Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Fall Festival this Saturday!

The Lemon Poppy Cottage will be at the big Fall Festival at Rice's Market on Saturday, October 27th from 7am-1pm.
 
 

 
We have been working on knitting a few cozy scarves and hats in an array of fall colors. Come by the booth and see for yourself!

Monday, October 1, 2012

The Cottage

Hello, friends!
This Saturday the Lemon Poppy Cottage will be at Crestmont Park in Willow Grove, across from the mall. The Cottage is supporting a local charity, Friends of Camille,  from 7am - 4pm.

 
 
Stop by and see all the new items we have been making!

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Guess What We Are Doing This Weekend....

 
It's that time again! We are going to Rice's Market this Saturday!
 
We will be there from 7-1pm.
 
We have been working hard making some new items, but more on that later.
 
 
Bring a buddy and come say hello!

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Market Day Photos

I know we are a little behind on posting pictures from our last Market day,  but here they are, finally!
 
Trina snapped these with her iPhone- thanks, Instagram!


Some of our goodies, from left to right:
Trina made her own stamps to make that beautiful pillow in the top left. I made a few sets of hand stenciled cloth napkins and put them in the rustic wood tray I built along with my stamped coasters. Trina made so many cute headbands for girls of all ages, and created memo boards using chicken wire. She also made the rolled rose pillow in the bottom right photo- perfect for fall!
 
 
These are a few of the hand painted vintage-looking signs that I made.
 
 
Thanks to everyone who came out to our "cottage" at Rice's Market!
 As always, we had a great time meeting new faces and seeing a few familiar ones.

 


Friday, August 31, 2012

Headbands and more!

Tomorrow is our Market Day! That means today we are finishing up our pieces... and adding a few last minute projects.
 
 
Here is a little glimpse of what Trina has been creating:
 
Custom dyed felt headbands and pins, handmade clay earrings and barrettes.
 
Aren't these just too cute? Trina uses the best color combos. She also made her own buttons for the flower insets.
 
 
I love these felt flower headbands! I have too many favorites. Trina is working on headbands for babies, too, so girls of all ages can look ready for fall. Wouldn't these be adorable in a first day of school photo?
 
That's the latest; I am going back to "project land".
 
Don't forget to pop by the Cottage tomorrow!

Thursday, August 30, 2012

More Finished Pieces

Trina and I have been busy preparing for our upcoming market day on Saturday.

Yesterday I showed you the signs I made, and today I will show you my tray and trough, and yes, my secret project.

 
These are the projects I worked on last week...I told you I was a busy girl!! This week I am finishing up some sewing projects and one more sign before we go to Market.
 
This is my trough on my work table, as raw wood. I don't have any step by step pictures, since I was working alone and I was too excited about making these projects.
 
 
Here is the trough all stained and ready to go to Market! It is distressed and stained in an antique brown color.


Six wide-mouth mason jars fit inside to hold fresh flowers or to display office supplies. The jars can be removed to hold cooking spices or a simple arrangement of dried flowers.
 

 
The tray is very sturdy and a perfect size for keeping your favorite magazines (Thanks, Celia!) and books together on a coffee table. Using a tray for this purpose helps to keep things tidy, and if you use a large ottoman as a coffee table, this tray provides a place to set drinks or buttery popcorn on movie nights.
 
And now, my secret project!
 
TA-DA!
 
A ladder.
 
 
Here is a close-up of the chippy finish I did.
 
 

I built this on a whim and I am pleased with the results!
 
It can be used to hang blankets in the living room or a guest bedroom or it can be used to hang towels in a powder room.
 
Trina came over the other day to peek at my projects and she was surprised to see my ladder. Mission accomplished!
 

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

While the Cat's Away..

While Trina was away soaking up the sun in the Carolinas last week, I was a busy little bee!
 
I have been preparing for our next Market Day on September 1.
 
Using my brand new circular saw, I made six vintage looking signs, a tray, a centerpiece trough, and a couple of secret projects.
 
I am really loving my saw... as in I have been looking around my house and shed for old boards to chop and transform into art!
 
But back to those vintage signs.
These are the boards before I hand- painted the text on them. There are actually seven boards in this photo, for those of you keeping track. I haven't decided what I want that rectangular one in the bottom left to look like yet.

I am loving the blue boards! I used a paint color called "Fast Fortune" that I got from Ace Hardware for FREE with a special coupon a few weeks ago. (Trina and I each got free paint- I can't wait to see her reveal her color choice!)

I had forgotten what the color looked like, so when I popped open the lid, it was like Christmas! Woo! The color is intense when it is
 in the can, but it looks amazing as a vintage sign!

Here is a sneak peek of a few signs:




 
Stay tuned to see more finished pieces and reveal one of my secret projects!

 
(So...ok they are really just secrets from Trina. Last time we went to Rice's Market, she arrived with secret projects, and I thought that was fun and thoughtful, since I enjoy surprises/presents/secrets. Turns out she had made them on an impulse really late the night before we went, and didn't tell me because I had already gone off to bed. My friend is funny.)

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Cottage News

The Lemon Poppy Cottage is going to the market once again!

We will be at Rice's Market
on Saturday, September 1st,
from 7am to 1pm.  
 


 Stop by and say hello!

Monday, August 27, 2012

My New Purchase


I recently bought a circular saw.

A bold move, I know, for someone who has never used one before,  yet I couldn't stop myself.

 
This is me in Home Depot, giddy with excitement!


 
I bought enough lumber for a few projects... more on those later.
 
 

After Mr. Lemon gave me a lesson on using my new saw, I got to work!
 
 

I have turned my back porch into my workshop. I enjoy the whole process of building- from drawing up my plans, to figuring out how pieces fit together. It is really rewarding to see my projects come to life!

I can't wait to show you what I have been working on!

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

The Lemon Poppy Cottage goes live!

Trina and I had another successful day at Rice's Market last Tuesday!


We are starting to fill our booth with fall items, like this pumpkin sign. Trina made the fabulous paper rose wreath on the right. I just love the fall time, don't you?
We had great weather and lots of people in our booth!

Since this is our physical store, it is always a pleasure to have people pop in and take a look around. Thank you to everyone who came by the Cottage!

We have plans to return soon, so stay tuned!


Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Market Day!


Trina and I set up a booth for the first time at Rice's Market on Tuesday, July 3rd. We had a great time talking with people and showcasing our items. Thank you for coming in to see us!

Setting up at Rice's was a new experience for us, since the market has a little bit of everything: clothing, food, plants, and items ranging from imitation designer bags to antiques. We had some interesting neighbors across from us, but it is all part of the experience... Let's just say we will be more particular about our spot from now on...

We made pillows, bunting and wreaths, as well as flower pins and what else- poppy magnets! We had lots of people complimenting and asking about our items, which helped us get a feel for what people at this market are into.

Mr. Lemon helped us load and unload the van and keep our books, and Trina's hubby helped us so much by keeping her little one home and recharging us with frappachinos. Thanks, guys! We couldn't do it without you! We had a few friends pop in to encourage us, too. It is always nice to see friendly faces and to give sweaty hugs!

I think we took pictures, but for now you will have to just imagine the two of us in a cute booth!


Saturday, April 14, 2012

Let's get Organized! Part 3

Since I have been trying to get more organized lately, I thought I would share my strategy for tackling my ever-increasing project list.

I have lots of lists floating around my house of things I need to do or get or ask Mr. Lemon to do. I have been working hard on compiling a list of everything I have to do with each step written out.

So for example, I have a chair to upholster, I call him Big George. (I like to name my projects... I know...weird.) Anyways, I bought Big George on a thrift store trip with Trina a while back and he just sits up in my sunny second floor, awaiting his overhaul. The steps I will take to complete Big George will be:
1. Paint or stain
2. Rip the fabric off
3. Purchase new fabric
4. Reupholster
5. Add cushions, since he came to me without any cushions. Sad but true. 
6. Find a new home for him

I made a detailed list for each piece of furniture or each sewing project. Writing out each step will help me to work on multiple projects- I can do several pieces that need painting or staining at one time.

I can also check off each step I have completed to feel more accomplished. Instead of feeling overwhelmed with all I have to do yet, thinking "Oh my! I have not completed Big George!" I can say: "I painted him and purchased his new fabric"! So much better! I am on my way!

If I showed you my project list you might think I was a crazy person, so I will keep that to myself for now...

What kind of strategies do you implement to get your projects done?

Friday, April 13, 2012

Let's Get Organized! Part 2

Yesterday I shared my new grocery list pad. It is working well for me- how did yours turn out?

Today I am going to share another organizing tool that I made: a daily schedule.

I know these last few posts may be boring, but without organization, my world is, well, disorganized.

 I made my daily schedule to help me with my time-management. This is a daily ongoing struggle for me. I used to think that having a set schedule each day would really stiffle my creativity, but it is not true! Having a schedule actually frees me- I know when I can and cannot do things. It helps me to tame my wandering thoughts/ideas, and my sporatic behavior, and provides time for fun things I want to be able to do.

It also carves out specific time for myself and for my art. I always pushed that time back and put other people and whatever else first, and then frantically tried to squeeze in time for all my projects. This was not working for me at all. I do love to spend time with my friends, but now I am (attempting to) schedule that 'fun' time around my art time. Recently, a friend said to me that if I believe that Christ gave me these gifts and talents to be creative, I had jolly well use them for his glory and make them a serious priority. So true! Thanks, friend, for speaking wisdom and truth to me.

One more thought on time- time is a gift. God is really changing my attitude about time these days. Some of you already know this, but I don't have a full time job, or children. These things that I do not have may seem minor to you, but when looking around at other women- even within my own circle of friends- I used to feel so uncomfortable and out of place. My friends are either successfully working in their careers or becoming mamas. I often wondered where I fit in my community.

Well recently I have been asking God to change my heart, I have been reading different books about growth and grace and I have been spending more time in His word. I have been learning that time is a gift- not everyone has it, but everyone wants it. Time to spend with family, time to finish tasks, time to rest or go on vacation, or just more time to get dinner on the table! My eyes are opening to the fact that I have time. I have time to serve my church, my friends, and time to work on all the projects I have been meaning to get to. So if I have time to do things in this current season in my life, how can I use that time to bring glory to Jesus? One way is to use the time I have to use the talents he has given me. This is where the weekly schedule project comes in to play. If I can have a visual reminder of the time I can use for different tasks, I can be a better wife, a better friend, and a better Johanna. Instead of filling my time wondering why I don't have what my friends have (jobs, children) I can use what I do have to bless those around me. This makes a more joyful use of my time.

Well, let's get to it, then!

I used an old frame I had from my big bin of frames and boards. I added some burlap for texture and glued my blank schedule to it. Then I cut out little pieces of cardstock in soothing grays and creams to make my set time chunks: art time, work, church, deep cleaning/laundry, Bible study, and my knitting group. I glued these in the appropriate time slots and put the frame back together. I can use a dry erase marker or a permanant marker to write in things that I have scheduled each week.



I am happy with how it turned out- it is clean and shows me what I am supposed to be doing. Now I just need Mr. Lemon to help me hang it up.

What about you? What are you working on in your life? How have you been using your gifts and talents to glorify God?

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Let's get Organized!

I thought I would make a few things to get organized around here, so I am sharing a couple of my latest projects.

The first project is a grocery list pad. You have seen these or even used them- they are list paper that are designed to help you shop for groceries with categories like "meat", "frozen", "personal" and so on. I couldn't continually use them because I do my shopping for certain things at different stores and I would forget what I really wanted to purchase at each store and buy things impulsively...

So I decided to make a list pad divided by the local stores where I do my shopping: Giant, Produce Junction, Aldi's, Target and a box for Other. I will use the "other" box for stores I don't go to each week but have something I need- maybe Wegman's, or Walgreens, or something.

The division helps me to remember what I want to buy where, instead of forgetting or buying things I can't actually make a real dinner with (can you say lemon cake mix?)

Would you like to make one of these?
Here is what you need:
Thin cardboard- I cut mine from a cracker box. You could use a cereal box.
Hot glue
Elmer's Glue
Binder clip
Magnet strip or discs
Scrap of decorative paper
Document for the list pad
Paper cutter or scissors


Step 1- Make your document.
 Here is the document I created to make my list. I fit three to a regular-sized piece of printer paper (8.5x11). You can use mine if you shop where I shop, or make your own in Word or Publisher.

Step 2- Print a bunch of copies- maybe 20-30 if you have three per sheet.

Step 3- Cut your paper to size.

Step 4- Stack the paper you just cut into a neat pile, lining up the tops. Use the binder clip to secure the stack.

Step 5- Cut your cardboard to size.
Optional Step 6- Cut your decorative paper to size. I used paper to cover up the image and logo from the box I used. You won't really see this paper until you get to the end of your list pad, but it will look more finished than an image of saltines and some kind of pink dip with olives. Ew.

Step 7- Use a little Elmer's Glue to attach the decorative paper to the cardboard.

Step 8- Line up the papers and cardboard by the top short side. Adjust the binder clip to hold everything together.

Step 9- Generously hot glue along the top only. You can smooth out the glue if you like to risk burning your fingerprints off like I do. If you get glue along the sides, your paper will not be able to rip off!

Step 10- Hot glue your magnet strip or discs to the back.


Ta da!


I hope this was a fun little project for you.

P.S. If you have made a dinner from lemon cake mix, do share!

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Night Bandits

Last night I went to pick up Mr. Lemon from the train station.

As we were driving home, I spied a dresser.

You know where this is going...

Now, it had been raining- actually pouring- for most of the day, but I still wanted to check it out. After I convinced Mr. Lemon with "I just want to pop out and see", I  made a somewhat illegal u-turn. Shh!

Crazy parking, check.
Flashers on, check.
Measuring tape in hand, check.

It was really dark, but I could see (with the help of car headlights) that despite one missing knob, the dresser was in great shape, and didn't have any rain damage. Immediately, I schemed how to get it into my car.

It was so heavy! Lucky me, I am married to Mr. "I-can-lift-anything"-Lemon! Just as we started to move it together, the homeowner came out.

Yikes! We were caught red-handed taking this guy's trash!

No worries- he said he had two more dressers and a mirror he was bringing out.

As the homeowner described the other two pieces, I thought, it is a good thing we came by to nab this dresser- how in the world was that guy going to get the other two down a flight of stairs all by himself?!

While Mr Lemon helped our new best friend with the other two dressers, I called Trina with a full report.

She has been looking for a low, wide dresser to turn into a fabulous something that I won't divulge here (save that for later). She also has a similar dresser in her girls' room, so I thought I'd give her a buzz to see if she wanted either.

Trina drove over to where we were to see for herself. She wound up taking both and a mirror to boot!

Score one for The Lemon Poppy Cottage night bandits!


This is my tall dresser. (I can't close one of the drawers until I attach a new pull otherwise it is a beast to open.) I put it in my sewing room... for now.

Trina's sweet hubby and Mr. Lemon are buddies and often the victims of our curbside furniture discoveries. But I will tell you one thing, we are happy to each be married to supportive, loving men. Thank you for keeping us in check, and nudging us to tackle our ever-growing lists of projects.






Thursday, January 19, 2012

Goldie

On the way home from Zumba yesterday, this gem was sitting outside a favorite treasure hunting locale.


I was immediately drawn to her curves and tufted back.
She has cane sides, golden velvet fabric, and a French-y silhouette.

Now she is mine.

Hurray!

 I was smiling the whole way home.


She has a few little flaws, but who doesn't?

I cleaned her and placed her in my dormer window upstairs.


While she basks in her new sunny spot,  I make plans and collect ideas for her makeover.

Anyone have any ideas?
Please share- I'd love to hear what you think!







Saturday, January 7, 2012

What to do With a Your Hubby's old socks


This project is so cute you are going to run and tell someone about it as soon as you see what it is.

You may be thinking, how do I make my husband's old socks look cute? They weren't even cute to begin with!

Argyle, striped, plaid or contrasting toe socks may induce more yawns than ooh's and ahh's as they patiently sit in your hubby's top drawer awaiting their next outing.


That is until they look like this:




Tell me you didn't just squeal with delight.

Don't lie now.

I know you want one.

I made this funny dog for my Pittsburgh gal pal's little boy. I told him he could name it. I can't wait to hear what his name is!

Ok so I technically didn't swipe one of Mr. Lemon's socks. Mostly because he has boring ones. I bought mine, but you could easily raid the drawers of your husband and sons while they are distracted...

This dog is made from one sock, so don't go tossing those stranded socks you shoved into the back of your laundry room cabinet.

Here is what you need:
Uno sock-o (Remember the larger the better! Look for pattern or make yours plain.)
Needle and Thread or a sewing machine. (I hand-sewed mine),
Button for nose
Stuffing
Ribbon for a collar

I got the idea from Create Studio's blog, which also has a lovely tutorial.



Now what to do with those ugly ties he insists on wearing....

Friday, January 6, 2012

Christmas Cheer

Hey Friends!
I apologize for the recent neglect on my part.. I have been working hard on secret Christmas and winter birthday projects for a while now. But in all my secretive crafting I failed to capture any quality photos. Whoops.

Anyways.. I made some fun things for my family this year for Christmas.... brought to you by Pinterest, of course. It was the first Christmas in a long time that I was able to make gifts. For the past few years we have either just moved or were in the throws of packing to move, so my boxes of future ingenious gifts/ projects were boxed away or in storage.

But no more! Hurray!

Since I have been teaching myself to knit, I made scarves for my sister and sister-in-law and my pal Celia (sorry for the spoiler, Celia... someday we will exchange gifts...). Each one was different- Jenn's was a purple infinity scarf, Rachel's was a creamy white cowl, and I won't ruin the surprise any more for Celia.... I will post on that masterpiece later....

For my brother-in-law Nick I made him a sweet set of coasters to go with four pilsner glasses and a large glass bottle for his home brewed beer. The glasses had chalkboard paint on the bottom rims and the bottle had chalkboard paint in the middle for him to label his concoctions. I would be remiss if I left the chalkboard areas blank, so I put witty little sayings on each one ("Johanna is the coolest" "Drink this"..etc).

I also sewed fabric baskets for my sister and sister-in-law and filled them with all the random little gifts I pick up throughout the year.  I sewed my mom a few Scrabble tile pillows of her initials, as an homage to one of her favorite games. Wait until you see the cuteness I made for a little friend... my step dad loved it so much I made him one! Check back for a forthcoming post on it! For my brother I made a fireplace kit, complete with matches. It wasn't until later that I discovered that his fireplace is gas... oh well he can still use the firestarters in his fire pit.

I also made some yummy white chocolate peppermint popcorn to give to friends.

This popcorn has three ingredients- 4 quarts popped popcorn ( about 1/2 cup of kernels popcorn), 16 ounces of white chocolate chips,melted and 10-12 candy canes ground up. so easy.

Side note: my favorite word in Portuguese is the word for popcorn: "pipoca" (pee-PO- ka). Try saying it- I promise you will smile.

 Melt the chocolate while you pop the popcorn, then add the crushed peppermints to the melted chocolate. In a big bowl, pour the chocolate mixture over the popped corn and stir to coat every bit. Once well-coated (you will have to work kind of fast) spread the covered popcorn on a baking sheet covered in wax paper. Let the chocolate harden and then eat or package it up to give as a tasty gift. The hardest part was keeping Mr. Lemon's quick fingers away... all in all it took about 15-20 minutes to make.  It would also be yummy with milk or dark chocolate and peppermint... mmmmm.