Sources sources everywhere!!!!

thebluebuildinginc.com

As I have posted earlier, I am attending The Haven Conference in Atlanta in a few weeks.  I have been making an effort to check out blogs whenever possible.  I cannot believe how much info is out there...tips, tricks, shortcuts...you name it!  

Here is one that I stumbled upon...love Maryann's layout and style...this will be a regular stop for me.  This blog was about aging metals...specifically galvanized items.  Great stuff.

interiorsalvage: Metallurgy - The ID and the Odd: Gosh, I thought I knew how to do everything. Turns out, I don't I know absolutely nothing about metals, zip, zero, nada! ...

I also just discovered Jessica from Dear Emmeline.  Here is a link to her blog: 
Dear Emmeline

And I love this title of Amanda's Blog  I got a kick out of this blog because I've been doing alot of chevron at The Yellow Building.  My youngest daughter was helping me this week and we were so confused...it was hysterical.  After reading Amanda's blog I could so picture my 10 year old giving me instructions!  

I am still checking out some of her fav blogs:  DIY Show off Funky Junk Interiors Skip to my lou the Shabby Nest six sisters stuff lil luna not just a housewife I Heart Nap Time Thrifty Decor Chick Under the Table and Dreaming Elizabeth & Co. 504 Main Todays Creative Blog The Shabby Creek Cottage Craft-O-Maniac the girl creative Monday Funday @ uncommon designs online between naps on the porch miss mustard seed chic on a shoestring My Repurposed Life be differnt act normal

Here it is...Miss Billie's New Dining Room Suite. I will be finishing the seats on Monday...look for the final pics!

 

 

And One Day Miss Billie Just Wandered In..

I am always amazed at the wonderful folks who shop at The Blue Building.  I am so blessed to have the opportunity to chat with some of the most incredible people in Alabama.  From PawPaw stopping by on his way to the doctor, to the doctor looking for a bench on his lunch hour...you just never know who will pop in!

Several weeks ago Miss Billie stopped in with here friend.  She asked me about furniture painting and we
spoke about her dining room.  I quoted her a ballpark price and we discussed finishes, etc.  This is all part of a normal day at Blu and only about 20% of the time does the customer return and ask me to do the job.  Well Miss Billie came back with a designer friend and a photo of how she pictured her dining room.  I started it on Monday and it should be finished tomorrow.  She is the sweetest southern lady!  And lawdy mercy...does she have good taste!  Beautiful home, beautiful soul!  And Girlfriend can clean a paintbrush!  Thanks Miss Billie!

Here are some before pictures.  I will post the after photos soon!

Fourth of July...aka...Dad and Daughter Day at The Blue Building

Happy Fourth of July everyone!  I'm here at Blu today and apparently it is Dad and Daughter(s) day!  Who would have though that so many dads would cave an bring their girls to Blu on the 4th!  It was great to see Mattie and her dad...friends of my daughter.  Usually see Mattie here with mom so it was nice to see dad!  By the way girls, dads get great brownie point for bringing their daughters to The Blue Building.  We all know dads don't like to shop so just the effort of bringing them here ON YOUR DAY OFF really does get you awesome bonus points!  So girls...make dad a great dessert today or serve him an ice cold beer!  He deserves it!

I've got a great idea.  Miss Marion brought me several bags of old telephone line ( or is it railroad line) insulators.  Unfortunately they are super weathered and look not so well for the wear!  A while back I saw a post on Pinterest for "faux" sea glass.  The girls and I are gonnan try this later today...let you know how it turns out.

Another day, another chance...to blog!

Ok so...yes I am definitely a failure at New Year's resolutions!  It's been 4 months plus since I posted my last blog update here!  I know...pathetic.  But here I am again trying to recondition myself to be a blogger!

I reinforced my last attempt by buying a ticket to The Have this August in Atlanta.  This is a workshop event for bloggers!  So I need to blog!  That gives me 3 months to get my butt in gear!

In my defense (I always have a great defense), I have been slightly distracted a trivial event...opening a new store!  I am so thankful for mu Blu vendors...without them The Yellow Building never would have come into existence let alone grow the way it has. 

 

 

 

Building a Blog-list one blog at a time!

I make it a point to check several blogs from time to time for inspiration, to calm myself, and for moral support to see that other shop owners have way too much to do!  I must admit, they are more gracious than I!  Too often I simply sit down and scream.  I am working on this.

Look for me to build a list of my favorite blogs...my bloglist must start with:

http://missmustardseed.com/

I don't know how I stumbled upon Miss Mustard Seed, but I've been following her for several years.
On the rare occasion that I find the computer available at home, I check in to see what she's been up to.  Her Furniture Feature Friday is always a must!  Such great talent and great ideas.  Miss Mustard Seed has cornerd the market on "Inspiration".  And to watch her grow the business that she loves into a marketing masterpiece has been exciting!  I've had the pleasure of corresponding with her once or twice, as fate would have it!  I am hoping to carry her milk paint in my store here in Alabaster.  There are several chalk paint distributors in the area but no one really carries chalk paint.  Since I am an "uber" shabbier ( the more distressed the furniture, the better the piece), I think milk paint is a good fit.  We shall see...

Anyway...start with MMS...she will not disappaint you...LOL!

Sue

Guess Who's Going to THE HAVEN???!!!!

A major goal for me personally and for the business this year is to master the art of blogging.  Look what it has done for Miss Mustard Seed!  Why not Blu???

So...I just bought a ticket to The Haven Conference for this August in Atlanta.  Last year I wanted to go but dallied until it was sold out.  Not so this year!  I must admit I did dally a bit...proof is that I got one of the last 7 tickets available. 

But it is mine, all mine!   Bwaaahaaaahaaaa!  Yay me!  Look for some great things from this blog!  Well,  you might have to hang in there 'til after August since right now...I have no clue!  But I will give it my best shot!

Check out http://www.havenconference.com/.

Rainy day surprise!

Rainy Day Surprise!

As depressing as rainy days can be...slower traffic in the store, inability to paint because of humidity, messy soggy me...sometimes we get a great surprise on a rainy day.  A customer stopped by last month and told me about an old church pew he was ready to part with.  The pew is over 100 years old!It is from an 100+ year old church in Birmingham.   Made of solid oak, the pew measures 54 inches long x 34 inches tall x 23 inches deep.  It weighs a ton!  I love the cross that is carved on the side.

It arrived today and it is a wonderful rainy day surprise!

Someone needs to come get this beauty!  It will not last!

Tiger love!

Just in...this gorgeous To Die For tiger oak china cabinet.  The top of the base is a little rough  but the entire front of this piece is in phenom condition!  I refuse to paint an antique in such great shape...unless
of course it belongs to a customer who hires me to paint it!  All antiques I find in fair condition I try to preserve in their "Intended" condition.  More on this piece later...still putting away the Christmas decor here at Blu.

Happy New Year...one week in!

One week into the New Year and I am setting my resolutions!  No time like the present...better late than never...I could go on for a while.  Those of you who know me know that I have a fire with way too many irons in it.  Consequently, I have been delaying my official resolutions list because there are way too many things for me to improve and try to tackle this year.  2012 was a crazy busy year for me personally as well a for life at Blu.  This year I am being very specific on my resolutions:

Maintain this blog!
Declutter one area, at least 2 x 2 sq. ft, per day..will re-evaluate this after January to increase area

Ok...that's about all I can handle right now.  All of the advice, including Dr. Oz, says to be specific and realistic.  Being realistically specific...that's all I can handle right now.

Wish me luck!