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Adventures

1 In Adventures

First Yard Sale of 2016

Saturday’s forecast was gloomy and the schedule looked packed.  But when another local creative posts that she’s holding a yard sale, you juggle things around to make it fit into the day.  We may have added a few extra kilometers to make it work into the timing we had to work with, but I’m very glad we went!

Now, first off, I’d like to say I drive a car.  I knew that I needed groceries, bunny food and to swing by my seamstress’s place to pick up cushions for a client.  Also, I feel the need to add that it’s Spring Clean-Up in these parts so you never know what you might find sitting at the end of a driveway.  So, in typical Lori fashion, we didn’t even make it to our first stop and I had an old lamp in the front seat with me and 3 huge old legs in the trunk. { Yes, 3…. }

spring clean up

So, the next stop added 2 new cushions, the old cushions and the extra bits of foam and fabric.  At this stage, my trunk was almost full already!!  I debated heading home but didn’t feel like making the trek back, so we forged onward.  Next stop was the bank for cash and then off to the yard sale.  I need to make sure I keep cash on hand during yard sale season so I don’t have to first go into Pictou to get cash….I’ve got to learn!!!

The Yard Sale…..oh my!  Walking into the yard and I see so much awesome furniture!  But I don’t really need a drafting table or a wash stand….or another little painted table….but that one had been used for her paintings and it had the prettiest paint splatters!!!  { As I sit here and type this, I can see it on my doorstep with some pretty plants on it….I wonder if she sold it…. }

The first thing I decided I wanted was this sweet table and chair set for the girls.  It’s taller than most sets, which is great since my girls won’t stop growing!  I am still trying to convince them to paint it but they aren’t going for it…. 😉  { Ignore the mess of a six year old’s bedroom…. }

yard sale

I’m a sucker for milk glass vases so I picked up a couple of them to add to my collection.  I liked the interesting shape of some of these ones.  I’m thinking of a row of them in the windowsill somewhere or in a long, narrow box on the table.  Who knows, but for now, I’ll grab one or two more when I see something that catches my eye.  {And here, please ignore supper still on the table, too!!! }

yard sale

Of all the metals, I think copper is my favourite, so this windchime made with marbles and copper was a no-brainer for the front porch.

yard sale

And then I saw the fish.  Driftwood base and post with a whimsical fish in one of my favourite colours…I know it was coming home with me!  The paint is thick and lovely with lots of bits of other colours poking through.  It looks very nice in our main floor bath, which is tiny and awkward to add anything interesting to.

yard sale

My other purchase was two retro mugs in pretty shades of blue and green.  Like I need more mugs!!  But I loved the shape and colour of these!  Maybe they’ll come to work with me for afternoon tea and winter hot chocolate?

yard sale

This scene caught my eye – the pretty, lacy petticoats hanging behind a paint splattered easel where this tiny daisy painting was propped.

yard sale

One of the highlights of the yard sale was chatting with Mary Maureen and getting to meet Chris, who makes the best felted soap ever.  I threatened to come by to buy more soap from her and she even welcomed us to drop by anytime and visit her and her farm animals!  Here’s a picture of her felted soap that we purchased way back in 2013, you can read the blog post HERE.  Obviously it made an impression on me!!  Mary even sent the girls home with some goodies – a scarf for Lena and some fun foam people for Hannah!  Right up both their alleys!!

felted soap

I know these picture are not staged, they were taken with my iphone and I apologize.  I had quickly snapped them to share with a friend who loves to hear the tales of the yard sale and Spring Clean-up finds.  But I was feeling inspired to write this post and instead of staging everything and making it look perfect, I’m just keeping it real for you!

This is just yard sale #1 of the season.  I hope to get some other goodies and useful things for around the house.  It’s always so much fun!  But, I think I need a bigger vehicle!  Although we did manage to squeeze everything into the car, but there wasn’t much room to spare….should’ve taken a picture of that!

To be continued,

Lori

 

In Adventures/ Decorating/ Life

Changes

Change is well, change.  Sometimes change is good and sometimes change isn’t.  And then there are the times when it’s a bit of both.  But change is never boring.

Where am I going with this? Well, I’ve got change coming my way.  I’m excited and nervous all rolled into one with this one….

As you all know, I love decorating and I’ve been doing it for a long time now, 16 year actually…makes me sound old!  And my decorating career has taken another turn.  Starting on Monday, I will be working at Costandi Design in Truro.  This is an very exciting move for me.  The potential is huge with this opportunity.

But, what does this mean for the decorating side of Farm Fresh? Nothing, actually…it’ll be business as usual! I will still be working with my own clients and doing work in the studio, too.  I worked hard to bring my own business to where it is and I’m not letting that go!

Living Room Before 1

What does this mean for me? Well, it means I’m giving up two other part-time jobs that I loved to be able to take on this new challenge.  I enjoyed working with Keith at The LifeShelter, dreaming and planning for the future work of the shelter and organizing our local Coldest Night of the Year event.  And my time with the gals at Above & Beyond Home Decor was exactly what I needed – great accessories, good times and lots of laughs.  I’m sad to leave these positions but leaving on good terms makes leaving so much easier. Thank you for being dream employers, I enjoyed my time with you all!

I’ll be continuing my work with At Home on the North Shore, as well.  It’s so much fun, such great people to to work with and plus, it’s the perfect combo with what I do.

Living Room 1

Life is full of twists and turns and one never knows what will happen next.  I can’t say I saw this change coming.  I didn’t go looking for it, I wasn’t looking to make a change.  But, sometimes the plans we have aren’t the plans we need to follow.  I’d be foolish not to take this chance and see where it takes me.  And that’s the exciting part of it for me.

LVR 2

My commute is a lovely drive through winding roads.  My children will be well cared for after school.  Meal-planning is looking like a must….Jennifer….you hear that??  And I’m upping my fashion game….although that’ll take help…eeek!  #sendhelp #imnotevenkidding

change

My life and career is ever evolving… {not unlike my home – just look at the changes my living room has undergone! } Constant minor and major changes, experiences and opportunities have brought me to where I am today. I am thankful for the challenges, life lessons and opportunities, without them I wouldn’t be who I am today.  So, Monday, I’ll dress up, hop in the car and enjoy the drive.  I’ll walk through the doors and do the best I can with the skills and gifts I am armed with, with my head held high.

If you need me, I’m still here….same old Lori!

To be continued,

Lori

 

7 In Adventures/ Blogging/ Meet Someone New

Spoons, Welcome Gifts and Colorado

When I first started reading blogs, I was really stumbling around in the vast world of design, art and craft in blog form without really knowing where to go and who to follow.  I found blogs I liked, some that didn’t resonate and some that I immediately connected with.  One of the one’s that I’ve been following since the beginning is Jeanne Oliver.

Jeanne Oliver may sound familiar to you if you’ve been following along over on Farm Fresh for a few years because she offers on-line courses and I’ve taken a few of them now.  They have been so wonderful, so insightful and inspiring.  They have really helped me see our home in a different light and realize that this is not just MY home to decorate, but that I live here with my family and they have a right to be reflected in our space, too.  I would highly recommend any one of the courses, especially the art courses if you’re artistic!
teaspoon earringsI was checking in the other day, reading about the tale of the purchase of their new home.  It’s quite a story and I read teary eyed and in awe of their journey.  After I read the 3-part blog post, I noticed that the next post was about a workshop that she was going to be offering in the studio of her new home.  I scrolled through, thinking about how much fun it would be to be there.  Something jumped out at me, Welcome Gifts.  I knew what I had to do.  I immediately emailed Jeanne and asked if I could send her teaspoon earrings to give as Welcome Gifts for each of her guests.  And then I waited….

teaspoon earrings

And while I waited, I doubted.  Did I jump the gun? Am I being conceited to think that people like my earrings? Would she even want them? There is time and money involved but I wasn’t worried about that part of it at all.  I just really felt like I needed to make the offer.  But, sheesh, who am I to think Jeanne Oliver would even be interested?

And then within the hour, her answer: ‘Wow! I am blown away by your kindness.  Thank you!  I would be so honored to give each woman a pair of earrings.’

Wow! I was soo excited! You have no idea what this means to me! I went out on a limb with this, something I rarely do.  I’m not a risk-taker and I was kinda putting myself out there. And Jeanne Oliver, guys, JEANNE OLIVER responded and accepted my offer.  I may or may not have cried a little over this one.

teaspoon earrings

But, the moral of the story up to this point is take that risk, go out on that limb and have faith that what you have to offer this world is worth it, it has value and people will appreciate you and your gifts.

So, I’ll be shopping for teaspoons, working on my hammering muscles and sending a box to Colorado!!  Squeal!!!!

To be continued,

Lori

 

4 In Adventures/ Make Something

Pottery Obsession

So, I’ve mentioned it, I’ve Instagrammed it and if you follow me on Pinterest, you know I am currently obsessed with pottery.  Sigh.  I even dream about it.  Seriously.  I fall asleep dreaming about glaze combinations.  I think admitting you have a problem is the first step, right? But I’m not really sure I want help.

I’m not sure how far back my love of pottery goes. Quite a ways, really.  When I traveled to England with the family I nannied, I took back pottery and we still use is as our tooth-brush holder.  One of the souvenirs from our honeymoon is pottery and some of our gifts were pottery, too.  When my grandmother, Lena, passed away, I got a pottery bowl from her collection, too.  I’ve also been picking up pottery at yard sales and thrift shops, too.  I’m getting quite a collection…. My favourite coffee mugs are custom made for me by Sara Bonnyman in Tatamagouche.

A few years back, my bestie, Catherine, and I went to my other bestie’s place and took a Raku pottery workshop with her in Cape Breton, taught by the amazing Tim Isaac from New Brunswick.  You can read about the classes HERE, HERE and HERE.  That wet my appetite for pottery. But the opportunity never presented itself to learn more or, maybe I just wasn’t looking very hard because I was busy moving and starting my own business.

And then a friend of mine, Denise, built herself a lovely pottery studio and offered to guide me in the world of pottery and I spent one, I repeat only one, afternoon there with her and I knew I was in trouble.  She let me try my hand at throwing on the wheel.  Oh man.  I look forward to spending more time in Denise’s sunny studio but I also wanted to have some basics down before I showed up, too.

When it came time to figure out what I wanted for Christmas from the handsome Mr. Byrne the debate was between a compound miter saw and pottery lessons.  And we have one saw and I don’t build much so pottery lessons won out.  🙂

Enter Danielle Sawada into my life.  If you’ve never met her, you should.  She is patient, talented and has a great sense of humour.  Plus, she runs classes and a shop out of a brightly painted house in Truro.  So, now, every Tuesday night you’ll find me driving to Truro for lessons.  { Thankfully, the weather has cooperated for me, too, which was a concern when I signed up for lessons starting in January…everyone around here knows Mt. Thom or Nuttby are not fun in bad weather! }

The first lesson was about pinch pots.  And I built a sheep and a bowl that I didn’t love until after it was fired.  The sheep is still a favourite….of everyone’s!

farm fresh pottery

farm fresh pottery

Second lessons was on coil pots.  And let me just say how time consuming it is to build a coil pot.  Not sure what this will get used for….storing something or other in the studio probably.

farm fresh pottery

Third lesson was on slab work.  I built a mug that I enjoy drinking from, although I refer to it as ‘The-mug-only-a-mother-would-love’ because it reminds me of a project a middle school student would take home for Mother’s Day.  I also built a business card holder, a soap dish and our new coasters, which I’m really excited about!

farm fresh potteryfarm fresh pottery

And then, it was time to try the wheel in lesson four.  Oh – the pressure!  I was excited but nervous and I just, really, really, wanted to be able to do it.  First bowl of the night went okay, the second was meh and the third was a flop….  On the drive home I analyzed class and what and why it got worse.  Sigh.  Would I ever be able to do it right?

farm fresh pottery

The next few classes went better, I made some bowls. Tried a utensil holder which will make, ahem, a lovely bowl…. Tried to pull handles which sucks and is no fun at all.  Thankfully, I only made one more mug….squat as it is.  But I made lots of awesome things that I’m really excited about, too.  You win some, you lose some!  Everytime I post a picture, people are so encouraging!

farm fresh pottery

It’s fun to go to class from week to week to see what’s come out of the kiln bisque fired and what’s ready to glaze.  And after it’s been glazed and fired, to see what your finished piece actually looks like.  Because you really never know….er, at least I don’t know!  I love the different reactions between glazes and the colour combinations.  And the ladies in class are so willing to share what combos are good, bad and otherwise.  Below are the first two bowls I made in class, all completed! Gotta say, I’m pretty pleased!

farm fresh potteryfarm fresh pottery

And then next week is the end of Tuesday Night classes.  I’ll miss the ladies who helped me along, shared their weeks with me and laughed at my frustration because they’ve all been there, too.

I’ve loved learning about pottery and having made some successful things.  I’ve learned that patience is a good thing and you can’t hurry things along.  I’ve learned that no matter how long you’ve been doing pottery, there is still lots to learn.  And apparently people never leave class….pretty sure I met some ‘lifers’ on King Street the past few Tuesday nights.

To be continued,

Lori

1 In Adventures/ Make Something

FAT Paint Workshop @ HUE

Today I got to go to a workshop in Halifax.  Nothing too crazy about that, really.  But….it was a workshop that came out of the BlogJam indirectly.  AND it was FAT Paint, which I hadn’t used before.  AND it was Hue Design Studio, which I was excited to check out.  So, all in all, the potential to be a fun day.  And it didn’t disappoint!

I convinced….okay, arm-twisted, really….Jennifer into coming to the workshop, too.  Once I had her on board, we made plans to meet before hand.  We wanted to stick to something in the area of Hue and something tasty.  Jennifer suggested Lion & Bright, so I googled them and quickly agreed.  It was a tasty place to meet and eat, and it was a neat restaurant with the live-edge tables, locally supplied menu and family friendly atmosphere.  { One thing that struck me as genius was the tables that would normally be the most unused were designated as work stations and thus busy, leaving the other tables open for people who were just there to eat. }

FAT Paint

Then it was time to get to Hue to attend the workshop.  I walked in and was smitten.  Farrow & Ball, Robert Allen fabric, Kravet fabric, painted furniture, blind samples, pillows…..sigh – my kind of place.  Michelle had everything all set up for us, all our supplies and tasty treats, too.  We couldn’t wait to get started on our projects!

FAT Paint

We were using stencils, so we needed to decide on stencils, board size and then paint colours.  So many choices!  I had made up my mind about 3 different times and then changed it at the last minute… So many possibilities!  I settled on the Apothecary stencil and some Sea Glass Green for the base coat.  Two coats gave great coverage, actually one coat even covered the accidental spot of Indigo that I got on the board.  Then it was time to stencil and I used the Bitter Chocolate for that.  A quick sand to weather the lettering and then it was time to wax.  I used a first coat of the clear wax and then a coat of the antique wax to add some age to my sign.

FAT PaintFAT Paint

That’s the how-to of the workshop, but that does not cover the laughter and conversation around the table today.  It doesn’t cover the conversations about who broke what bone and how { Colleen….} the college debate, the when to start your children in school debate or what to do with your biggest fan and the possible sponsored post….  When you gather a group of people in one room, linked first only by the fact we blog and get them painting together, fun things happen and hopefully networking takes place and a support system is started.  I was thankful to be invited to attend this workshop but I’m more thankful for the connections of real, live people behind the blogs, Facebook pages and Instagram accounts.  Sure it’s fun to get out and make something, but for me, it’s more fun to connect with people, especially over a painted project.

FAT Paint

So, a huge thank you to Michelle for hosting us today and to the fine folks behind East Coast Mom Media for putting the invitation out there!  It was well worth the drive down to the city!

To be continued,

Lori