ELECTED 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...

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...

Today I come back with a welcome, and some heart & soul inspiration...
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 2009. 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 everything, and not just in the circumstances...

I know the Lord is always with me;

even at night my heart instructs me.

I know the Lord is always with me.

I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.

No wonder my heart is filled with joy,

and my mouth shouts His praises!

My body rests in safety.

Psalms 16:7-9

1) You can have joy because God has chosen YOU.
2) You can have joy because God leads you through hard times.
3) You can have joy because He transforms your attitudes and actions.

Rejoice in the Lord Always!
~Phillipians 4:4

More reading:
~1 Peter 1:8-9
~Matthew 25:21
~Isaiah 53:10

Well... I'm off to get some more laundry done (two weeks-plus worth!), and I'll try and find the joy in that! ;)

Catch ya later, friends... til then, lots of HUGS and a little Valentine for you!

HOLIDAY GREETINGS & BEST WISHES....

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!

I wish you all a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS, and a BLESSED NEW YEAR! I'll see you then!
Many hugs!
Shannon

Wanna Laugh?

IN THE DOGHOUSE...

Check it out for a giggle or two...
Happy Thursday!

Thankful Blessings...

I have so much to be thankful for... My wonderful family, who loves me, and all my many friends from the long-time and recent past... Thank you all for your love, generosity, and commitment to our relationship. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with just our little family. Quiet, but eventful. We worked on gearing the house up for Christmas (no decorating, but cleaning purging, and organizing). With the fall sooooo busy around here, I fell behind on keeping up some organizing around here (surprise, surprise). We are not completely done, but well on our way to being done!


After Silver Bella, I came home to have a wonderful little package sent to me from my wonderful friend, Nancy at My Crafty Little Page. She posted on her blog in November about these cute little turkey candles (which I mistakenly thought were for sale), and inquired her about how much she would like for them. The reason I asked was because they are the EXACT same turkey candles my mother had as part of our Thanksgiving decorations that my sister and I used to put out as we decorated for the holiday feast. Oh those days, those memories, those cute little turkey candles.... Anyways, after an embarassing oopsie (made by, yes, surprise, me) she offered up a set, and I promised I would bring back Silver Bella goodies for her. And now, I have these three little turkeys (even in real life! lol), that will be a part of our Thanksgiving decor for years to come and share past

memories of my childhood to remind me of some really wonderful times with my Mom, Dad, sister and brother. ;) And NOT only did she send me the package, she also sent each of the kids a little something, too. She gave them little ornaments! And also tucked in a vintage Thanksgiving postcard and gummed holiday stickers for me. Just fabulous! Thank you soooo much sweet, friend!!!


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I also want to say thanks for the little bloggy award she gave to me too! Nancy has awarded me the
Marie Antoinette Award
for inspiring in this little crafty/bloggy/creative little world! Thank you, my friend, I feel the same about you! Now, of course, I must pass this along to at least 7 more friends/bloggers (aren't they one in the same?) ;) , and post the guidelines...

1. Please put the logo on your blog

2. Link to the person from whom you received the award

3. Nominate at least 7 or more blogs

4. Put the links of those blogs on your blog

5. Leave a message on their blogs to tell them.

And now, I hand this award over to:

Tina ~ Glue on My Fingers, Paint in My Hair

Jana ~ These Are the Days

Linda ~ Linda Joe's Obsession

Valita ~ Vintage V's

Charlene ~ My Heart's Ease

JoAnna ~ Sweet Finds

Heather ~ My Everyday Life

Alisa ~ Life is a Beautiful Place to Be

Thank you ALL for your inspiration, love, generosity, and CREATIVE PASSION!

SILVER BELLA POST ~ Part 1

Wow! What a Bella party.... this year was sooo different (in a good way). It was nice to know that I knew girls BEFORE I went. Though I wouldn't change last year for the world! It was fun to see "new-found friends" from last year and meet new faces... Blogging is truly amazing... It has changed my world forever. I am so glad to have met the people I have. We talked all weekend about the fact that we all connect so well because we "get each other". Vintage art, vintage inspired art, vintage crafting... it's all very strange to some people, but for others (like the 160 or so) girls of Silver Bella (among others), we all know what it's like to find a special treasure- whether it's found, unwanted, at a local thrift store or flea market, or up for grabs at an estate sale, or passed down within our own families only then to use it to create a wonderful gift for someone else, or add it to our own homes to tell a story of who we are... THAT'S Silver Bella in a nut shell... ;)

There is so much to talk about, that I think it would be best for me to break it down into bits....

So....I left a day early (Wednesday) with other Texas Bellas- Valita, Heather, Alisa, and JoAnna, to browse the downtown shopping... Our first stop was most definitely SECOND CHANCE ANTIQUES:

They, of course, knew the Bellas were headed into town, so they were definitely ready for us! We had a ball going through all the wonderful old treasures that they had lined up for us. I realize now, that Heather is not in this picture. But with her pregnancy, she was a bit exhausted, so she stayed back to nap a bit...

Then it was back to the hotel to meet up with Jessi for a little chit-chat, and where she showered us with a sweet little gift (big thanks, Jess!)...

Then Thursday came, we did some more shopping and fun before it was time to pick up our packets meet up with our other roomie and fellow Texas Bella, Jana, and get ready for the "meet and greet"...

and finally to our dinner and group class later in the evening... Our table was set with a goody bag full of fun stuff, and our class kits all neat and boxed up...

Amanda & Maija

Jana and Valita

Kim, Suzanne, Jessi

Heather, me, Valita

After class, it was time for swapping.... Come back in a couple of days to see all that fun...

Texas Bellas, pajama-style!

Woohoo! Silver Bella!!

Well... I was going to have a whole weeks worth of sneaky peeks for Silver Bella... but getting ready/packing, etc., etc., got in the way of that! And I needed to give some attention to my poor family. I think they will ever be ready for the day when I say "I'm done with Silver Bella!"... just a few more days, my sweets...

Tomorrow's the big day! Valita, Heather, Joanna, and Alisa are headed to Omaha... Jana will be joining us on Thursday.
Anywho- here's a few more shots before I go... I will post the real deal when I return! Have fun swapping, feeding kiddos, going to the movies, or whatever you'll be doing while I'm gone! :) "See" ya when I get back!

Silver Bella 2008 Sneak Peek~ Day Three

It's getting closer...
One whole week away!!!
;)