Tuesday, August 28, 2012

A Rickety Ladder, A Neighbor Grandpa, and a Craft Show Display

 Don't ask me where I got this old ladder.  I can't remember.  It must have seemed like a good idea at the time... but any ladder held together with duck tape is probably not a ladder that will hold a human.  Sorry duct tape dude, Larry or whatever your name is, but it just ain't.  It also wouldn't support the weight of this old door I wanted to use for a display at my craft show.  I needed it by that evening.  It was already 2:00 in the afternoon.  I wanted to paint it yet, and hubby was going golfing after work.  I didn't have time to fiddle with it, since I'm great at leaving projects for craft shows until last minute and didn't have anything priced yet, or even half my signs painted, not to mention one headband made - when my main sellers are headbands!
You can see all the nails sticking out of the door from the last craft show....
 So it's Neighbor Grandpa to the rescue!  He's the grandpa that lives next door to us, hence the name "Neighbor Grandpa".  My kids love him.  I love him.  (But don't let that go to your head if you're readying this, got that?)  I hauled over the old ladder and asked him if he could help me stabilize it.  He looked at me in disbelief and said "KAMMY. Seriously. I have a ladder you can borrow!"  He still thought I was a quack-job but humored me and put all new screws in it, a new piece of wood across the back and got it sturdy enough for me to lean the door on it.
He's pretty sure if I make this picture public, folks will be lining up at his door with their old ladders. You just let me know if you need his services, and I'll get you his number!  Ha.
 I was so excited when he was done that I painted it and the door my favorite color - AQUA!!!  And then it was on to the craft show - which is a sore subject that we won't talk about on here.
Okay, okay, so it still didn't work out quite the way I planned.  I set up the display at home on the paved driveway and it held up great.  In the grass the day of the craft show?  Do you know how embarrassing it is to have your whole display come crashing down when you already feel like you're slightly out of your realm with all of these crafter vendor veterans who have been knitting pot holders and selling them at tractor shows for sixty two years?  And then to have it happen TWICE?!  Thankfully, the craft booth next door took pity on me (The dumb craft-show-amateur-blond) and gave me two tent pegs.  I pounded them into the ground behind each front leg and that did the trick.  Phew!  Thank goodness for great neighbors - at home and at a craft show!
Yeah, I know, that crooked canvas in the middle is bugging me too.


It also makes a fun photo prop!  Woot woot!
Pin It

And YO?  If you haven't entered the giveaway happening now for your chance at winning one of TWO $50 Target Gift Cards, then what on this crazy planet are you waiting for?!  Click HERE to enter!!
The Shabby Nest
Funky Junk's Sat Nite Special
Today's Creative Blog shabby creek cottage

10 comments:

  1. Thank goodness for great neighbors. You items look great. I have a fair coming up in a few weeks and I'm only about 3/4 ready for it. I still have a lot to do.

    Holly

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh Kammy! You have done it again! This is soooo gorgeous! I kinda do know what it's like. I used to do shows with friends and one time our EZ Up caught wind and blew away! Thank God it didn't come crashing down on anyone! That was embarrassing and humbling. I don't think we did many shows after that. I wish I could go to one of your shows! I would love to have a Kammy original (or three).

    ReplyDelete
  3. You cwack me up! Not only are you talented, you're nuts! Nicely nuts.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Elaine took the words right out of my mouth. I love reading about your crafty adventures along with the mishaps! Love the setup, you did great!
    Tami

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm doing my first show and I have no idea how to display my stuff!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I just laughed so much at the first picture, duct tape, duct tape and duct tape... like every ladder in our home!

    off to the home depot giveaway! ;)

    Jan @ door251

    ReplyDelete
  7. I have a ladder just like that! Hmmmm, I think my husband will think I'm nuts if I paint it, he'll think he's next! :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. You and I could swap craft show horror stories. My husband loves to remind me of mine when I get too big for my britches! Your sense of humor saved the day & brightened mine! ;)

    www.kerrybraintree.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. How clever and cool! I am having a shabby apple giveaway if you would like to join!
    Daisy~

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love your comments about not being ready for a craft show and leaving it to last minute! I have a four day one coming up and just started getting ready for it this week,,,what is wrong with me? I now know I am not alone, nothing priced, signs still to finish, growth charts to start making, furniture to refinish...I believe I am Superman (or super woman) as I will probably get it done if I work all night for the next 3 days! It's just what we crafters do. No sense in being prepared...oh no, that would be way too easy and non stressful! Haha.

    ReplyDelete

Comments - Next best thing to chocolate! :) Please let me know you visited!