What an awesome weekend!!!

I've have just had the most incredible weekend! I participated in my very first craft fair as The Painted Turtle and it couldn't have been more fun or successful!

My town hosts an annual Art Fair and Balloon Festival every year. It's a wonderful event that has grown even more successful by adding a flea market and craft fair several years ago. I thought this would be a great time to introduce The Painted Turtle to the community.

I had soooo much support from my family and friends throughout this weekend. I couldn't have done it without the help from my great hubby, my friends Melanie and Guyla (and to their husbands who let them get away to help me out) as well as Jeff & Brenda. You guys are the best!

I'd also like to give a big "thank you" shout out to Red Hen Home who did a post in July about what she had learned when doing her first few shows. I kept all her advice in the back of my head while preparing for the show. Thank you so much!!! Your advice was soooo very helpful!

So these are all the projects I've been working on for the past few weeks. Lots of late nights but gosh I love it so much!

Two things I heard over and over this weekend were: 1. "I didn't know you did this." and 2. "Do you have a shop somewhere?" Well, now more people know what I do in my basement workshop. And, I'd love to have a shop someday. Thank you to everyone who gave me so much encouragement.

Now, I'm ready to get some sleep!

Seeing Red with Lemonade and Cookies

Do you ever have one of those projects that just won't end? Well, this has been the one for me and I'm still not done! But I wanted to post something!!!

I don't think I can remember all the steps this project has taken. It's been one step forward and two steps back. The picture below shows the latest step back. I drilled a hole for the knob just slightly off...ugh! The good news is I'm very close and think it will be fabulous when it's done!

Here's a sneak peek at the fun knobs I picked up at Hobby Lobby.

And what's better to get one out of a bad mood than lemonade and cookies? My sister-in-law Mary Kay, the kids call her KK, came to visit this last weekend. The kids LOVE it when KK visits. She does all sorts of fun things with them. Whenever KK is here the kids rarely hear the word "NO".

So my son came up with the idea of having a lemonade stand on Saturday. Of course KK said "Yes". And then my daughter added the idea of a bake sale with the proceeds going to the ASPCA. I can't tell you how proud that made me!!!

On Friday the kids and Aunt KK headed to the store to get all the needed supplies. Once home they started baking. I'm not into baking but I LOVE baked goods. Luckily my daughter loves to bake. They made two different kinds of lemon cookies...why?...because KK just can't say "NO" :-) Then my daughter made the most amazing chocolate chip cookies. They were to die for!

It was a huge success! I'm sure it's because my daughter is also very good at marketing. She made up a flyer announcing the stand and stuffed them into the neighbors mailboxes...all before I even knew she did it!!!

Everyday my kids amaze me more and more! School starts on Friday and this year all 3 go! My youngest will be in preschool. I will not cry. I will not cry. I will not cry.

Have a great week!

Enjoy the Ride!!!

Isn't that something we all need reminded of from time to time? Kinda of like the whole stop and smell the roses idea. Well, this little table can remind you every time you set down your drink or magazine.

I first painted the table with some turquoise paint you've seen on several other pieces. I'm loving me some turquoise these days! I then traced the bicycle and wording onto the top of the table and painted those white.

Did a little distressing for a time-worn beachy look. Sprayed some poly all over for protection and done.

I promise my next project won't be blue. I've actually got a bunch of other colorful projects coming down the pipe line. I'm feverishly getting ready for my first show during the Lincoln Art and Balloon Festival on August 26th, 27th and 28th. For more information you can check out the Lincoln, Illinois website. I will be in Scully park at the craft fair and flea market. I'm super excited! I hope to see a bunch of you there. It's really a great festival!!!

I'm linking up to the DIY Show-off Party, Savvy Southern Style's Wow Us Wednesdays and Miss Mustard Seed's Furniture Feature Friday. There are some great ideas on these blogs!

Prince Charming

Here's a cute little kids chair. Of course no before pic...forgot again!!! Maybe I should put post-it notes all over my workshop...TAKE BEFORE PICS!!! Anyway he started out as a plain wood chair. I knew he needed a little fun...he is a kids chair after all!

First he got a fresh coat of red paint. Here's what I'm finding with red paint...it's hard to get good coverage without many coats of paint. It seems like most of the projects I've done with red take at least 3 coats! The problem is...I love red!!! The brighter the better. Good thing I like to paint!

Lately, instead of just painting and distressing something, I've been adding additional touches. The night I painted my postcard table I was so excited with how well it turned out I immediately decided to paint a crown on this little guy.

This picture is to give you an idea of it's size. I think this piece could go just about anywhere...in a kids room or toy room. He could be used as a plant stand. I even thought about hanging him on the wall! How fun would that be?

I'm linking up to Miss Mustard Seed's Furniture Feature Friday. Have a good weekend everyone!!! We are having some great friends over for breakfast tomorrow. They live in New Jersey and we usually only get to see them at Thanksgiving, so this is a real treat!