Creativity, Crafts, Books, Movies, Greyhounds & Favorite Things

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I’ve taken the first several days of the New Year to think about some of the things I want to focus on in 2013. How will I keep track of things? I’m pretty low-tech, so I’ll be using:

1. Paper calendar – I’ll use this to keep track of my work schedule, appointments, and daily & weekly tasks.

2. Wall calendars – I just hung up 3 dry-erase calendars in my studio.  I’ll use these to keep track of my goals, my blog schedule and ideas that come up.

3. Journals – I’ll use these for planning and playing.

I’m always looking for good ideas and helpful hints, so feel free to share how you plan, play and keep track of things.

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I don’t like to set goals. Some of it has to do with my personality…I like to flit around from this to that, and some of it has to do with fear and how bad I feel when I set out to accomplish something and then fall short, but I know it’s a useful tool when you’re trying to focus on something. So here goes…

1. Figure out what role I want painting to play in my life.

2. Write out ten goals I want to accomplish in 2013 with regard to my painting.

3. Every Sunday, review and plan the week ahead and keep an eye on the month so I don’t overextend myself.

4. Schedule regular painting time. I’ll start with three hours a week.

5. Set-up a gallery page on my blog.

These are the goals I want to accomplish by the end of January.

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I’m spending this week thinking about some of the things I’d like to focus on this year. I love a good self-help book. Here’s a few I’m looking at, as I set-up some goals for 2013.

My friend, Amy, gave me this book last year. At the time, I knew that I was dedicating 2012 to creativity and playfulness, so I wasn’t particularly interested in it. I’m giving it a second look…the “turbocharged habits” part, not the “bangin’ body” part. Maybe I’ll do bangin’ body next year.

I bought this book last year and think I’ll work through it this year to focus my never-ending efforts to make peace with my stuff.

This is the first book I’m going to work my way through during my “Creating the Creator” posts on Sundays.

Life always feels so “hopeful” when you have several self-help books to look through.

Now for a little fun…My friend, Jay, who writes The Depp Effect, wrote a post called How To Be Happy! Jay said, “The secret of happiness, if you ask me, is to find it in small things.” To help us find and consider the small things in our lives, Jay is hosting a link party every Thursday. If you’d like to join in, here’s what you need to do:

1. Look out for those little things that bring a little sunshine into your heart, and produce anything from a tiny smile to a flat out belly laugh.

2. Take a photo.

3. Post it on your blog, telling us a little bit about it.

4. Link it to The Depp Effect.

Here’s my first “little thing” that makes me happy…COFFEE!

I love coffee. I love the taste, the things you put in it, the warmth, the mugs, the smell…pretty much everything. My favorite coffee is Seattle’s Best Number 4 (Henry’s Blend) with Coffee-mate Cafe Mocha creamer. This makes me very happy, and I do appreciate it every single day.

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Last year, instead of making New Year’s resolutions, I picked a word that would encompass the spirit in which I would live the year. My word for 2012 was CREATIVE. I feel I did live within the spirit of that word during 2012. I pushed myself to create all year long, and I tried a variety of different things. As 2013 neared, I started to think about my word for the new year.

Here are some things that became clear to me as 2012 was winding down…

1. I love to paint. In particular, I love to paint my little girls. I want to continue painting. Today, that’s where I see my future as an artist.

2. I love to blog. It is a great source of joy to me, both in how it allows me to develop myself and how it allows me to communicate with others all around the world.

3. I would like to do better with my finances, health, home and relationships.

Looking at this list made my word for 2013 pop into my head…FOCUS. I need to focus.

A little note…Thank you to Melanie of Only a Breath. She created my one word button. If you’d like a button of your own, check out this post for the information Melanie needs from you. Need help choosing a word for 2013? Check out One Word 365.

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Happy New Year!

When I started writing What Remains Now in 2011, I set-up a weekly posting schedule to help me focus on what to write about. That’s worked well for me, and I plan to continue posting on a schedule in 2013…but, I like to change things up. Here’s my new schedule for 2013:

Creating the Creator (Sunday)

I love to learn about and grow in my creative process.  From the very beginning, I’ve worked my way through books and e-courses to learn more and just for the fun of it.  I still want to learn more, and I’d love for you to join me.

In My Studio & Inspiration (Monday)

I’ll continue my weekly check-in with what’s going on in my studio.  Since I will be focusing MUCH more on painting, I want to challenge myself to walk through the process of finding inspiration and translating it into one of my paintings. Every Monday, in addition to talking about what’s happening in my studio, I’ll post something I’m using as an “inspiration.” On Thursdays, I’ll talk about how I’m translating that “inspiration” into a painting.

Greyt Hounds (Tuesday)

I know you all love reading about Freedom, Casper & Nikki. They were sorely neglected on my blog in 2012, so I plan to rectify that situation in 2013. At least once a week…hounds rule!

Want To Talk About (Wednesday)

I enjoy having a day to talk about whatever I like, so I will keep this spot open for…whatever.

Inspiration Results (Thursday)

This is the day I’ll showcase the “results” of translating the “inspiration” I post on Mondays.

Poetry & Kindness Challenge (Friday)

I really enjoyed adding a “Daily Inspiration” quote to every post in 2012 along with one of my photographs.  For years, I’ve been saying that I would like to read more poetry.  This year, I am.  How do I know?…because I’m going to share one poem every week.  I’ll also include a photo or two. I also love blog challenges and this year I’m creating one of my own.  Each week, I’ll post a prompt of something you can do to make the world a kinder place.  Take the kindness challenge!

Artist Date (Saturday)

At the very start of my creative journey in 2011, I read the book The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron.  Two of the creative pillars in the book are Morning Pages and Artist Dates.  I’ve always been sloppy about making time for my Artist Dates.  This year, I’m going to to tell you about them.  I’m doing this for two reasons…to make myself accountable and because I enjoy reading about places my blogging friend go, so I hope you will enjoy my adventures.

I’ll start my new posting schedule on Sunday, January 6. I’m going to use the next couple days to flesh-out my hopes, dreams and goals for 2013.  Thank you, for following along. Here’s to a fun and creative new year!

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Here’s what’s been going on in my studio…

For Wednesday’s “Try This” post, I did a simple little felt flower.

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year.

Daily Inspiration

There’s one good thing about snow, it makes your lawn look as nice as your neighbor’s.

Clyde Moore

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 Daily Inspiration

If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.

Mother Teresa

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Here’s what I read during the last three months:

Broken Harbor by Tana French

Broken Harbor is Tana French’s fourth Dublin Murder Squad novel. I am a huge Tana French fan because she writes a first-rate police procedural mystery, her characters are complex and compelling, and she explores both human weakness and larger societal issues. Each of the Dublin Murder Squad books is set up so that a minor character in one book shows up as the protagonist in another. It’s not necessary to read the books in any particular order since other than this particular connection, each book stands by itself. My favorite…#2 The Likeness…but I love them all.

Daily Inspiration

Medicine for the soul.

Inscription over the door of the Library at Thebes

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I’m think and dreaming about all the things I’d like to do in 2013, but figured I’d also better look at what I didn’t finish in 2012.

12 Artsy Ornaments of Christmas

I’ve watched all the lovely videos but haven’t made anything yet. I’d like to give all 12 a try and have some nice gifts for next Christmas.

Capturing the Essence Online Workshop

I have done nothing here. I have until August 2013 to finish this workshop.

Mixed Devotions Bottles by Cristina Zinnia Galiher

I started these but need to finish them. I loved working on these bottles.

Art Journal All Year

My goal was to do one page a week. I did awesome until August, and then I stopped working on it. I do want to finish this up.

Daily Inspiration

Whenever there is enthusiasm, there is a creative empowerment that goes far beyond what a mere person is capable of.

Eckhart Tolle

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This is the last post on my School Memories album…well, almost. When I do finally finish it in 2013, I’ll do a “victory” post.

A couple other points of interest…

Tuesday, Freedom, Casper, Nikki and Twinkie reported that they had “won” the Christmas Card count. Today, we received this.

Not much left, but the count now is:

Freedom, Casper, Nikki & Twinkie – 52

Daddy and Mommy – 30

Have you heard of the Pet Blogger Challenge?

The Pet Blogger Challenge is on January 10. Sponsored by GoPetFriendly.com, it is a community event that gives pet bloggers from around the world the chance to get to know each other, find out what motivates them, share tips for making their blogs better, commiserate, inspire, and support each other. It’s an opportunity to celebrate what they’ve accomplished over the last year, recognize how they’ve changed and grown, and lay out their vision for the year ahead.

If you’d like to participate, you can find the questions here; then on January 10th, all the participants will post their answers to the questions. There will be a link list, so you can hop around and meet some new friends.

Daily Inspiration

Books are lighthouses erected in the great sea of time.

E.P. Whipple