Annie Sloan Chalk Paint | Table | 8 Chairs

Saturday, September 29, 2012


I finally painted & finished 8 dining chairs + our table. Late summer Matt put Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in his sprayer and sprayed the chairs. That helped in getting all the nooks & crannies covered. Then the detail work began. I mixed mineral spirits with the dark wax recommend by Annie in her book. I'm so happy I tried that technique. I love the look of it!  Beware it's stinky, messy and took over hours to work on the chairs. {did I mention hours?} So worth it though!

Needless to say, I'm not fond of painting chairs. The table was easier, but still used 3 coats of paint
French linen, Old White {which was still too white for this house} then settled on the top coat of Old Ochre I loved the Old Ochre color, still fairly light colored, but fits in this house with our tone of woodwork. I sanded & waxed and then some.  {I'm going to try to make homemade chalk paint--my husband guessed it right, you can add plaster of paris to your paint} Thrifty? Yes, please, recipe here.

Our limelight hydrangeas have faded to a dirty pink | brown | limey green tones and I plucked off a basket full and decked out our table with nature's bounty!

It's time for our annual woods walk and we'll be be hunting & gathering nature's finest this coming weekend. Love fall......
p.s. have you been sipping pumpkin spice lattes? I heard painting goes better with your favorite fall drink in hand, no?





For the Record

Friday, September 28, 2012

Keep going no matter what
Pinterest


Our website www.mcmasterandstorm.com was taken down on 9/27/12. We launched it in May of 2008. The last I had updated it was the fall of 2009. I launched an Etsy shop McMaster & Storm's Swan + Shears Fall of 2010 {Yup, we still have our Etsy shop!}. Our tech guy wasn't much help on our main website once he graduated from college. He was a great guy to work with, however you must hire someone that has an interest in helping you maintain it. {that's key, a big one!}

Once Vivian arrived 8/10, I was exhausted and the littles took most of my energy, in a good way! Zach & Vivi are 18 months apart! I'm tired of having inventory in our upstairs. Sure, we have an attic space plus another room, but missed having a "back room" like we had in our physical store. Plus, I needed time with my family and to enjoy the days when they are little.

As my close friend says before you know it it's the dating scenario with your teenager. HA. Really not so funny...we even discussed arranged marriages in a funny text! {told my friend she picked a good one, so I'm sure her daughter can too!}

Taking our site down made it official for me to start working on something I have wanted to try do.

Great advice.
Pinterest

In a few weeks we head to Atlanta for the Country Living Fair. I will be cleaning and making my office a fresh new space for new endeavors. It's time.  When I was talking to our former tech guy yesterday and he said "are you sure you want me to cancel your site"? "Yes"! Should've been done awhile long ago.

It's ok to drift if you know the reasons and when you are ready to really get down to business....you will do so!
 
On the side bar on our blog, the "boutique" takes you to our Etsy shop now. 
Jay Roeder
Pinterest
Q&A
Where will we get our staplers and refills?
1. On our Etsy shop; Swan + Shears! Just received an order today so all colors are currently available.

What are you working on? What are your plans?
2. To be announced! Must have some key things in place first & I've been working on them.
Everything just takes twice as long as I think it will!

What advice do you have for those of us wanting to start a business?
3. Do what you love & love what you do. I have a whole Pinterest board of inspiring thoughts!
Don't be scared, just start; one step in front of the other. There is a niche for everyone & enough room for all!

I feel I need to rethink my business path, any thoughts on this?
4. Always, always be flexible with your business! It's ok to change how & what your doing as long as you feel comfortable and confident about it. Sometimes change is the best thing!

Small business is BIG business!
If you have more questions--fire away! I will be happy to help! 
I promise to share more about shopkeeping, etc...... 

Want to read more on inspiring people? Nicole Balch is now the sole breadwinner in her family. {high-fve!} Her blog, Making it Lovely is well, lovely indeed!
Jami of Freckled Laundry wrote her creative business advice for you on Miss Mustard Seed.
xo
kara

...
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today
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Souvenir Foto School | Food + Foto

Thursday, September 27, 2012


Tristan of Besotted Brand


If October was not full of to-dos and of course our journey to the Atlanta Country Living Fair. Then I would sign up for Souvenir Foto School, pronto. I took a Foto class with Tristan of Besotted Brand earlier this year and her team does a fantastic job. Of course I still have a lot to learn (& then some), but it gave me confidence and I learned to really pay attention and put thought into shooting my pics.

I would highly recommend her classes. She is witty to boot. Sign up! You won't be sorry. Promise!

Snippets from Country Living Fair 2012

Saturday, September 22, 2012

/// Prop Styling///

1. Vintage rack from my mother's collection. 2. Patterns cut from builders paper. 3. I machine sewed black zig- zags on paper pattern pieces. 4. Vintage French clips hold vintage pattern instructions & pattern pieces in place.
///This created a division for one corner of our booth///
kraft paper + black thread + a touch of metallic gold + creamy aged vintage pattern instructions
= simple beauty.

 I'm intrigued by atelier studios and creative spaces. Are you?
A vintage box of tailor's chalk. lovely indeed.

Do you have a space to create? What's your favorite tool of the trade?

Country Living Fair {Columbus+Atlanta}

Thursday, September 13, 2012


My dad's shop was my inspiration for our booth at Country Living fair tomorrow! Plus, getting excited about the show in Atlanta as well. {Yup, we are doing the Atlanta Country Living Fair, crazy fun indeed!} This time we are in a group tent--so far it's ok. In Atlanta we will have our own tent/space.

I was able to photograph the shop right before my little brother started cleaning it up. New generation & plans for a brand new shop. However, I like the quirkiness of the old-school shop.
Love the door---

old commercial bread pans hold odds & ends....
simplicity----
work chair for working on equipment
I remember this tool box---
See you tomorrow, no?!!!
Have an amazing weekend ahead--supposed to be lovely weather.

European Garden Style////Factory Sink

Saturday, September 8, 2012

My Matt's completion of our garden sink
 Faucet below for the garden hose.
Matt laid a good sized area of pea gravel & deep as to not get muddy.


Love how Matt ran the copper piping on the back of the sink!.

Matt brought home a fig tree & hope it can handle Ohio's winters.

A place to wash produce & little hands & feet!

The limestone base came from our friend's cellar walls.

 There is also electricity under the sink, for parties etc.


 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. Revelation 7:17

Projects always take longer than I think! Next up is our attic, it is torn out now and the windows are being restored. So happy I found someone that loves history and is willing to work with the old......

Have a wonderful weekend!!!

Little Miss Shopkeep

Thursday, September 6, 2012

a wee girl's shopkeep set
linen fitted tablecloth with tim holtz's tape measure sewn on:::made by moi!
things to sell & merchandise to display for little hands + those simple receipt books!


white apron was her daddy's

petite play money from the party store


shopkeeper's essential::::a broom just her size

a dollar tree wastebasket:::

paper bags for her customers::pretty parcels make happy customers


tags to price with and red/white bakery twine:::
a joy to watch her in her play
sometimes the simplest, most inexpensive gifts are the most fun

Vivian's 2 year old present from us with love.
 She makes fine linen, and sells it; and delivers sashes unto the merchants.
Proverbs 31:24