SUCCESS!

How do you define success?  Webster defines it as: a : degree or measure of succeeding
b : favorable or desired outcome.  I define it as having a dream, vision, goal....and then working hard to make that a reality.  And I feel like this past weekend was a SUCCESS!  

I attended my first show as a VENDOR!  Yes, it was a LOT of work!  We were a little late in the game, and only had 5 weeks to prepare.  There were days when I wondered if I had truly lost my mind.  My husband and children were afraid to stand still lest they be covered in burlap and passed off as "vintage!"  The last four days before the show were filled with meals that consisted of Taco Bell, McDonalds, Jack in the Box, and pizza...in no particular order!  But in the end, we all survived!  And yes, there are things I will do differently next time.  But I had so much fun!  It was really special for me to be able to do this with my mom.  This has been something we have both talked about for years, but were always too afraid, too hesitant, to try.  We put ourselves out there, sent in an application, and we're still here today to talk about the experience!  Imagine that!  We are already planning for the next show in April...I can't turn off my brain!  I'm looking forward to re-connecting with the new "friends" we made, setting up our booth next to "old" friends, and being able to connect with like minds!  Thank you to The Three Speckled Hens for giving us our "breakthrough!"  

I'm also very happy to be able to return to the everyday rituals that I couldn't keep up with, like cleaning the house, cooking REAL meals, and decorating for the holidays!  This is my absolute FAVORITE time of year!  I love wearing sweaters and boots, the colors of fall, listening to the falling rain while snuggling on the couch in front of a crackling fire!  I can't wait to make all of the comfort foods that go along with fall and winter...soups, osso bucco, mashed potatoes, turkey, holiday desserts...BRING IT ON!  I'm also looking forward to game nights with our kiddos, watching my son play football and my daughter's graceful beauty on pointe.  These are the times we must cherish...they go by so quickly!

I'm going to try and post more regularly on this blog, give it a new look, start adding some tutorials...hopefully connect with more of you!  

I will leave you with some pics of our booth...I'm off to create!  

HUGS!  
Tracy

I'm still here!

YES!  I'm still here!  Really!  I've spent the last month getting ready for Three Speckled Hens (http://www.threespeckledhens.com/) and now...it is only 3 days away!  I'm so nauseous excited and can't wait to set up our booth!  I've been working on a LOT of goodies and will post pics as soon as everything is organized and decorated.  Our home has been looking like an episode of Hoarders buzzing with the sounds of sewing machine, power drill, table saw...all in anticipation of this show!  Here is a little preview of what will be in the booth:

(Messy garage and hands are NOT included in the sale price...)

Stay tuned for more pics of the show!  Wish me luck! 

THREE SPECKLED HENS!

It's official...I got a booth!  I'm so incredibly excited and nervous at the same time!  It's still a little surreal for me, considering that I started this year with the DREAM of getting a booth at http://www.threespeckledhens.com/  in one year.  That was my goal.  And...8 months later...it has become a reality!  Now I'm just praying I don't fall flat on my face  look like a total novice that I can finish all of the projects and furniture I have for the show!  My partner in crime  mother will be joining me and I'm so happy that she will be a part of this!  So I might not be on here very often in the next month or so...not that anyone is keeping track!  Need to buckle down and work on finishing all of these goodies!

And many more!

HUGS!

Working on a few goodies!

Today I'm putting the sewing aside and finishing some items I've been working on for a little while.  I found some great windows, with chippy paint in awesome colors, that just BEGGED to be made into chalkboards!   I forgot to take "before" pictures, but remembered before I finished completely!

I absolutely LOVE the color on this window...the minute I saw it I knew I had to use the botanical print!  Some things are hard to sell...this is going to be one of them!  BUT...I'm really hoping to get a booth and this will go there if I'm lucky!

Also working on this adorable little child's chair...going to use Annie Sloan's "Old White" and "Louis Blue"...and then do something really fun for the seat!

I'm thinking this would be a really cute "Time Out" chair...what do you think?

Go out and seize the day!  CARPE DIEM!

HUGS!
Trace

Flutter!

I submitted my first application for a show and I'm nervous, apprehensive, and dying of suspense!  SOOO...what does this girl do in such a situation?  Creates a new line and SEWS!  This is the first of my "Flutter" line...pillows, lampshades and more....

The doll baby sketched a booth diagram, in the event that said application is accepted...I don't want to get her hopes up, but I so appreciate her faith in mommy and desire to contribute!  Regardless of getting accepted or turned away, I feel a huge sense of accomplishment.  I pushed aside my fear of rejection and put myself out there.  For me...that is success!

HUGS!

Winner!

The winner of the "LOVE" pillow is Haydee, from Trash to Treasure!  Haydee, please send me an email or private message through FB, with your address.  I will send that to you asap!  :)

GIVEAWAY!

Okay, I know I'm a little silly....!  I'm so excited that my Facebook site has over 100 "likes" that I'm having a giveaway!  I will be giving away my new "Flower Power" pillow to a special someone!  To enter, please become a follower of my blog, then leave a comment letting me know you did and what inspires you in life.  For a second chance to win, head on over to Facebook, check out my page and photos, refer a friend, and then leave a comment letting me know you did so!  You are all encouraging me every day, with your friendship, support, kind words, and happy thoughts...whether or not you know that!  Hope your day is sunshiney and blessed!

                                                       FLOWER POWER OF LOVE!

I've definitely been feeling the love...THANK YOU!

HUGS!
Tracy

Silhouette? I don't need no stinkin' Silhouette!!

Okay...actually...it probably would have made my life a WHOLE lot easier!  Oh, Silhouette...where are you when I need you?!  Why haven't I made enough money to buy you?!  I literally just spent the last 2 hours of my life cutting these letters out by hand...yes...hand traced and all.  I have only seen the work of a Silhouette...never used one...only coveted the machine.  And never have I wanted one more than now.  But...I also am feeling a HUGE sense of accomplishment.  My children are looking at me with concern...I wonder what words I've been saying out loud over the course of the evening...hmmmm...

This is going to be a banner...after I've finished sewing all of the components on...by hand...tomorrow.  It's for the grande opening of Shoppe Mount Victoria, attached to that cool B&B, Mount Victoria, that I told you about yesterday.  And it's a very good thing that I really like Lisa, and that she and her husband seem to be a totally adorable couple.  Because she's getting a bargain with this sign I'm really tired now.  And I need a bottle of  glass of wine.  STAT!

I'm going for a Junk Gypsy (because I have some serious idol worship) kinda feel...not sure I've accomplished that...yes?  No? 

I must be tired.  I just used the old English spelling of grand.  Grande.  Or...it gives my post a little Latin flavor.  Whatever.  No copy editing tonight.  My journalism professors must be rolling in their graves.  I'm sorry... 

HUGS!
Tracy

Feeling a little like Sally Field...

Oh my goodness!  You like me, you REALLY like me!  As I sit here writing this, I'm still basking in the warm glow of all the kind words, encouragement, new friends, new "likes",support...so many exciting things came out of one message sent on Facebook today!  I follow so many awesome blogs and always hope that someday I can achieve just a smidgen (word?  yes?  no?  Oh, whatever!  I'm gonna go with it 'cuz I'm a happy girl!) of what they've accomplished.  It's so easy to get caught up in the negative thoughts..."I'm never going to accomplish that,"  "She's SO talented...I'll never be able to do that,"  that sometimes we get in our own way.  I've been taking baby steps for a while now...well, actually I'll take a big step, then back way off.  But today something hit me.  For some unknown reason I felt an overwhelming need to let someone know what their daily posts on their Facebook site mean to me.  Not only the pictures of the beautiful creations they make, but their beautiful words of encouragement, often, it appears, when they personally are feeling pretty low.   Not only did I get a response, but what happened next was literally overwhelming!  This beautiful person posted my Facebook page on her wall and opened the doors for me to the GREATEST people!  And she gave me these words:  (hopefully she won't mind if I post this!)  "Go all in, treat this like your job and make a plan.  We are the most fortunate of all people, knowing what we love and doing it with all we are..."  Barbara, The Shabby Cowgirl...YOU have lifted MY heart today!  Thank you sooo very much!  And thank you Trash to Treasure, Just Two Olives, Whimsy and Wire Collection, Katies Rose Cottage and all of the individuals who found my page today.  Your kind words have encouraged me to keep going!  And Three Speckled Hens...you ROCK for telling me I should apply for a booth!  I think I will!  xoxo

"I believe for every drop of rain that falls, a flower grows...I believe..."

My "pillow display chair" is looking a little bare...and this girl looks lonely...

I better get to work! 

SO full of love and gratitude tonight! 

HUGS!
Tracy

WOW! Where did the time go?!

Holy COW time flies, doesn't it?!  I finally have minute to breathe and decided to get on here...realizing I haven't posted since June!  We have been so busy with football practice, summer baseball, vacation, and the big 13 for our baby doll, that I haven't even had a chance to catch up on my blog stalking!  I didn't think I missed it all that much until I started looking at Miss Mustard Seed, Dear Lillie, Pleated Poppy, Katie's Rose Cottage....ooooohhhhh...so pretty! 

I just finished making pillows for a new client and I want to "brag" a little.  If you are ever in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, please stop by Mount Victoria Bed and Breakfast, and their soon to open Shoppe Mount Victoria.  GORGEOUS!  Lisa purchased 10 pillows for the opening of the shop, as well as other goodies that are in the works.  I'm SO excited!  To be one of the artisans chosen to create items for her new store is such an rewarding experience!  Here are the pillows I just finished:

I'm going to start working on a banner for the opening day, as well as some seasonal items and some other little surprises...can't wait!  Thank you SO much Lisa, for taking a leap of faith with me!  http://mountvictoria.com/

We were able to spend some time in Las Vegas for a family vacation...which ended up being a little longer than planned thanks to some unexpected car "troubles."  Needless to say, our truck now has a new fuel pump, fuel injectors, fuel filter...yeah...you get the picture...  But we had a fabulous time in spite of the stinky gas that literally gave our truck...bad gas...  Our baby doll had a fanTABulous 13th birthday, and the manchild "got" to hang out with his parents NON-STOP for an entire week...he was ECSTATIC!  ;) 

(waiting to watch KA...FABULOUS!)



Off to sew...and blog stalk...and sew...have the HAPPIEST of days! 

xoxo
Tracy

It's 5 o'clock somwhere...right?

Do you ever have one of those days?  You know, the kind where you get out of bed and just KNOW something is waiting for you on the other side of the door?  And you can only hope it's something GOOD?  Yeah, well...this is what was waiting for me this morning. 

And this.

Turns out when you live in a house that is 30+ years old, things are gonna break.  And pipes are gonna leak.  Kind of like us girls.  But I'm pretty sure this leak wasn't caused by giving birth to two children, or sneezing, or running, or spontaneous jumping up and down while cheering at a sporting event.  I digress.  As my luck would have it, I discovered said leak AFTER the hubby had left for work.  So I assessed the situation and did what any good blogger/crafter/repurposer would do. 

I posted my need for a good and reasonable plumber (NOT cheap...that would be insulting!) on Facebook, donned my "bombshell" tanktop, grabbed a plunger....because that's the extent of my plumbing knowledge, and waited.  And just like the old saying...good things truly do happen to those who wait.  The social network came through for me and the leak was fixed for less than $100.  And I didn't even have to open the bottle of wine I instinctively reached for when I discovered the leak.  Which I would have had to drink in the closet because it was only 7:30 in the morning.  And I don't know where it's 5 o'clock when it's 7:30 here.  But it's gotta be somewhere....right? 

HUGS! 

And so it begins....

It's official.  I'm the mother of a highschool freshman.  Let the sleepless nights fun times begin!  The man child "promoted" (we're not allowed to use the word "graduate" for our middle school...) from 8th grade last Friday.  I was expecting to instantly well up with tears the moment I saw him walk across the stage, but instead my heart swelled with pride.  It was so wonderful to watch him and his friends end one chapter of their lives and start the next exciting adventure.  The weekend was full of beach parties, swim parties, family and friends...he was in his element!  I can't wait to watch him grow (not that he's short at 6'3") and develop as a young man.  Watch him in his first highschool football game...first highschool baseball game.  Watch him get ready for his first formal.  Watch as he and his amazing group of friends develop even stronger relationships that will last for years to come.  We are so proud of you, son.  Mommy and Daddy love you very much.  And yes...I will continue to yell embarrassing things like, "Way to go, sweetie!"  or "Go get 'em, bubby!"  at all of your games.  Because I can.  I'm your mom.  It's my right. 

I think we're going to need a bigger doorway...

CONGRATS! 

(Mom and I were able to sneak in some creative moments...around midnight.  Didn't get as much done as we planned, probably due to the margarita-induced giggle fest that hampered our progress!  But I managed to make a pillow, deconstruct and then RE-construct a lampshade, and mom made some adorable aprons. Here's a peek...check out my Etsy site for the rest!)

(our beautiful baby doll modeling one of Grandma's darling aprons...)

New lampshade

I had plenty of time to finish a new lampshade design this weekend, because it RAINED every day!  I'm not sure where summer is, but it's certainly not here on the Central Coast of California!  Now don't get me wrong, I do love a rainy day!  I love to create, sew, read, cook, snuggle by a fire...all the cool things you can do when it's raining.  BUT...I also love me a little pool time!  This girl is looking a little pasty!  AAARGH!  Oh well!  I did get to finish this:

I'm pretty happy with the results.  I will be listing this on Etsy soon...hope you all like it! 

What I also like is EVERYTHING in the Dreamy Whites Store!  And there is a very cool giveaway happening! 

Dreamy Whites: A 250.00 Dreamy Whites Online Gift Card Giveaway

dreamywhites.blogspot.com

Don't miss out! 

HUGS!

Making the twins a little prettier....

Okay, get your mind out of the gutters!  I didn't mean THOSE twins!  I found two frenchy chairs at a consignment store a few months ago, and they were desperately in need of a makeover.  Okay, so they weren't the WORST I've ever seen, but their gold paint and light blue velvet wannabe fabric was a little....dated.  SOOOO...I brought them home with me in hopes of giving them a new look and hopefully selling them at my first boutique.  Weeelllll...I'm a work-outside-the-home MOM which means that any time for my pillow making, lampshade creating, furniture make-overing has to come AFTER my 40 hour paying job AND the round trips to football, baseball, track, ballet, voice lessons.....WHEW!  Just typing that made me tired!  And a little thirsty....must have a glass of wine....   And...I have adult ADHD.  I know I do.  Because I diagnosed myself after reading about it on the web.  That's where I get most of my medical diagnoses.  And I'm still alive.  SO I must be right.  Okay, where was I?  Oh, yes, the chairs.  I FINALLY got some free time to paint them tonight while the boys were at baseball practice and the girl was watching an episode of Pretty Little Liars...hmmm...I don't want her to be one of THOSE..... (note to self, have a talk with her about pretty girls and lying...actually, about ANYONE and lying....).   I finally got to use my Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and I must say....it's AMAZING! I can't wait to finish them and show y'all what they look like!  (No, I'm not from Texas, I just sometime use a Southern drawl on my blog for effect...it's my blog...I can do what I want!)  

I haven't posted for a bit, but in my defense, my camera and computer have been having some kind of lover's quarrel and won't communicate with each other.  I've tried to mediate, but they wouldn't cooperate.  So I finally broke down and purchased a memory card reader.  Also, I had a medical issue which resulted in a trip to the ER.  I won't bore you with the details but I will say this...I was in as much pain as I was during the birth of my second child.  Yes.  It was THAT painful.  And Dilaudid is a LOVELY little pain medication...

Lastly, but most importantly, I have to thank a VERY special lady.  I don't know if any of my blog idols, or ANYONE, for that matter, read my blog.  But I must tell this story.  I attended the Remnants of the Past show for the very first time earlier this year.  While there, I took this picture:

It was a picture of one of my favorite booths, belonging to the AWESOME Kathee Zurian, of Chateau et Jardin.  THEN I attend 3 Speckled Hens a few weeks ago, also for the first time...(WHERE have I BEEN?!) and I got to meet her.  To say that I was in awe would be an understatement.  I want to be like her, or at least have a booth/shop like her when I grow up!  So imagine my utter joy when my very first Etsy sale was to her.  And then she bought more.  I don't have any words to describe how that made me feel.  It's one thing to have family and friends say that your work is worth selling.  But to have someone who is as established as Kathee, with such an eye for beauty, validate you in that way?  Priceless.

My second shipment to Kathee....thankyou for giving me a chance.  From the bottom of my heart.  You will never know how much this means.

Stay tuned for the REVEAL! 

HUGS! 

Beautiful roses....

I don't have a lot to say today, other than I feel so sad for the people of Missouri...they are in our hearts and prayers.  Nature can be so cruel and unforgiving. 

And nature can also give us this....

...and this...even the weeds.  (The holes dug by the roses are courtesy of Rocket...our loving, wonderful, spazzy (is that a word) overgrown puppy...)

Which allows me to do this...

And this....

I didn't do anything to my roses this year, other than a very hasty prune job.  They are producing more blooms than ever...so I think Mother Nature is tryng to tell me something....

My daughter stayed home from school yesterday with a sinus infection, so I jumped for joy because that meant I got to stay home as well used the time to finish some of my lampshades.

 

I LOVE this one.  It looks so adorable in a vignette, sans lamp!  But it also looks amazing with on a lamp, alone, or coupled with another shade.  Yes....lampshade layering...the latest in lamp attire....  ;)

This lamp is vintage...pink, frosted glass.  So stinking cute.  But she was a little shy because she was lacking a shade.  So...I took care of that.   I was inspired by my roses.  Now she is the belle of the ball.  Both of these shades are on my Etsy...take a look! 

And please pray for the people in Missouri.

God Bless....

It's finished!

I'm so excited!  We finally finished my garden house!  I have wanted one of these for years, but they have always come with a hefty price tag.  Being the obessive-compulsive, instant gratification girl that I am, I decided to make one myself.  Hey...I'm a contractor's daughter and I know how to use power tools!  Okay...I'm not allowed to use anything with a blade....yet...  ;)   I did all of the work myself, with the exception of the roof.  My adorable hubby had to help me with that, much to his dismay delight.  He was not terribly optomistic when I started this project, but had to admit that as usual, I was right it turned out perfectly!  I'm planning on selling these on a local basis, by custom order.  I cannot wait to fill it with flowers, candles, and maybe a garden bunny or two...

Now I'm off to work out with my guy, so we can enjoy some fish tacos and margaritas!  The weather here on the Central Coast is absolutely gorgeous today.  I can't wait to soak up some sun this weekend and have a date night.  Hope you have the most fabulous day!

HUGS!

Love to create...

I have friends who ask me how I find the time to sew, create, cook, volunteer...all of the things that I love to do when I'm not working at my "real" job.  The answer is simple...it feels my cup.  My 40 hour a week job, allows me to feel like I'm making a difference in the lives of children other than my own...and helps pay the bills.  But when I get home...creating something beautiful or tasty allows me to feel like I'm making our home a cozy and safe place for my OWN family.  And it helps me debrief...breathe...get away from the sadness and loss of innocence that I witness on a daily basis.  And so, that is how I find the time.  If you have somehow found my blog...thank you for allowing me this indulgence.  In my 8-5 job I hope to give a child at least a moment of comfort and safety.  On this blog...I hope I can add some beauty to a life, whether through a homemade creation or a random thought....

My latest pillow...

If you get a chance...smile at someone you don't know.  You never know what kind of impact you might have...

Hugs. 

Check out my Etsy!

I just added two more items to my Etsy store, AND figured out how to link it to my blog.  I'm not going to mince words...I'm pretty impressed with myself!  Who said you can't teach an old dog new tricks?!  ;)

Just a little update....

Here she is, in all of her glory.  Sometimes a pity party can turn into something sweet!  ;)

I'm on Etsy and a little validation...

I finally did it!  I took that leap and started an Etsy site...YIKES!  Now I just have to figure out how to link it to this blog...hopefully that won't take too long for me to figure out...  ;)  I was hoping to have several new pillows, wreaths and necklaces to list, but just as I was finally able to sit down and sew yesterday, my needle broke.  Typical.   I was able to get some flowers made, but I have to admit...I was kind of acting like a big baby.  I finally found my big girl panties stopped throwing a tantrum, put everything away, and had a glass of wine.  And felt much better!  Bought new needles today and will be armed and ready tonight! 

Then I woke up this morning and threw a pity party for myself.  I'm sorry I didn't invite you...it wasn't much fun so don't worry!  ;)  I was wondering if this was just a silly dream on my part, and an exercise in futility.  I said as much to my husband and kiddos...the three of them said the right things to make me stop whining were very sweet and supportive.  Then I got a great message from a sweet friend, reminding me that we all have our place in the world; we all have our own special talent.  Started feeling a little better.  Created the Etsy site and thought I would stick with it for a little longer.  AND THEN...I noticed that I had a comment on my Mother's Day post.  From Lori of http://www.katiesrosecottage.blogspot.com/ and I started screaming.  Lori's is one of the first blogs I found and I have been a follower since.  Her creations are absolutely gorgeous and inspiring.  Her sweet words were so validating and gave me that little boost of confidence that I needed.  Thank you for finding my blog, Lori! 

Every time I have a little pity party for myself, I'm reminded that we ALL have days when we feel a little insecure.  Even those who present as so put together and confident.  And we just have to be gentle with ourselves and cut a little bit of slack.  Everyone has their own special talents and gifts; we can't all be the same...the world would be so boring!  So I will continue to focus on MY dream.  To continue creating and hopefully adding a little bit of beauty to someone's life and home. 

BTW....this was as far as I got yesterday...I can't wait until it's finished!  :)
Hugs!

Happy Mother's Day!

I hope all of you had a wonderful Mother's Day, spent with your children....biological, adopted, fostered...whatever the circumstances, being a mommy knows no boundaries. 

My hubby and children spoiled me in their very special way!  The big guy brought home the most delicious breakfast burritos and made coffee...I LOVE that!  While he was working his shift, the kiddos cleaned their rooms without complaint, Madison gave me a shoulder massage, and Holden let me watch "chick" flicks without so much as an eye roll!  I also got in some time to create...which is one of the best presents they could have given me. 

Now they are taking me out for a surprise dinner...I can't wait!  I am so lucky that God chose me to be the mommy of Holden and Madison...and led me to Aaron. 

I'll leave you with some pics of the day...

My beautiful Mother's Day flowers and Mommy mail box...

Just a few of things I made today...