A busy life and a fun filled weekend ..

It's amazing how life changes ....
In January of 2010 My life had come to a cross roads ..
A decision was before me ..and of course I went to the Lord in prayer over it.

I have always been a long time ..Junker , Antiquer and Creator .. I grew up with it and as I got older it grew on me.

In 2010 I was struggling and wondering where to go with life ..what do for work ..and how to accomplish it all. I really needed some answers and guidance ..and of course I was patiently awaiting the Lord for that guidance ..and as we say here at Sweet Magnolias Farm.. "Work While you Wait"

"Working While you Wait" was a quote from a little book given us from a friend many years back ..however I can't remember the name of the book as we passed it on to a friend ..and I hope it has been passed on since ..as it was an amazing book that really gave you encouragement and hope in Christ ..when life seems to be at a holding point.

Anyhow that quote struck a cord with us ...as we were truly in a holding pattern in life and wondering when circumstances were going to change ..and what do you do... will "Work While you Wait" was just perfection for us at the time ..and it worked out in the end ..In God's perfect timing our holding pattern lifted and we moved forward.

Well once again in early 2010 my life faced a similar situation ..and I decided to "Work While I Waited" .. and In January ..or February can't remember which date ..I was contacted to take part in the Chateau De Fleurs 1st Marketplace. I took 2 weeks to think and pray it over ...AND

The rest is History as they say ... Here I am over a year later and I'm still doing what I love ..being blessed beyond words ..and so Thankful for where I'm at today in life ..

I'm busier I think today than I have been in years ..always working in some capacity.. or filled with friendships that I have made in the last year that are such a blessing to me.

I've met such amazing clients that I now call my friends .. life is in bloom and what a beautiful bouquet I have been given.

Speaking of Friends

This last weekend ..Abbey and I spent the Day with a Very Good Friend Sheila of Tattered Goods ... we went off to the local flea market ..and never expected to see friends from the Vintage marketplace we all sell at ..



Of course I was busy doing some serious buying (you know the kind you can't leave because you don't want to miss something) ..so I didn't get to take part in the photo ..but Abbey did ..then Shiela of Tattered Goods .. Eloise of Junk Fairy , Christie Repasy of Chateau De Fleurs and Robin of Furniture Queen ..

Who knew we were all thinking about going flea marketing !

What a Blessing ..to find friends along lifes highways in unexpected ways !

And of course we had a great time at the Flea Market .. We came home with fun finds ..in fact we were a little concerned we weren't going to fit in the truck ..but Alas our specialty packer Abbey who can get just about anything into any car ..made it all fit just like a puzzle ..Thank Goodness !

So as today turns to tomorrow ..and the day after and the day after .. I continue to work ..I contiue to give thanks to the Lord for a good life and good friends ...and whenever that day comes that life must take a turn ...but it won't quite make the turn in my timing ..I shall again Work While I Wait ..because His way is the perfect way I have found !

Wishing you all a Beautiful Week ahead ..and just a quick reminder that our Barn Sale in our Etsy Shop ends this coming Saturday the 25th ..

Plus I have added well over 20 new offerings in the last week ..if you'd like to take a look click HERE

Change and Success ....

Don't aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally. ~David Frost

Success can be a beautiful thing when you love and believe in what you do !

Rita Reade and Christie Repasy are the embodiment of that word and to them more than they realize it comes Naturally just as David Frost so Beautifully stated

In the weeks after our Last Chateau De Fleurs Vintage Marketplace ..

Rita and Christie were faced with some trying decisions and new directions that were a must to be taken

Even with concerns, fears, and even a heavy heart they forged ahead and put their backs into a new direction, a new path, a new way and put all there vendors at the top of their list when making their decisions.

Chateau de Fleurs in 1 yr has grown into a beautiful Marketplace ..so much so that a new venue was needed to have it. Finding a place as quaint, Beautiful and Serene as Christies property would have been thought by many to be challenging as her home and studio are amazing ..

However these 2 strong, courageous women have forged ahead and found an amazing place to expand the marketplace in ..

Just off the 15 frwy .. 3 miles south of Temecula,

Where Beautiful Rainbow Country begins ..

Down the country road and under an Umbrella of Antique Oak Trees ..amongst a carpet of lush green grass ..where the breeze is lovely and the living is easy !!!

Chateau De Fleurs Will now be known as .. "The Vintage Marketplace at the Oaks"

So Mark Your calenders for June 4th and 5th, 2011

We'll see you all at our new home sweet marketplace home!

Good Gracious What a Day ..AND Picts. from the Chateau !

Gracious What a day ...!

Well the day started out with me working on some new lampshades ..

Them I saw our sweet Scout , Our Golden Retriever out in the back yard chewing on her leg.

This being a bad thing because she is 16 yrs of age and has a large tumor ( non cancerous) on that leg. Well by the time we made it out to tell her not to chew on it ..she had broke the skin and the tumor tissue was popping on throught the broken skin.

So Being that this family works off of one vehicle and that one vehicle was being used at the time by Papa Fred and he was an our away, we had to call him to come home so we could take her to the Vet.

Well we made it to the vet and the long and short of it is ..that she's too old to have surgery so she came home with us and we'll be bandaging that leg from now on ..in hopes that maybe the skin will close back over the tumor and if not we'll cross that bridge when it comes..

However the Journey home was not lacking in it's own excitement. !!!!

While Abbey and I were traveling down a very busy 4 lane road with a very narrow center turn Lane ...The truck dies while driving it and being in the fast lane I luckily made it into the center lane. We frantically called papa fred ..asking what to do and while discussing that ..I tried to start it and WA LA ..it started ..so now we were off again and decided to take a back way home instead of the freeway for fear it would die on the freeway and we would be pulling a steep grade on the way home. Thank the good Lord we made that decision because sure enough it Died again and no less this time on a 2 lane road right smack dab in the middle of the lane ...!

Abbey and I directed traffic around us ..and eventually Papa Fred and my BIL came to help us ..but not before 2 nice Gentlemen stopped and helped us push it to the side of the Road. It's nice to know there are still "Gentlemen" still around willing to take the time to help. It Restores your faith in Human Kindness.

Well needless to say we made it home and the old truck will be headed to the mechanic tomorrow to figure out what in the world is wrong with it ... It's a head scratcher. It dies in the middles of driving it but starts back up 15 minutes later and you can drive it again ..I'll sure be interested to know WHY ?

So My Plans for the day and My Goals weren't met ... and I've heard it said before and have said it myself many a time ..it's a good thing that we don't always know what a day will bring !

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So I thought as I was sitting here unwinding tonight that I would share pictures of all many of the Chateau De Fleurs Vintage Marketplace Vendors and artisans from this last weekend .. Feel free to click on any picture in the slide show to view a larger version of the slide show.

We're Back from our Vintage Marketplace ...

Oh My ...it's been a while since we really sat down and blogged ..we were so busy preparing for the Chateu De Fleurs Vintage Marketplace ..that our blog got a little quiet ...but we are back !

Well that is for today ..as we have 1 more show on the 19th (Glitterfest) so starting Tuesday we'll be working like crazy to get ready for it ..

But I thought today I would share picts of our set up at the Chateau Marketplace.

First of all this show was amazing ..The turnout was spectacular and we Came home with a "Much" lighter load ..so that's awesome !

Christi and Rita Hosted another extremely successful event Dean provided Delicious Eats and The Customers were the absolute BEST !!!

Thank You to everyone !!!

So here's ALOT of pictures of our shop ..More from the market place to follow throughout the week ..

So Abbey and I mixed up our Cottage and Farmhouse pieces and they really complimented each other so well ... We were thrilled with the out come ..

Under the Beautiful Trees ..Romance and Beauty Met !

It was a Bedroom under a canopy of Vintage Umbrellas ..

With Garden Statuary brought in ...and Vintage Windows with our custom Designs framing in our shop ...

The Indoors met the Outdoors with sweet and charming vintage pieces ..

Our Sweet Magnolias Farm Signature Wreaths were met with delight ...and off many of them went to add a little soft, charming and romantic appeal to their new home sweet homes...

Our Beautiful Custom Pillows designed here at Sweet Magnolias Farm were loved by many ...and many of them are now gracing a bed, a chair and even a little love seat..

The sweet antique corner cupboard handpainted in a lovely vintage pink and creamy white ..will be headed to our shops at Treasures N Junk tomorrow ..

Our Custom Farmhouse Flour Sack towels ...just about Sold Out ..Our new designs were loved by many ..We are thrilled and can't wait to offer our new designs at our shop and online in our Etsy store very soon...

Vintage Books Tied with Love and embellished with sweet pieces of antique lace ...

More Pillows ...

Our Vintage Utility Cart ...painted in the sweetest vintage pink and handpainted with the #'s 1, 2, 3, on each shelf ... headed out on Saturday ...

Our mini windows ... found new homes to ..but there were a couple left ...so they will be headed to T&J tomorrow too ...

Abbey's gorgeous Custom Designed High Heel ..remember the sneek peek I gave of it ..will here it is in all it's glory and the picture just doesn't do it justice.

Yes it found a new home too ..She'll be making more for Glitterfest though !

Abbey's Sweet Pink Altered Baby Shoe ...It found a new home also ...I can't wait for her to make another one !!!

Mini Windows and wreaths ... Can be ordered if you see on you like.

Mini Windows are $32- plus shipping

Wreaths are $76 and $89-plus shipping. their are 2 sizes available

If you want to place an order by all means contact us and we'd be glad to accomodate you !

And Last but by no means least ..is Abbey's 2nd High Heel she designed ...It's positively Breathtaking ... and Still available ...

And My Favorite Customer of the Entire Marketplace ................

Meet Humphrey .... Oh my gosh is he not to die for !!! If I could have I would have grabbed him up and took him home ...!!! His owner said she ordered him from New York and that he was part American Poodle, Golden Retriever, and Springer Spaniel . This is one of those times that a combination of breeds comes together in a Beautiful way !!! Plus his personality was just as charming as he looked.

So Another wonderful Marketplace is behind us and tomorrow we are headed with a truck full of new offerings to our Shops at T&J .. then Tuesday it's countdown to Glitterfest and these gals will be Busier than a hive of honey bees ....prepaing to bring you a sweet honey hive full of goodies on March 19th ...

Wishing you all a Beautiful Week ..full of Sunshine Dreams !

Are you coming to the Marketplace ? Here's some sneek peeks !

Countdown to the Chateu De Fleurs Marketplace ...

Abbey and I are working hard ..and tomorrow's the day we begin gathering everything that goes to the marketplace and preparing it to be loaded into the truck and trailer...

The house should have Police Tape out front because it looks like a massacre has happened inside from the two mad women at work ...LOL !!! Thank the Lord my Dad is such a sweety and doesn't say a word when we are preparing for these marketplaces.

Before we pack it all up ....We thought we would share a few sneek peeks with you .....

Farmhouse Romance headed your way ..with this stunning "Hopeless Romantic" Wreath ..draped in lace, rosettes, pearls ...Birds ...and a little glitter. (5) Custom Romantic Wreaths will be headed with us ...so be sure to get there early for yours !

This sweet little bird perched against the scrolly garden fence ..Handmade by Abbey ... is tucked into a special something ... wait till you see what it is ...and are those Beautiful Dressed Glass Bottles I see in the background ? Yes they are ...all courtousey of Abbey's Creativeness ..

This Sweet bird is tucked in with the bird above ..and they are glorious together ..Surrounded by layers of antique lace and vintage pearlys ...in a piece that has true Romance of the Sole ..(hint hint)

Rose Queen ...You'll Find a whole new line of Rose Queen Offerings at this marketplace ..From our Vintage Window, Flour Sack towels, Feather Pillows, and this sweet Mini Soldered window with vintage prisms attatched !

Another Sweet Magnolias Farm Original ..Our mini windows are a new offering this year ..and I love love making these and can't wait to offer them online ..coming late march ..Or if you want to order one send me an e-mail.

So these are just a few and I mean few items we will be offering ..not too mention all the vintage and antique finds, Linens, vintage clothing, and Oh so Much More !!!

See all you Sweet Gals and Guys This weekend ...

Start Making Plans Today ...!

It's time to start making plans today if you haven't already....!

Sweet Magnolias Farm is preparing to head to the Chateau De Fleurs Marketplace ... This coming Friday and Saturday ... March 4th and 5th.

9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

We hope to see you there ...we have all sorts of new offerings .. From wonderful vintage Wreaths ..Our new line of Pillows ...Altered Art Bottles, Altered Art Shoes , New Flour Sack Towel Designs, Concrete Garden Statuary, Side Tables ..an Antique Iron Bed, paper roses and much much more !

Plus I'm sure all the rest of the Chateau Girls are going to have awesome new offerings and lets not forget the great food that Rita's Husband Dean cooks ... Plus that pipin hot coffee and donuts in the morning !!!

It's a great way to take a country drive and make the destination a little fun at a cottage set under the trees where romance and beauty meet.

Plus pick up your shopping brochure in Christie Repasy's studio for other fun shopping adventures happening next weekend.

Well Start pulling out the shopping cart, the totes, and don't forget the checkbook and some mad money( not all the girls are set-up for CC), Dont forget little Katie or Johnnie they are welcome too .. Or give them a fun day with grandmama ...and Bring your favorite girlfriends ! And the Hubby's are welcome too as long as they have the word "yes" in their vocabulary ..LOL !!!

We're looking forward to seeing you and we are working hard to prepare a wonderful vintage marketplace to kick off the new 2011 year.

Wishing you all a beautiful week ...and here's wishing sunshine dreams and spring days to those of you in the mid-west and east. I have seen on so many of your blogs the endless mountains of beautiful white snow ..and although it awe inspiring ..I'm sure a warm sunny day is in your wishes today.

We've been a little quiet as of late and there's a Reason .

We've been a little quiet as of late here in blog land ...

And There's a Good reason why !

We are feverishly preparing for our 2 upcoming shows ..First of which we are sharing and reminding you of today ...

The Fabulous Chateau De Fleurs Vintage Marketplace...!!!

Hosted by none other than Christie Repasy and Rita Reade ...

This is the 2nd year of Marketplaces we are headed into ..and we are looking forward to the Wonderful comradery among antique vendors and artisans that we have had in 2010..

Not to mention all of of our wonderful customers ! We are looking forward to seeing you !

So mark the date Friday and Saturday March 4th and 5th ...

There will be over 20 Vendors offering their antique and vintage wares along with all the fabulous artisans that you won't want to miss ..and there's a few new vendors that haven't attended before so it should make for a wonderful marketplace.

Where you ask ?

Just down the road ..around the corner and a nice country side drive into Fallbrook, CA ...where the Beautiful winding roads are lined in large old trees ..Beautiful flowers , and lovely views ..

The Marketplace is situated on Christie Repasy's Beautiful Land that adjoins her Home and Studio ..and you must make a visit into her studio ..I hear your all in for a Beautiful treat this marketplace the way she has set up the studio this time.

For the address ..Just check out my right side bar ..and you'll see the info. there. Mapquest or google the directions or feel free to call for directions.

Come out and enjoy the afternoon with us ..you'll enjoy yourself and you deserve a nice day out !

Wishing you all a beautiful week ..and here's to hoping I have some sneek peek picts. available in the next week or so...

The Chateau de Fleurs December Artisans and Vintage Vendors

The Last Marketplace of the year 2010 took place this last weekend. We had a wonderful time ..Our spirits were lifted to see all of our Friends and Customers..It's so great to get 2 full days to just enjoy such great people !

It's so hard to believe a years worth of Marketplaces have taken place... it seems like it was just January and Rita was contacting us to take place in her and Christies First marketplace ..and Abbey and I hadn't been selling anywhere except online in the last 3 yrs so we took a week to consider if we wanted to. We came to the conclusion we would try it One time and make a more permanent decision from there ...AND as you already know here we are a year later and 4 Chateau marketplaces later not to mention we threw a few others in too and now have to shops opened. It's been quite a busy year and as I look back now I can see why we've said we're TIRED ..LOL !!

We are already looking forward to next year ...and the First Chateau de Fleurs Marketplace of the year in March. Our minds are already switching up gears and thinking what we will bring into the new year ..new ideas and new styles. It's a great thing to work in the Vintage Arena ...always creating, and displaying and challenging yourself to do new and different things.

Thank You to Christie and Rita for a Fabulous year ...if it wasn't for them ..I'm not sure what direction my life would have turned this year ..God did a Great thing when he placed them both in our lives !

Thank you to all of our Customers ...you're the best ..!!! We Love to see you every show rather you buy something or not ! And we are so grateful to know that when you purchase something that you love a piece that we have chosen or created which keeps us moving forward.

The show this last weekend was awesome ...and now being a little more seasoned after 4 shows ..I had the time to get around and take "ALOT" of pictures of everyones shops to share with all of you. So sit back and enjoy !

(Above 3 pictures are of Sandra of "Under the Sun with Me")

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( above pictures ...Rita Reade of Mammabellarte)

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(above Julie Nutting)

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(above ...Lisa Loria)

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(above... Sheila of Tattered Goods)

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Nancy Kruz ..put together a raffle for the Womens Resource Center in Oceanside to help Women and Children ...all of the Vendors donated offerings to a big basket and tickets were bought and the basket Raffled off Saturday night ...

(nancy's space was just beautiful...Love her vintage wreath above )

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(above was Tricia)

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(above Marcella)

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(above Robins shop)

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(above Becky)

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(above Carrie)

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(above Shrirley)....

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( Dyana......) ...

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And more more more of more wonderful artisans and vintage vendors below ....

So if you missed the Marketplaces this year ..stop in ...

In March of 2011 ..the 4th and 5th ...for alot of wonderful Vintage offerings ...and Beautiful Artisan offerings.

See you all in March ...Until then ..

MERRY CHRISTMAS !