My Spare Time Designs

Work Day

noreply@blogger.com (Babette) — Fri, 25 May 2012 11:00:00 +0000

As promised, today is a work day.

Mr. MySpareTime and I will be finishing up the studio facelift this weekend!

By the time you read this I will have already started on the prep work and then

comes the paint. I love to paint, it is instant gratification. Out with the old

and in with the new. My mother painted all the time. I think it gave her

a feeling of a new fresh beginning.

I was hoping to have this whole studio finished, inside and out, by Memorial Day

but my work timeline hardly ever works. {I think I can get way more finished

than is humanly possible} So I need to push it a little harder to get caught up.

Also, today I was over at PrimMart and Kristal from Rags-n-Tags was

talking about a new blog challenge she is starting. It is about spending

30 days to change your view on life. She has three things she wants to

change in her life and has asked people to join in on her creative journey.

I wonder if this would help me get started on the craft show stuff? I know I

am not SuperWoman and my only super power is sarcasim, so maybe I

need a kick in the pants to really motivate me.

{sorry had to laugh when I saw this!}

To tell you the truth, when I saw all the stuff in the shed I was ready to

start crafting right then, I had forgotten all that was in there just waiting on me.

So check back next week and see if I took Kristal's Creative Challenge.

Thanks for stopping by.

Looking Back

noreply@blogger.com (Babette) — Tue, 22 May 2012 11:57:00 +0000

Do you ever go back and read your own blog?

I did this morning and it put me in a state of shock!

I am so far behind on my crafting that it isn't even funny.

By this time last year I was already finished with my Halloween

stuff and moving full speed ahead with other things on

the old drawing board.

Well I am officially behind!

I have been so busy trying to get the house in shape that the

crafts have been put on the back burner.

Mr. MySpareTime and I worked out butts off this weekend on the

studio makeover. We got a lot accomplished, but like everything else

I always wish we could have done more!

I am not good at keeping the camera handy so I have finished pictures

not transition pictures.

We replaced all the trim on the studio

Took out an old air conditioner and replaced all the back siding

Removed and replaced this fence

and got this place ready for paint!

Also had a few minutes {OK, maybe more than a few}

to play with the grandbaby!

Mr. MySpareTime is leaving on a business trip in a few minutes

and when he returns we will get this project finished.

I will also have a craft checklist ready.

So my pledge is to start crafting and to stop reading

old blog posts, they're scary!

Thanks for stopping by.

Say Goodbye

noreply@blogger.com (Babette) — Fri, 18 May 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Since Mr. MySpareTime and I have nothing to

do most days {wink,wink} I thought we

needed to give my little studio a face lift!

This little Shed {as she is called} was built many years

ago when we made birdhouses. We paid cash for it

to be built and I thought I was living in tall cotton when

we got her finished. It was a place I could make a mess

and didn't have to worry about cleaning before I made dinner.

{Yes, my first work room was the kitchen.}

A place all my own!

She has seen better days and the Texas heat and humidity

gets the better of everything! The structure is sound

and very well built, but the paint job is faded and the back

needs some repair from water damage.

So say goodbye to the little shed because this weekend she

will be having some work done. We are going to replace

the siding on the back and replace any of the trim pieces that have

split or gotten damaged. With three boys using it as a

"man cave" it has stories it could tell!

We are going to change the look a little and get it ready for

our Holiday Trunk Show in October. So today we start

the transformation!

Also, today is my middle son Andrew's birthday!

He is my most challenging child. Full of brutal honesty,

imagination, humor, adrenaline junkie and softie all rolled into one.

Happy Birthday, Drew, we love you.

Thanks for stopping by.

Our Trip to Canton!

noreply@blogger.com (Babette) — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:05:00 +0000

I think this was the best trip to Canton we have ever had.

The weather was beautiful and there were

a ton of vendors.

I wouldn't say it was the most productive

junkin trip we have ever had.

I think we purchased more stuff for ourselves

than we did for crafting.

Since we have been re-decorating so many rooms this place

is a gold mine for things for your home.

Cute flowers for $3

This 4 foot metal piece for $35

and a huge pot of herbs for $7

This thing was so large it filled the top of

my cart and everyone stopped us to

find out where we got it.

The smell of Basil and Mint was very refreshing

and the pot has Thyme, Rosemary and Peppers, too.

We did get some assorted wooden pieces for signs

assorted metal pieces

a cute little table

{and no we didn't buy a one legged table, we got asked

that all day long, the other legs were in the cart!}

and even hand roasted peanuts, Gluten Free!

All in all it was a great trip, just to get away and have fun

and find a few things we wanted.

We have also hit a few garage sales and here are the

very best finds!

Another sander for $5

{and yes it works, we checked}

We use the devil out of these things.

and an antique mantel for my studio.

I wanted to build one of these but we ran onto

a gal who was selling this one and I snatched it

up for $50. Couldn't beat that with a stick!

So that has been our accumulation of stuff over the last few weeks.

I will post pictures of the stuff as we finish it.

Thanks for stopping by.

The Big Reveal!

noreply@blogger.com (Babette) — Fri, 11 May 2012 11:00:00 +0000

I have blabbed on and on about Mr. MySpareTime and I sharing an office.

I was overflowing with paper, products, printers and just plain

junk! So it was time to make the big move and remodel the large

Game Room into our Office.

Now this room had been my catch all for several years. I stored all my

Craft Show inventory in here, I had a large work table in here and even

had a sleeper sofa for when we had a house full.

You wouldn't recognize the place now!

BEFORE

So much stuff you couldn't stir it with a stick.

I thought I will never be able to get this all back in that

new space and have it look like an office and

not a warehouse.

AFTER!

These are all my products to sell on Kraft Outlet.

Plenty of storage below and in the closet.

Mr. MySpareTime did a wonderful job redoing these

babies, I snagged them on Craig's List for $200.

A product hang area and samples of work.

Another product storage rack that we made out of

two shoe racks and some garden pot liners.

{Saw this idea on YouTube for Scrapbooking Storage}

My great little Coffee Bar.

We had never really used the wet bar in this

room and now it is a great place to wash

brushes and have coffee.

We have tried to use things that mean something

to us as decorative pieces. The shadow box

is full of Mr. MySpareTime's old Boy Scout pins and badges.

Old tea and coffee pots and a hand

embroidered tea towel made for me from

one of our closest friends, Donna!

Our postal packing station and Baker's Twine holder.

I come from Tulsa, OK and it is on Route 66

so I needed that sign!

A wall full of inspiration and funny things.

Don't you just love the paper cubby?

Found that at a Garage Sale for $20!

The "I Got Lucky" poster is from the Country Living Fair.

We bought vintage barrel plugs with the numbers "2" & "8"

for our 28th anniversary and put the tickets with it.

The Purdue fraternity paddle hangs over my husbands side

of the partner desk. He has "fond" memories of that thing

warming his backside!

This is the huge desk we made. I looked and looked for

the perfect desk. Nothing was the right size or had all the features

we wanted and needed. So a few hours on the Internet and I

found the website Ana-White.com. This is an amazing

site for all kinds of furniture patterns, and they are all FREE!

The desk is 4 feet across and 8 feet long and has a 4 foot

extension off one side for files and another computer.

An Ikea kitchen counter piece that we painted and

stained to hold all of our items that we use when we

fill orders. It is just the right height and holds everything.

One of my printers and more stuff!

Magazines and twill tape, globes and

gnomes and a bright yellow golf ball basket

to hold old family photos.

My side of the desk!

Work tools for my Folk Art and a bit of color!

The flag that was my father-in-law's for being a

WWII veteran and an old family

painting from Pawhuska, OK.

The Lucky Chair

{named this because we take it to craft shows

and no matter what you put in it, it sells!}

The huge filing cabinet Mr. MySpareTime bought

at Goodwill for $19.99, so now all my files have

one place to live.

And my work table.

Great light and a pretty view, a space where I can stretch out and

still have a plenty of room. What luxury!

The colors in our office are teal, red and bright yellow!

I know that sounds like a hot mess, but I think it all comes

together with this great Folk Art hooked rug!

It took a lot of thought and imagination to make this

room come together, but we both love it. It is US!

The room is filled with things that inspire us or make us

laugh. It is a very workable space.

Thanks for taking the tour and thanks for stopping by!

Damn Pinterest!

noreply@blogger.com (Babette) — Tue, 08 May 2012 12:28:00 +0000

I'm sure all of you have the obsession of Pinterest!

What a great idea to have an online filing system for all those

pieces of eye candy that we run across everyday on the web.

When someone asks me what Pinterest is, I tell them is

is like when you used to cut pictures out of magazines or

newspapers and save them.

Now you have a place to keep all those virtual images without

filling up your hard drive.

I also like that you can become inspired from other boards.

So I am on Pinterest and I see way too many things to

make or cook or do.

Since I have my new grandson and two empty bedrooms

{but a storage locker full of unused furniture}

Mr. MySpareTime and I decided to make one

bedroom into a guest room and one into

a grand-kids room.

{no pressure kids, one grand-kid is fine right now}

I love how the room turned out!

This was all furniture that we bought when our kids were born

and it still looks good. The room is full of vintage finds and family

pieces, like the old baby buggy wheels and nursery print. Those

hats and baby clothes were from my boys.

The only purchase was the baby bed,

our old baby bed was a sight and we had kept it all these years.

{truth is it was cheaper to buy a bed at Ikea than fix and repaint the old one}

The yellow baby blanket was mine when I was born.

Now back to the Pinterest obsession, I have admired these two ideas on

Pinterest for quite some time and I was so happy to

incorporate them into my room along with the old books from my

kids and the chair that was my Mom's.

I know you all have seen the floating bookshelves on Pinterest a million

times, but we had an awkward corner and Mr. MySpareTime

made these beauties for next to nothing and they really make a statement.

And the ever popular Alphabet wall!

This is too damn cute and so easy to make.

{I hung all those wood and paper mache letters with Velcro!}

So I have a room already for any and all children,

we can get 4 in this room alone,

"stack them like cord wood" as my grandmother used to say!

Next time I will reveal the NEW OFFICE!

Thanks for stopping by.

I'm A Grandmother!

noreply@blogger.com (Babette) — Fri, 04 May 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Gannon Joseph Switzer

has arrived!

He was 7lbs 2 oz. and 19 1/2" long

and born on February 25th at noon!

As you can see, Mother and Daddy are doing well

and survived the ordeal.

We are all so happy that he is here.

I was pooped when this photo was taken,

Mr. MySpareTime and I had gotten about 8 hours of

sleep over the last 2 days and we had been working our

butts off moving the new family into their house!

That is right, Ashley went into labor while we were moving them

into the new house! She was just in the early stages of labor on

the 24th but by evening she was ready to head to the hospital.

Of course we wouldn't miss this big event, so we got the call at midnight

{seems like we had just gotten into bed and closed our eyes} to meet

them at the hospital for Gannon's big arrival.

Here is his hospital photo.

Boy have things changed since I had a baby.

No more tacky striped blankets, funny hats and hospital wrist bands.

Now they look like cute little humans!

So needless to say, things have not been the same since this

little sticker came home. Our son said he thought we loved

the baby more than we did them when they were born.

{well almost, this one was easier on me!}

We are offically Noni and Pops and this is our little Boomer.

Thanks for stopping by.

I Met The Funky Junk Sisters!

noreply@blogger.com (Babette) — Tue, 01 May 2012 13:00:00 +0000

As I said a few posts ago, Mr. MySpareTime and I were headed to Austin, TX

to celebrate our wedding anniversary.

We had scored Early Bird Tickets to Junk Salvation

and weekend passes to the Country Living Fair.

It was held in a Ghost Town outside of Austin on a hot, windy stretch of land.

You can see just how dry the Texas Hill Country already is.

There were many of these buildings and they were full of vendors,

there were also many vendors in tents.

The pictures were taken at the Early Bird Sale and not

that many people were here yet.

Sorry I didn't get pictures of Linda and Dixie, the Funky Junk Sisters,

but I was so excited I realized I didn't have their pictures

until we were already gone!

So on to the Country Living Fair!

The place was packed and luckily we already

had our tickets so we just cruised on in.

This old fella was at the front and I couldn't understand

why so many people were gathered around taking his picture,

then I heard several people say they had never seen a Longhorn.

As we got to talking, most of the visitors were not from Texas,

we met folks from Ohio, Utah, Arkansas, Missouri & Maryland.

So I guess our old Longhorn was a site to see!

The Fair was beautiful to see and full of antiques,

demonstrations, "how to" classes and SHOPPING!!

We purchased several small things like an antique

type setting "s" because my husband sells ink to the newspapers.

We bought a Fair poster and two old barrel

plugs that had the numbers "2" and "8" for our 28th anniversary!

{this is a picture of what I did with them}

A large Scrabble tile sign for my office

and this beautiful handmade pumpkin and crow

Don't you just love it?

But the big purchase was something I have had my eye on for a long time

and we found it in this great booth

a new coffee table for my family room

That vintage warehouse cart!

It was waiting to be loaded into the car.

Now mind you we are not ready to redo the family room,

we are still working on all the other rooms on my list,

but we just couldn't pass on this beauty.

I will post pictures of the new living room, Grandchildren's room,

office {wait till you see this transformation}

and now our sitting room/master bedroom/master bath makeover!

But back to the show.

One of the biggest attractions were the vintage trailers

and the gals who owned them!

These little cuties were fully restored and full of vintage stuff!

Everyone was so nice and friendly

{What else would you expect from the great state of Texas!}

and it was a great weekend.

Thanks for stopping by.

What Was I Thinking?

noreply@blogger.com (Babette) — Tue, 01 May 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Over the last 7 years I have been a woman without a home

{or office} to call my own. When I first started my online businesses

I worked in the living room. This didn't work,

so my oldest son was moving off to college

and I turned his room into an office/guest room.

It didn't take long for this to change because my son

had to move home in a year to have his jaws broken!

Now I needed someplace else to work. Mr. MySpareTime

was very generous to offer one half of his study.

Now Mr. MySpareTime works from home, so this

was going to be very close working conditions.

It worked, we are still happily married {28years as of April 21st}

and still talking to each other.

But,{and that is a very big but}, I needed more space.

So after the oldest son moved to Dallas with his first real job and

the newlyweds were waiting on moving day for their own house,

we got the wild idea to start a major office remodel.

I don't know what I was thinking!

These are pictures of the piles of stuff from the game room.

I knew what I wanted in my head, but what I really

wanted was a fairy godmother to come and make it happen.

Damn Pinterest!

You see way too many ideas on there and it drives you crazy.

So the work begins.

Guess who?

As you can see, we changed the color of the walls

from a warm taupe to a cool stone grey, I LOVE it.

And the new floor was waiting to be installed.

Now mind you I knew the color of the walls and the new floor,

but I had no idea what else was to come.

I stepped out of my comfort zone and was

flying by the seat of my pants!

So in a few more posts I will do the big REVEAL!

Thanks for stopping by.

This Just In!

noreply@blogger.com (Babette) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 11:55:00 +0000

We are headed to the

Funky Junk Sister's

Austin Market!

Mr. MySpareTime and I are celebrating our 28th

Wedding Anniversary and we are taking

a road trip.

Country Living Magazine

is having their first ever Austin, Texas Fair

and we have tickets.

Then I saw where the Funky Junk Sisters were

having their show on the same weekend and

I bought Early Bird Tickets for Friday.

SCORE!

I will let you know all about it when we get home.

Thanks for stopping by.

Our Last Northampton Craft Show!

noreply@blogger.com (Babette) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:00:00 +0000

As a lot of you know Mr. MySpareTime and I

have put in many hours each year to run a

charity craft show for the Northampton Home & Garden Club.

This is a club I have been a member in for many years.

Over the last 5 years we have been chief cook and

bottle washer at this event and the time had come

for us to step down.

There is a lot of work involved

in making a craft show a profitable and fun event.

I know we had succeeded because over the years the

charity was able to give away thousands of dollars in

college scholarships to the high school Art Department.

It was a bittersweet show season; knowing that I would

not return next year and still excited about seeing all my friends

and loyal customers who come each year.

As you can see they have a wonderful location for the show

and I had a prime booth!

We had plenty of space and we were the

first booth you saw when you walked in the door.

We will miss being part of this show, it was the first

craft show that my sister and I did many years ago.

Things have changed over the years but this was

always one of my best. Thanks to everyone for making

it so great!

But now on to bigger and better things!

Never look back with regret, know when something

has run its course and move on.

So now mark your calendars for

October 5th and 6th

because we will be having a private show

in my studio!

More about that later, so thank for stopping by.

Here Comes the Bride!

noreply@blogger.com (Babette) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 11:00:00 +0000

As I told you our youngest son, Graham,

announced that he was getting married to his long time

girl friend Ashley.

So a wedding was in the works.

They said they wanted a small fun family wedding and

that the only time to get married would be

Labor day!

{you heard me right, only 4 weeks to plan a wedding}

Well I think it was just what they wanted

and here are a few pictures of their big day.

Their style was a vintage shabby chic.

The happy couple

All the guys in tan suits are my sons and the one in black is

"a brother from another mother", just like one of our own.

Sweet decorations

Beautiful setting

And a Happy Ending!

We couldn't be happier for them and love Ashley.

We wish them much happiness.

Thanks for stopping by.

Surprise! It's me.

noreply@blogger.com (Babette) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:52:00 +0000

No, I didn't fall off the face of the earth

or get stolen by a band of traveling gypsies,

life just happened!

It has been months since I posted and I have so much to tell you.

It will take several posts just to fill you in and post all the pictures.

When last we spoke it was July and I was back from visiting my sister and her family.

We had just gotten aquainted with my new Grand-nephew Finn

(new photo and so darn cute!)

and things were rocking along toward a busy craft show season.

Well all hell broke loose and my life has been in a constant state of change.

Let me give you the highlights of the last 8 months.

August

Our youngest son announced that he had accepted a new job
and was moving to Alabama for two months of training,
was going to marry his long time girlfriend
and that we were going to be grandparents.
{now this was all in one sentence, so you can insert stunned looks
on both Mr. MySpareTime's and my face}

September

Wonderful sweet family wedding happened over Labor Day.

October

Successful craft shows

November and December

Very busy holiday seasons on both of the websites

January

Son and new wife buy a house
and Mr. MySpareTime and I start a major office remodel.

February

Son and Daughter-in-law move into new house
and go into labor with baby on the same day!

Grandson born!

March - April

Still working on the new office and finally get to move in.

So these are just the highlights of the last few months.
I will fill you in on the details in the next few posts,
but what is going on right now is that we are getting ready
for our very first private show at my studio in October.
We have set the date (Friday and Saturday October 5th and 6th)
and have started making plans.
I hope all of you can join us for the party and we have missed you all.

I will post again soon and show you pictures of the last crazy months!!

Talk to you next time.

My Life is a Circus without a Tent!

noreply@blogger.com (Babette) — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 11:49:00 +0000

Do you ever get the feeling that you are on a
roller coaster ride without seat belts?

Well, I do!

The reason it has been so long in posting is because of many things that I will explain, so be warned this post is long!

Last time we talked I was headed to Oklahoma to spend the 4th of July with family and on the way Mr. MySpareTime and I were going to make a quick stop in Canton, TX for Trade Days. Now Canton is a sleepy little North Texas Farm town except on Trade Days and it is over run with vendors and shoppers, the traffic is slow, restaurants are crowded and parking can be a nightmare. So when we whipped right through town, got a great parking space in our favorite lot we chalked that up to the Summer heat and thought we had made the right decision to come early.

Boy were we wrong!!

We were not smart and ahead of the curve, we were stupid and uniformed. Canton had experienced major storms on Thursday evening and it dang near blew Trade Days away.

This should have been our first clue, we thought all those booths that were missing or had tents down were just setting up. We must be a little slow!

The sound of chainsaws going should have been our next tip off, but we were so fixated on the heat {95 degrees at 9:30 am} and the smell {you know, wet old junk} that the distant sound of trees being cut down didn't sink in. But when we got to this guy that's when the light bulb went off!

Look closely and you can see where the tree hit his van, while he was sleeping in it! Gotta love those junk dealers, nothing keeps them down.

So by now I am about to faint from the heat, and the smell of all that old wet musty junk is nauseating, so we hit the regular vendors I come to visit and did a quick look around and headed out of town.

You know you are having a Twilight Zone moment when you go to the Ladies restroom at Canton and you are the only person in the place {usually a very long line no matter what the time of day}

Then we get to Tulsa and get to meet our newest family member, Finn!

What a sweetheart!

{side note: isn't this tree bookshelf the cutest? My niece Aubrie had this vision and her Grandfather and Dad built it. It is full of vintage books and birds, not to mention the cutest baby sleeping on a branch!}

Had a fantastic time with my sister and spent the 4th watching a wonderful fireworks display right in front of her house! Couldn't have been more enjoyable, bar-b-que, breath taking fireworks, family and a cool evening breeze!

When we left Tulsa on Tuesday we headed home and stopped in Dallas to have lunch with our son. It was so nice to see him and he insisted on taking us back to his place to show off his pride and joy, a drive in movie size television! That behemoth is huge and Trey loves it. Mr. MySpareTime said we needed to leave so I jumped up and headed for the car. We got half way to Houston and I realized I had left my purse on my son's dining room table. Called son and he said he was headed to Houston on Friday and would bring it to me. No problem, I could do without my debit cards,drivers license, check book, cell phone, camera and favorite new lipstick for a few days. He calls me on Thursday and breaks the bad news that he will not be coming home for another 2 weeks and that he will put my things in the mail.

So for the last week I have been an invalid; no money, no driving, no cell phone! You don't appreciate what is in your purse until it is gone. I am still doing without the lipstick, I was afraid it would melt in the mail, so I should have that back later next week.

These are the adventures of my traveling circus.

What did you do for the 4th?

Thanks for stopping by!

4th of July Holiday

noreply@blogger.com (Babette) — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 13:32:00 +0000

First let me start by saying Happy 4th of July!

I remember the 4th of July back when I was a kid. We lived 7 houses away from our grandparents and the 4th of July celebration was usually held at my Grandmother's house. She had a nice shady yard and that seemed to be her holiday. We would have a picnic dinner out side under those trees and there always seemed to be watermelon, chocolate cake and homemade vanilla ice cream.

My dad was BIG into fireworks, so we almost always went to the American Legion Fireworks display and then came home to shoot off a huge assortment of roman candles, Black Cat firecrackers, Red Devil chasers, those horrible ash snakes, and my favorite sparklers. He also had rockets, cone displays and then some big finale, not to mention the hundred or so bottle rockets. Remember all these things?

Now this gal had nothing on my dad, except maybe she hadn't been drinking beer all day. {Explosives and Alcohol are always an exciting mix!}

I can hardly believe that the year is half over {makes my hands shake just to type that!} and we are in the long stretch of Summer. I am behind on so many things that it seems like I will never catch up, but guess what? I am throwing caution to the wind and getting the hell out of Dodge! Mr. MySpareTime and I are heading to Tulsa to make the acquaintance of this little cutie.

Finn is my new great-nephew.

On the way we are going to stop in for Trade Days in Canton, Texas. It is going to be 102 degrees in Canton tomorrow so we are getting there as early as we can to beat the heat. I have several vendors I want to look at and then we will do some junkin and be on the road again before noon. {I will take some photos of Canton and all it has to offer!}

The return trip will be just as hectic. We are going to try to squeeze a lunch in with our oldest son who lives in Grapevine, Texas. {a suburb of Dallas} All in all it will make for a very busy holiday.

I have a few new things almost finished. {almost is the operative word} I have been feverishly working on Snowmen in the time I have been crafting. These are three of the things that were ready for pictures.

Snowman Bowl,

Believe Plate,

and three SnowCones!

I have a snowman lamp and two really cute canvases and some fabric things almost finished and then there are the gingerbread items I have in the beginning stages. Hopefully after the holiday I can really whip right through these things.

So for now I am trying to fill orders, do proofs, print, pack for a trip, finish a project I made for Finn and a few hundred other odds and ends that need to be finished before I leave in the morning.

Have a great holiday and thanks for stopping by.

Oh, and one more thing.

I forgot to mention the Fall Fun at the Farmhouse over on Etsy.
Come by and take a peek at all the things the talented members have to offer.{type in FFOFG in an Etsy search for All Items}

Toodle-loo!

Ticked Off Tuesday!

noreply@blogger.com (Babette) — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 12:28:00 +0000

First the Good News, I had my first sale of Halloween items!

My friend Sharon stopped by to talk about a few projects I will be doing for her daughter Kelli's wedding and had to take a peek at the new Halloween stuff. She snagged the Witches Boots first thing.

Knew these wouldn't make it to the show!

Know the Bad News, I'm aggravated!

I know this comes as a shock that I could lose my patience with a customer {just ask Mr. MySpareTime about my saintly demure personality}, but I had two customers that really got under my skin yesterday.

The first one had been a very nice gal who wanted to know about my Baker's Twine and then said she didn't want to pay the Priority Shipping. I know better than to change my way of handling orders. {hence the need for Store Policies, which no one reads, but that is a whole nother rant!} I spent the good part of 30 minutes talking about her crafting and how to sell on Etsy and I agreed to ship regular post. She needed time to think about the colors and said she would email me the order later that evening. I sent a PayPal for the products and the Regular Postage. She never paid. I sent follow-up email. She said she couldn't pay right now and would have to put it off until after the 15th, that was over a week away.{Total was under $8} Never got back to me after the 15th. Yesterday she calls and tells me she is ready to take care of the order and wants my address so she can send me the payment. I explained that I only accept PayPal or credit cards, no checks. She says she wants to send me cash! I told her NO. Now she starts questioning my policies. OK, now I'm starting to get a little miffed. She says hold on and I can hear her talking to her husband about the length of her son's hair and how it should be cut and so on in a conversation, now I'm steamed. When she returned to our phone conversation I explained that these were my policies and I was sticking to it, she then said she needed to handle the whole haircut problem and would get back to me in 15 minutes. As I hung up the phone I knew she would never call back. All this over 3 spools of Baker's Twine!

So I let this frustration pass and I receive an email from a customer telling me that she is very unhappy and that her experience with Kraft Outlet was a big disappointment and that as a customer she would never be back. She goes on to explain that her package was damaged in the mail and that she didn't like what she picked out {the dreaded Baker's Twine!}

Usually I try to smooth ruffled feathers and make amends to my customers even when I don't feel like it has been my fault, but boy did she write on the wrong day! I told her {very nicely, I assure you} that the problem was with the Post Office and there is no way Kraft Outlet could be blamed for a wet package, and I offered to replace anything that was lost or damaged. I told her the description and photos of my products are accurate and that the items she had purchased were her own decision. Of course people are quick to rip off a snotty email to you to complain, but I almost never hear anything back when I respond.

So today is a new day and those two customers are just a few speed bumps in the road!

I didn't even work on anything crafty this weekend, so I don't have any pictures to share. Instead Mr. MySpareTime and I did a little bit of house updating on the upstairs, we are re-decorating all the bedrooms and we got one finished this weekend.

Thanks for listening to the gripes and thanks for stopping by.

Happy Birthday, Finn Patrick Thompson!

noreply@blogger.com (Babette) — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 11:39:00 +0000

Just had to announce the arrival of my Great nephew, Finn!

He is as cute as a button and both he and his Momma, Aubrie, are doing fine.

He was born yesterday evening at 7:56pm by C-section.
{Poor Aubrie tried all day but this little rascal just wasn't cooperating}

He weighed a whopping 9 lbs. 12 oz. and is 20 inches long.

My sister is over the moon and so relieved that her daughter is doing well. We are going to meet this handsome fella over the 4th of July holiday!

Happy Birthday Finn and welcome to the family!

Love ~Aunt B

Thanks for stopping by.

Am I Crazy?

noreply@blogger.com (Babette) — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 19:42:00 +0000

You know how you get something in your mind and you just can't shake it? I have been toying with an idea for sometime now and I think I am ready to have a Home Craft Show.

I know the sign is classy, even for Texas, and I would be hard pressed to find a nice toilet for the yard, but I think I could come up with something!

I saw pictures of a wonderful Christmas Craft Show posted on PrimMart.com last year and haven't been able to get them out of my mind. I thought that Cheryl from HandmadebyCheryl did such a fantastic job on her show that it made me think I could do that too! For all the money I spend in booth rent I could advertise and have a pretty nice show.

I thought it would be nice to do it with someone else, but the reality is that I work better on my own. I like to run the show and be the boss and I would only want to do it with someone who had a great customer following and that isn't anyone I know who's items would work well with mine. I really don't want jewelry or baby things, so I think I would just do it alone.

I have a studio behind my garage and it would be perfect for the show.

I used to work out there, but to be honest I turned it over to my son's for a Man Cave and they have moved out or moved on from that. So my little studio is just sitting there being used as a storage room for all my craft show stuff. So why not make it into a magical little shop for a few weekends in the fall? My poor little studio needs a face lift {high humidity and heat, do a number on things in South Texas}. We are going to reside the building and put in a new floor and this baby will be good as new. I have some great ideas for my humble little building, but this was something that I paid cash for with my Craft Show earnings. I was quite proud of this little building and know this is Craft Show is something I can make work.

If you have done a home Craft Show post a comment and let me know some of the tricks of the trade! I mentioned it to my sister and all she said was "Don't you know about the Craig's List killer?" I wouldn't want people in my house, but the studio is OK and Mr. MySpareTime would be with me, so I feel the freak factor would be low.

I guess what really got me to thinking about all this was I mailed off another booth rent last week and realized it would be the last time I did that show. I just find it hard to let go.

I also finished a few more things for inventory.

This is the seat of a cute wooden swivel stool

A vintage front door cut in half and made into a great wall hanging!

A few more wooden signs

A few wooden snowmen,

A cupboard door panel painted and embellished with vintage buttons,

and a cute door panel with snowman.

{I cut off the part with the vintage scrabble tiles on his scarf}

Let me know if you have any great ideas on the Home Craft Show.

Thanks for stopping by.

Changed My Mind, Again!

noreply@blogger.com (Babette) — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 13:40:00 +0000

I'm sure you all will relate to my dilemma, I am trying to cut back on craft shows this year and I just can't make myself go to just one show!

I had been looking over my past craft show note books this weekend and realized I used to do 7 shows in 6 weeks! Boy was that a wild ride. I really don't know how I did it. I know that with my websites I have had to spend more time on them and less on the Folk Art.

So, I had myself all talked into just one show and I was feeling good about that decision, but there must have been something in the back of my mind because I didn't throw away the application. We have such wonderful loyal customers at the Judy Dierker Craft Classic at the Foundry United Methodist Church show that I just couldn't drop off the radar without saying farewell!

here is a picture of last years booth.

Mr. MySpareTime and I talked it over and we decided we would take the booth for this year and let all my faithful friends know that this would be the last year for this show. {I also wanted them to know that they could find me online or at the Northampton Show}

I feel better about saying goodbye, but the panic has switched to making sure I have enough product. We decided to just make what we could and sell it at both shows. If we only have a few things to take to this last show, well so be it. At least I can say my goodbyes and feel like I did what I should do.

Now on to other things!

Mr. MySpareTime and I have really been burning the candle at both ends to get all the Folk Art ready because our niece, Aubrie, is getting ready to have a baby!

Here is the pretty new momma, Aubrie

I have a mini vacation planned for the 4th of July weekend to go and visit and get my fill of new baby. I want to be at a place with the crafts that I can relax and recharge my batteries, so that means I will really push it until July.

We are all so excited to see this new addition to our family. We know she is having a boy and she is due on June 14th, but boy is she ready. It could be any minute, so I will let you all know when I become Great Aunt B! {I think the little stinker is holding out to be born on my birthday June 12th} A new baby how exciting and the best part is I can love it and give it back to someone else.

Do you remember that new baby smell? All sweet clean baby powder and throw up, shooey diapers and heaven all rolled into one!

I saw the cutest definition of a boy: noise with dirt on it!

Better get back to work or I'll never get finished.

Thanks for stopping by.

Craft Show E-Book

noreply@blogger.com (Babette) — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 15:29:00 +0000

As a crafter and website owner I get asked a million questions about participating in craft shows. I don't mind answering questions, but it can be a long conversation about all the things you need to do to be ready to sell your crafts at a local show. So, after a lot of thought I put everything into this new E-Book

Craft Show Fundamentals

A Complete Step by Step Guide to Craft Show Success

This 26 page E-book is an easy to use step by step guide to achieving Craft Show Success. We give you worksheets, check lists, photos and useful information. It doesn't matter if you are a seasoned crafter or a first time newbie, we have great ideas on how to improve your booth set up and display your products for increased sales!

Our E-book is backed up with over 15 years experience as a successful craft show vendor and organizer.

Know what to expect before, during and after a show.

This guide will take all the worries out of signing up for those Fall Shows!

Thanks for stopping by.

Estate Sale!

noreply@blogger.com (Babette) — Tue, 31 May 2011 12:38:00 +0000

Hope everyone had a safe and relaxing holiday. It seems like mine was a whirlwind of cooking and eating. Trying to get all my sons in one house, doing the same thing at the same time is like trying to herd cats! They seem to have something that takes each one in a different direction and the plans seem to all change every few minutes.

Well the weekend is over and time to get back to work.

I must admit I didn't do one thing on my crafts this weekend, but I did get to an Estate Sale and found a few things I wanted.

Over at my Kraft Outlet blog, The Kraft Journal, I have a wonderful team of creative paper crafters that are always coming up with the most beautiful cards and things. I have seen them display these items using old vintage floral frogs. So of course I had to have some. I found these at the estate sale and they were just a dollar each.

Then I found these oh so charming Vintage Christmas ornaments.

Each box was a dollar! {I may want to keep these from myself}

And just as we were leaving Mr. MySpareTime spots this wonderful children's chair. He is a little squeamish about dickering for a better price, so I handle that. It was hot and things were really moving and those ladies were ready to sell!

So we got this little treasure for only $15.

I have just found all the listings on Craig's List for garage and estate sales and love it!

Thanks for stopping by.

Ready For The Weekend!

noreply@blogger.com (Babette) — Fri, 27 May 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Sorry I missed the Tuesday post, I have been really busy trying to get all my projects finished before this weekend. My son is coming home for the long weekend and I would like to spend some time with him.

I also have an estate sale to go to on Saturday morning and I need all my strength for that one. They posted preview pictures and my mouth is watering already! Mr. MySpareTime and I will be there when they open. I want some vintage floral frogs and they were pictured in the preview!

I have been working really hard on the Halloween stuff, here are the latest pictures.

As you could guess, Crow Pie! {did I mention I love crows!}

Great little witches hat! {bigger version coming soon}

The Wicked Witches Party Shoes!

A dancing BOO Pumpkin!

Hootie the Owl on an old branch with an Autumn Moon!

Two Punch Needle Halloween pictures!

{Thanks Barb for teaching me how to do these}

The cutest ghost, this side of Casper!

And drum roll please ........

The Halloween Clock!

This may never make it to the show.

My friend Barb said she has first refusal on this piece and to be honest it has her name written all over it!

The over the top shape of this clock just screamed Halloween!

It has this old style face and filigree on the glass.

I covered it with spooky images and tucked inside a paper mache goblin with a vintage dictionary banner spelling BOO!

Hope everyone has a safe and relaxing holiday!

Thanks for stopping by.

Happy Birthday!

noreply@blogger.com (Babette) — Fri, 20 May 2011 11:32:00 +0000

My son, Drew had his 24th birthday on Wednesday!

Boy does time fly.

He has turned into a fine young man that Mr. MySpareTime and I are very proud of.

He has pushed us to the edge a few times, but what a great kid. He is a very talented artist and a true DareDevil! I should have known from the start, at 5 I caught him riding his bicycle on the curb in a pair of Roller Blades! When I asked him why he was doing that he said because no one else could!

As far as work goes, I am pushing to get all my Halloween finished this weekend so this will be short.

Thanks for stopping by.

I'm In A Groove!

noreply@blogger.com (Babette) — Tue, 17 May 2011 14:16:00 +0000

Don't you just love it when you get a lot of things finished?

I'm one of those kind of people who work on 4 or 5 things at once and sometimes it looks like I haven't gotten anything accomplished, but then the up side is that I get a lot finished at once!

Here a few new things I have gotten finished this weekend.

A large painted canvas

A small painted canvas inspired by "Barefoot Primitives" cats!

A cute little owl on a painted canvas.

A very Spooky lighted Halloween Saltbox

and {drum roll}
the Halloween Chair!!!

Now this is just a sample of what I have left to do!

{Mr. MySpareTime was very busy this weekend too!}

Thanks for stopping by!

Blogs Back Up!

noreply@blogger.com (Babette) — Fri, 13 May 2011 22:17:00 +0000

Sorry this post is late in the day, Blogger has been on Read Only mode for a few days and I tried to post this morning but couldn't get on. So I took that time to list a few new things on The Prim Nest, Etsy and Zibbet.

Here is a quick look at what I have been working on!

Hand painted Happy Harvest Sign, 6" x 24" ~ $18.00

Skeleton Keys made with vintage keys ~ $5.00 each

Welcome Black Cat Sign, 6" x 24" ~ $18.00

Trick or Treat Sign, 12" x 18" ~ $15.00

Dear Great Pumpkin Sign, 6" x 36" ~ $22.00

{this is my personal favorite, I could see this hanging in my utility room!}

I have several other things finished but didn't get a chance

to photograph them yet.

I will get some shots this weekend and post it next week.

Just a teaser, I have finished a Halloween chair and this pink chair

is the before photo, wait till you see it finished!

Thanks for stopping by!