February

Blogging is really not my thing (mostly because writing isn't) so I have set a goal to do it once a month...it may seem seldom to a lot of you but for me that is going to be challenge enough....So here's to February

I was really busy around Christmas and so decided that I would finish off the custom orders I had and then really take time for my family. It has been GREAT! We really enjoyed our holidays and the last 2 months of just being together. I have been supplying one shop, The Mom Spa in White Rock, which has been going well, most of it ended up being things I had in stock so it didn't take a lot of time to get ready.
It was posted earlier this week that Birch + Bird Vintage Home Interiors are hosting another Vintage Market here in the Fraser Valley!!!!! I was really unsure about whether or not I should apply to be a part of it this time for a number of different reasons, but have decided to go ahead and take the plunge again!

One of the reasons I hesitated about the market was that my one BIG goal for the year is to create an ORGANIZED home (on a tight budget). It was all I wanted for Christmas but no one could give it to me so it will be a gift to myself and my family. I was able to get going just after Christmas on my laundry room. We live in a new home so the room was nice but the use of space was not so great. I put up more shelving (hidden by a pretty curtain) and a counter top on top of my washer and dryer. It has already made a huge difference.... no more socks falling behind the dryer!!!!! and no more kids, somehow, reaching and playing with laundry detergent. Of course I didn't take a before picture but I will be posting some pictures of all the projects I take on this year around the house. I love re-purposing things and making old things new again, I love thrifting (is that a word) and sometimes it can be a problem...a lot of things and not enough time!

The next room I'm working on is our little girls, she is over 2 and should be moving into a bed, but I'm not quite ready, and she seems fine to be in her crib still. I've been collecting things and ideas for her room and am VERY excited about what it will (hopefully) look like. I found the perfect dresser at a Vancouver thrift shop, but seriously who is going to pay $215 for a second hand dresser???? we'll I sure wasn't going to. I just happened to stumble across the only piece of furniture at a local thrift shop and it was an almost identical dresser (less the mirror which I don't need anyway) for $14.99, I was beside myself!!!!! I went and picked up some Annie Sloan paint from The Passionate Home in Langley and I have a "new" dresser. It isn't quite done but when her room is I will be sure to post pictures.

I have many more ideas for things I can do around here and I hope I can prioritize my time now that I'm taking more on.... so please bear with me if I don't get to post as much as I would like.

Market Day!

It is apparent that I have been EXTREMELY busy just by how little I get to post. I spent the day today as a vendor at the Fieldstone Vintage "Christmas" Market, with about 20 other vendors, hosted again by the Eco Dairy and Birch and Bird at the Eco Dairy on Sumas Way in Abbotsford.  I have been preparing for this market for about a month now and was very excited that the day was finally here... it was VERY cold but the company was GREAT! I wish I had pictures...maybe the ones I took on my iPhone will be on here soon... but they are only so good, they don't do the displays any justice.

I want to thank all the guests that came, I was so excited to meet those of you that follow me here or on FB (if you'd like to stay in closer contact with me FB is the place to do it). I am excited now to be able to put the preparations for the market behind me and start preparing myself, my home and my family for this Christmas season. It is my favorite time of year, being able to spend time with family and friends relaxing and remembering the amazing gift of Hope that we have because of the birth of Christ! I wish you all a very Merry Christmas season (I know it's early but... it may not be until next year that I get on here).

Also special mention and thanks to my husband again for helping get ready and to my dad who helped me build my focal display.. the hat tree! Thanks

Orders

Just a note to those of you that inquired about custom orders....please send them in as soon as possible just in case I have time to squeeze them in sooner then expected! Thanks

Fieldstone Vintage Market!

Wow....what a day we had yesterday! There was so much work that went into prepping for the market yesterday, I as completely exhausted when the time came. That said it was an amazing experience, I met so many people and had the opportunity to find homes for a great number of my projects.

a few displays.. floral arrangements made my a great friend... if you are looking for a floral designer let me know!

this picture was taken at the end of the day so if there is something you see and you'd like to know size and price please message me at sawarkentin at gmail dot com

I have a number of items left (some items pictured above), which I will try and take pictures of and post on here and maybe we'll try Etsy out again, so that those of you who didn't have quite enough cash or weren't sure of sizes can still have the opportunity to grab something. Like I said to most of you I won't be doing anything these next 2 weeks as my brother is getting married and I still have to start and finish my daughters flower girl dress.. which I will post pictures of after the wedding... it's not a typical simple dress... it is going to match the brides dress! My plate was full thise last month and it is still full, and will remain full! As soon as I recoup from the wedding I will be pumping out the orders from the market.

Christmas is coming up pretty quick and I would love to create as many things for you as possible, so if you are interested in something get your orders in ASAP, I will be taking a very limited number of them! I have committed myself to making every one of the gifts we will be giving this year (and haven't started yet) so I will already be very busy.

Thank you to Birch and Bird and the Eco Diary for putting together the market, I hope it is something that will be put on again and that I can be a part of it! And also thank you to all of you that stopped by my booth, chatted and took a few moments to browse I truly enjoyed every moment of the day.
Also thanks goes to my husband for putting up with me... or rather putting up with not seeing me as I prepared for the day, and for all the work he put into helping me create my displays, to my mom and mother in law (and father in law) for taking care of our kids while I prepared for and spent the day at the market, and last but not least to the friend that spent her WHOLE day with me (and taking all these pictures)! Thank you all for supporting me in doing something I love!

 
One blanket I made.. which sadly hasn't sold yet is a breast cancer ribbon rag quilt in a throw size (50"x50) I would love to be able to make a donation to breast cancer research with the proceeds from this sale. $250

Hats, Hats, Hats

I just completed a custom order for 3 hats...they are made out of the girls' old jeans! The sisters are very excited about their hats and being able to give one to their friend for her birthday. I loved working together with them and their mom to make the perfect hats for them all, I hope they love them!

These hats are lined with the fabric that the flower is made with and have a bit of elastic at the back for a longer wear time!

Vintage Market

It has been a busy summer and things only seem to be getting busier! I have been selected to be a vendor and the Fieldstone Vintage Market taking place and the Bakerview EcoDairy in Abbotsford on September 24th. It is going to be an amazing market! Right now there are 44 local vendors of all kinds, I can't wait to see what everyone is going to bring.

I have been trying out a few new things this past while....hats..I love them...I wish I could wear them...but since I can't I make them for my kids, and what kid doesn't look super cute in a hat???

 

I am also going to be trying to put together a few toddler bedding sets...blanket covers, sheets & pillow cases! I am constantly planning our baby's room out (she's not a baby really), she could be in a bed soon but she's my baby, and I like her contained, so we will wait, and I will plan until I have a room design I love!  I really have to stop looking around and getting ideas because the more you look the more you find and the more you have to make... and then it becomes to much and you have to decide which ideas you REALLY love because really I am not superwomen, (though sometimes I feel I should be) I cannot do it all! 

I have been trying to find a bedding set I like and their is nothing I love for a price I will pay so I will make it and design the rest of the room around that!

Pillows!

About a month ago I was asked to make some curtins. Of course I jumped on the opportunity, the customer picked out the fabric and I was left to design them, YEAH! We had bought extra fabric as we weren't sure yet how we were going to lay out the 2 prints, in the end I was able to create some super fun pillows. I don't have a picture of the curtins hung yet, as they don't fit any of my windows, but I was able to snap a shot of the pillows. 

My lens did distort the picture a bit (my head board is not actually curved) so the pillows in the front have also be stretched out a bit. I love the way they turned out especially as it was my first time! I think I will be making some of these for my own bed.... and if only I could figure out how to turn my window seat into a storage box so I could have somewhere to store them......

If you are interested in ordering something I have in my shop or need something custom email me here.