2009 favs and goals

The new challenge is up at http://whatisyourfavething.blogspot.com/ and it is to show us your favorite layout or project that you made in the year 2009. The Design team had some fabulous picks of their own, and it's always fascinating to see what artists see as their favorite creation. I selected this mixed media piece - HERO - as my favorite project. I felt so inspired to do this in memory of my wonderful mother. It is quite simple compared to most of what I create but each element seemed just right. Be sure to get us your entry by Jan 14 - come on - this challenge is easy peasy - we hope to see lots of great layouts and projects!!!!!

I love this layout of my cat Hana - it so epitomizes her funky little self.

This is one of the first layouts I did for TAAFOMFT and it's one of my favs - very soft, lots of lace, totally me.

I loved making this fairy mask for Halloween - it made me think of fantasy stories, of Shakespeare, of magic.

and this is my favorite painting of 2009 - I know Dan would pick the first pineapple painting that I did. The above painting will be in an exhibition at the Vero Beach Museum of Art starting Jan 15, 2010.

And now for a little retrospection and assessment of 2009 (I got the idea from Bekka's blog http://bekkabess.blogspot.com/ .

In 2009 I wanted to take a painting class in watercolor - I actually took 3 and even had a painting exhibited

In 2009 I wanted to finish several quilt projects - I finished 3 wallquilts, a tablerunner, and a totebag; and I did a tutorial on the Year of Color blog on one of the wallquilts

In 2009 I wanted to sew 2 blouses (done), sew cushions for my living room couch (done) and knit a tank top that converts to a tee (did not get this done)

In 2009 I wanted to get a layout or project on the SIS Catwalk - I made it

In 2009 I wanted to win a scrapbooking challenge blog contest - I was fortunate enough to win several

In 2009 I wanted to get on a Design Team - in June Julie asked me to join the team for TAAFOMFT - I was, and still am, so honored and thrilled to be working with her and the other talented members of the team. Then, after applying for lots of design team positions, this fall I won a spot on the Harlee Quinnz Designs team, The Sampler for Scrapbookingsuppliesrus team, and the Scrapgal team - Yay!!!!!

In 2009 I wanted to read 100 books - I read 88

In 2009 I wanted to exercise more - I now regularly exercise 3-4 times a week - I need to do better on this

In 2009 I wanted to be more spiritual - I started a gratitude journal but stopped writing in it after a month or so - I have taken time to meditate more and to be thankful for what I had - but I know I could and should do more

In 2009 I wanted to try the NOT BUYING idea of only buying necessities, but after 3 months, I fell off the wagon and spent way too much on art supplies - but based on our budget right now with only 1 1/2 days to go in this year, we did very well on our limited budget and hopefully come in a little under budget - YAY!

For 2010 I want to

paint a lot (need to come up with a numeric goal)

sell some paintings

have my crafts financially support themselves

exercise more

work on being more grateful and spiritual

get my etsy shop up and running

save money for a trip to Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver probably in 2011

get the tank top knitted

learn to crochet

do some minor improvements to our house

Do you assess your progress each year? I try not to stress about stuff but it really helps me focus on the big picture if I write the goals down. I have a 2 year plan right now to achieve certain things so I try to break the tasks down into manageable ones - and I always try to remember that sometimes life gets in the way and you just have to accept that - and sometimes life shows you that your original goals were not really the right ones - sort of like coming to the fork in the road idea ....

Well, this is a long posting so thanks for reading and have a great new year's eve and day! I will be back with you next year.

ttfn