taking a break

Hi Everyone!
I'm sure you all have realized this, but I'm taking a break from blogging.
 I'm still on Facebook though at Cricket Acres Studio, so head on over there and see what I'm up to!

Thanks, and enjoy your day!
Kris

Fall Refresh at The Spaulding Cooperage

 Hi everyone! Just wanted to share with you my refresh at The Spaulding Cooperage.

 I made the hanging light pendants out of two twine and metal baskets that I found. They're plug-in style and add just a little rustic charm. The picnic table is actually a vintage planked door that has chippy white paint with a bit of red showing through. I made sure to give the top a few coats of matte poly to stop the paint from further chipping. I then had the base made, and I stained it 'Provincial' by Minwax. This dining table would also make a great desk!

 Always have a variety of locally made artisan soaps available.

 These chemistry pieces are perfect for Halloween, and just everyday vases.

 I've had a collection of clocks and clock faces for sale. Also back at The Coop are the cotton gift bags with images of owls and spider webs. Fill 'em up with your favorite treats to give out.

This coat rack is a limited edition-I have only 2. They are draw fronts from an antique dresser with just the perfect amount of layers of cream and sage green paint showing through. I then attached three vintage solid brass hooks that came out of a Boston restaurant.

 

I love the change of seasons, and bringing in entirely new items to sell. The only problem? It's 90 degrees today and I doubt anyone is thinking of Fall just yet, but it will come.

 

Hope you're enjoying this little bit of summer we have left!

~Kris

Industrial Stools Makeover

I picked these stools up at a junk shop a long time ago.

I loved their shape with the backs and they swivel too.

But they were in saaaaad shape.

 (EWWWW!!!)

I had new seats made from thick old barn wood. I distressed them a bit to make them look older.

Now they're ready for staining. I went with Provincial from Minwax.

The final result! I decided to leave the metal in it's original state-minus the rust. You'll notice I removed the block under the seat. I believe they were installed by the previous owner to raise them to a bar height, without the blocks they are counter height.

 Everything got a few coats of wax for a smooth finish.
...Before and After...

 

They'll be for sale in my space at The Spaulding Cooperage in Townsend with my big Fall Re-Fluff!
Hope you're enjoying your weekend! 

~Kris

PS-a sneak peek at another item that will make it to the Re-Fluff....do you know what it is?

 

Summer Clearance at The Spaulding Cooperage

It's the 'End of Summer Clearance Sale' in my space at

The Spaulding Cooperage.

This week is the last week! I'll be doing a total overhaul and refresh next Wednesday with Fall-themed and other new items.

Help me clear out the summer stuff! Thanks!!

Shop hours:

Weds 10-5, Thurs 10-7, Fri 10-5, Sat 10-5 and Sun 11-4

1 South Road, Townsend. MA

 

College Shopping

I know a lot of families are college shopping this summer, we are one of them.

It's unfair to ask a 16/17 year old what they want to do for the rest of their life-I don't even know what I want to do the rest of my life! Unless you have a true calling...you're left in this state of 'undecided'.

But that's ok, you don't have to know what you want to major in yet. Most people will change their major at least once, and most people will change careers at least once in their lifetime.

That's what's so great-you get to grow and figure out what is really important to you. I've always told my kids-find an activity that makes you happy, turn it into a career, become an expert in it and you'll never feel like you're 'working', and, oh yeah, the money will come.

 (I don't want them living at home forever!)

I want them to take time to figure this out, I don't want them to get stuck in a job that they are miserable doing. Life is short, and you need to be happy. So what to do?

You visit lots of schools-big, small, city, country, public and private. There are endless choices! But after visiting a few, we've got a pretty good idea of where she would 'fit'. So now we are able to focus on that type of school. There's still a lot to do over the next 6-12 months, but we are heading in the right direction and I am so happy for her! I can not wait to watch her fly!

~Kris

York Beach, ME Vacation

It's been just about at month since my last post. I used to be so good about blogging two times a week, but lately, with Facebook and Instagram, I'm feeling like I don't need all the words to go along with the pics that I post there. Anyone else feeling the same way? Maybe it's my summer break, but then again, maybe not...something to think about for sure...

 

So what have I been up to? Well if you follow me on Facebook, you already know...I've been taking my daughter college shopping (more pics on that trip later) and we took a family vacation to York Beach, Maine.

The weather was not the best, but we made the most of it. I love coming up to this vintage cottage! See how my sister-in-law, Gina, and I gave it a face lift a few years ago here.

There's something about the salt air mixed with the seaweed and brine that creates a smell that no Yankee Candle can match, try as they might, it's never as good as the real thing.

I love going on early morning or just before sunset walks along the beach. Round trip it was 3 miles! Great exercise to work off that wine and gelato (Coppa Magica Gelato)

We always look for sea glass, and are never disappointed! There was quite the storm while we were here-a micro burst in town, that I actually witnessed from our cottage window-scary! A lot of beautiful old trees came down and caused some serious damage to historic houses in the area. As far as I know, no one was hurt, thank goodness.

There was a gorgeous rainbow after the storm passed, telling us everything was alright.

I'm always up for art or antique shopping on vacation. Well my son really wanted to take some long exposure shots on the highway overpass at night. Scared me, not him.

Check out his pics on Instagram @j.vo.

This is Chase's Garage. I love this shop/studio. The artists work in the back, and sell their wares in the front. And it's housed in an old vintage garage-hence the name. Click here for more info.

Across the street is a new shop, ACRE. Love the sign, peeked in the window because they were closed when I was there. Looks like a place that I'd definitely get back to. Love the last line on their sign.

 We went to Portsmouth, NH one afternoon. Love walking around all the independent stores! We had dinner at the Portsmouth Brewery, sat outside on their enclosed patio-eclectically gorgeous!

 Then we went to Prescott Park to see this years outdoor show, which is Shrek the Musical. It was fantastic as always! We've seen 5 years worth of live performances and have never been disappointed. You go and spread a blanket. pile your family on it to watch a live performance for 2 hours under the stars, smelling that wonderful ocean air, for cheaper than it would be to go to the movies! We've seen Oliver!, The Sound of Music, Willie Wonka, and Annie. I can't say enough, how impressed I am with this theatre.

And of course, we go to all the not-to-miss landmarks...

Stonewall Kitchen Headquarters and the Goldenrod, among others.

Hope your summer is filling up with fun activities!

I'll be back sometime soon....I'm on vacation time!

~Kris

 

'Drink Plenty of Water'

That's what they all tell you, it's the secret to healthy skin, weight loss, flushing the impurities out, yada yada yada. But if are you like me,  I'm just not a fan of plain water. I've added lemon or lime to water and that has helped, but I've discovered a new flavor combination that has me hooked.

 (Thank you Allison from Fearless Living!)

I find myself refilling my glass all day long.

See if it works for you...

 

First, start with a cool glass. I've been using this Weck jar.

I find that having a pretty container helps me enjoy water more.

 I then slice up lemon, seedless cucumber and some mint leaves...

 Add two slices each of the cuke and lemon and one mint leaf to each bottle,

fill it half way with water...

 Add ice, which will melt as you go through the day, take one to go,

 and leave one in the fridge for later.

When I finish the water, I top it off again, and rotate it with the one in the fridge. This works for about two more times and the flavor is still is as good as the first time.

Give it a try! It really helps me drink more water, maybe it'll help you.

~Kris