I feel like I’m back. Since Thanksgiving, it’s been one thing after the other and I’ve been craving a normal week and some kind of routine. When both boys were little, I was used to working on things in bits and pieces and I had a system all worked out to be efficient. Now that they are older, I really depend on the time when they are at school and have trouble getting into a groove when they are home a lot. Don’t get me wrong, it’s sweet time, but…you know what I’m saying. It’s tough to get into a work groove. So, after the holidays and snow days and my son’s diagnosis and all of that stuff, I finally feel like my creativity is waking up. I feel energetic again and ready to dive into projects.
I started by making a to-do list, so I could be focused. It was a little overwhelming to look at everything that “needs” to be done and I know the list isn’t even complete, but I just need to take it one thing at a time. Today, Jeff and I pulled out our new lighting, camera and sound equipment and made a video on waxing the rocking horse.
Our goal is to try to make 1 or 2 videos a week on painting, topcoats, mixing, tips and tricks, etc. We’re also going to make a new slipcover series as well as upholstery, building and more. It’s so nice to have someone behind the camera! My videos until this point have been me, a low budget camera and a tripod. That’s fine, but I know that sometimes it was hard to see exactly what I was doing. We hope to show things more clearly in these new videos.
I haven’t shared much about them, but I show off the wax brush sold with my line in the video. It has a comfy handle, oval shape and tapered bristles, making it perfect for a applying and buffing the wax on pieces with nooks and crannies. (I know Reinvented Vintage has them available online.)
And the horse was a great subject, although still a little unruly.
Someone suggested a “name that horse” contest and I think that’s a good idea. Don’t start sharing names now. Hold them for the official contest and I’ll put some goodies up for grabs to go to the person who gives him/her (?) the winning name.
Since we had everything set up, we also made a video describing and comparing all of the colors in the MMSMP line. Of course, after shooting I realized that I left out Mustard Seed Yellow! Dang it! So, we’ll be doing that one again.
And speaking of MMSMP colors, I did a photo shoot of Apron Strings, our upcoming #mmsmpcolorofthemonth for February. I decided to show how it looks mixed with Ironstone in different amounts to create some lovely pinks.
And someone asked for a side-by-side comparison of Shutter Gray and Trophy, so here that is…
Shutter Gray is one on the left and Trophy is on the right. Obviously, Shutter Gray is more of a pale blue-gray and Trophy is a much warmer, richer gray. I’ll go into more detail on that in a post on the MMSMP blog.
And, I’m excited to share that a lot of work has been going on behind the scenes and The Mustard Seed Pages (an online classified for girls like us) is ready to be up and running, so I’ll share about that next week and you can start posting all of your goodies (for free)…
…AND, the new online shop is set up. It seems the rush of shoppers when I listed items was more than the little shop plugin I was using could handle. I’ve switched to a Big Cartel shop for now, which allows shoppers to hold items in the shopping cart for 10 minutes to prevent an item from being sold twice or from being snatched out of another shopper’s cart. I know it was frustrating, so we’re hoping this addresses all of those technical issues.
I have a nice collection of stuff to list including the alligator doctor’s bag that’s been in my home office, a little trophy I use in a lot of my photo shoots and, of course, some ironstone, book lots and more. I’m in the process of ordering more hemp sheets as well.
See? I told you I was back!
28 Responses
I can relate to waiting until school. I’m an older Mum too which makes for getting very little achieved sometimes! Love your website, thank you for it. I am trying to find some inspiration for 2014, so here’s hoping!
Thanks again
Clair Finlay
Hamilton
New Zealand
So glad you are back…I bet it feels great! Excited for all your new things you’ve added!
Marian! You continue to surprise me by keeping your business fresh. You are truly gifted. Can’t wait to see what’s next. I wear you tee shirt every week & it’s beginning to look a bit tired, so glad you restocked. Yippee.
An exciting post today and look forward to all of the new stuff you have in stored for your website. Marian, the horse turned out so good. I had no idea of it’s size until you had it displayed on the dining room table. He is a large horse! And, he looks amazing!
Hope you have a great weekend!
Bravo! So happy and proud of you! Okie dokie, so I ordered typewriter black, hemp oil, furniture wax, and bonding agent from a retailer pretty local to me, well at least in my state. But, I did not see that brush on her site. How do I get this? Also, what do you have to do to become retailer?
I am always amazed at what you are able to accomplish. I know what you mean regarding getting into a good creative groove. We have had so many holidays and “snow/cold” days that my daughter has barely been in school since before Christmas (well it seems that way at least)! Looking forward to all of the new goings on and I do very much enjoy your site. I’m ready to try some furniture painting and, drumroll, slipcovers, and I will be consulting your site often.
yay!!! I’m the someone who requested the shutter gray and trophy side-by-side – thank you so much, Marian!! xoxoxo
Wow Marian! I am truly amazed at the difference in your photos with your new lighting equipment ! They have always been beautiful and bright but now they just pop and are do crisp and bright! You are your husband make a wonderful team and I am glad you feel back in the groove. I am always inspired by you! Thank you for making your blog such a wonderful place to visit and to be inspired!
You certainly ARE back. 🙂 Yay! I mean, I’ve loved all your posts over the holidays when you were feeling so-so…but I’m really excited about all the upcoming stuff. And I definitely agree with commenter Amy Avery…your photos really POP and are bright and crisp. Just lovely. 🙂 You are very inspiring. Thank you for sharing your life with us….
Gail
You just had to show the Apron String Pinks, now I am pondering what I can paint for my pink obsessed daughter. This might be a question for the milk paint blog but I is the Apron strings pink more of a peachy pink or a red pink it is so hard to tell on the screen what color Apron Strings full strength is to me. Could you give me a sort of description of what the color is? Also if you ever want to do something totally different I would love to see your ideas for a little girls room using your pink paired one of your milk paint colors if you just happen to have an ideas since you dont have girls. i love everything you do in your home I would love to paint my old solid cherry bedroom furniture using all milk paint to make it more girly girl. And since next month is Apron strings maybe some pink ideas are floating around! My daughter is 8 going on 16 so I would love to see something that would work for a while. Thanks for such a wonderful and inspirational blog…I just can’t wait to see what you create next!
Glad to hear that you’re back in your groove! Looking forward to some video tutorials. I just started following your blog. I also want to comment about your book “Inspired You” I thoroughly enjoyed it and read it cover to cover in one day! I felt like we were sitting in my living room chatting about our adventures in decorating, yard sale scores and life. Your words are inspirational and your conversational tone is delightful and real. The way you lovingly and gently sprinkled god’s grace with your words of encouragement were beautiful. You also have a wonderful sense of humor. I laughed hysterically at some of your stories about home projects gone awry. Looking forward to another book. Yes, the tutorials will be very helpful. I’d love to learn how to make some slipcovers for my ottoman and chair.
The beautiful horse should be called, “the horse with no name”. Remember that song from America. I know, really goofy, but I had to share what just popped into my head! Have a great day
I really like the way you mixed Apron Strings and Ironstone, and documented all the different shades you created using those two colors. That really shows we can be creative with mixing our own custom colors and that’s inspiring! I’m so looking forward to seeing your tutorial videos with the new camera & lighting! Have a wonderful weekend ox
WOO HOO YOU ARE BACK IN THE “SADDLE” FOR REAL – OF THE NO NAME HORSE NO DOUBT.
Boy, did you hit the ground running! And all of it is music to my ears…I don’t know which project of yours I’m more excited about!
I would love to purchase one of your wax brushes, can you tell me how you clean them and care for them? Thank you:) I love your blog and read it and refer to it a lot!
Good to hear you are getting back “into the groove,” Marian.
Thanks for showing the comparison of the two grays! Now I know that next time I paint, I will use Trophy as a base coat under Linen or Ironstone to get that “white on gray” effect.
I am also glad to hear about all the other exciting things coming around the bend, and I am especially looking forward to Mustard Seed Pages and the new items in your shop. Hopefully, this time I will be able to get in on the action before the shop is completely emptied out. 🙂
Hi Marian – So glad things are back on track. I just have a question about your Miss Mustard Seed Pages – will it be open just for the U.S. or will it also accept someone selling from Canada? Looking forward to it.
I can’t wait until I can get back into the groove! Once we’re finally into our new (old) house and can start working on it I think I’ll feel back in it since I’ll once again be working towards finishing some measurable goals!! Just might see some MMS Milk Paint hitting a built in and some furniture too. 😉
Looking forward to the videos!
Hello,
I am very new to your blog but i feel like i have found a long lost friend. I absolutely love everything about your beautiful home. I have been searching for a way to bring to life what i see from bits and pieces of magazines, blogs, home decorating shows and show rooms but this is the first time i have ever come across a style that I literally love everything about!! 🙂 I was unable to bring it all together but now with the help of your blog and photos/videos i am starting down the path to “Moving My Mountain”.
We have something else in common, my daughter also has Type 1 Diabetes. She has had it for 9 years now and regulating blood sugars and counting carbs will very soon come as easy to you as decorating. My daughter is athletic, an A+ student, a volunteer, very involved in various youth groups…………..i could go on and on lol. She lives a very full and successful life.
Keep your chin up and thanks for the inspiration :))
Shelley
Hi MArion, Am so glad things are turning round for you. I have so many friends who have gone through some really tough times this past year. Hang in girl, you give inspiration to so many of us reading your blog not only with your work but sharing your life. Hugs Pat
I can’t wait to see the new videos! I’ve only tried homemade milk paint and homemade wax before, but I really want to try yours. The homemade wax is so stiff and requires a lot of muscle to rub it on, then buff it off . I’d love to try some that only requires a brush!
I know what you mean about the holidays throwing routines off track! I LOVE having all my family home, but two weeks of messed up routine had me gladly sending them back to work and school 😉 I needed the peace of my routine back. I tried to tell my husband that it was the same as if me and the kids hung out in HIS cubicle at work all day for two weeks while he tried to work. I needed my space back 😉
BEAUTIFUL!!! I’m a new follower, and I’m so excited to see what you have to share in the future! Love your blog!
Whooo Hooo! Glad you are back! I really like the comparison of paint colors, some of them look so similar its nice to see them next to each other.
Dang, where do you get all of your energy? I’m exhausted just reading this post! LOL! Welcome back!
Hi Marion, I just had to tell you how much of an inspiration you are to all of us trying to beautify our homes on a budget. I love your beautiful home and am so thankful that you share how to achieve such lovely spaces. I just pulled out a bench that I have been wanting to slipcover for over a year now, and started on it today, by watching your slipcover video series. The instructions are very easy to understand and follow. Thank you so much. You are an inspiration to many!
I’ll be watching your upholstering video/s as I want to snazzy up a chair I bought at Habitat while back. I bought the fabric last year but have kinda stalled when I wanted to start reupholstering, chickened out in other words.
I felt better when I read you like to get back to your routine. My hubs was an over the road trucker so was gone for weeks at a time when we lived in Mt. I got used to doing things in my own time so when he was home it seemed a bit “disruptive” to my schedule. He didn’t like me staying up til wee hours of a.m. crafting. I’m a night owl so creating then was my best creative time. Loved having him home but he changed all my habits when he was home. He slept alot and I got to do his laundry, cook more and had to be available to his wants/needs. Love him bunches but what did I get out of his being home? lol It seems this is a problem with many trucker wives. When he retired I really had to adjust to him being home all the time, another common problem with truckers/wives, lol. Thank heavens he would go out to garage to work in projects. I could see what he was doing from my studio window. At that time we lived in KY. (I could also catch him/smell when he was sneaking a smoke, was supposed to be quitting.)
Now we live in western CO, we have no garage or basement so he can’t work on projects in winter. He wants to sit watching tv (all day and night in winter) and grumbles when I need to vacuum and mop. Sometimes I just vacuum anyway and try to ignore his grumbling.
Hope it’s working out great with you and your hubs working together. Some day I’d love to at least be able to buy some samples pkgs. of your milk paint. I love to mix colors also, do it all the time with my acrylics. The sample you showed making pink shades looked peach on my monitor so wondered if original color has some peach in it or just my monitor? happy weekend