What Happens Next

Bring It On

I am more than ready to bring on this New Year... this New Decade. 

There is a feeling of anticipation in the air tonight. Maybe it's the blue moon...

Do you feel it?

2010 just might be the year that it ALL finally comes together. For my part, I will work harder, pray harder, love harder. 

I wish you peace on this night, and unprecedented joy in the coming year. May we all be standing on the precipice, leaping headlong towards our heart's desire.

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined."  Henry David Thoreau

Happy New Year!!

 

Christmas Wishes

This Christmas Angel would like to join me in wishing you a very Merry Christmas! 

 

Love and blessings to each of you. May you find all the joy, peace and happiness the season brings! 

 

Bella Notte

We are slowly emerging from the fog of party euphoria around here. 

This past Saturday, we had the distinct pleasure of hostessing the Texas Bella Christmas Soirée.

And what a joy it was.

Girlfriends came from near and far. Lubbock, San Antonio, Waco, as well as all parts of the Dallas/Ft. Worth area... and although we had just seen most of them last month at Silver Bella, it felt like a reunion.

Lots of catching up and girl talk.

Cocktail hours hour.

Then, upstairs to the studio, where we began a paper ornament project.

A delicious holiday meal was served at around 7. "Thanks, Chef Anthony". I was clearly so involved in partaking of the meal, that I neglected to get a photo until this was all that was left. Red velvet cupcake wrappers..... and a few coconut cookies.

Time to head back upstairs and finish our projects.

Truth be told, some of us chatted entirely too much, and didn't finish until today. Ahem. Although, wowza, it is gorgeous, Shea!

And some of us still haven't finished. 

But I will.

Finally, it was time for an AMAZING gift exchange!! Everyone outdid themselves with their offerings! What fun we had.

Shannon draws #1, and gets the ball rolling. 
 

Heather looks happy with her gift.

Stacy looks worried that someone is going to take hers away. 

And they did. I hope she is consoled by the faerie dust.

I would like to thank Joanna, whose lovely gift I ended up with. 

And Alisa, your creation was also hotly contested. Well done!

 How blessed we are to be a part of this amazing network of women, bonded by a creative muse... who share their supplies, their dreams, their hearts, so openly. 

We absolutely loved having you here. It was magical.

*If I have missed linking to anyone who has a blog, please email and let me know!*

Fifteen's The Charm

I have been woefully behind in posting about the extraordinary experience we had last month at Silver Bella.

One of the highlights of the weekend is always "swap night". Artists trade their work within the parameters of a theme. So many inspired creations, so much beauty in one room, it is truly hard to take it all in.

This is a swap that Shea participated in. The mandate was to create a charm that would "Display Your Faith".

She began with the tiniest glass vials, and worked her jewelry making magic on them. Glass glitter and pearls inside, along with itty-bitty paper wings and a printout of the dictionary definition of faith. Beautiful bead caps, crystals and a brass charm all add to the fairytale quality of these lovely pendants.

Strung onto sterling silver ball chain, they are just irresistible. 

But, she wasn't finished yet. Packaging a Bella Swap is equally as important as the item itself, so the hunt was on for the perfect thing. The smallest hinged wooden boxes were magically transformed with silvery paint and German glass glitter. 

Shredded tulle nestles the precious contents.

Always with a keen eye for detail, Shea personalized each one, creating a lasting keepsake for each recipient.

And fifteen boxes emerged, one for each person in the swap. And, of course she received fifteen back in return.

I am so happy that she was actually able to keep one for herself this time.  We are usually running so close to the wire on these sorts of projects that we say we will make our own at a later time.... and then we never do.

But we started much earlier this time. And a good thing, too, because we still found ourselves pushing the time limit up to the very end!

Some things just never, ever change.... and our ability to bite off (almost) more than we can chew is certainly a prime example. 

Somehow, we do manage to get it all finished, even if it is literally at the very last minute. Faith in action. 

So, as the rapid countdown to Christmas continues, I hope that you are presented with many opportunities to "Display Your Faith". And that you manage to get everything finished. Even if it is just in the nick of time.

Cookie Time!

I am so excited to share this recipe with you!

I have always loved coconut, and for the longest time, the perfect cookie recipe eluded me. I love the taste of macaroons, but I'm not crazy about the texture. I wanted something crispy on the edges, and firm but tender in the middle. 

Several years ago, I found something I thought was really good, and after some tweaking, I think it is exceedingly close to coconut perfection.

This recipe has become my go-to crowd pleaser, and I get requests for a copy every time I serve them. Even those who think they don't like coconut have been known to eat a few. And then a few more. Just sayin. 

Give these a try and please let me know what you think. I would love to hear if they are as popular in your neck of the woods!

And please be sure to visit Jessi, our fabulous hostess for this recipe exchange, for links to all of the other participating blogs. Thanks, Jessi!!

Enjoy!!