tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54759428287118069742024-03-14T03:18:21.984-07:00Firefly VisionsInspire, Create, IlluminateFirefly Visionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16009593746628977392noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475942828711806974.post-12486319225632065942012-08-05T08:30:00.002-07:002012-08-05T08:30:29.138-07:00Bead Soup Blog Party 6 Reveal<div style="text-align: center;">
My lovely partner Shannon of <a href="http://uptwnsh-fallingintothesky.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Falling into the Sky</a> sent me some beautiful components. Here they are again.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGDNdrXxYpJDiElxpwdWxMmnlIYfs609Opu9DTUJfrrg2c8II7fQZkz0iiykJm5WA5NsZtQnqmWyiCZIOaL1a0ip_uIvMPh1t4aO-3o-RcmRv5DkqD66c12CcJdMSFTLxqvI04Cdy9YA/s1600/IMAG0472-1-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGDNdrXxYpJDiElxpwdWxMmnlIYfs609Opu9DTUJfrrg2c8II7fQZkz0iiykJm5WA5NsZtQnqmWyiCZIOaL1a0ip_uIvMPh1t4aO-3o-RcmRv5DkqD66c12CcJdMSFTLxqvI04Cdy9YA/s320/IMAG0472-1-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The components were truly beautiful. I was lucky to have such a wonderful partner. After much consideration, and a couple of attempts, I decided to create a necklace with the focal, clasp, chain, the carnelian rings, and the amber beads. </div>
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I have some ideas in mind for a bracelet and maybe some more additions to the necklace. Stay tuned for more :) </div>
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Much Love </div>
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Shell </div>
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<br /></div>Firefly Visionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16009593746628977392noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475942828711806974.post-58672857559745531352012-07-31T17:08:00.001-07:002012-07-31T17:08:45.875-07:00Bead Soup Blog Party 6 - Just a little lateOh wow, time flies when time flies! These kids of mine have had me busy having fun this summer. Work is all sorts of keeping me busy. And let's not forget the homework and studying involved in getting my MBA. So that being said, Sunday or Monday was the first time that I even had a chance to check my personal email, much less anything else. So here I sit after the party and I haven't even started working on my pretty pretty for the reveal.<br />
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So here I sit, getting ready to show you picks on my wonderful soup and to tell ya a little about my partner. <br />
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My partner this time around is Shannon Hicks from <a href="http://uptwnsh-fallingintothesky.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Falling Into the Sky</a>. Oh my gosh! The first time I looked at her blog I was humbled by her talent. I mean - really - look at this!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDS_2nDMw1VKYIpB73QOF4uhVhcQ_63yro-nyI3Z-57TaD9pc4hooy_DasOO3Ue2uU-Fn6gDDOOD4SXuiGsUpHInHWU35CQY2uFvN6c-KnJVZTWGBCmb64PAbISN7kpl51TszIQ7h5feA/s1600/Shannon1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDS_2nDMw1VKYIpB73QOF4uhVhcQ_63yro-nyI3Z-57TaD9pc4hooy_DasOO3Ue2uU-Fn6gDDOOD4SXuiGsUpHInHWU35CQY2uFvN6c-KnJVZTWGBCmb64PAbISN7kpl51TszIQ7h5feA/s320/Shannon1.jpg" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">picture courtesy of </td></tr>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/gypsymoondancer/my-work/" target="_blank">Shannon's Pinterest</a></div>
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And then there is her bead stash </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtzG_XEhmkmfHqEw2GbkiOFgCS6oJaKAcAPd3NGTTewKU59fffQulESM9XVhJ8ksvkTJaHfPrS-iSKDIxnG-jNhCI1-Fwq-jIq8YvJ8BWMvMCqP-OUb6W8GzLfmjcLC53nsgndWBFyQvk/s1600/shannon2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtzG_XEhmkmfHqEw2GbkiOFgCS6oJaKAcAPd3NGTTewKU59fffQulESM9XVhJ8ksvkTJaHfPrS-iSKDIxnG-jNhCI1-Fwq-jIq8YvJ8BWMvMCqP-OUb6W8GzLfmjcLC53nsgndWBFyQvk/s320/shannon2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">picture courtesy of</td></tr>
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<a href="http://uptwnsh-fallingintothesky.blogspot.com/2012/06/how-i-became-addicted.html" target="_blank">Falling into the Sky</a></div>
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So I decided that an eclectic mix of focals, clasps, and beads would work well to give her a variety of pieces to mix with her stash. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6mtOh6BY_UjPU1Z9emT4b84GrlcvbnxyUS-PdkJj_X3OORSNkMYu42T1IMFBvX_IESdP43OacPuMJA_oZlQA-Rg1-SjahfCrgnqZuq-w9T7l8ylkS1IRlPn3LK2vsSuGE-us0q15LYyk/s1600/from+my+partner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6mtOh6BY_UjPU1Z9emT4b84GrlcvbnxyUS-PdkJj_X3OORSNkMYu42T1IMFBvX_IESdP43OacPuMJA_oZlQA-Rg1-SjahfCrgnqZuq-w9T7l8ylkS1IRlPn3LK2vsSuGE-us0q15LYyk/s320/from+my+partner.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">picture courtesy of Shannon's blog</td></tr>
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When I received her package, I was thrilled and excited! Everything is gorgeous and coordinates beautifully together. The collection that she sent me includes glass focal (amazing), carnelian rings, mookite, quartz, amber, pearls, carnelian beads, copper chain, clasps and head pins. <br />
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I have some ideas rolling around in my head. I will have finished up my current class - Financial Analysis - and have some time cleared this weekend to work on my piece(s) for the late reveal. <br />
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Much Love<br />
ShellFirefly Visionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16009593746628977392noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475942828711806974.post-60945892444255737782012-06-18T20:06:00.001-07:002012-06-19T10:54:29.044-07:00Special Day & ThoughtsSunday - June 17th - two of my special guys were able to share a day of celebration. Sunday was Father's Day and believe me when I tell you that my husband is the best, most wonderful father and husband there is - at least in my opinion. But Sunday was also our youngest son's 9th birthday. <br />
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Here they are last summer spending time together in the pool. </div>
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I love spending time with my boys. These summer days are flying by so quickly. I am making more of an attempt this year to spend more time with them. I want to cherish these days. Too soon they will be grown up (well kind of grown up) and living on their own. One more of the five will be leaving this fall to start his college journey. Of course there will be visits home but even though three will remain here we will feel the absence of his presence. </div>
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I have found that time is simply slipping away from me. Stray gray hairs are beginning to pop up on my head - so foreign and out of place - but left alone to stay. I have started thinking about the things that I have accomplished, and those that I still wish to tackle. I think about how I have spent my days - have I cherished them as I should? or have I simply moved from one day to the next marking time? </div>
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My husband tells me that I am nearing a 'mid-life' crisis - I believe that he may be insinuating that I am getting older. He may be right - I did just have a birthday - that's one more year closer to 35. But I wonder why I feel like I am no longer experiencing life - living life - but rather just going through the steps from one day to the next. </div>
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I need to pull myself out of this slump. This feeling of not moving - stagnating. So I have decided to do just that. So there has been less time spent inside and more outside. Less time engaged on electronic devices - more time just being with my boys. I am behind on my blog, behind in reading the blogs that I follow, behind at Words with Friends. But my time with my boys is more important to me right now. I hope that you will all still be here for my sporadic postings. I will be in and out - catching up with the boys are busy doing other things. </div>
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I hope that you all decide to spend a little bit more time with the ones that you love. Soak up memories while they are there to be had. Have fun and experience life and love.</div>
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Much Love </div>
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Shell</div>
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<br /></div>Firefly Visionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16009593746628977392noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475942828711806974.post-38289823299735629642012-05-31T05:21:00.004-07:002012-05-31T05:21:50.015-07:00Tiny Tin Challenge and Blog HopWhen Michelle Mach of <a href="http://michellemach.com/blog/index.php?/archives/455-Tiny-Tin-Challenge-Blog-Hop-Reveal.html" target="_blank">Beads and Books</a> announced her newest challenge and blog hop, I knew that I wanted in on the fun. She sent two small metal tins to each participant in the hop. Here's what they looked like - minus the writing on the larger one.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_iQrp1EhvaA1BekfDn4NzLqcOZvDDrnFuN3xoFG5APLO8bZdBXiMeQPYqRskRe0UTin7c0eWJjJzc6QOscyvUWN1uPnp-aF957CBs0iBnP3ehoT5-yljMOL_ochp5TtxGqioBB85lRE/s1600/tiny-tin-blog-hop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_iQrp1EhvaA1BekfDn4NzLqcOZvDDrnFuN3xoFG5APLO8bZdBXiMeQPYqRskRe0UTin7c0eWJjJzc6QOscyvUWN1uPnp-aF957CBs0iBnP3ehoT5-yljMOL_ochp5TtxGqioBB85lRE/s1600/tiny-tin-blog-hop.jpg" /></a></div>
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So what to do with two of the cutest tins ever?! Well, my youngest son saw them and was so excited to play with one that I just couldn't say no - I mean you should have seen the look on his face. So I handed over the larger of the two tins to him. Here is what he made with it:<br />
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This is the top of the tin. He painted with 3 different shades of acrylic craft paint in blue. He added some white over the top of that. He did this painting with a makeup sponge.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuOOp0yLVJCZyC7NJ1AI0P4owumbmDyDvgFVh4bdPQorqNjs33I8nPwNxIfJYbyKdu47nF2xaanzS-Jp_zri2MgvMstUet1DvzQcMfocolivoRVEZDQbOyIzNlxlFGwuQ4IaAStaa08Mw/s1600/Tina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuOOp0yLVJCZyC7NJ1AI0P4owumbmDyDvgFVh4bdPQorqNjs33I8nPwNxIfJYbyKdu47nF2xaanzS-Jp_zri2MgvMstUet1DvzQcMfocolivoRVEZDQbOyIzNlxlFGwuQ4IaAStaa08Mw/s320/Tina.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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On the side, he wanted it to look like hay. I know that may sound odd to some, but just go with it for now. <br />
He did this with some yellow, vanilla, and brown acrylic craft paint. He painted the whole side first with all three mixed together, but decided that it didn't look enough like hay, so he added some up and down marks with a skinny paint brush<br />
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Then he said that it still wasn't done, but he wanted his daddy to help him with the rest. So, based on what the hubby told me, some brown paper bag was torn up and wrinkled to be placed inside the bottom. Then my son had some little tiny fuzzy chicks leftover from Easter that he had been saving. He carefully glued 5 of them inside the tin to the brown paper. "One for me and one for all my brothers" is what he said.<br />
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And that is what he gave me for Mother's Day. It was hard to save this for the reveal today cause I wanted to just tell the world! Isn't it just the cutest thing ever?!<br />
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So now on to the teeny tiny small tin. I new immediately what I wanted to do with it. It is the perfect size for lip balm! So I only did some minor decorations to the outside. I used Mod Podge and some tissue paper to cover the lid. I applied this in layers in order to have some texture to the outside. Then I placed a brass flower from B'Sue Boutiques to give it a feminine feel. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs58tmrCh6rALwHIb2EdJUDIFg19FSKId0IpMYXR8-21qp0M6Wst_hDGdWcOf3wHukWRQ0I-0OsFDc_fk_r965zs6ZDC8aqCNTQ8EgTioo6NNKShK53efWFsdJWc3_X18b7ZXnhGEAMJk/s1600/tind.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs58tmrCh6rALwHIb2EdJUDIFg19FSKId0IpMYXR8-21qp0M6Wst_hDGdWcOf3wHukWRQ0I-0OsFDc_fk_r965zs6ZDC8aqCNTQ8EgTioo6NNKShK53efWFsdJWc3_X18b7ZXnhGEAMJk/s320/tind.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The recipe that I used for the lip balm is from <a href="http://yourstrulyg.com/2011/08/26/diy-lip-balm/" target="_blank">Yours Truly, G</a>. Pop on over to her blog to read her full recipe and how to make this for yourself.<br />
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I really did have fun with this challenge and so did my son! Hop on over to the other participants to see what they came up with for this challenge. I know that I can't wait to see what they do.<br />
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<ol style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<li>Michelle - <a href="http://www.michellemach.com/blog/" style="color: #1010c0; text-decoration: none;">Beads & Books</a> - Hostess</li>
<li>Amy - <a href="http://amybeads.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1010c0; text-decoration: none;">Amybeads</a></li>
<li>Brenda - <a href="http://www.bsueboutiques.typepad.com/" style="color: #1010c0; text-decoration: none;">B'Sue Boutiques</a></li>
<li>Dawn - <a href="http://www.grayclouds.net/dg/blog/" style="color: #1010c0; text-decoration: none;">Morning Glory Beading</a></li>
<li>Debbie</li>
<li>Jeannie - <a href="http://site.jkdjewelry.com/" style="color: #1010c0; text-decoration: none;">Jeannie's Blog</a></li>
<li>Kay - <a href="http://palmcoastart.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1010c0; text-decoration: none;">Palm Coast Art</a></li>
<li>Kim - <a href="http://cianciblue.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1010c0; text-decoration: none;">CianciBlue</a></li>
<li>Mary - <a href="http://mlhjewelrydesigns.com/" style="color: #1010c0; text-decoration: none;">MLH Jewelry Designs</a></li>
<li>Mary Shannon - <a href="http://uptwnsh-fallingintothesky.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1010c0; text-decoration: none;">Falling into the Sky</a></li>
<li>Michelle - <a href="http://fireflyvisions.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1010c0; text-decoration: none;">Firefly Visions</a> - you are here</li>
<li>Molly - <a href="http://www.michellemach.com/blog/www.beautifullybrokenme.blogspot.com" style="color: #1010c0; text-decoration: none;">Beautifully Broken Me</a></li>
<li>Pamela - <a href="http://crazycreativecorner.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1010c0; text-decoration: none;">The Crazy Creative Corner</a></li>
<li>Patricia G. - <a href="http://www.mylifeunderthebus.typepad.com/" style="color: #1010c0; text-decoration: none;">My Life Under the Bus</a></li>
<li>Patricia L.</li>
<li>Robyn - <a href="http://rcponders.wordpress.com/" style="color: #1010c0; text-decoration: none;">A Ponderance of Things</a></li>
<li>Shelley - <a href="http://shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1010c0; text-decoration: none;">Fabric of My Life</a></li>
<li>Terry - <a href="http://pinkchapeau.wordpress.com/" style="color: #1010c0; text-decoration: none;">Pink Chapeau Vintage Jewelry</a></li>
<li>Therese - <a href="http://www.domesticgoddessenterprises.com/" style="color: #1010c0; text-decoration: none;">Domestic Goddess Enterprises</a></li>
<li>Therese - <a href="http://www.theresestreasures59.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1010c0; text-decoration: none;">Therese's Treasures</a></li>
</ol>
<div>
Much love.<br />
Shell</div>Firefly Visionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16009593746628977392noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475942828711806974.post-83828255108555800452012-05-26T07:01:00.000-07:002012-05-26T07:01:09.660-07:00Cocktail Hour Blog HopWelcome to the Cocktail Hour Blog Hop hosted by Amy Freeland of <a href="http://copperdiem.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Copper Diem</a>. Amy gave each of the participants a cocktail to use for inspiration. The inspiration could come from the drink itself, the color, occasion, location or whatever other image the drink conjured in their mind. <br />
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My drink was Rum Punch.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0n3JAvXl9pOaOQ_84KTcFPWCJuSzmkS9-gl7P7V9x4tk7KcrdVUy4z5uKxh_gj4FEAGarWv_gqWCMd4tswYjsgGRdEjs026WlvPvnkYFiNYlei10ezzH6I_o2-4oAqyrzzRY3yDEfiMc/s1600/barbadian-rum-punch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0n3JAvXl9pOaOQ_84KTcFPWCJuSzmkS9-gl7P7V9x4tk7KcrdVUy4z5uKxh_gj4FEAGarWv_gqWCMd4tswYjsgGRdEjs026WlvPvnkYFiNYlei10ezzH6I_o2-4oAqyrzzRY3yDEfiMc/s320/barbadian-rum-punch.jpg" width="154" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://recipes.caribseek.com/Barbados/images/barbadian-rum-punch.jpg</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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My favorite recipe for rum punch :<br />
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2 oz orange juice<br />
2 oz pineapple juice<br />
1 oz cranberry juice<br />
1 oz Bicardi White rum<br />
1 oz Malibu Coconut rum<br />
1/2 oz Myers rum (on top)<br />
Garnish with orange slice<br />
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I love the colors in this drink. The name and the taste bring images of the beach, sunsets, friends, and fun. I struggled with my piece, wanting to mimic the colors of the drink itself to no avail. My piece is sitting here, staring at me waiting to be completed. The ideas are in there, but the finished piece is not being translated - don't you hate when that happens? So alas, I have nothing to show you right now. <br />
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I hope that you will check back tomorrow to see my finished creation... it may not even be jewelry - gasp, shock and surprise.. For now, keep hopping along to see what drinks and creations the other participants were able to come up with.<br />
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<div>
Hostess: <a href="http://copperdiem.blogspot.com/" title="http://copperdiem.blogspot.com/">Copper Diem</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://stefaniessammelsurium.blogspot.com/" title="http://stefaniessammelsurium.blogspot.com/">Stefanies Sammelsurium</a><br />
<a href="http://lorelei1141.blogspot.com/" title="http://lorelei1141.blogspot.com/">Lorelei's Blog</a><br />
<a href="http://kristen-beadjourney.blogspot.com/" title="http://kristen-beadjourney.blogspot.com/">My Bead Journey</a><br />
<a href="http://adventureswithkelly.blogspot.com/" title="http://adventureswithkelly.blogspot.com/">Adventures with Kelly</a><br />
<a href="http://mamasgottodoodle.blogspot.com/" title="http://mamasgottodoodle.blogspot.com/">Mama's Got To Doodle</a><br />
<a href="http://sadafulee.blogspot.com/" title="http://sadafulee.blogspot.com/">Sadafulee</a><br />
<a href="http://ferrarioriginalsyahoocom.blogspot.com/" title="http://ferrarioriginalsyahoocom.blogspot.com/">Wait Just One More
Bead</a><br />
<a href="http://cynthsblog.blogspot.com/" title="http://cynthsblog.blogspot.com/">Cynth's Blog</a><br />
<a href="http://palmcoastart.blogspot.com/" title="http://palmcoastart.blogspot.com/">Palm Coast Art</a><br />
<a href="http://greenshoot.blogspot.com/" title="http://greenshoot.blogspot.com/">Green Shoot Jewellery Designs</a><br />
<a href="http://cianciblue.blogspot.com/" title="http://cianciblue.blogspot.com/">Cianci Blue</a><br />
<a href="http://dreaminofbeads.blogspot.com/" title="http://dreaminofbeads.blogspot.com/">Dreamin Of Beads / SAS Jewelry
Designs</a><br />
<a href="http://beadsforbusygals.blogspot.com/" title="http://beadsforbusygals.blogspot.com/">Beads for Busy Gals</a><br />
<a href="http://beadsbythebay.blogspot.com/" title="http://beadsbythebay.blogspot.com/">Oregon Made Jewelry</a><br />
<a href="http://myaddictionshandcrafted.blogspot.com/" title="http://myaddictionshandcrafted.blogspot.com/">My Addictions...Handcrafted
Jewelry by Patti</a><br />
<a href="http://moodsbymarianna.blogspot.com/" title="http://moodsbymarianna.blogspot.com/">Moods by Mari</a><br />
<a href="http://www.lilikrist.com/" title="http://www.lilikrist.com/">Soul of
Mine Embodiment</a><br />
<a href="http://uniquelyyunikua.blogspot.com/" title="http://uniquelyyunikua.blogspot.com/">Uniquely Yunikua</a><br />
<a href="http://shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com/" title="http://shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com/">Fabric of My Life</a><br />
<a href="http://fireflyvisions.blogspot.com/" title="http://fireflyvisions.blogspot.com/">Firefly Visions</a><br />
<a href="http://storiesbyindigoheart.blogspot.com/" title="http://storiesbyindigoheart.blogspot.com/">Indigo Heart</a><br />
<a href="http://thepeacefulbead.com/" title="http://thepeacefulbead.com/">The
Peaceful Bead</a><br />
<a href="http://casadeeverly.blogspot.com/" title="http://casadeeverly.blogspot.com/">Casa de Everly</a><br />
<a href="http://heavenlanecreations.com/" title="http://heavenlanecreations.com/">Heaven Lane Creations</a><br />
<a href="http://suebeads.blogspot.com/" title="http://suebeads.blogspot.com/">Sue Beads</a><br />
<a href="http://www.durgajewelry.com/" title="http://www.durgajewelry.com/">Durga Jewelry</a><br />
<a href="http://honeybijou.blogspot.com/" title="http://honeybijou.blogspot.com/">Honey Bijou</a><br />
<a href="http://abirdinthehandart.blogspot.com/" title="http://abirdinthehandart.blogspot.com/">A Bird in the Hand Art</a><br />
<a href="http://silverniknats.blogspot.com/" title="http://silverniknats.blogspot.com/">SilverNikNats</a><br />
<a href="http://skwds.blogspot.com/" title="http://skwds.blogspot.com/">Rainy
Day Designs</a><br />
<a href="http://www.tellyourgirlfriends.com/" title="http://www.tellyourgirlfriends.com/">Tell Your Girlfriends</a></div>Firefly Visionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16009593746628977392noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475942828711806974.post-54885810795880981902012-05-21T16:27:00.002-07:002012-05-21T16:30:09.252-07:00Experiments in Creativity<div style="text-align: center;">
I felt that I was losing my mojo with my jewelry, so I decided to branch out and expand my creative horizons. I have tried sewing - which I have really been enjoying. Right now, what I would like to share are some of my experiments in art journaling. </div>
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I thought that I should make bright and pretty pages, you know - like the ones that I see on the YouTube videos and other websites. At that time, I struggled with finishing a background so a finished page was just out of the question. I realized that I was just not in a bright, pretty color frame of mind. So my first pages were really dark. Pulling out a lot of emotions from the past. </div>
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Since then, I have been able to create some base backgrounds that are brighter and have more texture than before. I realize that I needed to get out some of those past feelings in order to move forward. In time, I am sure that I will feel more open to revealing those first pages that were so dark and depressing. For now, though I would like to show some of my more recent background pages. These pages are just a background - color and texture on paper so that when I do get ready to journal on them, I have pages ready to go. </div>
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This first one is an experiment with acrylic paints. I was feeling alive when I created this background. I was trying to express images of fire and light. This was done in a generic composition book. I glued two pages together and used gesso to prepare the page to accept the paint. I used an old gift card to create some of the texture and a clay sculpting tool for the rest.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18KJxGI4maFQ8_81dO2-BiuI3kzNoLgcP9wc5LSBVxWFDbEQMfjfgMfDkKgIcEuOkKz6eJfrYSyntIzSSU0lrqstXc2_AjteMZPwNm1j0nGMN59ZxTkU6bsbvyYO_fD0-nwo3tAEfM94/s1600/IMAG0321-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18KJxGI4maFQ8_81dO2-BiuI3kzNoLgcP9wc5LSBVxWFDbEQMfjfgMfDkKgIcEuOkKz6eJfrYSyntIzSSU0lrqstXc2_AjteMZPwNm1j0nGMN59ZxTkU6bsbvyYO_fD0-nwo3tAEfM94/s320/IMAG0321-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This one brings connotations of potted flowers, which I didn't realize until after I was finished. The potted flowers area of the page, was created on a dried out wet wipe that I adhered to the page with Modge Podge. The colors were created with water color crayons by Reeves</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju6CbyXgZn1LjrMG9yHrI5FkM4S7-tX3zTRxF9T9RIve3By-5TXgCl44sGXw0fba6nwbM16SWGO4E5fQpxhA2HDpZoaZ31ceT98VQes-bYaubTbbGGwitDKyT87AaQHQkXXgSkAT9HpKg/s1600/IMAG0316-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju6CbyXgZn1LjrMG9yHrI5FkM4S7-tX3zTRxF9T9RIve3By-5TXgCl44sGXw0fba6nwbM16SWGO4E5fQpxhA2HDpZoaZ31ceT98VQes-bYaubTbbGGwitDKyT87AaQHQkXXgSkAT9HpKg/s320/IMAG0316-1.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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For the next two I was in a circlely mood. The blue and green one was done with all water colors. The page was created with a base of gesso, some leftover papers from an old book, and some tissue paper. The pink/purple page includes an old envelope, tissue paper, gesso, and part of a paper towel. I also used water colors on this page, but added some oil pastels as well. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPyn_Q91j6KpSUvEzJ6vr0mEu0NqspKkKFVaNEN4AE-z3CN_O-4ERNJUElTsLEQswi81jzOYqe6a8tIlVnEJIH_6kCNE-nTzguRFge870WZRCwRBRe9h3Mltz7fxT6dh1VgMq01YK1QE/s1600/IMAG0317-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPyn_Q91j6KpSUvEzJ6vr0mEu0NqspKkKFVaNEN4AE-z3CN_O-4ERNJUElTsLEQswi81jzOYqe6a8tIlVnEJIH_6kCNE-nTzguRFge870WZRCwRBRe9h3Mltz7fxT6dh1VgMq01YK1QE/s320/IMAG0317-1.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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The next one was one of my favorites. I love the textures and colors on this page. The texture was created with bubble wrap that was placed on top of a layer of gesso, which was over old book pages, tissue paper, and pan water colors. </div>
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The last two were created in my composition book. I used masking tape to stabilize the center of the two pages. The pink page is water color crayons, part of an old book, and some journaling. The multi-color page is made using craft acrylics and a page from an old book on art. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZb8a5p7zDiabFGUdD8S04SAxJfAztCD1MtxmPVHtVEpaiaf2EI5Hd2QHz49nsUeZ2T1mveDa7WllRhfvsKFlajw0TO80UmfDnRk0sW6r8MM6EgaL_hBiSXe5AY6v9Fcxg8USNwHpu_AI/s1600/IMAG0320-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZb8a5p7zDiabFGUdD8S04SAxJfAztCD1MtxmPVHtVEpaiaf2EI5Hd2QHz49nsUeZ2T1mveDa7WllRhfvsKFlajw0TO80UmfDnRk0sW6r8MM6EgaL_hBiSXe5AY6v9Fcxg8USNwHpu_AI/s320/IMAG0320-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik48Wn9oBs1MvlVaONdpTu4N1Vrb8YBjSve58Vjjn5VAAsZpI4YMqDYVmbqVFxfsgiK3QcT6iqA4Miu1IF2ZP3gFzN_gF8Ob-1jP-Dxhshiw146o1Jfrc6OdxXOV41yvATNIqAf5tAMAc/s1600/IMAG0319-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik48Wn9oBs1MvlVaONdpTu4N1Vrb8YBjSve58Vjjn5VAAsZpI4YMqDYVmbqVFxfsgiK3QcT6iqA4Miu1IF2ZP3gFzN_gF8Ob-1jP-Dxhshiw146o1Jfrc6OdxXOV41yvATNIqAf5tAMAc/s320/IMAG0319-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Overall, I like the colors and effects that I can get while using water colors. I have used pencils, crayons, and pan water colors in my attempts. I am really enjoying playing and experimenting. I have created some zentangles as well - just trying to improve my doodling (lol) I am working on learning to draw faces as that is something that I would like to incorporate into my pages as I write about my emotions and feelings. </div>
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What have you been doing lately? </div>
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Much Love, </div>
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Shell </div>
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<br /></div>Firefly Visionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16009593746628977392noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475942828711806974.post-40584250251165384322012-05-14T08:40:00.001-07:002012-05-14T08:40:21.459-07:00Bead Swap RevealLooking for my Button Swap Blog Hop Reveal ---- Click<a href="http://fireflyvisions.blogspot.com/2012/05/button-swap-blog-hop-reveal.html" target="_blank"> here </a><div>
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Blogger and I have had our differences lately. I think that we may have finally come to an understanding so finally here is my reveal of what I was sent by my 2 bead swap partners in the swap organized by Lori Anderson through her Facebook group Bead Soup Cafe. </div>
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My first partner is Kathy Nomura. She is an amazingly talented artist in Canada. But you don't have to simply take my word on that .. check out her Etsy shop <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/jewelsbykat" target="_blank">Jewels by Kat</a> to see some of her lovely designs. </div>
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Here are the goodies that she sent me. She included ceramic, clay, metal, pearl, glass, and crystal in my package. I am in love with every single thing that she sent and can't wait to sit down and play with them. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB8hyJxFm5c0ATJMBk4fGoqziy406MwPK0uYiikk5i07yeodkpQsJsRr2mNixy7tFBMkSVhL7b_A1cIw2OQhSAHBNHAR0HK4CUSTHZaCvZLCt193RSUhtQS8-zcHI6y2Sppa0wmR1plTM/s1600/Kathy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB8hyJxFm5c0ATJMBk4fGoqziy406MwPK0uYiikk5i07yeodkpQsJsRr2mNixy7tFBMkSVhL7b_A1cIw2OQhSAHBNHAR0HK4CUSTHZaCvZLCt193RSUhtQS8-zcHI6y2Sppa0wmR1plTM/s320/Kathy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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My next partner is Elizabeth Woodford of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Expressions-Of-Elizabeth/169508486406307" target="_blank">Expressions of Elizabeth</a> and her blog is <a href="http://elizabethcreates.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Elizabeth Creates</a>. She creates some amazing cuffs out of some unusual components. Her designs are one of a kind and I am itching to take a class with her in Virginia. Hop over to Expressions of Elizabeth to check out when and where her classes are held. </div>
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And here is what Elizabeth sent me. Her package included beads from Indonesia, Tanzania, and Afganistan. I was in awe of some of the beads that she sent and pleasantly surprised. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf5R4ennZUtlBdZvuYe_JzWpsM2hXHPvT4z6B-cEETEh30rF1jsLCYI09OIz6dOj4nHcq14JvMI5XVg8NKYLFrRB6Nv6jXTXzHWlsRdV5LD71WmVXLx8WFDaJAAWLmT5bNB8Nk76yTV2Q/s1600/Elizabeth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf5R4ennZUtlBdZvuYe_JzWpsM2hXHPvT4z6B-cEETEh30rF1jsLCYI09OIz6dOj4nHcq14JvMI5XVg8NKYLFrRB6Nv6jXTXzHWlsRdV5LD71WmVXLx8WFDaJAAWLmT5bNB8Nk76yTV2Q/s320/Elizabeth.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I was ecstatic with the beads that I received from both of my partners. I can't wait to sit and play with the pieces that they sent to me. Stay tuned for posts showing some of the creations that I will be making with these.</div>
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Until then - Much love </div>
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Shell </div>
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<br /></div>Firefly Visionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16009593746628977392noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475942828711806974.post-53103345156767775432012-05-13T07:13:00.000-07:002012-05-13T07:16:15.012-07:00Button Swap Blog Hop RevealToday is the reveal of the Button Swap Blog Hop hosted by Cindy Wimmer of <a href="http://www.sweetbeadstudio.com/">Sweet Bead Studio</a>. I have been excited about this swap and hop since it was announced. Of course, time flies when you are having fun.<br />
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I was partnered up with the wonderful Peggy Johnson of <a href="http://charmbarn.blogspot.com/">The Charm Barn</a> and <a href="http://willowbridgebeads.wordpress.com/">Willow Bridge Bend Bead Shop and Boutique</a>. Peggy sent me some wonderful traditional style shank buttons in white. Each of the four has a different design, which lends a different feel to the buttons. <br />
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Let me apologize in advance for the picture quality, as I don't feel the pictures give the buttons the credit they deserve. My camera died on me (guess it's time to replace) and the camera on my phone isn't the best. <br />
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This first picture is of 3 of the 4 buttons. I cannot show the finished design with these - yet - as it will be a gift to my mother for Mother's Day (and I know she reads my blog). The picture just doesn't do justice to the beauty of these beads. The large square one has a very interesting texture that the camera just couldn't capture.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoYVXzVgC1kNDrzI_qV2R8WFGJHPGJxymXvIcu0BkapHuVOwAbEgt9VKqlWVcKhOkNKcd4NkmUHDI0GnV1uLLMJKoKGegm0Lmm0ScTygFsBVRvKfTmg5vLklZRrU1c7kLUp83pQSeAF8s/s1600/Button+Swap+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoYVXzVgC1kNDrzI_qV2R8WFGJHPGJxymXvIcu0BkapHuVOwAbEgt9VKqlWVcKhOkNKcd4NkmUHDI0GnV1uLLMJKoKGegm0Lmm0ScTygFsBVRvKfTmg5vLklZRrU1c7kLUp83pQSeAF8s/s320/Button+Swap+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This picture is of the finished bracelet that I created with the fourth button. This button reminded me of a sand dollar so I knew that I wanted to use it in a beach inspired piece. I decided to keep the bracelet simple with some simple stringing techniques and a handmade clasp by Melinda Orr. I am super happy with how this piece turned out. It allows the button to be the star accented by the gemstone chips. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTAHXjRq0Md3I1iymntiOkAQRc6aTBpN0MWNb2XzpnsINojKbqQ5TpFABcx2Qr-ESUzKUMvAGZbmn2JvkzCfS2f0dREFkXihtQZTUSZBob4-KSQYPDaLJzydNuv8AVtSkLAHcWx6j4K1Q/s1600/Button+Swap+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTAHXjRq0Md3I1iymntiOkAQRc6aTBpN0MWNb2XzpnsINojKbqQ5TpFABcx2Qr-ESUzKUMvAGZbmn2JvkzCfS2f0dREFkXihtQZTUSZBob4-KSQYPDaLJzydNuv8AVtSkLAHcWx6j4K1Q/s320/Button+Swap+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Grab a cup of coffee and some quiet time and visit all of the other participants in the hop. And a very Happy Mother's Day to all of the mothers out there reading this :)<br />
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<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 1.571em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
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and <a href="http://kimmykats.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://kimmykats.blogspot.com/">Kim Bender</a></div>
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Blasingame</a> and <a href="http://www.billi-rs-rothove.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://www.billi-rs-rothove.blogspot.com/">Billi R.S.
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Rothove</a> and <a href="http://hopemorestudio.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://hopemorestudio.blogspot.com/">Angie
Blasingame</a></div>
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Salzano</a> and <a href="http://www.craftyhope.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://www.craftyhope.blogspot.com/">Hope Smitherman</a></div>
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Kerr</a> and <a href="http://www.humblebeads.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://www.humblebeads.blogspot.com/">Heather Powers</a></div>
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Thurston</a> and <a href="http://storiestheytell.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://storiestheytell.blogspot.com/">Christine Damm</a></div>
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Damm</a> and <a href="http://celestialbead.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://celestialbead.blogspot.com/">Celeste Thurston</a></div>
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Stonefield</a> and <a href="http://basicallyart.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://basicallyart.blogspot.com/">Dana James</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.tellyourgirlfriends.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://www.tellyourgirlfriends.com/">Cilla
Watkins</a> and <a href="http://artfullyornamental.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://artfullyornamental.blogspot.com/">Lori Bowring
Michaud</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.sweetbeadstudio.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://www.sweetbeadstudio.com/">Cindy Wimmer</a> and <a href="http://othercuriosities.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://othercuriosities.blogspot.com/">Mimi Gardner</a></div>
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<a href="http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com/">Cynthia
Machata</a> and <a href="http://beautifullywhimsical.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://beautifullywhimsical.blogspot.com/">Julia
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #006600;">Partner unable to participate
at this time.</span></div>
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Labrecque</a> and <a href="http://sntjewelry.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://sntjewelry.com/">Teri
Baskett</a></div>
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Harding</span></span></a> and <a href="http://www.stacieflorer.com/" style="color: #1155cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://www.stacieflorer.com/"><span style="margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="http://www.stacieflorer.com/"><span style="color: #006600;" title="http://www.stacieflorer.com/">Stacie Florer</span></span></a> </span></span></div>
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Baranov</a> and <a href="http://copperglassandrecycledtrash.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://copperglassandrecycledtrash.blogspot.com/">Tracy
Bell</a></div>
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Martin</a> and <a href="http://thoughtful-notions.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://thoughtful-notions.blogspot.com/">Theresa
Fosdick</a></div>
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Hardy</a> and <a href="http://charmbarn.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://willowbridgebeads.wordpress.com/">Peggy Johnson</a></div>
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Gardner</a> and <a href="http://www.sweetbeadstudio.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://www.sweetbeadstudio.com/">Cindy Wimmer</a></div>
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Rimmer</a></div>
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* <a href="http://ferrarioriginalsyahoocom.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://ferrarioriginalsyahoocom.blogspot.com/">Pam
Ferarri</a> and <a href="http://stefaniessammelsurium.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://stefaniessammelsurium.blogspot.com/">Stefanie
Teufel</a> (will share their reveal on a later date)</div>
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Johnson</a> and <a href="http://fireflyvisions.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://fireflyvisions.blogspot.com/">Michelle Hardy</a></div>
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Anderson</a> and <a href="http://fredbeansnook.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://fredbeansnook.com/">Emma Thomas</a></div>
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<span style="color: #006600;"> </span><span style="margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #006600;"><a href="http://thestudiosublime.com/" style="color: #1155cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://thestudiosublime.com/"><span style="margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="http://thestudiosublime.com/"><span style="color: #006600;" title="http://thestudiosublime.com/">Sally Russick</span></span></a> and</span></span><span style="color: purple; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> </span></span><a href="http://silverrosedesigns.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://silverrosedesigns.blogspot.com/">Holly
Westfall</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.sandivolpe.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://www.sandivolpe.com/">Sandi Volpe</a> and <a href="http://www.jdaviesreazor.com/blog" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://www.jdaviesreazor.com/blog">Jenny Davies Reazor</a></div>
<div style="color: #222222; margin-bottom: 1.57em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: #372821;"> <a href="http://www.formysweetdaughter.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://www.formysweetdaughter.blogspot.com/">Shannon
Chomanczuk</a> and</span><span style="color: #006600;"> </span><span style="margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://kayzkreationz.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://kayzkreationz.blogspot.com/"><span style="margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="http://kayzkreationz.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #006600;" title="http://kayzkreationz.blogspot.com/">Kay
Thomerson</span></span></a></span></div>
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<a href="http://sunshineybliss.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://sunshineybliss.blogspot.com/">Shanti
Johnson</a> and <a href="http://ahteesblog.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://ahteesblog.blogspot.com/">Rose Binoya</a></div>
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<a href="http://livewirejewelry.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://livewirejewelry.blogspot.com/">Sharon
Borsavage</a> and <a href="http://www.erinsiegeljewelry.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://www.erinsiegeljewelry.blogspot.com/">Erin
Siegel</a></div>
<div style="color: #372821; margin-bottom: 1.57em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<a href="http://www.beadsandbread.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://www.beadsandbread.blogspot.com/">Shirley
Moore</a> and <a href="http://veradesigns.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://veradesigns.blogspot.com/">Veralynne Malone</a></div>
<div style="color: #222222; margin-bottom: 1.57em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: #372821;"> </span><a href="http://www.stacieflorer.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://www.stacieflorer.com/">Stacie Florer</a><span style="color: #372821;"> and</span><span style="margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #006600;"> <a href="http://www.maryhardingjewelry.com/" style="color: #1155cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://www.maryhardingjewelry.com/"><span style="margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="http://www.maryhardingjewelry.com/"><span style="color: #006600;" title="http://www.maryhardingjewelry.com/">Mary
Harding</span></span></a></span></span></div>
<div style="color: #372821; margin-bottom: 1.57em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
* <a href="http://stefaniessammelsurium.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://stefaniessammelsurium.blogspot.com/">Stefanie
Teufel</a> and <a href="http://ferrarioriginalsyahoocom.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://ferrarioriginalsyahoocom.blogspot.com/">Pam
Ferarri</a> (will share their reveal on a later date)</div>
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<a href="http://cardandjewelrycorner.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://cardandjewelrycorner.blogspot.com/">Sue
Hamel</a> and <a href="http://tappingflamingo.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://tappingflamingo.blogspot.com/">Terry Carter</a></div>
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<a href="http://suebeads.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://suebeads.blogspot.com/">Sue Kennedy</a> and <a href="http://www.treewingsstudio.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://www.treewingsstudio.com/">Rebekah Payne</a></div>
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<a href="http://pelimadesign.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://pelimadesign.blogspot.com/">Tania Hagen</a> and <a href="http://jaspersgems.blogspot.ca/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://jaspersgems.blogspot.ca/">Bonnie Coursolle</a></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #33ff33;"> </span><a href="http://www.moobiegracedesigns.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://www.moobiegracedesigns.blogspot.com/"><span style="margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="http://www.moobiegracedesigns.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #006600;" title="http://www.moobiegracedesigns.blogspot.com/">Tania
Spivey</span></span></a></span><span style="color: #33ff33;"> </span>and </span><span style="color: purple; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://goingtopot.blogspot.ca/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://goingtopot.blogspot.ca/">Teresa Gagne</a></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; margin-bottom: 1.57em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span style="color: purple; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://goingtopot.blogspot.ca/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://goingtopot.blogspot.ca/"> Teresa Gagne</a></span><span style="color: #372821;"> and</span><span style="color: #009900;"> </span><span style="margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.moobiegracedesigns.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://www.moobiegracedesigns.blogspot.com/"><span style="margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="http://www.moobiegracedesigns.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #006600;" title="http://www.moobiegracedesigns.blogspot.com/">Tania
Spivey</span></span></a></span></div>
<div style="color: #372821; margin-bottom: 1.57em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<a href="http://sntjewelry.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://sntjewelry.com/">Teri
Baskett</a> and <a href="http://www.playsculptlive.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://www.playsculptlive.blogspot.com/">Line
Labrecque</a></div>
<div style="color: #372821; margin-bottom: 1.57em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<a href="http://tappingflamingo.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://tappingflamingo.blogspot.com/">Terry
Carter</a> and <a href="http://cardandjewelrycorner.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://cardandjewelrycorner.blogspot.com/">Sue Hamel</a></div>
<div style="color: #372821; margin-bottom: 1.57em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<a href="http://thoughtful-notions.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://thoughtful-notions.blogspot.com/">Theresa
Fosdick</a> and <a href="http://kensingtoncottage.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://kensingtoncottage.blogspot.com/">Melissa
Martin</a></div>
<div style="color: #372821; margin-bottom: 1.57em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<a href="http://copperglassandrecycledtrash.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://copperglassandrecycledtrash.blogspot.com/">Tracy
Bell</a> and <a href="http://maureenmeanswell.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://maureenmeanswell.blogspot.com/">Maureen
Baranov</a></div>
<div style="color: #372821; margin-bottom: 1.57em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<a href="http://makebraceletsblog.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://makebraceletsblog.com/">Tracy Statler</a> and <a href="http://www.stargirlshop.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://www.stargirlshop.blogspot.com/">Marianna
Boylan</a></div>
<div style="color: #372821; margin-bottom: 1.57em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<a href="http://veradesigns.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://veradesigns.blogspot.com/">Veralynne Malone</a> and <a href="http://www.beadsandbread.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1b5655; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://www.beadsandbread.blogspot.com/">Shirley
Moore</a></div>
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<div style="background-color: white; color: #372821; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 1.571em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: navy; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
Much Love ~</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
Shell </div>
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<div style="background-color: white; color: #372821; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 1.571em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: navy; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #372821; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 1.571em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: navy; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br /></span></div>Firefly Visionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16009593746628977392noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475942828711806974.post-30938760573878554482012-05-08T13:33:00.001-07:002012-05-08T13:33:03.245-07:00What have I been up to lately?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
So what have I been up to lately? Let's see<br />
<br />
First there is a little of this... My youngest is having the best time playing ball this year. His natural love of the game is encouraging him to practice, practice, practice. As the season progresses we can all see his hard work paying off.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmxar_5GARWCPuD1DCOdmcjqsfGtktKWqCUMsGeMWAEI-uDseygCHRSawblGhNmydhzNlv4f53AccG8PPLeDlWiftvoFmPB5U_KqpsYt7TQ5a4MqFH3xPGu5yixGKGh82RKgO15u41U-4/s1600/Aidan+Bball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmxar_5GARWCPuD1DCOdmcjqsfGtktKWqCUMsGeMWAEI-uDseygCHRSawblGhNmydhzNlv4f53AccG8PPLeDlWiftvoFmPB5U_KqpsYt7TQ5a4MqFH3xPGu5yixGKGh82RKgO15u41U-4/s320/Aidan+Bball.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aidan Baseball</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And some of this.. Today is the 13th Birthday of my son Xander. He specifically asked me to create him a chocolate and peanut butter cake for his family party. Below is the final result and oh boy did it taste yummy!!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguKW65rEVcc1pKchydGLIoLL3JcjxRDR3BqDA7D9CCHFTgOZ_WYvdHshnQUdvwarINbd0Y4m8NGFFfWLyj-h89fsrOYUML-c0mdw-bO7Ws7UT91kz2OOBnRfX6E9WEl_qX371OP-Q_lT0/s1600/xander+cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguKW65rEVcc1pKchydGLIoLL3JcjxRDR3BqDA7D9CCHFTgOZ_WYvdHshnQUdvwarINbd0Y4m8NGFFfWLyj-h89fsrOYUML-c0mdw-bO7Ws7UT91kz2OOBnRfX6E9WEl_qX371OP-Q_lT0/s320/xander+cake.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolate Cake with homemade Peanut Butter Frosting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And a little bit of fun along with the cake. Time spent with brothers, uncles, grandparents and a couple of friends. The boys had fun throwing the football around the front yard.. And turning a couple of cartwheels. The adults sat around on the porch watching the fun and having some great conversation. <br />
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicCFBi-ny8b_Q_hEfmeryz637Y8BvDukohaI-LDlsCMDETV58UPApbCWbEWYRIfXva1Sx04aMGSuBC-hWNAWp-TJ1VxvXl5QvvJ9WVnFMPm3DnBKJK5hiCSiAWwdKcvYK3y1TXFkJzyT0/s1600/Xander+bday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicCFBi-ny8b_Q_hEfmeryz637Y8BvDukohaI-LDlsCMDETV58UPApbCWbEWYRIfXva1Sx04aMGSuBC-hWNAWp-TJ1VxvXl5QvvJ9WVnFMPm3DnBKJK5hiCSiAWwdKcvYK3y1TXFkJzyT0/s320/Xander+bday.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Xander Family Party</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLsbgaxsO12SXimHHqyGUB98OCI0zydIS0RLbr2DPefEQoa913Is35YufS7JoABm2KfjEv_IEtw7lC5Fa4SQQ-J61pkQbF7ev0NRL95lTcyU3vA6070_F_uLmABjc-49nHeq0ltkor00/s1600/Jordan+Cartwheel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLsbgaxsO12SXimHHqyGUB98OCI0zydIS0RLbr2DPefEQoa913Is35YufS7JoABm2KfjEv_IEtw7lC5Fa4SQQ-J61pkQbF7ev0NRL95lTcyU3vA6070_F_uLmABjc-49nHeq0ltkor00/s320/Jordan+Cartwheel.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cartwheels during Football</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6F2tLAH00eQ9qfQRYYbwq383OmTPeXTWPEBqWtfYTwQFafhS98W7lHhyphenhyphenBmVFr2IYx1Qk_GaKUDC7fuILEALoRGkOXZOo7e2vhEjNqoEYJEnkkHmky7OxTvAOD5TQ7VJlNk_h0e9FLusM/s1600/Xander+Football.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6F2tLAH00eQ9qfQRYYbwq383OmTPeXTWPEBqWtfYTwQFafhS98W7lHhyphenhyphenBmVFr2IYx1Qk_GaKUDC7fuILEALoRGkOXZOo7e2vhEjNqoEYJEnkkHmky7OxTvAOD5TQ7VJlNk_h0e9FLusM/s320/Xander+Football.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Xander and Nick</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZggVRkgAHDxjWeA1lh_6TUbVvrJJkBZ-LZS7RV_ZP6VSyRiMmTHyLZAO_yKFuUBWkaGbhuCmPFOlxp1fNsX0xASRT9v_W7enoMaqyhhJR9UbhgUOkf3oIgmGrevqS3_z1aqNYJBZ52Vc/s1600/Aidan+Football.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZggVRkgAHDxjWeA1lh_6TUbVvrJJkBZ-LZS7RV_ZP6VSyRiMmTHyLZAO_yKFuUBWkaGbhuCmPFOlxp1fNsX0xASRT9v_W7enoMaqyhhJR9UbhgUOkf3oIgmGrevqS3_z1aqNYJBZ52Vc/s320/Aidan+Football.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aidan wanted to play with the big boys</td></tr>
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This weekend he gets to choose a friend and I will take them to dinner and a movie to celebrate his birthday. Once my boys turn 10 they get their last 'friend' party. With all these kids up to age 10 was about all that I could handle. Every year, for each boy no matter how young or old, I take them out to dinner and a movie so that they can spend some one on one time with me .. and if they choose they can bring a friend. It is a memorable time for me .. and I like to think for them as well. <br />
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So what else ... tomorrow I will share a post on the wonderful beads that I received from my bead swap partners that Lori Anderson hosted. I can't want to share the wonderful goodies that I received from them.<br />
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So what have you been doing that makes you smile lately?<br />
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Much Love<br />
Shell </div>Firefly Visionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16009593746628977392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475942828711806974.post-24369726448044432382012-05-03T20:15:00.001-07:002012-05-03T20:15:30.500-07:00Take me out to the ball game...Wow! I cannot believe that it has been so long since I have written a post. Time gets away from me this time of the year and feeling poorly didn't help at all. In the time that I was away, I did manage to catch up on my blog reading. Thanks for keeping me entertained and informed while I laid in bed. So, what's been going on? Hmmm... Let's see ..<br />
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I am finally on the mend. My neck is still sore but the pain in the left side of my head and neck are manageable. I will be starting physical therapy soon to try to get the pain to subside completely. I was reminded yet again that I need to look at where I am walking rather than at the floor or my cell phone. I almost ran face first into an open cabinet door in the kitchen while walking into the laundry room. I did a total Matrix style move to keep from smashing my face, but strained my neck. This is just me .. totally clumsy. My husband laughed so hard that I thought he was going to be sick. <br />
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I am still working on my art journal. I have realized that the space that I have setup for journaling - which is the same space that I have for making jewelry - does not inspire me. I have wanted to art journal so badly for the last couple of days, however when I walk to my table I am uninspired. So, I am going to create a more comfy space for me this weekend.<br />
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Hmm.. Let's see what else ... Oh yeah Nick and Jordan both attended prom since I last wrote.. Nick went to his girlfriend's senior prom at her school (He's just a sophomore so he was excited).. He was handsome and danced the night away.. I haven't gotten their pics back yet and don't have any from her grandmother to be able to show you .. that kind of sucks but rest assured that as soon as I get the pics, you will see endless postings of them on facebook and some in my blog as well.<br />
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Jordan and his girlfriend attended their senior prom just this past weekend. He went with her at 8 in the morning to get her hair done, then to the nail salon.. He really is a good boyfriend.. They spent the day together and had a wonderful time getting ready and riding around in the limo that her mother got them for the day. They traveled to Point Park atop Lookout Mountain to get photos done. All total there are over 400 photos of them from the day. (that's a lot of posing) Here are a couple of my favorites to share. They are just the cutest couple ever!<br />
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Let's see .. I know that's not all.. Oh yeah - Jordan went for a tour of the Armstrong Atlantic campus in Savannah. He visited the dorms and registered for his fall classes. I honestly cannot believe that he will be going away in just a few short months. Tears will be shed. I feel better knowing that he is going somewhere with friends - actually his entire group of friends including his girlfriend are all attending the same school this fall. <br />
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Baseball - Little League Baseball that is - has started up here with the opening ceremonies last weekend. I mean we have actually been playing for a over a month in pre-season tournaments, but this was the official opening ceremony for regular season. This year only the youngest is playing which feels a little weird. And here he is doing his thing on the field...<br />
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May is a busy month for us over here. We have 3 birthdays - Xander's, Nick's and mine, in addition to Mother's Day, graduation, baseball, friends' birthdays and the end of school. I plan on hanging around here more often so look to see me post more frequently. </div>
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Much Love</div>
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Shell </div>
<br />Firefly Visionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16009593746628977392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475942828711806974.post-10331487665811253172012-04-20T08:47:00.000-07:002012-04-20T08:47:02.292-07:00Recovery<div style="text-align: center;">
The last couple of weeks have brought with it their fair share of hardships over here. I have been in a considerable amount of pain which brings with it lots of sedating medication which takes time away from my family. I hate feeling like I am not being a mom and wife when this pain sneaks up and attacks. </div>
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I have to say that I have the best, most wonderful, most understanding husband in the entire world. He has been there with me through all of it - not once questioning me or telling me that I was just being a baby about the whole thing. I like to think that I can push through the pain of a migraine or sinus issue, but this was beyond anything that I have experienced before. When I finally decided that a trip to the emergency room was necessary, there was so much pain I couldn't tell them where it was or wasn't. My entire head and face was pulsating with pain. After the ER trip, I stayed heavily sedated until my husband and I decided that I needed to find the actual cause and resolve it rather than simply sedate myself. Basically, I tweaked a nerve and strained some muscles in my neck while sleeping (I am so talented) which was causing multiple migraines. For those of you who suffer from migraines, I think that you can understand the pain. Rather than one migraine with isolated pain, I was suffering multiple migraines at the same time in different areas of my brain. I have the BEST doctor ever! He was able to actually diagnose the issue, and prescribe the correct injections and medications to start correcting the problem rather than just relieve the symptoms. </div>
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After the trip to the emergency room when the pain was finally beyond my ability to cope, and a couple of visits with my doctor I am beginning to feel better. The pain is within a tolerable limit so I can spend time with my family and work.
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I am behind in getting my goodies out to my swap partners for the bead swap hosted by Lori Anderson and the button swap hosted by Cindy Wimmer. I will finally be able to get everything together and get the goodies in the mail tomorrow. I must say that my partners have been extremely understanding during what seems like a lifetime of being down. </div>
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Prior to getting sidelined, I started my first art journal and was able to get some pages completed. I wanted to create pages with pastels, watercolors and bright cheery springtime colors, but it was forced and I would stare at my journal without getting anything actually accomplished. I have learned that I am not a pretty, bright, cheery color kind of artist - at least not right now - and have come to terms with that. I am getting out some old feelings that have been hidden way deep down inside but need to be released so that I can heal and renew. I have a feeling that those bright, cheery pages I was looking for will come with time as I heal those old wounds.</div>
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Now that I am beginning feeling better, I will be able to continue this journey and hopefully share some of those pages with you. Also, I can't wait to get my goodies from my swap partners and start creating from those as well. Who knows what I will come up with this time... This weekend will be full of studying for my final exam in my statistics class and baseball games with my youngest son. Getting back to normal will take some time since there is some residual pain, but I look forward to continuing my recovery. </div>
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Much Love </div>
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Shell </div>
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<br />Firefly Visionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16009593746628977392noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475942828711806974.post-62555143869001402032012-04-07T07:39:00.001-07:002012-04-07T07:39:53.812-07:00ProgressHello dear readers, <div>
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Easter is right around the corner, so let me begin by wishing all of you a Happy Easter. This year, we are trying a more non-traditional route to Easter dinner with burgers on the grill with all the fixings. It has just been too warm here this year to go the ham, mashed potatoes, etc route. </div>
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I just wanted to give a little update on my progress so far. I have started one art journal of two that I plan to work on. The one that I have started will be my every day journal for practicing techniques while journaling about how I am feeling on that day. The second one I will be working on once a week while enjoying the company of my dear friend. </div>
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I did actually sew something as promised. Of course it's just a dog collar, but its a start. My lines are not straight and my double-stitching is awful. Still practicing a little every day to get the techniques down better. </div>
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I will show pics of some of my sewing and selected art journal pages as I continue to progress. Stick around, I'm sure that I will get myself into trouble along the way.</div>
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Much love</div>
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Shell </div>Firefly Visionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16009593746628977392noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475942828711806974.post-40375026173201509752012-04-01T17:28:00.001-07:002012-04-01T17:28:42.838-07:00Inner Flames<div style="text-align: center;">
I look over and my bead table and it calls my name .. very softly .. and from a distance. I go over to say hello.. try to sit and work .. something is just off .. I'm not really sure what, but it is and I can feel it.. </div>
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I don't want to stop making jewelry .. definitely not .. I have hoarded and loved my beads and supplies as a hamster hoards its food in its puffy puffy cheeks....</div>
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A part of me longs to know if there is more.. any more out there.. I know that I haven't found my passion.. passion .. what is my passion .. and this is where my story will begin to change.. </div>
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A very wise woman ( I mean she is wise ya'll) told me some things that have inspired me so much to continue my artistic journey .. a journey of self discovery .. </div>
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"Your passion doesn't have to be one media" </div>
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Say what?! huh?! I mean really this never even occurred to me.. I thought that if I wanted to make jewelry that's what I did .. if I want to knit, sew, crochet then working with fiber is what I do .. I could only choose one.. </div>
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"Consider yourself an artist that works in multiple medias" </div>
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Really?! I can do that? I don't have to solely focus on one thing.. and feel like a failure when it doesn't call to me anymore... but when that one thing doesn't call to me anymore I can press pause and work on something else? really? I can? Ok.. most of you are probably going like DUH Michelle - really! But this was THE moment for me.. that one moment that you know changes who you think you are ...<br /></div>
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"Enjoy the process...Don't fret about the destination" </div>
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WOW! The words... I mean wow! I can do that? I don't have to worry whether other people will like my work ... don't have to worry about what others say or think or feel or tell me ... I don't have to worry that 'i need to be just like everyone else'? ...</div>
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Hmmm.</div>
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Art and being creative are not words that I would use to describe myself... analytical, prepared.. and *gasp* grown up.. Those are words that I would use to describe me... But there is something missing.. a big huge piece of something missing.. I can feel the hole where it should be .. but what is it?.. can this be it? </div>
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Can it be that allowing myself to feel, think, and act freely without thoughts to who will like it.. or what they will say.. or what others may think.. that this may be the path to finding the piece of me that is missing? </div>
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I am constantly trying to put myself into the categories that others want me in .. good wife .. good mother.. good employee.. good student .. good daughter .. *gasp* grown up.. responsible.. mature .. and the list can go on and on and on and ... </div>
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What about what I want me to be?... when did I decide that it was ok to let that go?.. to conform myself to the expectations of others.. to allow them to push me, pull me, mold me .. into what they want me to be? </div>
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To give up on me? </div>
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Where did the girl inside of me go? .. the one that loved adventure and risk and love .. and the world? .. the one that liked to explore and experiment .. that loved to write stories and poems .. that loved to doodle and draw .. that loved music and art and was able to find the beauty in the world around her? (cause let me tell you, it has been gray over here for a while)</div>
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Well world .. that girl is back after some prodding and arguing with my inner self .. Let me tell you those were some interesting conversations.. From inspiration from a very wise woman.. my artist journey is starting fresh and new.. there will still be jewelry but there will also be more.. and I hope that you will still continue to follow me as I pursue my passions (for I truly believe, now, that no one thing can contain me) .. The journey will get awfully lonely without all of you with me.. </div>
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and as a VERY WISE WOMAN told me recently .. </div>
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"YOU NEED TO GIVE YOUR INNER FLAMES SOME OXYGEN"</div>
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So I say to you (and myself) Go outside your 'norm' .. try something new and creative ... and do it for yourself and no one else </div>
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Much love </div>
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Shell </div>
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<br /></div>Firefly Visionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16009593746628977392noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475942828711806974.post-69576957238956266442012-03-29T22:38:00.000-07:002012-03-29T22:38:05.152-07:00Inspiration ...I have been searching for inspiration lately. Not necessarily beading inspiration but inspiration to help pull me through some tough stuff going on with my family. Although not looking for jewelry inspiration, I headed to Etsy to search for some beads that would help me get through these rough times. Thanks to my friends at Creative Bead Chat group on Facebook, I have endless amounts of inspiration.<br />
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Look at these lovelies from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ORRTEC?ref=ss_profile">Melinda Orr</a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifYRXYfEq3UWPURphyNUW57S5wFzEWDVrPueM6m9Wo3jKxYnFXuihECf0XjnLKq73kIsnwqcBsWWnwcjgMUcZNNGJAUGkMPb2X3dyZUBFY36QMQp7Ln3clE2pTDIbaZB8RuplozGXYkC4/s1600/orrtec1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifYRXYfEq3UWPURphyNUW57S5wFzEWDVrPueM6m9Wo3jKxYnFXuihECf0XjnLKq73kIsnwqcBsWWnwcjgMUcZNNGJAUGkMPb2X3dyZUBFY36QMQp7Ln3clE2pTDIbaZB8RuplozGXYkC4/s320/orrtec1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And how about these lovely lampwork glass beads by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/artbylisi">Art by Lisi</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDAduGmjKMuj66Q7bxZ63FaQG2RArLmgiuOmCmbV9BtHFl1lA_O8SzLPZ91pD33plpFYYq8oy3TVWxApHWf7KIvE52-ltX7qpgQlm96wsCkYEStqsSYCnUMgrCJbK2su1WteIQ1aiIcM/s1600/artbylisi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDAduGmjKMuj66Q7bxZ63FaQG2RArLmgiuOmCmbV9BtHFl1lA_O8SzLPZ91pD33plpFYYq8oy3TVWxApHWf7KIvE52-ltX7qpgQlm96wsCkYEStqsSYCnUMgrCJbK2su1WteIQ1aiIcM/s320/artbylisi.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Let's not forget about these beautiful ceramic bead sets by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/yolandasclay?ref=seller_info">Yolanda's Clay</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2WUDB-Q3X5kBmtKpCaj8KIarHkA4O7WAmiVDGDeC1FXsU7OGe2AiO4WYwwXMNOrqU2pzK18J7WSyuLcjZAXS_AIPjt7rlXwO00TTUr0oD6Mut1QfqLGkTQHI9jMndug_-2q35tju6UY/s1600/yolanda1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2WUDB-Q3X5kBmtKpCaj8KIarHkA4O7WAmiVDGDeC1FXsU7OGe2AiO4WYwwXMNOrqU2pzK18J7WSyuLcjZAXS_AIPjt7rlXwO00TTUr0oD6Mut1QfqLGkTQHI9jMndug_-2q35tju6UY/s320/yolanda1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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What about these beauties from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/JLynnJewels?ref=seller_info">J-Lynn Jewels</a></div>
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Head on over to these shops... take a look around.. add some items to your favorites, better yet to your cart... add these artists to your circle...</div>
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Thanks for staying with me... I had so much fun going through shops, finding new sellers and interesting items. I think that I may have this be a regular post for Fridays. What do you think? Who are some of your favorite sellers?<br />
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Much Love<br />
ShellFirefly Visionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16009593746628977392noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475942828711806974.post-34497588673839068392012-03-25T16:50:00.001-07:002012-03-25T16:50:41.005-07:00Chain Maille Tutorial GiveawayLori Anderson of <a href="http://www.prettythingsblog.com/">Pretty Things</a> is hosting an amazing giveaway of THREE <a href="http://www.davidchain.com/">Scott-David Plumlee</a> DVDs. I included a link to his website in case you want to check out all the wonderful items that he has available. There are books, kits, tutorials, tools, classes and finished jewelry. <br />
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Look at this focal kit that he offers! </div>
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<a href="http://www.davidchain.com/kit_NEW_KITS.htm#butterflySS">Butterfly Pendant Silver Kit</a> </div>
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There are three chances to win one of his amazing videos. I am excited about the possibility of winning <a href="http://www.interweavestore.com/Beading/DVDs-Videos/Make-Wire-Wrapped-Jewelry-Precise-and-Chaotic-Styles-DVD.html">Make Wire-Wrapped Jewelry</a>. I have included the link in case you just can't take the suspense of the giveway and would like to purchase your own copy. <br />
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Hop on over to <a href="http://www.prettythingsblog.com/2012/03/incredible-chain-maille-tutorial.html">Lori's blog</a> to enter to win. Good Luck!<br />
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Much Love,<br />
ShellFirefly Visionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16009593746628977392noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475942828711806974.post-26241839456184946162012-03-22T08:16:00.001-07:002012-03-22T08:16:26.292-07:00The Art of Closure - Amazing OpportunityDeryn of <a href="http://somethingsublime.typepad.com/something_sublime_from_th/">Something Sublime</a> announced on March 5th that she is hosting an online workshop <a href="http://somethingsublime.typepad.com/something_sublime_from_th/2012/03/the-art-of-closure.html">The Art of Closure</a>. This is an amazing opportunity to learn how to create your own beautiful clasps. She will be covering some of her favorite clasps and how to create them yourself. <br />
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Some of her amazing clasps. <br />
<img alt="Basicclasps" src="http://somethingsublime.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cd2ac53ef0163026a9b2c970d-400wi" /><br />
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Now it gets even better! She is offering two lucky winners the opportunity to attend her course for free! Yeah you heard me FREE! Hop on over to her blog post <a href="http://somethingsublime.typepad.com/something_sublime_from_th/2012/03/looking-for-closure.html">Looking for Closure</a> for details on how to enter to win. <br />
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These are some of my favorites that she has featured on her blog<br />
<img alt="Stacked closures" src="http://somethingsublime.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cd2ac53ef01676331e2aa970b-400wi" /><br /><br />I have to say that I am really hoping that my name gets pulled.. It is such an amazing opportunity and one that I wouldn't want to miss. <br />
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And if you are just impatient here is the link to sign up for her class <a href="http://somethingsublime.typepad.com/jewelry_works/the-art-of-closure.html">The Art of Closure</a>. By the way, if you have already signed up you can still get in on the giveaway, check out her post for more details.<br />
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What are you waiting for?! Get on over there and sign up yourself.<br />
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Much Love<br />
ShellFirefly Visionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16009593746628977392noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475942828711806974.post-190577048689902862012-03-19T17:24:00.001-07:002012-03-19T17:24:45.650-07:00Pearl's GiveawayPearl of <a href="http://www.beadinggem.com/">The Beading Gem's Journal</a> is having a fantastic giveaway! Over a pound of Preciosa-Ornela Czech glass beads! <br />
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Aren't the colors amazing!?<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirllgv2cs5ERHiju401CDF4O-0hGIBVvCcfxYsfxtlfQ_-tOPjKs4F3m4UbOOwCpFORfCGU-HxzzEvukCxGPIzPwMQicw1oiFf-xOVpr4owfN819JPyHQly4JMSfbNLqaGSr0QBdCfb6Q/s1600/preciosa+giveaway+beads.jpg" /><br />
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She has made some great designs for those of us who don't do a lot of bead work. Hop on over to <a href="http://www.beadinggem.com/2012/03/huge-preciosa-ornela-czech-beads.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+beadinggem+%28THE+BEADING+GEM%27S+JOURNAL%29">her blog </a> using the link, check out her designs, and enter to win yourself!<br />
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Much love<br />
ShellFirefly Visionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16009593746628977392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475942828711806974.post-15248615149160201872012-03-12T18:47:00.000-07:002012-03-12T18:47:04.274-07:00Curious FindsI know, I know.. I was supposed to post yesterday. I was supposed to post pics of my new bracelets yesterday. Alas, I have no clasps to finish them. This weekend was a whirlwind of activity for me and mine. It was so much fun and a much needed break from the day to day for my family. This post is going to be a little picture heavy. Stick with me to the end for some unexpected surprises.<br />
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While I was at Bare Walls (antique shop) in Chickamauga, I spotted some items that caught my eye and I just have to post some pics.<br />
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Isn't this owl cookie jar just the cutest!? It makes me think of something that my grandmother had in her kitchen. I may have to go back and grab this up.</div>
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This cute little set of salt-n-pepper shakers was just so cute. It made me think of Sleeping Beauty and my kids outside playing hide and seek or tag.</div>
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Are you still with me? I really hope so!</div>
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How about this Cheshire Cat tea pot? Who wouldn't love to have this in their collection? That smile is irresistible. </div>
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The color in these sets just caught my eye and made me think of a fun evening in with friends or family. </div>
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And Wow!!! A Hamilton printers tray cabinet with drawers. Does anyone out there restore items like this? </div>
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And another cute as a button salt-n-pepper set. It was the eyes that drew me in.</div>
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You still there? Yeah I had hoped that you would stick with me. For those of you who are unfamiliar with northwest Georgia, there are a lot Civil War battlefields and monuments. I can go less than a mile from my home and walk, jog, run, or ride my way through the Chickamauga Battlefield.</div>
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Bare Walls had some unusual items included in the offerings.</div>
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These are Civil War bullets that were recovered locally. As soon as I saw them, I immediately thought FOCAL!! I just have no idea how to treat them to keep them from transferring the patina to the wearers clothes. Any ideas? </div>
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And how about these fired Civil War bullets? I love these even more due to the varying shapes and sizes</div>
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That is all that I have to share for today .. I have some more photos, but I am going to save them for another day. Hopefully I will be able to get to the local Hobby Lobby to pick up some clasps for quick use while I wait for some to be made and shipped. </div>
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How was your weekend? </div>
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Much love</div>
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Shell</div>
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<br />Firefly Visionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16009593746628977392noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475942828711806974.post-17906336847099906512012-03-08T19:54:00.001-08:002012-03-08T19:54:29.352-08:00Where did the time go? and Catching UpWow! Time really got away from me, I had no idea that it had been so long since I had been able to sit down and make a post. With all these boys, I am surprised that I remember to brush my teeth.<br />
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Let's see ...<br />
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First - I created 3 bracelets for the 7000 Bracelets for Hope blog hop, but I was so excited to get them in the mail that I didn't take any pictures. Seriously - my mind decided to take a break for a couple of weeks. My youngest, however, was sweet and made sure that he created a special picture to be included with each of the bracelets in addition to my notes. <br />
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Second - My creative mojo has been missing. Literally gone bye bye. I don't know the cause, but I am glad that it is over! I have been able to sit down and make a couple of new bracelets. I hope to get a couple more completed before Sunday and will post pics of all of them then. <br />
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Hmmm Let's see what else is going on .. Oh yeah! I have been enjoying making my way through the Bead Soup Blog Hop. Sadly I wasn't able to participate this time, but I have been so inspired with the beautiful designs that I have seen so far. <br />
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Little League Baseball has begun here in Georgia and the youngest is excited to play again this year. So far he's already missed 2 out of 6 practices due to his breathing issues, but he's a trooper. Rescue inhaler is definitely at the ready all season. Spring mixed with running around outside in temps that range from 70s to 30s here wreak all kinds of havoc on him. Be prepared for a multitude of pictures as the season continues.<br />
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Oh! Oh! I went shopping and found me some wonderful chain and beads. Wanna see??? I so can't wait for everything to arrive ...<br />
<br />First the chain - I purchase my chain from a variety of vendors, but this time I went to one of my favs which is <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Antiqued">Antiqued</a> on Etsy. Here is what I picked up from her .. and aren't they all just gorgeous!<br />
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Then I went looking for beady goodness .. Let's face it we all know that there is no such thing as too many beads ... For the beads I went to <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/beadsandbotanicals">Beads by C (Beads and Botanicals)</a>. She has some amazing sample mixes so I grabbed up 5 of her mixes.. and let me tell you .. when she adds them to the shop they sell fast! Just beautiful! </div>
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And I have asked Melinda Orr of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ORRTEC">Orrtec</a> to create some S-clasps for me that I can incorporate into my designs. I am excited to see what she comes up with.. and by the way have you seen her new patina pieces??!! They are fantastic. I will be ordering some soon. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfb4DOY_SOi7iVDyRZebTw07mEIL1BZTc3p0Vgqs0LR4l31D1Y92qD7OnWEfQR0tEDliut9fVhucqHHKHIlbDCevFE6Ueffr38annHS6ayfEAX88ASJofhNE2edrEFJGW6XvlKKKiVQgU/s1600/orrtec.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfb4DOY_SOi7iVDyRZebTw07mEIL1BZTc3p0Vgqs0LR4l31D1Y92qD7OnWEfQR0tEDliut9fVhucqHHKHIlbDCevFE6Ueffr38annHS6ayfEAX88ASJofhNE2edrEFJGW6XvlKKKiVQgU/s320/orrtec.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I guess that just about catches me up for now... How are you all doing? What are you creating? What components have you been grabbing up? If you've blogged about it put the link to your blog in the comments :) </div>
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Much love</div>
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Shell </div>
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<br />Firefly Visionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16009593746628977392noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475942828711806974.post-25357946230688512292012-02-23T08:52:00.002-08:002012-02-23T08:52:41.285-08:00Thankful ThursdayI wanted to say a big Thank You to everyone who has been praying and leaving encouraging comments on my blog or messaging me on Facebook. There really is a community of artists online that support and encourage each other whether the issue is about jewelry or more personal. <br />
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I have felt the love and the prayers just lifting me up and clearing my mind.<br />
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Much love<br />
ShellFirefly Visionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16009593746628977392noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475942828711806974.post-45124437842930563752012-02-19T19:33:00.001-08:002012-02-19T19:33:59.781-08:00Burdens to Carry<div style="text-align: center;">
I missed my goal of two blog posts last week, which makes me feel sad and disappointed in myself. </div>
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I would also like to apologize to my readers for my posts recently. Sometimes life brings me down and I need to just get it out so that I can feel heard or just release it from inside myself. </div>
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There has been so many things that have happened over the course of a week. I told my friend Friday night that we don't need to watch the Lifetime Movie Network because our lives are enough of a soap opera already. </div>
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I found this photo on <a href="http://pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a> and it describes one small part of my friendship with my best friend.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkdHkvxAGYbUdDhELFYsaonPk6djnk42M5_Oo5yeoKiTY9glaODCK9NQ_CE_RhdcQc5NUT526rJyIPBzds7yl3iDsr8BrrT5C9lIjWiffsysz9XA2wLz4We2wEH1DmHw_CsYH9Gl4AC4/s1600/bestfriends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkdHkvxAGYbUdDhELFYsaonPk6djnk42M5_Oo5yeoKiTY9glaODCK9NQ_CE_RhdcQc5NUT526rJyIPBzds7yl3iDsr8BrrT5C9lIjWiffsysz9XA2wLz4We2wEH1DmHw_CsYH9Gl4AC4/s1600/bestfriends.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/278589926918858569/">Pinterest</a></div>
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Have any of you ever felt that everything was piling on until it felt that you were going to fall under the heavy burden? That has been how the last couple of weeks has been. I have felt that there has been such a heavy burden placed on me that it has almost crippled me. I feel as though of all those involved that I am the only one that is taking the situation to heart. The only one to be considering consequences and future steps. I have pushed through simply because as a mother and wife I have to push through for the sake of everyone else. How many of you do the same? I would so much rather just curl into the fetal position in a dark room and have a good long cry but life moves forward even if I am not ready for it to.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Pp5PWkBf_5DKhj_sY4xAAe3dFK6GcXzRcPTB28koZCJGMZlEkEI7w1VOcID2lTVe6wDcnRpChde32_4fT2emqfxfRmozX9xBTVna_3t-rcxK5gU03H23B-qf6AIi8Huz5081D2MpvEI/s1600/dark+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Pp5PWkBf_5DKhj_sY4xAAe3dFK6GcXzRcPTB28koZCJGMZlEkEI7w1VOcID2lTVe6wDcnRpChde32_4fT2emqfxfRmozX9xBTVna_3t-rcxK5gU03H23B-qf6AIi8Huz5081D2MpvEI/s320/dark+room.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/151011393725147693/">Pinterest</a></div>
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It is during these darkest hours that I try to remember the things that make my life wonderful. The things that have given me purpose and a reason to move forward. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNj89e0_GyAAvmnDLjk_lHw7XvSaNjgMfUyhW46qhCa7ojfGkCIkBQi0LgZKJ7SFNm7Mv9q_pFLw3l9lN-eTfapCHZQkvfSESErg7c9XuuCdjOVQkAa9zHNAD3-JmAceAZmyOJtCaii0U/s1600/DSC01427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNj89e0_GyAAvmnDLjk_lHw7XvSaNjgMfUyhW46qhCa7ojfGkCIkBQi0LgZKJ7SFNm7Mv9q_pFLw3l9lN-eTfapCHZQkvfSESErg7c9XuuCdjOVQkAa9zHNAD3-JmAceAZmyOJtCaii0U/s320/DSC01427.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Like my boys</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_XzB5IEu6YliMNjQyspH0G7FElnhCi2uRPHB7uKqutHCI12oyr0VmIM8h6fGtYlSov_vI7XCL-r5KN8xqnyRiT_jNORTd_TKeapwIMpX8oBJOrJWj5SFOZ7whT8DkxfhasJoFDq4DD8/s1600/matthew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_XzB5IEu6YliMNjQyspH0G7FElnhCi2uRPHB7uKqutHCI12oyr0VmIM8h6fGtYlSov_vI7XCL-r5KN8xqnyRiT_jNORTd_TKeapwIMpX8oBJOrJWj5SFOZ7whT8DkxfhasJoFDq4DD8/s1600/matthew.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/rest-for-the-weary">Matthew 11:28</a></div>
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and I try to remember that </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NTHoHznjLieBp_-h4bNKz8CVAuJpqeFm9rGgsz1XPw-_Snx4ksc4XKQzvUH-dpttXyDlya6Qyskj3-AxcluydI_-UsvuWPwBNF3BxHzfo3CsA4x3LXPKviZOpdT2WGF-v2q93z7QNGU/s1600/life+is+hard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NTHoHznjLieBp_-h4bNKz8CVAuJpqeFm9rGgsz1XPw-_Snx4ksc4XKQzvUH-dpttXyDlya6Qyskj3-AxcluydI_-UsvuWPwBNF3BxHzfo3CsA4x3LXPKviZOpdT2WGF-v2q93z7QNGU/s320/life+is+hard.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/136515432424189512_OHkURELu.jpg">Pinterest</a></div>
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and that everyone should</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizNZBDXdHlePP9aec_7QU95uzv2U0VeWOVidN6dShmIS6kltH6iGygUnglEW5ekjgQ_UH3AUSAkB_rSEwA-uNLrSkJgkTETF2u6LUsk3OibGOt-VaJrcnbdGDp9PKasigpYeT1ItRkpSU/s1600/be+kind.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizNZBDXdHlePP9aec_7QU95uzv2U0VeWOVidN6dShmIS6kltH6iGygUnglEW5ekjgQ_UH3AUSAkB_rSEwA-uNLrSkJgkTETF2u6LUsk3OibGOt-VaJrcnbdGDp9PKasigpYeT1ItRkpSU/s1600/be+kind.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFTYUdkwtNc7KMRIdkMrIGMD2HBsGtrb26svtG2MoY9eWyFNxIobOBa6f9xWG6p3Rd8WYCpedRLuvQiXHB20CXkPz6BGgxNR3qqIjhEjTLbLHWdravycRn2Ng9VO0hCjNoIWQ87_L-9xSl/s1600/Screenshot+9.png">Pinterest</a></div>
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I know that this feeling is only temporary. These feelings of melancholy are few and far between. My life is wonderful and more than I could have ever hoped for. It is these moments that far outweigh those of trouble that I try to focus on. These moments are those that give me fuel for the days that I feel that I just cannot take one more thing.</div>
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So I choose to let the burden push me to my knees.. so that I can unburden myself at the feet of the Lord, so that He may give me peace and guidance. So that I may feel Him with me as I continue along my path. And you, my dear readers, I simply ask for encouraging thoughts and prayers for my family. Difficult decisions lay ahead in the coming months. </div>
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Much love</div>
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Shell</div>
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<br /></div>Firefly Visionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16009593746628977392noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475942828711806974.post-32687389080863671452012-02-09T14:04:00.000-08:002012-02-09T14:04:06.410-08:00A Tower of Jewelry ...Well actually it's a jewelry tower. This is the first one that I have created but anticipate creating at least one more for my bead table. I can't take the credit for this design though... I found it on <a href="http://showmecute.wordpress.com/2011/09/12/terra-cotta-jewelry-tower-cake-stand/">Show Me Cute</a>, the link included here goes directly to the tutorial. I even used the same basic colors that she used in the tutorial. For the second one, I will branch out on my own to see what I can do to spice it up a little bit.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTNLtgiBqLDoFQyZ9T52-ehf1Vly8EuId-biNZqU2_uM6cR_AlIi4kpmdDgXG5FE0nztZSKASZv62DD2k2FlPVLJtmW5Z71B6K7PutaN0mioNr8LagghyphenhyphenivGHTNDauUgmQIR_oYFo3WE4/s1600/tower5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTNLtgiBqLDoFQyZ9T52-ehf1Vly8EuId-biNZqU2_uM6cR_AlIi4kpmdDgXG5FE0nztZSKASZv62DD2k2FlPVLJtmW5Z71B6K7PutaN0mioNr8LagghyphenhyphenivGHTNDauUgmQIR_oYFo3WE4/s320/tower5.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFPFEJQrXSUcxSp0fIf4x5h8FvUNMfWHeNEveCjL6jYvN29mJP-P1hveAnZCumZkEYLQVg1staObjMtTgF7qAQ6b4vUPvQUgrz1L_ZZBJ8bIw-0FotWEQACTWOyEdL35tRWi-xengIN8/s1600/tower2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFPFEJQrXSUcxSp0fIf4x5h8FvUNMfWHeNEveCjL6jYvN29mJP-P1hveAnZCumZkEYLQVg1staObjMtTgF7qAQ6b4vUPvQUgrz1L_ZZBJ8bIw-0FotWEQACTWOyEdL35tRWi-xengIN8/s320/tower2.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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This is a great addition to my bead table. It provides space for my current projects, as well as space for my most used components. I will be creating another tower soon, as well as another piece that will be home to my tools.</div>
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What are you creating? </div>
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Much Love, </div>
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Shell </div>
<br />Firefly Visionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16009593746628977392noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475942828711806974.post-21124247186384750302012-02-04T18:32:00.000-08:002012-02-04T18:32:24.611-08:00Blog Hops and Fog Lights .. Who knew?<div style="text-align: center;">
I have to keep up with my promise for two posts a week. I was at risk of missing my goal until I realized that today was Saturday - YIKES! </div>
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So first there are two challenges going on.. </div>
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First is the Copper Component Blog Hop hosted by Kristi Bowman. Participants could choose between two different copper components.</div>
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/89591298/one-1-copper-large-ammonite-oval-free">This ammonite one</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBygv7lXYGQsYqLLrXBSG34Ju7noMV3Nc3y7bs2xVWp23XeOpRw9ZUZ-hFmYTDVBlpttK3svg3sgNfNYL-poFgBewxHE0iYHh-g7ToUCBCkn-hxd5jUGLNXk911XnAlljAmcna9AYHG2Q/s1600/Ammonite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBygv7lXYGQsYqLLrXBSG34Ju7noMV3Nc3y7bs2xVWp23XeOpRw9ZUZ-hFmYTDVBlpttK3svg3sgNfNYL-poFgBewxHE0iYHh-g7ToUCBCkn-hxd5jUGLNXk911XnAlljAmcna9AYHG2Q/s320/Ammonite.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/89591434/one-1-copper-large-sea-urchin-oval-free">Or this sea urchin one</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOUv1NLiP8swFalgPRXJZ5sTobL-OURyMvX13ZXr5JDWPrxyCpuVEejLLG_e4jvirsACOnjN9byV9IFpniUlOQ9_sbYoXyo7bmVXaRvvDcKd680wsLbUkZwYBFH6DsFbcrZ8FcAEUC24/s1600/SeaUrchin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOUv1NLiP8swFalgPRXJZ5sTobL-OURyMvX13ZXr5JDWPrxyCpuVEejLLG_e4jvirsACOnjN9byV9IFpniUlOQ9_sbYoXyo7bmVXaRvvDcKd680wsLbUkZwYBFH6DsFbcrZ8FcAEUC24/s320/SeaUrchin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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You have got to check out Kristi's blog <a href="http://dreamsomedesigns.blogspot.com/2012/02/copper-component-blog-hop-reveal.html">DreamSomeDreams</a> to see the list of participants. The different designs are all beautiful! </div>
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Another blog hop in the works is the <a href="http://blog.elysianstudiosart.com/2012/02/7000-bracelets-for-hope-blog-hop-sign.html">7000 Bracelets for Hope</a> blog hop co-hosted by <a href="http://blog.elysianstudiosart.com/">Erin at Elysian Studios</a> and <a href="http://onekisscreations.blogspot.com/">Christine from One Kiss Creations</a>. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirJpAXJby7GMlH42WEjXoKjymUDl7owW9_VuZ6TF_UrUkwfOxMmSoIYjPTljM_FEa88FcVxOfkx6hve2qNk0yhfSvipfjHm7_SB3rGGOV9-W7w9US9HZXt09ZvKoDF9G_FvfkaGT3NRFw/s1600/braceletshope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirJpAXJby7GMlH42WEjXoKjymUDl7owW9_VuZ6TF_UrUkwfOxMmSoIYjPTljM_FEa88FcVxOfkx6hve2qNk0yhfSvipfjHm7_SB3rGGOV9-W7w9US9HZXt09ZvKoDF9G_FvfkaGT3NRFw/s320/braceletshope.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is an amazing opportunity for jewelry artisans across the world to come together to benefit a great cause. Head on over to either of their blogs to get more details, sign up and to grab yourself a button. </div>
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On a non-jewelry related note, I realized two things<br />
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The first - friendships are born in many different ways. I made a friend this week that I never would have thought of as a friend. Actually we were kind of frenemies. This week something clicked and I can see the beginning of a wonderful new friendship blooming.<br />
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The second - never underestimate the usefulness of fog lights. I have never used mine before tonight, but to all those skeptics out there.. they really do work!<br />
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This week I have learned that amazing things can spring from people and things that have been in front of me for a while.<br />
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Much love<br />
Shell<br />
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<br />Firefly Visionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16009593746628977392noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475942828711806974.post-81968628682685556012012-02-01T18:26:00.000-08:002012-02-01T18:29:29.263-08:00February Already??!!!I cannot believe that it is February already.... it seems like just yesterday it was January ( bahahaha!!) Ok seriously, January came and went in a blur. School for me started back up with Business Law .. ugh.. and that is a monumental time user-upper..<br />
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So now that I am starting to get over the shock of my husband's surgery, I have realized that for the most part I have neglected my blog, I have neglected reading the blog posts of the blogs that I follow, and I haven't made a single piece of jewelry since before the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.<br />
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So its time to try to fit some me time into my already crazy schedule - which will get crazier with the impending 'senior prom' and the ever popular start of little league baseball. <br />
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First I want to reorganize my bead table.. </div>
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I will be making a couple of these (click the link below the pic to see the tutorial)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiulNZwQVX2fq_S50nUDRb2kxIgZlDIUGP0rRoa2bxAht7v1hEsY_tIze3cf2VlTd_B5YM0DSxvQABl2g2siBHHTU9lA15a8go299l6kRMexjMsnKotz-o6wIrFchNqDjNQ0XHjejln-44/s1600/Terra+Cotta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiulNZwQVX2fq_S50nUDRb2kxIgZlDIUGP0rRoa2bxAht7v1hEsY_tIze3cf2VlTd_B5YM0DSxvQABl2g2siBHHTU9lA15a8go299l6kRMexjMsnKotz-o6wIrFchNqDjNQ0XHjejln-44/s320/Terra+Cotta.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://showmecute.wordpress.com/2011/09/12/terra-cotta-jewelry-tower-cake-stand/photo-16/">Terra Cotta Jewelry Stand</a></div>
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To replace this </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRdNjGpbcApay6xDzvmWJS0wyBIAeqxZ7is53BLih_AmgObk3dKLZY0nhUg0z8KWHHmCZIvU661odX5BRLW3BjFDL1du1ZB9Lkbbh3T_bzBCenAeufC8RzXuZBI0OU-sVMEl68QcGiOY/s1600/DSC02256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRdNjGpbcApay6xDzvmWJS0wyBIAeqxZ7is53BLih_AmgObk3dKLZY0nhUg0z8KWHHmCZIvU661odX5BRLW3BjFDL1du1ZB9Lkbbh3T_bzBCenAeufC8RzXuZBI0OU-sVMEl68QcGiOY/s320/DSC02256.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Printer's Tray</div>
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This will free up some much needed space on my bead table, while having a lovely place to stash my most used components. Not to worry, I have other plans for this beauty. </div>
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I need to go through my bead stash and decide what I want to keep and what I need to destash. The beads deserve a home where they will be used and put on display rather than locked tightly away in a drawer. I am a hoarder.</div>
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So I have some goals for the year, but I find it easier to handle them one month at a time. So here are </div>
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My Jewelry Goals for February</div>
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Spend at least 10 minutes every day at my bead table</div>
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Post to my blog at least 2 times a week</div>
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Read and comment on at least 2 blogs that I follow each week</div>
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Take a least 2 pictures each week that inspire me</div>
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My Personal Goals for February</div>
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'Play' on the Kinect 3 times a week for at least 30 minutes each (this is my exercise)</div>
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Cook at least 1 meal a week (my husband usually does the cooking, but I feel inspired to try lol)</div>
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My Jewelry Goal for the Year</div>
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I want my focus this year to be on learning new techniques to create my own handmade focals and components. I am still working with polymer clay, although I can tell that my interest is slowing dissipating. I am interested in learning more how to work with metal - etching, stamping, riveting, colorizing, patina. I think that I may be able to get my husband interested in learning how to create lampwork beads - he always needs something to keep him busy - 'cause me plus fire is not a good combo.</div>
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For now.. my goal this weekend is to create two of the cute Terra Cotta Jewelry stands and reorganize my beading area. I think that the lack of space is keeping my muse away. And wouldn't you know that the only place with enough room in my house to put my jewelry making goodies is also the place where I feel least inspired. So I need to fix that up ASAP.</div>
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I will include my progress on these as the month progresses. What are your goals this month? </div>
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Much Love </div>
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Shell</div>Firefly Visionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16009593746628977392noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5475942828711806974.post-69687915844197241812012-01-28T08:31:00.000-08:002012-01-28T08:31:26.743-08:00FearThere are only a few things that bring with them that all encompassing feeling of fear. Last night I came face to face with one of those things again. At this exact moment in time, it seems somewhat silly to have been as fearful as I was last night.<br />
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My family is my everything. Those of you who have been following my blog or are facebook friends with me, know this already. The most central point of my everything is my husband. I know that it seems corny and cliche to say things like 'he completes me' or 'he is my everything' or 'he is the yin to my yang' (yeah I do say that all the time!) There will be some of you who feel the same way about your spouse or significant other, and others who may not understand the depth of these feelings because you haven't yet met 'the one'.<br />
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In the emergency room, with my husband Thursday, I was full of fear. The words 'emergency surgery' are scary words. An unlikely word - Iodine - may not seem like a scary word to some, but with a husband who is allergic, 'CT with contrast' is just as scary as all the others words spoken to me that night. <br />
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I tried to explain, but my words seemed to be falling on deaf ears.. They took him .. away .. when is he coming back? was everything going to be ok? I will be all alone.. A piece of me will be missing.. Please bring him back to me. These words were spoken by me that night when he was taken for the CT and again when he was taken for surgery. The last 24 hours have been filled with fear. <br />
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Without knowing all of my husband's extensive medical history, it may seem (to some) that I was overreacting. Appendectomies are done all the time.. routine surgery.. minimal complications, etc etc.. But for someone, like my husband, who has never been able to have a 'routine surgery' in his life these words are less than comforting.<br />
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I was scared, terrified... crying, praying... scared, scared, scared. He is the center of my life.. He holds me together.. he gives me solid ground... he completes all of the missing parts of me to make me whole... he is my husband... he is my children's father.. he is everything ..<br />
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Those awful minutes and hours of fear still haunt me.. I cry .. the kids don't understand.. So I hide it as if it is something to be ashamed of..trying not to scare the kids ..<br />
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Now it is ok.. he is home.. he is ok.. I can breathe again.. Today all those fears are relieved.. he is better.. he is going to be ok.. My life is settling back into its normal rhythm... He is home..<br />
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You are all so wonderful to listen while I vent and put my fear into words.. to share with all of you the fear.. letting me release it ... through writing, talking, sharing<br />
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Much love,<br />
ShellFirefly Visionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16009593746628977392noreply@blogger.com3