My Booth

Booth-setting-up is a lot more work than I had anticipated. Luckily, my wonderful husband and equally wonderful dad both helped me....or I'd still be there...probably huddled in the fetal position somewhere. My very courageous mother took on the challenge of watching both of the babies, which was a HUGE help.

It wasn't really the setting up that was overwhelming, as much as the preparation and constant evaluation of what I needed to do, what I was missing...all the final odds and ends.  (Plus, Emme's 1st birthday was Sunday) I live about an hour from the store, so I couldn't "run home" for anything I'd missed.

(Here's my space after I'd hung some muslin, which I miscalculated the amount so I had to cheat.  Don't you love the pink dresser-yum!)

Last Friday, the store owner contacted me an explained that the person who was in my space had decided not to move, so she was moving me to a slightly larger space closer to the front of the store.  I was actually happy about the change, but went there yesterday without any idea of what to expect...like the fact that only half the back wall had peg board on it...and it didn't go up as high I had expected due to exposed plumbing.

My space is 10'x9'...everything to the left of my luscious pink dresser (that's how I bought it at the barn sale, I just cleaned it up and my assistant husband steadied it up a bit.) and gray island is the next booth.

Can you believe my dad got the white medicine cabinet for free and almost burned it?  I just cleaned it up A LOT, but the mirror looks original.  The blue drawers, black chest and bookcase are the right boundary of my booth...so no, the hats are not mine.  You'll probably notice a lot of things I've never posted about before...things were pretty crazy over the past several days and my picture taking suffered.  I'm planning to do some upcoming posts about some items, but let me know if you have questions about anything you see.

The 'animal chair" in the left corner is also from the barn sale on Friday.

I have "before" pictures of the island that I'll share soon.

Signs I made from reclaimed barn wood.

This is made from 4 dresser drawers, I'll show "befores" of this soon too.

You can see some of the stuff across the aisle from mine in the mirror...it matches my style.  I also made my 1st chalkboards!  It's the cornerstone of any crafter development!

Some of the other dealers were there talking to me while I took these pictures, or else I would have gotten better detail shots.  After we left, I realized I hadn't really even looked at the final product and had to look at the pictures.  It still doesn't seem real to me, but I feel like I used to after final exams in college.  I wish I could sleep for the next 72 hours like I did back then too!!

I hope you enjoyed the tour of my little space.  Like I said, I have a lot of items nestled in here that I plan on sharing more specifics on soon.  Now I must go put the mess of my house back together after this little whirlwind!

I welcome any suggestions on any changes you think I should make!  People were watching me, which makes me a little antsy, so I just plopped stuff down with little thought.

Sharing this at these websites over the next week or so:

MONDAY:

Sumo's Sweet Stuff

The Girl Creative
Boogieboard Cottage
Thrifty Decor Chick (1st Monday of Each Month)

TUESDAY: 

Home Stories A2Z

Coastal Charm

Homework
At Home With K
My UnCommon Slice of Suburbia
Dumpster Diva

WEDNESDAY:
The Thrifty Home
Restore Interiors
Blue Cricket Design
Savy Southern Style
Very Merry Vintage Style

{primp}

Momma Hen's Coop

THURSDAY:

The Brambleberry Cottage

No Minimalist Here

the shabby creek cottage

House of Hepworths

FRIDAY:

Remodelaholic

The Charm of Home

kojo designs

The Shabby Nest

Serenity Now

Miss Mustard Seed

SATURDAY:

I Can't Stop Crafting

Hope everyone had a nice weekend!

take care -



Best Barn Sale Ever!! (At least that I've been to)

Today was such a fun day!  My mom (have you noticed a trend with my posts - my mom loves thrifting with me...and for me)...and I went to an awesome (and I mean AWESOME) barn sale in Granville, OH.  Granville is one of those picture-perfect towns where the sidewalks are always busy and all of the houses are old and gorgeous. The only commercial businesses are Subway and CVS.  It's home to Denison University (where Jennifer Garner and Steve Carrell both went to school) Of course, everything at the barn sale was set up beautifully, like a quaint boutique.
A cameraman from HGTV was there....that's how awesome it was.  Two sisters (who are AMAZING) have these semi-annual barn sales in a beautiful old barn.  We met their mom, their dad, their aunt - everyone was incredibly friendly and helpful.  
I found the cutest, very whimsical PINK old chest of drawers with 12 antique glass knobs for $70.  I could barely buy the knobs new at Lowes for that price.  I also picked up some scales, metal funnels, grain sacks, doors...all kinds of goodies.  It's all still in the truck, so I haven't taken pictures yet, but you know I will ASAP!
Also - I'm so THRILLED that over 50 of you have so kindly chosen to follow me.  What a great day it has been (if you're a mom, and you're familiar with the Fresh Beat Band...I feel like I should break into the song at the end of the show)  My baby girl  turns 1 on Sunday...I'm so happy to be here instead of where I was a year ago (a very unhappy, uncomfortable pregnant lady)...but I can't believe it's been a year already!
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and I'll be back with pictures as soon as possible.


Take care -
e

Two Drawers Repurposed into a "Basket"

I woke up too early on Wednesday, 11/16, to a wonderful surprise....my little drawer project was featured by Savvy Southern Style.  I imagine you're aware of Kim's Wow us Wednesday link-up party, but if for some reason you've missed it...you should definitely check it out.  I can't thank Kim enough for featuring my drawers!

This project was also featured by Amanda at Serenity Now (I LOVE the name of this blog)



Amanda has a link party each Friday called "Weekend Bloggy Reading" where you link up your favorite post each week.  Another MUST attend event! Thanks to Amanda for featuring my project!



So on with my post....

It seems lately that I've been getting into furniture ruts...first my whole chest/trunk thing, and now drawers.  I just posted a couple weeks ago about another repurposed drawer idea, and now here I am again...I also have ANOTHER drawer project I'm working on now. huh, I really don't plan it this way.

So, here's another set of sewing machine drawers my mom (she's my "picker" teehee!! I think she just likes to shop, and now she has a reason to do it) found for me. 

I had my husband attach them to one another (and they will NEVER, EVER come apart) and I added the handle, which I made from jute wrapped with twine.

The old finish was pretty thick, so I sanded some of it for a more natural look.  Aren't the little pulls so cute?

I think I might replace the hooks I used to attach the handle as these ones have little hinges, so the handle doesn't stand up on its own.

It's a unique storage idea...I thought for crafting supplies, books/papers, a catchall...or it could be used as a decor item if filled with shells, candles, dried lavender, plants, Christmas ornaments and the like.

I have so much left to do to get everything ready for my booth.  Last night I was trying to print out tags and a couple things for another project...only to find that one (or both - they've recently started joining forces against me...I wanted them to be close, but I didn't mean like this) had jammed Max's toothbrush in the paper feeder.  I was.not.happy. to say the least.  My husband managed to get it out around midnight, but I'm not sure if the printer still works....we'll see! Is this what "they" were referring to as the "joys of motherhood"?

If I'm not around for a couple days, I have a busy few days coming up...a printer repair, a barn sale, Emme's first birthday, Ohio State football, the booth and TONS of projects to finish. TONS.

Any fun stories of "help" from pets, kids, spouses....etc?

Have a great weekend...I'm sharing this at these fantastic link parties:

MONDAY:

Sumo's Sweet Stuff

The Girl Creative
Boogieboard Cottage
Thrifty Decor Chick

TUESDAY: 

Home Stories A2Z

Coastal Charm

Homework
At Home With K
Kammy's Korner

WEDNESDAY:
The Thrifty Home
Restore Interiors
Blue Cricket Design
Savy Southern Style
Very Merry Vintage Style

{primp}

Momma Hen's Coop

THURSDAY:

The Brambleberry Cottage

No Minimalist Here

the shabby creek cottage
Between U & Me

FRIDAY: 

Remodelaholic
The Charm of Home
kojo designs
The Shabby Nest
Serenity Now
LaurieAnna's Vintage Home

SATURDAY:

I Can't Stop Crafting

take care -

 



Etc, etc, etc....and a Circle Bookcase

I have all kinds of info to pack into this post - hopefully, it's interesting enough to keep your attention for a couple minutes.

First - a couple promised Halloween photos...we were running late, so my picture taking was a mess...

Notice Max's too-small costume?  Finally on Halloween-eve, we decided on a dog as a perfect costume for him, as he spends about 25% of his waking hours acting like he is a dog.  When this epiphany struck us, we happened to be on the way to a retail location that will remain nameless.  I didn't have time to try to make a no-sew dog costume, so we found this one in size 3T-4T, up to 41lbs - perfect for my large 2 year old.

The neck didn't snap, the head was too small, the legs too short...but he tried it on for the first time 40 minutes AFTER trick or treating started.

As for Emme - I added a pink flower to her costume (max's from last year that he wore for maybe 15 minutes)

My husband "dressed up" as a ghost ("don't we have any white sheets?") and Max following "suit" as always (daddy is his hero!)... for our attempt at a Halloween photo-shoot.

There he is...

SECOND - My Circle Bookcase-

  

Before

 

Max "helping"

  

After - Sorry for the boring pictures...I didn't have the energy to stage them. 

A little "outside the box" for me...

Okay...and Finally....

My Emerson Seed Co project was featured by the lovely Kindra at At Home With K... 

  If you haven't visited Kindra's blog - or linked up to her Terrific Under Ten Tuesday Party (link below) - I highly reccomend doing both!  Kindra's party is for projects that cost under $10.00....so obviously, thrifty fun to be had by all!

I told you I've been busy....My toddlers are rioting for juice...I'm out.

Sharing this post:

MONDAY:

Sumo's Sweet Stuff

The Girl Creative
Boogieboard Cottage

TUESDAY: 

Home Stories A2Z

Coastal Charm

Homework
At Home With K
Kammy's Korner

THURSDAY:

The Brambleberry Cottage

No Minimalist Here

the shabby creek cottage
Between U & Me

FRIDAY:
Remodelaholic
The Charm of Home
kojo designs
The Shabby Nest
Serenity Now
Miss Mustard Seed

take care -



Magazine Rack Upcycle to Vintage Childrens' Storage

Here is some truly SALVAGED WHIMSY.  I found this magazine rack at a thrift shop for $2.50 and had no idea what I'd do with it.  I liked how the ends looked like bead board...and it was $2.50.  Someone had given me a stack of old children's books when Max was born, and I found a couple that were falling apart but had great illustrations.

Not a great picture, but here after I had primed it.  It was originally an gold-orange color.  Lovely, I assure you.

So then I painted with a couple coats of semi-gloss white....which eventually became satin black because it just didn't look right with the illustrations.

I used some faux-Mod Podge and decoupaged the pages of the books.  I also used a glue gun to wrap the handle with twine.  Finally, I gave it a couple coats of acrylic poly.

I didn't distress it because I thought between the illustrations and the handle, it already had a lot going on....what do you think?  Would you distress it?

Salvaged from the thrift store and saved from a miserably mediocre life on a shelf...

Unique...aka Whimsy

Salvaged Whimsy....ta daaaa!!

I guess I don't really have any pictures showing the sides...but they are black too.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on whether I should distress it or not.  I've been staring at it for a couple days and I'm afraid to do anything more to it and have to go back and repaint.

Sharing on these sites:

Tuesday: 

Home Stories A2Z

Coastal Charm

Homework
At Home With K

Wednesday:
The Thrifty Home
Restore Interiors
Blue Cricket Design
Savy Southern Style
Very Merry Vintage Style

{primp}

Momma Hen's Coop

THURSDAY:

The Brambleberry Cottage

No Minimalist Here

the shabby creek cottage

FRIDAY:

Remodelaholic

The Charm of Home

kojo designs

The Shabby Nest

Serenity Now

Miss Mustart Seed

take care -

 



My Trash Wreath Made the Top 10 on CSI

I can't believe it but, my coffee filter trash wreath made the Top 10 on the CSI Project! 

Original Post Here

If you haven't been to the CSI site - I totally recommend stopping by.  Each week they feature a different challenge - for example, last week it was fall wreaths, and this week it's "Kids Places and Spaces."   Needless to say, there is an endless number of awesome crafts, recipes, and design ideas.  CSI also has very talented guest judges that join them in their weekly challenges.

Their Upcoming Challenges:

• October 30: Kids Places & Spaces
• November 6: Thanksgiving
• November 13: Slow Cooker Recipes
• November 20: Advent Calendars/Countdown to Christmas
• November 27: Kid's Holiday Crafts

Do you have any projects that you could link up for these categories?  I'm planning to post Max's bedroom for the "Kids Places and Spaces" challenge.

I hope everyone had a fun Halloween.  Our kids were napping at 6pm (when it started), so we resolved to stay in....I was in my paint clothes and mid-paint stroke when they woke up and we decided to try a couple houses.  It was then when we realized that Max's costume was way too small...but he seemed happy so we went with it. 

We loaded them up in their wagon, unsure of how our first Halloween would play out.  I do believe that Halloween may be Emme's favorite holiday because she LOVES to eat, especially sweets (yes, I let my almost-1 year old eat sweets occasionally)...she grabbed the full-sized Snickers and Crunch bar out of her bucket...and threw the bucket on the ground.  (Before you call children's services, don't worry, I didn't let her eat the Snickers and Crunch bar, but she looked pretty cute clutching onto them with her death grip.)  And Max, well, he tried to walk into peoples' houses and thought the whole bowl of candy was for him.  We had a great time. I'll share pictures later... 

take care -