​It's been quiet over here, but we have been oh-so-busy with all the things.  In additional to owning this small shop, taking custom work and offering personal design services, we have 3 kiddos, 1 cat and 5 chickens.  And let me tell you, the chickens may be the easiest part. 
Changes in schooling are being announced all over the country and with the realization that I may be at home more than usual through next spring, we are crossing off all the projects on the list. This week, I am sharing one of my favorite paints by The Chippy Barn, giving you a sneak peek at painting, and showing off our new master bedroom refresh.  Behind the scenes, we are finishing up our master bathroom refresh (disclaimer: its the size of a closet) and if the weather cooperates, the greenhouse I started more than a month ago...so stay tuned for those.  Right now, you can hit my IG stories for all the painting goodness (check highlights for yesterday's first coat) and read on for all the answers to my master bedroom refresh...

First, let me say hand-painted wallpaper is not for the faint of heart. Second, there are a few steps to make it a bit easier, so I'll start from the beginning...

There are so many patterns you can mimic or come up with, but bottom line is this fern pattern was easy to duplicate, although time consuming, and felt like the much needed zen I needed in the middle of spring of 2020's chaos. Plus, I really liked that it was not completely cookie cutter.

There are a few tips that do make this process a little easier.  Remember the Frog Tape and fill in with the wall color first.  I have seen others cut sponges as well for a lighter look...just keep in mind that you may have to play around with your paint and the type of foam sponge you use to get a consistent print. I also hand-mixed my paint, both the actual formulation and the color.  This allowed me to get the perfect shade and more importantly the right consistency to use with detail brushes on a vertical surface.  I used a combination of clay paint (from Country Chic Paint), ceramic paint (from The Chippy Barn) and latex wall paint in satin finish.  It not only gave one coat coverage, but allowed for an almost completely matte finish that is wipeable.

I will warn you that because of this wall, I subsequently also had to paint my headboard and make modifications to its style.  The project also took many more hours than anticipated.  But I had all the supplies already, and if you didn't, it would really only cost you paint, tape, and a brush. This was what I kept reminding myself while painting (it took nearly 15 hours) because the wallpaper alternative would have been over $400 for the pattern I had chosen.  Ultimately, it was the perfect win and I am so glad I pushed through and finally finished it.

And now we can focus on all the other things on that to do list while we
​Stay...In The Moment

We certainly are not alone in saying we missed so much this year.  But on the contrary, we are also not alone in saying we gained quite a bit too. And with this little shop, it is no different...we are choosing to view the cup as half full rather than half empty, making sure to leave a little room for hope, goodness, and the expectation of better things.  It is certainly not easy, but it is much easier to get through the day focusing on that rather that on the opposite.  
This year, our shop missed its Birthday Celebration, Annual Destash Event, Christmas in July gathering, and what was supposed to be our community's Krazy Daze event this weekend. But right along with that, we have expanded online, offered complimentary local delivery, and kept in touch with so many of you, really learning who is committed to our tribe of local and far-away friends who have a love of old and new goodies and a passion for making their lives a little more rich in all the ways that matter. 
With that vision in mind, that half-full cup completely runs over, feelings of gratitude replace concern, and the reasons behind the whys become that much more apparent.
To continue that, share our gratitude with you, and rather than think about all the sweet faces and connections we will miss this weekend, we have taken our Krazy Daze sales online (we will continue to update as the week goes on), and included lots of gift with purchase on a bigger scale than ever before.  It's our way of putting the smiles in each package, sharing our half-full cup with you, and continuing to move forward through whatever kind of new normal 2020 shares with us. 

Stay...In The Moment, 

It seems as though we just started June...meaning I had to look at the calendar twice to make sure the 4th of July was really this Saturday.  Summers in Wisconsin go FAST around here...on a side note, the winters do not. And there is nothing better than a little patriotic decor to make me feel all those fleeting summer feels.

But, if you have been reading along for a bit, you know that I am all about all-things-simple this year...enter in my 5 minute centerpiece and this year's attempt to reuse, change up, and make the 4th festive. I grabbed multiple packs of this little flags last year at the dollar store, and dip-dyed them in coffee to age them a bit.  It's a bit difficult to tell from the photo, but they were bright white and starched to a stiffness only June Cleaver would accept (yes, that is a dated reference...I am still in my thirties, but I am a Nick-at-Nite baby thanks to my mama with an affection for retro television).  Thanks to this easy dye process, they now give an off-white hue and more relaxed look.  Add in greenery, and checklist done!  Easiest decor ever, leaving lots of room to enjoy the holiday. 

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For me this holiday is usually a lot like Thanksgiving...a whole lot of food and a whole lot of gratefulness.  The only difference?  The weather, and maybe the addition of a sprinkler. 
This year, like everything else in 2020, our celebration will look a little bit different.  But, it will still include all of those things...all the goodness of the ideals of independence, the responsibilities that come with that, and the unshakable knowledge that better things are coming. 

And in case you a little something extra to carry with you into the weekend,  next week, and maybe even into next year, I'll leave you with this quote reminding you to be unshakable...focus on the gratitude, rise with a clear mind, and leave the door open for the happiness that will follow. 

Stay...In The Moment,