Happy New Year! Resolutions Anyone?

Wow. Its the New Year again! I hope you all enjoyed your celebrating last night.....I spent time with family  over a great dinner, conversation and watching the ball drop in Times Square on television. I love our traditions no matter how simple they are. Its the time spent with one another that is important.

I think its the age my sister and I are at that we realize the importance of family. Last night as the adults gathered to celebrate over dinner, my nieces and nephew began preparing for their night out on the town.......parties and friends..... this is what is important to them at this time in their life. I remember those days and have great memories. Last night I enjoyed watching my eldest niece get dressed and ready....she is just such a pretty girl....I was so happy that she let me do her make up for her. Years ago I was a make up artist and still love designing a face. I must say, she looked great! So off they went to their parties and friends and us mature family members ate, played games and laughed.

My first page of my new art journal. 

I will be journaling everyday this month and posting what I've done.

So, resolutions....do you have any? The New Year just makes you think of making changes and I see nothing wrong with setting out to do better. As always, I'm keeping it simple:

Personal Life:
:: Be creative everyday. No matter how small, do something creative. I'm thinking of my Art Journaling.
:: Be focused. Whatever it is that is deserving of my attention, I will focus on that thing completely. Multitasking to a minimum. Being present.
:: Practice Kindness. Of course we all try to be kind most of the time right?! But I'm really thinking of those times when you don't want to be kind....maybe its a bad mood your having or maybe it means being more understanding of someone.
:: Be of service. I am a big believer of serving others. I don't do this as often as I would like but I do try and help and serve the needs of others when I can. This year I'd like to focus a bit more on this.

Business Life:
:: Take time to experiment.
:: Limit the number of shows I commit to.
:: Practice, practice, practice all those new techniques I've learned last year with the many classes I've taken.
:: Be better with my Etsy Shop!!

Out with the Old. In with the New!

My new highlighter pen.........this needs to be a bead shape! A New Year bead shape!

New Felt & Glass Button Brooch. Just a little more bead-dazzeling to do. Old idea. New twist using zippers!

Hope everyone has a great New Year's Eve and a wonderful New Year!

New Years....What Resolutions Are You Making?

Its just days away from the New Year and I've begun thinking about resolutions. Its a love hate thing with them. On one hand, I really like to think and aspire to being better in someway for the New Year. But, on the other hand, resolutions tend to fizzle out a few weeks into the New Year. Like many of you, I'm going to make a few resolutions anyways and do my best to stick with them. These are just a few things I'm thinking about........this could change but its a start.

Resolution Number 1~ Work smart. By this I mean that I plan on focusing my work schedule better and balancing it with family time. I want to make sure that my work time at the torch is purposeful and better utilized. Unstructured, freetime at the torch is important too for creative growth but as with anything it needs to be balanced.

Resolution Number 2~ Relax. I'm a high energy, busy person. I'm always doing something....work, business and home life always have me on the go. This is good but it can really be a drain. I need to find time to de-stress. I work out in the mornings....this is good but I need more.........I want to get back to yoga in the New Year.

Okay. This is a start. I'm sure I'll fine tune this or maybe just scarp it for different ones by Thursday. What are your resolutions?! Do you think you'll stick to them??


Well, with the time off from work I've also been doing things that I haven't had time for....such as this quilt I began 3 years ago! Its a simple quilt and I had everything cut and ready to be constructed but it just sat around collecting dust. Yesterday was the day it finally got done and I'm so happy I finished it!!! Of course my dogs have already broke it in by balling it up and sleeping on it. Gotta love dog hair around here :)