Me, My Break & My Crazy.

My children are playing nicely "together" at the moment, so let's see how fast I can get my long overdue post typed!

Let's see... Where to start?  Well after a few crazy busy months for me and two markets in November I decided to take some much needed R & R over the holidays.  By R & R, I mean start my Christmas baking marathon,  work on my own home decorating (Christmas decor) etc, spend time with my kidlets, get all my Christmas shopping done/preparations, and get my home back into some kind of order after months of neglect.  To some degree, I have no idea how I filled all these days and weeks  but I know I've been busy doing "things?".....  

Basically, here is what seems to be the cycle of my life....

Work like like a crazy lady.

Stop working to "relax, regroup & reevaluate."

Start to go a little nutty from lack of creative stimuli.

Start looking for aimless things to make me feel "full".  This includes purging anything I can or am willing to part with in my home & deep cleaning my house.

Endless hours of pinning on Pinterest.

When the purging and cleaning is done, I start cooking all the recipes I have pinned on Pinterest so this will make my life more interesting.

I also spend several weeks trying to lose all the pounds that "snuck" up on me while I was "relaxing" with baked goods and wine, by vigorously exercising.

I dye my hair cause I'm still looking for some excitement.

I start taking my toddler to playgroup so at least she can have some fun and stimuli.

I spend more time on Pinterest and my new Ipad, now looking to renovate my entire home.

My friend Dina aka "partner in crime" mentions thrifting to me.  And since it's been several weeks I get all excited and go on a thrifitng bender for a week.  Sadly, not coming up with very much and I really don't want to bring home any furniture as my garage is still too full for my liking. So, that is somewhat limiting. But it does give me a short high for a few days....

I contemplate a dog (which I say I will never get - sorry dog lovers but there are various reasons for this decision at this point in my life) and I even get a little ohhhhhhh when I see a baby.  Like that would give me something to do?! lol.

After all this. I finally realize I think I need to paint something? lol

Yes, that is snow on the ground.  Brrrr

So last week, despite the freezing temperatures I broke out the sander one sunny afternoon.  I'm starting with 2 nightstands I'm refinishing for our master bedroom.  The weather has been terribly cold for my liking, wet, foggy and very unmotivating!  But, I think if I continue to wait, I will definitely become full on crazy.  

So space heater it was today and even though, my little one wouldn't go down for a nap, I still managed to put a coat on a chair all while preparing snacks, putting on treehouse and meeting all my 2 1/2 year olds demands.  It's a slow start back but I'm happy to be back at it!  Here's to hoping I can find some balance this year:)

Jen

Farmhouse Hutch ~ Black Rustic Charm ~

SOLD

This farmhouse inspired hutch has been painted black, distressed and sealed with a clear wax for protection. 

It has gorgeous curvy lines to accent your display.  Along with sophisticated trim moldings and a lovely carved detail on the door. 

The cupboard below is large which makes for lot's of storage room to hide all the things you don't want to display:)

It measures 18.5"d x 74" h x 38" w.  

The Olde Farmhouse Christmas Market

Hi, my name is Jen and 

Yep, I left my "real" desk job years ago so I could make stuff.  Buy and scavenge for old stuff, paint it, clean it, fix it, and try to get money for it.  And I LOVE it!

A few weeks ago, I got to share all my junk things with a whole bunch of people at the 

Olde Farmhouse Christmas Market.

It was months of collecting and my self made job is actually a lot of work!

But thankfully it is work I love for the most part.

The market was open Friday night and all day Saturday and it was hoppin!  It was nice to see some familiar faces and some returning customers from the previous Olde Farmhouse Market http://www.theoldefarmhouse.ca/  in June.

Once again, Leah and Barb who organize this event did a wonderful job and it was a huge success.  The venue was the perfect setting, along with all their thought out details and preparation.  I feel lucky to have been a part of it.


There was 40 vendors and a large variety of items. Each vendor had their own personal style, flare and craft.

It was definitely a good way to jump start the holiday season.

This cute little lace vintage purse went to a little girl who apparently has quite the large collect of handbags:)

And this funky vintage chair (which I got some grief over purchasing for it's "unique" flare lol), was the first piece of furniture I sold at the market.  Go figure!

Sharing a love for these these unwanted items and giving them a new chance, is one of the best things about what I do.

Just as the definition reads on my "Vintage" highboy dresser:)

I brought out the lights and had some elves:)

Kristy from http://4theloveofwood.blogspot.ca/ brought a whole whack load of her treasures and handmade items so we had plenty for all seeking to find something unique and treasure.

I wish I would have taken a picture of her pickled presents:)

Thanks again to Leah and Barb for making this all happen and to everyone who came and supported all of us and our crafts!

Jen

And on a side note, thanks to all my peeps and followers on my blog and facebook page.  Today
https://www.facebook.com/brickandmortarliving?fref=ts mentioned me, and apparently, I was their #1 means of external referrals for the month of November via my blog.
I feel special:)!

Pallet Sideboard

SOLD

Once again, I've swapped out some of my furniture in my home for the something else.  

This sideboard or sofa table has been custom built with pallet boards.  

One of my future goals is to make time and find some resources (people) to help me learn more about wood working.  I would LOVE to be able to create more of my ideas and build all of these wonderful things I have dreamed up.  However, I am not willing to lose a finger trying to figure out how to use the power tools, saws etc.  So, until I get some wood working lessons, I beg and plead for others to help me.  

I had probably asked my husband one too many times last year so my step-dad was next in line:)  Thankfully, he was happy to help!

I would have kept it longer except, my talented friend Kristy from  http://4theloveofwood.blogspot.ca/ mentioned she just finished this fantastic huge sofa table. (You can check out her blog for pictures)  She had seen my enormously long and somewhat large formal living / dining room and we had discussed my space planning and how awkward the room was.  

Finding furniture that filled the space has been somewhat of a task over the last year or so. It's slowly coming together, but I'm still searching for chairs and a larger coffee table. I would also love to see new flooring and a new fireplace but those are all jobs I'm unable to do so until then, I can change the furniture cause that's one of the PROS of what I do!

This upcylced pallet board table has been dry brushed with white latex paint and waxed for protection.  I wanted the wood grain and plank boards to be featured and didn't want to hide them with a solid color. 

There is an extra shelf below for baskets, blanks, books or more...

It measures 41"w x 15 1'2"d x 33" h.

Black Vintage Display Cabinet

SOLD

This is a gorgeous antique solid wood cabinet.  I can't take credit for this find though.  My mom picked it up and offered me a trade.  It was a done deal as soon as I saw it:) I love that I have people scouting out pieces for me!  I've had neighbors and friends pick up pieces for me at the store or contact me about something they've seen on the curbside nearby.  And I'm always appreciative of their finds!

It was a pukey peach color when it came to me...

It had a rich vintage feeling so I chose to paint it black and distressed it slightly.  

It's great for display and staged here as a liquor cabinet but could be used in a bathroom for towels and linens or as a bookcase.

The inside is in excellent condition   The shelves are adjustable and have plate rails.  

The wood detail on the glass door can be removed if desired.  It's a unique piece and has some beautiful carved detailing.  

Measures 14" d x 30" w x 58 1/4" h.  

I

Paris Grey Alphabet Chair

SOLD

This chair is a few of my favorite things.

LOVE ASCP Paris Grey

LOVE this gorgeous alphabet script fabric.

&

LOVE the curvy lines and the design of the back!

Blue Robin Egg Vintage Dresser

SOLD

This vintage dresser is in great condition and inside of the drawers are immaculately clean.  It is solid wood and the drawers slide perfectly. 

It has been painted with a latex paint from Martha Stewart and distressed.  The creamy white base underneath the robin egg blue makes for some beautiful undertones with the distressing. 

It measures 36 1/4" w x 18" d x 31" h.