Apple Jack's Fair Recap...

Hi Everyone!  I hope you had a great weekend.  I sure did.  I did really well at the Apple Jack's Fair.  It was two days, all day Saturday (9 to 8) and Sunday (11-4).  And it was a good fair.  My friend Shane helped me load the trailer and set up my booth which was really helpful since this time I decided to take mostly large pieces.  We were able to set up the booth in an hour (which I've never been able to do).  My booth was the first one set up so I had to wait until Saturday to check out any of the other booths.

 My booth is one of the first booths you see when you walk in on this side of the room (there are two entry ways).

 I took two headboard benches and I came home with both of them (which is fine because I have my really big fair next month and that's two less benches I need to make).  I sold the headboard shelf with pegs (sitting in front of the bench).

 I sold the gray and black framed bulletin board that is covered with drop cloth fabric but nothing else in this picture.

 I love this big bulletin board that I made but it didn't sell.  I took the original painting in it and glued the cork board to it, put a layer of batting and topped it with drop cloth fabric.  I sold two of the crates on wheels (both grey).

 I came home with the dresser bench and both stools.

 And I was surprised this rolling crate didn't sell.  I painted it in Lagoon.  I had a lot of lookers and people saying they love the color, but it came home with me.

 I sold the large drawer coffee table and the headboard shelf sitting on top of it (left side of the picture-this is the only one I could find of it).

 This headboard message center also came home with me (but a gal really wanted it-just not in this color so I think I'll be repainting it in Old White).  The rolling cart came home with me too which really surprised me because I kept hearing, "This would be perfect in my kitchen."

 I sold the drawer shelf but not the pedestal table.  I sold the black and stained bench but not the sewing machine table or the two framed pieces.  But I did sell the Love Story pillow.

 I didn't sell the window with chicken wire or the fabric covered bulletin board.

 I love this antique cupboard door with the wreath but it didn't sell.

I sold this antique window with chicken wire.

I didn't sell the Family Tree artwork or the pillow but I did sell a lot of the flower rosette magnets next to it.  And.....I sold the Vine painted dresser to a very sweet lady who just loved it!  I was excited to sell it because I just thought for sure this piece would not sell at this fair and I would be taking it to the big fair next month, but I was wrong.  I was happy to sell it but sad to see it go.  I know that sounds funny since that's what my business is all about, but I will miss this piece.  I got so use to seeing it in the studio.  Now I have a lot of work to do to get ready for my big fair next month.  I have just three weekends to rebuild my stock.  So if you don't hear much from me, that's why.

A big thanks to my parents for their support and help, my booth neighbors and friends Lynett, Heather and Tina, you made it a great two days!  And a big thank you to Shane for helping me load the trailer and set up my booth and for driving out to the farm Sunday morning to rescue me when I had trouble hooking up the trailer!

No time to rest now...I have lots of work to do and only three weekends to get it done.  And then I've decided my next Open House at the Studio is going to be November 9th and 10th.  So there definitely isn't time to rest.  But then this is my favorite business time of the year.  Winter time is for resting!  Thanks for stopping by!

Drawer coffee table....

Hi Everyone!  Today is day two of the fair, it's been good so far and I'll share more about it tomorrow, but today I thought I'd show you one of the "new" items I made.  Earlier this year I was lucky enough to receive these antique drawers (you can read about them here).  I made a coffee table on wheels with one of the large drawers and it's one of my most favorite builds which you can read about here.

 I took the middle size drawer and created this coffee table or side table.

 I'm really happy with the way this turned out.

  I built a base with 2x4"s and then added large bun feet and casters...

 I added a split top to it...

 ...with a piano hinge.  I painted the interior Wildflower blue...

...and the outside with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White.  Then I sanded it, waxed and buffed it.

I took it with me to the fair and have received a lot of compliments on it but it hasn't sold yet.....maybe today.  If it doesn't sell, I'm okay with it because I will be taking it to the fair next month.  Well, now I have to get ready to hit the road for day two of the fair.  I hope your weekend is going well.  Thanks for stopping by!

Linking to:
http://knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com/2013/09/knick-of-time-tuesday-105-and-2.html 
http://www.kammyskorner.com/2013/09/100th-trash-2-treasure-link-party.html 
http://madeinaday.com/2013/09/26/made-u-look-linky/
http://www.myrepurposedlife.com/2013/09/catch-as-catch-can-136.html 
http://www.redouxinteriors.com/2013/09/link-party-123-features-plus-modern-masters-paints-giveaway 
http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2013/10/wow-us-wednesdays-139.html
http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/10/185th-inspire-me-tuesday.html
http://missmustardseed.com/2013/10/furniture-feature-friday-favorites-link-party-12/
http://too-much-time.com/2013/10/get-schooled-saturday-97.html

Dresser bench...

Hi Everyone!  While I'm at the Apple Jacks fair today (I promise to have pictures to share from the fair on Monday) I thought I'd show you one of the items that will be for sale.....the other half of the dresser that I turned into a bench.

This is the top half of the dresser (I turned the other half into a bench for my Open House earlier this year).  I had to cut more off the bottom in order to make the height correct. 

 I primed it with grey primer on both the inside and outside and then painted it with Heirloom White spray paint.

 I sanded it to reveal some of the grey and the red.

 I addedd the center decorative portion from a Jenny Lind crib to finish it off.

 I love the star on the knobs, such a great detail!

I upholstered the seat in a greyish drop cloth.  I love how this turned out and I like it more than the first one.  It's the perfect bench for an entry way.  Hopefully someone at the fair thinks the same thing!  Thanks for stopping by.

Linking to:
http://www.kammyskorner.com/2013/09/100th-trash-2-treasure-link-party.html

Bench in Paris Grey....

Hi Everyone!  My two-day fair is this weekend.  I've gotten everything set up and ready to go and we did it in record time.  Now I just need a good nights sleep because tomorrow will be a long day.  So tonight I thought I'd show one of the benches I took to the fair.

I love how this bench turned out.  My mom picked it up at a used furniture shop for me.

  I love the lines on it.  And it's one heavy dude!  I think it's solid walnut.

I painted it first with a coat of black primer.  I wanted black to show through when I sanded it back especially on the new wood.

I painted it with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Paris Grey.  I love Paris Grey!  It is my favorite color.

I sanded it to reveal the black and wood through the Paris Grey.  I upholstered the seat in drop cloth.  I love the way it turned out.  Now I'm going to play with the dogs a bit and then go to bed early!  Tomorrow will be a long day.  What are your plans for the weekend?  Make it great.  Thanks for stopping by!

Linking to:
http://www.domestically-speaking.com/2013/09/196th-power-paint-party-popp.html

A rolling cart...

Hi Everyone!  Today I thought I'd show you what I made this past Sunday.  Despite the fact that I had a list of items I needed to finish for the fair this weekend, I decided to take a stack of lumber and build a rolling cart.  I started it on Sunday and finished it on Monday.  I don't have any before shots because it was just a stack of lumber.  And I don't have any in process shots because I was trying to get this done quickly.

 For this one I actually drew up plans and had what my measurements were going to be (I usually just wing it as I go) because I was trying to get this done quickly.  I used 2x4"s for the frame and 1x8"s and 1x4"s for the top and shelves. 

 I painted the base a pretty leaf green color and stained the top with my favorite custom dark brown stain.

 I added wheels with brakes to it.

It could be used as a kitchen island, a bar cart, a storage cart, a media center...there are so many possibilities for it.  I will be taking this to the fair this weekend.  I debated on the color for a long time and whether I should distress the finish but decided against it.  What would you have painted?  And what would you use it for?  Thanks for stopping by.

Linking to:
http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2013/09/wow-us-wednesdays-137.html 
http://madeinaday.com/2013/09/26/made-u-look-linky/
http://www.myrepurposedlife.com/2013/09/catch-as-catch-can-136.html 
http://www.redouxinteriors.com/2013/09/link-party-123-features-plus-modern-masters-paints-giveaway 

A pedestal table...

Hi Everyone!  While I have been busy getting ready for the fair this weekend, one of the items that I had been working on was a gift for a client to give to his brother and sister-in-law (who happen to be my boss) as a house warming gift.  I had finished up the gift about two weeks ago, but had to wait to share it with you until now.

I wasn't given any instructions on what to make, just something for their new house, so I made them a pedestal table.  I actually found the base at a used furniture store in really rough shape. 

I refurbished it and installed new levers on the base.

I built a new top and support for the top to get it to the right height.

After sanding everything really well, I painted it with a base coat of black and then topped it off with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White.

Then sanded, waxed and buffed it.

And then I set it outside for beauty shots hoping the new owners (who live up the road from me) wouldn't drive by while I had it outside the shop.  The chair doesn't go with it, I just pulled one out of my studio for pictures.  I am really happy with the way this turned out as was my client.  And I hope the new owners are happy with it too.

I have just a few more items to finish up for the fair this weekend and then it is just a matter of picking up and loading the trailer.  I will be sure to take pictures to share with you next week what I've been up to.  Thanks for stopping by.

Linking to:
http://madeinaday.com/2013/09/19/made-u-look-linky-85
http://www.redouxinteriors.com/2013/09/link-party-122-and-les-features 
http://www.lizmarieblog.com/2013/09/inspire-me-please-linky-party-29/ 
http://missmustardseed.com/2013/09/furniture-feature-friday-favorites-link-party-11/ 
http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2013/09/wow-us-wednesdays-137.html 
http://www.domestically-speaking.com/2013/09/196th-power-paint-party-popp.html 

A couple of custom signs...

Hi Everyone!  I hope your weekend was great.  Mine was very productive.  I've only got a few more things to finish up for the fair this weekend.  And then of course I need to take pictures of everything I've been working on.  Since I didn't get that accomplished this weekend I don't have anything new to share with you except for a couple of custom order hand painted signs.

Normally my produce sign says Fresh Produce but this time I received an order for N. H. (New Hampshire) Produce.  I think it turned out well but most importantly, so did my client.

I also received an order for a brown and cream Faith, Family, Farming sign.  Normally I make this with a white and black aged background and black writing.  This is a custom mixed stain that I've used before on my painted dresser with the vines.  I really like how it almost looks like paint.

Hopefully by tomorrow I will have some new things to share with you.  Thanks for stopping by.

Recent find...

Hi Everyone!  I am busy putting the last details on a long list of projects but haven't taken the time to photograph anything yet.  I thought I'd show you the latest headboard I picked up.  I got this one from my mom.  It was in her guest room.  Ten years ago I picked this up and transformed it for her while they were gone because the guest room had no headboard.  It had ugly wood panels in it that I removed, cut a new piece of wood and then upholstered.  After ten years of use, it's time for a remake.

Mom is decorating her guest room and I gave her a headboard from my stash to use and I got this one.

I'm not sure yet what I'm going to do with it yet.  What would you do?  Now I have to head out to the shop to finish my to list for the fair.  Thanks for stopping by.

Projects in process...

Hi Everyone!  I have been busy for the last month getting ready for the fair next weekend.  I still have to finish up a bunch of items but here's a little preview of some of the things I've been working on.

I built a twin bench and made a dresser bench (the white piece with the drawer) that I need to upholster and attach the seat like I did here.  I built a headboard shelf with pegs and painted the frame of a window minus the glass that I added chicken wire to, to make a message center.

I turned an antique drawer into a shelf like I did here but this time I painted the interior apple green.  And the big drawer behind it has been turned into a drawer coffee table like I made here.

 I still have to finish the top of the coffee table.

I turned the middle size drawer into a smaller coffee table or side table, more on this one later.

And another headboard shelf with pegs.  I have about 10 other projects that I've been working on but those will have to wait.  I have a lot of work to do this weekend, thank goodness the weather is going to be cooler so I can be out in the shop but we do have thunderstorms in the forecast so that might making painting a little more difficult.  What are your plans for the weekend?  Thanks for stopping by.