Monday, February 6, 2012

i'm calling in sick today...



I'm calling in sick today. But I am not sick. I am just feeling naughty like I did at my first job when I was a teenager and I just wanted to the day off. So bad, I know. How I went from that to the workaholic I am, I have NO idea, I swear. 

Seriously though, I just need a day off. I am tired. Pooped. Wiped out.

I planned on telling you about a little something I have been working on for my Etsy shop, but it is going to have to wait until tomorrow. So I thought I would put a little post together today about what is on my mind today. 

The little house we took a chance on and "flipped" in this CRAZY market SOLD!! Can everyone please stand up next to your desks and do a little Snoopy dance for me? The very first person that looked at it - bought it. I was so worried about what we had done. Everything is so volatile in real estate right now, so be able to say sold within the first week on the market is AMAZING. I feel so lucky!!

On top of reeling from the mountain of work I had just tackled at that house, I took Saturday and Sunday to tear apart and reorganize my warehouse. It was so out of control! My selling season starts again in May, so I have to start working soon so I can get a head start. I found so many cool pieces among my "stash"...I am excited to get started for the year. I came home last night and took a look through my Pinterest board for "Furniture Inspiration" (trying to get the juices flowing for projects) and found I had pinned so many pieces I already have in the 'archives'.

Just thought I would show you a bit of what I will be working on...



I found a cabinet so similar to this...except the top of my doors are not rounded. I love the gray, but think I will paint the inside white so it is not so dark. 
I have been holding on to this bench for about 2 years, avoiding the tedious paint job of the back. I really love how this looks, so think I will make it a point to have it done for the first show this year. 




{sigh...} 

wall cabinets with old windows as doors. These bring back such memories. This is where I first started in the world of painted furniture. In 2000, I was 25 years old and turning these babies out by the dozens each month. My friends thought I was crazy!! That was when I was selling on Ebay...waaay before blogging and before I even knew what Etsy was. This photo has inspired me to start making them again...I love the double doors on this one. 




And I came across a stack of windows about this size...yay! for being an old window hoarder! 




I have a few dining tables I need to get done, too. They take up too much real esate in my warehouse, so I think after these are done, it may be a rare day when I buy another to re-do. 

I love the natural, slightly whitewashed top Shaunna gave this table...I have one that is almost exactly the same. I think I might try this look...I love how it looks!




I have a few cabinets with lots of little drawers...this one is in my office at home...but I may paint another similar since I love it so much...




I have quite a few 3 drawer dressers, and the more I see the Union Jack...the more I love it. This gray is pretty awesome, I have to say. Maybe I should try it on one...hmmm.....




And finally...I have a table that has been tucked away for sooo long that is similar to this. I was marked to go in my studio space in my basement...but it is 7 feet long, and won't fit down my basement stairs. So sad! So...I have to part with it. Or I could hold onto it for 10 years until I move again. But that may put me at the top of the list in the hoarder category, so I guess I will pass it on to someone that could give it some love now. 



Hope enjoyed my little stroll down inspiration lane. It makes me feel productive to talk about it today, even if I am just going to sit home in my sweats all day. 

{smile...}

Happy Monday, girls! 

I love the promise a fresh, new week holds!

Oohh...and don't forget, there is still time to enter my giveaway from Sarah Jane Studios!

Friday, February 3, 2012

sarah jane studios giveaway!




I {heart} Sarah Jane Studios!

One day as I was clicking away, hopping to blog after blog and I came across Sarah Jane. It was love at first sight! Have you seen her blog, etsy shop and website? You really must pop over and pay her a visit. It is a 100 kinds of happy, I swear!

 Sarah is a girl with AMAZING talent and her style is out of this world! I really think of her as a wonder-woman of sorts, designing patterns, papers and fabric...illustrating children's books and greeting cards. Her website is full of all sorts of fun and pretty things for purchase, which made me REALLY excited!

Lately, I had been thinking I needed something new to do when I had a little 'down time".  Not that I get much of that, but I wanted to find something that would make me WANT to have a little time to myself to create. And then I stumbled on Sarah Jane's embroidery patterns! PERFECT when I just need a little time to unwind...but still need to feed my need to create.

When I saw the 'Make It Do or Do Without' pattern, I was sold. Nothing speaks to this farmgirl more than that mantra! Those words ring in my ear daily...I can hear my sweet Mama's voice telling us that when we were kids. NOTHING was wasted, vintage seemed to be our way of life. Not because it was cool and in style...but because that was just how it was done. You did not waste, you reused and recycled almost everything. Pretty cool when I think back on it.




Sarah and I are {TICKLED} to be able to give away not one...but TWO complete sets of Sarah Jane's embroidery patterns from her "Children at Play" series.




 Each winner will receive 8 patterns: 

 3 Little Birds
 Classic Play
 Just Stay Little
Make It Do
On Parade
Playing Dolls
Rocket Launch Club 
 Summer Flowers

(all in PDF format, so they will be delivered right to your inbox!)




Ok, now for the "HOW TO ENTER" info:

Just leave me a comment on this post. Easy peasy!


Want extra credit? 
You can do any or all of the things listed below!

Leave me a SEPARATE comment for each one you do, that is how you get multiple entries!

1. Click over and LIKE Sarah Jane Studios on Facebook...

2. Click over and LIKE Urban Farmgirl on Facebook...

3. Pop over to Sarah Jane's website HERE and tell me which pattern is your favorite...

4. Tweet, Blog or post on Facebook with a link to this giveaway...

Good luck, girls! 

(Giveaway ends Wednesday, Feb. 8th, winner to be announced Thursday morning)







Thursday, February 2, 2012

a few new things in the shop...




Just thought I would show you a few new things I listed in my Etsy shop. I love, love, LOVE my job! Being able to find vintage treasures and antique furniture...giving them new lives and new homes...I love it so much! I had a wonderful time hunting for new things over the weekend, so I just had to show you some of what I found. I filled a truck and a huge trailer...so there is lots more to come! 

{I will be listing new items today through Sunday...}

So lets take a little tour of just a few of the things I got up so far...


This farmgirl is having a really hard time letting go of this folk-art barn!

{love}



I will be listing a bunch of white ironstone this week...this bowl is quite large...love the pattern on the outside...




I have a box full of beautiful old books...most of them french and swedish




...and I found a bunch of these industrial metal part bins...

{i heart industrial}




a little milk glass...




and one FABULOUS antique bait shop sign...isn't that chippy paint just the best!?




I'll have lots of silver...tarnished and beautiful...




and these beautiful girls are still looking for a good home...they are quite large...so would be great on a shelf!



So if you are looking for a little vintage goodness this week...be sure to check back. I am hitting it hard this week with Etsy. And I have a super-special project in the works for my Etsy customers...I can't wait to tell you about it on Monday!

Ok, I am off to take photos. Everyone keep your fingers crossed we get a little sun here in Illinois today!

Oooh...and don't forget you can keep up with all the latest on my new Facebook page!



Wednesday, February 1, 2012

urban farmgirl is FINALLY on Facebook!




I have finally come into the 21st century!

Urban Farmgirl is on Facebook!

(the Stash booth at the Country Living Fair last fall)

I created a page quite some time ago...but I never told anyone. Somehow a bunch of you found me even though it was my little secret! Starker-ish and just my style! {LOVE} you girls!! 

I will regularly be updating my Facebook page...so if you want to click over and LIKE me, I would love you for it!


So why the decision to start using Facebook?

1. I knew it was time I get with it and stop denying Facebook was awesome. 

2. I have been getting a LOT of emails and convos through Etsy asking if there was a mailing list buyers and lookers could be on so they could be notified when I put new things in my shop. Some things seem to go really fast, so I thought this was a great way to reach everyone and let them know when new things have popped up in the shop. 

3. Flea Market season will be here before I know it. My goal, if time allows, is to post photos of what painted furniture I will be bringing to the shows. Again, I get a TON of emails the week before hand asking to see my inventory for that particular show. Thought this would be a great way for everyone to see the pieces as I get them done and be a huge time-saver for me, too.

4. I take A LOT of road trips looking for cool "junk"...I take a million photos while I am on the road, but only a select few can make it into a blog post. I thought this would be a great way to show things I find along my little journeys and name the places I shop, just in case you jump in the car and decide to go snooping around the backroads of America, too!

So....there you have it. One more way to keep in contact with what is going on in the world of Urban Farmgirl. I cannot tell you all how much it means to me that you support me, and my little blog, my Etsy shop and my booth at the flea. {THANK YOU!} from the bottom of this Farmgirl's heart!

Click here to visit my little Facbook page...

Happy Wednesday, girls!

I am off to take a TON of photos for Etsy today!