COME ON 2017

It's almost time for a NEW YEAR.

I'm so ready.  How about you?  2016 was filled with ups and downs.  For some of you, more downs than ups.  In many ways, 2016 was better than 2015 for me.  That's  not to say that it wasn't without it's challenges.

However many ups and downs you faced in the past year, I'm wishing you all the very best in 2017.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

MERRY CHRISTMAS

And the angel answered and said unto her,

The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

St. Luke 1:35

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Isaiah: 9:6


Wishing you all,  JOY, PEACE, and, HAPPINESS

MERRY CHRISTMAS

IT'S OVER

I just finished my last show of the year.

As I mentioned in my last post, I've set up at around 30 shows since March of this year.  That includes four Holiday Markets in a row.

As tired as I am, I'm happy.  If some of you may recall, I was without a vehicle last year, and, missed quite a few opportunities.

Maybe I overdid it this year, but, I'm grateful I had the transportation to do these shows.  I'm also grateful for the show promoters, and, customers that made each show possible.

Time to clear my head, relax a bit, decorate, spend time with family, and, friends.  Oh, and, yes, I'm watching my health.

LAST SHOW OF THE YEAR

It's been show-after-show-after-show for me this year (somewhere around 30 to be exact).  I've also been back and forth to the doctor, working on getting my blood pressure under control, and, ruling out other possible issues.  I just got through The Mistletoe Market in Chesterton, IN, all while wrestling with a horrible cold.

So, I'm looking forward to my last show of the year.  What better way to end my show season (or should I say year) than with the Hunt & Gather Market in Crown Point, IN.

It'll be a wrap after this.  I'm ready to chill, decorate, and, enjoy Christmas with family and friends.  I need to rejuvenate.

I'll also have more time to work on my Etsy, and, share pics with you all.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU ALL

MORE HOLIDAY MARKETS

The 3 French Hens Holiday Market was a great success.  I know I  said I would share pics, but, because I've done so many shows this past year, I've decided to do one long post at the end of the year with ton's of photos.  For now, I'm sharing my upcoming markets.

I'll be at The Holiday Vintage Faire in Minooka, IL this coming Sunday, November 27th.

I'll be following that up with The Mistletoe Market in Chesterton, IN, December 3rd.

So, I'm a busy bee right now.  Yes, I'm watching my BP and taking it easy every chance I can.  At the end of the year, I'll  be chilling like crazy.

EMERGENCY ROOM and UPCOMING MARKET

A curious post?  Yes, I know.  I've been away for awhile, and, there's a reason for it.  Back in September, I ended up in the Emergency Room, and, posted this on Facebook.

"Let's start with the fact that I should have paid attention to warning signs sooner, taken my fluctuating BP more seriously, and, followed the same good advice I've given "everyone else". Go ahead, yell at me!

This all started with a dental appointment (I was having some pain this past weekend). After x-rays, I found out I had an infection. This however is not why I ended up in the emergency room. Before treatment I would need to take antibiotics. Before proceeding, however, any dentist should take your blood pressure. Mine was high (180/108). "I think you need to go to the emergency room", she said. When I arrived, they checked it again, and, it was 188/117. After checking me into a room, it had soared to 226/118. That's when the BP meds, blood tests, IV, EKG, etc. started. I was in the stroke/heart attack zone.

The test for my heart was a little off the first time, and, I had to do the blood test again. Hours and hours passed, while I prayed, and, thought of my family and friends. This could have been way worse. Finally, all of the tests came back, and, I was released. I'm on antibiotics, and meds right now. I have follow ups, and, needless to say, I have some changes to make."

What followed has been multiple trips back and forth to the doctor's office, many blood tests (to rule out other issues), switching BP meds several times, dealing with side effects, feeling depleted, and, weathering more than one infection.

However, Praise the Lord, I'm starting to feel somewhat "normal".  Resting and focusing on myself is a foreign concept to me, but, I had to do it to start feeling better.  I'm ready to tackle these last two months of the year.  Starting with a great market.

I'll be a vendor at the 3 French Hens Holiday Market.  I'm so looking forward to it.  I'll have a bunch, and, promise to share pics.

Till next time.

xoxoRosemary

Transferring Images and Graphics With Acetone

While I'm getting ready for the 3 French Hens Market in Morris, IL this Saturday, 9-10-16, here's another popular post I'm re-sharing with you.

Originally published in June of 2015, it's a transfer process I use quite often.

I've know for years that you can transfer images with acetone.  However, some techniques can get messy (Pouring the acetone on the back of an image, etc). The following method is quite simple.

As most of you know, I often use the blender pen for transferring images.  You can review that technique by clicking HERE.

One day, I was in the midst of transferring, and, realized that every single one of my blender pens were out of juice.  So, I grabbed a glass bottle, and, my container of acetone.

I dipped the pen in the acetone.

The acetone absorbed, and, I finished my project, using the pen as if it were brand new.

Okay, bare in mind, you're going to have to keep dipping the pen, if you have a large image to transfer.  Don't pour a large amount of acetone into an open container, and, leave it sitting.  It will evaporate.  As you can see in the photo above, I used just enough to keep the tip of the pen wet.

Just like the blender pen method of transferring, you need to have a toner based (laser, xerox, etc.) copy.  Ink jet prints "will not work".

I'm using "PURE" acetone here, NOT fingernail polish remover.  You can get it at your local hardware, or, home improvement store.

PLEASE, adhere to warnings on the label, wear protective gloves, and,  USE IT IN A WELL VENTILATED AREA.

I've used this method on metal, as you can see on the galvanized pail above.

I've also used it on wood,

my painted designs,

and, vintage salvaged wood.

If you don't have a blender pen, you can use a cotton swab.  Or, should I say, multiple cotton swabs, depending on the size of your transfer.  Make sure to apply pressure when rubbing.


It works on fabric as well.  I used it to transfer the graphics onto the pillow, and, the fabric covered books below.

So, give acetone a try, if you haven't already.



The graphics you see in this post are courtesy of "The Graphics Fairy".

Shabby Magnetic Board

Yes, I've been away for a bit.  It's been an insanely busy show season, along with everyday life.  So, I'm doing what I said I was going to do in my last post.  I'm going over a multitude of my previous posts, and, sharing some of the most popular.

First posted August 9, 2012, here's "Shabby Magnetic Board".


I've been trying to rest up after my show this past weekend, but I had an idea for a beat up frame I've had lying around for a while.

Here is where we started.

As you can see, the frame was missing some of the trim.  Last year I bought a huge bag of fabric roses for $1.00.  Because, well, they were $1.00, and they were roses.

They came in handy for this little project.

I hot glued them to the area that was missing trim, and sprayed them with sealer to stiffen them.  After multiple coats of white spray paint, and a couple coats of white gesso,  this is what I had.

I left a bit of the pink, and I embraced the touches of fraying.

The magnetic board is a piece of tin I cut,

and sprayed black.  Add a couple frenchy magnets, and I'm done.

A little shabby, a little quirky.


Sharing With:
The DIY Showoff: DIY Project Parade
Funky Junk Interiors: Saturday Nite Special
French Country Cottage: Feathered Nest Friday
The Shabby Nest: Frugal Friday
At The Picket Fence: Inspiration Friday
Common Ground: Vintage Inspiration Friday
2805: Potpourri Friday
Stone Gable: Tutorials, Tips, and Tidbits
The Shabby Creek Cottage: Transformation Thursday
No Minimalist Here: Open House Party
Faded Charm: White Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style: Wow Us Wednesdays
Ivy and Elephants: What's It Wednesday

THIS IS WHAT I DO

Right now, I'm in the middle of a series of shows.  My schedule has been, set up at show, recuperate, get ready for the next show, set up at show, recuperate, get ready for the next show...........................

Because I redo, reimagine, or, literally create quite a bit of what I bring, I've been in overdrive.

Yes, it's exhausting, but, I'm grateful for the shows, my regular customers, and, so many new supporters.  I'm also grateful for a vehicle (something I was without for awhile).

This is what I do.  It's not a hobby, it pays the bills.

I'll be super busy through November.

This Saturday, July 16th, I'll be at the Chesterton European Market in Chesterton, IN.

One of my readers came by to see me at 3 French Hens, and, asked if I would repost some of my older posts.  Sometimes I forget I've been doing this for over 5 years now, and, have nearly 800 posts. There are so many posts my newer readers (older readers too) haven't seen.

So, between shows, recuperating, getting ready for shows, etc., I think I'm going to review some of my older posts, add a bit of updating with more details, and, compile a few top tens.

See ya soon.

Plaster Clock Face

Oh how I wish I had a before of this large plaster clock face.

I was in such a hurry to get it done.  With so many shows back to back, I've been working at warp speed.

I achieved this look with layers and layers of paint.  With each layer, I diluted the paint more.  The last layer was basically a wash.  A bit of sanding here and there, and, I was done.

This beauty will be coming with me to the Kane County Flea Market in St. Charles, IL this weekend.  I'll be in the "Poultry Building".

WORK, RECOUP, WORK, RECOUP.........

That has been my pattern lately, and, that same pattern shall continue for a bit.

After the 3 French Hens French Country Market, I was invited to set up at the Marley Annual Antique Show in Mokena, IL this past Saturday.  It was very spur of the moment.

I literally decided to do it, and, got everything together in about a day.  I'm so glad I made that decision.  Tons of customers nearly wiped me out.


After a little recouping, I will be in Hammond, IN this coming Saturday.  I set up at this annual event two years ago.  It's a blast.

If you're local, and, you can make it out, stop by to see me.

Next on the agenda, Kane County Flea Market, then, back to Morris, IL for the July 3 French Hens.

Needless to say, I'm immersed in projects right now.

FRENCH HENS PICS

Okay, I was able to get a few shots at the 3 French Hens this past Saturday.

Last month is was freezing, this month it was sweltering.  However, that did not stop shoppers.  There were lot's of happy customers.

My friend Rhonda was set up next to me, and, her granddaughter (Bella) handled her booth like a pro.

Well, maybe next month, the weather will be somewhere in the middle.  Sunny and mild would be nice.

Time to recoup.