The Reward of Doing what is Right

New at "The Spare Room" !

Fall table runners, Black shelves

Primitive Star Table

The Reward of Doing what is Right

Over the weekend, it was made very clear to me the reward for what is doing right.  I heard a couple of sermons and saw the fruit in my life as I completed something I felt I was nudged to do. 

On the flip side of making wise choices, is the obvious...the bad choices.  What ever happens to them?

For the person who steals, lies, cheats, lives in rage, compromises their values, etc.....well, they get caught or live in misery and even if they don't (initially), God sees all and consequences will follow....

To see what lays ahead for our choices see: Deuteronomy 28 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%2028&version=MSG

We can create good news or bad news for ourselves....I don't know about you...but I want the blessings...it may take awhile to get there, but they will come with right living!

Autumn is officially here!

The weather has definitely turned and autumn is officially here....my time flies!  I have been working on adding some new fall items to place at "The Spare Room" on Sunday....here are just some of the newbies!

Hand-Painted pumpkin Table Runner

Rooster Table Runner

Decoupaged Antique Stand

Fall Stuffed pumkins

Falls Screens

I also still have plenty of signs in various sizes and dressers, furniture, etc.White Princess Dresser

More....

and more!

The Lord isn't surprised...in fact...He has a plan!

This weekend was a kick!  Performed at New Life with Matt and Sarah from KCMS and it was a lot of fun! It was nice to see many of the gang from "The Follower" play and some folks from NCC.  I truly needed a good laugh after one of the most difficult months I've had in years.  August was not a picnic. I'm glad it's done and over with.  I know the Lord wasn't taken by surprise by family and other events that occurred, but He is faithful! I am hanging on to this scripture taken from The Message,

" Forget about what's happened;

don't keep going over old history.

Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new.

It's bursting out! Don't you see it?

There it is! I'm making a road through the desert."  Isaiah 43:18-19
 

Then Sunday off to "The Spare Room" after church to meet with a customer to get her custom order description and to re-arrange items so I can bring in additional antiques/art to sell. Hey...if your looking for some black, grey, brown or white furniture items...go visit my space...just across from Comcast on Oakes and Hewitt in Everett WA.  If not, take a peak any how there's some great items that other vendors have that are one of a kind!

Thanks to those who serve our country...other weekend happenings

This weekend a number of us will be participating in a Zumba fundraiser (for Breast Cancer).  Today I am remembering the dear ladies that I have personally known that have passed due to this wicked disease, Kathy, Lorelei.  I am also remembering the survivors who have fought so hard as well for victory!

We are all reminded of the 9/11 event.  A BIG thank you to the men and women who daily lay down their lives for our protection.  We don't thank you enough!

Also on the agenda is painting up a storm for "The Spare Room" in Everett Wa.  I have some dressers that will be painted white similar to this:

Lots to do!

Praying for all the families who have been impacted by 9/11 and breast cancer directly.  May we never forget you!

Inspirational People!

As an artist, I look to be inspired in many places. Music, drama, stores, and in studying people.  I am always amazed by a person of great character. I am thinking of a lady I know right now.  She lost her long time husband this year as he battled with cancer.  They were truly life partners.  Their willingness to serve one another in the good and bad times with a level-headedness second to none is truly amazing. She has stayed strong.  She keeps joy even in hardship. She loves because Christ loves. Who is this woman? Gloria.

I can also find inspiration in those that are struggling in daily life.  I think of a little boy who I know who has had so much to contend with, it's a wonder he keeps going. Others may give up on him because his circumstances are just too great, but I haven't.  I think he's admirable in the midst of absolute chaos.  He innocently seems to trust that somehow all will be okay, and J, I am praying that God will honor your life and do way beyond what you ever dreamed or imagined!

I think of a couple who struggle with a child who has had a liver transplant.  They have 3 other kiddos, but they keep their focus on the one that gives hope. I think of a family who has been hit so hard by the mortgage crisis that the husband works 3-4 jobs to provide, and the wife equally works as often as she can. Yet, the husband is there JOYFULLY for his wife and kids. The wife is there for her husband and kids. They bite the bullet and budget carefully.  They are responsible, but they never forget their priorities.

All of these people are inspirational because they are overcomers.  They keep getting up. They give me hope. They are not self-absorbed people.  They keep good boundaries in their lives that allow them to succeed. Who is inspirational to you and why?

Taking Care of Yourself

I have spent the last year in a focused effort of taking better care of myself.  Something foreign to someone who spent years as a single mom.  What does taking care of one self look like?  Here are some thoughts:

1. Don't overcrowd your schedule

2. Say "no" if it's a "good idea" rather than a "God idea" 

3. Just because your good at a lot of things, doesn't mean you need to do them all

4. Take time to play....try new activities on a regular basis and put them on your calendar as "red dot" days. Red dot days are days that you schedule new things on your calendar that are fun and exciting events just for you.  It could be kayaking, walking a new trail, taking up a new hobby, etc.

5. Get some counseling if you need to work through things that hold you back from moving forward. Who doesn't need good godly counsel? If you think you don't, you may need to re-examine.

6. Value yourself enough to have good boundaries

7. Screen who you let take up your life.

8. Don't allow people to squelch your giftings and talents.  If they aren't appreciated, it's a sign to move on.

9. Forgive!  It's good for you.  It doesn't mean reconcilliation, but it does mean that you've released the situation or person(s) to God.  He is very good at taking it on.  We are not.

10. Relax!  God has everything under control!

Everything Vintage!

I so enjoy the vintage blogs I see.   Old furniture, old items, shabbied up and brought back to life. Check out this blog at http://missmustardseed.blogspot.com/. (Thanks for sharing)!

This week, I am doubling my space at "The Spare Room" in Everett WA.  I am excited to bring in new pieces of furniture....A classic black desk, black side table, Grey dresser, shabby pink furniture as well as some surprise antiques I have recently collected along the way.

I would love to get pictures of your booths to add to my blogspot!  Send them my way.

After work and a little painting....you will find me here....  Zumba/Latin Heat....I love these workouts they make me feel like I'm back in my high school days =)....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Yu1AocGsxk

Some thought and inspiration by Chuck Swindoll:

"When money is our objective for happiness, we must live in fear of losing it, which makes us paranoid and suspicious. When fame is our aim, we become competitive lest others upstage us, which makes us envious. When power and influence drive us, we become self-serving and strong-willed, which makes us arrogant. And when possessions become our god, we become materialistic, thinking enough is never enough, which makes us greedy. All these pursuits fly in the face of contentment and joy.

Only Christ can satisfy, whether we have or don't have, whether we are known or unknown, whether we live or die. And the good news is this: Death only sweetens the pie! That alone is enough to make you laugh again.

The Living Bible states: "For to me, living means opportunities for Christ, and dying---well, that's better yet!" (Phil. 1:21). The New Testament in Modern English, J.B. Phillips's paraphrase, reads: "For living to me means simply 'Christ,' and if I die I should merely gain more of him."

What is the sum and substance of all this? The secret of living is the same as the secret of joy: Both revolve around the centrality of Jesus Christ. In other words, the pursuit of happiness is the cultivation of a Christ-centered, Christ-controlled life.

When Christ becomes our central focus, contentment replaces our anxiety as well as our fears and insecurities."

Please check out my friend's blogspot:http://livingwithbiliaryatresia.blogspot.com

Handed some flowers.....

This past week is one I would prefer not to repeat.  I'll spare the details and just say I am glad there is one who is a secure foundation...who doesn't change His mind every ten seconds, one that doesn't expect me to be responsible for the world's wrongs and one who can steer my boat in a raging storm.  There is one who is not the author of confusion and He is for me!
As Kari Jobe says in her song,
"I know that you are for me, I know that you are for me, I know that you will never forsake me in my weaknesses.  I know that you have come down, even if to write upon my heart...to remind me of who you are."

 Even when we feel that the wind has been knocked out of us and we don't have the strength to get up again, He is there and I rejoice because of it!  At the end of a week a friend simply handed me some flowers from her garden.  It was as if to say, "I am giving you beauty for ashes."

One, wonderful Weekend!

This last weekend was fabulous!  Kayaking in Friday Harbor with hopes of seeing a whale or two and some seals. While we didn't see a whale kayaking, we saw one on the ferry on the way back.  It wasn't a warm day by any means, but it still was beautiful!  Take a peak at some pictures.  Was at Hope Foursquare on Sunday.  I am so proud of the congregation there who lost their well-known, well-loved Pastor, Tom Ferguson in May.  We all miss him dearly but know that heaven is a sweeter place because he is there.

I also added some new pieces at "The Spare Room" in Everett.   White dresser, white potting table and white shelves. Next month I will be increasing my space to add more furniture!

Today I found this lovely blogspot:  http://blushingroseantiques.blogspot.com/  When you get a chance, check it out!

Slimming down in more ways than one.....=)!

I am continuing my love affair with Zumba and this weekend moving on to kayaking. Yeah, it's one way to slim down...but I found another.....

I've had my stuff in a couple of stores and I've decided to slim down to just one.  Two is too hard for me to maintain if I want to have a life.  I have my own projects that are pleading for my attention around home.  So, I am moving all my stuff from the store up north into "The Spare Room" on Hewitt in Everett just across from Comcast. I love the staff there, the organization, the quality and the owner is fantastic!  Hopefully it will slim down my responsibilities and help me focus a bit more. I want this to continue to be fun!!!!

So, over the weekend, I completed my love seat shabby chic slip cover.   Here's the pic!

Now my little project is a "Trash to Treasure" redemption of some children's items that I am putting together as a set.  I found the items seperately and visualized them together....what do you think?

Fun in the Sun weekend...a lot of missing items...good sign!!!

It was great to get together with the ladies on Friday night with a swim, the bbq and then watching Anita Renfro.  What fun!  Saturday's events were going to Sasafrass in Lakewood (the one just past Marysville) to drop off an order and other stock.  I was thrilled to see a lot of missing items for my past stock so it was a good time to refill.

Then took off to "The Lavendar Festival" in Marysville.  Ran into a few fellow artists and enjoyed speaking to them.  Loved their stuff they were selling, and loved the lavendar that I picked up for my deck.

So, profitable weekend thus far and a lot to get done inthe next day before returning to my real job.  Hope your weekend was enjoyable with all the sun!

Lace and Lures: SUMMER HOUSE

Lace and Lures: SUMMER HOUSE

A lil' toasty this evening, eh?

Hopefully you are staying cool but thoroughly enjoying the sunshine which is rare around our parts!

I have a funny cat story to share...

I was logging into my work computer after just playing with my cat. I then had my normal cereal breakfast and placed the bowl down on the floor until I finished logging in. My cat likes hairspray bottle tops and so she comes over with the top in her mouth, drops it into my bowl as if to say..."We were not done playing". So there was the bottle top floating on the milk....