Shabbyfufu

Some Pretty Things

2012-01-25T21:06:00.000-05:00

Thank you for the entries, emails and F/B comments about my photography.....always a work in progress and a long time love of mine.

The winner of the 5x7 print that was randomly chosen is pink*cherub*moon....so please contact me with your mailing address and photo preference and I'll send it out!

I'm trying my best to get my website back online again, after deciding to close down for the month of January...and truthfully I'm just not getting anywhere very fast! I've been working in my studio on some pretty things. These are all custom orders, including a couple of my now well known Mason Jar chandeliers......

and a customized candelabra......

and this romantic dressform......

So yeah.....I've been busy, but I'm not going to stress....as one of the promises that I made to myself this 2012 was to take it as it comes and try and enjoy each day.

"Happiness is not something ready made, it comes from your own actions" Dalai Lama

I hope that you have a great rest of the week....I'll be back next week with another post I'm sure!

Shabbyfufu Photography Giveaway

2012-01-22T21:46:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone......it's time for a little giveaway here on my blog!

As you may know I've been contributing my photography for quite a long time to several of the feminine magazines that we all love to read. Lately I've been enjoying exploring the more artistic side of photography and editing....and participating in some local photography events & shoots locally. So this petite giveaway will be your choice of a 5x7 fine art photograph of any of the prints below....your choice!

Just leave a comment here to win and tell me which one you would choose. I'll select a winner randomly in the next few days. Of course if you post on Facebook, Tweet this or share on your blog there are extra chances to win.....

I've just come back from a website Buying Trip of several days out on the road and am bushed...so I'll see you again soon!

Growing, Seeking, Dreaming....

2012-01-19T10:02:00.002-05:00

I may be MIA here on Bloglandia over the next couple of weeks....working hard on getting the website back open HOPEFULLY on Feb 1st!

Things will be a little different as most of what our customers seem to want are the one of a kind pieces, so that's what I'm mainly focusing on right now. Things have definitely changed over the years since I've had an on~line shop (since 1999) and I've thankfully been very busy with custom orders. I need to slow it down a bit too, and am focusing on personal growth & fulfillment, health and family. I've lived many of my dreams....I'm not stopping to seek more, growing, dreaming.....

"Only as high as I reach can I grow, only as far as I seek can I grow, only as deep as I look can I see, only as much as I dream can I be"....unknown

Spare Hands Needed....Shabbyfufu Shop Updates

2012-01-14T12:14:00.000-05:00

Happy weekend everyone....thanks for stopping by today.

If you are familiar at all with my website SHABBYFUFU, then you know that I'm not the new kid on the block by any stretch. Since opening in 1999, I have NEVER closed up shop before. Honestly the last couple of years with the economy being on the rocks and with all of the new places coming on line all the time, I've thought about making it a permanent decision several times....but then the artist in me wants to keep creating and you guys who send me emails asking when more things are coming make it seem more like my life's work. I thank you for that...you know who you are:-). I have not been able to reopen just yet with quite a few custom orders for various things. I am grateful for that....you know who you are:-).

For those who asked...I hope to reopen on or around Feb 1st. It's going to be gorgeous....promise!

I've been sewing....

I've been antiquing......

I've been wiring, painting and shopping for parts.......

Really can use some spare hands around here, but thankfully for some projects and general love and support I have his......

In the meantime....come connect with SHABBYFUFU on Facebook or leave a comment here on the blog.....

Romantic Homes Winner And Shabbyfufu Shop

2012-01-11T10:15:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone...I hope that you are having a great week so far. Although I'm too busy working on updates for my shop at SHABBYFUFU for a full inspirational blog post, I wanted to select a winner with Random.org for the Romantic Homes Magazine giveaway before the issue is out of date! Thank you for entering...the winner is # 4...Lulu Kellogg

Send me your mailing address and I'll get this right out!

I received some very exciting news yesterday and can't wait to share....but common sense tells me that for now I must:-).

Enjoy your day....and don't forget to add some romance to your life...♡

Quick Romantic Homes Valentine's Issue Giveaway

2012-01-05T21:14:00.000-05:00

A quick post and a quick giveaway!

As I mentioned in a previous post, I was quite honored that Romantic Homes Magazine asked to feature me as one of the "Romantics" in the new February issue!

A couple of the nice peeps there sent me extra issues and I will choose one person who comments on this post to receive a gratis copy. This giveaway is open worldwide.....just leave a comment to win and I'll draw a winner in a few days.

For now...I am off on a Buying Trip, as my website will be updated soon and filled with lots of new things!

French Farmhouse Table Deux.....For The Beach

2012-01-03T18:32:00.002-05:00

I've done something daring today....after all it's a new year, right?

I decided to basically take down my website at Shabbyfufu for the time being for a revamp! I need a little break.....just not sure how little, how long or exactly where I'm going...but I'm thinking and planning. For now I am still taking orders (and have a few to work on) and will keep my small and abbreviated Etsy shop open. You can always reach me through the Contact page on the website....that content is still there.

What does that have to do with the photos below? Nothing actually....the photos are of the latest French Farmhouse table that we built in a day's time...whew! I'm not going to print out a whole lot of instructions on the build part of this, but I think you can get the idea if so interested.

A few notes.....

I finished it to LOOK LIKE DRIFTWOOD and used MILK PAINT & WAX.

We purchased the legs and the wood (2 x 8) planks of Southern yellow pine at Lowes.

The table cost us about $100 (more or less) to make.

My husband is very handy with power tools and won't let me near them...but my talent lies in design and finishing.

We built this table in the garage of our home and then had to disassemble it, transport it and reassemble it...as it was for our beach home a few hours away.

THE MAKING

As I said, I always do the finishing. I wanted the look of aged driftwood and a learning curve was involved....so I practice several methods on some leftover scraps first.

The base was simply sprayed with a white primer, and then given 2 coats of an oil based house wood trim paint. I know, not very eco friendly....but being right on the beach everything that we have takes quite a beating and needs protection from the elements!

We agreed that we wanted the knots and natural grains to show through, so painting the top white was not an option.

For the TOP...

First sanded by hand with the grain. Then I used Milk Paint...which I do have quite a bit of experience with over the years. My favorite is from The Old Fashioned Milk Paint Company....you can learn about them HERE. I am not being compensated, just so you know. I made a mix of about 25% milk paint in White and 75% water. Normally you wouldn't want it so thin, but as I said I didn't want to completely cover the grain. One coat seemed a bit too thin, so I gave it another. It dries quickly and is eco friendly and all of that.

Next came darkening down a bit with Briwax. I LOVE Briwax and have used it for years and years. Click HERE if you want to learn more about it...and no, I'm not being compensated by them either! I used their Original Wax product in a Dark Brown stain first...one coat. I use old soft t shirts to apply the wax and fresh ones to buff down.....and buffed this quite a bit to give the stain a soft glow. I then gave it two coats of Clear Briwax in the same fashion....of course allowing sufficient dry time inbetween all coats of wax. Thats it, DONE...in a day!

THE FINISHING

THE REASSEMBLING

Now I can't wait for the new chairs to arrive from Restoration Hardware...I'll show you the whole look in another post down the line.......

Linking HERE to Miss Mustard Seed today:

The Romantic Life.....

2011-12-30T20:29:00.000-05:00

Just a quick post tonight, as I am on holiday at our beach home and popping in to wish you a Happy New Year. May all that you dream for yourself come to fruition in 2012! I have so enjoyed another year of blogging, sharing and communicating with so many of you across the globe and it means a lot to me that you've landed here to share some time with me. My hope is to impart and offer some glimpses into my own style of living the romantic life. ♡

The winner of the book "Hers" by Jacqueline deMontravel was picked randomly and is Laurie of Heaven's Walk. Contact me Laurie with your mailing address and I'll send it out to you next week when I'm back home! The winner of the $50 gift card to the website at Shabbyfufu.com is customer Susan M. of New Jersey. I'll contact you and let you know!

Speaking of la vie romantique.....thank you to Romantic Homes Magazine for choosing me as one of "The Romantics" in the Feb issue. The issue is lovely (excuse the bad night photo from iPhone!) and I'm honored to have been selected!

I'll be back soon with another DIY post for you to peruse. We've channeled our best Restoration Hardware/Rachel Ashwell and built another French Farmhouse table. I have some techniques to share on making new wood have a driftwood feel.

Hers: Design With A Feminine Touch...Book "Review~away"

2011-12-23T09:23:00.002-05:00

UPDATE....this giveaway is now closed, thank you!

Hello everyone! In the hustle & bustle of this busy time I have what I'm calling a "book review~away" for you today. One that I think you will enjoy adding to your collection if you covet "all things feminine", as I do!

Although this book "review~away" is unsolicited, I've had the pleasure of working with it's author for many years now. Jacqueline deMontravel....is not only is the Editor In Chief of Romantic Homes Magazine but an accomplished book author with several titles under her belt. I've read it, loved it, poured over it and totally devoured the luscious photos. The review will be short...I know that you are busy!

No matter who we are as women, what our lifestyle holds or our financial situation...we all deserve a hideaway or special place to hang our hat (or display a pretty pair of heels). You'll come away with a plethora of ideas of how to carve out a place to dream...even if it's just a corner with a cozy chair for sitting with the laptop or listening to the classics. All styles of femininity are embraced in this read, from old world glamour to modern stripes and Parisian baroque. There are plenty of tips for organizing and personalizing your very own "chic cave" if you are fortunate enough to have one...or bringing in some of your own touches to a home shared with a masculine brood. Varied styles put together with smart tips and fabulous photography....it's all about "her" in this one!

Sound enticing?....see how to win a copy below, or you can click HERE to purchase from Amazon....

All photos from Amazon.com, this review is unsolicited

To win a copy of this book

1. Leave a comment here on this post

2. Follow Shabbyfufu on Facebook HERE

3. Become a follower of this blog, or if you are let me know

4. Post on your blog, your Facebook, or Twitter. Come back and leave a comment for each with the URL of where your post is for extra chances

A winner will be chosen next week

Happy Holidays to you....and speaking of Romantic Homes Magazine, I'll have some exciting news to share with you soon that is in the upcoming Feb issue!

$50 Shabbyfufu Gift Certificate Giveaway

2011-12-21T21:44:00.000-05:00

Happy Holidays everyone!

I'd like to ask for a couple of minutes of your time as you read this...will you help me out?
I know that we are all so busy right now, but I promise that this will only take a minute or two at most.

I am running a survey for my website, as we formulate shop goods for the upcoming year. I'm going to pick one person who fills out the survey to win a $50 gift certificate to the website at Shabbyfufu...so you never know!
You can enter by clicking HERE
and please leave a comment if you will on the survey....

I'll be back on Friday with that BOOK REVIEW that I promised you......

Of The Heart.....

2011-12-21T08:37:00.000-05:00

The season of giving.....it always is....of the heart.....

I was happy to pay it forward yesterday with a photo session, to someone who could not otherwise afford to have holiday photos of her little girl as a single mom.....

"You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give." ~ Kahlil Gibran ~

Have beauty this holiday season....I'll be back with a book review of a new release soon

Not Mine To Decorate....And A Post Road Winner

2011-12-19T09:41:00.000-05:00

This room isn't mine to decorate. We have a deal in the house. Our girls are in their 20's, and since one is temporarily back living at home and has a passion for modern vintage decor....the family room is hers to design for the holidays. I get the rest of the house....so I acquiesce and give this to her capable hands. Pick and choose, let's all get along....

Thank you to those who entered the giveaway to Post Road Vintage. Winner chose by Random.org is #12, June

Please contact Post Road....I'll let her know that you've won!

I hope that you all have a beautiful holiday.... and please come over to "like" my Facebook page for daily updates & more. Copy & paste in your browser or via the link in the upper right hand corner of this blog page

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Shabbyfufu/17422948157

$50 Post Road Vintage Giveaway.....

2011-12-14T08:51:00.001-05:00

I'm hosting a giveaway today for Heather over at Post Road Vintage. She reached out to me several months ago and well....I think she's just super sweet, talented and a hard working YOUNG stay at home mom.

Her shop is filled with her farmhouse style Mason jar soap dispensers, cottage coat racks and more and with this $50 Gift in store credit...surely you will find something to loveee!!

Like what you see? You can visit Heather's shop HERE where she is offering a 20% discount through Christmas by entering the code MERRY20. If you still need a holiday gift, you can shop until Monday Dec 19th for Christmas delivery (U.S. only).

To enter this giveaway for a $50 credit to Post Road...

1 chance ~ Leave a comment on this post and tell me what you most like in her shop if you win. Hard to choose, I know....I'd want one of each!

2nd chance ~ Sign up for Heather's Newsletter HERE and then leave another comment to let me know that you signed up.

Winner will be chose at random on Monday Dec 19th.
GOOD LUCK!

(*Note* I am not being compensated in any way for this post...just spreading the love this Holiday season)

White Christmas Dreams......

2011-12-07T22:45:00.001-05:00

A dreamy white Christmas is taking place in my Shabbyfufu home and be forewarned....I have placed lots of photos in this post for you!

I hope that you enjoy them....please excuse if there are a few that seem to be somewhat duplicated, but the angles are slightly different and I had a hard time choosing:-)

Happy Holiday season to you and yours and I'll see you again soon.....

Well Hello December....A Busy Time!

2011-12-01T17:33:00.001-05:00

Well Hello December....where have you gone 2011?

I apologize that I haven't had a chance to visit your blogs, but I am on Facebook almost daily....so I'd love to have you connect with me over there (link on the righthand sidebar below)......

I have been busy working on custom orders for my Shabbyfufu website clients and kinda wondering if I'll have a chance to decorate my own home for the holidays....but so very grateful to be doing what I love:-). This is a custom vintage ornament wreath that I finished today...I've been doing these for oh...maybe about 13 or 14 years now.....

That's it for now...I'm off to clean glitter out of the nooks and crannies in my studio....

In The Oven....Simple Mango Bread Recipe For You

2011-11-23T09:59:00.000-05:00

A simple post today with an updated version of my Mango Bread recipe that works so well for Thanksgiving or to wrap up with foil and ribbon to bring as a gift. Sorry that I have no photos, as it's currently in the oven baking and smells wonderful in my home....

My Mango Bread

Dry ingredients:

2 cups all purpose flour

2 tsp ground cinnamon

2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 1/4 cups white sugar

Wet ingredients:

3/4 cup vegetable oil

2 eggs

2 1/2 cups mangos, peeled and chopped

1 tsp lemon juice

1/4 cup golden raisins

Directions:

1. Combine all of the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Beat eggs with oil and add to the dry ingredients. Add mangos, lemon and raisins and stir.

2. Pour into 2 greased (Pam spray) 8 x 4 loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for about an hr or until toothpick comes out clean. Tastes best if refrigerated and eaten the next day when moist.

Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving to all of my American friends....

Faux Mercury Glass Tutorial And Giveaway Winner

2011-11-17T10:06:00.000-05:00

In an earlier post a few weeks ago I explained my simple method of making mirrors look aged and giving them some patina, and today I am sharing a project that is sort of the opposite! What do I mean by that? Here you will be adding a painted finish rather than removing finish as on the mirror project.

We have a boatload of old windows around here....not really a boatload, but enough to play around with some for various projects and looks. Lovin' the look of aged mercury glass, especially at holiday time...and am inspired to decorate in a French Nordic Jeanne d'Arc Living theme this year. I plan on putting a few nails in wood mullions of the finished "mercury glass window" and hanging some things on. Will show that, along with the finished room in another post.

This is a very easy method and can be used on any glass surface that you would like to have the old mercury look....vases, bowls, candleholders. Just be sure to work on the reverse side, as this is a mirror effect.

Very easy....you'll need just:
A can of Krylon's Looking Glass Spray Paint
Black acrylic craft paint
Sponge pieces
Flat cotton puffs (like you use for your make up removal)
Paper Towels
Optional:
Gold and/silver acrylic craft paint
Spray bottle with mixture of 1/2 white vinegar to 1/2 water
Spray sealer

Apply the Krylon Looking Glass Paint in four to five even coats of spray to the BACK SIDE of the window (or inside of your vessel). Work outside if possible...it's stinky and messy! Allow to dry just for a minute or so in between thin coats of spray...it dries quickly!

Take your sponge and rub off areas of the paint where you want the piece of glass to look distressed. You should work quickly, as the Looking Glass Paint dries quickly and it's easier to remove portions when not fully dry.

Dab cotton puff into black acrylic craft paint and start sponging on the areas where paint was removed. Remember to look at the front side of your window or vase to see how it's going to look! I have also used gold and silver craft paint in the past to achieve a more mottled look of colors behind the glass...so this is an option if you want to try. You can use a spray mister mixed with equal parts of white vinegar to water....spray on the back and let dry. This will produce little droplets, if you like that look.

Once dry you should spray the side that you painted on with a clear sealer to protect it. Easy....do you LOVE it?

The winner of the NOVICA Gift Card for $50 was just drawn by Random.org and is Bumblebeelane: Please email me and I'll send you the code to use on your prize.....

$50 Giftcard Giveaway.....NOVICA

2011-11-10T20:54:00.001-05:00

I have a GIVEAWAY for you today that is good worldwide....so don't be shy and leave a comment for a chance to win....

About a year ago I was asked to do a giveaway for a company called NOVICA and they contacted me to see if I was interested in participating again. NOVICA, works in association with NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC to to give talented artisans around the world a place to express their artistic talents and provide access to the world market, where otherwise they would not.

The winner will receive a $50 gift card to NOVICA that is good for anything on their website. This could really come in handy right now, since it's holiday gift shopping time and they offer a wide variety of items. They have lots of accessories for women and for men as well as home items....so please take a look at their website.

NOVICA has also started a HOME PARTY Division called NOVICA LIVE. If you want to make a little extra cash you can check into being a host, while helping the artistans as well. You can find the HOME PARTY division by clicking HERE. Remember....these are artist created items and not mass produced like many of the other home parties out there these days!

How to win?.....Choose one or all four below for extra entries:

1. Visit NOVICA. then come back here and leave a comment and tell me what you would choose with your $50 NOVICA Gift Card
2. Join my Blog and leave another comment to let me know
3. Follow the Shabbyfufu Facebook FAN PAGE....link is on the sidebar. Come back and let me know
4. Post a Tweet to Twitter and let me know the URL

Winner will be drawn at random soon.....

http://accessories.novica.com/womens/
http://accessories.novica.com/mens/
http://accessories.novica.com/mens/scarves/
http://accessories.novica.com/mens/cufflinks/sterling-silver/
http://accessories.novica.com/mens/scarves/alpaca-wool/

http://www.novicalive.com/

Please note that I was compensated for this post and have ordered this lovely set of hand blown glasses:

In The Mood.....

2011-11-09T08:39:00.000-05:00

This seems to be the time of year that the custom orders waiting for me to create are the busiest! As an artist it's all about loving what I do and bringing other's visions to life for them.

I finished this piece for a long time customer yesterday. It was based on what she explained to me she had in mind for a specific room in her new home, centered around a bridal theme.......

I have a custom order started for one of these. This photo is from several years ago... before they were all over the place on the internet, now I only make by order.....

All of this is getting me in the mood to decorate for the holiday season.....how about you?

November Shop Goods And Trips

2011-11-02T08:14:00.000-04:00

I'm excited at the possibilities that November brings...slightly cooler weather here in Florida and with the cooling off here several buying trips planned to meet up with some of my favorite dealers headed south for the winter!

I've been posting some new shop goods at SHABBYFUFU and have more to come. Here are a few images that I just shot of some vintage pieces.....and then I need to get back at it. Enjoy your day.....and please come visit the shop at SHABBYFUFU, which if my math is correct is about to enter it's 14th year!!!

Working In My Studio......

2011-10-28T16:12:00.001-04:00

I hope that you enjoy the upcoming weekend everyone.! It seems almost surreal that before we know it the holidays will be here!

My latest Romantic Dress Form and the last one that I will be doing before the Holiday season

I've been working hard in my studio on various projects and have several pieces of news that I'm just itching to share with you, but can't just yet:-).

This I will share today and then I need to get back to work, as we have lots of boxes waiting to be unloaded and photographed for the website.
Here is what I'm sharing today....and if you are a fan of the website at Shabbyfufu please visit often, we plan to post a few new listings almost every day!

Featured Here And Busy There

2011-10-24T08:56:00.001-04:00

Good morning everyone....the weeks are really flying by lately, right? Just a quick post to thank the adorable and darling Heather (fellow Mason jar fanatic:-) over at Post Road Vintage for asking me for an interview and posting it on her blog last week. I apologize that I haven't had a chance to mention it sooner, but I've been busy with something....will have to wait until later to post about that:-))
Heather has a lovely blog and shop and is a young mom raising a family in the Midwest. You can find the interview here and then explore more once you are there:

http://postroadvintage.com/2011/10/shabby-fufu-tour-of-beauty.html

I'm trying to work on and finish up some new pieces for the website at Shabbyfufu....I sure could use an assistant right about now! Here is another of my OOAK Mason Jar Chandeliers that was finished up yesterday and is available. Want it?? Mention that you found it on my blog, Facebook, Twitter...and I'll give you FREE SHIPPING anywhere in the U.S. AND 10% OFF the retail price (savings of $70!)

Gotta run....until next time, have a great week and I'll talk to you soon....

Bed.....

2011-10-17T09:32:00.000-04:00

It's one of those rainy days when I sure would love to just crawl back into bed.......

Have a lovely week everyone....

In The Studio.....Mason Jar Chandelier And Romantic Teacup Lighting

2011-10-16T13:58:00.000-04:00

It's the perfect weekend to work in my Studio as the rain just keeps falling down. Here are a few of the projects that I've been working on in my lighting area. All of them are available on my website.....

It's really pouring! Off to work on some romantic dress forms now....sending air kisses your way.....

Shop Talk....Romantic And Shabby Chic Things

2011-10-14T08:49:00.000-04:00

If you don't care for romantic style & shabby chic things then you might want to skip on to the next blog in line for your daily reads.....

Our web shop has been on line since 1999, and this style is much of what we offer. There still seem to be plenty of ladies (gents/husbands mostly) that love this.....thank you for that!

Just a few photos taken from the front page of our website today.....we are in the process of loadin' it up!

Today I hope to add some pieces in to our French Market. This weekend I'll be in my studio working on some dress forms & chandeliers. See you soon....xo