Some Valentines & Decoupage

Some Valentines that I have been working on...Sorry, some of these have already sold! I am making more!

Here are some pictures of the decoupage workshop that was held at my friend Christy's. We worked in her husband's shop...like the John Deeres in the background?

I didn't get as many pictures as had wanted... I would have liked to get a picture of everyone with their completed projects AND a picture of the wonderful meal that Christy prepared for us...spinach souffle, tuna croissants, bean salad, oreo cake, apple pie...She was quite the hostess!

I guess we were all just oo caught up in the decoupage and the food to think about photos!

Some of the girls brought their own items to decoupage and their own papers...I also provided lots of papers ~ vintage sheet music, maps, book pages (dictionary, Bible pages) and various frames, flower pots, glass candle holders...

Here is a tray completed by Christy and a table top completed by Anna...

Amy with her Bible pages candle holders ~

Everyone had a great time and we're planning a jewelry workshop for the near future...

trunk shows...

The front of my somewhat professionally made invites for my trunk shows...

By "somewhat professionally" I mean that I uploaded the pictures to fotoflexer and it did the rest of the work...then uploaded to vistaprint and it was finished for me! This also involved a little cursing as I had to change the resolution 50 different times and figure out the font, the color, etc...but, they are done and on their way to me. Next week they will be on their way to my first hostess as she plans her trunk show. Yeah!

Auction Finds...

Went to an auction a few weeks ago and I am still trying to get everything organized and put away...Needless to say, it was a great day at the auction...

Here is my favorite find ~
Some kind of ceramic floral figure ~

Bonus ~ it opens up!! And, double bonus, there are 2 of them! I don't think these will be on any future sales...I am keeping them! :)

Snagged this neat map...has a map of Iowa on the opposite side. In this picture Ben is showing me where he thinks we live!

More fabrics, quilt tops, etc, etc,

AND...MORE Christmas stuff!!! I am addicted...

Holding my first "workshop" tomorrow...pictures of this next week!

2 Shows Booked & Some Questions Answered

Yippeeeee!!!! 2 Trunk Shows Booked, and a few more in the works...



A few of you have had some questions about the trunk shows that I just thought I would address here, incase others are wondering as well...



What items/products exactly will you bring to the show?
A variety of created items- upcycled jewelry, tote bags, wall hangings, small furniture, hankie garlands, painted boxes, etc

ALSO - 'as is' vintage items, meaning that I have not done anything "crafty" with them...anything from vintage quilts, scales, frames, small furniture, dishes, wooden boxes, advertising signs, books, kitchen utensils, etc.



Can you customize a show with the creations that my friends and I like? For example, a show with mostly jewelry & tote bags?
YES! Absolutely! We can discuss any kind of direction or theme you want to take with your trunk show.



Can you send me some pictures of some examples of what I can expect to see at a trunk show?
Certainly! You can also look on my blog - in the 'blog archive' wayyyyy down at the bottom of the page...there you will find lots of pictures from the last few years...


If you have any more questions, feel free to comment here or email me!

a little announcement...

I have been telling you all that there will be some changes and additions for The Farmer's Wife in 2011...well, I am ready to share one of them (probably the biggest one!) with you!


Here goes...


This one makes me a little nervous...not sure what the reponse will be....


TRUNK SHOWS!!!!
Don’t wait for my next sale – host a trunk show in your home! Schedule a trunk show and I will bring a mix of vintage and handmade items for your guests to browse through and the best part is that you will reap the benefits of the sales!

Guest Sales Free Product
$150-299 -- 10%
$300-499 -- 10%
$500-749 -- 15%
$750-999 -- 20%
Over $1000 -- 20%

Additional Benefits:
- Hostess will ‘shop’ the trunk show selection prior to guests arriving and set aside any items that she may want to purchase with free product benefits.
- Hostess will also receive a $10 gift certificate for each booking made at time of the trunk show. Booking gift certificates can ONLY be used on future purchases, either at other trunk shows or sales held by The Farmer’s Wife. Booking certificates are valid for one year from the show date.
- If hostess cannot find enough free products to fulfill her free product amount at the time of her show, she will be given a gift certificate for the remaining amount. Gift Certificate will be valid for one year from the show date.

ALL products will be cash and carry. NO orders for custom made products can be placed at trunk shows.


If you are interested in hosting a TRUNK SHOW in your home, please contact me through email: thefarmerswifeiniowa@yahoo.com, or by phone at 319-430-9597. I will start sceduling shows after February 1.

Material Girl

I was working/cleaning in my basement yesterday...trying to get ready to do some major work this week....

Here are some of the fun materials I will try to conquer in the next 6-9 months...

Some old wool pieces ~ these were rescued from my Grandma's attic. They were all skirts that my mom wore!
Some chenille blankets and an Ann Taylor Loft crocheted vest that I am going to recycle into something...any ideas?!?!

Wooly sweaters....can't have enough of these!

LOTS of paper ~ sheet music, books, maps, etc...

Not really material...but supplies, I guess...super cute vintage salt and pepper shakers.

AND....project #1 completed for 2011: Sheet music garland! I got two of these done last night, each about 10 feet long...will be making more, a few with some glitter - BLING!

happy 2011

Hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas...

I have been on quite the vacation from blogging...didn't mean to get so far behind. I apologize, but it was nice to spend more time with these two....

~ the photo from our Christmas card ~

Onto the resolutions....

I don't usually make resolutions, but there are some things that I think need to be changed....but we'll see if they really change...I have the best intentions :)

1) Shop at this store more....The New Pioneer Co-op in Coralville. Get better, healthier food....

2) Use recipes in this magazine to make better food...the hardest part will be getting the boys to eat better food...

not just the little boys, but the 'big' boy, too!

3) GO TO THE EYE DOCTOR....maybe get some cute glasses, like these...

4) Learn to make better pie...although, this kind of cancels out resolution #1. BUT, I do want to learn to make really good pie. I do pretty well with cookies and other desserts. I want to master pie!

4) Meet more famous people. Like these guys...already had my picture taken with them back in November, and am going to see them again the end of this month.

Also, on my list of famous people: Martha Stewart, Jon BonJovi, Def Leppard, Paula Deen, Sarah Palin, Steven Tyler....

and, of course, this guy...I'll try AGAIN in February at the Daytona 500. :)

I might have an opportunity to meet another famous person...Serena, from the Farm Chicks...

5) Go to the Farm Chicks Show in June...if my spring sales are good, this may be a strong possibility!

6) Expand The Farmer's Wife...can't give away too much of my plans right now. I still have some details to iron out. However, stay close to this blog as some fun things will be announced in the next few weeks!

2010 was an amazing year for me and I am so excited about this year. I have a feeling that some great things are going to happen....

HAPPY NEW YEAR!