A Salute To Two Soldiers...

Those of us who makeover furniture do it for many different reasons.  For some of us, it is our hobby.  For others, it is our business.  For the woman we are featuring today it brings her a sense of peace.

Let me introduce you to Claudia of ReDone To Be ReLoved .

Claudia is an active duty soldier here in the United States.  She is also the wife of an active duty soldier who is currently deployed to Afghanistan.  

The day after Claudia's husband deployed in February 2013 she wrote this,  "My husband and I have been stationed all over the world. We have deployed many times each, and as a matter of fact, my husband just deployed again yesterday. One of the many things or feelings that painting furniture brings me has been a sense of peace....it helps me stop thinking through the act of creating. I have my kids, they bring me smiles, laughter, madness and distraction. Refinishing furniture and making it beautiful brings me peace.

The love of my life is half a world away now. I haven't gotten over the raw pain enough to pick up a paintbrush, but I will do so pretty soon. In our line of work, this situation is a given. We must ready ourselves, deal with it...accept it. I will Soldier on. In every sense of the word. I have to for my work, for my Soldiers. My kids need me to, that is MOST important. My husband needs me to...I am the last thing he needs to worry about downrange. And at the end of the day, I need me to. So....when this huge lump in my throat clears, when this tremendous weight eases the tiniest bit off of my chest and shoulders...I will paint again."

~ ~ ~

A little time passed and she did just that.  She started painting again and I am so glad she did.  Her work is fabulous.  I know her latest piece is one I'll definitely use for inspiration.  

Claudia found this chunky well built dresser at a local thrift store and knew it would the perfect piece to try out an idea she'd been thinking of for awhile.  

Here's the before...

Most of Claudia's work is "girly" she says.  This piece gave her a chance to stretch her imagination a little bit.  She was so excited to bring her idea to life she worked all night long on it so that she could take it to a barn sale she was participating in the next day.  Her all-nighter paid off!  It sold within 15 minutes of unloading at the sale.  

Usually I tell you some of the steps completed on each piece we feature, but I'm not going to today.  I will tell you she used CeCe Caldwell's Beckley Coal, her ever trusty Frog Tape (the yellow one!) and Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White for the stripe, Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Emperor's Silk for the numbers and finally finished it with both CeCe Caldwell Clear Wax and ASCP Dark Wax.

Now, I will show you the amazing after picture.  Then you are going to head over to ReDone To Be ReLoved, see how she created it, plus view the other beautiful pieces she has made.  You will love visiting with Claudia.  She's a sweetheart.  (She's like the kid sister I never had!)

On to the reveal...

 
Isn't that great?  No wonder it sold right away!  What a fantastic makeover.

Now, go over to Claudia's Blog at ReDone To Be ReLoved and thank a soldier today.  We owe her and her husband a lot of gratitude.  

If you are on Facebook, look up ReDone To Be Reloved there, too.  

Thank you Claudia for letting us feature your furniture flip and for ALL that you and your husband do for each and every one of us.  We are grateful.  (I am HONORED to feature you!) 

Happy Memorial Day.