GypsyFarmGirl January 2016 Video

How is it the last day of January 2016 already? For the last year I've been creating an end of month video and sharing on Instagram and Facebook, but since I finally have my YouTube channel set up, I can finally share my videos here on my blog! So, press play for a little glimpse of my month. 

I participated in a photo a day prompt on Instagram, so several of those random pictures are included and of course this month has been all about rustic wedding bouquets, life on the farm, fresh flowers for the open house event, and working on the new rustic romance themed items for my shop and preparing for the Backwoods Marketplace in March. 

49 days till spring

If you know me, you know that I am not a fan of winter time. From the moment time changes in the fall and the first frost, I'm counting down the days till spring! 

I don't like cold, dreary days. I live for sunshine and pretty flowers in my yard, flip flop season, hands in the dirt, green grass, blue skies and wildflowers along the roads, cattle grazing in the pasture, fresh warm air, windows open... 

Winter is expensive - taxes, insurance, lots of feed and hay for the animals, heat / electricity, way too many layers of clothes, to still be freezing cold. 

So when I see the first daffodils of the season, it brings me great relief and encouragement that spring time is coming soon!!!  

I know there will still be some cold days ahead, but the end is in sight and these itsy, bitsy flowers make me happy! I can't wait for all the daffodils to be blooming in the next few weeks! 

By the way, it's 49 days till spring (and the Backwoods Marketplace)... Thank you sweet little daffodils for leading the way! 

Open House

Today was Open House at the new McWhorter Funeral Home. My good friends have built a beautiful new facility and I helped them decorate for the event today. 

The four of us all worked together at the flower shop, previously owned by Amy (third from left). Her and her husband have built the new business. The four of us hadn't all been together at the same time, since the shop sold. We had a great team and I enjoyed working with each of them and consider Amy, Sharlette and Angea three of my best friends! 

I was happy to help them out and got to work with fresh flowers this weekend. 

It takes someone with kindness, compassion, and sincere empathy to provide such a service to grieving families  and they possess those qualities.  Wishing them all the best with their new endeavor! 

Save the Date - Backwoods Market at Blackstone Ridge

We are excited to announce that we have been selected to be a vendor at the Backwoods Marketplace at Blackstone Ridge this spring and will be joining with Angea from Rooster Tails for the event! 

A few weeks back, I was having a gloomy, cold, and unmotivated few days. I had got a big fat "no", to something we really were looking forward to. Cold and gloomy weather sucks the life out of me and I was having a major case of the blahs and everyone was announcing their big business plans for the new year. I questioned mine. What direction would my shop go in? New products? More of the same? Of course, the wedding business would continue on, but what other items would I make? Hmmm??? 

The morning after I had the most unproductive day ever, Jeff sent me a link to a Facebook page about vintage campers. I liked the page and looked around and was inspired! Things were looking up and I got in my workroom and got started on a wedding order. 

I was still thinking what's next? It was the after Christmas blues. After all, I had worked on Christmas off and on since July and had prepared for 2 fall craft shows and several Christmas events and I wasn't sure what to do with my newly organized work room and extra time. The thought crossed my mind "if only I had something to work towards, a deadline... Something to motivate me to create new and different stuff...." Most of the craft fairs in the area are all in the fall and it's hard to work on something that far in advance. 

 I walked to the kitchen for a glass of tea and came back to my workroom five minutes later and there was a Facebook notification that my sister in law had shared a link on my wall. I opened it to read about the Backwoods Marketplace looking for craft vendors for their spring show! It is a local market, wanting to support and show case handmade, vintage, primitive, shabby chic, repurposed crafters, which totally describes me! I know God was working on me and providing a way for me and Lisa was used as a messenger. Lisa had been to their fall market and said it was a wonderful experience at the Blackstone's old homestead. 

(Picture from last springs market.) 

I really got excited after reading on their group page and after being so gloomy the day before and not caring about talking to anyone, I came to life and started talking Jeff's ear off! It is a juried show and I would have to submit an application and hope they liked our stuff. 

I  text Angea from Rooster Tails, asking if she wanted to set up again together. Of course she said yes, that she was wondering what she could work on for spring as well. We both needed some direction and motivation. 

So, I submitted pictures from our 2 past markets and then I was expecting to wait several weeks on the announcement of who got into the four new vendor openings. (There are several returning vendors from their fall show, but they opened up space for 4 new partipants.) Well, the very next day, I got an email saying we were in! Our products and display was just what they were looking for and fit the look they were working to achieve! Yeeehaaaa! Wow! Hot diggity dog! 

I was talking to the lady who is organizing the event today and she said all the other vendors are trying to out do our booth setup from the Yamboree! That just upt the pressure and is motivating Angea and I to come up something even more creative and we will have a full day to set up, opposed to 2-3 hours! So it will be an exciting time as we prepare! Stay tuned for further announcements, exact directions (it will be located 7-8 miles outside of Gilmer, Texas) and what all we are working on. 

Today... Or Yesterday

Today, or by the time I finish this blog post, it'll be yesterday!

~ I worked from home, in my fuzzy pajama pants, listing lots of new items in my shop. This release has a very Rustic Romance / Love theme, since Valentine's Day is coming up and love is always in season. 

~ I boxed up orders to take to the post office.

~ Met a client for a consultation for a big event next week. By this time, I had showered and put on my "town clothes!" Heehee

~ Answered emails and convos from customers, checked Facebook a kazillion times, because all the glamper group was liking and commenting on my pictures. 

~ Stopped to eat a late lunch and use a gift card from my birthday last month. I'm not afraid to eat alone... 

~ I actually had a "business lunch", as I answered more messages, got my flower order ready for the event next week, and posted more pictures from the new items on Instagram and Facebook. 

~ Shipped out a dream catcher and wedding bouquet. 

~ Went shopping and found a dress for the event at a small new boutique in town. #shopsmallbusiness 

~ Went to feed my horses and cows and set in the old barn, answering more messages. 

~ Ordered a vest from a boutique on Instagram, that I can wear with my new dress and ordered more turquoise burlap for upcoming wedding orders.

~ Stopped at the feed store and gas station on the way home. Somewhere around this point, I thought I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my job and the ability to be flexible, to not be tied down to a job in a cubicle, to be able to communicate with customers from wherever I am, thankful for my phone and iPad that go everywhere with me, to be able to work at home or wherever I roam and hope I never have to go back to a regular 8-5 job! 

~ The sunset was pretty as I opened the gate at home. 

~ We fixed supper, watched Duck Dynasty,  boxed up orders to ship out tomorrow / today, checked Facebook a kazillion more times, watched the Blacklist and started making roses for the next wedding and now I blog and Jeff snores. It's been a busy day, but I love it!  

I'm so thankful I am able to have a creative business and you allow me to decorate your homes, events and weddings and be apart of your special days! 

Free Toss Bouquet Offer!

For the month of January, book and purchase a custom wedding order and receive a free toss bouquet! 

Order any combination of pieces, including bridal bouquets, bridesmaid bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages or headbands, with a $250.00 combined value to receive a free toss bouquet. I have nearly 40 colors of burlap to create custom arrangements for your rustic wedding. 

I'm looking forward to helping create keepsake bouquets for your dream day! Visit my etsy shop and send me a custom order request to get started. Please mention this promotion when ordering. 

(Navy bridal bouquet pictured. Toss bouquet valued at $25.00. Not valid with prior purchase. Offer expires January 31, 2016.) 

Dream Quotes and New Dream Catchers

I listed 3 new vintage doily, lace, and feather dream catchers in my etsy shop today! Here, I paired each with a quote and hope you are inspired to dream big! 

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." - Eleanor Roosevelt

"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world." -Harriet Tubman

"You have to have a dream, before your dreams can come true." -A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

Create your dreams everyday!
(This dream catcher has already sold.)  

Sweet dreams my friends! Hope all your wildest dreams come true!