the death chamber) run by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.  Something I didn't realize about the enchanting little town of Huntsville is that they have some very good antique shopping so, one of our first camp activities was a junk hunt.  And, guess what I found...

This is Miss Betty.  Isn't she lovely?  I've been looking for a dress form for quite awhile and Betty was a bargain so...she joined us at camp.

Betty really loved this mink collar and antique, Victorian, velvet and brass sash.  Unfortunately, Betty is a size 18 and the wonderful sash seems to be a size 0.  That's ok...she likes to wear it around her neck.  That's Sally's nifty paper holder in the background...found during the hunt.  It's actually an old disk jockey record cabinet.

Betty fell crazy in love with this sparkly tiara and veil.  Just one problem...

(photo by Sally Turlington)

...it came part and parcel with this vintage wedding dress.  This is another article of clothing made for an impossibly tiny, little person so I'm not sure Betty will be wearing it.  But, her tiara looks divine!

(photo by Sally Turlington)

The Camp Director made one of the campers to hold the dress up for Betty to peruse.  She made her put that silly tiara on too.  She didn't want to do it.  Who ever heard of a camper in a tiara?  Anybody need a beautiful, vintage wedding dress? (tiara not for sale!)

(photo by Sally Turlington)

We had to stop at King's Candy several times for sustenance.  Betty really liked the chocolate peppermint cremes.

We were on a mission and hit the antique shops pretty hard.  Just look at all the Turli Treasures we found!

I unearthed this extraordinary bon bon spoon and fork (that's actually what the tag said!).  Just what I've been looking for all these years.  It's about time I stepped into the civilized world and stopped eating them with my fingers.  Wife Whisperer is overjoyed.

Everyone needs a rooster shaker...

...and a silk china-doll box.

There were lots of cool and groovy trinkets for use in jewelry making.

Betty suggested I pick up these beautiful, vintage, black glass buttons...

...and these nifty, ancient upholstery nails.

The Camp Director insisted I not leave without this cool, retro trim.  In fact, she threatened to buy it if I didn't.  That's like a double dog dare!  Hmmm...I believe that's how she ended up with the nifty record cabinet.

This was another double dog dare purchase.  But, who could pass up these gorgeous, sterling shakers?  I'm sure they'll come in handy for a jewelry project.

In the end, we finally did have to do a little work.  We worked real hard.

All in all, camp was an exhilarating experience and I can't wait for my next session.  Thank you to my gracious Camp Director for making it so wonderful.  I wasn't even homesick!

Comments

[Jennifer]

Deryn, the bon bon spoon and fork might actually be for absinthe. The dark marking on the fork could have been from the flame used for the sugar cube in the ritual of the drink. I could be wrong but they were often ornate slotted utensils, beautiful like these.

[Maija Lepore]

OMG you are so funny!
I saw the wedding dress photos on Sally's blog and giggled like crazy!
Your counselor rocks! I've been green with happy envy watching all the grandkids hang out at Camp Turlington, and now I find out it's for adults also??????

[deb trotter]

Look at you, the blushing bride (compliments of Betty) - but, hey! What happened to your face? Talk about a photoshop whiz! LOL Truly, I await Miss Betty all draped out in DMentock finery. FUN!

Deb

[Colette]

Now THAT'S what I call summer camp!

[Linda Lynch]

What a good time was had by all! Love the bee and Betty is very cool! Can't wait to see what you do with her.

[Terri Ventura]

sounds like you all had a blast...wish I could have been there.

[Mary Franzenburg]

Deryn: Everything you post here is lovelier than the last. I have said this in previous comments to you, but I've got to say again how much of an inspiration you are to me. Your style is infectious!

[Ariane]

Love the dress form. What-it's not a size 0 or 2 that all designers seem to think people should be nowadays?! Nice to know for us plus size gals. LOL Sounds like you had a wonderful camp experience!!

[Carolyn Mallin]

Oh, what a wonderful time!!! I'm going to have to admit that I'm jealous.Great finds..and Betty is so cool. One of these days I'll find one too ( as if there's anymore room in my studio:). Your bee is adorable.

Carolyn

[Kelly Snelling]

betty is awesome! you girls had such good fun. i can't wait to see you here next week for our own cali camp!

[Cindy]

Wow...what fun!!! Oh and I'm so jealous of your new "Miss Betty"....I've been keeping an eye out for an old dress form as well and I never seem to find them without a tag that says "NOS" (not for sale). What a find!!!!

[Jen Crossley]

Oh wow What treasures you and sally found.
I have been looking for a dress form for a long time.Glad you found this one it is beautiful.
Jen

[Diana Frey]

Sounds as though you had fun. Love your loot!! The sterling salt shaker is beautiful. Can't wait to see what you create out of all of these treasures.
Diana

[Melissa]

I absolutely love the bee...it is so you! Looks like you had a great time and found some cool stuff!

[Catherine Witherell]

Well, who could be homesick when the camp is geared toward adhering to the campers goals and giving the camper specialized attention? I want to go to that camp. I need the phone number!

This is a funny post D. You crack me up!

xo Catherine

[Lee W]

O SO Jealous!!

[Sallyt]

Hey, mystery camper! Thanks for the double dog dare - I love my new jockey cabinet (just having trouble deciding where to put it and what to stack on top of what so I can wedge it in somewhere.) Are you sure that's your bee and not mine? LOL. Thanks for sharing your new idea with me. Camper BEWARE! I might be drumming up a new session soon. Do you have your registration form ready? Eddene at King's notified us that there is a new batch of chocolate peppermint cremes.
Hugs from
One of the Camp T directors! (The main one...me -- not the Errand Guy one)

[Sharon @ norah'S]

oK, I'm just wondering, did you have to apply in person to go or does Camp Turlington take written applications? You'll are double trouble! Doing double dog dares and ending up with such treasures. Enjoyed seeing all of it.

[Molly Alexander]

What a super-fun way to spend 3 days! I love your "finds", and Betty is just lovely...

:-) Molly

[Violet]

Now I not only love your nests, I love the Bee!!! It looks like you had a great time!

[Kim Hutchinson]

Oh my heavens what gorgeous finds! Camp looks like it was lots of fun! I WANT to go to camp!

[Angie Platten]

You found some real treasures and boy, I wish I was with you guys! It sounds so fun! LOVE the bee! It's just too cute!