Buon Natale!

A while back, I showed you a nativity I found at a really good garage sale in my neighborhood! I found lots of things I loved that day, but today's post is all about the nativity. 


It's stamped on the back - "MADE IN ITALY." It's pretty big - about 10" tall and 18" wide. The figures are fine, as you might expect of an Italian nativity. And it was only $5!

On the down side, it has some pretty strangely-colored painted accents on it. They almost look like they'd glow in the dark! When I saw it, I decided I'd cover them in browns and whites, so that's what I'm doing today. Here are some before shots:

Here it is again with touch-ups in neutral colors:

Once again, PAINT to the rescue! The distracting bright orange and yellow "highlights" are gone. This allows the emphasis to be on the figures in the nativity, just as it should be. 


Word for the day:


Luke 2:1-7


 ¹ In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to his own town to register.

 ⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

May you find many opportunities during this very busy time, as you make preparations to celebrate with loved ones, to reflect on the true reason for the season!

-Revi

Linking with:

Saturdayhttp://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/ Saturday Nite Special

http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/ Show and Tell Saturday 

Sunday

http://my1929charmerblog.com/ Sunday’s Best

Monday

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com Metamorphosis Monday
http://makingtheworldcuter.com/ Making The World Cuter Monday

http://www.craftskeepmesane.blogspot.com/ Motivate Me Monday 
http://www.homemakeronadime.com/ Creative Blogger's Party
http://houseinroses.blogspot.com/ Show Off Your Cottage Monday

Tuesday

http://www.knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com/ Knick of Time Tuesday

http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/ Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Wednesday

http://www.fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/ White Wednesday

http://restoreinteriors.blogspot.com/ Restored It Wednesday

http://www.thethriftyhome.com/ Penny Pinching Party

Thursday
http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/ Under $100 Link Party
http://savedbysuzy.blogspot.com/ Suzy's House Party
http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/ Transformation Thursday
http://thriftydecorating-nikkiw.blogspot.com/ Thrifty Thursday
Friday

http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/ Feathered Nest Friday

http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/ Frugal Friday
http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/ Frugalicious Friday

http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/ Potpourri Party
http://www.atthepicketfence.com/ Inspiration Friday

It Truly IS a Wonderful Life!

I LOVE fall, Thanksgiving and CHRISTMAS! My favorite movie of all time is Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life" with James Stewart and Donna Reed. On the off-chance that anyone of you has not seen this movie, it's a heartwarming story that illustrates how our perspective and our priorities can use a little adjustment sometimes. Things don't always happen the way we expect them to happen. Our plans are not realized. Then, by the grace of God, we are allowed to see our true blessings in a different light! 


First, let me apologize - this post is a long and wordy, but there is a point to it. 


I should confess, I'm not a huge movie fan. I enjoy a good movie, but I usually see them on video. I rarely see a movie more than once. 


It's a Wonderful Life is the exception for me. I never get tired of watching this movie during the Christmas Season. It's a little sentimental. It's not full of amazing special effects. It doesn't have an award winning soundtrack. My kids get a little bored when I ask them to watch it with me. They play games on their I-phones or peruse Facebook while watching it with me. Often, I watch it alone, which is fine. 


This year, I have identified with my favorite movie in new ways. The past two weeks have not been the "usual" holiday season around my home. Let me explain a few things, using the movie to help illustrate!

Identifying with Mary Bailey


Like Mary, I like old homes. I bought a fixer-upper on purpose. I enjoy the process, and I like making things nice for my family. I've done plenty of painting and projects during the past 8 years. Some of them were in need of a little freshening up! 2011 was the year to begin. Instead of doing one room at a time, I wanted to do everything! My tastes are evolving, and nothing suited me anymore. Looking back, it wasn't the best way to proceed, but they say hindsight is always 20/20. 


To begin with, my home is in the kind of disarray that comes with change, redecorating, painting, and revising. I've told you before, not ONE room in my house is finished or in a state I'd be proud to post, let alone host a holiday party for anyone but close family.  


I had worked to restore order to my construction mess, organize my "blog project" mess items, and to shop and plan for a lovely Thanksgiving dinner. 


I had cleared the construction materials out of my daughter's old room, along with the future garage sale items I've been stashing in there over the past year. My daughter arrived on Tuesday afternoon, and I made a nice dinner for her, Mason and myself. I was excited! We planned our usual recreational shopping activities and cooking for the next day. 

We went shopping on Wednesday, and I was tired when we got home. We decided to eat late, so I planned to get up early and brine my turkey instead of doing it overnight. I woke up feeling terrible with flu symptoms. 
When the kids got up, I broke the news to them, suggested some things they might cook for themselves, and uninvited the poor guest I had invited to join us for dinner. 

Identifying with ZuZu


I stayed on the sofa all day, listening to my children as they enjoyed spending time together, cooking some of their favorites: Ham, corn pudding, dressing (with turkey "borrowed" from sweet friends) sweet potato casserole. It was an edited version of the meal I had planned. They brought me a plate, and I ate it eagerly.


I didn't WANT to be sick with flu. I wanted to do the things I had planned - baking, decorating, hanging light fixtures, etc. I know, the light fixture thing is not the usual holiday activity, but it seemed like a good thing to get my kids help with!


My daughter ended up returning home early. I stayed on the sofa watching sappy Christmas movies on TV - the kind that focus on relationships and "saving Christmas" with Santa and all that stuff. Where was Jesus? Still, I watched, searching for whatever Christmas spirit I might find.


By Monday, I felt strong enough to return to work, though I still had a nasty cough. I felt pretty well on Wednesday, but Thursday found me on the sofa again after work. Friday morning, I forced myself into the shower and headed to work. I almost fainted while checking in. As the day progressed, I felt worse. I called Mason to bring me some Gatorade and meds. By the time he arrived, I asked him to drive me home. I almost fainted again checking out. My coworkers asked a nurse to check me out. She was there preparing for an Angel Tree party the next morning. She insisted I go to the Urgent Care clinic. Mason drove me there, and they discovered I had pneumonia. I received a heavy-duty antibiotic shot and a steroid shot, and went home to rest.


By Monday, my cough had gotten better, but I still felt weak. I stayed home from work. I was hungry so I went to the kitchen to get a bottle of water and put a potato in the microwave. Before I could get the potato, I fainted. 


Mason was getting ready for work. He came in and picked me up off the floor. I leaned against the counter and fainted again. He called the ambulance, and they came to take me to the hospital. It was snowing, and the high temperature was 10 degrees. 


When we arrived at the ER, they ran tests and found my hemoglobin was 4.4 - alarmingly low. Normal is 12-15. The lowest it has been before is about 7. 


The reason I was fainting was so blood could flow to my brain while I was horizontal! I was transfused, receiving 3 units of blood, and tested to determine the cause of the blood loss. Most often, the cause for long term, slow blood loss that results in low hemoglobin is something in the gastrointestinal tract - an ulcer, a polyp in the colon or something else. Mine was due to a hiatal hernia, which causes my stomach to bleed. I've had trouble before, but this one caught me by surprise. I'm usually a very healthy person and the anemia is the only thing I have to deal with on an ongoing basis. 

Appreciating the Clarence-types in My Life


The Bible tells us God sends his angels to watch over us. I had many - both heavenly and earthly ones!

• Many prayers had been going up on my behalf. Thank all of you who prayed for me!
• My family had been praying for me and checking on me. 
• My co-workers had been lifting me up in prayer. (It's good to work at a church!)
• God placed a nurse just outside the room where I almost fainted. She insisted I go to Urgent Care. Even though they didn't find out the main problem, the meds helped.
• Mason was still at home when I fainted. Five more minutes, and he would've been at work. He called the ambulance in spite of my rejections. (Sometimes it's good to disobey your mother!)

Identifying with George Bailey


Clarence gave George Bailey an opportunity to see what life would be like if he had never been born. By the end of the experience, George wanted nothing more than he already had - his wonderful life. His priorities had been re-ordered. His attitude had changed. 


Like George Bailey, I have been given a gift! I have felt surrounded by so much love and support; my parents, my children, my co-workers, my friends. Some of you I know only through blogging, but you are dear to me. Others I have known since infancy. Some of you I relate with through electronic media. Others I see on a daily basis. Some of you are neighbors. Others live far away. But, I have felt your love and known the uplifting peace provided to me through your prayers.

• My parents came to take me home from the hospital. 
• Mason spent time cleaning while I was not able to do it.
• My daughter Hannah is with me now, cooking, cleaning and spoiling me rotten!
• My co-workers have brought delicious meals and have called to check on me. 
• Family, friends and neighbors have called, texted made me aware of their love and concern for me.

This Christmas season will not be the most "blog-worthy" in some ways. This Christmas is about the most real thing I know - LOVE. It is about the love of our Father in Heaven for us, and His plans for us. It is about the love of family. It is about the love of friends and neighbors, and the community we all share when we care for each other. 

I have been the blessed recipient of all that love, and it is humbling and heart-warming. Like George Bailey, I feel like the RICHEST WOMAN IN TOWN!


Word for the Day:


Psalm 91:11
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;


May you be aware of all the angels around you today and during this Christmas Season!


-Revi

Yuckiness

Hello friends,


I've been down with the flu since Wednesday night. 


This is not how I imagined spending Thanksgiving! 


I have yet to brine my turkey and cook it. On the bright side, I probably don't have to worry about what the scales say tomorrow morning. 


Please forgive my absence, and bear with me as I regain my strength more every day. I have missed you!


I look forward to reading your blogs and catching up!


Word for the Day:


Matthew 8:17

This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases.”


May you enjoy excellent health today and this Christmas season!


-Revi

New Project In the Works!

I've had this little chest since the summer. It was a freebie - another treasure from my church. I finally decided to make it my next project, and today I'm showing you the before photos.

I have no idea how this piece began - what it was originally made for or intended to be. It appears to have been stripped partially of gray paint, then "faux" painted a sort of mauve marble.

There was a time I would have probably done the same thing. Now, I wish they would have stopped with the partially-stripped gray.

It has panels on it, but the wood doesn't appear to be fine wood. It has handles on both ends, but they were probably added later. 

You can tell they were "pre-faux" since there's faux on them.

There's also a hasp. I think that's what you call it - hardware used to attach a padlock. The handles and hasp are more utilitarian than decorative. There is no ornamentation on them at all.


There was a little surprise on the bottom of the trunk:

It may have been a crate for a clock or something fragile. I would say it's a crate, except for the panels. You don't see many crates with panels. What do you think? Any ideas?


Whatever it was, I'm glad to have it, and I hope it turns out like I see it in my mind's eye.


Since I'm more a "painter" than a "stripper" I opted to paint it. I've had a certain finish in mind. I'm experimenting, and you're my guinea pigs. Yes, I also use my dinner guests as guinea pigs. I know that's a "faux pas" but this post is sort of celebrating a little faux. My plan for this little chest is a sort of "nouveau faux" treatment. (That's for all my Francophile friends.) 


Hint: It will not be white! 


Another Hint:  It will work beautifully in a white environment.


Word for the Day:


Philippians 1:6


 ...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Linking with:

Monday

http://www.craftskeepmesane.blogspot.com/ Motivate Me Monday 
http://www.homemakeronadime.com/ Creative Blogger's Party

Tuesday

http://www.knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com/ Knick of Time Tuesday

http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/ Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Wednesday

http://eisymorgan.blogspot.com/ Inspired by YOU Wednesdays

http://www.thethriftyhome.com/ Penny Pinching Party

Thursday
http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/ Under $100 Link Party
http://savedbysuzy.blogspot.com/ Suzy's House Party
http://thriftydecorating-nikkiw.blogspot.com/ Thrifty ThursdayFriday

http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/ Feathered Nest Friday

http://www.remodelaholic.com/ Fridays on Remodelaholic
http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/ Frugal Friday
http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/ Frugalicious Friday

http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/ Potpourri Party
http://www.atthepicketfence.com/ Inspiration Friday
Saturday
http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/ Saturday Nite Special
http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/ Show and Tell Saturday 

Finding Just the Right Words - Vintage Book Bundles

My church friend Marilou recently gave me several boxes of books from her garage sale. Many were a bit water-damaged, and covers were coming off. I had stopped by her garage sale and had gathered a box of goodies to purchase when she offered them to me. I knew immediately what I would do with them! 

I have admired book bundles on other blogs, and I know they sold for $29 at Restoration Hardware. I LOVE all my old books, and didn't want to harm them to make a book bundle. 

Yes, they appeal to my love for texture and yes, they are another way to use a different "white" element. But my constructive nature was at odds with the deconstruction of a perfectly good old book!

Marilou's offer of already self-deconstructing books was the answer! I set to work ripping off covers and searching Google to see what methods of binding appealed the most.

I purchased a spool of twine, unwrapped some vintage seam-binding tape from my stash of sewing supplies and set to work. Some of the contents pages were highly decorative, offering a little color to the predominately white and tan constructions. That opened up another possibility; embellishing the strings with found objects!

I decided to let the books dictate what might be attached, and took cues from the wording or the colors found on the cover pages.

It was fun digging through my boxes of old buttons, rusty washers, keys, seashells and beads! 

Some were left plain. Plain is always good. Basic is always right, especially when the book is really special.

During this process, I couldn't help but wonder who had purchased these books. How did they end up at Marilou's garage sale? Some had cryptic notations penned inside.

I focused on mixing a variety of textures and values on the spines, since that is what might be seen on a bookcase. I also tried to use a charming top page, in case they were used in a table top vignette.

These bundles only cost a couple of bucks for a spool of twine. I already had the other items.


I plan to post these bundles on etsy and ebay - a new venture for me. If any of you have any words of wisdom, I am all ears! (or eyes, since this is a blog. You get the idea!)


In my Google research, I also found book covers and spines used in collage-paintings. So, I rummaged back through the garbage bag of these, and found several that might work in some work of this sort. I've begun a couple of them, but they're not yet ready to show. 


Word for the Day:


Ecclesiastes 12:9-10


 ⁹ Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs. ¹⁰ The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true.


May all your words be right and appropriate. May they bring hope, joy and healing to those you spend time with today!


-Revi

Linking with:

Monday

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com Metamorphosis Mondayhttp://makingtheworldcuter.com/ Making The World Cuter Monday

http://www.passionatelyartistic.com/ Thanksgiving Showcase

Tuesday

http://www.knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com/ Knick of Time Tuesday

http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/ Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Wednesday

http://eisymorgan.blogspot.com/ Inspired by YOU Wednesdays
http://www.fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/  White Wednesday

http://www.thethriftyhome.com/ Penny Pinching Party

Thursday
http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/ Under $100 Link Party
http://savedbysuzy.blogspot.com/ Suzy's House Party
http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/ Transformation Thursday
http://www.the36thavenue.com// Share Awesomeness Thursday
http://thriftydecorating-nikkiw.blogspot.com/ Thrifty ThursdayFriday

http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/ Feathered Nest Friday

http://redoux.blogspot.com/ Friday Redoux Link Party
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http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/ Frugalicious Friday

http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/ Potpourri Party
http://www.atthepicketfence.com/ Inspiration Friday
Saturday

http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/ Saturday Nite Special

Secrets that Amaze

Sometimes, when you think you're beginning to know someone, you find out something totally new, unexpected and wonderful about them! 

Such was the case this week while I was peeking about on my dashboard, looking at some of my favorite blogs. I found out Audrey of Elegant Economies likes beading and jewelry-making. I knew her only as Audrey the decorator and homemaker. Why was I shocked that she has OTHER interests, skills and talents? 
I am convinced; we are all multi-faceted, multi-talented, amazing human beings!

I first began to realize this fact because of my Mom. My Mom is a visionary. She has amazing ideas to create something from nothing. She is also fearless. I was blessed to grow up with a mom who told me, "You can do anything you want to do." 

My Mom was a Chamber of Commerce director in a small Texas town. She thought it might be a fun thing to do a melodrama as a fund-raiser. Nothing like that had been done before, but she began to research, found sources that published melodramas. She ordered samples, and began to plan. 

She began asking people if they might like to act in a melodrama. Church choir members, school teachers, farmers, dentists - you name it, she asked. Remember, she's fearless! 

She asked local musicians and gregarious types she knew would enjoy the comedy and being in front of a crowd. Before long, they were having practices and building sets.

In addition to the play, they had pre-event bluegrass music and follies skits. They joined forces with the local RSVP and Senior Citizen's group to make it a dinner theater. It was SUCH great fun! It also brought the community together in a wonderful way.

People who wouldn't have been comfortable on stage enjoyed sewing costumes and building wonderful sets. For a town of less than 5000 people, it was impressive! 

I learned that EVERYONE has at least a couple of marketable skills and talents. Most of the time, those talents have nothing to do with their "day jobs." 

So, tell me. What do you do besides re-style furniture or paint walls or sew curtains? What else excites you as much as finding a great piece of furniture or ironstone at a thrift store or flea market? 

Do you have any other passions that compete for your time? We know you love blogging... 

You may have guessed it already; I like to paint. I also like to make jewelry, which is why it tickled my fancy to find Audrey was a bead-freak, too! I can be a VERY messy gal. Different kinds of creative messes are always cluttering up my spaces. I love learning how to do something new, and that's ANOTHER reason I  enjoy blogging. TUTORIALS! Yea!


I have "created" since I was a child. I studied art in college. I worked as a graphic artist in the stone ages before computers. (No, we didn't use chisels and rocks, but we did do things by hand.) I made jewelry for a living for over 10 years. (That's another post!) 


But, here's the amazing thing. Once I submitted my life to Jesus Christ, when I said, "My life is yours. I want what YOU want, not what I want," my art changed. 


Wait, it's still not the amazing part yet. It's not really surprising that my art changed, that I wanted to glorify HIM with my life. 


The really amazing part is that I had stopped creating for a number of years. After my divorce, I was too busy just making ends meet, being a good mom, etc. But I KNEW that I would create again, and I knew I wanted it to glorify God. 


SO, when I picked up a paintbrush again, I didn't really know what was going to happen. You know what happened? I was BETTER at painting than I had ever been. Without practicing or even picking up a paintbrush in years, I got better. Now, you tell me: HOW did that happen? I know. I'll bet you do, too.


Do you paint? Do you sing? Are you a gourmet chef? Do you have an amazing stamp collection? Do you belong to a dance club? Do you play a didgeridoo? Inquiring minds want to know. Amaze us! 


Please comment and share with us. Show us another facet we didn't know you had. Post them on your blog. We'll visit and wish we could do it, too!


Word for the Day:


Exodus 31: 1-11 (This is a long one, but a good one!) 


1 Then the LORD said to Moses, 2 “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— 4to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 5to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. 6 Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you: 7 the tent of meeting, the ark of the covenant law with the atonement cover on it, and all the other furnishings of the tent— 8 the table and its articles, the pure gold lampstand and all its accessories, the altar of incense, 9the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, the basin with its stand— 10 and also the woven garments, both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests, 11 and the anointing oil and fragrant incense for the Holy Place. They are to make them just as I commanded you.”

May ALL the works of your hands be blessed today!

-Revi

Linking with:

Monday

http://makingtheworldcuter.com/ Making The World Cuter Monday

Tuesday

http://www.knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com/ Knick of Time Tuesday

http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/ Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Wednesday

http://eisymorgan.blogspot.com/ Inspired by YOU Wednesdays
http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/ Wow Us Wednesday
Thursday 

http://savedbysuzy.blogspot.com/ Suzy's House Party
http://www.the36thavenue.com// Share Awesomeness Thursday
http://thriftydecorating-nikkiw.blogspot.com/ Thrifty Thursday
Friday

http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/ Feathered Nest Friday

http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/ Potpourri Party

http://www.atthepicketfence.com/ Inspiration Friday
http://www.myrepurposedlife.net/ Catch as Catch Can
Saturday

http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/ Saturday Nite Special