It's Been A LOOOOOONGGG Time!

Hello there! It's been a long time, I know but I've been working my fingers to the bones in preparation for what will be my last show for a while. Pics coming soon...I think we've got more inventory than ever before and I am so excited to see it all go! No, really...I am. I mean, kind of...well, maybe I'm not but my hubby sure is!

So, here are the details:

Hickam AFB Fall Craft Fair
November 14, 2009
9a-2p
Open to the general public through the Nimitz Gate

So, if you're in Hawaii and can make it out, we would love to see you there! Stay tuned...and have an awesomely blessed day!

Pick a Chair...

Any chair...

Nope, we're not playing musical chairs. These are projects. Sixteen of thses pretty little "projects" are shown here with an additional seven chairs hiding away in the garage plus two benches that have also been hanging out in there for a while.

The grand total? Hmmm....25? Really? Are there that many rear ends on this island? Well, of course, but do I have to seat them all? No. But, for some reason, I just couldn't say no...

To this one...

It was the most expensive out of all of my chairs and benches but it spoke to me and had great bones and although I didn't care too much for the natural finish of the wood or the rushed seat as is, I could totally see it all dolled up in my favorite olive or chartreuse green with a hint of distressing and a dash of stain and glaze for an aged look. For this one, that's still the plan...

But for this one...I just don't know...

I am normally one for paint. Hands down. Don't even have to think about it normally BUT this one is gorgeous to me without so I am thinking something traditional. Oh, wait...did I say that I was having a hard time deciding whether to paint it or not...maybe not so much. So back to traditional...I was thinking just classic black on these (there are two of them) with a bit of distressing and a funky cushion for just a hint of punch. What do you think? Should I go with that or just keep it plain and perhaps punch it up with a funky cushion?

Ooooh, decisions, decisions...

And then there's her...she's one of four with a matching dining table. Lovely.

Provencially elegant.

For some reason, I couldn't manage to finish her and her family before moving on to the next purchase or project. So, alone they sit...waiting to be revived into a useful state. Waiting to be loved. I am sure they will be yummy once they are actually done. Hopefully it won't take me another six months to show you the finished project on these.

And saying no to this one would have been insane...

...it rang in at only $10.00. Yes. $10.00. The rushed seat is a bit worn but provides just the right amount of characther. Why isn't it painted after 3 months? I can't decide whether I am keeping it all for me or selling and since I can't decide, I don't know how I would like to paint it. Again, the old stand-by sounds good. Black. A hint of distressing. A touch of Me & My House and BAM! we're done, right? Wrong. I kind of like the thought of a candy apple or antique red on this one. Hey! I think I've got it!

This one will take skill and practice. I am totally intimidated by it...but I know it's a great chair which is why I had to have it when I found out home much of a steal it was going to be. The lady I purchased from "had" to get rid of it and almost gave it away.

There's just ONE eensy, weensy, little problem...I DO NOT reupholster! DO NOT. Have NO CLUE where to begin. Have no idea...did I say I don't know how to reupholster? Ugh!

Sooooo, that leads me to...

...this one...

another yummy, absolutely ridiculous find and an answer to prayer. The lady who sold me this one is from Sweden and has the most scrumptious and adorable accent ever. I just wanted to listen to her talk the entire time we were together. While we conversed, I found out SHE upholstered this one...very interesting. "Oh wait!", I thought to myself. "You reupholstered this? Are you willing to teach me or want to make a little extra money?" I said. "Oh, it's SO easy...I could teach you," she says. And well, folks, the rest is history. She will be spending some time in the Me & My House Shop showing Mrs. Me & My House how to "get down" with some reupholstery skills and I don't have to pay a fortune for the tutelage. I love it.

So, that's it for now...started on a few of these this evening and even sat some stuff out on the curb with a CL "curb alert"...felt really good to get rid of some stuff so I can start anew.

Been doing a lot of gardening too. Cleaning out weeds, pulling them from the roots, preparing the soil for new plants. Quite relaxing. Quite revealing.

I. Love. It.

Best,

Desire...

Desire is a funny thing.

Somewhere in the span of time before the beginning of time a seed is planted. It is watered, life begins to form and desire grows.

We choose. We choose to feed either the right or the wrong desires placed in our hearts. Thankfully, I have chosen the right one at this time in my life...my desire to create.

I choose to believe that this God-given desire is more than just the ability to create wonderful pieces for homes but also the desire to create life.

Life, peace, and joy in my home. Life in my relationships with those close to me and, well, those not so close also.

Life. More. Abundant. I love it...

p.s. my desire at the present time is to get back on the ball with this blog thing but I had to take some time off to reflect, spend some time with my Creator and hang out with my family. I have some great things in store in a few more weeks and appreciate all of your support, kind words and encouragement. You rock! Hard.

GUEST POST: Goodwill Survival Guide

Okay, so how many of you are new to this revamp wave and want to know more about how to get some smart thrift shopping done? How many of you could never even see your home decorated in decor from Goodwill or any other thrift store?

(Did that sounds like an infomercial or what?)

Well, after reading this guest post from my new friend Sarah of Thrifty Decor Chick, you'll be just a little more prepared to tackle a room in your home with all the swifty tactics of all the Salvation Army, Goodwill, The Church Next Door, and Shelter Down the Block thrift shoppin' pros!

Be sure to head on over to Sarah's blog and show her some love and hang around for a while. You WILL NOT be disappointed! Her blog is chock full of goodies for people like us. Who are people like us? Well, you know...

********

I know there are many of you out there who are completely grossed out at the thought of shopping in a Goodwill. Once upon a time, I was one of you. But a few years ago, I realized the potential that is inside these stores. Since then, I can't stay away! (Serious. I go way too often.)

There are a few things you need for a successful Goodwill trip. The first is disinfecting wipes.

No matter what I bring home from Goodwill, it gets a wipe down, washed or run through the dishwasher before we use it. I couldn't live without these wipes!

The second is my trusty Goo Gone.

This stuff is just plain awesome -- Goodwill finds or not. It is essential for getting price tags and tape off. Just spray it on, let it sit for a few minutes, then scrape.

Works every time.

The third item you'll need -- and it's the biggest -- is imagination. You have to think of the potential of items -- not the current state.

That way you can imagine how this

can turn into this...

And this...

into this...

Some of my most treasured pieces in our home are Goodwill finds -- for a fraction of the cost. And when you put your own time and effort into it, you'll love it even more.

& Sarah(The Thrifty Decor Chick) ;)

p.s. I will finally be back on things next week with lots to share so please stay tuned and thanks for all the sweet comments in the meantime. It means a lot to me...

Really?

Has it really been 12 days since my last post? Wow! I haven't dropped off the face of the Earth...things are just super crazy around here but headed back to a normal state. Will be returning in just a few days with lots of great new things to share...pray you all are having a blessed week! Oh yeah, and today is my anniversary...8 years! Yeah!

Excited about life,

Memaw's Dish...

I love old things. I love the smell. The look. The feel of all things vintage. Old. Antique. Whatever.

I love how old things can bring back memories.

Memories from childhood. When things seemed so much more simple than now.

I have one old thing that I have that I will cherish for life. Funny thing. I never use it. Why do we do that?

Every now and then I pull it out and smell it. Sometimes, in my mind, it smells like her. My "Memaw" that is...the strongest, sweetest, best hug givin' woman I have known.

This was hers. To me...an heirloom. Thanks for the memories Mema. (Oh, and you too, Marie!)

To see more memory giving heirlooms hop over to Emma Calls Me Mama where she's having an awesome Heirloom Party.

Best of Memories,

I Want It...

So I keep...dreamin'. I just can't seem to stop.

My days are filled with endless, wandering thoughts of....

these...

Image courtesy of Tara Bradford

and these....

Image Flickr

oh yeah, and one of these...

and last, but not least...one of these...

Image courtesy debbipete

Or maybe two or three of them...

I covet heart dress forms.

So, can anyone help me? Please?