Monday, February 28, 2011

Flea Market Style starting to show up

For all of you waiting patiently for the merchandisers to get Flea Market Style on the shelves, Your wait is almost over. I have reports from all over the country of it showing up and have found it myself locally at Home Depot and Barnes & Noble.

Just a reminder if you can't find it in your area,
you can order it online from me, I even ship internationally.
See right side bar for ordering information.
I just ordered another batch, as the first batch has already sold out, can you believe it. This is a good sign. Good sales equals future issues, Yea!!!!!

Just the thing to get your junkin juices flowing, with a little winter inspiration


Some new fun Stuff For Etsy

It's been slim pickins around here, but I have found a few fun items recently, Here are some peaks and sneak peaks.
How fun are these wonderful shamrocks for St Patrick's day
All items either on Etsy or soon will be



A couple of fun Enid Collins Bags

Love this candle

Happy Shopping, the name robolady below to view more




Thursday, February 24, 2011

This year's project-The Front Porch


I am truly blessed to have the front porch of my dreams. Literally, I have dreamed of a porch like this all my adult life.

Having always lived in ranch style homes, without much of a porch I've always longed for a country front porch. I feel I have that in this home.

It's only been 6 years since I painted the floor of the porch, but it truly needs it again. This time, I'll get the right kind of paint :)

With our East Texas Humidity, the ceiling of the porch has a lot of mildew discoloration, it will get a good coat of mildew resistant paint this year as well. I'd love to have a couple of ceiling fans out there and that is on my wish list.


I'm going to paint the rockers also, I'm thinking of black, because of the mildew issue.

I want to add a black cap piece to the railing,
Just like the one in the pic below on the left



I'd also like to fix up the landscaping in front of the railing.

Since it is starting to warm up around here I really need to start thinking seriously about this project. I want to get it done before it gets too hot, and Summer is coming.

What is on your Spring To-do list this year??




Sunday, February 20, 2011

It Takes a Village

I just wanted to take a minute to give a shout out to a few of my friends who have also been involved in the latest issue of Flea Market Style

First are Valarie and Michelle of the Red Shed
As you may or may not know they conduct Paris Flea Market Tours and were able to contribute tips, and photo's for an article on page 11. Nice to see you there too Gigi.




My friend Cammie Metheny of Dafadowndilly's is a major junk and project contributor with projects throughout the magazine. She is Ki's junk finder extraordinaire.

Jill of Forever* Cottage played a huge behind-the-scenes roll, and had parts to play with several of the articles. It was a pleasure to meet Jill at the Junk Bonanza in September.


Karla Cunningham, who also happens to be Ki's sister is responsible for lots of the sewing projects, especially in the article on page 44.



And my new friend Ann Perry who has a big part to play starting on page 50. She's blogged about it and you can read all about it on her blog.






Theresa Cano is getting some print recognition for her wonderful blog, see her on page 2.


Sara Smith of Seasons in Carver has a great project featured on page 13.
Jane Hall of Mustard Moon was also involved with several projects, and finding the junk

Amy of Whisperwood Cottage is quoted on page 3.

In addition to the"team" these folks are also part of the team And they are also my friends, and I'm happy to know them.





Thursday, February 17, 2011

What I am NOT

Helping out with this last issue of Flea market Style has been a real eye-opener. I've learned what I am, and what I am NOT. Firstly I am not a writer...

I was, at one point going to be responsible for an article in the magazine. As Ki and I began to talk about it, my anxiety about the project grew exponentially.
I finally just admitted my failings and asked if I could turn it over completely to the writer, who was really doing all the work anyway. Everyone, including you, will be happy that I did. So my short career as a published writer ended before it began, but I am OK with that. As I said,
I learned what I am NOT.

Secondly I realized I am not a Photographer, I am not a Stylist (well actually I knew that to begin with). Watching Heather work on the shoot here in Texas and helping as an "assistant", showed me what a great amount of work and skill is involved in shooting a beautiful magazine article. There is a lot that goes into each and every shot, perfection is really, a lot of work.

So what can I do...Projects. Well actually project.

You can find it on page 96. You'll have to get the magazine to actually see the project, sorry 'bout that. I'd love to show it to you...but...there are rules, and copyrights and all that jazz.


and a how-to on page 136

And yes those are my fingers, and my wonderful Mr R took the pics for the
how- to.

I'm hoping to write a blog post for FMS on how this came about. It was a quick last minute "can you do it?" "Yes I can?" kind of thing. With overnight shipping involved etc. I am truly thankful for the opportunity to contribute in any way I can. I can add this to my life list of experiences, And I look forward to working with the team on the next issue in whatever way I'm needed.
Just not writing, please not writing.








Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Some Flea market Style Information

Hello all, I've been getting lots of emails about several FMS issues and I thought I'd address them here.

1) If you received a tracking # from me (not everyone did) and it says
Your item was accepted at xxx pm on February 14, 2011 in TYLER, TX 75707. Information, if available, is updated periodically throughout the day. Please check again later.
That simply means it was picked up from my location and is on route to you. Please be patient, it will most likely be delivered in a timely manner.

2)Where can I find the magazine to purchase?
It should start showing up in stores by the end of the month. Please check your favorite magazine store regularly over the next few weeks. If you want it now, you can always order it here, see right side bar for ordering information.

3)When will subscriptions be available?
the magazine is published only twice a year at this time and subscriptions are not available.

4)I am living abroad. How can I get a copy?
As far as I know I am the only retailer offering shipping outside of the US. Please see right side bar for ordering information.

5)What will each issue cost?
$9.95 USD if purchased in a store. If purchased by mail, additional shipping fees will apply.

There are several other issues addressed on the Flea Market Style Blog.
FAQ
and
Where to Buy

Please take some time to read these information pages, you may find your question is already answered there.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Magazine Mail Progress-Let's play a game


I just got word that one of the magazines I mailed yesterday has arrived at it's destination in Dallas. Keep me posted as to their progress as you get them.

Instead of "Where in the world is Carmen San Diego",
Let's play where in the world have FMS magazines arrived.
Post their progress here.

Note: this message on the USPS site
"Your item was accepted at 4:20 pm on February 14, 2011 in TYLER, TX 75707. Information, if available, is updated periodically throughout the day. Please check again later. "

Means it was picked up from our location on the 14th, and has not been scanned again since that time. It does not mean you package is lost or in postal limbo. It simply means it's on it's way. :)

Update 2/17: From my random sample tracking, it looks as if most of the US magazines mailed on 2/14 have been delivered. There are lots of happy junkers out there today:) Note: I try to mail magazines within 24 hrs of receiving payment. Except on Weekends. So far I am on schedule.


Flea Market Style First peaks

I've been as excited as you to see this issue of Flea Market Style.

You might think as a "contributor" I'd have all kinds of sneak peaks, but I really haven't. I've had a few if I was involved in any way with the story, but that is it. It has been mostly a mystery for me.

My roll is mainly blog oriented, So I was so thrilled to find my mug on the contributors page.
Just a little FYI,the FMS Blog has a new bonafied writer, Kim Yeager has been putting together some great articles to keep you inspired between magazines and I've been thrilled to work with her. I'm still there, but mostly behind the scenes working out the blogs technical aspects and answering and forwarding emails.



So what exactly did I contribute? I'll answer that in the days to come and give a little bit of some of the behind-the-scenes that I was privy to.

For now, I'll share my first contribution, I was able to provide a
Reader Favorite Small Flea Market suggestion. As were many of our blog readers



This was truly a bloggers contribution to the magazine, and a definite travel reference must-have for when you criss-cross this country looking for those out of the way flea markets, down hidden dirt roads.

Congrats to everyone who was able to get their favorite "secret" flea in the magazine. I'm sure the flea vendors appreciate it as well.

More of my "contributions" tomorrow.
I know this was not much of a sneak peak, but we have to keep some secrets.



Sunday, February 13, 2011

Warm Weather Weekend Winners



The Weather warmed up a bit this weekend and the junk came out of hiding.
I was able to find 2 rusty ceiling panels, lots of shutters (folks keep asking for these) an old doll cradle, an old oil field bucket of some sort and a funky galvanized bucket, that has a hook and a spout.


Thanks to everyone who has written to me telling me the bucket is for feeding baby cows. It had a nipple attached to it. Thank you for clearing up that mystery for me. I didn't grow up around a farm.

Close up of the bucket and cradle. I love this old cradle. The frame is metal the cradle itself is wicker. It's obviously for dolls not babies.


Because of the warm spell I was also able to get the power washer out and clean all this stuff. I hear it's supposed to be good weather all week, so I'm excited to get some stuff done.

Have a great week!


Saturday, February 12, 2011

How to mail over 200 magazines in one day

Please see the bottom of this post for a FAQ on where you can find the magazine Across the nation.

Preparation for mailing bulk quantities of magazines starts early, when you ask your postal carrier for at least 200 Flat Rate Priority mail envelopes.


Which she kindly delivers the next day, Thank you Janna!!!!

Once the big day comes and the anxiously awaited magazines arrive, it's time to get cracking.

I carefully separated all the payments into Domestic, International, those who wanted more than one magazine, etc


Now it's time to enter each and every address into the Priority Mail computer program and print sticky labels. It is near the end of the process that I realized I don't have enough sticky labels and have to print the rest on plain paper.
Which then has to be taped completely to the envelope so it stays on.



Then I called in the Calvary (Hannah) to stuff envelopes while I'm typing away at the computer. Hanna happily gaveup a few hours on her Saturday to come in and help me with this. (well actually I bribed her) Thank you Hannah!!!



Hannah managed to get all these envelopes stuffed sealed and then helped me attach labels, all in just 2 hours. Go Hannah!!!!!!
Each label is checked to make sure the address is correct.

And here they are, all neatly stacked and boxed to make it easy for the mail carrier. I'm sure Janna will appreciate that.



I'll be taking the International ones to the post office on Monday Morning.
Here's an approximate schedule for you to receive your mags.

If you are in TX, OK, or LA you'll probably receive them Tuesday or Wednesday.
Anywhere else in the states (except HI) should see them by the end of the week.
Canada may take more than a week, and Other countries will definitely be more than a week. New Zealand, Sorry girl, but yours may be as much as a month :(

I hope you all receive them quickly and in tact. There are bound to be a few issues, lost ones etc. I hope that there will not be many and that this shipment will go smoothly. Feel free to contact me if you do not receive your magazine in a timely manner and I'll see what I can do.

All new orders, since Friday, will start being shipped on Tuesday.

Thank you to everyone, I know you will enjoy your magazines when you get them.

Margo

To answer a few of your questions:

Where can I get my hands on a new copy of Flea Market Style?
Of course locally, (East Texas) I'll have them at Winnie & Tulula's in Athens and Our Little Corner in Tyler (Noonday).
Nationally...
The Spring 2011 issue will begin showing up in stores in February such as Target, Home Depot, Barnes &; Noble, Walgreens, Walmart, Lowes, CVS, grocery and small retail stores and independent newsstands throughout The United States and Canada. You can order a copy of the Spring 2011 issue by going here. And don't forget that another issue is scheduled for this fall!

When can I purchase it?
The magazine is set to be released in February 2011. Watch the FMS blog as the time draws closer for an exact date and other news.




Thursday, February 10, 2011

It's arrived



Hello all, it looks as if the Magazine is starting to arrive to the small retailers like myself.
Update, Mine have arrived

To all who have pre-ordered, I have not received my boxes yet, but expect them today or tomorrow. If they arrive as expected, I will be working all weekend to stuff them in their priority mail envelopes and get them labeled and off to you by Monday.
Update, it is my whole hearted goal to have most of these shipped by Monday.

Can't wait to see it myself. Update, I've taken a quick look through, and I am amazed. I have heard stories for almost 9 months about antics, and follies behind the scenes and It is fun to finally see the stories and photos I've been hearing about.

I was fortunate to have been part of several sections and I'll reveal all of that later. I can't wait to share with you all. But the mag must get into your hands first.


Margo

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

I'm spending a few days with Mom

I'll be off line for a few days taking care of Mom. She is doing very well, and just needs time to heal.

Be sure to pop over to the Flea Market Style Blog for some great give-aways this week.




STay Warm

Margo

Monday, February 7, 2011

Flea Market Style Cover Reveal


The first step the long awaited Spring Flea Market Style issue has been revealed. Isn't the cover just beautiful. Hopefully we distributors will start receiving our copies soon, so we can get them to you. I have not even seen what is inside (except for a few little sneak peaks here and there) so I'm just as excited about it as you are.

Just an FYI, I have about 200 pre-orders already so it may take a few days to get them all out. I have an assistant all lined up to help me to get the magazines out as quickly and smoothly as possible, once they arrive.

Thank you also to everyone who has offered prayers and support regarding my mother's surgery. She is now recovering and we wait to see if it has helped. You can read the post below for updates.

Have a button for your sidebar below and spread the word.












My Mother is having Surgery Today


I just wanted to send out prayer requests for my Mother who is having Back surgery today for a severely herniated disk.

She has gone from fully mobile and active, to fully immobile in just 4-5 months. She was walking at Thanksgiving and Christmas and cannot walk much now. She's only 67 and has been very active until this. Surgery is scheduled for 5:30 Monday Morning.
Please pray for smooth surgery (no complications) and successful outcome.
I'm sure she doesn't want the world knowing her business so I'll keep her name to myself. God knows who Margo's mom is.

Update:
Spoke to mom on the phone and she sounded good. Said her hip and leg were no longer hurting like they had been, just her back where they did the surgery.
Will be traveling to her house to help care for her either tomorrow or wednesday.
Thank you for all your prayers, and encouragement.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Ruffles & Lace


I don't know if you remember but I've been on the hunt for the perfect ruffled top, without much luck. Well my luck changed last week at Kohl's,
With this pink beauty.

I'll probably wear it with a shrug, as I do have middle aged shoulders and arms.

It's really more pink than purple in real life, and I love it. In case you are wondering it's in the Apt. 9 department of Kohls. They also have a fun black one that I picked up, it has no lace just the ruffles. And unlike most ruffled items, It actually looks good on me.

Because I now have full fledged ruffle and lace fever I began to hunt around on Etsy at what the truly talented ladies are doing with lace and ruffles . I became so INSPIRED I decided to whip out the sewing machine and the stash of old lace, and get to work.


I pulled out an old mis-shapen v-neck tshirt that was one step away from going to good will and began attaching lace and doilies all over the place






then on to a tank top with just added lace on the bottom

I'll probably wear it with a shrug for reasons stated above

Now Miss Pettite here is a size 8 and I am not. Miss pettite has no boobs and I do so that is why I am showing you my creations on Miss pettite, as I may never actually wear them, as they just do not look as great on me. But I am happy with my lace and ruffle experimentation. And I think I may have it out of my system....

but wait, I decided to poke around the Anthropologie site yesterday and fell in love with this top.

and this one

Oh to be a size 8 again.....with cute little ...everything!



Friday, February 4, 2011

Snow in the Piney Woods of East Texas-Wordless Post
















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