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!

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