Christmas week Updates!

Here it is...Christmas week. Time flies!

As I ponder the year, I look back at the time I have not made the best use of my time....aka worry.  Why can't I just lay things down on the altar and leave them there?  Yeah, they crawl off, I put them back on.  Sometimes, I have been known to sneak them off of the altar, (as if God can't see)...hah!  Eventually, I place them back on.  It gets easier and easier to let go...but I think I have been in the realm of being classified as a "professional worrier".  It's so old to behave this way.  UGH!  I am sure none of you can relate!

This year has brought me so much growth though.  Taking the time to honor God by becoming the best of me. I have taken time away from things that would draw me into conflict or distract me in any way shape or form from the will of God.  I have taken time to adequately care for myself, body, soul and spirit.   He deserves my best.

Quality Performance and Awesome Support
This last weekend, I had the privilege of heading up an improv group with the pastor performing with us, It was for a Variety show production that was very well done.  Our church had a production that had folks with different gifts showcase them. We had a painter, a monologue artist, a celtic dancer, singers, etc. Each did a quality job as they were nudged by leadership to bring out their best and to display their gift to Jesus. It was one of the funnest events I have been a part of!

New Shabby at "The Spare Room" in Everett WA
I want to thank my friends and customers who have supported my art work. It's been a good year to get back into the saddle and I have thoroughly enjoyed it! Today these items were placed at "The Spare Room". In addition the regular Christmas items are there.  Stop by!  Located right across from Comcast Arena on Hewitt.

Black Distressed End Table

White Shabby end table front view

White Shabby end table side view

Christmas and New Years!
I'm planning on spending some time with my daughter and her beau on Christmas and then some friends.  Then on New Years heading to Oregon to visit a long time friend. So excited!  Wish I had more time off to cruise the coastline.  We'll see!  I could always take my work computer and find a place to remote in.  Hmmmmm.....

Wishing you a warm and Merry Christmas~~~~~

Christmas in my home in the store and online!

Christmas is a great time to decorate for me.  I love it!  Natalie has her beau this year, so that required a new burlap stocking with a "J" on it for "Jordan".

I decided to place my Christmas tree in the dining room this year.  First time ever.  Why?  The view from outside.  So here it is in all of it's vintage glory....

and yet some pictures of the vintage ornaments.....

"The Spare Room" on Hewitt in Everett

This weekend, I have got to get some items ready for "The Spare Room". I've been slacking lately and just goofing off. Every now and then, I just have to do that, but now it's back to buckling down.  Speaking of "The Spare Room" .....they have launched a new website.

http://www.spareroomfleamarket.com/whats_new_everett-1/stroll_around_the_shop

My booth number is #77.  Come by and see both stores...there's some incredible antiques and vintage items!

I have purchased some side tables to paint up and distress.... I have my assignment and they will soon appear at the Everett shop.

I'm in a NEW RELATIONSHIP!!!!!!

We've bonded.  We share. He delivers gifts on my doorstep.  He sends me messages I long to hear. He tells me I'm wonderful.....Who, you ask? I am in a relationship with Amazon.com.

I am treated like we're exclusive the way he hurries to meet my every need....and he's always there.  I am loved!  It's like he can really "read" me.

My Visit with Lynn

I had a great visit with my friend Lynn who lives in Florida right now. She and her family moved there 12 or so years ago.  Such a special lady. It was a last minute thing, but I am glad we could synch up!

and here's another....

Blessings on your week....what are your families doing for Christmas?

Distressed....(not in spirit)

Just added this the "The Spare Room" in Everett yesterday.

                                         Classic black.  Becoming a good friend of mine!

Looking forward to hosting a mystery dinner party this weekend, "Pizza, Pasta and Politics". Several "politicians" have agreed to show up; Sarah Palfan, Ronald and Nancy Rogaine, George and Laura Shrub, Maria Cantvotevery Well, Al Gorgeous , Diane Sawher and Nancy Pillpopski. It appears Pepi Razzi was murdered.  He was always taking pictures of them and was found dead behind the bushes at Everett's "Martha's Vineyard". Whodunit?  We shall see!

Christmas Season 2010: Reflections....

This year has been filled with surprises of many sorts:
1. Natalie met an amazing man, (Jordan) that I adore.  God's planning had to have been perfect in this as he has the same type of humor that we enjoy....a little off kilter. I also like how they bring out the best in one another.

2. I have spent the entire year taking care of "Sue".  This is NOT the same thing as being selfish, rather it is caring enough about my relationship with my savior that I have honored myself in many ways; eating right, working out, pulling back from over-commitment and having healthy relationships. Somehow, I had gotten a few of these things so confused throughout the years.
Take for instance, relationships...I had thought I had established good boundaries in my life, but instead they were often times weak, (I made excuses for those in my life that were not honoring to me) and sometimes I created walls when I was afraid.  My Lord was faithful to show me..."Do you not believe that you are worthy of setting at the King's table? Why are you eating the crumbs off of the floor?  Come, dine with me. I adore you."  And so I began the climb into the chair and to enjoy His Words,  His affections towards me, His allowance of me to stop and to enjoy the life He has chosen for me to live.  He has a purpose and though the journey may be difficult at times, it works out for my good.  Yes, MY good!  Even my mistakes.  I have found that when I have stayed close to Him, that He shows a safe path, a way of escape when I am heading down a wrong path and a Father's heart.  He is my everything.

3. Then there was a 9 month period of unemployment in which I lost 70% of my income.  God had a plan there as well.  Not only did I search for work, I sat at His feet and quietly sought His will.  Back at Boeing I went to a job I hated and paid a fraction of what I had been making previously, but then, someone from my past remembered my work and got me on in their department....the way it happened was a miracle.  Now, I have had 2 extensions as a contractor and am back as a Project Manager, a job that I love to do and back at my previous pay, (minus overtime).

4. "Accidentally" a woman that owned a shop asked if I would make a bunch of signs for her shop in Langley WA to sell. I did, and they sold quickly. So, I began selling at "The Spare Room" in Everett, but my focus shifted to furniture, dressers, etc.  The latest is this Kids Art Center....(the shelves are chalkboard)

and then fabric candy cane pillows for the holidays (which have sold out once)

As I continue to trust and open my heart up to the Lord to continue to more and more in my life, I am sure He will continue to bring blessings...(sometimes they won't feel that way, but nonetheless they bring about what He desires and my heart desires).  I encourage you to seek Him with all your heart....not for what YOU want, but for whatever He wants.  In the end, it'll be good!

Holiday Happenings!

So glad the weekend is here! Busy time of the year for Boeing as they close out projects for the end of the year activities. It's also a busy time of the year for "The Spare Room" in Everett as the season has shifted to Christmas buying.

I want to bring up a prayer request for some dear friends of mine who are really suffering right now... please pray for the Kraft family...precious people who have a steadfast faith as they raise a child who has had a transplant.  Please drop by their site and give support. They are tremendous people of faith....they don't demand an explanation from God on why they have had this ongoing challenge, but rather they simply trust.  I am so proud of this young couple who have shown the Lord's grace so well in the midst of suffering. Here's the blog: http://livingwithbiliaryatresia.blogspot.com/2010/11/friday-follow-up-on-sarah.html?spref=tw


Besides meeting up with some friends and getting some tasks done around the house, I will be finishing several pieces of furniture, having a girls night out and going to a concert.

Come join me with Acts of God Drama as we celebrate a night of laughs at a fun Improv Night....All of these have been a hit...we expect a large audience and hope to see you there~

More mystery pics.....

Just got the mystery pics back...boy did we have fun!  Thank you to Tana and Matt for being such gracious and fabulous hosts!

This was prior to the Mystery Dinner... Here I was getting into character as "Tira Misu"
Here's the other characters!

I'm sad here, because they blamed ME for everything and I didn't do it.  The guy next to me did....

The Holidays....

Hi there....its been awhile since I have updated....
I've been busy trying to make enough product to get down to "The Spare Room" in Everett for Christmas. Somehow, I got this idea this year that I wanted to create vintage candy cane items for Christmas decor.   I have small  cane ornaments to place on a tree and large canes to put next to a tree or as a pillow on a couch, etc.   Here's a pic next to my fireplace.

Then I have gone to town making lamb, heart, flag, coffee, tree vintage ornaments.

Come down this weekend to "The Spare Room" and check out other items as well as the incredible store located right next to Comcast arena.

Enjoy the holidays and treasure all that God has given you! 

Blessings, Sue

Mystery Weekend and Sales!

Two more black dressers sold this weekend while I was away at Nob Hill Bed and Breakfast in St. Helens....did I mention that my daughter and the owner's son are dating?  Yep!  And I really like their son! Aren't they cute?

Here are a few pics for the fall weekend that was a lot of fun!  I am also glad I made some sales while away!  So I have now re-stocked "The Spare Room" and back to finishing up a major project at Boeing.  Whooohooo!

and my mysterious character....Tara Misu...who was a very questionable girl....

A friend of mine, Sharon, was Mama Rosa....

So off to work again.... the computer is calling me to do some real work....then I'll pick up a paint brush and off to Zumba.   Buh bye!

Re-arranging at The Spare Room

I added some new items, (mostly primitive) and re-arranged my space at The Spare Room....

Here's some newbies....

Old sheep cupboard

New Side table and dresser

Always have to have the pink and white for the girls (young and old)

Prim table runner hanging over shelves

And a primitive corner

and the grey blue door and dresser with other items....

Items you'd like to see?  Place a comment below and give me colors, items that you'd like to see!

Zumba Weekend!

Haven't worked out this hard since high school track!  The Hickory Girls from North Carolina came and led a Flash Mob at the north outlet mall then came down and led a two hour INTENSE Zumba class.   Oh my.....

Upon coming home, my cat ran away from me after taking one whiff of me. Everything hurts... I think my eyelashes are even sore!!!!

 Here's one of the many workouts we did....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afWIHbj0tb8...Lord, those ladies have energy....

I was able to see an instructor I think is fabulous at this event tonight...Roberto.  He's moving away to the east side of the state.
 
Tomorrow they lead off for another round of workouts and a fund raiser for the NW Sarcoma Foundation. Houseblend Productions donated this table runner and 6 placemats for the raffle which will feature many items.

If you haven't tried Zumba I highly recommend it! It's not only fun, but a great cardio workout!

Snuggling into fall.....

The fall has always been one of my favorite seasons.  I love the crisp air and coming home and snuggling into a warm bed after a long day.

 Hope you are enjoying the season as well.

Here are some chairs that I did a while back that I am looking forward to selling.  I've got this thing for old furniture and can't resist a chair with good bones.

Black background Whimsy chair

                                                          Soft blue chair

You're Beautiful! This song says it all!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WnAq0o2Xl8

Lots of black furniture!

I've been down to my little shop this week to restock some primitive items. The little black desk, black side table, white side table, pumpkin painted old screen, primitive tray and some shabby pink and white items have sold.  

So I have now replaced them with this coffee table:

and these black shelves.....

and another primitive tray:

and these trays...

This weekend I will be finishing up more items to take down on Sunday.  Black and white seem to sell for me.  Can't wait to get started....but have to tend to my "real" job! Looking forward to a fun weekend!