Wednesday, December 30, 2009

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





9 comments:

Bekka said...

You've been a busy bee this year! I love looking at your favorites from the year -- you pick for TAAFOMFT is truly breathtaking! Love you goals!!! If you lived close, I would happily teach you to crochet and you could teach me how to knit!! :) Here's to an amazing 2010!!!

Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

*sigh* I loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee everything U make....seriously....*love*.....and that painting...and its going to be on display....WOW WOW WOW WOW...that is AWESOME Chris... and WOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW U are getting to be quite well known (I had NO DOUBT about that)!!!! And I wish U more success in 2010! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

Deana said...

SO GLAD you chose that for your FAV LO of 2009... it certainly is MY fav Chris project EVER! I adore it!

Your goals & achievements are ALL awesome! Great job achieving what you did & I know you'll achieve what you set out to accomplish in 2010!

Hope it's a VERY HAPPY year for you!

Hugs...

sarah said...

hey chris. :) i totally assess my life, but not on new year's. it's more of a birthday thing... but i still think about it on NY.

this is totally off topic, but a visitor went into our bathroom today and saw your painting and LOVED it! so when you have your shop up and running, i'm gonna send you a customer. hehe. :) i told her that a special friend sent it to me. :)

hope you and yours (and the furries)) have a wonderful NYE! :)

hugs,
sarah.

mandysea said...

Wow Chris!! THat pick for TAAFOMFT is just ART!
I gasped when my eyes set sight on it!

wow wow wow!! gorgeous!!

Jenneke said...

Oh Chris, what a GREAT post!!!!
I agree with you about your favorite work of this year, it's absolutely PERFECT!!!!
And that painting, wow....STUNNING!!!
You're so talented, so very very creative!!
Thanks for all the nice words you wrote on my blog, they mean a lot to me!!
Wishing you the best year you can imagine!!!!!

Hugs, Jenneke

Anonymous said...

Wow..Chris,love your faves and a lot more ;)...you are so freakin creative!
Thanks for your friendship and all of your kind and sweet commnets on my blog..so appreciate it!So happy we got to know each other this year!
Wishing you and your loved ones a verry happy and healthy new year with lots of everything wonderful!

Anonymous said...

I love that LO you chose as your fave, and the painting is really fabulous!!! I wish you a very nice new years eve and a happy and creative new year... so glad we met this year Chris!

feli said...

Christina! you must must tell me how you did the mixed media piece! so cool! :)