wrapping up 2007

I have a lot to be thankful for this year :

1. I started this blog
2. I opened my etsy store
3. I sold my first creation to a person that I don't know
4. I started a new job after almost 5 years at the previous one
5. We bought our first home
6. We met our lovely and loving dog, Momo
7. I finally found the creative side of me that I have been looking for for years
8. I conceived (and finished!) my first, and hopefully not last, mural

The list can go on and on.

I am one of those people who write down their resolutions for the upcoming year. I allow myself a maximum of 10, it's a good, accomplish-able number. I print out the list and post it up in my closet so that I am reminded of my goals each and everyday. Here's a few that I care to share:

1. Learn how to silk screen and/or gocco
2. Practice drawing more
3. Visit a new country
4. Be inspired by everyday things
5. Make more and sell more on etsy
6. Take more photos



On a different note, my birthday is coming up in a few days. For some reason, I have this memory of having very sad birthdays for the last few years. I think it's because it always rains on my bday. Even last year, when we celebrated my bday in a different country, it rained there too! So far, there is no rain forecast for this year's shindig so I'm pretty excited about that. I hope I didn't just jinx it! No matter the weather, I vow to have fun, so far we have dinner with friends planned.

Happy New Year to all of you!

present

Just a quick post as I'm off to hang out with the family. I made this tote for a co-worker friend of mine. I picked her name for our gift exchange. I thought it would be nice to make something instead of buying something. She almost cried when she opened the present, that was so sweet. When I told her that I made it, she stopped talking and gave me a huge hug. Aaawwwww...

the sewing and craft room

It's finished! I am very proud of this accomplishment especially since at the beginning of this year I was very certain that I cannot draw or make any kind of anything for that matter. I have been working on this mural in my head ever since we moved into our new home. The idea lived in my brain for a few months and then it made its way onto my Moleskine sketchbook. A few weeks ago, I finally had the guts to actually make the real thing. I have to say once I started, I just kept going and going. It turned out fabulously, if I may say so myself. I am loving this room, I want to hang out in here all day everyday. Hopefully it wont be the first and only mural that I make, I want there to be lots and lots more to come! Please click on the image for a bigger view. You can see more pictures of the mural on my flickr page.

Drawing and painting

I'm a bit weary of heights but after the mural was done, I was not afraid of that ladder anymore.

The finished product, a perfect backdrop for my new Janome sewing machine.

coming up for air

I have been MIA from this part of my life. The job has been taking up all of my time and energy these last few days. However we have from today until the New Year off, which is great because I need a break from all the madness even though I already know that the first 2 months of 2008 will be crazy as heck. I surely plan to spend the last few days of this year relaxing, recollecting, spending time with my family and getting some use of the other side of my brain. I do have new creations to show which I am super excited about. I plan to post images and write about them within the next few days. Stay tuned!

positive thoughts

This statement helps ground me and helps me remember to stop making excuses, especially when it comes to the creative side of my life. I think I have the day to day of my "real" job down. I mean, there are bumps in the road for sure but nothing I lose sleep on. The creative side, however - meaning this blog, my shop and any other creative work that I try to accomplish, has many many bumps. And I really do make up a lot of reasons and excuses for not being consistent, for never being good enough and for procrastinating. As I'm making resolutions for 2008, this phrase will serve as my guide and my inspiration. Thanks Mati.