My Beautiful Friend

     Time has been a precious commodity the past few weeks as I have spent every possible moment with my beautiful best friend, Lynne.  As God prepares her for eternity, I have been given such a gift in the hours spent by her side and sharng that time with the people who are so important in her life.

 

     I went to the barn for awhile to have some quiet time and to paint.  It was a little overwhelming to think of the work that has been put aside for more important endeavors, but what I found was that my amazing husband, Clay, had been there painting and sanding for hours on end so that I could be with Lynne.  There are people in your life who pick up the pieces behind you and most of the time they don't get the thanks and appreciation they deserve.  Well, I have one amazing husband and I want the world to know it!
    
     Since he had gotten all the basics done, I got to work on the finish sanding.  This is my favorite part because it is the stage that really gives the piece its character.  Starting with a coffee table, I began to smooth the edges and the paint came off in fine layers.  It was such a delicate finish, easy to work with, and just a little of the original finish showing through. The finished product is so pretty, and very elegant, I think.

     The next was a side table.  As I started to sand, little chips came off here and there.  I had to work a little harder on this one because the paint came off in a different way, giving the piece a unique character.  It's more rough around the edges, and has a rustic finish. 

     I began to think about why one was so much easier than the other and how the paint reacts differently to the sanding process.  I realized that the way the paint sands off all depends on what's underneath it. Each piece is made differently and the base may be solid wood or a veneer that's chipped, patched and glued.
     
     Really?  Can I connect this furniture refinishing thing back to God again?  Well, Jesus was a carpenter, after all. 
   
      As God molds me into who He wants me to be, sometimes He can just smooth away a little on the edges to reveal something inside.  At other times, He has to chip away at the finish a little harder to  achieve His desired outcome.  It all depends on what's underneath, but either way, the finished product is a beautiful thing.
    
     So, I am reflecting on what's underneath this chipped, patched and glued veneer. Am I going to make His work easy today, or am I going to need a bit more sanding? 

See you Thursday- Saturday! 

He makes beautiful things,
Yvette

    

Sneak Peek

     In one week, we will be having our fall sale.  It starts next Thursday, October 20.  Our pieces will once again be upstairs at Blithe Boutique, 112 South First.  Over the weekend, you will also want to visit Hello Holidays at Behannon's Warehouse, Heritage Antiques Vintage Flea Market in their parking lot on Saturday, Standpipe Coffee House and newly opened A Furniture Fetish.

     In an earlier post, I mentioned some wonderful paint that a friend introduced me to. Turns out, it's been around awhile and I can't quite figure out how I missed it! That's kind of how I roll, though.  I tend to embrace trends a year or two after they become trendy.

     It's Annie Sloan chalk paint and I am so in love with it.  The finishes turn out so beautifully.  Here are a couple of pieces that will be in the sale.  The color is French Linen.

Side Table or Night Stand

Small Display Cabinet  24" Tall

More pictures are coming.

See you at the sale !

Thursday through Saturday 10-6 each day.

He makes beautiful things!

Yvette







My Favorite Fall Color is Pink

     As we say in Texas, Happy Fall Y'all! 

     God has blessed us this morning with beautiful skies and cooler temps.  I love fall. In East Texas, we don't really get much change between seasons- but the sunrises and sunsets this time of year are amazing.  There is one particular overpass in town that if you hit just right heading north at sunset, provides the most glorious display of pinks.  They are colors that could not be created by anything other than a Divine hand.

     Funny that He chooses pink for fall, since October is also Breast Cancer Awareness month.  My mind is on cancer a lot these days, being so grateful for mine to be cured a little over a year ago, and having so many friends fighting with such courage and grace.  It's been a particularly emotional few days with my best friend who is going to be under Hospice care starting today. 

     Jessica told me last night to be sure to check out their new window display at Blithe today before the streets are closed this afternoon for a party downtown.  I was up early, worried about my friend, and no one else was up, so I drove down to have a look.  I had to pull over and have a good cry.

The quote is from Anne Frank and it says,

"I don't think of all the misery, but of all the beauty that still remains."

     I am humbled by my most amazing family and still shake my head at how God has blessed me so.  The quote honors so many, but my precious Lynne is at the forefront as she has fought this lung cancer battle with God by her side and with all she has to give.  And she has done it with grace.  And she has done it with courage. And she has done it with beauty. 

He makes beautiful things out of the dust.

Yvette

Back at the Barn

 We're back after a family filled summer and a few wonderful trips. I got to visit New York City on a buying trip for Blithe Boutique: a first for me, and I loved everything about it. I came home with some great fabric that will soon be covering some of my summer finds! The girls loved helping me drag two large black trash sacks of fabric through the streets of New York and onto the subway. Getting it divided between luggage and carry-on was another feat, but my suitcase came in at 50.0 pounds! Whew!


We also went to Cozumel for the wedding of a beautiful young woman who is just like one of our own. While shopping downtown one day, look what we found!

There are Beautiful Things in Cozumel too!












     Clay and I went to San Antonio for my final appointment a year after my breast cancer surgery. They told me there would be no need to see me again unless I had any problems. Well, I don't plan on having any, so I guess they won't see me again! :) I was very blessed with an amazing team of doctors and nurses and I feel a little sad that I won't see them any more, but gratefully celebrate God's goodness during the journey.
     Once we were done, we hit every Goodwill and Salvation Army we could find. Clay has grown to love the thrill of the find almost as much as me, and he sure is handy to have around when tables need legs taken off. I have always called my Murano a truck because it has an amazing capacity to be filled with stuff. That weekend was no exception! We loaded two dining tables (legs removed), a queen sized rice bed, two side tables, a display shelf, a 2x3 ft. mirror, and two child's chairs. No joke! Here it is!

     A week later, I was on the road again to New Braunfels where my oldest, "bestest" friends and I meet to tube the Comal every year. We spotted a few finds and they even helped me disassemble and load an antique daybed into the Murano truck. One of the group, Karen, told me about some paint she had been reading about and wanting to try. It's become my new obsession. I'll be posting about it in the next few days and will show my first couple of pieces.

     Now that we're reconnected, it's time to get busy at the barn on the amazing pieces for the Hello Holidays sale in October. Good to be back and can't wait to share our latest Beautiful Things!

Yvette

Favorites

Now that was fun!  I enjoyed our first sale so much.  It was great to see friends and even students of mine who came to shop and visit. As a piece would be sold, I would say, "Oh, that's one of my favorites."  Then the next one would go, and I would say, "Yes that's a special one.  It's one of my favorites."  Each piece had a different appeal, different background, and different story behind it, but all were loved for their unique qualities.  I am so happy for them to have homes!  It reminds me of when the girls were little, I would have one of them to myself and tell her she was my favorite for something that was unique about her.  At another time, I would tell the next daughter the same thing, and then later tell the last one. They all felt as if they were the favorite!  Isn't that just how God feels about us?  He looks at one person and says, "That one is one of my favorites!"  Then He looks at another and says, "Well now, that's a very special one. Another favorite." We're all His favorites and He couldn't love us any more or any less than He does right now.  That should make our day, every day!

I am so happy that the Christopher chair went to one of my oldest friends (in longevity, not age!) who is an artist in her own right.  I know she appreciates the art and emotion that went into the chair and I am thrilled that it will get to live with her! We are very grateful for the support for Tori and the kids at Amani.

The next sale will be in October during an event in the downtown area called "Hello Holidays".  More information will be coming!

He makes beautiful things!
Yvette 

Today is the Day!

The day has finally arrived.  After weeks of work poured into the first sale pieces, it's time to let them go to new homes!  See you at 10 am upstairs at Blithe!  The sale runs 10-6 today through Saturday.  While you are downtown, be sure to stop and grab a cup of coffee at the new Standpipe Coffee House and then head over to Heritage Antiques for some more great finds! It's a beautiful day!

He makes beautiful things!
Yvette

Beautiful Babies

     Today is the day I have been so excited about!  One special piece of furniture is being offered for presale to support a young woman’s journey.   Here’s a little background information:
    
     As many of you know, our youngest daughter, Tori, is working in Jinja, Uganda this summer, caring for orphaned children at the Amani Baby Cottage.  God has placed a huge heart in our child who is filled with love for these kids, and she feels this is where she belongs.  Clay and I have prayed for a long time for our girls to serve and listen to His call.  Our middle daughter, Jessica, had already forged the way a few years ago by first working at Amani on a short term trip, then South Africa for the summer. So, God answered our prayers, but we really thought He might be able to use them in Angelina county or even America, but Africa?  Permanently?  That’s the funny thing about God.  I am reminded of a quote about Aslan the lion in C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,  "Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you."
So, Clay and I turn our trust to the One who is greater than us and knows the plan.  And the plan is good, but not always safe.
     Tori plans to return to Amani in December and is working on raising the funds needed to get there.  So, the presale piece I am offering is to help her efforts.  It’s a wonderful chair and I’ve named it Christopher.  He’s Tori’s favorite little guy at Amani and she is quite smitten, as are we!  We got to skype with him last week, and he typed all kinds of letters on Tori’s computer, blew kisses, and asked who we were.  Tori told him “jjajjas” which is Lugandan for grandparents. Oh, my!  She’s not really serious… we think…

Tori with Christopher 

The chair is in honor of him.  It was a castoff that didn't have a home. It was a little tattered, but sturdy enough to weather the storms of life well.  It’s gotten the attention it needed, and now needs someone new to re-love it.  35 is the number of children currently being served at Amani, and red represents the ones who are HIV+. 

You may bid on the chair through my Facebook page- Beautiful Things or by sending me an email at saleatthebarn@gmail.com  The auction starts today and will end on Saturday at 6 pm when the furniture sale at Blithe closes.  I will keep you posted with updates.  Opening bid is $50.

Read more about Amani Baby Cottage and Christopher’s story at www.amanibabycottage.org

Tori, the kids at Amani, and Clay and I thank you in advance!

He makes beautiful things!

Yvette

More sneak peeks!

Lamps $30 each or $50 for both.  Blue drop leaf side table $80

Coffee table $175

Paisley sofa table

Paisley sofa table $300

Be sure to check back tomorrow. I will have one presale item up for grabs and it's for a great cause!

He makes beautiful things!

Yvette



A Little Glimpse of Heaven

If you've never had the delight of visiting Nerren's Junk Barn on Highway 59, you've missed some of the best East Texas has to offer! I needed wheels for a trunk I am working on, and knew just the place to find them. I have been coming to Nerren's for over 20 years and have never left disappointed.

 

 

 Each time I walk through the gate, I feel the anticipation of the perfect find!  Some of the treasures are covered in vines, dirt and pine straw and many have been there since my first visit.  I knew we would come out with just what we needed! 

 Mr. Nerren and his daughter know exactly where everything is and when we asked for wheels, they wanted to know what kind.  That's because wheels of one type might be located in a completely different area than another kind. Believe me when I say, they have all kinds! They led us out back to look through a buggy. 

Yes, in East Texas we call a shopping cart a buggy.

Jess and I climbed, crawled and dug to see if we could find four wheels that matched. And in 5 minutes...

success!!!!

It was hard to pass by so many nooks and crannies that needed exploring, but we were in a bit of a rush. This could be an all day affair and we were in need of some cooler temperatures and a few less mosquitoes.  Jessica was convinced she had contracted West Nile in the short time we were there. 

  

We went inside to pay, and you know those impulse items they put right by the check-out?  Well, here's what we spotted...

Bags of clown heads!

Now is that creepy, or what?

So, minus the clown heads, I think this is a little of what Heaven might be like. (I guess only hoarders might agree with me on that one!)  But I do believe our Creator continues to search for dirt covered hidden treasures and He delights when we are uncovered and our true beauty is revealed.  In Heaven it will all be beautiful and perfect, and we'll get to leave this messy world behind to eat, sing, and worship 24/7. How cool is that?

He makes beautiful things!

Yvette 

Sneak Peeks

We have completed most of the pieces for our first sale.  It has been hot at our workspace in the barn, but God has been faithfully providing Clay and me the strength to persevere!  Here's a sneak peek of some of what we'll be offering beginning Thursday, July 14 and running through Saturday, July 16.   Sorry, but we cannot sell any of the items beforehand.  Remember, the early bird catches the worm! Grab a cup of coffee (and maybe a pastry!) at the newly opened Standpipe Coffee House and join us for some Beautiful Things.

Beautiful Things sale Thursday July 14 through Saturday July 16, 10 am- 6 pm
Downtown Lufkin
in the loft at
Blithe Boutique
112 S. First Street

Blue side table $80

Child's set. Table $100, chairs $15 each

Child's stool $20

Coffee Table $175

Dresser $275

Black chair with metallic leopard seat $50

Desk/vanity $200



More pictures coming!


He makes beautiful things!
Yvette

Beautiful Thoughts

For the past few months, I have been collecting, restoring, and up-cycling furniture pieces to be re-loved by someone new. They are old, cracked and dusty; castoffs and misfits that are no longer desirable and found in barns, homes, trash piles, Goodwill, and garages.  But looking past the imperfections I see the beauty of each piece. Each one is unique and loved. Clay hauls them to the barn, then glues and nails and sands, making the broken parts sturdy again. Then I get to work using paint to transform the piece  into a new creation that is solid, beautiful and ready to be used again.     
The  lyrics of Beautiful Things by Gungor resonate in me as I think of our Creator who does the same thing-
"You make beautiful  things out of the dust. You make beautiful things out of us."
He finds us when we are undesirable; dusty misfits and castoffs in homes, barns, trash piles, Goodwill and garages. He lovingly restores our broken parts, recreating us as beautiful things.

2 Corinthians 5:17 “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! “

I consider art to be a form of worship, and hope that even in the simple act of recreating furniture I can see God at work and worship Him in the process. Art and creativity come from places of joy and pain, just as worship does. A battle with breast cancer, coupled with my best friend's fight with lung cancer has taken me on a roller coaster ride of faith this past year, but out of it I can see beautiful things.   I think this video pulls my thoughts together in a very profound way.

He makes beautiful things!

Yvette