Loving Me Some Red

Red has always been my favorite color for everything. I am an Aries so maybe that is why I love it so much. I had never tried it on a piece of furniture though, as we all know it is so hard to cover anything with red paint. I have been seeing so many beautiful pieces all over Pinterest so I just couldn't hold out any longer. I was given a great buffet from a family member who moved and I thought it would be the perfect piece to recreate with red. A buffet can be a statement piece in any room, but when painted red it will really stand out.

The final project landed in the front window display in Serendipity for a few weeks before it was purchased by a woman who is rebuilding her home after the terrible flooding in Owego, NY in September 2011. She fell in love with it from what I understand and had to have it. It is nice to know it will be going with someone who will love and appreciate it. Now all I have are the picture to remember it by...

I used a dry brush technique all over the piece with the exception of the appliques on the front doors and the top, which I left the natural color that I received it in.

It had some beautiful details on the legs.

All the hardware was original.

Some pieces I find really hard to part with and this was one of them...oh well, on to the next one!

reuse. repurpose. reinvent

Opening Week

The opening week of Green Queen Boutique was a huge success. With a few hurdles along the way, many late nights completing more projects, and sleepless nights dreaming up new ideas, I couldn't be more pleased. The overall reception of my pieces had been amazing and I was lucky enough to sell more in one week then I did in my two and a half months at the last location. I guess what they say, "location is everything", is true. Although I don't have any before and afters on my pieces, I do have many after pics to share...



A hanging light fixture made from a bamboo birdhouse.

A turquoise dresser, distressed and glazed with burnt sienna, next to a heavily distressed black dresser.



A dry brushed and hand painted numbered dresser.













A sweet little vanity with glass knobs.

Wooden table top finials made from bedposts and other wooden pieces.



For more pics from opening day and to see what the other businesses are selling, "Like" Green Queen Boutique on facebook.

reuse. repurpose. reinvent

It's a For Real, No Joke, Business!

It has been two months since my last post. So much has happened to me in these last two months, I can't even begin to put them all on "paper". There have been major ups and downs. The low points have made me reach higher and motivate me to do more then I thought I could. I have been waiting to share my exciting news with everyone and now is the time...

I am going into business! A real business, with a storefront location, and everything! I will be located in beautiful Owego, NY on River Row. The back of the store overlooks the Susquehanna River. The store front didn't fare too well after the epic flood of fall 2011 so it is still in the process of being renovated. Hopefully we will be in there soon and open for business in the first half of February. Isn't she a beauty?



How this all came to fruition is a story for another day, but I am not doing this alone. There are three wonderful and talented ladies that are joining me. I will highlight each one in a future blog post. The store is called Serendipity. Don't you just *LOVE* the name? It will have creations from Green Queen Boutique, Briar Patch Candles, Sugarcoat Couture, and Lisa B. Designs.

I have been busy getting furniture pieces ready for sale. I need a manicure so bad...paint has become one with my hands and nails. Pics will follow(of the furniture - NOT my hands)! I am constantly forgetting that step - but it is great to share them so I need to remember. Until then...

reuse. repurpose. reinvent

Holiday Open House

The time is here! Tomorrow morning I will officially be out there with the public. Green Queen Boutique makes it's debut at Avenue Antiques. I have been non-stop-busy refinishing furniture, designing wall hangings, and making Christmas decor to fill my booth. I have met some great people this week at the store and look forward to meeting more tomorrow. Here is a little sneak peak of my booth.



I have been so preoccupied that I didn't even think to take pictures - well that is not entirely true. The thought did fly in and out of my brain over the last week, but I just failed to make it a priority. My husband said I will regret it if I don't take any pictures, and he is right. I plan on taking as many I can as soon as the store opens, before anything sells. Now as I am restocking I will take pictures, and even may try my hands at a tutorial or two. If anyone is local - I would love to see you at Avenue Antiques tomorrow from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Come in for a visit, enjoy some coffee and snacks, and do some holiday shopping while you are there!

reuse. repurpose. reinvent

retail...Here I Come!

I have taken the first steps in completing my long term goal. I have decided to go retail. I will be setting up shop in a great arts and antique shop Avenue Antique Gallery. I have been ridiculously busy making more furniture pieces, as well as some Christmas items, to be ready for their holiday open house on November 19th. The plan is to set up shop this weekend, then fine tune it throughout the rest of the week. If all goes as planned my grand opening will be the same day at the open house. I am beyond excited and can't keep a clear thought in my head. I will share more as this whole crazy adventure begins! Wish me luck!

reuse. repurpose. reinvent

I am a Roadkill Rescuer!

The other day I was checking out all the cool blogs I go to on daily basis and again stumbled on the coolest blog, Roadkill Rescue.

The whole idea is finding junk that other people are throwing away - lost gems found on the curb - and repurpose them or bring new life to a piece you would be proud to own. HELLO! This is what I have been doing forever. Even though I am so new to blogging and haven't found my groove yet, I decided to submit one of my past projects thinking that maybe I had a slight chance of being featured on this blog. Within the hour that I submitted my project, I received the most wonderful email back from the site's author, Beckie, who is so sweet to tell me how much she liked my project. It made my day! She also told me that I would be featured on her blog! So...today is that day! The endtable makeover I did for my daughter is the featured project. So go on over and check it out, and while your are there, take the time to look at all of Beckie's amazing blogs below.

reuse. repurpose. reinvent

She's Here!

It is the package I have been waiting for, the one I have dreams about, the one that will make my life more creative and easier....my Silhouette SD! I have named her Betty and have high hopes that she will bring lots of happiness to my life. I will be posting more soon - I have some great projects planned with Betty that I can't wait to share. Until then...

reuse. repurpose. reinvent

From End Table to Doll Bed

My daughter just celebrated her seventh birthday. We got her an American Girl Doll that she has been wanting forever. She has the knock-off, My Generation Doll, from Target, but still wanted the doll that looked just like her. I knew I wanted to make a bed for her doll, but when I saw this end table at the curb, I knew I could reconfigure it into a bunk bed for both babies. My goal was to spend less then $5.00 on all supplies, including the bedding. I was able to accomplish this and had everything in my work shop or linen closet, with the exception of four L-brackets at 79 cents each! Bargain!


BEFORE...

















AFTER...













I unscrewed the entire table. I then cut the legs down, used the smaller section for the feet on the bed, and the longer sections for the posts between the top and bottom bunk.






The top posts are the spindles that separated the two table tops from each other on the end table. They are topped off with wooded cabinet knobs. The head and foot boards are scrap pieces of lumber and trim from other projects on I had on hand.

Once is was all reassembled, I spray painted it white to match her bedroom.




For the mattress, my daughter had a princess couch, the kind that is foam and folds up to a couch or out for a bed. It had seen its better days, but the foam inside was perfect. I cut it to size and used some duct tape to piece it together. With an old mattress protector, I wrapped it like a package and secured with duct tape. The bottom sheet is a pillow case, the blanket is baby flannel, and the quilt is a pillow sham, all in storage, from my linen closet. I made the pillow from scrap cotton fabric and batting.




I think it turned out great...but the best part is that my daughter is thrilled her babies have a place to sleep!









reuse. repurpose. reinvent



This project was featured on Roadkill Rescues.






I am linking to Today's Creative Blog.
http://todayscreativeblog.net/

Pretty Blue Lady

My favorite piece of furniture that I have transformed is this little blue number from a local auction house. She was so pretty when I finished her, that I had a hard time letting her go. Her details were so beautiful. If only I had the room to keep her I would have. She does have a new home now as a jewelry and accessory armoire. I know her new owner adores her, but I still do have seller's remorse.

She was painted a baby blue then glazed in a chocolate brown to show off her gorgeous details. I finished her off inside with the same chocolate brown to really make her sing.






Carved detailing...








Artful top hat...








Beautiful oval glass knobs original to the piece...
















Drawer detailing....











and her sexy, sexy legs.









reuse. repurpose. reinvent

Slow Moving...But Moving Along

Green Queen Boutique has been an idea of mine for over ten years. I was always crafty, although not an artist, that gift went to my brother - he is AMAZING! But I do have my own unique set of skills and have been complimented over the years for my talent with decorating and refinishing furniture pieces. I have always loved to do both. I remember as a kid constantly rearranging my bedroom to make it feel different or look a certain way. I remember repurposing clothing into other articles of clothing, or to match the current trends. I had an extreme need for matching everything -especially my socks to my shirts in the 80's as a teenager - it drove my mother crazy if I complained the shades were not an exact match. In college, I joined a sorority and did many of the artsy projects for recruitment and sisterhood events. I loved it all, and I still do.

I have heard people say that if you love your work, you will never work a day in your life. I think of this all the time. I have wanted to have my own business since I applied to colleges at age 18, I just could not focus on what kind of business. I wish I knew then to go to school to become an interior designer, but did not know anything about such a degree. When I married my husband he was supportive of me starting a little business out of our home refinishing furniture. I did a few pieces to get going - for family and our home. Then I got pregnant. I made pieces for the nursery and redecorated for the baby. Then room by room in our home, I redecorated. Every time I did something new, more compliments would follow. However, my dream of starting a business became the furthest thing from my mind when our family grew, and my focus was with them all the time. Now here I am almost ten years later and I am ready to focus on my dream once again.

A flea market opened in our town so I decided to put my pieces out there for sale. At the very least, I thought I might get some feedback, good or bad. I was very fortunate to sell some large and small furniture pieces as well as some wall art pieces. I received some wonderful compliments, which was the most important of all. Friends and family always liked what I had done, but from someone you do not know - it really feels very authentic and gives me the confidence to move ahead. My husband and I have been searching auctions, Craigslist, garage sales, and the curbs for "trash" to be give a beautiful second life. I now have two garages full of furniture ready for my special touch and my new vision for what they should become.

The hardest part of all comes now with finding the time between family, sports, work, and special events to have the time to create. It is my passion so I will forge ahead and make the time. My goal is to build up enough inventory to open a shop of my own in the next year. With the support of my family and friends, I know I can make my dream a reality.

I will try to blog about my journey - all the ups and downs, little victories, sad setbacks, and the wonderful people who will become a part of this whole wonderful dream - and that part starts right now. I must say thank you to my husband for his support in every way, encouraging me to start, watching the kids while I sat long hours at the flea market, helping find inventory, clearing me space for a work shop, and all the heavy lifting. It has all been possible because of you. Also, I would like to thank my college friends, Becky, Jen, Abby, and Kathy for a wonderful visit and the encouragement I received from them to follow my dreams. I love you ladies and you will be the first on the guest list for my grand opening in the future!


reuse. repurpose. reinvent

Blog Under Construction

There are some exciting things happening with green queen boutique and I can't wait to tell you all about them! Check back soon for more details and pics of what I have been up to!


reuse. repurpose. reinvent

Manifestation and the Law of Attraction

In the past five years I have not taken very much personal time for myself. I am the mom who always takes care of her kids and family first. In fact I used to wonder about those moms who would take an afternoon off to get their nails done and meet friends for lunch. I used to wonder how they found the time to break away from a busy household, and who was with their kids. At first I felt these moms were selfish and irresponsible, but then I found myself envious of them to the point where I was getting downright angry that I could not take the time away for myself too. Why couldn't I take the time away for myself? Did you notice I used the word, "couldn't"? One might think something or someone was holding me back and I was physically unable to go. Was my husband refusing, in a man's words, "to babysit" our kids? Did I have a child with difficult health problems which required me to be with that child 24-7? The answer to both of those is no. I was the one who couldn't let myself take the time. I had chosen to be the mom who was her family's everything. It has been exhausting, both mentally and physically. In the past few years I have found myself in a place I did not want to be and I wallowed in it. When I was unhappy, the family was unhappy. When I had a good day, everyone followed suit. I just was so wrapped up in my own self pity and misery (yes, at times I felt miserable) that I attracted more of it my way.

Last night I allowed myself to have a personal night out and attended a class titled, Manifestation and the Law of Attraction. I learned that because I was so miserable and unhappy that I attracted more of that to myself - from my kids, my husband and it even manifested with health problems. Instead, what I learned I should have been doing is being grateful for the good things in my life, which I have in abundance, and changing my thought process to a positive swing. The instructor gave personal experiences of how this has worked in her life, and then more attendees stated how it worked for them in the past too. I thought back in my life when I perceived things to be very good and I indeed also had a positive outlook on everyday life. I came to the realization of the truth in this one concept and decided that I have nothing to lose in trying this. I will take things day by day and live in the moment, to BE. I will intend each day to be a positive one and find the good in overwhelming moments. So today will be a great day filled with love and productivity. Will yours?





For more information of the class I took and others like it check out the link below:

http://fullcirclelifecoaching.blogspot.com/