If you can’t hear my voice in this blog post video, watch it on our Facebook Page ShizzleLLC. You’ll find it in the Sneak Peek post with all the pictures.
Bust through the doors at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, Nov 4 for best selection! It was like Santa’s Workshop last night with all the elves busy at work. Lots of Christmas, furniture, hand-crafted and one-of-a-kind treasures. Plus most is 20%!! Can you tell how excited I am?? LOVE this event!!
Not So Shabby’s Christmas Open House is Saturday, November 4. Mark your calendar now because almost everything in the store will be on sale!
We close down at 3:00 p.m. Friday afternoon and will transform the entire store into a Winter Wonderland. I look forward to this event every year! I recommend getting there when the doors open at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, Nov 4 for best selection because there will be lots of hand-crafted one-of-a-kind treasures. Can you tell how excited I am?? LOVE this event!!
I’m feeling a bit emotional as I write this next post as it brings me back to a time just before the first surgery. Cathy was still here and it was business as usual at Shizzle Design. I was nervous about my upcoming surgery to remove the cancer from within my humerus so I took out my frustration sanding an old work table. I fell in love with this old thing at a local flea market. It had been well loved in it’s previous life , as a matter of fact, it was downright filthy and it took hours upon hours to clean her all up.
I’ve always admired the unique character of old piano stools and pick them up every chance I get. I bought this piece several years ago so my family would have an extra stool for playing the guitar, ukulele, violin and cello.
It’s super cool, constructed of solid oak can adjust several inches in height. That’s one of the neatest parts of the design. I LOVE that part. Who’s with me on this? I can’t be along because it’s downright awesome! It reminds me of old swivel desk chair hardware like that on one we sold last year.
I know, I’m drawn to strange things but it’s those details that really speak it me. You just don’t see that kind of craftsmanship anymore in our mass produced, face paced world.
As cool as the piano stool is, the kids keep going back to the little chippy red chair that they’ve used since they were little and we’ve got a big trip we’re saving up for. The girls and I are headed to Spain in 1-1/2 years so we’ve started selling things out of our house that we don’t use anymore. (click link to continue reading…) Continue reading “Antique Piano Stool with Glass Ball and Claw Feet in Creamy White”
I love the silky smooth feel of this piece. Seriously can’t keep my hands off it. Sounds weird right? But it’s true. It’s hard for me to walk through a store and NOT touch the furniture. What can I say?
This painted furniture makeover is basic chalk painting in it’s simplest form. I literally mixed two whites from Old Town Paint’s over the black, wet distressed it, sealed with clear wax and voila! I’m thinking it was Old Town Cream and Vintage White, or it might be Linen? I seriously can’t remember. I had a tiny bit left in two different cans and I wanted to finish them up.
It’s a cool piece though. Silky smooth because I lightly wet distressed the entire piece and because Old Town Paint in and of itself is so silky. The color looks a little bit golden in these outdoor pictures because the sun was going down…. FAST!
It’s a great size and so functional in any room. I almost kept it for myself because it could have worked in so many different spots in my own home but it’s for sale in our space within Changing Thymes in Grandville, Michigan. Changing Thymes is located at 2900 Wilson Avenue, Grandville Michigan, 49418. We’re in the main room, 2nd aisle about 2/3rds of the way down. To check on availability, email me at shizzledesign@gmail.com. It’s got a red hot price on it and is sure to go quickly.
***** SALE ALERT!!! Saturday, Oct 14, 2017 *****
Not So Shabby’s Customer Appreciation Sale!
Most items in the store are 20% off (some exclusions) some items marked 30-50% off Door prizes Snacks
STOCK UP ON PAINT SUPPLIES!
Paints, brushes, finishes, sealers and paint supplies 10% off!
All furniture and home decor in my booth at Not So Shabby will be 20% off!!!
SATURDAY ONLY!
Were talking HUGE savings!
But you have to be quick, this sale is only one day,
Saturday, October 14 from 10-5
2975 West Shore Drive, Holland, MI 49424
Here’s some of the pieces just brought in. Prices are marked firm but for this one special day,
even these pieces of furniture will be priced at 20% off!
Hope to see you there!! I hope to be there in the morning painting. If you have any questions please feel free to email me at shizzledesign@gmail.com
Last week I found a great highboy with beautiful mahogany drawers. The body was made out of maple or some other type of wood and was stained a different color. I typically paint everything but something inside me said “save the drawers!” Continue reading “Two tone Navy and Mahogany Dresser”
It’s taken me a long time to put this together because I simply couldn’t find the words. I know some of you don’t follow us on Facebook so you may not even know but I lost my sister almost two months ago now. “I Hope You Dance” was played at her graveside burial. From now on, every time I hear that song, it will take me back to that moment in time.
Cathy passed away on August 2nd, 2017
Six years earlier on that very same day, Cathy and I unveiled our first pieces of painted furniture. Ironic, isn’t it? That debut happened at Holland’s Art in the Park in Holland, Michigan in 2011 and every year since, we celebrated lunch in Holland on August 2nd..
Boatwerks on Lake Macatawa ~ Holland, Michigan 2015
Never did I imagine that August 2nd would take on a whole new meaning
Cath’s battle with Cancer began on Thanksgiving 2016
Horrific back pain led her to Urgent Care the day before Thanksgiving. She was diagnosed with Stage IV Extensive Small Cell Lung Cancer with mets to her spine and skull on Thanksgiving Day, 2016. We were all shocked to find out her back was broken in eight different locations. How she even drove herself to ER is beyond me.
Cathy’s journey with this damn cancer would prove to be eight months of hell on earth. Her vocal cords were damaged during one of the very first tests they ran over Thanksgiving and we would never hear her real voice again. There were countless oversights, delays, screw-ups, mixed-up patient files and mis-communications between departments, insurance companies and the lead oncologist. I wouldn’t wish her experience on my worst enemy.
If I hadn’t gone through this with her, I wouldn’t have believed it was true.
This isn’t a post about the horror of Cath’s journey though, it’s a post about the good times, those diamonds in the rough that we so desperately sought out along the way.
Cath on the way to her first chemo appt
She felt good during her first round of chemo
Don’t let it fool you, it’s poison!
Christmas Day 2017 ~ a few good hours
She loved her grandchildren more than anything!
She was in so much pain Christmas Day but had a couple decent hours to enjoy the kids opening gifts
I love this shot of Cathy and all her mini-me’s
God spared Cath her hair long enough to celebrate Christmas Day. The next morning, most of her locks were found on her pillow.
January 2017 – We moved our Jenison Shizzle Shop to Grandville
With my arm completely immobilized for two months and Cathy’s terminal cancer, we had to think fast. It just didn’t make cents (pun intended) to keep our Jenison location open with that kind of overhead. We moved out of Jenison and Hudsonville and moved into Changing Thymes at 2900 Wilson Avenue in Grandville.
Together, with the help of many friends, customers, volunteers and our landlord, we were able to dramatically downsize and move the business back to my home. My eyes were blurry from failed Lasik surgery and my arm literally immobilized. Even with all the volunteers, I seriously don’t know how we did it. We resigned as U.S. Distributor for Frenchic in exchange for just being a retailer, sold a lot of furniture, donated a bunch of projects we never started, gave things away, and filled our dumpster – twice. After a month of very hard work, everything was moved out. I am STILL sorting through boxes and trying to organize everything so I can work at home again.
What do you do when you have four hours to kill between total body bone scans?
Why you go for a pedicure of course! Kell had gift certificates and treated all of us to twinkle toes. Thanks Kelly!
Cathy’s Surprise Birthday Party at Rob & Kelly’s
It was so bitter sweet. We all knew it would be her last but she truly was surrounded by all who loved her.
Easter 2017 at Pat & Angie’s
Cath getting chemo with her little sidekicks
One of the highlights of the 8 month journey was a road trip to Uniquely Chic. Cath was in her glory that day feeling well enough to help Karen paint signs while Karli and I worked on our new website. Have any of you checked it out lately? New layout, easier shopping, easier navigation and a whole new look! Ummm yeah, I kind of forgot to announce that upgrade with everything else happening.
Our Day Trip to Uniquely Chic ~ Brushes & Timber
Cath was able to visit the new Shizzle Paint Booth at Changing Thymes
2900 Wilson Avenue, Grandville, Michigan 49418
She was also able to watch both her sons play a game
Cake Pop’s at Metro
Somebody was getting her last chemo treatment so she passed out treats to everyone. Cath was planning to switch to Metro after our vacation but it wasn’t in the cards.
Our Last Hurrah ~ Trip to Leelanau Peninsula – July 2017
We rented a great cottage for a week in Interlochen, Michigan. Cathy, her daughter, son-in-law, grandchildren, myself and girls were all able to stay together. Cath reserved it months earlier so we would all be up there for my other niece’s wedding. Our mom planned to go, but was too sick battling her cancer to go with us on this trip. Mom continues to battle her cancer to this day. Prayers are definitely appreciated for our dear mom; she’s simply the best!
Cottage on Bass Lake – Interlochen, MI
Puzzles help take her mind off the cancer
I think we all had fun on Cathy’s motorized scooter. I’ll try to add some of the videos from our vacation.
Somebody’s pouting, lol
Our First trip ever to Moomers
Talk about Farm Fresh Dairy ~ YUM!
We brought some back for Cath the first night; she loved it so much Cath and I went back the next day.
Cath loved Petoskey Stones! She had all of us hunting for them in Glen Haven
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Shoreline
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park ~ Empire, MI
Great Candy Store / Ice Cream Shop at Boondocks in Glen Haven
Maritime Museum
Cathy and I enjoying the BEST Raspberry Moscow Mules with lunch at Boondocks
Lunch at Boondocks
Duck Lake
Kelly and Cathy sampling wine at Cherry Republic in Traverse City
Lunch at La’ Senoritas in Traverse City
July 22, 2017 ~ Angela & Tyler’s Wedding
The Dance
There wasn’t a dry eye in the place
Of course our brother had to try out Cath’s Scooter
We’re cracking up because he managed to pop a wheelie
Checking out Steve n Joyce’s new home
I have no idea, lol!
They have quite the view though
August 2, 2017
Cathy passed away peacefully on August 2, 2017. Minutes later our sunny skies had turned black and it rained cats and dogs for 30 minutes. This is the view out her kitchen door that morning.
Cath’s Celebration of Life Party
We gathered some of the things Cath had made for each of us and displayed them at her party. This was the last piece of furniture she painted. She worked on it from her couch at home, little by little as pain permitted. It is not finished but it is absolutely perfect.
Unfinished Works of Art Frozen in Time
Here’s another blanket she putted around with when she felt up to it the last few months.
The blanket she got on Christmas was on her bed the morning she passed away
It reads “Let our love surround you”
Things Cathy had made for us over the years lined the walls
Cath was laid to rest next to her husband on a beautiful August day
Everything is still so surreal
It seems like all we did over the course of those eight months was run back and forth for daily appointments at Lack’s Cancer Center. As I look back on these pictures, I am very thankful for the things we were able to squeeze in between. Our hearts are sad but she’s in a much better place.
A hui hou kau Cath!
We miss you like crazy! Your little sister ~ Shell
Continue reading to learn how to create this paint finish.
Horrific back pain led her to Urgent Care the day before Thanksgiving. She was diagnosed with Stage IV Extensive Small Cell Lung Cancer with mets to her spine and skull on Thanksgiving Day, 2016. We were all shocked to find out her back was broken in eight different locations. How she even drove herself to ER is beyond me.
Why you go for a pedicure of course! Kell had gift certificates and treated all of us to twinkle toes. Thanks Kelly!
