February is the month of Love....

Yep, it is...the month of Valentines Day and of course, my birthday!  My daughter, Brandi, used to celebrate my birthday week.  It was so much fun!  She would surprise me with a card, a Diet Coke, a bouquet of flowers, etc. for the entire week leading up to my birthday.  I kinda miss that special feeling that she gave me.  But this year, hubs took the reins and presented me with my early present:

Yes, siree, a brand spankin' new Jeep.  I have not had a new car in over 18 years so it has been a real treat.  A heated steering wheel!  OMG, beyond my wildest dreams.  I love, love, love, it!

In January, I did the Simply Vintage Winter Market.  I have done their markets before but none so close after the holidays.  But let me tell you, it rocked!  My sis helped me and that was a true lifesaver.  The weather was horrid, but my old 97 minivan did its job.  My favorite and most cherished pieces were a trash find, my son got them out of the dumpster.  The frames were in excellent condition but the upholstery was worn and stained.

   

So this is how they turned out!  My first attempt at upholstery work.  I loved how they turned out.  And they sold 15 minutes after the show opened!

I also had several child's school chairs.  I only got around to finishing one of them, but it found a happy owner.  (Note the Chalk Couture on the seat!)

A little peek at my booth:

And of course, I brought along some farmhouse inspired Chalk Couture signs:

And speaking of Chalk Couture, they just released their new Spring/Summer collection!  OMG, it is fabulous! My first order arrives tomorrow.  If you haven't seen it yet, check it out here.

I hope to put a video on my facebook page next week with some of the new exciting items.  Have a great week ahead, my friends.  Now.....go create!

Show Season...Yay!

First two shows of the season are in my rear view mirror.  The first show was a tough one, in Colorado Springs.  It was a first year show and I think the promoters have a few bugs to work out.  Colorado Springs is a two hour drive from here which would normally be dreadful, but my sister and travelling companion, Susan, was also doing the show so we were able to carpool.  We did not travel the interstate but rather a scenic windy road with beautiful sights of fall colors and wild turkeys.  Yes, I said wild turkeys!  We saw flocks every day.  Nature at its finest.

I took my photo with my phone.  I think it looks like the trees are full of glitter.....and you know how much I love glitter!

This weekend I was at the Simply Vintage Fall Market.  This takes place at the Colorado State Fairgrounds in Pueblo.  I love this market except for the fact that it takes me nearly 3 hours to get there.  I went down on Saturday with my mini van packed to the gills and went back on Friday morning to finish set up and take a few extra pieces.  I had a huge booth, compliments of Nicole Jones the promoter.  And I sold ALL of my furniture.  (Except for the two white chairs that I scratched up on the way there and had to bring back home.)  There is nothing more satisfying than having someone love your work.  I met so many amazing vendors and customers.  But the one drawback was that my helper and sidekick, Skylar was not there.  She is up in Montana studying to be a great artist at MSU. 
 I sold a couple of my insulator lamps, this one was my fave.

And though I love this desk, I was glad to see it go to a great home.  Note the chalkboard on the desk part....And I chalk couture'd it up on the back.....

My white table was snatched up and I even had a bidding war on the little red table.  

My booth was HUGE!

Maybe next time I will have to do like this vendor and drive a tractor trailer....lol....not!

  

There were beautiful things, vintage treasures, and handmade items.  But there were some weird things too.....like this rocking animal....horse?  dragon?  donkey?.....for sale for $275!

So I am home and today I am hibernating, watching football and working on a special order for a doll.  Next week I am off to the  Sugar Plum Festival in Colorado Springs at the event center.  Come see me!  You can go to their website for discount tickets!  http://sugarplumgiftmart.com/  

And watch my facebook page for more info!

Love those vintage shows!

My granddaughter, Skylar and I had so much fun at our show in Pueblo.....but man oh man, it was exhausting.  It is a nearly 3 hour drive, so we left early Friday morning, drove to Pueblo, set up, checked in to our hotel, showered, went back to the event where we had a pre-show from 5-8 pm. Saturday, the show ran from 9-5, we tore down and drove the three hours home.  A lot for an old woman.  LOL.  I am sure gonna miss my little helper.  She is off to college in Montana in the Fall. How could you not have fun with this girl?

 More booth photos.  We sold the furniture the first night.  A couple of my insulator lamps sold as well.

 All of the washboards sold as well as some wreaths and miscellany.

 So my other news is that I received some of my Chalk Couture products....and love them.  My first project was this easel chalkboard that I purchased at the thrift store.  I finished this in less than an hour and I am a beginner!  How cute is this????

 

So of course, I ordered more/  In fact I have ordered twice.  They have two products, chalk paint (something like 39 colors) that I used in the above project and ink that I used on the coffee mugs below.  It can be set with heat and is dishwasher safe. (I tried it!)  Ink can also be used on fabric which becomes permanent once set with an iron.

Chalk Couture offers chalkboards, pillows, and a huge variety of transfers.  It is so exciting for me because it is quick and looks so professional.  Wanna know more? Check out my website.  Or if you just want to see how this product works check out this video.

Well, my friends, the first signs of spring are here in the Rockies so I have been gardening.  Busy, busy.  My daughter is getting another Master's Degree on Saturday.  This one is for Psychology.  She will be a certified clinician and goes to work at the same treatment center where she has been interning.  I am very proud and impressed that she has been able to balance home, kids, and a job and will still graduate with honors. 

 The following Saturday, my oldest granddaughter, Skylar graduates from High School.  Skylar is president of her chapter of National Honor Society, serves on the newspaper staff, and has managed to fit in a part time job and a role with a local theater company

Do I sound proud????

Well, I am off to work on a few more things that I can hardly wait to show you!  Have a great week, my peeps!💖💖

Good bye January!

It seems incredible to me that January 2018 is nearly history.  But you know what they say.....time flies when you are having fun.....so I must really be having a blast!  I have had a really busy January, working on another pattern, new Etsy listings, and making Spring items for my show in March. 

One of the items that always sells, no matter the season, are lighted garland.

I did this one in pastels for spring, but I sell a ton of these for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and  Christmas.  Even had a special order for Valentines Day.  They are great on your mantel, swagged over a window, placed on a buffet or table, and the list goes on.  Wanna know how to make it?  Another easy, peasy lemon squeezy craft.  Just click here for the easy tutorial.  Yeah, its for a Halloween one, but it will work for any season. 

In my thrifting last week, I found a couple of great vintage items that will be listed in my Etsy shop later today.  I will be adding some more doll supplies in this Etsy shop.  Don't forget to check out my patterns too!

Well, I am off to work on those listings!  Have a great week ahead!

Christmas in July

Its not that unusual to see snow hanging around into May and June up where I live in the Rocky Mountains.  And it is certainly not unusual to see snowmen here at my house year round.  I am still busily working on inventory for my shows this fall....and you know what that means.....Christmas!

My friend, Dawn, gifted me some floral that I have used in a centerpiece.  This is a bit more glittery than I normally do, but I love the colors:

 All of the containers I have repurposed from garage sale or thrift store finds.

 I finally finished the deer trio.  I think they will make the perfect centerpiece for a sideboard or hall table.

 This is my first attempt at a diorama in a glass case.  I liked this case because it says "Polar Optics"

I bought this lantern a long time ago.  I simply filled it with a lighted tree and added a snowman and bow.

I stained this unfinished wooden reindeer and filled it with shades of silver and red.

 This sleigh is metal and is trimmed in gold tones.  I like the way it looks with the red and gold trimming.

 I've done and sold so many of these graters.  I rusted this grater, glued on the gingerbread, added a bow and a battery operated candle.

I'm working on some angel feather ornies today and waiting for my next round of company to come.  I will post the tutorial on making the ornies later this week.  Have a good day and stay cool!

Baby, baby, baby......shoes, that is!

I love babies, and their antique clothing and shoes.  Whenever I can find vintage baby things, I get them, even if they are mismatched shoes.

I wipe them clean and remove the laces.  Then, I just let the shoes kind of "speak" to me.  I like the retro feel of this shoe that I added some lace and painted with regular acrylic paints:

Then just put a little tea lite in the top.

I also like the idea of the old-time bronzed shoes.  I got this effect from mixing some brown paint with some bronze metallic paint and added a tatted lace tie.

 

 I made two of these.  I had one shoe left, so I stuffed it with tissue and white washed it.  I like a bit of the age to show through.  The ties are white organza ribbon and then I sparkled it up with a craft crystal and some teeny, tiny glass beads:

These shoes will be available on my Etsy site......and don't forget about my 20% off sale.....all items are included!