What happened to the last 4 months?

Has it really been that long since my last post? Yep it sure has...where did the time go? All I can say is that time flies when you are having fun! 

I just re-read a post from this time last year where I picked GROW as my Word of the Year. After looking back on 2012,  I must say I'm pretty darn proud of myself! My family is "growing" up happy, healthy and so far pretty well-adjusted :-) And my business has grown throughout 2012 with lots more potential for 2013! The future is bright!

Let me get you caught up with the last 4 months.

In August I participated in a flea market/vintage show that is always a ton of fun and pretty successful. This years event was even better because I met a most wonderful gal. She was preparing to open a new store in Springfield, IL and asked if I would like to add my furniture. THIS was exactly the opportunity I was wanting to pursue so I immediately jumped at the chance.

Cassandra opened her store, Urban Sassafras, in September.

I have tell you she has been the best surprise of the year! Cassie is such a wonderfully kind, warm, and inviting person and on top of all that, she's super talented. She can paint, craft, sew, construct and her photography is to die for!! I never know what she will come up with next but it's sure to be super cool.

I work in the store twice a month and always look forward to spending the day in such a creative environment. It's also nice to dip my feet in the retail world again.

If you live in the area make sure to plan a visit to Urban Sassafras. You won't be disappointed! Things change daily...and I do mean daily. I'm sure you will be hearing a lot about the store in this blog over the next year. It's become a big part of my business...thanks Cassie!!!

I love all this color!!!

Also, I guess it's time to think of a "Word of the Year" for 2013.
2012's worked out beautifully. I'll keep you posted :-)

The New Design is Revealed!!!

I am soooo excited to finally introduce my new blog design! I have been wanting to have this done for quite a while. And I couldn't be happier. Kristen, of Simply Klassic Design, came up with the new design. She was wonderful to work with and very patient with me. She listened to everything I asked for and her customer service was top-notch. If you are looking for a blog designer, I would highly recommend Kristen!!!

I was shopping today and decided to treat myself. :-) Aren't these tulips just beautiful?!? Here's the crazy thing...once I took these pictures and loaded it to the blog I realized the colors match my new blog design.

Oh, happiness!!! New blog design + pretty tulips = a good day!

Drop Leaf Table

Happy Leap Day!!! An extra 24 hours in your year!!! Did you treat it like any other day or do something special? I hate to admit that to me it was just other day. My husband did something special...he got the flu...poor guy. But to look on the bright side...he didn't waste a whole day being sick :-) Love you honey!!!

Here is my latest project. I have been wanting to do a treatment like this on a drop leaf table for a long time.

It is inspired by vintage dish cloths. Why No. 12? I really just picked it out but my daughter saw more significance to the number...she is 12 :-) Then I got to thinking...my husband is the 12th child in his family. Maybe there was more to it than I realized.

I never know how much I will distress a piece until it begins. I don't think I've ever distressed one quite this much. Did I go too far? That has been my fear, however, the more I live with it the more I like it. Lots of texture...yummy! It looks like it's been around for a long, long time.

With old tables like this, I find myself wondering about it's history. Who has previously owned the table? What were the happy times that took place around it? How many fabulous meals were eaten here? Oh, if this table could talk!

I continue to keep my word of the year "GROW" in the back of my head. And with that in mind I have some new, fun and exciting things happening in the near future. I will expound on those more in future posts...stay tuned!

Have a great week and thanks for reading!!! I love comments so leave one if you have the time.

GROW!!!

In my last post I was contemplating what my "word of the year" should be. I made a list of possibilities and left them on the kitchen table to come back to at a later date. Several nights ago my hubby says "I like this one." "Really...why?" I said. His answer was "because I think it truly encompasses all our goals for the year".

So...the word is...GROW!

I want to use this year to "grow" into a new business. I would love to see my blog "grow" into something special. We are "growing" a wonderful family. This word has now been wondering around in my head for a few days and I think my hubby is right. I cannot think of one negative connotation associated with the word "grow". It's cheerful, confident, energizing, and adventurous. Yep...I like that :-)

Here is my latest project. What?...you'd like to see what it looked like before? Ha! I forgot again. My brother's mother-in-law found this on the side of the road...thanks Susan!!!

I painted this piece using Annie Sloan "Provence" chalk paint. It's the first time I've used this color. It's very pretty. Actually much prettier than my pictures show. I'm limping my digital camera along until I can buy a new one. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!!! :-)

I had hoped it would be more intense. I'm looking for a great turquoise to paint my piano. But here's the great thing about this paint...you can mix and match to an infinite amount of colors.

This cute little table/secretary is great in so many place in the home. I've actually moved it around to several spots myself. It tucks into just about any spot seemlessly and can be used for a bit of storage and a small writing area. Although I could use it myself, I'm going to post it on my Items For Sale page.

Oh...and more exciting news for my little blog. I've surpassed the 50 follower mark!!! Whoohooo...way to GROW! And a big thank you to my friend Rachel for purchasing the harlequin table this week!!! I hope you enjoy it! My hubby was really happy to get a piece out of the house :-)

Until next time...have a great few days.

I'm gonna party here this week!