Goodbye 2010 & Hello 2011...

Let me begin by saying 2010 has been a good year for the createology household. Oh we had our setbacks and trials, yet we were always able to move forward and enjoy overall.
In 2010 I had chosen to select one word that would be helpful to me throughout the year. I have never been one to make resolutions since I don't follow a "throw a switch" mentality. I have never understood how one day, January 1, can make a person behave differently especially for an entire year or for life just by something they say. For me it has always been about making changes as I feel comfortable with the ability to actually change whatever behavior necessary.
My word in 2010 was FOCUS and it did actually help me through the year as I was able to recognize when I strayed from being focused.
So for 2011 I am again selecting a word that I believe will help me have the best life possible. I have put a lot of energy into this selection. I reviewed my goals and accomplishments in 2010 and found many of them I did in fact keep in focus and achieve. However I also realize that I lacked in areas or ambitions and did not get all that I wanted to get done.
So for 2011 I am selecting my word to be NOW. I know this seems like an odd word however it is the one word that kept coming to the forefront for me.
NOW will represent to me the following:
without further delay
present time
at once
immediately
Now will keep me accountable to doing things now as opposed to putting them off til later.
No more procrastination.
No more excuses.
No more waiting until the time or weather or lighting or supplies or ??? are right.
Now will allow me to get more things done and that will allow me to quit beating myself up for not getting things done or made or given. This can be quite the vicious cycle if you know what I mean.
Now will give me the freedom to focus on all that I can be in 2011 without waiting for the right time. When is the right time? Never or Now!
I am actually excited about this word as it has really made me stop and think about who I really am and why I do or don't do certain things in life. This just may be my year to really grow not only creatively but also as a human being.
Now for me will represent these things:
no excuses...
keep trying...
be accountable...
just do it...
there is no perfection...
Now I feel confident and comfortable to embrace this new year 2011 and be the best me! I shall continue to bring with me FOCUS as I travel my journey.
Thank you each and every blog friend and follower. Blogging has been such a great way to share and experience with others who share this gift of life and creativity. I feel blessed.
Onward and forward as we enter into this new year of opportunity...

Another Checked Off the List...

So as we prepare to close another year I have been trying to check some to-dos off my list. For longer than I can think I have wanted to change my etsy shop banner. The photo on the top is of the old banner. It sufficed but was not very clear or classy. As most of you already know I am not the computer whiz I would like to be. Mr. C has always been that for me and done it all. However, when it came to my blogging and my etsy shop he was not interested at all. He was, after all, still working and did not have spare time for such nonsense. Well...

Mr. C is fully retired and when he was helping me the other day with my new blog banner I guess he heard me say I also wanted to change my etsy banner. Yay!!! He made me this new banner (second photo) and I so love it! Simple elegance. Thank you Mr. C...I love it!

Checked this off my list. It feels so good to head into a new year with a fresh clean slate.

What is on your list you would like to complete before 2011 arrives?

Happy creating...

Whew!!!

Whew!!! I have been wanting to change my blog banner to a collage of items I have created. Not being a computer person or software programmer or even remotely familiar with this type of activity I have been putting this task at the bottom of every list for quite a while now.

Well!!! Here is my new blog banner and I am so happy with it. Of course I had lots of help from Mr. C who is very familiar with computers and their nuances. Thank you honey!

I also had help from this wonderful blog tutorial http://memoriesoncloverlane.blogspot.com/2009/08/tutorial-on-how-to-make-blog-banner.html

Thank you so much Sarah for your help even though you don't know me or my blog. Your tutorial was the boost I needed to get started and spend the energy and hours with Mr. C to accomplish something I have been wanting to check off my list.

As 2010 comes rushing to a close I am reflecting and trying to finish some of the items I feel will help me most in 2011. Maybe my word of 2010 "Focus" really wasn't in vain after all.

What are you reflecting on at this time of year?

Are you completing tasks on your list before the new year arrives?

My grandmother (and now me) always had to have all the ironing completed before midnight New Year's eve even if it meant ironing frantically until 11:59 pm. The thought was that if it weren't completed it would merely continue to pile up all year long and it would never get done. So that is how I function and this week is my week to try to complete things before the new year. Hey...what ever works...right?!!

May you have a very relaxed and rewarding week...

Gifts Given & Time to Relax...

I love using wool felt and sewing with it. This is the back side of a tote bag I made.

Here is the front. I have added one of my wool flower pins that can be removed and worn on a lapel or such. The buttons add a nice touch to the handles I think.

The back side of another one I made for gift giving.

Here is the front with it's wool flower. I am thinking I really need to make some of these for my girls as they turned out so nicely. Maybe I shall start on Valentine gifts next.

Christmas was wonderful. Lots of family, friends, food, fun and gift exchanging.

Today is a day to relax and reflect. Mr. C took me out to a wonderful breakfast at one of our favorite local restaurants in town. Then we took the scenic route home and saw lots of very sleepy and rainy wet homes and businesses. Maybe they too are relaxing and catching a breath after the Christmas rush.

Enjoy your week and do what you really like doing.

Happy end of December to all...

I Have Been a Good Girl...

Hi Santa. I have been a good girl. I believe...oh yes, I believe! Today I am busy baking some desserts to take to friends as we celebrate Christmas Eve with them and their family. Oh and I am definitely baking you some cookies for your long and busy trek tonight. I will also put out a cold fresh yummy glass of milk with those cookies as I know it is your favorite.

I shall go to bed tonight and I will try to sleep but I will keep my ears tuned waiting to hear the sound of reindeer hooves on my roof. It shouldn't be slippery as the rain has stopped for a day and the snow is all gone. It will be a safe landing for you tonight.

I'll be in my warm toasty jammies but I will be peeking out the window every few hours just to see a glimpse of you Santa. I am so excited with the wonder of a child as I await your amazing visit.

Safe travels and a very Merry Christmas!

I do believe in the magic!!!