Little French Bucket

I found this little tin bucket at a flea market and scooped it up immediately. I had something in mind. When I got home, I gave it a coat of white paint and then began stamping it with French flowers are sayings...it looked horrible...the flowers looks like a mess. Back to square one. I repainted, but I still wanted to keep the French theme for the Paris Flea Market. This time I was very carfeul with the size and shape of the stamps and only used words. Ah Ha! That's the look I was going for...sometimes something you think will be simple, isn't. It didn't sell at the market, but it's now in my shop and priced to go!
Linking to:
Faded Charm
The Vintage Farmhouse

Paris in the air

With French music playing in the background, the quaint area of West Annapolis closed off it's main street to car traffic and opened it to vendors like myself to sell their wares to pedestrians.

It was a long day...we set up at 6:30 AM and broke down at 4 PM. At first it was very slow... I looked at my friend Jen (on right) who was set up beside me and we hoped for the best. After noon, it got very hot (88 degrees by 3 PM), but traffic increased steadily. I did well, but not great. I sold most of my switchplates and a few art pieces. Jen did great by selling her handmade pillows and artwork, but didn't sell any of her beautiful furniture.

I also did some shopping and grabbed a brand new towel set, a picture frame and this lovely little Parisian hook (I just love that it says "Eiffel Tower Elevator No. 1" on it!). I'll hang it in my house somewhere and may or may not use the Eiffel Tower metal plate on some of my art.

 I fell into bed at 9:30 last night and didn't wake up until 7:30 this morning!

Gearing Up for the Big Paris Flea Market

I've been occupied (not as in Wall Street) but very busy with many things... career decisions, custom orders, and every day life...not to mention, getting ready for a Paris Flea market in West Annapolis tomorrow. I am so not ready for it! I thought I would have some time to create, but between all of the above, I didn't. So, I will make do the best that I can with the stock I have left in my etsy shops. I did manage to recreate a few switchplates, though, but that's about it. I will post about the flea market sometime Monday...it's going to be a long day tomorrow as set up is at 6 AM and breakdown isn't until 5 PM. However, it sounds fun...Parisian music, vendors wearing berets (I'm not) and French cuisine! Can't wait!

Yard Sale Finds

We were at the lacrosse fields all weekend for my youngest son. Very exciting games, two ending up in overtime play (or Braveheart for you lacrosse savvy readers)! Only had time for one yard sale this weekend, but I scored a bunch of neat things. Some I plan on upcycling, and others, like this vintage toolbox, are best left alone.

This (below) looks like a vintage cricket box that I have, but there are no holes so I'm assuming that it's just a small storage box -- anyone know?

These little red, white, and blue earrings are already in my shop--perfect for July 4th!

This little tin bucket and picture frame are two items I plan on upcycling when I get a chance... summer's here, but things aren't slowing down for me.

I have the Paris Flea Market in West Annapolis next weekend with four custom orders to do, plus a score of writing deadlines. I will need a vacation.

A Little Bit of Paris..Here and There

To add to my insane life (and it has been a bit insane lately), I'm doing a spur of the moment "Paris Flea Market" fair on June 24th. The quaint area of West Annapolis is hosting it and vendors and craftspeople will be selling their wares. To gear up for it, I've been working on smaller items such as the above switchplates. They seem to be good sellers at craft fairs and since it's a Paris theme, I just went for it in my spare time (HA)!

And of course, I'll make my French Laundry sign...

Linking to:

French Country Cottage and A Little Knick Knack and 

And so it begins....

Summer that is. We just survived a wild indoctrination into this season (even if it isn't officially summer yet). In one week and two days we survived high school graduation and hosting a graduation party, sending my high school graduate off to Bonnaroo Music Festival in Tennessee, then the end of the year field trip, elementary school graduation, graduation pool party, camping, beach soccer tournament (on the sand below-very cool).

Then back to camping and now home to 10 loads of laundry (and that's not counting my son's from the music festival). This is enough to give any mom gray hair, which is why I scheduled a hair appointment for today. Wheh! At least we have dinner tonight (see photo).

End of an Era

Today my youngest child graduated from elementary school. It's the end of 16 years at the same wonderful elementary school...the teachers and staff there have become my friends and it will always hold a very special place in my heart. I thought I would sob at the ceremony, but I surprised myself. Instead, I was filled with happiness and joy because all my sons had such an incredible experience at this place.
I am also filled with pride as my son received an award today for the only student in his class to achieve straight A's the whole way through school!!!

He moves on to middle school now and actually is making Zemanski history as the first kid to attend private school in our immediate family. He will attend a small Catholic school that I believe is a perfect fit for him. Sending him to an overcrowded, windowless middle school was not an option for him, but he may very well attend the public high school. We will cross that bridge when we come to it. Right now, we have crossed a small bridge that I will never forget. Thank you Windsor Farm. Thank you Kellen for being the great kid that you are...we love you.

Summer Mantle

Having over 30 guests at my house inspired me to get some things done...and one was my mantle. With the new television on the wall, I had a bit of a challenge. So, after moving things here and there, this is what I came up with...

Linking to:

Feather Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

A Perfect Party

I couldn't figure out what to title this post..."One Down, One to go," "Wheh," "The Party's Over"...it was such a great day and everything turned out so well, I have to say, it was a perfect party. As you may know, my son graduated on Friday and we wanted to throw a party worthy of the celebration. I had the help of my neighbors and in-laws--everyone took a small chunk of my worries away and God provided such incredible weather. Below, the guest of honor serves up some fun...

When my oldest son graduated three years ago, we threw a combination party with three other neighborhood kids and it was great. This time we were on our own and I wanted it to be just as nice, but without three other families, we couldn't afford a band and caterers. No worries.
My husband rigged up the speakers and my oldest son came up with a playlist for music. I began cooking three days ahead and my neighbor made his famous Carolina pulled pork (awesome). My mother- and father-in law helped me clean and provided dozens of cookies. We set up volleyball, corn hole and just let the day take its course. Guests came and stayed long after the party ended (which was fine as it was a lunch party).
Here are some decoration highlights:
Before the party...all ready to go!

Banner created out of maps (since my son will be traveling this year).

Centerpieces - simple flower pots and again the map theme.

Food was also relatively simple -- loads of fruit, pulled chicken and pork, pasta salad, Mandarin orange green leaf salad and tons of desserts -- cookies, oreo cookie truffles (easy to make) and of course, Sam's Club creme puffs.

A few scenes of guests having fun...

My father-in-law (left) and my dad... 

A New Chapter

My middle son graduated high school today. So, closes another chapter on the story called "Growing Up." I recently posted about my son on his 18th birthday. He continues to amaze me and make my life interesting. He has decided to postpone college for a year. He wants to work for about 8 months and then "explore the world." Right now, he plans on traveling to Eastern Europe - Poland will be one of his stops so he can explore his ancestry. He decided that he would go now because he doesn't want to waste his or our money on college when he really has no clue what he wants to do with his life. He said that now is the time to travel before he has to take on responsibilities. I like his thinking. Congrats bud! You made us proud once again.