Learning to say "I want" instead of "I never"....

I have noticed a funny trend in my life...

All of the things I have said "I never" to, have happened. From the smallest details to the largest events, good and bad.

I can remember in 3rd grade looking up at the 5th grade side of school and thinking with my head thrown back in defeat "ooohhh.. I'm never going to get there."

In high school I thought "I'm going to take Consumer Ed instead of Typing. I am never going to need to learn how to type, I'm not going to be a secretary (it's was the 80's.)!"

As a young adult in the fire service, "I am never going to get married and have children, my career comes first."

Three years ago "I'm never going to have a c-section (ha ha! fate got me on that one!), it's my third child."

Two years ago "I am never going to be interested in photography! Why would I?"

and last year... "I am never going to get published!"

I am seeing that I never should never be used. It should be placed by I want and I am going to.

Because it's not really in our hands, is it?

And really, anything is possible.

right?

~Jen

Entry table make-over how to layer paint for an aged look.....

I finally finished the little entry table that my 3 little chickens base-coated for me on spring break.
I love the look of layered paint. It instantly makes a piece look years older with great depth.
The easiest way to make it look like it's been around for years is to layer related paint colors.
This was a dark wood table that I started adding layers of paint to. It can be any paint. I prefer flat, but use what's on hand as long as it's not gloss.

It had been blue with a second coat of green all over the base. I then added a coat of cream.

 Then a good sanding with a low grit sanding sponge, and finally

a coat light brown glaze and polyacrylic.

I love using the wall color with a glaze. It always "goes" but

looks different enough to stand out.

And of course I always love a good antique knob to add to the look.

It makes it picture perfect !! Too corny? :)

~Jen

From Nada Farm to Farm Chick....

Coming down off of my high from the show, I am excited to be heading to Spokane, WA for the Farm Chicks show next week.

It's my one "big girl" trip of the year. Everyone wish my hubby luck :)

Are you going? Let me know, I'd love to meet you!

~Jen

Saving the best for last.......

Some of the most wonderful things about the sale were the patisserie and the wonderful bloggers that came out to visit. I love it when you finally get to meet a blogger that you've only talked to thorough comments, and you find out that they are the most amazing people.

Angela and Anne Marie rocked the patisserie. A case filled with handmade goodies,

made with two of my favorite food groups; butter and chocolate.

I'd never had a macaron until Angela brought her's. If you've never had one you have to order some from her. They would be a wonderful gift. They are like nothing I've ever had, sweet, flaky and chewy in the center. I loved the floral flavor of the lavender and the cocoa-iness of the chocolate.

They also had HUGE Cinnamon rolls in the morning as people came in.

After licking my sticky fingers, I finally was able to meet some wonderful people.

If you've never been over to the Ruffled Nest, you have to check out her blog! She was so sweet and friendly to talk you!

And Suzanne from Privet and Holly. She and her friends made quite the drive!

and Mrs. B, (I wish we had gotten a pic together,) is the proud new owner of my peacock chair.

Traci and Tracey were there as well, those two gorgeous ladies brightening up the room.

Angela, Anne Marie, Joy and I want to thank everyone who attended. We so enjoyed getting to know you,sipping champagne and eating macaron's with you! Anne Marie is going to be starting an e-mail mailing list for the next sale, so if you're interested, head on over and leave her your e-mail address.

See you at the next one! :)

Jen

Incredible shopping...

Here are more pictures and there are more to come!

There was incredible shopping, but of course I am completely biased as 1/3 of it was my stuff.

Take a peek and enjoy window shopping.....

And here's my stunt shot from the top of a 30 foot ladder.

~Jen

Everything it could have been and more....

The sale was amazing.

and bananas.

And bananas was the closet thing I can say to what it was without swearing.

Who would've thought that Anne Marie could've taken something like this

Old glass shower doors and shelving in a gravel filled horse barn,

and turned it into this...

a french patisserie,

with it's own Marie Antoinette mascot, made from coffee filters and fabric. All thrifted.

The entrance became what was called

the "Dennis Severs" area all with botanical and "manly type" things.

Angela did this amazing faux work behind it and also did a lot of the planning and setting up with Anne Marie.

Once Joy brought in all of here amazing things and her mad styling skills, My things were added and a touch here and there, it all came together; the rooms, the mood, the fabulous people.

And who would've thought that an ordinary stack of hay

could be turned into a Parisian bedroom with Angela's touches?

I can't wait for the next one! We had people from all over including those who came from Minnesota and St. Louis.

There's more pictures to come!

I have over 200 I have to sort through and more to share of the people we met as well.

~Jen

The day before...goodies and more...

I am nervous, excited and doing the last minute "run around like a chicken dance", but I was able to take some pictures of some of my goodies for you. My awesome friend, Anne, has the kids for me so I can get those last bits finished up.

Oh, and if you are coming to shop, feel free to bring shopping bags to donate. We are going green and reusing!

I have hand-made and hand-painted pillows.

Some very cool chicken wire frames. I am going to use them also to display my prints for sale.

Remade clothing. These were thrift store cast offs like men's shirts and heavy winter full neck sweaters.

Repurposed art.

Mixed media collage and canvases.

Hand painted canvases.

And canvas bags.

See you on Monday with pictures and stories! I am heading out early tomorrow morning. It's been raining out, so please pray for us that the sun comes out and we have gorgeous weather! :)

~Jen

Can you keep a secret?

I have a super secret blog.

Okay, it's really not super secret blog, I just haven't told you about it yet.

I started it in way back April, not really sure what I wanted to do with it, but wanting an outlet for the things that didn't fit into this blog.

This place is more of my fun place.

The other blog is about organic growing, living, gardening, green living and me spouting off at "THE ESTABLISHMENT" who is ruining our food or as my hubby puts it, part of my "conspiracy theory."

It's not as updated as this blog, and I know it's not for everyone, but if you are someone who is interested in those things and want to know more about sustainable living , I thought you might want to check it out.

It's at Suburban Farmergirl.

~Jen

In the groove...

I have to pre-apologize. I am probably going to be a little post-light this week with the sale coming up this weekend. It's been crazy making things, stinky sewing machine and all; I even found plaster compound in my hair and my finger's are stained from antiquing medium... ahhhhh... good times, good times.

It's the Chicago's far west suburbs; you can visit the site for more information.

I'll try to show you some pics of what I am working on and for those of you that can't come, I'll be sure to take lots of pictures for posting next week!

Jen