The Shepherds Fold Design

The Dry Sink....

2010-09-25T09:31:00.000-07:00

I love it when I walk into a shop and it takes my breath away. I know it will be good when I get that feeling!! This past week, one of our vendors, Kristi Patterson, opened up her shop - The Dry Sink - in Cornelius NC on Oak Street. To say the least, her store truly is breath taking!!

The character of the building, the awesome floors, the old mixed with the modern - it was perfection. It doesn't matter where you live.....you've gotta come see her place!I don't really go to many antique malls. Its not like I'm surrounded by them though, right?! But yesterday was the day. I went and got my hair done with my Mama and little sister and then we headed to Cornelius. Above Kristi's shop is Oak Street Mill, which is beyond words! Then we checked out Bebe Gallinis,.....I can't find a word other than awesome to describe it!!!! It was a much needed afternoon of therapy for me!! Isn't it funny....I help manage 88,000 square feet of antiques, but going to look at more antiques is therapy!!!

I just know that fall is on its way.....surely to goodness! Its gotta be!! I'm ready to be able to open up the doors and windows here at The Mill! This is our first fall here at The Depot.....and I am ready for it!!

I hope everyone is having a fabulous weekend. Remember you are treasured and loved by the best Father there could be! He is crazy about you and wants you to live life fully.

I came across this saying yesterday...a quote from Christopher Robin :)..

"you're braver than you believe, you're stonger than you seem, and smarter than you think!"

I love it!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Blessings from one happy lady to another!

Fall Feaver at The Depot

2010-09-04T12:14:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure about you, but I am so tired of summer!! I'm ready for fall like never before! Slowly but surely its cooling down here in the South. I'm ready for plaid, boots,cold weather, colored leaves, pumpkins, deer meat, watching the leaves fall off the trees....need I go on!? The front porch of The Depot is ready with hay, corn stalks and pumpkins thanks to Amy over at Nanbrook Farms!! All we need now is the c o l d! Lord, please send the cold!!

Up at The Depot, our vendors are gearing up for fall. Things are constantly changing here. New items come in the door literally every day. Between renting booths, monitoring the booths....it never stops around here! Janna and I are coming to grasp with that fact! Its a good thing we love what we do :-). The mill was buzzing today.....and I'm loving every minute of it with fall in the air!

I have walked around, admiring so many fabulous booths today and snapped a few pictures to share with you.....so here they are.....

This is "Dwellings by Devore". These two ladies have done a wonderful job with their booth in their Design Center! Vintage and Modern colliding.....I love it!! Check at her blog, http://www.dwellingsbydevore.com/

This guy has a funky "anthropology" look going on. Combined with the chippy blue brick, it looks good!! So my newst fling is BURLAP!! My cabinet curtains are burlap, pillows covered in burlap, and now I'm putting it on old frames!

This is one of our new vendors....her booth is called "Jess ShAbby"....and it is the perfect "Rachel Ashwell" girlie shabbiness!!! Complete with White, lace, and darling handmade lampshades.....she has rocking it out marvelously!! Janna and I are so excited to have any offical shabby dealer!

The "Log Cabin" is beautiful and ready to welcome the fall season. This will forever be one of my favorite booths!

If you haven't came by to see us, you must!! Its getting better and better with every passing week. Slowly but surely we are chipping away at the very long "to do" list that I feel will never end with our precious old mill! Come on and spend the day with us shopping or just enjoying rocking away the day on our front porch. We would love to meet you!

Have a wonderful Labor Day Weekend!!

"Treasure the small things in life. For one day you will look back and see they we're the most important."

Depot Booth Pictures!!

2010-08-03T18:42:00.000-07:00

I had not done a thing to my booth for atleast a month....terrible, I know! So....last Friday, I came in to open. I left early, went and did a little junkin, came and opened up The Mill and worked in my booth all morning! It was wonderful!! I haven't felt "inspired" lately......I am so glad I'm feeling normal again!!

I had a mess!! When I re-amp my booth, I take everything out, pile it up and pick pieces out. I don't know why I work this way, but I do :) I sold a piece last Thursday and didn't have a piece ready to go in its place. I decided to take a chest of drawers out of my apartment. Anything I ever buy, I always know in the back of my head that one day it will probably end up in my booth. The life of a dealer, right?!

So, here are pictures of the final result. I am very pleased with it. That is one of the best feelings....to step back, look at your booth and say "its beautiful"!

I am so thankful for my life. I am so happy! Last summer, I heard "do what you love...and love what you do." I do love what I do...and I am blessed to do what I love. Yes, some days are stressful.....but thats the life of Managment! But at the end of the day, I can say "yes, I do enjoy my job so much"!! I am glad that I am getting back my passion, though. I am finding myself wanting to paint again!! Over the next week I will be getting some new signs painted.

I hope you are doing what you love. I pray that you will find your every desire and need met in the One Who knows you best. I am still learning a lot of things,.....but one thing I have learned about Him is this: He does care about what I want. He does love me. He does want me to enjoy every second of the day....and it is His pleasure to give me the desires of my heart. PLEASE BELIEVE THAT HE IS THE SAME WITH YOU!! He has no favorites, yet YOU are the center of His delight!! You are everything to Him. You make Him smile. You capture Him. You are the reason He is. And in Him, we have our being. Jesus....His love...the Father....this is reality. Its not something "good" to hear. Its not just something to imagine or what we'll experience when we go to heaven. This is a tangible reality that you can live in 24/7....and that is the cry of His heart for you and this generation --- that we will come to know Him for Who He really is....the One Who intentionally loves us with every fiber of His being.

My hearts prayer is that you come to know Him for Who He really is. Talk to Him. Look into His eyes. Cry on His shoulder. Colapse in His arms. All the stress, pain, fear and worry will melt away when He holds you.....I promise :)

Enjoy the rest of your week...knowing you are loved!

Blessings.....Rachel

Promised Pictures...

2010-07-20T21:10:00.000-07:00

Here are the pictures I promised you!!

First picture on the left are the row houses of Philadelphia.....they are everywhere on the Art Museum side!

The picture on the right is Philly at night....it is beautiful!!

This is The Reading Terminal Station....it used to be a train terminal, but now it is used for merchants to see their goods. The Amish come on Wednesdays and sell their baked goods --- and let me just say, they have the BEST Philly Cheesecake and Pretzels!!!!! If you're ever in Philadelphia, the Reading Terminal is a must!

This is the FIRST church of America!! The lead glass in the windows is still perfect. They still have Sunday services here to this day.

Ok.....moving on to the Amish Country......

The auction was fun...even though all I bought was a set of canisters :)

That's all for now......more post to come soon. Try to stay cool.....its suppose to hit 100 here in NC this weekend......Lord help us!!!!! Even though I do work in a "mill".....I'm so glad we have AIR CONDITIONING!!!!!

May you rest in the peace of knowing that in Him, you have everything.

Turning 21...PA....the Beach and my Orchid!

2010-07-19T20:26:00.000-07:00

Wow.....its crazy how the summer was here and now its almost gone. I'm kind of sad about it. Last year this time I was on the "18 inch Journey"...one of the most treasured times of my life. I love going back and reading in my journal about what all has happened since then.

So yes.....I turned 21! I don't feel any different....I just like the fact that I can say "yes, I am 21" :). My parents gave me a orchid for my birthday...one that I got to go to Campbells Greenhouse in Charlotte and pick out the very one I wanted. I am treating it like its my baby!! I have wanted a orchid for the past couple of years. I don't know why, because I have no desire to have a green thumb! But I love this beautiful flower. I want to take care of it so I can wear one of the blooms in my hair on my wedding day.....one fine day. Pictures coming soon.

The last week of June, I went with my parents and younger brother and sister to PA....first Philadelphia, then the beloved Lancaster Country. The trip was everything I hoped and more! We stayed in a old farmhouse right in the heart of the Amish community.......and let me say, this home was my dream home! One day if I come across a old farmhouse that can be renovated, I will have the time of my life (I think:)!! You give me some ol'e wide plank floors and chippy paint with a barn in the yard, and you've made me a happy woman!! There was only one down side to the trip.....there was a Amish Auction going on, and guess who didn't have a truck ---- ME!!!! Renting a UHaul would have been ridiculously expensive. So I painfully watched some of the most fabulous chippy pieces ever go up for auction!!!! I do have pictures, which I will post in the next couple of days. On the other hand, it was nice not having the pressure and exhausting drive to buy. Sometimes just browsing is nice. Philadelphia was awesome. I love love love that city!! We rode the subway, which was scary and exhilarating all at the same time. As long as I kept "the taking of Pelham 123" off my mind, I was good!

This past week, I went to the Beach with a group of my closest and dearest friends. It was perfect. The weather, the house, the beach, everything. My hair lightened and I did get burnt, I learned you cannot try to hop off a golf cart when its moving, how to not wash dishes for a week, and how much I love goat milk soap (thanks Meg :)!!!!

But now I'm back. Janna at The Depot didn't think it was funny when I said I needed one more week!! Haha. I am back and ready to get back to work! I do enjoy my job so much :)

Needless to say, there hasn't been much junkin' going on. I am getting back in the grove, though. I will go shopping and change everything up. Lately I have been running into the problem of KEEPING everything I buy. The other morning I was rearranging my room at 7am and taking stuff out of my apartment to put in my booth! I go through spells like that, where I just want SIMPLICITY! That's hard to keep when you're a dealer AND work full time at a Antique Mall!! I love it, though!!

I'm sorry for the long update.....I hope it wasn't too boring. It is 11:56pm, and I am listening to Mark Mathis. I love his music.....two other guys I love to listen to, just in case you we're wondering :).....Jacob Early and Josh Baldwin!!

I promise, I promise, pictures will be up by the weekend. I'm gonna get some shut eye so I can wake up early and spend some time with my King before I head off to the Mill. I am so glad its not a "mill" anymore!!! If you haven't got to swing in The Depot, you've gotta come and see us! New stuff comes in literally everyday. With 400+ booths, you cannot see it in at once. Stop by and tell Janna and me "HI!"

With blessings and peace to you in the Father's love for you....good night everyone.

Favorite Quote from my trip........"He who laughs last thinks slowest!!!" HaHaHa

A different kind of post....

2010-05-13T20:23:00.001-07:00

I am writing a “different” kind of post. No, I am not writing about any shabby antiques or The Depot. It may be a slightly long post. But I'm asking you to bear with me....and I hope this ministers to your heart and gives you a new perspective of this man Jesus.
Tonight I am snuggled in a recliner, watching a dvd called “In the Footsteps of Jesus”. It is amazing what movies and songs can do to our hearts. It can stir up things in us, for the good or bad. This one thing has been going over and over in my mind...and it is changing my heart.
Picture this: Jesus is walking on a hot day down a dusty road in Jerusalem. Here comes a leper – a leper, guys. A man who is shunned from the public, deemed filthy to everyone around him, cursed by man. In his desperation,....he cries out to Jesus. Yes, he knew he could be turned away and feel the bitter rejection he has felt all of his life once again....but, what did he have to loose?!
Let me say this – I think we take this story too lightly. This man was a leper. I looked up leprosy in the dictionary, trying to understand the full meaning of it. This is a disease of the skin and the nerves...causing the skin to literally rot and the nerves to be shot with pain. Back then lepers could not be in public because the disease was so deadly and disgusting. When people spotted a leper, the covered their mouths and ran far away.

Back to the story. So here is this leper, screaming “Lord, if You are willing to help a man like me, please help me!! I know You can make me clean! Are You willing?” he cries. Jesus stops dead in His tracks......His heart oozing with compassion for this poor, pitiful man. He begins to walk toward him. The people with Jesus are terrified, but watch intently to see what in the world Jesus was doing moving toward him. Jesus gets down on His knees on the dusty ground, getting face to face with this filthy man whose skin smells rancid. He loving touches the man, looks deep into his eyes and says “I am willing! Be clean!” Just like that.....the man is healed. He came to Jesus, exposed, vulnerable, desperate, without reservation. He came ---- shame and despair, humiliation and scorn and was in return granted full healing and love forevermore!. He came to Jesus, God in human form, and fell before Him, pleading for His help. And his hearts desire was granted to him--- just like that!

This is the reality that is burning on my heart tonight: Jesus is the same today as He was way back then. He held this man in his filth and cleansed it all away......all the pain – gone.....all the hopelessness – no more....all the rejection – vanished......all the ugliness – now made beautiful. Just like that. Why?! Because the man came to Jesus just as he was. He didn't “clean up” first. He couldn't!
That is how He is with you. He doesn't want you to get yourself together and then come to Him. NO! He wants you to RUN TO HIM with tears running down your face, covered in dirt and say “God, I need YOU!”

This man Jesus is not a man Who was here years and years ago and now just sits up in heaven. He is real and tangible to anyone who will reach out and grab the hem of His rob. He is staring at you, longing for your eyes to lock with His. I'm telling you, once you look into those eyes of love, you will never be the same! His eyes look though all the hurt all the anger all the rejection all the disappointments. He can see through your mask. Dirt and grime.....He thinks you are perfect. In one second everything will change. That is how Jesus is. I pray that you will come to know the real Him today. I want to know His heart fully. I want to see the different sides of His face. I want you to, as well. I am praying that the reality of Who He is for YOU TODAY will penetrate every fiber
of your being today, whoever you are, wherever you are.

I'm sorry if I've rattled on too much! I hope this wasn't too scattered. I pray it causes you to see that you are loved and wanted by Jesus.......God Almighty. He wants you. He loves you.....just the way you are, right now.....mess and all :) Now that's something to smile about!

New Depot Pictures!

2010-04-26T17:22:00.000-07:00

Oh my goodness...I cannot believe it has been a WHOLE MONTH since I have done a blog post! I know, its bad. I promise, I will try harder :).

Its funny how I feel like I am at The Mill all the time. It never fails: people bring things up to the front all the time that I love (and normally at a great price), but I had never seen the item! It is very frustrating! I want to say "I'm sorry...you can't buy this...its already been sold"! I am kidding. But seriously...I do want to say it sometimes. When Janna and I walk around, we hardly ever look for things to buy. We are looking to make sure all of the booths are up to par. The other night, it was really quiet. So I decided that night was the night I was going to walk the whole Mill and look at all the stuff for me!! It was fun! I didn't buy anything though. Since I have been working...I have only spent $85! I have purchased a fabulous dresser that is now in my apartment...and a set of 5 Laughlin bowls. I have decided I have 3 weaknesses with antiques: 1. tarnished mirrors. 2. tarnished silver. 3. odd pieces of chine and ironstone! When I have my own home, I want to have odd sets of china. I'm starting on my collection now :)

I have taken a few pictures of The Mill for you to see. I hope you enjoy them....

This is Whitaker Fabrics in our Design Center. I LOVE how she has it laid out. I am not a fabric girl. I don't like to sew. Everything in my apartment is pinned. Stitch whitchery is my friend. But her fabric is FABULOUS! I makes me want to sew something! The fabrics starts at $8.99 a yard.

This is 3-D Landscaping...also in the Design Center. These guys worked long, long hours getting this job done. And their work paid off....it looks amazing! It adds so much to that room. Just a reminder: in the Design Center, we are renting space for $2.50 a square foot (non-retail space), and $1.25 a sqaure foot for retail space. We want it filled with contractors, IDS and others will items for the home and garden. We are limiting it to one trade for vendor. If you have any questions on renting space, call us at 704-787-9351. You can check us out at http://www.thedepotgibsonmill.com/ and on Facebook - The Depot at Gibson Mill.

I LOVE the front porch of The Mill. Even though the train flies by, I still love it. (I have really, really come to hate trains. You know the people that say you will come to the point that you don't hear it --- that's not true. Just saying :) One thing I love to do is sit on a porch when it is raining. It is a very soothing thing to me.

One of our vendors sales his Japenese Maple Trees out on the ramp in one of the old mill carts. I think its a nice touch.

Nothing new has been done in my booth. I might go and do a little junkin before I come in tomorrow. We shall see.

Until next time ( I will try to not let it be another month! ), I hope you had a wonderful day today. Remember HOW MUCH Jesus loves and adores you. He thinks you are the best thing He created. I don't even know you....but I know that HE knows the real you....and He thinks you are pretty awesome :) You make Him smile. You make His heart leap for JOY! Please believe that. Father God...help us all grasp that truth. Once we do....we shall never be the same. The thoughts and remarks from people won't faze us. The critical remarks won't get us all out of whack. The stressful days won't be as difficult to get through. Once we begin to go through our day WITH Him, not just representing Him...our days will be peaceful (Leslie Ludy - Authentic Beauty).
May we all come this place, in Jesus Name.

Have a great night!

Blessings from Rachel at The Depot.

The Depot GRAND OPENING!

2010-03-28T19:44:00.000-07:00

Once again...its been far too long since I've done a post. Life is pretty full right now. But, life it good!
THE DEPOT at Gibson Mill will be having its GRAND OPENING this weekend! April 3rd will be the big day, with Bluegrass music on the front porch, gift cards, food and fun! Cabbarrus Creamery & S&D Coffee will finally be in!!! We will be opening our last phase - The Home & Garden Design Center. This will house Outdoor Landscaping, Hardwood Flooring, Decoritive Countertops, along with 49 more dealer booths! We are officially HUGE! You can come and see that we really are the biggest antique mall in the Southeast!!! People ask me "is their another floor". I want to say "are you crazy?! Heck no!" With right under 100,000 square feet, I think we're good. I get my walking in everyday.....lets just put it that way. A dear, smart lady told me that our slogan should be "Wear your tennis shoes!". She is a smart lady indeed :)
I know this might seem a little strange, planning grand opening on Easter Weekend. But Metrolina is having their big Extravaganza this weekend too. They close at 5...we're open til 9! If your planning on heading out to Metrolina...great! But come see us afterwards.

Today, we went up to the Mill so I could work on my little booth. I changed it up a bit. This weekend, there will be fresh flowers.....I'm thinking some sunflowers...maybe some daisies...we'll see. Fresh flowers is a joy of mine. I think it adds such a warm touch to any space.
___________________________________________
Everyday at work, I am learning new things. Its funny how the Lord uses ordinary things to speak to me.

If you've never had minutes, hours, or days just spending time getting to know YOUR Father...its never too late. No matter how far off base you may be - He is waiting. Have you ever read the story about the prodigal son? That story is the ultimate illustration of how your Father is waiting on you. The prodigal son had screwed up really, really bad. But his father didn't care.
You see, we are that son. We have failed. We had messed up. We have sinned. We have done everything to turn Him away. But yet He all the while is sitting on the front porch, looking with anticipation for the day He sees us walking down the driveway to Him. Oh and when He sees us --- He will JUMP off the porch and RUN to us! Dirt and all, He embraced us. His tears of joy wash all the trash off. This isn't just a sunday school story, ya'll!!! This IS OUR FATHER!!! God, help us all get this!

Jesus: how do you see Him? Do you think He will turn you away? Jesus is the wonderful man Who protected a prostitute from being stoned to death. He didn't judge her. He forgave her and set her free. Jesus is the compassionate man Who held a man with leprosy and healed him. Jesus is the only One Who will love us even when we turn away from Him. That is my Jesus. That is the man Who has captured my heart for a long long time. He is my everything. He longs to be your Jesus too. Reach out to Him. I promise you....He will scoop you up with a big ole smile on His face!!! I pray that this will be branded on your heart this Easter Season.

Until next time......enjoy being loved!
Blessings to you and yours. ~Rachel

2010-03-03T20:25:00.001-08:00

Don't wait on the shore for your ship to come...swim out after it!

THE DEPOT PICTURES!

2010-02-13T19:13:00.000-08:00

Like I promised, here are a BUNCH of pictures of THE DEPOT at Gibson Mill (better late than never!). I hope you enjoy them. Listen, if you haven't been out to see us, you gotta come!! Seriously, the building itself is enough to drool over...but then when you add all the awesome finds in it....its just good. You can definitely make a day out of it. When we open our next phase (30,000 square feet for a design center and 20,000 more for dealers), you really will need a day to walk it! When its all said and done, we will have right under 100,000 square feet of unique items for your home. The architecture. The ambiance. The history. The blessed trains that go by every 7 minutes. The creaking hardwood floors. The warm welcome. The definition of a antique mall.....we've got it all. We're working on getting some old pictures of the workers in the mill. I love talking about the mill. Last week, a man came in who was 91 years old. He worked in that mill for 50+ years. He actually installed the mail shoot that is still there to this day. I enjoyed talking to him so much! Have I mentioned to ya'll how much I LOVE working there?! I look forward to going to work everyday. Yes, I do get burned out sometimes...but nothing a good long talk with the Lord, a washing from the Word and a good nights sleep won't fix :) I am still not completely satisfied with my booth yet.....but I'm getting there. Ok, I've said enough. I'm going to shut up now and let you enjoy looking at pictures!

I love the old war memorabilia.

Look at the windows! Most of them are original...just like back in the day. My favorite part of the building....the chippy painted brick walls. Fabulous, to summarize.

That's all the pictures for today. If you are interested in renting space, like I have said before, it is $1 a square foot with 10% commission. That's it. No lease. We are renting spaces in our next phase, which is scheduled to open for vendors to move in March 1st. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me or give us a call - 704.787.9351.

We got hit hard with snow last night here in the South....but believe it or not, its almost all gone!
I hope you enjoy this. Pictures do not do it justice!

May you have a blessed, peaceful Valentines weekend....and may you be refreshed in being loved by the ultimate Lover of your heart. Even if you don't feel like it. Even if you have never heard it --- please believe me when I tell you this : you are LOVED and ADORED by Jesus today. And He will always love you with every beat of His heart and with every fiber of His being...just the way you are, right now. You don't need to "clean up" for Him. He likes you running to Him covered in dirt! He enjoys cleaning you up...picking you up in His arms and loving on you...just like a good Daddy does. Trust me, you can't get a better Valentine than Him!

Until next time.....good night everyone.

"I've never quit loving you, and I NEVER will." Love, Jesus. (Jeremiah 31:3 the message.)

New Year...New Venue!

2010-01-31T08:13:00.000-08:00

Ok, get comfy....this is gonna be a long one!
It has been a long long time since I have done a new blog post...too long! A lot of new things are going on in my life.

For starters, I have been praying a lot about what I needed to do with this "season" of my life. I had been looking around and applying for jobs, but nothing came available. Back in December, I had heard about a new antique mall opening in Concord. So me and my Dad went and checked it out. I'm skipping ahead through a lot of details, but long story short I now and working at The Depot at Gibson Mill, a 43,000 square foot antique and design center, full time....and I am loving every minute of it. Tomorrow is our "soft" opening day. This blessed icy winter weather here in the south has tried to set us back a bit, but we will be opening tomorrow full swing! Our hours are going to be Monday - Saturday 9-9, Sunday 11-6. We are located at 325 McGill Ave, right off Hwy 29 in Concord.

If you know me, you know I LOVE old buildings and architecture! This old mill has it all. Originally, it was Cannon Mills, the old textile cotton mill. Inside the mill, we have kept the atmosphere of chippy brick walls, the creaking hardwood floors...the least I can say of the building is it is awesome. I live on the Pageland side of Monroe NC, so driving to work every morning is a little hike, taking me right under a hour one way. But I am enjoying it so much! This past week, I have been exhausted. But its a good tired. There is still much to be done at The Mill, but everything is coming together nicely.

I want to encourage you all with this update. You see, I was OPEN to working anywhere. No, I didn't want to really work at any retail store, but I was willing to do so. All I wanted was what my Lord wanted. I knew He had a specific place HE wanted me to be...I just didn't know where. The only way I knew to find His plan was to seek it out. Now if you would have asked me what the ultimate job would be to me....working in a old building, helping people would be it for me. Dealing, shopping and researching antiques and old buildings is a deep love in me. So for me to actually get to do that for a living...I am ecstatic!!! This is what I'm trying to say: if we will just delight ourselves in HIM...He really WILL give us the very desires of our heart. Its that simple. He is sitting on the edge of His seat, wanting to give us good gifts that we have wanted for so long. All we have to do it stop grabbing for what WE think is best for us, step back, sit down and rest. I pray that you come to the realization of knowing that you really do have a LOVING, GOOD Father Who adores you yesterday, today and all the days of your life. He wants nothing more than the absolute best for you! Yes, its scary letting go. But once we can get past the FEAR and questions...the ride is exhilarating. Ad Brian Andrea's said: "If you hold onto the handles its easier to maintain the illusion of control -- but its more fun if you let go and let the wind carry you!"

My buddy Janna, who is no my co-worker, snapped some pictures of my booth for me last night. It is still a work in the making....but its coming together.

If any of you are interested in renting spaces in our Mill, we are renting for a $1 a square foot. In March we will be opening up 40,000 more square feet for more booths, storage space and a modern design center.

The Mill is full of great pieces now. I will add new pictures in the next couple of days.

I promise I will try not to let another month go by without a new post! I hope everyone enjoys the last bit of a much needed weekend!

Blessings....Rachel

"And Jesus asked, 'what do you want me to do for you'?" Mark 10:51

NEW YEAR BLOW OUT SALE!

2009-12-26T12:21:00.000-08:00

Alright everybody.....the New Year is almost here! It's time to hit the sales!!!

Going on now through January 10, The Shepherds Fold Design in The Sleepy Poet is having a 30% off sale!!!

Excludes a few items marked "firm".

Don't miss out on this! I'm heading up to the Poet this afternoon to take a vanity.
I will post new booth pictures later on.

Day 25...

2009-12-25T07:09:00.000-08:00

DAY 25 - CHRISTMAS DAY!!!: Jesus came FOR YOU!!!

That is the best reason of all. That is the bottom line! HE CAME FOR YOU!!! He wanted to have you in His family so bad. I pray that from this Christmas on, the reality of Jesus coming will forever be in your heart.

Enjoy the day. I hope its filled with joy, laughter and peace in knowing you are loved by Almighty God...now and forevermore.

It is cold, raining, windy and dark here in Monroe this morning. I love it!!! I wish it was colder, though! These are the kind of days you should do nothing but stay inside and hang out around the fireplace...and that is exactly what we're going to do :)
I hope you all have enjoyed this "Christmas Countdown" special!

Merry Christmas to you all!
Blessings from my home to yours!

Day 24...

2009-12-24T15:49:00.000-08:00

Day 24: Jesus came to have a relationship with you.

So many people get messed up with religion. But, the truth is, religion is nothing like Jesus. Come on guys.....it was the religious people of His day that hated Him and crucified Him! No....He is not about what you do or how you live. Yes, it matters to Him. But His affection and love for you is NOT based on what you do or what you can produce. Religion is always about WORKS. Jesus is all about RELATIONSHIP! Any messed up image that you have of Him, I pray that today will be wiped out of you mind forever. Once you come to experience Him for Who He REALLY IS....you will never be the same. Open up to Him. Let Him love you today. He desperately wants to.

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas Eve! I am about to curl up in front of the fire, eat some good food, and spend time with my family. Many blessings from Monroe to you and your family this Christmas Eve!!!

Day 23...

2009-12-23T22:10:00.000-08:00

Day 23: Jesus came to put you in a family.

You know, He says "He puts the lonely and friendless in families" (Psalm 68:6). Christmastime can be the happiest time of the year for a lot of people. But, there are many that this is a sad, lonely time....because they don't have family, friends or a place that they can be "at home". If you are one of those, I want to encourage you with this word today. Ask the Lord to place you in a "family"....and He WILL do it. He doesn't want any one to ever be alone.

My prayer for you is that you will, at some point, come to a place where you are free to be yourself and feel loved.

No matter what, no matter where..
it's always HOME when love it there.

May He wrap you up in the love of Family tonight.

Day 22...

2009-12-22T16:34:00.000-08:00

Day 22: Jesus came to tell us the truth, so that we could be FREE!

Always remember this: Jesus will NEVER speak to you with condemnation in His voice. He comes to tell us the TRUTH about things, not to condemn us, but so that we can see things for how they are. We can only be free when we are in reality. Good or bad, we will always be free when we see the TRUTH!!! Ask Him to show you the truth about things today. He will. And, oh the joy of Him showing the truth! Nothing beats it! Don't be afraid if Him truth. He wants nothing but GOOD for you. HE IS GOOD.....and there's nothing but GOOD in His heart. He adores you. He wants the best for you. Hear His truth today and be set free.

Day 21...

2009-12-21T07:06:00.000-08:00

Day 21: Jesus came so that we could have impossibilities!

I want to share this picture with you. I took it in this awesome coffee shop called "Krankies", in downtown Winston Salem. The place has amazing architecture, and pretty good coffee, too!! The other day I came across this saying in one of my journals, so I added it onto the picture. I hope this saying becomes branded onto your heart and mind. This should sum everything up for us, if we will just believe.

Day 20...

2009-12-20T21:17:00.000-08:00

Day 20: Jesus came so that you could live an abundant life!

John 10:10 - "The thief comes only to kill, steal and destroy (this is literal!)....but I came so that you could have LIFE, and have it in abundance."

That says it all. Jesus want us to live a good, abundant life. He wants us to be abundantly blessed physically, financially, emotionally, spiritual. The word Shalom, in its full context, means wholeness, completeness - nothing missing, nothing broken. That is the way He wants us to live. Don't settle for anything less than His best.

Day 19...

2009-12-20T21:10:00.000-08:00

Day 19: Jesus came to fight for us.

Do you know that He paid the price for your sins? Did you know that He went to hell for three days...for you? He did this so that you wouldn't have to. And you know what....He would do it again. He will never let you go. He will never let anything or anyone snatch you from His hand (John 10:29)! You are valuable to Him. No matter what you've done ore where you have been....you are that pearl of great price that He gave everything He had so that He could have you. It doesn't make sense, does it? But this is your Jesus. This is how mind boggling amazingly wonderful your Jesus is!
Enjoy being the apple of His eye...because you are.

Day 18...

2009-12-18T10:07:00.000-08:00

Day 18: Jesus came to show us HOW to love.

Think about this: the religious leaders of His day are the very ones who hated Him. They are the ones who crucified Him! Now, Jesus didn't let them run Him over. He never backed down from their accusations. He wasn't afraid to speak the hard truth to their face. But --- when they crucified Him, He prayed that Father would FORGIVE T-H-E-M!!!

Let's think about this, guys. We've got to grasp this unconditional love of Jesus. His mercy...His grace....His compassion...His forgiveness. This is the example He left us. Boy, have we fallen far from reaching this. But, through His continual grace, we will acheive it, one sweet day....in Jesus Name.

Day 17...

2009-12-18T10:03:00.000-08:00

Day 17: Jesus came so that we could know our Father.

Jesus talks about this in John 17. He is talking the Father God and says "I pray that they will know You as I know You".

Let's take Jesus up on this. Let's get to know God as our FATHER --- not as the big man upstairs Who is going to dominate us! He loves tenderly and passionately.

He doesn't love like your father does. He doesn't love like your mother does. He doesn't love like your brother or sister or friends. HE LOVES LIKE HE LOVES. Let His love come and invade your entire being and wash away every screwed up idea your have of Him today. He is amazing.......know Him today!

Day 16...

2009-12-16T06:06:00.000-08:00

Day 16: Jesus came so that we could always feel arms around us.

Everybody wants to feel that. There is nothing better than having someone come up and hold you tight. On the good days, it just makes the day better....and on the bad days, it reminds us we are loved...no matter what.

I pray that you can feel His great big strong arms tight around you today....wherever you are, in whatever situation you are in. I pray that you can hear Him whispering in your ear "I'm never letting you go --- nothing can pry My arms from you!"

Thank You for always being near
us, Lord Jesus. Come and stay
with us today and forevermore.

Day 15...

2009-12-15T06:29:00.000-08:00

Day 15: Jesus came and is here to give us wisdom.

"If you need wisdom, go and ask God. He will give you wisdom freely when you ask Him for it!" James 1:5

I have things right now that I need His wisdom and guidence in my life right now. I know He will show me what to do. Hr promised He would --- and He never goes back on His promises!

Day 14...

2009-12-14T07:16:00.000-08:00

Day 14: Jesus came to give us our hearts desires.

This one might be a little long today. I'm sorry if I'm seeming to "preachy". But once you experience the goodness of Jesus...you can't stay quiet about Him :)

This morning, I was reading in Mark 10, about the blind beggar Bartemaus. Get those two words: blind and beggar. This man was considered the scum of the earth in those days. He couldn't see Jesus.....but when he heard that He was passing by, Bartemaus cried out with all of his might to Jesus. Now, all the people (hint, these we're the religious people) around him told him to be quiet. That didn't faze the blind man. He was determined to get to Jesus. Gosh, this is so vivid to me this morning....I hope it is to you, too!!!
So, he's yelling out to Jesus. Jesus hears him....stops dead in His tracks and turns to the man. Jesus....yes, our Jesus, the Son of God...stoops down to where this blind beggar in on the dusty road...hold's his face and says:

"What do you want me to do for you?"

Can you see the love in Jesus here?! Can you see His willingness here?!
He is asking you and me this one question. It is a simple question...but yet seem's so hard for us to answer.
WHAT DO YOU WANT HIM TO DO FOR YOU TODAY?
I pray that we fully grasp the reality of how extravagantly good He is. I pray that we see Him, sitting on the edge of His throne, just waiting for us to tell Him what we want and need. Oh, may we grasp this amazing love of our King today.

Day 13...

2009-12-14T07:13:00.000-08:00

Day 13: Jesus came to deliver us.

Jesus longs to deliver us from any and every stronghold in our lives. He wants us to live free, whole and at peace --- not in torment! Whatever it is in your life - the things that nag at you, like shame, regret, anxiety, fear, anger.....the list can go on - if it is tormenting you, it is NOT of Him. Cry out to Him like blind Bartemaus did!
He desperately wants to set you free today!

Day 12...

2009-12-14T07:09:00.000-08:00

Day 12: Jesus came so that we could always have a Guide.

Jesus said He would send us a Helper...the Holy Spirit....and that the Holy Spirit would be our Guide in every situation --- if we'll just ask Him to.

There was never a situation that Jesus was in where He did not know what to do. Why? Because He was always linked up with His Father. The Holy Spirit was living and flowing through Him. Now we have to remember that when Jesus was here on the earth, He was human like us! This is the amazing thing: we can live just like He lived!!!!

Let's not neglect the gift of the Holy Spirit. He is hovering...waiting for us to cry out for His help. Cry out to Him right now --- and I promise you.....He will come running to you.

Day 11...

2009-12-14T07:05:00.000-08:00

Day 11: Jesus came so that we could be secure.

Get this picture in your mind: There is a little kid in his Dad's arms. There is a lot of chaos around them....people running around, its raining,....really hectic. But that little kid is just as peaceful as a lamb. Why? Because he is in his Dad's arms. As long as his Daddy is holding him, he isn't afraid.

We can be just like that with our Daddy. This is how He wants us to live continually. We don't have to get all bent out of shape when the sky seems to be falling. Just stay in your Daddy's arms and enjoy the security today.

Day 10...

2009-12-14T07:02:00.000-08:00

I know,...I've missed a few days. I am sorry! It has been a good but busy weekend! But I am catching up today, starting with Day 10.

Day 10: Jesus came so that we could always see someone smiling at us.

Do you know that He is always looking at you....beaming with DELIGHT in who YOU are?! It is true. You are His delight. Close your eyes. Can you see Him? Can you see His great big smile. Look at His face. His smile is the only thing that will ever truly satisfy you.

Day 9...and NEW ITEM!!!

2009-12-09T06:30:00.000-08:00

We are just 16 days away from Christmas Day! I can't wait!!! A family here in Monroe have made homemade mangers with a baby Jesus in them. They are DARLING!!! Each manger is hand crafted...even the cedar wood was hand cut to build the manger! Very rustic and warm. Each one comes with a tag that says "I came for you." It is the very heart of Christmas!!! The price is $27.95. Shipping will vary on your location. Mini mangers available by request.

Day 9: Jesus came for the "sick".

I love this scripture in Matthew. The religious people we're criticizing Him for hanging out with the sinners of that day. His response was this: "Healthy people do not need a doctor. Only the sick need a doctor!" Matt. 9:12

That is our Jesus. See how good and loving He is. He loves running to the ones that have fallen, who are muddy and dirty. He loves to pick them up, clean them up, and heal them in whatever way they need healing. This is our Jesus.

Day 8...

2009-12-08T06:32:00.000-08:00

Day 8: Jesus came so that we could be made whole and holy in Him!
Check this out........

"Long before He laid down the earth's foundations, He had us in His mind, had settled on us as the focus of His love, to be made whole and holy by His love :). Long, long ago He decided to adopt us into His family through Jesus. What pleasure He took in planning this! He wanted us to enter into the celebration of His lavish gift-giving by the hand of His Beloved Son." Eph. 1: 4-6

I pray that you can grasp the reality of Him --- apart from religion.....but by coming into a personal Father and child relationship with Him. Enough said.

Day 7...

2009-12-07T06:21:00.000-08:00

Day 7: Jesus came so that we could live free from condemnation.

He wants us to live in confidence with Him...not condemnation! Jesus paid the ultimate price for our sins, so that we could live free from condemnation! Isaiah 53.

Here are a couple pictures of my booth. See the little chippy chest?! It is adorable! All original......glass pulls....lovely!

The big board sitting on the chest says this: May your walls know joy...may every room hold laughter and every window open to great possibilities."

Hope you are enjoying getting these little bits on why Jesus came for you and me. Have a great day today! Here in Monroe, it looks snowy! I wish it would snow!!! YES! Winter is finally here!!!

Blessings.....Rachel

Day 6...

2009-12-06T05:38:00.001-08:00

Day 6: Jesus came so that He could reveal to us who we really are! You gotta read 1 John 2:26....the Message says it this way: "Christ' anointing teaches you the TRUTH on everything you need to know about yourself and Him."
Everyone, at some point in their life, struggles with the question "WHO AM I....and WHERE DO I BELONG???"...right? Let's think about this today: what if we lived life, KNOWING that we are a son/daughter of the Living God?!?! Just think of how wonderfully different we could live!!!!! I'm asking Jesus to come today and reveal to all of us the truth about who we really are and Who He really is.

Day 5...

2009-12-05T07:21:00.000-08:00

Day 5: Jesus came so that we could have a best friend!

Everybody doesn't have someone in their life that they can label "best friend". There has never been and never will be anyone who can top the friendship and fellowship that I enjoy with Jesus. On lonely days....He is always right here, smiling. He is a friend to the friendless. He is dedicated. He is faithful. He is loving and gentle. He is always honest. He is real. Spending time with Jesus is very valuable and important to Him. We can read in many places where He and His disciples we're around the dinner table, talking and cutting up. This is the real Jesus....the One Who is after your whole heart! He longs to spend special times with you. He is waiting...

Day 4...

2009-12-04T07:16:00.000-08:00

Day 4: Jesus came so that we could live in peace!

This week, the Lord has reeeaaalllyyy been talking to me about depending on Him in every circumstance. I have fallen off the wagon hard! He has really been telling me that when I am fully dependent on HIM, I will live life in blessings and peace! The good news is this: He does not require us to not make mistakes....He just requires that we trust Him!

I love this saying: "When you make a mess out of life, turn the mess over to Jesus. He will un-mess the messer and make an asset out of the mess!"

He is proving this to me, even this morning! I pray that you get this, too! Don't get tore up when you fail. He see's us as little children! We don't expect children to be perfect and not make mistakes. He is the same with us! Now, this is good news!!!! This is why Jesus came.

Day 3...

2009-12-03T06:32:00.000-08:00

Day 3: Jesus came so that He could make us His very own.

You see, Father God sent what was most valuable to Him. His sent His only, precious Son to our dirty earth. Why? Because in order to adopt someone, you have to make sacrifices of great value. With adoption there are a lot of legal and financial steps to take. We've gotta get this....because once we do, it will rock us to the core forever: Father gave everything He had....just so He could say "that one is Mine!" Jesus agreed on this. He was willing to pay the ultimate price. He wanted a big family, too!
Thank You, Jesus. May we grasp the reality of what You did for us during this Christmas season.

Have a wonderful day, soaking in His love for you!!!

Day 2...

2009-12-02T06:37:00.000-08:00

Day 2: Jesus came so that we could have everything we would need for life and godliness. Everything we need, we can find in Him. He is our source for life. Check it out in 2 Peter 1:3

25 Days to Christmas Countdown!

2009-12-01T06:45:00.000-08:00

Good Morning everybody!
Starting today, I am starting the countdown to Christmas. I know it's supposed to be 12 days before.....but I'm doing 25 :). Everyday starting today to December 25, I will be posting one reason why Jesus came for you and me personally. There's so much more to Him than just Him dying. Why did He die? Why did He choose to come into this filthy, low world? Yes, He loves us. But how much?
So, anytime you have a extra minute or these kind of questions are running through your head....swing by here and see what His answer is. He is always speaking to us...we've just gotta open up our ears.

Day 1: Jesus came so that you and I could be happy.....
all the time, no matter the circumstances.He wants us to be happy in His presence! Check it out in Psalm 16:11
This is good stuff :)

Black Friday SALE!!!

2009-11-24T12:36:00.000-08:00

I hope your ready for Thanksgiving......because I sure am! I don't do a whole lot of shopping on "Black Friday". I went one year with friends and family at midnight when the mall opened, and that one time was enough for me :). But this year, I am going to have a sale of my own! So, get ready.....because this Friday, The Shepherds Fold inside the Sleepy Poet (located at the end corner of isle 11) with have a 20% off sale!!! This sale includes all items, even already reduced items! It bugs me when a store says their having a "sale", but it excludes a long list of items. When I say every item, I mean every item! Don't miss out! The sale starts Friday at opening and ends at closing! If you have questions regarding the sale or location of the Poet, please feel free to contact me via email or phone.

One other things about me.....I really do love Thanksgiving.....everything about it. The de'cor. The food. The cooking. The talking. The family time. The history. Did I mention the food?! Normally, I don't like to rush Christmas before Thanksgiving. But I knew if I didn't get my Christmas items in my booth last week, it wouldn't happen before the Black Friday sale. So, I went against the grain and just did it early. I got this idea late one night while I was trying to go to sleep......I wanted to get a couple old sap buckets and put real, live cedar tree's in them. One, it brings in the winter feel, and two, the blessed smell of cedar puts me in the holiday mood quick! So that's what I did! Here's a few pictures for you to enjoy......

I had several signs from last Christmas that I brought in. They are great touches for your home....all around $16.95 each.

I try not to go overboard with the spray snow...but I just love spraying it :) Check out that awesome old mirror! I had to think about if I wanted to sale this one for a while. It is a awesome old boy for sure. And the old bowling pins.....love em!

Here's a whole booth picture...yep, that's me working away! I brought in a few holiday aprons that my Mom and little sister make. They are reversible and darling! Adult and children sized available.

To me, it's not Christmas without holly, so of course, I added a few holly branches here and there.

I hope everyone has a awesome Thanksgiving! Enjoy every minute of it. Every year is different. Treasure and savor every part of the holidays!

Cheers!

Music Added!

2009-11-18T07:07:00.000-08:00

Ok! I have finally figured out how to add a music player to my blog! Everybody, turn up your speakers and enjoy :)

Paintings

2009-11-17T07:16:00.001-08:00

Alrighty, here are three paintings that I have completed! I wanted to share them with you guys. Over the summer I was introduced to "mixed media" art. I'm starting to love it more and more. Now, you have to know me to understand this....but my style changes pretty often! I used to love modern - you know, everything stainless steel, kind of thing. But over the past couple of years, I have become a shabby girl. Now, I'm beginning to really like combining modern with the chippy.
Here's one painting. Over the summer I was given a poetry book that has this quote in it. I think it is beautiful (by Thomas Merton):
I will travel to You, Lord, through a thousand blind alleys. You want to bring me to You through stone walls.

This is how it is with the Lord so much of the time. You see, He runs to our "impossibilities". What seems far out or too difficult to us is NOTHING to Him! Take walking through a stone wall.....seems ridiculous, right? But that's how He works. He wants to bring us closer to Him through impossibilities. I dare you to believe Him for extravagant things today......He really wants to give you the BEST of the best! He is a good Daddy, Who loves to give good gifts!

Here's another one.........a quote from Father Himself!
"Blessed are those who chase after Me...for I am always chasing after them."

One more....a favorite. I love old photos. This one of a lady reading a letter is lovely. It says
"Oh God, You are my God. Earnestly I seek You. Your unfailing love is better than life...in You....I am satisfied." Psalm 63.
I can't decide if I want to sell it or not :-/.

Yesterday, I found this HUGE silver tray. I have never seen one like it. It is about 24" in diamater and it is on a pedestal that turns! It is heavy, old and tarnished.....absolutely FABULOUS for the holiday dining table! For today it is sitting on my plank table until I take it up to the Poet in the next couple of days.

Well, I think that's all for now. I have a couple smaller pieces to paint and take up to the Poet this week. I will post new booth pics then.

Thanksgiving is almost upon us! I can't wait!!! This is the most beautiful time of year. I am so wanting to take a trip to the mountains, though!

Until next time....every one have a great, peaceful day!

Quote for the day "God's work done His way never lacks provision." amen and amen!!!

A Different Kind of Post...

2009-11-10T07:51:00.001-08:00

Good morning everybody! I know this is a little different kind of post.....but I want to do it anyway :) This morning while I've been spending time with the Love of my life, I wanted you all to know something.........Jesus is my Love. I'm not telling you this to brag or seem "super spiritual"... I'm telling you this because I have experienced life with Him. It is so so so good. Yea, there are hard days and many days you wonder if anything is going to turn out right. But, all of it is worth it. Seriously. I like writing little notes in my books or Bibles and dating them so that I can look back and remember them. Today I read on that said "Christ' anointing teaches you the TRUTH on everything you need to know about yourself and Him" (1 John 2:26). It's true. The more I spend time with Him....the more I dig into His word, the more I come to know the real Him and I get to see who I really am. And it's really good. I'm in love with this man Jesus of Nazareth, and He's In love with me. This is the reason for this post: for you to know that HE IS OUTRAGEOUSLY IN LOVE WITH YOU....HE IS PASSIONATE ABOUT YOU....HE CAN'T STOP THINKING ABOUT YOU. HE HAS ENGRAVED YOUR NAME ON THE PALM OF HIS HAND!(Isaiah 49)
I am praying for you today, that you will really grasp the reality of this life changing truth. Once you know how He feel's about you.....it will radically change you....and you'll never be the same again. It is wonderful to live life with Him. He has the absolute BEST for you. Don't settle for average. He is extravagant :). That's how He loves. I pray that you encounter the REAL, LOVING, GOOD Jesus today. I pray that you see Him smiling at you today....because He is.

"Know and believe the LOVE that God has for you today..." 1 John 4:16

It's rainy here is Monroe! I'm going to paint a desk and a few boards to take up to the Poet tomorrow. I'll post pictures later on.
Have an awesome day!
Blessings.....Rachel

Blessed are those who chase after Me........for I am always chasing after them.
We will meet.

I've got that feeling....

2009-10-29T20:07:00.000-07:00

Do you know what I am talking about? Its that feeling you get when you are doing something you love and feel so accomplished with?? The warm and giddy kind of feeling :). That's been me this week. This whole time I have been at the Poet, I haven't felt good about my booth. At the beginning of this week, I felt like I needed to build a awning out of old wood......so that's what I did! Well, with my little brothers help, I did it. Building it was easy...putting it up on a concrete wall --- NOT so easy. Lets just say I was popping the IBprophen that night (haha.....I really was sore!) Anyways, there is a gorgeous old house downtown Monroe that I have noticed a lot of wood on the porch. The house has been undergoing renovations for a few months. So I contacted the owner and asked if he had any wood he could spare. He said he did!!! So here I GO --- (now I could do this allllll day long!) --- I pull up in the yard and start asking away about what he needs and what he doesn't need. I left with plenty of wood for the awning and a awesome old door......everything I needed in abundance (you know the Lord said He would do that for us when we trust Him! -Luke 6:38 & Prov. 3) Now, to someone else, getting a lot of old rotten wood may seem so ridiculous. But to me......it was the BEST! You see......God DOES care about our own secret desires. He knows things in our hearts that no one else may ever know or understand. But He cares......because we are His number 1 priority!!! So that has been my week! Here are some pictures for you to see the DRAMATIC changes that have been made this week,. I am so very happy with it now.

Do you see that I painted it "Chocolate kiss"?! I am loving this color!!! I painted a lot of my apartment this color. Its great......it goes with everything and every season.....and it is such a rich warm hue......

Yep.....that is my prized ole' door! I think the lamp inside adds such warmth!

This BED!!! Hands down - this is my favorite piece I have ever had. Seriously!!! The crackled paint and shabbiness is perfect. All original!!!

I enjoy this business so much. I hope you are living a life that you enjoy.

I have not forgotten about adding pictures of my apartment on here. It is taking longer than I thought it would to get put together!!! But as soon as its done.....I will add those pictures for you to see my little nest!

Alright....after a long days work, its time to hit the hay. Have a great rest of the week --- hang in there....the weekend it almost here!

Blessings in His Love forever....
Rachel

Seek first (above your wants and desires) My kingdom (My way of living and doing) and My righteousness....then all these other things SHALL BE added to you in abundance. Matthew 6 - this is true and so worth it!

Expansion for The Shepherds Fold!

2009-10-08T12:10:00.000-07:00

Alright, I am in my larger booth at the Poet now! I now have about 40 more square feet than I had before. It was a great move, too, just right across the isle! Last week, I didn't post anything because I wasn't really happy with it, but I took a few things up there today and got things moved around. I am very pleased with it now :)

Check this mirror out --- another one my brother made. But I love this one more than the first! It is the perfect size! I am very tempted to keep it for my new apartment :)..........

One more picture......I have put a few harvest signs in my booth. I am so ready for fall and cold weather! I can't wait to see all the leaves change...for pumpkins.....for hay......fir deer meat (oh yes, I love deer meat --- I am a country girl!) !
This is my favorite time of year!!!

This is all for today. Hopefully everyone has had a great week. The weekend is almost here.....praise the Lord!!! I am moving into a apartment we have over out garage next week....so I will post pictures when I have it painted and decorated. There will be lots of "shabbiness" up there, you know!
Have a great evening!

"Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in little....now I will make you ruler over much." Matthew 25:23 ......Lord, help us be faithful in the little things.

Booth Update!

2009-09-22T18:28:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! Well, last week when I went up to the Poet to change up my booth, I took my camera but left the battery at home! I was so annoyed! So today when I went, I made sure I had ALL the parts to the camera! So here are a few pictures for you to enjoy!

I found this fabulous old plank top table a couple weeks ago. The planks looked bleached out from years of weathering.......I love love it!!! Then this past weekend I found this chippy white chair that I thought would be cute with the table. So now, it would be a awesome writing desk in a bedroom, a nice greeting in your foyer.....or pass on the chair and use the table as a island! Every home needs a good farm table!

Do you see the artwork above the chest mirror?? This is a new thing I'm trying out......inspired by a awesome artist couple, Chris and Amy Underwood in NC. It has a quote that says "today no matter what it takes, we ride home together"
A friend of mine led me to that quote one day and I thought it would be so sweet for a couple to have in their home! And that big ole heavy mirror on the wall?! My brother came across some old trim and made this mirror! It is big and beautiful!

Now, I think this hall tree is amazing. I need to take a picture of the BACK of it for you to see its beautiful chippy turquoise paint!!!

A bit of exciting news: at the end of this month The Shepherds Fold will be expanding across the "lane" in the Poet to a larger booth! I will gain about 40 more square feet. I'm really excited. Today I found two of the most breathtaking pieces ever! I will be picking them up on Thursday......as soon as I get them, I will post pictures.

Well, I think that's all for tonight. Stay tuned for more updates :)

Everyone have a great evening.

"Be faithful in the little things"

Country Chic Heaven

2009-09-10T20:05:00.000-07:00

This is whatI am calling it......Country Chic (inspired by another vendor at the Poet...thank you ma'am)! Its not rustic and its not shabby either......its a combination. And since, early this morning, me and my brother went out to the middle of nowhere country-ville to acres of fields full of beautiful "junk", I think the name suits it well :)

Well.....this is what my booth currently looks like! This morning I brought in a Chippy Door made Hall Tress, old barn door, a awesome old Smoke Blue Carriage Bench, little plank farm table-one that would be great for a breakfast nook (its missing the front of the drawer, but I still loved it), a chippy white milk can, a rusty stop/slow sign ( I'm really into old road signs :), window panes, a beautiful old barn door, and a old water cooler. I think that's it. Boy did we move fast, too! We we're there by 8:30 and done by 9:45!

I love days like this. I love looking back and seeing a whole truck load of treasures like today! This business is a lot of continual work...but I love it. Its worth every minute in the long run. So here's a picture of what my booth looks like as of this afternoon!

And here's another angle shot.........

After a long, but great day, its time to hit the hay for a few hours. Then, I'm up and running in the morning! The weekend is almost here.....(maybe hit some yard sales?!?!) And I am looking very forward to the weekend for sure :) Good night everyone!

Blessings......Rachel

Moved In!

2009-09-06T18:31:00.000-07:00

Well....I am officially in a booth at The Sleepy Poet in Charlotte NC! I have a 9 x 10 space........I really thought I would have plenty, if not too much stuff, but it is amazing how much stuff you can get into a space. All you need is the right angle and a little determination....right ladies :)

Here is what it looked like on move in day......
Notice the box that the quilt is in?? It is a old salt box that, back in the day, they would "cure" meat in. I beat it up and rubbed some paint on it to give it a little love. It is one heavy booger, too! hehehe I love it with books and quilts! It would be awesome at the foot of a bed.

Men Working sign...SOLD!
Wardrobe......SOLD!

This week, I am going to be going a LOT! I have a lot more space to fill. It's work....but I do enjoy it! Here is a old primitive chest and mirror that I will be taking up there in the next couple of days......the mirror did not come with it, but I love them together!

A lot of dark wood pieces look gothic and cold to me --- just my opinion :) --- but this piece is very warm. As you see my booth through out the weeks and months, you will come to see that I am a seasonal girl. I love changing my decor according to seasons. So right now I am getting ready for my favorite season, FALL, which for me is lots of browns, rust, burnt orange( my favortie color, by the way)......all the beautiful colors of the leaves.....you will see me using lots of branches :)

This is all for now. Check back in later on this week for updates and more photos!

Thanks for dropping by. Enjoy the last few hours of your weekend.....and have a great Labor Day!
~Rachel

Load of Junkin' Treasures!!!

2009-08-29T10:44:00.000-07:00

I have been working away getting things ready for my booth at the Poet....which I will be moving into this coming week. I came across a beautiful old vanity and wardrobe, a dark side table and a cute old box. They all had awesome detail and lines --- the kind that a shabby girl like me LOVES! This is a before picture (I thought I had a before picture of the wardrobe, but I didn't)

Now......look at the after! This might be one of my favortive pieces that I have painted!!! I'm loving the color for fall. Sitting on the vanity is a really old antique Singer sewing machine that I got from a yard sale!

Here is my load thats ready for the Poet! Yesturday, I headed out early and went out to this place in the middle of nowhere that a old man sells LOADS of junk! I found this "Men Working" sign. Now, I don't normally buy rusty signs...but this one caught my attention, so I had to get it :).

I was very pleased with how the wardrobe came out. The Antique Green color is soft but strong...which is perfect to me. I LOVE the dark wood peeping through.

I'm getting so excited about my new booth. If you are in the Charlotte area, be sure to swing by and check it out!

I hope everyone has a great relaxing weekend!

Welcome Everyone!

2009-08-14T20:45:00.000-07:00

Ok....so I am finally a "blogger"! I will be adding some pictures soon, but here is a update on what I am up to. I will be moving into a new location at the end of the month: The Sleepy Poet Antique Mall, located on South Blvd in Charlotte NC. I still have my booth inside The Curious Cat in the wonderful town of Monroe North Carolina, but I felt like it was time to expand a little. I am so excited!!! I am finding lots of awesome old beauties to shab' up and put in my new booth. So, be sure to check back in and see what new things I have added on. Follow me to see all the treasures I will find......because I do find lots of them. I just might have that one treasue that is waiting to be in your home. Have a great weekend everyone!
~Rachel