has reached over 200 “Likes”!!

WOOT!!

…SO, I’m throwing a party to celebrate!

(with 4 cool, artsy, whimsical, fun print give-aways!)

Put on your party clothes  people!!!

Shimmy on over there and check it out!

CLICK HERE TO ENTER!

I wanted to let you know of a “Silent Auction” I’m having on Facebook for one of my art pieces.

I am giving 50% of the proceeds to charity.  25% to the winner’s charity and 25% to my charity.   It’s a 12 x 12 canvas.

The bidding is happening here:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=506700946056494&set=a.506700929389829.1073741826.162772403782685&type=1&theater

I just knew you guys wouldn’t want to be left out!  LOL!  In case you haven’t already “liked” my TeaBags And Gardenias fanpage on Facebook, please clickeee the likeee button!  Thanks!

Blessings to you all!

It is so important for us to remember to pray and fast for our brothers and sisters who are about to come into full communion with the church on this Easter Vigil.  These days leading up to the Vigil are probably the most intense for them.

I have been blessed to sponsor a few amazing people into the church:

*Casey*  *Sheri *  *Denise*  *Michelle*

…and I know from past experience that this is the time when the devil will start to discourage, rob them of their joy and mess with their heads.  Please join me in prayer for all of them!  Those you know personally, those entering from your home parish and those around the entire world.

And, while we are at it, let’s pray for the Church and our Pope.  With yesterday’s stunning news out of the Vatican, all I can think of is pray, pray, pray.

Happy Fat Tuesday everyone!

Guess what? Ash Wednesday is this week. Can you believe it? It’s my absolute favorite time in the church liturgical year. I like it more than Advent and even Christmas. People often ask me why I always look so forward to Lent. Well, to me, its my time to “go deep.” My time to fast, pray and concentrate on discipline. To do penance and regroup.

This year I happened upon an article on Pinterest that really spoke to me. It was published by “Our Sunday Visitor.” The article is called Keeping it simple this Lent with Father Jim’s 1-1-1 Plan. To read this article click HERE.

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 13, 2013

KISS – Here’s a helpful acronym to help you stay focused during Lent:

Keep • It • Simple • Sinner

(I LOVE that!)

I will be doing this 1-1-1 plan! Want to join me?

It is with great pleasure and excitement that I get to announce the official launch of my

TeaBags And Gardenias website!

The site is live!  WOOT WOOT!

A few minor tweaks are needed but I couldn’t wait a second longer for everyone to check it out!  Please take a look and let me know what you think!  click me! I had a very talented web designer named Harris to work with…he’s great!  In school at GA Tech, does this on the side.  He put up with all of my changes, requests, edits, ideas, etc. like a true champ!  I was just waiting for him to drop me but he didn’t!  I know what I want and I want what I want and I want it like I envision it…sometimes that is tough to deal with.  And as a result, I believe we have a fantastic collaboration that suits who I am, my personality and style!  I hope you like the site as much as I do!  The goal was to have one central place for everyone to go.  From my homepage you can access this blog, my shop and portfolio among other things.

Then, I took a peek at Donna Downey’s blog and low and behold!!!  My altered brush was featured today! Click HERE to take a peek! Everyone who submits a brush gets featured but I am still excited and proud!   I admire Donna greatly and her site has a lot of traffic.  My brush will be hung on the walls in her studio in Hendersonville, NC.

I hope to go there someday and take one of her workshops.  That would be a bucket list item of mine.  She’s so brilliant!

Have a beautiful day!  – Michelle

To me Dyan Reveley is amazing and I just love everything about her journal.  It’s big, it’s well made, it’s got two different types of paper inside, it is sturdy and for my very first journal I wanted a good one.  I am so happy with it!

So…here we go!

This is the journal!  Isn’t it cute??  LOL!  It’s the little things, right?

And here is my very first shot at art journaling!  I did this quickly on my lunch break.  I think it was a pretty good first page if I do say so myself!  And, practice makes perfect and I will get better in time!  SO.MUCH.FUN!  I highly recommend it!  Until next time…PURSUE!

…verb
1. to follow in order to overtake, capture, kill, etc.; chase. (Not liking the kill part…)
2. to follow close upon; go with; attend.
3. to strive to gain; seek to attain or accomplish (an end, object, purpose, etc.).
4. to proceed in accordance with (a method, plan, etc.).
5. to carry on or continue (a course of action, a train of thought, an inquiry, studies, etc.

So my thought is to make sure that word is on my mind and tongue and in front of me every day for 2013.  The word strikes a chord in me.  After a big 2012 (new business, my artwork, running my first 5K, going through all the “firsts” after my mother passed away, moving, etc.) I decided that I still want to keep growing and changing and creating my life. PURSUE is an awesome word!

So far it means to me:  walk through every open door, if the door isn’t open, OPEN IT, stick your neck out there, don’t quit, go after what you want, pursue relationships, pursue new skills, pursue your dreams, pursue wellness, pursue GOD.  And down the road, I’m sure the word will take on new meanings and actions.

I’m excited about this word!

Also, in 2013, I am diving into the world of “Art Journaling.”  My goal is to spend at least 10 minutes per day working in a journal and documenting this journey.  I can’t wait!  Happy New Year everyone!

Here’s an excerpt:

4,329 films were submitted to the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. This blog had 14,000 views in 2012. If each view were a film, this blog would power 3 Film Festivals

Click here to see the complete report.