SPRING ENTERTAINING CLASSES

Hello!  I am so ready for Spring!!  It has felt extra cold, wet and gray this winter and this girl is looking forward to some sunshine.  Anywho, I am excited to announce the details for the Spring Entertaining Classes......

The Fall Entertaining Class sold out really fast, I am hoping to be able to accommodate more ladies by offering two, smaller workshops.  I will post more details in the coming weeks.  In the meantime, grab a girlfriend and sign up, it's going to be a lot of fun!!!

before + after || upstairs offices and workshop area at the shop

Last week Matt finished the upstairs office + workshop space!

We bought this old house turned retail building just over a year ago.  We wanted to have the upstairs finished before our grand opening (March 27th, 2016) but we just ran out of time....and money was running out too!  I am so glad we waited!  After being at the shop, we figured exactly how we would use the space, and that is different from how we originally thought we would use the space!

Here are some BEFORE pictures....the upstairs space was originally 3 bedrooms.  It had three layers of wallpaper, over drywall.  The floors were yucky, the windows were rotting, the lighting was bad, and it was hot in the summer and cold in the winter.

We removed all of the wallpaper and drywall.  Under all of those layers, we found shiplap!  We sanded it and sprayed it white.  Matt spent a lot of time sanding and spraying those walls...they really look amazing!

We sprayed all of the doors with a pure black satin paint.  The doors and hardware are original!

We added can lights and two sconces in the workshop area.  We also added new engineered hard wood flooring, the same that we have downstairs.  The HVAC was updated to make the space comfortable and we replaced the windows with new wood windows.  Can you believe these darling built-ins?  I love, love, love the character of old homes!

My Christmas present from my sweet hubby, was this amazing table!  He used white oak for the top, which matches my downstairs shelving, and he welded the base, which also matches my shelving.  They had to bring it up in two pieces because it is so big and heavy!  It's perfect for classes and workshops!  I am one lucky girl!!

It's a blank canvas at this point!  I still need to fill the office spaces, but I am not in a huge rush.  I love it simple and clean so I am just enjoying it as it is!

xoxo

Darci

fall entertaining class || a creative class at the cottage

A few weeks ago I hosted my 3rd annual FALL ENTERTAINING CLASS.  It was such a fun evening and I think the ladies had fun too!  The weather held out and it was a cool, cloudy Fall evening.  Just perfect for a night of friendship, food and creativity!

The girls and I decorated the front porch with colorful pumpkins and different squash, as well as a few mums and ornamental kale.

Each lady received a SWAG bag to take home.....just a fun little bag full of goodies and another way to say THANK YOU!

We made new friends, created pumpkin succulent centerpieces, enjoyed yummy food and drinks.  I think it's safe to say that each and every one of the beautiful ladies that attended, walked away with a full heart and a head full of fun and easy entertaining and decorating ideas!

Thank you to Brittany Rossman Photography for capturing the evening in photos!

Thank you to each and every one of the ladies who attended!

And thank you to my mama who helped me serve the ladies that evening....

Happy Thanksgiving friend!!

xoxo~Darci

SPRING FLING EVENT is postponed……until summer ;-)

We are postponing the Spring Fling Event.  So sorry ladies, but I just had too many un-planned things come up.  I plan on having a summer event and the Queen Bee girls and I are already planning another Fall event!!

I will be back in tomorrow with a Boston Cream Pie Cutie recipe….you won't believe how good these little treats are!!!

JANUARY GIVEAWAY :: a giveaway each month in 2014

Good Monday morning and Happy New Year!  I think with the new year right around the corner, it's a good excuse to start having monthly give aways!  Right?!?  I love to give gifts and I know we all like receiving them.    My customers and clients are the best.  Seriously, you guys are so supportive and I appreciate your business and the opportunity to get to know you!

Plus, it's an excuse to get more Chalk Paint® into the hands of my lovely customers!

DISCLAIMER ::  OK, I will work on my photography skills. Since I have very few, this may take a while!  I apologize for the lousy pictures that follow ;-}

1.  WARM AND COZY print from this darling website, and a red frame.

2. Chalk Paint® color card.  These sell for $5 at the shop and they are quite popular!

3. A cute little spiral notebook.  I have these little cuties stashed everywhere!  One for my ever growing grocery list, one for notes, one for little hands to color, etc.

4. a 4 oz. sample pot of LOUIS BLUE Chalk Paint®.  These little guys sell at the shop for $11.95.  They are perfect for painting picture frames, a little side table, lamps and so much more.

5. not pictured ::  home made fudge to enjoy as you paint your little project!

So, here it is.  A sweet little give away to get your creative juices flowing!

THE DETAILS ::

You have three ways to be entered!  You can do one, or all three!  If you already 'like' MD HANEY & CO. on Facebook and receive the blog posts via email, thank you!!!

1. If you are on the BLOG page of the website, at the top right hand corner you will see a spot to enter your email address.  When you fill that out, you will receive blog posts via email (2-3 times per week).

2.  Like MD HANEY & CO. on Facebook.

3.  Leave a comment at the end of this post, saying what you would paint with Chalk Paint®.

Easy-peasy and so fun!  The give away will be open for the entire month of January, the winner will be announced on the website and Facebook January 31st!

Have a great week and thank you for a wonderful 2013!!

FIRST FRIDAY :: bring your own furniture

A few weeks ago I was chatting with a sweet friend of mine.  {She paints furniture and re-purposes old pieces into little gems.  We met this Spring.....she buys Chalk Paint® from me, and she has become a dear friend! I am so happy our path's crossed!!!} Anyways, she threw out the idea of me opening up the work room to the public.  A space where local people can come create.  I loved it!  Below are the details.....

FIRST FRIDAY || the details

What :: bring your furniture/lamps/frames {whatever you want to paint} and use our work room to paint and create!

When :: the first friday of every month

Time :: 1pm-4pm, come and go as you please during that time period

Where :: the design studio, 543 west main street, carlton

Cost :: $10

Extra Details :: bring your own Chalk Paint® and wax, or purchase when you come.  The work room space, brushes, rags, and tools will be available for you to use.  I will also be around to answer questions!  Not to mention we will have hot drinks and tasty treats ;-)  No need to RSVP, just show up!

Hope to see you Friday!

A SEASON OF THANKFULNESS

Wednesday night I was hit hard with a stomach bug.  Oh it was bad.  Maybe worse than childbirth?!?  Not sure.  Regardless, it's been several years since I was so sick.  As I laid in bed Wednesday night, I prayed that my little ones wouldn't get sick.

They didn't.

And I was reminded once again that I have so much to be thankful for!

Thankful that I get to squeeze this face every.single.day.

Thankful that I get to tuck this one into bed every.single.night.

Thankful for the luxury of grocery shopping and the ability to fill my refrigerator on a regular basis.

Thankful for a little chunk of earth to grow a garden.....even in the winter.

Thankful for a child healthy enough to play outside.

The door leading to our garage is right next to our kitchen.  I painted part of the door with Chalk Board paint, it's a fun place to right messages and notes.

Every day for the month of November, I have seen this reminder on my kitchen door ~ 'today we are thankful for....'

I often forget that this is the season of intentional gratefulness.  I sometimes have to stop myself in my busy tracks and say thank you.  I take so much for granted.  Motherhood has taught me to be intentional.  To stop and pay attention.    To notice the simple joys in life, because I might not have tomorrow.... 

EASY HALLOWEEN NIGHT MENU :: easy home made dinner

I love to host parties and have friends and family over for any occasion.  Sometimes I have the time to prepare food and decorate, other times I don't.  I always want my focus to be on just spending time together, now how perfect everything looks or tastes!  I have found the more complicated I make food and entertaining, the more I am stressed and tired, and the food typically doesn't even turn out that good! We are having a few friends over for a quick Halloween dinner.  We all have littles to take trick-or-treating, so it will be a quick dinner, a stop in between the Halloween festivities!

I know we all have our 'go-to' easy-peasy meals, but I thought I would share a couple of my favorites!  These dishes have to pass the test of easy, tasty and can-be-made-in-advance!

Here is our Halloween menu ::

home made HERBED RICOTTA with pita chips

This home made herbed ricotta is so good....and so easy!!!  {I use the ricotta for the lasagna.}

EASY LASAGNA

I love this lasagna because it is easy and versatile.  I can make it the night before and just keep it in the refrigerator until an hour before dinner!

CRANBERRY & AVOCADO SALAD

 PW CHEESY GARLIC BREAD {half with garlic and half without garlic for the kiddos}

And for drinks :: HOT COCOA and HOT APPLE CIDER

I figure we won't have any dessert since we will probably be eating too much candy ;-)

I hope have a great Halloween!!

NOW OFFERING :: balloons

 I think it's safe to say that we all love a good party!

I have been slowly adding party and entertaining items to the shop.  Growing a collection of items that I use, and want to make readily available for all of you!

With the various events I have hosted and coordinated, I have always had a problem getting balloons.  I can't find the color or shape I want, and I am limited to how many I can purchase {because of the helium shortage}.

So, I just decided to purchase balloons in bulk and lease a helium tank.  Now I always have access to balloons!!

You can also purchase them for your next event!!  So fun right?!?  I will have more details to come.  In the mean time, we are enjoying balloons for every occasion ;-)

FALL VINTAGE SALE :: a few pics

On Friday, the Queen Bee {Emily and Anne} and I hosted a Fall Sale.  It was A.LOT.OF.WORK but so much fun!!  It was too crazy busy Friday night to snap any pictures of the actual sale, or any pictures with us girls.  But, I did snap a few photos as we were setting up....

We lucked out with AMAZING Fall weather.  Especially considering the nasty windy and rainy weather we had for the 10 days leading up to the sale!!

We loaded the front porch with treasures and we had some fun things out in the front yard as well.

Friday night's preview sale was crazy!  People started filtering in around 4:45 {it started at 5pm} and we didn't have a minute to breath until 8:15 {it ended at 8pm}!

Anne and Emily brought some beautiful furniture pieces!!

We had 7 vendors {including me and the Queen Bee girls}.  All of the girls were so easy to work with!!  Not to mention hard workers and super creative.  I am bummed that I didn't snap a picture of Amy with all of her beautiful baked goods!!

Fun.....right?!?!

The interior of the studio was filled to the brim!

MIX fabrics is this adorable new fabric shop in Lafayette.  Super cute fabrics and fun vintage + handmade items!!

Anne's mom {Barb} made these beautiful velvet pumpkins.  Aren't they beautiful?!?

Anne made these darling Fall signs....I now have one on my back deck and I love it!!

I made some signs, bunting, garlands, wreathes, and had other home decor items from the studio.

I also had the chance to talk 'Chalk Paint' with some new customers.  It was a wonderful weekend!!  But, I am happy to now have extra time to snuggle and love on my littles!  They were great sports {not to mention my amazing husband} to put up with me being gone so much over the weekend.

I am so very blessed to be surrounded by lovely friends and a wonderful family!!

The Queen Bee girls and I are tired....but there was a little talk of a Christmas event.....who knows.....{wink wink}

xoxo~Darci

FALL VINTAGE SALE :: the vendors

We are getting last minute preparations finished for our Fall Vintage Sale. It's going to be a great weekend....and the weather forecast looks promising!!

I have been working on little projects for the sale.

I can't wait to see what THE QUEEN BEE girls bring!!  Anne and Emily are so talented....and they are super sweet!

The girls of MIX FABRICS are bringing their love of fabric to the sale.  They have a great collection of vintage dishes, awesome fabrics and all sorts of ridiculously cute items.  I can't wait to see how they set everything up!

Blue Raven is going to be selling their delicious pies...and there equally delicious {and even cuter} mini pies.

Kristen will be ushering in Fall with her beautiful Fall floral arrangements and other creative items.....Amy will be baking some delicious sweet treats......

It's going to be a fun time.  And, from the way things are shaping up, you may want to come Friday night to be sure to have first dibs at all of the goods!!

See you next weekend!!

xoxo~Darci

SAVE THE DATE :: a fall sale

Just a quick note to say  SAVE THE DATE  girls!

Some super talented friends are teaming up to host a Fall Vintage Sale.  More details to come!!

FALL EVENTS & CLASSES :: at a glance

Hello and happy Saturday!

I am just popping in to let you know that I updated the FALL SCHEDULE.  I will be sure to showcase each event as the time gets closer.  I am really excited for the Vintage Sale October 4th and 5th.  I am teaming up with some super talented ladies and we are going to have ourselves a fun, Fall inspired Vintage Sale.  And of course I LOVE hosting the entertaining classes, it's going to be a fun Fall for sure!  More details to come!!

Have a lovely weekend!

A WALK IN THE PARK :: a few photos

This was my first year participating as a vendor in Carlton's a Walk in the Park.  I have volunteered and attended in the past, but never participated.  It was a blast!  There is no way I could have done it, or enjoyed it so much, if it wasn't for my dear husband.  He is most definitely a keeper!!

Of course I forgot to snap any photos after I set up, or after the first day.  I snapped a few photos on Sunday {the second day of the event} but I had already sold half of my pieces so the tent was looking a bit sparse!

It was such a fun time and I have to say it exceeded my expectations.

What a blessing to live in such a great community!!

And, on a second note....we randomly picked the winner of the Breakfast Basket!  I am not very technical, I wrote all of the names {there were 78.....thank you!!!} on old business cards and Addilyn drew them out of a basket!

I will contact you Miss Lori Jones!

Have a lovely day!!  The girls and I are off to go re-organize the design studio....it looks like a tornado blew through there!!

~Darci

A COUPLE OF GIVE AWAYS :: to celebrate Carlton's Walk in the Park

Hello friends,

We are super excited to be participating in Carlton's a Walk in the Park this year!  We have volunteered and attended almost every year, but never participated.  In all honesty, I feel completely overwhelmed at trying to get a booth together, but I know it will all work out.....it always does!  Matt is going to help me at the booth all weekend, and we always have fun together, so I am looking forward to spending some time with my man!!

 We will have some special incentives, gifts and give-aways for you guys, it's going to be great!

Sign up {via the blog} to receive blog posts directly to your inbox, and 'like' us on FACE BOOK, and you will be entered for a chance to win a breakfast picnic basket.

The basket will be full of great breakfast items.....coffee, baked goods, jam, honey and more....a $75 value.

**If you already receive our blog via email, and have "liked" us on FACEBOOK, just leave a comment and I will enter your name in the drawing.**

Come visit us as Carlton's a Walk in the Park.

Purchase $200 work of Chalk Paint supplies, and receive a free FARM BELLE  jam, honey creame or marion berry syrup.

Farm Belle products are locally made and they are sooooo tasty!

We will also have Chalk Paint demonstrations, custom painted furniture {for sale} and all sorts of fun things!  Looking forward to seeing you next weekend!

Oh, and the design studio will not be open next Friday, August 16th.

We will be setting up our booth.  If you need supplies, just call or email and I can meet you at the design studio and get you stocked and ready to paint!

xoxo~Darci

FREE PRINTABLES :: a cute way to celebrate every day

It's a fact,  I function best when I am organized.

I have become a lot more relaxed after having kiddos, but I still like my "to-do" list.

You may already know about The TomKat Studio.  But, if not, you should check out her website.  She has inspiring party ideas, and some fabulous tutorials.

One of my favorite sections of the website is the 'Free Printables'.

I just wanted to share this fun resource with you girls.  I know you will love, love, love the ideas, inspiration and adorable printables!

Happy Creating!!

CARLTON'S WALK IN THE PARK :: August 17th & 18th

One of the many things I love about our darling little town, is the annual Walk in the Park festival.

The food is always a treat, the wine is flowing, the live entertainment is super fun and the art vendors are extremely talented.

For the past 8 or nine years, I have volunteered.  It's always a fun excuse to see neighbors and a great way to support our sweet little town.

This year, I will be attending as a vendor.  Not quite sure how it all happened, but I will be there {with bells on of course}!  I have started compiling a list of the different items I want to make to sell.  I am super excited to be a part of this wonderful event.

Hopefully you will stop by and say hello!!

**all of these fun photos are from the Walk in the Park website**

AND THE WINNER IS :: a giveaway

At the Open House last weekend, we had a little drawing for gals who signed up to receive periodic newsletters from MD HANEY & CO.

The winner receives 2 dozen freshly baked chocolate cookies {I am thinking double chocolate chip with sea salt, but I haven't quite decided}, and a beautiful bouquet of flowers!  All delivered to the front door, or place of work.

So fun....right?!?

And, the winner is....

Betsy, I will email you to get your address and find out when I can drop off "the goods!"

Have a lovely weekend ladies!

PS~  If you would like to sign up for the newsletter, just leave a comment and I will be sure to add you to the list!!

OPEN HOUSE :: and inspiring creativity

Thank you to all of the lovelies who made their way to Carlton to help us celebrate our Open House!  Friday marked our first official day of this new chapter in our business.  I have dreamed {for years} of having a creative space to inspire others and work on projects.  I feel so blessed to now be at that point in my life!

Every Friday, the design studio will be open from 9am-7pm.

My little collection of home decor, vintage items and handmade goods continues to grow.  My hope is to have items rotating every week.  So, for the fabulous gals {and men} who want to stop by every week, there will always be something new and different.  We will have our various classes every month in the new workroom Matt remodeled.  Once I have finished decorating the workroom, I will post pictures!

I am really excited to offer unique and fun party supplies!  I always struggle with finding items I want when it comes time to throw a party.  I searched high and low to find my favorite items.  There are still items I want to add, but this way it is super easy for YOU to find little treasures when you are ready to throw a party!

My little assistant truly is a joy to be around!  She loves helping and 'painting'.  What a treat to get to be with my sweet little girls all day.  Some days they drive me crazy, but I know before long they will be in school and I will miss all of our times together!

Thanks again to new friends and old friends that made their way to Carlton this weekend, it truly was a treat!

Have a lovely holiday!

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND OPEN HOUSE :: at the design studio