tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64059759328527625862024-02-19T11:10:57.182-06:00Faith & Chocolatea little bit each and every day....Shannon (Faith and Chocolate)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00335623086773280408noreply@blogger.comBlogger106125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6405975932852762586.post-67818635422191123562010-03-25T15:42:00.011-05:002010-03-25T17:44:36.559-05:00Spring Has Sprung!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04353j4OE1gwgVtOdzQbNHzmU6fWFc0tbb1Zsn1CDRiGehfWYFkpeFH4fueNeAUWUNfMhaWEFbGO9uDUhl2Qg1Rbqkc2GeXgfIuGIevlekmSPUh3nskNtZOnjpgF4buhJokhRwh5WwpwD/s1600/free-vintage-easter-clip-art-cross-covered-with-pink-roses-and-daisies.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 195px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04353j4OE1gwgVtOdzQbNHzmU6fWFc0tbb1Zsn1CDRiGehfWYFkpeFH4fueNeAUWUNfMhaWEFbGO9uDUhl2Qg1Rbqkc2GeXgfIuGIevlekmSPUh3nskNtZOnjpgF4buhJokhRwh5WwpwD/s320/free-vintage-easter-clip-art-cross-covered-with-pink-roses-and-daisies.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452694496195700130" border="0" /></a>It's Spring!? Where does the time go?! It's hard to believe that January was my last post....<br />So here I am ready to post the latest...<br /><br />We didn't have big plans over Spring Break, but it turned out to be a good week. We had friends we haven't seen in a long time come in town and spent a little time with them.<br /><br />Elizabeth, Teagan, and Perryn met us one night at Chick-0-flays (as McKenna says it), for some fun playtime and conversation.... It was a hoot to get a picture of all of them...<br /><br />Katie, Liam, and Allison made a surprise visit up at the church on Friday while I was working... that made my day! Then all of us met up with the Romo bunch for dinner and then a movie. It was sooo good to see them all! I'll post to my Facebook the pictures....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHwWMFILhbaTjiJFWMNrwVxMmIQC1lpyCAsR4IniLmmERd5bKhkI7wOONKnSSbw9OaYub7s12WEH3CMjEeJljfIlhvCsD9BXoEW7GyLGqOz8IYqIDhFmPJ6PdiKNv1o5pFlmX3rytX0fX0/s1600/free-vintage-easter-clip-art-pink-egg-three-tabby-kittens.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHwWMFILhbaTjiJFWMNrwVxMmIQC1lpyCAsR4IniLmmERd5bKhkI7wOONKnSSbw9OaYub7s12WEH3CMjEeJljfIlhvCsD9BXoEW7GyLGqOz8IYqIDhFmPJ6PdiKNv1o5pFlmX3rytX0fX0/s400/free-vintage-easter-clip-art-pink-egg-three-tabby-kittens.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452694670079588802" border="0" /></a>But to top the whole week off, we started the first weekend of spring break with some warm and fuzzies.... we've been wanting to get a cat or kitten for a long time now and so we finally did it. And we now have two sweet and adorable little kittens, Bunny and Bella (Belle), as additions to our family. Both girls came from a litter of five. So they are sisters, and they love each other as much as they love their new home and family....<br />There's a new life about this family now.... everyone is excited to get up in the mornings, get chores done, and eat their dinner at night, so they can play with the girls before bedtime. I love it. There's new energy seeping everywhere. I guess that is what springtime brings, in and of itself, too. The blooms on the pear trees are disappearing in amongst the big full green leaves. Today, it's hard to imagine it just snowed inches less than a week ago! Crazy Texas weather....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4D8NvOBQUPDr01aKGJJaIh66Mz3BnyEWUtE3GUu-Ldq_5HRYRxEfaxG11zxE_b_eeP1uRhR-lC7toqGwi1G1XxtiBcX3X_tjGqd0ctPargcY1r0_ucD8KU5DVbr90K03Sla_IGgQSCO_G/s1600/sblogoweb.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 285px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4D8NvOBQUPDr01aKGJJaIh66Mz3BnyEWUtE3GUu-Ldq_5HRYRxEfaxG11zxE_b_eeP1uRhR-lC7toqGwi1G1XxtiBcX3X_tjGqd0ctPargcY1r0_ucD8KU5DVbr90K03Sla_IGgQSCO_G/s320/sblogoweb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452696404195645858" border="0" /></a><br />Some fun creative happenings coming..... haven't been on top of anything much lately... but there's <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 153, 153);" href="http://www.paperbellastudio.com/pages/silverbella.htm">Silver Bella 2010</a> registration right around the corner, and <a style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);" href="http://www.papercowgirl.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Paper Cow</span></a><a style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);" href="http://www.papercowgirl.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">girl</span></a> registration today? tomorrow? perhaps! And I'm sure there will be another <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" href="http://typepad/">Gilded Life </a>Event at the church down the road.... I am in need of some creativity that doesn't involve construction paper and coloring sheets (just a different creative breed, Brandi! ;) )<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUJqVsbBIxl90svKcgqFq4tSDsjuLucaHuEbGpurAOQ4_7s0W_qMe_wwzHNlUfz5QIsYhz3GgzN51ss088Sr555EPeyniNgh8pTVNg7h_JmVrL9qApFi5COtsGTLn7hVQU1miJvgb-7mn/s1600/pc_widget_(638_x_638).jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUJqVsbBIxl90svKcgqFq4tSDsjuLucaHuEbGpurAOQ4_7s0W_qMe_wwzHNlUfz5QIsYhz3GgzN51ss088Sr555EPeyniNgh8pTVNg7h_JmVrL9qApFi5COtsGTLn7hVQU1miJvgb-7mn/s200/pc_widget_(638_x_638).jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452696052661962354" border="0" /></a><br />And so... since I probably won't get another post for at least a (week) lol, I am wishing everyone a Happy Spring and a Blessed Easter. I pray that you and your family feel the energy of spring, and the glory of our Savior!<br />Hugs!Shannon (Faith and Chocolate)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00335623086773280408noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6405975932852762586.post-60547950643034123472010-01-21T22:02:00.008-06:002010-01-21T23:56:39.604-06:00The BIG 4-0....Yep, I am officially out of the 30's and headed into the 40's.... Today started so sweet with my two littlest ones jumping into bed with BIG birthday wishes. Braden and McKenna had such huge excitement in their eyes in anticipation FOR me. Then McKenna snuggled in next to me while I ran my fingers through her hair and gently tapped my finger tips on her forehead- oh those little moments....<br /><br />Awwww...... 40. What does that number mean? I was really, really dreading this birthday. I know it's just a number, but 40 is a much BIGger number. Am I young or am I old? I didn't cherish 30 much either, but I was okay with 30 because I was a fairly new mother, and was in the midst of enjoying my new journey of motherhood. I had dreams of a family of 4 or 5 (all-together), yet ahead.....<br />And I was still carded at the counter when purchasing wine to make Martha Stewart's yummy "Bolognese Sauce". So I was considered "young"-looking, right?<br />....I could still sit with legs crossed on the floor and get up and not be sprung back into an awkward position in a shocking and surprised pain. Ooooo, so I was still "limber", right?<br />Hmmm.... And let's not forget that the size 8 that I was before getting pregnant was what I thought to be (at the time) "heavy" for me.... Maybe I can still wear a size 8 (in one brand), but there's excess baggage that interferes with the "comfortable" feeling I <span style="font-style: italic;">used</span> to feel in them.<br /><br />But if I look back in the last 9 years, soooo much more has happened. Yes, there has been schedules added, more wrinkles (yet the noticeable gray hasn't totally emerged!-shhhh Tammy), and a nagging "teenage" acne problem, no splits or high kicks in these legs, and few pounds changed-give or take- <span style="font-style: italic;">but my life is SO blessed</span> with three little souls that dance around me day after day after day. I have learned so much without a textbook, I've met some incredible people, experienced places and things I never even thought of in my 20's. God is SO good. And as my sweet friend, Brandi, says over and over, "<span style="font-style: italic;">He is good <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">ALL</span> </span>the time</span>". Overall, He most certainly has been good to me every day in these past 9+ years.<br /><br />But 40. What will the 40's bring to me? I certainly feel a "shifting" of sorts (and in more ways than one!) I mean, for the next 9 years, what will life have in store for me? 9 years. Yikes. It's amazing how fast time rolls after schooling, right? But it's even more amazing how fast it goes once your <span style="font-style: italic;">own</span> kids are in school!<br />I don't want to feel older. I don't want to have to buy a size bigger. And I certainly don't want to miss out on any of the "little things" that matter most. But it's okay <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> to do the splits ever again. ;)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2QDDkYRBg2D01GBkwh4KIAf18w1t9hC9bMXDcLcoZNhQWg_Cup3ruvXlq8IUdU894JPKWkCEe9x0pT5g6FIlBdarW25dzXZyEzRLgB75JS3ojJ2oBkQ1FPPK0VQsAn3eO7gn5b5rNL7GP/s1600-h/514LolKipvL._SS500_.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2QDDkYRBg2D01GBkwh4KIAf18w1t9hC9bMXDcLcoZNhQWg_Cup3ruvXlq8IUdU894JPKWkCEe9x0pT5g6FIlBdarW25dzXZyEzRLgB75JS3ojJ2oBkQ1FPPK0VQsAn3eO7gn5b5rNL7GP/s200/514LolKipvL._SS500_.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429437558567010386" border="0" /></a>So a better way to put it is, <span style="font-style: italic;">what does God have in store</span> for the next 9 years?? I'm not entirely sure, but I am feeling a calling... I am making the decision to pray every day about it, along with making other choices to be a healthier me- inside and out. I am currently reading (a non-artsy crafty) book titled, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Honors-Reward-Attract-Favor-Blessing/dp/0446578835/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_t"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">"Honor's Reward" by John Bevere</span></a> (a totally awesome book). And I am going to give honor where it is due- to my family, my friends, my leaders, my co-workers, <span style="font-style: italic;">myself</span>, but most of all, to <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">my God</span>. And I know He will give BACK to me mounds of blessings in return.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">So, here's looking at you <span style="font-size:180%;">40!</span> <span style="font-size:100%;">A continued, yet slightly adjusted journey through a different set of numbers,<br />that's all.</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqNH7-8Tt6PZMaOix99AF6eTx-InHLnVJbctnu8Mi9lKA8Of5myoYnTlL25uREFVn6IIKxwSAc2TIEeXCWGhW-yTEtoY2onBBPhWWpc9_mrlh6aApOh-0Qjlr7NVmbsK20EWDghYJPmucV/s1600-h/40PartyContLunchNapkins.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 252px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqNH7-8Tt6PZMaOix99AF6eTx-InHLnVJbctnu8Mi9lKA8Of5myoYnTlL25uREFVn6IIKxwSAc2TIEeXCWGhW-yTEtoY2onBBPhWWpc9_mrlh6aApOh-0Qjlr7NVmbsK20EWDghYJPmucV/s400/40PartyContLunchNapkins.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429428595942985506" border="0" /></a>Shannon (Faith and Chocolate)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00335623086773280408noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6405975932852762586.post-37620914994525165192010-01-13T12:33:00.006-06:002010-01-13T12:57:27.711-06:00A Little Artsy-Something to look forward to!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgN2NuJ7eCrZATVY9JdTXiXmkGpTR8i_KAp-_5L81eAr4YJ8INAx-Os7xtFxxc2kQLIz-u-K610C7zXwnUjUpcUtfGOev94jsvJU2UPfDOxT0IukXcY-MAlKCBw5wDBbwf-MYPJdCp3PIe/s1600-h/heART+and+communion+button.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 271px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgN2NuJ7eCrZATVY9JdTXiXmkGpTR8i_KAp-_5L81eAr4YJ8INAx-Os7xtFxxc2kQLIz-u-K610C7zXwnUjUpcUtfGOev94jsvJU2UPfDOxT0IukXcY-MAlKCBw5wDBbwf-MYPJdCp3PIe/s320/heART+and+communion+button.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426297137809527394" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255); font-weight: bold;">CAN NOT</span> wait for this little event in February! Shea and Debbie threw a wonderful Christmas Party Gathering, and I can only imagine what they'll have in store for Valentine's! Two very talented ladies, <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);" href="http://farmgirlbella.blogspot.com/">Lonnie Jenck</a> and <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);" href="http://nataliehansen.typepad.com/">Natalie Hansen</a>, are guest instructors, as well as the exquisite Miss Shea will be teaching her glitz as well! There's only a few reservations open for February 6th and 7th.... so see if you can reserve a spot! <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 51, 51);" href="http://whathappensnext.typepad.com/what_happens_next/2010/01/heart-of-communion-sneak-peek.html">What Happens Next</a>Shannon (Faith and Chocolate)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00335623086773280408noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6405975932852762586.post-59639354141822820982009-11-08T08:38:00.004-06:002009-11-08T08:48:21.960-06:00Bella Sneaky Peeks and Agenda.....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4W5ub_TTtyz5E_RsBvw3lEW-NvdgT6bZhyuOYX1S47VmSq5NRDUXeSB0K37Xkj0oO_yi9cC85EE8TtXoEx0L8meXQgZZnSV3ge2AeATTwYn9GeHRSX34a3fJit59JILPQGBU0_lFQ-56v/s1600-h/sblogo09medium.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4W5ub_TTtyz5E_RsBvw3lEW-NvdgT6bZhyuOYX1S47VmSq5NRDUXeSB0K37Xkj0oO_yi9cC85EE8TtXoEx0L8meXQgZZnSV3ge2AeATTwYn9GeHRSX34a3fJit59JILPQGBU0_lFQ-56v/s200/sblogo09medium.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398162722237827330" border="0" /></a><br />It's almost time! Are you ready? Me, I'm ready to hop on the plane without my bags, swaps, supplies, and PJ's... but that wouldn't be all that smart, now would it? I can't believe how fast this fall has swept by. I am still working on my last swap, and pennants have mostly come in for my Vintage Sparkle Winter Banner swap I'm hosting. The Bella Board is swarming with flurry about this and that. Everyone is soooo excited... including me!<br /><br />Well, if your just tuning in.... Here's a little of what I'll be doing this coming week....<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Monday and Tuesday</span> </span>will be spent tying up ends at the church for curriculum, so I hopefully I don't leave Lauren with any holes! ;) Along with packing, packing, packing- or figuring out the Silver Bella Packing Puzzle! Every time this year, the Bella board is buzzing with questions relating to how to pack for the event... ;) This is my third year, I'm not sure I have it down yet!<br /><br />I<span style="font-weight: bold;"> <span style="font-size:130%;">will fly out Wednesday</span> </span>with Valita, Heather, Alisa, Joanna, and Marie. I'm not sure what Wednesday will be like, but probably settling in, a quick lunch, and maybe a little downtown shopping, with an evening of last minute swap preparations. It's time to catch-up with my Bella friends that I haven't seen since June.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcPNpSsQPaIPqSAWAk5pm9e89EuUrhv_cln5HAp9C48ka1MmowRIL1pjlsVLJnTUOKaEK73UQ_recxTpAtTYwflQK4X-dx6h9sNpNTwxBjBG7cMa__eCP0rZJmWyS3-mCGEHC-eVXRk00-/s1600-h/6a00d83451ead569e2010536c66ded970c.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcPNpSsQPaIPqSAWAk5pm9e89EuUrhv_cln5HAp9C48ka1MmowRIL1pjlsVLJnTUOKaEK73UQ_recxTpAtTYwflQK4X-dx6h9sNpNTwxBjBG7cMa__eCP0rZJmWyS3-mCGEHC-eVXRk00-/s320/6a00d83451ead569e2010536c66ded970c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401726884950769714" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Thursday</span>, Miss Jessi Nagy has rented us a BIG Bella bus to take us on tour to the Brass Armadillo, Hobby Lobby, Archivers, and a fabulous lunch! She's quite a Bella girl- Love that Jessi!<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thursday afternoon/evening</span></span> we check in at the register table to get our classroom assignments and name tags (the ticket to Friday's 100 Aprons Vendor Market!) and meet and greet with the rest of the Bellas coming in on Thursday... Then that evening we meet with ALL 150+ Bellas for dinner and class taught by <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 102);" href="http://www.fiskateers.com/blog/stephenie-hamen/">Stephenie Hamen</a>. And the night won't end there. It will be time for some Bella Swappin'! There were SO MANY swaps this year! I wanted to join in every one of them, but alas, there's just not enough time.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Friday</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="font-weight: bold;">starts classes</span></span>.... I will be taking Kaari Meng's Vintage Rosary Necklace, Jennifer Murphy's Snowman Clip Ornament, and Rebecca's Cigar Box Assemblage classes- a full day leading right into the long-awaited evening event: <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 204, 204);" href="http://teresamcfayden.typepad.com/silverbella/2009/06/check-out-the-silver-bella-vendors.html">100 Aprons Bella Market Faire</a>. The doors for the Faire are open (then quickly closed again) for us Vintage Bellas at 6:30, while the public eagerly awaits the doors to open for <span style="font-style: italic;">them</span> at 7:00 pm. You will never see so much glitter, glam, and sparkle anywhere!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Then, bright and early Saturday morning</span>, after not much sleep Friday night, classes resume with Pam Garrison's Holly-Days Countdown wreath class, and finishing off the fabulous time with the stars ;) I spend time again with Kaari Meng and make a Vintage Charm Bracelet. We will all meet again for the luncheon and get to meet guest speaker <a style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" href="http://www.jopackham.com/">Jo Packham</a>, the creator and Editor in Chief of <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 102, 204);" href="http://www.wherewomencreate.com/">Where Women Create</a>! Oh, I simply cannot wait!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Saturday night</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span>is always a big ending to the weekend with a dinner, most likely at the <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 51, 51);" href="http://www.upstreambrewing.com/">Upstream Brewery Co.</a>, downtown Omaha. It's a favorite among many Bellas. The atmosphere is fun and energetic (what we need after two days of straight creating), yet is warm and cozy with a great Nebraska corn-fed beef steak. It's our last "hurrah" before saying our good-byes to good friends (old and new).<br /><br />Then it'll be back to reality without all the glitter and sparkles (unless you track some home with you) on Sunday, but not until all of us figure out how we'll get all that Bella goodness back home on the plane with us! (Last year, I had to undo my luggage <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">AT THE AIRPORT</span> to take out/rearrange jeans, shoes or something to keep it from spilling over the weight limit!) Course, there were other bellas (and I won't mention any names-you know who you are), who had to take out the 5LBS OF CHOCOLATE they packed! LOL<br /><br />Even if we leave behind a glitter trail all the way from Omaha, we will have brought back glittered pieces from swaps and classes and sparkles of memories of time spent with some really great girls who love vintage art, jewelry, paper & sewing just as much as I do! See you when I get back....<br /><br />Here's a couple <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">sneaky peeks</span></span> for ya.... and I'll post more of the event when I return. It's time for some Bella Bliss...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6XT2lc41VNKXamrifwkUQQnYyoGwe7AWHZAjsCzV00LkkcN5XCKCxFfFoEAwgwWORUgtvxILd3VN2WrQoqzOU-CArlDyLMbCyN9-c_6lL69ZjKD2kjzaO1FkmxNeddYW6EM24WaQdyIRR/s1600-h/IMG_3116.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6XT2lc41VNKXamrifwkUQQnYyoGwe7AWHZAjsCzV00LkkcN5XCKCxFfFoEAwgwWORUgtvxILd3VN2WrQoqzOU-CArlDyLMbCyN9-c_6lL69ZjKD2kjzaO1FkmxNeddYW6EM24WaQdyIRR/s320/IMG_3116.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401723837417080338" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hsuTi5qcS2n9ScyMOQUdS3hwB_zW09RiwQLek5e3HdjqT0RHKaxFB596U6L_MrWB7xgMDd4shyphenhyphenbQQRViGwcVxoz7Tm49wOFzA_HEhr3EHeeE8L_KjbCZepY9Ls3aEkLwljl7gJdzSQNH/s1600-h/IMG_3027.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hsuTi5qcS2n9ScyMOQUdS3hwB_zW09RiwQLek5e3HdjqT0RHKaxFB596U6L_MrWB7xgMDd4shyphenhyphenbQQRViGwcVxoz7Tm49wOFzA_HEhr3EHeeE8L_KjbCZepY9Ls3aEkLwljl7gJdzSQNH/s320/IMG_3027.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401724340716483218" border="0" /></a>Shannon (Faith and Chocolate)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00335623086773280408noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6405975932852762586.post-47922461098711379032009-10-31T21:18:00.008-05:002009-10-31T21:56:12.523-05:00Happy Halloweeen!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6zxhXdzfgLx9KUowPuvtRrSsHlKBdc2ymNXgqJwgKn6Myyt3WSuEv2fXcMRUGdXAlFlk8QmHyeMP3RcKmmHYwoaxVRgoCXTgGLzIhXJarPmFmvTHRyVu5GedtJQ9v3aYpuTVKu6-hyQZD/s1600-h/IMG_3191.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6zxhXdzfgLx9KUowPuvtRrSsHlKBdc2ymNXgqJwgKn6Myyt3WSuEv2fXcMRUGdXAlFlk8QmHyeMP3RcKmmHYwoaxVRgoCXTgGLzIhXJarPmFmvTHRyVu5GedtJQ9v3aYpuTVKu6-hyQZD/s400/IMG_3191.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398957144320358050" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJt0QfqyKh9gttDWfeUL40jidQECxRzLt_-UAG9WXL6npK909BRuD7DS1sR1lbz7CwS6IVcfpUFo83wOYjdHrzlxA4UL_Xb0YV2p9TwvjOSFF7dZluuRbf-s7e9b7lQru8TxzhLgvbXAYy/s1600-h/IMG_3213.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJt0QfqyKh9gttDWfeUL40jidQECxRzLt_-UAG9WXL6npK909BRuD7DS1sR1lbz7CwS6IVcfpUFo83wOYjdHrzlxA4UL_Xb0YV2p9TwvjOSFF7dZluuRbf-s7e9b7lQru8TxzhLgvbXAYy/s400/IMG_3213.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398957154840611138" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBfI0eKG_5PoGFpwPihSch-S59TLY_FdTWFr7wRxpqNhV2UzOcXHjhIj-ZMb598Da9jMCdj9TjsP46S_Pgvv6C1MxGhtHLfs7mBvYSMLsX49ms2mxSXQ0laF96EPsS7MEjHDe5PV76CeQ/s1600-h/IMG_3220.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBfI0eKG_5PoGFpwPihSch-S59TLY_FdTWFr7wRxpqNhV2UzOcXHjhIj-ZMb598Da9jMCdj9TjsP46S_Pgvv6C1MxGhtHLfs7mBvYSMLsX49ms2mxSXQ0laF96EPsS7MEjHDe5PV76CeQ/s400/IMG_3220.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398957640969840322" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPhqDhROfzqrW_iMGCANa5a-hK1ifsveoFGPZOoazeKa7AoNwfHXSTbVZbq0cmmQBLEjpAGvMJCNMhgEMEcJg0ggTCtM6UZVcmtVe8Ps2MsTjg9Lg78c7Frg6UOJHtv984oe5U1CwZonX/s1600-h/IMG_3206.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPhqDhROfzqrW_iMGCANa5a-hK1ifsveoFGPZOoazeKa7AoNwfHXSTbVZbq0cmmQBLEjpAGvMJCNMhgEMEcJg0ggTCtM6UZVcmtVe8Ps2MsTjg9Lg78c7Frg6UOJHtv984oe5U1CwZonX/s400/IMG_3206.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398957151373039266" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHC3OV8mFhPsXBhXpn_IIpaGhBVlie635L59dG-X1q45c5dATbRsbg-YHjdUbUwHPdhT-m-RoVtcxOTQV3RckVV4gYqYnBBhxAlXKzYwfqBvOVtBxdFfI_-04XEFw6LM75XRYimGi_rZhT/s1600-h/IMG_3252.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHC3OV8mFhPsXBhXpn_IIpaGhBVlie635L59dG-X1q45c5dATbRsbg-YHjdUbUwHPdhT-m-RoVtcxOTQV3RckVV4gYqYnBBhxAlXKzYwfqBvOVtBxdFfI_-04XEFw6LM75XRYimGi_rZhT/s400/IMG_3252.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398958629545756114" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIk9lO3P4tvfcScmQdnw2pkecGmBoehJ06BpEIP0snNOcTnok8rlucimUaTfpEjpfV-rsc8f9Zi6fNeP4YxOWNaSzSrx4B6Vk1O2kQCMKiYbGFjQBTZNVHqlepPRc7k-B1XN-3cCoraJnz/s1600-h/IMG_3258.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIk9lO3P4tvfcScmQdnw2pkecGmBoehJ06BpEIP0snNOcTnok8rlucimUaTfpEjpfV-rsc8f9Zi6fNeP4YxOWNaSzSrx4B6Vk1O2kQCMKiYbGFjQBTZNVHqlepPRc7k-B1XN-3cCoraJnz/s400/IMG_3258.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398958184983885538" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgysQg2Zpqj4BA735lGnmmg3YNqUxlsXfWfAlz4Kp-WbEO7Hij5MMDQNCJdpTh9Eg_-wFkuaMZcGLCzA89OVcLGB4bYNCO8pTHmxZ0zT7_fkVVL6zyWM6DhDjwUavU23IljkY1hTNtE3C6_/s1600-h/IMG_3246.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgysQg2Zpqj4BA735lGnmmg3YNqUxlsXfWfAlz4Kp-WbEO7Hij5MMDQNCJdpTh9Eg_-wFkuaMZcGLCzA89OVcLGB4bYNCO8pTHmxZ0zT7_fkVVL6zyWM6DhDjwUavU23IljkY1hTNtE3C6_/s400/IMG_3246.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398959302689652402" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEeJUamM_L6wPrCjoStoYIgeYoifTNqIHKAI-sD8TrOhi5iFr8jb4hyphenhyphenOTkgTXfV6ofqXe73x4Qbj4nqnn2aJZZ_LpSAlMd6byQjHqE3kMBHgbIWPnHPCf5aaqF-f12NSufjmnSgRJeaD-h/s1600-h/Halloween+Scream.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 251px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEeJUamM_L6wPrCjoStoYIgeYoifTNqIHKAI-sD8TrOhi5iFr8jb4hyphenhyphenOTkgTXfV6ofqXe73x4Qbj4nqnn2aJZZ_LpSAlMd6byQjHqE3kMBHgbIWPnHPCf5aaqF-f12NSufjmnSgRJeaD-h/s400/Halloween+Scream.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398963098931936642" border="0" /></a>Shannon (Faith and Chocolate)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00335623086773280408noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6405975932852762586.post-5560281543305708432009-09-17T16:16:00.007-05:002009-09-17T17:17:22.269-05:00Soul Sisters in the Fall...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih7_tDxWVve4bQ9MgSJkNeFlxXhWFeINiV5vl2rJThc3nb99eKVsdta-Z48KTx33pvW86FcwiK3ibNGxxOg7Bbp076WzF7DhcyTnvg89vfHtg6kMNU_9QY4uQIm_8zbRkl3-bhwoBk_vny/s1600-h/1415836620_L.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 236px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih7_tDxWVve4bQ9MgSJkNeFlxXhWFeINiV5vl2rJThc3nb99eKVsdta-Z48KTx33pvW86FcwiK3ibNGxxOg7Bbp076WzF7DhcyTnvg89vfHtg6kMNU_9QY4uQIm_8zbRkl3-bhwoBk_vny/s320/1415836620_L.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382559864851666658" border="0" /></a>Oh...... I can't tell you how excited I am over a new ladies group (to me anyways) and bible study that I have just started attending. <span style="font-family: courier new; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 51, 204);font-size:180%;" ><br />S</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 51, 204);font-family:courier new;" >oul </span><span style="font-family: courier new; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 51, 204);font-size:180%;" >S</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 51, 204);font-family:courier new;" >isters</span> is the name of the group... It's sorta new to me because I<span style="font-style: italic;"> had</span> known about the group in our church that meets on Thursdays (I almost started going a couple years ago, but then didn't)... And I kinda forgot about it... til now!<br /><br />Our group "leader", the lovely Pastor Laura, is the sweetest and kindest lady. She makes you feel sooo welcome. The group is all about Soul Sisters in Christ<span style="font-style: italic;"> and</span> as a dedicated close friend-kind-of thing.<br /><br />The bible study we are doing is "Discerning the Voice of God" by Priscilla Shirer, which can be found <a href="http://www.lifewaystores.com/lwstore/product.asp?isbn=1415836620"><span style="font-weight: bold;">here.</span></a> The jist is, how to recognize when God speaks to you. So far it's been <span style="font-style: italic;">totally</span> wonderful. I was thrilled and passionate about this study because, well, I've come to wonder sometimes if God is talking to me or is it ME thinking this or that.... and to tell you the truth- the study has just supported my belief that He most definitely is talking to me! I can look back on periods in my life where I thought, yes, this has got to be God BUT (as doubt sets in)... and only two weeks into the study I KNOW at times it definitely was... God is so truly amazing! I am really so excited about this... ;)<br /><br />If you are in the Flower Mound, TX area and are needing some time "Discerning the voice of God"... you might just check it out! You can read more about it <a href="http://www.valleycreek.org/news_article.php?id=44">HERE</a>.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24F_4gkpW8H6paLd3hgqy9Htbx21v0mhFOSfy1HbwzThrxR5-ioT4kyHPJAw2-OaVHQd4PLoFEhQhUwvVrF7DFXcCaxA7TFdKdIJSiIBF-9KF4nNTcrRsiQnnsYFGZpptl9esnJhXDb0c/s1600-h/fall-leaves.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24F_4gkpW8H6paLd3hgqy9Htbx21v0mhFOSfy1HbwzThrxR5-ioT4kyHPJAw2-OaVHQd4PLoFEhQhUwvVrF7DFXcCaxA7TFdKdIJSiIBF-9KF4nNTcrRsiQnnsYFGZpptl9esnJhXDb0c/s400/fall-leaves.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382560410645615634" border="0" /></a><br />On a different note.... what are your thoughts on this weather??? (for those of you in north Texas) Oui! I know many are getting really sick of the rain, but for me, it's been kinda nice for a change of scenery. I don't like that it's made a muck of flooded areas for many.... but for today, since it hasn't been too rainy (in Lewisville), and warmer feeling... I just get the feeling of FALL sitting here looking out the window. And I REALLY enjoy that feeling! Fall IS here, and I L-O-V-E fall!<br />How about you?Shannon (Faith and Chocolate)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00335623086773280408noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6405975932852762586.post-48335156329376999712009-09-14T15:21:00.004-05:002009-09-14T15:34:13.520-05:00Prayers for a Friend....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOEwsL0inWVDR3mKws6Q58uk-KaqarVoGqGLPX5RgLF0nLXRS3b_1jYMV1oVVB9KP_JH-3dOSbRJikXq4Ihfojl2JFJ7NPCWS8JgSHXO3nymnXO9OXE7KiRk34C2NQryFAOyl92c0DFjTk/s1600-h/cowgirl+2x2+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOEwsL0inWVDR3mKws6Q58uk-KaqarVoGqGLPX5RgLF0nLXRS3b_1jYMV1oVVB9KP_JH-3dOSbRJikXq4Ihfojl2JFJ7NPCWS8JgSHXO3nymnXO9OXE7KiRk34C2NQryFAOyl92c0DFjTk/s400/cowgirl+2x2+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381423568234246770" border="0" /></a><br />I am posting today in hopes that those of you that may not know yet, and to those of you that are willing will bend down and lift your hearts in prayer... A sweet friend, Tina Wright - head cowgirl of the Paper Cowgirl art event is need of good thoughts and prayers right now. She has recently found out she has cancer. Please pray for her, the doctors & specialists, as well as her family and close friends. It is going to be a rough road ahead for all, and I will be praying for her all the way. I hope you will join me, as well. If you hop on over to the PC blog, Mendy and Lisa are putting together a book with pages made from friends. If you are interested, go check it out <span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.papercowgirl.blogspot.com/">here</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">.</span></span> <br /><div style="text-align: left;">I'm praying God's healing miracle for ya, T!</div>Shannon (Faith and Chocolate)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00335623086773280408noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6405975932852762586.post-68409290318587424532009-08-06T00:38:00.004-05:002009-08-06T00:47:54.016-05:00Where oh where have I gone?Oh yes, I'm still around... just very busy, since I started working up at the church, summer activities, and vacations! So sorry. I am missing all of you in the blogging world! I hope to catch up sometime soon..... Hope your summer is cooler than mine right now! (as I type this in my 86 degree room.... something is definitely going on with the air conditioner!)<br /><div style="text-align: left;">Hugs!<br /></div>Shannon (Faith and Chocolate)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00335623086773280408noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6405975932852762586.post-43179271771123952202009-04-28T21:13:00.007-05:002009-04-29T07:51:04.885-05:00A Couple of Shout Outs!Oh yes, busy as ever around here.... pink eye and ear infections top the list for this week! ;P But before April slips by with the least amount of posts ever, I thought I'd give a shout out to a couple of gals...<br /><br />First one is for the infamous Teresa McFayden... Oh, a few posts ago <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKZ705-Kii8MbAR7cPprFU6NiGvW9xnUK-PLASaT2t4KvEfRA_C-akAnAsqC0XFrrOUEplvSyTUkUJJBQ8ue76ipJ46HQ83YYyZkqC3cs2iRAhJDX78Brdqr3h8lRsplqSj91JJN7W49p/s1600-h/6a00d8341d319d53ef011168a04946970c-150wi.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 107px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKZ705-Kii8MbAR7cPprFU6NiGvW9xnUK-PLASaT2t4KvEfRA_C-akAnAsqC0XFrrOUEplvSyTUkUJJBQ8ue76ipJ46HQ83YYyZkqC3cs2iRAhJDX78Brdqr3h8lRsplqSj91JJN7W49p/s200/6a00d8341d319d53ef011168a04946970c-150wi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329938173059781762" border="0" /></a>on her blog, she posted a "new" kind of Chicken and Rice Casserole recipe. I thought it sounded different, and the ingredients sounded all yummy to me, AND I hadn't fixed chicken and rice casserole in a l-o-o-o-n-g time. So I thought I'd give it a try. Holy CHICKEN AND RICE! Let me just say, it's by far, hands down, THE BEST chicken and rice casserole EVER!!! You simply must try it sometime. Go <span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 51, 51);" href="http://teresamcfayden.typepad.com/minutia/2009/03/stuff.html">HERE</a></span> for the recipe. Mmmmm..... good. Thank you, T!<br /><br />For the next one,<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9gkqhDkZuLC8LM_vPhqHL8YI2DKjsGcE9OZ-M-3T4Slhf67VR5fU7VDTr-CPTYP93xSr9zY8T88XXASsNB6Z5TSSaH4prRnghkZERam-VR3GRh1kmamYtTnWFBzb10ec8p43nxnjIVZeC/s1600-h/may+14,+2008+6th+usable+orig+1+cor+13++7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 114px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9gkqhDkZuLC8LM_vPhqHL8YI2DKjsGcE9OZ-M-3T4Slhf67VR5fU7VDTr-CPTYP93xSr9zY8T88XXASsNB6Z5TSSaH4prRnghkZERam-VR3GRh1kmamYtTnWFBzb10ec8p43nxnjIVZeC/s200/may+14,+2008+6th+usable+orig+1+cor+13++7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329938542742338946" border="0" /></a> I want to give a shout out for a new bloggin' friend, Celita. She is a part of the Christian Paper Artists group I belong to. She is celebrating her<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >1</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> Y</span><span style="font-style: italic;">ear Paper-Cutting Art</span>, and is hosting a little give-away on her <span style="text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(51, 102, 102);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">BLOG</span></span><a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 102);" href="http://daysease.blogspot.com/">, "Days Ease"</a> to celebrate. Go check it out, she is quite the paper-cutting artist! I love her creativity in the themes of her art. Simply amazing and fascinating!<br /><br />So there ya go. I haven't been very crafty lately... too many outside things going on at this time of year, as well as another (part-time) job. Paper Cowgirl is right around the corner though.... so there's bound to be some "Rootin' Tootin' Cowgirl Fun" involved!<br />Stay tuned....Shannon (Faith and Chocolate)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00335623086773280408noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6405975932852762586.post-33450415131166276732009-04-17T12:17:00.005-05:002009-04-17T12:30:24.521-05:00Silver Bella Excitement....<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_GawgWNTTHhq7XFf7fSA0gjsW-GOd56in8-IkXSTjZMrPozCvz96APLIYtKRK9qPaLbw6XFQAvhnIFrf9DgfVfMDp-t9tW_tCZ35cJXEC98ZhPNLxkJQ6HL0hlyASYbDvOiUh2Momgse/s1600-h/SB09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_GawgWNTTHhq7XFf7fSA0gjsW-GOd56in8-IkXSTjZMrPozCvz96APLIYtKRK9qPaLbw6XFQAvhnIFrf9DgfVfMDp-t9tW_tCZ35cJXEC98ZhPNLxkJQ6HL0hlyASYbDvOiUh2Momgse/s320/SB09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325713674289169250" border="0" /></a>It's going to be another fabulous year!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Are you going?<br />;)<br /></div>Shannon (Faith and Chocolate)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00335623086773280408noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6405975932852762586.post-26184546538209776602009-03-31T14:40:00.011-05:002009-04-18T06:58:59.113-05:00The Soldering Tale Continues....If you remember back last September, I took a beginners soldering class from Heather Ales and posted about it <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: italic;" href="http://faithandchocolate.blogspot.com/2008/09/soldering-beginners-tale.html">here.</a> And yes, the tale continues...<br /><br />So I hadn't really picked up the soldering iron (brand new in the package still) until recently... Though I was very excited to be a part of Tina's Glass House Swap. We've had 3 months to create and solder these little houses, and I finally (after a creative slump) pieced mine all together, then soldered them! It was so fun and I am thrilled that I didn't break a one! That's the wonderful part of this tale... the not-so-wonderful, horrifying part is this...<br /><br />It's down to the wire of getting the jump rings on their little roofs, and sending them off to each of their new owners. (Doesn't sound too bad, uh?) Welll.... it <span style="font-weight: bold;">IS</span> if you plug in your iron and LEAVE IT ON for at least twenty-four hours, of course, forgetting that you have done so! Needless to say, my iron is okay, but the tip, however, is not! Now my little houses will be late joining their little neighbors... Again, I'm so sorry girls! ;(<br /><br />But, as promised to them, and if they chose to take a sneaky peek, here they are....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5osensb6GdykvokgrZBpkPbPRDm3hjRnY7CfDjsRd8B7fqznH2haYnDQbc0Vc-goIapE_kZ89EVCNvUUJAE0xj-G5xFuqha827SBbXHqL2xIVk1NZcpgJpyct2wj6zGoYihojNIGYhIZ/s1600-h/IMG_1282.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5osensb6GdykvokgrZBpkPbPRDm3hjRnY7CfDjsRd8B7fqznH2haYnDQbc0Vc-goIapE_kZ89EVCNvUUJAE0xj-G5xFuqha827SBbXHqL2xIVk1NZcpgJpyct2wj6zGoYihojNIGYhIZ/s400/IMG_1282.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319442334139269378" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2sKoAjg1GoeE_gNsx2pICQjbhCFYmUTtqnBD1ETDraVucu3AMEBvKtsDH8aXw8x8WeCbroEg8btYW4eZhuUhOyCaBn3TZfLRRoBomZWfQS891KxpnjAXBPw1Jb9kOQ14yPBNhFyLc_2Er/s1600-h/IMG_1271.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2sKoAjg1GoeE_gNsx2pICQjbhCFYmUTtqnBD1ETDraVucu3AMEBvKtsDH8aXw8x8WeCbroEg8btYW4eZhuUhOyCaBn3TZfLRRoBomZWfQS891KxpnjAXBPw1Jb9kOQ14yPBNhFyLc_2Er/s400/IMG_1271.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319443018840811842" border="0" /></a><br />Sorry the pictures aren't the greatest. But I hope they will all like them, once I get them completed with jump rings and sent off!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">UPDATE THIS EVENING:</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> I have just found out that TWO other gals had done the very SAME THING over the weekend! Totally weird... So watch out- something's in the air! OR as Robin puts it, there's WELLER ABUSE going on! LOL!</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Hugs,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Shan</span>Shannon (Faith and Chocolate)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00335623086773280408noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6405975932852762586.post-70521078875863735562009-03-24T18:47:00.002-05:002009-03-26T17:31:04.634-05:00Sharing...<div style="text-align: center;">I love the sounds of a guitar and after a great Sunday, here's a tune to delight your ears from Justin McRoberts....<br /></div><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Oc9F4Yk1fnw&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Oc9F4Yk1fnw&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Shannon (Faith and Chocolate)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00335623086773280408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6405975932852762586.post-16066470350074038612009-03-17T10:48:00.012-05:002009-03-17T11:32:10.472-05:00Happy Saint Paddy's Day!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPTPB2FDFUF10s3eveIVmqDY_w12s9YNZo07PfQiN5iQG-nDq1ECd3v-1K2ZWPRS8MI8V1gzoBvK3oBaTkfbPROFmb-jXHYO7FT9FKjg9oK1nl2BAVFcN33GLgZv_m8t45vojDNqPd1IUI/s1600-h/shamrock+basketgirl.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPTPB2FDFUF10s3eveIVmqDY_w12s9YNZo07PfQiN5iQG-nDq1ECd3v-1K2ZWPRS8MI8V1gzoBvK3oBaTkfbPROFmb-jXHYO7FT9FKjg9oK1nl2BAVFcN33GLgZv_m8t45vojDNqPd1IUI/s400/shamrock+basketgirl.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314185694882759090" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Are YOU wearing<span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"> <span style="font-weight: bold;">GREEN</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>today? That was the FIRST thing my kiddos were checking the second they got up out of bed! I remember St. Patrick's Day when I was little....going to school and making sure everyone had on some green, or else they got a pinch (and LaVonne could give a major pinch!) ;) Bummer the kids are on Spring Break this week and won't be able to "check the green" on their friends. We might have to visit Daddy's office for them to give everyone some fits about not wearing green! ;)<br /><br />Hope it's a beautiful springy day where ever you are today!<br />Enjoy the day, and<br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);font-size:180%;" >WEAR SOME GREEN!</span><br />(or my kids will find you and give you a pinch!)<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">And here's a linky to <span style="font-weight: bold;">Seneca Pond Crafts</span> for a freebie: <a href="http://senecapondcrafts.blogspot.com/2008/02/free-vintage-st-patricks-day-tags.html"> </a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 102, 0);" href="http://senecapondcrafts.blogspot.com/2008/02/free-vintage-st-patricks-day-tags.html">St. Patric</a><a href="http://senecapondcrafts.blogspot.com/2008/02/free-vintage-st-patricks-day-tags.html"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 102, 0);">k's Day tags</span>!</a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Please be sure to thank her for her generosity! ;)<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://senecapondcrafts.blogspot.com/2008/02/free-vintage-st-patricks-day-tags.html"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 178px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYwU165G-p42RsNxTlBr7i1EKIZDonKuH7v56vDbchUfskim2YzaOJTV3XPWkaeOaKz2JlNqdZ-7DOogmz6xmwtxKYwgZIfZPYR7J5jXZQzwUCdwDJomu1-YCrl2CkD4BLxof-QEGAcjs9/s200/FREE+Vintage+St,+Patrick%27s+Day+Tags+Sample.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314190919034414546" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">And here's some more fun vintage green for ya...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZEXofMTAbYZ6S9yJo68b-CRRZZ2-d_4xvVURZ2AJUMzQWPgOAJ6LkyctntQIxshEQpCrS-nMGuJyHTdxJk5wqZbKHJ_Ksuh_1q_W8Rh2YpzC3RgIDUDpPkVrnIKvbMo6xlbNDoFVi2323/s1600-h/free-vintage-st-patricks-day-greeting-clip-art.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZEXofMTAbYZ6S9yJo68b-CRRZZ2-d_4xvVURZ2AJUMzQWPgOAJ6LkyctntQIxshEQpCrS-nMGuJyHTdxJk5wqZbKHJ_Ksuh_1q_W8Rh2YpzC3RgIDUDpPkVrnIKvbMo6xlbNDoFVi2323/s400/free-vintage-st-patricks-day-greeting-clip-art.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314190180164648802" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Try4n9MzhOiGtZMGsEWIutrGzgDDGNp9kdgwMcU_5pUtoCCjNcENYPAKCToyGFDD_0Hk_Dl1v0m3EUHXtSboAK5dA-y784nh4RICkQkhs0WqRP-GGPO9Vr_XOumts4-8p_5T6RXn-vCg/s1600-h/free-vintage-greeting-cards-st-patricks-day-cute-kids-little-girl-with-sharock-dress-and-basket.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 252px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Try4n9MzhOiGtZMGsEWIutrGzgDDGNp9kdgwMcU_5pUtoCCjNcENYPAKCToyGFDD_0Hk_Dl1v0m3EUHXtSboAK5dA-y784nh4RICkQkhs0WqRP-GGPO9Vr_XOumts4-8p_5T6RXn-vCg/s400/free-vintage-greeting-cards-st-patricks-day-cute-kids-little-girl-with-sharock-dress-and-basket.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314190184759329842" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">(and pink!)</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7oABhelFnIfbdpT8oBWXnQ_kXuoCSwk6l7zDTpPgGBXpHKwbdnDLHOsRLUO2v94I-jWSb90GQS1NJBvnFPaWaJi39XEU8Q6T3aiT11OKJNjS9vnUI3CQjDqbn1wsThV03CRAVqe4Uj55Z/s1600-h/free-vintage-st-patricks-day-boy-with-flowers-and-large-shamrock.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 313px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7oABhelFnIfbdpT8oBWXnQ_kXuoCSwk6l7zDTpPgGBXpHKwbdnDLHOsRLUO2v94I-jWSb90GQS1NJBvnFPaWaJi39XEU8Q6T3aiT11OKJNjS9vnUI3CQjDqbn1wsThV03CRAVqe4Uj55Z/s400/free-vintage-st-patricks-day-boy-with-flowers-and-large-shamrock.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314190188308849602" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hugs!<br /></div>Shannon (Faith and Chocolate)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00335623086773280408noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6405975932852762586.post-16093794412316233772009-03-12T22:15:00.010-05:002009-03-12T22:41:30.805-05:00I'm A Diggin' This!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Eag3ug-gde0xY4zIQQSLF64JyRyZaphy-nVLGbIIGa0ErpzKJWRzYUVV4WT5m8l2C_GkNpGK0ROUjCcxbzS_AZdITCFC3Vh6p_XVy6C4SCKcugOMYwP1QJ-vA2emErkUcUl0I9ZiR95f/s1600-h/1632127.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 178px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Eag3ug-gde0xY4zIQQSLF64JyRyZaphy-nVLGbIIGa0ErpzKJWRzYUVV4WT5m8l2C_GkNpGK0ROUjCcxbzS_AZdITCFC3Vh6p_XVy6C4SCKcugOMYwP1QJ-vA2emErkUcUl0I9ZiR95f/s400/1632127.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312508767781876674" border="0" /></a>Oh looky here! It's been awhile since I have run across a new product that I just gotta have... Martha Bonneau over at Craft Critique had a little diddy on this little gem: <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" href="http://www.shopatron.com/index/533.1">The Chatterbox Brad Maker</a><br /><br />You can make cute little brad's with your own VINTAGE (or favorite) images! Well, like, cool, dude! (wow, that dates me) And the design of the brad themselves are fabulous! Take a look for yourself:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYMjX3dOpEyO4LzdDFo7tNNKf74y9LImcJJc7geG-F3AiVMZRv6brqGOS7UYbcfjCtzJwCt_sH1zQ6ktmEUQT15GNoBstptIUOUc_9UGoqPFHjlFQeiksivc2F5HzWYFL9n6QOUaBDgtk/s1600-h/cb2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYMjX3dOpEyO4LzdDFo7tNNKf74y9LImcJJc7geG-F3AiVMZRv6brqGOS7UYbcfjCtzJwCt_sH1zQ6ktmEUQT15GNoBstptIUOUc_9UGoqPFHjlFQeiksivc2F5HzWYFL9n6QOUaBDgtk/s320/cb2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312509279759116514" border="0" /></a><br />You can get the full scoop and where to purchase online over <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.craftcritique.com/2009/03/chatterbox-easy-brad-maker-kit.html"><span>here.</span></a> Or maybe you can get it at your local scrapbook store! Or maybe you beat me to the punch (no pun intended) and already own one! Tell me what YOU think?!<br />I'm really thinking I need one soon...<br />Seriously cool.<br /><br />Hugs!Shannon (Faith and Chocolate)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00335623086773280408noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6405975932852762586.post-20804296266864234312009-03-12T10:30:00.003-05:002009-03-05T10:44:54.091-06:00FUN AND LOVE...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjoi0_SpAT6ePIQ1f7rmtLzO6hLVURiBz9NN0PwnHb8cdYGqKQpTFWLz0Fse-_9yTJ0fO0x-KpsI4Aka3arSIfXJ1Jah5U2-74dzLAMro8L2GyLY1oWOo2DAjwfV5r2nfByWRDHSskA5d0/s1600-h/IMG_1043.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjoi0_SpAT6ePIQ1f7rmtLzO6hLVURiBz9NN0PwnHb8cdYGqKQpTFWLz0Fse-_9yTJ0fO0x-KpsI4Aka3arSIfXJ1Jah5U2-74dzLAMro8L2GyLY1oWOo2DAjwfV5r2nfByWRDHSskA5d0/s400/IMG_1043.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309589125433656018" border="0" /></a>Well, I've resorted to the fact that I'll just be a little <span style="font-size:78%;">(ALOT)</span> behind in my posting.... but I don't think anyone will mind... cuz it's fun- all the same! ;)<br /><br />These pictures are from <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" href="http://karlascottage.typepad.com/karlascottage/2009/01/more-puppy-love-a-list-of-loot-and-a-valentines-swap.html">Karla Nathan's "PUPPY LOVE Tag Book Swap"</a>... <span style="font-size:85%;">(sorry for the broken ones...I delayed posting this trying to figure out the problem and I'm still trying to fix it. I'll try and take another picture and replace them)</span><br />These are the cutest little tags and Karla packaged them up in one cute little bundle as you see...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9PZiA6ImrEX6qQVxjmMF80LJCunI9oo-zZbwJGOLDL7bNXYsF3EftrWrjcsLHoaKNPLhTVCz9prii_eaAKcbuxkEOSQSX7JXdtRIaDsHNYhvSk_qYGTewG7ijrz4fpim-QGDBh4NtSPd4/s1600-h/IMG_0844.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9PZiA6ImrEX6qQVxjmMF80LJCunI9oo-zZbwJGOLDL7bNXYsF3EftrWrjcsLHoaKNPLhTVCz9prii_eaAKcbuxkEOSQSX7JXdtRIaDsHNYhvSk_qYGTewG7ijrz4fpim-QGDBh4NtSPd4/s400/IMG_0844.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305067316839996674" border="0" /></a>The cover was made by Miss Karla, herself, just love those two little puppies, and her hand-painted rose and leaves at the bottom! She is one talented lady!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi476LTIzTefpyolRd-yhcuXcjCxfOOPrIDK01Xtg823eOxFpoX9zdRmpDx2gcFNhQRQzY-kqS5vwgo4EXDjJM7SVSHV3uhtvE5s_6wnvEHixCIEvDAG3HhCltPgszd0aFXdT3Llg9CbzC_/s1600-h/IMG_1045.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi476LTIzTefpyolRd-yhcuXcjCxfOOPrIDK01Xtg823eOxFpoX9zdRmpDx2gcFNhQRQzY-kqS5vwgo4EXDjJM7SVSHV3uhtvE5s_6wnvEHixCIEvDAG3HhCltPgszd0aFXdT3Llg9CbzC_/s320/IMG_1045.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309735131974959106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:courier new;">The first tag is from </span><a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; font-family: courier new;" href="http://valitas.blogspot.com/">Valita at Vintage V's</a><span style="font-family:courier new;">... Love all the pink, poodles, and french... oh and the lovely pom</span><span style="font-family:courier new;"> pom fringe I believe might be the trim we bought down in Waxahach</span><span style="font-family:courier new;">ie for</span><span style="font-family:courier new;"> pennies! She and I must have had a mind connection while doing this swap... both of us used pink doilies in our tags! Love it</span><span style="font-family:courier new;">, V!<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNlFVH1szv-AvFO-czU7JtT4DmaBNANQsMNWeRCpxnaOgQQPYr_0vNbVRrQQzADOqTpB6OFvg89fT7AT-BULH8Qyp4VOJtHJEFaZvTPJ15gX_SrQRiifYDkV09MMkygBI_hboINEGVxGYm/s1600-h/IMG_1046.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNlFVH1szv-AvFO-czU7JtT4DmaBNANQsMNWeRCpxnaOgQQPYr_0vNbVRrQQzADOqTpB6OFvg89fT7AT-BULH8Qyp4VOJtHJEFaZvTPJ15gX_SrQRiifYDkV09MMkygBI_hboINEGVxGYm/s320/IMG_1046.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309735127884815922" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">The second tag is from </span><a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; font-family: lucida grande;" href="http://www.mysocoalledjunkylife.blogspot.com/">Sarah at My So Called Junky Life</a><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">...<br />Who can't love vintage wallpaper and trim? LOVE it! And I especially love the photo with what appears to might be a Saint Bernard? I had 4 Saint Bernards (at different times) growing up. They are BIG dogs, but I love them! I love it </span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Sarah!<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJNi-0RvHCsTIhllsd-DUzde8UlA72wHY0RDcL7Qx6Hb03nzWd4K0yHS7jF8Xg_Hncl3_sN5dxAUO3qZb8HCZzuTJUz35I5gSGd-Um2BKQyfeNihQehLVT0Wb8nfvOv6oNa_pB_JS8B7yt/s1600-h/IMG_1047.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJNi-0RvHCsTIhllsd-DUzde8UlA72wHY0RDcL7Qx6Hb03nzWd4K0yHS7jF8Xg_Hncl3_sN5dxAUO3qZb8HCZzuTJUz35I5gSGd-Um2BKQyfeNihQehLVT0Wb8nfvOv6oNa_pB_JS8B7yt/s320/IMG_1047.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309730411137665634" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The third tag is from </span><a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.blessedanddistressed.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sheila at Blessed and Distressed</span>.</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">.. And distressed this tag is! VERY cool, indeed. I love the little collage image she put together.. wi</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">th various digitally created emphemera and images! NICE job, Sheila!<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV55M2T7TbzL8PoZoL8cn5U3ixp3ZvVH61PFuQz25HGzlHF8SbzNnU0MpEQe8YcZSGteMW__Weo4STjLlwfhU9BZp2PKlq5QdToDlkwxt8AiHCVKCmmcj_fEtLsYPIZzsofZcngHYDBvEk/s1600-h/IMG_1049.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV55M2T7TbzL8PoZoL8cn5U3ixp3ZvVH61PFuQz25HGzlHF8SbzNnU0MpEQe8YcZSGteMW__Weo4STjLlwfhU9BZp2PKlq5QdToDlkwxt8AiHCVKCmmcj_fEtLsYPIZzsofZcngHYDBvEk/s320/IMG_1049.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309730408918004050" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">The fourth tag is from </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:times new roman;" >Marilyn</span><span style="font-family:times new roman;">... I don't have a contact for her, but I thin</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">k her tag is preciously wonderful in all it's puppies and pinks! Those images ARE just precious, don't you think? Cute little charm, too!</span></span> ( I'll try and get a new picture soon...)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOE1F22CzsibUbdBUXDaG2bBjlLGJKNoYuuLvTBp2IhZxpjejPCTMYNiBk4Y3_B31uF-ykZl5X4tQAxIrycTUDwXPJvuC3CTkL7ikVKfO3auW2nBi5LMDLgqqVxnjKItMfxZfGzEoLG60r/s1600-h/IMG_1050.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOE1F22CzsibUbdBUXDaG2bBjlLGJKNoYuuLvTBp2IhZxpjejPCTMYNiBk4Y3_B31uF-ykZl5X4tQAxIrycTUDwXPJvuC3CTkL7ikVKfO3auW2nBi5LMDLgqqVxnjKItMfxZfGzEoLG60r/s320/IMG_1050.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309739241962387122" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">The fifth tag is from </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;" >Gretchen</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">... I also don't have a contact for her. :( You probably can't tell, but the paper she used (front and </span><span style="font-family:verdana;">back) is flocked! Kinda like vintage flocked wallpaper! OOOO, it's soooo sweet! Th</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">e image is to just die for with ice cream and two sweet kids! The vintage </span><span style="font-family:verdana;">trim</span><span style="font-family:verdana;"> is so dainty and works wonderfully as a little picture frame! Love the little silver edge on the velvety flowers, too! </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi07CCZ8EebasWxFLxn0884wz09Ac0SWRP96IuvosU6eB03WSpDyeYud6Fk1iTNG9OGb_RVOrymYOIB8_f8H9z1JObh4y_5z2fNiaW_ti5YfKVhyxLrEJF4IEBFXVnZhR2W1EmUkcVV7aCP/s1600-h/IMG_1051.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi07CCZ8EebasWxFLxn0884wz09Ac0SWRP96IuvosU6eB03WSpDyeYud6Fk1iTNG9OGb_RVOrymYOIB8_f8H9z1JObh4y_5z2fNiaW_ti5YfKVhyxLrEJF4IEBFXVnZhR2W1EmUkcVV7aCP/s320/IMG_1051.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309702118248212850" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:courier new;">An last but not least, sixth tag is from </span><a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-family: courier new;" href="http://www.simplysage.blogspot.com/">Simply Sage</a><span style="font-family:courier new;">.... She went all out and really dolled up BOTH sides of her tag, and it's quite stunning... For starters,she crackled the front of the tag's background (I love peeling paint),the "sage" green and pink colors are so</span><span style="font-family:courier new;"> soft... then on the back, she crackled the inside of the heart with a dimensional crackle medium. Neat idea!!</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvv6PjYV2ysNSgRvWndl99J9Vq3HqkrBbtQ20FhGVajOnO0V3bxvttMOcYzpavshKbzrjHMXfnN2H2UgGh_mEUYyU2t-WoWsZ6LobOSMqXgEgmSwUf_ro6HeL-I8Itg3LjPtQtyI9o3kna/s1600-h/IMG_1053.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvv6PjYV2ysNSgRvWndl99J9Vq3HqkrBbtQ20FhGVajOnO0V3bxvttMOcYzpavshKbzrjHMXfnN2H2UgGh_mEUYyU2t-WoWsZ6LobOSMqXgEgmSwUf_ro6HeL-I8Itg3LjPtQtyI9o3kna/s320/IMG_1053.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309701620045868850" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqr6E28nIEv3lKGNe4ZILWFeoJYoZ_wxT3IrlDxNVIwOASGrcm2_JEbCMz1TEBWYksCeHlFMzAkaxRXQvnheyMPW5Ys1N3aiVwedN6Ycw8s9TDPxKerBKL-QqCWPHz3igdGZDy-V-8n3Vy/s1600-h/IMG_1054.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqr6E28nIEv3lKGNe4ZILWFeoJYoZ_wxT3IrlDxNVIwOASGrcm2_JEbCMz1TEBWYksCeHlFMzAkaxRXQvnheyMPW5Ys1N3aiVwedN6Ycw8s9TDPxKerBKL-QqCWPHz3igdGZDy-V-8n3Vy/s320/IMG_1054.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309590354670224674" border="0" /></a><br />Please take a moment to check out each of these ladies blogs, or comment on those that don't have contacts... They did a fabulous job, wouldn't you say?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAm-Kpbd55ZC12CFyI7T8dDvALlfNzLkF3Lnm6tSIuJNQIH5Ksli2bH_80DrscfE5eaUl7B525o2e1O42wmCfI1hMdYqrqSeNpJ2yILiOoi6KmIUYRhHVt7t_ICdzQoXrIM6JTuDJRIXwV/s1600-h/IMG_0745_1_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAm-Kpbd55ZC12CFyI7T8dDvALlfNzLkF3Lnm6tSIuJNQIH5Ksli2bH_80DrscfE5eaUl7B525o2e1O42wmCfI1hMdYqrqSeNpJ2yILiOoi6KmIUYRhHVt7t_ICdzQoXrIM6JTuDJRIXwV/s320/IMG_0745_1_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305066182668105362" border="0" /></a>This other is an extra I had made, a similar duplicate to one I sent in. And here are all the ones I made.... the fabric tags were fun, I extended the idea from my banner swap (you'll notice the same fabric and technique). It was just too much fun!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVu7bMiCaJRFF9KdZG90L5Yr6MXmpUN-4UcxAfqgKXRNSyqzZCtRM7rqzaVScOvjX_vkO_ar9m5fJWHWFOVlhJqpyAELbLIJ5saHvZvMY-eUme5pxM8nDesUrRgZ4gkZ4oxdiXcb-wVb7/s1600-h/IMG_0750_1_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVu7bMiCaJRFF9KdZG90L5Yr6MXmpUN-4UcxAfqgKXRNSyqzZCtRM7rqzaVScOvjX_vkO_ar9m5fJWHWFOVlhJqpyAELbLIJ5saHvZvMY-eUme5pxM8nDesUrRgZ4gkZ4oxdiXcb-wVb7/s400/IMG_0750_1_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309737214922517218" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZ7cY9SX1FOnKXMiMdtViXOZbhFyexB23I7tFl1t-jJra899D3PeGrc9nzZCtYK2VM_DgSg5wrkH1KqJcbV8Inc9W9l1IOihA1khIc4UdkCO83PoJoc3LpSQRuCW5PViiapEgnqba93ix/s1600-h/IMG_0744_1_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZ7cY9SX1FOnKXMiMdtViXOZbhFyexB23I7tFl1t-jJra899D3PeGrc9nzZCtYK2VM_DgSg5wrkH1KqJcbV8Inc9W9l1IOihA1khIc4UdkCO83PoJoc3LpSQRuCW5PViiapEgnqba93ix/s400/IMG_0744_1_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309742801492931778" border="0" /></a>I have more projects and things to tell you... But I need more TIME to blog them! So, as I get them them typed, you'll see more.... ;) Hugs!Shannon (Faith and Chocolate)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00335623086773280408noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6405975932852762586.post-6513528706417488852009-03-04T08:54:00.011-06:002009-03-04T09:12:26.317-06:00Paper Cowgirl Yahoo! Group...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.papercowgirl.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFv0rSd3mREku5fX4QDPXoXDhG2emSOPMvnhFKvnWta9mGPejZF26CW6f7m5x2bFBfQWbZZvnd_WDcoaWPFXGvojvxiAfBylB5YXAHZnRmUsqJDE1YNHu6Jjw7y4WM_V5vzOuCwyn9Hrz/s200/PC+09+badge.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309347570194570162" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:courier new;">Weeelllll.... it's underway! <a href="http://www.papercowgirl.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"> </span></a></span><a href="http://www.papercowgirl.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);font-family:courier new;" >Paper Cowgirl registration</span></a><span style="font-family:courier new;"> is </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:courier new;" >finall</span><span style="font-family:courier new;">y here... It will be a super fun event, the hoopla has already started with the <span style="font-weight: bold;">new</span> <span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><span style="font-size:130%;">Paper Cowgirl 2009 Yahoo Group</span>!</span> I am hearing of swaps that will be getting started soon. And other fun happenings..... So for anyone </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:courier new;" >going</span><span style="font-family:courier new;"> to PC- better go sign up for the group, and if you're <span style="font-style: italic;">thinking</span> of</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:courier new;" > attending</span><span style="font-family:courier new;"> PC- git on over there and sign up! Tina is telling me a couple classes are close to filling up! (And just an FYI- the lunches will be delicious!)</span>Shannon (Faith and Chocolate)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00335623086773280408noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6405975932852762586.post-5920187047113985912009-02-23T22:45:00.009-06:002009-03-04T21:25:25.262-06:00It's Been a Blonde Kind of Day.....Well... yes, in case you can't tell in my picture, I am blonde. But I never thought of myself as the kind of blonde that was the butt of all the jokes- you know the kind I mean. Yes, they can make me giggle, too- so I'm okay with them... but I just never thought that I would ever BE the joke!<br /><br />First, I have to say that it's not ALL a blonde thing... I have been up since 2:30 AM this morning! Why, you might ask? Please tell ME!??? I don't know. I just couldn't sleep. Sometimes that happens. Then I hit the carpet running this morn, and didn' t stop until about 9 pm tonight in front of this, here, computer.<br /><br />So, my blonde moment, you might wonder? Wellll..... I decided to fix a couple of broken links in my blog roll, that have needed to be fixed for awhile now. Doo, da, doo... click here, click there and well, I fixed them all right! I fixed them so well, that now I don't have them! In fact, you will notice that I do not have ANY links to my favorite blogs and places anymore! Ugh. <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">(UPDATE 3/4: now you will notice I am slowly getting my blogs back together! lol)</span><br /><br />Sigh.<br /><br />Blonde? Yep.<br /><br />Go ahead... let the jokes begin. ;)<br /><br /><br /><br />But wait, there's more...<br /><br />My oldest daughter, who is also a blonde (a most beautiful blonde girl, I might add), had a blonde moment today, as well.<br /><br />To set <span style="font-style: italic;">this</span> stage, you have to know Bailey... she is a vibrant, bubbly, happy and silly little girl. I love her for all of those things! So, as everyday, she was being her vibrant, bubbyly, happy AND SILLY little self while walking out of her P.E. class this morning.<br />Apparently, she was paying attention to the floor (rather than what was ahead of her), and proceeded to slam herself into the bar between the double doors to the gymnasium, and knocked herself onto her keister! She has a bruise and knot on the forehead to prove it. Of course we're all laughing now, AFTER the trip to the emergency care to make sure she was okay!<br />And to think we made her middle name GRACE.... ;)<br /><br />I love you, Gracie!<br /><br />Blonde or not. PLEASE tell me we ALL have these moments???<br /><br /><br />She was SO blonde... that she tried to put M & M's in alphabetical order.<br /><br />And now, this blonde is GOING TO BED!Shannon (Faith and Chocolate)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00335623086773280408noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6405975932852762586.post-28495196077842268692009-02-14T23:15:00.001-06:002009-02-14T23:18:05.445-06:00Wishing you a...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6kOdR8H_V-E0bXOKzAUAY5DVv5wUULHIplQ2qlaLlHnYly8MS1YlMzx_kkRs01Tmh-wPqQdGkRD6QQGKDaSpk5QKlLd5R8jDf6OLLawPj1qmXDVWTEZwiJPIuqGFityVvE6xxGgZCsS2X/s1600-h/rrval-sign18.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 128px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6kOdR8H_V-E0bXOKzAUAY5DVv5wUULHIplQ2qlaLlHnYly8MS1YlMzx_kkRs01Tmh-wPqQdGkRD6QQGKDaSpk5QKlLd5R8jDf6OLLawPj1qmXDVWTEZwiJPIuqGFityVvE6xxGgZCsS2X/s320/rrval-sign18.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302888685103458946" border="0" /></a>Shannon (Faith and Chocolate)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00335623086773280408noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6405975932852762586.post-67768530317544115802009-01-29T05:30:00.004-06:002009-01-29T05:30:01.566-06:00ARtSy FaRtSY!!Yes, that's what I said, ARtSy FaRtSY!! I've actually jumped back in and am knee (shoulder) deep in creating and swapping... with banner swaps, a tag book swap, a charm swap, and a lovely soldered houses swap (oooooo!) Can't wait to see these with all the other lovely pieces. Here's a looky at what I've been up to....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOm1BcgcVzH1WXIsYo-i8DnjzoQtlodiLjIJn2UFuwrD3d-GyYaHyWdRLuvW1i9Dte8WHxF8W2iwEdbndst5YhFft1otxYMoox0JmGSq8XnY2I-6ZD1CEgRZod19Xm3UMiNJCvP0zJee7X/s1600-h/IMG_0570.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOm1BcgcVzH1WXIsYo-i8DnjzoQtlodiLjIJn2UFuwrD3d-GyYaHyWdRLuvW1i9Dte8WHxF8W2iwEdbndst5YhFft1otxYMoox0JmGSq8XnY2I-6ZD1CEgRZod19Xm3UMiNJCvP0zJee7X/s320/IMG_0570.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296443159016945122" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRgLO8h4oAhZ7s_x0TNQLLgmuie6Q9vwSpRTmciDHPznsUlj2kteHTDzmTeUsN-k-WW6C65sQbInKbA_s0iIlcjr1i86r29uUQTJ51NP0LOG8nMNdqBRavvhl_qf2B65G_ihxhqxSVL6Y/s1600-h/IMG_0656.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRgLO8h4oAhZ7s_x0TNQLLgmuie6Q9vwSpRTmciDHPznsUlj2kteHTDzmTeUsN-k-WW6C65sQbInKbA_s0iIlcjr1i86r29uUQTJ51NP0LOG8nMNdqBRavvhl_qf2B65G_ihxhqxSVL6Y/s320/IMG_0656.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296443177039375762" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Gxx5j6CrG2cGAl39jUOCkzOTDmiGEThGzdanFwHiq3-x4KX_p3PNwes0roICrAsuAIR1TcSyUK_y23OLEck1uyuajL_dj71eM0vGFQjOtOgqEMnV6Qm_9-IqquF9ALkZyUjrl45cxHFA/s1600-h/IMG_0610.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Gxx5j6CrG2cGAl39jUOCkzOTDmiGEThGzdanFwHiq3-x4KX_p3PNwes0roICrAsuAIR1TcSyUK_y23OLEck1uyuajL_dj71eM0vGFQjOtOgqEMnV6Qm_9-IqquF9ALkZyUjrl45cxHFA/s320/IMG_0610.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296443162797306290" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbYBjDkeRhoryRUQfi6MqVQCpeECqA6lb-EMU9If-R-vY6EtrWMOtgKePC7eF5nPzqdgMIDEjdUHgPPclaOkqcIHfWWri4sFIUs8-pfeXIi1tkYrD-tMgel56b7LZ1L_fQo8ykjO49-d9/s1600-h/IMG_0644.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbYBjDkeRhoryRUQfi6MqVQCpeECqA6lb-EMU9If-R-vY6EtrWMOtgKePC7eF5nPzqdgMIDEjdUHgPPclaOkqcIHfWWri4sFIUs8-pfeXIi1tkYrD-tMgel56b7LZ1L_fQo8ykjO49-d9/s320/IMG_0644.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296443752721708274" border="0" /></a><br />These are for the valentine banner swaps I'm in over at Christian Paper Artists Yahoo Group. The last two are from the mini banner swap... a fun little size at 3x5!<br />There will be more to share in the days to come...Shannon (Faith and Chocolate)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00335623086773280408noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6405975932852762586.post-77658757801218963762009-01-28T15:00:00.006-06:002009-02-27T10:29:17.711-06:002009 Paper Cowgirl Retreat...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.papercowgirl.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnFkI3lMdPEz6B5na8sgHZOTVqzdspmMy6djmnLuToFeaG3KHkU8xCaby7Ewh4twCI7hCUs3CqLqCJJX_S6IeTlouNcmfIgXu3TnGWMIf4LlpsNImAjNdaSyQp-btQEQgXBhoWNWvyde-O/s320/PC_09_badge.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296485797507066338" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I also have something else to share... In September, I attended a fabulous little art retreat in Waxahachie, TX called "Paper Cowgirl". And the 2nd annual retreat has been officially announced...<br /><br />It will be held June 26-28, in Waxahachie at the Hampton Inn, with registration starting March 1st (you can link directly to the Paper Cowgirl Blog by clicking on it in my side bar or on the button in this post).<br /><br />The retreat is put together by two of the sweetest girls I know, <a href="http://tina-wright.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">Tina (Glue on my Fingers,Paint in MyHair)</span> </a>and<a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 204, 204);" href="http://yappingcatstudio.typepad.com/my_weblog/"> <span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">Cindy (Yapping Cat Studio)</span></a>. And the wonderful blog button was created by the talented <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">Miss Dale </span><a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 51, 102);" href="http://dalemclain.blogspot.com/">(Sea Dream Studio)</a><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 204);">,</span> who was one of the instructors at last year's event (as well as this year)! Valita and I had a really great time, and I plan on attending again this year. YEE HAW! So, mark your calendars!!!</div>Shannon (Faith and Chocolate)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00335623086773280408noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6405975932852762586.post-42271707343804148622009-01-28T09:24:00.005-06:002009-01-28T09:54:23.481-06:00Thank You!Oh my sweet friends... thank you all sooooo very much for all your sweet thoughts and prayers for my grandmother and myself... Your prayers have definitely been felt all around... I talked to my sister this morning, and she has been told by a friend/nurse that grandma is doing a bit better.... she's talking alot more, but still not eating. Of course I don't know the outcome of anything, but I pray for her, and I will let God handle the rest...<br /><span style="font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica;"><b><span style="font-size:85%;"><i><br /></i></span></b></span><span style="font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><b>Be still, and know that I am God….<br /></b></span><i><span style="font-size:85%;"><b>Psalm 46:10 KJV</b></span></i></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica;"><b><span style="font-size:85%;">For where two or three are gathered together in my n</span></b></span><span style="font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica;"><b><span style="font-size:85%;">ame, there am I in the midst of them.<br /><i>Matthew 18:20 KJV</i></span></b></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica;"><b><span style="font-size:85%;">He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.<br /><i>Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV<br /></i></span></b></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hugs</span> to you ALL!<br /><span style="font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtz58cCV65wEPbgerjxouzBueXPRj6vXeI5FgelFrWBenHtlxVBKqz0BbLOCJD51w-fz_JXtSKnrvOIKzU2mXKZu47YllJI4pvZwmcw1GFFEGQ-ny9Qz64-dm1NLsczIGFMbiepYiunWak/s1600-h/sunrise.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtz58cCV65wEPbgerjxouzBueXPRj6vXeI5FgelFrWBenHtlxVBKqz0BbLOCJD51w-fz_JXtSKnrvOIKzU2mXKZu47YllJI4pvZwmcw1GFFEGQ-ny9Qz64-dm1NLsczIGFMbiepYiunWak/s320/sunrise.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296372372190137746" border="0" /></a>Shannon (Faith and Chocolate)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00335623086773280408noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6405975932852762586.post-83405317942431273332009-01-21T17:39:00.005-06:002009-01-21T17:57:35.720-06:00Crying Tears...Hello everyone... You know me, I normally like to post about the happy, fun, up-beat kind of thing.... And with today as my birthday, (not that I like getting a year older), but it IS my birthday, and that usually means that I don't have to cook, but rather go out for a meal with the family or friends.... A fun, good thing, right? But today, I just don't feel up-beat and happy. I am feeling rather sad and down... and it's so funny with my prior post being on JOY....<br /><br />I intended to post about the projects I've been working on, but I just don't feel like it. Maybe later, maybe tomorrow. I just want to type some words out to spill out my sadness for my ill grandmother. My dad's mother, whom I have adored and learned so much from is very ill and we don't expect that she'll weather the storm.... She is the last grandmother for Bryan or myself. It's so hard to see through the tears... She is the last big part of my childhood back home in Colorado, and the little girl inside (and apparently out) cries out and doesn't want to let go. I know this is how life is, and life after death, for me, is a beautiful thing- she will live lively and gloriously with the Lord, our God. And I will see her again. But there's more to letting go of her, like I said, it's letting go of some physical and emotional part of my childhood. I don't know if it's harder because my mother is gone, as well, but it just really hard.<br />Tears have flooded the keyboard, now.... so I will just ask for prayer from you, and hopefully tomorrow will be a brighter day...Shannon (Faith and Chocolate)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00335623086773280408noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6405975932852762586.post-75186569750098297312009-01-11T14:50:00.018-06:002009-01-11T19:02:24.793-06:00ELECTED JOY..Happy New Year, my friends! Whew!- what a whirlwind of parties, festivities, photography, giving & receiving, music, joy, games, family, friends, and much thankfulness with a little icky virus thrown in...<br /><br />I'm back, and I see that everyone is coming back out to play after the holiday season... I'm itching, as well, since I haven't "played" at all since Silver Bella! It's such a shame, too, so much inspiration around Christmastime. Oh well, a new year and a new passion of creativity! There are so many swaps happening out there, bursting of hearts and love for Valentines...<br /><br />Today I come back with a welcome, and some heart & soul inspiration...<br />We missed church last week, due to everyone running temps and being ill with a virus. So getting back was refreshing, with a feeling of hope for <span style="font-size:130%;">2009</span>. I just thought I'd share some thoughts and notes to help begin your new year with a positive attitude, and a wholehearted desire for JOY, because God truly wants us to feel joy in <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">everything</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">, and not just in the circumstances...</span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">I know the Lord is always with me;</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">even at night my heart instructs me.</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102); font-weight: bold;">I know the Lord is always with me.</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102); font-weight: bold;">I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">No wonder my heart is filled with joy,</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">and my mouth shouts His praises!</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">My body rests in safety.</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Psalms 16:7-9</span></span><br /></div><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >1) You can have joy because God has chosen YOU.<br />2) You can have joy because God leads you through hard times.<br />3) You can have joy because He transforms your attitudes and actions.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Rejoice in the Lord Always!<br />~Phillipians 4:4</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">More reading:<br />~1 Peter 1:8-9<br />~Matthew 25:21<br />~Isaiah 53:10<br /></div><br /><br />Well... I'm off to get some more laundry done (two weeks-plus worth!), and I'll <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">try</span> and find the joy in that! ;)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Catch ya later, friends... til then, lots of HUGS and a little Valentine for you!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDoYRn3pAJ2EGVhw9pqKroJn1N-1X1e29W_SfJc4Df-OFu06Exkw_idREYtUDI2i5CYYZdxPnX5h2sz-zdH0G_v3B1AOetUI8ezF3H6d-BN71IGFS3kAbpF4RFu8aVUFgsSo9AjgWGnV2o/s1600-h/an+elephant+valentine.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 246px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDoYRn3pAJ2EGVhw9pqKroJn1N-1X1e29W_SfJc4Df-OFu06Exkw_idREYtUDI2i5CYYZdxPnX5h2sz-zdH0G_v3B1AOetUI8ezF3H6d-BN71IGFS3kAbpF4RFu8aVUFgsSo9AjgWGnV2o/s320/an+elephant+valentine.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290159311852816898" border="0" /></a></div><br /></div></div>Shannon (Faith and Chocolate)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00335623086773280408noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6405975932852762586.post-65388966295923312162008-12-13T08:05:00.007-06:002008-12-13T08:20:36.585-06:00HOLIDAY GREETINGS & BEST WISHES....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR2VaEUYoDiVS6m03bCk78cquJoStbgaY9jzvslXhO-kgXcT4Zv5cWL5rdxx45FuKnSdeT9QxryxGN0gKmKtdj017-G1OKK7T0Epm9F6K8-thrBMtwdc_qFD5sHRIkWJkdrZJRcsdOvuDs/s1600-h/2052674943_a1950fed3b_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 252px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR2VaEUYoDiVS6m03bCk78cquJoStbgaY9jzvslXhO-kgXcT4Zv5cWL5rdxx45FuKnSdeT9QxryxGN0gKmKtdj017-G1OKK7T0Epm9F6K8-thrBMtwdc_qFD5sHRIkWJkdrZJRcsdOvuDs/s320/2052674943_a1950fed3b_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279279237828799986" border="0" /></a><br />Sweet friends & family.... as much as I LOVE to blog, and think and wish I could "do it all", I am going to have to give my Christmas greetings and best wishes now (And come back after the new year). Things are sooo busy- recitals, parties, planning, baking, cleaning, laundry, and family coming in from out of town over the holidays.... I truly want to do it all!<br /><br />I wish you all a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS, and a BLESSED NEW YEAR! I'll see you then!<br />Many hugs!<br />Shannon<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVyV10Et5r48lqIFC-dX9zbSim6-XRIN0MHk-tNEsebXbZ5OCW9YVguSISzjd1e3mLns2bDDL2eDz7FSA_xmf4Jbsl1_m-UJjFL3-WwEHo2L7t2xLuM-5SH5f09gDDjK2FpxugWs0T2iEI/s1600-h/christmas-to-you.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 111px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVyV10Et5r48lqIFC-dX9zbSim6-XRIN0MHk-tNEsebXbZ5OCW9YVguSISzjd1e3mLns2bDDL2eDz7FSA_xmf4Jbsl1_m-UJjFL3-WwEHo2L7t2xLuM-5SH5f09gDDjK2FpxugWs0T2iEI/s320/christmas-to-you.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279277302585789778" border="0" /></a>Shannon (Faith and Chocolate)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00335623086773280408noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6405975932852762586.post-51948400848328381042008-12-04T09:34:00.006-06:002008-12-04T09:45:09.847-06:00Wanna Laugh?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.bestviral.com/video/19188/beware_of_the_doghouse_hilarious"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 130px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGVVwBiw16o7t3wD4rRBIehba5XJxZMrvvCK3X-dwebJKtOcwdE5W-OcktZg-yTNtz_xRzIlI6_SUqqoaLX-fQF5atGIIMYAMpLvy316JgD9mEpctj2djUAZEA3niGCNsLJTztNavIwCve/s200/0012-0709-0413-4655_caucasian_couple_having_marital_problems_man_in_a_dog_house_clipart.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275960110520434370" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(51, 102, 102);"><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);font-size:130%;" ><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.bestviral.com/video/19188/beware_of_the_doghouse_hilarious">IN THE DOGHOUSE...</a></span><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Check it out for a giggle or two...<br />Happy Thursday!<br /></div>Shannon (Faith and Chocolate)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00335623086773280408noreply@blogger.com2