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!