Mary Lou's Lounge
The Polka Dot Flea is just 3 months away!
It is held in 21,000 square feet of Air Conditioned bliss! This will be the 3rd annual show I have organized....You've all been on this journey with me...Can you believe this is the 3rd year?
I am in high gear now and have a "To Do" list 2 pages long. I can now cross this off my list...Furnishing "Mary Lou's lounge"
With each year I gain knowledge, what works and what doesn't and try to find ways to enhance or simplify the Polka Dot Flea. I created a lounge last year and it was a huge success, a place for people to meet and greet or maybe
"Sit A Spell" during the show
My Mom loves to take breaks and "People watch" So, I named the lounge after her "Mary Lou's Lounge"
Here she is in HER lounge last year at the Polka Dot Flea...You can read about it HERE
Last year I used all of my personal outdoor furniture to furnish the lounge
It worked great but...We needed to increase the size of the rental truck to haul 3 outdoor tables and 10 heavy iron chairs, not to mention the sweat involved in loading and unloading.
After much thought I had a EUREKA moment....Instead of hauling all of my outdoor furniture, why not rent chairs from the fairgrounds and make cute chair covers
Then for the tables, cover those cheap particle board tables with the screw in legs....Yea!...It's easy to transport, attractive and the bonus.....I had so much fun making the chair covers
I bought chair covers 10 for $20 on line...What a deal! Why didn't I get some years ago to cover my folding chairs I use for big gatherings?
I just happened to have a lot of polka dot fabric....Are you surprised?
Let the fun begin!
Ruffles, sashes, and bows...Oh my!
The flowers could be used on a tote, pillow, clothes or.......Chair covers
I cut out the leaves free hand then sewed them together and gathered at the base of the leaf. Next I folded over a thin strip of fabric, gathered it and rolled it all together. I hot glued the "Flower" on to the the leaf and then onto the sash
Now, instead of filling half a rental truck with chairs and tables I have one plastic bin filled with everything needed to set up "Mary Lou's Lounge"
A great place to meet friends or perhaps just..."Sit a Spell"....And you never know who you might meet at "Mary Lou's Lounge"!
Whose coming to the Polka Dot Flea?
Happy Creating!
Carol
So creative! Plus a back-saver! Can't wait to see more photos at the event.
ReplyDeletewarmly,
deb
What a lovely homage to your mom and such a wonderful respite for shoppers. You are really getting the hang of this "flea" event and making it your own. It sounds fabulous.
ReplyDeleteHi Carol, Love this spot to catch your breath from the shopping and take a little break!! The chair covers and accents are adorable. Great pics and love seeing your sweet mom. Love that you named the lounge after here.
ReplyDeleteHave fun getting ready this year. I know it will be another huge success! xo
Great idea to make chair covers instead of taking all the furniture with you. I can't believe you're doing the show for the 3rd year already, Carol. It feels like you just announced the first one last year. I love your new flea poster.
ReplyDeleteSo cute! You're very creative. Good luck this year.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea plus you can use them again. Inspired!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic time saving idea you've come up with! Your getting to be quite the "professional" aren't ya :-)
ReplyDeletebig hugs,
Cheryl
You always come up with great ideas. I can see young women and their Moms pinning this post in preparation for Spring and Summer weddings. You always go that extra mile to make every thing special.
ReplyDeleteCarol you are the best!!!
Love ya,
Connie :)
What a great idea to have a lounge so that people can re-energize for the next round of shopping. Love your idea of just renting from the fairgrounds then decorating them with your special touches.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant ideas you have and how special to name the "lounge" after your mother. She looks right at home. I remember your first Polka Dot Flea and just knew you would create a huge success. My only wish is that it was closer to me so I could attend and meet you. Your chair covers and polka dot embellishments are divine. Embracing Creative Polka Dot Flea Bliss...
ReplyDeleteI love what you did with the chairs, such a brilliant idea, and am so excited to follow the preparations for the new flea, seeing I cannot be there in person. How wonderful that your mom came! She looks to be having a good time.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
I'm going to start planning my summer vacations around your flea! this looks amazing! You have done so well with these,congrats Carol!
ReplyDeleteSuch a fun idea...I love all of the charming fabrics! Congrats on having your third show coming up!
ReplyDeleteI love to people watch and would very much enjoy sitting there with your Mom! The chairs look far to pretty to sit on - they're gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI think I told you before this was a great idea, and now you've made it easier and even bettah !
ReplyDeleteKnow it will be a fabyoulous show.
Oh, you are so creative! I love those flowers as well as polka dots!
ReplyDeleteDeb
Dear Sweet Carol, Have you noticed that a few of your blogging sisters seem more like cousins or next door neighbors? There are some that I have been corresponding with pretty much since my earliest blogging days and these sweet friends have become very special to me. Then they slow down and don’t blog very often. . . That’s fine, it’s more important to get out there and enjoy your life, but it makes me wonder if there is trouble in their lives, or health issues. Now with you, I do know that this is your busiest time of the year. Putting on our Flea must be exhausting . . . just hoping every thing is fine and wonderful in your corner of the world. You are one of these special people, too me.
ReplyDeleteJust worried about you . . .
Sending my love and prayers,
Connie :)
Love you Connie! All is fine.....The Polka Dot Flea is just one month away...YIkkes! I will be back soon!
ReplyDeleteCarol
Play Bazar Replace your furnace with one that has the Energy Star seal on it. You can save 15 to 20 percent on your month energy costs if you purchase a highly efficient furnace.
ReplyDeletesatta king
I read your article very carefully. I think you should also write article about tape. This will be beneficial for others I guess thank you.
ReplyDeletevisit - A7
ReplyDeleteStunning metal door
ReplyDeletefire door
door lock
panic bar
india travel
forex trading