Counting Your Blessings

White Wednesday

2012-02-01T11:09:00.000-06:00

We're stocking the shelves! For a special event that we have coming up. We are making some one-of-a-kind items and saving them just for this event.

I know I'm rotten to be such a tease but I'll have more info for you soon and more sneak peeks, I promise.

For now, I thought I'd share the project that I've been working on for the last couple days. I love writing so it's no big surprise that one of my favorite things in the world is a pretty journal and pen set. Even though I'm a blogger, I still favor an old fashioned paper journal. I take one to church every week for notes (no, I'm not passing notes during church - I like to take notes from the sermon).

Is that the loveliest pen EVER?! I can say that because I didn't make the pens. My friend, Sara, from Sweet Magnolia's Farm hand dyes and places every petal! And I'm so blessed that she let me collaborated with her on these special journal sets.

photo via

Keep an eye on our blog because it's a "save the date" kind of event!

A limited selection of the journal & pen sets are available in my shoppe.

Individual pens are available at Sweet Magnolia's Farm

Linked today with White Wednesday

Vagabond Couture - Re-dyeing Leather

2012-01-30T14:43:00.003-06:00

photo via

I've had a lifelong vagabond love affair. No, not with their dirty, traveling lifestyle but with their worn leather bags! Let me preface all this by saying that I am not a handbag person. If I could shove everything into my jeans pockets, I would.

But a couple weeks ago I came across a purse style that I liked. Really liked. The only problem - it was from a line that was a couple years old and couldn't be purchased new (not that I could've afforded it new anyhow - holycows!). So after a bit of searching, I found a used one on ebay! But it was the wrong color.

The color was called "Straw", and it wasn't horrid. Just not what I wanted. I knew that I may not get another chance to own that style so I bought it - in the wrong color. Then I went to Feibings Leather and bought the products I needed to dye the leather. First, let me tell you that it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be but it wasn't instant gratification either.

I followed directions that I found online (here). Deglazer first to remove the finish. Then dark brown oil dye, letting it dry over night between coats, then Resolene to seal it and Mink Oil to protect it. I did two coats of the dye and even used a Q-Tip to get into the seams and crevices. After the first coat, I text my husband and said, "I'm crying - the dye totally ruined the bag". But I held my breath and applied a second coat the next day.

I'm the first to admit that I'm not a runway couture kind of girl but I love the vintage, worn look of how it turned out.
Hmmm... Vagabond Couture -who knew?!

Winter Layers

2012-01-09T10:57:00.001-06:00

Our house has lovely, wavy glass windows but a not so lovely draft from those old windows. So it can get pretty chilly in the Winter months without curtains. But I don't especially like curtains. I love natural light. It's important to me that I'm not living in a dungeon all Winter. Believe me, the Chicago area Winters can be bleak with the overcast gray skies. But even a thin layer between the windows and our heat bill can make a big difference.

I've been collecting different pieces of Battenburg and Tambour lace for a few months hoping to create some layered type of curtains. One layer during the day, two at night. The lace has made a beautiful pile in my fabric area but I knew that if I didn't hang them somewhere soon, they were likely to get ripped or ruined.

Right now they are just tacked up with push pins. Why are men so picky about nail holes?? But I'm pretty sure that I love the look enough to make it a more permanent relationship.

What do you think?

Linking with White Wednesday & Farmhouse Friday

Wax Paper Transfers

2012-01-06T13:31:00.001-06:00

I have an odd thing about buckets. Zinc, enamel, tin... I'm not picky. Pretty much, if it's an old bucket, I'm drawn to it. I know, I'm weird. Don't even get me started on farm tables.

Well, I decided that it's time to do something with all these cute buckets. I ran across a wax paper transfer tutorial HERE not long ago and thought I'd give it a try.

I grabbed an image from Graphics Fairy, used some double-stick tape to attach it to a piece of paper and ran it through the printer.

The tutorial that I was using says to mist the surface with water. I misted more than I probably should have because the ink ran a bit. But overall it worked pretty well.

I did find however that the ink rubs off easily so I sprayed on a clear glaze finish and that did the trick. After a few buckets, I found myself wondering if the tutorial was right and the same process would work on fabric.

As it turns out, the process does indeed work on fabric. BUT the ink easily smudges after it's dry. Since I was using very old grain sacks and not a fabric that would be worn or touching skin, I just gave it a light spray of the same glaze and voila, no more smudges. In the past, when I have printed directly on fabric the ink runs if it gets wet. I've heard that there really isn't a good way to prepare fabric for non-pigment ink.

I know it's lame to admit how uninformed I am but I have to ask you... Do you know a better way to print directly on fabric (not using fabric transfers)? And are there pigment ink cartridges for regular inkjet printers?

Parisienne Farmgirl Magazine

2012-01-05T09:47:00.000-06:00

With all the talk this week around here about magazines, I have to mention my friend Angela's new digital magazine, Parisienne Farmgirl Magazine. If you haven't visited with Angela before, let me tell you that she is one of the most lovely people that you'll ever know. Her eye for decorating, her photography, her unabashed views on life, her gardening & cooking, her family stories and mostly her love for the Lord - Make me wish I were her neighbor! Luckily, we live within an hour or so of one another so I sometimes get to visit her in person.

I'm so excited for all of us in blogland to get the opportunity to view more of her talent!

You can visit her blog - HERE

Check out her new Parisienne Farmgirl Magazine

European Flea Market

2012-01-04T06:01:00.017-06:00

Check it out, our wonderful French Hens Market is listed in Romantic Country as one of the best flea markets for a memorable weekend. Of course, we couldn't agree more! Our hosts, Traci & Monica make it a lovely weekend not just for the shoppers but also for the vendors. Mr. Blessing and I usually have one or more of our kids with us at any given sale. And our kids actually fight over who gets to go with to the Hens Market! Yet Steve and I still feel like we have had a "date" by the time we leave. Big hugs to Traci & Monica for turning a working weekend (with kids) into a romantic getaway.

You can visit Steve and I (& so many other great vendors) at the Hens Market on the second weekend of each month May - December. In the meantime, you can visit Traci & Monica at:

Whimsy Decor

Ruby Begonia's

Paper Garland Tutorial

2012-01-03T05:35:00.018-06:00

(View this tutorial in the Spring issue of Romantic Country)
Although some might consider it a sacrilege to tear apart books, we did just that to make our window valances. It may not be politically correct but, trust me, these were books headed to recycling bin. Our valances were a hit when friends would visit so we began making paper garlands that we offer in our shop. It's such an easy project! The hardest thing is finding a place to sit after you crumple all the pages.

Step 1: Select your Books. The number of books you'll use will depend on the size you want the garland to be and what types of books you are working with. Paperback books are a nice size for smaller garlands, like for draping over a mirror or a doorway. Hardback books have thicker heavier pages that are good for larger garlands, like for window treatments for a fireplace mantle. Vintage books have yellowed pages that are lovely against a white backdrop and most resale shops have an inexpensive selection of used books. But they can be brittle and may fall to pieces when crumpled. You should do a test on one or two pages before tearing all the pages out of the book. Newer books are easier to work with and can be purchased at the dollar store. You can always age the edges of newer books using a damp tea bag. No matter the books you choose you should plan to use about 400-500 pages for a 4 footgarland and about 800 pages for an 8 foot garland.

Step 2: After you've torn the pages out of your book (take them completely off the binding so you have individual pages), then taking small sections fold the pages in half and cut about a 1" slit in the center of the pages. Be sure to do this step before crumpling the pages. It's easier to cut a few pages at a time when they are not crumpled up.

Step 3: Loosely crumple your pages - individually. Believe me, trying to separate groups of crumpled pages without tearing them is not fun.

We incorporate the kids' help, put in a movie and let the paper fly.

Step 4: Un-crumple the pages. I know, like you couldn't have guessed, right?!

Step 5: Cut a length of twine as long as you want your garland, adding about a foot. Then tie a large looping knot in one end.

Step 6: Begin stringing the twine through the holes in the pages.

When the garland is the length and fullness that you want, tie the other end with the same looping type knot. Use the loops for hanging your garland. You can add ribbons or lace if you like.

If you're the kind of person that's always looking for a fun crafty project, you've got to hop over to RandomTutorial! It's a new site that directs you to simply click a red button and each time you do, it brings up a tutorial of a project from within the blogging community (you can search for specific projects if you want too but I personally like the little red button!). Seriously, you might be there all day so bring sustenance.

And don't forget to check out all the great handmade items at French Cupboard!

Farmhouse Reborn

2012-01-02T06:07:00.013-06:00

So I got a funny email last week from a friend. It said, "I just got my Romantic Country and saw your article! Wow…the house looks fabulous…how exciting!" Those of you who have been following my little blog for a while probably know how I reacted to that email. "Huh? What?" Insert dumbfounded look here!

Of course, I knew it may happen eventually but truly didn't have a clue when or if the photos would actually be used. So I spent the last many days searching local stores for a copy (not an easy task during the week of Christmas/New Years). And what do you know - our farmhouse really IS in Romantic Country! I'm tremendously humbled to be in the company of my talented friends, Rebecca Ersfeld & My Petite Maison. In fact, after seeing their homes, I'm stunned that our old house was chosen. But I'm so delighted that the title of the article is Farmhouse Reborn. What a perfect reminder not just of how the new year brings a fresh start but also of the new life that we have in Christ!

I have to admit that a few of the rooms featured have actually changed a bit since the photo shoot (like I could keep our decor the same for 9 months straight!). Not the least of which would be that our guest bedroom has become home to our 14 year old son who has taken a liking to graffiti-style art (sigh). But some of the changes are lovely. If I ever get the Christmas stuff put away, I'll take some new photos to share. In the meantime, if you'd like to see more of the article, you can pick up a copy of the Spring, 2012 issue of Romantic Country (It's available at our Target and Walmart now so it should be easier for you to find than it was for me last week) Or you can view low resolution photos HERE.

Tomorrow I will be sharing how to create the paper garlands that were featured in the article.

Hoping day two of 2012 is filled with your own rebirth and dumbfounding loveliness.

A Vintage New Year

2012-01-01T14:22:00.000-06:00

Surely you have granted us unending blessings
and made us glad with the joy of your presence. (Ps 21:6)

May your next year be filled with the joy of God's presence. And may you have a Vintage New Year.

Three French ROOSTERS

2011-12-17T10:07:00.002-06:00

.Earlier this week I had a rare few minutes alone so I made a quick stop at the local Salvation Army. I was digging through boxes of antique ornaments when a rooster peeked out at me from under a box.

When I started sliding boxes out of the way, I realized there were lots of roosters!

$15.00!!

It's old and chipped up and there are hand painted roosters and hens and chicks all the way around it. Red isn't my color but I couldn't help but think how darling it would be at one of our Three French Hens markets. I called my mom to come over and see my new find. And she laid claim to it as soon as she spied it! I'm not kidding, it was like a vulture swooped down!!

I never thought I'd actually give someone three french hens for a Christmas gift.

And look... we woke to fresh fallen snow this morning!!
I'm going to be singing the 12 Days of Christmas all day today.
(HERE are some fun shop-window pictures to go along with the 12 days. Click through the photostream to see all 12 days)

White Wednesday

2011-12-14T16:00:00.000-06:00

Just a few "white" projects today.
I added the French Angel Candles and Tattered Yo-yo Banners to the shop but I kinda like having them hanging around. Just a wee bit of White for White Wednesday.
We are praying to see some white outside soon too. It's been raining for about 24 hours straight. Just a few degrees cooler and it could turn to snow. Crossing fingers... Clicking our heels... Praying snowy bedtime prayers.

Classroom Christmas Gifts

2011-12-09T11:53:00.000-06:00

Although we school our kids at home, our daughter attends a small homeschool co-op two days a week. This morning we've been making gifts for her classmates. The bottles of coke are from ~~Stuff-Mart~~ Wal-Mart and the re-usable straws are from Dollar Tree.

She thought this was the MOST genius idea! I wish I could claim it but I found it on Pinterest (of course! Do you ~~waste~~ spend as much time there as I do?) and since there's no oven involved, she can make dozens and dozens all on her own. You can find the how-to Here.

Hope you are enjoying your Friday morning!

Homespun

2011-12-07T17:29:00.000-06:00

A couple weeks ago I got this exceedingly ME style farm table. It was one of the tables used in the cafe area at the Hens Holiday Market. You can't tell it from this photo but the table is rounded on the ends. So cool! Anyhow, I've been searching for the perfect chair to sit at my project table (yes, I'm really trying to move all the clutter from the dinning room table to an actual project area). Since we are putting our pennies toward Christmas gifts right now, I haven't been able to hit the resale shops but I remembered a chair that's been waiting for a make-over.

It's about as tattered as they come!

But I kinda love it for that very same reason.

It wasn't even until I took these pictures that I noticed it has little buttons sewed to the side. I can't imagine why someone would put them there. Maybe it was some sweet ol' lady's sewing spot. Where all her homespun creations came to life.

My first project at the ~~new~~ project table is this throw. Each crochet piece has to be hand stitched on.

At least I won't feel bad sticking the sewing needle in the arm of the chair when I take a rest!

Prepared

2011-12-06T13:35:00.000-06:00

She was a teenager during the depression when she left home and became a live-in housecleaner/cook.

She married young and had four children.

She owned an apple orchard.

She went south with us during the Winter months in our rainbow colored bus.

She took me in when my boy and I needed a refuge.

She stayed up all night with me, swapping stories.

She held my babies and gave me helpful tips.

She cupped their faces in her hands and told them each how she loved them.

And last week she told me goodbye.

We hugged and promised, "I'll see you later."
Gram was prepared

Starting Small - Ornament Decor

2011-12-02T12:10:00.000-06:00

I thought I'd start small with my holiday decor so today I went treasure hunting through my friend, Kim's, handmade ornaments.

Ok, she didn't make the Eiffel Tower but all the rest were handmade. And I'm really trying to surround us with handmade holiday stuff this year. It might be fun to give the kids their own tree and have them make all the ornaments for it.

I spent the majority of today's 3 minute Christmas makeover attempting to make it look like the evergreen naturally fell into a neat pile. I was not successful. But it smells really good.

Just a few small ornaments, some farmhouse tatter and a white wreath. But when I pass by, this corner winks a bit of Christmas at me. Maybe tomorrow I can attempt something larger.

3 Minute Christmas Corner

2011-12-01T14:18:00.000-06:00

With all the markets that we have set up at, we have been surrounded by gorgeous Christmas displays since September. But our home doesn't have a single bit of holiday cheer yet. And I've never been good at Christmas decor. Every year I really want to have beautiful decorations but I never quite pull it together in time. So today I decided to do a 3 minute Christmas makeover on an empty little spot at the top of the stairs. We have a huge old house that usually has more toys and school work and half finished projects on display than pretty things ("Hoarders With Glitter", as Jen Rizzo says). But I'm determined! It's December 1st for goodness sake. I'm not going to let all the loveliness that Christmas can be slip by! So I grabbed some Christmas-y things from a box leftover from the Hens market. I fumbled up the stairs with an awkward armload, kicked the hotwheels out of the way and decided to give it a go.

My tattered french chair from Anne Marie has a new spot. I'm not sure that I'm in love with the result of my on-the-fly Christmas corner but maybe that's because it's a lone beacon of holiday cheer. So I'm challenging myself to do a 3 minute Christmas makeover each day in the hopes that I'll actually have Christmas decorations in time for Christmas!

Three French Hens & Black Friday Ads

2011-11-23T10:58:00.000-06:00

We had the privilege of participating in the Three French Hens Holiday Market a few days ago. It was such a lovely event. Carolers wandered around Friday evening...

One vendor was selling bags of evergreen - a wonderful, Christmas-y scent greeted us right at the door.

Of course, Traci, Mark and Monica had a gorgeous display.

We had fun with Jennifer Rizzo next to us.

And I was delighted when Elizabeth Maxon bought our Salon mirror but I was even more delighted that I finally got to talk with her in person. What a beautiful lady.

I hope that you are enjoying your short work week!

Don't forget to visit French Cupboard's online Holiday Market this weekend. You can shop 24/7!

Click HERE to preview Black Friday ads for most of the major chains.

Thank you, Father, for YOU. Thank you for our families, our friends and our freedoms. Thank you for all the inspiration our eyes can handle here in blogland. Thank you for the mom and pop boutiques that are braving the economy and still creating handmade gifts. Thank you for your bounty!

Longing...

2011-11-11T11:16:00.001-06:00

After months of sales... creating, loading the trailer, setting up shop and visiting with so many wonderful friends... I am longing for home. For the first time in my life I can't wait for the long Winter.

I can't wait to snuggle with my children (note the price tag on my boy's forehead, placed there by his older brother), feather the nest and curl up with a pile of good books (or, with my Nook app). I can't wait to rearrange furniture, make curtains, simmer a pot of homemade soup.

The cabinet that I have been getting visitation rights with is finally off lay-away and I'm ready to fill it up with handmade pretties and homeschool projects. (Check out the old mirror! LOVE that!)

Just a couple more holiday sales and I may even be a regular blogger again. =)

Have a beautiful weekend!

Christmas at the Chick Barn

2011-11-02T11:37:00.001-05:00

(Holiday Lace Banners)

The Blessing Farmhouse is bursting at the seams!

We are getting ready for all the holiday barn sales coming up in the next few weeks. This weekend we will be at the Kane County Flea Market in the Poultry Bldg (aka: The Chick Barn). We are loading up our space with handmade holiday gifts and Mr. Blessing will have a new stock of vintage furniture pieces! I'll try to post some photos over the next couple of days of some of the things that you can expect to see this weekend. Here are few...

( A sweet variety of handmade tags)

(Simply Beautiful Lace Accessories for you and/or your home. Inspired entirely by my fav designer, Magnolia Pearl. The beauty is in the simplicity and versitility)

(Gloves with built-in ruffly cuffs - love these!)

(Gift Toppers / Tree Trim)

(As requested, Ruffle Leg Warmers in cream & black)

And to top it all off, we get to be next to Traci and Mark. They will have an amazing Christmas display.

Please come by and visit us as we kick off the Christmas season in the "The Chick Barn".

Fifi's Guest House

2011-10-20T11:24:00.001-05:00

We always love it when a customer or friend sends us pictures of how they are using one of our items! So I was delighted to get some pictures from Fifi this week showing the paper garland in her guest house.

First of all, I'd be over the moon if I HAD a guest house but wouldn't you just swoon if you could have one that looks like this?!

Those darling pillows are part of a new line that she will have available soon called Prairie Pretties.

(photos via Mark Lohman)

I may not have a guest house but I'm in the process of getting my "main" house back in order. You wouldn't believe the chaos we create from one sale to the next, not to mention all the homeschool stuff. Once we are beyond the next month, I get to be a homebody again. I can't wait to show you some of the new ideas for our old rooms! But first, it's holiday barn sale time!!

We are linking up today with
French Inspiration Thursday
Farmhouse Friday
Vintage Inspiration Friday

Pictures from Nellies Barn Sale

2011-10-17T11:11:00.000-05:00

Check out that harvest table!

We were at the Nellies Barn Sale this last weekend and they had the most beautiful handmade harvest table front and center. My camera battery died before I could get pictures of everyone's booths but you can see more photos HERE, HERE and HERE. It was a beautiful weekend with beautiful friends. We are so grateful to those of you who made the trip to come and see us!!

In between the Na-Da Farm sale and the Nellies Barn Sale, our family took off to hideaway for a bit at a log cabin in Galena, IL.

We still had to do school work but the recess time was so much more interesting!

I'd love to tell you all about the trip but the truth is that I fell into bed the moment we got there and except for school work, I slept through the entire thing. Mr. Blessing and the kids had loads of fun on the trails and star gazing at night but all I wanted was some serious sleep!

Nellie's Barn Sale

2011-10-13T11:55:00.001-05:00

Although Mr. Blessing and I have set up at loads of sales since June and have been blessed with lots of sweet customers, somehow there is still a storeroom full of stuff!! It's time to clearance out the inventory so we can get ready for the holidays. We will be at the Nellie's Barn Sale this weekend, hoping that you'll stop by for a visit - not just at our tent but at all the other vendor tents too! Yep, there's about 8 other vendors that have been painting and crafting and creating all Summer just for this event!! If you are in the Chicagoland/Wisconsin area, this is a super fun sale to visit!

Tom the "Pumpkin Man" will be there with a huge selection of pumpkins available.

Musician, Kevin Baker, will be performing.

There have been large crowds in the past so get there early!

Open 10-4

Friday & Saturday (10/14-10/15)

Directions available HERE.

NaDa Farm Sale

2011-10-09T10:25:00.000-05:00

Burlap Sunflowers

2011-09-29T19:41:00.000-05:00

Voila! - It's French Inspiration at French Cupboard.

I know that sunflowers are a big thing in France but probably not this big.

Last night Mr. Blessing and I had so much fun making some HUGE burlap sunflowers for our farmstyle "shoppe" at Kane this weekend. I wish you could've seen the kids' faces when they got up this morning and there were 5 foot sunflowers hanging in the living room!

Fun Fall Events

2011-09-27T19:13:00.000-05:00

This weekend we will be at the Kane County Flea Market (Poultry Bldg), selling all kinds of handmade things but if you aren't in the Chicago area, you can still shop lots of sweet handmade harvest items! French Cupboard is hosting a Handmade Harvest Blog Party. You can share your own items while you visit too! Click HERE for more info.

And next weekend is one of my favorite sales! Mr. Blessing and I will be the NaDa Very Prairie Holiday event. Please, please come by and see us. You'll love the farm, the prairie, the art classes, the vendors! Click HERE for more info.

Hot Glue in My Hair

2011-09-22T15:00:00.001-05:00

Yes, in my hair! Our week has been like a train ride on a rollercoaster track. If it wasn't the garage door, it was hot glue. These simple cloth, french parasols are the project that, combined with 6th grade math, had me thinking all manner of bad words this week. I have an ever-growing population of broken parasols but they are so sweet that I just can't toss them. So I got the notion to rip them up a bit intentionally and add burlap in the gaps.

Thankfully, like homeschool, the end result is much prettier than the process!

Speaking of pretty, I had a few mismatched pointe shoes left over from projects past so I accessorized them. I'm thinking they would be so pretty on a Christmas tree. It was one of those middle-of-the-night inspirations and, you know, those rarely turn out as well (or as easily) as I pictured it at o'dark-thirty. But I kinda like these. I'm taking some to the markets that we have coming up in October but I'll try to list one or two on the website if anyone is interested.

A friend of mine gave me the idea for these hilarious glasses. We don't drink but it was such a funny idea that I had make some for the next Kane market.

I love the old silver punch bowl (and TWELVE cups) that I got a few weeks ago. I was able to trade a petticoat lamp for it so the set cost me nothing (that's me doing a little happy jig in the background). Mr. Blessing says that I'll never use it so I'm thinking we should serve apple cider in it at one of our markets... with the funky wine glasses! If nothing else, it'll prove him wrong *smiles*

Remember the garage that I mentioned crashing into last week? (The sordid details: I backed out with the truck hatch open and yes, the garage door came off the tracks, the truck has a lovely dent in it and no, Mr. Blessing was not thrilled!) Well this week the garage is loaded up with corn stalks and weeds (for lack for knowing what kind of weeds they are, I'm calling them plain ol' weeds). We'll probably have mice in the garage but I told Mr. Blessing that I'm just diverting them from the house! Again, he's not thrilled.

My 13 year old son finally did it! I knew it was coming at some point what with all the skateboarding, parkour jumping and general 13 year old boy stuff. On Sunday he broke his hand. Well, technically it's just his pinkie knuckle but it still required an orthopedic doctor and a cast!

We have been out junking a few times in the last week, looking for things to re-stock our inventory. I never thought I'd reach a place when I could say that we have depleted my stash of junk! But what a fun job. In fact, I even found a new item for our farmhouse! However, it was ~~ridiculously~~ relatively expensive so it's on lay-away. I'm going over to the shop where it currently lives tomorrow to drop off a payment and have some visitation time with it. I'll take some photos to share.

Hope your week has been filled with lots of junk too (minus the broken hand, fallen garage door and hot glue)!

Linking up today with French Cupboard's French Inspiration

Lady Autumn

2011-09-12T13:11:00.000-05:00

The French Country Market this last weekend was a night time show and it was so lovely! Traci & Monica do such an amazing job with this sale - Big huge thanks to them for all their hard work.

As usual I was running stark raving mad until the very last minute to get everything ready. We found this darling hand stitched old jacket the night before we were leaving and I just had to work it into our Fall display. Of course, I didn't have anything made to match it but the burlap worked just fine. Lady Autumn greeted everyone at the front of the tent.

My 8 year old son is a junker-in-training! He found this super cool window frame with dried sunflowers in it at a local sale. It fit perfectly in our theme and it was the very first item that sold.

Our two oldest boys were with us for this sale. I was the proud mom showing them off. We even had a moment to sneak off and take some pictures.

It's a beautiful little town with so many great photo opportunities. I wanted to take a long walk with my boys and then shop til my feet fell off. But Mr. Blessing was holding down the fort (tent) so a half hour break was about all I could spare. Next time maybe we can spend an extra day visiting all the fun shops and seeing the sites.

Tomorrow I'll have to tell you about how I crashed into the garage this morning. *sigh*

On the Run

2011-09-10T08:34:00.001-05:00

We are heading out to the French Country Market in Morris, IL (see our Events tab above for directions). I hope that we'll see you there.

P.S. I promise - I'll do a "real" blog post soon. *smiles*

In the meantime, stop by and visit all the French Inspiration at French Cupboard's Voila - HERE

Whites for the Market

2011-08-30T13:12:00.000-05:00

We are up to our elbows in projects, both school related and market related. One of the projects that turned out to be bigger than I planned was this dresser. We got it for next to nothing because some of the drawers are missing and the finish was really icky. I was envisioning it in a bathroom with towels neatly folded on the open shelves (not MY bathroom, of course, because there's nothing neat about our bathroom - But someone who lives in a home-decor-magazine-style-farmhouse might have their towels folded neatly).

But that was before I found these gorgeous baskets. They look like a delicate lace so, being the make-a-project-more-difficult-than-necessary kind of girl, I really wanted them for this piece. Can you guess how many matching baskets were at our local store? All but two. Can you guess how far we drove (on a "family adventure") to find the other two baskets? Yeah, we spent two hours on the road so that I could have the sweet baskets instead of neatly folded towels! And it's not even for my house!! Tell me I'm not the only one that goes over-board on projects going to market? Please.

I saw some paper pumpkins on Pinterest that were so darling that I had to try my own version.

(That Pinterest inventor must have known my propensity toward procrastination - I could spend h-o-u-r-s browsing. But don't tell Mr. Blessing. He thinks I'm working and is so helpful, telling the kids "Don't bother mom. She's been working at that computer all day!")

LOVE the XL silk rosettes. I have to buy more silk just so that I can have a few of these for myself.

And I'm definitely keeping one of the ruffly handbags that a sweet new friend is helping me make for the markets. She did such a great job!

We will have all these projects and more at the Kane County Flea Market this weekend. If you are in the area, come visit us in the Poultry building. But since some of the family will be working with me please do not mention taking a family adventure!

Creative Moments

2011-08-25T10:48:00.001-05:00

Before we throw ourselves back into the routine of school, I thought I'd share a few of the creative moments that we've had around the Blessing Farmhouse this Summer - just in case you were wondering if we have done ANYthing besides barn sales and flea markets (since that's all I seem to post about lately)...

We've had paper garlands coming out of our ears!

I think we have paper in one state or another on every surface.

Literally!

And the kids have had creative moments of their own.

(please pardon the blurry pics - most of the pictures of the kids are taken with my phone, on the fly)

One son has spent every breathing moment working on his great love! He practices with the team four days a week for 2 hours. My mom-instinct says, "That's too much! He's just 8". But he loves every second of it and daddy is right there beside him, coaching.

He definitely considers "juking" an art form!

I caught our middle son playing his new acoustic guitar on the park bench while Mr. Blessing and I were busy selling at the French Country Market.

Although I don't care for it, he sees beauty in creating ramps and jumps and painting his "art" all over them!

No broken bones despite all the ramps - whew!

He surprised us one weekend by asking if his grandpa could baptism him in the pool.

(My dad is pastor and has church each week a different nursing homes around town)

Our oldest boy worked hard on re-building a motorcycle, taking many Saturdays to get his M-class license and managing his work schedule. He stopped over last night as he was taking his first official ride after waiting all Summer.

He might look a little aloof here but we've been through a lot this Summer. He's grown, matured and I'm so proud of him!

Our daughter expresses art in everything that she does. She spent weeks planning for her yard sale. She made signs and created soda pop snow cones with her neighbor friend. She went to camp each day for three weeks at one of the local churches and created art and music and fun everyday. She cried when the last day came.

And the big event for her was finally being able to get her ears pierced! Now it's all about expressing her uniqueness with earrings. =)

Each of them an artist in their own way.

Even though I'm not linking up to the French Inspiration party today, come on over to French Cupboard and check out all the loveliness

French Country Flea Pics & Crocheted Wire

2011-08-18T09:31:00.001-05:00

In all the hustle of packing for the French Country Market, I forgot my camera so I took these with my phone.

We were honestly scrambling to get enough items ready to take to the sale after having been at the Kane County Flea Market the previous weekend. It was forcasted to rain but God held off the rain literally until the moment the sale was over.

It was a great sale. Such a darling, historic-type town. It was hard to stay in my booth and not go shopping!

Mr. Blessing snuck away (he told me he was going to find a pizza vendor) to buy a bracelet that I'd admired earlier at Ruby Begonias. A crocheted, lacy WIRE cuff! I gotta learn how to do that!!

Linking up today with:
French Cupboard's French Inspiration Party
Faded Charm Cottage
Vintage Inspiration Friday

French Country Flea Market

2011-08-12T09:42:00.000-05:00

We are loading up and heading over to Morris, IL for the French Country Flea Market.

If you are in the area, we'd love for you to come visit with us.

I'll share pictures from the sale next week but for now I have about a zillion projects to finish, including this lace-up gown.

Hope you all have a lovely weekend!

Weekend at the Flea

2011-08-08T10:43:00.000-05:00

There's nothing quite like the exhaustion of the Monday after a big sale. Mr. Blessing and I were set up at Kane County Flea Market this last weekend. We had so much fun meeting everyone and spending time with our dear friends, Karen and Brad (they were a huge help - we owe you!). Thank you to everyone who came out to shop and visit with us!

I thought I'd share a couple of photos from our booth. They are a bit dark but here you have it...

The ruffle lamps were definitely a focal point.

Next weekend we'll be at the French Hens Market in Morris, IL.
Please come by and visit us if you are in the area!

All my Eggs in One Basket

2011-07-27T20:22:00.000-05:00

I've never been one of those all-your-eggs-in-one-basket kind of girls. I don't want to narrow my focus to one thing (ie: sewing, crafting, photography, restoring old things, etc). I love the variety! One day I want to sew. The next day I want to refinish a cabinet. I can't imagine waking up everyday to face the exact same work projects that I had the day before (go ahead and say it, I'm spoiled).

So this week when I jumped from journals to tea-dying a lampshade to "papering" a room divider, I wondered if there's a better job in the world than what I get to do.

My daughter played with her American Girl paper dolls on the floor beside me as I cut pages from old reader books for the journals.

My youngest son and I worked together on the divider and when we were done, we sat in the middle of the mess we made in the living room and ate fudgepops.

The details are so much more rewarding than the paycheck!

It's been a while but I just had to take a minute to count the blessings of working at home.

Homemade Chalk-y Paint

2011-07-20T18:59:00.002-05:00

Did you know that you can make any color paint chalky? Makes a great chalk paint for furniture or chalkboard paint. I discovered this some time ago and I use this very unofficial recipe all the time. It's so much cheaper than buying chalk (or chalkboard) paint.

This is my junker's recipe...

Simply mix 3/4 cup of flat latex paint in the color of your choice...

Two tablespoons of pre-mixed spackle (Martha Stewart's recipe calls for powdered grout but I didn't have any on hand the first time I made it so I tried Mr. Blessing's spackle that was already mixed and it worked so terrifically that I've made it this way ever since). Note: add more spackle or grout for a thicker chalk type furniture paint until it's something like cake batter...

And one tablespoon of clear glaze (again, I didn't have exactly that so I used a satin finish varnish and it works just fine). Mix it all up really well.

And you have chalky paint for a fraction of the price!

I think it is a better quality chalkboard than the store bought chalkboard paint. I'm new to chalk paint but this gives a similar finish to some of the pricey paints.

Where Bloggers Create

2011-07-15T09:16:00.004-05:00

Welcome to my Sleeping Porch Studio!

Many of you know that during the Winter months, I work in our cozy attic studio. Our homeschool classroom is up there so it's easier to work upstairs. But during the warmer months, I work in the downstairs sleeping porch. My cutting table was the counter at a local shop. I love the old door on top. I can't share too much of the studio because this is one of the rooms that was included in Fifi's shoot but here's a little peek...

I have a few vintage dressforms but this one is my favorite. I love to have lace draped over her.

My sewing nook is truly just a nook in this large room. I have to hide the TV behind a curtain above the sewing machine. Sometimes the kids want to watch a movie in here but I sure don't want to see the big, black, flat screen 24/7.

This is the craft area. The kids tend to work here more than I do but believe me, I can get that table piled up with projects super quick! Right now it's a nice spot for tagging items for our open-air sales.

Our petticoat light was not intended as a permanent fixture. I got the super cool, rusty old frame at Na-Da last Fall and I really like it without anything on it. But when Fifi called and asked if she could come a week early, this was my quick fix. (Yes, I nearly paniced when I got the call that she was coming "tomorrow" but there was a scheduling conflict and in the end it all worked out fine).

This room has 11 windows so it has amazing light! Unfortunately, it also presented a very expensive curtain issue. Paper garlands dress up the plain muslin!

Thank you for sharing a peek into our Sleeping Porch Studio.

I'm delighted to be part of Where Blogger's Create with My Desert Cottage today. Please be sure to visit some of the other blogger's studios.

Also linked up today with Feathered Nest Friday

Setting up Farmstyle Shop

2011-07-14T11:17:00.002-05:00

As the kids are getting a little more independent and able to spend a day or two with grandma, Mr. Blessing and I are delighted to have the opportunity to set up an open-air, farmstyle shop at some local markets this Summer!

You can checkout our event schedule HERE.

It's been a number of years since we have been part of regular brick and mortar type selling so I'm a little rusty at the art of display. But I'm excited to throw myself into practicing! And it's fun working together.

We've been picking up lots of fun pieces, and working on handmade items.

Love the French market basket!

It's a lovely but odd business... Buying old pieces, cleaning them, painting them...

Adding hardware...

And then making them look old again!
Yes, I know, it's missing a drawer pull - but I promise, it won't be sporting any naked drawers at the sale.
We're having lots of fun adding a new layer to our business for the Summer!

Linking up today with French Inspiration, White Wednesday, Vintage Inspiration, Chic on Shoestring

Voila!

2011-07-07T11:49:00.003-05:00

Last week I made a burlap banner for a friends French inspired booth. It was about a billion degrees outside so I decided to paint indoors. I guess I was having one of "those" days because after an hour or so on the floor stenciling the phrase "Desirable Corner", I was making the final cuts to the burlap when I noticed that there was a bit of paint on the floor under the "D". When I peeled back the letters... Guess who had 15 perfectly stenciled letters on her hardwood floor!!!

*sigh* Yes, I forgot to put the drop cloth under the burlap.

I hollered for all the kids to grab a wet rag and start scrubbing!

It took about the same amount of time to get the letters off the floor as it took to put them on the burlap.

After weighing it out, I can now say with confidence that I should've opted for the heat!

Linking up today with French Cupboard's Voila - French Inspiration, Open House, Vintage Inspiration Friday

Decorating a Landing

2011-06-22T12:28:00.000-05:00

Our second floor landing is such an odd shape. It's only about 5 feet around and all the bedrooms shoot off of that landing. There's no hallway, no window, it's dark and there's only one wall large enough to decorate. It's always been an irritation to me because it's such a narrow spot and the studs in the wall aren't in places where I want to hang things.

So I was delighted when we found this mantle. Actually I've used a mantle here before but I still had a blank wall above the mantle. The difference is that this one is narrow and it's all one piece and the top half is a mirror so it helps light up the landing.
Mr. Blessing was not quite as delighted as I was about hauling a HUGE one piece mantle.

It only has one shelf so I may have to make one for the other side.
(Love this little French book)

But for now, I'm ok with putting tall items on that side to hide the difference.

The best part is that I can change the decor everyday if I want.

Linking up with: White Wednesday, French Inspiration, Vintage Inspiration

Romantic? Farmstyle

2011-06-17T19:38:00.002-05:00

While walking the grounds at Northwinds last week we came across an interesting outbuilding. Yes, that's a pink "lid". I can't decide if it's cute or gross.
Return to Pink Saturday
Return to Vintage Inspiration

White Wednesday

2011-06-14T17:39:00.000-05:00

Last week our family tagged along for a day-trip with my parents (They take the scenic route everywhere so they find the sweetest sales. Of course, it takes twice as long to get there but it's usually worth it). They led us to the Northwinds Perennial Farm's annual open air antique market.

There are barns and out buildings filled with all kinds of gorgeousness. LOVE those twisted, chippy columns!

(That kinda sounds like something my 13 year old would use to describe ME)

One potting shed had a beautiful Last Supper piece on the wall.

And on the floor in the same shed were these stone architecture pieces, just laying there waiting for someone to ooo and ahh over them.

The silo was my favorite! A lovely, echo-y gathering place.

In every direction there were so many picture-perfect spots.

So our daughter took advantage of one of them, snapping a quick pic of mommy and daddy.

I've posted a few more photos of Northwinds over at French Cupboard if you'd like to take a peek

Return to White Wednesday

Three French Hens Market

2011-06-13T10:22:00.001-05:00

This weekend Mr. Blessing and I had the opportunity to visit the Three French Hens Market in Morris, IL. I was surprised by the large crowd of shoppers in such a quaint, historic little town. We got to spend some time with Traci (Whimsy), Mark (Rome363 - Mark has loads of photos of the market!) and Monica (Ruby Begonias). I can only aspire to the talent these folks have with their displays!

We are thinking of setting up at this sale in August but I have to admit, I'm a bit intimidated. However, the inspiration is over-taking the intimidation. I'm excited to be part of such a great event!

So we may be packing our suitcases, loading up and hauling our wares to Morris in August. Of course, my suitcases don't look quite so lovely as these.

We also had the chance to visit some of the shoppes in this darling town. Of course, I had to stop by Traci's shoppe, Whimsy Decor.

Again, gorgeous displays! The kind of place that I'd love to stay in for hours and poke in every corner.

I spied some of my friend, Erica's, rosettes.

And I think this might be one of Jill's slip dresses.

Jill and Traci met at the Na-Da Farm sale. See, it CAN pay to shop barn sales. They are great places to find vendors for your brick & mortar.

Traci and her mom do amazing things at Whimsy Decor. If you find yourself in the Illinois area during your Summer travels, be sure to stop by Whimsy Decor and the Three French Hens Market. You can also shop Whimsy's Etsy shop online.

White Wednesday - The Highlights

2011-06-07T21:29:00.001-05:00

I've noticed a few blogs lately that have been giving "bullet point" highlights and since it's been so busy around here, I thought I'd give it whirl. Though it should not be construed to mean that I will in any way be less wordy. It's just scattered thoughts...

~The farmhouse phone lines have been playing tag with us lately. Some days we have a land line and internet; Some days I'm using my android phone to piece together a blog post. I finally got irritated enough to call the phone company today. They had me test the line at the box outside. If you can believe it, the only non-wireless phone in the house was this old rotary, grandma phone. And it still works. See, the oldies really were the goodies.

~I think I may have black-thumbed my hydrangea bush. Neighbor Bob is doctoring it up for me but I'm afraid all the high winds and steamy hot weather may have been the culprit (although we all know that I am my plants worst nemesis. But in my own defense, I was gone to the Nellie's Barn Sale for a few days. I really need plants that maintain themselves!).

~I have stooped to a new level of gardening low... I had my sweet little girl pick peonies from the neighbor's yard (A farm table just shouldn't be without fresh flowers). Of course I asked ahead of time if it would be ok but the fact remains, my neighbor's bushes are blooming like mad and the same dirt on the other side of the fence is apparently littered with the black plague.

~Nellie's Barn Sale was wonderful! We had steady crowds and good sales. It was hot - like how I would imagine the Amazon is. But we had fun meeting new bloggers and catching up with old friends. You can see more photos from the sale HERE. And, NO, I did not kill that patch of grass under the arbor - It was like that when I arrived!

Return to White Wednesday

Going to Market

2011-06-01T12:04:00.000-05:00

Well, it only happens once in a blue moon around here...

We are clearing out! It's time for the clearance to end all clearances. We're pulling things out from storage and we're headed out to Nellies Barn Sale.

I've made a few extra little goodies just for this sale.

And there are a few yummy things from previous posts. =)

If you are in the Wisconsin/Northern Illinois area, we would love to visit with you! Open this Friday 1:00 - 7:00 and Saturday 9:00 - 4:00 (June 3rd and 4th).

Summer Deck made out of Pallets

2011-05-26T12:53:00.000-05:00

We have a small area between the back porch and the garage that is a muddy, yucky mess all Summer. There are large old trees that block the sun from coming though and when it rains we get mud puddles. It's a space we all avoid. We've been wanting a deck for that spot but the cost of materials was ridiculous. My dad suggested making a deck from wood pallets. So that's just what Mr. Blessing did! Tip: If you are going to try this project, you'll want to get the heavier pallets with smaller slots between the slats of wood).

He set the pallets on cinder blocks that he leveled off. And trimmed it out with old barn boards (that's him, digging through piles of barn boards).

We were fortunate that the red paint on the barn boards matched the trim on our house. After two coats of white deck stain, it looks like it's been here as long as the house. (Pardon the leaves and debris - we've had some serious high wind/tornado weather lately). We have a pallet company right here in town. You probably have one nearby and they usually deliver too. Mr. Blessings jokingly calls it our "hillbilly deck" but I think it's another one of his amazingly creative projects!

White Wednesday - The Boho Ball

2011-05-25T08:28:00.000-05:00

After we delivered our items to the Na-Da shop area last Thursday afternoon, we headed to a nearby shop - Moxie. We were supposed to be looking for our Boho Ball dresses but I was distracted. They had a hanging lamp that I was absolutely smitten with.

It was all ruffles! About the length of a size 10 strapless dress.

Yep, I wore a lamp shade to the Boho Ball. Hey, I'm not the only one that's worn a lampshade at a party! But I might be the only one that's worn a lampshade TO a party.

Return to White Wednesday

Na-Da Vendor Photos

2011-05-24T11:21:00.001-05:00

I thought I'd share a few of the vendors items from Na-Da...

Above: Gypsy Brocante Bags. Jill also had a great selection of hand dyed gypsy slips, crochet tops and jewelry.

Jennifer Rizzo is such a talented artist! She had some lovely pieces of art there as well as these gorgeous chairs.

Jeanne Oliver had a great line of dresses, ruffle pillows and ruffle bags (I snagged one of her bags before the sale and I LOVE it!)

Jeanne also did a collage art class. I peeked in and it was packed! I can't wait to see what some of the bloggers in the class created. I'm sure they'll post photos.

I loved the lace garlands that Anne Marie made. I wish I had a better photo of it but you can see one draped from the fence down onto the bench.

Beth Quinn brought a huge selection of jewelry designs. I totally admire the detail of her work.

I didn't get an opportunity to meet all of the vendors that were outside of our shop area but here are a few photos... Above: Traci (Whimsy) and Mark (Room 363) had an amazing display.

Denise's Adornments

Hot House Market

Chippy Shabby

Midwest Living came out to cover the sale!

And Fifi was there for the book signing. I wish I could express how sweet she is. There are so few people in the world that are as well known as she is and still big hearted and generous. I just adore her for who she is and, of course, like anyone who meets her, I'm in awe of her design "eye".

Tomorrow I'll share the unusual outfit that I wore for the "Boho Ball". Thanks for sharing a few moments here. Have a beautiful Tuesday!

Pictures from Na-Da

2011-05-23T12:19:00.000-05:00

It was a GLORIOUS weekend!

Anne Marie and Jason created a lovely backdrop for the Spring Na-Da Farm Sale. Although after the sale we had some serious storms come through, the bad weather held off. It was amazing to meet so many new friends and to have a moment to talk with return shoppers. It was beautifully busy so I didn't get tons of photos but I thought I'd share a few...

Just inside the barn.

Food Table

The centerpiece held baby chicks!

Fifi's book signing area.

The hanging lamps that Anne Marie made were stunning!

I think my favorite area was the bloggers's tent. It was breath-taking!

One of the little shoppers was really enjoying the daybed so I just had to snap a quick picture.

In the next post I'll take you inside to see some of the vendors items but today I think I'm going to do a lot of nothing... or maybe just a project or two. I have all kinds of project ideas after being so inspired by these amazing gals!

Fifi Visits Blessing Farmhouse

2011-05-18T16:09:00.001-05:00

Around here we often have to make lemonade out of lemons. We live in a hundred year old house and we choose to see the "character" and the "romance" in the cracked, warped and falling apart bits of the house. But yesterday we didn't have to look through rose colored lenses.

Yesterday our home was filled to overflowing with loveliness. Fifi & her photographer, Mark Lohman, spent the day with us, photographing our character-filled house. These are some seriously delightful people! We had such a wonderful time, joking with them and seeing our house through their lens!

As soon as I have some photos and links, I will share them with you. Tonight though I'm back to pricing and heading off to Na-Da. Thanks so much to Fifi and Mark for an amazing day! I'm humbled and it was an honor to spend time with them. If you are in the Chicago area, you can visit with them this weekend at Na-Da. We'd love for you to stop by!

French Inspiration

2011-05-11T22:12:00.000-05:00

The hardest part about getting ready for a big farm sale AND a big event at the house is trying to decide what stays at the house and what goes to the sale!

I made this card wheel with the intentions that it would be inventoried and tagged for Na-Da but it looks so french-ish sitting on my dinning room buffet/dresser.

The other hard part is wanting the outdoor living areas to be just as "spruced up" as the indoor areas and we have had a late start to Spring here in the Chicago area. Last week we still had freeze warnings but all of a sudden yesterday it was 90 degrees!

Many of you know that I'm not a famed gardener. Neighbor Bob is my tutor. I'm such a beginner!

But I want my kids to grow up with an appreciation for sowing, watering and eating the food that God has grown for us. So this year Neighbor Bob and my 10 year old daughter are planting together.

Though I adore our historic farmhouse, all the farm land it used to sit on was sold in pieces over the years. We don't have a backyard to speak of and the front yard is pretty tiny. But God has given us such beautiful neighbors! Our pool sits in Neighbor Bob's yard. Our garden is actually a section of his garden. Our raspberries grow on his raspberry bush. Our grapes grow on his vines.

So if the house isn't perfect and all the pretty creations go to the sale, life at Blessing Farmhouse is beautiful regardless of my attempts at sprucing up. We are blessed to share an old fashioned summer and a stone garden-path!

White Wednesday

2011-05-11T18:33:00.000-05:00

Mr. Blessing and I took a stroll to new friends place this morning. He has a delightful warehouse filled with goodies removed from old Chicago buildings. I was in heaven when he let us poke around in his storage units and dig for antique ceiling tins! LOVE all the chippy whites, blues, greens!

I wish I would've taken more photos but I only had my cell phone with me so I just took a few from the outside. I think I found a new partner in crime!!

Return to White Wednesday at Faded Charm Cottage

RUFFLES!

2011-05-03T19:25:00.000-05:00

Last weekend Mr. Blessing and I drove into the Chicago suburbs to two different Target stores to pick up ruffled curtains. I know, crazy!! But what's a girl to do when there's only 6 panels available in the entire state?!

Come on over to French Cupboard and check out the other ruffles that I worked on this week...

French Doors

2011-04-29T11:18:00.001-05:00

The Blessing Farmhouse is getting primped for an upcoming event but it does not look the part right now! If you were to peek beyond any set of french doors in our home today you would be greeted with piles of stuff. The kitchen stuff is in the dinning room, the mudroom stuff is in the living room. How can reorganizing create so much chaos? I felt bad when the dishwasher repairman had to climb through the living room this morning (ok, not really "climb" - more like "step over and around").

But I made the bed yesterday. That has to count for something, right?!

Return to the Voila - French Inspiration Party

Ruffled Leggings are Available!

2011-04-27T14:17:00.000-05:00

So many of you have been asking that it seemed the best way to tell everyone was just to make a big deal of it and announce it here on the blog... The ruffled leggings are available again!

Go directly to the shoppe

Did you see the darling ruffle stockings that Val posted on the French Cupboard blog from her trip to Paris?

I think I've found a new way to wear my ruffle anklets!

Return to White Wednesday

Jeanne Oliver Class at Na-Da!

2011-04-25T12:45:00.000-05:00

It's almost here!

Less than a month now until the Spring Na-Da Farm Sale and I'm just overflowing with anticipation!

We're running in circles getting ready!

(an outside view from the Fall, 2010 sale)

And we just got word that Jeanne Oliver (formerly A Bushel & a Peck) is going to be at the Spring sale teaching a mixed media class! If you're thinking of coming in for the sale, you should definitely plan to be here for the class. All the supplies are provided and you'll leave with a complete painting!! You can check out the details here.

And, of course, Fifi will be there signing her new book too! And speaking of the lovely Miss Fifi.... Well, that's another story altogether. I'll have to tell you in a separate post...

(aren't I wicked?!)

As the Kitchen Turns...

2011-04-23T17:16:00.001-05:00

Our kitchen is reflective of the rest of my life these days. It's kind of a jumble! My son has still be struggling. Our whole family, really. It's been a super hard week but while I have been busy being a mom, Mr. Blessing has been busy working on the kitchen for me. It's our French Farmhouse Kitchen-On-A-Budget.

The inspiration for my cupboards came from this beat-up, old farm table.

Neighbor Bob stopped in yesterday and when I proudly showed him our new/old cabinet fronts, he said, "You like things sorta different don't you?" (hahaha)

I can't wait for everything to be done so I can show you.

(My version of Easter grass - Spanish moss)

This weekend I am definitely celebrating a resurrection of sorts in my son and a resurrection in our farmhouse kitchen. But most important, let's all pause and celebrate the resurrection of God's Son!

Thank you God!!

Join us for Voila! - French Inspiration at French Cupboard

Nettoyage de printemps

2011-04-15T13:09:00.000-05:00

That's French for Spring Cleaning.

I wish there was something romantic about this project but the ugly truth is that my kitchen has been sorely neglected. It needs more than just Spring cleaning. It needs a total renovation. I'm going for a French farmhouse look when my dream kitchen emerges from the depths of this abyss. But there are more than a few steps between neglected farmhouse and French farmhouse I can't afford the counter top I want or the appliances that I want. The old pine floors are looking well.... old. The cupboards are icky and the walls need a fresh coat of pain. And I can't afford to let things go any longer.

I CAN however afford elbow grease.

So this week we worked on counters and appliances. I've heard of people painting their counter tops with great success so I thought I'd give it a whirl. I mean, the thing couldn't get any worse, right?! The key to making the paint stick is the primer. I used an oil based primer and let it dry over night. Then I applied two coats of satin finish latex paint. Again, let it dry very well between coats.

I was hoping to get the color of cement (yeah, I know, I could just pour a cement counter but we've been a little busy round these parts lately and this was the finish that I could do without Mr. Blessings help. Maybe later this summer we can tackle the real deal). I did dry brush some brown and cream and silver to give it some depth. Somehow that cement gray was more bland than I thought it would be.

Ok, here's an important thing to know about painting counter tops... Use lots of layers of clear coat and let them dry completely between coats. I used a semi-gloss polyacryllic. If you are someone who chops food directly on the counter, you're supposed to use a food-safe sealer. However, I can't think of ANY painted surface that's going to hold up to chopping! Just use a cutting board.

(As you can see the cabinets got primed once upon a time but I had to put the doors back on after weeks of not getting the project done. So that's what we hope to tackle next week)

Have you ever painted appliances? It was surpisingly easy.

When.... Ok, IF we ever get the kitchen done, I'll share the finished photos with you.

Hope your weekend projects are less work and more romantic!

Update

2011-04-13T19:13:00.000-05:00

postcard: ebay seller fireangel

Thank you for all your prayers, emails and comments! I can't tell you how much they comforted me.

For those of you who don't know, my oldest son (age 20) was diagnosed with serotonin syndrome on April 1st after begin taken to the ER, non-responsive with seizure type spasms. Serotonin syndrome is caused by too much serotonin in the brain. We had a very scary couple of days in the ICU, followed by a week of unusual behavior. He is doing much better now, though he has physical therapy for muscle loss due to the seizures and he tires very easily. But his brain and kidney functions are good!

postcard - ebay seller onedandelionwish

And his mom? It's an experience that I'm sure will remain one my worst memories. Even up to last Sunday, I was feeling a bit "frail" but things are settling down and we are getting back into our normal pattern.

I think I may have gone from red to gray in one week.

Parenting definitely requires something more potent than 28 day hair color!

Thank you for having been there with kind words and prayers. ((HUGS))

Intense

2011-04-08T14:39:00.000-05:00

It's like looking through some bizarre lens.

A week ago today our oldest son (the one that moved out recently), was admitted to Intensive Care. It's been a hard week and I'm not up to sharing all the when, where and why stuff but I will say that he was not responsive and near death when I was called to the ER Friday night. Once stable, we were told that he may not have full brain function.

After a scary couple of days, he is awake and doing very well and expected to fully recover. His mom however has been a bit of a wreck. I can't explain the run of my emotions this week. I often feel like the world is swirling about around me and I'm still, watching it all... Only one thought in my mind... Only one topic of discussion... My boy.

Although we feel a bit hung out to dry, God is faithful even when we are too exhausted to recognize it. We are so grateful for our son's life and for the close friends who have been here to help with the kids and late nights. This weekend we will rest and bask in the faithfulness of God!

He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. (Psalm 91:4)

French Blue

2011-03-31T10:49:00.000-05:00

As we work our way through the house doing paint therapy, the living room has become a controversial color. I say that it's a grey/green (and I spent lots of time picking the exact color that I wanted so I firmly believe that I'm RIGHT!). Steve says it's blue. The kids say it's green. My mom says it's French Blue. It's called Verdigris and apparently it changes colors throughout the day with the lighting.

(This is the old terra cotta color, by the way.)

Here's a little more "french blue" for French Inspiration over at French Cupboard...

Come on over and visit the other gals who are participating in Voila today!

White Wednesday Therapy

2011-03-30T09:14:00.000-05:00

Thanks so much for all your kind words and thoughts. It is great therapy having others to chat with. Of course, it's also great therapy to paint the child's room and find new vintage items to accessorize with! Having my oldest child move out has turned into a decorating extravaganza. We got his room painted and realized how shabby the hall and stairwell looked so, of course, those had to be painted too. The living room is at the bottom of the landing so we had to spruce that room up a bit. And the sleeping porch studio is just around the corner from the living room...

Mr. Blessing has the afternoon off today. Maybe we can finally tackle the kitchen!

I'm sharing some photos of the studio over at French Cupboard today if you'd like a peek.

Kicking & Screaming

2011-03-28T16:27:00.000-05:00

I was a good mom last week.

Not that I don't make the effort everyday but last week there was a stand-out mom moment...

One of my four sweet baba's officially moved out of the house last week.

He's 20 and ready to be more independent (I think he's been saying something along those lines since he was 14 but now Mr. Blessing and I agree with him). I'm ok about him moving out (Mostly ok). So I was a good mom while he packed and loaded up the remains of his childhood. I didn't hang onto his leg and try to drag him back in the house. I didn't make him stop to pose for a memorializing picture while he was holding his mattress (I took pictures out the back window )...

I didn't tell him to pull up his pants while he was carrying that basement-worthy sofa!

I did not pull out the baby pictures that night after he left.

(WHEN did all that facial hair happen? No, despite what my children might say, it did not happen while I was blogging!)

And I did not sit on the floor of his empty bedroom wishing for a few more years.

Ok, I sat on the floor... And wished for a few more years. But then I did what good moms all over blogland do - I painted the room and started decorating!

Love Looks Good On You

2011-03-19T11:10:00.000-05:00

Love your family. Love your friends. Love your mate. Love God.

No matter who the love is directed to, it alters us. Love brings out beautiful things in us because it puts others first. This weekend may you be clothed in life-altering, beautiful love.

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!

(1 John 3:1)

French Inspiration

2011-03-17T14:22:00.000-05:00

I had planned on working on my sleeping porch studio this week but instead I have landed myself on the sofa with a stomach bug (It hit quite suddenly but I'm better today than yesterday and yesterday was better than the day before but it's kinda slow going). So I've had some time to draw inspiration from old magazines. I love the French tone of this photo.

It reminded me that I had some old pottery in similar colors as the magazine picture. And Voila! I get to participate in French Cupboard's French Inspiration right from the sofa.

If you would like to share some of your French Inspiration, feel free to join in!

Visit French Cupboard's French Inspiration.

Empty-Bucket Days & Flood-Filled Nights

2011-03-16T12:21:00.001-05:00

I don't usually like to blog about things that I'm selling. I just feel odd about it. But for the sake of showing how my silly creative process works, I thought I'd share a couple new braclets that I worked on. I don't tpically do jewelry (Have I mentioned that I'm somewhat bad with the words "new" and "change"?) but this was one of those rare inspired moments. I just had to give it a whirl.

Do you have days where there are floods of ideas and then days that you can't find a drop of inspiration in the bucket? Normally, I have empty-bucket days and flood-filled nights. Or at least they seem like great ideas in the middle of the night but by sunrise that inspired project usually fades (Mr. Blessing loves it when I wake him upat 1:30 a.m. to run a new idea by him - not). So this was an actual, wide-awake, middle of the day idea.

And when that rare moment strikes, my compulsive side takes over - I feel like I have to drop everything and work swiftly lest the idea takes wings and is gone forever. Of course, I didn't have the supplies laying around that I needed so I took to the streets to find what I had pictured in my mind. Four stores later, a day light project was born. And although I don't do jewelry, I figure if the rapper Vanilla Ice can have a show on

the DIY Network (seriously, he was on Rachel Ray today - WHAT has come over the world), I should definitely try new things!

Now I have some ideas about how I want to change our downstairs sleeping porch. Paint treatments, lots of old doors, burlap, ruffles, a whole load of lace and old ceiling tins. Mr. Blessing isn't sure about this idea of mine but I told him that I'm pretty sure it'll turn out ok because I thunk it up during the day!

Mademoiselle

2011-03-10T10:31:00.001-06:00

Do you include a gift with purchase when someone buys from your website?

My gift stash was running low so this week I've been working on some inexpensive handmade items. I certainly don't consider myself a paper artist (It really is a craft that requires patience and talent) but I have lots of photos from beautiful boutiques and from traveling to amazing flea markets. So I thought I'd use some of those pictures to make cards.

The lovely mademoiselles were styled by Rebecca at Vintage Living. And the Gypsy Soul sign was taken at the Junk Gypsy tent at the Texas Antique Shows.

Come on over to French Cupboard and see what the other talented mademoiselles made this week!

Linking up today with
Debra @ Common Ground

French FLOUR girl

2011-03-03T09:36:00.003-06:00

About six months ago Mr. Blessing made a chicken wire mini dressform for me. It was a practice piece for him. He was trying to find the materials that would be just right for an idea that he had in mind. I LOVE that he loves this junking business. I also love that I get to use the pieces that he discards =)

The other night while he was working at one of his "real" jobs, I pulled out the old chicken wire girl and made a batch of homemade paste with flour and water. As I sat watching tv and talking with the kids, we ripped pages from a vintage French Literature textbook, dipped them in the paste and had a night of French paperie couture.

A lace netting collar... A cheesecloth rosette...

A paper pocket...

Flared cuffs...

And Voila!

If you would like to meet our French FLOUR girl in person, she'll be at the Spring Na-Da sale.

Come on over today to French Cupboard and visit the other Voila! participants of our French Inspiration party this week.
Big thank-you hugs to Jill (Gypsy Brocante) for hostessing the event for us.
Linked today with:
http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/
Rebecca for Vintage Living

White Wednesday

2011-03-02T15:45:00.000-06:00

Happy White Wednesday!

Just a little sneak peek at my French Inspiration project this week!

Hope you'll link up with us tomorrow over at French Cupboard and show off something French from your life, home, projects...

Return to White Wednesday

FRENCH farmgirl???

2011-02-26T12:51:00.001-06:00

Hold onto your hats! French Cupboard is hosting a weekly French Inspiration blog hop/party!!

Finally, finally we get to share all that French stuff we love!

I'm excited to explore my French Farmgirl side. And to see all the French inspired goodies that you'll share. Come on over on Thursday to see the French side of this Blessing Farmhouse.

I hope you'll play along with each week and show us your French side. Click HERE to learn more about how you can link up and show off your French inspired blog posts.

Nada Spring!

2011-02-18T12:12:00.000-06:00

I can't believe we are gearing up for the Spring NaDa Farm Sale!

I'm so excited to be part of this great show. And it IS a show! The displays are right up there with Marburger and the vendors this season are amazing.

I'm STUNNED that I am counted among them! And beyond delighted that the theme for Spring is romantic, bohemian, gypsy, farmgirl!! We have moved to the BIG barn this season so there will be even more to browse.

If you are in the Chicago area, mark your calendar and plan to come by and visit us. If you are coming from out of town, there are affordable accomodations nearby (just email myself or Anne-Marie at NaDa). Pack a fun bohemian outfit for the Boho Ball on Friday night. And join us the next morning for a full day of shopping and getting to know fellow bloggers.

Bring your copy of Fifi's Romantic Prairie Style because FIFI WILL BE THERE for a book signing!

And lastly, the one thing that you don't want to forget that weekend is your camera (and maybe some mad money)!

Play Date

2011-02-10T08:57:00.000-06:00

I'm so honored to have my pictures selected for a color inspiration over at The Play Date Cafe this week. If you aren't familiar with Julie's blog, you should stop over and take a peek around. There is a challenge every week. Loads of wonderful artists link up all week long, sharing their projects based on a particular color scheme. And there's prizes involved. It's not too late to enter your own art...

Paper Rosebud Tutorial

2011-02-09T12:08:00.001-06:00

Making these paper roses has become a tradition around Valentines Day at our house. They go on top of presents (my son's birthday is Valentines Day), get sent along as thank-you gifts with orders, and are a table decoration for parties. Since it's a few days before Valentines, I thought I'd share this super easy project...

Usually I have the kids gather up sticks from the yard to use as the stems. This year, with all the snow, I am fortunate that I had some left over in my bag of supplies. Generally, I try to find sticks that have the same diameter as a stem and then break them down to about 12" or less, depending on the vase they will live in.

You'll also need some paper twist in green & the rose color of your choice and about a 6" length of string or twine. I like to add some lace too.

Cut appx 6" of the green paper twist and 12" of your rose color. Then untwist the full length.

I put a glob of glue stick type glue on the end of the "stem" and then begin wrapping the rose color twist around the stem. Folding it a bit as you go will help create an unopened bud effect. (pardon my messy work area... and old lady hands)

You'll have a short end of the rose color twist left. Glue that down with glue stick and then wrap the green, leaving the ends hanging out.

I lay out the twine with about 4" of lace on top of it, then lay the rose down on top of the two, pulling the twine up and tying everything nice and tight.

I print my Valentine message, using the Old Rubber Stamp font and then tear them close to the words. Short messages work best. Then just glue them onto your stem.

It's a super inexpensive, handmade gift. And no matter if you give one or a dozen, your message of love won't wilt.

For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you.(Isaiah 54:10)

Heart Photography

2011-02-05T21:05:00.002-06:00

I saw a photo like this on Etsy yesterday titled "love story". I thought I'd try my own arrangement using an old Bible. This is my original photo above.

In this photo I lightened the shadows and increased the contrast.

This one has the gritty effect from picnik. I haven't quite mastered it in photoshop and it's so much easier to just use picnik.

And this one has increased saturation on top of the gritty effect.

I heart playing with my camera and all the different effects in photoshop. In fact, I love it so much that I've actually started laying claim to some of my photos. You may have noticed that I can't seem to setttle on a "signature". Sometimes they're signed "Counting Your Blessings". Sometimes "Blessing Farmhouse" and sometimes they are even signed with my tag line "Romantic Farmstyle". It seems kinda conceited to sign them with my name but I know that lots of people do that too. HOW can such a small thing occupy so much of my confused thoughts?! There really should be a book of names for things like this. You know, like those baby name books! I wasn't able to find one of those books so I thought perhaps you would help sway my decision... Plllleeease! You can enter your own idea or select from one of mine...

White Wednesday

2011-02-01T20:19:00.000-06:00

While the logical thing to post about for White Wednesday this week would be the BLIZZARD outside my window, I'm taking a crafting day so I thought I'd show you some of the little projects. I can only handle going so long without creating so a few snow days is just what I need! I want to make myself a new handbag but I thought I'd do some warm-up crafting first... crafting calisthenics.

I picked up a bunch of these metal stars at the dollar store a couple months ago and they have been calling out for a good re-do. They were covered with snowmen and santas so I had to do a couple coats of hammered metal spray paint before adding the pretty stuff but it was a fun stretching exercise (and the stars are finally off my dinning room table!). I think I'm going to hang some in the studio from the ceiling.

Hope your White Wednesday is filled with blessings and delightful moments of crafting calisthenics!

Visit the other White Wednesday participants

Valentine Party Friday-Monday

2011-01-27T19:06:00.002-06:00

This weekend is the Handmade & Vintage Valentine party over at French Cupboard and I have been working on the I-Heart-Handmade Giveaway

Come on over, sign up to win AND show off your valentine art!

Friday - Monday

Click Here to visit

Linking up today with Vintage Inspiration Friday

Wishes

2011-01-24T10:13:00.000-06:00

I don't know about you but I'm ready for Spring!

Taking my 13 year old son to school this morning it was foggy and drizzling and yucky. And the thick of Winter hit me. I usually make it to about mid-January each year and begin to wish for Spring... wish I lived someplace where it's warm year round. Lately, my drafty old farmhouse has seemed a bit dreary. I have even found myself wishing for a different house or money enough to transform the one I have... Which, of course, leads me to thoughts of how to build the business and bits of jealousy over who may be doing it better... those more popular, etc. Wondering once again at how easily this discontentment seeps in.

This morning the dj on K-Love was talking about her theme word for the year.... a word that she felt God had given her to focus on for 2011. I wondered at what my word should be. It seemed that maybe it should be something like "transform" or "energetic" or "tireless". Something to motivate me to do more, be more. But before the red light could change to green, a word popped in my mind..

(image by: Running In Heels)

con·tent 2 (kn-tnt) adj.

1. Desiring no more than what one has; ease of mind; the act of making oneself satisfied.

Godliness with contentment is great gain. (1 Tim 6:6)

Vintage Inspired Handmade

2011-01-21T12:04:00.002-06:00

It's SO cold here!

25 degrees below zero windchill - Perfect weather for staying home and playing with ribbons.

Last week when everyone was sick (yes, we are all doing better - finally. Thank you for your prayers), I started making some stamped muslin brooches but they were kinda plain.

Until I had a little blunder with my cuffs (Thank you, Beth for being the blessing that you are!). As it turns out, the brooch and the cuff play nicely together. So today I'm celebrating vintage inspired handmade "accidents"!

And lest I forget to mention it, we are having a Handmade & Vintage Valentine Party over at French Cupboard next week. You should definitely stop by and show off the pieces that you've been working on!

Return to Vintage Inspiration Friday
Return to Air Your Laundry

Vintage Inspired Friday

2011-01-14T12:13:00.000-06:00

First of all, why didn't somebody tell me how much better the new blogger editor is?! If you're like me and have been wondering how to get larger photos in your posts (without using an outside link like photobucket), here's the how-to... First of all, update your editor (see the 1 step instructions here). Then check out the simple photo instructions here. I'm sure you all have known this for ages. Geeshh... I'm such a dinosaur!

Ok, now on with Vintage Inspiration Friday... So remember that illness that I said we were recovering from? Well, the kids seem to have caught it again. It's starting to feel like a nursing home around here =)

So yesterday, here at the Blessing Home for the Infirm, during "craft circle" I made use of some old sugar spoons. Truthfully, I waned to make some flatware bracelets but these spoons were too short so I drew inspiration from a friend's previous project. It seemed like an appropriate theme for the week!

Return to Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

White Wednesday

2011-01-04T18:26:00.004-06:00

I have been terribly absent in blogland lately but I promise my thoughts have been here. I hope your holidays were overflowing with blessings! We enjoyed our time together but our entire family is recovering from a virus. Now that we are somewhat on the mend, I had to show you what I awoke to on Christmas morning. Mr. Spoils-Me-Rotten (Mr. Blessing) managed to get one of Rebecca Ersfeld's breathtaking lace shades that I've been drooling over for the past month. It arrived scrumptiously wrapped in a vintage tablecloth with the prettiest bow...

He even got it installed lickty-split despite the fact that it involved changing out sockets and adding gizmos.
Several years ago our pastor said that strong marriages are built when each of the individuals think that they got the better deal. I'm sure it's not a surprise to most of those who know us but I unequivocally got the better deal in this partnership!
Resolution #1 for 2011: to give more than I'm given.

Return to White Wednesday

Vintage Christmas... gift

2010-12-17T16:23:00.005-06:00

Debra at Common Ground is hosting a Vintage Holiday Inspiration party every Friday in December. When Mr. Blessing and I visited the Kane County Flea market a couple weeks ago, I fell in love with a vintage dressform (no surprise there, right?! I'm always falling in love with some vintage goodie). He said, "Go ahead and get it but it'll have to count as a Christmas gift."

She inspires me. That counts as Vintage Holiday Inspiration, doesn't it?

Return to:

Common Ground

Feathered Nest Friday

Show & Tell Friday

Spoiled Rotten

2010-12-05T22:15:00.004-06:00

Last night I was watching that Lifetime movie On Strike For Christmas. It's about a woman who goes on strike from all the decorating, baking and entertaining so that her husband and sons will appreciate the work involved in the holidays. I know there are scads of women out there right now who can totally relate. I am not one of those people.

My husband and children totally indulged me this last weekend. We spent Saturday at the Kane County Flea Market so that I could visit with Rebecca Ersfeld (Vintage Living). I have been dreaming of her Christmas stars for weeks... Seeing them on her blog, yearning in that wistful kind of way (The Merriam Webster definition of wistful is: desire tinged with meloncholoy. Yep - that was me). I was like a kid waiting outside the toy store as we made the long drive. This was going to be my one extravagance this year for my holiday decor.

Once I got there, it was hard to choose. She had so many delicious lacy creations! I wanted one of everything.

I've been pining away for one of her journals since forever but I HAD to have a Christmas Star!

I can't even begin to tell you the flip-flops my elated heart was doing when I paid for my star and Rebecca gave me a second star as a gift!! I nearly screeched. Maybe I did screech. I think I might have even clapped my hands like an excited school girl. Oh, I know, you don't have to tell me...

I'm spoiled rotten!

By the way, Rebecca is having a to-die-for giveaway for her birthday. Stop over, sign up and give her huge hugs from me!

A Revived Tradition

2010-11-28T22:11:00.004-06:00

When my oldest son was little, he and I used to make an annual trip to our local Christmas store so that he could pick out a new ornament. It was one of the few splurges for us back then.

My boy grew up and our annual trip isn't as exciting for him anymore so it's been a few years since I have been to the Christmas shop. In fact, I kinda forgot about how cute it is with all the storefronts and a cobblestone "street".

My youngest kids and I decided to drop by for a visit yesterday while their older brothers were busy doing older brother stuff. Well, I should say that I decided we were stopping by for a visit. They were entirely un-trilled about the idea.

Until they walked in the front door! They loved walking from room to room guessing what the theme of each tree was. It was fun watching their excitment!

The annual trip is revived!

White Wednesday

2010-11-24T11:16:00.009-06:00

Happy White Wednesday! I thought I'd share a few photos before the holiday cook-a-thon begins today. In between the magazine and French Cupboard, I've been working on a couple things for our Black Friday Extravagant Affair and some Christmas gifts.

I hope that you'll tiptoe over sometime this weekend (Friday - Monday) and visit us at the Black Friday event. There are loads of vendors and it's all online so this is one holiday market that anyone can visit!

The holiday issue of Porch Magazine will be available.

And someone will win a free 6 month French Cupboard membership!

Above all, take time to thank God for even the smallest of joys in your life because we know that every good and perfect gift comes from Him. Happy Thanksgiving!

Congratulations to Kathleen at Faded Charm Cottage for reaching the 75th White Wednesday!

PORCH magazine - Holiday!

2010-11-19T12:20:00.003-06:00

(cover photo: Rebecca Ersfeld - Vintage Living)

I thought I'd give you a little peek at the 2010 holiday issue of Porch.

We had a wonderful (and rushed) time gathering photos from some favorite bloggers and their holiday shows. It's always a challenge to meet the deadline when photo-taking and layout are taking place within the same month but it's a lovely thing the way that our blogging community pulls together! As you can see, they have some beautiful inspiration to share with you.

Be the first to purchase a copy at French Cupboard's Extravagant Affair on Black Friday weekend!

An Extravagant Affair!

2010-11-12T10:36:00.006-06:00

Put on your party hats!! The French Cupboard is having an old fashioned, vintage style party!

An Extravagant Affair

They are even giving away a French Cupboard membership.

We're hanging the garland and getting ready for the event of the season.

Join us Black Friday - Cyber Monday for a most uncommon shopping event. A multi-sale marketplace filled with all your favorite items - all marked with special prices just for Black Friday weekend - all on one page for easy shopping.

Peek in the holiday windows while Christmas music plays

direct from Paris!

Visit FRENCH CUPBOARD'S HOLIDAY MARKET for more info.

Help us spread the word if you would - Here's a button for your sidebar...

You can link it to:
http://www.frenchcupboardholidaymarket.blogspot.com/

Vintage Black Friday

2010-11-05T16:13:00.003-05:00

One of my pet-peeves is being late yet it seems I'm always the one running late!

This week I was late to drop my boy at a school function on Monday, late for a doctor appointment on Tuesday, late for homeschool co-op on Wednesday, late to pick-up a prescription on Thursday and today I'm late for Vintage Black Friday!

One would think that since I planned to post photos of a CLOCK, I'd be on time!!!
Come on over and see what the other "on time" participants are sharing for Vintage Black Friday.

Holiday Preview

2010-10-28T16:17:00.003-05:00

12 Days of Christmas Cones

We're having a Holiday Preview Party over at the French Cupboard blog this weekend! Starting Friday morning we will be sharing some of the holiday items that we've been working on.

Tophat Tree Topper

Come on over and join us!

Savy City Farmer

2010-10-25T12:53:00.003-05:00

This weekend Mr. Blessing and I finally, finally had the chance to meet Joy from Savvy City Farmer and her darling husband. Joy and I have tried to connect so many times over the years but it's almost comical how circumstances interfere. This weekend, she had a Shop The Shed sale and my only priority was to get to her sale. I didn't arrive until the afternoon but I heard there were hundreds of people shopping in the morning rain. Now that's the sign of a good sale! I took a few pictures before my camera battery died (hey, my priority was getting to the sale - not charging the battery *smiles*)...

The "Lake Shore Drive" sign is one of the amazing pieces that I brought home. It's special to me because when Mr. Blessing and I were newlyweds, our very first love nest sat right between C Street and B Street. Joy couldn't have known how much I would love this piece. For the many years that she held onto the post, looking for the right thing to adorn it with, she couldn't have known that her chippy sign was going to be dear to my heart.

How like God to make our much anticipated meeting all the more beautiful!

Harvesting the Fields

2010-10-21T13:00:00.004-05:00

Happy Harvest time!

I drove through one of our local burger joints yesterday and they had such pretty hydrangea blooms drying on the branches that I asked if I could clip a couple. Yep, I just opened my car door, right there in the drive-through! Every chance I get, I'm soaking in the colors. Around here, Autumn can disappear overnight and then you awake to gray, cold skies so I'm bringing in a bit of the harvest colors just in case.

Does it seem that the weather has been unusual this Fall? It's been unseasonably warm here in Illinois and while we were in Texas a couple weeks ago, the weather was simply gorgeous. Normally it's almost unbearably hot during the Antique Shows but we had lovely breezes during the day and warm evenings. It was delightful hosting a casual plein air dinner with the gals from Gypsy Fish and Gypsy Brocante. I love the "field apples" they put inside the dressform for the centerpiece. This year, Autumn in Texas wasn't that much different from Autumn in the midwest.

So I guess the moral of story is: No matter the weather pattern and no matter if the field is beyond the prairie or beside the drive-through let's harvest morsels of Autumn beauty!

NaDa Farm Fall Event

2010-10-11T11:36:00.004-05:00

It was quite possibly the most lovely event that I've had the honor of participating in! Anne Marie was the hostess that every vendor hopes for and every shopper adores.

Bridgette's cottage came to life! There was so much to see - I can't possibly share it all but here are a few photos...

There were crowds lined up at the gate both days. It was thrilling for me as a vendor to see so many people excited to get in the barn. I think I was more excited than they were!

Anne hand wrote excerpts from the Bridgette story on the entryway curtains.

(You should've seen the state of the paper wreath the night before the sale. There were tattered book pages covering my living room!)

Jen from Sanctuary Arts is my barn sale hero. Each corner was a testament to the creativity that just bubbles over into everything she does. I was fortunate enough to get one of her dresses (I'll save those pictures for another post).

Of course I had to bring one of Parisenne Farmgirl's dried bouquets home with me.

Jordan the horse peeked in to say hello.

And one shopper returned over and over - She just couldn't get enough.

Mr. Blessing had to keep reminding me that we were not there to shop.

But I couldn't resist the rusty lamp frame. It's destined for a special corner in my house!

This was one outfit that required no sewing.

The petticoat chandelier was hard to part with. I so wanted to keep it at home but there was a perfect spot for it in Bridgette's boudior.

Mr. Blessing's arbor was darling with the chandelier hanging inside. He put that beauty together just 2 days before the sale. He's already talking about what his next project will be.

Every moment was lovely. I was so proud to be part of it all.

It was the kind of event that we almost hoped wouldn't end. As the sun was going down and the displays were bare, some of the gals sat at the table, exhaused and exhilirated - planning for the next event.

We weren't even a few hours out of the Fall sale before the ideas were flowing for Spring! Trust me - You won't want to miss it!