Oui, oui

Hi Everyone,

Well, I have survived a weekend of French being spoken everywhere I turned. We had the privilege of showing at the Lycee Francais Annual Market in downtown Chicago and it was an interesting time to say the least. I still can not speak or understand that language but I did try. Over and over and over again. I got crepes and creme brulee correct and that was all that matter. Yes, both were fantastic.

This is an international school and everyone except me spoke French. So, I spent the weekend nodding and agreeing a lot! We were busy both days but Sunday was swamped from the get go. Met tons of new customers and laughed many times during the days so it was definitely a great show.

Several new items made their debut into our line and one was our vintage linens. We have been collecting table runners, napkins, scarves and tablecloths for several months now and finally got them all washed, pressed(thanks Candy) and prepared for their debut. It is something to watch people dig through neatly stacked items and finally find just the right one. The refolding part, not so much. Ah, but tis' the life of a vendor.

Several new paper items made it out as well like our new hand sewn Noel gift tag.

This burlap, lace, stamped muslin tag went over nicely and I am thinking of adding a couple more, perhaps in English this time.

Our folded trees also made it to this event in all their glory. It seems everyone did this type of a technique back in their younger days, alot of references to Reader's Digest were made. As we have said time after time, it is all about recycling, re-purposing and reusing. So our little trees qualify under recycling an old method, re-purposing an old book and reusing coffee!

Would someone please explain how these pictures turn themselves? ? ?  I have spent an hour trying to get both of these turned the correct way and NOTHING. Okay, I am done ranting, still frustrated but done. You have to admit that even tho it is sideways, it's a cute tree.

This coming weekend we are all traveling up to Wisconsin to do the now famous (hey, it made Craft Gossip, it doesn't get any better than that) Decorate! Market at Hawthorne Hill Farm in New Berlin Wisconsin. If you are within an hours drive of this place, it is well worth the effort. Bonnie Lynn gathers the best of cool artists and vendors in a magical, real barn setting, (dress warm) and you can shop for anything for the holidays. Lots of handmade items and of course, we have the gift wrapping situation under control. Check out our new Shabby Santa Sacks that will be there.

 Here's our next couple of shows,

 November  9 - 11  Decorate! ! ! at Hawthorne Hill Farm New Berlin WI

November  24 Indie Vintage & Art Market, Carmel IN      INDOORS! Yeah!


Back to creating,

Suz

the muze

our Etsy address  All My Musings 

our Facebook address  All My Musings

By the grace of God and really great friends

Hi Everyone,

Just when I thought we were back on schedule a few bumps, literally got in our way.

Mine involved 7 staples after a nasty head meets door frame incident on our way to Indianapolis three weeks ago and then George had to one up me with his attempt at a 'widow maker', the worst of all heart attacks last Saturday after NA DA Farm Event. Just when I thought our life was all over, he came through with not as much as a blip on his EKG. The cardiologist refers to him as the 'luckiest bastard he knows'. I have been signing emails all week with 'still here George'. I still get a chuckle over that one. and thanks for the anniversary gift darling, next year, skip the gift of two complimentary nights at your local hospital!

So, when we decided to go ahead and try to do our show this weekend, I really learned what unbelievable friends we have. The majority of them responded with 'what can we do to help' and that was very touching to receive that kind of response. We couldn't believe the outpouring.

And then there was Michelle from Reimagined just for you and her incredible family.

When we did the Midland MI show in September, I got to know some of her amazing children and admire her work.

This was one of my all time favorite pieces she showed.

Her work is just beautiful. But what is truly amazing are her 9, count them 9 incredible children.

Friday when we arrived at our show, because George is on a no lift restriction, really? geessh !, Michelle and Brian and 6 of the 9 children drove an hour each way to help us unload and set up. Then on Sunday, arrived with 8 of the 9, Joshua, Luke, Isaiah, Victoria, Sarah Grace, Isabella, Josiah and the one I really wanted to take home as a souvenir, Elijah. Each one pitched in and we set an all time record for getting packed up and on the road in 45 minutes! This normally takes us a minimum of 1.5 hours on a really good day. George and I talked about it all the way home, how blessed we are to have such generous good friends and that we got to enjoy these wonderful children. I tried several times to somehow steal Elijah away but Michelle caught on early and kept rescuing him from my grasp.

So to the entire Gryzbowski family, you are absolutely the best friends we could have asked for. So generous and so helpful, we truly would have had to miss the show if not for you and all your help. Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts. May we someday be able to return your generosity.

I had made several new things to show and only got one photographed, so sorry. Been a little distracted you think ?

This is one of our new shabby pouches, a burlap drawstring pouch that has so many possibilities.

I will try to get some of the other shot this week. The other picture I want to share is of Mamie, our absolutely weirdest animal ever.

Every Monday morning I have to get our deposits and funds for our cash box organized and settled. Mamie will break her neck to be in the middle of it every time.

Can't you just her her saying it's mine all mine? George says it is in her female DNA to natural search out the cash. I just think she is hysterically funny and flat out the strangest cat we have ever had.

We have some really great shows coming up. Stop by and say hi.

Here's the details;

November  2 - 4    Lycee Francais de Chicago Market, Chicago IL


November  9 - 11  Decorate! ! ! at Hawthorne Hill Farm New Berlin WI


November 17  TBA


November  24 Indie Vintage & Art Market, Carmel IN      INDOORS! Yea


Back to creating and trying to catch my breath,

Suz

the muze

our Etsy address  All My Musings 

our Facebook address  All My Musings

Where in the world is AMM?

That is a great question . . . and I haven't the slightest idea as to where to begin.

Hi Everyone,

I so apologize for my very lengthy absence but I truly have some really good reasons.

Let's start with since our last visit, we have done . . .

28 shows
driven over 7,000 miles
sold over 1,800 individual items
visited with, laughed with and enjoyed over 1,270 customers
visited 9 new markets or shows
eaten entirely too much fast food
heard back from 9 very happy brides and Mother of brides

Yep, that pretty much sums it up. Been just a tiny bit busy and something had to give. The blog got the short straw. So let's see how I can make it up.

Back in July, we had the misfortune of doing a show in Ohio during the height of the really hot weather. How hot you ask ? Well, for three straight days they closed the show early because the heat became hazardous, 126 degrees on the asphalt, the county health department asking people not to go out, it was crazy. We were almost 400 miles from home and couldn't sell anything because people stopped coming out to what was a normally really busy show. So we packed up and left almost empty handed, no business. The following weekend we thought we would try something new and go as far north as we could, maybe cooler weather.

Midland Michigan ended up becoming really important. It was a good show for us, met a lot of cool people including the owner of the show, Lori Oberlin. In a conversation with her, it came up that she is a lover of all things shabby and really wanted to do a special shabby area at her next show in September.

I volunteered to help produce this event. What was I thinking? The heat must have fried my brain the weekend before and I said something to the effect of, 'Sure I can get a dozen vendors to come up and do this new show'. After all I had 8 weeks to work on it and only 12 shows to do in between, piece of cake.

Shoot me now.

But it was fantastic.

Here's a picture of the entrance to 'The Shabby Experience' at the Michigan Antiques and Collectibles Festival from last weekend.
More pictures are available at their Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/antiquefestival

I created this wonderful shabby bed with our stained muslin and a layer of beautiful fresh roses, carnations and other exotic florals. The little nightstand and accents were from our dear friends at Re-Imagined Just for You.

A close up of the pillow. It was gorgeous to see and the fragrance was wonderful.

I also sweet talked some of my favorite industrial vendors to come up and play in the other half of our area called 'Industrial Way'. Cool sign, huh? I am pretty pleased how it turned out and a special thank you to Steve at MAF who sat for hours attaching all those nuts, bolts and tools to it. Then mounted it to our pavilion tent so that that gale force winds wouldn't tear it down. Nice job Mr Yoder !

Cool sign, huh? I am pretty pleased how it turned out and a special thank you to Steve at MAF who sat for hours attaching all those nuts, bolts and tools to it. Then mounted it to our pavilion tent so that that gale force winds wouldn't tear it down. Nice job Mr Yoder !

The industrial dealers brought their best to show, like these fantastic pumpkins from Mike at Amsterdam Antiques, Saugatuck MI that literally flew out of his booth.

The whole experience was very exhilarating, very tiring and I can't wait until next June to do it again. 

I have to download more pictures, including wedding photos of some of our very happy brides and grooms.

It has been a whirlwind of a summer and fall doesn't look any slower !

Here's the details;

September  30 Allegan Antique Market, Allegan, MI

October  13 Indie Vintage Market, Indianapolis, IN

October 19 & 20, NA DA Farm Event, Esmond IL

Back to creating,

Suz

the muze

our Etsy address  All My Musings 

our Facebook address  All My Musings