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For artists and collectors sponsored by Intercal...your mohair supplier and Johnna's Mohair Store
I wish I could go! The Schaumburg shows are a definite favourite of mine - I think Connie and Amber are tops 
Cheryl 
Congratulations Carolyn!!!! It's fabulous when great things happen to really lovely people like you!! I'm smiling ear to ear for you.
Warmest bear hugs, :hug:
Aleta
Couldn't think of a better way to say it!
Cheryl :rose:
Hey Toto, you're almost not in Kansas anymore!
Hope you have a safe and wonderful trip and your move brings you all the joy you can handle!
Cheryl
What a relief for her family! I can't imagine what it must be like...that tough little cookie sure had some divine help!
Wow...that bun applies the eyeliner with a heavy paw.... :crackup: :crackup:
Cheryl
I'm so sorry Jane. Your family seems to have had more than its share of grief and loss as of late.
Praying that you will find some peace and comfort today.
:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
Cheryl
What a sweet handsome boy he is! I must say your dog looks less than impressed with Thomas' new toy though!
Cheryl
Thanks for the warning...and it reminded me that I have not checked the batteries in my detectors in a while...I'll do it today.
:hug:
Kathy
A good simple idea is to automatically change the batteries every time you have to change your clocks in Spring and Autumn. I would forget if we didn't use this idea!
Cheryl
Well...doesn't somebody look pleased with themselves! What a little sweetie Kim!
Cheryl 
I'm a city girl through and through but I 
roosters! Oh yes... :photo: please!
Cheryl
I'm so sorry this happened to you Paula! Especially a customer that has been legit in the past - chances are, we all would have done just what you did. A learning experience, although an expensive one.
:hug: :hug: 's for you!
Cheryl
Definitely Peonies!
They are so huge (the flowers can be up to 8-10" across) and I guess for me, when they start to bloom, it means summer is really here. Apparently they need cold winters to bloom to their full potential...that's one in our favour!
Cheryl
Let me get this straight....Your letter carriers (what they're called up here...) PICK UP your parcels at the door??????
Holy Cow..... 
Actually, I think we're having the same weather that you're having Heather! It's about 30C today, which is a tad warm for me 
but considering it was threatening to snow only 10 days ago, I'll take it!!! AC would be nice though....
Cheryl
For various reasons we have chosen not to adopt. I think it's a wonderful way to fulfill a need and more importantly give a child a home... I'm not against the idea at all! It's just not the right thing for my husband and we wouldn't have any support from his family and in fact it would be heart breaking the way they would treat an adopted child. So... we have the dogs... not quite the same.... not at all.
Yup, there is a huge empty place in my soul where a child should be but most of the time I'm OK with it. Til I get to reading about how all of you cherish motherhood so very much. I know I would too and OK, I feel a little left out... it's one thing every woman should get to experience if she wants to...
I sure wish I was there to give you a big hug right now Daphne! As I have mentioned before, I am an adoptive parent and it absolutely has to be a decision that both you and your husband are excited about or it just doesn't work. There are different issues that come up than come up with 'birth families' (not better not worse just different) and everyone has to be committed to the process.
I am Creative Arts director at our church, and on Mother's Day I wanted to try something new. We celebrated EVERY woman in our congregation because everyone, whether a biological mom or not can find a place to use that God given gift of Motherhood if they choose to. We had a Stepmom speak, an adoptive Mom (OK it was me and basically I blubbered through most of it :redface: ), an empty nest Mom, a nurse in a pediatric ward and a daycare provider that has no children of her own but speaks into the lives of children everyday.
I hope you find your place to bless children that come into your life because they are not there by accident, but by "design".
I hope I haven't gotten too personal 'cause I don't know you very well, but your post 'caused me to get a little misty and I just wanted to encourage you and tell you not to give up hope!
:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
Cheryl
I'm sorry that I can't offer words of wisdom born of experience, but I have seen close friends go through it and come out the other side stronger, wiser and standing firmly on their own 2 feet.
I wish and pray that for you.
:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
Lean on your TT friends, we're all here for you!
Cheryl
2 things...
1) Jodi F...I'm so sorry to hear that you and your hubby are going your separate ways...even when it is the right thing, its never the easy thing. Hang in there :hug: :hug:
2) I think that the reason that many of these organizations are difficult to do this kind of thing for is simply that they must be careful who their name is associated with. There are a lot of unscrupulous people out there that would be happy to use a 'big name' to get the money and then the organization never sees the cash. I think in the fundraising business, your reputation is everything. I didn't intend my comments to criticize SGK foundation as I know they have an excellent reputation and I'm glad everything worked out.
:clap: CONGRATULATIONS JODI M. ON YOUR FOCUS AND VISION! :clap:
Cheryl
I saw these on Ebay...maybe you could use these?
http://cgi.ebay.ca/Make-Your-Own-Dog-Co … dZViewItem
Cheryl
I know its hard to believe, but some of these organizations just can't be bothered with a donation under a certain amount. The first year of "BearFair" here in Canada, we wanted to have an auction and donate the proceeds to (I believe it was) the local children's hospital. The organizer was told that they weren't really interested in any donations under $10,000 and certainly didn't want us advertising them as the recipient of our efforts unless we could guarantee that amount . They also wouldn't have anyone come out to speak about the hospital without that guarantee. I'm sure it becomes administratively difficult, but it surprised me that all money wasn't "good money".
What if instead of a "research" organization, you focused on a "hospice" organization? I think they don't always get the money that they need and they might be more open to our efforts.
Bless you Jodi, for your generous spirit :hug:
Cheryl
Actually, you might find that depending on the size of bear you are making that the stripes might blend on their own. If there are no broad expanses of fabric (like a 20"+ size) the eye will be fooled - honest!
Let us know how it goes,
Cheryl
Even though I am not a 'pink person' I think this bag is just grand! I collect vintage 40's and 50's bags so even though I dress rather simply, I often have a funky bag.
This purse is an art piece!
Can you imagine strolling into your local Walmart in flipflops, shorts and this bag?!
:dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:
