I honestly can’t imagine how it’s possible that an entire decade has passed since I began q is for quandie, but today is my 10th blogiversary!
I’ve shared 10 years worth of projects both large, like painting my baby grand piano …
and small, like painting this little dollhouse dresser …
I’ve shared interior decorating projects, like our principal bedroom makeover which included refinished floors, a shiplap wall and an antique headboard modified to fit a queen size bed.
I’ve also shared exterior decorating projects, namely the potting shed. In fact, I’ve redone that one three times since I started the blog!
I’ve also shared 10 years of gardening successes, like my gorgeous Limelight hydrangeas …
and gardening failures, like that dang lilac hedge.
One of these days that thing is going to finally look good! I’ve added some winter protection to the newest lilac additions to keep the rabbits from nibbling on them this year and hopefully that will help them thrive!
I’ve also shared a decade of travel with you guys, to both local destinations, like Duluth …
or Bemidji …
and destinations a little further out, like Charleston …
and Sedona …
and even locations way further out, like Malta …
and Split, Croatia …
and most recently, the Netherlands.
Then of course there is Disneyland …
and Disney World.
I’ve worked with a lot of different paint brands over the years, starting with Miss Mustard Seed’s milk paint.
And Homestead House milk paint …
and The Real Milk Paint Co’s milk paint.
I’ve also shared some brands of acrylic paint, like Fusion …
and the Silk line from Dixie Belle Paint Co.
I’ve also used something that The Chippy Barn calls Amulent Paint, which was “created with a special type of ceramic technology,” whatever that means.
I’ve also worked with quite a few different brands of chalk style paint like The Urban Rooster and Annie Sloan.
Little Billy Goat …
and even the short lived Rachel Ashwell line of chalk paint.
I think Annie Sloan might be the only one of those paint brands that’s still available.
And then of course there is my favorite chalk style paint, Dixie Belle.
I’ve also shared too many projects to count with transfers on them. I served as a content creator for re.design with prima for a while, until they wanted me to agree to be exclusive to their brand.
I just couldn’t agree to that when there are other brands like Iron Orchid Designs out there too.
I love I.O.D.’s style, and their paint inlays are fabulous as well.
I’ve also created a few projects for Wallcutz stencils.
As well as Ellen J Goods stencils …
and Gone Paintin’ stencils.
I’ve definitely come a long way since I first started blogging back in 2013. Actually, I’m a little embarrassed when I look back at some of my earlier blog posts. Not only have my painting skills improved, but so have my photography and writing skills.
When I first began blogging my goal was to last five years. At the time it seemed like that was the average lifespan for most of the blogs out there. I figured I’d have had enough of it after five years. But that blogiversary came and went and I kept at it.
I came rather close to giving up the blog back in 2021. I was very overwhelmed by my day job and I didn’t think I would be able to continue with both the full time (plus!) job and the blog. Fortunately Mr. Q helped convince me that giving up the job was the better choice and I took an early retirement, probably one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
Now here we are in 2023 and after a decade of blogging you might wonder where I’m headed from here and the truth is that I don’t really know. I’m sure you’ve noticed that I’m doing far less furniture than I used to. I’ve been finding it more and more difficult to sell my painted furniture pieces. I’m not sure if that’s because my particular vintage sort of style is on the way out, or if it’s because the market has become saturated with furniture painters, or if it’s simply because I just haven’t been putting as many pieces out there. Back in the early days my furniture typically sold within the first week of posting it on Craigslist or Marketplace. Now I have pieces that take months to find their new home and when that happens I lose my motivation to paint more furniture.
That being said, I still absolutely love blogging and I don’t want to give it up just yet. So I’m going to keep plugging away for now and just see where the wind takes me. You’ll definitely see more posts about holiday decorating, gardening, travel and plenty of toolbox makeovers. So I hope you’ll stay tuned!
Now, of course, I want to celebrate this milestone blogiversary with a giveaway!
I’m including lots of fun goodies including some of my favorite Dixie Belle products; clear B.O.S.S., Drop Cloth, Caviar, Gator Hide, Big Mama’s Butta, Sea Spray, the Farmhouse silk screen stencils, a paint brush and some of their Scrubby Soap. I’m also including 4 of my stenciled drop cloth Christmas stockings …
and finally a revamped toolbox.
The rules for today’s giveaway: Simply leave a comment on this blog post. I would love to hear if you have a favorite project or blog post of mine. Please forgive me if I don’t respond to comments right away because I’m actually off in Mexico at the moment!
Speaking of which, I don’t have any other posts scheduled for the coming week. I’m taking a week off to celebrate 10 years of blogging! But back to the rules …
Your comment must be left on this blog post, not on Facebook or Instagram. You are not required to follow my blog, or follow my Facebook or Instagram accounts, although it would be awesome if you did!
I will randomly draw the name of a winner for today’s prize from all of the comments left on this post by Sunday, December 3, 2023 at the stroke of midnight (U.S. Central time).
The fine print: no purchase necessary, you must be 18 years of age or older to win, void where prohibited by law, the number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning, approximate retail value of prize is $380, if the prize is not claimed by Friday, December 8, 2023 another name will be drawn at random to win, blah, blah, blah.
Thank you to Dixie Belle Paint Co for supplying most of the items I’m giving away today!
q is for quandie 
Happy blogaversary to you Quandie! Have so enjoyed your blogging and here’s to 10 more years. The thing I love most about your blog is the variety of projects, travel, and the ordinary, everyday joy of home! Have a fun trip and excited to see what 2024 brings.
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Congratulations 🎉🍾. I’ve missed years of your work but so thrilled when I found you a few years ago. Please keep your knowledge, skills, and creativity coming. Thanks🥳
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Congratulations on 10 years blogging and revamping furniture, tackleboxes and more; as well as all your gardening and photography skills. As good as you were at your day job, you really shine at your “extra” job! Thankfully, you and Mr. Q made a great decision on early retirement! Looking forward to many more posts…oh, and Happy Birthday!
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Congrats on 10 years! I’m not sure how long I’ve been following, but it’s been many years. Lots of great inspiration and fun ideas. I’ve always admired your staging as well. Thanks and hope there are many more years!
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I’m really, really glad you chose to give up the day job instead of your creative and fun job. Your projects have inspired me to complete some similar ones of my own that would never have happened otherwise. My favorite furniture piece was the black dresser that didn’t seem to sell which was so surprising to me. I thought it was so cool and priced well. I would have bought it in a heartbeat. I loved your white antique wooden toy truck with the nutcrackers onboard. I found a similar one on eBay and painted it navy blue and added the wallcutz reindeer food stencil. My family was very impressed. So thank you for your 10 years of sharing your talents and creativity. Please keep it coming! Oh, and I also enjoy the gardening as well although many of the plants you grow wouldn’t last a week here in the Deep South summers.
Have fun in Mexico and safe travels.
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Happy 10 years! What an accomplishment! I’ve been following for many years now and I do have to say how much I miss your furniture makeovers. I totally get it that you don’t but I just soooo enjoy them! Your creativity motivates me as well. Congrats and enjoy! I recently retired as well – turned 65 though so a bit older than you but I love it. Gives me much more time to work on my antique booth!
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Congrats on ten years…and growing! I love the painted furniture/toolbox ideas! Now if only I had the talent to do them!! Enjoy your vacation instead of the snow!
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Congrats on the 10 years. I’ve been reading for a few years now and find it interesting how you work through a project. Do you think the general economy might have something to do with the lack of furniture sales? Keep up the great work!
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My absolute favorite blog was the transformative painting of the grand piano, though at first I thought you might have lost your mind doing something so ‘drastic’! Of course, I was immediately smitten by the results!
I love looking at all your projects’ before photos, wondering what on earth you’re going to do, and marveling at the results.
Happy 10th anniversary – here’s to many more!
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Seeing your toolbox and tackle box makeovers got me into finding a few to makeover myself. I love all your ideas for using leftover pieces of transfers since I have quite a few of those myself. Your paint color choices are always spot on. Thank you for sharing your ideas and creativity! Julie
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Happy anniversary and congrats on 10 years. I look forward to your post. We have a similar mindset that a little paint will make most everything better. But you are not alone in seeing a decline in painted furniture. Love your posts on gardening and travel. You have got a lot more blogging in you so glad you have decided to continue. Also, your posts are always positive and we need that in these crazy times. Thank you for all that you share.
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I love all the toolboxes! I find them inspiring for my own projects. I have enough furniture so these littles give me a way to add new! Happy blog-aversary!
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Congratulations on your 10th anniversary! That is quite an achievement! I appreciate and enjoy everything you share. Hope you keep going!
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Congratulations! I love seeing what you do with toolboxes. You make it all look so easy! Looking forward to many more beautiful, creative projects.
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Thank you for all the inspiration and helpful tutorials! Here’s to another decade of blogging!
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Happy Bloganniversary!!! So happy I stumbled upon your blog!!! In love with toolboxes of many sorts!! Since you’re in Mexico, I think you should find a toolbox while there and create it to reflect Mexico!!!
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Happy 10th blogiversary! May you have any many more years of sharing inspiration and fun. I love all your posts. I’m so happy when a notice shows up in my inbox. I started following you for your furniture makeovers, but have come to love your travel posts more! You inspire peope to create, try new things, and be their best self, just by sharing what you love to do!
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Congratulations on 10 years!! I love your style and am so glad that I found your blog. Whatever you decide to do next, it will be beautiful and fun for all of us to ride along. Enjoy Mexico!!
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Congratulations! Ten years of anything is an accomplishment to be celebrated, but writing and sharing and inspiring…that’s a big deal💛
Currently working on repairing painting and stenciling a sled….thank you for that!
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Wow! 10 years is quite an accomplishment. I’ve followed you for a long time, not sure it’s all 10 years, but it’s close. My all time favorite project (and when I discovered you) was the blue cabinet that I believe you posted a while back that you were selling🥴 If I lived by you it would have been snatched up. Thanks for all your years of sharing! Cheers to all your new adventures and projects. 🥂
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Congratulations on your 10th year! I hope there are many more to come as I look forward to each and every one of your posts. You have been an inspiration to so many of us.
My very first project using IOD was from your blog – the white toolbox featured at the top of your page. I also created (ok copied!) your Herbier Toolbox and use it to store my pet’s and husband’s medications. It has become one of the most useful and beautiful storage items in my home.
I have spent a small fortune on IOD transfers and stamps to do so many of the items I have seen on your blog. Once I found out Label Ephemera was being d/c’d I purchased 3 of them!! I have also accumulated a stash of toolboxes to makeover. My next attempt will be the Belles Fleur suitcase as soon as I can find a reasonably priced one.
Mexico looks beautiful and I look forward to reading about your trip.
Thank you for spending so much time sharing your creativity and inspiring all of us. Hopefully you will continue for another 10 years. 🙂 🙂
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A huge accomplishment in o be blogging for 10 years! I have followed you through many of those years. I love your style and how you incorporate gardening into your decorating, painting and selling. Your references to your neighbors and how much they help you is always sweet! I was born and raised in Andover MN. I now live in Nashville TN. I especially love your references to all the hometown areas I remember going to. The garage sales in neighborhoods I recognize and Bemidji was close to my grandmas house! Keep it up! You have a great thing going here!
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CONGRATULATIONS!! Ten years is an amazing accomplishment, and your work, garden and traveling, has inspired me so many, many times! I’m so glad you didn’t give. Thank you for sharing your ideas, skills and life with us. Enjoy your time in Mexico 😎
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I love how you take objects that most people would overlook and turn them into a thing of beauty! Congratulations!
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Congrats on 10 years of blogging!!! I sure have enjoyed your posts over the years and had my own furniture painting business for while. I love the toolboxes you paint, too. I need to try one of those!
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Your blog is my favorite. I currently have ten tool boxes I’m working on for Christmas presents. So I study your posts and they inspire me so much!!! I love the photography and your use of transfers. Its so much fun watching your creations and then trying some on my own!! Happy Anniversary!
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10 years fly by when you’re having fun! I always love your posts and you’ve given me a mountain of inspiration. Keep on keeping on!
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Congratulations on 10 years of your wonderful blog! You are my favorite inspiration!
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Congratulations on your 10th anniversary! I always look forward to seeing the way you transform and elevate your thrift store/yard sale finds. Thanks for so generously sharing the “how to “ info. Very helpful to those of us who came late to the chalk paint world.
Enjoy your vacay!
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Oh my a hearty CONGRATS on 10 years! I can say I have followed since the beginning and have looked forward to each and every one. It is difficult to pick a favourite post because they have all informed and encouraged the creative spirit. You really stand alone and may you continue to create and inspire other artists and thank you.
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Oh I just loved this look back over 10 years of blogging! While I’m most partial to the large furniture pieces and mid-century makeovers, I’m also falling in love with the smaller pieces such as the tool boxes, ice skates, and plates for the garden. Congratulations on 10 years!!
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Please, please, please don’t stop blogging. I have learned to think out of the box and become more creative from you. Tool boxes are a favorite! You are a joy! Happy anniversary!
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Congratulations on 10 years! You have inspired me to try so many new things. Here’s to another 10!!!
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10 years is quite an accomplishment, always creative content and inspiration.
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I have followed you for many years. Love you style, your writing…everything about your blog. Would adore winning your generous contest. Enjoy your trip, you’ve earned it many times over.
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Wow, it’s hard to select one post. I appreciate your willingness to share your creative endeavors: furniture makeovers, gardening and travel. It’s fun to see the vintage treasures you find and how you transform them. I get excited when I find old metal boxes in the wild and have amassed quite a few myself since seeing yours. Thanks for sharing Q-Tips, too, they are so informative. Overall, thank you for your down to earth, real sharing. I guess that’s the one big thing, you’re like a good a friend sharing life and we have similar interests. Oh, I know, it’s your non-collection of vintage glass Christmas tree toppers, that’s one of my favorites.
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Congratulations Quandi and thanks for all the inspirations and wonderful ideas! Have another great year!!! Sandi
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Thank you for all the work you do to share with us. My favorite posts are your gardening posts and the furniture makeovers. Congratulations on your anniversary!
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Congratulations on 10 years – that is a huge deal. Am wishing you many more years. My favorites are the redone tool boxes – I love them so much. Your creativity is an inspiration to me – love it all.
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Congratulations and Thank you! I love all of your makeovers. When I am looking for inspiration I look through your photos on the blog, and can usually come up with something. Please keep sharing.
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Time flies while you are being creative – congrats on your 10th anniversary of making the world more beautiful!
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Congratulations, Quandie, on your 10th anniversary! I’m so happy that you kept the blog! I enjoy the variety of posts – gardening, travel, make overs of both smalls and furniture. I enjoy the great pictures, your explanations of your make overs, and your knack for writing!
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I very much enjoy your style and probably like your garden projects the most. They give me inspiration to embellish my own garden. Thanks.
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Can’t decide if your furniture makeovers or fabulous trips are more inspirational!??! Either way I’ve loved your blog for years! Congratulations on 10 years-and keep it up!!!🙌🏻🎊🙌🏻🥰
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Congratulations! What a huge milestone. I always look forward to your posts and love to read them as I drink my morning coffee. I like all your posts. I started following you for the furniture posts, but I think your toolboxes and other littles are my favorite posts at the moment. But your travel photos are always beautiful and your thrift store hauls always fun, too. Enjoy your trip and once again, congratulations!
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Wow, ten years! That is a long time. I think I’ve been following you for at lest 6 of those years. I found your blog not long after I retired from my day job and started re-doing furniture and selling vintage and antiques. Yours is also the only blog I have followed faithfully. I love what you share and how you share it! Thank you!
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Happy 10th blogiversary!! I love reading your blogs! In fact I wait until I’m settled with a cup of tea and some quiet time so I can really savour them! Xx
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I stumbled on your blog years ago and have been following you ever since. The style of furniture you do is what I also love.I don’t think I could ever pick a favorite. I love reading about all your flowers even tho you’re in a totally different zone than I am. And I can live precariously through your travels, especially the Scandinavian countries! So jealous you’re in Mexico now! Happy travels!
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I have thoroughly enjoyed following your blog all these years- even the gardening ones and I really don’t see myself as a gardener! I love the travels blogs and, of course, the decor and artistry blogs. I love your style of writing and think your photography is excellent- better than the magazines! Thank you for sticking with it and creating a beautiful space for all of us to come into your creative journey with you.
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Happy 10th Blogiversary!!! Wow, 10 years is a long time! I truly enjoy reading your posts all the time and learn so much. You also help me to stay connected to the world around me and to get motivated to keep painting. So here’s to another 10 years!!!
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Love your blog! Please keep posting – I get so much inspiration from you.
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