2011 Year in Review

Wow, is all I can say.
2011 was a very fruitful year for me creatively.
I made a lot of stuff!
I re-opened my etsy shop last year to sell items that are faith-based, and I am proud of the success.
Here are some of my favorites from the year...;)

Recap:
A LOT of pillows, A LOT of checkbooks, A LOT of color, A LOT of prints.
My new book was published and I went to The Creative Connection.
I did love it all:)

This year will be a little different though.
After much reflection, I realized that things for me got way out of balance.
I started skipping church because I was too busy with work.
I started skipping my time with God in the morning because I had too much work to do.
I stopped exercising all together because the work needed to be done.
I stopped saying yes to my kids and started saying no, because I needed to work.
I was making cereal, chicken nuggets, and frozen pizza too often for dinner because it was convenient.
I didn't carve out extra time for my precious husband, because I was always working!

So...although I am very grateful for the work this year, I burned out a couple of months ago.
I burned out bad.
I have since got back to the things I need to do to stay grounded and healthy and happy.
I'm back to church.
I'm back to my time in the morning.
I'm doing my yoga and walking again.
I'm spending more time keeping the house where I want it and making sure everyone is getting nutritious meals.
I'm concious about making sure my husband is not last on my list!
I NEED to do all of these things before work.
I love to work.  I love to create.  I love to share with others.  I love running my etsy shop.
But if it comes before God or family again I know I am doing something wrong.

My New Years Resolution this year is to simplify and balance.
Getting back to the basics.  Taking time to smell the flowers and not stressing...

My etsy shop will remain open!  :)  In fact, I am excited about the new things I'm making and will share soon.  But I am going to keep it my happy place, instead of a stressful place.  I will definitely still be doing custom orders, but I am going to be realistic and honest with myself, so if I need to cut back, I will.

I want to say thank you, thank you, thank you!
To all my bloggy friends.  To all of you who read and take the time to leave me comments.
To those of you who buy my art.  To those of you who have prayed for me.
This blogging gig has become so much more to me than an on-line journal of sorts.
I have you as well.  :)

For fun, take a look at my:
2010 Year in Review
2009 Year in Review

Happy New Year Friends!  I wish you many sweet blessings from the Lord as we enter the year with a clean slate.  See you soon!

Favorite New Photo

Put here to make you smile ;)

Still laughing...

If you love pinterest than I'm sure you've already seen these...
But I still had to share them.
I love me some Ryan...but the "hey girl's"  were made just for me, and any other artsy-fartsy who sells on etsy.  ;)

Hilarious.  They all come from this clever place.

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So, how was your Christmas?

I hope it was lovely and laidback.  The high here on Christmas day was 80 degrees!  Can you believe that?

 I am slowly starting to put away all the decorations and clean, but I'll leave the tree up through New Years.  I just love the lights...

Any New Year plans?  I'm just hoping I can make it to midnight this year!  A sign of the times, right?

I'll be back soon with my 2011 year in review :)

Merry CHRISTmas

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulders; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. ~ Isaiah 9:6

 

found here

I'm signing off to enjoy the next few days with my family.

I hope you have a beautiful Christmas filled with HIS love.

I'll see  you next week:)

Merry CHRISTmas friends!

The process of a new series...

Every once in a while, I like to document the process of a painting.
This started out as a doodle, and then I became immersed in it.

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I started sketching it with a pencil yesterday morning, and then outlined it all in black.

Then I started adding watercolors.

It was a gorgeous day, so I took it outside while the kids were playing.  Pretty soon they wanted to paint too.

I was painting just for fun and it felt so good.

 The sun started to set and I finished painting just in time.

Last night I went back to it with with a fine black marker and added lots of details.

I could have filled up the whole page but instead I started a new one.
I think I may have a new series to introduce to the shop when I open up again.  ;)
Closing up for the holidays has been good for my creativity.
I can't wait to show you more...

blessings to you...
(5 more days!!!!!!)