For many years, whenever my sisters and I would get together we would spend a great deal of time making all sorts of plans – plans for trips we want to go on, plans for shops and tearooms we wanted to visit, plans for upcoming celebrations, plans for our futures, plans for our children’s futures, and plans for our dream job of owning our own business.  We would talk for hours and be all excited about our plans, but the time to leave would come and we would say our good-byes, share hugs and kisses and with lots of “I Love You’s” we would return to our homes, our jobs and the realities of life.  But we always had our plans and dreams in the back of our minds.

A year and a half ago, after years of planning and discussions, we decided that the time had come for action.   Kathi, Carla and I formed SistersCg, our business.  As I have mentioned in this blog, there are six sisters:  Nancy, Pat, Pam, Carla, Kathi, and Angie.  Our maiden name is Carmody, so Kathi came up with SistersCg – Sisters (C – Carmody g – girls).   We focused on seasonal (fall and Christmas) handmade craft items (many of these have been featured on this blog) and attended a variety of craft shows in the area.  Early last summer, we came across a wonderful little shop in Morton, Illinois called Second Betty.  We hit it off instantly with owners Cindy and Mike and were introduced to Annie Sloan Chalk Paint by taking a class with Cindy.  On February 1, Second Betty opened a second shop in Peoria Heights, Illinois.  The new shop has space for vendors, and on March 1, SistersCg were lucky enough to move into a space at Second Betty.  Here are some pictures of some of the items we have for sell in the shop.

A beautiful side chair painted and upholstered and burlap carrots all done by Carla.

A lovely little table (painted by Carla).  And on top are burlap birds and a burlap envelop filled with hearts made by Pat.

A unique picture frame with burlap backing and twine for attaching pictures or other things!

An ornate old picture frame made into a chalkboard!  Created by Kathi.

Two of our original products – a lighted, stenciled burlap bag and burlap wreath.

Here’s something I came up with – a large burlap heart decorated with a burlap rose and vintage lace.

All sorts of lovely items here – the full-size bed (painted by Kathi); burlap signs stenciled by Carla; 2 smaller picture frame chalkboards (painted and made by Kathi); a picture frame with burlap and chicken wire jewelry holder made by Carla); another burlap heart made from a vintage coffee bag (made by Pat).

A vintage small cabinet painted by Kathi.  Above is another chalkboard created by Kathi.  On the cabinet are mason jars painted with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and a basket filled with lavender sachets.

A close-up of the lavender sachets.  Made of burlap and linen kitchen towels.  The linen sachets are painted with, of course, Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.

Second Betty is located at 4111 Prospect Road in Peoria Heights, Illinois.  It is filled with incredibly lovely items and lots of chalk paint.  And if you stop by on the first Saturday of the month, one or more of the sisters will most likely be working!!!!!

We are so excited about this opportunity.  It is a dream come true for us and we look forward to whatever the future holds for our little business!

Thanks for stopping by and please come back and visit again!!

Pat, Kathi, and Carla