Let's Party Like it's 2008!

In June of 2008 I went to a yard sael.

Seriously. The sign said "sael". This is the actual sign. hahahaHA!

Piles of junk and more junk, alllll spread out in front of a double-wide: the poster-woman for TRUE redneck (i'm gonna let you use your imagination re: what she looked like. be very creative...) was in charge. And - she LOVED my purse. After purchasing a pillowcase and some belts (even though I was short a quarter!), I got in my car to head home... slightly traumatized by the thought that only a REDNECK could appreciate my pocketbook made out of re.po'd vintage fabrics and other fun stuff.

41 miles.

I was 41 miles away from home. But, you know how it goes... by mile marker 3, I had thought of my business name, "red.neck Chic". By mile marker 9, I had my logo designed in my head. By mile marker 14, I had my tag line (re.defining redneck Style...). By mile marker 17, I had my branding and packaging perfected in my head. All the rest of the miles home saw me jumping in my car seat with excitement and ridiculously happy JOY.

By the time I parked in my driveway, I knew that my passion and business had just collided in the way that is unique to me... and I was off like a crazed roll of duct tape!!!

I started with a small "shop space" in Hillsboro Antique Mall, tucked safe and sound under the stairs.

I had NO CLUE what I was doing... but I had some SERIOUS fun figuring it out!

I continued to grow...

and grow some more!

Then - I decided it was time for my first show with red.neck Chic, sew I hit the road...

and found Jessica and Joe, aka: Funky Finds!

 After that, I felt like I was finding my groove, so I tackled my first outdoor show...

and thought I was going to have to lock myself in to the crazy farm.

To this day, I STILL shudder when I think of the 110 degrees in the shade - on ASPHALT - that happened the day of the Peach Festival.

In between the shows, I got invited in to an art gallery in Dallas...

I've popped my duct tape roll in to various shoppes and boutiques, and I started rolling my duct tape in to Zapp Hall for a few years...

These are the only 2 photos I can find of my various tents over a 3 or 4 year period!

and I kept growing in the Hillsboro Antique Mall.
I moved in to the second side of the mall...

and I eventually spread allllll the way across the back 40 of the second side of the mall.

Other shows, the addition of "soiree's" and popUP shops, expansions to the product lines I offer (fashion. home. life.), and THEN: a second (and NEW!) location inside the Cedar Chest Antique Mall!

And now that we are up to date? It's time to celebrate all of this duct tapin' FUN!!!

Yes... it's belated, but I'm just cool like that. haha!

It's going to be SEW FUN!!! I have swag bags I'm building, and "festive drinks and tasty eats" I'm planning on finding someone to cook (i'm thinking the fire department doesn't need to be involved in this celebration...) for the Soirée... pocketbooks, pearl-snaps, sparkly things, smell good soaps, paper stuff and concrete things - ANYthing and EVERYthing I can think of - for the Soirée and popUP shop!!!

I would love to see you there!!! If I can't, I'll keep you posted over the miles - that way we can both pretend you're there!

comin' to you LIVE from a single-wide where I can't WAIT to see what my next 6 years brings! It's been sew fun this far - can you imagine how many giggles you and I are going to have in the future? hee-hee

 

know what time it is?

It's time for me to pack myself up with a week's worth of clothes, some cowgirly boots, a pair of work gloves, a kitty cat leash, a stage and a big 'ol red.neck grin.

Why?

'Cause I'm Marburger Farm bound!!!

I have chosen not to set up "red.neckville" at Zapp Hall this year since "red.neckville" is spread all across the Universe via my Etsy shop, and reined in (as much as "reining me in" is possible) at The Hillsboro Antique Mall! Those two things - plus a few additional fun adventures to keep me on my toes - all add up to me having more than a full-time job of sewin', junkin' and thinking up new and great red.neck fun! YAY!

INSTEAD:

I am going to keep that pesky kitty Cat Daddy on a leash...

and make sure that Mama Debinator (aka: Talking Trash) gets center stage! (I think I've also volunteered to be her campaign manager since she's running for Prezdent and all!)

While I'm willingly schleppin' along side Mama Debinator and kitty Cat Daddy I will ALSO be harassin' Sweet T (aka: Theresa, Garden Antiques Vintage) who is debuting at Marburger - along with her blog party!  Good grief, do you think Marburger knows what they have gotten themselves in to by having kitty Cat Daddy and Cruz (aka: Mr Sweet T) in the same field? For that matter... have you SEEN Mama Debinator and Sweet T together?

Talk about double-trouble... *shakes head*

At Marburger (when no-one is looking) I will be sticking my duct tape to TOT (aka: Time Worn Interiors), Shelley (aka: Sweet Pea Home) and the most awesome Janet (aka: Talk Sweet Talk)... annnnnnnd anyone else I may run across in that pasture.

I will ALSO be mosey'n down the road to Zapp Hall every chance I get! You'll know me because I will be wreaking COMPLETE havoc everywhere in that cow pasture!!! Richard (aka: Alston's Antiques) was loadin' up an extra chair for me so I could hang out with him and visit the OTHER Richard, Patsy and Bill... then there's THE Carolyn Westbrook (I'm ALL about stalking Carolyn... luckily she rolls her eyes at me and lets me give her grief...) and Sarah (aka: Sarah Smith Salvage Style) and Cheryl and the gang at Royers, and MALissa (aka: Pent Up Photos) and the always beautiful Tricia (aka: Vintage Bliss) and - of course - Amie and Jolie (aka: The Junk Gypsies!) Annnnnnnnd... a whole bunch of other fun people - with some fun JUNK  in between!



I'm worn out just thinking about it all... but I still have to pack!!! Let's see... my cowgirly boots, a truck-load of sparkles, clothes, a pocketbook, my camera, my battery charger, my kitty Cat Daddy leash...

Will I see you there?

comin' to you LIVE from a single-wide where here is a lil' TMInformation and/or FYInformation. Not ONE SINGLE PAIR of my socks match (stupid sock monster that lives in the dryer) - so I'm taking them all. It will be a guess as to what two colors (or patterns... I have some tractors, happy daisies, argyle and some Strawberry Shortcake) I will be wearing each day. See?  TOTAL FUN!!! On your way yet?

You.

While I was at (to quote Mama Debinator) "The Greatest Show on Dirt" I heard and was involved in many conversations re: Blogging vs. Facebook.

Is Blogging a dying art?

Is Facebook taking over?

No.

Wanna know why I say (well... really... I yelled) "no"?

I had a fantastic show in the pasture behind Zapp Hall... but it wasn't necessarily about peddling my wares.

One evening I was sitting at the table in the "Party Tent". I looked around me and was just in awe of the friendship and fellowship surrounding me. Next to me was sitting my adopted Mama, the Trash Talkin' diva herself, "Mama Debinator"...

I wouldn't know or have her as my own if it weren't for blogging. Debbie is that fun-size bundle of love, personality and heart that I will never be able to thank God enough for handing me. Now she can't get rid of me. *insert evil laugh here*

I looked to my left to gaze at my newest beautiful friend, Pam from "One Gal's Trash"...
I wouldn't know her and adore her if she hadn't come from Portland, Oregon to meet "Mama Debinator" and Sue that SHE met through blogging.

Therefore, I wouldn't know Pam and forever be her stalker if it weren't for blogging.

I looked to Pam's left and grinned my goofy grin because there sat Sue from Vintage Rescue Squad cracking us all up. Ask her about speed dating sometime...

I wouldn't know and adore Sue if it weren't for blogging. Or... maybe I should say... I wouldn't have blackmail stories on Sue if it weren't for blogging. Do I plan on meeting up with her BEFORE the next show in Warrenton? You betcha. I'm a stalker... I will stalk her.

And to Sue's left sat my adopted sister, Kristi. There are no words to describe Kristi, so I'm not even going to try. But, I will say, she is one person that I hope to have in my life for the next 89 years. Many many many slumber parties where even while talking we will be watching the woods for Yeti's.

And... I wouldn't know Kristi if it wasn't for blogging.

That was just the few of us sitting around the table... I couldn't even BEGIN to name all who wandered in and out, braving the cow pastures and junk piles, drawn in to visit and dive in to conversation by the tie that binds...

we are all "bloggers".

Facebook is just as equally important to me, don't get me wrong. I adored each and every person that came up to me with a grin on their face saying, "I follow you on Facebook". It was so wonderful to meet you!!! I Thank You for reading my crazy status updates and following along with my shenanigans... half the time I'm not even sure what I'm doing - so I can't imagine what you think! LOL

I will admit - with one picture and one sentence - Facebook is an easier way to reach each of you - touch base with you and see what you're up to.

Would I ever quit blogging in favor of Facebook? No. Why? Because - for me - it is near impossible to build a relationship - adopt a family - fall in love - in one status update.

Through blogging I have built and added on to friendships and love by YOU reading and listening to my insanity - ME reading and listening to YOUR insanity... I've laughed with you, cried with you, celebrated with you and watched you create your magic...

and if I haven't met you yet, you can bet your roll of duct tape I want to. And I hope to. After all... you need a crazy red.neck stalker, right?

I THANK YOU for sharing you with me.


comin' to you LIVE from a single-wide where this post is proof... there is no way I could have told you how important you are to me in one status update...

here i am!!!

I didn't forget about you - I promise!!! I am set up and sellin' at Zapp Hall in Warrenton, Texas! Gonna come see me?! You might catch a glimpse of the CAT Daddy and his Trash Talkin' Diva or you might see Retreauxgirl... or you might see Threadbare Soul... or you might see some barbed wire from Duct Tape and Denim... or you might see some duct tape wallets from FringeBoy...

or I'll show you my duct tape!!!

comin' to you LIVE from a cow pasture!!!
;-D  Robelyn

busy fishing feet and polka dots UPDATED

I'm getting ready for Warrenton/Zapp Hall and I'm staying:

Cutting and sewing, sewing and cutting, painting, packing, pricing... sewing and sewing and sewing, painting...

Several of my paint jobs are on hold until the flood waters go down. This is Texas... we go from extreme drought to flood warnings in the blink of an eye. Or... like a flash of lightnin'!

I won't admit to how much time I spent this morning looking for tad-poles in my front yard.  *smile*

My hands are really clean from making soap yesterday. As I was making the soap I wondered how they get the tiny seeds off of fresh strawberries so that I can put them in my soap. Yes, I could be a tad bit over-worked, but one does have to wonder... right?

I've taken my fair share of naps and side-trips in the middle of the bizzyness...

one was to the "Robelyn, you've been going so fast yer out of "make-it" supplies" store where they had some fun silk flowers:

because every girl has to have some polka-dots in her life (and these are the only kind of flowers I can grow.).  *snicker*

Now - after spending the morning at the Dr's office with the "resident teen" who woke up in the middle of the night with a stinging foot that has turned purple and red and is swollen up like a blow fish (we're waiting on x-rays right now)...

Edited to add: The x-rays came back and there are no broken or fractured toes! So... he's on 10 days of antibiotics aka: HORSE PILLS (good GRIEF they are HUGE!) and we're watching to make sure the bruising goes away and streaks or any other weird toe things don't happen!

I'm going to sew and paint and create and package and price SEW fast it's gonna look like I have electricity runnin' through my feet.



Oh WAIT!

comin' to you LIVE from a single-wide where yeah... I realize the foot lamp is slightly uhmm... crazyinsanemorbidcertifiable... different... but it's TOTALLY giggle worthy at the same time. LOLOL

p.s. if you aren't busy right now i'll take your help... we can discuss all of the ways they might get tiny strawberry seeds off of fresh strawberries and i'll pay you in soap, feet, purses... rain water... whatever you would like. *big cheesy grin*

Funky FUN!

the land o' duct tape and red.necks... complete with the ever-present 12.5" fringe bags!

Happy Tuesday!!!

Yesterday was all about un.loading and un.packing from the Funky Finds Spring Fling... if I didn't see you there - I SEW wish I had!!! It was FUN!!!  I tell ya... Joe and Jessica - the CEO's and master-minds of Funky Finds - are two of the best and their shows are my favorite to do. I never drive home without a smile on my face!

Talk about LOTS o' PEOPLE... it was a packed house on both days and I'm such a nerd that I took pictures first thing Saturday morning... then was so busy the rest of the week-end I forgot about my camera! But... I will tell you - I got to hang out with some of my favorites!

First Up:

i stole this photo from Linda's facebook page! sssshhhhh.......

Linda Kinnaird Jewelry. (you can find her HERE!) I get tickled every time I get to visit with Linda... she has a FANTABULOUS creative mind and is an absolute JOY to visit with. Guess what... you didn't miss your chance to meet her... she will be at the Petticoats on the Prairie show this week-end in Waxahatchie! I think I'm going to go harass her again myself...

And, YAY! Again this show I was right across from Sheryl of ReWind Art Studios!

There is so much trouble Sheryl and I could get in to... she's incredibly fun to have as a neighbor - and talent? Good grief she has it... can you imagine the patience and thought that goes in to each mosaic piece?!

Then I got to chat with the cutest lil' Texas gal you will ever see! Ashley of:

I stole her blog header... ssssshhhhh......

Ashley was there with her GORGEOUS sparkles and slips... I didn't get around the corner with my camera, but I will show you what I walked away with last fall:

it's one of my favorite bracelets to wear! Don't worry - you still have a chance to catch up with Ashley and her posse at Petticoats on the Prairie this week-end... and I'm so excited - she's going to come visit me at Zapp in a couple of weeks! You'll know ME by my to-die-for bracelet - and Ashley (and her mother!) by her signature red.neck Chic fringe bag!

ya'll come back now...

comin' to you LIVE from a single-wide where I am duct taped to the sewing machine... Zapp Hall/Antiques Week/Warrenton is just around the corner.... yikes!!! What are YOU up to?!

it's almost time...

Funky Finds Spring Fling... I have 9 days left to sew, price, make stuff, price, sew... what am I going to wear... sew, make stuff...

And I am excited! I can't wait to haul along everything I've been making! Will I see you there?

comin' to you LIVE from a single-wide where my sewing machine can't keep up with my brain. Or, is it me that can't keep up with my brain? Hmmm.... I could have a new reality show: "red.neck brain gone wild..."



P.S. When I get back it's gonna be time to sew some more and load up for Zapp Hall... or to quote the infamous trash talkin' Mama Debinator: "The Greatest Show on Dirt"! Are you busy? ;-D

First and Foremost...

I want to thank each and EVERY one of you for your words of encouragement, thoughts and prayers... I'm tellin' you... I could NOT do this without you!!! If I could grab each of you and give you a big ol' red.neck hug, I would. But... you're there and I'm here - so let's pretend I'm hugging you - and thanking you. And hugging you.

As it stands now, I'm taking a leap of faith. I'm listening to God's plan for me. I'm giving red.neck Chic all I've got for the next month and a half. I keep swinging from sheer panic to giddy excitement - sometimes all in one breath! I have stood in the middle of the single-wide on several different occasions and screamed, "oh my gosh! i don't have a job!!!"! After I quit hyperventilating in the closest pocketbook, I then think "yes you do. get busy". Never once have I had a "full-time" chance to do nothing other than make things...

any things. All kinds of things! Who knows what will be under the red.neck tent at Zapp Hall or danglin' from the ceiling at the Funky Finds Spring Fling (heck - I, MYSELF could be dangling from the ceiling!) but I can tell you...

there's going to be a variety! Have you ever come across: "robelyn's brain un-leashed"? No? Me neither. *giggle*



I have been... sewing. Spray painting. Sewing. Re-upholstering. Sewing. Duct tapin' some pendants. Sewing some more... playing in the dirt... sewing... making lamps... raiding barns... sinking stuff in to concrete... sewing...

all with no make-up on. In my pajammies. With my hair sticking straight up like the redneck girly version of Alfalfa.

comin' to you LIVE from a single-wide where I'm thinking that I LIKE the fact that my work wardrobe now consists of Spongebob, neon polka dots, multi-colored pigs and fluffy penguin pajammys... if ya'll see me on the "people of WalMart" web-site in my jammy pants please please stage an intervention...